Bead Class - Leather Wrap Bracelet

I had a great time at Bead Haven (if you're ever in Hampton, Va I suggest you check it out) this past Sunday learning how to make a leather wrap bracelet. It is a skill I'd been wanting to learn for a while so I was thrilled when I saw the class come up. Had a nice small class with a great instructor. I look forward to making many more and I'm trying to figure out how to make it more masculine to make one for J. We'll see how that goes.

Back to School

Last night I had to go to Office Max to get some supplies for work. I admit it was a tad bittersweet to see all the displays of school supplies and know I didn't need them. I haven't for quite some time but I still miss going and buying notebooks, pens, dividers, paper, folders, etc. I still think the biggest highlight for me was getting the 64 count box of crayons with the built in sharpener. It had such potential of creativity.

I decided since I'm not in school anymore that I'll find other sources of mental stimulation. I've signed up for two bead classes at my local bead store, Bead Haven. One is a leather wrap bracelet and the other is a metal stamping class. I can't wait.

Happy Back to School Day!!

Bead Soup Blog Party - Jewelry Swap Challenge

Bead Soup Blog Party -- Jewelry Swap Challenge

 

I didn't participate in this challenge but the ladies who did came up with some beautiful creations! I encourage you to take a look at the pieces they created.

Lori Anderson  

Erin Prais-Hintz                  

Jen Velasquez                 

Johanna Rhodes              

Laurel Steven                   

Loretta Carstensen          

Mallory Hoffman              

Marianna Boylan             

Norma Turvey                   

Sharon Misuraco              

Stacey Curry                    

Tyne Bodenburg              

Bead Soup Blog Party Begins

And so it begins....the Bead Soup Blog Party is so massive it will take 8 days for all the projects to be revealed on all the blogs. I am happy because this gives me some extra time to finalize my piece (I don't reveal until the 26th of June). My partner Elisabeth will reveal her piece on the 24th of June. I encourage you to check out the other amazing pieces the other swappers have designed. I admit I'm a little like a kid on Christmas morning...I can't wait to see all of the beautiful creations.

