...Candie Cooper's Blog...

Soupa Doop, Soupa doop...

Remember that song by Salt-N-Peppa?  It just came to me when I thought about the word, "soup."  "Shoop"! Oh, I have to go You-Tube it now...it's stuck in my head.--------------------Ok, I'm back.  I was going to insert the link, but  the lyrics are kinda naughty, lol.  I can't remember the last time I heard that song. 8th grade maybe?  It's funny how "adult" ears interpret the lyrics now---I think as a kid we just like the melody and the beat.  No wonder when our parent's were leery, we said, "what's the big deal?!?"

Anyway.  Soup.  If you are in a soup rut, and you've an adventurous palette try this:

 

Spicy Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup.  Mmmmmm, full of flavor awesomeness.  I froze some of it and it thawed just dandy.  Throw some fresh cilantro on it and you're good to go.

 

I've been Spring cleaning as of late...closets, computer files, pictures, drawers, you name it!  But, itseems to be going soooo slow! Doesn't it always look really really bad before it gets better?  This bracelet is one of the pictures I found.  I made it for my mom a couple of years ago and I really love it because it doesn't have a pattern.  It's composed of some favorite beads I've picked up on my travels and some woven beads.  While cleaning, I've come across some bits and bobs, beads and charms (you can imagine), and so I started a big "bead soup" bowl of inspiring beads that I hope to make something for myself with someday....as a reward for all this parting and sorting. 

Soup Sunday and Links...

Tomato Bisque pre-CHA (note beads and bits laying all over my coffee table)

Tomato Bisque Post-CHA (clean coffee table)

I sort of fused these two recipes:  here and here.  Then, I did a hit and run with about 1 1/2 cups of cooked elbow macaroni which may sound strange, but most of the time the soup is The Meal so I try to make it as "meaty" as possible.  And don't forget the culinary cream on top! 

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy updates you on some of the latest discussions going on over at the Jewelry Making Forum.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2008/02/21/low-on-snark-high-on-jewelry-info.htm
Art Bead Scene
Here's a tool just "bent" on becoming your favorite!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-heart-tools.html
Jewelry & Beading
Heather Powers of Humblebeads catches us up on what's going on with her this spring!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/02/21/artist-profile-heather-powers/
Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's giving away 2 copies of Vintage Style Jewelry from the editors of Bead & Button. Comment on her post to be included in the drawing!
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/02/vintage-style-jewelry.html
PearlEsq.
Read Robin's funny stories of her latest CHA trip and what a friend of hers has deemed, "Nailgate"!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2008/02/im-baaaaack-crappy-fingernails-and-all.html
Savvy Crafter
Candie’s sharing the dove-love over on her blog! Check out a pair of earrings she made using peaceful dove chandelier findings. While you’re there, leave a comment for a chance to win your own dove charms!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean made a pretty spring-like necklace using a Russian bead and Vintaj findings. It is titled, "Looking Out Her Window".
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/02/jean-explaining-what-she-did-as-usual.html
The Impatient Blogger
Margot shares stories of her first day at CHA (The Craft and Hobby Association Show) and why she prefers to do "fake demos" at book signings.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/02/day-one-cha.html

Another Heartsy Idea...

Here's a bracelet I made about a year and a half ago...  I will always love old scrabble tiles---who won't right?  I drilled these from end to end vs. right through the top.  It's a little tricky because you have to drill both ends, hoping the holes line up (or use a ruler for insurance).  The beads and charms were collected from broken jewelry and necklaces.  The silver chain bracelet I believe was some sort of extender so I took the beady end of an old necklace and made it part of the closure.

I'm hanging out in the Plaid booth at CHA this week making jewelry.  Stop by and say hey if you're in the neighborhood! 

Soup and Links...

The other day I was reading Posie Gets Cozy, a lovely blog, and she talked about comfort foods.  I was thinking about my comfort foods and how they've changed over the years.  In college, it was pizza, chips and salsa with orange juice.  In early marriage, I remember making carmel corn and baked croissants with meat and cheese in the middle.  Now it seems to be anything that isn't local to here---baked apples, soups, casseroles, but also those seem kind of traditional comfort foods to my Midwestern up-bringing.  My mom sent a bag of egg noodles and they were gone in a weekend--used in Chicken and Noodles.  I'm going home in less than a month, perfect timing for baking Valentine cookies with my grandma---something I haven't gotten to do in two years.  I wasn't forgotten, I've gotten a parcel of cookies both years, but this year I will be there to eat them in person with my grandpa, fresh cookie baking aromas and all!  It is about smell too, isn't it.  After living here (or getting older), I also think comfort not only comes with the flavors or warmth, but also with making something by hand because it takes your mind off everything else.  I look at the list of foods and each takes a little bit longer to make than the last.  Hmmm.  Food for thought, Thanks Posie.  And this cream of tomato soup was also one of her comfort foods.  I gave it a whirl today and it was so simple and delightful alongside a ham n' cheese wrap.

