Thank YOU Lori!

Dear Lori,
Thank you so much for hustling this divine box of Bead Soup loot to me!

XO Gaea

March 3rd is just a moment away! Got to get going on this! 

Nailbiter!

It is coming down to the wire for my bead soup project! I maybe writing about an imaginary bead situation! Unfortunately, my lovely Canadian bead soup partner had a shipping snafu so her package may not make to me in time! Other beady arrangements have been made so hopefully I'll have something to share! If not I can bore you to death with more bead bundles...

Heck. I'll probably do that anyway!

(The horseshoe bead was originally made years ago as a wedding gift necklace in silver art clay for a friends sister. I am glad I found it again and think it is fun in regular clay.)

Hearts and Colds

I've been fighting a cold since Valentines Day. Then the cold won.

Here is what my cold could not keep from happening...

P.S. Everything on this blog is automatically protected by copyright law. Pretty cool huh!

Happy Valentines Day! I Heart You!

Gotta love the pink, and red, and white (and everything in between)! It is a candy coated day and I love it! Here are some of my favorite hearts...

Silver and pearl earrings from Caitriona Meek cmeek68.etsy.com

Increadible work from the etsy shop Kerdan!

Sweet art print from BlackBaroque.etsy.com

Lovely art clay pendant from JenniferMorrisBeads.etsy.com

Sweet! JoyfulGemsandStones.etsy.com

Awww! MarshaNealStudio.etsy.com

Rabbitandme.etsy.com

Too many more to show! Happy Valentines Day!

Bead Soup Tease and New Pieces!

The contents of this blurred photo are on their way to my Bead Soup partner! I hope she likes the colors and shapes...

These need some glaze...

These got some glaze...

Ya! Love birdy!

Bead Soup....

Whooo hooo! I was randomly selected to participate in this cycle of the Bead Soup Blog Party, hosted by the lovely Lori Anderson!

I was paired with the lovely Evelyn Duberry who makes amazing glass beads! They are delicious looking and literally look good enough to eat!

I will post my bead tease shortly!

Love Bird

This little Birdy bead is a love birdie. Usually this birdie is formed using a mold made from my original bird and then the other side is hand formed so the bird has two sides. In honor of Valentines Day, this little birdie has become a "Love Birdy"!

Tweet!

Look for a few of these "Love Birdies" in new etsy bundles... next week!

Spring Board

I'm getting ready to firing and this is the time when new ideas move from the page into reality. Some things spring from old ideas. I like letting something old link to something new. Recently, someone asked if the "Walking in the Clouds" pendant could be made in something other that a heart shape say a round or square? Heck yah! Why not all the shapes! Here is the work in progress. This is the best part about making your own designs... They are your own and they can be exactly as you want them! This may evolve to have a few leaves or birds flying by...

These pen and ink drawing are super detailed but would make a fun pendant.... we will see where my carving skills are!

Ok.

I guess mid January has swallowed me up! Here is a bit of what is on my plate...

It has been a month of birthdays...

Happy Birthday Joelle!

Happy Birthday Dean!

Happy Birthday Me!

We went out to Agave Maria's for dinner over the weekend. Had my first margarita! Now I'm obesessed! So, at Trader Joe's yesterday, I splurged on some new items to play with. Tequila. Triple Sec. Lime. I think you can see where I'm going here....

Yep! Margaritas! Robert and I shared one and it was perfect for watching the Golden Globes (Yay Ricky!) and making a few new jewelry pieces! 

What is on your plate? Or in your cup?

Today Is The Day...

I'm rounding up all the loose ends and creative fly away items! These are the creative things that poke me in the eye as I am about to fall asleep....

Two down...

Happy Monday!

Must Remember to Breathe

It literally feels like I've forgotten to breathe. Once you turn that corner from the holidays, and I thought that was a busy time, you find yourself smack dab in the middle of busy central! Taxes (I'm sorry! I had to say the "T" word!) are creeping up. All sorts of due dates for publications. Birthdays. Speeding tickets. Made In Ojai craziness. Life. Oh yes! Beads! That's a good thing. I love the beads. Kind of addicted really. Back when the pomegranates were all lush and beautiful, I would drive by them to and from school and would sigh a deep sigh and wonder when I would make some pomegranate goodies. It never fails that some kind person will be on the same wavelength and make a request.... So here is the beginning... Next stop... glaze!

What's making you breathless?

Hello 2012!

It's hard to say goodbye to the old year sometimes. I have a hard time looking forward, but I'm working on it. I don't do resolutions, never stick. I do have a few goals that I would like to accomplish this year. Getting more exercise is always on the list. Taking more time with my family is too. A tidy studio and fresh website are on the list as well this year! It was a challenge to get my finger to actually press the button on the camera to take the picture to capture the state of hell it is actually in! Ah! So conflicted!

Brain: "NO! DON'T SHOW THAT MESS! SOMEONE WILL THINK YOU ARE CRAZY"
Heart: "Go ahead. It will be good for you! It needs to be done."

I'm not quite ready to share that bit of shame....

Sooo.... here are a few things that are much more sane to look at. (I know. I know. You win this time brain.)

What new things are you working on for the new year?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

P.S. Thanks to all the lovely comments this year! It made me feel swell!

Check out my holiday project on the Art Bead Scene Blog!

Seasons Greetings - Free Winter Card Garland Tutorial

One of my favorite memories of the holidays was visiting my grandparents in Northern California. My grandma and grandpa moved around quite a bit in their time and had gathered many friends, far and wide. As the family and their circle of friends grew so did the season's greetings they would receive each year. Grandma Betty would hang a wide silk ribbon on each doorway and pin each card up as it arrived. This Season's Greetings Card Garland is in remembrance of those lovely times together. All of the beads used were gathered from around the studio, which makes it great for orphans beads and left overs! This project can be as simple or elaborate as you like!

Supplies:
4 feet heavy stringing wire. (you could also use 22 gauge copper wire in a pinch!)
several hundred loose beads.
1 gingerbread ceramic snowflake
8 to 10 hanging clips (available at Michael's. OH! And checkout the fantastic Michael's coupon app for your smart phone! Coupons with out the clipping!)
15 to 20 art beads
crimp beads

Tools:
Round nose  pliers
Wire cutters

1. Layout your beads in a pattern with the snowflake pendant in the middle.

2. Loop one end and close with a crimp bead.

3. String beads and add hanging clips at 5 to 6 inch lengths. Make sure to pinch closed the clips hanging ring.
4. Loop end and crimp.
5. Run to the mail box!
6. Hang and enjoy!

Enjoy!

Ceramic Beads : www.gaea.cc

Is It Too Early...

I know we are just entering winter, a season I truly adore, but my creative thoughts are turning to the brighter colors of spring. With this busy season, I haven't had much time to list things in my etsy shop but here is a preview of the spring to come....