The Savvy Crafter

With a....

Need to Bead!

Art Bead Scene
September is coming to and end and so is this month's Art Bead Scene monthly challenge. So catch your last chance to join by rounding up beads from more than one of your favorite artisans, and send us a picture for the When Beads Collide theme. Check back next week as we announce the theme and prizes for October.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/09/abs-monthly-challenge-september.html

Bead Arts
Cyndi's lastest bead embroidered page for the Bead Journal Project is finished, and it's her favorite one yet!
http://www.bead-arts.com/bead-journal-projectaugusts-sturgeon-moon/

Jewelry and Beading
Tammy has been working on jewelry making e-course for some time now and has a total of 17 available. They are free, yes - f - r - e - e! Learning everything from bead strining to metal clay.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/09/19/jewelry-e-courses/

Katie's Beading Blog
Break out your rubber stamps and get ready for beady action. This week, Katie shares an easy way to dress-up a plain picture frame.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/09/beads-stamping.html

Savvy Crafter
One minute Candie’s in China and the next Hong Kong. Check out the whirl-wind tour she’s been on this week.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/09/ive-been-on-a-t.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Margot Potter was nice enough to scan the back cover of Art Jewelry magazine's November issue for Jean, who has a cool necklace for Fire Mountain Gems on display!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/09/nice-margot.html

The Impatient Blogger
Margot shares some of her insights on blogging, linky love and blog promotions with Get Known Now platform building expert Susan Falter-Barns.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-on-baby.html

How'd ya do that?

If you are wondering how I commented on your blogs, it's because Wednesday night I spent the night in HK;  a fabulous place where they allow you to visit bl()gsp()t bl()gs.  I'm really sorry I didn't make it to everyone's so until next time....I'll be readin', but no commentn'.  And while I'm on the subject, some folks have asked why I spell Ch!na with an !.  That would be because everything I write is f!ltered through the "you know what".  This is my way of walking around without a big red flashing arrow over my head.  I know, it's weird....

I've been on a tour...

A whirlwind tour, that is...

It all started on Monday when my pal K and I went to Guanzhou to buy materials for some projects and classes...and a few just for fun.

In terms of fun stuff, it's really easy to blow your allowance in a four story mall filled with beads and findings of all sorts.  Do we look a little tired?  We are.  I believe we got up at 6 am to make the journey, but it was totally worth it!  Nothing beats delirious bead shopping.

This is one of my favorite places to buy kitschy glass beads.   They're always happy to see me go as I only buy one strand of this and one strand of that.  Most folks buy fifty kagillion strands of a single bead, you know?  That's just how they roll here.

On Tuesday I taught how to make a "garden variety necklace" and then on Wednesday I hopped a ferry to Hong Kong to go to the Gem and Jewelry show. Holy Smokes!

This picture doesn't really do the show justice, but I always wimp out taking photos in places like this.  I went to check out trends and to simply see and experience the show.  It was pretty crazy.  That night I caught up with some fabulous folks from Beadalon.  Seeing people you know on this side of the planet is so surreal, I can't describe it.

And speaking of Beadalon, you've got to get yourself some of their new CZ Drops:

I whipped up a few pairs of earrings on Sunday.  I couldn't get off the sparkle train!  These things are marvelous! 

And that's about all on my end, really.  I've got a shipping deadline tomorrow morning so I'm off to tidy that up.  Tomorrow is Mr. Savvy's birthday---as of now he has to go into the factory to work.  Yay.   I'm going to attempt to surprise him by baking a sugar free blueberry cheesecake.  Yahooooo!

Beads On the Beach...

Who doesn't love bead shopping on the beach?  Really!  What's better than having beautiful beads brought to your doorstep?!?!  Vendors at the beach walk around with their baskets of sunglasses, fruits, and my personal fav, pearls and funky shell jewelry.  The last time I was at the beach, I only brought home a few bracelets.  Not this time!  Check out my loot!

Needless to say, I stocked up.  I will stash a few pieces away for gifts and the rest I will cut up and use the parts.  Those green shells in the front are calling my name right now, "Charm bracelet, charm bracelet."

It's always fun to use beads that remind you of a place you visited.  I will associate these with the sounds of waves, the sandy beach, my friends, the cabin where we stayed and so on.  Even though they didn't cost a fortune, I know whatever I make with them will be a treasure of beach-side memories.

Beach or Bust...

Saturday morning we took off with seven other friends for a trip to the beach.  When I grow up, I want to be a beach bum.  I'm not joking.  I think I am a quite good amateur beach bum.

These photos were taken from the porch of our cabin.  Quite a view and so nice to hear the waves coming in throughout the day.

