tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74123039164300067692024-03-12T20:17:53.210-04:00fan of the flameCWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-71022057364457528692012-09-02T14:42:00.000-04:002012-09-02T14:45:10.401-04:00How's Your Cursive?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIObtF5sS2DBfn2MA2fLEAmgkE_AIUe6L-SfpxCgbjYf3_e0MfK9wBoHWbXKBrlWlHomyyj7w6j39BRH7ZdTUv3Pm_x1l4BtCzdK1RIEE4YxGvXZpVpXYFiNOTdyVNSMvNlTMnJsglo6M/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIObtF5sS2DBfn2MA2fLEAmgkE_AIUe6L-SfpxCgbjYf3_e0MfK9wBoHWbXKBrlWlHomyyj7w6j39BRH7ZdTUv3Pm_x1l4BtCzdK1RIEE4YxGvXZpVpXYFiNOTdyVNSMvNlTMnJsglo6M/s640/scan0002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Scan of My Great Grandmothers' Scrapbook, 1918 or so. The page on the left is a recipe written on my GGrandfathers stationary from his bar! The one on the right is a home remedy. Can you imagine that's how everyone wrote back then?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last 20 years I've been fascinated with family past. I've been on Ancestry.com for almost that long and have made great strides in research of my ancestors on all different branches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As my family got word of my obsession with family history, I became the family archivist as well. I received tons of photos and I am proud to say that just about every one I was given has been posted on Ancestry.com for all posterity! My uncle sent me a box with all kinds of cool stuff that came from my mothers' side of the family. My Great Grandmothers' Scrapbook, a recipe book, an address book and more were in that box. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The first time I went through the box was just a cursory look to see if there was any hidden treasure....The second look was to be a little more thorough because I had the time. The third look I realized I'd found treasure! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I discovered <u>handwritten</u> correspondence between my great grandparents and other family, recipes, and other notes. These are precious documents that I had taken for granted on the first glance. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj00mBZM7ZgR0LNH2jzE3dLXT20u2uFM6U_5klWOHWABTIrVPDOvwH6ij_PoJEKMwdczRnMSZ9Be8K9z5EQ9PlsXHzyD4DNYzqp03TFrEYCLxhaRwm9Mqqf-HYgMfVhvzd6aL9gJsWcXs/s1600/scan0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj00mBZM7ZgR0LNH2jzE3dLXT20u2uFM6U_5klWOHWABTIrVPDOvwH6ij_PoJEKMwdczRnMSZ9Be8K9z5EQ9PlsXHzyD4DNYzqp03TFrEYCLxhaRwm9Mqqf-HYgMfVhvzd6aL9gJsWcXs/s640/scan0003.jpg" width="491" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is one of my favorite finds. Notice how beautiful my G-Grandmothers handwriting is. Then take a look at the ingredients in this potion!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5QZV9XUWRDJips_MLBfDSg6ToXDUczgtHVImxC6ArG3RUKmDPQ2oBws8HFiV66sv9PFifHu2C7rtpzQXNeW5CTbrTWRgQ4Kk_0BJY2xbLWkV9Ta4UvO4m82XoZrvPY7qDZ1yRU2JNsE/s1600/scan0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5QZV9XUWRDJips_MLBfDSg6ToXDUczgtHVImxC6ArG3RUKmDPQ2oBws8HFiV66sv9PFifHu2C7rtpzQXNeW5CTbrTWRgQ4Kk_0BJY2xbLWkV9Ta4UvO4m82XoZrvPY7qDZ1yRU2JNsE/s640/scan0004.jpg" width="464" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A letter my great grandfather wrote to his son, my grandfather.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDvDzf_rXRpOhmGDSzgJqRz9H2NfziE0YsSqKT5-vipT2o-9blmLk80v_T00PK2fSrCy46NLMh7UajSwie2Uudlmk5ZaoI1LQ8s9GsyUBFNNYmhgjcfz5VV0zLHJ68OO-iGmm1vhD_jE/s1600/scan0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDvDzf_rXRpOhmGDSzgJqRz9H2NfziE0YsSqKT5-vipT2o-9blmLk80v_T00PK2fSrCy46NLMh7UajSwie2Uudlmk5ZaoI1LQ8s9GsyUBFNNYmhgjcfz5VV0zLHJ68OO-iGmm1vhD_jE/s640/scan0005.jpg" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He later died that same year during the flu epidemic.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At
the last Daughters of the American Revolution meeting I attended, it
was reported to the ladies that a proposition was made at the last
convention, that the DAR champion and encourage the teaching of cursive
handwriting in schools. I went home and started looking up what was
happening to that small, unappreciated art form.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFUMYpm9nZQCKsu6BsxWRatN6NLqflGpLvBujJI3Pu-Z7Z7ln7GT5SdEA6AiIubvFo2Z1Q0yRsA_cR4hFnW-FeoUVT_5VOMGUC2Sn75GvbuEvp4NU9okAXShVQ0kI_eU-Xc7rEpnLjU8/s1600/scan0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFUMYpm9nZQCKsu6BsxWRatN6NLqflGpLvBujJI3Pu-Z7Z7ln7GT5SdEA6AiIubvFo2Z1Q0yRsA_cR4hFnW-FeoUVT_5VOMGUC2Sn75GvbuEvp4NU9okAXShVQ0kI_eU-Xc7rEpnLjU8/s640/scan0013.jpg" width="452" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A sample from my grandmothers' address book. I always loved her handwriting and started making my "G's just like hers to sign my name.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I learned that due to the age of technology, learning the keyboard is higher on the priority list than teaching cursive writing. I completely understand that we live in an age when the use of the computer grows everyday and that all children should be proficient in its use, otherwise be left in the dust. I also recognize that teachers have innumerable benchmarks and objectives to meet with their students and little in the way of time to get there. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbWLi3m_UNjpQf3Z9s8w_mW3eCubyBExoSDz-Bay8JCE_RtwrmAZRraXAuIAmamzfcCG1s5832Vy-rLs0hwXPZ7-8QOLiiuhRCQnSyllUu1edol_YSsPktBHJ2GP3jm-Cu2ohtKeF6Kg/s1600/scan0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbWLi3m_UNjpQf3Z9s8w_mW3eCubyBExoSDz-Bay8JCE_RtwrmAZRraXAuIAmamzfcCG1s5832Vy-rLs0hwXPZ7-8QOLiiuhRCQnSyllUu1edol_YSsPktBHJ2GP3jm-Cu2ohtKeF6Kg/s640/scan0011.jpg" width="489" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lovely sample of handwriting by my cousin Catharine Ann accepting the invitation to my parents wedding.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Matthew J. Gaiger wrote, "Because children are
developing their fine motor skills, cursive writing allows them to
gradually improve their eye-hand coordination versus straight lines that
strain students.
The first step in developing our cognitive abilities
is the development of our fine motor skills. As our brains learn to
connect our inner worlds to the external universe, we begin to recognize
abstract ideas like awareness of others and perception. Cursive
writing affords us the opportunity to naturally train these fine motor
skills by taking advantage of a </span><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxthookspan" id="itxthook1w0" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; color: black; font-size: large; font-weight: inherit;">child’s</span><span style="font-size: large;">
inability to fully control their fingers. This means cursive writing
acts as a building block versus as a stressor. With a less strenuous
learning experience, children can progress in their learning at a
faster, more efficient rate." <a href="http://www.helium.com/items/1697736-cursive-handwriting" target="_blank"> Beth McKinney</a> goes into a lot more detail about how cursive writing stimulates and develops the brain. I found it disturbing when she noted that, "As information replaces industry in the marketplace, parents, educators
and students themselves have come to place more emphasis on the
development of knowledge over the development of physical skills. Those
who work with their hands are considered less valuable than those who
work with their bodies in many sections of our society." As one who works with my hands I consider that a slap in the face. There needs to be a change in that type of thinking! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvvNG8g7AreDsdPWg5WOz0P0IHbh4nTGSTdudgGKMhcHoCgcwtbmSEzOpXuE_TGkMdaa0O2QXeXTwsoAotwBnhmFAN1WZl6zOxlJcuIS29OeyiyunAIs4e10Pb8aHJh8wjmZTbsY3nd4/s1600/scan0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvvNG8g7AreDsdPWg5WOz0P0IHbh4nTGSTdudgGKMhcHoCgcwtbmSEzOpXuE_TGkMdaa0O2QXeXTwsoAotwBnhmFAN1WZl6zOxlJcuIS29OeyiyunAIs4e10Pb8aHJh8wjmZTbsY3nd4/s640/scan0010.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's a letter to my Aunt Cecilia from one of our cousins in Ireland. I believe they were teenage pen pals during this time. It was a long letter so I'm only showing the first and last page.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned earlier, I see cursive writing as an art form. I remember being so proud to bring home good grades in penmanship and I think I was good at it because I could also draw. I liked making my letters and eventually having a very nice handwriting. I've read many studies regarding the impact that learning to draw has on cognitive functions of the brain and I see many similarities between the findings there and those regarding cursive handwriting. I feel ashamed of myself that I've gotten away from it.....both cursive writing and drawing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoffvZVRueemOBSTdEm93RA_Zk_8pKf5M2zvlpUodkbUBaT5hIy4W91I5Kt9QAR1HlGpdYtxd4K45W215J3FyB60873SFzU1w4Xx7BICcLWzfL3qhPJIHT10XgT6d7_6z2ZFSFLDUHXcQ/s1600/scan0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoffvZVRueemOBSTdEm93RA_Zk_8pKf5M2zvlpUodkbUBaT5hIy4W91I5Kt9QAR1HlGpdYtxd4K45W215J3FyB60873SFzU1w4Xx7BICcLWzfL3qhPJIHT10XgT6d7_6z2ZFSFLDUHXcQ/s640/scan0008.jpg" width="508" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tqq1lz33mW95EpWNXvq0Cl1vfmzCSKbpG3qM-sKO0kk1D3Cy3YuQizmwx-wkrcrEg9086n24XKEI-7PrhRi3O6sed1cc2ete1xzGEv3xnyJT0wU8TlzW6_o2OjQb61goHgQxXUqcasU/s1600/scan0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tqq1lz33mW95EpWNXvq0Cl1vfmzCSKbpG3qM-sKO0kk1D3Cy3YuQizmwx-wkrcrEg9086n24XKEI-7PrhRi3O6sed1cc2ete1xzGEv3xnyJT0wU8TlzW6_o2OjQb61goHgQxXUqcasU/s640/scan0009.jpg" width="524" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another letter from a cousin in Ireland. I think it's interesting to look at the different styles of handwriting as much as to read what people were interested in chatting about from one continent to the next.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I'll pick up a pen and start practicing my letters and begin handwriting some notes from now on. One day my descendents may find them in a box of stuff that is passed down to them and I'll be able to torture them into learning to read and write cursive, all the way from the grave!</span></div>
