Oh Allison Beading & Designs

Oh no, I didn't!

2011-10-06T13:29:00.005-05:00

Oh yes!

I did!

I've already started getting beads together for the next blog hop.

Found this AWESOME focal and accent beads today.

Just had to share that! haha

Info about the next -> Bead Soup Blog Party <-

Also, received my give-away from earrings from Lori Anderson!

Just lovely! :) Thank you!

Picture stolen from Lori's blog.

The funky spacers are made by Manuela Wutschke.

BTW, I may be going thru BSBP blogs til the next party. LoL

My PC is really slow and I've been working quite a bit, but I'm still hopping!

Call of the Wild

2011-09-30T09:06:00.009-05:00

Do your beads call/speak to you?

Call of the ~~Wild~~ Beads

I've seen several blog posts in the Bead Soup Blog Party where beaders said they're beads speak/call to them, and for some rather, they didn't. I guess I found that kind of ironic because a few weeks ago my boyfriend asked me "How do you decide what to make?" And I didn't even have to think about it, my response was immediate. "I don't... the beads decide." I guess the reason I find it ironic, is I sometimes feel so inexperienced and that I'm the only one that feels or does something a certain way.

Participating in the BSBP has definitely been a boost to my confidence and ego. I'm still slowly slogging thru the list of blogs (link above). My reveal is here. I might be looking at blogs til the next BSBP, but I'm getting there. I'm already window shopping for the next bead soup I will send. I excited and can't wait!

When is the next BSBP and how do I join? you ask.
Just click the banner below.

If I have time this weekend I will be doing a do-over on my stretchy 3-strand bracelet and having a give-away on it. The pattern was off, though I hid that in my photo, but I decided to put it on a few days ago, and because of the stretch cord, I had gaps in between the beads, so I will redo it and add some more beads to make it a bit longer. After that I will make a pair of earrings if I have enough beads left over. Be on the look out for the give-away post!

Soup's On!

2011-09-17T20:47:00.010-05:00

Well, after a bit of delay... Soup is served!

What I got, just in case you missed my first post:

List of all participants in the Bead Soup Blog Party.

And my finished designs: I ended up with 2 necklaces and 3 bracelets. Probably could of (and maybe still will) have made some earrings, but was feeling too rushed by the time every thing else was done.

The focal was my greatest obstacle. I just couldn't decide what and/or how to do it. I finally decided to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid) I learned WHAT a lark's head knot was, though I already knew how to do it, and learned to make slide knots with the black suede leather.

The 2nd necklace is choker length memory wire using the obsidian, feldspar, silver spacers, and silver foil lampwork beads along with a few black 4mm beads from my own stash.

The first bracelet used more of the obsidian beads, the foil lampwork beads and the clasp.

The 2nd bracelet I used some black metal spacer bars and made a stretch bracelet.

The last piece I taught myself tubular netting, the core of this bracelet is black obsidian beads.

Thanks for the wonderful beads Cynthia!

Bead Soup Blog Party

2011-09-17T05:21:00.002-05:00

Well, here it is, REVEAL day for the Bead Soup Blog Party (Click the link for the list of all 362 participants.), and of course I'm not ready! :( 2 moves (1 temporary and 1 permanent) and a new job later... And hell week at work this past week hasn't helped. Best laid plans ... and all that. Last weekend I tried to finish up, but didn't quite get there. I just KNEW I could finish this week. Thought I'd have time, but there were circumstances beyond my control. Pretty much worked a triple in the middle of the week with about 2 hours of sleep in between. Then after some sleep, worked a night job. My body is still rebelling. The good news is... I WILL be able to do my reveal today, just much later.

My partner, Cynthia Abner, has posted her finished piece and I'm absolutely thrilled!

PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER TODAY!

I will be posting my reveal ASAP.

A Bit of History

2011-09-10T11:22:00.007-05:00

Please forgive the quality of these pictures. My camera is missing in action, and these were taken from my cell phone. My dad has an antique book/catalog business. He will often buy lots of old books/catalogs. This 1974-75 jewelry catalog was in the last lot he bought. I was thrilled yesterday when I got it in the mail yesterday. Hopefully I can find my camera soon!

The seperate price list booklet:

The front cover:

Back cover:

Price list of sterling silver wire:

A few random pages:

Maybe my camera will show up soon! Will repost when I find it!

One simple truth

2011-09-04T09:27:00.003-05:00

I know it's been a little over a week since I blogged. The move went as smoothly as to be expected. Started working and life is a little hectic, but I seem to thrive on chaos!