Who doesn't love a mysterious ghost boat floating out at sea?  The rocks and boat with overcast skies reminded me of Goonies.

Our bamboo cabin had this traditional ornamentation on each corner and roof.  I forget what it means, but I love that the builders took the time to put it on.

Rocker loves the beach.  He tears down through the sand to the water as fast as he can and then circles back up towards the cabin.  This was taken as we were leaving.  You can gauge how tired or relaxed Rocker is by where his ears are.  Horizontal equals he's near passing out.  Poor thing can barely keep his peeps open for the picture!  I'm looking at him now, curled up in a nest of blankets sound asleep.  I must admit, I'm a little envious. 

I hope you all had a nice weekend.

With A....

Need to Bead....

Art Bead Scene
Worlds and beads are colliding at the Art Bead Scene! This post is just a friendly reminder that the month and your chance to win free beads from Joan Miller and Humblebeads are almost up!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/09/abs-monthly-challenge-september.html

Bead Arts
Cyndi shows you how to cinch a stone, simply and beautifully.
http://www.bead-arts.com/right-angle-weave-bezel-and-bail/

Jewelry and Beading
Tammy touts the treasures you can gather from other beaders when you join a bead society.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/09/11/join-a-bead-society/

Katie's Beading Blog
This week, Katie shares tips on writing a newsletter to promote your business.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/09/love-those-newsletters.html

Naughty Secretary Club
There is a new clip of Handmade Nation to be seen! Look for a snippet of an interview with Naughty Secretary Club’s Jennifer Perkins at the Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn about the art of Revamped Vintage Jewelry plus glass bead making and more.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2007/09/handmade-nation-new-clip.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
In a discussion of why we should plan out our designs, Jean shows a pretty fall bracelet set with a cool clasp and some findings which suit the beads perfectly!
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4557492676472070121&postID=3270380647406443329

The Impatient Blogger
Clay play anyone? Margot shows some recent experiments in polymer clay and talks about her creative process. After you check out the beginning stages, see the resulting finished necklace at http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/09/pirate-king-necklace-and-repost.html.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/09/teach-your-children-well.html

We've been sick...

Last Friday I came down with the sinus infection from H.E. double hockey sticks.

And Rocker's been having sinus infection sympathy pains.  He's been by my side the whole time.  Sigh.  I love this dog.  I'm sure he would whip up some chicken soup if he could.  All though it would be sans chicken by the time he was done because he cannot help himself when it comes to chicken.

Yesterday, I taught my first class of a four week beginner jewelry course at the Birdcage Studio.  Students learned to make three styles of earrings so there were lots of opportunities to make loops.  Simple loops, wrapped loops and more simple loops.  I love to see practice makes perfect in action.  By the end everyone's loops were looking good.  It was a good day and I was proud of them for taking on the challenge.

FYI:  Make It Mine---a cool new crafty mag coming to newsstands near you.  I saw some of the projects from the first issue and they looked really fun and unique.

On that note, it's time for coffee! I hope you're all doing well.

Another Happy Birthday....

To my dad!  Most of the pictures I have of my dad are him being a #1 grandpa in action.  Note plastic tools in his shirt pocket.  Not unlike many, my nephew adores dad.  He is a super great guy.  Dad, I hope it's a happy one.  hugs.

Birthday Beading...

Last night we went to a surprise birthday dinner for our friend Meg.  Meg took one of my beading classes last spring and has been hooked on jewelry making ever since.  As an extra surprise, I and another friend brought a handful of beads and charms from our stash to the party.

Earlier in the day I connected one end of a toggle clasp to a bracelet length wire so it would be ready for some birthday beading.  That night at dinner, while we were waiting for our food to come, this festive bowl o' beads was presented to Meg along with the wire.  The idea was for each person to string one bead or charm onto the wire and pass the bowl on to the next person, creating a special bracelet made by all of us.  We started with the birthday-girl and went from there.

Another crafty pal, Nancy carefully selecting her bead.  Of course you know how hard it is for women to pick just one bead.  "Can I put one spacer bead AND a bead on?  How about a charm AND a bead?"  So sneaky!

 

Who doesn't love to watch men pick through a bowl of beads?  Really searching, searching, and searching for just the right bead.  It was very amusing to see who added what to the bracelet.

Here's Meg with her finished bracelet.  There were ten of us and the beads and wire went around the table two times which was just about perfect.  I brought along a crimp bead and crimping pliers so I could finish the bracelet on the spot.  Meg was thrilled when we gave her the leftover beads and charms for her future creations.  If you are celebrating a friend's birthday, this was definitely a fun activity.  We had some great laughs while assembling and the birthday-girl got to take home a special keepsake from the party.

