Happy Easterbunny!


Our Easter-bunnies were pretty happy this morning. They have been efficient overnight.

We colored eggs - I know kind of late, but better than never. Really messy by the way. I think I did not only color the eggs but also half of my kitchen.


Then we had a nice breakfast. I even brought out the new bunny cups.



















After that we played the Greek tradition of breaking the red eggs. Red more about red Easter egg tradition here (Kokkina pasxina avga).














And obviously we could not skip the egg hunt. As our spring season in Germany is cold and grey, I decided to add some color into the picture, so it almost looks sunny outside. (Here is the recipe for the easy-to-install-spring in your garden, in case you don't have a lot of time: Buy a bunch of various colored flowers and set them out in your garden. - Yes I know it sounds lazy, but I will actually plant them later when it is not so cold anymore.) I need to admit, it looks really silly in the picture - but really cool in our garden.



















And Meli found quite a few cool things that the Easterbunnies left for her.










































So happy Easterbunny to all of you.

They're back

Finally, they're back. This week the new season of Grey's Anatomy started. We are always behind, so this is the beginning of the 6th season. And George died. OMG. The first one was a double-episode. And because I had to be in a very important phone conference with the people from work in the US from 8 pm until midnight, I could not watch it. So I followed the secondary plan: Watch the repeat that was on from 1 am - 2:30 am. So now two days later I am still tired.
They're back. I guess that means that I will be sitting with tissues and redwine in front of the TV every Wednesday night...

Anticipation

I am very much about planning these days. Actually I have always been. My purse has always been full of post-its with to-do lists. But now with the little lady by my side and back at work, there is really no un-planned minute in my days anymore. Zero. I am planning what I do when, how long I have to prepare for the event and when I need to start planning for my plans. That way I can anticipate that everything works out the way I want it. I sometimes wonder if I spend more time making plans than actually doing things. And that anticipation -may it be positive or negative - is actually taking control. And when I reach the event, it almost feels like time stands still. Are we living in the anticipation space and will never get to the final desired event? Who of you is similar to me?

When you google “Anticipation” you get 19.9 million hits. According to Wikipedia, anticipation can refer to:

  • A Guinness advertising campaign
  • A type of non-chord tone
  • When the severity of genetic disorders increase with each generation
  • The early pay-off of debts
  • The concept of an agent making decisions in artificial intelligence
  • A 1971 song and album by Carly Simon
  • An emotion involving pleasure in considering some expected or longed-for good event, or irritation at having to wait.

My biggest take away from the Carly Simon song is that anticipation is a word you can NOT sing in a melodic way: AHHHAN-TICI-PAAAIIII-TIOOOON MAAA-HHAAA –KES ME WAIII-HIII-TING?!?! Seriously, what was she thinking? (sorry to you Carly Simon lovers out there – I am a 70s child, but I guess when I started seriously listening to music, we were already in the 80s).

The biggest beading anticipation I had in the last weeks (certainly a positive one) was waiting for the one and only fair in the area that is focused on crafting. Last week we finally went to the Creativa in Dortmund, Germany. It was huge. We spent the whole day there and saw only about half of the booths. This was me in paradise. Since it is over an hour of a drive to get there, we went only one day (which was also a good choice to make when it comes to my budget for beads and craft supplies and the space I have to store it – maybe we should buy the large empty house of our neighbors?).

There was not that much “technique stuff” as I hoped, but more sellers offering their current lines. But I got something new. It is this:
A tiny “kiln” for enameling pendants and beads.

Look at the tiny pan and the little metal pieces to cool off the elements. I felt like playing in a doll house. I know it is the cheap and simple kind and most of the bead people who have tried it out go to torch-fired enameling – it seems to be a hot trend (if you have not seen the enameled beads of Barbara Lewis of Painting with Fire, then please go here and buy some, they are so gorgeous). I don’t have a torch right now, and it is probably a good thing because if I would have one, with my luck I would probably set the house on fire. So I was wondering if this “kids” version would work as well. It says that the temperature will reach 160 degrees centigrade (320 F), so it might work for polymer beads as well (which can cause toxic fumes when putting them in your oven too long – that would be me as well).

So after not having time to unpack it for a week due to a lot of overtime at my strategy work (talking about a lot of time to anticipate), I enameled my first pieces today. I only got a few colors, to try it out first. I was actually surprised how well the kiln worked and I think they turned out really nice (for my first attempts) – do you like them? I think I will become an addict pretty soon.