As I read some of the posts about some of the negative things going on with The Bead Soup Blog Party, I'm in total disbelief that some people could be this way. I don't know why it shocks me, but it does, with all the bad news these days of how people treat their fellow man. "They" (whoever they are) say one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. Not true here! The positive definitely out weighs the negative and mostly due to the hard work and effort of Lori Anderson - Pretty Things Blog.

I don't know how I came across the BSBP, but there I was. Staring at this page of bunches of gorgeous beads, and a chance to swap beads with some unknown person for a chance to challenge my meager talents AND to make some new friends. So, there, I did it... finally. I started this blog. This experience so far has been awesome! In the real world, I HAVE run into some (for lack of a better word) snobbish people in the beading world. I've only been beading just under 2 years, and mostly self-taught. After a rough start (took me 3 times just to get signed up for BSBP), I started looking at the blogs of some of the other beaders in the swap. At first, I felt inferior, and thought I had gotten in over my head. I was afraid the beads I sent weren't good enough, or I didn't send enough, or what I would make wouldn't be good enough. Inadequate... yes that's how I was feeling.

The more blogs I read, the more at ease I was. I learned there are beaders of all levels, even some beginners like me. The other thing I learned from reading all those blogs... even the most experienced beaders, was the fact that not even one single person was judgemental! All I could see is support, caring, and friendship. I am in AWE of each and every one of you! You've treated each other like people should treat each other! :)

I'm PROUD to be a part of this family!

I would like to share a definition with you:

noun
1.
Hinduism, Buddhism . action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation

Now, to those "bad apples":

There is ONE SIMPLE TRUTH:

Karma can be a bitch!

Star Worship (for lack of a better title)

2011-08-22T14:58:00.001-05:00

This is an idea I've had for a while to do for myself and just curious to see if anyone else would want to join in the fun and make it a challenge/contest. It might be a month or two from now before I could start it, but I think it would be fun.

Ok, here's the idea. Find a picture of someone famous (movie star, music star, news personality, etc) wearing a piece of jewelry and make your version of that piece. When the challenge starts, you would post a pic of what you are trying to make. When the time limit is up you would post a pic of the original and what you have come up with. Below is a screen shot of Shania Twain in her "Man, I Feel Like a Woman" video. I want to make a similar choker.

With me so far?
Ok, I guess my questions for you are...
Would you be interested? Would you do it for fun? Would you do it for a prize? (contest - maybe put the pieces from all who enter on a site to vote on? a $25 gift certificate to online store of choice?) Suggestions...
How long for the challenge? From day 1 (posting the star pic) to....? a month? (to post the finished piece) suggestions...
Title for the Challenge?

Any other suggestions?

All feed back is welcome!

Allison

Ooops almost forgot the pic!

Give-Away!

2011-08-21T12:18:00.000-05:00

I'm giving away a free bracelet! Hurry, sign up ends at midnight Monday!

Click here for giveaway!

Good Luck!

It's OFFICIAL!

2011-08-20T23:19:00.000-05:00

I'm moving to Mississippi! When? Soon! This week! I could start my old job Monday... but I gotta deal with some vehicle issues! Figures... they tell me I can come back after dragging their feet for almost 2 weeks! haha If corporate hadn't been so slow, I'd probably already be there!

Where does that leave me as far as the BSBP? Well I've tinkered with my beads a bit, and they will be carefully packed and the first thing I pull out of the car when I get there! And will be my first priority when I'm not working! :) Still have 3 weeks (ish) to get this done... right? RIGHT! Was hoping I could participate in Amy's What's it to HUE, Tuesday again ... I may have to put that one off this month. :(

Never fear, I'll never be far away... here lurking every spare moment that I'm not beading!

I'm so absolutely excited, I don't even know where to start!

Neighbors

2011-08-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

Shirley, from Beads and Bread, posted some pics of her "neighbors." So I thought I'd post a couple myself. Thanks for the idea Shirley! A woodpecker and some cardinals. We have so many neighbors, but all are camera shy! lol

These were taken Christmas Day, 2010 (just last year). It was my niece's husband's first White Christmas. Granted, it was really only a light dusting, but white none-the-less. Rodrigo is from Chile, and in Chile it is summertime when Christmas rolls around. So we were all thrilled for him.

