Monday, December 30, 2013

52 Pins

52 Pins

Inspired by the movie "Julie & Julia". A spin using Pinterest. 

1.) To pin items that I did during 2013.  Whether it be making a crock pot recipe, watching a season of a television show, making jewelry or another craft.
2.) 52 pins in one year with thousands to choose from and new ones to design. 
3.) One pin per week (minimum).
4.) A way to keep my creativity in full swing all year long. 
5.) As each week passes, I'll update with the pinned photo or upload my own photo of the task that I've completed.  I'll also note the week # in the comments section, with the date or range of days in which I completed that pin.  Other details to the pin will also be written in the note section of each pin.

Please feel free to get started on your own "52 Pins" for 2014.  Watch for my next "Pin-spiration Board for 2014".  I'm tweaking out the details but plan to do many things in 2014, inspired by New Year's Eve Resolutions.

 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Lampwork and Clay Blog Hop 2013 - Reveal

A huge thank you goes out to your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
for organizing this event!

Lisa, 34 jewelry artists and myself have spent countless hours upon receipt of our
Lampwork or Clay goodies in designing, gathering findings, tools and other found objects 
in our home jewelry and crafting stashes.

The task:  each participant was sent a bead kit with either artisan made lampwork beads or artisan made clay beads/pendants. Participants were instructed to use these components in conjunction with other beads on their bead table (but not to purchase new beads). 

My story:  Early this summer I co-created Clay Play Day 
here in Las Vegas.  A friend and I wanted to do more than bead and crochet.  Both of us work at Michaels and teach.  I teach jewelry & she teaches crochet.  Between the 2 of us we could open up our own mini craft store.  It started with the 2 of us at her home.  We've expanded and are fortunate to have a friend who owns a bead shop and offered for us to bring Clay Play Day to her store Sweet Beads.  Sometimes there's just a few of us and other times 6 or more.  We'll meet 1-2 times per month for a FREE social event.  Some bring books from the library or what they picked up at a local store for inspiration or tutorials to choose from.  My birthday was in July and I received some lovely orange tiger lily flowers from my mother.  I wanted them to last forever.  So when they started to wilt, I took all the petals off and placed them in an open sandwich bag.  I let them completely dry out.  During one of our Clay Play Day's I brought the dried flowers and made a clay lentil bead.  I made a mini version of the vase of tiger lilies on the lentil bead.  Once the bead was baked, the tiger lilies turned a deep purple color.  I made this lentil bead before receiving my assortment of Ceramic by Grubbi from Natalie Mckenna

http://www.grubbi.etsy.com

I've had many ideas on what I wanted to do with the ceramic, but nothing really felt right until Tuesday, November 12th, 2013.  This was the monthly meeting of the Las Vegas Bead Society.  I happen to work well under pressure closer to the end date.  I don't always see it as procrastination, but I seem to do my best work that way.  Tonight was a social gathering for the LVBS members and I put the final touches of chain and a clasp on my whimsical piece this evening.

I included some dark blue crystal beads and white donuts from a recent swap that I participated in through Bead Swap USA.  My partner
Chris Schlicht sent so many beads I've never seen or worked with before for our "Cat Tones" swap.
I feel that I accomplished a lot by combining this blog hop with a recent bead swap.  Please take the time to enjoy the work done by all participants.


Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess
Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life
Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera
Linda Aspenson Bergstrom, TBD
Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Judy Turner, Silver Rains
Gloria Allen, Gloria Allen Designs
Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's
Connie Tipton, TBD
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
Michele Dotson, Star Jewels
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Jennifer Clifford, TBD
Kathleen Breeding, YOU ARE HERE
Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations
Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems
Alice Craddick, Alice's Artisan Whimsy Blog

Monday, October 28, 2013

Second Annual Octoberfest! hosted by Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends & Suburban Girl Studio's






I hand dipped each & every pretzel twists, Nutter butters and chocolate dipped maraschino cherries on this Halloween themed platter.



