Thinking Aloud....

Just a thought...

1.  As much as I LOVE designing  & making jewelry, I'm debating on starting an Etsy shop with bead sets & components.  The Blog Hop really opened my eyes to how diverse jewelry design can be, and my partner Tari, of Clay Buttons, proved that what I thought were "dainty" beads can really be turned into anything!!  Just take a look:

Pictures of Tari Sasser's work from the Bead Soup I sent her...amazing!!

Of course I'll still be a regular at shows, and hopefully soon, I can find a reliable, affordable site host to boot!  There's so much to work out like pricing (DEFINITELY not my strong point), set sizes, did I mention pricing? :) 

Any suggestions, advice...and slaps in the face are more than welcome!!

Day 1 of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop

Psssst:  If you're looking for my Bead Soup creation...it's in the previous post!

Day 1 of  Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop:  Wow!! I've been able to visit approximately 1/2 of the blogs today, and with each new blog, I'm nothing short of amazed at the soup mixes sent/received, the talent, the creativity and craftsmanship of my fellow hoppers.  I honestly can't begin to pick  a favorite...every single piece created has a uniqueness all it's own! 

I always try to take something away from every experience...the good ones (in this case) and also the bad (too many to count!)  and here's what I've learned so far:

1.  Having someone pick out what you will base your creation around is a completely foreign concept to almost all of us!  Whether we create our own beads & components, or prefer to purchase we're still making the choice...take personal choice away...and well, you have 362 people scratching their heads for quite some time! :)

2.  Every piece I've viewed today is completely different...further proving that each one of us is an unique individual...yet we all share a bond of beads/jewelry.  Something as simple as that brought us all together, where nothing about our differences mattered...maybe we should encourage Congress to start their own Bead Soup party?

3.  The encouraging comments, thoughts & accolades make me proud to be a part of this community.  I know all too well the feeling of not "being good enough" at times...and the  inspiring comments I read today could just be the little lift someone needed...myself included!

4.  Lampwork artisans still amaze me!!

5.  As well as the intriguing work of bead weavers!!  I have little experience with seed beads (mostly limited to picking them off of the floor, after dropping more than I've strung)...I can't imagine the hours that go in to these tiny works of art!

6.  Visiting all 362 blogs in a weekend was just a pipe dream of mine...nothing more!  I got way too side tracked reading more than just "The Soup" blogs...story of my life!  Of course having 4 kids, a silverware bending husband, and the world's most needy dog stuck inside on a rainy day wasn't much help!

7.  Lori Anderson deserves some type of medal, to be knighted or the like! :)

8.  I drank way too many cups of coffee...could be the reason why I'm still blog hopping 18 hours later...please Lord don't let the kids wake up before noon!

9.  I should of explained my work in a more detailed description...I was just too eager to start my trip around the world!  I know we were encouraged to dig deep into our own stash for complimenting accents for our pieces, but I didn't want a piece that was more me, than my partner!  I want to look at my necklace and be reminded of Tari...therefore, I left it simple.

10.  After the said 18 hours, I have deleted more of this post than I will end up posting...and I need to back away...especially when I can't even string a coherent sentence together!

Soup. Is. On!!!

Yes Ma'am....today is the day...or should I say the start of MANY days!!  I know for myself, it will take me all day weekend to visit all 362 blogs!!  The weather here will be perfect for an all weekend blog hop...rainy, dreary, and a little chilly.  That's ok...I have my own pot of soup (chicken n' dumplings) simmering, hot coffee brewing and plenty of eye candy to look forward to, with Moobie Grace herself by my side!  She loves to peruse all the beautiful creations!

I know this hop was more than an overwhelming task for Bead Soup Blog Hop Hostess Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, during less than ideal circumstances, but it's SO appreciated!!

My perfectly matched up Bead Soup partner is Tari Sasser of Creative Impressions in Clay and to recap this is the haul of ceramic goodies she sent my way...I'm a lucky girl!

Cool, funky, bright & fun...Tari sent a little box of happiness my way!

Although, completely out of my comfort zone (funny how Lori knew exactly where that was!) I was determined to create something...all for myself this time!!!  I don't think I could possibly do justice to Tari's beads & buttons...especially since I'm used to making my own components and beads...who knew working with someone else's fantastic creations could prove so difficult?  Here's what I came up with...and actually didn't reconfigure after my 874 attempt. 

Tari's bold pendant and coordinating beads on my copper hammered wire wraps and copper chain.  Finished with Tari's funky and fun toggle clasp.  I *heart* all 20+ inches of this!!!  I'm thinking chunky sweaters, boots & jeans with this pop of color this winter!!

ETA:  I'll be adding a full shot of the necklace tomorrow.  It's pouring here, and my sub par camera doesn't like the lighting in the house!!!

And the beginnings of another:

These beads are my favorite!!  An eclectic tie dyed effect that I'm still debating on how to use to their full potential.  I also want to use the cool button as the clasp...somehow.  I'll be sure to post pictures of the new piece just as soon as my creativity kicks in!  Please, take a minute to browse Tari's site:  Clay Buttons, I promise you'll find something that you just have to take home for yourself!

For those of you that missed what I sent my partner, Tari...here's a quick shot:

I can't wait to visit Tari's blog to see what she created!

Again, a HUGE thank you to Lori Anderson and all that it entails to pull off a hop of this proportion.  Now, I'm off for a hop around the world...literally...just take a look for yourself!

Just in awe!!!

HAPPY HOPPING!!!

Only In Virginia....

Last Sunday we took a few of the kids to hike to Spy Rock in Nelson county, VA.  It was quite the hike...complete with everything hurting by Monday morning!  On our way down what we thought at the time was only a thunderstorm graced us with torrential downpour!

Here's a few highlights:

Definitely worth the hike!

Breathtaking views from atop of Spy Rock.

Only a 10 year old thinks that running on top of a mountain is a great idea!

Great spot for a nap.

On the long, albeit scenic drive home, we encountered numerous detours due to downed trees.  No problem...we're flexible like that.  My heart lurched when I glanced to my right and noticed a 10 foot wide path right through the middle of a countryside church.  I didn't take any pictures, as I was always told by my mom "not to become an obnoxious tourist during someone else's misfortune."  Turns out we just missed a tornado by about 15 minutes.

Tuesday morning was like Christmas in my mailbox!  I received a few expected packages and also my Bead Soup beads from my partner Tari Sasser!!!  Woot-woot!

I quickly snapped some shots (next post...stay tuned) of the colorful ceramic creations she sent, and got to work.  I stepped out on the back deck so a few of my pieces could take a quick dip in liver of sulfur when the ground started shaking...and the dog and I were slowly getting shaken off of the deck.  Yep....what everyone has watched on t.v. for the past 2 days....earthquake in Virginia....epicenter approximately an hour from us, in Mineral, VA.  Now, a 5.9 quake is a just a Sunday picnic out west...not so much for us east coast country folk!  We've had a few aftershocks...the worst being around 1 a.m. last night...but now we've moved on to bigger things heading our way today....hurricane Irene!

My lights are flickering as I type...so I'm going to batten down the hatches for now....