WORD OF THE DAY

This is just a hint of something I'm working on for a new piece, but I felt it appropriate for the day!! I've been fooling with annealing metal and exploring some new options, and feeling quite uninhibited and FREE!! I'm going to make many more varieties for charms also. I too, like Lynn, have been inspired by birds, I guess, in my own way!! What have you been doing that's new?

More charm giveaways, I sure wish I could speak fluent "EVERYTHING", but since I can't, my eyes tell me what is gorgeous! Check out this site and comment for a chance to win more beauties! Addict to ATC's

ADDICTION!

I have become addicted to looking at charms and thing of making my own, here's another giveaway! Lilibulle!

If you haven't gotten interested in International Charm Day yet, the day is not over and lots of charm makers are giving things away for a few days yet. I 've never seen so many giving people, guess that's always a good thing! Check out Arlene's vintage button charms at Altered By Me and snag a chance to win! Pure, simple, and unpretentious, I love this stuff!

MESA

Guess I'm still in that southwest kind of mood!! Probably because it's been so hot here for April 28th(remember, my anniversary!!). In the 90's the past 2 days, for the northeast that's unusual, but I'll take it because I hate the cold! Happy Anniversary to ME!! Off to work!

CHARMING

Aren't these the most charming, cutest, sweetest charms you've ever seen?!! So gorgeous and mysterious looking!! Intriguing!! I just love them, and I have Amber to thank for letting us in on all these charm giveaways. You still have time to check these out, and their wonderful, incredible, inspiring blogs! As you can tell , I like and appreciate all forms and styles of jewelry, art, and it's parts and processes. I think it keeps your mind fresh to learn about everything you can!!
Amber at International Charm Day
Anne at Bulles Dorees
Tracy at A Garnet Heart Flows
Arlene at Altered By Me
These are just a few!!

BTW, the bottles are made by Anne's at Bulles Dorees!! Her blog alone is beautiful, not to mention her creations!!

MEME, METAL, AND VINTAGE

LeAnn at Summers Studio has tagged me to keep the MEME going and flowing, so here goes! I love LeAnn and her work, she's like all natural goodness to me, it shows in her work! Here are the rules: Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your own blog; replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention; add one more question of your own; tag some friends to keep the flow going, let them know they've been tagged.
I'm afraid I may be boring, but I am what I am!

The Questions:

What is your current obsession?

Metalwork, and vintage, as pictured above, some new creations!


What is your least favorite color?

Probably white, it's like nothing to me and I find it very hard to work with.


What are you listening to right now?

I like a mix of Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Coldplay, and Frank Sinatra.


Favorite vacation spots?

Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Ocean City, New Jersey, and my patio on hot summer nights.


What are you reading right now?

Wrap, Stitch, Rivet, and Fold by Mary Hettmansperger. I always feel I am being pulled between soft and hard, sparkly and dull, new and old. I guess I want it all, or some kind of combination. It all goes back to that thing of how I feel at the time!


What four words would you use to describe yourself?

Appreciative, sensitive, anxious, tired.


What is your current guilty pleasure?

Lots of chocolate, the day is not complete without it! Sometimes pudding.


What would you do if the internet was irreprebably damaged and you had to find another way to connect?

I would most likely have an anxiety attack, and then, since I've saved all the addresses from my swaps and purchases I would try to find your phone numbers and try to call you all cause I would miss all of you!


Where are you planning to travel next?

Hopefully to my brother's new townhouse in Brooklyn, he is a poet, writer/pharmacist! He is the best, and if your in Brooklyn any time he has quite a few readings, and his first book came out last year. If you think you would like to venture into some pretty fascinating poetry, check out his book: The World In Place of Itself; by Bill Rasmovicz.


What flower are you most anxious to see bloom this spring?


My oriental poppy, so wispy thin, like tissue paper, and so intense that the color cannot be duplicated. The blooms only last a day at a time, so you must really appreciate them, because soon you will be remembering until next year.


What are you most happy doing?


Spending time with my family, beading, and sleeeeeeping. I do love to sleep!


Care to share some wisdom?


Always be thankful every day for what you have, you never know one day to the next how it will be. As my mom always says," Don't sweat the small stuff!"


If you could wish one thing for humanity, what would it be?

Peace.