About.com Jewelry Making 
Do you like two tone metal jewelry? Are you a metal clay jewelry maker? Tammy tells us about a new product to help you mix up metals using metal clay techniques.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2008/01/10/go-for-gold-with-metal-clay.htm
Art Bead Scene 
We are feeling groovy here at Art Bead Scene, as we celebrate our own Tari Sasser's recent press with her tie dyed beads. What trippy thing would *you* make with them?
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/fit-to-print-tari-sasser-in-bead-style.html
Jewelry & Beading 
Cyndi has a free book giveaway going on! You can enter to win a copy of "Crazy About Jewelry" simply by leaving a comment on this post! What could be easier?
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/01/09/book-review-crazy-about-jewelry/
Naughty Secretary Club 
Thinking of selling your jewelry for a living? Jen has some tips on free promotion and suggested reading to get you started.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2008/01/few-small-business-tips.html
PearlEsq. 
Check out the latest adventure of a rubber stamp that's made its way to Australia!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2008/01/journey-of-strange-stamp.html
Savvy Crafter 
Finding the findings is always an interesting experience in Candie's part of the world. This week she shares a couple of pictures from a trip to Hong Kong.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2008/01/find-the-findin.html
Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! 
Beautiful (...possibly even...sexy?) champagne coin pearl chandeliers by Jean!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/its-psych-marathon-on-channel-usa-and-i.html

The Impatient Blogger 
Need a dose of inspiration? Check out this video blog post by Margot Potter as she traverses a whole new dimension of bloggy goodness!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2008/01/say-it-dont-spray-itoran-inspirational.html

We have a glass coffee table that we often eat at.  I'm not crazy about the table, but it is kind of fun when a little white dog sits under it looking up at the food or us.

Links....

About.com Jewelry Making
Along with a blog, Tammy's jewelry making web site has a pretty active forum. She gives you a peek inside at a few hot topics.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2008/01/01/happy-2008.html
Art Bead Scene
It's a new year, a new month, and thus a new challenge! Bundle up and break out your art beads for January's Ice Storm theme.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2008/01/abs-monthly-challenge-january.html
  Jewelry & Beading
Artist Irma Peredne is profiled on Jewelry & Beading this week. Irma has the most wonderful story about the origin of her business name, The Amber Box!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2008/01/03/artist-profile-irma-peredne/ 
Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's Dreams of Topaz necklace is featured in Beadalon's new ad campaign. Get the scoop and links to the instructions on Katie's blog this week.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2008/01/dreams-of-topaz.html 
PearlEsq.
Check out Robin's collaged and soldered Birdies! A fun way to start off the New Year!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2008/01/little-birdie-told-me.html
  Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean is excited to particpate in the Art Bead Scene competition, as always!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2008/01/its-psych-marathon-on-channel-usa-and-i.html
  The Impatient Blogger
Need a kick start for the New Year? The Impatient Blogger has a few thoughts about creating success.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/12/some-advice-for-new-year.html

Beady and Rocker-y Links...

It's impossible for me to do all that Christmas shopping and not find one or two things that I absolutely cannot go home without.  A stocking stuffer for myself?  Why not.  At the time I feel a pinch of guilt, but it quickly goes away with how cute these little fellas are.  Do you recognize them?  Yep, mini Rocker magnets made in Jap*n. So sweet and curiously strong....just like Rocker!  And also stubborn now that I think about it (you will see in one of the pictures---it was hard getting everyone to do what they were supposed to do).  Here's this week's Bead Babe Blogger Links mixed throughout the Rocker Links!  Enjoy! 

About.com Jewelry Making 
New Year's Eve means it's time to put your big bling pieces on, and Tammy has lots of ideas to make you super sparklie.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2007/12/26/bling-time-jewelry.htm
Art Bead Scene 
The crew is on a short holiday break, but we hope you will come by the blog to celebrate with our special week's worth of the Best of Art Bead Scene posts from this past year.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/12/best-of-holidays.html

Jewelry & Beading 
One of Cyndi's designs was chosen for a new book on the Art of Jewelry ~ Wood. Come and see her necklace, called "Measure Twice, Cut Once"!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/12/21/book-review-the-art-of-jewelry-wood/ 
Katie's Beading Blog 
Katie's getting ready for the next filming of Beads, Baubles and Jewels. This week, she shares a cool necklace idea using a chain bail and tassel.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/12/chain-tassels.html 
Savvy Crafter 
No clue what jewelry you’re wearing to the big New Year’s Eve bash? Hop on over to Candie’s blog for an easy and festive fix!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/12/new-year-jewelr.html

Snap out of it , Jean! There's beading to be done! 
Jean just had to repost these sweet necklaces that she made for the childrens' teachers as holiday gfts! They are just too yummy looking snuggling up aganst the luxurious rose velvet pouches she packaged them in. Happy Holidays to the VIPs in our lives!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/12/holidays-and-teachers-and-wassail-song.html

The Impatient Blogger is busy experimenting with her new flip video camera thingy.  Go Madge!

Rocker on Christmas morning-no bows on the head, just around his neck.

New Year Jewelry!

Countdown to 2008!  Do you know what jewelry you're wearing to ring in the New Year?  Here's an idea.  This is a festive and free project of mine on the Simply Beads Magazine website.  This piece has crystal balls at the end of the chain.  I figure if you can't be at Times Square in NYC, you can at least have the ball (or balls as it were) drop around your neck! You could use colored crystals for a more confetti effect.  As I recall, I found the funky sparkly chain in the fabric/trims section in Hobby Lobby.  I love this lariat as you can wrap it around your neck as many or as few times as you like depending on what look you want.  Super dramatic!

Here's a direct link to the instructions.

Links, Links, Links...

