It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

          I am sooo excited to see all the wonderful ornaments in this year's Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog. Again, the requirements were to create an ornament using either an art bead or a handmade bead.  I've tried to use each blog challenge to do something new. It's gets the creative juices going and makes me push past my insecurities. Coincidentally, I've been part of a ladies group going through Beth Moore's  So Long, Insecurity book study, so it seemed apropos to tackle something yet untried.

            Right angle weave has been a friend of mine these past few months ( the simpler versions, that is)  particularly a pattern I learned from a lovely Michigan snowbird this past March. When I realized that I could take the smaller earring pattern, and upsize it using 8mm or 10mm beads as opposed to the 4mm size, voila! Ornament idea!! And this is what was born...

Purple Papillion

               
                 What's not to love about purple? When these beads called my name at the local bead store, I answered! I chose the butterfly metal tag ( courtesy of Michael's)  to symbolize new things, and the word "dream" for inspiration. Stamping is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and this is my first baby step. The letters aren't nice and straight ( and yes, I used tape as a line guide) as I'd have liked, but again, baby steps. If you look closely you'll see a little heart in the corner of the wing, because it's hard to dream unless your heart is in it. Several pins on Pinterest suggested coloring in the letters with black Sharpie markers and then buffing off the excess. Black was too harsh, so a lovely purple Sharpie was substituted to keep with the theme. A new Stamping it out board was also created in my search for tips and tricks. I can't wait to do more of this.  Lisa Niven Kelly's book Stamped Metal Jewelry: Creative Techniques and Designs for Making Custom Jewelry might just be my Christmas gift to myself. One never knows.

                   After wire wrapping them all together, I remember a wire ornament hanger that a friend had given me. It was, however, very red, and thus unsuitable. After a couple of tries, and lots of discarded 20 g silver colored copper wire, the ornament hook became the finishing touch.

                    Don't stop here, though- there's many more ornaments to see! Here's the list of blog participants:
Art Bead Scene
Humblebeads
Treasures Found
Song Beads
Viki O'Dell
Sue Beads
Modern Nature Studio
Diane Hawkey
Suburban Girl Studio
Jen Judd Rocks
Ellie's Bijoux
Island Girl's Insights
Life By The Seat Of My Pants
Too Aquarius 
Shelley Graham Turner
Artfully Ornamental
Charis Designs Jewelry  ** You are here**
Harrison Hollow Designs
Silver Nik Nats
Bead Soup Mix
Toodles and Binks
Bead Recipes
Play Sculpt Live
BeeTree by M.E.
Billi RS Rothe
A Half-Baked Notion
Kimis Jewelry and Gifts


 When you're done with blog hop, stop by my Christmas Ornament Ideas  board for lots of easy and fun ornament ideas.  Thank you, Heather Powers for letting me be part of this- it was a lot of fun!!


May your Christmas season be filled with blessings, dashes of grace and splashes of joy!

A Sneak Peak

I love Christmas ornaments- especially hand crafted ones. So, last year when I  came across the Art Bead Scene Ornament Blog Hop, I was in ornament heaven! Heather Powers of Humble Beads posted an adorable seed bead ornament, and that was just the start. You can find the list of all of last years participants below her ornament tutorial.

Shortly afterward, a fellow beader challenged us to set  new beading goals  for the coming year, and I decided that this would be one of  mine. I was super excited when Heather said we could use either a bead using handmade components or an art bead. Here's a preview- you'll have to come back on December 4th for the reveal.

Until then, may your day have a splash of grace and a dash of joy!

Christie

And the winner is....

And the winner of the bead soup is.... ( drum roll, please)

GINA HOCKETT!! Her blog is Freestyle Elements, and while reading her bio, I realized that we both are RNs. I had my daughter pick a number, and it was hers. Gina, I've emailed you, and once I get your address, the soup will be headed your way before Thanksgiving.

I've been doing the 30 days of thankfulness on Facebook this November. It's caused me to stop and think of what I really am thankful on that particular day, and the answers have been surprising at times.When it's all said and done, its the things that can't be bought that I'm most grateful for.

Wishing you and yours a blessed Thanksgiving mixed with splashes of grace and dashes of joy!

As Promised, a Giveaway

Life took an unexpected turn this fall, and what I thought was going to be a nice, leisurely season, wasn't. Nuf said.  By now,you've had more than enough time to to make your way through all the amazing creations from the 6th BSBP. Weren't they amazing? I'm always floored by the variety of techniques and artistry- some are truly spectacular and leave me in awe of the level of skill and creativity.

This was my 3rd opportunity to participate in Lori Anderson's baby- she's def been the hostess with the mostess :) In addition to some of my "leftovers" from the various bead soups, I recently was the unexpected winner of a "de-stashing" courtesy of  CJ Bauchska! Little did I know what was headed my way, but she went above and beyond in generosity and beads!

I was floored! Wish I lived closer to her, so I could take some of her classes- seed beads and I have a nominal relationship, but obviously they are CJ's friends. We were gone on back to back trips after her stash arrived, so they've been waiting patiently for me to do something with them. As I looked around MY hoard assortment of beads, I realized that it's time to pass the blessing along.

I've had such a great time being paired with Dana James, Andra Weber and most recently, Arlene Dean- they've expanded my horizons, and their giftings of beading goodness have been generous to say the least. Sooo, I'd like to help someone else have the same experience. I have only two guidelines:
1) You did NOT have participated in the last BSBP  but you do have a blog.
2) When you use what is sent ( we can figure out a time factor), that you link your post back to this blog.

