tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17312099578316933872024-03-13T14:19:40.545-04:00The Best Little Bead BoxCarol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-40829031479454597262011-06-15T17:36:00.000-04:002011-06-15T17:36:35.229-04:00Courage Tiger Has a New Home!<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>by Jen VanBenschoten</b></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, all of the Best Little Bead Box(es) have made their way to upstate New York! We apologize for the delay in getting the eBay auctions together, but we had a slight change of plans. The boxes all arrived safely today, and with them, Courage Tiger!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAMaqtFSrqM/TbI70DKGugI/AAAAAAAAEYE/mwkM9OUk1xA/s320/a+tiger+byebye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAMaqtFSrqM/TbI70DKGugI/AAAAAAAAEYE/mwkM9OUk1xA/s320/a+tiger+byebye.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Carol Dean and I were wondering where Courage Tiger should go next, and it suddenly became apparent where his new home should be. A friend of my sister has a 10-year-old son who will turn 11 in August. He and his family live on the Gulf Coast of Texas, and last summer right around his birthday, he was diagnosed with leukemia. Right after he was diagnosed, he began chemotherapy treatments. Today he is finishing up a required hospital-stay round of chemotherapy (three days of intense IV treatment that leaves him feeling extremely sick) and then he has more chemo treatments that will keep him out of school until October. He's missed most of 5th grade, but will be able to enter 6th grade in the fall thanks to a teacher that comes to his house and helps him keep up with his school work. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We thought that Courage Tiger would have a wonderful new home with him as he gets through each treatment for leukemia. His prognosis is still good, mainly because of the type of leukemia he has, but it still requires a lot of intense treatments that would be difficult for anyone to endure. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So once I get Courage Tiger sent off to his new home, I will be sorting through all the amazing, generous contributions from our amazing, talented beaders in this second round of The Best Little Bead Box! Let me tell you, these are going to be some killer auctions this time around - there are seed beads, cabochons, handmade polymer clay, findings of all kinds, beading kits, gemstones - even a great little book on bead stringing techniques and leather scraps! (And I may throw in one more goody before the auctions get started, since I just discovered a fabulous new bead embroidery backing!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Stay tuned for the eBay auctions, and thank you again to all of you incredible, generous ladies!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>VanBeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721173813057192461noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-18868822313998777432011-04-28T08:00:00.000-04:002011-04-28T08:00:12.835-04:00The Best Little Bead Box Visits Pennsburg Pa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Well, I came home from shopping with the kids the other day, and this is what greeted me on my porch! The Best Little Bead box is now 5 large bead boxes! I cannot even tell you how awesome this is! They were almost as tall as my littlest guy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbC_UL8qHn0/TbGi5J0BbHI/AAAAAAAAAV0/LAgO07nKzGU/s1600/bbb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbC_UL8qHn0/TbGi5J0BbHI/AAAAAAAAAV0/LAgO07nKzGU/s320/bbb1.jpg" width="180px" /></a></div>So, being the last person was really wonderful, and really awful at the same time. I feel like I took soooo much, because there was sooo much wonderfulness, although, honestly, it doesn't look like I put a dent in it. There were so many awesome beads, by wonderfully talented people, and gemstones and crystals, oh my! So without further ado, heres what I picked..........(don't judge me, I love beads;)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is everything together, but I will break it down.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dV-jevbyi34/TbGigr9LDKI/AAAAAAAAAUk/uXd2yiIIW50/s1600/012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dV-jevbyi34/TbGigr9LDKI/AAAAAAAAAUk/uXd2yiIIW50/s320/012.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I picked some cool wood and nut beads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9XTbulKcM/TbGiUj-0b7I/AAAAAAAAAT4/fEIAkiwv-UQ/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh9XTbulKcM/TbGiUj-0b7I/AAAAAAAAAT4/fEIAkiwv-UQ/s320/001.jpg" width="288px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got me some glass and crystal, since I don't have a lot in that department.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCoHL9oL8Ls/TbGiVxbqnNI/AAAAAAAAAT8/OL-XQGIF-ZQ/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCoHL9oL8Ls/TbGiVxbqnNI/AAAAAAAAAT8/OL-XQGIF-ZQ/s320/002.