About.com Jewelry Making
Still in need of some last minute jewelry gifts? Earrings are the way to go, and Tammy has some super easy projects to help you out.
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2007/12/20/last-minute-jewelry-gifts.htm

Art Bead Scene
Elaine wraps up the Art Bead Scene 12 days of Christmas with a joyous rendition of a classic holiday tune, updated with our favorite beading goodies! Come sing along!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/12/12-days-of-beading.html

Jewelry & Beading
It's not too late to make a super-easy sparkly pin for Christmas!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/12/18/making-a-sparkling-pin-for-the-holidays/

Katie's Beading Blog
Visit Katie's blog this week for links to a fun podcast interview, last-minute bracelet idea and the final (for now) installment of Ornament Thursday.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/ 

PearlEsq.
Track Robin's travels to the traffic-laden trickiness of NYC and the tasty trinkets she turned up at Tinsel Trading!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2007/12/tinsel-tastic-tuesday.html

Savvy Crafter
Scurry over to Candie's blog if you've got gifts to wrap in a hurry! This idea puts the pedal to the metal in more ways than one when it comes to wrapping gifts!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/12/wrapping-savvy.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean shows a new necklace for her chain maille gallery for her book, Links: all the great beads are made by Cathy Lybarger!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/12/cathy-lybargers-beads-on-my-necklace-in.html

The Impatient Blogger
It's the final installment of Ornament Thursday and Margot pulls out all the stops with four fabulous ornament ideas! Check out what this week's roster of talented crafters has in store for you!http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/12/final-ornament-thursday-2007.html

Links...

Here's your bead lovin' links for this week...

About.com Jewelry Making 
Tammy at About.com's Jewelry Making site has a long list of ideas for jewelry makers to give and get this holiday season. http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2007/12/13/jewelry-gifts-for-jewelry-makers.htm                                                      

Art Bead Scene 
As a thank you to our loyal readers, the editors of Art Bead Scene present 12 Days of Christmas: 12 free projects using art beads, running over the next two weeks. These projects are quick and easy gift ideas, perfect for the holidays! http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/12/12-days-of-christmas.html

Bead Arts 
Cyndi is continuing the countdown to Christmas with a link to a new project every day! All with beads, of course.
http://www.bead-arts.com

Jewelry & Beading 
Stunning jewelry and other artwork are featured in an interview with Penny Purdie, one of Cyndi's favorite artists in the Swarovski Design Contest! http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/12/13/artist-profile-penny-purdie/                   

PearlEsq. 
Check out the travels of Robin at Tim Holtz' Holiday Hideaway! http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2007/12/creativity-abounding-in-az.html                                                                                                                                                                                 

Katie's Beading Blog has a fun idea for some "summer in winter" earrings too!                  

Savvy Crafter 
Candie takes a walk down Candy Cane Memory Lane.... See two different versions of beaded candy cane ornaments on her blog. Yum! http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/12/candie-cane-lan.html                                

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beadng to be done! 
Jean displays a little parallel chain style chain maille and borosilicate bracelet for her chain maille gallery on her site: Margot Potter has the perfect name for it! http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/12/thank-you.html                 

The Impatient Blogger 
It's week three of Ornament Thursday! Margot offers a simply lovely and quick idea in this week's post, plus links to the amazing ideas of the rest of our talented participants!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/12/ornament-thursday-take-three.html

Candie Cane Lane...

First off, THANK YOU all for the lovely and sweet comments about Ornament Thursday.  It's been a treat to look at all your spectacular ornaments!  I feel so lucky that we have a secret br0wser that allows us to look at bl0gsp0t blogs----but the other side of that is I feel like a real a-hole because I can't leave you notes to tell you how much I adore what you made.  It's weird, but it comes with living here.  See note of sorry at left...

It seems that the end of the year always brings crazy frantic work deadlines before the new year rings in.  I've heard it from more than one person the past few days.  It's a juggling act between wrapping up work stuff and wrapping up presents. As a freelancer, I'm just so grateful to have work and a supportive husband who helps wrap presents and chips in to help make the salad for the holiday party. He's great like that.

With the holiday festivities and work stuff I was feeling drained. I needed to make time to play.  I know, but often forget this about myself.  I feel all creativity get sucked in by pressure if I don't take a couple of hours to do something absolutely just for fun.  So, Friday, late afternoon I headed with a bag o' yarn and tools to Starbucks to meet three other friends for coffee.  I'd been wanting to try out the pom-pom makers by Clover.  As it turned out, one friend brought her knitting, another brought a beaded candy cane ornament kit.  Before we knew it our little table was packed with beads, scissors, pliers, and balls of yarn, all of us working on something.  We weren't there more than an hour and a half, but the laughs and happy crafts gave me the energy to go back and tackle some more work! Ok.  The latte helped  too.

   

Old School and New School Candy Cane Ornaments

Let's take a stroll down Candy Cane Memory Lane.....  The candy cane ornament kits my friend brought to coffee got me thinking about some we made back in elementary school.  We used pipe cleaners and plastic beads.  For this one, I used a slightly different interlocking bead (is that sad I remember what bead we used way back from 3rd grade?) and a red tinsel pipe cleaner.  Take 6 minutes to string it up and hang it on your tree!  As I was looking at my tree, I noticed all of my candy cane ornaments are facing the same direction.  Hmmm. I feel like that should be a question on a personality test.  "Do you prefer your candy cane hook going to the left or right?"  Who cares, just take time to play!

Candy Canes with glass bead Ornament Kits by Westrim Crafts

Bead Merry and Bright...Part 3

Happy Ornament Thursday!   This week's ornament celebrates peace, love and thrifting! Over the summer I rescued a broken wind chime from the local thrift store.  A bag o' birds for three dollars?!?!  I couldn't resist.    I didn't really know what I'd do with them at the time, but recently I have found they make for perfect ornaments!  With their dove shape, I painted them all white with metal paint.  This one actually has a coat of pearl paint on it although it's hard to see in the photo.  This afternoon I took it to the studio to finish and here's what I came up with:

Peace Bird Ornament, 2007

A few beads, ribbon and a peace charm----done! I was inspired by a a wall hanging at my grandparent's house that's been there for as long as I can remember. It's all white and made from metal that has a slight rusty patina and spells PEACE vertically with a dove hanging at the bottom.  Now if I could just get it to rust a little around the edges! 