What is true about Carly’s song is the waiting piece. Getting prepared for something to happen. Assuming what can be. And time spent for waiting for that event. Can’t we skip this waiting period and jump right into the fun of it? Why we focus on this waiting time so much? On something that has not happened yet. On something that is not real.
So here is my to-do list for today:
1. Enjoy.
2. The.
3. Moment.
Forget your anticipation and to do lists, and go bead.

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The wedding

The wedding was nice (seen from the couple's point of view). Wonderful guests, a nice ceremony, beautiful dresses, and a fun atmosphere. The ceremony was held in a old villa, so it was a bit kitsch but I like kitsch. Unfortunately, when the couple kissed, everybody started clapping. So what is unfortunate about that, you might ask. Well Baby Girl got all upset and started screaming so bad that the ceremony had to be interrupted until I (sweaty mommy) left the place with screamy girl.

We went home after that - most of the guest went for a hiking tour, but we could not join with the stroller, plus is was raining outside. In the evening we went then to the reception, and I found a cool outfit in my wardrobe (well I guess it carries more treasures than I thought). I need to show a picture of it, difficult to describe. The bottom were pants, but they looked like a skirt, since there is another layer of chiffon on top of the pants; with that I wore a black top and a black / sparkly short knit knotted jacket. I think I looked good (oh oh, am I pampering myself again? I think I did though). So that also solved the nursing problem (no dress & getting "un-dressed" involved).
However, people also tend to applaude during wedding receptions unfortunately, so we went through the same story. She really does not mind loud noise, but everything that comes suddenly is a shock. So Nick took her home, only to realize after a half hour drive that he had no housekeys. Meli was sleeping by that time, so Nick spend some time reading on the terrasse and picked me up an hour later.

Besides all of that - they food was excellent. After some starters, they served salmon, asparagus in a vinagrette, lime joghurt dressing and basil mousse. The next course was a sorrel soup with diced tomatoes. Then followed beaf fillet with a herb crust, veggie variation, potatoe gratin in a redwine-shallots reduction. But the best was the desert buffet. I have never seen something like that and I wish I would have taken pictures. There was a whole room filled up with deserts, and I had (all very tiny portions): creme brulee, fruit variation, chocolate cake, inside-soft chocolate muffin, ice cream cake, fruit sherbet, and a cinnamon chocolate mousse. And I did not even tough half of the deserts available (which i deeply regret).

On sunday we went to Dortmund to the Creativa fair and I had a lot of fun. I had Meli in the carrier for about 6 hours (my back is strong like the one of a horse after that exercise), and she had a great time, and was either sleeping or talking. I guess she creied it all out the day before on the wedding. I got some pretty cool stuff at that fair, but I need to take pictures and come back later. But be aware, there are beads involved, textile, enameling and other goodies......

I am an ABS carnival blogger

Oh how exciting this is. I am now part of the ABS carnival blogger group. Every second month I will write a post about a secret topic (every second month because there is a number of people that there are two alternating groups). I have been thinking about my secret post for April. A thousand things come to my mind. But I am not going to write a book - I will make sure it will be crisp and short, and hopefully inspiring to all the people that will read this. Anyways. I. Am. Really. Excited. Join us soon for the secret topic of the month.

Preparing for the wedding reception

So I am invited to a wedding this weekend. The ceremony will take place on saturday morning at the town hall, and the dinner reception starts at 8 pm. So what will I wear. I have no clue. I am out of shape. I have a couple of dresses, but even if one of them would still fit I can't wear it. Since I am still nursing the baby, wearing a dress would mean that I have to get completely undressed every time she needs to eat. And this can't be done in a subtile way. So I need to somehow wear two pieces - skirt or pants and a top. I do not exactly know what in my closet is elegant enough to fit the cocktail dresses the other ladies will wear. So I am kind of putting my hope in this fabulous necklace that I yet have to come up with. So everybody will look at me and say - where did you buy this. I haven't really mentioned this yet, but one of my resolutions for this year is to start my own "business" selling a few of my necklaces on etsy or so. Now a quarter of the year is over and I haven't even contacted the tax authorities (everything works a little different in Germany). But I am determined. I can do it.
So back to the fabulous necklace design. I will wear something dark (most likely). Black. Maybe brown. When I think about weddings I always think about pearls. But since I am not the bride, this might not be necessary :)
Does anybody have a suggestion for something fabulous?

