Long time no blog

I have been very slow around the computer his week! I had to wipe out everything on my computer and start from scratch so everything has taken twice the time I am used to. I have still not decided to stay still long enough to load Photoshop onto my computer! The beads and Sun and Picnics have been calling me. Sales have been very slow the past week as well so there wasn't as much keeping me at me desk. Hopefully this week a few more of my jewels will make it into loving hands!

I have also been very busy trying to get some great work made to send out to the Bead and Button Show Early next month and finishing up the ground work for my new made to order Pendants and Cabochons. Here's a photo of the Pendants I photographed to illustrate the color options available in my new line. This design is just under 1 1/2inches round or 3.7cm I will post more photos once I get them cropped! I must have taken 200 photos! Talk about over kill! With no Photoshop on my computer the photo work is piling up!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday Weekend!

Kristie

What's New?

What's new? -- Lots of things!
I got some of my new "waffley" textured beads listed. I have them made in several color combinations so here are the first 3 and if you would like to know the other colors all you have to do is ask.

First I have the Grey set http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25279034 These would look great with some gunmetal, black and white...

Next we have this lovely green set http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25209219

The glaze is actually my sienna mint color, which is a combination of green and a slight brown.

and the Wine... Pour me another glass http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25280506 This is a new color for me to be using, a lovely red wine.

I added some sweet purple pendants. These don't usually stay around for long so get yours while they are still available!

Here we have Plums and Grapes http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25110095

and Lilac http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25302701

Blue and Green http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25143584

And lastly I added two larger pendants in my Blue Seas Color scheme http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25303195

and http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25106839

I hope you love them!

And I hope you are having a great day!

Kristie

Quick Post- New photo

Claude Monet Nympheas Marmottan

I took a quick shot of this necklace and added it to the ABS May Monthly Challenge. It seems to me that the different paintings in Monet's Water Lilies series use this color scheme more than once.

I'm headed out to load the kiln yet again.... ???

Wish me luck, I'm not feeling very confident today.

A Sneak Peek and New Pendants

Here is the promised sneak peek at the new disc/Rhondelle beads I have been working on. I tried a lot of new colors in this batch. What do you think?

I have also added some new pendants to my etsy shop. These pieces are in the same feeling as my pieces featured in the Organic section of Beads 2009 Editors Top Picks . I have been wanting to make more ever since they were featured late last month.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24975023

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25018756

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=25054349

Thanks for visiting :-)

-K-

Treasuries!

I was so fortunate to be featured in some great treasuries recently! Check them out! www.lazydayz.etsy.com featured my Blue Skies Bracelet http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21541733 in this Socially Conscious Treasury

Check out these Triple Diamond Dangles http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24293680

http://www.terminy.etsy.com/ featured my Blue Skies Bracelet http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21541733 in this Orange Tree Blue Sky Treasury Great photography and great jewelry in this shop---Long Lariat knitted Necklace - in White and Blue http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24541608

http://www.meredithfenwick.etsy.com/ included my Powder Blue Petite Pendant Necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24226437 in her Robin's Egg Blue Treasury

I love this Dreaming of Pretty Necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24426247

http://www.bloomsburygroup.etsy.com/ included my Sand and Sun Bead Set http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23736835 in her Sand Treasury

SPECIAL EDITION BLOOMSBURY KEEPER PLUSH-V IS FOR VIOLACEA http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14988813

Round Blue New to You Treasury by bonfires Thanks Bonfires!

Thanks to all these great etsy artists for picking my work for their treasuries!

Colorworks Challenge

I set out today to make something for the Art Bead Scene monthly challenge.... You know it didn't happen. The muse had other plans I guess. Instead I read this morning about the Colorworks Challenge put on Step by Step beads Magazine. The challenge is to make a piece of jewelry or bead using Tertiary Colors--The orange-purple-green tertiary triad. Well I love my color wheel so this challenge won out. ABS maybe I'll still get there.... Of course, I think that every month. This photo is a bit blurry. I'll have to see if I can get a good shot before I decide on entering it into the contest.
I fired up the kiln today and it is packed full. I tried some new disc bead ideas, so I can't wait for unloading time. Check back tomorrow for a peek at what I came up with!