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CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-33783975610130729002012-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-25T10:02:50.222-04:00My Bead Soup Creation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">This has been quite an adventure for me! Thanks first to Lori Anderson for hosting this tremendous project. It's been a lot of fun to participate! Next I'd like to thank my partner Jane Haag. She is a very sweet and kind person that I'm so happy to have met...long distantly. I've enjoyed working with her little works of art so very much. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I thought I'd start out by showing a couple of teasers so you could get just a taste of what I'm serving up.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUbwnvb8shmblcZtEqqi8vtNWXI8F-igQpzO9diUYxC64M9nESVl7I441F3-eItV-S9G3a4e_WL3EIPwFXMZJrjnc9fjiB2OWZoN4k8cGaSRIs3AFpT5xAjeJqNk_HjrseUW4PIjgeck/s1600/pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUbwnvb8shmblcZtEqqi8vtNWXI8F-igQpzO9diUYxC64M9nESVl7I441F3-eItV-S9G3a4e_WL3EIPwFXMZJrjnc9fjiB2OWZoN4k8cGaSRIs3AFpT5xAjeJqNk_HjrseUW4PIjgeck/s640/pic+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone should know by now that I'm not really a jewelry maker. I made most of the lampwork beads in the necklace and bracelet for this Bead Soup project. I chose some of my favorites to compliment what my partner sent me.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrkKSyESXTSboezcOOVfmLP8pmvSa3dbr5nZN5lJzFsqVzIfVOICKiIkewcZjQQylr1EXKL0DjKBMnac651dZ4zvPHnqeycA2Zm09Xc_0V8Ty9QBRUzaCFL3wwEyZm9mt4lyX2MCS_X8/s1600/pic+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrkKSyESXTSboezcOOVfmLP8pmvSa3dbr5nZN5lJzFsqVzIfVOICKiIkewcZjQQylr1EXKL0DjKBMnac651dZ4zvPHnqeycA2Zm09Xc_0V8Ty9QBRUzaCFL3wwEyZm9mt4lyX2MCS_X8/s400/pic+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hungary Yet?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.doublehelixglassworks.com/" target="_blank">Double Helix</a> is a silvered glass which when exposed to a reduction flame brings out all different kinds of shimmer. The main bead in the middle of the top picture is made with two different types of DH glass. The side with Psyche is where you see the green, purple and pink luster. Triton is the other side with the rich purple luster. The pinkish beads are made of Aurae, another DH glass that really is sort of unpredictable, sometimes gold, sometimes pink and sometimes a soft magenta!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My partner <a href="http://mjanedesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jane Haag</a>, sent me the most beautiful silver hammered pieces that she made herself. I really love how <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank">Lori Anderson</a> paired us up, with both of us being artists that create the <u>components</u> of jewelry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love what Jane sent me too, and when I saw all the ingredients I pretty much knew what I wanted to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you read one of my
blog posts a while back, you know what I mean by "Who am I making this
for?" The answer is, I made it for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've
always loved necklaces that have different tiers of strands with kind
of a whimsical, random look. I also like necklaces where you see the
exposed silver wire that space out the beads or charms. So that was my plan.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_E3f9Lvjj7F6CNeYGK6UGy7MvBQUqQOptcnKX5dLtfswUKZ7_RMAHTqvJQeGRXdLLoTJRAESUhcUAs_MzAdb2dSiI2EqPvDoKcDG0K-7tGi8vNl4uxJS5SeEdcTh1LGMuA5u3pnWOYI/s1600/pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_E3f9Lvjj7F6CNeYGK6UGy7MvBQUqQOptcnKX5dLtfswUKZ7_RMAHTqvJQeGRXdLLoTJRAESUhcUAs_MzAdb2dSiI2EqPvDoKcDG0K-7tGi8vNl4uxJS5SeEdcTh1LGMuA5u3pnWOYI/s640/pic+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looks Good Enough To Eat!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBuUOOfsLI_puoANnqr2Wr7eZ5TyCtJDaN1z9YruSF9eAqT2z6WgM-E5PK3x5kP1F268-KREBOhkimSVR6BjHjOf5PDviPB6Gm_JjsL-L5X0fLy-0-iII6wAEVHxYYkj5yuZvChK6w_I/s1600/pic+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiBuUOOfsLI_puoANnqr2Wr7eZ5TyCtJDaN1z9YruSF9eAqT2z6WgM-E5PK3x5kP1F268-KREBOhkimSVR6BjHjOf5PDviPB6Gm_JjsL-L5X0fLy-0-iII6wAEVHxYYkj5yuZvChK6w_I/s320/pic+4.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">It was a no-brainer that I was going to use the sterling silver flower as the focal (she sent an alternate which I used in the bracelet). That was the main piece of the bottom tier. The silver hammered rings were stunning, but she only sent me three! The challenge there was how was I going to make this work....remember I'm no jewelry designer. I played around with different ideas and came up with the idea of wire wrapping one of my beads to link two together. So that was the focal of the next tier. Finally, on the last tier I used that last ring to attach the sweet little charms together. Joy, calm, and bliss.....well, not yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I could write a book about the struggles I went thru putting it all together, but I know you have other blogs to hop. Let's just say that I felt that joy, calm and bliss after about 3 weeks working on it...on and off. I had to get away from it at times to collect my thoughts and think how to solve the many problems I encountered during the construction.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEaXWw3_f-GSL2QzCEy5Z2Bz8_b6ZJSczw-e6C8NiDFii20cY7RquVXKlENlsXlwm5-gcXwA0VCt7hWYDWvZkwu4SLYaWAhxbYDYMAWTVnTpwPBOeBBU187wzV9hqBKUdUm54f0qYuTQ/s1600/pic+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEaXWw3_f-GSL2QzCEy5Z2Bz8_b6ZJSczw-e6C8NiDFii20cY7RquVXKlENlsXlwm5-gcXwA0VCt7hWYDWvZkwu4SLYaWAhxbYDYMAWTVnTpwPBOeBBU187wzV9hqBKUdUm54f0qYuTQ/s400/pic+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Triple Layer Bracelet with Kazuri Focal Bead</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: large;">By the time I was finished with the necklace, I was totally exhausted so I got some of that memory wire and started using up what was left of the beads that Jane sent me. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqbyx1N9qgxSLK90J4X-fSkncf8iIVU-Gmp8lVPOuI0xBhFE5O5Rj1er8jMgPXO6FCDOyKYgt4EFAlfrKwlkZKMVnLAObJED8WKe92z262BVdpnXdWcDAJs2-HPNkDfznUd2ARyqHcQ/s1600/pic+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsqbyx1N9qgxSLK90J4X-fSkncf8iIVU-Gmp8lVPOuI0xBhFE5O5Rj1er8jMgPXO6FCDOyKYgt4EFAlfrKwlkZKMVnLAObJED8WKe92z262BVdpnXdWcDAJs2-HPNkDfznUd2ARyqHcQ/s640/pic+5.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is How We Hang!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Since it was
necessary for me to show how the necklace would hang around someone's
neck. The only person around I could use as a model was my husband, so that was out. I could have modeled it myself, but naaahh. Please excuse the less than perfect photography.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It worked out fine with the necklace display piece, even though it was dirty. I covered it with a pretty piece of fabric. In order to get it to hang right, I had to wrap the back of the necklace around the front, which shows off the lovely clasp that Jane made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sorry to have kept you so long. I did go back and do some editing....really!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Hopping!</span></div>
<br />CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com50Boone, NC, USA36.216795 -81.674551736.165552 -81.7535157 36.268038 -81.5955877tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-16005406262081908082012-08-14T17:18:00.000-04:002012-08-21T11:13:53.231-04:00Coming Soon!<br />
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Hostess, Lori Anderson, <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/">Pretty Things</a> <br />
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Agi Kiss, <a href="http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com/">Moonsafari Beads</a> <br />
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Becky Pancake, <a href="http://www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/">Becky Pancake Bead Designs</a></div>
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Bianca Odenthal, <a href="http://zydies-glasperlen.blogspot.de/">Zydies Glasperlen</a></div>
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Bonnie Coursolle, <a href="http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/">Jasper Gems</a><br />
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Dot Lewallwn, <a href="http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com/">Speedie Beadie</a><br />
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Rana Wilson, <a href="http://definitivedesignsbyrwilson.blogspot.com/">Definitive Designs by R. Wilson</a><br />
Rebecca Anderson, <a href="http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com/">Song Beads</a><br />
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Sonya Stille, <a href="http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/">Dreamin' of Beads</a><br />
Stephanie Dixon, <a href="http://www.thedixonchick.blogspot.com/">The Dixon Chick</a><br />
Susan Kennedy, <a href="http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/">Sue Beads</a><br />
Susan Sheehan, <a href="http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/">Strands of Thought</a><br />