That's it! I'll put together a bead soup for you and send it your way and then wait to see what you create. (Please note that Bead Soup Blog Party is trademarked by Lori- this is just plain bead soup :))

Want a chance to win? Just leave a comment below by November 14 ( one of our girls turns 21 that day, so we'll celebrate that!) and make sure I have a way to contact you. One lucky person will get goodies headed their way.

Hoping this adds a splash of grace and a dash of joy to your day!

BSBP Reveal #3

It's finally time! Reveal #3. I've oohed and aahed through the last two reveals, and now it's our turn. I was paired with Arlene Dean and these were the goodies she gifted me with.

Since Lori Anderson challenged us to step out of  our comfort zone, I've tried to do that. Wire wrapping is NOT my forte- at all. As I kept looking at all these pretties, wondering how do the focal justice, I kept going back to the idea of wire wrapping. Sigh. Did I mention I'm just not very good at this? Since I'm an avid fan of Pinterest and love to pin merrily away, I took a deep breath and turned to one of my boards for a little inspiration-and found it!

Without further ado, here is my Merry Mermaid.

Isn't she fun? I used brightly colored aluminum wire to do messy wrapped beads, links and swirls. This focal is bright and happy and  these colors accented the beautiful colors in the mermaid. Arlene sent me a variety of beads (thank you!) and the glass pillows, green crystals, as well as the little purple crystals just cried out to be used. I added a couple of glass pearls because the hole in the freshwater pearls wouldn't work with the thicker gauge wire. The green flourite beads snuggled in nicely between the messy wrapped aluminum beads and the silver jumps made connections easy, as well as tying in with the silver on the mermaid. She now has a little wreath of purple seed beads for a touch of whimsy. I even made the clasp out of the turquoise wire. It's a long necklace but so colorful. Now to find the right home for her.

But there were more beads...

so continuing with the bright wire theme, here's a pair of coordinating earrings. While the stones aren't identical, it gave it a more organic look. I'm usually pretty matchy matchy, but I like these.

And then there was time for one more project:

Again, this was an idea courtesy of Pinterest.  This was my first try, and I probably will redo it, but the clasp seemed to go nicely with the beads, and I adore bracelets. The spacing needs some work, but you get the general idea!

These are my three offerings. There were a couple of things I didn't use (see the cute little fishes in the first picture and an adorable strawberry glass bead) so will do a giveaway in the next couple of weeks- be sure to check back if you were NOT part of the  6th Bead Soup Blog Party for your chance to get a bag of goodies.

Don't forget to visit the other participants in this 3rd and final reveal. I'm sure you'll find creations that bring you splashes of grace and a dash of joy!

Here's the rest of the party:

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry  **You're Here**

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Bead Soup Six Mix

Time for another Bead Soup Blog Party- the 6th and biggest one to date yet! This time there will be not one, but THREE reveal dates, due to 400 participants from all around the world. Lots of wonderful beads and inspirational goodies. I was paired with Arlene Dean from AGlassBash and what a soup she sent me! I'm glad we're scheduled for the last reveal day on August 25th, because I need all the time I can have to try and figure out how to do justice to her focal.

The mermaid is from a show she went to in Washington state, and was created by Gita Maria who only sells at shows so I'm feeling pretty exclusive!. She is also the maker of the adorable fish and sea horse charms. Another beader shared some info about this great new photo app, Pixlr, that I used to make the collage above. I've also downloaded the free app for my phone and am having a whole lot of fun with it, much to my children's dismay.

 Here's a slightly bigger picture of the whole soup. Oh, the possibilities. I love the colors and varieties of beads, sizes and textures. The colors are so me, and all these lovelies came package in the pretty round box with a note card from Arlene.

Reveal date #1 is July 28th- Lori Anderson has a list of all the participants for each round- it's going to take me quite a while to work through the list, but  can't wait to see all the different creations.

Until then, it's time to get creative with dashes of grace and big splashes of joy!

Saluting Wounded Women Warriors

Very rarely do I read a book that moves me to tears repeatedly. I'm a voracious reader and have read my fair share of good books, but last night I read one that truly moved me. I could not put it down nor would the tears stop. We hear about wounded vets, and the price they pay to protect and preserve our freedom, but having never personally had the privilege of meeting one, it can be an abstract idea. Kristin Hannah changed that for me. Her book Home Front is a gritty, extraordinary glimpse into the true cost of freedom for both those who serve and those who love them. It is the story of Jolene Z and her best friend Tami who are helicopter pilots serving in the reserves when they are called back to active duty in Iraq. It follows them and their families during their one year of duty in dangerous, difficult situations and gives us a firsthand glimpse of what life is like for all involved.

It gave me a lot to think about. There are men and women daily putting their lives on the line because they love our country. The price is high. Here's a link to the faces of women who have lost their lives while serving the USA and gave the ultimate sacrifice. But there is another list that is much longer- the women who are severely wounded and whose lives will never be the same after completing their tour of duty. Today, I am newly humbled and grateful. So this is my salute to those who serve day in and day out, never looking for a reward besides the privilege of serving and defending our wonderful country. It is also a salute to those who pay the price of sending those they love dearly off to combat, not knowing if they will return safely or not.

I want to do something, but don't know who to contact. If you know of an organization that does fundraisers or offers support services to women vets, would you comment below? This country owes them a huge debt- as do I. Looking for something tangible to do? Here's a list of seven ways to say give back to our vets.

Before ending this post, I'd like to say thank you to a special lady who inspires so many of us- Lori Anderson.  One day I hope to meet her in person and thank her for her service to our country. I'd also like to thank Jen Judd who is actively serving. They share their love of beauty and beads with us and motivate us to reach for bigger things.

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13
Thank you, women warriors. Here's wishing you and yours dashes of grace and splashes of joy.