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div> I took these wonderful lampworked beads, because I thought they'd be great in some bracelets.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LE0R2B0-Lh4/TbGiWpZK2DI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Ggv9atlX2sk/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LE0R2B0-Lh4/TbGiWpZK2DI/AAAAAAAAAUA/Ggv9atlX2sk/s320/003.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> This one tormented me. It is gigantic, and wonderful, and it was in and out of the box many times. I just love the asian feel of it, and so, I kept it. It will be the most lovely chunky bracelet ever.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl519PajZ2g/TbGiXKg-UTI/AAAAAAAAAUE/fnT5klzEdDc/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xl519PajZ2g/TbGiXKg-UTI/AAAAAAAAAUE/fnT5klzEdDc/s320/004.jpg" width="319px" /></a></div> Then my weakness, gemstones........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arPLvcX8pZU/TbGiX2mbI7I/AAAAAAAAAUI/54v35QkSf0E/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arPLvcX8pZU/TbGiX2mbI7I/AAAAAAAAAUI/54v35QkSf0E/s320/005.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vLz88lmQns/TbGiY7KcsPI/AAAAAAAAAUM/6zCZZIaakuk/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="169px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vLz88lmQns/TbGiY7KcsPI/AAAAAAAAAUM/6zCZZIaakuk/s320/006.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXW8WHHW7Bw/TbGiZwlywKI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/L8r5-SI0ktI/s1600/007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXW8WHHW7Bw/TbGiZwlywKI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/L8r5-SI0ktI/s320/007.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Some little metal odds and ends....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jil7amJj1co/TbGib9lZaYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/pKpK_SPpkek/s1600/008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jil7amJj1co/TbGib9lZaYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/pKpK_SPpkek/s320/008.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> some pearls and cloisone...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stQRCdEU8mE/TbGicwZVWPI/AAAAAAAAAUY/RKHllwLgSKM/s1600/009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stQRCdEU8mE/TbGicwZVWPI/AAAAAAAAAUY/RKHllwLgSKM/s320/009.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> leather scraps and a hole puncher (I really needed one!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gqZeggaeds/TbGiejyeyrI/AAAAAAAAAUc/kr8VR620zaM/s1600/010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5gqZeggaeds/TbGiejyeyrI/AAAAAAAAAUc/kr8VR620zaM/s320/010.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> and last but not least..........some ceramic and raku! Love the stars and the skull.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCaIS_O7A6g/TbGifgedwjI/AAAAAAAAAUg/G8SIHnUWBk8/s1600/011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DCaIS_O7A6g/TbGifgedwjI/AAAAAAAAAUg/G8SIHnUWBk8/s320/011.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>There are still sooooo many wonderful things in there. Carol will have her work cut out for her, and I had to keep resisting the temtation to start organizing it by bead type, ect......These auction will be GREAT!<br />
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Ok- here is what I put in...........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLDn8-Kw4bM/TbGi1GGohnI/AAAAAAAAAVs/7W7CnKUY4LI/s1600/0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLDn8-Kw4bM/TbGi1GGohnI/AAAAAAAAAVs/7W7CnKUY4LI/s320/0038.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Here is the whole heap of it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A brand spakin new copy (with dvd) of Wire Style 2, with some aluminum wire.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--y02uy1sZL0/TbGii_N_RLI/AAAAAAAAAUs/wdBlaL-UkqM/s1600/0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--y02uy1sZL0/TbGii_N_RLI/AAAAAAAAAUs/wdBlaL-UkqM/s320/0020.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div> Some very nice beading cord in green and brown, a small wire jig that was opened but never used, some copper for stamping or etching, tape measure, bottle caps made for resin, gold plated chain, some duponi silk scaps, pewter pendant, rings for keychains and a bead scoop.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWIcT6Nu0x8/TbGijnid-jI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Q2dbxCbzDeo/s1600/0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vWIcT6Nu0x8/TbGijnid-jI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Q2dbxCbzDeo/s320/0021.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> some bronze, brass and silver plated charms, focals, and three feet of a great brass chain that I love!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzXQjSNrLxs/TbGikyGm5LI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Wra0I2yNd1o/s1600/0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzXQjSNrLxs/TbGikyGm5LI/AAAAAAAAAU0/Wra0I2yNd1o/s320/0022.