Monday, March 1, 2010

A MishMash of Stash

Sooo....maybe you're wondering where I disappeared to this past couple of weeks. Not all that interesting, but I've been crazy busy going thru every drawer, closet, nook and cranny around here cleaning up, clearing out and getting rid of all kinds of things. Craft projects gone astray, decor items that no longer fit my style, books I'll never read again, clothes that will never fit again. It seems like I am endlessly 're-evaluating' my needs and wants against one another and trying to detatch myself from the sentimentality of my possessions.
I seem to declutter in stages, only being able to give up so much at a time, then after a bit of a rest, I realize there was more that could/should go and it's back to the destash game for me. It's sometimes amazing the things I find that I didn't remember I had...like the lovely carved goose egg collection I bought several years ago, thinking I would make some fabulous panorama eggs to gift and decorate at Easter with...but they were stashed in a corner and long forgotten, now they are in my etsy store-- http://www.allweneedislove.etsy.com/ hoping they are just what someone is looking for...if not, off to goodwill they will go very soon...

And what about this exquisite handpainted plate from the late 1800's by Carl Thieme...it hasn't seen the light of day for a few years. I just don't use as many beautiful chotzkies around the house for decorating now, but haven't been able to bear to part with it, until this installment of decluttering...so now it's off to ebay to see if someone else can't live without it and give me more cupboard space to fill, lol.

And what could this be??? It takes up lots of room and hasn't been used for at least 10 years or so--a lovely stainless samovar from Russia that I brought back from my travels to Moscow and St Petersburg circa Peristroika. I have two---and I have finally decided that is one too many, so it's soon on it's way out the door--anyone here looking for a lovely Russian samovar (it's electric--with Russisan plugs though). I'm not shipping it back to Russia, but surely it will find a good home,...or not. (what is the market in Southern California for Russian Samovars, by the way?)

And my silk ribbon flowers...brooches, shoe clips and more used to be my passion. I made them like a crazy woman and gifted all my friends, had one in every color to match my wardrobe, etc...but alas they all must go. Gathering dust in box, unloved and untouched for much too long I am finally able to say adieu and off to etsy these go as well.
Now you know---the answer to what I've been doing all these many days---sifting thru memories and letting them go--hundreds of them, all off to ebay, etsy, secondhand stores and far, far away. Moving forward and decluttering my life, yet again...cleaning just a few more cobwebs out of my life and trashing the stash! See you as soon as I can get out from under this avalanche of abundance.




Thursday, February 11, 2010

Wasn't it Lovely!

Here's to you LORI!!!!

A big thanks to Lori Anderson for organizing the Bead Soup exchange and party that culminated yesterday in all our 'big reveals'. It was great fun to see all the wonderful designs and be part of the creativity generated by the exchanges we all took part in. There were some truly droolworthy beauties and it was a pleasure to be one of a very friendly and talented group of designers and artists....now if you haven't checked out the other participants yet, do have a look around--it's a major feast for the eyes! All the links are in my post below so drool away!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Let's Party


TahDahhhh! I made a bracelet with my focal bead(s)--a generous trio, and floral clasp from Jeanette in the Bead Soup Party exchange. I love the colors in the beautiful lentils by artist Dawn White and the substantial floral sterling clasp I received. Blues and greens with a dash of black, flowers and leaves and what you get is a simple, sweet bauble to grace the wrist.






With some unexpected family responsibilities this past month, I haven't had much time to 'play' with my stash of jewelry components, so this virtual party gave me a wonderful excuse to take a few minutes for myself and remember why I love playing with beads so much.


Join me today in checking out all the wonderful bead soup designs by the bodacious list of participants below--I know I'm going to love seeing all the great eye candy and I hope you do too! My first stop will be to see what my exchange partner Jeanette, at Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry did with the bead soup I sent her!




