tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55591711753825898502024-03-21T18:10:12.904-05:00Pixybug Designs by Stephanie and Chris HausslerAdventures in Glass and Jewelry Art and our CRAZY life!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.comBlogger798125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-16858346767804932262017-04-19T09:31:00.000-05:002017-04-19T09:31:04.383-05:00Time Keeps Ticking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuW3bQ5P_Wk0f-W3vDuNWmmhyphenhyphen6vFtidZcAnD5miY3Bl58JPmy-PnwyN4BdY-jTd0S2_zW_siMA1vOOdQ8CpODpByRYrpRwko9ojRNhg-rMhR0mdFuparqUsecPpjjuyuGcMVPsHgoOaI/s1600/Seri2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuW3bQ5P_Wk0f-W3vDuNWmmhyphenhyphen6vFtidZcAnD5miY3Bl58JPmy-PnwyN4BdY-jTd0S2_zW_siMA1vOOdQ8CpODpByRYrpRwko9ojRNhg-rMhR0mdFuparqUsecPpjjuyuGcMVPsHgoOaI/s320/Seri2.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Wow a year has passed since my last blog post! We now have a website: <a href="http://www.pixybugdesigns.com/">Pixybug Designs</a>! I created it last fall, and while it is still not all I want it to be, the website is a place for our customers to find us, where we will be, and see a few of our designs. What have we been up to? I have suffered through a rather trying "dry spell" in my jewelry designing and even wanting to bead at all. It boggles the mind that something I love so much can also make me so miserable. Thank heaven, I am turning the corner on that problem. <br />
Chris continues to take classes with national and international glass artist teachers and each time his skills grow and change. Last fall he took a class with <a href="http://www.smartassglass.com/">Sharon Peters</a>, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Next week he will travel to Kansas City to take a class with <a href="https://www.wesleyfleming.com/">Wesley Fleming</a>. This will be the first class he has traveled out of state to take!<br />
We have also become involved with the <a href="http://worldsbiggestmarblehunt.com/">World's Biggest Marble Hunt</a> which is a worldwide scavenger hunt/geocache for marbles! We have really enjoyed being involved in the craziness and have had marbles hidden all over the world! <br />
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We will be in York for a marble trade show on Sunday, April 23 and on June 3 we will be in Lincoln for the <a href="http://www.nlsummerfest.com/">North Lincoln Summerfest</a>!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-20002060671466162032016-04-12T11:26:00.001-05:002016-04-12T11:26:51.399-05:00Omaha Bead Affair This Weekend!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Omaha Bead Affair is this weekend at the LaVista Community Center on Saturday, April 16 & Sunday, April 17th! For more info, check out the <a href="http://www.omahabeadaffair.com/">Omaha Bead Affair</a> website. We will be there along with many other bead vendors and CLASSES! If you want to learn something new, just get over to the website and register for a class!</div>
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These adorable Sluggy Beads will be available! Chris has been inundated this spring with the demand for his miniature sculpture Sluggys and had a request for him to create bead style of the cuties. So a couple of these have winged their way to their new home, but the rest can be seen and purchased at the show.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufDgK-GFYnLW8Oed112EAcdDi6UnowGp2wkqXGuJmM5jVHIaSkqzG9_3F7dh_stCeF1aBVScUn3oLEVMF0rYBZFlovSB-ZqiYNXirt6mlmLtgPTzWXax5DMOBBmfd6x5W4BoeF7XpHbQ/s1600/slugbeads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufDgK-GFYnLW8Oed112EAcdDi6UnowGp2wkqXGuJmM5jVHIaSkqzG9_3F7dh_stCeF1aBVScUn3oLEVMF0rYBZFlovSB-ZqiYNXirt6mlmLtgPTzWXax5DMOBBmfd6x5W4BoeF7XpHbQ/s400/slugbeads.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are a few other things to look for!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4FvM-nSMbWkb37BTpFkF7NN5SKi4xaea3l-Qli_riUF_DUpg_A_AOTE01lSHgHCfKKQoseqgpszcRobiLGxsjZ-mcrtNjV_OkUWs9s0z1LQ3IStODz6bLPApAn5NDM_eGgnyvnzGIHE/s1600/sculptures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4FvM-nSMbWkb37BTpFkF7NN5SKi4xaea3l-Qli_riUF_DUpg_A_AOTE01lSHgHCfKKQoseqgpszcRobiLGxsjZ-mcrtNjV_OkUWs9s0z1LQ3IStODz6bLPApAn5NDM_eGgnyvnzGIHE/s400/sculptures.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sluggy sculptures, chickens (we have a variety of beads and sculptures), and penguins (also available as pendants and sculptures).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvE6mkl74yzx8pRAIQodLeeRMesPXPjxhuNcyuGtB0Ykarx4QKU4Ch5YBYNtnx9q2BZ7nmiGXFw2Qj_xeXWcqERp-l5keacII6Lz7h7cZo7Y_o7vAiv_k-zDopcQUG42vBiqi9Wj_5f_Y/s1600/violet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvE6mkl74yzx8pRAIQodLeeRMesPXPjxhuNcyuGtB0Ykarx4QKU4Ch5YBYNtnx9q2BZ7nmiGXFw2Qj_xeXWcqERp-l5keacII6Lz7h7cZo7Y_o7vAiv_k-zDopcQUG42vBiqi9Wj_5f_Y/s400/violet.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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This lovely necklace was created by Stephanie using beads and the violet focal Chris made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS6onC1yHJA9RMvMyQmkVXfLxVVbkbDpMb6QTr1Cn5GDELojDSXcnrECp_cp1_8oqt3r3xAgLaI9UMqf3Osaasu8tCoOXYx05iQNlWB0ffyI9Oiz8MB_EJji_FmDA1bMFOCBNLHoAxj0/s1600/bunnies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAS6onC1yHJA9RMvMyQmkVXfLxVVbkbDpMb6QTr1Cn5GDELojDSXcnrECp_cp1_8oqt3r3xAgLaI9UMqf3Osaasu8tCoOXYx05iQNlWB0ffyI9Oiz8MB_EJji_FmDA1bMFOCBNLHoAxj0/s320/bunnies2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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It is a bit past Easter, but these bunny pendants are still adorable for springtime!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPSfXsmre05vxXeBYS2I2ATFyd3j3Uk24hQTiPhU-6BjZ3PwYJK8g0-9L8azOxf_cvqj41OA-GJlE0AbfPX9qEjHLNYK-AZGIh2zuZjOFy42UX_QPo8DF47aXbuAJeiZedIZ9TK8sPVU/s1600/miscpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghPSfXsmre05vxXeBYS2I2ATFyd3j3Uk24hQTiPhU-6BjZ3PwYJK8g0-9L8azOxf_cvqj41OA-GJlE0AbfPX9qEjHLNYK-AZGIh2zuZjOFy42UX_QPo8DF47aXbuAJeiZedIZ9TK8sPVU/s400/miscpen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A variety of pendants, a couple have been sold but you will see the rest!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-88171382573732009732016-02-23T16:58:00.000-06:002016-02-23T16:58:47.945-06:00Update - Prepping for Marble Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Chris & I have been working to get ready for our first show of the year! As always, the Marble Crazy show at Moon Marble Company in Bonner Springs, Kansas is our first show! The show is March 4-5 this year and you will also find us at the Kansas City Marble Collectors show on Sunday. This is the first year we will be at that show on Sunday, March 6. If you need more info on the show, just click the poster caption!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElFFF-9WxA_m8hInirKGwlkFULqlderDv-eBcR-orV07c9yIoMIqVpMheKZdtAv8Y0M4-2hiF93DeGz7cIFINy9GsZxPi8JZYyoylzzBcuocA99AHTW2zdpvzrqx03Jb8MF32PTpzDoQ/s400/poster.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="271" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marblecrazy.com/">Marble Crazy at the Moon</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w4DERx2GuMU12WngZN2d12rtSFxWcC8lVZ_jHU_g5Q8SR_mrx-KA9XjB3wMu_OxFPmGHJykReJPhA4gNqizVWKNRiLpWZXjIhnEgXR7aJpWYWIoVbcufCEOl2c-6fMnhTWGvAWuU8T4/s1600/beads2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w4DERx2GuMU12WngZN2d12rtSFxWcC8lVZ_jHU_g5Q8SR_mrx-KA9XjB3wMu_OxFPmGHJykReJPhA4gNqizVWKNRiLpWZXjIhnEgXR7aJpWYWIoVbcufCEOl2c-6fMnhTWGvAWuU8T4/s320/beads2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celadon with silvered ivory beads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTWV_5S2v4pmlajFDkJRexvfiIKBhT-GyVZUvG5YUvgaHPW9E3fP8JaGbInAQ2fbgz9SI1T9fajzDjGk0SDqFIHPYAVhOUsJS765MZqvWx1z3rHYJZI5jA4maCoonfmDhfkXbbJkGBmc/s1600/beads1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTWV_5S2v4pmlajFDkJRexvfiIKBhT-GyVZUvG5YUvgaHPW9E3fP8JaGbInAQ2fbgz9SI1T9fajzDjGk0SDqFIHPYAVhOUsJS765MZqvWx1z3rHYJZI5jA4maCoonfmDhfkXbbJkGBmc/s320/beads1.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">silvered ivory and chalcedony on ivory beads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP0dLYND7gKcTZagoRfghwyv0-upd0r2o5WfxL7oNHVkCjcLoCMmf4JwADhJXqs8WKzBCy2IuyJeUANAFiYTx5Mz2GZipeo9eqHO0jeM1izh4X0of_R7k1bfFX2005PhV8uGZXS60Dxk/s1600/cowboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitP0dLYND7gKcTZagoRfghwyv0-upd0r2o5WfxL7oNHVkCjcLoCMmf4JwADhJXqs8WKzBCy2IuyJeUANAFiYTx5Mz2GZipeo9eqHO0jeM1izh4X0of_R7k1bfFX2005PhV8uGZXS60Dxk/s320/cowboy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowboy penguin and his gal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQepsnaeCCkgunO40HENcqjVTKvKR85njU4ZZ_6YHPpeDrdsbQXbIBUdccvIjL7D-8agkqo_ztG49sWlG2-JdXMVe-VjgZplOTKwZ2AZpdBQ3c98rK-6niXj7XM24SH-4vRNt8Ib5rG4/s1600/couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQepsnaeCCkgunO40HENcqjVTKvKR85njU4ZZ_6YHPpeDrdsbQXbIBUdccvIjL7D-8agkqo_ztG49sWlG2-JdXMVe-VjgZplOTKwZ2AZpdBQ3c98rK-6niXj7XM24SH-4vRNt8Ib5rG4/s320/couple.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding couple penguins</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsy8MkE5qYWOS5hxES7epMoC0ZZBhmpYBceRofs9hQS8ds35pmkVGS4ZMkR4SrXKs1LG-iLY2RPulDAwX5YTux3iaVbgm02UrPoi9HS3ph8e198ny8DrGFRVqaYRjLIsgQmOKT9kNjls/s1600/cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsy8MkE5qYWOS5hxES7epMoC0ZZBhmpYBceRofs9hQS8ds35pmkVGS4ZMkR4SrXKs1LG-iLY2RPulDAwX5YTux3iaVbgm02UrPoi9HS3ph8e198ny8DrGFRVqaYRjLIsgQmOKT9kNjls/s320/cats.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cat crew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkngz8BtSSAsmQTmUUaOWgXJKn2cvYK1cHDEbjxx87xCshg17EnZLlTTnlOnyKtt2tMOMaufdKfDtkpuLXDogmcGPFa7lCs7gix971r9mRZuQFYSL-8nZ2C1T_UG52906gqyvUdZViws/s1600/marblea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkngz8BtSSAsmQTmUUaOWgXJKn2cvYK1cHDEbjxx87xCshg17EnZLlTTnlOnyKtt2tMOMaufdKfDtkpuLXDogmcGPFa7lCs7gix971r9mRZuQFYSL-8nZ2C1T_UG52906gqyvUdZViws/s320/marblea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swirl and spring frit marble</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MdhTiDC6azniYem6n2icDyva3p5wlIcTh_Igql0H5cIiczvhqhsYb4NozYh8fxnRz5Ogapbz7jbheOHXOX15JPFK6zkFAwNyRwaoQv9qJ9MWzJwT_rUgoG5YzCs7qm7BI-RwR_f032s/s1600/marbleb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MdhTiDC6azniYem6n2icDyva3p5wlIcTh_Igql0H5cIiczvhqhsYb4NozYh8fxnRz5Ogapbz7jbheOHXOX15JPFK6zkFAwNyRwaoQv9qJ9MWzJwT_rUgoG5YzCs7qm7BI-RwR_f032s/s320/marbleb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swirl and passion purple frit marble</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTAHLl2Wb1sRk7XDV_GVC486LQvFX9e6S0dOQkyJCvcdM0-47XAYPK-RYkvTRvyq-znAVbADZ_Henhkxt_e5no-Ymgsp_SzqNNASqWBdVerYb7nglvkQJOCeDpdrMbe0p0wPi0aMPMJ4/s1600/marbled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTAHLl2Wb1sRk7XDV_GVC486LQvFX9e6S0dOQkyJCvcdM0-47XAYPK-RYkvTRvyq-znAVbADZ_Henhkxt_e5no-Ymgsp_SzqNNASqWBdVerYb7nglvkQJOCeDpdrMbe0p0wPi0aMPMJ4/s320/marbled.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rainbow frit and swirl marble</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YGhCAURhQLqtInBj1Y8tX3oxSobgIzIcwYNtUQZDRYGGwxVDXLNWqMKu2McA3trMx3lioElH1eJTxlxCqXdYTZJGoETzJ3ebbrESzK_wy-ThBUzsFy0elAWV3SVtPK3EUyUxHkd0iJg/s1600/mablec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YGhCAURhQLqtInBj1Y8tX3oxSobgIzIcwYNtUQZDRYGGwxVDXLNWqMKu2McA3trMx3lioElH1eJTxlxCqXdYTZJGoETzJ3ebbrESzK_wy-ThBUzsFy0elAWV3SVtPK3EUyUxHkd0iJg/s320/mablec.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">prism frit and swirl marble</td></tr>
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HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US! This show is one of our very favorites!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-60207021204765530882015-12-11T08:18:00.001-06:002015-12-11T08:18:36.259-06:00Final Show of 2015 You can find us at the Smiling Turtle Art Spot in Omaha this weekend! We will have some new beadwoven designs by Stephanie and Chris will be doing demonstrations!<br />
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<img align="none" alt="Smiling Turtle Art Spot" border="0" height="200" hspace="0" src="https://785f34eb80-custmedia.vresp.com/0a8c18aa08/batik_blogger.jpg" style="height: 200px; width: 328px;" title="Smiling Turtle Art Spot" vspace="0" width="328" /><br /> </div>
