Spider Lillies in Bloom

I just wanted to share the Spider Lillies that are in my yard.  I know now what they are called thanks to Therese from Therese's Treasures .  She has a great blog, you should check her out.  I took this picture using the Macro setting on my Android phone.  I have to admit I love these flowers.  It is like they just spring up overnight.  One day they are not there then the next day they are.  I have them scattered here and there throughout my yard.  I do wish I could get them to grow where I wanted not just hodge podge like they are currently.  What is your favorite flower?

New Pieces

I just wanted to showcase a couple of pieces that I have completed the last week. This is the first piece which is just a simple RAW bracelet. I love the simplicity of it and the bronze Swarovski pearls. RAW is one of the beadweaving stitches that I really struggle with. My original design on this piece was to have another row of the pattern with more pearls in the connecting pieces. But sadly I got really frustrated and after picking out the second row this is the result. Not exactly what I wanted but I am still pleased with it.

Now for the piece that I am most excited about!

Caterpillar Bracelet

Here is the piece laid out.  The only thing I am not sold on is the toggle and clasp.  It just does not seem to work with the piece.  Luckily it is sewn in separate so that I can change it.  I am thinking of taking it off and possibly attaching a piece of beige or gold silk on each end that you can tie or add a clasp to.  I just need to find the silk and learn out to attach it to findings if I go that way.  I really enjoyed making the caterpillar part of this and will probably make many more of them.  Do you have any suggestions on what you would do to close/secure it?

On another note I asked my sister in law if she would make me a pin cushion for my beading needles based after "Sprite" from Rainbow Brite.  Maaike (pronounced Mica) has recently started crafting and she has been making felties.  She is totally awesome at it and I loved it so much that I wanted to share it as well.  

 

Thanks Maaike!

And Thank You Reader For Allowing Me To Share!

Candy Corn Cookie Bark

It is getting close to one of my favorite Holidays of the year and I though I would post a receipe for everyone to try if you are interested. This is perfect for those that have a sweet tooth and love candy corn!





14 whole Oreos, broken up. (The Halloween ones with the orange filling but regular will work fine)
1 1/2 C pretzels, broken into pieces.
1 lb. white chocolate, almond bark or melts found in the bulk food section
1 C candy corn
brown and orange colored sprinkles

Cover a large cookie sheet with wax paper. Spread broken cookes, pretzels and about 3/4 C of the candy corn onto the waxed paper. Place white chocolate in a container and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds until melted and smooth. White chocolate melts faster and burns easier than chocolate.

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookie mixture, spreading with spatula if needed to coat evenly. Sprinkle remaining candy corn and colored sprinkles over the chocolate while it is still wet. Do not let it harden. Place cookie tray into refrigerator until set and firm. Remove and gently break bark into small pieces. Store in air tight container.

Enjoy!

Coffee and Cream

Here is what I made today using Marcie Abney's instructions that are in the Oct/Nov issue of Super Beadwork.  It was very fast to work up and the instructions were really easy to follow.  I have to admit that this is the first time that I have followed a pattern out of a magazine and I was surprised at how pleased I am with the results. 

Now I just have to decide on which pattern to do next!  I am really leaning toward This and That by Melinda Barta.  I will of course share more photos on whatever project that I end up completing.  Do you ever do projects from a magazine? 

A Journey

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it is I want to do with this blog.  I still cannot answer that question.  I am such an organized person that it is very hard for me to not have a focus or destination in mind.  Perhaps this is something that I need to do that does not have a specific focus.  Something that I can use to just write and create without having any one specific goal in mind.  When did I become such an uptight person?  Perhaps I can use this as a medium to let go a little bit.  To just exhale.......

Perhaps it is not the destination that I need to focus on for a change.  Perhaps I should just enjoy the journey and find out for myself what is around that next bend.  To just enjoy what the journey is instead of rushing to reach the end of the rainbow!  Why do we always chase after the pot of gold instead of just enjoying the view?

"Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer."

 ~William S. Burroughs

Light Box!

So I purchased a light box kit this weekend off of Amazon and I received it today!  I just had to try it out to see if there is a real difference.  All I can say is wow!  It is a huge difference!  I cannot believe the difference light makes when it come to photographing your pieces.  I was originally going to make my own Light Box but by the time I purchased the needed lights and bulbs it was just cheaper to buy a kit.  These photos were taken with my Android Phone btw.  I cannot imagine the difference a real digital camera will make lol.

This is one that I have done that is not completely finished.  Notice the string lol.  I have remade this piece a total of 3 times and I will probably have to remake it again.  I am just horrible at cutting the piece out.  I need a "How to Cut Out Your Bead Embroidery Piece" class!  I really do like the color story of this one though, it is my favorite.

On another note I purchased the Aug/Sept issue of Super Beadwork that has a piece in it by Marcie Abney!  I can't wait until I get to try this.  I have never really made anything using a pattern out of a magazine.  Should be fun!  We also finally have another manager at work so I am hoping that after next week I will go back to a regular 40 hour work week which will give me more time to create. So what is your favorite beading/craft magazine and why?  

Musings and Questions

Tropical Storm Lee came and went this Labor Day weekend.  He brought lots and lots of rain which we really did need and now the temps have decreased as well.  It is starting to feel like fall!  I had to work all weekend so my daughter stayed the weekend with my father and they went to Incredible Pizza in Memphis.  She had a blast!  Incredible Pizza is kinda like Chucky Cheese but much better!  (I am going to now try and insert a link, I hope it works lol)
Incredible Pizza

I broke down and finally ordered a light box this weekend.  I can not wait until it comes in!  I hope it brings a huge change to any photos that I take of the items I create.  Do you have a light box?  I also signed up for Super Beadwork Magazine!  I can't wait to get my first issue in and see what I can create out of it. 

I have decided that I have Beading ADHD.  If I cannot sit down and make something in one setting I never go back and finish it.  Although I have to wonder if maybe my taste has something to do with that as well.  I prefer simple pieces that are small and not blingy or flashy so maybe that is part of it as well.  I surf the net and etsy to see what others are creating and some of the pieces I find just blow me away.  Something like this for example:

I found this on etsy at Thistle Dew For You .  I love this but I just cannot see me ever being able to make something like this.  There is no telling how many hours she put into this piece.  And at $2500 will she ever sell it?  Is there a market for beadwork at this price point?  To me this seems more of a museum piece not something that someone would wear.  But Hey!  I have been wrong before lol.  What do you think?

Finished Piece

A finished piece! This is my actual finished piece that I created from my class with Marcie. I am really happy with it other than when I added the chain edging. I made it before she uploaded a video on how to do it so it was not done correctly. I will probably remake this being the perfectionist that I am lol. I also really need to practice my photography skills. I think I am going to try to build a light box. Do you use a light box and has it helped?

I am really enjoying blogging! I really need to find some more blogs to follow. Do you have any recommendations? What is your favorite blog to follow?