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> GEMSTONES!!!!! Amazonite mix, black agate tear drops, turquoise mix, green crackle agate, shells, moukite, flourite, and three strands of focal beads, since they are my absolute favorite to work with.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lffiqd2l3j8/TbGimEwM3HI/AAAAAAAAAU4/5u3L8Ah5AUU/s1600/0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lffiqd2l3j8/TbGimEwM3HI/AAAAAAAAAU4/5u3L8Ah5AUU/s320/0023.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Some odds and ends, large lucite beads, mother of pearl buckle, shell charms, mother of pearl composite donut focal...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syr1N7I86w8/TbGinNGgDnI/AAAAAAAAAU8/PzvyPZ6Xyko/s1600/0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-syr1N7I86w8/TbGinNGgDnI/AAAAAAAAAU8/PzvyPZ6Xyko/s320/0024.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> MORE GEMSTONES........ prehnite strand of focals, picasso jasper pendants, blue crackle agate, brown gemstone and pearl mix, red jad, red jasper mix, labradorite focals, crazy horse stone focal, green jasper focal, MOP Butterfly focal, green jade beads, red agate pendant, hawk eye jasper (sooo pretty)....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TekSLFy4g94/TbGio6d6ozI/AAAAAAAAAVA/7GoYv1og7zg/s1600/0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TekSLFy4g94/TbGio6d6ozI/AAAAAAAAAVA/7GoYv1og7zg/s320/0025.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Some sea shell cabs, genuine sea glass to use in bead embroidery, and a wonderful sparkly drusy cab!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3d2EDCHxbQE/TbGiqLqHS8I/AAAAAAAAAVE/BK3O1C46OBA/s1600/0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3d2EDCHxbQE/TbGiqLqHS8I/AAAAAAAAAVE/BK3O1C46OBA/s320/0026.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Wood beads in black, a strand of purple crystal, a swarovski pendant......<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TPVA7fvHOA/TbGirYBy1JI/AAAAAAAAAVI/kDCiOIYMioo/s1600/0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1TPVA7fvHOA/TbGirYBy1JI/AAAAAAAAAVI/kDCiOIYMioo/s320/0027.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Two strands of pearls, fancy jasper, large gemstone pendant, mix of gemstone pendants, mix of gemstone charms, mix of stick and coin pearls..........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLIGhY8K5e8/TbGisE-QKWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/aZqGaI8Xu5g/s1600/0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tLIGhY8K5e8/TbGisE-QKWI/AAAAAAAAAVM/aZqGaI8Xu5g/s320/0028.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Sterling silver pendants and large swirl focal by me........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aZNnZEIxkU/TbGitfpidBI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/0rlugylqQeI/s1600/0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0aZNnZEIxkU/TbGitfpidBI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/0rlugylqQeI/s320/0029.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> I didn't have much to give in the way of glass, but here a some, a wonderful black and white heart by Jane Perala, some boro disc beads by Two Sisters, and a couple of purplish lampwork discs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02Ptpx1jS7E/TbGiuk1aGkI/AAAAAAAAAVU/VIRpj0zJ-qI/s1600/0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02Ptpx1jS7E/TbGiuk1aGkI/AAAAAAAAAVU/VIRpj0zJ-qI/s320/0030.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Then I dug into my ceramic collection.....there are some Artisan Clay pendants, some Lisa Peters Art Focals, and one Maku bead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqkLVuFS4Nk/TbGiwMoI0RI/AAAAAAAAAVY/ZMmS73RlwCE/s1600/0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqkLVuFS4Nk/TbGiwMoI0RI/AAAAAAAAAVY/ZMmS73RlwCE/s320/0031.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> These are some of my focals from the Artisan Accents Shop. A bronze coin focal, bronze wings with a patina, and a large copper tear stained heart focal.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zz4fI6n8_4w/TbGixHyDjiI/AAAAAAAAAVc/wUxw_mh_mBs/s1600/0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zz4fI6n8_4w/TbGixHyDjiI/AAAAAAAAAVc/wUxw_mh_mBs/s320/0033.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> I also added these two blue lichen charms from my collection, a blue colored bronze donut and a fine silver abstract pendant..........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FR5murQCdwg/TbGiyFHGLDI/AAAAAAAAAVg/1zj5q2Li-vk/s1600/0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FR5murQCdwg/TbGiyFHGLDI/AAAAAAAAAVg/1zj5q2Li-vk/s320/0035.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Then I threw in a bunch of my polymer hearts...........<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y2wX0eRngo/TbGizQuBpeI/AAAAAAAAAVk/zMG6CXq_B28/s1600/0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233px" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5y2wX0eRngo/TbGizQuBpeI/AAAAAAAAAVk/zMG6CXq_B28/s320/0036.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> and some of my misc. polymer clay beads..............<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAKXo7vk-kY/TbGi0pZCh5I/AAAAAAAAAVo/Tk3hifwuquM/s1600/0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAKXo7vk-kY/TbGi0pZCh5I/AAAAAAAAAVo/Tk3hifwuquM/s320/0037.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>And thats it. Whew! What a swap. <br />
