Just So You Know...

I've closed my Etsy Shop.  I am now on Artisan Component Marketplace and Facebook.  Here is the link to my new shop...http://artisancomponentmarketplace.com/martisbuttonsandbeads/

And I cannot believe it's been months since I've been here and posted.  Shame on me, I guess I almost forgot about this blog.  Will do better...


as always, thanks for stopping by and take care!

Summertime!

For the last several days I've been taking pictures of clouds and learning which are which.  I didn't remember from school and the internet has all the information I need.  I may start posting them here.

What are you doing this summer?  Same old, same old here.  We are raising a few tomato plants in hopes of a fresh harvest and in another week I have to have cataract surgery for my left eye and in a couple of weeks after that go back for the right eye.  I am not seeing clearly at all close up and I really need to.

I have a few things bisque firing today.  A couple of new things and some rings.

Well, I hope you are having some fun and doing well, it's been a while since I've posted.
Take care and thanks for stopping by!

8th Bead Soup Results

Marianne Baxter is my partner for this swap, you can find her blog here:
http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com

I was thrilled with the soup she sent me, it's even in my favorite colors.  Isn't the glass piece beautiful?

Here is the result, I hope Marianne thinks I did a good job!  It is slightly asymmetrical and I used every bead she sent along with some of my green beads that I thought went beautifully with hers.

What do you think?

Here is the link to Lori's blog and the rest of the Bead Soup blogs, this is going to be a blast!

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

Not Another Hobby!

Look what I've been doing the last few days!  It's not finished yet, still have to wash it and finish it up, and it's not perfect and it made my wrists hurt (well, only the French knots), but I am happy with it.

Most of it was done at the end of the day.  I told my husband it is so relaxing and he told me I need something to make me more relaxed…he was joking!  Trust me!

Have you ever done Brazilian Embroidery?  Let me know what you think…

thanks for stopping by, take care!

The Making of my Bead Soup for Marianne

Here is a picture I found somewhere online, probably FaceBook, that I thought was so gorgeous, I had to try to make it in clay.

First I downloaded and made a copy of the picture in the right size for a pendant. 

I cut it out and laid it down on a conditioned and ready piece of clay.  I used a stylus and got an impression of the flower into the clay.  Cut it out and added some detail.

After letting it dry for a couple of days between a couple of ceiling tiles, I used a sponge to wet sand the edges and smooth out what crinkles I could.  

Then the piece was bisque fired, cooled, glazed and fired to cone six which goes to over 2200 degrees.

There it is mixed in with beads that I got for the Soup and the special clasp that was handmade just for me by Jean Wells.

I hope Marianne likes it.  I was happy with the way it turned out and thrilled to be part of this Bead Soup again.  This really gives me a chance to grow in my less than fabulous jewelry skills.  I hope Marianne is happy with what I did with hers.

Got 'Em!

Just received my Bead Soup Blog Hop beads from Marianne Baxter today.  They are perfectly beautiful and in my favorite colors!  Check them out!

There are two little fish that I must do something special with.  I am not really into the Zodiac and horoscopes and all that, but my sign is Pisces and I've a feeling these are going to be a great dangle.  Off to do some chores, then back to think and plot what to do with such loveliness…  

Thank you Marianne!

My Bead Soup Blog Hop Partner is…

Marianne Baxter at:

 http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-color-orange.html

Marianne works in glass and metal clay and her work is lovely. I am excited to be her partner!  I have to fire her focal, I just finished glazing it and I just pray it goes as well as I hope it will!

The focal is fired and I will bag this stuff up and on the way before Friday!  It was such a nice bead shopping day for Marianne, I hope she likes it!

thanks for stopping by, take care