This is Tinkerbell, my former roommate's cat, but I just called her "Kee-cat" (like I was saying kitty, but leaving out the T sound). I often had to shut her out of my room, because as you can see, she likes beads (almost as much as I do.) I got tired of not only chasing her for a tube of beads, but she would more often than not be much more sneaky about the bead-jackings than this, and thus ensued a game of hide-n-seek. I was so surprised I caught her in the act AND had my camera at hand. When I wasn't beading, I would allow her in my room. She was a very affectionate and loving kitty. She was also my snuggle buddy at nap time.

Bead Soup Blog Party - Package Received! :)

2011-08-15T17:58:00.002-05:00

I am UBER excited! I received my beads from my Bead Soup Blog Party Partner, Cynthia (Created Treasures), today! I've got to say first of all, from the moment I was partnered with her and I saw her blog, I couldn't wait to see what she would send. I was having a really BAD day today, so the timing on receiving her package couldn't have been more perfect!

Horn Focal
Black Obsidian
Feldspar
Silver-plated toggle & beads
Silver foil lampwork beads

This will be a challenge for me, as I'm more of a bead-weaver, than a stringer, but with this choice of beads its hard NOT to be excited! I'm definitely up for the challenge! Thanks Cynthia!

Bead Soup Blog Party and What's it to Hue?

2011-08-11T23:32:00.001-05:00

Well, it's been a few days since I've posted anything. Life has been has been a teensie weensie bit chaotic.
I'm very excited, we finally got our Bead Soup Blog Party Partners! My partner is Cynthia Abner, click here to see her blog. We have very different styles, so it makes it even more exciting and I can't wait to see what she sends me. I plan on sending her the beads I have chosen tomorrow. I've been looking for some extra beads in my stash to add a little contrast to what I have already chosen, and will look one more time tomorrow. I'm in the middle of moving, and have lost track of some of my beads. *sigh* I'm sure she will be thrilled with what I send, but I just wanted to throw in a little extra. When I received Cynthia's address, I had to chuckle. I've actually been to the town she lives in, several times, thru a job I used to have. :)

There are 350+ participants in this blog party! Thanks to Lori Anderson for such a wonderful idea and organizing the whole thing! Here is the list of blogs of all the participants!

What's It To Hue Tuesday? Blue

A study in color, from Amy at Amybeads

This Tuesday's color is blue. I am excited. I have plenty of blue beads. And considering I've not got everything unpacked yet, I'm sure I can find SOMETHING blue.

YaY! Mission 1 accomplished! I have a few ideas. Now... off to bead!

ORANGE you glad summer is almost over?

2011-08-02T08:39:00.002-05:00

Finally... summer is almost over! My favorite season is fall, and it's almost here. In East Tennessee, that means 2 things UT Vols football and beautiful fall foliage. Orange, is not necessarily my favorite color, but in East Tennessee, it's a way of life. The beautiful reds, oranges, golds, and browns of fall are soothing, not to mention the cooler temps that go with it.

What's it to Hue Tuesday

One of my favorite pictures of my younger years was taken in fall. I must be about 4 years old in this picture. Ah! The good ol' days!

This is Sneakers (she loved shoes as a pup), a rescue of sorts I got as a pup in the Spring of '98. This picture was taken in the fall of 2000. Shortly after, I had to give her up. Between the ugly divorce, and getting back on my feet living with my parents, I couldn't keep her. She did go to a wonderful home. A friend of a friend of my Dad's. The lady had 3 grandkids that Sneakers just adored. Over the years I've asked about her, and she was always happy. Last I knew was about 3 years ago she had arthritis pretty bad, as is common with Labs. I suppose she's probably passed on by now, more than likely. Have not heard one way or another, just a feeling I have. At least I know that thru the years she's had a loving happy place to be.

I sort of digress with this, I posted the pic for 2 reasons.... the pic was taken in fall, and Sneaks is sporting her UT Vols 'dana. GO BIG ORANGE!

Now on to my "creation." I've started to play with some beading software. My intention for this design was to do a pattern that covered the entire bracelet in a pattern similar to that of a tortoise shell. That's not exactly what happened, but it falls in with Amy's color scheme somewhat. I'm still learning many things, the software, designing in general, color combinations.

To make an aproximately 6 inch bracelet, you need to repeat the "diamond" shape 6 times. Here is the bead color/count from the pattern. These colors refer to Delica beads. The bead counts refer to the entire 6 inch bracelet, not just the half shown. I goofed when saving the pattern, that's why only half the design is shown.

If this pattern speaks to anyone, please feel free to use it.

All I ask is e-mail or post a picture when done! Thanks!

Have a beadddddddddiful day!

