Long Overdue Fall Inspiration

Way, way back, a long time ago, I received my fall bead blogger challenge from Artbeads.com.  I was to select any type and style of beads in a color pallette that reminded me of fall.  The beads didn't have to be in a traditional fall color scheme.  They just had to remind me of fall.  Well, I selected my beads right away...  and that was the last thing I did right away.  I fell into the end-of-the-semester trap and became caught up in papers, research, teaching, writing finals, taking finals, and ran out of time for beading.  Then, I left school and had to look for a job... which became more than a full time job on its own.  When I finally found a job, I actually ended up with more jobs than I could handle.  So, I am just now showing off my fall piece.

I wanted to try something different than my usual style, but I still wanted to use seed beads because they are my favorite.  I also wanted to work with some of the fabulous pendants offered by Artbeads.com.  I ended up ordering seed beads in six different luscious fall colors.  I also ordered a copper leaf pendant and a gorgeous olive green porcelain pendant.  Initially I planned to attempt bead embroidery around the pendants to create a bib-style necklace.  However, that is not where my muse took me.  My muse decided that I was going to use some silver rings I already had and create some rings out of seed beads to create a custom chain. 

I decided to keep the piece simple and hang both pendants from the front of the chain.  I then used a claw clasp and created the closure in the front so I wouldn't disrupt the flow of the chain.  The piece is incredibly simple and comfortable, but it took a LONG time to make.  Each beaded ring took an hour or so to create (that's probably slower than it has to be, but I'm still new at creating them).

I really like the way the necklace turned out.  It is very simple, which suits me.  I've worn it a couple of times.  The first time, it was a bit stiff.  However, it was really comfortable in later wearings.  It loosened up and lays really well. 

I hope you enjoy the necklace and my interpretation of fall.  My knowledge of fall comes from my childhood in upstate NY where autumn was filled with crisp cool air, piles of scarlet, orange, yellow, and brown leaves as tall as I was, apple cider, and soccer.  To me, this necklace represents my childhood and my favorite time of the year!

FTC Disclosure: The items in this post were provided to me free of charge from Artbeads.com for review or design purposes as part of the Bead Blogger program. I am providing an honest review of the products for which I am receiving no compensation.

Update on my New Year's Resolution Update

Okay... I know I just wrote a post with updates about my New Year's Resolutions... but I thought this warranted an update to the update. 

I just found out that I got the job I really really really wanted.  I start on Wednesday, and I can't wait.  I'm going to be the Corporate Trainer for BCA Financial Services.  I'll be able to design and develop instruction as well as teach.  It's everything I like doing mixed together! 

Yeah for dream jobs and for things working out!

Kell

Update on My New Year's Resolutions

So, about a month ago I listed my goals for 2011... now, it's time to look back and see whether I've made any progress toward my goals...

Here are the goals I set and my progress toward each:

• Find a good job. After leaving school, I am not bringing in any money. I have to find a job, and I need to do it quickly. I've put in a lot of applications and I'm hopeful. Hopefully, this is a January resolution instead of a year long resolution.
  So far, I haven't found a job.  However, I've had two really good interviews.  Both are for good jobs that I would love to have!  I should find out whether or not I was selected for the first job sometime this week, and I have a second interview for the second job this week.  The waiting is killing me.  In some ways it is good because I can still hold out hope that I'll get one of the jobs... but in other ways, it's bad because I am so excited about the prospect of getting one of the jobs that I just want to be told that I have it.  I guess the good/bad ratio depends on whether I get either job.  If I get one, then I hate the wait.  If I don't get one, then I will want to go back to the waiting period where I still had hope.
• Run a half marathon. I completed my first half marathon in 2010, but I didn't run the entire thing. I had to walk quite a bit. This year, I want to run all 13.1 miles.
  No half marathons yet.  In fact, I haven't worked very hard on my training for it... however, that all changes today.  I'm starting to eat right and train today.  It's time!  Hopefully, at the end of next month I'll be able to report that I've made progress toward my goal!
• Run a marathon. My husband and I have decided to sign up for a full marathon after we complete our half marathon, and I want to run the entire thing.
  Same as the previous... nothing to report yet... but everything changes today!
• Start selling my jewelry. I've decided to take another leap this year. I'm going to try to believe in myself and start up an etsy store and sell my jewelry. I'm also going to contact some local bridal stores and see if they will carry some of my jewelry. I'm hoping to start taking custom bridal/wedding party/ bridesmaid gift orders.
  I haven't started selling yet.  I still need to figure out some tax and other business type things.  However, I've been working on making jewelry and trying new techniques so that I have something to list when I open my store.  I think I will try to create a jewelry catalog this month so that I have something to show bridal stores when I talk to them!
• Blog at least 4 times a week. In 2010, my blogging was spurradic. I had months where I blogged a lot, and other months where I hardly blogged at all. In 2011, I want to make sure I blog at least 4 times each week. I also want to improve the photos I take for the blog.
  Well, I think this is my 12th blog for January, so that is not quite four times a week... but a lot better than last year.  I'll try to increase to my goal next month and keep up the blogging all week long.  But, I'm happy with 12 blogs this month.  It's a pretty good improvement.  I just have to work to get even better!
• Learn to make glass beads. My wonderful husband bought me a lampwork bead making kit for Christmas, and I can't wait to try it out. I have wanted to learn to make glass beads for awhile and want to jump in and do it this year.
  I haven't set up an area where I can work on making glass beads yet.  I also need to purchase the correct eye protection.  It's still going to happen this year... just not in January.
• Get back in shape. The last few years have been difficult on me. I've dealt with depression, anxiety, and my father's suicide. I let my workout routine get away from me. I want to start working out regularly and get myself back. I think it will improve my confidence and make me feel better all around.
  This one is the one I'm the sorriest about not working on yet.  It's so easy to put it off for a day... every day.  Then, at the end of the month you haven't done anything.  Today that changes.  I've taken out my work out log/ food journal and I'm going to hold myself accountable.  February is going to be a great month!  I'm ready now.

So, as you can see, I haven't made much progress toward my resolutions.  But, I'm trying not to be too hard on myself.  I have the whole year to accomplish these things.  I'm re-evaluating and figuring out what I need to change to make them happen going forward!  Right now, the most important thing is finding a job, so I'm putting a lot of time ad energy into finding a job... but that doesn't mean I can't work on the other things at the same time.

Kell

Seed Beads and Lucite from The Beadin' Path

Some of you who follow my blog may know that my husband and I recently traveled to the snowy, cold north due to the death of his grandfather.  It was a very sad occassion, but it was also a celebration of a man who lived an amazing 90 years.  He was a hard working and smart husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend.  The world has lost a great man.

However, while in Maine, I was able to visit one of my favorite bead stores:  The Beadin' Path.  Boy, was it overwhelming.  I just kept looking and looking... and of course, I wanted one of everything.  However, after a couple of hours, I was able to narrow my selections down to a few strands of lucite beads, and some vials of seed beads.

For my lucite beads, I picked some clear aqua colored starfish beads that are drilled from the top to the bottom.  I also selected some GORGEOUS dark blue matte flower beads.  I can't wait to make some earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces with these beads.  I have about 1000 ideas floating through my head.  Hopefully I can bring all of them to life!

I also selected 5 vials of seed beads (is anyone surprised, with my love of seed beads?).  I picked 4 vials of size 11/0 beads and one vial of 15/0 beads.  I picked a gorgeous wintry pallet (maybe it's due to the snow that was all around me in Maine).  The beads are gorgeous and opaly looking.  I have a great idea for how I will use them, but I'm not going to give any hints for now except that it is inspired by my fall piece for the Artbeads.com bead blogger program (which is almost done.  I will post pics of this necklace soon).

Kell

My Very Own Charm Bracelet

After making the charm bracelet for my brother-in-law's girlfriend, I tried it on to make sure it was the right length and the beads fell correctly.  Well, it was the right size, and the beads did fall correctly... and I was hooked.  I wanted one of my own. 

