The magic bracelet

I've been meaning to blog about this - and finally remembered to take a photograph today.
This is a bracelet that I made about 4 or 5 years ago - An embellished herringbone.  As you can see - the original bracelet is white, with embellishments of an odd size seed bead I found at one of the LBS'es - I think they're like a size 14 galvanized hex, or something like that.
Anyway - this is what it looked like brand new:

After having it in the shop inventory for awhile, and then at a few shows, I decided I would keep it for myself, but because I don't wear white a whole lot - it kinda got pushed around and buried in the box I was using for bracelets.
Fast forward to this summer, when I suddenly had the perfect outfit with which to wear a white embellished herringbone bracelet.
Only NOW - now it's taken on a new look - like magic:

 I'm assuming that the galvanized gold "tarnished", but how it managed to tarnish in several different colors is a mystery to me.  Probably not to a science nerd - but it is to me.  I actually like it much better THIS way - the colors really pop against the tan I've gotten this summer, and I've been wearing it quite a bit.
So there you have it.  My magic bracelet.    ;0)
Working on something totally new and different today.  While shopping for Mom's all white beads yesterday, I came across a very cool turquoise focal, and some accent beads to go along.   The colors that I'm pairing with the turquoise focal are not typical - they just happened to be hanging right next to it - and I decided I kinda liked them together.  You'll have to let me know if you agree when I finally get a finished photo posted.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Did I say relaxed? NOT

So much for a fairly relaxed week.  Once again my schedule is filled with unplanned bookstore hours.  And as much as I was looking forward to the free time - I'm glad to work them so that those that WERE scheduled can be available to comfort my friend and her husband after the loss of their daughter and grand-son.  As well as the fact that on top of THAT - another store employee lost someone in THEIR family as well.   I hope this planetary meeting, shift, paradigm, whatever it IS - moves on soon.  We could all use the peace.
Shopping with mom yesterday was fun.  I wasn't impressed with the boutique I was told to check on, though, so didn't even introduce myself.  I think those girls are going to find out the hard way come holiday season (if they're there that long) that you can't just put $100 necklaces out on a free standing shelf, and not under glass.  It's going to walk away.  I wouldn't be comfortable having them display my work in that manner.  It needs a bit more security than that. I have my items out on a table - free standing so to speak - when I do shows - but I am right there, and can keep an eye on what's happening.  And still there's a rare occasion when something will disappear.  But in the mall - there's an even bigger chance - entryways in 2 directions (this store is right next to an exit door too), only one clerk, who wasn't really doing a good job of paying attention.  It just wasn't the right fit for me.  Cute store.  HIGH prices.  I wish them luck. 
The rest of the trip mainly consisted of bead shopping.  Mom had requested an "ALL WHITE" jewelry set, with NO pearl.  It's not as easy as it sounds, kids.  I've been shopping the various stores for the right beads - plain, opaque white is NOT an easy thing to find.  So we hit a different Hobby Lobby store than usual, as well as the BIG JoAnn superstore.  Finally hit the jackpot there.  Mom also got lucky at Hobby Lobby - there's a large metal decorative grate she's been wanting for a space on the outside of their summer home here in Michigan, and she could just never justify the price.  FINALLY.  50% off.  Could barely get that puppy in the HHR - but we did it.  It's going to pop on the front of their house.  Can't wait to see it. 
And as far as the all white jewelry.  I don't think it turned out half bad:

It's very MOM.  The necklace clasp is actually a hook and eye type with extra chain, so that she can adjust it for her outfits.  I bet she'll get a lot of use out of this down in Florida.
Busy next few days.  Hope I can get to the babbles.  If not....I bet you'll survive.  ;0)
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

Changin' it up!

After hopping for the BSBC over the weekend, I realized that my cutesy curly Q background was waaaaay too widely used amongst the bloggers these days.  I needed something different.  I needed something easy to read, and easy to access the links.
So what you're seeing is what I THINK we're going to try living with for awhile.  I'm actually open to finding optional easily downloadable blog templates that are even more unique.  Blogger is so limited.  Blah.
Not too much else to blog about at the moment.  I'm grateful to each of you that chose to comment on rant blog - thank you.   I'll be off and about with my mom today, checking out another boutique consigment opportunity, lunching at Ruby Tuesdays, and a final shopping trip for the beads to complete her ALL WHITE ensemble.  Not as easy to find all white (but not pearl) as you might think.
So enjoy the changes - I hope it's easier to read, and therefore - makes you happy to keep coming back.
One more reveal teaser - then I promise you'll have to WAIT until the 25th:

Peaceful, easy beading, (and if that doesn't but the Eagles song in your head now, I don't know what will!)
TTFN

If you don't like rants...stop here.

