Snow, sky, jewels, & faces!

I thought to be fair I should show you a photo of my view with snow and ice..it actually looks rather barren at this time of the year!

Here is my first full face...while I enjoyed the process, I had a difficult time with the complete face...couldn't seem to get the facial features gelling together! This was done with HB, HB2, HB4, blending stump & eraser of course...

I made the necklace below for a bead challenge on ArtBead Scene.com. The piece was to be inspired "La Pie" by Monet...the following gorgeous winter scene.

© Musée d'Orsay

In keeping with the winter white and neutrals I chose citrine, crazy lace agate, fossil coral, brass chain, white base metal chain, and silver plated wire. The five white and sand beads on the right are gorgeous polymer clay beads made by Artybecca. Each week for the month of January one designer is chose for the "Designer of the week"... I was thrilled to be chosen from amongst a wonderful group of designers on Monday January 18th, you can find the post here...

Another shot of my view..I loved the cloud formation..I enjoy watching the cloud patterns...doesn't take much to amuse me!!!

This is my second attempt at a face...done with a Stabilo pencil and titanium white paint, certainly won't be a favorite of mine! That is all I'm going to say about this piece...

Here is a fun tie die heart necklace just in time for Valentine's Day, not your traditional red...being non-traditional can add a little spice to the mix! This gorgeous polymer clay heart is by Elaine from Tooaquarius she makes both polymer clay beads & pendants as well as cane.

Enjoy your week!
Cheers

Eye, lips, nose & photos!!!

Here we go again...a mixture of things!
This time an eye, lips, a nose and my view

I like these dark blue skies...with just a hint of pink at the horizon

My first pair of lips...this is part of my first lesson for Misty Mawn's class...I had enjoyed drawing these...

Don't you just love the sun shining like this cross the water?

My first attempt to draw an eye...again for my drawing class.
I enjoyed drawing this as well...

Look at that blue sky...early fall, the leaves are just beginning to change...next year I'll do a day by day to see the colors...they are gorgeous! I've always meant to but some how I've never gotten around to it !

Finally...my attempt to draw a nose...didn't enjoy this one much...I guess I'll have to work at it because I can't draw a face without a nose!!! This one certainly won't do!!! It's alright you can chuckle...I do myself when I look at it!!!

All in all I enjoyed the drawing...this is my first attempt at any of the face parts...I've been told few artists are born, most have to practice, practice, practice in order to achieve success...I may have to add a few more practices!!!

Cheers

Sunsets & Silver!!!

This may seem like an odd combination but sunsets & silver are two of my favorite things...
This photo was taken last fall...before the water was "let down"...this is done in the fall to try to prevent spring flooding in the area...for the most part it works well!

Sterling silver discs, detailed, and attached to make a wonderful statement in sterling silver!

During the let down

Stamped sterling silver tear drops, from which hang purple fossil beads...

After the "let down"...I don't have a photo with all the snow...it is too darn cold...I'll have to dress warm and venture outside to get a shot of how cold and barren it looks now!

I just may keep this for myself...a gorgeous chunk of amethyst, simply wire wrapped and hung from a sterling silver chain...

Cheers

Here is the cutest Snowman!!!

On December 19th I was fortunate enough to win a great Christmas bead from ArtBeadScene Blog ...my prize is the cutest Snowman made by Jennifer Heynen, from Jangles holiday bead collection, ...it arrived yesterday and here it is below.

I think it is so cute...I'm not sure whether I will make a Christmas tree decoration or possibly a broach would be great at Christmas time!!!
Thank you Jennifer for providing the snowman, and Art Bead Scene for the contest!

Portrait Workshop with Misty Mawn!

Next I'd like to tell you about a leap of faith for me...some of you may know that I've always felt that I should be painting...I gave it a try about 10 years ago, but I didn't have the patience for it as I didn't know what I was doing...this fall I signed up for a water color class, but only attended one class as sometimes things change, I just couldn't work it in...but...I happened to see a post regarding an online art workshop, painting portraits, at a great blog I visit The Art & Life of Misty Mawn. That sounded perfect for me...I've never been interested in portraits but I'd never tried either so even if I didn't learn to love doing portraits I would learn aspects of painting, besides I felt drawn to this course, I do believe in following my instincts...so tomorrow, January 15th we begin!!!