Material Notes:  Peace Charm from the Artgirlz , beading wire from Beadalon, lustery pearl Adirondack paint by Ranger! 

Want to see more tree bling?

Rebecca Peck http://vintagegirlmodernworld.wordpress.com/

Melissa Lee http://www.strandsofbeads.blogspot.com

Melanie Brooks Lukacs http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/

Margot Potter http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/

Linda Augsburg http://cs.makeitminemag.com/mimcs/blogs/makeitmine/

Lynn Kvigne http://beading.consumerhelpweb.com/blog/
Kriss Kramer www.art-interrupted.blogspot.com

Katie Hacker http:www.katiehacker.com

Jenny Harada http://pomly.livejournal.com/

Jennifer Heynen http://jenniferjangles.blogspot.com/

Hali Chambers www.labyrinthgal.blogspot.com

Alexa Westerfield from http://swelldesigner.blogspot.com/

Michelle McGee http://fromichelle.blogspot.com/

Art Bead Scene http://www.artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

More Bead Merry and Bright!.....Ornament Thursday

Hello and welcome to Ornament Thursday~our virtual craft night get together. This came about when I mentioned to Katie that I wished we could get together for a holiday craft night.  That's not possible so we're sharing ornament ideas via our blogs.  Guess what?  You're invited too!  Just post pictures (and tips or a quick how to) on your blog and leave a link to your post in the comments section here.  The more the merrier!

My offering today is pictured above----Tartan Love!

My friend Meg remembered these fabric covered ornaments as a kid so we set out to reconstruct them.  She bought the materials and the day we made cookies, we also did a little crafting.  My pal Krissy and I traded off on our cookie duties while we made the first heart.  It was a group effort to put the pieces of the puzzle together, really.   

Materials: 

• 1/8th yard of metallic paper-like fabric
• Mod Podge
• polystyrene form (heart, star, ball)
• scissors
• tooth pick
• paint brush
• 4mm gold glass faceted beads
• straight or sequin pins
• multi-purpose adhesive
• 10 inches of ribbon

Instructions:  Cut the fabric into small squares-approximately 1/4".  Poke a tooth pick into the side of your polystyrene form--this gives you something to hold onto.  Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge onto small sections of the form and stick the fabric squares into place.  Add a thin layer of MP over each piece of fabric.  Continue overlapping and sticking the fabric (see photo above).  At this point it may look a little scary. Once the MP becomes tacky you can smooth down loose edges with the wooden handle on the paint brush.  Poke the tooth pick into a block of foam and leave to dry.  Remove the tooth pick and patch up the hole with another piece of fabric and MP, leaving it to dry.  String a bead onto a pin, add a dot of glue to the pin and poke it into the side of the form.  Repeat with desired pattern.  Don't forget to save a spot at the top for attaching the ribbon.  Bring the two ends of ribbon together and make an over hand knot.  String a bead onto a pin followed by the ribbon.  Put a dot of glue where you want the ribbon and push the bead/ribbon pin down into the top of the form. 

More festive ideas....

• Katie made a cool LOVE ornament.
• Madge made a sweet photo ornament of her grandparents.
• Jean made a naughty angel ornament.
• Jennifer made a whimsical ornament set.
• Alexia made a funky cool ornament.

Join in anytime...please don't feel like you have to post instructions though.  We just want to see what you're putting on your tree this year!

Bead Merry and Bright.....Part 1

Gather round' all ye crafty gift makers!  If you are looking for super cool, sparkly, and FAST presents to make for all your friends and family, then look no further.  Beaded snowflake ornaments are the answer.  I first ran into these snowflake wire forms a couple years ago in Germany.  I admit, they were in a stash of ornament stuff...un-made.  Then Cynthia reminded me about them on a recent blog post.  I dug mine out, but they were small.  I wanted the 6 inch-ers....and I wanted them NOW.  So, I gathered my wire, bought a soldering iron and went to work....with Botch, my husband.  First we straightened the wire.  Then I cut it into sections.  We plugged in the soldering iron and were working on the marble floor.  Bad.  Then the back side of a cast iron skillet.  Nope.  Then we decided we needed something wood.  I rustled around in my office a bit and determined my cork board was going to have to take one for the team.  You see, it was a bit of an ordeal.  Well, we made it through one and then POP!  There went the soldering iron.  *%&$#@! I gathered my wires and headed for the door---first stop: diet coke/caffeine---second stop: find someone who could weld. 

I first tried this shop I had seen on the way to the studio where they weld all kinds of bars and window coverings.  In my crummy Ch!nese and a lotta pointing, I explain what I want.  He said he couldn't use my wire, but he had some of his own.  OK.  I turn around to check out this junk/salvage store and as I look back, sure enough the man welded it.  He's standing there looking at me arms up with one side of the snowflake in his left hand and the other in his right. Both of us start laughing.  Neeexxt.  As I was perusing the salvage man's shop I saw a soldering iron on the ground.  As it turns out he could do it, but he was busy helping a guy repair his motor.  So I sit on a spool of wire, drinking said diet coke and wait. Bob (because I don't know his name) fired up the soldering iron and away we went! I laid the wires out and Bob multi-tasked fixing the motor then soldering wires.  Repeat.  Every time I looked up another dude had lined up to watch.  By the end there were five guys standing there watching us put wires together!  That's an indicator how exciting it is over here.