Sisterhood of the traveling beads giveaway


Heather Powers of Humblebeads had a fabulous idea. She started the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads". She will send a box of all those pretties in the picture out to a lucky winner, who will then get a chance to take some off and add some of his own stash and host the same giveaway. How cool is that. Since I am in Germany I can't participate (sniff), but I think this is so cool that I wanted to let all of you beaders out there know about it. Go over to Heather's blog and join the fun.

And the winner is.....

So here are the two winners for my giveaways - thank you all for leaving comments about your precious three. The one that made me think a long time was a comment from Le Shabbytique: Sanity. We forget how precious it is. But now - the winners...

Meli was so kind to help draw the winners. I assure you she did it randomly and had no preference for any one of you who played along.

The winner of the China landscape earrings is Lisa of Lucidmoonstudio (which makes me very happy since I just won a gift certificate from her giveaway - but it actually would have made me happy for everyone of you who left so lovely comments.).

And the second winner, who will get my Blue Pond earrings is Cindy.

Please contact me and let me know your shipping addresses, so I can get the goodies out to you asap. So sorry for those of you who did not win, but thanks to everyone for playing along. This was fun and I will certainly do it again soon, so stay tuned for something bigger and better ;-).I hope all of you will have a sunny sunday.

If I were

I answered those questions, recently seen on Lori's blog. For the fun of it, you see what Nick answered for me in brackets.

If I were a month I'd be June (September)
If I were a day I'd be a sunny day (Wednesday)

If I were a time of day I'd be midnight (noon)
If I were a sea animal I would be a starfish or an octopus (a seal)
If I were a planet I would be the moon (Jupiter because it is the biggest one - thank you, Nick!)

If I were a direction I would be the wrong one (South)

If I were a piece of furniture I would be a bed (a bed)

If I were a liquid I would be red wine or a tear (champagne or red wine)
If I were a gemstone I would be a chalcedony (a petosky stone)

If I were a tree I would be a magnolia (a willow)

If I were a flower I would be a freesia (a snowdrop)
If I were an element of weather I would be rain (fog or dew)
If I were a tool I would be a hairbrush (broken or a screwdriver because you can use it for everything)

If I were a musical instrument I would be a voice (12 string guitar - because I am not a solo instrument)

If I were a color I would be teal (cobalt blue)
If I were an element I would be air (water)
If I were an emotion I would be calm, harmonious and the love for my Meli (lighthearted)

If I were a fruit I would be a lemon (a tomato - because it is a fruit but it wants to be a vegetable)

If I were a facial expression I would be a happy face (a grin)

If I were a sound I would be a song (a background sound but a nice one)
If I were a car I would be a horse carriage (a Citroen)

If I were a food I would be thai soup without coconut and fish or shrimp (something blackened)

If I were a material I would be silver or cotton (glass)
If I were a place I would be an island in Greece (home)

If I were a taste I would be garlic, lime and chili (sour or salty)
If I were a scent I would be bergamotte (a mix of rose and rosemary)

If I were a body part I would be a heart or an eye (fingertips)
If I were a song I would be something swing or jazz, hometown glory or fix you or young folks or... (song song blue - which was actually chosen by my mum to be my birth song)
If I were a bird I would be a piping plover (not the birds you have, right? an ostrich, penguin, - no: a piping plover)

If I were a gift I would be something really personal (birthday gift)

If I were a street I would a boardwalk by the ocean (a street that leads to a farm or a boardwalk by the ocean)

If I were a city I would be San Francisco or Thira, Greece (Troyes, France)

If I were a pair of shoes I would be comfy shoes (the favorite pair)

Have fun to think a bit about yourself, and share your answers on your blog if you like.

A small world

I made this. I know it looks a bit like a kindergarden project but since I do not have any kids in that age I guess I need to admit it. I made it. And please pay attention more to the thoughts than to the execution side of it - I know I need to get better at that.

So what it is? It is actually a voucher for a friend of mine who will celebrate her 40th birthday - the party will happen tonight. A lot of friends have collected money to give her this spa weekend. It is in a nice hotel, and she will get all kinds of baths and stuff. The good thing is that there are three other ladies that are going with her, so we booked her the "girlfriend package - beautiful sheherazade". In their little group of four, they will get an individual make up training, they will have their private fitness class and enjoy wonderful meals. (I am not going and can you tell I am jealous). And because the girl that was supposed to do the voucher is gone for a work trip until late this afternoon I offered to do the crafting. They thought about a piece of paper with some cut outs of the catalogue explaining the event (which I did of course, see picture below) - but I can do better than that. Nobody has seen it yet, but I love it (even though it is kind of kindergarden-like).



















