After the long, difficult winter, spring is really ready to go. We've had a gradual warming, threats of showers, and most of the bushes and trees show evidence of tiny buds! It's a fabulous thing!! And the approaching spring is inspiring my beading in many ways. I only wish I had the time to do all I want to do!
I've been making berries and leaves for more Stephanie Eddy-style projects. I really liked the magnetic pins I made around Christmas time and am working on designs for spring "pins" that feature appropriate colors of berries and leaves.
Additionally, as I think I previously mentioned I'm working a lot with pearls. I don't know why they say spring to me, but they do. The pale shades are lovely and I'm having great fun with those!
Over the weekend past I designed a wedding-style choker of clear crystals and a beige-y colored bead that looks like the shape of a pasta. If you aren't familiar with these beads, they are somewhat farfalle shaped, although personally they remind me more of a peanut in the shell with a hole drilled through the middle. They fit together in interesting ways and provide great texture. In this particular choker similar colored pearls are set periodically between the other beads and the shape of the necklace lies in a V that reaches just below the clavicle. I'm trying to find the perfect clasp for it.
Very soon some of my jewelry will be available on consignment at Heart in Hands Quilt Store in Weymouth, MA. :=)))
Hopefully new pics of this choker and a couple of other newly completed pieces will be up.
In the meantime, plans are underway for the first-ever BeadBoston...a weekend-long beading event designed for both the casual and not-so-casual beader to get to his/her hearts content for an entire weekend, share their beading obsession with like-minded others, and learn a new technique or two! More info to come over the summer!
Happy Beading,
TBH
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Selling Jewelry..so hard to part with it!
This weekend the Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild had their biannual quilt show. It was a fabulous success with more than 1600 visitors! We are a happy but tired group this Monday morning!
The show always features a members' boutique where guild members can sell items (either things they have made or things they want to get rid of, like old books and magazines). Ninety percent of the sale price goes to the guild members and 10% goes to the guild. Business at the boutique was always busy, sometimes bordering on frenetic. Most of the items were from the "I want to clear out space in my sewing area" variety, but some where higher priced items that people had made. My jewelry, starting at a low of $15 and going as high as $185 for a double pearl necklace, was the priciest on the table.
I only sold a few pieces because most of the time when people are shopping in a venue like this they are hoping to find bargains, not pay the appropriate price for a good piece of jewelry. That was fine with me. I knew that going in and didn't expect gigantic sales.
What I also didn't expect was to feel little tinges of anxiety when one of my pieces sold. During the creation process each piece takes on a little life of its own. They are fun to make. They are fun to hold and sometimes wear. And now they're not mine anymore!
Most of the pieces at this point in my collection are larger bracelets because that's the way I like them. I need a larger size and therefore things just tend to turn out in a size I can wear (I wonder how that happens?!) I really need to start making all of the pieces in the standard size range. I was able to give out my business card to several people (even though we really weren't supposed to "advertise") and think I've made some good contacts.
I also thought I should pass on information about one of the vendors at the show. The business is called "We Got the Buttons" and feature dichronic glass shank buttons in fabulous shapes, sizes, and colors. She also has wonderful pendants finished with sterling silver bails that would be terrific hanging on a beaded rope. I'm adding the email address to my list of favorites, just in case you want to take a peek.
Happy Monday!
TBH
The show always features a members' boutique where guild members can sell items (either things they have made or things they want to get rid of, like old books and magazines). Ninety percent of the sale price goes to the guild members and 10% goes to the guild. Business at the boutique was always busy, sometimes bordering on frenetic. Most of the items were from the "I want to clear out space in my sewing area" variety, but some where higher priced items that people had made. My jewelry, starting at a low of $15 and going as high as $185 for a double pearl necklace, was the priciest on the table.
I only sold a few pieces because most of the time when people are shopping in a venue like this they are hoping to find bargains, not pay the appropriate price for a good piece of jewelry. That was fine with me. I knew that going in and didn't expect gigantic sales.
What I also didn't expect was to feel little tinges of anxiety when one of my pieces sold. During the creation process each piece takes on a little life of its own. They are fun to make. They are fun to hold and sometimes wear. And now they're not mine anymore!
Most of the pieces at this point in my collection are larger bracelets because that's the way I like them. I need a larger size and therefore things just tend to turn out in a size I can wear (I wonder how that happens?!) I really need to start making all of the pieces in the standard size range. I was able to give out my business card to several people (even though we really weren't supposed to "advertise") and think I've made some good contacts.
I also thought I should pass on information about one of the vendors at the show. The business is called "We Got the Buttons" and feature dichronic glass shank buttons in fabulous shapes, sizes, and colors. She also has wonderful pendants finished with sterling silver bails that would be terrific hanging on a beaded rope. I'm adding the email address to my list of favorites, just in case you want to take a peek.