Blog Soup Party Goers

June 19th - Check Out
1. Lori, Pretty Things

2. Lorelei, Lorelei1141

3. Norma, Moonlit Fantaseas

4. Beth, EB Bead and Metalworks

5. Katie, KatieBead

6. Kimberly, Bahama Dawn

7. Debbie, Prairie Emporium

8. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa

9. Kate, Tropical Blonde

10. Janet, Singing Woods

11. Julianna, Juls Beads

12. Erin, Treasures Found

June 20th - Check Out
14. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks

15. Kella, Me But a Little More In Depth

16. Emanda, Artemisia Studio

17. Marie, Skye Jewels

18. Loretta, Designs By Loretta

19. Stacy, Sissy and Jack's

20. Joanna, Filcowe

21. Diane, Diane Hawkey

22. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

23. Anna, The Laughing Raven

24. Marcie, La Bella Joya

25. Lois, Que Onda Q'town?

26. Jayne, Mama's Got To Doodle

June 21st - Check Out
27. Lisa, Alterity

28. Dale, Dales' Flights of Fancy

29. Melanie, Kookie Designs

30. Christine, A Hot Piece of Glass

31. Nancy, Beading From the Heart

32. Laurel, Rue's Daftique

33. Sandi, Do Be Do Bead Do

34. Nicki, Nicki's Reef

35. Virginie, ViviBijoux

36. Janeen, Wild Vanilla

June 22nd - Check Out
37. Filomena, Pink Velvet Bird

38. Lyn, Lyn Foley

39. Tari, Pearl and Pebble

40. Rebecca, Song Beads

41. Regina, Regina's Writings

42. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse

43. Whitney, Whitney Lassini

44. Maria, Garden Path Beads

45. Michelle, Life in the Bead Lane

46. Ann, My Critical Eye

47. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio

June 23rd - Check Out
48. Nan, Spirit Rattles

49. Amy, Copper Diem

50. Malin, Beading by Malin de Koning

51. Anne, Gardanne Glass Lampwork

52. Alice, Alice's Beads and Baubles

53. Barbara, Second Surf

54. Amanda, Articulations

55. Heather, Humble Beads

56. Melissa, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

57. Kate, Organic Odysseys

58. Patti, PJ Clark Designs

59. Stefanie, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

June 24th - Check Out
60. Carol, Carol Bradley Designs

61. Wanda, A Frayed of Fibers

62. Diana, Vintage Blue Studio

63. Marieke, Marieke's Blog

64. KJ, Silver Parrot

65. Maire, Maire Dodd

66. Shannon, Miss Fickle Media

67. Dana, Dana's Jewelry Designs

68. Charlene, The Bead Dreamer

69. Elisabeth, Beads for Busy Gals

70. Cathryn, Chile Cats

71. Missy, Melissa Rappaport

June 25th - Check Out
72. Cindy, Cindy Dolezal Designs

73. Valerie, Hot Art

74. Courtney, Beads by Breul

75. Johanna, Fire Phoenix Creations

76. Shea, gr8findings

77. Julie, Pryce Designs

78. Jeannie, Jeannie's Blog

79. Patricia, Verre Design

80. Christa, Adventures of One Beady Woman

81. Heather, My Muse

82. Susan, Night Beader at Large

83. Sonja, Drachenei

84. Jennifer, Glass Addictions by Jennifer

June 26th - Check Out
85. Melissa, One-Eared Pig Beads

86. Rebecca, 2SistersBeadwork

87. Karyn, Releases by Rufydoof

88. Denise, Bling on the Blog

89. Doris, Glaszwerg

90. Megan, Churchy & Her Sailor

91. Jo, Daisychain Designs

92. Jen, VanBeads Jewelry and Design

93. Kristie, Artisan Clay

94. Jess, Vintaj

95. Suzann, Beadphoria

96. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

97. Michelle, bMichelle

In Transition...

I am currently in a transition period...

my blog...
I'm currently working to move my blog from Blogger to Wordpress. I'm hitting a few bumps but ultimately I know I will like it better. When I move I think my followers will go with me but you may have to re-follow I'm not sure. When I'm all set up at the new site I'll let you know.

my home...
J leaves for Japan for three years in July. We've known it was coming but now it feels formal. And so we're dealing with that...getting the house ready, getting paperwork in order, etc.

my career...
I've been at my current place of employment for almost 10 years. It is the longest I've worked anywhere and it was the first official job after college. And it has served me well but I'm feeling the need for something else...something more fitting to me. Now part of this may come from a job transition here...or me doing something part time in addition. I ultimately would love to have a creative home business making beaded jewelry, sewing purses, and maybe baby quilts. We'll see...  

Creativity Striking

This weekend I went to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXI in my area. It was wonderful you could feel the creativity oozing from the place. As I walked around I wasn't the overwhelmed novice I was the first time I went but I was inspired. And relatively well behaved I bought a few fat quarters and three patterns. I love to sew purses, baby quilts, and on occasion clothes. I also love to bead. Ultimately my goal is to have a business where I sew things and bead things (possibly combined) and sell them for people to enjoy.

I really love mixing interesting color patterns together to make people go wow...I wouldn't have thought of that.

I'm following absorbing wonderful information from m.writes Blog & Business Workshop. Thank you Marta! I'm learning a lot. Please come on over there is a lot of great information. I think this is the sign I've been waiting for...

Creativity is rearing her head

I've talked on and off about looking into some other creative outlets. I think I've found it. I'm going to continue working with beads and making beaded jewelry because that will always be a passion. But I'm also going to take classes on Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator so I can be more efficient and professional at desktop publishing and web design.

I think work will even pay for the classes because it would relate to my job. We'll see.