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, <a href="http://www.beadphoriablog.com/">Beadphoria</a><br />
Sweet Freedom, <a href="http://sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com/">Sweet Freedom Designs</a><br />
Tabatha Dinger, <a href="http://modernlycreated.blogspot.com/">Modernly Created</a><br />
Tania Hagen, <a href="http://pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/">Pelima Jewellery Design</a><br />
<br />
Tanya Boden, <a href="http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/">Fusion Muse</a><br />
Terry Carter, <a href="http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/">Tapping Flamingo </a><br />
Tracy Stillman, <a href="http://tracystillmandesigns.com/">Tracy Stillman Designs</a></div>
<br />CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-6198832653655647442012-08-09T17:38:00.000-04:002012-08-09T17:39:26.686-04:00Accomplishment<span style="font-size: large;">I am proud and relieved to report that I have completed my necklace design for my "Bead Soup." My reveal date isn't until August 25th, so I can't show it yet. I just wanted to say that I feel a real sense of accomplishment for having made a complicated (for me) necklace design that actually meets my own standards of craftsmanship!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most of my friends know that I am not a jewelry maker. I am a lampwork artist who is totally consumed with making glass beads from colorful molten glass. I love and appreciate beads made by my friends and heroes, I love jewelry, and I especially love jewelry made with my own beads. However, when it comes to creating a piece of jewelry myself, I get totally frustrated! It's so tedious, having to put the little wires through tiny holes, crimping, closing jumprings so that they don't let go, and messing up and starting over at least 20 times before I get it right. I also hate it when I ruin a piece of silver, arrrrggghhh! It's too expensive to waste! Hence the reason that I rarely make jewelry. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I went thru a lot of silver wire to create my Bead Soup Necklace, as well as a lot of crimps. Thank goodness there's a jewelry company that buys back silver that's been wasted. I think my craftsmanship has improved a bit too! I'm just so glad that it turned out the way I wanted it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I tell my friends about "Bead Soup" they always ask me, what happens to the jewelry after you do it? Lori, the Bead Soup Hostess told me that you can keep it! I guess some jewelry designers sell them, maybe even trade back with their partner, but I do plan to keep mine. First of all I really like it, and second, there is no way anyone could pay the amount of money that I would have to charge given the amount of time I put into it! So I guess I'm going to have to go out and find a shirt that would set it off just right! I guess if someone offered me $200 I'd let it go,...it's worth that much to me anyway.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-35568334746906769352012-07-14T13:37:00.001-04:002012-07-14T13:38:37.968-04:00Who Are You Making This For?<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday my husband and I went to an opening reception for local artist <a href="http://www.nancybrittelle.com/heavy-metal-6ba58" target="_blank">Nancy Brittelle</a>. Her work is on display in Blowing Rock at <a href="http://www.hcpress.com/arts/art-artifacts-invites-you-to-icons-from-an-ancient-future-a-reception-featuring-mixed-media-and-jewelry-artists.html" target="_blank">Arts and Artifacts</a> on Sunset. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The announcement for the reception was in the<a href="http://mountaintimes.com/art/articles/Icons-from-an-Ancient-Future-id-023061" target="_blank"></a> one of our <a href="http://mountaintimes.com/art/articles/Icons-from-an-Ancient-Future-id-023061" target="_blank">local newspapers</a>, and the description of her work made me very curious so we went! When I entered the room where her work was displayed, it took my breath away! It was one of those moments when you see something beautiful and say to yourself, why didn't I think of that?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CaxzcTuHkCQxb_c0a9byJP04zck-FJ75sZqO0mO-49DGeCmpLOkkMgh1UhrgBqoFojfgEFImzSap89O8qv5TkJtkxFRzAmnDm3JneBRR0prafPeN_Og3SWV4aomPOGPsmP8cVYLY7Gs/s1600/nancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CaxzcTuHkCQxb_c0a9byJP04zck-FJ75sZqO0mO-49DGeCmpLOkkMgh1UhrgBqoFojfgEFImzSap89O8qv5TkJtkxFRzAmnDm3JneBRR0prafPeN_Og3SWV4aomPOGPsmP8cVYLY7Gs/s200/nancy.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Nancy incorporates things that all of us throw away when ever we receive
something in the mail! Boxes, packing materials like Styrofoam, egg
cartons, and "peanuts." She arranges them into patterns, adheres them
to a surface and then paints them with a combination of metallic paints
like silver, copper, and bronze. Who would have ever thought that such
materials that everyone throws away (or recycles in the usual way) could
be assembled to create such beautiful pieces of art? Not me, but I
wish I had!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1qEWjVkHQNxqXp0W-vAgBPcO5ZW2uDTJzqUuflz1lD2KHHrmd-kuyuQRqOa5o8JVWXw-y9in8WsEsHLekM-3U5sNKQWzDp2CpVjtror_UdDu8i1YBXPfIn0Uzwq9mFLLYA6YrKQyFgQ/s1600/nancy+egg+cartons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1qEWjVkHQNxqXp0W-vAgBPcO5ZW2uDTJzqUuflz1lD2KHHrmd-kuyuQRqOa5o8JVWXw-y9in8WsEsHLekM-3U5sNKQWzDp2CpVjtror_UdDu8i1YBXPfIn0Uzwq9mFLLYA6YrKQyFgQ/s320/nancy+egg+cartons.jpg" width="306" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> As my husband and I stood there, practically with our mouths open, Nancy approached us to thank us for coming. We didn't know her, but I feel like we made a friend. She was so warm and delightful! My husband BK used to run a gallery here in Boone many years ago and is familiar with many of the now famous local artists around here. So he told her why and how he was so impressed with her work (does that make sense?). Her response seemed genuinely delighted that he would express such interest in her. She was very open to answering our questions and was very articulate in her descriptions. Bottom line, she fascinated us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As did her work. I couldn't find pictures of my favorite pieces so I must describe the amazing imagery and intricacy of some of the pieces at the show. My favorite piece was a large one that hung vertically and was divided into horizontal spaces of repetitious forms. These forms were wine bottles! We used to have wine shipped to us and I thought, what a shame to throw these Styrofoam forms away....certainly we could use them for something! She created a line of patterns using the positive side of the shape, then in another line she used the negative side of the shape! She also used other pieces of Styrofoam to repeat smaller patterns to frame and divide up the larger sections. I wish I could describe it better, but it was almost spiritual (pardon the pun!) to behold it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another piece that held me spell bound was a smaller one with intricate spaces. It compelled me to get closer to see the details. In this piece she used strips of the very thick (but not dense) cardboard to create patterns of spaces. This was the kind of cardboard that is two horizontal sheets divided by many many lighter vertical sheets. The impression was of little secret spaces all different and all magical little doors of curiosity. I wish you could see it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Something she said about her jump, moving from realistic 2D work to 3D nonobjective work left me thinking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She was extremely well known for her drawings and paintings of old places "still standing" around the countryside of Watauga County. Her work in this genre sold extremely well and people were dying for her to do more and more. She recently went to Italy and took tons of pictures with the intention of coming home to continue in the same vein of successful, sales worthy work. However, when she started trying to churn it out, she hit a wall and just didn't feel the same energy to create it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She asked herself, "Who am I making this for?" A light bulb came on and she realized that painting for someone else wasn't what made her happy. She needed to do art for HERSELF! That's when the light bulb came on for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKGHJb7-Yx0altQn9yVQ2tKcx77yXqSzlHJteyGYVA7llfvbJMnEcdEHgOOPJW9jvUfHDZQaXlVgfjwx7FPpsyRu8ZYQAqpJDKZW6ji02kh1oM2Fs6XzuSA_QEXBfPr0JcpKD4OdpcH0/s1600/Nancy+totems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKGHJb7-Yx0altQn9yVQ2tKcx77yXqSzlHJteyGYVA7llfvbJMnEcdEHgOOPJW9jvUfHDZQaXlVgfjwx7FPpsyRu8ZYQAqpJDKZW6ji02kh1oM2Fs6XzuSA_QEXBfPr0JcpKD4OdpcH0/s400/Nancy+totems.jpg" width="198" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I churn out beads all the time with the pure intention of making some money. Well yeah, I gotta pay for my glass and gas somehow, but is it making me happy? More than often, I find myself veering away from "the plan," and I just play with my molten, colorful, reactive glass. It's not always about success, even fails can be fun. That's when I'm making beads for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As artists, that's the best thing we can do for ourselves, is just create to please YOU. The more you do it, the more likely it will be that you end up doing something that pleases others in ways that exceed your own expectations. How awesome that must feel!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I leave you now to explore the links above to the story of Nancys' work on her website, and in the news paper stories about her. There you can get a feel for the warm, lovely and talented lady she is, plus see more of her work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy! </span><br />