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<img align="left" alt="chris2" border="0" height="300" hspace="5" src="https://785f34eb80-custmedia.vresp.com/6548709cc3/chris2.jpg" style="height: 300px; width: 169px;" title="chris2" vspace="5" width="169" /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="color: maroon;">SHOP OUR 3ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE AND OPEN HOUSE</span></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: darkgreen;">DECEMBER 12th 10-6<br />DECEMBER 13th 1-4</span></span></strong><br /><br />Meet many of our artists who will be bringing in new items just for the Open House.<br /><br />We'll have cider, cocoa, cookies, and other yummies for you to enjoy while you visit with the artists, watch some demonstrations and finish up your holiday shopping.<br /><br />Both days, Janine Sandstedt and Chris Haussler will be demonstrating their artistry. Janine is a weaver, she makes the beautiful shawls, scarves, towels & guitar straps you see in the gallery. Janine will have her loom with her. Chris is the bead-making 1/2 of Pixybug Designs (his wife Stephanie is the jewelry designer). Chris will bring his torch and create beads and marbles right in front of your very eyes!</div>
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2340 S. 156th Circle<br />Omaha, NE 68130<br />(402) 315-9452<br /><a href="http://cts.vresp.com/c/?FunkyDori/d34f199671/83ca1de8e5/2e31dd7168">www.SmilingTurtleArtSpot.com</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-55976555484193462482015-11-15T18:09:00.000-06:002015-11-15T18:11:40.503-06:00Beading Back in Time Blog Hop 4 - The Final - Winding Back TimeWhen you bead and make as much jewelry as I do, you can get burnt out from it. It is just a true fact that doing something you love can often become monotonous, which I combat with bead embroidery. I love the freedom that bead embroidery gives me to take an image in my head and make it a reality. I don't often "see" my projects in completion in my head, but most of them that this happens with, are my bead embroidery pieces. As I am typing this, the thought of comparing it to a 3D printer came to mind.<br />
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Last spring, we visited the new "Shoe Carnival" added to a mall in Hastings to look for shoes for Graduation. As we were checking out, Chris and Mina spotted these tiny Converse Chuck Taylor baby shoes. He made me buy them for a beading project. Of course, since we had discussed me doing a project similar to this it wasn't much of an arm twisting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjvAUyD49TAnl5l33eOJH9NWEixNd_DkZPr02BrQa25ZtyjK_7Oa-yILvVPOqxZ7i_IKCAY16AgUsKTGKvGa7frCyfUdLHhnfxrhCd1dWoGmFf1Xg1rVJwoPlGMq5DSA2mNl4hQ8XpTQ/s1600/start.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjvAUyD49TAnl5l33eOJH9NWEixNd_DkZPr02BrQa25ZtyjK_7Oa-yILvVPOqxZ7i_IKCAY16AgUsKTGKvGa7frCyfUdLHhnfxrhCd1dWoGmFf1Xg1rVJwoPlGMq5DSA2mNl4hQ8XpTQ/s320/start.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So now I had the shoes, what now? I had to sit them aside for some time to make jewelry for our summer and autumn shows, but Chris continued to put them in my line of sight so they would speak" to me. I really didn't have a plan for them until our Back In Time Blog Hop, 4th quarter topic was chosen. Lindsay Starr & Sherri Stokey (our hosts for the blog hop) chose "our favorite time period" for the Hop topic. My favorite thing to bead around is "Steampunk", granted it is mostly an imaginary time period, but I love the quirkiness of it. I double checked with the Gals to see if this would count as a time period (though I think I mentioned it after I had already begun my project) and this was Lindsay's reply: Steampunk has inherently historical themes - If someone has a problem with you doing steampunk in a historical challenge send them to me and I'll kick them. If you talk a bit in your post about the historical roots of the genera, I think it would be really cool! So there it is official permission!<br />
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This was one of those projects I spoke of earlier that I can "see" in my mind before I begin. I did some shopping to find what I would need. I wanted some leather to recover my basic black shoes to make them more authentic to the period. I found the perfect leather (which I have had tons of compliments on from those who viewed the project in progress) on the Etsy shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PeggySueAlso">PeggySueAlso</a>.<br />
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I am so glad I found the shop! Their leather is beautiful! I also really appreciated that the descriptions told the thickness of the leather so I would know if it would be flexible and thin enough to stitch through. The leather has rich colors and the paisley pattern shows up lovely with the gold detailing. I always go towards these rich colors when I work with Steampunk designs. Other things I purchased for the project are: <br />
Mini Gears designed by Tim Holtz purchased from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtiqueMixedMedia">ArtiqueMixedMedia</a> also on Etsy, the Brass Ox finish top hats, and crystal cup chain came from <a href="https://www.bsueboutiques.com/category-s/1827.htm">B'Sue Boutiques</a> (they have awesome Steampunky treasures!), the antique brass finish clock winding keys designed by Tierracast came from<a href="http://www.fusionbeads.com/22x19mm-Antique-Brass-Plated-Pewter-Winding-Key-Charm-by-TierraCast"> Fusion Beads</a>, and the various seed beads, fish leather (used to make the eyelid on the eye cabs) and the Wire Lace all came from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Julies-Xpressions-347257479058/">Julie's Xpressions</a> in Hastings. Though I love vintage clock and watch gears, I find that using the Tim Holtz versions are easier to design with. You can find them in the embellishment section of the scrapbooking department at craft stores.<br />
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While waiting for my shopping to arrive, I began with Chris's handmade glass eyeball cabochons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDNoP5jbW4-x9VJ0MqXsoIRivhXKNjAq9kkuYfQ_fTTMhK6BwIJGdHW828R4GTZ2roolqzvR0CxGIgR8qQvtdzEgGUYuIevWoWYmI3gcmfSa8gFVT8O7fhkNXQXXWA2YqC1Enw2veo6o/s1600/IMG_3708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilDNoP5jbW4-x9VJ0MqXsoIRivhXKNjAq9kkuYfQ_fTTMhK6BwIJGdHW828R4GTZ2roolqzvR0CxGIgR8qQvtdzEgGUYuIevWoWYmI3gcmfSa8gFVT8O7fhkNXQXXWA2YqC1Enw2veo6o/s320/IMG_3708.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I did most of my component work before I applied it to the shoe. I can't tell you how much easier this was than it would have been if I had waited and did it all on the shoe! Once I had the bezel stitched around the eye, I thought it needed an eyelid, but I wasn't sure what to use to make it. I had some fish leather on my table so I thought I would try that. I found an edge that was kind of rough and trimmed it down until it was the right size. I glued it under the beaded edge and to the cabochon. This worked well, but Chris is not a fan of the one shown in the picture. I love the "weird" factor it adds to the design though! When my leather arrived, I cut a piece and trimmed it until it was about the right size and then used that piece as a pattern for the second shoe. I used Loctite GO2 gel glue to adhere almost all my pieces together. This was the first time I used it and I am not sure I am a fan. It did work, but seemed a bit gummier than I am used to with the E6000. I used GS Hypo Cement to add the crystal cupchain since it has a fine applicator tip. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUBEwsvHBgPSf5vZ1uF4Y-JsPjBNEiJgtwwUNrSAvle2z-XIfTaQiWCZ59nwreRFp8wbjmNEsa3c69ZLx3JIx83KYITOzv2fG3R-dSB6VfT-EKZcs2Mc2uua0nQuqwbnoaFvGwkZlGCw/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUBEwsvHBgPSf5vZ1uF4Y-JsPjBNEiJgtwwUNrSAvle2z-XIfTaQiWCZ59nwreRFp8wbjmNEsa3c69ZLx3JIx83KYITOzv2fG3R-dSB6VfT-EKZcs2Mc2uua0nQuqwbnoaFvGwkZlGCw/s320/IMG_3707.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you can see the eyelet detail on the shoe without the shoestring</td></tr>
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Once the leather was glued to both shoes, I faced a design challenge. Do I let the silver eyelets for the shoestrings show, cover them to not string shoestrings, or replace them with other eyelets to match the leather. After some searching, I decided to go with the last choice and replace them with antique brass colored eyelets. Several years ago, I won a wonderful tool that does both the punching for the holes and the application of the eyelets. It wasn't a totally smooth transition, as a couple of times I missed the previous hole and made a small hole in a wrong spot, but I soon got the hang of it and managed to replace the eyelets. I chose not to replace the one next to the toe as it was just too difficult to work in that area (I broke four Tulip needles and seriously maimed a fifth in one night working on this area!). I had a tough time adding the gears to the edges near the toe and an even more difficult time embellishing them with seed beads. <br />
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When I finished the eyelets, I began beading on the shoes. I did all of my top edging first, followed by the application and embellishment of the eye/hat piece. At that point I wasn't sure what to add to the second side of the shoe.<br />
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When my friend Deb pointed out that I had glued the second eye piece to the wrong side of the second shoe, I was able to peel it up, but it marred the leather a bit. So I designed this piece using a <a href="https://www.theholebeadshoppe.com/home.php?cat=320">Galvanized Lucite leaf from The Hole Bead Shop</a>, more of the Tiny Gears, and 3 8 mm Swarovski rivolis in Bronze, Smoked Topaz, and Crystal Golden Shadow. Mostly, I winged it. I think it turned out well though, I added seed beads and a crystal button to embellish the gears. To finish off the design I added the winding key to the back and stitched a star design around it so that it looks like I inserted the key to wind the shoe. To apply the key, I used my handy tool again to punch a hole through the leather but not the shoe, so the key could be glued into the shoe and I could embellish the "keyhole". It was now time to glue on the cupchain. I usually stitch on cupchain so it stays put, but there was just no way to sew it that close to the sole. Once the cupchain was in place, I used the WireLace to make my shoestring. The color is more of a copper/rose gold color but looks very pink in the photos. I really am proud of this design! I still need to finish the second shoe and would like to figure out how to apply a propeller to the toes (also purchased through B'Sue Boutique).<br />
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I have the ultimate goal of submitting it to contests, but I have to get all of it complete first! So far the project has taken me about a month working nearly every evening on it. Thanks for stopping by for all of our Beading Back In Time Blog Hops this year! If you missed my other pieces, here they are!<br />
<a href="http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/02/back-in-time-blog-hop-episode-1.html">PreHuman</a><br />
<a href="http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/05/back-in-time-blog-hopcave-girl-chic.html">Early Human</a><br />
<a href="http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2015/08/almost-but-not-quiteback-in-time-blog.html">Early Civilization</a><br />
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Thanks to Sherri & Lindsay for including me in this great Hop Challenge<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-49483923999552947312015-10-31T00:00:00.000-05:002015-10-31T00:00:00.965-05:00Art Jewelry Elements Fall Theme Challenge - RavenI subscribe to several jewelry groups posting on various sites across the internet. One of my favorites, Art Jewelry Elements, has various challenges and monthly component challenges among their members. When I saw the theme for the fall challenge, I contacted <a href="http://www.starryroadstudio.blogspot.com/">Karen Totten</a> to see if I could participate with a couple designs I had created using ravens, even though I had created them several years ago. <br />
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My Art Jewelry Elements were created by Jen Martin. She is a very talented polymer and mixed media artist whose shop "graphixoutpost" on Etsy is currently closed. One of the things that intrigues me about ravens is that they are attracted to sparkly bits. They gather these for their "hoard", which I can TOTALLY relate to!! Ironically, neither of my raven designs has much bling in them!<br />
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My first piece is called Genny's Raven. It was a custom order several years ago for an amazing young lady celebrating her 16th birthday. She is now a college student in her junior year (I think). The focal was created using Jen's handmade dominoes and I loved that I was able to join the two together so that the quote was right below the raven. I added a leather flower with a crystal center and made a "flying component" with a couple of wing charms and a bead all made by Tierracast. The clasp, a clock toggle also from Tierracast. added a nice "steampunk" feel to the piece. It was one of the first designs in which the clasp is not at the back of the neck.<br />
