Spring Fever Ramblings

Having a 9-5 job when Spring decides to flirt with your senses is totally unfair!  Granted, it has been  a very mild winter here in Maryland, I am so ready for warmer weather, green grass, and flowers!  The spring-like temps yesterday and today have me unfocused on my admin work and chomping at the bit to go and dig in some dirt!

Unfortunately, I have suffered with an off and on headache over the last 3-4 days...just when I think it is gone, it's knuckles tap me on the side of the head again..."I'm baacckkk"!

My day on Earrings Everyday....Confetti!

Here are a couple more pairs of earrings I created a while back featuring my new love of  bezel cups...

Handwrought copper  disks with faceted blue chalcedony; lampwork by SueBeads

Sterling disks with tiny turquoise cabs;  Picasso finish Czech glass drops

Have been working on some custom orders...including a silent auction piece for one of my co-worker's Breast Cancer fundraiser and a special gift for my son's Scout leader...she has been his den leader all the way through Cubs, and will continue into Boy Scouts.  Hope to have photos of these to show soon!

Speaking of Scouts, B crosses the bridge on Saturday!  Will take lots of photos!

Oh, I almost forgot...I am still going to have a giveaway based on my Bead Soup leftovers...will get a post up soon, I promise!

Hope you are all enjoying the spring-like weather and aren't stuck inside at your desk!

Time for a Bowl of Bead Soup!

The 5th Bead Soup Blog Party is now underway!  The fabulous Lori Anderson is the host and does such a wonderful job coordinating all this - this year she randomly chose 200 participants (!) and partnered them up to swap a special mix of bead soup.  Required elements were a focal component and a special clasp.

I was paired with Michele Escano, who sent me a lovely polymer clay flower focal and an assortment of crystals, cloisonne and brass to go with...a great mix.  The flower focal was innovative...it was layered on top of a brass filigree piece.  I loved it, but was a bit flummoxed as to how I wanted to proceed....there was only a little of the filigree showing around the piece and I wanted to dangle something from it.

My bead soup from Michelle!

After a bit of procrastination and thought, I decided I was going to try and make it bigger by layering it onto another base.  I chose copper and went about cutting, sanding and texturizing a flower shape to rivet Michele's flower onto...it worked!

Red Flower necklace


I decided that the rest of the necklace would be rather minimal, so I chose to use 2 each of the cloisonne and the russet crystal beads, as well as a few of the pleated brass beads.  I added one of my enameled filigree beads, copper chain, and a blossom dangle created with 2 sizes of Czech glass bell flowers, copper headpin and a copper bead cap, created by me!  I love this little dangle so much I created matching earrings!

I had planned to create something extra with the leftover beads for a giveway...I didn't even touch the black crystal! However, time has been at a premium at our house lately, so it is not finished....but....I am still going to do it, so....leaving a comment will enter you into a random drawing for....something I finish creating over the next day or so!

Now, your job is to go and visit the other artists who participated this time...I am sure they have created some fabulous pieces...I can't wait to go hop myself!

Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5.  Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6.  Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8.  Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9.  Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10.  Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery 

11.  Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12.  Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13.  Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14.  Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)

17.  Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18.  Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19.  Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20.  Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23.  Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26.  Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27.  Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28.  Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29.  Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30.  Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31.  Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)

34.  Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35.  Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36.  Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)

38.  Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40.  Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42.  Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44.  Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46.  Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47.  Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49.  Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50.  Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian

51.  Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52.  Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53.  Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)

56.  Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57.  Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58.  Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59.  Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60.  Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan

61.  Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62.  Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63.  Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64.  Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67.  Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68.  Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69.  Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70.  Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71.  Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

 72.  Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73.  Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74.  Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75.  Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77.  Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)

79.  Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80.  Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry

 81.  Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander

82.  Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84.  Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)

85.  Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86.  Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen

87.  Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88.  Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89.  Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson

90.  Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91.  Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94.  Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96.  Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

99.  Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100.  Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum

Leap Day Random

Wow, time has flown...I really can't believe it is the end of February already!  I feel like I have been really, really busy for the past couple months, but don't really feel like I have accomplished anything that I wanted to accomplish...sort of like the hamster in the wheel...running, running, running, but not actually getting anywhere. Now, here it is Leap Day...an extra day in February to start/do/finish things before March!