New Round link sets

I added some new round connectors/pendants...etc to my etsy shop today! I love how they turned out. I was going to make one into a necklace but then I realized that I didn't have any duplicate sets so if I picked a set to string myself I would have less options in my shop. That just wouldn't do so perhaps I can string some examples in the coming weeks. The colors are:

Powder Blue http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24911907

Turquoise http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=24911466

Black with a turquoise rim http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=24910508

Root beer http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=24895901

and Spring Green http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=24897616

I think there are a lot of cool options for these connectors, a wire linked necklace, a tassled pendant, bracelet links... My Mother-in-law thinks they would make great earrings as well. I hope you love them!

-k-

Having Flashbacks

An old jewelry box was found last week. It was more like it was overturned and spilled to the floor. In the mess I found some fun old pieces of jewelry. You know the ones that were worn day and night, loved to bits and somehow perfectly expressed your style at that particular moment in time. I found this necklace made in the time I was 15-18yrs old. It is a little tighter on me now, LOL, but I had so much fun wearing it and remembering the fun I used to have making these little beaded marbles and loom necklaces. I had made tons of them for myself and family and friends. I just loved the feeling of the marble rolling in a little half circles across my neck and I may just have to pull out my loom and make myself a new choker, I used to love my loom!..... just have to find the time.

Happy Mother's day everyone! I am firing my kiln and hoping for a yummy husband cooked dinner!
Kristie

What mommy wants mommy gets

Here is a part a present I am making for my most wonderful Mother. My Mother gave me a well placed "If you ever get inspired" comment and here they are: garden and nursery markers for her plantings. There sure are a lot of them! Here are some of the larger markers before they have been bisque fired. I have a big 11hr volunteer day tomorrow but hopefully I'll get to get some work into the glaze kiln on Sunday for some "Mother's Day Fun" Sometimes it's a little strange what I find fun!

New in store

Wouldn't this piece be a great start for the Art Bead Scene blog's monthly challenge theme Monet's Water Lilies?

This Donut has a nice flat rim around the outside. Am I remembering correctly that a thin rim like this lends itself well to bead embroidery? I also suspect that the rim could be a good edge for wire wrapping. It is a nice large Donut and sure to be an eye catcher no matter your design!

Another piece with a thin flat rim, I love the rich gold of the clay body here.

All three pieces are newly listed in my etsy shop.

I hope you are having a great day!

Kristie

Eye Candy

Just a quick post to let you know what I've been up to.

I think it's pretty funny that all this work fits inside a little dessert bowl. Here is the kiln load I finished yesterday. I think I am finally getting to know how my newest colors work together.

Rainy Monday

I am back from my day at Bead Fest Wire. I had a blast hanging around with clay bead Artists Joan Miller, and at Marsha Neil's booth. It felt so good to talk shop and life with these awesome clay girls!

The day ended up with me leaving my beads with Darlene of Marsha Neil Studio to take along to their next show in Marlborough, MA. It is the Innovative Bead Expo at the Embassy Suites Hotel this coming weekend May 8, 9, 10. If you are in the area stop on by and tell them I sent you!

By now you might be thinking: What about me? I'm not in going to Massachusetts! I want my beads! :-D LOL

Well don't you worry! The kiln is firing, and I will continue to have fresh work in my Etsy shop almost daily. Speaking of fresh work, I've added these earrings today!

I hope you are having a great day!

Kristie

Off to Bead Fest!

I am off to Bead Fest Wire in Philly in the morning. I can't wait to run my fingers through all those beads! I am meeting up with my beads which have been at the show with Porcelain Bead Artist Joan Miller since Friday. I can't wait to see Joan and see what she has been up to since I last saw her! If you are in the tri-state area come on over to the convention center and say "Hi"

check out the show's website for all the information you need! http://www.beadfest.com/beadfest/wire.cfm

Next stop for my Joan's Porcelain and my beads is the BIG bead and Button show in Milwaukee in June.

Donut cravings

This has been a Donut kind of week. After my pieces being featured in both Beads 2009 and Beading Daily I have had a little run on the Donuts both from new and old customers. Thanks so much! You keep me making more!

And after a little let down today, all I could think about was my favorite donut at my favorite coffee shop. I resisted, but I do think I may have to stop by on my way to the college tomorrow... yumm.. and with a delicious cup of coffee. I'm there.

Anyway long story short, I have added new donuts in my etsy shop to replace the ones that have sold. Go check them out!

-K-