The moral to the story is, you don't have to go to all that trouble!  Simply click on over to Ornamentea. They have three different sizes of snowflake wires right on the main page--can't miss em'!  While you're waiting for your order to arrive, you can stock up on beads.  Inexpensive glass beads with AB coating work great.  And don't forget to check the thrift stores for necklaces to cut up and reuse.  For those you need to impress, don't mess around, use Swarovski crystals. 

Go traditional with blue, white, and clear....or how about psychedelic snowflakes with pink, orange, chartreuse and purple!  You really can't go wrong here and they are so fun to make!

Indra Chowk Bead Market...Kathmandu

I had no idea what to expect when we set out in search of the "bead market" in Kathmandu.  I guess after living here I was expecting it to be BIG.  But, I pleasantly found just the opposite.  We wound through tiny alley-like streets making our way to an intersection of streets called Indra Chowk.  I read online that the bead market is "tucked away."  That it is.  But, easy to find for a bead-hound. I can smell beads a mile away.  We saw one little closet-like stall then another and another and another...you get the idea? Each stall glistening with strands of glass seed beads.  Incredible!

I came in from an angle that seemed like there were only a few vendors.  "There must be more?"  I walked down one skinny path and turned only to find another row, turn the corner again, and more vendors.  It literally felt like I was a bead rat in a maze with walls of seed beads.  My pictures didn't capture that, but it was so neat.  I ended up with a  pile of seed beaded bangles from the man in the top picture and then this necklace:

You could pick your own strands and have a necklace made on the spot (I opted for a pre-made one----to hard to choose which seed beads folks).  I wanted to take pictures of them making them because that was interesting also, but I chickened out.  Sorry.  I love the colors in this necklace and did I ever tell you I'm a sucker for button and loop clasps.  I am.  So that was my first bead experience in Kathmandu.  More to come....

Links, Links...

Art Bead Scene
Pull up a Cup 'o Joe and warm up with our little gallery of coffee related bead treats made by the editors of Art Bead Scene
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/11/bead-theme-have-cup-o-joe.html

Bead Arts
A maple leaf on top of a maple leaf! Cyndi has created a necklace that features both a full sized and a miniature leaf. Can you spot the big leaf? :-)
http://www.bead-arts.com/maple-leaf-necklace/

Jewelry & Beading
Artist Wendy Van Camp has shared with us about her inspirations and creative process in making her beautiful wire and gem jewelry.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/11/15/artist-profile-wendy-van-camp/

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's been a busy blogger this week! Get links to instructions for a fun necklace & earring set, vote for your favorite thing to bead, and check out Katie's new CafePress shop!
http://http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/11/pretty-in-pink.html

Naughty Secretary Club
Have you seen the new issue of Altered Couture Magazine? Look for two pieces of jewelry by Jen and a 3 page spread about her sister Hope Perkins and her hand painted dresses.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2007/10/altered-couture.html

PearlEsq.
Robin just wants to show you her nieces' new puppy Charlie, go "awwww!" and have a good smile.
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2007/11/puppy-love.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean shows a bracelet she made for the November Art bead Scene challenge: lots of fun--coffee is the focus!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/11/my-son-and-his-band-in-alternative-hip.html

The Impatient Blogger
Margot shares some thoughts about the transformative power of the creative force in this thought provoking post.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/11/arachne.html

Bead Crochet...

Oh, it was another busy week at the Cage and still going.  Tuesday I taught the ladies how to crochet with beads.  It took all those coffees on the table, diet coke, and some pizza to get us to the finish line on these.  Needless to say, it was a little daunting at first, bue everyone rose to the challenge and the final results were stunning.

This is the sample I used to demonstrate the technique. Surprising myself, I went with choker length!?!   The clasp is hand picked from Jess Imports.  We randomly found Jess Imports while strolling through San Fran last January--lucky me!  Their store front is closed now, but their online selection is super and I think they vend at many bead shows, so fret not!

   

Be watching for an upcoming issue of Simply Beads Magazine for a similar necklace using this same technique. 

Today I taught a simple class on stamping, embossing, and decoupaging.  More on that later because I have to go to bed. Seriously.  21 people signed up for my kids felting class tomorrow morning and the teacher needs to rest up!

Good bead-lovin' links...

Good grief, I don't know where the weeks go! 

Art Bead Scene
Stop by Art Bead Scene this week to see the winner of the October challenge and the theme and prizes for the November challenge. We are sure it will "wake up" your creativity!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/11/monthly-challenge-winner.html

Bead Arts
Never throw anything out! Not even Chinese fortunes...
http://www.bead-arts.com/chinese-fortune-cookie-necklace/

Jewelry and Beading Blog
Is it a trick or a treat? If you are passing out these beaded Halloween cards discovered by Tammy over at the Jewelry and Beading Blog, more than likely your friends will think they are the perfect treat this year. Plus, no calories or cavities!
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/10/30/beaded-halloween-card/

Katie's Beading Blog
Are you selling the jewelry you make? Katie compiled a list of links to articles that are full of helpful tips and info. Check them out or just add yours to the list.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/10/selling-your-jewelry.html
PearlEsq.
Robin's added another Technique of the Week, showing some fun ideas with Adirondack Alcohol Inks, Embossing Powders and Color Wash, all products that work as wonderfully on paper as for mixed media jewelry designs!
http://pearlesq.blogspot.com/2007/10/totw-6-last-of-flowersor-not.html
  Savvy Crafter
Not sure what to do with that handful of cloisonne beads? Head over to Candie's blog for some inspiration!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/11/cloisonne-all-t.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean just keeps loving to make those crazy little spiral seed bead bracelets. This one has a funny name!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/10/new-spiral-trinky.html

