Trish's Studio 2:14

2012-01-30T14:41:00.003-05:00

Topsy-turvy world.....and life! Time has flown along with last year. Some obligations became too much to do, and so I just opted out. Had to.....just too much going on in my life that required my time and attention. Note to self...do NOT commit to long term projects....

Now...new year....new church to help with, as my dear husband is now pastoring a brand new work here - and as his wife, a lot of 'stuff' fell on my plate....exciting and fun, but boy, there is just no 'free' time any more!

Now January is about done, and I have finally gone and purchased the domain name to match this, my original blog....and soon will begin building it - I'll keep you posted on the progress! It will probably be slow - I have a new book on the latest revamp of HTML and CSS, and will be using that extensively in the building of the site - hope to have some cool stuff to show off.

Meantime, we have started a "Craft Night" at our new church, Arise Christian Fellowship - and this is a favorite thing of mine! I love trying to come up with new ideas for jewelry we can make - at a reasonable cost (I foot the bill), be able to be done by people with no crafting experience, be fun, and have something pretty to take home to wear! Sometimes
the cost part gets to be a challenge....when you have 20-24 people coming each month!

So...for January I thought it would be fun to do what I ended up calling 'dangly heart earrings' - as I never had the time to get a sample done til a couple days before the event! I had fun finding all kinds of hearts, along with pink and red pearls. Add in silvery chain, head pins, and pink jump rings....and there is the making of all kinds of designs. And that was the order for the night - my idea was to make earrings that deliberately did NOT match - who made up that rule anyway? Lol! We had a fun time, and everyone surprised themselves by making some really cool earrings!

Therefore....I thought I would post the pair I made....just to show them to y'all....and I'd be happy to make them yours for the tiny price of $20 - just let me know, and I'll send you a Paypal invoice!

Here they are....mismatched heart earrings:

...the behinder I get...

2011-09-04T10:26:00.000-04:00

July has gone, and so has August....and here I am, finally posting the JULY Bead Journal project. July was a jumbled up month....mostly overshadowed by the decline and too sudden death of my dear Mama (mother-in-law to be technical, but to me, she was Mama) at the end of July. I loved her dearly, and will miss her always...

I actually had my project done before things accelerated and seemed to scatter all over the landscape, but there just was not ever time or inclination to sit and put it up here. Didn't help that the project was yet another that sure did not match what I had in my head when I started!

The idea actually came from my sister (ah...technically another in-law, but I just don't feel that separation at all) to do something 'beachy' - since it was summer, and I love the beach...so that is what I had in mind. I thought of the tiny symmetrical patterns the sand sometimes makes where it is real shallow on the beach, and picked a pretty green fabric for the background that had that kind of pattern in it. Liked the 'sea' green color too.

Then I added a little starfish to the center....I think they are such marvelous little creatures....like the ones from the sky come down to the sea to live. Then my idea was to have my beads....sea-green and sand-beige kind of flowing over and off the little starfish, like water motion captured as it moved. I really liked the whole idea of it....but alas....when I added my streams of beads, the reality didn't much match my imagination. But...at that point, there wasn't much more to do...but to do...and I added a little beaded decoration all around the edge to represent tiny shells...nah....didn't much work either.
Ah, well...there's always next month!

So...such as it is.....my little 'beachy' project.....

To add to it all - my scan didn't turn out too well (the starfish made the scan uneven)....but you can see the idea....

I have my idea for August ( I WILL catch up!) - and it will be for Mama....have exactly what I want to do in mind....and am now getting my time back to yet another 'new normal' - so hope to have that up here very soon....and the September one too....no pressure.....no pressure.....:-)

Stay tuned....

June Bead Journal Project

2011-07-01T11:50:00.004-04:00

Can't believe the month of June is history, and even though I have my June Bead Journal project done.....I forgot to post it. Sometimes I wonder about myself.....hmmmm...

At any rate - I did do something different this time, though I'm not sure it will turn into any kind of 'theme' for the rest of the year....have to wait and see what comes to mind for this month!

Without further ado......

I love the fabric - the colors of the strips appealed to me, so I didn't want to cover them up with beads....so I decided they'd be a nice 'abstract' landscape for a fantasy bunch of flowers...just drifting away from a bed of dark and light green dagger bead 'grass'. I added the stars, for a starry sky, even though the fabric doesn't suggest night - but I just liked the effect!

Now....what will suggest itself for July? Stay tuned.....

A bit of 'out of the box' fun...

2011-06-24T11:46:00.004-04:00

After the creativity prompt series ended - created and run by A Creative Dream, I noticed as I followed her blog, that she does many creative things....and one of them was doodling.

Yep, the same thing we all used (or still) do during classes, at work, at church....whenever we have paper and pencil, and are using ears, but not hands....I know I'm like this (not always.....but a lot of the time). I told myself that one of these days, I was going to try my hand at doing what JC does - making the doodles an artistic creation. So..the thought sat and simmered through the entire year of creativity prompts, until....

I got out one of my ATC cards and decided to see what would happen if I just started doodling. I drew a bunch of curved lines in no particular pattern, and then began filling in the spaces with lines, dots, flowers...whatever. It was kinda fun.....like making a picture that isn't an idea first!

When I was done....I liked it - but it was all so ....black and white. Duh. That's what a pen and paper look like - but then I got out my markers (another of my favorite things that I don't use enough), and added some color. Not a lot....I didn't want to fill it up with color - it was quite busy enough without that!

So now it is done! And the next thing is....what do I do with it? Frame it? Make a card out of it (like that, but I've not made many cards...hmmm), keep it, give it away...
Help me out here, readers! Give me some suggestions....(not including 'good grief, Trish, what were you thinking - I've already done that one).

Here it is in all its glory!

This was fun.....and I just may do it again....even think of a general theme....or not...

May Creativity Prompt....

2011-06-04T16:13:00.003-04:00

...and ahem.....just a tad late - but that's ok!

This time I have something truly new. Some of you may know I have been learning a totally new craft - and it turns out to have (for me) a pretty steep learning curve. But I persevere, and now things are beginning to progress.

What is this craft, you ask? Ah, it is glass bead-making - and by this I mean the torch and the glass rods that one turns into lovely glass beads in the flame. The videos I watch make it look so easy....but in my hands....decidedly not!

There are a few examples of the 'oops' variety of beads on my beadblessed.com site
but since those pictures I have an entire bowl full of them...lol! I love making the beads, and am steadily getting better at it...

I picked out four (three are promised to some very dear people), which I dress up in some gorgeous filigree caps - two shades of blue, lavender, and albaster pink (love that color!), and this is my 'artist's choice' for this month. Sadly, this is also the last of the Creativity prompts from A Creative Dream - I have SO enjoyed trying to make lovely things to fit the wonderful themes June comes up with. I am hoping she finds another variation on this to continue on with the fun.....have to wait and see.

So, here are my 'Remembrance Raindrop' charms....ready for whatever lovely use you want to put them!

Now to go experiment....and see what new things I can come up with! Stay tuned....

May is done....and so is my BJP project!

2011-06-02T09:33:00.003-04:00

I'm just a bit tardy in posting this, but was thrilled to accomplish at least one thing with my May project - got it done in time!

The 'new' thing for this month was to put an edging around a cabochon in the center of my piece. As usual, I made it more difficult than necessary - and chose what I had on hand, which happened to be a rectangle....grrrr. It is a piece I made back when I could afford to 'experiment' with precious metal silver clay...a distant dream these days! It is a little rectangle of fine silver with the word 'wish' stamped in it.

Funny that what runs through my mind when I see that word 'wish' - is my mother saying to me when I was little...'if wishes were horses, beggars would ride'. Guess that was in the back of my mind as each little section of my project was a different bead, a different color, a different pattern....wishing for lots of things...

It also occurred to me that the element I have been 'missing' in all these projects so far is a unifying theme....the 'do something new' just isn't enough....and now that June is here, that's my new goal for the rest of these little works of mine....to find that element to build each one around....be interesting to see what evolves!

At any rate....without further ado....my May project....appropriately titled "Wishes":

Now I'm really looking forward to June.....with a whole new perspective.....woo hoo!

April Bead Journal Project Entry

2011-05-13T18:09:00.002-04:00

April is long gone, and my BJP April entry remains kind of bare. I had intended to do a lot more with it - but inspiration eluded me, and I didn't want to just do the same 'fill in with beads' that I've already done. Didn't quite fit with the 'do something new' each month that remains my goal.

So....I've decided to leave it as is....I like the background....I like the frame of little flowers...speaks 'spring' to me. And I love the metal butterfly....who is smack dab in the middle of all the flowers....and I think....that is enough.

So...here 'tis....and I DO know what I am going to learn for next (er...rather THIS) month's project! Hoping for more success, and a new skill learned!

More stuff in the works......finding time....hmmm.....stay tuned!

Yay for Purple!

2011-05-06T15:28:00.005-04:00

Cannot believe how time gets away from me.....too much going on, not near enough hours to take care of it all.....or even SEE it all! Whew!

Anyway - this month's creativity prompt from A Creative Dreamer was PURPLE - which is one of my favorite colors....I am definitely a blue, purple, lavender, grey kind of gal - so this one was easy - but what?

Decided to go back to a design I have always loved. I just like it! I had these tiny wooden spools - and some pearl-y paint....so I painted a pair of them purple, then made a teeny peyote stitch strip to go around them....in purple nad pink. Oh, yeah - I love tiny!

Then I went beyond the box.....and decided to try a larger version for a necklace.... a bigger spool - same paint (which didn't look the same - interesting how size changes shades!). Then a larger version of the same peyote stitch pattern....and viola! Casual and swingy - I just love the look. Goes great with jeans....but I bet it would look good with most anything!

So...here are the pics......first the earrings:

and the necklace......

Just can't have enough purple!!!

Now....can't wait to see what the prompt is for June....and hoping my world settles down some...ha!

Way out of the box.....

2011-04-05T10:21:00.003-04:00

This month's creativity prompt given out by A Creative Dream
was to make a journal page. Whew. Of all the things I do NOT do,
this is a prime example!

But, I decided to make a stab at it....but in a very small way. As
all the projects for my Bead Journal Project are the size of Artist's
Trading Cards, my journal page was going to be the same size - thinking
maybe I'd include it on the wall hanging I'm planning for those.

I did make myself one rule....I would NOT use beads for this - if I was
going to do something different....make it different! So this became
a treasure hunt for things I could use...interesting was was lurking in
some of my drawers and containers....little wire objects that looked like
music notes, some pretty papers for some project I never started....

...and this is what I came up with....

I actually kind of like how it turned out....some of the papers here are
iridescent, but that doesn't show so well in the scan. but overall, the
sentiment is mine....and I'm going with it!

Wow....wonder what the prompt for April is going to be.....!

March Bead Journal Project

2011-04-01T15:59:00.002-04:00

Another month has flown by so quickly....
I've been working on my little project....and have to confess I'm not happy with it. What I meant it to be was flowers blowing in the breeze, with clouds overhead. What I didn't count on was that the beads I used for the sky being SO close in color to the flowers!

Each flower was a different kind of bead, but even that gets lost in the maze here. Ah, well - live and learn. I also was going to do something 'new and different' with each project, but then ended up that this one is the same kind of thing I did for February.

That's all good, for everything is a learning experience....and I will take that with me into April....

So...here it is....my little flower garden...

Any feedback greatly appreciated!!

....til next time....onward and upward!

February Gone Already?

2011-03-01T18:31:00.006-05:00

I had them done....really! But, what I didn't have is time....time to fuss with the pics, to sharpen and color-correct them. Someday, I'll learn enough to use a camera and have them turn out!

At any rate....I am part of the Creativity Prompt - a fun and creative way to celebrate each month with a different word - and February's word was appropriate - "LOVE"

I have been trying to learn new things for both this monthly idea and the Bead Journal Project.....so this month, I tried a brand new stitch - the Diamond stitch....and ended up doing variations on a theme!

I chose amythest crystals and fire polished beads - as that is February's birthstone (and I am a February person), and hearts to symbolize love....

First I did a single motif:

I quite liked how the stitch made it's own little diamond pattern, just from the difference in size of the beads, and how they were strung on the thread - the smaller beads making the corners. This variation was seed beads and 4mm crystal bicone Swarovski beads, with a dangle of a little iridescent heart (I LOVE these little heart beads!)

Then I thought....hmmmm....how would this pattern look doubled up? So....that became variation two:

I liked this version too....thinking this is my favorite. I doubled the motifs and put them in a vertical orientation....using the same 4mm Swarovski bicone crystal beads, and darker color seed beads for the corners. I also doubled up on the hearts....the little heart beads are a transparent amythest color on one side, and iridescent on the other....neat!

Then...of course, I started wondering how it would look with bigger beads? I just happened to have some 6mm fire polish round beads....so that was the third and final variation on the 'love' theme.... This was ok....but not my favorite - guess the 6mm are just a tad bigger than I would like to wear...I'm into 'little'. This version is back to just one motif, but tripled up on the heart beads....different look entirely.

I had a lot of fun trying out the different variations, and now the pattern is firmly in my memory, so I won't forget how to make it.....I'll for sure be using this pattern in more designs in the future!

Now....wonder what the prompt will be for March???!!! Stay tuned!

February Bead Journal Project

2011-02-23T18:42:00.003-05:00

It is hard to believe that February is almost over....how can a month drag along and yet be gone so fast?

This month my intention originally for my Bead Journal entry for this month was to learn how to make a bezel out of beads to surround a larger bead on my tiny canvas. Well, obviously I need to do more research on how to do that....somehow it never looked right, so I went to plan B.