The pencil drawings are a warm up given to all the participants...a "blind drawing"...and yes they look rather funny but drawing without looking at the paper produces the following sketches, at least from me it does...here is what we did...

Below is a self portrait

Use a photo or live model place your pencil on the paper and very slowly follow the outline of the face with your eyes at the same time draw what your eye is following...but here is the catch...without lifting your pencil!!! That made it doubly difficult for me...at first I didn't enjoy the process as I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I didn't like that the faces were all messy...funny I know!

At first it rather frustrated me so I would erase a whole face...but I reminded to go slow and enjoy the process, not worrying about the results!!! That was uncomfortable at first for me...

I did a total of three pages, and by the end I was having fun and not worrying about the face being a mess...which I'm sure was the intention of the exercise...

My grandson is the two on the right, not sure about the other two?

This is my daughter!

I'll post more as the workshop progresses...I'm excited to see how it will allow me to express myself...

Cheers

A photo chosen...

Emily from "For The Love of Beads" contacted me the other day to let me know she was going to use one of my photos in her Photograph Jewelry Part 4 series, Best Photos From The Blogosphere, on her blog.

She chose this one of mine because she thought my props made a photo of mine recognizable...I suppose they do, I hadn't started out using these items for that reason but it isn't a bad idea!

Emily chose four photos for the post...I'm thrilled to be included in a group with such wonderful designers as Kelly from Kelly's Bead Studio, Cindy Gimbrone of Lampwork Diva, and Lorelei of Inside the Studio. Click around if you haven't already visited these ladies and their great sites you will be happy you did!!!

Thank you Emily for choosing my photo...
Cheers

Featured in IndieNorth.com

Just wanted to let everyone know about a great Canadian blog, indienorth.com...in fact the blog is run from North Bay by a fellow residence, Beth Smith, who calls herself the "Thing Finder in Chief". We haven't met but maybe someday...

I found the blog quit by accident through another blog I was visiting, imagine not being aware of something so great in my own city. Once I introduced myself so to speak, Beth offered to feature me in one of her Saturday Jewelry posts...take a look, the post was up January 9th...click below to be taken to the post...

The focus of the blog is showcasing independent Canadian designers, focusing on, but does not limited to those who work from home. You will see designers of all kinds, from those who make hats, purses, toys, soaps, artists, glass bead, jewelry, to earth friendly products and everything else in between...simply a wonderful place to visit. So grab a coffee, & take a few minutes to check out indienorth.com it is a great place to spend some time!

Thank you Beth...

Cheers

Swarovki crystals, silver & a fab Shopping Spree!

Just look at all these gorgeous beads from Artbeads.com ...it was just like Christmas all over again...I do love to see the Post lady (politically correct) walking up my drive way!!!

I just love the color of these 8 mm Swarovski Crystals...they are called Indian Pink, I don't wear a great deal of pink but this color is very special, somewhat dark with a very slight hint of mauve. You have to see them to understand what I mean...

I didn't have to wait forever to get a nice sunny day to take these photos...and the color is fairly accurate...

Just look at these gorgeous Mocca 8mm crystals...I've been wanting to try this relatively new Swarovksi crystal color for some time now, I'm certainly not disappointed the color is definitly "me" , it reminds me of a smokey quartz but with sparkle ... smokey quartz is a personal favorite of mine. Don't you just love the name of the color...doesn't it sound delicious!!
Surprisingly enough this photo shows the color fairly accurately as well...I say surprisingly because I found both the Indian Pink and the Mocca to be very difficult to achieve a natural color in the photos!

Hill Tribe Bumpy Stamped Puffed Disc...(16.5mm x 17mm)now that is what I would call a mouth full...having said that these are great beads, they are generally a whiter silver...I'm a huge fan of Hill Tribe anything, the workmanship is always #1, at least from my experience...

Another great Hill Tribe bead, this one is called Hill Tribe Silver Swirled and Doted Disc Bead...(14.5mm) another mouth full but the description is accurate...

Next is a Bali Silver Flat Round Bead with Sun...(12mm x 10.5)great bead with what they are calling a sun in the middle...on my bead it looks more like a starfish, at least to me it does...which suits me just fine!!!

