A great Canadian blogger I found!

I love this new blogger I just found yesterday. My Organized Chaos.  She's a young mom, shares great information, product reviews, recipes and has tons of giveaways on her blog. Right now she's featuring a great Rockport shoe giveaway, just click this link and I hope it'll take you there, haha!!

Bead Table Wednesday...

Well, this is my first week participating in BTW, I love seeing everyones messes as they create, it makes me feel a bit better about my own.  Here's my messy bead table this morning. This is all the beads and supplies that I used last night while I made a little summery bracelet. What a mess!

And here is the bracelet I made with all that mess. I love blue and green together, I think it just screams summer. 

Well, my kids are on March Break this week and my husband is away on course, so I am the one; the referee, the chief cook and bottle washer, the chauffeur, the fun maker.... I am the one!!  We have to head to the city tonight for my daughter's basketball tourney. I hope they do well (or even better...WIN).

I love to steal a few minutes here and there for me and a little creating, uninterrupted is even better, but not likely.  Oh well, such is the glamourous life I lead.

Have a fun-filled day everyone, whatever it entails!

Lisa



Have you seen this giveaway??

Have you seen the fantastic prize up for offer over on Gr8Findings.

She's giving away this gorgeous collection of handmade silver findings, they'are gorgeous! And only a little promotion of her blog in return, not a bad deal, eh! Just four little steps will get you four entries to win.

• Leave a comment below explaining what inspires you. You must leave a comment here if want to enter. — 1 entry

• Subscribe to my blog by entering your email address in the column on the right or following me through networked blogs (if you’ve already subscribed, let me know and that counts, too) — 1 entry

• Mention this giveaway on your blog OR twitter OR facebook and come back and tell me about it — 1 entry

• Find me on Facebook by clicking here and hit the “LIKE” button (you’ll also receive access to special coupon codes and important news on spontaneous sales events — naturally, if you’re already a “fan” and have done this, just let me know since that counts, too) – 1 entry

Anyway, I am off to enter, I would love the opportunity to play with these goodies. 

On another note, I stopped at the mailbox yesterday and inside was a card from Lori Anderson thanking me for participating in the BeadSoup. I thought that was so thoughtful of her, to send out a card to all who participated, that's a lot of work again for her. She never stops. Thanks Lori, it was a ton of fun and I hope I can participate again in August.

Thanks for stopping by.

Lisa

A day at the farm...

Well, I think I got through all the soup, finally. I know I didn't comment on each and every one but I did hit quite a few and I've got to say I saw some glorious designs. That was the tastiest soup I've ever devoured!! Thank you everyone for providing me with so much inspiration. Also, thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented on mine. My picture was terrible I realized afterward and I apologize for that. And another big thank you to Lori Anderson for organizing such a huge event.





Last Saturday, my sister and I spent the day at my local wool shop and took a class on wet felting by fibre artist Marilyn Rand, see what beautiful work she has created. We had the choice of either a tea cozy, a small purse or a vessel. I chose the vessel and my sister chose the tea cozy. We had such a fun day and I really love felting, both wet and needle. This was the third felting class I have taken and each time it amazes me how unspun wool(photo #1 below) can turn into such interesting, strong and useful pieces(like my vessel in photo #4). I think I may use it for a vase for some dried flowers. Wouldn't a big bunch of hydrangeas be pretty in that. I may also try to shrink the length down a bit as well, it is pretty tall right now. We also made a cobweb scarf but I didn't get a photo of that.

Thanks for stopping by and have a very happy March break everyone!! I am taking my kids to see Rango tomorrow, hope Johnny Depp doesn't disappoint!

Happy Crafting,

Lisa

Oh Happy Day -- Reveal Day

I am so excited that today is here. I cannot wait to start hopping around and seeing everyone's beautiful work. Oh inspriation abounds!

Here's a link to all instructions for the bead soup that was painstakingly organized by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. She deserves a medal for all her hard work, what a huge undertaking to make this happen and pair up 210 participants.

Lori has the date for the next soup as August, boohoo. I will be on vacation that month and won't have time to participate. I'll just have to sit and drool over everyone else's fun!

My partner is Lynne Bowland from Islandgirl's Insights, she's a lovely lady who is also from the east coast of Canada. She is an incredibly talented beadmaker, or should I say glass artist and sent me the most gorgeous beads to work with, she made this challenge easy for me.

Here's what I made with her beads. Photo #1, the three strand necklace was my first attempt. I kind of liked it but it was just too much for me. I am more of a single-strand girl, I guess. I love what others make with multi-strands but I just wasn't diggin' my own. So back to the drawing board and came up with #2. Now I like the second one much better and I really like the wire wrapping effect. Remember I am new to jewellry making and the wire wrapping is a new technique to me.

Photo #1 The one I took apart!

I tried to twist the three strands together, but , blach...
I do like the knotted strand, that was an easy technique I will definitely be using again. A good learning experience overall!