So in this box, you have four "rooms".


The fitness room - with a small copy of the birthday girl. Notice the highlights of her hair and her pretty fitness outfit? I glued the "hardwood" floors in, and the mirror on the wall - when you do fitness, you need to see how your shape improves, right?















The restaurant is simple - it just has a table, plates and silverware - and napkins not to forget.

The make up room has lotion, a mirror again, nail polish, blush, and a shower gel.




And my favorite is the spa room. On the "hardwood" floors I glued a little paper bathtub, that even has "water" in it (made out of plastic wrap), and I made little towels.

The pictures on the walls are actually print outs from the website of the actual hotel where she is going to. So it gives it a more real flair. Isn't this an oasis? I would like to move in!

The only silly part is that I am not sure if I am going to the party. Nick and I said we wanted to bring Meli and the birthday girl asked us to leave her at home, because the music might be loud and she does not want to cut back on her party because of us. While there is a part of it that I can understand, we only come in a package. Plus I feel I can take the decision alone wheather something is too loud for my baby or not. Plus if I go (in that case I would go alone and Nick needs to play the babysitter) I have an hour of commute and can stay about an hour an a half to be safe that I am back in time for nursing..... well - that's life as a mommy.
But don't you like my little spa?

Jewelry from Round Rabbit


I spent money. I was looking for components in Nancy Schindler's store - and before I realized that I was in her finished jewelry store (and not her component store which is RoundRabbitExtra), I already fell in love with those two beautiful pieces. And I bought them. And I love them. I have been wearing both of them almost every day, and still can't stop looking at them. Obviously after that, I still needed to go to the component store - and I will take pictures of what I got when those treasures will come in. Visit her blog here.
Oh and don't forget to sign up fro my giveaway - only two days left.

Fun with Baby


So today was a good day. That was good because yesterday was not so nice, so I enjoyed the turnaround. I worked in the morning and in the afternoon we went to our weekly Tuesday - Play - Class. Now don't ask me what it is about. It is about playing with babies. And a bit of chatting with Mommies as well. The babies are naked (that is part of this concept that was invented by this Czech person), it seems like they can move better than with all the clothes on. And it is about 90 degress F in the room - so the babies are not cold - but the Mommies are sweating like crazy. But I need to say that it is fun.

Tomorrow is one of those busy days again. First we have an appointment at the hospital to get her hemangioma checked (every 6 weeks) - we will have to sit an hour in the waiting room for the doctor to tell us that it has not changed and that we need to come back in 6 weeks to get it checked again. In case you don't know what that is - it is the red spot Meli has in her face. It is a type of birthmark (a kind of benign tumor). We were told that a lot of babies have it, that it grows relatively fast for the first 6 months, then it stays for 2 or more years, and then it starts to fade. We could also do something right now and have it lasered, but that would mean she has to go in the hospital up to 6 times (3 days per stay) - without me (which is not going to happen!). And there is a chance that it will scar. Or to give her beta-blockers. We won't do any of that. We decided to wait. And if it is not going away, then we can still do something later. The doctors are fine with that. Her's is not growing anymore, so we can wait - it actually has not changed in a very long time.

Anyways. After the trip to the hospital, we will go to the next class - it's called early music education. I refer to it as the "singing class" or "the early music education class for mommies" - so I am not destroying my kids' understanding for music with my wonderful voice at her young age. We learn songs in the Tuesday play class, and I can repeat them until Tuesday night, and on Wednesdays, they mutate into one of the three standard melodies I know - unfortunately the text does not work with this anymore.

Please don't get me wrong - I am surely not one of those who needs to run from class to class, but I just enjoy dedicating some time to baby girl. Because after that I have to work in the afternoon while she will go for a walk with grandma and have a good sleep from all that entertainment.

See - it will be a busy day.

I've got sunshine


I am very happy today. I have received the sunshine award. I have walked around the house the entire day saying "I got the sunshine award" probably every 5 minutes. Can you tell it makes me happy?
This award is given to "bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world."