A necklace I actually started and finished in February, featuring a HumbleBeads polymer leaf pendant.

This resin-filled bezel was created as part of Deryn Mentock' s Towers an Turrets class (last year!) - just finished the necklace with copper, Czech glass and an unknown stone!

Went last week with B to visit his new middle school for next year, and got the lowdown on classes he is expected to take and electives, etc...he is a bit disappointed he can only take 1 elective...so will have to choose between band and art. His Dad and I (musicians that we are) are pushing band, especially since we went ahead and bought the drum he has been taking lessons on for the last year and a half, but he is really good in art as well.

Have been procrastinating (surprised?) about working on my bead soup pieces, but will be ready to reveal my creations this Saturday, March 3rd, right here...so stayed tuned, my friends!  Psst, there might even be a giveaway involved!

Also on this Saturday, I will be at the Frederick Artists Market, located at 15 North Market Street, from 5-9pm.  This will be the last market until October, so if you are in the area, stop by and say hello!

Oh, I just acquired a new domain and will be unveiling a new website soon...more on that later!

Bead Soup Mix for my Partner...

I included a big (2 inch) mixed metal focal disk I created with embedded filigree into solder over a copper base.  The clasp is also mixed...the circle is a copper base that has been covered with solder and textured...the hook is copper wrapped with brass.  Using metals as my focals, the color palette for the rest of the beads was unlimited.  I like the look of the green and browns that I chose, though.  The first thing I picked up were the lampwork beads by Reghina of Birchtree Jewelry..the picture doesn't show it very well, but these lovely beads have tiny specks of green among the golds and brown.  The rest was easy...faceted botswana agate, 6mm green stones (not sure exactly!), pretty Czech glass leaves and a few of my enameled beads.

I am liking this color palette so much, I may have to create myself a second mix to play with later on!  I can't wait to see what Michelle creates!

Got My Soup Mix!

My Bead Soup partner, Michelle Escano makes gorgeous polymer clay pieces, so I was anticipating receiving  a lovely mix.  I was not disappointed!

Michelle sent me a vibrant red flower created from shaping polymer clay on a piece of brass filigree! I love it!

Just look at the detail on the petals and the sweet little green leaves!

The rest of the soup is just as nice...black, pink and red cloisonne beads (I love cloisonne), an assortment of faceted crystal beads in black and a really pretty coppery color, tiny red beads, pleated brass beads, tiny brass bead caps, and not 1, but 2 brass toggle clasps!

She also sent me a beautiful enameled bracelet as a gift and a handmade card she created....I neglected to take a photo, but here is a link to her post, where you can see it!

I have some ideas swirling around and a few quick sketches on my pad...now to find the time to sit down and work!

Next up, the bead soup mix I sent to Michelle!

Happy Random Valentine's Day!

Hello, all my sweet friends out there!  I'm not going to apologize for being so scarce around these here parts lately, and really, I have no excuse!  I am trying to work on other aspects of my life and somehow haven't felt the compulsion to share! Never fear, however, we are all fine and will get back into a rhythm eventually!

Want to win these earrings and more?  Go visit Earrings Everyday and find out how!

Have been meaning to post a pic of Ben and his car after his CubScouts Pinewood Derby...no prizes this time, but he had fun!  We just went to our 1st Boys Scouts meeting in preparation for crossing the bridge!  He may even go to sleep-away camp this summer!

Bead soup photos are coming later this week!  The stash I got from my partner is amazing and I really like what I sent  her!  Just have to edit some photos.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all...hope your special cupid out there shoots some arrows of love through your heart!

Azure - Earrings Everyday

My turn over at Earrings Everyday!