And here's the keeper.

I love doing the wire wrapping technique, although I do need more practice at it. I am not usually a symetrical kind of girl so this was challenging for me to make it balanced. I prefer the willy nilly look! Anyway, like I said these beads were easy to work with and have swayed me over to the blue side. I never really liked blue much before but know I find myself looking for more blue beads and ideas. I can't wait to make something summery in turquoise!!

So here's the link for all the others, I would love to see some more beginner beaders work. I have so many of you pros saved and LOVE all your work. If you leave a comment, and I hope you do, let me know if you're new at this too!!

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party!

Welcome to the 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party!

What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?

Each beader was paired up with another jewelry designer and tasked with sending the following:

~ A focal
~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)
~ Some coordinating spacers or beads

Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the coordinating beads or not.

Here's what I made!

(((( here's where your text and photo goes -- obviously, don't copy this part into your blog post! After you're done with your post, post the following.....))))

Come see what the rest of us made!

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life

3. Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane

4. Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio

5. Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

6. Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

7. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

8. Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

9. Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto

10. Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

11. Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas

12. Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts

13. Marian Hertzog, M's Place

14. Mary McGraw, MK's Musings

15. Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita

16. Deci Worland, Gem Trails

17. Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

18. Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs

19. Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

20. Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats

21. Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs

22. Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim

23. Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu

24. Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads

25. Deb Hunter, Living On Air

26. Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio

27. Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads

28. Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

29. Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts

30. Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

31. Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

32. Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus

33. Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble

34. Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design

35. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

36. Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs

37. Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works

38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights

39. Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire

40. Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio

41. Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's

42. Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

43. Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya

44. Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

45. Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles

46. Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig

47. Amanda Davie, Articulations

48. Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady

49. Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux

50. Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

51. Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks

52. Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles

53. Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde

54. Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog

55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning

56. Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

57. Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio

58. Amy Freeland, Copper Diem

59. Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa

60. Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead Do

61. Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog

62. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon

63. Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs

64. Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

65. Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

66. Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.

67. Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash

68. Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique

69. Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver

70. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

71. Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey

72. Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

73. Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix

74. Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems

75. Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Be Done!

76. Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium

77. Valerie Norton, Hot Art

78. Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden

79. Amy Severino, Amy Beads

80. Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook

81. Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy

82. Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

83. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

84. Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

85. Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries

86. CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka

87. Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae

88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy

89. Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations

90. Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss YOU ARE HERE

91. Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous

92. Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead

93. Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations

94. Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof

95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio

96. Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

97. Cindy Dolezal, Cindy Dolezal Designs

98. Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

100. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

101. Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio

102. Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations

103. Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios

104. Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore

105. Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

106. Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky

107. Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

108. Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs

109. Grace Danel, Grace Beading

110. Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman

111. Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe

112. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo

113. Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs

114. Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me

115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf

116. Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer

117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles

118. Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

119. Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart

120. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven

122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings

123. Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass

124. Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks

125. Hazel Ward, All Those Things

126. Brenda Salzano, Salzanos

127. Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee

128. Anna Denisova, Anita-M

129. Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry

130. Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads

131. Penny Neville, Copper Penny

132. Angela Blasingame, Hopemore

133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog

134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs

136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies

137. Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art

138. Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.

139. Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter

140. Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy

141. Heather Pyle, Welcome to My Muse

142. Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

143. Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts

144. Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense

145. Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique

146. Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

147. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul

148. Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me

149. Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog

150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

151. Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T

152. Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals

153. Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area

154. Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta

156. Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef

157. Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

158. Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color

159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

160. Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory

161. Collette Collins, Firefly Myst

162. Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed

163. Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu

164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio

165. Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra

166. Anna Motz, Stunning

167. Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings

168. Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

169. Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

170. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

171. Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones

172. Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs

173. Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass

174. Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

175. Julie Nordine, Julie Nordine Credit River Art Glass

176. Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog

177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio

178. Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're

179. Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

180. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

181. Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art

182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen

184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink

185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin

186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer

187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels

188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry

189. Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos

190. Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.

191. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

192. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini

194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse

195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between

196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets

197. Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts

198. Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs

199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200. Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend

201. Christine Damm, Stories They Tell

202. Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

203. Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs

204. Juli Cannon, Julsbeads

205. Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique

206. Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry

207. Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads

208. Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

209. Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry

210. Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

The next party's sign ups begin August 1-3, 2011. Don't miss it!

Be sure to visit the hostess blog, Pretty Things

I'm a lucky girl...

to receive such a treasure as this!!

Bead artist, Lynne Bowland of Islandgirl Insights sent me these treasures yesterday to play with as my bead soup ingredients. I cannot say enough about how beautiful these beads are. I am not a blue lover but these might convert me. SHE MADE THESE, I am in awe of her talent.

I have a few ideas swimming in my head, just need some time, alone and uninterrupted to play.

My photography skills are not the best yet. I just got a new camera and I haven't quite figured everything out yet. I am excited about taking a photography course soon though!