Check out my Savvy Crafter column in this month's Simply Beads magazine for more fun like this.

Ahhh....

the warm glow of a working sewing machine.

I'm stitching up some cards tonight.  I love, love, love to sew paper together.  A stitched line can add so much interest to a piece no matter what the material is. 

I was telling a fellow card-maker friend about it today and she asked, "doesn't it dull your needle."  And I believe my response was along the line of, "who cares!"  Then we started laughing because we are in the land where you can buy a bucket of needles for next to nothing.  That's a good thing.

The latest...

from the Girls with a Need to BEad!

Art Bead Scene 
Shocking statistics from the Art Bead Scene archives! Melanie offers up advice on how to stand out from the crowd when it seems everyone is making jewelry.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/05/bead-biz-shocking-statistics.html

Bead Arts 
Cyndi posts a reminder about a courageous little girl who is also a jewelry maker.
http://www.bead-arts.com/baylie-for-brains/

Jewelry and Beading 
Is lampworking right for you? Can you rub your tummy and chew gum at the same time? Then maybe so.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/08/21/to-make-lampwork-beads-or-not/#comment-41040

Naughty Secretary Club 
When Adorn Magazine called and asked Jen if she was up for a necklace making challenge she responded “I was born ready”. Read all about the necklace, how it was made and how it almost didn’t make it to NYC in time for the photo shoot.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2007/08/naughty-secretary-club-in-fall-issue-of.html

Savvy Crafter 
Hong Kong or Bust!!! This week Candie tells about her mini field trip to Hong Kong for a day of crafty supply shopping.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/08/doin-the-diy-sh.html

Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done! 
Jean's been linked to a cool goth site, http://www.deadlounge.com/index6.html for a while. It's fun to mix it up. Check out the new bracelet she made for the red and black corset crowd! While your'e at it, try the poetry generator! http://www.deadlounge.com/poetry/index.html
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/08/jean-goes-goth.html

The Impatient Blogger 
Got some crafty mishaps lurking around your archives? Margot shares two not so fabulous designs from her earlier beading efforts. Check out her photos from her recent infomercial shoot while you're there!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/08/then-and-now-and-later.html

Ooodles of Noodles...

We've been eating a lot of noodles lately.  Why?  Because they are cheap and the restaurant is close.  This little bowl cost $1.25.  I don't believe I ever mentioned this, but we used to have a lady come to our apartment and cook twice a week.  Here's a picture of her...

Yes, I made her hold the ginormous prawns so they were smooching.  When we first moved here, I was spending around $30 on five things from the import store. 5 things!!!???  It's so expensive to buy stuff from home, but sometimes you have to when you can't read labels and Ch!nese style cooking is not in your repetoire.  Believe it or not, having someone come to cook Ch!nese style food was much more budget friendly....and fun. It sounds insane, I know.  We were so spoiled by this woman just as we were spoiled by the deli and lettuce in a bag in the States.  lol.  A friend (who she also worked for) needed her for more hours, so she can't come to our place anymore.  We're missing her in more ways than one.  One of them being that it was good for our health.  In the last month, with the move and her not coming, we've been eating out more than ever.  We've also felt overly anxious and stressed as well.

We camped in last weekend and I did all the cooking morning til' night.  Monday morning I was standing in the shower thinking, feeling unusually calm, happy and Bingo! it hit me.  MSG.  MSG. MSG.  It is such a key ingredient in the food here.  They sell it 50lb bags in the groceries.  I've seen them shake it over veggies to the point where it looks like a glittery Valentine's day card.  How can plain ol' stir fried lettuce taste amazingly good?  I mean AMAZING, the best lettuce your tongue has ever met.  MSG, that's how.  I've read and heard that MSG is bad stuff and now I'm a believer.  It's bad.  If you have to eat it, drink lots and lots of water.  We've been pretty much off it for a week and have felt better than ever.

But, we love those darn noodles, so I attempted to make them myself.  First step, go to the store and buy noodles.  Seems simple enough....

until you have to pick which noodles.  I could safely rule out the greenish brown tinted ones and anything that was clear.  That only left thirty more to examine.  I went with the brick o' noodles...

How do they make them layer like that?  I made a broth and cooked the veggies, added the brick, threw in some stones and here you have it:

It doesn't quite glisten like the restaurant's but, it was tasty.  There's definitely room for improvement.  If anyone has any good Asian style recipes, could ya help a sister out and send them my way?  Thanks.  And on that note, it's time to think about lunch!  I hope you're all having an MSG free weekend.  hugs.