Plan B? Um.....it just evolved. I had already glued down some pretty flat back 'jewels' on my very pretty fabric (just love dark blue and purpl-y red)....and then I just started to surround the gems with seed beads....I had some pretty mettalic blue beads..some transparent red ones, and some iridescent ones that seemed a bit of both! Outlining became swirls, became circles of beads....and I knew I wasn't going to stop until I had filled up the entire canvas with beads!

I'm still far from proficient at doing this bead embroidery thing - I was forever going back and tacking down beads that threatened to pop up....maybe I tried to lay down too many with not enough anchoring threads? But, boy, It was fun! And it didn't take nearly as long as I was afraid it would!

I did get a heart-shaped bead in there - that was my starting point....a little bow to February and Valentines... and my 'jewels' were pink....also seemed so 'february'...lol!

So...here 'tis! My February Whirls and Swirls!

I'm very happy with this....and I did something totally new....part of what I want from this whole project....and now I'm looking forward to March....and hopefully...spring!

January - Bead Journal Project

2011-01-31T15:44:00.004-05:00

This year I decided to join in on the Bead Journal Project
and stretch my skills and imagination, trying something a little different. This promises to be a fun thing - to create a new project each month - one that incorporates beading in it.

I decided to make my 'journal' be a collection of little fabric covered canvasses the size of Artists Trading Cards. Not too big that I can't finish in a month's time (along with everything else in my life...lol), but big enough to try out a new technique...new beads...new sizes....the possibilities are endless!

This first month was easy - as far as being 'new'. Everything about it is new to me. I have never done bead embroidery - ever. Trying to create a scene with beads - new. Trying to make the beads stay where I put them - new. But FUN!

My little canvas this month represents a new year.....the focal points are the sun's rays in white spreading out from the corner, each ending with a clear or yellow crystal bead....I saw them as chasing away the white seed bead snowflakes that float on the right side on my canvas....and below is the snow-covered land, creadted with white and light blue seed beads. New project, new beginnings, new year, new blessings and promises to come....that's what I see when I look at it!

Here it is......

Size-wise, these are a little bigger than a business card - and I am so pleased with my first foray into this new medium!
Can't wait to try out the new thing I have in mind for February!

January Creativity Prompt

2011-01-24T12:22:00.004-05:00

Wow...how time flies! Could not believe how long it's been since I last posted. Have to correct that...

I missed the December creativity prompt - not because I didn't actually try to do something for it....more that what I did just didn't measure up - even to my sometimes low - standards. I didn't want to put smething out here that I ended up not liking.

But...now it's a new year, and a new prompt from the Creative Dreamer Blog
The January prompt was very appropriate - "WHITE" - sure fit for around here with all the unusual snow and wintery stuff that's been going on.

So...I started to play around with white beads....and crystals....thinking in a 'snow and ice' mode....gave up on seed beads, and went back to my favorite Delicas...and thought...hmmm....beaded beads! So that's what came about. I made a small peyote stitch tube to make a thin tube bead....and the 4mm crystal bicones snugged right up to the ends like they were made for each other. Then I thought...I need a shorter, chubbier beaded bead...and that turned out really well....just right for the 6mm round crystal beads I had. Just had to add a little more sparkle by adding a dangle of all crystals....and the three shapes and combinations came together beautifully, I think!

So...without further ado.....here are my January White Earrings!

I am really pleased with them.....winter white without the cold!

Red!

2010-12-02T10:46:00.005-05:00

This month the 'creativity prompt' from A Creative Dream was "RED". Simple....just a word....but what to do with this?

'Twas a busy month....and by the time I got seriously thinking about this, the month was nearly over...but I decided to try. I had found instructions to make a beaded bead ( I LOVE beaded beads!) out of Swarovski crystal beads.....and had to try it. This would be perfect for my 'red' entry....

I worked and worked.....and failed and failed....funny how the stuff I really, really want to learn is only done so by LOTS of trial and error....mostly error! Of course, some of it was not having the proper supplies....first try I used beading wire - granted, it was very flexible....but too heavy, and I didn't like the result. Ok....on to beading thread....this I could color coordinate....but this time, I think it was too light, and would NOT make a nice tight bead. Sigh....

Off to Wal-Mart....and the sporting goods aisle....needed to actually get some fishline. The video I watched to learn the technique (right-angle weave) used 10-lb fishline. Have no idea what that meant....but all the 10 lb fishline at Walmart was colored....green, blue, red....who knew? So - I settled for 8 lb line that was clear.....and what a bargain this stuff is! I got 700 yards of fishline for $2.50! That is a LOT of fishline!

But....would it work? Yes! Yes! Took some getting used to....and a magnifying glass....being clear is a detriment to finding and getting the ends through the crystal beads...lol! But, I persevered....and got them made! YAY! Now.....to turn this pretty little orbs into earrings....easy, right? Not so much....as the center of the bead is essentially hollow - a regular headpin had to be placed very carefully, so it doesn't pull right through....but oh, how pretty they were! I have since tried other methods of attaching the crystal beads...and am quite enchanted by all the possibilities.....

My photography has a LOT to learn...but I was doing this in laughable circumstances, which I will never tell about....but scanning made the orbs flat....not good. So....here are the earrings.....please forgive the photos....hope to get better than this quickly!

and.....

This was such fun....and opened up a whole new area of creativity for me....and that's what it's all about, right?

Can't wait for the December prompt!!

This Is Just So Cool!!

2010-09-04T06:35:00.000-04:00

I found this really cool website.....to make word "clouds" - and I just had to share it. The website is called Wordle and you can either make up your own - or as I'm going to show you - I put in the address of my blog here....and it made one for me from the text on the blog!

I didn't care for the colors they had available....but you can make a custom palette...then do a "print screen' and paste it into a graphics editing program (Paint, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop) and edit it......til it's all ready to put up:

Is that not just the neatest thing?!
Ok....I'll go quietly now....

Now I Can Show the Prize!

2010-09-03T13:30:00.006-04:00

A while back I posted about my tiny pearl beads - and what to do with them - here's the post -
and I did have a winner.....my dear friend Barbara. She decided that she wanted girly - pink earrings for her prize - which I made and sent to her.

She really liked them, and is going to give them as a gift....somehow I love that idea too! I didn't want to put them on here until she had received them. Now, she has, and I can now show you what I made....

The bugle beads for these were the prettiest shade of raspberry pink, and the seed beads a pale pastel pink. The 'fringe' beads were a frosted iridescent pinky-lavender, and set the earrings off just right! I was very pleased with them, and think they made a nice prize!

While I was playing around with seed beads....which seem really large compared to the Delica beads I usually use, I decided to try my hand and a stitch I hadn't tried in a long time - the daisy chain stitch. For each motif, I used a different color seed bead - and the color bead that was in the center of the 'daisy' was the same one used for the next flower. I like the pastel effect....

I deliberately made this necklace short....I wanted it to be a 'choker' style necklace - being right up around your neck shows off the tiny flowers, and it is so light, you hardly know you have it on! I did make a ring to match - but trying to scan it on my finger - one hand in the scanner, the other on the keyboard....ah....doesn't work so well...

Now trying out some variations on a theme.....single color flowers - or making two strands of them...longer and twined around each other, with maybe a pretty focal bead...hmmm....
stay tuned!

Just Under the Deadline....

2010-08-31T14:54:00.006-04:00

I knew kind of what I wanted to do for this month's challenge from the A Creative Dreamer blog. The creative prompt was "Transitions"....which basically is moving from one state to another.

So...I had some drawings, long on my fridge, drawn by my youngest granddaughters...one age 10, one age 6. They were each so like the child-artist that created them that I wanted to find a way to keep them forever. I decided that the transition would be from paper art to a lovely piece of beautiful jewelry.

The beginning.....the drawings themselves:

The above drawing was from the older of the granddaughters - when she was learning to use the computer. She created this wonderful colorful design, which I have always loved!

This one created by the younger granddaugher-artist, is more pastel, but equally beautiful - and she even put "Grama" in the design. A treasure indeed!

I took the designs, shrunk them WAY down - til they were just over an inch high and wide. I placed pretty twisted silver links over them, glued them down, and then filled the interior with glaze. It didn't turn out as 'raised' as I would have liked, but still made the designs even more vivid.

I colored the backs of the paper, then glued the two drawings, with the circle links together, to make a two-sided pendant. I then took a needle tool and made a hole just large enough for a sterling silver jumpring - and viola! Ready to put on a chain, ribbon, leather....whatever I decide to complete the look for the mood I'm in when I wear it.

This is the one side.....the ruler is there so you can see the actual size....

And this is the other side - I don't think that either side is the "front" or "back" - they are equally lovely and will be such a joy to wear!

I think the "Transition" went really, really well!!

Milestones....

2010-08-19T10:17:00.006-04:00

Couple of these going on this week! Both of them are also unintended consequences (I think) from the Lymphoma that was conquered (thank YOU God!) last month....so now I have a running start on the rest of my life!

The health milestone was the repair (yesterday) of a small but very painful hernia that dates back to a surgery years ago, and brought to the painful forefront by my swollen spleen earlier this year. Thankfully, this was taken care of in record time, and although it is still sore, I know it's just a blip on my radar this week, and I'll be back to total health by next week! God has blessed me so much getting me through every single health problem this year, that I know there is smooth sailing ahead!

The other milestone was more of a 'crafty' one, and one that brings me much renewed joy! All through the sessions of chemotherapy, one of the 'unintended consequences' of that was the persistent 'tingly' feeling in my feet and fingertips. The feet....is ignorable and is slowly improving, but the fingertip thing....oooh, that was a problem. I love working with tiny beads...the tinier the better. Seed beads to me are on the large end! I love Delica beads, and we are talking very small.....and I have now purchased my first tube of size 15 beads...the very smallest of all.

And, why, do you ask? Because .....joy oh joy.....the tingling has dissipated (again thank YOU God!), and now I can feel the little beads as I pick them up, and I can hold on to them, and again created little 'pretties' with them. I cannot even tell you how this just filled me with happiness! So....my test for myself was to make a couple of my little 'hope-levopes', just to see if I could...these are made with Delica beads in a peyote stitch, and in the end, there is a tiny envelope, just big enough to tuck a Bible verse into, or other tiny treasures. They are meant to be the 'focal' bead on a necklace - haven't gotten to that part yet, but wanted to share this 'milestone' with you!

Here is the first one.....made with white and grey beads....the white ones have a 'rainbow' finish on them, and the grey ones are a matte finish. This doesn't come through as well as I wish in the pictures, but the contrast in texture is very pleasing to me....I ended it with a 4 mm black diamond Swarovski crystal bicone bead....a bit of sparkly to close the envelope!

I will be attaching it to a chain (still working on the design of that), but it will hang from a corner....I like things on the diagonal!

This shows the 'hope-velope' opened up, so you can see the relative size...one can slip a dime in there with just a bit of room left over!

The second photo shows this little beaded pretty in the closed position - the weight of the little crystal bead keeps the flap closed, as well as the natural way the bead pattern falls - it folds naturally on the horizontal.

Once this one was made, I thought...hmmmm.. want to make it a little smaller! So, using less beads, and going to a random mix of four different shades and finishes of purple beads, this one was so pleasing to my eye! I love the mixture of colors - all in the same palette - in this random stripey pattern. This time I used a 'purple velvet' crystal bead as the closure, and this will be the first on to be put on a chain....a dime will not quite fit in this little guy, but Bible verses are always the right size!

Such a joy to be back working with these little beads....! More to come.....stay tuned!

More Goodies and the Give-away!

2010-08-12T10:50:00.005-04:00

I made one more version of the fringe earrings - and needed to post them first....for it might have a bearing on the rest of the post!

These are a combination of chalk white bugle beads, and pale yellow seed beads...with alternating crystal AB finish and jonquil yellow crystal bicone beads - a nice light, lemony look, and I like it! No earwires yet..when they sell, I'll add the sterling silver french earwires.

At any rate....here they are:

Now...to the give-away, and the result of the suggestions.....

My last post asked for ideas on what to do with the tiny pearl beads I had purchased....and the winning suggestion would win a pair of fringe earrings - sent to them at my expense as a 'thank-you' for the suggestion! I am so pleased that my dear friend from around the internet - Barbara Y. - is the winner. I am again reminded that it IS possible to be very good friends with folks you have never met 'in person' - just based on like values and compatible character. I have emailed Barbara, and will send off which ever of the colors of fringe earrings she would like, soon as she lets me know!

Now....her suggestion was intriguing.....it was to make a 'multi-strand' bracelet with the beads. Wow! I had never tried anything 'multi-stranded' before, so this was going to be something new! I am not much of a fan of stringing beads - have never really mastered the art of crimping the skinny thread that has to be used to get thru the holes in pearls.

So...how to approach it? Ah....I would make individual components of wire and connect them together. I did have some nice double strand ends I could use....and in looking around...came across another of my favorites, tiny little hummingbird beads. I have used these before, and they lift my spirits just looking at them!

I alternated the components - three pearl beads on one, a hummingbird bead fromed with the pearl beads on the next.....connected with Argentium sterling silver jump rings.

Being a bracelet, and not being too heavy, I decided to go with a magnetic clasp - making it very easy to put on and take off. Nothing worse than struggling with a clasp you have to open and then hook to a tiny ring....grrrr...been there, done that!

Now that it is done, I am really pleased with it....and liking the look of the double strands...so, thanks to Barbara, I have a new design, tried a new technique, and made a piece I don't make very often.....and that's a very good thing!

Without further ado.......here it is... the picture does not really show the slight iridescent shading on the pearl beads....navy and purple and flashes of silver....tiny....but pretty!

Have more goodies to show....but they will have to wait for another post....it deserves its own....as it is a bit of a milestone!