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<br />CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-80448091429128402642012-07-12T12:00:00.000-04:002012-08-21T13:06:56.789-04:00Soup From Jane!<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2fmIIiA9ISK2gacGvGXmaCF3RsVTjI-77QhEcVPnHriK3G4rQG-CuGF1GEO6Ak8H9_rZp8aEA3rmNnaHvR28N2MhkBBUeyWLkh5hyphenhypheniwNGx-cPiwdJ5y2R0vwcUlivWmvPNmbHLwRUWM/s1600/100_3303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2fmIIiA9ISK2gacGvGXmaCF3RsVTjI-77QhEcVPnHriK3G4rQG-CuGF1GEO6Ak8H9_rZp8aEA3rmNnaHvR28N2MhkBBUeyWLkh5hyphenhypheniwNGx-cPiwdJ5y2R0vwcUlivWmvPNmbHLwRUWM/s400/100_3303.jpg" width="400" /></a></h3>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Oh boy! Don't these look like the most yummy ingredients? I hope my photography is doing them justice. I certainly took enough different pictures! But finally, I think I captured the right composition to present <a href="http://mjanedesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jane Haag</a>'s lovely gift in the right light.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a close up view of Jane's handcrafted silver pieces. This is my favorite part of the soup. To me, the best part of this challenge is to be able to hold little pieces of art that were made with the heart, soul, and sweat of another artist.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All of these pieces were stamped, soldered and forged by Jane. The flower will absolutely make the best focal, as she needlessly sent me two. I keep dreaming up different arrangements for using these pieces in a jewelry design, and I haven't decided anything for sure, but never doubt these will be the highlight of the piece! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jane sent me a nice selection of ceramic, pressed, and lampwork beads. They all coordinate with the African Kazuri Bead which is the alternate focal</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">I'd never heard of Kazuri beads, but since Jane sent me one as an alternate focal, I knew it must be special. When I Google'd it, I learned there's a <a href="http://www.kazuribeadseast.com/Kazuri_Story.html" target="_blank">charming story</a> behind these "small and beautiful" works of art. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3f_y8cfR6LGvrpDsssrbw02sseo8Vi2hKduskWCFTl4XeATKCDZ497Ie-Cxezm5DKxj8yi6AU3HYy6KLDxRmCCO61UMPVSFTIeo5ewinWBJtAD0VO5uH8z_Je5dsiwiK93s7h1fqmUE/s1600/100_3307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3f_y8cfR6LGvrpDsssrbw02sseo8Vi2hKduskWCFTl4XeATKCDZ497Ie-Cxezm5DKxj8yi6AU3HYy6KLDxRmCCO61UMPVSFTIeo5ewinWBJtAD0VO5uH8z_Je5dsiwiK93s7h1fqmUE/s320/100_3307.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">She also sent me some jasper cubes to compliment the whole set. I particularly like the ceramic beads! They are so earthy, yet they have an organized stripe design on them. The pressed glass is also really lovely. I think they will make a nice bracelet combined with the Kazuri bead.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq0cWMDloDwQpL2UktfKtQRWd6zKusSk6-TTsLN4MdKz3DwCeKyPVShUWZofb1vpYUqeJNjrtBISBvZqJn1DLQrlIeiXToGv_IOYnBW5_B2lat8vXn0_2qm0r4IWVS_ji2IDwDA4V4Bs/s1600/100_3308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizq0cWMDloDwQpL2UktfKtQRWd6zKusSk6-TTsLN4MdKz3DwCeKyPVShUWZofb1vpYUqeJNjrtBISBvZqJn1DLQrlIeiXToGv_IOYnBW5_B2lat8vXn0_2qm0r4IWVS_ji2IDwDA4V4Bs/s320/100_3308.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">I love the silver leaves and flowers she sent me. I'm fairly sure these will be used in the necklace I'm going to make with Jane's other silver pieces. She didn't mention the brass spacers as being her own handy work, but they are stamped and I think they would look neat in an earring design. I've linked three together and we'll see if that works. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is going to be such a fun adventure! I am VERY glad we have an August 25th reveal date! If that doesn't give me enough time then I'm just a louse! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jane, thank you so much for selecting such a neat collection of your stash to share with me. I hope I can do it justice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now I'll Show You What I Sent to Jane</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I<b> </b>had a time deciding what I wanted to send her. I have a lot of beads! So my strategy was to pick out one of my favorite focal beads and work around that. Seems logical? It took me long enough to figure it out. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBKlMhLL8O379MuLq_tBcfVtyMlRGHl4Uo4G5VxNG0v2rbtAR_BoCcTuexKaCVxSwp4q0lnLJ-5fgnoPiQgCOcs7m7GdR8cmwA6uQ4wDYIZZHo5n4xyU3ATP_5umxG7dW-UV8KYExOz8/s1600/100_3278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBKlMhLL8O379MuLq_tBcfVtyMlRGHl4Uo4G5VxNG0v2rbtAR_BoCcTuexKaCVxSwp4q0lnLJ-5fgnoPiQgCOcs7m7GdR8cmwA6uQ4wDYIZZHo5n4xyU3ATP_5umxG7dW-UV8KYExOz8/s400/100_3278.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This arrangement is the only photo I have. I just poured the beads and other nick-knacks into a bowl, like soup. Therefore it is sort of hard to see the details and differences between them. The focal bead is at the top of the picture, but it doesn't contrast very well with the disc beads. I bet Jane does a better job of showing them than I have. </span></div>
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CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-84277561411436498872012-07-10T12:53:00.000-04:002012-07-10T12:54:35.849-04:00Stuff Going On<span style="font-size: large;">I'm still waiting to hear from my Bead Soup partner <a href="http://mjanedesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jane Haag, of MJDesigns</a> so that I can show you what she sent me! Also waiting for the postal service to deliver the wire and other components I'm planning to use for my Bead Soup jewelry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Got my<a href="http://www.beaddesignstudiomag.com/" target="_blank"> "Bead Design Studio"</a> magazine today, and what do you know? There's an article in their "Marketing 101" section about Blogging! You know, tips to get your work seen and sold? Anyway, it was a pleasant surprise to read that <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank">Lori Anderson</a> is one of the main people they interviewed to talk about blogging and how to get your work seen by others! Kinda feels like I know a celebrity! There were lots of neat tips and ideas to jumpstart a blog. Lori is the perfect person to ask about that, especially since she's the one who inspired me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I did some "hopping" this morning, I ran across a post about one of Lori's "GiveAway's." She's always doing them and she is such a generous lady! To win one of the lovely things she brought back from the Bead and Button Show,</span><br />
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You MUST:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1) Post on your blog about this,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2) Leave a comment below her blog with your favorite giveaway</b></span></div>
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optional</span></div>
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3) Facebook about this</span></div>
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4) Twitter about this</span></div>
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In your comments, please let Lori know what you've done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>CONTEST ENDS Friday the 13th of July</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>(how can that day be unlucky????)</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I'm in it to win it! I commented that I would love to win anything she has to offer such as a selection of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bead-Soup-Projects-Happens-Beaders/dp/0871164426/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341683341&sr=1-1&keywords=bead+soup" target="_blank">"bits and bobs,</a>" jewelry components that are so pretty and inspiring. Then there's her<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bead-Soup-Projects-Happens-Beaders/dp/0871164426/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341683341&sr=1-1&keywords=bead+soup" target="_blank"> Bead Soup Book</a>! I would love that just to read more about how she does it. Can you imagine what she puts into a project like this? She is also offering her<b> </b><b> <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/p/shops.html">eBook on blogging inspirations</a></b><a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/p/shops.html">.</a> And a neat <b><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/lorianderson.594614215">"I'm a Bead Souper!" tote bag! </a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wish me luck!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE WEATHER </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">As most of us in the United States know, it's hot as blue blazes out there! North Carolina was promised a "cold front" to come thru today, but I think the dang thing has stalled. It's overcast and about 78 degrees. I shouldn't complain, it could certainly be worse! I am sympathetic to those of you suffering triple digit weather....we've hit a hundred here too for a couple or three days. </span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">But I moved out of Louisiana and up to the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC to get away from the heat! The idea of not needing an air conditioner in the summer sounded like heaven to me. So here we are in these beautiful mountains with no AC. I'm sure ole Al Gore is doing a happy dance! I may have to move in with Sarah Palin to have year round AC.