Stitch Austin / Naughty Secretary Club
Jen writes for several blogs, one of which is for the Stitch Fashion Show and Indie Craft Bazaar that she produces. Stitch is Nov 10th at the Austin Convention Center and Jen blogged a roundup of all the amazing jewelry designers you will find at the show!
http://stitchaustin.blogspot.com/2007/10/jewelry-shopping-at-stitch.html

The Impatient Blogger
Got a restless streak a mile wide? Enjoy Margot's musings on how she's turned her 'creative adhd 'into a career. Impatient? Well, yes!
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/10/creative-adhd.html

Cloisonne' All the Way...

It was a packed cage at my Birdcage Studio on Tuesday morning...the kick-off to the Intermediate beading class.  There were 12 of us round the tables, ready to make Contemporary Cloisonne' bracelets.

We used Beadalon's large bracelet memory wire and cloisonne' beads of all different shapes, colors and sizes.  Everyone fell in love with the memory wire---I can't blame them.  The stuff is great!

The beads were flying around the coils and before long everyone had a beautiful finished bracelet.  We topped the ends off with gold cherry blossom charms. 

Next week's class:  Bead Crochet....All the Way!

I spy! Or spied rather!

I was just reading Shiny Little Things, Cynthia's blog.  She has pictures up of a friend with her advanced copy of Beading with Charms (Lark Books, 07) of which she has a project in.  Congratulations Ndidi!  I ripped this picture from Cynthia's blog.  Super snap-shot!  Thank you Cynthia. ;-) 

As I was looking at the photo, my eyes bugged for a second when I spied my China necklace.  I love surprises! Thank you Lark Books! Now, I am absolutely kicking myself for not having my copy sent here. Oh, suspense!  I usually have the copies sent here, but my book stash is getting a little hefty and someday it's going to have to be shipped home.  Alas....as Katie would say.  None the less, that was a great surprise.  I have a link to the right for Beading with Charms by Katherine Duncan-Aimone.   I have no doubt that it will be filled with uber inspiring projects.  Can't wait to see it. Thank you again to Lark for including my designs in the book.

Day of the Dead Jewels Set...

Just for fun, a friend and I picked up these skull beads from a street vendor here.  His stand was filled with Chinese "antiques," "jade" bracelets, coins, beads and such.  There are many of these folks tucked away in shops or selling wares off a blanket. You never know what you're going to find....so it's a must to take a quick peek at each one...unless husbands are nearby. ;-)

At first I thought I would make some Halloween jewelry with the skulls.  However, I couldn't get inspired to add orange and black beads to these little fellas.  Someone mentioned Day of the Dead coming up and I thought, Bingo!  Festive bright colors are way more my speed.  I fiddled with the bracelet yesterday, but it needs A LOT of tweaking.  The copper seed beads are not fitting in.  I may restring it onto memory wire.  Katie says I can glue the skulls on the memory wire so they always face upwards. 

And then, there are the earrings, which I cannot take credit for making.  I had this vision of what I wanted, so this morning when the girls and I went to pick up some supplies I found the pair of earrings I was seeing in my brain.  Get this-I had the beads with me so I asked the young lady to remake them with the skulls on top.  That was easy!  Those are CZ drops which you can now get the purple ones from Beadalon by the way.  The girl was savvy in how she remade them too.  Listen to this!  She removed the dangly charms section from the ear wire, threaded a piece of elastic through the ear wire and both ends of elastic through the skull bead.  Then she threaded one side of the elastic through the jump ring on the charms and tied the two ends in a knot (or several knots as it were).  Voila!  The elastic keeps the skull head snug and from twirling around.  Now, why didn't I think of that?  I'm really happy with them.  And also, I've determined that we all need an assistant.  Where's Rocker?

Learn more about Dia De Los Muertos here.  The Crafty Chica has spectacular Day of the Dead ideas.  Festive and fun, I'll be sporting my gems on Nov. 1st! 

Strung for Charity...

 

A friend asked me if I would make up a piece for the international school's auction.  I found this bamboo and shell pendant in my stash and went from there.  My fingers were drawn to the latte and eggplant colored pearls--signs of fall weather moving in...I'm sure.  I love the Zen-ness that comes with stringing simple patterned necklaces.  That is until you check back through your work and see that you forgot to string one tiny 4mm glass bead right next to the pendant.  Ugh.  It happens. But, I'm pleased with the overall piece. 

Just a quick post...Rocker is antsy so I suspect it's time to go for a walk.  I'll close here. May all your beading be Zen-ful! 

It's Time for Everyone's Favorite Game...

FIND-THE-BEAD!!!  Yayyyyyyy! 

Ok, a little lame.  Annnnnyyyyyway, I was drinking my coffee this morning trying to think of something for my bead blogger post.  And as I looked around, I noticed beads are used in so many of our household objects.  So, let's play!  FIND-THE-BEAD! 

One of my all time favorite thrifted finds.  I bought it nearly 10 years ago and drug it all the way to Ch!na with me.  It was made just over in HK.  Love that.

Here's a shirt I picked up in Rheydt, Germany.  I believe it was what started my whole love for Mandarin collars.  Needs ironed!  Lord.

Ohhhhh, horses.  Little leathery, kitschy, horses!  I got them here in Dongmen when Grandma and I were shopping at the fabric market.

