Hello.   If  you’re dropping by, you’ve found DAY 4 of the Color Palette Blog Walk, Round 2.  Brandi of Brandi Girl Blog dreamed up this fantastic idea of bloggers sharing color palettes created from their own photographs.    The theme for the color palettes was centered around what inspires us.

For some time now one of my primary sources of inspiration has been my antique finds.   I not only look for pieces to be used in jewelry, but items  for my studio….. dress forms, little bowls for beads, vintage jewelry boxes, and items that can be used to stage my jewelry pictures (a FAVORITE item to search for and will blog about those at another time).  Surrounding myself with worn but sentimental things makes me happy.   I stopped to ponder recently, is my studio more about function or really more of a pretty sanctuary?   Just last week my 10 year old son stood in the middle of my studio (its a rather small room -but with great light, if you’re trying to picture it) and looked around.  As if seeing it for the first time, he said, “Wow, Mom.  You have a LOT of things in here!”.   He didn’t say,  “look at that drill”, or, “what a work table!”, or “wow, that’s a cool torch!”   See, I find I  surround myself with pretty things.

…..Now back to my Color Palettes.  Taking pictures of old treasures is almost like cheating because they have such charm and depth of character that comes with age alone.   While antiquing, this old grain bin caught my eye with its peeling paint and the picture of a girl lost in thought.  Interestingly when translated in to  color swatches, the bin represents a palette that would be great for Fall jewelry designs.  That may not inspire you now, unless you’re working on Fall jewlery or publication submissions already!

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This next picture is a grouping of finds from my last antiquing trip to PA.  A little jewelry box that I chose for its velvet lining, a sweet lady with gilded detail (an Occupied Japan figurine) and an assortment of old watches that we found from the most interesting dealer.  I plan to use the watches in future jewelry designs.

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Finally, the Bead Soup grouping that I sent to my BSBP partner, Amanda Davie.   An antique Victorian brooch took center stage and was accompanied by some nice, worn mother of pearl beads.  In the hands of a creative genius, I was anxious to see how the brooch might be used in a jewelry design.   If you haven’t already, you can see what Amanda made with this “soup” here.

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I’d like to thank Brandi for this opportunity to create and share color palettes, something brand new to me.  Her blog will continue to inspire as she shares a wealth of inspiration and amazing photography!   

Please stop by the other blogs featured in the blog walk today:

Christie at Displaced Urbanite
Rachel at TatterBeans
Brittany at The Home Ground

Looking forward to the Color Palette Blog Walk #3 already!

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Mr. Postman

by Cindy on March 2, 2011

Hello friends!  Today I have a few special things to share – all hand made with love and brought to me by Mr. Postman.

First up is a sweet little gift from Kristin Robinson.  You may be familiar with Kristin through her contributions to the Stampington magazines, including a recent cover of Somerset Life.   Kristin is a Ice Resin Creative  Team member, and is the author of the upcoming book, Tales of Adornment.   I’m crazy about Kristin’s work with resin!

resin-by-kristin-robinson

Next I just had to share these pretty seedbead earrings by Sandra.  Sandra has created these “Burst” earrings in a variety of colors and this pair just called my name!  If you’re inclined to work with tiny beads, you can try your hand at these earrings with the tutorial found here.

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Lastly, I couldn’t resist this bright and whimsical coin purse made by Virginie of  ViviBijoux.  Virginie is giving away a lavender coin purse as part of her Bead Soup Blog Party post…and there’s still time to enter!  And I’m still making my way to the party blogs out there, anyone else still blog hopping?

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Have a great day & thanks for stopping by!!

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Color Palette Blog Walk Round 2

by Cindy on February 28, 2011

Well hello!

Have you been enjoying the big Bead Soup blog party?!    Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to say hello and and left a comment on my Bead Soup post.  I am still making my way around to many blogs, still blog hop, hop, hopping (after all, 200+ blogs is a LOT of soup!).

Today I’m thrilled to share another exciting blogging event, this one centered around COLOR.  Brandi of Catie’s Blue  and Brandi Girl Blog is hosting her second Color Palette Blog Walk.  Brandi is an incredibly talented jewelry artist from Texas, known for her gorgeous use of color.  One visit to her site, you’ll see exactly what I mean.  Be prepared to see plenty of drool-worthy jewelry and photography.  Brandi is so generous with assisting the art blogging community with plenty of tips and tutorials, absolutely helpful for someone like me.

The Color Palette Walk is a tour around 20 blogs, each sharing color palettes made from their own pictures.  I think that is the part that really attracted me to this blog walk – that the pictures we used had to be our own.  I may have no business joining this group because really I’m no expert (and tend to photograph in full-auto mode!), but as you know I do love taking candids.  Why not join our walk, see photographs that inspire us, visit a new blog or two, and have some fun!  Please see the schedule below…. the walk starts TODAY!

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Monday, Feb. 28th
Brandi at Brandi Girl Blog
Erin atTreasures Found
Jen at Jen Judd Rocks
Shari at Exploring the Wonders of Life

Tuesday, March 1st
Karen at Creative Thoughts and Inspirations
Julia at UlvDesign
Jessa at The ReArtingDotNet Blog
Lyn at Lyn Foley Jewelry Blog

Wednesday, March 2nd
Jescalyn at Peach Honey Love
Paige at Paige Maxim Designs
Katrina at Ma Joie Press
Jenni at Jenni’s Beads

Thursday, March 3rd
Christie at Displaced Urbanite
Rachel at TatterBeans
Brittany at The Home Ground
Cindy at Sweet Bead Studio

Friday, March 4th
Rachel at Balanced Crafts
Wren at Each Day
Kelly at Mackin Art
Kristy at Simply Shiny Blog

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