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My second Raven design is Poe's Raven. If you have been a reader of my blog. you may have noticed I LOVE Halloween! You never have to clean house or cook extra for Halloween. You can pretend for a few hours that you are anything you want to be, and no one will give you looks that say "wow you may need professional help". I strongly believe in the joy and magic of make believe, and Halloween epitomizes that for me. So for this piece, I started once again with Jen's handmade domino beads. I wanted to create a focal for them, and I actually had Jen make these before the blue ones in the other design. I learned by creating this piece that the beads needed to be drilled differently. I wire wrapped the golden tiles to a frame originally designed as an eyeglass holder. I added various crystals and beads and pearls along with a tiny brass bird. I didn't have any "raven" beads or I would have used that. Along the chain I added groupings of beads, crystals, pearl sticks and a key charm. Though the second picture shows that I used black cording to finish the piece, I later changed this design to have only chain to finish out the piece. </div>
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A young Mina was my model in this picture, and she too is now in college! Time certainly does flow by quickly! If you would like to read more about ravens and the Art Jewelry Elements fall challenge click <a href="http://www.artjewelryelements.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/raven-our-fall-art-component-of-month.html">here</a>! Thanks for stopping by!</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Halloween!</span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-24416057846408459662015-08-03T09:12:00.001-05:002015-08-11T17:36:23.024-05:00Creative Spark E Magazine Summer 2015 issue <a href="https://www.joomag.com/magazine/creative-spark-summer-2015/0475079001435699601" id="Joomag_embed_467ac48c-105f-4d92-a971-f22375a25a07" target="_blank"><img alt="Creative Spark Summer 2015" height="320" src="https://www.joomag.com/Frontend/embed/cover/issue_cover.php?UID=0475079001435699601" title="Creative Spark Summer 2015" width="225" /></a><br />
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The newest issue of Creative Spark from ZNET Shows<a href="http://znetshows.com/">ZnetShows.com</a> is out! With this being the summer issue, we focused on sea glass, oceans, and creating items other than just jewelry with the sea glass! My contribution can be found on pages 91-98. I have a tutorial on making suncatchers using Chinese crystals and <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/sea_glass_beads.asp">sea glass beads</a>. Hope you enjoy!<br />
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<a href="http://www.joomag.com/magazine/creative-spark-summer-2015/0475079001435699601?short">Creative Spark Summer 2015</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-81945085960493361052015-08-01T00:00:00.000-05:002015-08-01T00:00:00.654-05:00Almost But Not Quite...Back in Time Blog Hop Reveal DayThe third round of the Back in Time Blog Hop is here! Well...not so much HERE exactly.<br />
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I have been working hard on my project most of the month, but last week I had carpel tunnel surgery on my right hand and a nerve release on my right elbow. My recovery was proceeding quite nicely, so much so I over exerted my poor arm on Wednesday, doing things I should have known better than to try yet (YOGA, and it was my first attempt at yoga...dumb, dumb, dumb)! Yesterday the pain management eluded me and now, it is more painful than it was last week after surgery! (P.S. the surgeon Dr. Dolf Ichtertz, from the Hand & Shoulder Institute in Grand Island and the outpatient surgery staff & nurses at the Memorial Community Hospital in Aurora, NE can not be commended highly enough!! Chris and I have both received treatment and care above and beyond today's "standards" of care from both the Dr and the Hospital!)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCr2pBXqfBdvf5C-nXr2TRX9k_GRCqhzByXLVXeK424WEdaOsdByTrgBCyIzeFQRGas7Bl9xnvpe8piXKtOPBoqhrGwB1bA585SUI-fmBkuv5GFJan-BGbcHy2RhgIGJcJD0LBHVQzoI/s1600/elbow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCr2pBXqfBdvf5C-nXr2TRX9k_GRCqhzByXLVXeK424WEdaOsdByTrgBCyIzeFQRGas7Bl9xnvpe8piXKtOPBoqhrGwB1bA585SUI-fmBkuv5GFJan-BGbcHy2RhgIGJcJD0LBHVQzoI/s320/elbow.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, extreme beading can give you tennis elbow! I have it in both arms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7U5vVjwgJvg0d6tNWxHxUCdPTzD-lD1upteuerUrGR7LAjcK1dj_DHyLfi2XHK95ZRkFcqDDYXLD3olAh_WoYIbHgVoyIkzfqWCX3WrZfNDLcis7oT5BaNNGeMhbRnEgruiJTQnmXH4/s1600/hand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7U5vVjwgJvg0d6tNWxHxUCdPTzD-lD1upteuerUrGR7LAjcK1dj_DHyLfi2XHK95ZRkFcqDDYXLD3olAh_WoYIbHgVoyIkzfqWCX3WrZfNDLcis7oT5BaNNGeMhbRnEgruiJTQnmXH4/s320/hand.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incisions from the carpel tunnel procedure.</td></tr>
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So our theme for this go round was Early Civilizations. I thought about the idea for a bit, and decided to try my hand at making a beaded mask. While it is not yet finished, I do intend to continue to work on it and hope to have it finished in 2 weeks. I also want to mention that back in May I was to do a reveal for the Bead Peeps Blog Hop, my partner Lori Allain Blanchard had sent me a beautiful selection of beads, and I am about 3/4 way through that project. I have plenty of inventory for shows built up through the next few weeks, so I am trying to catch up on my challenge projects that have fallen behind the past couple challenges.<br />
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First of all on the mask project, I have to give a tremendous thank you to NanC Meinhardt. A couple years ago, I was able to take a class on free form right angle weave with NanC and really enjoyed the class. I knew she had made masks and when I ran into trouble even locating a mask form to work with, I sent a message to NanC on Facebook. She was very gracious and helpful, and told me to give her a call when I got off work to chat about my project!! I did and we chatted for about 15 minutes after which, I had a clear picture of what I wanted to do, what I should look for in a mask, and the best way to get started. It is wonderful to have experienced contacts willing to reach out and lend an ear when you need help!<br />
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So here is the mask base I started with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfVGZEWuKPVOHq47bgf6mqC_9hl5mzc_hW2682Z26wrQdKIf4j2doNkyXeRphZlEM-KYlB1CGlmsSt_Wvh8UM84JkXzrqfEnQLmMCDTSbtq6F9lP8rYYVltrcmQZpXGyivmywiMIEogI/s1600/mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDfVGZEWuKPVOHq47bgf6mqC_9hl5mzc_hW2682Z26wrQdKIf4j2doNkyXeRphZlEM-KYlB1CGlmsSt_Wvh8UM84JkXzrqfEnQLmMCDTSbtq6F9lP8rYYVltrcmQZpXGyivmywiMIEogI/s320/mask.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>
It measures about 7" x 3.5". Of course, with any project I tend to get carried away, so I forced myself to work as small as I could. NanC suggested that if I could not find anything in the size I was looking at, I could buy a doll, take the head off, and create a form either by making a base with polymer clay or by cutting the doll head in half with a saw. She also suggested that if I found a base that wasn't black to paint it black so that black thread would blend in and not be seen. I did paint it, but the paint scratched off, so I painted a couple coats of acrylic craft paint on it and then added a coat of Modge Podge. This helped to save the black from needle nicks, but when I started applying the double stick tape to help form the beads and get them to stay in place, the paint and Modge Podge adhered to the tape and wanted to bubble up or just came off on the tape. This is the type of double sided tape I used.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyCqSjqtVRvR1yj-R7WBIBDgy0wM3HFmKuP-TZeyCcw4Oc2MinU3VfcVXpBJeSqH-g_5MDkxaqet_fzkW1sIJQmmcXFnQZCBbYB-8hMipTShZ7OElezp_wGlWyFhnDOuqd3LBhrbb-JI/s1600/tape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyCqSjqtVRvR1yj-R7WBIBDgy0wM3HFmKuP-TZeyCcw4Oc2MinU3VfcVXpBJeSqH-g_5MDkxaqet_fzkW1sIJQmmcXFnQZCBbYB-8hMipTShZ7OElezp_wGlWyFhnDOuqd3LBhrbb-JI/s320/tape.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rangerink.com/?product=inkssentials-wonder-tape">Ranger Wonder Tape</a></td></tr>
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I believe you can also find it under the brand of Tacky Tape. We used it in NanC's class so that was what I looked for. This looks just the same, is just as sticky, but may be slightly less in the package. This was found at my local scrapbook store (conveniently located in my local bead store where I happen to work part time!). It is very sticky and gums up your scissors, just a note of caution, don't use your best scissors to cut it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ufd4TdRutcmEQUBjuJMPkWk22-OIhLQDL67E3OuMqwBMWRasMr4Vut3Gy9pSa-4UDVOUPQxHdRXH82aZZuUbO651ztNI6VJ3moXEVPdf5qzsRjHO95-tPXP42tb-YyqrayPTPo5Ko9E/s1600/frontside+at+angle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ufd4TdRutcmEQUBjuJMPkWk22-OIhLQDL67E3OuMqwBMWRasMr4Vut3Gy9pSa-4UDVOUPQxHdRXH82aZZuUbO651ztNI6VJ3moXEVPdf5qzsRjHO95-tPXP42tb-YyqrayPTPo5Ko9E/s320/frontside+at+angle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSoFrT69LaaxL9bNbSFEe2cqyh2HEC4PUsTsRaWYmkRNsXYwUfTVA3oKsxOzvafkbZMNLxHj5gtx4aVCO9xAL1dHtXRQwAKnvMUoZ_CN-D0_rukht5JWnpfbhckDoLjREvoCCkpsy44w/s1600/front+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSoFrT69LaaxL9bNbSFEe2cqyh2HEC4PUsTsRaWYmkRNsXYwUfTVA3oKsxOzvafkbZMNLxHj5gtx4aVCO9xAL1dHtXRQwAKnvMUoZ_CN-D0_rukht5JWnpfbhckDoLjREvoCCkpsy44w/s320/front+side.JPG" width="183" /></a></div>
So here is the mask. I am doing an Elemental Mask in an African style. I used size 8 seed beads to fill the space faster, and plan to do some embellishment on the surface after I finish the seed bead work. The upper right is blue for water, the lower left is an orange AB finish seed bead for fire, the upper left (just outlined) is white alabaster matte finish for air, and the Earth will be represented by a dark forest green ab matte on the lower right side. I am using several beading stitches, right angle weave, peyote, and square stitch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ-0Tan5KVNoy6qmaatPdpTQaMdBw-E-ydaTkmEcljnh9hkvmiblIOe2ZSNVC_oSSdhifp0Kg4Q4dJdR8pypk6Ju1bLVuHMHX69sqShKenJ0yJNvAcIsh5t_pRWCEGyoDAGLDu4OXWNo/s1600/back+side.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ-0Tan5KVNoy6qmaatPdpTQaMdBw-E-ydaTkmEcljnh9hkvmiblIOe2ZSNVC_oSSdhifp0Kg4Q4dJdR8pypk6Ju1bLVuHMHX69sqShKenJ0yJNvAcIsh5t_pRWCEGyoDAGLDu4OXWNo/s320/back+side.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This the back which illustrates the starter strip. I glued down a strip of thin suede lacing along the edge of the back. This allowed me a base to stitch into for my base row of right angle weave. I started to do peyote stitch to move over the edge and up the front of the mask. I divided the mask into the four elements using a metallic marker. The marker wore off, but I just re-marked it to have my boundaries for the beading. <br />
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So there is my third project in the Back in Time Blog Hop, here are the links to the other participants:<br />
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Lindsay Starr:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-in-time-episode-3-reveal.html" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-in-time-episode-3-reveal.html</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Sherri </span><span class="SpellingError SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Stokey</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2015/07/beading-back-in-time-early-civilization.html" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2015/07/beading-back-in-time-early-civilization.html</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Susan Kennedy:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-in-time-early-civilization.html" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-in-time-early-civilization.html</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Jean Wells:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://jeanawells.indiemade.com/blog/beading-back-time-installment-three-early-civilization-3500-bc-500-ad" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://jeanawells.indiemade.com/blog/beading-back-time-installment-three-early-civilization-3500-bc-500-ad</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Michelle McCarthy:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-before-time-early.htm" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-before-time-early.htm</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="SpellingError SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Niky</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> Sayers:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-before-time-early.htm" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/07/beading-back-before-time-early.htm</span></span></a><span class="TextRun EmptyTextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="EOP SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"> </span></div>
