Random Post

Hello!  This is a Random Post.  What does that mean?  Random thoughts, Random photos, basically a rambling, random post where things don't really connect cohesively.

Recent Bead Challenge with The Jade Dog...

Darcy Horn, owner and artist behind one of my favorite bead companies, The Jade Dog put together a November Beading Challenge with winners receiving gift certificates to her store.  I didn't win or place for a gift certificate, but it certainly was a CHALLENGE!  I had one thing in mind when I started but the final piece was quite different from the original idea.  Mostly, I was in a time crunch and really didn't like the way the "vision" was turning out.  So I tore it apart and changed it.  I finished last Thursday while I was home sick, which was convenient since it was due on Friday!  This was the first attempt at making beaded fringe on a bead embroidery piece, and I need more practice.

Memorial Pendant wrap up...

For the past couple months, we have been working on Memorial Pendants for a fundraiser for the families devastated by the school bus-semi accident near Blue Hill in September (my original post can be read here).
We designed a pendant which contained an individual cross for each person lost in the accident, but that would hang cohesively as a group pendant.  With the help of my good friend and favorite Tierracast supplier, Viv from Dragyn'sFyre, we kept costs low and we donated all funds less our supply costs to the memorial fund.  We originally made 100 pendants/necklaces and 2 pair of earrings with single cross designs.  All of those were sold, and we created 17 more pendants and earrings with single crosses.  We sold almost all of those and the remainders we taken apart to make up 7 pair of earrings for one of the families for an order for Christmas gifts.  All told we estimate (haven't written the final check yet), that we raised $1600 for the fund.  We are now finished with the project, and while I am glad we could design something that was a beautiful tribute to the lives lost, I hope I never have to design something for another tragedy.  Heart wrenching.

Chris's Big Marble Order...
Chris was thrilled to receive a special order for 15 marbles for a gal for Christmas gifts for her friends and family.  She gave him a list of colors preferred by her giftees.  Here is what he created:

Very fun and creative gift idea!  She was thrilled with what Chris created and added a couple others to her purchase.

Pretty Designs...

This piece was sold on Saturday at our last show, but it was one of my favorite designs created this year.  The pendant is a Humblebeads piece from Heather Powers.  I put lots of Czech glass, matte finish Chinese crystals, and galvanized Lucite leaves from The Hole Bead Shoppe together on antique brass rolo chain.  Beautiful.  I love to do nature pieces, and am always on the hunt for focals to work a design around.

Finally...
One week of anticipation left!!!!

The Hobbit (from IMDB)

I am such a Lord of the Rings addict!!  I couldn't get enough when the first three movies came out, and I am SO excited to see the next three!  Premiers next week, and I will be seeing it with Chris (and dragging Mina kicking and screaming) as soon as possible!!!