Stay tuned!

Challenges and More Goodies

2010-08-02T15:46:00.004-04:00

It was SO cool the other day to find the "Big Reveal" of all the folks who were part of the "Dream" challenge on A Creative Dream I was astounded at the variety of expressions of the prompt, and was thrilled to see my own creations there! Go over and take a look at all the wonderful things!

She also sent out the prompt for August - it is "Transition"....and I already have an idea to make for this one!

Meantime - even though I have lost the tumbler and my magnifying lamp - I donned a pair of 'Dollar Trees' glasses, and did a couple more variations on the Fringe earrings....here are a couple of different colors.....sans findings...they will eventually have sterling silver french earwires....but I wanted to share the beadwork now!

Then I had another idea.....born of necessity....I ran out of the little 'dagger beads' that form the 'fringe' part of the earrings - and thought.....hmmmmm...what if I replaced the dagger beads with 4mm Swarovski bicone crystal beads....so I did!

Here they are:

I am totally loving how this looks! Makes them a tad more expensive - adding the 14 crystal beads - but also upgrades the entire look, from casual to more elegant!

So that's the skinny from the studio today.....now, back to work on other things I put off to do this!

Show and Tell...

2010-07-30T19:02:00.005-04:00

Not sure what is going on with my crafting equipment....the revenge of the machines? A few days ago, my tumbler quit....the little roller part that makes the tumbling chamber go round and round literally melted off. Guess it just couldn't stand the combination of the hours of tumbling, and the temperature of the studio when I'm not in there....gets right toasty!

So....no tumbling - no pretty copper jump rings shiny as a new penny....so that gets put on hold. I tried going back to the low-tech way of cleaning them up....salt and vinegar...but didn't get them clean and shiny enough for me to use....

Of course, the sites that sell the tumbler do NOT sell any replacement parts, even though the google search says they do...lol! Their idea of replacement parts is extra tumbling medium and rocks. Ummmm....no. Hoping my hubby can fix this and make it all new again!

Today, I went out to the studio....and there across my work station that I am using lay my lamp on its extension arm. Now this is not just a lamp....the lamp also has a large magnifying class in the center - makes it just marvelous to use to work on tiny things....my favorite kind of things...hmmmm....is there a message here? The block that holds the entire lamp, and clamps on to the counter top just split in half...or almost...it is split and bent at a very odd angle.....not gonna go back where it was.

But, I soldiered on....I promised a picture of the tiny dark iridescent blue pearl beads....guess they are what's called a 'potato' shape....kind of irregular....but that appeals to me. They are small - I forgot to put a dime or something in the picture to give it some kind of scale....but each one is about half the size of a pencil eraser....maybe a little smaller.
Here they are:

Open to any suggestions as to what I should make with these. This is only part of what I have....there are probably three times the amount shown in the picture. Can't wait to read what you think these beads should become!

Also....the person whose idea I decide to use will receive a pair of fringe earrings. And...for those who don't know what it is that I call 'fringe earrings' - here is a pair...I make several versions of these, but the basic shape and kind of beads is what is shown here....the pair shown are a pretty iridescent (love that shimmery color!) pinky-lavender...and the design is one of my favorites....

Here's your chance to own a pair of these - which normally sell for $15.00 - gratis! Free shipping too! Who can resist that? Bring on the suggestions!

Building On Ideas...

2010-07-29T14:38:00.006-04:00

After talking about my idea to continue the design of the "Dream" earrings, using warmer colors.....I did! Looked through my stash of pretty crystal bicone beads, and picked out some warm colors....jonquil yellow, crystal AB, Antique Rose, Copper, and Ruby Red....and put this combination on graduated lengths of silver-plated chain....put all the chains on a large jump ring, which I strung through a silver bail....really like that look! As usual, the earrings are all on sterling silver french hooks - and I'm likin' the warm colors just as much as the cool ones I made earlier....

These are also $20.00, and if you would like them....send me an email at trysh *at* gmail *dot* com....you know to remove the asterisks in the address :-). I will then send you a Paypal invoice, and ship them out as soon as payment is credited to my account. I make no money on the shipping - what I am charged, I just pass on...

That said....here are the "Dream" earrings in warm colors:

Since I was on a roll, I decided to keep going and finish up another idea I floated out here on this blog....to create a necklace to complement my "Sunshine" earrings....I had actually started it - but was hesitant to put the design on a copper chain....seems that lots of folks might have a skin reaction to copper - even though most copper jewelry findings now have a coating on it that not only helps prevent tarnish, but also helps with the reactions.

But...the perception is there - so I decided to try and put it on leather....and that worked out really well! The black of the leather actually made the copper and the mother-of-pearl disc beads pop out! Love it. I used a 'trailer hitch' clasp - it is just the simplest one to use...and I also liked it for this design.

The price on this is $20.00 - just refer to the directions above if this design strikes your fancy....

Here it is...

Now to do some thinking on what to do with the tiny pearl chips I got last week....what could I combine them with? Do earrings? A necklace? Bracelet?

Hmmm.....send me your thoughts on what I should do with the dark blue pearl nuggest (they are real small)....and win yourself a pair of fringe earrings! Don't know what they are? Come back tomorrow - I'll post a pair so you can see! Be sure and check back for details!!

Warm and Cool...

2010-07-27T19:23:00.005-04:00

After making the pretty crystal earrings for the "Dream" challenge, I decided to try another version of the same design. This time I used all 'cool' colors....starting with a dark blue, then crystal AB, sapphire blue, crystal AB again, and finishing up with purple velvet - and my, I do like that look! Of course I immediately thought of doing it yet again with warm colors - reds and yellows and coppers....stay tuned on that thought!

Here are the 'Cool Crystal' earrings:

If anyone is so inclined to purchase this pair of earrings - the price is $20.00 plus shipping - Send me an email at trysh *at* gmail *dot* com. I'll send you a Paypal invoice and once payment is received, I'll send them right out!

Last weekend I did get to a bead store (dangerous place for me....with wanting to get 'one of everything'!) - looking for more pastel freshwater pearls - which I didn't find, but did find some tiny iridescent dark blue pearl chips....and some pretty Mother of Pearl round disc beads. They reminded me of tiny suns....and today I played around with them and the copper wire. Got the earrings done, and am playing with the same components to make a choker necklace. Bit of sunshine for the now 'nice' warm weather!

Here they are:

Hmmm.....the photo doesn't do the beads justice - they are more 'goldy' color and the iridescent qualities don't come through at all....have to play with my photo editing and see if I can improve the picture. I really like all the different shapes of the copper in these...each shape has its own shade of copper color, subtle but pleasing!

If anyone is so inclined to purchase this pair of earrings - the price is $15.00 plus shipping - Send me an email at trysh *at* gmail *dot* com. I'll send you a Paypal invoice and once payment is received, I'll send them right out!

More to come.....stay tuned!

A Little Inspiration...

2010-07-21T16:15:00.004-04:00

I have wanted to participate in a 'creative blog challenge' that is a feature of the blog

A Creative Dreamer

I didn't make it in June....just couldn't get any ideas at all....but that made me even more determined to try to do it in July - and this time the 'creative prompt' was "Dream". Now that was a really good one!

This was just as I received the wonderful news that my cancer is now in complete remission - so this really was a dream come true....thanks to God, the doctors, and all the prayers offered by all my friends.

So...I came up with a couple of designs - one in silver and pastels...freshwater pearls and silver dangles....it just seemed so calm and serene....like a dream stirred by the clouds.... here is that design:

That was a good one.......but then I wanted to do one that was more of a 'dream come true' one....and all I could think of was fireworks.....which translated into various colors of Swarovski crystal beads on different lengths of chain....like fireworks falling from the sky... Here they are:

This was truly fun.....and stretched the imagination a little to come up with an idea prompted by a word....and one given by someone else....looking forward to doing this again in August!

Stay tuned....

Some Copper Fun...

2010-07-10T12:37:00.004-04:00

While trying to solve some problems making copper charms, I started playing around with different gauge copper wire....coiling it, hammering it....

I think that anyone who uses a hammer on a regular basis would crack up watching me with my tiny little anvil, and tiny hammer....but the wire coils are tiny too, and a big hammer is kinda overkill. So, I look silly, but that little hammer does a good job!

First I experimented with putting together different gauge coils in the same design....with small and smaller copper jump rings....liked how that looked, and couldn't resist adding some copper crystal bicone beads on long headpins - and liked that even more! These might become a favorite of mine!

Here they are:

That was such fun, I kept on going and tried doing scrolls - connected coils - I started out thinking bracelet - but then decided to stay small....I wear earrings more than bracelets, after all. Couldn't leave them totally plain - so I added some Swarovski glass pears drops - the creamy color goes well with copper!

Here is the second design:

But, this design would be very cool as a necklace with added dangles....little steampunk flavor I think....hmmmm.....I know exactly what I want to do here.....stay tuned!

Sometimes Simple is Best...

2010-07-09T19:13:00.004-04:00

I had a pair of pretty crystal heart beads - kept them for a long time, since they always reminded me of a lovely girl who tragically passed away.

After a time, I came across them again, and it just seemed right to make them into a pair of earrings for my friends's Mom....who is also a dear friend. I didn't think they needed any further embellishment, so I just put them on large silver jump rings and let them shine as is.

Here they are:

I love that the picture shows how these pretties have an inner glow - and I know they'll be so pretty when worn!

Some More Goodies

2010-07-07T09:10:00.005-04:00

My, it sure is easy to let time get away from me! Been way too long since I posted....partly because of all that's going on....and partly because I'm trying to learn more about Photoshop...which I'm finding has a steep learning curve!

But I digress.....a while back I had seen a necklace using graduated lengths of chain as a foundation.....I really liked the look, and decided to use it to see what I could come up with...I used some really pretty pastel Antique Rose Swarovski bicone crystal beads, and as a focal piece, a little silver dragonfly. I love dragonflies, and this just set the whole design off!
So....here is the result:

Looks so pretty hanging from the silver plated chain.....and is just lovely when worn - really attracts attention!

Of course, such a pretty piece deserves a pair of earring to go with it....so out came more crystal beads, and a couple more dragonflies....suspended on bits of chain....a perfect complement!

I am trying hard to get back into a 'crafting routine' - spending a bit of time out in the studio each (or most) day.....and there's more to show you...so stay tuned!

Getting Back Into It...

2010-06-15T19:39:00.004-04:00

Wow - time flies! Can't believe the weeks have flown by...but I have been trying to get back in the crafting groove....

Have some crochet projects ready for photos....scanning them just won't work, and I want to be able to give the pattern instructions for at least one of them....so stay tuned on that...

Meantime, on the jewelry front, I have done a bit more - using only what I have on hand. Amazing what you find when you start looking in all those little drawers in my 'organizers'...lol!

I found some really cool faceted teardrop beads in one of those drawers, in a very deep dark blue....and just had to see what I could do with them....and trying to not be so precise with things....think a little out of the box on them. These beads are what are called "briolettes" in that they are side drilled near the top, and that presents a different challenge when creating the loop to attach to a finding. My solution this time was to take the long tail (left deliberately) from making the loop and continuing to wrap the wire down the top of the bead....and letting it wrap as it wanted, rather than forcing 'neatness'. I rather like how they turned out....

Here are the earrings:

Of course, I decided that these earrings really needed a necklace to go with them....hanging from a delicate long-and-short silvery chain, with a lobster clasp. Lovely!

More later.... can't wait to share with you!!

Crafts and the Chemo-brain...

2010-05-27T16:06:00.009-04:00

Odd title that....but in my astonishment that - it has been since November since I posted here, that is the explanation.

About that calendar time last year I was blindsided by the diagnosis of B-cell Lymphoma, a very treatable, tho uncurable, form of blood cancer. 'Nuff said about that....it you'd like to read about that particular journey of mine...you can check it out here:

Raindrops N Sunbeams

This figures into my craft blog here in a rather disconcerting way....but I am working my way through that too. Besides the fatigue and general lack of energy that kept me from pursuing my crafts, there were unexpected side effects from some of the meds that are interfering too. I have discovered it is harder to concentrate, to focus for a long period of time....and that gets so frustrating - it was just easier to not start. Then a new wrinkle...one of the meds can (not always - temporary hopefully - but maybe not) give one that 'tingly' - waking up after being asleep feeling in my feet and fingers. The feet tingling is a mere annoyance, and I have not problem just ignoring it....but the finger thing....which extends to the fingertips....that became a problem.

I love beading....and especially beading with Delica beads....and they are tiny. Ever tried to pick one of those up when your fingers are kinda numb and tingly at the same time. Uh...doesn't work too well. So, for a time, I just left the beading and wirework - meaning most of my jewelry making alone for a time....and concentrated on healing and doing things that didn't involve small beads...lol!

That mostly was knitting and crocheting...there were several baby afghans to be made...and projects for myself (gasp!) that I'd just never finished...this was the time for that! So I have enjoyed doing that and learning to deal with the little glitches as I go along. You may see a couple (or more) original crochet designs on here a little later....I'm exploring making up my own patterns for things...kinda fun!

Lately tho, I have gotten the yen to get back in the studio and try working with some of my larger beads....not ready yet to tackle the Delicas again yet....but it's coming..I can tell! So, I've cleaned up the studio again ( a never-ending story) - and got out some sparkly beads....some pretty gemstone beads, and some cool glass coin beads....and came up with a few new things....and I like them!

First...the sparkly! A dear friend having 'gifted' me with some lovely crystal beads....I decided to see what I could put together...and combining them with some silvery bead caps and cool chain....came up with this:

These crystals are a light sapphire blue, with silver bead caps, and 4mm bi-cone crystals added as an embellishment. Turned out nice, I think!
My friend who 'gifted' me will shortly be 'gifted' back with these!