Happy Monday!
TBH
Monday, March 7, 2011
Spring?
Not long ago the piles of snow where so high I couldn't see over most of them. The lower portion of the view out of our living room windows was blocked. It seemed winter had come to stay. You know that "global warming" is a misnomer, don't you? We're really supposed to say "climate change." And this winter "climate change" was making it's case in a big way (still is if you live in NY or VT!).
But where there were once minor mountains of the frigid stuff, now trash liters the sides of roads where the mounds were. Around trees where broken branches and limbs are testament to the weight they have been under, water pools, indicating the high level of saturation. And rain is in the forecast. About this time last year we had some of the heaviest rains seen around New England in years. Let's hope we don't have anything like that again...there will be where for it go. I hear the sump pump business is booming.
I recently read where someone called the end of February and the beginning of March "the fat branch season" because if you look carefully, you can see the branches starting to bulge with the promise of new growth. Tiny buds are bravely facing the howling March winds, promising to appear on what a friend of mine calls "pop" day...that great spring day yet to come when it seems all the leaves and early flowers POP out all at once. Beware that you are not so busy that you miss pop day!
A recent signal to me that winter's days are numbered and spring is on its way is an annual quilting retreat. Once again we gathered for stitching and laughter. I did spend one day of the retreat sewing, but the rest of the time was spent in the satisfying pursuit of beading. I completed several necklaces (one of which, in my humble opinion, is one of the best pieces I've made yet) and four bracelets. I sold one necklace and made a matching pair of earrings to go with it. I have orders for 3 bracelets in specific colors.
Beading is very gratifying!
TBH
But where there were once minor mountains of the frigid stuff, now trash liters the sides of roads where the mounds were. Around trees where broken branches and limbs are testament to the weight they have been under, water pools, indicating the high level of saturation. And rain is in the forecast. About this time last year we had some of the heaviest rains seen around New England in years. Let's hope we don't have anything like that again...there will be where for it go. I hear the sump pump business is booming.
I recently read where someone called the end of February and the beginning of March "the fat branch season" because if you look carefully, you can see the branches starting to bulge with the promise of new growth. Tiny buds are bravely facing the howling March winds, promising to appear on what a friend of mine calls "pop" day...that great spring day yet to come when it seems all the leaves and early flowers POP out all at once. Beware that you are not so busy that you miss pop day!
A recent signal to me that winter's days are numbered and spring is on its way is an annual quilting retreat. Once again we gathered for stitching and laughter. I did spend one day of the retreat sewing, but the rest of the time was spent in the satisfying pursuit of beading. I completed several necklaces (one of which, in my humble opinion, is one of the best pieces I've made yet) and four bracelets. I sold one necklace and made a matching pair of earrings to go with it. I have orders for 3 bracelets in specific colors.
Beading is very gratifying!
TBH
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Retreat
Sometimes words have certain connotations that can never be escaped. For many people, the word "retreat" has a negative implication, as in "We had to beat a hasty retreat." It's like falling back. Failing.
Escaping.
For me, that's what retreat means. I'm heading to a retreat this weekend. Actually, sooner than that. And I can't wait. Every year some quilting buddies and I go away to a small little hotel down on Cape Cod and for a few blissful days we just sew. Those who have demands of children or husbands or expect a complete dinner on the table every day at 6 p.m., they are no longer pulled from their machines just as they are hitting their stride. For those who create in the company of friends, it's the ultimate enjoyment.
Lately, many of my quilting buddies have also been bitten by the beading bug. This year, my beading supplies I'm taking to the retreat with me almost outweigh my sewing supplies. And instead of thinking lovingly of which sewing project I'll get out first, I'm consumed by thinking about crystals, wire, pearls, and clasps. Did I bring the right tools to do what I want to do? And what happens if inspiration hits and I don't have what I need on hand?
For years I've worked on making my quilting supplies portable so I can go take classes and be ready when a retreat beckons. Now I have to figure out a way to make my beading supplies equally mobile. It's a challenge I think I'm up to!
TBH
Escaping.
For me, that's what retreat means. I'm heading to a retreat this weekend. Actually, sooner than that. And I can't wait. Every year some quilting buddies and I go away to a small little hotel down on Cape Cod and for a few blissful days we just sew. Those who have demands of children or husbands or expect a complete dinner on the table every day at 6 p.m., they are no longer pulled from their machines just as they are hitting their stride. For those who create in the company of friends, it's the ultimate enjoyment.