Ch!nese zodiac wall ornament from Suzhou.  The rabbit is our fav as we think it looks like Rocker.  Don't tell him I said so though.

    

And lastly, the cat neck pillow.  This is also from Suzhou and is made from the famous blue and white fabric made here.

Ah, beads. So useful and perfect.  Thanks for playing and have a good weekend everybody!

Good Night Irene!

I forgot to post the Need to Bead Girl's links.  This reunion planning and classmate hunting has taken over my computer! ha.  Better late than never, so here goes...

Art Bead Scene
We don't mean to frighten you, but October is here and it is time to bring out the scariest, most terrifying, art bead designs! Join us this month for a spooky challenge, if you dare! Our theme this month is Gothic Queen. We have Haloween Treats from Rings & Things and artist Cindy Gimbone this month for our prize! Drop in to catch up on all the rules and details. No Tricks, we promise!
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/10/abs-monthly-challenge-october.html

Jewelry and Beading Blog
Tammy at the Jewelry and Beading Blog has her famous bead and wire project available. This has been a favorite of many readers over the years, and it's the perfect time to make one.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/10/04/wire-bead-spider-lovers/

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie went to New Orleans, where beads grow on trees! She also found the perfect fleur-de-lis charm and lots of other inspiration. Read her post for highlights, links and more!
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/10/beady-new-orleans.html

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen wrote a trend spotting article about South West Style for Etsy read all about it here!
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2007/10/south-west-style-in-storque.html

Savvy Crafter
Confessions of a newbie knitter who's also addicted to beads…. Candie tells all about her new love: beaded stitch markers.
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/10/confession.html

Snap out of it Jean! There's beading to be done!
Please visit Jean, Soft Flex Designer of the Month Oct 07. First stop by her blog for a close up look at one of her featured necklaces and then see her full bio and feature on The Soft Flex Company's Site!
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2007/10/jean-jetson-and-her-fleet-of-dogs-and.html

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

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.

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.

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

Doin' the DIY Shuffle...

Make that Crafty DIY shuffle.

Yesterday a friend and I hopped the 8:30 ferry to Hong Kong for a day of crafty shopping.  Mission accomplished.  We checked out the new Spotlight store, which reminds me of a JoAnn Fabrics Bed, Bath and Beyond fusion.  It was a solid hour of pouring over all things lovely and crafty.  Then we had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen.  3 words.  Crunchy Thai Salad.  Awesome.

After lunch we road the MTR over to the DIY market in the Sham Shui Po district; several rows and blocks of craft supplies.....in bulk.  Yes, it makes your eyes bulge.

Do you know the scene in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where Willy Wonka shows them the candy room? Yeah, it's like that.  The sun always shines on this place.

Bags, buckets, baskets, drawers, and more are loaded with beads and charms.  Reel after reel of ribbon and trim.  Countless bead woven creatures made with Swarovski crystals.  It is insane.

Here's a few of my favorite finds from there. If you are crafty and heading to Hong Kong, you don't want to leave this off the travel itinerary.  Give yourself at least two hours to take it all in....if not a day!

The latest from the...

girls with a need to bead...

Art Bead Scene
Heather offers 5 creativity boosters to get your muse out of bed and back to the workbench.
http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2007/08/creativity-boosters.html

Bead Arts
Here is Cyndi's lastest installment in the Bead Journal Project, inspired and run by Robin Atkins!
http://www.bead-arts.com/bead-journal-projectjulys-thunder-moon/

Jewelry and Beading
Thinking of trying your hand at making fused glass jewelry? Well, then you need your own glass studio. Tammy tells you how to set one up.
http://www.jewelryandbeading.com/2007/08/19/create-a-glass-studio/

Katie's Beading Blog
This week's blast from the past features Katie's 1980's Fimo earrings, plus links to cool, contemporary caned polymer clay jewelry.
http://katiehacker.blogspot.com/2007/08/then-now_21.html

Naughty Secretary Club
Jennifer reminds us that Elle Girl Magazine is alive and well in an online format. Look for Naughty Secretary Club in the current issue as well as a video podcast interview with Beth Silverberg about her “cool job” of being a jewelry designer.
http://naughtysecretaryclub.blogspot.com/2007/08/elle-girl-is-alive-and-well.html

Savvy Crafter
One Fish, Two Fish, Three Fish, BEAD FISH! Candie goes deep sea bead fishing in China. Check out her fabulous fishy finds!
http://candiecooper.typepad.com/savvycrafter/2007/08/here-fishy-fish.html

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean shows off one of her latest pieces of chain maille with a goddess focal, which is in her chain maille gallery and also in this month's Art Bead Scene. She discusses the focal's goddess image and what it means.
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

The Impatient Blogger
In another archived post from Adventures In Jewelry Making with the BQOTU (day) Margot shares her pearls of wisdom...or is that snarky know it all musings?! If you are a project designer waiting for an editor to show you some love, you need to read.
http://margotpotter.blogspot.com/2007/04/how-to-survive-waiting-game.html

Here fishy, fishy, fishy...

You cannot come to Ch!na and not get a little obsessed with gold fish and koi.  Or at least I couldn't.  They are everywhere!  I've even wondered if Rocker needs a pet goldfish.  My aunt always says, "if you keep a goldfish on your kitchen table, it will never die." 

There's something quite soothing about these creatures.  I'm sure it has something to do with how slow and fluid they are in their movements.  Calming.  Here, they are a symbols of wealth and abundance.   

The other day I picked up these hand painted gold fish beads from one of my favorite vendors. 