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I feel so blessed to be a part of this. I cannot wait to see how much this raises for Beads of Courage!stacilouisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14337978880639296378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-84089861947037751572011-04-27T21:21:00.008-04:002011-04-27T21:21:00.525-04:00The Courage Tiger's Stay in Eastern PAThe Courage Tiger was really happy to get out of that box! And he only traveled from Western Pa! I think he is going to be really happy when he is finally home.<br />
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He had a relaxing stay here. With three little kids, life is never dull, but we don't go fancy places or anything. So he pretty much just hung around with my family.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-il6ZpUvu2zo/TbdwC3Rk3uI/AAAAAAAAAXE/L5HM1kF0viM/s1600/100_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-il6ZpUvu2zo/TbdwC3Rk3uI/AAAAAAAAAXE/L5HM1kF0viM/s320/100_0784.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>He arrived in time for Earth Day and helped to plant this little tree.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">He was also here for Easter. I think he loved his basket!!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXuakficTbM/TbdxzWzQq3I/AAAAAAAAAXc/sGMPqyEbDvE/s1600/ct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXuakficTbM/TbdxzWzQq3I/AAAAAAAAAXc/sGMPqyEbDvE/s320/ct.jpg" width="180px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He had lots of fun playing out back with the kids one last time before being stuff back into that box!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D_mFFYK1lXo/TbdwLlODBTI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/dWYtdhDBtXs/s1600/100_0785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D_mFFYK1lXo/TbdwLlODBTI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/dWYtdhDBtXs/s320/100_0785.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nu05sS7cmHA/TbdwNcFRq0I/AAAAAAAAAXU/htUgPDQZBIg/s1600/100_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nu05sS7cmHA/TbdwNcFRq0I/AAAAAAAAAXU/htUgPDQZBIg/s320/100_0786.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBkRTVyCNyI/TbdwJtCLGsI/AAAAAAAAAXM/BHry80UA9U0/s1600/100_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBkRTVyCNyI/TbdwJtCLGsI/AAAAAAAAAXM/BHry80UA9U0/s320/100_0790.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kids will miss him, but they are sending lots of love to the kids who will get to love him next!!!!</div>stacilouisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14337978880639296378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-56614408251194049052011-04-25T13:51:00.000-04:002011-04-25T13:51:48.563-04:00Week Twelve: Staci SmithFor its final stop before returning to New Mexico The Best Little Bead Box (in its current five incarnations!) is staying in Pennsylvania, more specifically at the home of Staci Smith in Pennsburg.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TlhzpVDBek/TbWwbL14CaI/AAAAAAAAEYI/ptcbM7E9pCU/s1600/Stacie+1_edited-1+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2TlhzpVDBek/TbWwbL14CaI/AAAAAAAAEYI/ptcbM7E9pCU/s320/Stacie+1_edited-1+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo courtesy of Tammy Snyder</td></tr>
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related):</b></i> stay at home mom- jewelry designer<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Website:</span></b></i><a href="http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com%20/"> www.stacilouiseoriginals.com </a><i style="color: #274e13;"><b> </b></i><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Blog:</b></i> <a href="http://www.stacilouise.blogspot.com/">www.stacilouise.blogspot.com</a><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Facebook Fan Page:</b></i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=201014250336#%21/group.php?gid=201014250336">staci louise originals </a><br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker?</b></i><br />
since I was about 12....when I used to make earrings with beads and head pins.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </b></i><br />
Heaven knows I have beads to share, and if my bead addiction can help others, then that would be great!!! <br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Have beads changed your life? How? </i></b><br />