Another friend had given me some chandelier earring findings - not something I have ever gotten into....but since she was so kind to do this, I decided to see what I could find to add to the findings that would be pretty and 'summery'. Here's what evolved...

These are light green agate beads, with tiny light green crystal beads atop them, attached to the chandelier findings.

Lastly, I had earlier made myself some pretty earrings out of some blue glass discs - and had always wished I had made a necklace to match....so here was my chance! Alternating the blue discs with the chain worked out really well - and I am loving the result! Can't wait to wear them together! No picture yet of the earrings - but I will get one and post it here....meantime, here is the necklace:

I may re-do this whole thing later......but here tis for now...

Stayin' Out Of The Wind and Rain!

2009-11-12T16:09:00.004-05:00

The weather is absolutely terrible - so it was a perfect time to race for the studio (getting wet in the process!) and play while the wind howled!

I got out all my bugle beads, seed beads, and dagger beads, just to see what I had - and was astonished at how many different places I had stashed them! And here I thought I was fairly organized....hoo boy - embarrassing!

Moving right along - have far fewer bugle beads than the others - have daggers with no matching seed beads...but....there were enough to spark my imagination for a couple of new (well, more than that, but that's all I had time for!).

I cranked up the radio and the heater....and sat down with the beads....first my favorite color, blue...with a combination of clear transparent color, and opaque pearly color - and the fringe earring pattern that I know by heart...oh, so pretty!!

Then I looked at the green....and there sat the ones I disliked a LOT last time I tried this - but looking at them again - I know why - the color 'tones' don't match, so the whole pattern just doesn't hold together visually. With that in mind, I picked some really pale green pearly seed beads (Ceylon finish, I think), and frosted white bugle beads. The dagger beads I had were the same tone as the seed beads, so they looked good! This combination really appealed to me - the pale shade of green, and the matte white bugles...nice!

I have one more new combination I'm going to try - brought them in to work on tonight - and the mind is percolating about my 'verse purse' - next project to re-visit!

Here's today's goodies:

are they not very pretty?? Course you have to like pastel colors...lol!

and here's the green version:

Next version, I'm going to try a wider, longer version...in more favorite colors... stay tuned!

Amazing What You Find....

2009-11-10T18:08:00.004-05:00

Even though I have not been terribly active doing jewelry and crafts - I have been VERY busy! Happy to say that all Christmas presents that needed making are all done - just need boxes and wrapping - good feeling that!

I also have joined a couple of groups here on the net. I have always wanted to do a bit of 'giving back' with my crafts - but never could find a good way to do that. Now I have found not one, but two! I first found a site through reading another crafting blog - called Heartmade Blessings - they have a group of people (like me) who make afghan squares in colors and sizes that are requested. They make afghans for anyone going through a crisis - from families of soldiers who gave their lives, to chemo patients, to anything that an afghan would let the recipient know they are cared for. It is a good feeling to contribute to this effort.

I then found another site, called "Hero-ghans" - and this one is for families of those in our armed services who have died in service to our country. Done in patriotic colors, and according to their rules - on this one you let them know what you have ready - and then fill a request. The notes received back from the families are touching - and such rich payment for very little effort.

On both of these sites, you identify your square with a tag, giving your name and location - how neat to receive one of these afghans and see how many different people and places contributed to it!

Changing gears....today I did get some time out in my studio, and started looking through the beads I have on hand. I found the prettiest crystal star beads from Rings N Things that I had totally forgotten I had! Resisting the impulse to complicate it....I decided to just make a simple dangle....and oh, how I like it!

Took a long head pin, slid on the pretty little star, and then some sparkly crystal Delica beads - and that was it! Simple, and very pretty!

Here they are (did I tell you I finally got my trusty scanner working again on my studio laptop? Yay and Yay!!):

and a close up of the star....so sparkly!

I'm calling these my "Star of Bethlehem" earrings - seemed the best name for them!

More to come.....stay tuned!

Wow - since August??

2009-11-09T18:11:00.002-05:00

Well, I know it's been a while - but that truly surprised me. But then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then....

I, in a word, got disenchanted - I had spread out my crafts among WAY too many venues - and for whatever reasons, none of them were doing anything much. A few people looked, some even commented - and it wasn't that I didn't like what I put out there - I love every single design. But...enough is enough!

I dumped them - all of them. Well - except for this blog and the website (with very little on it) that shares the name with the blog. Quit Etsy, Artfire, ByMe, Handmade....and those that I cannot even remember (you know you are stretched too thin when you can't remember them all). Took a bit of time to do that.

Then I did more thinking....why is it that I seem to be 'forever learning' - that I am a 'jack of all trades, but master of none?' I am just so fascinated by all the techniques and materials out there....I just want to try them all! I still do! So...what to do, what to do??

Should I just continue with trying out all the things I can (and I have a LOT of 'stuff' to experiment with) - or try and pick one and become very proficient at that. Do any of you have that problem? Am I the only one doing this? Lol! Maybe I am (please leave me a comment if you are....would be nice to know I'm not alone in this!)

So...for now...I'm picking an area - and then I'm revisiting what I've already done with it....and then try new things - to become more proficient...and explore other ways to use it!

So...I'm back....with camera in hand (need to build a light box) - so stay tuned for whatever it is that I decide to try first!

Cleanin' Up - Naturally!

2009-08-26T13:02:00.004-04:00

I have been thinking of this idea for quite some time - ever since I made some for gifts last Christmas - and now would like to share, in hopes that some of you would also like to give a 'natural' gift!

The 'cleanin' up' part, of course refers to soap - now, I am not one of those super-talented people who can get around lye and water and come out with something lovely and useful. I envy them, but I am not them. So...wanting to make this myself, I turned to a wonderful site I used before - Bramble Berry. They have such a huge selection, not to mention a wealth of information, but they are also responsive and helpful when you email with a question. This time, all I did was refresh my memory on the process - I've done this many times, but it's been a while!

I used two different bases for my efforts this time. The trusty clear glycerin melt-and-pour base, and a new one for me - a white opaque melt-and-pour base.

The white base I tinted a lovely shade of pink, using liquid colors made for soap - and the white base took to the color beautifully. I had a mold that was a lovely 3-D heart, and this just seemed to be the perfect color and shape for my Warm Vanilla scent (from Bramble Berry - so I know it is the proper quality, and meets all the standards for something you will be putting on your face). Oh, my - this looks and smells so good!

The clear melt-and-pour soap I tinted a gorgeous color of bright pink - not obsessed with the color, but the scent I wanted for this batch was pink grapefruit - so what other color could I possibly use? I used molds in geometric shapes for the soap, and when it was done - it smelled delicious! (not going to eat it, tho!)

The other half of my idea came from my desire to make something natural and from materials made here in the US. I have described elsewhere on this blog my less-than-successful search for that. I had researched knitting stitches - finding some that were reversible - so whichever side you look at, it is pretty! I wanted to knit face cloths out of cotton - a simple, natural fiber that would feel good on your skin.

For the warm vanilla pink heart soap, I decided to use pure white cotton - and I picked "Wonder White Cottontots" by Bernat - it is pure cotton, and is made in Canada (pretty close to our own USA as a source!). I had a pattern that made raised ridges in a diagonal pattern across the cloth, which not only gave it interest, but a mild scrubbing effect too!

For the wonderful pink grapefruit soaps, I picked another of my favorite colors - specifically "Cornflower Blue Sugar'n Cream" by Lily. This is also pure cotton, also made in Canada, and the most lovely shade of blue that contrasts so nicely with the bright pink of the soap! The pattern I chose for this was called "Inverness Diamonds" - such a pretty pattern!

Both cloths have a border all around them of 4 knit stitches, and measure right around 8" square. Not too big, not too small!

These will be going up on my Studio 2:14 website later this week - but I wanted to share just a bit of the background, and a couple of photos with you here first!

More options, colors and patterns coming soon!! When they hit the website, you will be able to buy the sets as shown, or each piece separately.

They're Up!

2009-08-18T16:37:00.002-04:00

Just a short post to let you all know that the "Fruit Of The Spirit" earrings are up on my new website - Studio 2:14 !

Now you can read the whole story - how I created them, and the list of the fruit along with the corresponding colors. It makes for pretty interesting reading! Come read what you don't know about some of our most familiar colors!

Tomorrow I'm changing gears, and putting up a craft...or maybe more....

Earrings Revised...and Revised....

2009-08-17T20:01:00.007-04:00

I have a version of my "Fruit Of The Spirit" earrings on my iCraft site - but after they were done, although they were very pretty - half of the crystals weren't visible.

In the end, I didn't care for this - it may have made the earrings 3-D, but since there are 9 fruits, I wanted all 9 crystal beads visible too. I had an idea of how to accomplish this, and added incentive was a dear friend who is also a customer (thanks, Dee!). I made a new version - and all the crystals were now on the front side of the earring. Very pretty, and I was pleased to have my friend purchase them.

Then I got to thinking - what if I made the swirls smaller, making the crystal beads stand out more...how would that look? Nothing would do but to try it - and when they were done, my heart and mind said "YES!" This is how I want them to look!

This is now the final revision - and the way I will be making this design from now on. The balance is just right. Tomorrow I hope to have them on my website, ready for sale, but wanted to give you a sneak peek here first!

The earrings are wire-wrapped - silver-plated 24 gauge wire over an oval base - just over an inch in length. There are nine separate wires, and each one holds a different color crystal - and completed with a spiral. Each one is then bent into shape around the oval to complete the earring. They are attached to sterling silver french earwires.

You'll have to wait to see these on my website Studio 2:14 to find out the colors of the crystals, and how each one represents a fruit of the Spirit - a list of these will be included with each pair of earrings sold.

I truly love this design - and welcome any feedback on them!

More to come tomorrow - both jewelry and other crafts....can't wait!!

The Wait Is Over - But I Didn't Win...

2009-08-16T16:35:00.004-04:00

The big "reveal" happened this past week - and the email was in my inbox....what would it contain?

Alas....not good news - I was not one of the winners of the "Use the Muse II" contest - and I am very impressed with the entries that were! Go and take a look at the creativity - made me feel absolutely 'stodgy'!! Here are the winners!
Ah well, it was great fun to try and put something together with a pre-selected set of components - I've never done that before - so I've also learned something new while having fun!

So...now that the "Muse" has been revealed, I can show you my complete necklace that I entered in the contest....

The "Muse" component was the large doughnut focal bead from LillyPilly - quite an interesting piece - but not anything that I would have worn in any case. Maybe that showed in the design, I don't know.

Not sure if I'll spring to spend the money to enter the next one or not - thinking I'll scout around for some other "make and show" projects to do in the future! So...stay tuned!

Sneak Peek for Babies..and more!

2009-08-09T19:30:00.004-04:00

Been working away - and a happy circumstance brought back one of my favorite gifts to put on my new website! The happy circumstance was the birth of another grandchild - always a joyous event, and to mark the event, I made my Baby Keepsake for him.

It all starts with an 8 x 10" white mat - the kind you put in picture frames. Inside the mat went a baby feet print in blue on vellum. This gave it that sheen, and to me, makes it look a bit 'old fashioned' - like that for babies!

To decorate this I cut two squares of paper - a 1" scalloped edge square in a light blue like the baby feet in the background print.Over that went a slightly smaller square in a darker blue - this one embossed with the baby's first name initial - in this case "K". To give this a more 3-D appearance, I set them on some tiny glue dots that raised them off the background. The embossed initial square I accented with some Perfect Pearl pigments, thinned down and washed on just the initial.

Below that I glued one of my fine silver antique buttons to a little wooden peg that was painted in a complementary blue, and then glued the button/peg to the background.

Now came the tricky part....I wanted something to put a tiny little scroll in with the verse of Psalm 139 that inspired the Keepsake - and decided that I needed to create a pattern for some miniature booties. Took a while (thank goodness little Kai was a bit slow in coming - at least for me!) to create the pattern in the right size AND find the right yarn/fiber to make it out of - remember the 'hunt for American-made yarn?' I did succeed - and got them made in the right shade of 'Warm Blue' - kinda liked the title of the thread color! The booties each measure 1 1/8" long by 1" tall. I attached the booties to links of silver-plated chain that looked to me like twisted ribbon and then hung the pair of booties from the silver button. Just right!

The final touch was the addition of the scroll and the printed info. The scroll was rolled up (it measured 2 3/8" x 7/8 " - tiny!) around a toothpick, and tied with a bit of yarn into a tiny bow. On the scroll was:
"For You created my inmost being
You knit me together in my mother's womb"
Psalm 139:13

Slipped in at the bottom of the frame was the parchment paper with the Baby's full name, day of arrival, weight and height in a very pretty font. On the back of the mat, I glued a piece of white cardstock to finish the back, and printed and glued the entire Psalm 139 - so the parents would know where the verse on the scroll had come from.

It turned out just wonderful. The last touch was to get some cardstock easel mounts so that the entire frame could stand on its own.

Needless to say - it was a huge hit! Later this week this will go on my website www.studio214.net, but I wanted to share it with y'all here first! Here are a couple of
photos -

I also will be making a pink version for little girl babies - and, if there is interest, perhaps yellow, green and lavender - who says everything must be blue or pink?

On a related note - the quest for American made yarn/thread to make my crafts with did not succeed with this - but I could not find anything in the proper weight and fiber to use!
I fell back on an old brand I have used since forever - Royale Fashion Crochet Thread - size 3 - by JP Coates Company - made in India. I'll keep looking - and if anyone knows of an American made thread in this weight and colors - please let me know!!

