New Video and Half Persian Chain Maille

I'm still working on making videos for my blog and web sites. In fact, I've spent several hours today doing just that. This is using the same software I used before (Picassa 3) I added some music. I finally figured out how to add the captions.

"See that little check box that says: Add captions?"


It is a funny set of pictures I took at Christmas time. Our Grandson put a magnetic train in one of the pool table holes. It was funny to watch the adults trying to get the car out. (Spoiled their game too)

I found a new 30 second video maker on line and I now have another thing to learn. I made one but it doesn't seem to be compatible with my blog. Perhaps I'm just too impatient on the loading. I'll persevere with it however, since it has lots of features.

I did start a fun new Chain Maille piece today. I uses square wire rings from Urban Maille. I had to make a regular half Persian 4 in 1 first since that has been sold. Funny, I finished it in record time too. Then I got to play with the square version. Right now I'm on a break. I'll be back at it soon.

I'll probably have a picture for Monday's post.


B

January thaw and new ideas

I'm not sure what the hoped for January thaw has to do with new ideas but that is what is on my mind right now.

When are we going to have the January thaw? It better hurry up as it is the 29th today!






It snowed and then rained yesterday. Only warmed up enough to rain and not snow. Now today it is below freezing and yep, everything is frozen. Roads are not too bad except for the back roads but sidewalks and driveways make it treacherous walking even to the car or anywhere else you might want to go. Needless to say, we are staying home this morning.


It is fun to remember the warm August day we flew in the Hot Air Balloon and enjoyed this view of the river and cloud reflections.

January has typically been my time to find a new skill in my jewelry designing. Some have worked out, some were just for fun. I started doing Chain Maille one January a few years ago. Last year it was Kumihimo. Both those skills have worked out well for me.

This year I purchased several books and a new kit. The books arrived yesterday and they look promising. The topic of both is Chain Maille with beads.

The kit is using glass tiles to make pendants that look like fused glass. I'm not sure yet. I've got a learning curve to conquer before I'm happy with that.

What kinds of things do you all do in January? or February?

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Lemonade Award

I woke up to a surprise yesterday morning. A friend sent me an email saying that I had received an award from a blog we both read. http://www.beadinggem.com/

So, I went over to Pearl's blog and sure enough, she had awarded the Lemonade Award for "graditude and attitude". Wow! What a compliment. You can read what she said on her blog. She has lots of other extremely interesting posts.

Here are the rules for the award:

1.Put the logo on your blog or post

2.Nominate blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude and link to your post.

3. Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.

It is unfortunate, that Pearl and I read many of the same blogs and she took several of my choices for the award. However, I do have several deserving of the Lemonade award and they are:

Miachelle from Arizona at http://inkslinginwoman.blogspot.com/

The name of her blog tells something about her. She loves writing but she is also a very accomplished jewelry designer. She makes some fantastic pieces. However, her posts are also very thoughtful pieces about things that are important to her (and should be to us all) The latest one was about "Re-defining Freedom of Speech" It should be read by everyone!

Gayle at http://kitandcaboodleblog.blogspot.com/

Gayle homeschools her kids (God love her!!!) and supports many Missions and frequents http://www.christianwomenonline.net/. Her faith is very important to her and it not only shows in her blog posts but in her everyday life. You'll enjoy reading her blog. I've really enjoyed getting to know Gayle in our computer interactions.


Have fun reading some of my favorite blogs.

B

Grandson's answer to spills

My grandson has a way of dealing with his clothes when he spills on them.

The first spill was on his shirt front. An easy fix is to just turn the shirt around. No more spot on the front of his shirt.

Then what do you do when the spill goes all the way down to your pants?

No problem, just turn the pants around. (Not too sure what happens when he sits down again.)

But the two pockets right in the front of your pants could come in handy!

Kids always seem to find and easy fix to their problems.

(Did you notice the container of corn - odd for a 4 year old??)

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Kazuri Necklace

I showed these Kazuri beads in a previous post. I purchased them last Saturday at the Innovative Bead show. My initial plan was to make a bracelet from the three beads. But that turned out not to be a good option since the length of the three beads together didn't fit well on a wrist. (At least not my wrist - so I figured it wouldn't on anyone else's either.)

Next, my thoughts went to making a bracelet from the flat round bead and use the other cube shaped beads for earrings. That idea didn't seem to work either since I think the cube beads are a bit heavy for earrings. At least for my taste.

The next step was easy. Make a necklace. I had some nice silver noodles that I had planned to use in the bracelet. So, I added some green Swarovski bicones and some Bali daisy spacers and voila a necklace. And the roll goes on!

The necklace is about 18 inches long and I added a 2 inch extender.