Yes. I have always been an artist. When I began to have kids, and stay home, I needed something I could do- to feel creative, something for just me. So I began to make jewelry- since it has always been a love of mine. Making jewelry has allowed me to help earn some money for my family, as well as be able to bless others with jewelry fundraisers, and gifts. I love to be able to give someone a handmade gift they can wear for years and years, made just for them. It makes me feel like there is a little piece of me out in the world.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker?</b></i><br />
Intermediate / advanced<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">How did you get started working with beads? </span></i></b><br />
Sprung from a love of gemstones, beads were just another way to collect gemstones and wear them....then pearls, then art beads- so I just started buying them and teaching myself all the different ways they can be used with books and learning from friends, ect...<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? </b></i><br />
a handmade bead of some sort- ceramic, pmc, ect........because someone put their heart into them, and their style, and I would be a little piece of artist.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </b></i><br />
ceramic raku focals.....I love the shimmers and crackles and they would look great in the sun on a desert island :)<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b><br />
What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend?</b></i><br />
be yourself, find your style, don't design to please anyone else<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?</b></i><br />
Received: an Artisan Clay necklace from my friend Kristie Roeder. It has little greenish blue ceramic squares, and picture jasper with wire links. It goes with almost anything and is sooo super comfortable to wear. <br />
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Gave: I made a PMC necklace (pmc focal) with heart and wings for a friend that just lost a child, in the back I stamped his name and inserted his birthstone. It was just something I felt compelled to do, in hopes that it would bless them in some small way. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?</span></i></b><br />
painting<br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>What three words would best describe your current bead stash?</i></b><br />
pearls, artisan beads, gemstones<br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i> Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.</i></b><br />
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</span></i>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-14469217203467786782011-04-22T22:48:00.001-04:002011-04-22T23:14:41.195-04:00How Three Boxes Become Five<i>Written by Rosita. Posted by Carol Dean </i><br />
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When I received the 3 big boxes, Bernie and me were working hard on our annual tax returns, so I decided to postpone opening the boxes until after all this was finished. It was hard, but had to be done! <br />
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Once the taxes done, it was time to open and have fun. <br />
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The items to pick from were wonderful thanks to everyone else’s generosity. <br />
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So here is what I picked: First I chose the book by Jeanette Cook (you can never have too many books on beading techniques!) and a pattern/kit by Nikia Angel. <br />
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Then my greedy hands went to the black Parawire and I picked 5 spools, these will come handy as I am increasing the amount of wire work I am including in my beading. Then I chose a short strand of peacock rondelles, a baggie of fat silver toned beads and 5 baggies of small rice shape silver toned beads, a baggie of tiny peacock bicones (Swarovski?), a baggie of funny fan shaped polka dotted beads that looked neat and 4 little glass beads that looked like mini tortoiseshell. And two tubes of #8 beads in chocolate brown and olive.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSBYCOf064Q/TbI2LbLVjAI/AAAAAAAAEWk/9ZFBC8_dq3A/s1600/My+selections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSBYCOf064Q/TbI2LbLVjAI/AAAAAAAAEWk/9ZFBC8_dq3A/s320/My+selections+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-If9vTV-mLMg/TbI2PZnF-kI/AAAAAAAAEWo/DzgddIZvnvI/s1600/My+selections+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-If9vTV-mLMg/TbI2PZnF-kI/AAAAAAAAEWo/DzgddIZvnvI/s320/My+selections+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I could not resist picking 6 fancy Czech glass buttons as Buttons are often prominent in my beadwoven cuffs. <br />
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Now for focal beads and pendants: A long mottled brown and ivory lampwork bead, a large lovely ocean blue/green long bead, a large clay bead with a dreamy face and sparkles, another clay face cab with a bit of a snotty expression I found appealing! I will have to figure out how to use this one! <br />