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<span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Jenny Davies-</span><span class="SpellingError SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">Reazor</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">:</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX122859817" style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span><a class="Hyperlink SCX122859817" href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog/beading_back_time_blog_hop_ancient_egypt_inspired" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: none;"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCX122859817" style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX122859817" style="background-color: inherit;">http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog/beading_back_time_blog_hop_ancient_egypt_inspired</span></span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-69951744482708859052015-06-15T11:43:00.000-05:002015-06-15T11:43:57.442-05:00Graduation, Vacation and What is Coming Up!We have been way too quiet here on the blog! Life has been pretty full the past couple months! Mina graduated from Blue Hill High School on May 16. She was so beautiful in her cap & gown!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Q9MsNHOfrDbcpePVnUoqUMuK4b8kVTQc_FOHHqxngKgUCHzkCFrCknGfNDHAGYEflJA4XCWm7gAuqeFz3oTvmH0nD8SgrqFozsORv6Q4i2a6U1xZCfoLUEYorFiHqBn0JctHOfP9_AU/s1600/11165269_10152742990596721_1305594784287523030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Q9MsNHOfrDbcpePVnUoqUMuK4b8kVTQc_FOHHqxngKgUCHzkCFrCknGfNDHAGYEflJA4XCWm7gAuqeFz3oTvmH0nD8SgrqFozsORv6Q4i2a6U1xZCfoLUEYorFiHqBn0JctHOfP9_AU/s320/11165269_10152742990596721_1305594784287523030_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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When graduation was over, we left for VACATION! It was our first real vacation since 2008, and we had such a wonderful time! Mina wanted to see the ocean for her graduation gift, so we took a trip to Washington! It was the first time she had flown, the first time to ride a ferry, the first time to see the ocean and the first time to ride a monorail! We visited the Hoh National Rainforest, the Olympic Peninsula, the Rialto Beach, and Forks (Mina & I were both big Twilight fans!). It was just fun to drive around and be gypsies for a few days! We planned what we wanted to see, but left the schedule wide open to "go with the flow" and allow for things we didn't expect. Here are some photos.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steph by Marymere Falls. I was thrilled to see a waterfall in its natural habitat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbPG1Rhdv9RaCywNPCzTARDkQeIo5cTxtEFy2NTJuYiGD7jXtCMv_QitqUcXG3xoNChChb27rTGTUpHRNouTRVT5qlOEKBgW-oRJh4Ma-1Ty6CAQDe2JjSTRuZRrOsCZtiIlkFi-W04o/s1600/11390224_10153267072918971_404246471448606094_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbPG1Rhdv9RaCywNPCzTARDkQeIo5cTxtEFy2NTJuYiGD7jXtCMv_QitqUcXG3xoNChChb27rTGTUpHRNouTRVT5qlOEKBgW-oRJh4Ma-1Ty6CAQDe2JjSTRuZRrOsCZtiIlkFi-W04o/s320/11390224_10153267072918971_404246471448606094_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Crescent, water so clear you could see the bottom of the lake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viewpoint from a drive up a mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S3SraRBtgx43_ySLrgDR8nB_P-Cl2Wcrv9MsgwG15AawGV8x3iyHpKGoDvb3K_jioUuuH15o4uzY9Kfo7z-iCweVfG9-PX6JRDk-TnQbkfLkav90uJcFDj99HqcN9VVgK9yuApXFTL0/s1600/11295647_10153267074693971_1439342747526056162_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_S3SraRBtgx43_ySLrgDR8nB_P-Cl2Wcrv9MsgwG15AawGV8x3iyHpKGoDvb3K_jioUuuH15o4uzY9Kfo7z-iCweVfG9-PX6JRDk-TnQbkfLkav90uJcFDj99HqcN9VVgK9yuApXFTL0/s320/11295647_10153267074693971_1439342747526056162_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3 of us at Marymere Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pffXPdchR5nNBZ5EfLZGTb9g6NmJrVE0Hh7WQ0b_cr1UbxBXRMR7tXsY2y1GmwghWwoL69FTsz0KR1Vuyoe0XjbDKJZ96sHH49FKcDM2E1B1pweYBGzg8D4X-L-DGzSkXAOA-xvLeHE/s1600/11209545_10207194150842198_1911662731893161432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pffXPdchR5nNBZ5EfLZGTb9g6NmJrVE0Hh7WQ0b_cr1UbxBXRMR7tXsY2y1GmwghWwoL69FTsz0KR1Vuyoe0XjbDKJZ96sHH49FKcDM2E1B1pweYBGzg8D4X-L-DGzSkXAOA-xvLeHE/s320/11209545_10207194150842198_1911662731893161432_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris & I practicing selfies at Lake Crescent</td></tr>
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We also got to do some very fun art stuff too! I met up with my longtime online friend, Lisa Suver at Shipwreck Beads for a bit of beady retail therapy and then some wonderful Mexican food for lunch!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaASceU5i0NqB51cSiHrbVfew621fK2t6eye3ljNVLxdUPIshBVPhAyqWD_banELiwmceoI4xFAaX8TkcMqDHUU1BUcOWgo6bk-Y0rjdkO_xaB74Ylgr5jTtH3fBnmJOp-3vhcug25EWw/s1600/11391250_10153265181668971_6229193907624561331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaASceU5i0NqB51cSiHrbVfew621fK2t6eye3ljNVLxdUPIshBVPhAyqWD_banELiwmceoI4xFAaX8TkcMqDHUU1BUcOWgo6bk-Y0rjdkO_xaB74Ylgr5jTtH3fBnmJOp-3vhcug25EWw/s320/11391250_10153265181668971_6229193907624561331_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kind of blurry but this is Lisa & I</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Chris also got to do so hand picking his own glass order at Frantz Art Glass! He bought and we shipped it home!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Gp7OXSugVVp-RxbG5b381s_BtsDhc8t56LEsIK5mfqAY8VZGHmyIBJnCsdNNLSVdDWoXhCaFCBGiv7PAR6xBiF4b7qjd515H8onBWix4Ve-YpcVjX7ShpAm6jk621DaHEID3hRkG2E/s1600/1526442_10153257848003971_5413857997767066467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Gp7OXSugVVp-RxbG5b381s_BtsDhc8t56LEsIK5mfqAY8VZGHmyIBJnCsdNNLSVdDWoXhCaFCBGiv7PAR6xBiF4b7qjd515H8onBWix4Ve-YpcVjX7ShpAm6jk621DaHEID3hRkG2E/s320/1526442_10153257848003971_5413857997767066467_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture is a bit blurry because he was on the move!</td></tr>
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We also got to visit the <a href="http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/">Chihuly Garden & Glass</a> exhibit at the base of the Space Needle, and it was probably one of our favorite things about the trip!<br />
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We also got to visit the Pikes Place Market and had a snack (energy refuel) at Cupcake Royale before our first monorail ride to the Glass Garden & Space Needle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHzyHCE5Eiyf-250qwF6L0Wxrz2VWx1OeH21fC7DnA13xdHlEiwI0O_xWYAPEg6pKHNuQ5dJoR3VlU1KXDVyxTcTXJbv1m-kSdENhZAk_pPqhFdmKNo2aI9eLJKFxSDC5IrRHH5Z7Ib4/s1600/1888721_10153272575138971_8131629700886031230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHzyHCE5Eiyf-250qwF6L0Wxrz2VWx1OeH21fC7DnA13xdHlEiwI0O_xWYAPEg6pKHNuQ5dJoR3VlU1KXDVyxTcTXJbv1m-kSdENhZAk_pPqhFdmKNo2aI9eLJKFxSDC5IrRHH5Z7Ib4/s320/1888721_10153272575138971_8131629700886031230_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris & Mina in front of the Market </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing fresh flower vendors at the Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the Ferris wheel on the pier (we wanted to ride it but didn't get there).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSomOKRk6hZ9zj0Jcel23-8d_59pFmcoRIrnG9y299VcSNBoNrMT_m5PXlXnauxq_nBrIN3eQ2Wn9V9dQKRBsAB-uuVHoBdCLYuXfqgRkjikCC9F7z07t2I77WQw-3L4jIg9AVFKSWOZw/s1600/1012927_10153272577778971_5255542528361053948_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSomOKRk6hZ9zj0Jcel23-8d_59pFmcoRIrnG9y299VcSNBoNrMT_m5PXlXnauxq_nBrIN3eQ2Wn9V9dQKRBsAB-uuVHoBdCLYuXfqgRkjikCC9F7z07t2I77WQw-3L4jIg9AVFKSWOZw/s320/1012927_10153272577778971_5255542528361053948_n.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful Strawberry & coffee ice creams & a Lemon Drop cupcake</td></tr>
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The snack was delicious! The cake was almost the texture of a pound cake and very tart and delicious! We had no snafus on the trip until the final step, when our luggage decided to spend a few extra days on vacation! We arrived home on Tuesday and the luggage got home on Friday!<br />
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What is next? <a href="http://www.sandhillsranchexpo.com/">Sandhills Ranch Expo</a> in Bassett this week Wednesday & Thursday, June 17 & 18 where you can look for these!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZqjGD6x72wnrfi8xvJXNCfmqML5xUX5pTB6E4TON_0IB98oWSVMqQbYjnW_IPkzgGyYAPVnFclJmCSo6T7l1PWM40EYZl5uqGs4SVI_lVPXglhU08dutDKKtq4LM5bmaSNnaE7RXB08/s1600/11423613_10207308724106458_2713089582230999939_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZqjGD6x72wnrfi8xvJXNCfmqML5xUX5pTB6E4TON_0IB98oWSVMqQbYjnW_IPkzgGyYAPVnFclJmCSo6T7l1PWM40EYZl5uqGs4SVI_lVPXglhU08dutDKKtq4LM5bmaSNnaE7RXB08/s320/11423613_10207308724106458_2713089582230999939_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponies, alien, and dragon pendants, chicken sculpture, and new cabochon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo5HlnMx4hdxwmy9Z_OTPfiZvDj7ee7umu0mIJPgTxkjK14FrBVWK44uZMq9UjSKNh9pavizUMZyoVE7vj8NAEkWI-VYjYRVI15CgY25NvvokP1jY49756CbjdbiJvveCL5ugoEvZX70/s1600/11295647_10207099544837107_1829972946994573416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo5HlnMx4hdxwmy9Z_OTPfiZvDj7ee7umu0mIJPgTxkjK14FrBVWK44uZMq9UjSKNh9pavizUMZyoVE7vj8NAEkWI-VYjYRVI15CgY25NvvokP1jY49756CbjdbiJvveCL5ugoEvZX70/s320/11295647_10207099544837107_1829972946994573416_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiny blown glass vases </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwWrHqK2_1G6uiDnUS3bpi7-_hhsbORvWbGeGU9dxji7POat7ovSmJ5uYtPqVzqPIxTZZ6VEsKldkSjl9ZBWoFnTk7gzhkHun1VSX8phmmQSyXjfuU7lR7vPNRkGzbQkK2DRnujJgmak/s1600/11209579_10153300228113971_3394218309748292202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwWrHqK2_1G6uiDnUS3bpi7-_hhsbORvWbGeGU9dxji7POat7ovSmJ5uYtPqVzqPIxTZZ6VEsKldkSjl9ZBWoFnTk7gzhkHun1VSX8phmmQSyXjfuU7lR7vPNRkGzbQkK2DRnujJgmak/s320/11209579_10153300228113971_3394218309748292202_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posies and Fairy Garden Fancies (mushroom, penguin, & kitty sculptures in the background)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnFPvcX_CpL6hFs89Ev-DHnm-pFSslSODbSCVbPfJPa3nP_GscVeDHMAViZtiXh9CvNWxLMLGR5gBOAOUu7eTY9m3a0VUEHzXIsCbPqOmMuhS91KmrGGB_b_C0oS_VTZ-bizKuuNWDn8/s1600/11391114_10153300228733971_2635756173946203493_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnFPvcX_CpL6hFs89Ev-DHnm-pFSslSODbSCVbPfJPa3nP_GscVeDHMAViZtiXh9CvNWxLMLGR5gBOAOUu7eTY9m3a0VUEHzXIsCbPqOmMuhS91KmrGGB_b_C0oS_VTZ-bizKuuNWDn8/s320/11391114_10153300228733971_2635756173946203493_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Urchin (polymer clay focal by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SummerWindArt">Summer Wind Studios</a>) (heart charm by<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/earthenwood?ref=pr_shop_more"> Earthenwood Studios</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXWPCIQWCFUaCXCvCfii4WBo2sIe2eryNvbnAbl5bk9VBbgPjnIpFIVmMaYfM1yQds_1mJu4fcPZOP0utRBBbrqRyBtHBfuwSola7cQ-rPWg6GFcD0arZh_fZEOrofdrfYxdT6e02CIg/s1600/11427229_10153300228773971_1970595093355290273_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXWPCIQWCFUaCXCvCfii4WBo2sIe2eryNvbnAbl5bk9VBbgPjnIpFIVmMaYfM1yQds_1mJu4fcPZOP0utRBBbrqRyBtHBfuwSola7cQ-rPWg6GFcD0arZh_fZEOrofdrfYxdT6e02CIg/s320/11427229_10153300228773971_1970595093355290273_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gypsy Charm bracelet with brass bell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKXOBcP2jOdHX1LpK_HPjZ86J5vsCm3Pb__V4FG4E5eKTyc42BdADojZD8LC_h8NhBb-lA5mq97ypon1G4HRHE6RbiDJPG6tB31YRa9tW20GbT91251wbQAnpG06ZnEbyksg7Mtwa_68/s1600/11390093_10153300228268971_8390227352930411466_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKXOBcP2jOdHX1LpK_HPjZ86J5vsCm3Pb__V4FG4E5eKTyc42BdADojZD8LC_h8NhBb-lA5mq97ypon1G4HRHE6RbiDJPG6tB31YRa9tW20GbT91251wbQAnpG06ZnEbyksg7Mtwa_68/s320/11390093_10153300228268971_8390227352930411466_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">earrings </td></tr>
