Bead Soup Ingredients

Recipe Card Included via Lisa Boucher

What a great surprise and wonderful gift!

Thank you Lisa! It's always fun to get a package in the mail, but it is especially nice to get a surprise package when you have been sick. You included soooo many of your originally designed ceramic beads and findings. You truly out did yourself by making this wonderful selection for me!!!

She has listed every ingredient for the soup on a recipe card, 

and presented all of the Bead Soup Mix in a little recipe box!

Her ceramic beads and findings have great design and color. I find the beads and finding pieces, that she has made and selected for me to use in my project, to be very inspirational. I already know that I will have to make at least a couple of pieces of jewelry with so many wonder things to use.

I will list out everything she has sent in my next post. ( Left the box of goodies at the studio. )

In the mean time, checkout her beautiful clay creations at: www.CLAYWORKSsnh.com

Love it, Love it, Love it!!!  Thanks for the great selection, Lisa.

Free-Form Peyote Challenge

Choose Your Own Adventure

Free-Form Peyote has no set pattern or rules to follow.
Good design elements and a cohesive composition makes it
an abstract art form of off-loom bead weaving.
Taah - Daah!

Please leave your comment. Since this is my first attempt, I really want comments (good or bad).
A special "Thank You!" to Karen Williams for putting the Challenge together. And especially for her "step-by-step beginnings" that helped me get started with my free-form peyote bracelet; a project technique that I have wanted to try for a couple of years now.

I would probably still be working on making the bracelet if not for the fact that I got the "bug" that is going around. I had quite a few days at home sick. So after 2 days of non-stop sleeping, I spent the rest of the weekend beading. Like most projects, once I got started, it took on a life of its own.

I picked up the handmade Kazuri ceramic focal bead when I was in Kenya last summer. (In Swahili, Kazuri means small and beautiful.) The seed beads were left over from other projects and the accent beads of fire-polish glass, pressed glass, fancy jasper stone chips, filigree and gold plated metal were odds and ends. I usually design jewelry with repeating and symmetrical patterns, since those are what most people want to see. This was a big departure from most of the representational artwork that I do.

I really enjoyed playing with the elements and experimenting with the placement of the beads with regard to color and texture.  Since I was slowed down with "the bug," I remembered to take time to photo document the making of the bracelet. This is something that I usually forget to do during the creation of the piece.

Self-Critique: For the next project, I will take time to plan a color palette. The colors are alright, but I just quickly grabbed a few things that were convenient. The center ceramic bead is way too big for my wrist. I usually don't wear what I make anyway; however my friends seem to like to wear what I make. For the next bracelet, I plan to do more open work and to add more surface decoration and embellishments. I also plan to use a snap closure.

Bitchy Little Note:

There is a force out there that really doesn't like me!!!.... It's 3 AM, I am "baby-sitting" my daughter's 15 year old barking dog, who has dementia..... Hubby is really upset, of course he is trying to sleep.... So. trying to be productive, I decided to post on my blog..... Most of you know writing is not my forte, so after laboring over each word for an hour and a half the computer Freezes-up!!!. just as I add the most important items.... The photos!!!  Can not revert or escape!!!! Aaaaarrrrrhh!!!! ... Must do over. What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger......

Focus on Life: Beauty of Flowers

Beauty of Flowers -- This was an easy focus!

"Earth laughs in flowers."

A favorite quote of mine by: Ralph Waldo Emerson

One of my greatest joys is to take close-up pictures of flowers. Every where I travel I am looking for the flora and fauna indigenous to that place and time. I used the pictures as reference for my pencil work, but now days, I find myself enjoying the hunting and gathering of floral photos more enjoyable than making the floral portraits. I hope you enjoy my selection for this focus. The flowers are a part of my Valentine's Day bouquet from my sweetie! (He also spoiled me with chicken soup for my cold.)

"To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds, and watch their renewal of life -- 

this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a (wo)man can do."

Charles Dudley Warner

Week 7

February 10, 2013: The Year of the Snake Begins

   

As we celebrate the Spring Festival of 2013, saying good-bye to Winter and welcoming the coming of Spring, let us remember that it is a time of renewal, good fortune and positive tidings for the year ahead. It is also a time for social reunion and a renewal of harmony within our personal and business lives.

CHINESE ZODIAC

I will miss the Dragon (my year), however I welcome the good fortune, 

steady progress, and attention to detail the Snake promises to bring.

The Chinese astrology system also honors the five elements:

water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.

This year is the water element is active in full force,

bringing wisdom and wise choices with it.

Legend is: Buddha asked all the animals to meet him at the full moon, just before his departure from the earth. Only 12 animals came. So as a reward Buddha named a year after each one to honor them for obeying his request. He named each of the years in the order in which the animals arrived. He also announced that some of the animal's personality would be given to the people born in their year.

Chinese months are determined by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year Festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest and fullest.

Dragon = Wisdom

People of the Dragon have good health and lots of energy.

They are good friends because they listen carefully to others.

Full of vitality, creativity, and enthusiasm, the dragon is a popular individual.

Guard against being bossy and loud.

Snake = Luck

 People born in this year love good books, food, music and plays.

They will have good luck with money.

Rich in wisdom and charm, you are romantic and deep thinking.

Guard against your intuition guiding you too strongly.

Horse = Tolerance

Horse people are popular, cheerful, and are quick to compliment others.

Horse people can be very hard workers.

Your capacity for hard work is amazing; you are intelligent and friendly.

Guard against being egotistical.

Goat = Art

People born in this year are very good artists.

They ask many questions, like nice things and are very wise.

Warmhearted and honest, a gifted naturalist.

Guard against being footloose and fancy free.