Lately, many of my quilting buddies have also been bitten by the beading bug. This year, my beading supplies I'm taking to the retreat with me almost outweigh my sewing supplies. And instead of thinking lovingly of which sewing project I'll get out first, I'm consumed by thinking about crystals, wire, pearls, and clasps. Did I bring the right tools to do what I want to do? And what happens if inspiration hits and I don't have what I need on hand?
For years I've worked on making my quilting supplies portable so I can go take classes and be ready when a retreat beckons. Now I have to figure out a way to make my beading supplies equally mobile. It's a challenge I think I'm up to!
TBH
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Inspiration!
Yesterday the two "Cs" and I (my buddies Claudia and Carolyn) went to a local bead show...not huge but lovely and definitely worth the trip. While disappointed not to find a vendor with good findings for current projects, we DID find lots of other things to spend our pennies on, including a new invention for tying knots between components (I haven't actually had time to try it yet...will report when I do). One vendor, Beads Bagan, from Delaware, was especially inspiring with her fabulous shell pearl bead designs. All of a sudden, I'm completely smitten by pearls. I bought both shell pearls and glass pearls yesterday, and look forward to sharing the designs I create with them.
Speaking of sharing, my bro-in-law has become interested in photography and he built a light box and photographed some of my pieces. I'm thrilled that someone with more knowledge of photography than I have has taken some pics that I'm now able to share with you. Please scroll down past all of the blog posts and see the new visuals!!
Speaking of sharing, my bro-in-law has become interested in photography and he built a light box and photographed some of my pieces. I'm thrilled that someone with more knowledge of photography than I have has taken some pics that I'm now able to share with you. Please scroll down past all of the blog posts and see the new visuals!!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
RAW
I have tried doing some right angle weave (RAW) from book and magazine patterns in the last year or so but usually gave up when it seemed a bit too confusing. However, I recently took a class at Pflora Beads in Canton, MA and Phyllis, the shop owner par excellence, taught a lovely bracelet of her own design featuring RAW. You can see it on her website at http://pflorabeads.com/pflora_beads_jan_2011_004.htm, although I don't think the photo quite does it justice.
I thoroughly enjoyed the class (she's a terrific teacher) and the technique and rushed right home to pull out my book by Marcia DeCoster, Beaded Opulence. All of the designs in the book are based upon RAW and now I'm excited to try to tackle some of them.
Oh, so many lovely designs and beads and so VERY little time!!
TBH
I thoroughly enjoyed the class (she's a terrific teacher) and the technique and rushed right home to pull out my book by Marcia DeCoster, Beaded Opulence. All of the designs in the book are based upon RAW and now I'm excited to try to tackle some of them.
Oh, so many lovely designs and beads and so VERY little time!!
TBH
Monday, January 31, 2011
When time slips away
Each day is precious, yet each day flies by before we really have a chance to think about what it is we want to do with the time we are given. Nearly two months have passed since I last blogged. What have I really done in that time?
The craft fair at work was a terrific experience. I was amazed at how popular my pieces were and how quickly they found new homes. In fact, I kind of miss some of them! I had wanted to take pics but couldn't find the charger for the camera. sigh
The holidays came and went in a blur. Hubby and I got to spend a whole week together. It was relaxing. Was it only a month ago? I'm ready for a repeat.
Health issues plague me. I've been diagnosed with a highly treatable form of cancer, but cancer all the same. It's something I never thought someone would say to me: "You have cancer." My options are clear and treatment is not nearly as difficult as for some, but the thought of having the disease creeps up when you least expect it. And you wonder, in the end, is this what will someday kill me? Follow the plan, do what you should, get rest, live your life. Did you do the best with today that you could have?
Creative outlets may not heal the body but they definitely heal the soul. Whether quilting for the upcoming Rhododendron Show in March or playing with wire during a designer pin class, peace and satisfaction are within. Creating something with your hands...concentration on shape, line, form, function. The work lives on.
The craft fair at work was a terrific experience. I was amazed at how popular my pieces were and how quickly they found new homes. In fact, I kind of miss some of them! I had wanted to take pics but couldn't find the charger for the camera. sigh
The holidays came and went in a blur. Hubby and I got to spend a whole week together. It was relaxing. Was it only a month ago? I'm ready for a repeat.
Health issues plague me. I've been diagnosed with a highly treatable form of cancer, but cancer all the same. It's something I never thought someone would say to me: "You have cancer." My options are clear and treatment is not nearly as difficult as for some, but the thought of having the disease creeps up when you least expect it. And you wonder, in the end, is this what will someday kill me? Follow the plan, do what you should, get rest, live your life. Did you do the best with today that you could have?
Creative outlets may not heal the body but they definitely heal the soul. Whether quilting for the upcoming Rhododendron Show in March or playing with wire during a designer pin class, peace and satisfaction are within. Creating something with your hands...concentration on shape, line, form, function. The work lives on.
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