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If you can't make it to Bassett, we will be at the <a href="http://www.prairieloft.org/Prairie_Loft/Flatwater_Music_Festival.html">Flatwater Music Festival</a> next week, June 26-27 in Hastings!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-80798494383299955662015-05-03T21:01:00.000-05:002015-05-03T21:01:00.037-05:00Back In Time Blog Hop...Cave Girl ChicMy life has been a total crazy mess lately. Too many commitments, too many responsibilities, WAY too much stress, and far too little time to deal with all of it. But you are not here to hear about all of that! This is a challenge continuing throughout the year, and it is hosted by <a href="http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/2015/05/beading-back-in-time-blog-hop-challenge.html">Lindsay Starr</a> and <a href="http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/">Sherry Stokey</a>.<br />
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When I was working on my concept, I really wasn't sure which direction to go. Our theme for this round was "Early Human". Thank goodness, the Omaha Bead Affair hit at just the perfect time for purchasing the ingredients for this design. A great amount of my details came from Darcy Horn, The Jade Dog. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10408076_10205711404919410_1743077950891711280_n.jpg?oh=444254013e2348bbddedbdf3228019a9&oe=55C6C437" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10408076_10205711404919410_1743077950891711280_n.jpg?oh=444254013e2348bbddedbdf3228019a9&oe=55C6C437" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/thejadedog?pnref=lhc">Handmade Polymer from Darcy Horn, The Jade Dog</a></td></tr>
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Darcy is one of my favorite vendors and artists, as her funky style speaks to my artistic tastes! So I purchased a bunch of these amazing spikes from Darcy (made by her!), some tiny sea urchin spines, and some very pretty Picasso finished size 8 seed beads. To this mix I added spikes of tumbled picture jasper, Czech glass thorn beads, and some cool snakeskin finish Chinese crystals. I wanted to make this huge complicated piece, but I just didn't have time and went with the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) design philosophy. Here is what I came up with and I just LOVE it! I made a matching pair of funky earrings with natural wood beads and of course every Cave Girl's favorite, Swarovski crystals! No matter what era we live in, we all need to SPARKLE!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgY9DJ17cnwDmE-VW3trffz3yFIhO-jVlgtyz_Wvij_q5ScgPUfRR5dsKqkm3WiYP9HfsYEnZo160KvGINSHv0SvgRgW351d-enIbYTquWly5j8JzzbkgV_-IxD1HBR-vBde1tfQPdzQ/s1600/11180077_10206938124081689_295992874_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgY9DJ17cnwDmE-VW3trffz3yFIhO-jVlgtyz_Wvij_q5ScgPUfRR5dsKqkm3WiYP9HfsYEnZo160KvGINSHv0SvgRgW351d-enIbYTquWly5j8JzzbkgV_-IxD1HBR-vBde1tfQPdzQ/s1600/11180077_10206938124081689_295992874_n.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me wearing my creation, bringing out my Inner Cave Girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBtQhDKafkfnogpllpbPf1DUtur4EDCCu2saHiXA1KAztTgI_OQAJ7X80V2dGHokAw-LrblbgdIubttXi4AxCDyenWF6a9el18aKFGFepA_JA49zg-OuVlHFrVg6qwH1h__KixtBvOfQ/s1600/Back+in+time+Blog+hop+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBtQhDKafkfnogpllpbPf1DUtur4EDCCu2saHiXA1KAztTgI_OQAJ7X80V2dGHokAw-LrblbgdIubttXi4AxCDyenWF6a9el18aKFGFepA_JA49zg-OuVlHFrVg6qwH1h__KixtBvOfQ/s1600/Back+in+time+Blog+hop+003.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The set</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQEdQDQfodJM9TCrm8TFLoDECPv1uo_Ieq6j9jDn87yCxzUmT-CRvDRhyphenhyphenH2V-jbDdx-8E2o0oMO7puSQk8trsBgwGOTKdR3TeMvxgILgxV4PknwfCxDugfNfYZLU0lLR2ogrhF6wJ53A/s1600/Back+in+time+Blog+hop+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQEdQDQfodJM9TCrm8TFLoDECPv1uo_Ieq6j9jDn87yCxzUmT-CRvDRhyphenhyphenH2V-jbDdx-8E2o0oMO7puSQk8trsBgwGOTKdR3TeMvxgILgxV4PknwfCxDugfNfYZLU0lLR2ogrhF6wJ53A/s1600/Back+in+time+Blog+hop+005.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the earrings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCESSNiCLHaQWR9lXhctA6Q3t2FKaV_Fse3-UyUECk2_8iQIVc8PG08B_TfHTceHR_RJax5GtjpaTKn4vY0_o6drCeQWTT9jAok2mfIONv415hzJHjCVzbu3xe6RjmUAPb8TKBBflQFV4/s1600/Back+in+time+Blog+hop+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCESSNiCLHaQWR9lXhctA6Q3t2FKaV_Fse3-UyUECk2_8iQIVc8PG08B_TfHTceHR_RJax5GtjpaTKn4vY0_o6drCeQWTT9jAok2mfIONv415hzJHjCVzbu3xe6RjmUAPb8TKBBflQFV4/s1600/Back+in+time+Blog+hop+007.jpg" height="257" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details!</td></tr>
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Here are the rest of the participants! Hope you enjoy the Hop!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Lindsay Starr, Phantasm Creations: <a href="http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/2015/05/beading-back-in-time-blog-hop-challenge.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/…/beading-back-in-time…</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame: <a href="http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2015/05/beading-back-in-time-reveal-early-human.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/…/beading-back-in-time-revea…</a></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fsuebeads.blogspot.com%2F2015%2F05%2Fbeading-back-in-time-blog-hop.html&h=NAQE_Pn-y&enc=AZPih5-hUZjv70AyLL1BHyxvoveryCCsKfk42q4tLK6BKC103lFDhhYs023vYn0gmclJ_caMT1Wc9DQ2q7uR9JVi32MZnjfqIoztu08mVmisK-T90ufIjiI1bSWMDfJpOaZkCZyvZIRuAQaof-3KnnmQdqISsHeLfpQU_TZtl1-tIw&s=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://suebeads.blogspot.com/…/beading-back-in-time-blog-ho…</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Stephanie Sanner Haussler, Pixybug Designs: <a href="http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/</a> (not post specific link)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Jean Wells: <a href="http://jeanawells.indiemade.com/blog/beading-back-time-installment-two-early-man" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://jeanawells.indiemade.com/…/beading-back-time-install…</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Jenny Davies-Reazor, <a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog/beading_back_time_blog_hop_reveal" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/…/beading_back_time_blog_hop_r…</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Michelle Ann McCarthy, Firefly Design Studio: <a href="http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-35257802799432278512015-04-08T15:19:00.001-05:002015-04-08T15:19:42.964-05:00Omaha Bead Affair This Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfZfW_NaMlitwHhIDV_ZTecr6UIm2Rxr01KlcXOKvCQUyhwvXXmD9yRmK_ySjCVSbWZ65dbJUPNkygQTfr_e7GE0bQ1LvtZEbNXzk5EahyjOhQzaFI3NozR9YcLGgthyphenhyphenjeUE6p27vB6U/s1600/1406654129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfZfW_NaMlitwHhIDV_ZTecr6UIm2Rxr01KlcXOKvCQUyhwvXXmD9yRmK_ySjCVSbWZ65dbJUPNkygQTfr_e7GE0bQ1LvtZEbNXzk5EahyjOhQzaFI3NozR9YcLGgthyphenhyphenjeUE6p27vB6U/s1600/1406654129.jpg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
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The NEW Omaha Bead Affair is this weekend! We are so excited to be vendors at the new location, the LaVista Community Center, <span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;">8116 Park View Blvd</span><span style="font-size: small;">, <span style="color: #2a2a2a;">LaVista, NE 68128. The NEW show is a 2 day event, Saturday, April 11 & April 12 10-5 each day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">There are lots of returning vendors and NEW vendors (do you see a pattern here?)! Also NEW this year are CLASSES! Still plenty of openings to sign up! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Would you like more information?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Here is the NEW website for the <a href="http://www.omahabeadaffair.com/">Omaha Bead Affair</a>! Check it out and there is a discount coupon as well!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Want a sneak peek at what Chris has been working on for the NEW show?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;">Hope to see you there!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-15362647697312378792015-03-17T12:50:00.001-05:002015-03-17T12:50:16.124-05:00Big News, Slightly Late!Goodness, time does get away! I meant to post this when I received it a couple weeks ago and completely forgot! I HAVE MY DESIGN IN BEAD & BUTTON MAGAZINE!!!!<br />
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This piece was a magic creation from beginning to end. I picked up the MAKU Studios heart one day while I was working at Julie's Xpressions. I started on it, and everything came together wonderfully and even the cord design was my own! The piece contains screw-in spikes, double hole pyramids, vintage Swarovski crystals in bicone and margarita flower shapes, hand dyed flowers, a vintage button, scrapbook embellishments, and teardrop seed beads. The necklace is half Tilas, peanut beads, and O beads. The piece is backed with metallic leather and is embellished on the back as well! I am thrilled with the responses I have received, and feel blessed to have a piece published! I even finished it in time to wear it for our family pictures and to have an artist shot taken!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-50359308095710180562015-02-22T19:32:00.000-06:002015-02-23T10:37:41.567-06:00My First Tutorial is in the Newest Issue of Creative Spark EMagazine!Last month the Creative Spark designer group (for <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/wholesale%20beads.asp">ZnetShows</a>, wholesale bead company) was contacted by Hope Smitherman, (our group leader and editor of Creative Spark) to create designs for the new issue and a few simple earring tutorials would also be needed. I decided to try my hand at the tutorial since Chris and Mina had done some last year for Soda Lime Times. These are the earrings I created.<br />
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I used small rolo chain with the globe beads and crystal cupchain to create the porcelain butterfly earrings. You can find my tutorials in the newest copy of Creative Spark!<br />
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<a href="http://joom.ag/sFfb">Creative Spark Winter 2015</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-27318168186250394382015-02-17T14:03:00.001-06:002015-02-17T14:03:54.534-06:00Bead Peeps Swap N Hop, Part 2: Meet Lori Alainn BlanchardI too am participating in the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop! My lovely partner, Lori Alainn Blanchard, lives in Ohio. Lori & I are paired up in the Seed Bead category of the Hop. Here are a few of Lori's beadiful, beautiful creations! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Skull bracelet, design by FunPatternDesigns, beaded by Lori</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I thought this was an appropriate design to share since it is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras Time! Lori used the pattern and added some of her own touches when she beaded it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlainnJewelry/timeline">Alainn Jewelry on Facebook</a></td></tr>
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I was very taken with these Pop Culture bracelets designed and beaded by Lori. Aren't they fabulous?! (You can also find Lori on Etsy: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyAlainnJewelry">My Alainn Jewelry</a> ).<br />
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Lori and I had quite the conversation about our "fur kids". She has dogs and cats (with one troublemaker in the group). Here are the photos she shared with me.<br />
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Not sure which one is the culprit, but they look like they would be fun to live with! Lori also shared with me that she is the baby of her family, she is 29 (gosh I felt so OLD!), and has been with her husband for 7 years. We share a love and passion for seeds and all the new shaped seed beads. We also enjoy beading objects and bead embroidery is a favorite. <br />
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I have quite the stash of goodies pulled for Lori, and can NOT wait to see what she has for me!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-34117703755374276852015-02-16T19:12:00.001-06:002015-02-16T20:11:43.376-06:00Bead Peeps Swap N Hop partner Introduction, part 1Hi there dear readers! Part time blogger Chris here, getting ready to introduce to you my partner for the 1st Annual Bead Peeps Swap N Hop! This is my second hop that I have been involved in. I participated in Lori Anderson's final Bead Soup Blog Hop last year.<br />