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There were many interesting pendants and I chose a dark blue ceramic one, a green and blue pillow porcelain by Marsha Neal, a rectangular porcelain piece and a fantastic triangular slide pendant in soft beige tones( I will probably make something for myself with this one!). <br />
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Then I chose the tongs with scoop end, a Tierracast toggle clasp and the sweetest little pink parrot dangles.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXEx6kLMt-U/TbI27_-kP9I/AAAAAAAAEWs/kwCqWcxZKsI/s1600/My+selections+in+tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXEx6kLMt-U/TbI27_-kP9I/AAAAAAAAEWs/kwCqWcxZKsI/s320/My+selections+in+tray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now for what I added to the treasure chest. <br />
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When adding to the chest, my thoughts went to adding as much value as possible so that when auctioning for the fundraiser, there would be items attractive for a wide range of beaders and jewelry makers, so I did add some items in large quantities of multiple bundles and strands. These can all be taken apart to create smaller bundles. <br />
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As pictures are better than a thousand words. Here they are. My husband Bernie donated all the stones and cabs from his Lodin's Gems and Minerals sock.<br />
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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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q3RAIGMhs2s/TbI3T3rkgfI/AAAAAAAAEWw/GTQqq0LuvIY/s1600/fire+polished+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q3RAIGMhs2s/TbI3T3rkgfI/AAAAAAAAEWw/GTQqq0LuvIY/s320/fire+polished+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fire Polished glass beads.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcgdpYvgXI/TbI3WCRKzSI/AAAAAAAAEW0/TLkxbKz2FSw/s1600/czech+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcgdpYvgXI/TbI3WCRKzSI/AAAAAAAAEW0/TLkxbKz2FSw/s320/czech+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">Czech round beads.</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbl3f_cF-eE/TbI3vuDcjzI/AAAAAAAAEW4/Zi2vP-iIcCw/s1600/czech+beads+bundles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbl3f_cF-eE/TbI3vuDcjzI/AAAAAAAAEW4/Zi2vP-iIcCw/s320/czech+beads+bundles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">More Czech beads.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEw3fiV7dOs/TbI3yw7KTGI/AAAAAAAAEW8/JHKo9PmQqOQ/s1600/betel+nut+beads+philippines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEw3fiV7dOs/TbI3yw7KTGI/AAAAAAAAEW8/JHKo9PmQqOQ/s320/betel+nut+beads+philippines.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Betel nut beads from the Philippines.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHcKcPuBffc/TbI4KNI8NoI/AAAAAAAAEXA/Mogtn1ANN9I/s1600/burnt+wood+beads+philippines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xHcKcPuBffc/TbI4KNI8NoI/AAAAAAAAEXA/Mogtn1ANN9I/s320/burnt+wood+beads+philippines.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Burnt wood beads from the Philippines.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJehIXx5Q0M/TbI4MJ5faVI/AAAAAAAAEXE/KwYu7m_EcUo/s1600/freshwater+pearls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJehIXx5Q0M/TbI4MJ5faVI/AAAAAAAAEXE/KwYu7m_EcUo/s320/freshwater+pearls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">Freshwater pearls.</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVYPa3lbr1o/TbI4gNn28yI/AAAAAAAAEXI/jj6ffEdxwM4/s1600/cloisonne+enamel+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mVYPa3lbr1o/TbI4gNn28yI/AAAAAAAAEXI/jj6ffEdxwM4/s320/cloisonne+enamel+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Cloisonne/enamel focals and beads. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmkEg7Z71m4/TbI4iymO5mI/AAAAAAAAEXM/Wa1I_kCGXxQ/s1600/agate+porcelain+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BmkEg7Z71m4/TbI4iymO5mI/AAAAAAAAEXM/Wa1I_kCGXxQ/s320/agate+porcelain+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Agates, Sardonyx and various porcelains.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYb26pHAo_U/TbI5CiOodOI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/r8M1xDQtFto/s1600/stone+cabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYb26pHAo_U/TbI5CiOodOI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/r8M1xDQtFto/s320/stone+cabs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Various stone cabs and beads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCIyzaZbOsA/TbI5OunbDsI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Hd5UGvibRJE/s1600/Stones+in+beads+and+cabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BCIyzaZbOsA/TbI5OunbDsI/AAAAAAAAEXU/Hd5UGvibRJE/s320/Stones+in+beads+and+cabs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">More stone cabs and