I like my blog. I actually started it last year in June, initially more writing for myself as I did not let anybody know I started this. I am very much about protection of privacy. Slowly people unknown to me started to read my posts and comment. And that has become so exciting for me. To get in touch with the sweetest people out there in the universe, and even if they do not know that I read their blogs, they seem like my closest friends, as I participate in their lives. Thinking that people do participate in mine (through reading my blog) is amazing to me. Thank you to all of you who read, comment, give advice, joy and happiness to me. And apologies for all my english mistakes - you may not know that I am German, so please understand and have a little bit of patience for me and my grammar issues.

The tradition demands that I will pass this blog on to the Extra-Cool-Happy-Blogs that are inspiring me every day. My first person on the list would be Cathryn's Chilecats - but she has actually given it to me. But please go visit her blog, and read for example, how cats decide on winners for a giveaway or why the national guard is close to protect her neighborhood.

So I have decided to pass this award on to the following people:

I am not sure if they have received the award already but hope they will enjoy it - they just stand for so many people that brighten my day up with their notes. Thanks to you all. You have inspired me a lot.

Butter Side Down

This morning I ate my breakfast standing on the counter (a bit in a rush to get to the gem fair again - I'll blog about it later - and the baby wanting to play with me) - that was when the incident occured. My piece of bread fell down. I mean butter side down. I hope that this won't be an indicator for how the day will continue.

Don't miss my giveaway (see earlier post)

I realized I made two posts in a row about giveaways - first mine and then the one from Emanda. Please scroll down to not miss out mine..... ;-)

Emanda's challenge

Emanda from Artemisiastudio is hosting also a giveaway on her blog - a beautiful bracelet. She is celebrating her 100's post in a few weeks, and until then, you have time to enter. Check it out here. She had the wonderful idea to find a budding artist and help them to grow their skills and love for beads and beading. I have two of those. One of my nieces, and my boyfriend ;-)
One of the girls especially is all excited when I come to their house and show my new jewelry, new beads or even start making something. I bring her beads regularly, and she insist on all doing it herself. She does not have a lot of patience yet, so it is a bit of a challenge, but she loves all craft projects in general, so I am sure she will be one of us.
Regarding Nick - I am more forcing him to become a lover of beads.... "honey how do you like this...?"
Have a sunny day.

My addition to Giveawayland

A lot of people have hosted giveaways on their blogs recently, and if you believe it or not, I have participated (yes I am an addict). And this past week, I won my second giveaway - a $ 25 gift certificate from Artbeads - Lisa of Lucidmoonstudio was so kind to pick me randomly. Thanks a ton Lisa - I have already spend a lot of time in their online store to find out what could be a nice addition to my stash.


These little giveaways make us happy, don't they? So I thought this is my turn now to give something back. So with this post, I am hosting my first ever blog-giveaway. Two of you can win my creations from last sunday - a pair of "my precious three" earrings each.
The "China landscape" earrings with the chinese coins were a quick design idea, while I had the idea for the "blue pond" earrings for some longer time but could not figure out how to get them right. (oh and by the way this is the first time that I have tried chain maille - and it may be the last also - while it looks nice when it is finished, I felt like my fingers would break off).


Why did I call them "my precious three"? Well I have been thinking about things that we are happy about. Most people actually can come up with a very long list, like your family, health and your employnment. But I believe there are a few things that once in a while are precious to you and that we often don't think about mentionning. Like the frosting on top of the chocolate cake. The beautiful sunset on your last vacation. Or that bead giveaway that you just won. So each of those earrings has 3 beads in it, to remind me of those "precious three".


To enter my giveaway, you only have to leave a comment and tell me what your precious three things are today. And I will pick two random winners on sunday March 7. So hurry up, you have time to enter until next saturday.
And hold your precious three close to you.....

Cathryn's Chilecats

Chilecats became one of my 5 daily-blogs-absolutely-not-to-miss when I found it through the bead soup party. Cathryn is such a sweet person, and a lover of felines. Her stories are adorable. I feel like reading a book, starving for the next chapter to open. Please go to her blog and show her some love, leave a comment or participate in her giveaway - two lovely pairs of earrings.

Slow sunday

So I am really really slow today. And just found out that we have an appointment for a brunch at 12:30. Quite frankly, does that mean I have to get dressed? I mean today? I mean brush my hair and put makeup on (because without doesn't work today, that's a given)? Oh my. And what about my polyclay plans for this afternoon..... I think I need another coffee.