I tag: Deryn Mentock at Something Sublime and
Tammy and Rob at Santos and Tesoros



Thanks guys for listening! Sharon

INTERNATIONAL CHARM DAY

Check this out!! Amber, at InventiveSoul, is proclaiming Tuesday April 28th, as
International Charm Day, and is offering some really incredible gifts. Please go over and check out her site, it's pretty incredible and offers a world of ideas and information!! It's garaunteed to really stimulate your brain. Here is a photo of one of my charm bracelets. BTW, I think that April 28th is an incredible day , I might possibly try my hand at an anniversary charm, since Tuesday, april 28th is my 25th wedding anniversary! WOW!! Time flies when your having fun!! haha

MAYAN SUN LOVE

I was looking at a beautiful blog the other day, and I think it planted a seed in my head!! The blog is Santos and Tesoros, and it's lovely!! Tammy and Rob have some beautiful creations and the atmosphere they have created in their work and on their blog has settled in my brain! The colors are beautiful, Tammy's jewelry is beautiful, and Rob's wood carvings are outstanding! I have always felt the Mexican culture is beautiful, and the art stunning, and they are a good representation of that. I will be checking their blog often since I need and want to learn more of other cultures. This bracelet is what grew out of visiting their blog. I used a green girl pendant, with some intense yellow chalcedony nuggets, some bone beads, silver disc links, and some really beautiful Sue Beads!! Available on etsy this weekend.

WINNER, WINNER!!!

I want to thank everyone who commented on my question for the giveaway, you have really given me some great insight and some real gut feelings about your art and beliefs! I used the random number generator to pick the winner, and SOOOOOOOO, the winner is

#3 HEATHER, of PEACOCK FAIRY!!

Heather, congratulations, I guess that was your graduation good luck!! Give me your email so I can send you some courage!

Visit Heather on her blog to learn more about her and her awesome jewelry work!!

HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA AND HUMBLEBEADS

Heather at HumbleBeads is having a great giveaway and a really fun one at that. Create a mixed tape of your favorite high school days songs and post it on your blog and your entered for a chance to win some of her fabulous beads!! Who wouldn't want that?!! I think this is hilarious, and it's sooo good to be able to laugh at ourselves sometimes!! There are other ways to win, check out her blog!
Have a good time!!
Ok Heather, I found a pic and figured I'd endure the embarrassement of showing it....me and my mom, actually, I think her doo is pretty funny, the BIG perm! Guess I want those beads pretty bad!!

GRAB SOME COURAGE!

I usually feel pretty icky on Mondays, so as a pick me up I thought I would have a GIVEAWAY!
I would like to giveaway my "Courage" necklace to whoever is interested in leaving a comment on a specific question I'm interested in knowing how you all feel about! LeAnn suggested I could loan my necklace out, but I think I'm ready to pass it on. You see, I worked long and hard on this piece of jewelry, and it turned out it was something I was very proud of, because I felt it portrayed what I wanted it to, and I did it how I wanted to. To me, I could only price this piece for materials used, since time was too lengthy to put a price on. I guess sometimes it takes me a long time to make a piece because I am personally involved in each piece representing or meaning something. As long as I can remember I knew I wanted to do something creative and involving art in my life. When I went away to college I thought that was commercial art, I was sooooo wrong. It was so controlling and dictating, I felt so repressed and that I was a sell out to myself, so I switched to Fine Art, which I quickly obtained my BFA in( that was eons ago!). That of course got me nowhere quick financially! I then got married, and started working full time at a mediocre job just to financially survive. NOW, after raising a beautiful daughter with my husband and having some free time, I became involved in making jewelry, and what I thought might be a profitable business 2 years ago, has led me to my creative side again, and I find myself creating more ART jewelry, than jewelry for profit, BUT I love what I'm doing! Sometimes I think it's a big mistake in not making things that I know people will buy, BUT I JUST CAN'T bring myself to do it.....so I guess I'll continue to not be rich, but I do know I am being true to myself! SOOOOOOOOO, DO YOU THINK YOU STAY TRUE TO YOUR ART, AND YOURSELF, OR ARE YOU COMMERCIALLY COMPROMISED AT TIMES?
JUST CURIOUS!!
I'll pick a random winner Thursday April 23rd. (Sorry you had to endure the saga of my life!)
I thank you for your support, kindness, and honesty!
This giveaway is open to all creative people, so spread the word!
Please leave me your email so I can contact the winner!

LEANN'S LARIAT

Ok, Ok, I really was starting to feel like I had to jazz things up with the photos, between Lorelei and Cristi(and her rocks!, which I love!), I was starting to feel like Plain Jane.... so.....some new photos for a new piece! I call this LeAnn's lariat! Haven't decided if I want to sell it, keep it, or submit it!
It will talk to me I'm sure!

KASHMIR

I'm not much of a seed beader these days, but I fell in love with these; Leopard Skin Satin ! They looked lush, and reminded me of richness and warmth. Combined with the topaz briolette and the hill tribe and tiger eye beads, I felt it spoke to me (YES SUE, THEY SPEAK!!) . I felt like I found this in a far eastern country left from ruins long ago. Yes, this is how my creative crazy mind thinks sometimes, but I'm usually happy with the results! Does anyone else imagine as they create?