</span></div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-55532132176515071812012-07-06T14:41:00.001-04:002012-08-21T13:06:32.954-04:00Got My Ingredients!<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I was excited to receive my package of Bead Soup ingredients from my partner Jane Haag of <a href="http://www.mjanedesigns.com/" target="_blank">MJane Designs</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCOke72IkaDeNsxNThrTPv3q1IimiRAjVwhnGzfFCu7NDOTwLd8POmSutJ3BI3sqNd_mgua8BO_Of3ODUFUg_hdmEHTjFclymgtWpQvO6jonM9vXGf5QysfTmkch1sqU1NLGx6Sq8fiY/s1600/day98+ingredients+gumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCOke72IkaDeNsxNThrTPv3q1IimiRAjVwhnGzfFCu7NDOTwLd8POmSutJ3BI3sqNd_mgua8BO_Of3ODUFUg_hdmEHTjFclymgtWpQvO6jonM9vXGf5QysfTmkch1sqU1NLGx6Sq8fiY/s320/day98+ingredients+gumbo.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I opened the package, she presented me with 2 lovely gift boxes wrapped in raffia bows! It was like having a surprise party! I guess that's why it's called a Bead Soup Party....duh!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Inside each box were beads, spacers and of course a lovely handmade focal and clasp. She gave me SO much to work with. I think I have enough to make a necklace, a bracelet and probably a couple of earrings. I kinda feel like I was stingy with the ingredients I sent her. Is it fair to send more extra spices after the initial mailing date?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know how much I can divulge about the contents but I'm sure it's OK to say that Jane has lovely taste! Lori did a good job of pairing us up because I sent Jane mostly my lampwork beads. Jane being a silversmith sent me some of her beautiful handmade pieces! The focal she sent was of course her own work of art, as well as the clasp....I love them! She sent me some beautiful hammered pieces in silver too. Each set was labeled as her own, or where they came from....She sent an extra focal that came from Africa, but that wasn't necessary since her own handmade focal was the best thing in the whole package!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I've arranged and rearranged about 25 different combinations for
a jewelry menu, but I'm sure I'll do about 50 more before deciding
since Jane sent so many ingredients! One thing I'm sure of, is that I
will use all of her handmade silver pieces with my
lampwork beads to create my meal; plus use some of the extra beads she sent me as garnish. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I plan to serve set of earrings as an appetizer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tcVQfT4FU7WA9Do2ep94r3eeulGZIB7qyUbT56VNBnzazZB8zFYogVoARpmcDeLU_TJuVK021kvAHm-TwtgywGo5KV2BwKtxY25GZrFDCvYWWA3BG34c8lm9GSNxsrU0u4DPDazAK-c/s1600/appitizer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tcVQfT4FU7WA9Do2ep94r3eeulGZIB7qyUbT56VNBnzazZB8zFYogVoARpmcDeLU_TJuVK021kvAHm-TwtgywGo5KV2BwKtxY25GZrFDCvYWWA3BG34c8lm9GSNxsrU0u4DPDazAK-c/s200/appitizer.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy7y-Pd3AxvtyHyJ69GHyWozKgAUfYLkOCSOUSyHFvJXQE0o3m4uqGmewWUix_QPTFb7DgNBe4D0ZUp4gCed8SGDdfmCXSdcKMWnrh0LCJXw9X1kneY3JCVYqvnMGQEYMXG_ET5rDw80/s1600/french+bread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQy7y-Pd3AxvtyHyJ69GHyWozKgAUfYLkOCSOUSyHFvJXQE0o3m4uqGmewWUix_QPTFb7DgNBe4D0ZUp4gCed8SGDdfmCXSdcKMWnrh0LCJXw9X1kneY3JCVYqvnMGQEYMXG_ET5rDw80/s200/french+bread.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> A bracelet will be served as
the bread (Southern cooks always provide bread with the soup).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_IzL1iTTqVMFo94M_lGbyu-7WG39jTjJqKW11hyphenhyphen6et2BjU1A_5GuoMWHVjOhyJyTXDJ0-Hhh6gBBm5jigRa7TKZyvWG_LLU_ulVe4iDD5e098AyedJbeijHzXNc-dr1aEcSOCq1YJTI/s1600/the+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_IzL1iTTqVMFo94M_lGbyu-7WG39jTjJqKW11hyphenhyphen6et2BjU1A_5GuoMWHVjOhyJyTXDJ0-Hhh6gBBm5jigRa7TKZyvWG_LLU_ulVe4iDD5e098AyedJbeijHzXNc-dr1aEcSOCq1YJTI/s320/the+meal.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The main course will be the necklace because the combination of her silver with my beads will make for a hearty meal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't
know if the set will match, but variety is the "spice" of life! Right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Bon Appetit!</span><br />
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<br />CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-71031510679286661162012-06-26T17:12:00.000-04:002012-06-26T17:12:33.876-04:00♪♫ Corina, Corina ♫♪ and ♪♫Heather Trimlett Too♫♪<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBNGY1F3JJQCgcTlcTCgmDHdhfiGepYu6GT6SnUwSVdif7xfmHFmBzHb-X_FTfoR4QpsPTHDz_GyZVlfts_yvoE0vp0CQFPzpzG5eMzC6lIDNOwA2cHLRfDo-8DyIQ9Rqtz_DwHrOuFE/s1600/passing+the+flame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBNGY1F3JJQCgcTlcTCgmDHdhfiGepYu6GT6SnUwSVdif7xfmHFmBzHb-X_FTfoR4QpsPTHDz_GyZVlfts_yvoE0vp0CQFPzpzG5eMzC6lIDNOwA2cHLRfDo-8DyIQ9Rqtz_DwHrOuFE/s320/passing+the+flame.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.corinabeads.com/" target="_blank">To learn more about Corina Tettinger click here.</a></td></tr>
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So I finally broke down and bought <u>Passing The Flame</u>, by Corina
Tettinger. It's been around forever and I think she's done at least 4
editions. I'd put it off because a) it's pricey, and b) I thought I
knew it all. Well, I actually found it on Amazon used at about 25% off,
and then I found out I DIDN'T know it all! I'm so glad I have it now.
Corina has a new fan too!<br />
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Her book was so inspiring because she gave instructions on how to make every bead she pictures in the book. She writes from the heart so you can almost hear her voice when you read it. <br />
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I learned some tips and tricks that I thought I knew how to do, but she showed me a better way to do them........if that makes any sense to you.<br />
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One day I'm going to take a class from her while I'm down in Florida where she teaches almost every year. I'd really just love to meet her. <br />
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She sells her beads on her website (click above) and they go just as fast as she posts them. Her signature bead has a little green frog perched on the side. A friend of mine has one of her bracelets and it's gorgeous!<br />
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Heather Trimlett is another beadmaker who has inspired me. She is the "Queen of the Twistie!" To the left are a pair of earrings I bought from her last year at "The Gathering" along with her Twistie Tutorial and the really cool tools that come with it. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIyCvec6NdOxknk7FKllrG2QfHv6iB4K3M9x1idiQhfrmhwcaOPt6hxw3EZ5esk3ndjJeuZkGoxZRXFSqZoOY0WEZa_humLQjmY9fTqPwUgDM2g5HD0Rl_pC7BJajMxdhdN9o49j6iNY/s1600/heather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIyCvec6NdOxknk7FKllrG2QfHv6iB4K3M9x1idiQhfrmhwcaOPt6hxw3EZ5esk3ndjJeuZkGoxZRXFSqZoOY0WEZa_humLQjmY9fTqPwUgDM2g5HD0Rl_pC7BJajMxdhdN9o49j6iNY/s320/heather.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_QAXGyPizF5Rn0F61oPdbaXoWlo1FnA-sFhhyphenhyphen8FP1kPdC6sZ42zpN4THf_xkyocBP2e7dviyCO5rQEBvZqHkSEF3RXmqtdDrtaZbenMNTF6-nseYwOV4onM-_IAeQawN3QdLARg5dgo/s1600/heather2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_QAXGyPizF5Rn0F61oPdbaXoWlo1FnA-sFhhyphenhyphen8FP1kPdC6sZ42zpN4THf_xkyocBP2e7dviyCO5rQEBvZqHkSEF3RXmqtdDrtaZbenMNTF6-nseYwOV4onM-_IAeQawN3QdLARg5dgo/s1600/heather2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://heathertrimlett.com/" target="_blank">Click here to go to Heather Trimletts website.</a></td></tr>
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Right below are some beads that the "Queen" herself made. I hope she doesn't mind me showing this picture in my blog.....it's free advertisement! <br />
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One day while reading over Heather's web site I saw her "40 Bead Challenge." It was a challenge to us beadmakers to stretch our imagination and develop more eye hand muscle coordination. The deal was to use only 2 colors of glass, a dipped mandrel, fire, and gravity. No tools allowed, no raised bumps, and all the beads should be round and as close to the same size as possible. Well, this seemed like a pretty good way to stretch my eye hand muscles and see what my imagination could come up with. <br />