Still no word on the necklace contest - am hoping that there will be word this coming week!
Meantime....more cotton and suds coming up soon!! (and that's not drinking variety suds!).

Copper Wire and Cotton...

2009-08-05T19:57:00.005-04:00

Making some slow progress on my new website - and now I have added another product!

I had run out of silver wire - and while waiting for the new shipment to arrive, I considered the stash of copper wire I had on hand....and it got me thinking...

Don't want to give too much away....so here is a sneak peek at a photo of them - and invite you to go and check out the progress on my website, and read the story behind my 2pence Earrings!

I am really liking my experiments with wire-wrapping - and have a lot of new things in the wings...almost ready for unveiling! And...when I do, there will be a give-away! So check back often...

Note on another subject....the "Use The Muse II" contest - there was an update, but no decision on winners as of yet....there were evidently a LOT of entries! But....soon as they post the winners, I'll let you know here - could it be with a prize attached??

And another...my cotton search! I have had a real hard time finding cotton to use in my new ideas (coming soon!) - but perseverance won out on the one hand - and on the other - I had to temporarily give in - but not for yarn from China...tiny victory there.

New Directions, Thoughts, and a Bit of a Rant!

2009-07-28T11:19:00.002-04:00

Been a bit of time since I last posted - but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy! I have been, both in thinking and doing! Making a few changes as a result of all that thinking, and hopefully it will be a positive change. I know I am liking it very much - and hope you all will too!

I did a lot of going over things on my various venues where I have my jewelry - and wondering yet again why sales just aren't there. After a careful and thoughtful look at it all, I have decided that my jewelry doesn't really reflect who I am, and doesn't really have a particular focus and theme. It is a mish mash of techniques and try-outs - which is not a bad thing - but some things maybe should just be used for learning purposes - that may come in handy later.

I came to a decision about the direction my efforts and my jewelry will take. I have long been a committed Christian - and that really is how I define myself, but that just never came through on most of my jewelry. Now and then it peeked through, but that was not the central focus and purpose behind what I created. Now it will be. I am not intending to change any of the things I have already made - I love them all, and will leave them up on all the venues they are currently on, such as iCraft, Zibbet, byhand.me and Craftstylish.

To launch this new direction - I am taking my blog name (well, variation of), and since I own the domain name, I am building a brand new site for my new creations. The site is called Studio 2:14 - and, like this blog is named after 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 2, verse 14:

...He is trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He is experienced in all kinds of engraving and can execute any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my Lord , David your father.

I love this quote because it refers to all kinds of crafting skills - and I have always believed that God gave me some modest talents to create things. Now I am using my Christian beliefs as the basis for my designs.

Right now there is only one product on the site, and it is definitely a work in progress - and most of the links do not work yet - even so - I invite you to go take a look - there will shortly be two more. I will also be putting other kinds of crafty gifts - I have ideas for baby and for personal goodies - all of which I love - and all of which have their inspiration from the Scriptures. I am truly enjoying this new adventure, and hope you will join me in supporting my efforts!

A related note - when looking for (of all things) dishtowels - being annoyed to no end at the current cost of paper towels - I had a long and unsuccesful hunt for something in what I consider a reasonable cost, and you know why? Everything in the stores now seems to be made in China. I guess I don't get out much, but I was shocked that there was so little that was made in the USA. My hunt was limited, and doesn't involve any high-end stores, or malls - so the results may be skewed, but it made me mad. So....I thought....I'll just make them - I mean it's not rocket science to make a decent-sized dish towel, right? Ha! Guess what - all the suitable fabrics (mostly waffle weave muslin) are.....wait for it......made in CHINA. C'mon folks, I mean really! I mean ALL of them. So, I gave up on that idea, because I refuse to buy into the China owns us syndrome. I still have no dish towels.

That brought up the idea for making - not dish towels - but wonderful soft cotton face and bathing cloths for adults and babies....so off I went on another hunt. I needed cotton yarn for them - and although I love organic - that was out of my price range - but I absolutely was not going to make anything from cotton from anywhere but here (and Canada). It was a search (and thank you! for the law that makes them put the country of origin on things), but I did find that! So...they will be appearing on my site soon.

Ok...done ranting for now...(I have more, but that will have to wait!)

Stay tuned, and I'd sure like some feedback - good or bad - I just request that remarks be civil (or they will be removed). Let me know what you think of my new direction...

Features and Contests, Oh My!

2009-07-18T11:20:00.003-04:00

As usual, been too long - but finally have the time and inspiration to get back on track!!

First - a feature! I was so thrilled and excited to be featured on the Handcrafted Creations Blog!! What a boost to my spirits to see my creations on here! I wanted to shout to the world - lookee here!! I want all of you to share in my excitement too - so check it out!
A huge thanks to Victorian Joanne for the kind words and wonderful layout of my craft creations! You all need to follow her blog - it is chock full of interesting things!!

As if that weren't enough excitement for one week - I also have been working on an entry to the "Use the Muse II" contest on The Beader's Muse website. I thought this was such a cool idea - everyone who entered got the same set of components - plus a "Muse" focal element. It was totally up to the entrant to create a piece of 'wearable art' out of these components - and any other goodies from our own stash. It was great fun! We are allowed to show a part of what we did - but - the "Muse" element has to remain a secret until the judging is complete and the winners announced!

In that spirit - here is a 'part' of the necklace I created with these wonderful bits and pieces:

The entry deadline was yesterday (I sent mine in a little early) - and now the waiting! The winners won't be announced for two - three weeks - and it's not the kind of thing where you can go vote - it is up to the chosen judges. The prizes are fabulous - so I'm really hoping!!! Stay tuned....you'll know soon as I do!

The Last of the "Lollies"

2009-06-30T09:29:00.010-04:00

I have been way too busy - and have moved some of my craft things back into the house - the studio is just too hot to work in without AC. Hoping to find a window unit on sale after the 4th - I sure miss being out there with ALL my things around me!

But...I have been concentrating on a couple of new things. One...I am practicing my photography - and it is paying off. I am learning how to stage my jewelry, how to get a good picture, and interesting close-ups that show the detail. I am pleased with my progress - and hope to continue getting better.

I have also been working on 'thinking outside the box' - that is - my box. Trying to use materials and sizes I have not done before - and it has been fun! I have a small collection of pretty lucite beads - larger than I normally would think of using - and that was enough to decide I should use them! And, you know.....I liked my experiment! I love how they turned out, so wanted to share the last two in the series here before they go up on my shop at iCraft!

I called this collection "Lollies" because the colors and shapes of the beads reminded me instantly of lollipops that I used to get as a kid. The colors are fun and vibrant, and surprisingly lightweight for the size. They aren't huge - the beads average about 1" - but that is a departure for me, who uses more of the 4mm kind! I named the "Lollies" each after a fruit that the color suggested to me....so without further ado...

Here are the "Lemon-drop Lollies" earrings. They are framed by smaller crackle glass beads and are hanging on Sterling silver french earwires.

And now for the last of the series - since these weren't a 'color' at all, but were frosty white - they reminded me of ice! But I named them "Frosted Lolly Earrings" - and that seemed to be the completion of this series. It has been fun!

Here they are:

So....there you have it! A 'sneak peek' at the last of the series before they go to the shop! And if you'd like to own them before they go out there....just shoot me an email at

and I'll get right back to you with special 'one-time-only' pricing! The rest of the series can be viewed at my iCraft Shop - I would love it if you'd check them out and send me some feedback!!

A Little Off-Topic But Handy Hint!

2009-06-17T09:11:00.005-04:00

I ran across this neat little thingy yesterday as I was writing the post on my Garden Lantern earrings. Since I occasionally sell my crafts right from my blog (even before they hit my iCraft store!), it is necessary for people to be able to contact me.

I have been doing the 'spell-out-the-words' of the email address, but then I found a very cool way to do this, and defeat (at least for a while) the spammers from getting it! I found this little gem of a website through one of the blogs I read, called "Gizmo's Daily Tech Treats. They sometimes have the coolest stuff! I learned that what I had been doing is called 'munging' your email. Interesting word!

This website I found thru Gizmo is called www.hidetext.net - and it not only takes your email address and makes it an image (which spammers HAVE learned to decipher) - but also mixes up the colors and fonts. You even get to pick the color for the first part of the image!
I went and used it - you can get your little image - and then delete it forever from thier servers (course I realize I am trusting that they do this - but makes sense or they would have a huge amount of images piling up!). Once you have it - then you can use it in your blog and feel just a bit safer!

Here it is again.....

Is that not the coolest thing ever??
More to come....stay tuned....

All Sorts of Sparkle and Shine!

2009-06-16T10:37:00.007-04:00

I got in some wonderful crafting time in my studio - thanks to a decision to 'just do it' and the cooperation of the weather being cool and breezy. The combination of the ceiling fan and the open window and door made the studio very comfortable. I put on my favorite Christian station, and pulled my chair up to the 'beading' section of my studio.

Right away I saw these neat tube beads, made from (I believe) buri nuts. The shape was really pleasing to me, as was the subtle lavender shade and translucent look. They looked like they were lit from within! I've had them for a while, but no ideas had come to mind for them....and I've learned to just let things be...until an idea simmers its way to the surface.

I had out a collection of silvery bead caps (just hadn't put them away yet...) and when I got them out and strung them with the buri beads...they looked to me just like tiny garden lanterns you might string outside to light a summer evening. Oh, yeah! I was liking this.

They were too small (even for me) on their own - so I looked around for just the right thing to finish them up.....and then I spied a small envelope...and inside were antiqued silvery connector links in the shape of flowers. Perfect! This fit so well with my idea of the little garden lanterns, I knew they would be just the thing for the earrings. So...on they went, and I just love the result!

I have a limited amount of both the nut beads and the flower connectors - so I thought I would show them off here, and let you in on a bargain too! They'll be here for just a few days....then they'll go to my shop, and the price will go up!

Here they are:

As always - any and all comments are welcome - let me know what you think!

Features and Discounts For You!

2009-06-13T09:09:00.003-04:00

Since May, I have been participating in a "Sellers' Bootcamp" on the iCraft.ca site. That is where I have my shop, and the folks running the site are going the extra mile to help all the crafters (hand-made only) to showcase and sell their creations.

As part of this, IndieSmiles has given us a feature on their website - and you get all the benefits! Every 'bootcamper' participating in the IndieSmiles promotion is discounting all the items in their shops for the next two weeks! You have to check it out! There is such a diversity of great things to drool over....from neat pillows from PillowThrowDecor (who also is the genius behind the bootcamp!) to cool lotions and soaps from Naturliche.....and more jewelry - like the wonderful creations of GalleriaLinda.

I was astonished to be told I had won a feature 'showcase' on the IndieSmiles site as part of their promotion!! Wow - a whole little feature, just about little ole me! I was honored, and am so grateful to be chosen for this! You can see the feature - and find out more about me....right here!

What a week! And now...I am truly hoping to get into the studio - hot or not - and make some new things - I have really been feeling 'crafting-deprived!'

More Wire-y Fun!

2009-06-09T20:10:00.005-04:00

I was taking some time out in the studio - not so often now...there's no air out there, so I'm relegated to early morning, or evening (maybe). I did get some time in - and decided to just play and see what I came up with.

I was thinking of the Fruits of the Spirit - and thought they would be a nice basis for a pair of earrings....I took an oval wire shape (thanks Beadalon!), and began wrapping it with 24 gauge wire - then leaving a long-ish tail. I alternated directions of wrapping, so that every other one would naturally either go to the front or back. Once that was done, they looked very odd and spikey - but the wrapping I was pleased with.

Then I got out my precious box of Swarovski crystal bicone beads - all those sparkly colors! I began putting a different color on each spike, then making a spiral with the wire tail to give it interest, and keep the crystal on. I continued with each spike, turning them either to the front or back - and when I was done - I loved the oval shaped filled with swirls and bright bits of color - perfect!

The oval accomodated nine spikes - which just happens to be how many fruits of the spirit there are....and gave each color a corresponding fruit:

Love.................ruby
Joy..................clear/AB finish
Peace................sapphire
Longsuffering......emerald
Kindness.............purple
Goodness............copper
Faithfulness ........amythest
Gentleness..........antique rose
Self-control.........lilac

Somehow the colors just seemed to go with the names....at least to me! I attached them with two tiny Argentium jump rings to sterling silver french earwires.....just a lovely sight!!

Here is how they turned out.....and you're seeing them before they hit my iCraft store!!

Thought it appropriate to photograph them on a leaf...

A closer view....

And the reverse side....just as pretty as the front....I like that!

As always.....any feedback is much appreciated!!

Where There's A Will.....

2009-06-05T20:26:00.002-04:00

I remarked the other day on twitter (twitter.com/tryshz) that now that I have a brand new computer - I am finding out which of my trusted and true programs are not compatible
with Vista. This time it was hardware - my beloved scanner, that I have been using since 1999 (!) is not compatible with Vista. According to the Epson website and Vista - they do not have a driver for it to make it compatible - and don't plan to. Bummer!

I disconnected it and put it in the other room.....until...I remembered my trusty old laptop (from 2004) - was out in my studio - and it has Windows XP on it! YAY! Took that scanner out to the studio, re-arranged the furniture a bit to find a horizontal space to set the scanner - and fired it up - viola! Back in business!!