I've posted it on my 1000 Markets web site. Come check it out at http://www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com/

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Project starts

As I blogged about earlier, I went to a bead show last Saturday. Yesterday, I posted one of the first pieces. I thought I might be on a roll because it went together so quickly and easily. Well, I now have three additional pieces - part of my roll I guess, but none are finished.

This is the Kumihimo I have been working on while waiting for my computer. I really like how these fibers are going together. (Much prettier in person) I have more waiting time to go to be finished and then need a pendant to finish it off.

The other pieces need "something" that I don't have. Actually, I not really sure, exactly, what any of them need. Which means I need a trip to the local bead store. It will be worth while since it will be for three pieces.

These are the Kazuri beads I purchased. The necklace needs more length and of course a clasp. I plan to add an extender as this type of necklace needs to be lengthened for different necklines and for different people. Probably 18 - 20 inches finished. I'll see how things work out. Many factors...

These are great painted wooden beads. I added some black rounds and small white spacers. However, it is too short and needs more .... ???

When I finish all of these pieces I'll post again. It will be interesting to see how similar the finished pieces are to these pictures.

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New Necklace

Bead browsing the other day I saw these "different" beads, oval and round beads in "gold" and black stripes. I added some plain black round beads and some black see beads for spacers.

Done!

Well, had to add a clasp, then done.

I like the results.

Sometimes things go together easily, like this time and sometimes the beads sit on my beading table for months.

Guess I'd better get out the ones sitting for awhile and see what happens. Maybe I'm on a roll.

B

Wordless Wednesday

Reorganized 1000 Markets Shop

I spent some time recently thinking about how my web sites should be organized. It finally occurred to me that when people shop, they are not looking for Chain Maille or Kumihimo or what ever other technique I might have. They are looking for a bracelet or necklace or set. Well, that is the conclusion I came to.


What do you all think? Agree ? Disagree ?


How do you shop for jewelry? Do you shop for jewelry? Now that is an important question.


Anyhow, I made some new "collections" in my 1000 Markets shop; bracelets and necklaces. Now, I can put each piece in the appropriate collection. They can go into more than one collection and therefore stay in the Kumihimo or Chain Maille group.

So all that set me thinking even more. (Getting tired here) So, I made one more collection. New items. That will be a revolving group of new items that will be removed as newer items come up.


Well, after all that thinking we'll see what effect it might have on sales.

You can click on the logo at the top of this post to go to my shop or click here:

http://www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com

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Kazuri beads and other goodies

Saturday, two other friends and I travelled to Marlboro, MA to the Innovative Bead show. I really enjoy that show. It is held in the Embassy Motel. All the vendors are on one floor and each have their own room which includes a living room turned into a show room for their wares and a separate bedroom where they can sleep. The show starts on Friday and ends on Sunday.

It must be great to sleep with your wares and not have to set up and take down each night.

You wander up and down the corridor and enter those rooms that interest you. Hmm... which ones don't interest you?

I have always liked the Kazuri beads at the bead display of Kazuri Bead East, but have not purchased any until Saturday. I like the beads and I, also, like to support a Fair Trade Business. The beads are hand made in by women in Kenya. They are payed a fair wage and are often the sole support of their family. They are a members of the Fair Trade Federation. One of those win-win situations. I've always tried to quiz vendors about their sources and support (buy from) those that have good working conditions.

I also found some nice fibers for a Kumihimo necklace or bracelet. Now it snowed here all night Sunday and almost all day too. So, I had time to do some planning and designing. Nothing complete yet but later this week I should have something new to show.

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Cancer Angels

My fellow blogger, Leslie, posted about her association with Chemo Angels. She has a cancer patient that was assigned to her and she showed the painting (Leslie does beautiful watercolors) she recently sent to her patient partner. You can read about it on her blog: at http://leslielovinlife.blogspot.com/


Chemo angels is an organization that supports patients going through the cancer treatment process. Anyone can sign up to be a Chemo Angel. Your commitment will be to send a weekly letter a long with some little trinket, art, poem, or whatever you feel so inclined, to the person that is assigned to you. You will receive the person's name, a little bit about them, their family, and their interests through an email once you have signed up. It is your job to make sure that you lift them up and provide encouragement as they go through this difficult process.

Right now that is not a committment I feel I can make but you never know, someone reading this post may - or you may know someone who could. Feel free to pass this on.

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South Shore Beaders

Last night we had our monthly meeting of the South Shore Beaders. The group has about 8-9 "members" who are jewelry designers and live in the local area (South of Boston, MA)

With the busy holiday season over we were all ready for good "bead talk and sharing". Our simple reason for getting together.

There were only 6 of us last night and we started gabbing as soon as we were seated. The restaurant we go to is Bertucci's and they nicely give us three tables off toward the back of the restaurant. It is nice and quiet and we can stay as long as we like.

The waitress has a bit of a problem getting our orders as we are usually all talking and tend to ignore her. However, since we go to the same place all the time, we know the menu and our favorites and it isn't that hard once she gets our attention.