I spent just over 2 hours decorating the mantle and area of the fire place.


My huge marshmallow pretzel sticks disappeared in less than 30 minutes. The sought after treat of the party.

 I spent 10 hours at the parties.  I made the dipped pretzel twists before the kids party.  During the kids party I made the jumbo marshmallow treats & served them just after I popped them in the freezer to harden up the Wiltons melts with candy sprinkles.  During the end of the kids party I started on the chocolate dipped mice.  Only a few were left over for me to take home for the husband to try.

In all I did have fun, but will never be able to handle 2 back to back parties in my lifetime again.

Please take the time to visit all participants in the Octoberfest event.  I also included some fun Halloween stuff below the list of artisans.




Caroline                                       http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick-Zenith                     http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml                               http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan                               http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Susie Harris                                 http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Susan                                          http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle                                      http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi                                               http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson                           http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates                                  http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson               http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                           http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E                                            http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel                              http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow                           www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                             http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank                              http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma                              http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca                     http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita                                         www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                              http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen                                     http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Vera Lynn                                   http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King                           http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
Lily Vincent                                 http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar)               http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins                           http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry                  www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata                http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                         http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis                                 http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen)              http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed                                 http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti                        www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge                                  http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A.                                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner                                www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett                               http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                                    www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire                           http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille                                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam                                            http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D.                                      http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih                      http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop                             http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine                                         http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Toltec Jewels (Rita, your hostess)  www.JewelSchoolFriends.com












Edgar Allan Poe 1845   
 ~  The Raven  ~




Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
“ ’Tis some visiter,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
                              Only this and nothing more.”

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
                              Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
“ ’Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door;
                              This it is and nothing more.”

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
                              Darkness there and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore!”
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—
                              Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before.
“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
                              “Tis the wind and nothing more!”

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
                              Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
                              Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
                              With such name as “Nevermore.”

But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”
                              Then the bird said “Nevermore.”

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
                              Of “Never—nevermore.”

But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
                              Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamplght gloated o’er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er,
                              She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”
                              Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”
                              Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”
                              Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—
“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”
                              Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
                              Shall be lifted—nevermore!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZftK2kO6U
"Monster Mash"
Bobby Pickett

I was working in the lab, late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

He did the mash, he did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash
He did the mash, he did the monster mash


From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes


They did the mash, they did the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
They did the mash, it caught on in a flash
They did the mash, they did the monster mash


The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolfman,
Dracula, and his son

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, 'The Crypt-Kicker Five'


They played the mash, they played the monster mash
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
They played the mash, it caught on in a flash
They played the mash, they played the monster mash


Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
Opened the lid and shook his fist and said
"Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist? "

It's now the mash, it's now the monster mash
The monster mash, it was graveyard smash
It's now the mash, it caught on in a flash
It's now the mash, it's now the monster mash


Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my Monster Mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you


Then you can mash, then you can monster mash
The monster mash, and do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash, you'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash, then you can monster mash



Halloween and Day of The Dead Jewelry Blog Hop 2013




Halloween and Day of The Dead Jewelry Blog Hop







Jack Skellington
Art Bead Scene:
handmade air dry clay charms for a OOAK convertible necklace.  I'm the artist in these art beads.
Hand painted, decoupage, chain maille & wire wrapped.



Going Batty earrings

These Art Bead are also made by myself.  I decoupaged some 3-D glitter bats that can be found this time of the year at your local Michaels stores.  Added some links of chain for some dangle.






Let's add some orange!

Ceramic  pumpkins & glass beads Bracelet

real candy pumpkin earrings
coated with Glossy Accents
(scrap booking dept)



halloween

Is my favorite holiday of the year 
it's been an honor to be part of this blog hop
please stop by all the blogs & Share
to learn some tricks & see some treats
This 2013 Halloween Season! 


Kathleen Breeding  You are here!