On the same kind of note - as some of you may know, I have been trying for weeks (or is it months?) to make a new canopy top for our gazebo on our back deck. Last year a strong storm took out the old one (made of really awful fabric - ripped when you looked at it wrong). So, here I've been, with my 13 yards of lightweight fabric called ripstop - hopefully, it'll live up to that, trying to re-create that top. And Wednesday.....it was done!!! The moment of truth - for if it didn't fit - I was done. That fabric is wonderful, but so slick it keeps sliding off the table! Took it outside - put it on.....and all six section pockets FIT the ends of the six spines of the top - it's not the prettiest thing I've ever done....but it WORKS! Even better - ever since, we have had rainstorm after rainstorm - winds - just awful weather.....and that top survived it all!! Cost me about $100 to make it, but worth every penny - and now, we can enjoy our gazebo again!!

As long as we're off topic (can you tell I haven't had any time to make jewelry this week?) - I have been doing more web work - for which I do get paid....and for a new project, I was looking for a free flash slideshow program. I must have looked at twenty of them - and I truly dislike the ones that 'say' they are free, then tell you all your images will have a watermark, and banner ads all over the place. Guaranteed I would never buy that one!
I did find a cool one, though - it is called the Photo Flash Maker - Free Version, and it's pretty customizable - I fooled with it a little, more to be done - but I was pleased at what I came up with in just a few minutes - it's very easy to use! Check out the results on my site that I have yet to develop! trishStyle.com - would appreciate any feedback! And, it you'd like to snag it for yourself, here's their website: Photo Flash Maker-Free Version

Now....this weekend I AM taking some time to play in the studio - have some more wire ideas - can't wait to share them.....til then....

Now for the other earrings...

2009-05-29T16:01:00.004-04:00

Stealing another moment, just because I wanted to share my other wire-wrapping technique with y'all. The earrings started out as an experiment - and I really like how they turned out.

I have been wanting to try mixing metals for some time now, and it is a big trend in jewelry right now - the look is different and fresh, and gives a whole new flavor to designs! I basically just wove a thinner silver-color wire over and under around a thicker copper wire shape. They actually shaped themselves as I wrapped, which I thought was way cool. It was much easier than I thought it was going to be - and opened up a whole new world of possibilities! Look for more of these experiments in the very near future!!

Here are the earrings:

So...that's it! I would love to hear what you think of them.....

The Never-Ending Story...

2009-05-28T16:43:00.003-04:00

It just seems that once this ball starts rolling....it finds a hill and goes down it! Got my new machine working....there was a conflict between my online backup (www.Carbonite.com - a great program!) and my anti-virus. The anti-virus lost, as the subscription was almost up - so switched over to Internet Security by PC Tools. So far am liking it - and no conflicts (meaning no 'blue screen of death').

Then had a problem with the host of 12 of my websites that I manage for a client....they 'help' folks were less than helpful. So....I just said, if we can't resolve it, I will go elsewhere. They didn't seem too interested...so I moved them. Found the BEST host ever! If you need a host for your website, with a reasonable cost, and a real commitment to customer service - check out www.timbury.com - you won't be sorry! And, guess what....the problem the other folks just couldn't solve? Done - right away. Ahhhh....such a rare treat - someone who cares!

Needless to say....guess what suffered? Yep - making jewelry...sigh. I did get a couple of things done in between all this really fun stuff. They are all over at my site on iCraft - but I wanted to show them off here too....might be a tutorial on them coming...

Here's one - my cobweb earrings and necklace pendant:

And the necklace:

More to come!!

Am I Back??

2009-05-20T20:19:00.002-04:00

I hope so - it has been a literal nightmare trying to recover all my programs and data for the third time in as many weeks. Truly hoping that is over.

I am starting something new (aren't I always?) - trying to jump start my sales on my iCraft site. They are having a "Sellers Bootcamp" - and I signed up. It is already day 2 - behind already! But there is a wealth of good ideas - some of which I am already doing! Yay me!

I am hoping (so much!) to have some time tomorrow to go out to the studio and do something, anything! I am feeling 'crafting deprived!'.

Hope to be more organized and 'with it' tomorrow - to let you know what new things I'm learning at the Bootcamp - and hopefully some pics of my crafting....

Meanatime, you can check out my shop on iCraft - it is called Studio 2:14 - and let me know what you think!

Disaster de Jour...

2009-05-14T11:53:00.002-04:00

This is the kind of 'deja vu' I can do without. After just 16 days of having my computer back and supposedly 'fixed' - it dropped dead again. Just shut off, and won't even turn on now, much less try to boot up. Wonderful.

Two upsides tho - one, I DID sign up with an online backup service to backup said 'dead' computer - and Sunday I'll find out if that's worth keeping and paying for - am on the free trial now. The second upside is that, since I no longer trusted that computer - I went ahead and got the 'pieces' for a new, state-of-the-art computer. I am blessed to have a son who builds them - and he is an invaluable resource! He told me what to buy....from the 1 Terrabyte hard drive ( a terrabyte? Wow!) down to a new DVD combo drive. The only things I'll be using from the dead computer will be the keyboard and mouse. All else will be new. It will be really beefed up in the graphics area so I can do my video editing etc. and never have to worry that the computer can't hack it!

Meanwhile, I am working from my 2003 laptop - which is filling in really nicely - I've even gotten used (again) to the tiny keyboard that is NOT ergonomic, and the really small screen. Ah, what I used to think was the be all-end all in laptops back then!

So...for the rest of this week - I'll be limping along here....

New and improved come Monday!!

Fun With Wire-Wrapping!

2009-05-08T18:37:00.003-04:00

Took some time to go out into my studio yesterday and got in a little bit of beady fun! Sometimes that's hard to do - lots of stuff tends to get in the way....

I have had these pretty blue foil-lined square beads for a while. I love them, and was waiting til I found just the right thing to do with them. As I was straightening up the ~~extremely~~ slightly messy countertop, I found a package of pretty German silver by Beadalon, made just for wire-wrapping. The light-bulb went on, and I abandoned the cleaning in favor of trying my idea out.

I wanted the wire to all be one piece, add decoration, wrapping, and a loop at the top - and it was surprisingly easy! I was thankful the holes in the pretty beads were large enough to pass the 24 gauge wire through twice!

Here is what they look like - and you can find all the rest of the details on them on my site at iCraft!

I have more to come - but I want to try my hand with the camera again - see if I can get creative with the photos! Stay tuned....!

The Petit-Point Tutorial - Part Two

2009-05-06T19:54:00.016-04:00

Picking up from where we left off yesterday....

Now I am ready to do the petit-point. I used to go across on both sides of the paper – making it look the same on both sides, but it was much thicker, and made it very difficult to attach it to anything else, as the thread on the back got in the way.

I do all the stitching on the diagonal, because I want to hide as much of the background as I can. Once you’ve done one, you’ll find yourself experimenting with other stitching patterns – endless fun!

First stitch:

I just hold the end of the thread against the back as I stitch, as I have found making a knot unnecessary. I just keep the loose end out of the way of the stitching.

Few more stitches done here:

Here is where you get creative – you can make the line of stitches as thin or wide as you like – and then start moving it down the paper, or across the paper – making different patterns as you go – there is no set way to do this, just follow where your fingers want to go!

On the back, I return the needle through the hole next to the stitch I just made, to go back across the paper. Here is a picture of how the reverse side looks.

You continue in the same way – going across the paper, down the paper, or down a ways, then across, as in the following pictures:

I have gone down the paper – starting from the upper right hand corner in this picture. I went down and then I decided to go across the paper – look how the colors are changing as the stitches are made! Once I went across, then I went down the other side of the paper – as above. Here is how the reverse side looks:

Then I continued with the second pass of miniature needlepoint.

and the reverse look like this:

Here you can see where I crossed over the back of the paper to continue in a blank part of the front of the paper. This will not show in the front of the piece.
Keeping on, I continued to fill in the blank parts of the paper, watching how the fiber keeps changing colors as I went. Each one of these is totally unique, as you will never start from the same place or make the exact same stitches – to me, that is part of the real charm of doing these!

As you can see, this completed filling in the bottom part of the paper.
Here is the reverse view:

Now I will have to jump across the back of the paper to reach the upper blank parts, to begin filling them in.

Here’s the next section done:

You can now begin to see how the finished piece will look – on this fourth pass, I did have to separate another piece of fiber from the two plies that were left. Happily, that simply doesn’t matter in this, as the change in color becomes part of the pattern!

And here’s the reverse:

Now we are just about done – one more pass will do it! There is something so satisfying about finishing one of these up – a little bitty masterpiece!

I am really liking the color combination here! And to think there’s SO many color combinations in the Caron Watercolours fibers! It would take years….

And that is it! You now have a miniature needlepoint paper canvas – a totally unique little work of art!

The Petit-Point Tutorial - at last!

2009-05-06T10:39:00.010-04:00

Yesterday it was not looking good - had myriad errands that had to be run, and the weather was not sunny - so the light wasn't ideal for pictures - but too many delays make for never doing things at all - so out to the studio I went.

This tutorial will be in two parts - I did run out of time to do it all at once. Plus, there's a lot of pictures, so I didn't want to overload you with graphics!

Without further ado - the Tutorial!

Petit-Point Tutorial

Here is a picture of one of my petit-point pieces – the finished product that we will create – in a different color!

The first thing we need to do is gather together the materials to make the petit-point. You will need:
Perforated paper
Caron Watercolours Fibers – color of your choice
Colored markers
Big Eye Needle (one that the eye is the entire length of the needle)
Scissors
Perfect Paper Adhesive

It has been my experience that some of these materials will not be at your local craft store, and you will have to obtain them online. I will give you the sources I use – and if you find more – great! Let me know what they are!!

Where I buy:
Perforated paper – heavyweight paper with little holes punched – it is made to resemble Aida fabric used by cross-stitchers. The source I use is one that not only has the paper, but also the Watercolours fibers – love it when that happens.

The site is: http://www.nordicneedle.com/

The paper you will find under “Stitching Accessories”. There are two sheets per package – I always buy white, but it does come in colors too.

The Watercolours fibers are made by Caron, and are found on this same site under – amazing – thread! There is a huge selection of color combinations, it
will be hard to choose which ones to buy! You have been warned!
Colored Markers – these are available most everywhere. I use Prismacolor Markers, but any kind will do. I like these because there are so many color choices!

Big Eye Needle – this same site: http://www.nordicneedle.com/ has these too.
The eye of the needle is the length of the needle, and it is long enough to hold onto while making your stitches.
Scissors – any household scissors will do – make them small enough to cut the
Paper along a line of holes and cut the fibers.

Perfect Paper Adhesive – This I only use if I am attaching my finished piece to something else. Any kind of paper adhesive would work as well. This is widely available at craft stores.

The basic materials:

Step One: Cut the paper to size. You can make the petit-point any size you like. My little pieces are 24 holes wide by 19 holes tall – measures approximately 1 ½ by 1 inch.

The whole sheet of paper:

I have found that making a ‘master’ petit-point piece is very helpful – I cut one to the size I want, but then only use it for a pattern to cut out the ones I will be using – saves on measuring, counting, etc…

The basic materials photo above shows the cut-out piece of perforated paper before coloring.

Step Two: Color the paper
I usually use two different markers to color the paper – it gives depth, and looks better in the background. There will always be a tiny bit of the background showing – along with the borders around the outside.

I first colored the paper with red-pink:

then with orange:

Don’t forget to run the marker around all the edges – leaving them white makes them stick out! Not a good thing!

Step Three:
Then cut off a length of thread from the Caron Watercolours – I usually measure out as far as my arms will stretch out – and cut it that length. (Think that measures out approximately a yard). Here I have used the color Deep Sunset.

Here is the thread cut:

The thread is 3-ply, and I only want to use one, so I have to separate it from the cut piece. This does mean your thread will go three times as far….and that’s a good thing!

Step Four:
Here is one ply of the fiber separated from the other two:

That's it for today!! Tomorrow we'll get to the actual stitching and finishing up this tiny project!!

I would appreciate any comments/feedback on this tutorial - as I have never done this before - just wanted to give something back!

Enough already!

2009-05-04T19:12:00.002-04:00

Beginning to think that I should never have mentioned the word 'tutorial' - for it seems that things are conspiring against me! Last Friday I was trying to upload a picture to my iCraft account and suddenly.....my computer just shut off. No warning, no nothing....

I thought "How odd" - and pushed the button to re-start it....and got this really ominous message from the computer (kinda scary that it talked to me!) - 'system failure....system failure...system failure' What truly ugly words. No matter what I tried ( in my limited knowledge of hardware) - I got nada. No computer at all...disaster!

Off we went to the computer guru's store....turned it in with a list of the incomprehensible error messages I got - and paid extra to get same day service.... Of course, Friday is the evening when our church plays softball - and as I am the resident score-keeper and my hubby is the 'reporter-extraordinaire' - we had to head out to the game around 5 pm. No call...

The call came in to my cell at 8:08 pm (the store closed at 8 pm) - telling me that the computer was ready. sigh... had to wait til Saturday morning... and we were there the minute the store opened! Not too anxious...lol! Picked up the computer - paid the bill (which included a re-install of the OS - and all my programs and most of my data....GONE...)
and took it home. You can imagine how I felt when I booted it up, and got the 'blue screen of death'....and more terrible error messages. Not good. Took the computer back...just a tad upset...and not gonna pay again...this time they said my other two drives (yes, I had three hard drives) had failed. Hm.....why did they not test this out in the first place?

Took it home again...and voila! It's back - but now I don't trust it at all....kinda like living waiting for the other shoe to drop....so...new computer in the works (good thing I have a son who can build it for me!). I then spent the last few days putting back all the programs, re-connecting to all the internet sites, website hosts....amazing how much stuff I used everry day and never noticed til they were gone...

Now...back to sorta normal....and going to do that tutorial! Meantime you can check out the sets of cards I just posted to my iCraft site....see what they look like....stay tuned....tutorial coming up!

Advance Goodie Sneak Peek!