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I chose CIM Freeman and CIM Tuxedo. I started out simple and got progressively more complex. Well, after a while, I did get very bored with just black and blue, and I wanted soooo badly to do some raised dots, but I stuck by the rules. There was one bonus, there was a reaction between the Tuxedo and Freeman rendering a silver halo effect around the blue, very interesting! I tried some designs that just came into my brain, I tried the "tried and true" and I ended up with a set of matching beads that I believe I can sell. These little suckers took me 4 days to make, averaging 10 or so beads a day. The time consuming part was SLOWLY melting in the dots so as not to distort them. You can probably spot a few in there where patience escaped me. And NO, I didn't cheat, I did not make any other types of beads until all 40 were done. Next time I'm going to use 3 colors and I'm doing raised bumps too. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZCUt-TJSiFZgv2W6WqRsXzeKe6mOTAUZY26wCXw1X4UXATbUSBEhR5gBbMqd1EqqQavZk2lGqKbCuxHaOqts2-ZRZAnpzJ-uXvmsDaUlTEFLTaKmF3xwZi2vMXnzfTM-hPr3cIDy7kE/s1600/40+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZCUt-TJSiFZgv2W6WqRsXzeKe6mOTAUZY26wCXw1X4UXATbUSBEhR5gBbMqd1EqqQavZk2lGqKbCuxHaOqts2-ZRZAnpzJ-uXvmsDaUlTEFLTaKmF3xwZi2vMXnzfTM-hPr3cIDy7kE/s320/40+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Be sure and check out Corina and Heather's websites, there are so many beautiful things to see there and so much to learn......and of course buy!</div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-39395723643961277632012-06-25T15:17:00.000-04:002012-07-10T13:02:34.674-04:00Just Mailed My Soup to Jane!<span style="font-size: large;">My Bead Soup Partner is <a href="http://mjanedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-take-lot-of-pictures.html?showComment=1341935940113#c4861630593467037723" target="_blank">Jane Haag</a>. She and I have been in touch, sharing addresses and websites. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I selected some of my favorite beads with some sweet colors and I already know that she's going to make something absolutely gorgeous with them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am now anxiously waiting to see what she sends to me! She is a silver-smith and she has some really lovely work on her <a href="http://mjanedesigns.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. I already know the clasp she will send me will be amazing! </span>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-76152307545896990252012-06-21T12:50:00.000-04:002012-06-21T15:06:14.504-04:00Bead Soup!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW93-vKhvqHYA37tf8a0BUgDlqbsxUuSIZeuH41orb5vb4F9yHjkIe6VmElHKYm2O4hRuFwHX4GXmC8G1VIlizyJUGu5Kjzi2ScASuErK0g2Z8AFTWrZdteQDe9er7Vkdfj-_ADXumzIA/s1600/complimentary+tab2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW93-vKhvqHYA37tf8a0BUgDlqbsxUuSIZeuH41orb5vb4F9yHjkIe6VmElHKYm2O4hRuFwHX4GXmC8G1VIlizyJUGu5Kjzi2ScASuErK0g2Z8AFTWrZdteQDe9er7Vkdfj-_ADXumzIA/s200/complimentary+tab2.jpg" width="120" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg2h8vFCKNEy75Rnmw_O6wfTaA1jfi_iFwa3C-DkBv9sbPlccsuTckDh6bTxK8eL8oVQDs2jtlHswEvv-9qehUetk1hwc1y1iOB5YUBbw3KXOtIqIcJHm9fpLrdOOd36dckgQNdv9hZg/s1600/Raku+and+amber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJg2h8vFCKNEy75Rnmw_O6wfTaA1jfi_iFwa3C-DkBv9sbPlccsuTckDh6bTxK8eL8oVQDs2jtlHswEvv-9qehUetk1hwc1y1iOB5YUBbw3KXOtIqIcJHm9fpLrdOOd36dckgQNdv9hZg/s200/Raku+and+amber.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="64" /></a><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm very excited to be a participant in Lori Andersons' <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bead Soup Party</a>! It is my first time and I hope I'm able to put together something interesting for my partner. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thing is, I'm not much of a jewelry maker. I am a lampwork artist and that's where I'd prefer to spend my time. Now, that doesn't mean I don't have some findings and other necessary supplies to make jewelry, I have to make things with my beads to wear sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6HbVdzHLZzy_b-Cvgk8iZkGxUu_MD3h27249jbG4PQiHrn6f5klT2wvorhe-eXOqxtMnESA5qYUiWdpuNW-Ou6CicIO2Tu7bkBpG2mdoEBVhC1iU4Ck87jA59kwRA7K133sh3nrMLus/s1600/gold+ruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6HbVdzHLZzy_b-Cvgk8iZkGxUu_MD3h27249jbG4PQiHrn6f5klT2wvorhe-eXOqxtMnESA5qYUiWdpuNW-Ou6CicIO2Tu7bkBpG2mdoEBVhC1iU4Ck87jA59kwRA7K133sh3nrMLus/s200/gold+ruby.jpg" width="106" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This past winter, I spent some time with my friend Marie Weulfing who taught me some of her tips and tricks of the jewelry making trade. She makes lovely pieces, and she's a very good customer! I'm also one of her good customers since I often give her a handful of my favorite beads and ask her to make me something with them for me. So under her tutelage, I've learned some of the skills I'll need to know to put together something that looks professional.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMINjSA6CzimvLhxaSaMsl_OElPO-DWFy96xU6jxWf3XbM09HS01oMC3ieqR0iK-q5QocZcHp_q0vET-lY7KhLkaKiKmRpZRB70ShO_DC8gsIl76qLW_9eBYY2aQBxqPPKter869YTNc/s1600/burgundy+barrel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMINjSA6CzimvLhxaSaMsl_OElPO-DWFy96xU6jxWf3XbM09HS01oMC3ieqR0iK-q5QocZcHp_q0vET-lY7KhLkaKiKmRpZRB70ShO_DC8gsIl76qLW_9eBYY2aQBxqPPKter869YTNc/s200/burgundy+barrel1.jpg" width="113" /></a>So in the mean time, I'm on the look out for new ideas for jewelry designs. I like to hang out on Etsy and Artfire to look at all the beautiful work that designers put on the web. There's no end to the inspiration I find there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FHdP848orQte2iyqtRxpAngdi3R1L87eu8UUAS4v6BVIM8JgZfE-cf7fbWyl7cWrq4AyFFBfctZa3N1qePVXxoWM9IMMjatwBvkKKmBU2osdRczpo5isHgA_S4tp7EfHYMi4al_K2aQ/s1600/ruby+gold2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FHdP848orQte2iyqtRxpAngdi3R1L87eu8UUAS4v6BVIM8JgZfE-cf7fbWyl7cWrq4AyFFBfctZa3N1qePVXxoWM9IMMjatwBvkKKmBU2osdRczpo5isHgA_S4tp7EfHYMi4al_K2aQ/s200/ruby+gold2.jpg" width="83" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">While I was in FL this winter, I made so many beads! I've selected just a few focal beads to show off here. I will have a hard time deciding which beads I'll send to my partner. I know that she doesn't have to use all the beads I send to her, but I'm hoping she will. I'm going to select beads that coordinate. I'll probably go to Michaels and pick up some cute charms and complimentary elements that should make it easy for my partner to get inspired. </span></div>
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</div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-21501268031448862912012-04-02T15:01:00.000-04:002012-06-21T15:07:06.936-04:00The Need to Bead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been way too long since the last time I wrote. I have no excuses, just haven't done it. I usually do it when I'm inspired by other blogger friends. I guess what I need to do is keep an open tab on my computer to remind me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ87UdonqwkMguM0rY_ALlM7ss-FXrFiNckCQkyl6dPHFiOXvTtx_tRw6LsUEUg0Mx8dfhuCiOqaGbG7aXIISNFbU46HKstAI6Yu-BDIGm6WyHhFjrsiJIJCJz8AMxquDhtaqavNg0hs/s1600/fall,+martha+and+beth+and+beads+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZ87UdonqwkMguM0rY_ALlM7ss-FXrFiNckCQkyl6dPHFiOXvTtx_tRw6LsUEUg0Mx8dfhuCiOqaGbG7aXIISNFbU46HKstAI6Yu-BDIGm6WyHhFjrsiJIJCJz8AMxquDhtaqavNg0hs/s200/fall,+martha+and+beth+and+beads+058.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvRjQubiKh754b-iHgtO23i5_9w5YbJPj107l9aHYZte0mC2uSyULqd7z6m3VikOJzqM5n-Gsa_Xvf6KaKyT6paAlvsg4n4vprABlv1aLqy5A2nX7-TjRULrI_IaJ0lnK4zSI4uC6Bas/s1600/ring+cream+hung.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvRjQubiKh754b-iHgtO23i5_9w5YbJPj107l9aHYZte0mC2uSyULqd7z6m3VikOJzqM5n-Gsa_Xvf6KaKyT6paAlvsg4n4vprABlv1aLqy5A2nX7-TjRULrI_IaJ0lnK4zSI4uC6Bas/s200/ring+cream+hung.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvURclxbhHrk60jJhONjslmXQ5cLfsGHEyD_WFEA9XkTxnMme2c-L9PthLZLoDLPq50_lkVbdYY0fG1_b7ll6LCR3_YxgRoB1rEx-ZAqUTcyFCn0dI0lia97ZcR3XvxuDNoSiNo2zWg0/s1600/fire+lotus+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvURclxbhHrk60jJhONjslmXQ5cLfsGHEyD_WFEA9XkTxnMme2c-L9PthLZLoDLPq50_lkVbdYY0fG1_b7ll6LCR3_YxgRoB1rEx-ZAqUTcyFCn0dI0lia97ZcR3XvxuDNoSiNo2zWg0/s200/fire+lotus+1.jpg" width="76" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkWr7i7T9XNCHkFFXGIlCWPujHcts3lrjALx04NyqxdnpXf06ul9fACBtSj8AwbWS3Hz_kGGnUkF1h0cKNkyXtekK8XhiyLh4A6fEjdJ2TIGb3s3yZteZ7OMj1CLELBW51VLc7Ew58ic/s1600/fall,+martha+and+beth+and+beads+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEkWr7i7T9XNCHkFFXGIlCWPujHcts3lrjALx04NyqxdnpXf06ul9fACBtSj8AwbWS3Hz_kGGnUkF1h0cKNkyXtekK8XhiyLh4A6fEjdJ2TIGb3s3yZteZ7OMj1CLELBW51VLc7Ew58ic/s200/fall,+martha+and+beth+and+beads+021.JPG" width="150" /></a>I have been in Florida for the last 6 months where I was able to spend a lot of time on the torch. I had the opportunity to take a class while I was down there with Roscio Bearer. I also spent some time with my friend Marie Weulfing who is also a bead maker. I didn't get to spend much time with my friend Shirley Groser, which I regret, but we keep up on the phone and Facebook. I was really hoping to get to do a little "big glass" work with Rick, but he wasn't doing any classes because he was busy with working on his own body of work. Maybe next year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOUqNsoynj2ixQUA8XoCAIjA7R0r2LlI09CjsJh7pR_6y-s0_X6q10ToUK44kIzxZxfmRvSHqjmj8bSyHF224i5usSKcfrXR8TTcSsekhxxWzK-tJAOhSJigcu6xrKAkcDjpxng5FxPo/s1600/beads+and+flora+of+florida+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOUqNsoynj2ixQUA8XoCAIjA7R0r2LlI09CjsJh7pR_6y-s0_X6q10ToUK44kIzxZxfmRvSHqjmj8bSyHF224i5usSKcfrXR8TTcSsekhxxWzK-tJAOhSJigcu6xrKAkcDjpxng5FxPo/s200/beads+and+flora+of+florida+022.JPG" width="121" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZd9wtuqSlmT_NXdwWWn1s6PCsbeEGOE9HJrXPfp2VrUIpDkDx4GkQQ5wgwohyYhLZcu6anlS-t5KgaPkArt6TJ5EdnCfbhrUFy5fqTuGGZ8ZbKY2dxAQOofWyL1NCD2_NVNut0ofFtQ/s1600/hephalump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZd9wtuqSlmT_NXdwWWn1s6PCsbeEGOE9HJrXPfp2VrUIpDkDx4GkQQ5wgwohyYhLZcu6anlS-t5KgaPkArt6TJ5EdnCfbhrUFy5fqTuGGZ8ZbKY2dxAQOofWyL1NCD2_NVNut0ofFtQ/s200/hephalump.jpg" width="117" /></a> So, while in Florida I made tons of beads. I have such a stash I've
gotten way too far behind photographing and posting them on Etsy or
Artfire. That's another one of my shortcomings....photography and
prepping the photos to be posted online. Here's a few pics of some of
my work.<br />
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So as I inserted these pictures, I got very frustrated! Another reason I have a hard time getting off my butt to write in my blog is frustration! I really wanted to arrange these photos differently, but they just wouldn't move where I wanted them to, so this is what I got. <br />