They are glass bubble like beads where the painting is done on the inside.  Seems very tedious to me.  I've been to this vendor three times and every time he shows me his paintbrush with the tip bent at ninety degrees so he can get inside to paint.  Now, I only wish you could see the paintbrush he claims to use for these super intricate beads.  Seriously, there is no way this brush could do that.  It looks like a road killed paint brush with porcupine needle like bristles.  C'mon dude.  Really, do I have gullible tattooed on my forehead.....in Ch!nese?!?!  However, I always find it a tiny bit amusing that he thinks I believe him.   

And on the other side:

I know I over paid a ton for this one---they guy totally knew how badly I wanted it.  What was that bit about goldfish bringing wealth and abundance.  Worked for the vendor! As for what I'm going to do with them, I have no idea.  I have a small (but growing out of quite fast) box of special beads like this.  I call it my bead bank and it's pretty much a piggy bank of unique beads.  When I need just the right touch for a piece I go to my bead bank.  Or when I have not a clue where to start on a design.  Or a rainy day.

Happy, Happy Birthday.....

To Margot "Madge" Potter! I ran across this sticker this morning when searching for a birthday card.  I had to scan it in and post it...

Totally reminded me of you, Madge, aka Bead Queen of the Universe! 

It's sombody's birthday today....

Yep, it's Katie Hacker's birthday today.  Run on over to her blog and wish her a good one!

Messy in the Nesty...

Yesterday I went to tackle the rat's nest in my bird cage studio.  I have a case of the I can't put it back where it goes after I use its.  Lord help me.  Believe it or not, it didn't take too long once I got moving to put it all away.  However, I also have an equally bad case of I'd rather be making somethings.  Do you know what I mean?

So as I was cleaning my work table I kept finding little parts and pieces, scraps, and experiments of sorts that were begging to be used.   Here's assemblage number one:

Six of One, made Aug. 16-2007

And then I thought, hey, how about a quick nest bead tutorial?  I made two different versions of nests.  The one above was made with approximately 18 in. of 26g. wire.  I first made the bowl shape coil and then back tracked looping the wire in and out of the coil.  Nest #2, that I'm about to show you, was made with 10 in. of 18 g. wire to make the bowl shaped coil base.  Then 26g. wire was worked in and out of the base coil to give it a more nesty feel.  It's easy! Just cut the wire, and make a small loop at one end with round nose pliers.  Continue coiling the wire tightly around the loop and use your thumb and fingers to form it into a bowl shape as you go.  See here:

You could leave it this way....

for a very stylized look.  For the modern bird, perhaps.  Or you can make it messy and more nesty by weaving thinner, 26g. wire in and out like this:

Weave a lot of wire or a little in an organized or messy fashion.

And there you have it.  It's your nest, make it however you like.

Now you may be wondering...Where'd ya get that? 

• Blue Bird Bead from Ornamentea
• 18 and 26g. Colourcraft gold wire, bead mat and tools from Beadalon
• Cherry blossom charm-a back alley here in Ch!na
• Shell bird-Spores's close-out sale 5 years ago-ish (I'm still kicking myself for not buying the lot!)

Hey, it's Friday everybody!  Have a happy and relaxing weekend.

Then....and Now

Earrings, Candie Cooper, circa 1996 (a long time ago)

Katie and I were in the car for three hours on the way to the CHA show in Chicago.  Somewhere in between Warsaw, In and Chicago, I told her about finding a friendly plastic brooch in a long lost box of my junk buried deep in my parents attic.  I think I made it in 7th grade.  Treasure?  I don't believe so!  Katie mentioned talking with another friend about sharing then and now photos on their blogs.  "Want to do it?"  she asked.  So here we are.

I've been making jewelry for a long time.  It started somewhere after sixth grade and every year, I make a little bit more.  It's been fun (and humbling) rediscovering these little pieces of where I come from and seeing how I've grown.  Some things haven't changed a bit---and thankfully some things have.

That leads me to tell you about the earrings pictured.  It all started when I was given a pair of handmade beaded earrings as a Christmas gift.  In my mind, the woman who made them was a Rock-star.  Make your own earrings?  Holy cow, I had to try it.  So, these are some of the veeeeeerrrrry first earrings I made.  I have no idea how they ended up in China.  I actually think at some point I was going to salvage the beads???  No idea.  Anyway, I'm so glad to have them here for when I teach jewelry making classes.  Why?  Because learning to make perfectly round loops at the end of a wire is tricky.  After a few demonstrations, I let the students try it on their own.  Inevitably they worry because their loops are maybe more oval shape than round.  Or one loop is bigger than the other.  Or their wire is a little gnarly from the pliers and bending it several times.  It's easy to get discouraged and that's about the time when I pull out my trusty earrings to illustrate the fact that practice really does make perfect.

And it works!!!....every time.  They notice by the end of class that every loop gets a little better than the one before. We all have to start somewhere, no matter what we're doing.

I told Katie, I probably have at least six or seven more then and now posts I could do.  So stay tuned for a second helping of humble pie.

Beading With Crystals...

There's a new beading book on the block with two of my designs in it.  I got a copy in the mail recently and it did not disappoint....promise!  It starts with a brief history of crystals followed by material and tool information.  You can find techniques like knotting, stringing, off-loom beading, wire working and moi's how to weave beads into gems like these:

I enjoy how the designs showcase the wide variety of crystal shapes and components.  There are several designs in the book that I want to make for myself too!  Inspirational from all angles, I give it 5 Swarovski Star Pendants!

Beading with Crystals is authored by Katherine Aimone and Jean Campbell, published by Lark Books.