Call of the Wild

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!

One simple truth

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:

kar·ma

   [kahr-muh] 

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!

It's OFFICIAL!

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!

Bead Soup Blog Party - Package Received! :)

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?

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?

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

Bead Soup Blog Party

Sign up is

August 1-3,2011

See u there!