2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas

5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio

7. Erin, Treasures Found


9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs


11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique



14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle



17. Lisa, Lo and Behold


19. Judith, Judith B.

20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium




24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa

26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea




30. Leslie, Bei Mondi

31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta


33. Kathie, The Bead Cult

34. Patty, Plays With Fire

35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef

36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire



39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio

40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini

41. Marcie, La Bella Joya

42. Suzann, Beadphoria

44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass

45. Janiece, J Birds Garden


47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale


49. Sue, Sue Beads


51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse

52. Kristie, Artisan Clay

53. Regina, Regina's Writings


55. Lyn, Lyn Foley


57. Cathryn, Chile Cats



60. Juli, Jul's Beads

61. Julie, RockerJewlz









70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs



74. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry

75. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky

76. Maire, Maire Dodd

77. Janet, Singing Woods

78. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads


80. Joann, Jo's Jewels

81. Patti, PJ Clark Designs




85. Dee, Runako Designs

Ready for Tomorrow?

http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2009/12/bead-soup-party-and-bead-swap.html

Tomorrow is the big reveal day for all the participants in Lori's Bead Soup Party...be sure to check all the links for a dazzling array of eye candy to enjoy!!!!

Monday, January 25, 2010

A little something....


I did finish one bracelet last week--a custom order for an amber and aquamarine charm bracelet themed towards the sea. Lots of sterling silver with agate, amber, round and coin pearls and artisan lampwork. It was a fun, quick and simple project that gave me a brief diversion from my daily trek to the 'flavor of the day' bridal salon! I like to tease about it, but what could be more fun than watching your daughter try on gorgeous gowns that make her look like a princess every day. Nothing else to report from here, just a quick hello..now back to the salt mines, lol.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

When she was good, she was very, very good and when she was bad she was AWFUL.....


Well, I've been awful and, that's the truth!!!! Once again life has gotten away from me and my blog has been sorely neglected for some time now. First off, I need to tell you about a delightful exchange I joined--Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party! http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2009/12/bead-soup-party-and-bead-swap.html


So many wonderful designers of jewelry and components are participating and I got a fabulous partner--Jeanette Blix. http://www.fundametals.net/ http://www.jeanetteblix.com/ I sent her some things to play with up top is a picture of the beauties I got from her. We're all going to be making the "GRAND REVEAL" on February 10th!!!! So stop by to see what I did with my bead soup...and check out all the other participants as well---here's a link to all 85 of us---wow! that is alot of eye candy to look forward to.


Party Participants1. Lori, Pretty Things Blog2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads3. Terri, Blooming Ideas4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio6. Kerry, Kab's Creative Concepts7. Erin, Treasures Found8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs10. Nan, Spirit Rattles11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden17. Lisa, Lo and Behold18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas19. Judith, Judith B.20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium21. Maria, Garden Path Beads22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction30. Leslie, Bei Mondi31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry33. Kathie, The Bead Cult34. Patty, Plays With Fire35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini41. Marcie, La Bella Joya42. Suzann, Beadphoria43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass45. Janiece, J Birds Garden46. Kate, Organic Odysseys47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure49. Sue, Sue Beads50. Janeen, Janeen 36551. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse52. Kristie, Artisan Clay53. Regina, Regina's Writings54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble55. Lyn, Lyn Foley56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz57. Cathryn, Chile Cats58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter60. Juli, Jul's Beads61. Julie, RockerJewlz62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles64. Katie, My Life and My Beads65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights73. Chas, One Woman's Haven74. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry75. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky76. Maire, Maire Dodd77. Janet, Singing Woods78. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads79. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels80. Joann, Jo's Jewels81. Patti, PJ Clark Designs82. Mel, Kookie Designs83. Erin, Every Heart Crafts84. Dale, Flights of Fancy85. Dee, Runako Designs
Now for my excuses...Em's, as you might have heard earlier, got engaged over the holidays and is planning a July wedding...most likely in Brazil....sooooo, trying to get organized is slightly overwhelming. This week we spent every day trying on wedding gowns of every style and shape, fabric and emblishment and I'm happy to say a selection has been made (ivory silk with a touch of reimbroidered alencon lace, designed in Spain)....that's one thing down and only about a million more to go...who knew weddings were so complex...and with so many choices. I'll try to get organized and find a little time to play with jewelry...but for now I'm giving myself a pass while I put some precious mother-daughter time at the very top of my list. I'll keep you posted with little tidbits and sneak peaks of our progress, with hopefully a jewelry design or two wedged in now and then. Thanks for understanding and HUGS to you all!!!!

Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Some of my years highlights include...daughter Em's engagement...
First look at our new grandson....

Son Christian's family on baby's blessing day....




My sweetheart on our 40th Anniversary trip to glorious Montana....

Savoring 40 wonderful years (it's a nice start) at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
Blessings to you and yours and a wonderful 2010!!!