Challenging work

First let me say, do you know how challenging it is to work with a cat perched on your key board and walking all around your bead table helping himself to whatever he likes? With that in mind it is amazing that I can accomplish anything around here at all.

However... I did make these two pair of earrings, one pair using the "Mirage Beads" I blogged about the other day, I just love the fact that they are very lightweight and so colorful. These beads refract light differently at different temperatures, thus creating unique colors in every environment or mood, super cool! You can find these earrings in my Etsy shop.

Vintage Style Raku Earrings

A little modern raku bead meets vintage rhinestone links. I love the combination!

Just a little peek...

It is almost here..... The Bead Soup Party big reveal that is! The big reveal featuring the talents of 84 bloggers and jewelry designers will happen on Wednesday Feb. 10th. When I entered I was paired with Emanda of Artemisia's Studio and we exchanged a focal, a clasp and some beads. The idea is to create with what you are sent and vice versa. I can't wait to see what she created with the items I sent her. I finished my piece the other day and this picture is just peek at what it is. See you on Wednesday!

Kindred Spirits

We cannot destroy kindred: our chains stretch a little sometimes, but they never break. ~Marquise de Sévigné

A late 1800's tin type photograph is forever preserved in resin and is set in a heart shaped bezel. Lampwork beads with swirls of plum,taupe and turquoise add soft color. Czech glass beads are wire wrapped to compliment the lampwork beads. Textured silver metal chain with a chunky lobster clasp for a closure. Kindred Spirits can be found in my Etsy shop.

Step Dog Jake

A little dress up never hurt anyone...don't tell your Dad.

Oh, what a tough life! Jake is still visiting and will most likely be going home tonight. He is just spoiled a little when he is here. Jake has taken to liking the bonus room with its twin bed. He is not allowed normally on furniture but one day a few weeks ago when he was here I found him up on the bed and did not have the heart to make him get off. So now when he comes over he goes right up to "his" room and hops on the bed. Sleep tight buddy!

It's a Mirage...

...no it's only beads! Mirage Beads that is, "the beads that change color as you wear them".

But before I could open my package from Rings & Things I had to quiet down a 100lb plus chocolate lab named "Jake"...our "step dog". Actually I have mentioned Jake before, he is our neighbors dog and we dog sit for him. It is kind of like having your own dog without all the costs. He likes to visit and eat all the cat food when he is here. Anyway, my foyer and great room have 20 foot ceilings so when Jake barks the whole world knows and it echos so loudly! Jake can hear the UPS man a mile away and was barking full throttle when he approached my house with my precious Rings & Things package,the UPS man dropped the package on my front stoop and literally ran away. Poor guy! I tried to convince Jake that the UPS guy only brings good things, but he still wanted him. It is pretty weird because Jake is the best dog ever and so lovable but he has this thing for the guy in the brown truck.

I had seen these beads in the catalog and they looked so intriguing. They are very lightweight and have so much color. This is what the card says about them:
"come alive with sensuous color as you wear them" (that alone sounds worth it!)
"Inspired by the mood jewelry of the '60s and '70s, these thermo-sensitive liquid crystal beads change color with the minute variations in temperature. Life like itself, Mirage Beads are always changing and mysterious. Although very durable please do not submerge in water."

So there you have it...something new and so cool! I can't wait to make myself a pair of earrings!

Mosaic Heart

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.
jimmy carter

I have always enjoyed making mosaics...pots, lamps, mirrors and I once did a large plant pedestal. I always work with vintage and antique china...to give life back to the once discarded broken dishes. When I received this copper heart from Artbeads.com as part of their blogging program I wanted to fill it with the shards of once loved blue willow and flow blue china. Instead of grouting in between, resin has been used to preserve the china. Right now Artbeads.com is having a sweetheart of a sale 15% off orders $60 or more, plus free US. shipping.

You can find this pendant in my Etsy shop.

Mesmerizing Moonstone

The moonstone is characterized by an enchanting play of light. Indeed it owes its name to that mysterious shimmer which always looks different when the stone is moved and is known in the trade as 'adularescence'. In earlier times, people believed they could recognize in it the crescent and waning phases of the moon.

The moonstone symbolizes our being in its entirety. With its soft shimmer, it strengthens our emotional and subconscious aspects. The associations connected with that make it a "lovers' stone", evoking tender feelings and safeguarding the true joys of love. It is also said that wearing a moonstone strengthens our intuition and our capacity to understand.

Moonlight Moonstone can be found in my etsy shop.

On another note...the DH and I had a wonderful weekend away. The West Baden Springs Resort was everything and more we had hoped it would be. We love staying at Historical hotels and this hotel was just amazing. The atrium was just beautiful...marble pillars, urns over flowing with ferns, furnishing were all pristine, with the decor being art nouveau, definitely a step back in time.

On our way home we stopped at an antique shop. It took my breath away as we entered as it was chuck FULL, and I really mean that! There were only tiny paths to walk down, treasures everywhere. As you can see by this picture taken with the camera phone I meant what I said! I found this great child's hickory chair that came home with me and will end up in my antique booth. A great ending to a perfect weekend!