Monkey = Fantasy

Monkey people are very funny.

They can always make people laugh, and are very good problem solvers.

You are very clever and your extraordinary nature makes you well liked.

Guard against being a fool.

Rooster = Candor

People born in this year are hard workers.

They have many talents and think deep thoughts.

Your are shrewd and definite in decision making.

Guard against being extravagant.

Dog = Idealism

Dog people are loyal and can always keep a secret.

Sometimes dog people worry too much.

You are generous, work well with others, and are an honest friend.

Guard against a sharp tongue.

Pig = Honesty

People of the Pig are very good students, and always finish a project or assignment.

They are honest and brave.

You are a great companion and an intellectual who sets difficult goals and carries them out.

Guard against expecting too much from others.

Rat = Survival

Rat people are very popular.

They like to invent things and are good artists.

You are honest, generous, and have a good sense of fair play.

Guard against being too aggressive.

Ox = Endurance

People born in this year are dependable and calm.

They are good listeners and have very strong ideas.

You are conservative and methodical.

Guard against being chauvinistic.

Tiger = Courage

People of the Tiger are brave.

Other people respect tiger people for their deep thoughts and courageous actions.

You are sensitive, emotional, and capable of great love.

Guard against being too stubborn.

Rabbit = Virtue

People born in this year are nice to be around.

They like to talk, and many people trust them.

You work well with others, and value security and tranquility.

Guard against risk taking.

I hope you have found something of interest. I always find it interesting when I learn about other cultures and traditions, especially how they originated and developed.

I love the door guards!

My Bead Soup Adventure

Lisa Boucher is my Bead Soup Party Partner! 

As soon as I found out Lisa was my partner, I visited her website,

Where I found her passion for Stoneware and Porcelain Clay Creations;

Handcrafted clay jewelry, beads, ornaments, and custom components for other artists.

Lisa is one busy lady! ..... She not only makes clay jewelry, beads, and ornaments; she monitors and updates her website, she manages her Etsy Shop: Clayworksnh, she blogs at: Lisa's Clay Happenings, she posts on her Facebook page: Clayworks by Lisa Boucher, and she promotes and markets her creations at local stores.

I think Lori Anderson made a good matchup! She lives in New Hampshire now, but she lived in Florida (a place I love to go) for a while. We share a love of the beach, sea life, and palm trees. We both enjoy the southwest, learning about traditions and books on spirituality, too. 

I am very nervous about making a "Soup" for her. It is a little eclectic and there are a couple of "different ingredients". Hopefully, Lisa will understand I believe that "Variety is the Spice of Life", and that everyone should try thinking outside the box, but in this case, the bottle.

More "teaser" pictures to come.

The Mardi Gras beads don't have anything to do with the Bead Soup. My daughter hosted a "Girls Night Out" out on "Fat Tuesday" complete with beads!  Needless to say, a great time was had by all!!!

Focus On Life - Feel the Love

Feeling the Love?

Come on, Feel the Love!

Have you ever noticed how dogs like to cuddle up with the least interested person in the room?

The only time these four dogs do anything together is when Dale sits down to have a quiet evening. They love to snuggle-up in the chair with him.

Come-on everybody, get comfy and "Feel the Love".

Playing Catch-Up

Playing Catch-Up......Yesterday, Today, and in reality Tomorrow

With the blogs and challenges that I have joined in the past few days, I find myself behind before I even get started. Since most of the challenges started at the beginning of the New 2013 Year. So I think that I will try to make a few things and take some pictures. I like making visuals better than writing anyway. This is my First Photo Challenge for Focus on Life.

If you can't tell, the theme is Self-Portrait.
BTW is your cup half full or half empty?
Looks like mine is empty from this angle,
but let me assure you it has more inside than the eye can see.

So much to do.....

So much to do.... so little time.
Hurry-up and Wait..............................................
Do you ever find yourself caught in a vicious circle of need to get this done, but first this has to be done, however I can't do that until this is finalized, and I can't get going on it because someone else has a say in what happens and when it happens?
So what do you do? .......
....... I try do what I can in the moment, I try to keep on making a plan that is subject to change, and I try not to stress-out, so I can quickly and efficiently put my best plan in action when the time comes.
Keep in the moment. Keep good, positive thoughts. What you live does come back.

The opening and unfolding of a beautiful, sweet smelling rose;

seems like an appropriate visual for today.

Spring Shine on a Winter's Day

Spring Shine

Oh, What a Day!

My husband had flowers waiting for me when I got home today.

I can't help but notice how nicely the colors fit with the 2013 Pantone Spring Colors.

I continue to Blog Hop and I am getting involved in a few new projects....

Can't wait to find out who my partner is for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party. Lori really goes all out in putting this together for all of us. There are 500 people participating this time! If you haven't heard about it, visit her blog to find out all about it and to find out about Lori. 

I have also joined the Bead Journal Project 2013, Focus on Life, and Baublicious' Free Form Peyote Challenge. There are so many wonder-full blogs challenges and groups of people participating. I am looking to get creatively energized and to get to know a lot more people in the beading world. The Bead Journal Project is a project a month with a series aspect, while the Baublicious Free Form Peyote Challenge is revealed at the end of February. Need to get to work on that one, since I have never done any free-form peyote projects before and I'm sure the end of February will be here before I know it. The Focus on Life project is also a year long one that has a new theme posted every week. We are then to take a picture that captures the idea in a unique, everyday snapshot. I have a little catching up to do on that one. Just very grateful to everyone for letting me participate, since I missed the very beginnings.

There are Lots of Wonderful, Loving and Generous people in the world.

We all need to focus on finding and building relationships with them as we share our creativity, common interests, and life journey. Take a short blog hop and see who you can find!