Giveaway on Painting with Fire blog

I just found out that Barbara Lewis of Painting with Fire has a new blog. And for this occasion she is having a giveaway - one of her beautiful sets of torch-fired beads. I recently got one in Dusty Rose, and really can't decide which one my next favorite color would be. Dusty Blue or Mandarin Orange? Jump over to her blog to find out yourself.

Support Katie's walk

Katie was also a participant in our recent wonderful Bead Soup Party, and she is auctioning the necklace she made for a good cause. She will participate in the Avon Walk for Breastcancer in 2 months and wants to raise $1,800 in donations until then. So go over to her blog, make a bid, or two or three and help her raise money for a good cause - plus you can get her gorgeous necklace.

Lisa's having a giveaway

Lisa from Lucid Moon Studio is having a giveaway as part of the big Bead Soup Party reveal. There are all kinds of goodies she wants to make people happy with. Just leave a comment on her blog and get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Art Beads, the Fall 09 issue of Stringing, a copy of Easywire, or the greatest owl pendant that she "just experimented with". Or just go and visit her blog and admire her necklace with the pretty polymer pendant she made.

Carneval - Altweiberfastnacht

So how would I translate Altweiberfastnacht? It would be something like "old-ladies-party-night". This is the day where we start carneval at 11:11 am. The females take over control. We cut off the ties of the guys (and give them a kiss in return) and we dress up and the entire city is going crazy. Outside parties everywhere, samba drum groups in the ice cold snow weather, and oh gosh, how much fun that is. So this year it is the first time with baby, so I skipped the "drinks outside in the cold" part and went to a party of a mummy friend instead. And we got dressed up - me as a flower and Meli as a bee. No real need to explain, I guess the picture explains it all. More to come - carneval lasts until Tuesday night.

Bead Soup Party - THE BIG REVEAL

Prologue: Looking for a new challenge
One day I was reading one of my daily-go-to blogs (Lorelei Eurto) and I found a link to Lori Anderson’s blog that I need to admit I had not visited before. She was announcing to host a virtual BEAD SOUP PARTY. As I am always looking out for challenges, and contests, with the hope to win something (yes, I am an addict), it was clear that this one was not to be missed.

ACT 1: The concept and rules
So the plan was the following: Lori partnered all of us up in teams of 2 people. Each person had to send a set of beads to the partner, which had to include: A focal, a special clasp, and some corresponding beads. The focal and the clasp had to be used, we were free about the corresponding beads. Everybody had to make some jewelry, keeping the result secret until the big reveal. And today, Feb 10, is the big day, so this entire post is about the big reveal, and all of us 84 participants will be blogging about the party. See the links to the blogs below.

ACT 2: My partner and the ingredients
So how excited can one be – yeah, I am accepted to participate out of Germany. There are actually a quite few people out of Europe, and even one (Dale) out of Korea. This is a truly global event, which makes it just so much more exciting. (Lori, I bet you never thought it would turn into something like that).

My partner is the talented jewelry designer Mel Poxon from Kookie Designs. Please visit her blog here. She lives in the UK and is designing and selling jewelry, and is also a qualified nail technician. She uses a lot of lampwork beads in her designs, from very talented local designers. I appreciate Mel’s style since I think it is very colorful and rich, and I like her designs. I hope you do too. You can check out her Etsy shop here. She is also currently running an auction for Haiti on her blog, so one more reason to visit.

This is what I have sent to Mel:



And this is what I have received from her (except the two focals, that I had already used in my pieces before I took the pictures):

She sent me a wonderful package of beads that I was overwhelmed with. I really like the colors – I am very much a person that wears a lot of blue. Each one of them is a treasure. Some of the talented designers of those beads are Jelveh, Emma Ralph, Julie Fountain of Lush Lampwork, Clare Scott, Cheeky Cherubs, Rob Johnson and Volcanic Lava, just in case you would like to order some of them for yourself. If I would not have to make something to a certain deadline, I would probably still sit here and play with them every day and imagine the things my beads can turn into one fine day.

ACT 4: The making of…
Now here is the tough part. What shall we make? The jewelry I wear is usually more delicate, so I took a lot of time to think how I can use all the beads in one piece. Decision was taken pretty quick – I can’t. Although I had thought about using more of them together, some of those pretty beads are speaking to me: They want to be a bracelet (one that has yet to be made). And my own goal was to make a necklace for the bead soup party. So what will we end up with? A lot of weekends passed, but finally two pieces evolved in my mind.