Here are the smallest beads in my order...they are called a Crimped Hollow Bead
6.5mm x 8.5mm) tiny in comparison to the other beads I've chosen but I like the leaf design on the bead, these would be lovely in a larger size on a silver bracelet...these are fine silver from Thailand.

To finish of my piece is a beautiful sterling silver Star Toggle from Israel...

I always like to show a photo of everything together, just to show how well they fit together...all these stunning beads are from Artbeads.com.
FYI...I do have to say the color of the crystals in this shot is a little too dark but I didn't realize that until it was time to do the post and now it is dark outside and I don't want to wait for more sun...or at the very least a bright, cloudy day...sounds like a bit of an oxymoron doesn't it...but those who like the sun to take photos will understand!!!

When I ordered these pieces I had something in mind but now I'm not so sure that is what I want to do...I'm very tempted to make myself a bracelet with dangles...those are my most favorite kind ...I generally have to have at least one dangle but I have visions of more with these beads!!!

I'll think about it...
A heart felt thank you to Artbeads.com, for allowing me the opportunity to show you such wonderful products...

***By the way just wanted to let everyone know that Artbeads.com is having a spectacular give away***

They have just launched their biggest Sweepstakes ever!
***Enter to win a $1,000.00 Shopping Spree at Artbeads.com***
Wow that would be fabulous wouldn't it, I could spend that in a hurry, there are so many unusual and unique items at Artbeads.com!!! This contest is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) age 18 or older...
The contest began yesterday, January 6th, 2010 and ends March 4th 2010.

Here is the link...
http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/16554

I have a link to the contest on my side bar as well, which I will leave up until the contest is closed...
Cheers

*FTC compliance disclosure* the products attributed to Artbeads.com in this post where provided as a promotional gift by Artbeads.com in relation to the blogging program. My comments pertaining to these products are my personal opinion, no compensation has been received.

Back to normal...somewhat!

A mixture...smokey quartz, died jade, glass, agate, turquoise and sterling silver...

For now I'm going to use this particular background...I chose the blue for Christmas as it seemed to fit the mood! Time to get back to normal!

Near the end of January I'm going to work with Cori from Scrap-E-Blog to come up with an exciting new background and header for the new year!

I'm rather fond of the color teal, but I do think I prefer the white in the center, it seems to work better with the background color I've been using for the photos... I'm sure we can come up with something that works.

I hope to have a few photos to post in the next day or so...I've just received some great silver beads and swarovski crystals from Artbeads.com...I originally knew what I was going to do with them but now that they are here I may just change my mind...

Cheers

Something a little different!

I've decide to show you something other than sterling silver pieces...

Lovely silver plated filigree from which I've hung teal pearls...delicate but a nice statement!

I've been doing a bit of experimentation with copper and brass...it is fun to work with but I don't find my customers as interested in these metals as much as sterling silver and silver plated products...I searched the internet for something to finish the copper with to prevent the heavy tarnish and came across "Renaissance Micro-crystalline Wax Polish" .

I purchased the smallest container as I wasn't sure if I would like the product...
I have to admit I haven't used it yet, but from my reading I can also use it on silver to help prevent tarnish as well. I'm very careful about the chemical products I do and don't use and I couldn't find anything to state this product was not-toxic, and I didn't like the smell when I opened the container, so me being me...I emailed the company and was given the following reply...
"The blend of waxes in Renaissance is "food-grade" and safe to use, in fact we know it is used extensively by silver and copper jewelery craftsmen here in the UK and in the USA."
Once I've used the product I will let you know what I think...

To get back to business...a wavy copper bracelet...

A copper pendant, textured and curled, hanging from a silver plated chain...

A large resin pendant and earring set...the chain is silver plated...

This one is made from all wood beads with the exception for the two white and black striped beads with are resin...this has a non metal clasp, for those of you who have metal allergies!

This bracelet is made from hand crafted recycled glass beads from Africa...they have a very earthy and organic feel to them...the sterling silver square beads spell out "faith"

Red & green agate, aventurine roundels, and lead & nickle free pewter, make up this set...

I couldn't go the whole post with out at least one pair of sterling silver earrings, now could I...upside down teardrops from which I hung died purple jade dangles...

Cheers