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<br /></div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-73560898206750970972012-03-29T13:27:00.000-04:002012-06-24T00:36:15.809-04:00A Community of Hearts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ever since I started making glass beads way back in 1995, I have met some of the nicest people and made some very good friends who share my interest in lampwork and jewelry.</div>
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Something about the people I've met, and some I only know via the Internet, are special in a unique way. Most of the folks are bead makers who I have admired and aspired to be as skilled as they are. Some of the people I've come across are jewelry artists who buy my beads to create their special works of art. I've never met a soul who hasn't given me pleasure to know and share with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wz-MhU1W47CW9NeIMYgUZflXc0TekJYaZLQ1iKGsYY5-QaklxKHZDK4tIsaYj9LMvd5jXf53nkE9xq3ieWzHoHTaO5G5DGVHP_SaY-Bk9bDEPqVrD9MEixC6AWgY9KHpboSw4Ipn8p0/s1600/Louisville+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wz-MhU1W47CW9NeIMYgUZflXc0TekJYaZLQ1iKGsYY5-QaklxKHZDK4tIsaYj9LMvd5jXf53nkE9xq3ieWzHoHTaO5G5DGVHP_SaY-Bk9bDEPqVrD9MEixC6AWgY9KHpboSw4Ipn8p0/s200/Louisville+005.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0Bbd3kyjkjsUiA4Cqjg9IiqXdWWfwTBFRJ2sDz0ba67XhT3TYVwFO7wxr0wUSgtmEGP-ba5zFjN6mX6k0PfaCQx6YbaMjWwvix4lsaxzQeWy5992DDRI_yh-Dq-aTvB_iZK-Md2ioDE/s1600/Louisville+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0Bbd3kyjkjsUiA4Cqjg9IiqXdWWfwTBFRJ2sDz0ba67XhT3TYVwFO7wxr0wUSgtmEGP-ba5zFjN6mX6k0PfaCQx6YbaMjWwvix4lsaxzQeWy5992DDRI_yh-Dq-aTvB_iZK-Md2ioDE/s200/Louisville+012.JPG" width="200" /></a>Around 2000 I started teaching lampworking on a HotHead torch at "Stone and Paper Art Studio" in Mandeville, LA. Mary Elaine Bernard was my boss and she has become one the dearest friends I have. I made tons of friends who were interested in learning this new medium, and we had a ball doing it. A couple of my students went on to become very accomplished bead makers! The point is, having the experience to work with Mary Elaine and all the students I taught was a blessing. By the way, Mary Elaines son Eddie Bernard is a well known glass blower in New Orleans! I admired his work for years and through his mother he has also befriended me....but that's another story!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEl9NJcTp0-NwKKrrKLkN_vZ41tpf0aHNO8fchWgfK7ECbUl3BZz0PH1mZBv8vbzYadRxPDMwzKFbx7hGo1FIHgNkPGFq_MwGAGYdYlv1jPgjn80Cxb53fbyvY-JV9UdXqYlhgWwxWk/s1600/Louisville+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SEl9NJcTp0-NwKKrrKLkN_vZ41tpf0aHNO8fchWgfK7ECbUl3BZz0PH1mZBv8vbzYadRxPDMwzKFbx7hGo1FIHgNkPGFq_MwGAGYdYlv1jPgjn80Cxb53fbyvY-JV9UdXqYlhgWwxWk/s200/Louisville+028.JPG" width="150" /></a>I sort of fell out of the habit of making beads during a troubling time in my life, but when I picked it back up in 2005, I sought out people of like minds to learn from. Of course that brought me more new friends! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp_CuWhxIsaz4M9BzHs3zyDI0_A4sKzqqJvte1pIjJNhKGYo_BAnmPq5oM52xC4Ttfw5ZrR83rKfiHAvhL6tcWz5cYrm32_xBYQTkxZUdpY3olJBB2izntbCWGkZQiNHEkN90E0WK6DY/s1600/Louisville+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp_CuWhxIsaz4M9BzHs3zyDI0_A4sKzqqJvte1pIjJNhKGYo_BAnmPq5oM52xC4Ttfw5ZrR83rKfiHAvhL6tcWz5cYrm32_xBYQTkxZUdpY3olJBB2izntbCWGkZQiNHEkN90E0WK6DY/s200/Louisville+067.JPG" width="200" /></a>I started searching out beadmkers in my area. I found Shirley Groser in Jensen Beach, FL and she and I have become buddies ever since. She showed me how she does boro and let me give it a try...I found that I was just going to stick to soft glass! She and I attended out first Gathering together in Louisville, KY. There I made even more friends, people I've run across on eBay, Etsy, and Artfire. The Gathering has turned out to be a turning point for me in "gathering" more friends ever since. I've decided to volunteer to work with the ISGB on one of their committees and I'm going to volunteer 8 hours at the next Gathering in Seattle. I can't wait! I'm going with another great friend, Marie Woelfing who I mentioned in my previous blog. </div>
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Another big venue I've found for making friends is Beads and More classifieds on Yahoo where I've sold lots of my beads and have found outstanding bargains on jewelry findings, books, tutorials and more. Today I got a message there that Lori Anderson of "Bead Soup" is giving away some wonderful DVD's! Check out her blog here.......<a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/">http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com</a>/. I plan on participating in her next Bead Soup project. BaM classifies has been a great place to find friends who share my joy of creation!</div>
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All in all, I love to collect friends! They are better than beads, aren't expensive, and don't break!</div>
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<br /></div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-53532280529808161612011-10-05T15:21:00.000-04:002012-06-21T15:03:38.497-04:00Wheaton Arts Festival<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have long heard of the Wheaton Glass Arts Village and wished to go there to learn more about the history of American glass.</span><br />
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<b>"History of WheatonArts</b>
The important American glass industry began in southern New
Jersey because of the availability of natural resources such
as wood, sand, soda ash and silica. The nation’s earliest
successful glass factory was founded in 1789 by Caspar Wistar
in nearby Salem County in Millville. Many of the nation’s
foremost glass factories operate in South Jersey." (from wheatonarts.org)</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My friend Marie Woelfing called me about a month prior to tell me she had the great honor of demonstrating the art of making glass beads for the Annual Wheaton Arts Fall Festival! I was so excited for her and it gave me a great excuse to go. I had never done anymore than pass through the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware and this gave me the opportunity to see a little more.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Cna6Dgl6Bwu9YJvn_RlJLdSiZVvDDibt9-je2eTMn68Safmk-CK8hlp97REh-Dde8LkJ5ZfUjz27MR50YVuIE5V5qvNGwCOFK3Ytvwd_tNvrF59JlBJD2uW0Osy_Mnx5Z8E_zC-DDQ/s1600/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+031+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1Cna6Dgl6Bwu9YJvn_RlJLdSiZVvDDibt9-je2eTMn68Safmk-CK8hlp97REh-Dde8LkJ5ZfUjz27MR50YVuIE5V5qvNGwCOFK3Ytvwd_tNvrF59JlBJD2uW0Osy_Mnx5Z8E_zC-DDQ/s320/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+031+-+Copy.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> So we traveled to Millville, NJ on a great adventure! The first thing I did was look for Marie. Here she is making beads and showing her audience how she makes a glass bead. That's her husband Otto in the background, he is a lapidary artist and makes some gorgeous cabs from what look like ordinary rocks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Marie is also a very talented and skilled jewelry designer using her own beads (mine too! she's one of my best customers) crystals and sterling silver to make bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and key chains. She and Otto spend lots of time on the road going to craft fairs selling their wares. They seem to do very well at all their venues otherwise I can't imagine doing it. Marie and Otto enjoy it, the travel, and their common interests including dancing! They are quite the little couple!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wlDMf0WSAOeAes3DZqWFKAvMMVQLXl5p5onxquCrfYK-ieml-WuhQHfDBKJrlkcBkRInVW3LUuu__8sQIDVl8geMb-6rtxs7HX9lpb8rWx4bjIJZZXgl0XI0w3v2y0sUd0rcv549gSM/s1600/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+029+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wlDMf0WSAOeAes3DZqWFKAvMMVQLXl5p5onxquCrfYK-ieml-WuhQHfDBKJrlkcBkRInVW3LUuu__8sQIDVl8geMb-6rtxs7HX9lpb8rWx4bjIJZZXgl0XI0w3v2y0sUd0rcv549gSM/s200/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+029+-+Copy.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After my husband and I had scoped out some of the other booths we came back and I reported to Marie some of the different booths she should go and see. She let me spell her for a while and I got to do some demonstrations while she was away. Can't say that anything I made was special. It was kinda like trying to cook in someone else's kitchen, trying to find tools and stringers to do what I wanted to do. It was great fun to take part in Wheaton Arts Festival even though I wasn't the featured artist.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtNFVchBGiOoPSaIvKTq6szE1CE1ycJ5kzI71jLbzH2MHT5H7OpDA3whygLBKrW7OZ317_iixy5OeF9GPBvJNnFf18DqXWpFTjZG9gpP-i-lluDcTdXqemey8ivY4q-yxHeskuX9uzuM/s1600/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtNFVchBGiOoPSaIvKTq6szE1CE1ycJ5kzI71jLbzH2MHT5H7OpDA3whygLBKrW7OZ317_iixy5OeF9GPBvJNnFf18DqXWpFTjZG9gpP-i-lluDcTdXqemey8ivY4q-yxHeskuX9uzuM/s320/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+032.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kesha Koy <a href="http://www.keshakoy.com/">www.keshakoy.com</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While out and about looking at what the other glass artists were doing I met Keysha Koy who creates wonderful pendants with borocilicate glass. As we chatted we discovered we had a friend in common and that was pretty cool! But her pendants were so unique. I wish I had a close up pic of them. They were flatter than the regular boro pendants you see out there everywhere, yet they still had that dimensional quality. Then to top that off she added outside raised elements on one side, the other, or on the outside edges. She had just sold one of the prettiest pendants and was getting ready to put something new up. Below you can see more of the pendants that I described. I've listed her website below, but you can see her work better on Etsy. Just do a search for her in "sellers."