ACT 5 / FINAL ACT: The big reveal
So for the big reveal, a necklace should be made. I started with the larger focal bead. The gold and blue tones made me want to use copper with it though, and my clasp to be used was sterling. This asymmetrical bead could have probably worked a couple of ways, but here I wanted to try something with coiled wire for the first time, and I love how it turned out. I used some of the beads from my own stash – svarowski sand opal rounds, and dark blue & copper shimmering glass beads, and some copper chain to create those dangles. The chain took another 3 weeks until I figured it out, actually it was just decided yesterday (I even tried to make some myself). In the end I used some copper chain, some copper spacer disks and some more svarowski crystals to repeat the blue from the focal. And the clasp made me very happy too – again made out of coiled wire. I love how it looks, and it was really easy to make. I called it Champagne Decadence necklace.





But here we go – the rules were that I have to use the focal and the clasp. So I needed to make another piece. I used one of the other larger beads that reminds me of a sea urchin as the focal. This color works better with silver, so the clasp would go perfect with it. I thought about sand and water for a long time, and then with a lot of trial and error, this pretty necklace appeared. I was wearing it yesterday for a work dinner with my hair down – and oh my god, did I love this look. It hangs pretty short but fits the length of my hair perfectly.


I again coiled a piece of wire around a thicker gauge, then created a loop and pulled the wire through the bead, and with more wrapping around a piece of leather cord, thus created this pretty dangle. While I first wanted to use one leather up to the clasp, I decided it works good with this chain I had left, and so I coiled the ends of the leather and attached it to the chain, together with some small svarowski bicones on each side. Now that worked well with the clasp. For the dangles I used again some chain from my stash, and added three of the beads I received from Mel to the ends of the chain, all in different lengths. To give it more sparkle, here and there a small svarowski crystal in different shades of blue and voila: the Greek ocean memories necklace was complete. My favorite piece in a very long time. Thank you so much for the inspiration, Mel. For the rest of my beads – check back my blog later to see the bracelet that will be coming up (it is still talking to me…)

Epilogue: Want to see more?
Thank you Lori for hosting this wonderful event. I am so sad it’s over. When do we do the next one? Shall we alternate the people organizing it? I will volunteer for sure. This has been so much fun, and seriously, has been so well organized. A big hug across the ocean from me to you.
The party would not be a party if it was only me. So please go to see the other 84 (!) pieces of jewelry that people have created. Links to their blogs are listed below. Have fun checking them out. And leave a comment and please revisit my blog. And thanks again to you, Lori, for all that fun. A happy day to all of you. Nicki.

Party Participants:

1. Lori, An Artists Year Off

2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads

3. Terri, Blooming Ideas

4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio

5. Lorelei, Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio

6. Kerry, Kab's Creative Concepts

7. Erin, Treasures Found

8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry

9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs

10. Nan, Spirit Rattles

11. Laurel, Rue's Daftique

12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart

13. Mary, MK's Creative Musings

14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle

15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks

16. Sharon, Sharon's Jewelry Garden

17. Lisa, Lo and Behold

18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas

19. Judith, Judith B.

20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium

21. Maria, Garden Path Beads

22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design

23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life

24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things

25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa

26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea

27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design

28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals

29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction

30. Leslie, Bei Mondi

31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta

32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry

33. Kathie, The Bead Cult

34. Patty, Plays With Fire

35. Nicki, Nicki's Reef

36. Anne Marie, Heart's Desire

37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry

38. Jayne, Mama's Got to Doodle

39. Emanda, Artemesia's Studio

40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini

41. Marcie, La Bella Joya

42. Suzann, Beadphoria

43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks

44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass

45. Janiece, J Birds Garden

46. Kate, Organic Odysseys

47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale

48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure

49. Sue, Sue Beads

50. Janeen, Wild Vanilla Designs

51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse

52. Kristie, Artisan Clay

53. Regina, Regina's Writings

54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble

55. Lyn, Lyn Foley

56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz

57. Cathryn, Chile Cats

58. Emma, Fred Bean's Nook

59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter

60. Juli, Jul's Beads

61. Julie, RockerJewlz

62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too

63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles

64. Katie, My Life and My Beads

65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha's Polymer Clay

66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth

67. Ricki, What's New at Ricki Voges Design

68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio

69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery

70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs

71. Lynne, Island Girl's Insights

72. Chas, One Woman's Haven

73. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry

74. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky

75. Maire, Maire Dodd

76. Janet, Singing Woods

77. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads

78. Julie, Miss Kitten's Jewels

79. Joann, Jo's Jewels

80. Patti, PJ Clark Designs

81. Mel, Kookie Designs

82. Erin, Every Heart Crafts

83. Dale, Flights of Fancy

84. Dee, Runako Designs

More beads coming in.....