Most everyone brings some thing for "Show and Tell". Last night's items were new fused glass photo pendants, some beautiful crocheted black and gold ropes, a Kumihimo necklace, and a gorgeous felted hand bag. (Someone took a bead break)

Before we left we had decided on our next meeting date, a date to learn how to crochet bead ropes, a date to learn graduated Full Persian earrings and of course times when we would attend the Innovative Bead show in Marlboro this coming weekend.

All in all it was a great gathering with lots of fun and friendship.

B

Full Persian Chain Maille Bracelet

I've been busy adding my Chain Maille to my new web shop at http://www.bevsjewelry.1000markets.com/

Here is a Full Persian Chain Maille bracelet. See what else I've added.

If you haven't checked out yet, you should. Not just my shop but some of the others.

Althea Peregrine makes beautiful hand painted silk scarves and silk paintings.

http://www.altheap.1000markets.com/

Here is just one of them.

Heron Kate has some lovely paintings - "paintings for you and your floor" Her floor cloths are made with heavy canvas and are coated with a varathane floor finish - they wear very well and are so easy to clean! It would be nice to have at your sink, for example.

http://www.heronkate.1000markets.com/

I had a hard time picking out just one.

Anyhow, check them out and the other shops, you'll like what you see.

B

Golden Globe Awards

I'm really not into the Golden Globe Awards or any of the Award shows for that matter. Just not my thing. But Margot Potter of the Impatient Crafter pointed out that the stars, with few exceptions, didn't wear necklaces at the Golden Globe Awards this year. You can read her blog post here:(http://margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com/2009/01/golden-globe-favorites.html)

This morning's MSN TV site had a nice piece showing 14 of the attendees in their fabulous gowns. Margot's point was proven. Only three wore a necklace. The rest were strapless gowns and bare necks. http://tv.msn.com/golden-globes/photos/undressed-best/?GT1=28013&photoidx=1

I just love this quote from MSN TV about Selma Hayek's picture "She's a standout -- literally and figuratively -- in a va-va-voomy beige Bottega Veneta gown that accentuates her Jayne Mansfield-meets-Jessica Rabbit silhouette."

Maybe she doesn't need a necklace with that silhouette.

One of my favorites is Christina Applegate who had a double mastectomy this past year and still looks beautiful in a strapless sunny yellow strapless gown with a necklace.

Why do you think that is? No necklaces? I wonder, if no one offered to let them wear one of their expensive pieces to show off. That is usually the way they can afford to wear such expensive pieces of jewelry. Or so I hear.

I wonder if I offered to let someone wear one of my necklaces if they would accept. Who do you contact to find out? You must have to "know" someone. Could we find out?

B

New "Video"

Every have something right under your nose and not know it?

In one of my recent posts, I mentioned I was going to try to make some videos for my web sites. That was rather brave since I had no idea how I was going to do it.

Then I was poking around with my software program, Picasa. I use that to down load my pictures from my digital camera and to do easy editing of my pictures. While staring at the screen as something was happening, I noticed a little icon and when I moused over it I saw "movie". Lo and behold, I can make simple movies out of my pictures.

After a few misses I have the above "video". Now isn't anything I planned, so it is just some recent pictures I took to put new items up on my 1000 Markets web store. However, it did work and it was right under my nose.

Now I have to do some refining and purposeful to get something that I really want to share. Maybe there are some special effects?? I'll try reading the help file. (What a concept!)

So, what do you think? Does it work on your computer? I'm expecting it may not on all computers but we'll see. Let me know.

B

Human Trafficking Awareness

If you have followed my blog for awhile, you know that Human Trafficking is one of my concerns. (See July 31, Oct 15 and Oct 20)

Next Sunday January 11, 2009 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Well, I'm aware. Now, I am wondering, what now? So, I did some surfing on the subject and came up with several places that give more information. I'm almost ashamed to say that one of the sites (ashamed because it never occurred to me that they would have any information on the subject) was from the United States Department of State website. It has a page on "How can I recognize Trafficking Victims?"


http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/fs/08/106805.htm.

To me this is something I could do. I get very frustrated by being shown problems and not being able to DO something. Though, I admit, if I found such a person, I'm not sure what I would do. Awareness is a start anyhow.


There is another web site that gives information on things you can do. They give many different ideas that you can read about.

http://covchurch.org/humantrafficking/engaging-for-transformation/ways-to-engage#hands


Well, I didn't mean to be so depressing. I'll return Monday with something HAPPY. Until then:


B

Isaiah 58:6(MSG): "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts."

Chain Maille bracelet

This is one of my favorite Chain Maille bracelets for several reasons. First I really love the clasp. Sunflowers are such fun and it really makes the fairly simple bracelet, "pop".




