Charmed Beads

I haven’t posted for quite a while, maybe I will combine photos from the past months to get caught up.

“PAWS”

Our Boy "Ripley"

We said goodbye to our family pet – he gave us 7 1/2 years of precious memories and I miss him every day.  Simple things like the ticking of his paws on the hardwood.   His little nose nudging my arm in the morning – “get up”!,   His docked tail wagging like a metronome - showing me how happy he was to see me (when I had only been gone a minute to take the garbage out or get the mail).

I decided to spend some time making a few gift bracelets for Ripley’s girls – he loved the girls in his life!

Paw Bracelets

Paw Bracelet - Tiny heart on the back

"Wheatie Bead"

The “Wheatie Bead” is mine, not sure what I will make out of it yet?

“CLUCK”

I always read the local paper to see what’s happening in our City and recently there is great debate over people having chickens in the city!  Many letters to the editor for/against this debate.    After reading all the letters/articles I started hatching up ideas for “Cluck” beads - so far I have only spent one studio session playing with my ideas.  Kind of fun and light hearted!!

"Cluck Beads"

“WINTER SALE”

Helen, Barbara and I had an amazing Winter Sale this year – so much fun to visit with everyone and enjoy Barbara’s beautiful house, delicious snacks and beverages!!  Thanks to everyone who joined us.

Winter Art Sale at Barbara's amazing house!

Winter Sale

Winter Sale

Finishing up the final details for the sale this weekend. 

I am looking forward to seeing Barbara’s house all decked out for Christmas and tasting all the yummy goodies that she is whipping up for everyone to enjoy. 

A few more pictures:

Winter Black and White Series

Black Lentils with pretty silver swirl beads

Festival of Trees Donation

If you didn’t receive an invite and would like one, please send me an email.  I hope to see you this weekend!

I couldn’t help but add to my glass inventory.  Yes, I am a collector of glass and a sale will always tempt me to add to the stash!

Just received this 15lb shipment last week and I haven’t had a chance to try out the new colors I added.  Gotta love the names like Lipstick (red), Poison Apple (green), Glacier (blue), Great Bludini (which was a surprise because it’s a dark teal?), lots of shades of white (believe it or not – cirrus, marshmellow, blue white, grey white, bright white).    I also added a few HUGE rods of gold adventurine (I really hope that they aren’t “Poppers” that will explode when heated).

New Glass!

Work Bench in the midst of bead season!

I have been working away getting ready for the Annual Christmas Show and Sale that I participate in with Helen Swanson and Barb Adams.  This year it’s on November 25th and 26th (Friday night and all day Saturday).    Send me an email if you would like to be added to the email  list.  Invites will be going out soon!

Bright Confetti Bracelets!

Moonstone choker with hollow

Hessonite choker with hollow

Black Stone Choker with Transparent Silver Foil Hollow

 More to come soon!

We had a great Summer!  We were away for a while in July and back in August to finish up a kitchen reno. 

Kitchen Before Photo

Down to the bones!

Voila - New Kitchen!

I love our new Kitchen!  It is so nice to have a dishwasher again and full size appliances (bar fridge and hot plate be gone!).

The reno is now coming to a close and I am back in the studio focusing on some new creations for Fall/Winter!

Well, the school year is over and we are getting out of our routine for a while.  My studio is shut-down and I will be back in the Fall with new energy and ideas!  Now go enjoy the sun!

May this Summer be Sunny and Hot!

And Full of Beauty

Lentil Murinni beads

Red Deer College is hosting the Annual Affairs of the Arts Fundraiser on February 26th and I was asked to donate a set for the silent auction again this year.  I pondered what I have learned as as artist in the past year and what some of my new discoveries were.  One that came to mind was my raku murrini series of “Obi Beads” using rich base colors like Wasabi, Flint Red, Black, Artichoke & Jungle Twilight in a variety of shapes ranging from lentil, round marble to organic squeeze.

The set that I created to donate to the Auction incorporates organic shaped Wasabi beads with raku murrini details, assembled with bright brushed sterling silver findings and black glass seed beads.

I ordered 20 lbs of glass from the US in early January, taking advantage of the after Christmas sales.    Nothing like a fresh batch of glass to get the ideas flowing!

New Glass Stash!

This week I had two great days in the studio and decided to put a few pendants together for Valentine’s Day!   A few tender-hearts and a few tough ones as well.

Starburst Hearts & some Bones n' Stitches!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and I will be back in the New Year!

I am excited to be spending Saturday hanging out at Sunworks with a bead display.    Feel free to stop in and tackle your Christmas list!