Yeah, I just found out that the Gemexpo is happening in Cologne at the end of the month. I found the nicest stuff there last time, and it is the only fair that I know in this area here. Further in the south there are more shows since the area of Idaroberstein is very well known for gemstones and jewelry business. You need to check back later to see what I bought. It will take place on the weekend of 27th & 28th in the Gürzenich hall in the center of the City.
We are getting ready to go to a carnevals-market to pick out a costume for Meli and myself, since the big carnevals party starts this coming thursday. I hope I will be ok, since I am still suffering from the rest of a strong stomach flu which hit me this thursday. Anyways - wish us luck. Curious what we will dress up with? Bunnies? Pirates? Princesses?

Good morning !


Winterwonderland


Since we are really burried in snow, I thought I do something nice for our bird friends. So yesterday I put some birdfood out in the snow and these two guys came by and ate it all - they didn't leave a grain for the smaller ones. But I got a picture in return. I think they are really pretty with their powdery grey and purple colors. They look nice in the snow. A theme for a necklace?

Very pretty giveaway from Rockhill Designs


Do you like giveaways? I love them - it si so exciting to check back and see who won. Plus look at this one from Lynette at Rockhill Designs. This is one that I absolutely adore. I really hope I win it. Thanks Lynette for sharing with us little bloggers out here.....

Nerds

So why do people have to be nasty. Here is what happened. I have been unburying my very very very old sewing machine from the basement, because all the sudden I am caught by the idea to make a quilt for my sweet baby. And guess what happens - I have never been sewing with that thing. I have never been sewing period. Plus - obviously I have no user manual for that thing anymore. Anyways. I am all decided about doing this. So I go to the web to find a user manual - not possible - except on these "download the user manual after a personalized websearch from one of our search specialists (aka very expensive)"-websites. So I go to find a forum for sewing people. I had so good experiences with the beading people, so I decide I will try it, right? And believe it or not, there are 5 comments. 4 of them are complaining about the way I asked the question, the location where I posted it, and other stupid comments about why they are not going to help me. Here is my answer: you sewing people SUCK.
(In case I have offended any nice sewing people, sorry! I am not talking about you).

Wire-wrappers

I found a new website called wire-wrappers.ning.com. Since I have the most fun with wire wrapping, this is my page. It looks like there are not a lot of members yet, but I especially love the Sma Bla page. Check it out - the jewelry is amazing. And oh by the way... we are snowed in - 8 inches already and we get another 8 tomorrow. And I have a terrible flu. Should be a good start to keep the bead soup simmering, no?

Share the love


Please visit Starbucksloveproject.com and help fight Aids in Africa. Sing a song or draw a love picture or just enjoy looking at the love.....

Bead Soup Party - Update


Lori Anderson is hosting a bead soup party - and believe it or not, there are more than 80 participants. The big show date is on February 10. We even have a Flickr group where we can upload pictures of the bead packages we sent to each other. I received my package from the talented Mel Poxon from Kookie Designs and I have a feeling that she will transform my elements into something beautiful. The picture above it what I have sent to Mel. Come back on Feb 10 and see what we made.

5 : 14

Ok I always have the impression I am buying beads constantly and that I am never making something. So I counted how often I posted something here. 5 purchases, 14 posts about jewelry made. Not bad. I want to keep the first number lower than the second, so I guess I can keep buying? Or should I say posting about what I bought and not keep them secret anymore (since I am buying beads permanently)?

Pumpkin Risotto and Bead Soup


Yeah, I will join the Bead Soup Party. Have a look at how much fun it will be at Lori Andersons blog. And oh, you wonder what the Pumpkin Risotto is about? I made one yesterday - and it was delicious - have a look at Jamie Oliver's website here. Except that I used hokkaido instead of squash, a different type of bacon, and bought pumpkin seeds instead of the ones from the fresh one. And I served the pumpkin on the side rather than in the risotto. BUt other than that, it was almost the same recipe ;-)

Happy New Year

May we all stay healthy and happy in 2010 and may all our wishes come true.

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