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That was then, this is now. This year my partner is <a href="http://skwds.blogspot.com/">Stephanie Stamper</a>, from down in the Sunshine State. She has an orange tree at her house! Living in Nebraska, growing citrus is a rather strange idea!<br />
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She has been making jewelry for about 10 years now. <br />
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The last few of years or so have been a bit crazed and/or blessed for her as she is a full-time mommy of three little boys, age 4 and younger. Being the middle one of five boys myself, I can only imagine life from the other side. She does not have as much time to play with her beads as she would like, but it has not stopped her from adding to her stash. Stephanie and I have been chatting back and forth, learning about each other and exchanging ideas. <br />
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As I type this, part of Stephanie's goodies are sitting in an old peanut butter jar at my elbow, while the rest are cooling in the kiln. Gee, the deadline for shipping her stash is over three weeks away and I nearly have everything ready, except for the packaging. How in the world did that happen?<br />
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I have been looking forward to this Swap. I expect to learn some new things while I learn a new technique or two. Bring it on. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-36831564378319608122015-02-01T21:33:00.000-06:002015-02-01T21:33:24.195-06:00Back In Time Blog Hop - Episode 1Hi! Long time no blog posts! We have been busy with college visits, taxes, scholarships, and prom dress shopping. Time goes by way too quickly and there are always way to many things to accomplish! <br />
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Speaking of time, I (and Chris helped too) am participating in the Back in Time Blog Hop through a group I was honored to be invited to join. The group is headed up by Lindsay Starr of <a href="http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/">Phantasm Creations</a>, and Sherri Stokey of <a href="http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/">Knot Just Macrame</a>. They are amazing artists and this was a fun challenge to participate in.<br />
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The theme: Back in Time, Pre-Human. Hopefully, my piece fits that theme! I started with a piece of this:<br />
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Chris and I purchased a couple of the very smooth stones last summer in Lincoln at the Haymarket Farmers Market from the Lincoln Rock Shop. I loved the shape and texture and the bits of fossil in the texture. I thought I would use it in bead embroidery, but this was the PERFECT challenge for the piece. I was originally going to wire wrap it, but while the front side looked great, the back was a mess from trying to anchor it on the smooth texture of the stone. So I channeled one of my favorite artists, Darcy Horn (<a href="http://www.thejadedog.com/">The Jade Dog</a>), who does amazing things with free form peyote.<br />
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Here is my creation:<br />
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When I started, Mina suggested I use greens, which I hadn't considered but which worked very well against the smooth gray. I varied, matte forest green, opaque olive, opaque seafoam lined topaz, matte seafoam ab, and matte metallic gray. Because we all liked the designs on both sides of the stone, I made the piece reversible. Side one shows off the fossil design quite nicely near the circle and the back side has interesting designs with the bead work. I finished the piece with a gorgeous hand dyed cord using kumihimo, and finishing bead cones and a clasp in gunmetal black.</div>
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Want to see all the other amazing designs? Here is the list!</div>
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Co-hostess: Lindsay Starr of Phantasm Creations <a href="http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/">http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/</a><br />Co-hostess: Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame<br /><a href="http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2015/01/beading-back-in-time-blog-hop-big-reveal.html">http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2015/01/beading-back-in-time-blog-hop-big-reveal.html</a><br />Kelly Rodgers of Beadin' Black & Blue <a href="http://beadinblacknblue.blogspot.com/">http://beadinblacknblue.blogspot.com/</a><br />Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio <a href="http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/01/beading-back-%20in-time.html">http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/2015/01/beading-back- in-time.html</a><br />Caroline Dewison of Blueberribeads <a href="http://blueberribeads.co.uk/">http://blueberribeads.co.uk/</a><br />Melissa Trudinger of Boho Bird Jewellery <a href="https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/">https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/</a><br />Sue Kennedy of SueBeads <a href="http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/">http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/</a><br />Stephanie and Chris Haussler of Pixybug Designs <span style="color: red;">You Are Here</span><br />Jen Cameron of Glass Addictions <a href="http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog">www.glassaddictions.com/blog</a><br />Jean Wells of Jean A. Wells Artisan Jewelry <a href="http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/">http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-77595623121824373072014-12-10T13:51:00.000-06:002014-12-10T13:59:03.740-06:00Christmas, Family, & InspirationLast night I quickly edited photos to create our Christmas cards before and after Mina's final High School Christmas concert (sob!). We had not had our family photos taken for some time, so when we had Mina's Senior pictures taken this summer, we also had our family photos and some artist shots for Chris & I taken. Here is what I came up with for our family card.<br />
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<img border="0" src="http://photo1.walgreens.com/walgreens/previewcollage/collageoid=MzIwNTYzNTAwMQ--/isencrypted=true/PictureIDList=752742581001_13101740%3B752742584001_13101740%3B752742586001_13101740%3B752742589001_13101740%3B752742591001_13101740/BricData=/Size=reprint%3Bcollage%3B5x7/layout=P/calenderPosition=null/borderColor=black/borderSize=Med/journal=/papertype=premium/year=null/templatename=/leadingolioid=639254632001/prd=prints/isUpsellCollagePrintEnabled=false/isNewUpsellCollagePrintEnabled=false/" id="collagePreview" /><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/amybryan38?fref=ts">Amy Bryan</a> took the photos and did such a marvelous job! We had fun watching our amazing daughter show off her natural beauty, and Amy had some fun ideas. These were taken during the studio time and we were kind of goofing around. I love that there are goofy and good pics with Mina in them. I had fun putting this together and ordered some collage prints of them to hand out and hang on the wall. <br />
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I also created our business Christmas cards, which brought me round to thinking about our year. We accomplished much this year. Chris and Mina created his first tutorial on his dragon beads and it was published in Soda Lime Times. He also had his creations in several other issues of Soda Lime Times. I received word recently that I will be published in an upcoming issue of a beading magazine also, which I can't say more about at this point! So very exciting! We had another exhausting year of shows, FOURTEEN!! Besides which, we showed at three different art galleries (two of which were new for us), sold at the Highland Park Farmers Market ten Saturday's in June, July, August, and September, and participated as vendors at our first two week (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday each week) show. Goodness, that is exhausting just to read! We were featured artists in July at <a href="http://smilingturtleartspot.com/">Smiling Turtle Art Spot</a> in Omaha (THANKS DORI!) where Chris also demonstrated during our reception.<br />
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With all that work, in addition to our normal full-time and part-time jobs (yes we both have each), we have struggled to balance work, Pixybug, our family time, chores around the house, and our relationship as a couple. I would like to paint the picture that everything is always rosy and never a problem arises. However, that would be lying and not really make anything easier. I have been working on my boundaries in difficult relationships, Chris and I are trying to work on spending quality time with each other, and we are all working on the goal of getting Mina ready for COLLEGE. (Good grief, how did time go by that fast! Wasn't she just a baby yesterday?) Our house is a total disaster (it might be easier to move than declutter and clean our current one) and our TO DO list is pretty long. Keeping this in mind, I was thankful this morning when I read the Art Jewelry Elements <a href="http://artjewelryelements.blogspot.com/2014/12/what-neil-gaiman-studying-for-finals.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ArtJewelryElements+%28Art+Jewelry+Elements%29">post</a>. Jen Cameron shared these poems from Neil Gaiman (I love his books) and I knew I was meant to read them to ease my burdens a bit.<br />
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"Life is sometimes hard. </div>
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Things go wrong, in life and in love </div>
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and business and in friendship</div>
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and in health and in all the other ways</div>
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that life can go wrong.</div>
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And when things get tough,</div>
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this is what you should do. </div>
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Make Good Art.</div>
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Husband runs off with a politician?</div>
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Make Good Art</div>
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Leg crushed and then eaten by mutated boa constrictor?</div>
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Make Good Art</div>
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IRS on your trail?</div>
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Make Good Art</div>
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Cat exploded?</div>
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Make Good Art</div>
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Somebody on the Internet thinks what you do is stupid or evil or it's all been done before?</div>
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Make Good Art..."</div>
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<b> -Neil Gaiman</b></div>
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<b>This is precisely why I can't get my bead table organized! It is so easy to get distracted by the beads I touch, that I never get anywhere with the cleaning! This quote was also in Jen's post this morning and it sums up the challenges of being overwhelmed by the big goal, rather than looking at the tiny steps it takes to get there.</b></div>
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"Something that worked for me </div>
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was imagining where I wanted to be-</div>
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(an author, primarily of fiction, making good books, </div>
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making good comics, and supporting myself though my words)</div>
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</div>
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-was a mountain</div>
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A distant mountain.</div>
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My goal. </div>
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And I knew that as long as I kept walking towards the mountain, I would be alright. </div>
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And when I truly was not sure what to do, I could stop, and think about