I'm not feeling my best today, so I guess the bitchiness is coming to the surface.  I hope that many of you that are visiting me are doing so in preparation and excitement over the Bead Soup Blog Challenge.  The final reveal is coming up in two weeks.  I have four pieces to reveal - and have HAD four pieces ready to reveal for weeks.  I could have entered the first reveal  (and this is where the rant starts - so I warned ya) - and I didn't just plop the focal on a rope and add the clasp to the back.  Honestly - I said this before and I will say it again - IF you know you're going to be too busy, have too many children, have too many commitments, and have a HABIT of being late for everything - then maybe the challenge isn't for you.  IF you aren't prepared to actually be challenged by what you receive, and choose to cop out and "just plop the focal on a rope and add the clasp to the back" - then maybe the challenge isn't for you.  Lori bends over backward and then some to put this all together, organize, keep it all straight - and then inevitably - there are those that seem to have only joined for the freebies. It's just plain RUDE.  Lots of you will be mad at me for saying that - but it's the sense that I get when I look at the piece you posted that holds NOTHING of what what sent but what was required.  That may be the rule - but it shouldn't be the NORM. And don't even get me started on those that still haven't posted for the second reveal at all - TWO days later.  So now that I've completely pissed you off - I also KNOW and realize that shit happens.  There are going to be unexpected circumstances beyond people's control that will keep them from the hop.  My OWN partner, Sally, has had to drop out due to serious personal loss, as well as family issues.  Her issues WERE issues.  Not just 'I didn't have the time' issues.  I'm not the only one ranting about this either, girls - I'm holding my tongue a bit over on the Facebook Bead Soup page over a comment from someone trying to justify not following through with their commitment. That's why I'm HERE.  I guess I just don't understand people not being honest and honoring the commitment they make to the challenge. 
ALL that being said - I finally completed the hop yesterday.  For the most part, there are some very beautiful, very unique, very awesome and CREATIVE challenge pieces out there.  Hurray and kudos and pats on the back to all of them.  I was not able to comment on as many as I had hoped - either google wouldn't let me, or wordpress wouldn't let me, or the chaptka's (or whatever the hell they're called) wouldn't let me.  DRATS.  But I was able to comment on those I loved the most - and have gotten replies back from most of those wonderfully creative people.    Wish I could have commented on all of them (well, ok, ALMOST all of them - there were a few exceptions, or you wouldn't be reading this rant).
Ok.  Enough of that.  I know I've probably made enemies of a few readers, and for that, I guess I'm sorry - but I do tend to speak my mind more and more these days - and usually in print form rather than verbally.    
Looking forward to a somewhat relaxed week - even though it still includes at least three trips (40 minutes round trip, give or take) to the bookstore.  I've never really worked anywhere (except my very first job) that was anywhere close to home.  Because of where my little 'burb is located, I'm about a 20-30 minute drive to pretty much anything interesting, as well any employment opportunities.  Plays hell on the gas mileage, especially at $4 a gallon.  I have gotten pretty good at running all my errands in one trip, let me tell ya.
If you're still here, and haven't completely abandoned me and mouth, THANK YOU!  It excites me everyday to see the viewer numbers grow and grow and GROW!  YAY!
Stop back soon - I'm trying to blog a little (or a lot!) everyday before the reveal date - and I've got lots of events coming up, so will have other topics (even beaded ones) to blog about. 
Peaceful beading,
TTFN

The circle of life whispers in my ear again

I've always said that this blog is about more than beads - it's about life.  And today - it's about how grateful I am, that we really ALL should be, that we are HERE, we are, for all intents and purposes, happy and healthy, and able to enjoy each day as it comes.  It takes but just one second - one tragedy - to take it all away for some people, and it has once again whispered in my ear.  This tragedy has put life into perspective in so many ways - and it breaks my heart each time I hear the news (it's been in the newspaper and TV headlines last night and most of today).  It makes it even harder to hear about it when it involves someone that you KNOW.
A very good friend, and fellow Abraham group member, has tragically lost both her daughter and 6 month old grandson in a home accident.  What makes it even harder to fathom - is that this daughter was somewhat of care giving helper to my friend AND her husband - who are both blind.  The sense of loss must be absolutely overwhelming for them, and I have been at a loss for words about it until now.  My way of helping the situation today, was to work an unscheduled shift at the bookstore, so that those that had intended to work today, could actually tend to Janiele and her loss instead by administering hugs, and ears, and shoulders and Reiki treatments to help with the grieving process.  I plan to call and leave a consolatory message at some point, but what - HOW - do you do that when something this tragic happens?  So many unanswered questions (her daughter lost consciousness while carrying or cuddling the baby and fell - killing them both).
So once again - I devote this blog today to LIFE, and am sending lots of white light energy to my friend Janiele and her husband, Pat.  We feel your pain, and cry tears of sorrow for you both. 

Soup - simmering - and back burnered

MY soup - a 4 course meal of scrumptious beady-ness - is complete.  It will be simmering and waiting to be served for the final reveal on August 25th. 
Sadly - my soup partner Sally Anderson has had a very sad death in the family, and is therefore unable to complete her soup piece at this time.  I'll be sure to post a photo of what I sent to her when I reveal - but she could really use some words of love and support and even encouragement from her fellow bead community.  Why not hop over to her blog (see the link above) and give her some love?  I'm sure she would appreciate it when she is finally able to get back to her beads and her blog again.
BUT - until reveal date - I've had fun creating with as much of what she sent me as I possibly could - while also creating Rebirth, THREE custom pieces and a two week bout of respiratory crap.  THAT'S why I chose the last reveal date - I just never know what's going to come up in between.  And I'm still done way before.  What can I say?  I'm good.   :0)

Here's a tease of the earrings that will match the main course:

Bet you can't wait to see the actual COLOR version.  They are pretty cool, if I do say so myself.
Enjoying a rare NO committment afternoon (just a craft show meeting in the evening).  Soup is done.  Rebirth's done.  Hmmm.  Which drawer of beading magic should I open next?

Peaceful beading,
TTFN

TADA!

Finally.  A version I can live with.  Rebirth - Bone, Bronzite, Desert Jasper, Enhanced (white) Quartz, czech & Swarovski crystal, glass pearl, bugle beads, drop beads and countless seed beads.  $250.00.
I can reserve on Etsy for you so that payment can be made through PayPal - please comment or message me if you are interested.
Now on to complete more Bead Soup challenge pieces....still 3 weeks to reveal.....but, the SECOND reveal date is coming up THIS Saturday, August 11th (once again, I'll be out of town and unable to hop until late in the day-doh).  Head over to our fearless leader Lori Anderson's blog for the hop list.
Peaceful beading,
TTFN