This is a new bracelet design I hope to put on etsy on the weekend, I'm running out of time and have to get to work, and all I want to do is make jewelry!! I'm having fun with wire again and longing for summer weather and summer colors!

VerreDesign April Giveaway!!

Patricia Wood is having a fantastic giveaway on her blog, VerreDesign. Visit her blog and you'll find lots of really pretty things in her etsy shop, and you'll find many ways for a chance to win!! This is my favorite piece , tell her which one you like the best!!

COURAGE

Sometimes you have it and sometimes you need it. When I first started making jewelry I fell in love with wire, and i do divert sometimes, but I always go back! I started this piece many moons ago, but just recently felt it was time to finish. Guess I was ready! Available on etsy!

SHARE YOUR ART AND CREATIVITY FORWARD

April 13, 2009

Brave People Make Things so get excited and make things….
The first five (5) people to respond to this post will get something made by me.
This offer does have some restrictions and limitations so please read carefully:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. Whatcha get is whatcha get.
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. Heck, I might bake something for you and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that’s for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to blog.
7. Send your mailing address - after I contact you.
IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if I do not see you post your own blog to pay this forward.
This text was used from http://greenleafpowered.com/blog/

Play nice and make things! It’s going to be an adventure!

BIRTH OF VENUS

Here is my entry for the April ABS challenge. Hooray for Erin of Every Heart Crafts for making these great leaves and having a terrific sale on them at the perfect time! I used some stick pearls I really like and finally figured out what to do with some great sea glass i've picked off the coast of Maine over the years. I tried my hand again at making the pendant and a bead with polymer clay and overall i'm pretty happy with it. It has a peaceful feeling to me.

HOMAGE

This bracelet is my humble attempt to pay respect to my blog friends and true bead artisans I have met!! Doreen, Gaea, and Sue, and to so may others . Your work is truly amazing! Available on ETSY!

MORE GIVEAWAYS!

Lora Hart of Lora Hart Jewels is giving this beautiful necklace of her's away on her blog. Check it out for the details. Who wouldn't love this? I loooooove silver and her silver is great!

THE BIRDS AND THE BEADS

This is how it all came together with Doreen's fabulous beads and a pendant by Jennifer Stumpf, and a link inspired by Kristen. To be on etsy later tonight!

AMELIA

Being a Gemini means that i can change my mind a lot, and i do!
I constantly go back and forth between
contemporary and old, the past few days i was feeling nostalgic i guess. I think because Easter is close and i think of my family. Above all, family and health are precious to me. This is named Amelia for my grandmother, whom i only remember by photos, but i live in the house that she lived in and i feel her with me all the time!

THE THREE AMIGOS (kinda!)

These are our three dogs, actually, the jack russell is mine, his name is Ike, the miniature long haired dachsund is my daughter's, his name is Iggy, and the boston terrier is my parents, his name is Duke. I live next to my parents so they all share the same yard. Ike is old and is almost blind, he doesn't like to be bothered, and he is my buddy!! Iggy bothers him a lot...so he just tolerates it and growls a lot! Iggy is the sweetest and most lovable dog ever BUT he is BIG BIG trouble, he is only 2. Duke is just goofy and pretty much likes everybody and is very good friends with Iggy! This is what i have to contend with, but i do love them and they always make the day exciting!!

PERENNIAL

Still trying to coax spring here into my backyard, yesterday it was a wonderful 60 something degree day, today torrential rains, 40's and colder weather is coming. I just felt that if i concentrated on good , positive and spring thoughts, maybe it will help! The colors of this chalcedony feel so peaceful to me? What do you think?

CHOCOLATE AND STEEL

More giveaways....I can't believe it!! Christine over at chocolate and steel is having a giveaway, a beautiful one at that!! It's just a beautiful necklace, go on over and check it out!

PRESENTS!

WHO DOESN'T LIKE PRESENTS?!! I just love them, and got some real good ones! Doreen of Backyard Beads sent me some of her fabulous clay beads that are just beyond my wildest dreams...so incredible, such incredible talent, I just wanted to share because i can't thank her enough!! Then, as if i wasn't jumping for joy from Doreen, i got Kristen's trade in the mail today, and oooohhhh , sooooooo sooooo beautiful!! I love to just touch both of these things, Doreen's beads are so smooth and silky......Kristen's fibers are so warm and fuzzy, and they both feel equally good at the same time! Kristen's has lusious beads attached, and Doreen's are waiting to be attached to something luscious. I'm almost beside myself!! Am i crazy?! I don't care if i am because it feels good, as all of you have made me feel.. Thank you!!