Luckily, I'd ordered a bunch of dog themed charms (puppies are one of my favorite things in the world!) that I hadn't used yet.  I paired the charms with beads of my favorite color -- blue -- and a gorgeous clasp with blue swarovski crystals in it. 

I think it turned out great.  What do you think?

Kell

Metal Stamping the Cheap (OK, FREE!!!) Way

Have you always wanted to try metal stamping?  Are you a metal stamping pro who wants a new and whimsical font for your metal stamping?  Do you just really really like free stuff? 

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you should definitely check out the latest giveaway from Lori Anderson of Pretty Things.  She is giving away an entire set of ImpressArt letter stamps, which includes the lowercase letters a - z and a question mark in the Ballroom Boogie font. 



I'm totally in love with the curly whimsical font, and can't wait to enter.  I've never tried stamping metal, but I'm excited to try... and I love the projects Lori shows that can be created using the stamps.  To enter the giveaway, click here and follow the instructions to enter the giveaway.

Kell

Rings & Things Bead Blogger Stash

Rings & Things recently changed the way they conduct their monthly bead blogger program.  They changed from a program where they had a specific list of bloggers with whom they worked to a new program where they select a group of bloggers from everyone who wants to participate.  Well, under the new program, I was picked... and I recently received a really cool selection of beads and findings!!!

Check out the awesome stash they sent:

The package included 2 jewelry blanks.  I haven't worked with resin before, but I plan to add some steampunk-style components to it.  Maybe some gears and springs or some different colors of wire.  I'm really excited to try my hand at a new medium.  One of the blanks is deeper and has a ruffled edge, and the other is shallower.  I think I will put an image in the shallower one, then use resin to enclose it!

The next piece is a GORGEOUS and SPARKLY Swarovski bead!!!  Who doesn't like a little sparkle... and, it's my favorite color!!!  I think it will make a great hanging charm next to a clasp on a simple bracelet or necklace.  It will add just the right "wow" factor.

They included this adorable Santa bead.  It's absolutely gorgeous and has a little weight to it (which is perfect for Santa, right!?!?!).  I can't wait to use it, but I think I will hold on to it until it is a little closer to the Holiday season.  I think he might make an appearance as an ornament.  He'd look great with some red, green, and white swarovski crystals!

Next up is this gorgeous strand of purple gemstone beads.  Just look at the texture and colors in these beads.  I don't know what I'll make with them (but, I'm definitely taking suggestions), but I can't wait to use them.  They will make an AMAZING piece of jewelry.  Anything they touch will be beautiful!

And, the beads keep on coming!!!  They also generously included this gorgeous butterfly focal.  I am absolutely in love with butterflies right now, so this was an amazing inclusion.  I picture this focal as the centerpiece of a multi-strand bracelet.  I think it deserves to be coupled with small wooden beads with some bright purple beads thrown in to brighten up the piece.  I'm not sure how I will incorporate the focal in the multiple strands, but I do know it will be amazing when it's done.  I can already picture it in my head.  I just have to figure out how to put the pieces all together.

And, I've saved the best for last (at least in my opinion).  I love these whimsical lampwork glass frog beads.  They are adorable and colorful, and just make me happy to look at.  I love the colors and spots on them.  They are the perfect size for just about anything.  I've already made the cutest pair of earrings with them.  These are going to be hard to part with because I'm just in love with them. 

I haven't had a lot of time to work with the beads and findings yet, but I can't wait to show you all the amazing pieces I can create with them.  If you have suggestions about how to use them, or what pieces of jewelry are deserving of these amazing pieces, please tell me.  I have some ideas, but I am totally open to being pushed in a new direction or encouraged to work outside of my comfort zone.

Kell

FTC Disclosure: The items in this post were provided to me free of charge from Rings & Things for review or design purposes as part of the Bead Blogger program. I am providing an honest review of the products for which I am receiving no compensation.