2009-04-30T16:01:00.003-04:00

I know I promised a tutorial - which I will be doing - got put off today because we had to do some hospital visiting - and that takes precedence. Just part of being a pastor's wife - along with being a crafter, Mom, Grandma, and all the other jobs I juggle every day!

So...to make up for that - I have a pair of earrings that I managed to put together while waiting for 17 tapes to load onto my laptop (for another of my Master's degree courses) - and I love them!

I knew when I saw these black filigree beads - I had to have them...and couldn't wait to use them! They are tube beads, but all made of open work metal. They twirl around the silver head pin, giving the earrings movement and added interest. I teamed them up with some hematite beads from my stash.. and created what I am calling Black Filigree Earrings! Even though black is not normally a color I would wear - sometimes they just seem to fit! These do!

So here's your sneak peek....you're seeing it here even before it goes to my iCraft site!!

Any and all comments are welcome!!

Time Sure Flies!!

2009-04-29T15:43:00.006-04:00

I really haven't been lying back, watching TV and eating bon-bons...honest! I have been busy as a bee putting things on my newest venture - iCraft.ca

So today I thought I'd back up a bit and put up pictures of some of the goodies that I have for sale there - and am preparing a tutorial on how I make my "...just because" cards.

So, without further ado, here's what I've been up to (what a terrible pun!)

I'm not as far behind as I thought! Here's a photo of my pretty lavender Flower Earrings - I just love these - they weigh nothing, and are one of my favorite colors!!

I tried something totally new to me....the idea in my head just wouldn't go away...to try actually 'drawing' something myself! I have a pot of chives on my back deck - and they started to go to seed - and I thought it would be neat to see what kind of flower they produced. I was so pleasantly surprised at the lavender-blue buds that turned into fuzzy flowers...so...that is what I drew!
I used colored pencils to draw them (and instantly wished I had 5o more colors!) and I'm very pleased with how the drawing turned out! I drew it on a piece of translucent sparkly vellum and embossed the edge with a pretty pattern. It is a cover page for a normal blank card - comments are welcome! I think I might be trying more of this!!

My last experiment was to make cards with some petit-point on the fronts of them. I just love the petit-point technique - which is really miniature needlepoint - and I've done them on perforated paper rather than fabric. I use Caron's Watercoulors fibers - and they are shaded, and produce a different effect each time I use them. I have been trying to think of a way to share these little works of art, and cards seem to be the perfect answer. These are the cards I am going to make a free tutorial on - in case you would like to try the technique. Even if you think miniature needlepoint would be tedious - these are so small, you'll be done before you're tired of doing it! Stay tuned on that!
Meantime - here's an example of one of the cards - and a close up:

You can read more about all these items on my icraft store - which is, of course, named "Studio 2:14" Check it out and tell me what you think!!

Trish's iCraft store: Studio 2:14

New Venue!!

2009-04-23T12:07:00.003-04:00

Having tried a bunch of venues for selling my jewelry - I am, yet again, trying another. It is a Canadian site - but I don't think that matters all that much - I can choose the currency (good ole US dollars), and shipping to Canada is not any more than shipping within the U.S.

So....I'd love it if you would take a look - check out my things - help me spread the word! I am truly hoping this will work better for me than the other ones I've tried - time will tell!

Here's the link: Studio 2:14 on iCraft

Soon as I can find some widgets - I'll put them everywhere I can think of!! A happy start to Spring, I think!

Blue Teardrop!

2009-04-16T11:01:00.003-04:00

Another beautiful bead I recently found is this blue teardrop - it is just big enough (for me!), and though they don't show up well in the photo, the entire surface of the teardrop is faceted - which makes it catch the light every time it moves!

I added a bit of wire-wrapping to the finding for a bit of silver interest, and suspended it on a sterling silver 24 inch Figaro chain. The necklace closes with a small lobster clasp.

You can capture this bit of 'rain' for yourself for a special price of $25.00, then watch the compliments roll in!

New Things!!

2009-04-15T18:47:00.005-04:00

Finally had enough time to go and spend some in my studio....am playing around with a variety of different things.

First - a combo - I have these wonderful fine silver medallions - made from molds of antique buttons - that I have drilled (with difficulty) holes to hang them with - and tried combining it with a small square of peyote stitch Delica beads. I used a lovely shade of purple for the beading, then added more beads, alternating with sterling silver chain, also in purple - Delicas and larger beads - transparent version of the same shade - and I really like the whole effect! I added a sterling twisted silver circle toggle clasp to finish the necklace, which measures 21 inches - perfect length! Now I can't wait to try different colors!

Here is what I came up with! If you are so inclined - this lovely piece could be gracing your neck for a very attractive price of $30.00! Just send me an email at "tryshz at gmail dot com" without the quotes, and with the symbols instead of the words for them - and I'll reply quickly!

Next I tried some simple stringing - I had purchased a lovely bead (actually a couple of them), intending for them to be a focal bead - they are rectangular, and this one is a combination of cream and green, and is faceted - with a pretty matte finish. I added a green bead on the bottom to bring out the color, and then strung it on silver chain with a lobster clasp, measuring 19 inches. I quite like this look too. I am trying to come up with something special in earrings to go with this....will post them when I have them 'made'!

Here is my GreenNCream Necklace - which also is up for grabs - the perfect spring-like look, for a mere $25.00! Same drill - just shoot me an email at "tryshz at gmail dot com" - again taking out the quotes and putting in the symbols.

Much more to come......am using my afghan prize money to try new things - things I've wanted to do, but couldn't justify the cost......but now I can! Stay tuned!

De Prize, De Prize....It's Here!!

2009-04-03T10:29:00.002-04:00

Color me excited! Today's mail brought a big fat ol' envelope from Caron International....I let it sit on the desk, just relishing the thought of what was inside....

When I couldn't stand it any longer, I ripped it open....and now there are a STACK of A.C. Moore Gift cards on my desk.....a stack!! I feel SO rich! It is going to be so much fun just deciding what it is I want to get....and then the even more fun to go and use those gift cards!!

What a genuine thrill this is for me - and I am so grateful to Caron and A.C. Moore for sponsoring the contest, and to all the wonderful people who voted over and over for my afghan - you made it all possible!!! THANK YOU!!

Now....off to start my lists....

...and a Couple More...

2009-03-31T18:52:00.004-04:00

The final installments of my experiment with the fringe earring design.

First one - I almost managed to make it all one shade of pink - but the lighter against the brighter was pretty, nonetheless! I doubled up the bugle beads, then made the fringe - the bugle beads were the palest pink, and the Delica beads were a shade called "bubblegum'!

Then I tried another change - both in color and design! I made the entire earring wider - 7 beads wide instead of 5, and the color (which the monitor does not reproduce accurately) is a wonderful iridescent blue/purple/magenta in the seed beads and the dagger beads, and the bugle beads are a dark navy blue (shows up here much brighter than the reality). Limitations of color on the web!
So...here it is...the last one for now....

New stuff coming up - maybe tomorrow.....depends on how much 'crafty time' I can sneak into my day!

As Promised.....More Earrings...

2009-03-28T10:51:00.002-04:00

Finished up the green earrings - and they still don't appeal. Don't think it's the design though - I think I'm just not that fond of green! Or the combination of greens. Which makes me want to explore more green - find a way - combo -design that does appeal!

So...here they are - sans findings - didn't have a chance to get them attached - but wanted to get them out here...

Any thoughts out there? What could I do here?

Spring Earrings - Simple and Pretty!

2009-03-27T19:19:00.004-04:00

I decided to try my hand at beading again - I have not touched my bead stash for a few months now - having detoured off in other directions - which I am still pursuing.

I wanted to make myself some simple and pretty earrings to celebrate spring (even if the weather just won't!). I had a dark blue pair of these, and decided to try them in different color combinations. They have a bit of a Native American flavor - maybe because of the fringe, or maybe the combination of bugle beads and seed beads - but I like it!

So here is the first combo - clear bugle beads, pale blue seed beads, and frosted blue dagger beads to finish the ends of the fringe. They are attached to sterling silver French earwires.

I'm half way done with a light/dark green combination - wanted them to be in one shade - light green, but didn't have any bugle beads in that color. May have to play around with the pattern and see what I come up with after I finish this pair.

OH! And if you're so inclined - and would like to purchase this pair - they can be yours for $10 plus $2 shipping. Just send me an email at tryshz at gmail dot com - replacing the words with appropriate symbols.

More to come...

WOO HOO!! It's Official!!

2009-03-25T11:27:00.002-04:00

Even though I got an email from Caron last week, listing the winners of the baby afghan contest, I was hesitant to say anything, as it was not on their website - but the email DID say I was one of the GRAND PRIZE winners!

This morning I got the confirmation direct from Caron - I did indeed win one of the Grand Prizes!! And what was that? A $300 gift certificate to use at A.C. Moore - PLUS - (an unexpected bonus!) an additional $25 for being a finalist! I am SO pumped!! This is the first time I have ever won anything - and to have it be for something I crafted myself made it extra-special!

It would not have happened at all without the support of all my friends, both here at home, and on the internet. Your votes made it happen! I cannot THANK YOU enough! Every week that the voting showed my afghan had gone on made me so grateful for all those who cared enough to go and vote - week after week! You are all the best!!

Need to thank too - A.C. Moore for putting up the wonderful prizes - which I will truly enjoy spending - and for Caron - whose choice of yarns to use gave me an excuse to try something new, and fall in love with! It is also special to me that the actual afghan went to a baby somewhere that needed to be wrapped up in comfort - thanks to Project Linus.

It is a wonderful day in the neighborhood!!

A Note From the Land of the Sick...

2009-03-09T19:13:00.002-04:00

You KNOW I am sick when I didn't even manage to post a short blurb about my baby afghan making it to the FINAL weeks of voting.

But - it did! I am so thrilled to have made it to the finals - and this is the FINAL voting - this is it - this picks the winner! So...if y'all would go and vote for me one last time, I would be SO grateful!

Go to www.caron.com
Click on the green "VOTE" circle - and vote! My afghan this week is #4 - and I appreciate every single vote!!

And I truly hope to be healthy soon....

What a Week!

2009-02-28T19:41:00.003-05:00

It was not my intention to wait so long between posts - but last Tuesday, I was felled by a high fever/sore throat combo that I could not shake, so I spent most of the week in bed. The docs said it was viral - so antibiotics wouldn't touch it - got some pain spray for the throat, and went home to let it run its course. It pretty much has...and I don't care if it never comes back!

Anyway - BIG NEWS!!!
My baby afghan has made it through another round!!! YAY!!! Now, here I am - asking yet again for anyone/everyone to go to:

www.caron.com

Then click on the by now familiar green circle to go to the voting page....and please vote for mine!! You can refer to my Feb 20 post for a picture - I do SO appreciate it!!

Arty Girlz "Wire" Challenge

2009-02-20T18:54:00.003-05:00

Wasn't quite as quick this week as last, but I did want to get in on the "Wire" challenge by the Arty Girlz over at the Arty Girlz Challenge Blog

Having lots of bits of colored wire around, the idea of music notes was right there....along with a stylized rainbow of different colored papers. I got to use my Gesso for the first time, to fade out the music on the background paper, then added musical notes I made from my colored copper wire.

What took me so long was to get the words on there! I have a laptop in my studio, but no printer - and in the house I have no crafting supplies...so it was a back and forth thing through the week....but finally....

here is my ATC for the "Wire" challenge:

I am really enjoying coming up with something for each of the challenges - making me 'think outside the box' - a good thing!

Baby Afghan Contest Update...News - Again!!

2009-02-20T18:48:00.003-05:00

I am SO excited! I have survived the first round of voting - and now there are only 10 entries.

I am asking that everyone go again to www.caron.com
and vote! I don't know how long they are going to do this elimination thing - not too much longer, hopefully!

This time I think I am #6 - and would truly appreciate your vote - again!

Just in case, here is the afghan again

Thanks to everyone who voted last week - and in advance for everyone who votes this week!

Baby Afghan Contest Update...News!!

2009-02-16T18:22:00.003-05:00

At long last - it has happened - the final entries are up for voting!!

Instead of the 6 I read about originally, they have 12 finalists - and will be eliminating them one by one, based on votes.

I was astonished and so thrilled to learn that my afghan is one of the 12!!! Believe me, that was worth the wait!! So...now a little shameless self-promotion....I would love it if you would go over to the Caron site and vote for me!!

Here's a picture of my afghan:

To vote....go to www.caron.com

On the front page there is a green circle - saying to click to vote for the baby afghan contest - my afghan is # 7.
You will need to vote yes/no for each of the twelve entries - to either move them to the next week or not.
I truly would appreciate your support!!

ArtyGirlz "Flowers" Challenge

2009-02-11T16:16:00.003-05:00

Had so much fun with my very first challenge - I decided to give this one a try too.

This one is also an ATC - but is made of illustration board, so it is quite heavy and stiff. I used my watercolor crayons to make a background in black and pink. After that dried, I took some silvery bead caps and pounded them flat - they made quite nice little silvery flowers! I glued them to the ATC. Then I took a peyote stitch beadwoven panel I had made earlier, and had no idea what to do with it - to the top of the ATC.

I'm not fond of black at all - so am not so sure about this one - but I wanted to tie into the border on the beadweaving (have no memory of where I found the pattern for the pretty flower in it).

It was fun, and it was something I ordinarily wouldn't do, using colors I usually don't use....so was a bit 'outside the box' for me....be interested in hearing what you think!!

Here it is:

I'm getting quite addicted to these challenges, and to finding new uses for the materials I have on hand...

Mixin' It Up!

