2012 Bead and Button Show

I was lucky to attend a class taught by Melissa Cable.  She taught us how to set up a compact etching tank.  She showed us how to use it to etch our own designs on the metal.  She also showed all of the different ways to use faux bone.  Melissa also taught us how to set a stone using the frame form tool she invented.  I riveted everything together and made this great cuff bracelet.

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I took the Painting with Fire Class by Barbara Lewis and learned how to glass enameled iron beads with a torch.  I made this cute bracelet with the beads I made.

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I bought the kit and some glass powder.  I want to make more beads. But need more practice to get them perfect.

 My sister thought it was silly to waste time buying tools at Bead and Button.

I thought it was smart.  No shipping fees.

                                                                                        This Says It All!!!

I am so lucky to live in Milwaukee where the greatest bead show in the country takes place.  I was there almost everyday of the show.

Kyla's Visit

Kyla came to Wisconsin for a quick visit. She bought Vaughn and Baby Catlett.  We got to see Vaughn walking and fully mobile.  He got to see snow for the first time.

Super "food" Bowl

I thought today would be a great day to work on jewelry while my husband is preoccupied with football.  But we ended up cooking and eating most of the day. We made pretzels with asiago cheese/mustard dipping sauce. Shrimp with cocktail sauce, spinach spanakopita and guacamole. We had fun even though the Packers were not in the game. I thought the halftime show was entertaining and the food was great.

Back to Civilizaton

I just returned from the most serene and magical place called Orcas Island, WA.  We stayed at the beautiful, comfortable and luxurious island home owned by the generous family my future daughter-in-law Kortnee is employed by.  The house was set high on the island featuring a picture postcard view from every single window in the house including the bathrooms.

We did not have Television, Phone or Internet but we had very much fun.  We hiked and toured the island.  We read, listened to music and hung out in the little town eating and shopping.  We ate the most amazing oysters and bought produce and bakery at the Farmers Market.  My son cooked us a great dinner one of the nights and we enjoyed the great restaurants the other evenings.

We hiked to the top of Constitution Mountain and of course back down.

Good Bye Orcas Island.  Good Bye Ryan and Kortnee.  We had a blast and we will miss you.

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

I have wanted to participate in the Bead Soup Blog Party since the first time I read about it on Lori Anderson's blog. Pretty Things   She is a great blogger, creative artist and wonderful mentor.  She sponsors the party which is basically a bead swap.  You need a blog to participate. After you sign up for the party she matches you with a partner who sends you a focal bead and a clasp.  Most people also include some coordinating beads.  You then send your partner a focal bead and clasp of your choice.  We create a piece or pieces of jewelry and must use the focal bead and clasp in your creation.  The idea is to receive something you generally would not purchase for yourself.  It forces you to think outside of the box and spark a renewed creativity.

People from all over the world participate in this event.  I was matched with a fun and friendly woman from The southern part of the United States. She contacted me right after we found out we were accepted to the party and our blogs were published on Lori's blog.  We quickly became blog friends so you can imagine our surprise when we were matched as swap partners.

So far the Bead Soup Blog Party has been very enjoyable.  I joined the world of blogging and have made some great friends.  I also enjoyed making the jewelry from the treasures my partner Lisa Hamilton gave me. I do wish I would have learned to use my new camera before the reveal.  My pictures do not do justice to the beads and jewelry.

Please check out Lisa's blog Simply Irresistible Jewelry she will reveal the things she created with the beads I sent her.  If you want to read more about the Bead Soup Blog party go tohttp://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/  you will be able to get the list of other participants and look at their blogs and creations.

                                        These are the beads I received from Lisa

                                                      

                                                      





Here are all of the wonderful things I made from Lisa's beads.  Plus I still have beads left over for my stash.

Last Outdoor Movie Night Of The Summer

My sister hosted Movie night and good bye summer. It has been roasting hot this summer how appropriate that our goodbye summer party would be a cool crisp fall night.