whether it was taking me towards or away from the mountain...."</div>
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<b>-Neil Gaiman</b></div>
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<b>Thanks to Jen, for the uplifting quotes! Thanks to Neil, I can now see that a day in which my cat doesn't explode or my leg hasn't been eaten by a mutated boa, it can be conquered by a few steps toward the tough goals! </b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-59271442344478049822014-11-26T13:29:00.003-06:002014-11-26T13:29:32.598-06:00We Give Thanks!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphics.comments.funmunch.com/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving_comment_graphic_11.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://graphics.comments.funmunch.com/holidays/thanksgiving/thanksgiving_comment_graphic_11.gif" height="320" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thanksgiving.funmunch.com/">source</a></td></tr>
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Thank you to all our wonderful customers! Thank you to all the amazing artists we have met, worked with, and been fortunate enough to become acquainted with through the internet. YOU can't know how much we appreciate you. May your day be filled with all the foods that make you happy, the people you love the most, and the peace and happiness of a day spent together with both! Enjoy, indulge, be thankful, and say a prayer for all that are not so blessed!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-76108578216728992272014-11-14T09:52:00.000-06:002014-11-14T09:53:18.983-06:00Seward Show Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/988821_732324473529269_5873448277179699525_n.jpg?oh=c2b2d1516856dab975c1a1a635ea2e14&oe=54ED6633" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/988821_732324473529269_5873448277179699525_n.jpg?oh=c2b2d1516856dab975c1a1a635ea2e14&oe=54ED6633" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can find us this Saturday at the Seward Young Women's Holiday Craft Fair! Get a great start on your holiday shopping with loads of handmade items, enough for 2 buildings! You can find more info on their website, <a href="http://sewardjuniorwomenscraftshow.weebly.com/">Seward Holiday Craft Fair</a> or their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/693874917377795/">Facebook </a>page.<br />
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On other fronts, look at these beautiful creations from Deb Brooks, (From the Heart Creations), using Chris's glass cabochons!<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1546103_10203846178729579_7291932555951951615_n.jpg?oh=a21cea12f642f9f5059ccb7368360bf6&oe=551DE67D&__gda__=1424461892_cba60a5ba0fb7d52ef2fc1e339e6a3f6" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1546103_10203846178729579_7291932555951951615_n.jpg?oh=a21cea12f642f9f5059ccb7368360bf6&oe=551DE67D&__gda__=1424461892_cba60a5ba0fb7d52ef2fc1e339e6a3f6" width="320" /></a></div>
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This piece was sold before Deb even finished it! She was putting it together and the gal saw it and bought it to wear with this sweater! Wow, that is the way to sell jewelry!<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1545084_10203846178409571_7644698921107025709_n.jpg?oh=5adef028eba80c74ea5171264579aa0a&oe=54D3FC3D&__gda__=1423528535_b510ebf0d21478d8f3f5907a18887d14" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1545084_10203846178409571_7644698921107025709_n.jpg?oh=5adef028eba80c74ea5171264579aa0a&oe=54D3FC3D&__gda__=1423528535_b510ebf0d21478d8f3f5907a18887d14" width="320" /></a></div>
Here are the pendants after Deb created them from PMC and set the cabochons in the bezel settings.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1932465_10203846178929584_992363910380369414_n.jpg?oh=0161cac37dceadabdc9f9573414d7cee&oe=54D52348" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1932465_10203846178929584_992363910380369414_n.jpg?oh=0161cac37dceadabdc9f9573414d7cee&oe=54D52348" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is the other piece after a bit of bead stringing magic! This one is my favorite of the two! I love the designs Deb creates around whatever she is creating. Her nature designs are so beautiful!<br />
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I was up until 2am designing for the show tomorrow, so no photos yet! However, I hope to take them after we get the tables set up. This is our last "away" show for the season, we have a couple events at the Historic Hastings Old Middle School in the 2nd Floor Studio and we are selling at the Prairie Winds Art Center in Grand Island during the Holiday Showcase. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-24981916970899145452014-10-20T10:49:00.000-05:002014-10-20T10:49:14.653-05:00Creative Spark! Fall 2014 Now Available!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The new issue of Creative Spark e magazine is now available! I don't have any designs in this issue as I had WAY too many shows going on during the designing period, but I do have a couple quotes on my inspiration and what I love about autumn!</div>
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The cover is so PRETTY! Love the bracelet!</div>
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<a href="http://s1.joomag.com/res_mag/0/136/136864/343422/thumbs/8121210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s1.joomag.com/res_mag/0/136/136864/343422/thumbs/8121210.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
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Here is the link for you to check it out! <a href="http://www.joomag.com/magazine/creative-spark-fall-2014-fall-2014/0405504001412625884?short">Creative Spark Fall 2014</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-18345803467086062342014-10-10T11:45:00.000-05:002014-10-10T11:45:01.141-05:00New Designs, This Month's ShowsWow, look...another month in between posts! Good grief! There was a time when I posted several times per week! Now it seems that all I post about is jewelry and shows! Well, this post will be no different! Here is the scoop!<br />
<h2>
TV Stars! </h2>
Chris and I spent time near Kearney yesterday at the NTV Studio! We were interviewed on Good Life (the morning show). We showed our newest creations and talked about our design process working together. Here is the link to watch the show!<br />
<a href="http://www.nebraska.tv/category/106636/ntvs-good-life#.VDf0CMQz3zI.facebook">segment one</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nebraska.tv/category/106636/ntvs-good-life#.VDf0_m-vfqY.facebook">segment two</a><br />
<h2>
New Designs! </h2>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/p526x296/10653295_10152714909583545_1310616249780397790_n.jpg?oh=883bbf135ac790cc632e8ad49b134310&oe=54C7FB41&__gda__=1421993503_b57c6cfecc4db3eac18d3e5c08b5523d" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/p526x296/10653295_10152714909583545_1310616249780397790_n.jpg?oh=883bbf135ac790cc632e8ad49b134310&oe=54C7FB41&__gda__=1421993503_b57c6cfecc4db3eac18d3e5c08b5523d" width="400" /></a></div>
Fan Favorites jewelry! Polymer swirl beads by Lisa <br /><br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10653559_10152716520113545_8050079178948994822_n.jpg?oh=a7d8bb7524870e04c3395dc983ad8481&oe=54F6C8C0&__gda__=1422315925_fd4151e8306047644ffa5cdce868fceb" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10653559_10152716520113545_8050079178948994822_n.jpg?oh=a7d8bb7524870e04c3395dc983ad8481&oe=54F6C8C0&__gda__=1422315925_fd4151e8306047644ffa5cdce868fceb" width="400" /> </a></div>
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New beads! Love that fancy display plate, don't you?!</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10703545_10152746032438545_4169601538814049023_n.jpg?oh=89d2860c82a8ce722461ed461a17f8a6&oe=54F65530&__gda__=1420824708_6523e4882c4234979efa3230f5a0e406" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10703545_10152746032438545_4169601538814049023_n.jpg?oh=89d2860c82a8ce722461ed461a17f8a6&oe=54F65530&__gda__=1420824708_6523e4882c4234979efa3230f5a0e406" width="332" /> </a></div>
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New Skullie pendant with hair!</div>
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Show Schedule!</h2>
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Tomorrow and Sunday we will be hosting the 1st Annual Autumn Open House at the 2nd Floor Studio in Hastings. The show is located at 505 N. Hastings in Suite 206 (Historic Hastings Old Middle School).</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1602171_10152658558378971_7938476166506463795_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/1602171_10152658558378971_7938476166506463795_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For more info : <a href="webcal://www.facebook.com/ical/u.php?uid=830728970&key=AQBHNNt8QU6DO2yp">1st Annual Autumn Open House at the 2nd Floor Studio</a><br />
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Next week on Saturday we will be in Lincoln for the Lincoln Bead Bazaar. More details on that event can be found here:<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10176071_10202735292280803_5116175621748280778_n.jpg?oh=4fd4983c17af6b00f259df546ff9479e&oe=54F4C2BB&__gda__=1425394654_a1bc3728f9159c061b5347d6937cf02e" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10176071_10202735292280803_5116175621748280778_n.jpg?oh=4fd4983c17af6b00f259df546ff9479e&oe=54F4C2BB&__gda__=1425394654_a1bc3728f9159c061b5347d6937cf02e" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="webcal://www.facebook.com/ical/u.php?uid=830728970&key=AQBHNNt8QU6DO2yp">Lincoln Bead Bazaar</a><br />
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Hope you can visit with us at one of our shows!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-6704171864896956112014-09-10T14:38:00.001-05:002014-09-10T15:07:03.545-05:00What We Have Been Up To and What's Coming Up...<br />
<b><u>Our Schedule for the rest of the month:</u></b><br />
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Saturday, Sept. 13 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julies-Xpressions/347257479058">Bead Extravaganza</a>, Hastings, NE at Adams County Fairgrounds, 10-4<br />
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Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, September 19-21 <a href="http://www.barnfestival.com/">Barn Festival</a>, Hastings, NE<br />
Saturday, September 20 <a href="http://hillsboroartsandcraftsfair.org/">Hillsboro Arts & Crafts Fair</a>, Hillsboro, KS, 9-4<br />
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Friday, Saturday, & Sunday, September 26-28 <a href="http://www.barnfestival.com/">Barn Festival</a>, Hastings, NE<br />
Saturday, September 27 <a href="https://www.facebook.com/artwalkaurorane">Artwalk</a>, Aurora, NE 1-5<br />
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Yes, that is correct two weekends we are in 2 places at once! Goodness! <br />