Orange u glad I'm done?

What's It To Hue? Tuesday - Orange

Don't forget to sign up for

The Bead Soup Blog Party

by Lori Anderson

August 1-3, 2011

Bead Soup Blog Party

2011-07-31T10:57:00.000-05:00

Bead Soup Blog Party

August 1-3,2011

See u there!

But There Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Blues

2011-07-30T13:34:00.001-05:00

Ok, so the thought process goes something like this...

Radio on, playing "Summertime Blues"
Song now stuck in my head
Hmmm... I need to bead something
I need to bead something blue
I need to bead something blue and out of my "norm" (I'm a beadweaver by nature)
As I'm looking thru my stash I find a chain ... charm bracelet?
Find blue Indian glass beads
Look thru purse (though I'm not sure why/what I was looking for, found $4 and a receipt I had been looking for)
Get tools, headpins, eyepins, seedbeads, earring findings, chain together
Note to self... clean mouse lol

Realize my loop making skills need work
Pile of beads on left for bracelet, pile on right next to mouse is for earrings
Make bracelet

Take picture
Put on .... realize the dangles will have to be moved, chain is too long
Blog, will fix bracelet and make earrings later.

New Yardsellr.com Listings

2011-07-29T08:34:00.002-05:00

Started some "spring cleaning" on the closet. Found about a dozen Plastic Canvas booklets and a hardcover PC Christmas book. All listed for sale here. The booklets are all brand new, and the hardcover book is barely used. I'm sure I'll find some more treasure in there somewhere. lol

15% of All sales from my yardsellr shop

will go to:

The Michala Riggle Beat Autism Foundation (Beading to Beat Autism)

Even if you don't buy from me, check out this young lady's story. Amazing!

Bookmark pics... and bracelet/anklet to be destroyed....

2011-07-26T04:48:00.000-05:00

Ok, some better bookmark pics... well just one since I combined them.

I need the lgt green beads, no... I WANT the light green beads! Since the guy that wanted this bracelet turned into an ass, I can keep those beads for a SPECIAL occasion. Snip snip this afternoon!

I just really HATE wasting my time on something for nothing. *sigh*

Beaded Bookmark

2011-07-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

So, earlier today I was trying to decide what kind of project I wanted to bead. It's almost August, no holidays, so what to do. Here in Tennessee, a lot of the counties go back to school in late August, so what goes with that? Hmmm... I decided to do a bookmark.

Off to Google to search for ideas. Found a Simple Beaded Bookmark for inspiration. Also, wanted to make/use my own beaded beads for this. Ok, no biggie... I know how to make Peyote stitch beaded beads. Well, not a big fan of making these beads. (thinking cap on!) Eureka! I have a PDF file from Beading Daily for beaded beads and I wanted to try one of those. (Download the file How to Make Beads) I used the beads from the Party Girl Necklace. They are really easy to do.

So, after it's all beaded and finished, time for a pic, right? Ha! Last weekend at my niece's wedding, my camera batteries died. Well, almost. They were so weak, the pictures were turning out dark. A couple days ago I bought new batteries and just put them tonight. Aargh! Dead! No juice! NONE! I won't mention here the things I was thinking.

Back to the almost dead batteries. Got one pic, but it's kinda blurry, before it shut down. Will be going back to the store tomorrow for NEW batteries. Now, anybody seen the receipt?

These beaded beads are just gorgeous! This bookmark fits a standard size paperback.

It's football time in Tennessee!

2011-07-22T20:35:00.000-05:00

Well.... almost!

6 more weeks... I hear the band practicing "Rocky Top"! Time to stock up on those orange and white beads. Here's a little graph to get you started. Should be just under 2 inches square using 11/o's. Great for earrings. Use 8/o's for a slightly larger pendant?

It's ALMOST football time in Tennessee!

See, told you, SIMPLE designs! lol

Oh Allison Beading & Designs

Oh no, I didn't!

Call of the Wild

Soup's On!

Bead Soup Blog Party

A Bit of History

One simple truth

kar·ma

Star Worship (for lack of a better title)

Give-Away!

It's OFFICIAL!

Neighbors

Bead Soup Blog Party - Package Received! :)

Bead Soup Blog Party and What's it to Hue?

ORANGE you glad summer is almost over?

Bead Soup Blog Party

But There Ain't No Cure for the Summertime Blues

New Yardsellr.com Listings

Bookmark pics... and bracelet/anklet to be destroyed....

Beaded Bookmark

It's football time in Tennessee!