2009-02-09T19:00:00.005-05:00

February has become the month I am playing around with paper - using it in all kinds of forms, in all kinds of ways....had some rather nice failures already - but that's ok - learning what works and what doesn't...

Today I played around with melting was in the Melting Pot - coloring it with Dollar Store crayons (that worked!), and then applying it to a card....got a lot to learn here - this was a failure. But....I learning a bit about the Melting Pot and beeswax!

Moving on....I keep going back to the perforated paper and miniature petit-point. I have all these truly cool variegated threads/floss/cotton - Watercolours by Caron - had them for years. So today, I combined that with some other things - punched paper, layering metal punching....and came up with a card I really like. Now I have to find a lovely saying for the inside to print on vellum....and I'll be set to give this to my sweetie!

Here 'tis:

The card itself is just cardstock that I cut in half - the heart-shaped doily is from the grocery store (!), I cut the dark pink square from a wonderful book of huge paint samples that my brother in law gave me...what a find they are! I then punched out the heart shape, cut the perforated paper to fit behind it...colored it with my Prismacolor markers and did my petit-point with a variegated pink/blue/gold thread. When I put the layers together, I used sticky dots to raise the heart-cut-out above the petit-point. Then I punched out some cool little hearts from metal and glued them on in random spots on the dark pink. I'm quite happy with the result! What do you think?

Short Baby Afghan Contest Update...

2009-02-09T09:39:00.002-05:00

Still waiting.....

First, the contest was extended til January 31 - and according to the Caron website, the six semi-finalists would then be chosen - and posted on the "Sponsor's" website - it was not real clear to me if they meant the A.C. Moore website or the Caron website. The voting on the 6 semi-finalists was to commence on February 7, 2009.

And here it is....February 9 - and there is NOTHING posted on either website regarding the semi-finalists of the Project Linus contest. I am truly disappointed with this whole process. There is a lot to be said that if you say something is going to happen on date such-and-such, it really ought to happen. Not to think that my afghan will be among the six lucky semi-finalists - but it would be nice to see who is....and to vote for the one I like the best.

I'll keep checking back - and let you know when (or if?) the afghans ever get posted, and if we can then go vote for a winner. Of course the true winners here are the babies that are now wrapped up in all that wonderful softness ...

Been Awhile.....Now a First!

2009-02-06T11:49:00.004-05:00

I know it's been quite a while since my last post - combination of truly frigid weather here, making my new studio equally frigid, and at times it's just too long to wait for it to warm up....that combined with this creative wall I've been trying to climb over...sigh...

But...then I came across a challenge - and it just seemed I needed to get in on it. I read this blog

Arty Girlz

and they put out this challenge....so I decided to participate. I went even further - I tried making my very first ATC, my first of most anything having to do with paper. For such a tiny piece of paper, it took me long enough to get anything on it - trouble with one of those minds that wants 'order' - and I was trying not to be 'orderly'. Did I succeed? You decide....

Here it is:

The reds here came out much darker than they are in reality - the large heart is actually red foil, covered over with some scraps of really lovely lacy white paper. Then I found a whole bag of buttons....and there were these tiny heart buttons... Last, I added my favorite word.....Love...

An Embarrassment of Riches...

2009-01-17T18:54:00.005-05:00

Today I finally got some time to go and play in my studio - and how I had been looking forward to it! Oddly enough, it turned out to be not as satisfying as I had hoped...

Let me explain...my dear hubby has converted the garage in the back yard into a craft studio for me (hence the Studio 2:14) - a dream of mine...and he saw it as self-preservation! I had completely taken over the guest bedroom in the house - and I had a dream (still do...) of learning to make glass beads - which involves a torch..hence flame. That hubby was not going to allow in the house...lol!

Now that the studio is done, and half-way organized, now when I go out there - it's all right there...waiting for my imagination. Coming in the double glass doors (lots of light), there is a closet (maybe someday a bathroom), and beyond it is my 'paper stuff' area - here I have my paints, glues, paper, scissors, all kinds of goodies to play with paper. That stretches to the corner.

The corner being a bit of wasted space (there is a lazy-susan cabinet below), that is where my stereo sits - so I can listen to the radio or CDs while I work (the TV comes later). Now, on the back wall - the next bit of counter is a solid slab of wood - for all my pounding, beating, soldering, and wire-work. I have a Dremel tool, a brand new soldering iron (to die for!), and my third hand. Close by are the foil for soldering, the glass slides, the wire and all the wire tools.

Just on the other side of that is my jewelry area - it kind of slops over the wire-soldering area, and here is where all the cool dangles, beads, charms, findings etc. are to be found. I have shallow boxes with those cool bead mats in them to corral those round beads, and to keep the project from spreading out too far.

Next to that - and now we've reached the other end of the back wall - is my polymer clay station - with the clay, the cutters, shapes, rollers, and of course, a brand new craft oven for what I make. This will also become where I work with the Melting Pot - which I just got and haven't used yet.

Turning the corner, there is a filing cabinet/junk table, then an end table and chair, and in the corner by the doors - we're all the way round the room now - is my glass kiln. Under that is the huge box of glass I have had for two years, waiting for the kiln to be somewhere where I could actually use it.

So...what's the problem, right? Dream come true...and it is....but when I got out there, I had an awful time deciding what to do first! Paper? Have that class project to work on...soldering my tiny glass goodies (this I did), and making more goodies to go inside? Make jewelry? Earrings - necklaces? Tons of stuff crying out to be used! Clay beads? Nope - this one is waiting for something I need to proceed with a project - so that wasn't a temptation today.

I ended up finishing up a little glass charm for a necklace - used the wrong size foil, and still learning the new soldering iron - but I like how it turned out...even used a little phrase on the back side. I fooled around with a red wire bracelet, adding a clasp, and trying several kinds of dangles to put on it - in the end, think I'll just leave it like it is..

So....here's the little charm...

The charm is one inch square, and the front is petit-point on perforated paper, with lovely textured silver paper on the back - I added some silver stars, just because they went with the fiber colors, and reminded me of night. I foiled it, and soldered it with lead-free solder - the solder has a pewter finish, so it is not as bright and shiny. I sanded it down a bit, to smooth it, and to give it texture. Then, on the back I used part of a phrase that is a rub-on. Experiment to see if it stays put, and if so - does anyone know where I can get really small rub-on phrases?

All in all, I was pleased that I finished one project, and nearly finished another - but I have to get a better plan for my time out there - it is precious, and I don't want to waste any of it dithering around in indecision...any ideas out there?

Tomorrow I'll post the bracelet - be cool for Valentine's - as it is RED!

Uh Oh....

2009-01-16T10:42:00.002-05:00

The day arrived for my free class - called "Everyday Moodling" - kind of an intro to paper-scrapbooking-mixed media - type of projects from a site called "My Creative Classroom"
so I was pretty pumped about the upcoming project.

There was a series of four videos explaining the project - and after totally crashing my machine, then figuring out to use Quicktime instead of Windows Media Player - I watched all the videos, and immediately saw a couple of large problems - for me....

I don't scrapbook - I know I would probably like it, but it for certain could eat up a LOT of money in the doing - and other things interest me more - so I don't have supplies that one who does would have. The new project is to cover a photo box however we like, and then fill it with bases of cards for future use, using patterned scrapbook paper that we have lying around. Hmmm......

Problem one...I don't have a photo box. I checked them out at A.C. Moore - but at $10.99 there, that's not going to happen. I know I've seen them at Michaels for about $6.00 - but at this point in my budget, that's not going to happen either.

Problem two....I don't have ANY scrapbooking patterned paper lying around - I do have some cardstock in some colors...but no patterns. I cannot justify spending money buying some just to do this project.

So....what to do? Just skip the project? Nah....that's just not me. So, I'm gonna change it. I do have some 12" x 12" watercolor paper (really nice and heavy) - so I'm going to attempt to MAKE a box - one that would fit the two sets of blank cards that I DO have. Would have to section it off - the cards I have are two very different sizes. So...that done...now I actually have to make a template for that box, and then make it....

Stay tuned...you'll see it all as it unfolds..

After Thinking About It....

2009-01-15T11:00:00.002-05:00

...I decided to not order from my former supplier after all. And why?

the number was a cellphone
as a business, why was there not a business phone?
as a business, why was there not an 800 number?
even the email was not set up as a business.
I had not actually used what I intended to buy from them - was going on memory of another product that was good.

And.....my hubby advised against it for all of the above reasons. I don't know that they are the only game in town for what I want now....seems to be others - so I'll try them first.

I did put some new things on my Etsy store yesterday - more to come today - you can see them at TreasureMore
I am also going to add more to my tiny offerings at Artfire - thinking this may be a better venue for me....we'll see. You can see what's for sale there at ShimmerShineStudio !

Leave me a comment, let me know what you think!

A Disappointment.....then hope.....maybe!

2009-01-14T10:15:00.000-05:00

I was playing around with ideas last week, and found one that I really wanted to pursue. I was not sure I could, as the materials I wanted, I did not know if they existed in the form I now need.

Long ago, I slip-cast porcelain Christmas ornaments, fired them and then decorated them with a dimensional glaze that was applied with little syringes. It was, I guess, tedious work, but I loved it, and the designs, when done, made the ornaments look like wedding cakes - all lacey and Victorian.

Now, I no longer have a kiln that will fire porcelain and glazes, so using a glaze to do this again is impossible. Plus, what I want to do is a miniature version of that - with beads rather than large ornaments. So, it would have to be the same 'look' without the necessity of firing to a high temperature. Then.....I found the same company I used so long ago as a supplier of these glazes - and they were on the internet....and they had a non-firing version of the glazes! Woo Hoo!! I was in!!

But no....I wasn't. I tried ordering from the order form on the website....hmmm...I could fill it out, but it would not submit - got an error. Ok, I thought - I'll just call the 800 number on the website, and order by phone (how archaic that seems!). But...when I dialed the number, I got a very odd cryptic message.....directing me to call a number in a format I did not recognize...so that was a no go. Then I thought, I'll just email them with their contact form on their website, and see what's up....and yup, you guessed it....would not submit...got an error. Being the persistent type (and because they are the only people that I could find with this particular product), I searched around the website til I found an email address not hidden inside a form - and I emailed them. And, wonder of wonders, it went through....

I waited all through yesterday....no answer.....so I'm thinking they're no longer in business, and I need to find a Plan B. I cruised the internet and found what 'might' work - but of course no one local has that product, so I can't try it without ordering from the internet....with shipping etc....when I don't know if it will work. Sigh....

Then, this morning.....wonder of wonders! An email in response to mine! Saying they were in the process of re-doing their website....and giving me a new 800 number to call and order by phone. But now I'm paranoid....are they for real? Should I call? Amazing how the doubts creep in - all because of all the errors on their website....

I'll keep you posted....what would you do? Leave me a comment!!

A Couple of Updates...

2009-01-13T10:29:00.000-05:00

First - the Caron "Project Linus" contest that I entered many moons ago....the deadline for entries was 'supposed' to be December 31 - by which time, each afghan should have been mailed off, and photos submitted to Caron. This I did.....and then waited....only to find out that - oopsie - they have now extended the deadline for entries to January 31.

I find this really off-putting. Not only was it a royal pain to actually find a place to send my afghan (finally sent it off to the national headquarters in Illinois), now evidently either they didn't get enough, or what they got for entries wasn't up to snuff, so they extended the deadline. The only saving grace in this entire thing is the thought that sometime, my soft little afghan will be wrapped around a baby. I won't be entering any more contests for Project Linus, nor for Caron any time soon.

We'll see what happens on January 31 - will they really pick the 6 contestants to have y'all vote for? (and did they not have six who entered before?). If, and when they do....I'll post the picture of my afghan here again, and ask that (if you like it!) you go and vote for it!

On another note...sigh....the free class I signed up for was supposed to start January 7 - but guess what - do I see a pattern here? - the class was postponed til January 14. Some problem with the method of posting classes or something.

This new year of discovery is getting off to a rocky start....

Trying out new things...

2008-12-30T19:36:00.000-05:00

I have found a website that offers a free course - all about being creative - and using mixed media - so I signed up!
Even though the course doesn't 'officially' start until January 7 - they gave us some early goodies to work on.....the first being an 'artist background paper' and then a second one to use this as part of a gift tag. Was supposed to be a 'holiday' tag, but Christmas is over, so I just went with what appealed to me - and I really liked how it turned out!

Here is the tag - in closed and open views..

The background of the tag is the music pattern paper that I painted over with gloss medium, giving it some texture and fading out the pattern. On top of that I stamped some designs - only have a couple of stamps, so I was pretty limited there. After the stamped images dried, I colored part of them in with Pearl-Ex pigments - in purple.

I folded the paper, added a decorative purple vellum paper piece, attached with tiny black brads, and on top of that I added a tiny little envelope out of other musical pattern paper. I found a little dragonfly that just needed to be part of the design, going across all the layers. The last item was a tiny square of paper with a tassel attached through an eyelet, that just fits inside the little envelope - on which the name of the 'gift person' would be written when I use it.

I love how it turned out....and think I'm going to enjoy venturing 'outside the box' during this class....and who knows where it will lead?

New Beginnings.....

2008-12-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

January is traditionally the time for new beginnings....so I'm jumping the gun...a little. I have been giving great thought to what direction my crafting should take....and since I have a brand new studio (built for me by my loving hubby)....this blog will go along with it.

I named my new space "Studio 2:14" ....from 2nd Chronicles 2:14:

...He is trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He is experienced in all kinds of engraving and can execute any design given to him...

This expressed perfectly the desire I have to learn different techniques and use my hands in the service of God - however He guides me to use them. Honoring God with my efforts will be the primary goal - and sharing what I learn will be a large part of it too.

I hope you will join me on my journey...