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">SO! I'm not through yet, that was just the first day! The next day we came back so that we could see the "Big Glass" workers. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlJWiuQtaRlk_d7WtH7cIvWln0_YYWS6LLbquoNU4Tna3dYMp5TB6ik7CgFaUFYEAOMB1WUx_fGmTcrBZ03SeGl23nKg_68LJbrx79bzw-_zS0HvrwOjuFIuTJdD0AsPSbk3Qkfb3BWA/s1600/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+039+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlJWiuQtaRlk_d7WtH7cIvWln0_YYWS6LLbquoNU4Tna3dYMp5TB6ik7CgFaUFYEAOMB1WUx_fGmTcrBZ03SeGl23nKg_68LJbrx79bzw-_zS0HvrwOjuFIuTJdD0AsPSbk3Qkfb3BWA/s320/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+039+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <br />The first ones we visited were the traveling glassblowers of Wheaton Arts. These guys carry a furnace, bench, annealer and all the tools needed to blow glass on the road to perform demonstrations everywhere from schools to other festivals. While the gaffer created a vase out of purple glass, his partner would describe everything he was doing. Here you see the gaffer being rather flamboyant by blowing holding the pipe up high...most do it more casually. After they finished the demo I went over to the tent where they were selling things that they had made the day before and we had an interesting conversation. Glass people are always interesting to talk to. I bought a purple vase before I left and it was signed on the bottom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We then went to the museum where we saw more glass than we thought was possible. By the time we got out of there it had been 2 hours and we hardly noticed the time go by with so much to see. I learned that the King of England didn't want the Colonists to make glass in America so he wouldn't allow English blowers to go over. But the Colonists finagled German glassblowers to come over and that was where it started! I also learned that a lot of the glass out there that may look like junk may not be, though I wish I could tell the difference.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvdRGaiCYb5dajXQDjzW3VKhnn8Qe6bo-gPqn-E6YhUiT4EysEQiBAtJw1ChhH3ABr_5UQQUgpasw9vtRLYg2nDeAzFXzBZtr8uGRDNj7EcdYR00wDgTl8DsXucxe-aZKbDLq1y8L_bQ/s1600/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvdRGaiCYb5dajXQDjzW3VKhnn8Qe6bo-gPqn-E6YhUiT4EysEQiBAtJw1ChhH3ABr_5UQQUgpasw9vtRLYg2nDeAzFXzBZtr8uGRDNj7EcdYR00wDgTl8DsXucxe-aZKbDLq1y8L_bQ/s200/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+040.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the original stack, circa 1790.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our last stop was to see the original glass furnace of Wheaton and watch the gaffers make glass pumpkins. It was neat to go to the original place where some of the first glass vessels were produced in America. The artists that work here are big names in the glass world and come to places like Wheaton to hone their skills and make new creations. Wish I could tell you this fellows name but I forgot it :( In the picture below the gaffer is standing right in front of the bottom of that stack you see from the outside (on the left). We did end up purchasing a glass pumpkin!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsxwU0_kjdEq6cENE3sNyIZ5oszAw7a96GN_qkL-VssTQuT2Riecxl4hCEIcdBF_w3dO5-aIa9zA_iZGzaRtswnnwP-gTJyhBCOhT4B_jkSHILr92dPEnA2i-Uu7ZoYDff2gYPSN0vvA/s1600/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+043+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsxwU0_kjdEq6cENE3sNyIZ5oszAw7a96GN_qkL-VssTQuT2Riecxl4hCEIcdBF_w3dO5-aIa9zA_iZGzaRtswnnwP-gTJyhBCOhT4B_jkSHILr92dPEnA2i-Uu7ZoYDff2gYPSN0vvA/s320/Trip+to+NJ+and+more+043+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And that is the end of this long tale about my adventure to see the Wheaton Glass Arts Village. Hope I didn't bore you, but there was so much to tell, and believe me I kept it short! It was all so exciting to me and will always be a great memory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7412303916430006769.post-59794737432585605412011-09-27T13:13:00.000-04:002011-10-20T13:27:25.392-04:00To Blog or Not to Blog? That Is the Question!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA1lhtXtGNlz1SCB8SmolS6I-8Z6JGjS4xdb7D3pAd4YV_EFIzPT7itF5AA_ShSVGdoGwRl0RvwHw6Xd0pcceBH_V1tvKxMC3JhlTmJSYtjQ9Er3hqvADyfTGDV_JYQpnOJRGpzIEkCU/s1600/010.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA1lhtXtGNlz1SCB8SmolS6I-8Z6JGjS4xdb7D3pAd4YV_EFIzPT7itF5AA_ShSVGdoGwRl0RvwHw6Xd0pcceBH_V1tvKxMC3JhlTmJSYtjQ9Er3hqvADyfTGDV_JYQpnOJRGpzIEkCU/s200/010.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">As an artist who really wants to just sit at the torch all day </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;">creating
little works of art, I see from what my peers are doing, I must do more
than that. I need to focus on putting the sets of beads that I've
created together and take pictures of them to post on the web for sale!
I must focus on being more savy about promotion and sales of my work.
I've got work on Etsy <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GracefulGlassDesigns">http://www.etsy.com/shop/GracefulGlassDesigns</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/gracefulglassbeads?ref=pr_shop"></a> ArtFire <a href="http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/gracedorsey">http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/gracedorsey</a>, and occasionally I post some on eBay, but it's not getting the kind of attention I'd like to see. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: small;"> After
looking at some of my peers websites and stores I noticed that most of
them have a blog. They are usually entertaining, some write on things
directly associated with the beads they are presently creating, then
some go a little off topic and that's kind of interesting. I do like to
expound upon my beads and other topics, so why not create a blog?
Especially if it helps give me exposure, after all my goal is to garner
more people to see and buy my work to be incorporated into beautiful
jewelry! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gpD_yJMx4k2cV6dQQfLa_niovTQ_TZJJr7mdWlJr-bSKdKBd8W7-_r9M9z6ZBJmRl6TwYQgNsl_-fQZkY8iqzyerT0dVPGVQzNUuaPzMv-5NDnIBqaY6fMApcNoruN5yevwQAIlwddg/s1600/mirage3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gpD_yJMx4k2cV6dQQfLa_niovTQ_TZJJr7mdWlJr-bSKdKBd8W7-_r9M9z6ZBJmRl6TwYQgNsl_-fQZkY8iqzyerT0dVPGVQzNUuaPzMv-5NDnIBqaY6fMApcNoruN5yevwQAIlwddg/s320/mirage3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> My
forte is really just making beads and not making jewelry with them.
I'm very critical of my own craftsmanship. Occasionally after spending
several hours stringing, re-stringing, twisting, untwisting, wasting
materials and blowing my top, I come up with a piece of jewelry that
pleases me. So you will rarely see me making jewelry. However, I've
recently made a necklace that I think is worthy of putting out there for
the public to buy and feel confident that it will stay together and
have no flaws....that I know of.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNI_dqTYr9M7otrthkWS4kWQ76U2ygsrYSXuyXBM7R1GjtONgD80AqH5u3TRkI8WV7gy_SMggWWlU2Vsn-5zDrTc5qVafkH-ko7EMhFwztu3pdQe6ADdi9hcHiurmIvYEam72jAy4cvE/s1600/necklace2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNI_dqTYr9M7otrthkWS4kWQ76U2ygsrYSXuyXBM7R1GjtONgD80AqH5u3TRkI8WV7gy_SMggWWlU2Vsn-5zDrTc5qVafkH-ko7EMhFwztu3pdQe6ADdi9hcHiurmIvYEam72jAy4cvE/s320/necklace2.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> So
to get out of jewelry making I found some bottle openers at Michaels
that I could put my beads on. They looked pretty nice, so I gave one
away as a gift. My friend was so thrilled with it she told me that I
MUST start selling them. So I made more. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0023-iUSAZ0K8kcVDxCrxq9gLNdYF32w05pp5PDC87Fpog0Lsajw8XnxDEBg5VA-d7nUYp4_HP2uoMqX6fDLof5qIGWaASbMpT7bDa1TddZU4eDCMhzwxVgAqaX1UgQK4nBl68RW1dMc/s1600/bottle+opener1b.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0023-iUSAZ0K8kcVDxCrxq9gLNdYF32w05pp5PDC87Fpog0Lsajw8XnxDEBg5VA-d7nUYp4_HP2uoMqX6fDLof5qIGWaASbMpT7bDa1TddZU4eDCMhzwxVgAqaX1UgQK4nBl68RW1dMc/s320/bottle+opener1b.jpg" width="145" /></a>Another
great find I happened upon at the recent "Gathering" (besides new
friends) was a cool mandrel that I could make cabochons with! When I
saw it I had all kinds of ideas for what I could do with it! The first
thing I thought of was purse, or handbag hangers. I'd seen them used by
some of my friends and they were all commercially made, probably in
China. Well mine would be one of a kind! So I found a supplier and
bought a bunch of them and now I've got them on the web and in stores.
Some of the cabochons I made didn't quite fit the purse hangers so I put
them up for grabs on "Beads and More" classified. I've sold a few of
those but I wish I'd sold all of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbR7zq4yuOk9bjajlDFoJonecKzTyWkNs0VYcow6m90PdpKOmUlju_J2X6tORgH_xcMV6XpR1m8Qu64WFuchYudEyuaPdOYJjlCoGlhToU-Q2UjpVnNgwQylqRKpCXx-TI5llpi0eC6w/s1600/purse7.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbR7zq4yuOk9bjajlDFoJonecKzTyWkNs0VYcow6m90PdpKOmUlju_J2X6tORgH_xcMV6XpR1m8Qu64WFuchYudEyuaPdOYJjlCoGlhToU-Q2UjpVnNgwQylqRKpCXx-TI5llpi0eC6w/s200/purse7.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So now I've completed my first blog! I hope I'll find some followers! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Take care all and if you have any ideas for me, I'm more than open to them. You can contact me at gracedorsey@att.net. </span></div>CWSlevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07047030024047311947noreply@blogger.com1Boone, NC, USA36.216795 -81.674551736.165552 -81.7535157 36.268038 -81.5955877