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Here are a few photos of what we have been up to!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsKpWDSYuUBf2pFLrF4tb1utUo03lM95TFw-OjtsEBuZp8VjnWSR4BMuZKOHhjPHxCYUS8-60RCJLbftWc7AilZdZsqWyTDCkF_ff_l3l_e5PS8PNpU5XeT5sZA82bxEWnBJcxgkPlGY/s1600/10524738_10152655170773545_3130947670668222322_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsKpWDSYuUBf2pFLrF4tb1utUo03lM95TFw-OjtsEBuZp8VjnWSR4BMuZKOHhjPHxCYUS8-60RCJLbftWc7AilZdZsqWyTDCkF_ff_l3l_e5PS8PNpU5XeT5sZA82bxEWnBJcxgkPlGY/s1600/10524738_10152655170773545_3130947670668222322_n.jpg" height="400" width="337" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zulu Tassel Necklace, Chris designed a focal to match seed beads I purchased from <a href="http://www.thejadedog.com/">The Jade Dog</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2png6TuJaSLylZWjcwtT8WSUuP_NolpBHF1t-0y8u9S2tYt1NV8ln-KEgFgcNxBbhwVZ2o9ZBm9YtiqnBp8poVrPntQgflA3fNke4r3IjbOLpx2S6CGwPQA3IxQwjx9wG-TrKxfSHHCQ/s1600/10653661_10152673683138545_8692318494645084120_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2png6TuJaSLylZWjcwtT8WSUuP_NolpBHF1t-0y8u9S2tYt1NV8ln-KEgFgcNxBbhwVZ2o9ZBm9YtiqnBp8poVrPntQgflA3fNke4r3IjbOLpx2S6CGwPQA3IxQwjx9wG-TrKxfSHHCQ/s1600/10653661_10152673683138545_8692318494645084120_n.jpg" height="400" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Nest, focal, accent, and bird beads by Chris, plus Czech glass & Chinese crystal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6pRH4ZcU0_1ZZ_k7njDCH9Zr2L66bV3FJGlYDSEofKBro_tNN3WCe9sQC6cZkNvYLkqOVecU7HelINMOOt1zpy9xPL0Dj0Nnyqa1t9qmq379fO3TboPDg2pLKiWNn7ee7IsgVQLbTns/s1600/1902887_10152580113418971_1874480285986994428_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6pRH4ZcU0_1ZZ_k7njDCH9Zr2L66bV3FJGlYDSEofKBro_tNN3WCe9sQC6cZkNvYLkqOVecU7HelINMOOt1zpy9xPL0Dj0Nnyqa1t9qmq379fO3TboPDg2pLKiWNn7ee7IsgVQLbTns/s1600/1902887_10152580113418971_1874480285986994428_n.jpg" height="351" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween dangle, Ghostly dangle & earrings, Autumn bird necklace (bird focal & accents by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/shaterra?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav">Shaterra Clay Studio</a>, basketball earrings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OdKTc6-dSqWMnLhcTCgzFK9UQeqoj_W8F3yDfqT3eK1Rw5Ng4YbuWgt_LDhCgXDpEvymDPAouvCnlYdtosur048cjzl2tCLfQV89oS6_XuSwVMKm0AXpu7zMu4ZMTYJCniKIdSMbxQo/s1600/10353564_10152655171143545_2980307584603684024_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OdKTc6-dSqWMnLhcTCgzFK9UQeqoj_W8F3yDfqT3eK1Rw5Ng4YbuWgt_LDhCgXDpEvymDPAouvCnlYdtosur048cjzl2tCLfQV89oS6_XuSwVMKm0AXpu7zMu4ZMTYJCniKIdSMbxQo/s1600/10353564_10152655171143545_2980307584603684024_n.jpg" height="400" width="385" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Fancies, tiny accents created by Chris for fairy gardens and plants!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1seiTv8gtDw0kcwgfOlpzOxyU63KF76_WQ-l-3IHMr0c1YWQ835KyuHCuRXKdA9VNx7cMR6_wKdjBzy-7543D2WCPXZpJqs-lU22_lqdDhTicSqQsDjr9kA7DkaUAGwmendX6SKhTU_E/s1600/16319_10152655170158545_9204348440689536142_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1seiTv8gtDw0kcwgfOlpzOxyU63KF76_WQ-l-3IHMr0c1YWQ835KyuHCuRXKdA9VNx7cMR6_wKdjBzy-7543D2WCPXZpJqs-lU22_lqdDhTicSqQsDjr9kA7DkaUAGwmendX6SKhTU_E/s1600/16319_10152655170158545_9204348440689536142_n.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rustic Autumn Bird, ceramic bird by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MAKUstudio?section_id=7921302&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2">MAKU Studios</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU22pUz1Y6XFt7GgBF3uUlFnV6BC_ZaQepDg1ait1qtSYHoS0uTWhd_NTFGltF0p7bw8UbyJt_ePyeG54tyNejJyVTth3uf2S59ycmKs_UskHbofiYqcSh0lzhKyNCH8pxjR7IpGE-8o/s1600/10388079_10152655170713545_175999987092814468_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjU22pUz1Y6XFt7GgBF3uUlFnV6BC_ZaQepDg1ait1qtSYHoS0uTWhd_NTFGltF0p7bw8UbyJt_ePyeG54tyNejJyVTth3uf2S59ycmKs_UskHbofiYqcSh0lzhKyNCH8pxjR7IpGE-8o/s1600/10388079_10152655170713545_175999987092814468_n.jpg" height="400" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ceramic earrings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQegqVxFr7lpdKBDiO3D9lTIkpwk5LEf0JQbUDdkHMupqplUEMqwXSdh7x3_hrSdd_z0G-J_MocwGzC1GoTGccovtf2ebnvR3hVnTnJgx17rNPR4j44O_gWarO_9E_Zt5HR8NPunvTZ2s/s1600/10622859_10152580113473971_231178817795456158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQegqVxFr7lpdKBDiO3D9lTIkpwk5LEf0JQbUDdkHMupqplUEMqwXSdh7x3_hrSdd_z0G-J_MocwGzC1GoTGccovtf2ebnvR3hVnTnJgx17rNPR4j44O_gWarO_9E_Zt5HR8NPunvTZ2s/s1600/10622859_10152580113473971_231178817795456158_n.jpg" height="261" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bermuda Pure Leaf necklace and earrings, Swarovski crystals & Czech glass flower cups</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Xy-2eGI_EVC-isA3ZWQLdVyBvzh7tfVuvLCepOKdffLYtMQt97b2bIumh4d9BOzINxsDTDLz9PNdq8MpQMOdUyzZuKYqg4gyDnWBI3_XprnKPTihrrJbuVhr9MGmpA4jIBRaBjfO-Fg/s1600/10624632_10152673683068545_9046908672324904503_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Xy-2eGI_EVC-isA3ZWQLdVyBvzh7tfVuvLCepOKdffLYtMQt97b2bIumh4d9BOzINxsDTDLz9PNdq8MpQMOdUyzZuKYqg4gyDnWBI3_XprnKPTihrrJbuVhr9MGmpA4jIBRaBjfO-Fg/s1600/10624632_10152673683068545_9046908672324904503_n.jpg" height="400" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaf Dragon, dragon by Chris, wire, crystals, Czech glass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fGCbOR0dRfJpUxSEdAtuQebDejncwMUbHHyLhXZPbzC6lR7akcatJWllrMf9XP18jCNl9LQUIUtqoo8qZ5o5eAqFeLTcHn1xPcAimqNqyUqJgLOL2iQ1rdMgADC407Xarla9Gm_aogw/s1600/10649706_10152673683218545_3611229516269313202_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fGCbOR0dRfJpUxSEdAtuQebDejncwMUbHHyLhXZPbzC6lR7akcatJWllrMf9XP18jCNl9LQUIUtqoo8qZ5o5eAqFeLTcHn1xPcAimqNqyUqJgLOL2iQ1rdMgADC407Xarla9Gm_aogw/s1600/10649706_10152673683218545_3611229516269313202_n.jpg" height="400" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spiral Autumn, focal, and bird beads by Chris, Czech glass</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChKjuuAt8UdItmUV6jgFwkX7teXDZxCCLy_NzbF473jOxGC6eYsugfV9t1qemU1Qxi39KVsxWH4Ax1gf4Yri8jezxcyjUf8GXyKJ9gJAN2praaatv6x50-UpTcJV0mY842q8LhbaaHTI/s1600/10653454_10204969520827838_489681111894316300_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChKjuuAt8UdItmUV6jgFwkX7teXDZxCCLy_NzbF473jOxGC6eYsugfV9t1qemU1Qxi39KVsxWH4Ax1gf4Yri8jezxcyjUf8GXyKJ9gJAN2praaatv6x50-UpTcJV0mY842q8LhbaaHTI/s1600/10653454_10204969520827838_489681111894316300_n.jpg" height="400" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bemused & Bejeweled, sculptural pieces created by Chris & I stitched her tiny leather purse.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-51129808002613570922014-08-19T08:27:00.000-05:002014-08-19T08:27:12.321-05:00Soda Lime Times TutorialChris wrote his first tutorial last month on making his dragon beads. It was published in the new Soda Lime Times issue!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrLxtHDxD_OVkk9z5Cbyy0fxmzfpRHI3HMBoDVTS-NHg2qsNNtV81Y0rNcXT8fcFmT_L_RKVIMgHQ5VdX5tLqof_ST0r2qTMmYvbL8PRFoUrM1V6vFNhoYBF7tM18bUVT5QN_uAuLsI4/s1600/Soda+Lime+Times.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrLxtHDxD_OVkk9z5Cbyy0fxmzfpRHI3HMBoDVTS-NHg2qsNNtV81Y0rNcXT8fcFmT_L_RKVIMgHQ5VdX5tLqof_ST0r2qTMmYvbL8PRFoUrM1V6vFNhoYBF7tM18bUVT5QN_uAuLsI4/s1600/Soda+Lime+Times.jpeg" height="640" width="497" /></a></div>
Mina was his photographer and received photo credit in the article too! With the publication, Chris created some of his dragons for our Etsy shop! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/036/0/5159904/il_570xN.642001582_gwpv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/036/0/5159904/il_570xN.642001582_gwpv.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/200406369/mylanth-the-horned?ref=shop_home_active_1">Mylanth the Dragon</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img1.etsystatic.com/040/0/5159904/il_570xN.642112551_s4ge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://img1.etsystatic.com/040/0/5159904/il_570xN.642112551_s4ge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/200397728/avrae-of-the-far-hills?ref=shop_home_active_2">Avrae of the Hills</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://img0.etsystatic.com/033/0/5159904/il_570xN.641992016_7s1k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://img0.etsystatic.com/033/0/5159904/il_570xN.641992016_7s1k.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/200405005/camroth-the-dragon?ref=shop_home_active_3">Camroth the Dragon</a></td></tr>
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Stop by the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PixybugDesigns?ref=listing-shop-header-item-count">Etsy shop</a> and visit these beauties and all the other goodies we have posted!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-74951134141167111282014-07-30T10:16:00.001-05:002014-07-30T10:16:48.284-05:00Hastings Art in the Park this Sunday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW2pG0fkdOLcw5iN10UKgiVpWy-O4suABUp7RogscbddFzJwtr4rBbihfM4-ANfKzL5hgCUCqeqPitVSxnuM6y28omGkzySA3osPL81DxzhSaEG-Ia3mpmY-DNDri444WuMNr98EBr6M/s1600/399461_10151076785078330_1259847153_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguW2pG0fkdOLcw5iN10UKgiVpWy-O4suABUp7RogscbddFzJwtr4rBbihfM4-ANfKzL5hgCUCqeqPitVSxnuM6y28omGkzySA3osPL81DxzhSaEG-Ia3mpmY-DNDri444WuMNr98EBr6M/s1600/399461_10151076785078330_1259847153_n.jpg" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
Looking for some fun this Sunday, August 3rd? Stop by Libs Park in Hastings from 10 am to 5 pm for Art in the Park! Lots of shade, free admission, and a wide variety of art vendors! Hope to see you there!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734464812049891078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559171175382589850.post-28408776412379622802014-07-11T10:00:00.000-05:002014-07-11T10:00:08.379-05:00The Heart of the Adventurer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10479077_10152471257028971_3413835713162449296_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/t1.0-9/10479077_10152471257028971_3413835713162449296_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is my latest creation! The Heart of the Explorer combines a handmade raku pottery heart cabochon (created by <a href="http://www.makustudio.com/">MAKUstudio</a> or her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MAKUstudio">Etsy store</a>), a vintage button with a compass rose on it, Tim Holtz game spinner hands embellishments, hand dyed Lucite flowers from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Vintage-Meadow-Artworks/158632817536906">Vintage Meadow Artworks</a>, screw-in metal spike embellishments and California Gold Rush (color) seed beads in sizes 11, 15, and teardrops from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BeadAndGlass">Bead & Glass Boutique</a>, vintage Swarovski crystals (reclaimed from a necklace purchased at an antique show), and a variety of Czech glass beads (pyramids, peanuts, half Tila, O beads, matte fire polish, and other seed beads) from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julies-Xpressions/347257479058?ref_type=bookmark">Julie's Xpressions</a> in Hastings, Nebraska. Talk about exploration! Look at all the styles of beads from all over the United States! Too bad I haven't actually traveled to all the places I buy beads from!<br />
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My "philosphy" for bead embroidery: Start with the focal and go for it! I rarely start a piece with a design in mind! This piece actually is one of the few that I have made that has NO Swarovski crystal cupchain! (Gasp, how did I let that happen!) Mostly, that happened because I had nothing that worked with the other colors of the piece. Note to self, buy more cupchain to match everything! Instead, I used some beautiful smoked topaz AB finish vintage Swarovski crystals reclaimed from an antique necklace I purchased and cut apart. I know, that seems like sacrilege. But, rather than that necklace lying unworn, it now has a new life! Plus I reclaimed almost three vials of crystals to be used in many pieces! <br />
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Other embellishments, the vintage button, Chris & Mina found for me on a visit to an antique store in Lincoln, while I was in a beading class. The Tim Holtz game spinner hands can be used in SO many different ways! I love when one craft medium can be merged with another! You just never know what will add interest to a design. The screw-in spikes were an item I had never used, but were very intriguing! They come in different antique finishes, I used two antique brass and one antique copper on the upper left hand edge of the heart. These were actually added to balance the design with the bead pyramids on the other side of the heart.<br />
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<a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10499480_10152580994209940_5840650264556462405_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/10499480_10152580994209940_5840650264556462405_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When I added the spikes, I wondered how to edge them. I used size 15 seed beads to encircle them. When I had completed those three, I liked the lacy look the rounded bead work added to the piece, so I continued it by adding the vintage crystals and the Lucite flowers. At this point, I figured I had better stop before I added too much and complicated but didn't enhance the piece. So the finishing edge was done with size 8 seeds topped with size 15 seeds and the tear drop beads. It is brick stitch with the 15s and drops added as embellishment. <br />
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The next challenge came when Chris tried to help me figure out how the piece should hang. My first idea was to leave the shank on the button and attach the necklace with a lobster to each side of the piece. This idea didn't work because of the weight of the piece. So I did a square stitch bail and attached it when I was edging the piece. The necklace design is of my own creating. I used half Tila, O beads, and peanut bead and used the double needle weaving technique to put it together. I used the ENTIRE tube of O beads, right down to the very last bead in the very last stitch! Even though I am not a snake fan, the weave pattern and matte finish on the beads, gives the chain a snake skin look. Hope you love it as much as I do!<br />
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