Second the Chain Maille pattern, Half Persian, has a reputation of being hard to do. Therefore, if I have mastered it, whoo, who! It really isn't hard to do, just hard to start.





Here is a close up of the clasp and Chain Maille pattern.





I mentioned awhile ago that I set up a new shop on http://www.bevsjewery.1000markets.com/




I've been very impressed with this new venue for artists. The look is beautiful both for shops and buyers. I have purchased several items myself and have been very pleased with both the quality of the products and with the buying experience.



I'm slowly increasing the pieces I have in my shop. I still have my original web site http://www.bevsjewelry.com/ (I need to do some work on that too)




Let me know what you think of these shops.

B

Newest Kumihimo Necklace.

Here is the latest Fiber Kumihimo necklace.

The pendant is from a shop on http://www.1000markets.com/

Now matter what you do to photograph fused glass, it never looks as nice as in person.

I tried to capture the colors in the pendant and chose black with gold, plain gold and a bumpy purple cords to use.

Never sure if the colors look right together, I put it aside for awhile to get a "fresh eye" perspective. I think it works.

The fun part of this Fiber Kumihimo is that I made it during my "waiting for my computer" time. You know, waiting for the computer to boot up, waiting for things to download. I guess I never really realized how much time is "wasted" just waiting.

B

Are you going to Finish Strong?

I was thinking about a new post idea this morning and not coming up with anything that seemed to fit.

Then I received an email from a friend with the following video clip.

I decided it fit and would share it with you all.

http://www.maniacworld.com/are-you-going-to-finish-strong.html

Anyone have any problems?

B

One Meaning Couture Jewelry

This is a sample of some of the lovely jewelry sold at http://www.onemeaningcouture.com/.

Notice the number "813" forms a butterfly. The meaning of "813" is "8" letters, "3" words "1" meaning. The words "I Love You".

I found this site through the blog of Lexie's Mom, Alice Williams at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lexiewilliams

(You remember Lexie is the 10 year old girl that inspired my line of Lexie's Jewelry)

Alice has been writing a lot lately about "Sharing Love" and "Living in the Moment, Playing in the Moment, Cherishing every Moment". It s a philosophy that Alice is determined to see spread everywhere.

This is a philosophy that comes from living with Cancer patients and their families. Recently, one of their little friends, Devon, lost her battle with a brain tumor. It has been a time of healing and "keeping on" in the Williams family. It would be hard enough for them to loose one friend but, unfortunately, it is not just one in their circle of brain tumor friends.

This web site was recommended by Devon's father as one that was supporting Brain Tumor research by donating 8.13% of their sales (813 - get it?) to "The Friends of Jaclyn" a brain tumor child. This is the first of various charitable organizations that "One Meaning Couture" will be donating to various charities.

They have a line of apparel for sale, also. Check it out.

To me this sort of thing is a real win-win idea and worth supporting.

B

Snowflake Pendant !!!!

The world's tallest snowman is no man. Olympia, towering in at 122 feet is the tallest on record.

You ever wonder what is done with a winter snow that is more than needed in Bethel, Maine?

The "snow woman" towering over this village features eyelashes created from discarded skis and bright red lips made from painted car tires. She wears a giant red hat and a 100-foot-long scarf, and her blond tresses are made from rope. The arms are large "Christmas" trees.

She gets a little bling from a snowflake pendant that's 6 feet long. Now I've made big pendant necklaces before but this takes the cake, so to speak.

Here is a picture of the "installation" of the snowflake pendant.

As much as I love the big snowflake pendant, I really love the eyelashes. Somehow, it gives perspective to me. Each lash is a SKI! Oh, yes, the lips made of 5 red tires!

When was the last time you built a snowman/snow woman? How large was it?

B

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Remember "Y2K"? Ten years ago we were (well, some were) wondering if the computers would fail. Lots of things have happened since then. In the world and personally.

I was recovering from the year 1999 with treatments for Breast Cancer. And, Thank God, I'm still here, just 10 years older and retired. I've started a jewelry business that, though slowly, is growing. In the year 2008, our Lexie jewelry was able to donate close to $4,000 to the Dana Farber Cancer Research Institute.

Many, many thanks to those who purchased jewelry and to those who helped spread the word. Lexie is now ten years old and doing well, at last report. She still has hopes and prays that her fellow brain tumor friends will continue to improve. She has lost several friends recently and it seems to be getting harder for her to cope.

Lexie's Mom has a great journal on her Caring Bridge site and she has recently has some great reflective posts about what they have learned from the little kids who have not survived. Check it out at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lexiewilliams.

I plan to be adding more sophisticated things both to my web site and blog as well as to my jewelry designs. January always brings the desire to learn a new techinque. Last year it was Kumihimo. This year, I have some ideas but nothing definite yet. Keep tuned.

Any how, what are some of your 2009 goals? I'd like to hear about them and thanks for reading my blog in 2008.

B