beads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJKOrBpreow/TbI5nZ83ieI/AAAAAAAAEXY/iDTYwcEVn0Y/s1600/gold+plated+findings+and+fiber+optic+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJKOrBpreow/TbI5nZ83ieI/AAAAAAAAEXY/iDTYwcEVn0Y/s320/gold+plated+findings+and+fiber+optic+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Gold plated findings and Fiber optic beads</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpII2oDjvtc/TbI5qucbvgI/AAAAAAAAEXc/UXtaY3B74a0/s1600/painted+wood+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpII2oDjvtc/TbI5qucbvgI/AAAAAAAAEXc/UXtaY3B74a0/s320/painted+wood+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Painted wood beads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEugmG0c02s/TbI6Iipw9GI/AAAAAAAAEXg/fu9xfGlaMRg/s1600/stone+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEugmG0c02s/TbI6Iipw9GI/AAAAAAAAEXg/fu9xfGlaMRg/s320/stone+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Various stone beads. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T55jENFAGOk/TbI6LrbYEVI/AAAAAAAAEXk/R_Sgu37Cz6A/s1600/seed+bead+tubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T55jENFAGOk/TbI6LrbYEVI/AAAAAAAAEXk/R_Sgu37Cz6A/s320/seed+bead+tubes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Seed bead tubes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYsAjFfd9Og/TbI6bnD-LHI/AAAAAAAAEXo/UnG_u_lhXEc/s1600/seed+bead+tubes+and+boxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYsAjFfd9Og/TbI6bnD-LHI/AAAAAAAAEXo/UnG_u_lhXEc/s320/seed+bead+tubes+and+boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">More seed beads and cubes.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHh4LXNbGwY/TbI6fBybmzI/AAAAAAAAEXs/0hNnXn75D0c/s1600/lampwork+clay+stone+resin+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oHh4LXNbGwY/TbI6fBybmzI/AAAAAAAAEXs/0hNnXn75D0c/s320/lampwork+clay+stone+resin+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hand-made lampwork, clay and other beads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqUa6wrisPE/TbI6vxcwhfI/AAAAAAAAEXw/UgQhRbeQl6s/s1600/swarovski+crystals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aqUa6wrisPE/TbI6vxcwhfI/AAAAAAAAEXw/UgQhRbeQl6s/s320/swarovski+crystals.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A bunch of Swarovskis.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K26YrF87Jwo/TbI60yYJv6I/AAAAAAAAEX0/LetEMe8iPSk/s1600/crimp+pliers+hole+puncher+trays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K26YrF87Jwo/TbI60yYJv6I/AAAAAAAAEX0/LetEMe8iPSk/s320/crimp+pliers+hole+puncher+trays.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A crimp plier, trays and a metal hole puncher.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8_rYaZxvKs/TbI7HjK-1RI/AAAAAAAAEX4/xUkkoPqqPGo/s1600/glass+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8_rYaZxvKs/TbI7HjK-1RI/AAAAAAAAEX4/xUkkoPqqPGo/s320/glass+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">More glass beads.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4QIxANZZ_I/TbI7QJGtQKI/AAAAAAAAEX8/ppywXTy84l0/s1600/glue+gun+and+wire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4QIxANZZ_I/TbI7QJGtQKI/AAAAAAAAEX8/ppywXTy84l0/s320/glue+gun+and+wire.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A glue gun and glue. Colored wires.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_QbulJ0Vag/TbI7erVvJjI/AAAAAAAAEYA/snsohgSjUM0/s1600/leather+scraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_QbulJ0Vag/TbI7erVvJjI/AAAAAAAAEYA/snsohgSjUM0/s320/leather+scraps.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leather scraps.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I had to add another large flat rate Priority box to pack all the goodies, but this was not enough so I added a medium flat rate priority box to carry everything. <br />
<br />
So Beads of Courage 2011 are now to 5 boxes! <br />
<br />
Courage Tiger supervised me during the entire process and helped me pick out the donations, he was the one to have the last say and was the ultimate decision maker. His favorite item was the heavy metal hole puncher as he sees himself as a ‘tool man’ since his visit here!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAMaqtFSrqM/TbI70DKGugI/AAAAAAAAEYE/mwkM9OUk1xA/s1600/a+tiger+byebye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DAMaqtFSrqM/TbI70DKGugI/AAAAAAAAEYE/mwkM9OUk1xA/s320/a+tiger+byebye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-57161008218150025562011-04-22T16:16:00.000-04:002011-04-22T16:16:52.940-04:00Courage Tiger at his Western Pennsylvania Stop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L52uMyxpoyY/TbHfynmrqyI/AAAAAAAAEWI/3BCZAmAcOcA/s1600/A+tiger+on+amethyst+cathedral+geode..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Photographed and written by Rosita. Posted by Carol Dean.</i></span><br />
<br />
<table 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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0XreoRS_a4/TbHfoTIZBQI/AAAAAAAAEWE/sFLi9zI5pcQ/s1600/A+tiger+in+incoming+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0XreoRS_a4/TbHfoTIZBQI/AAAAAAAAEWE/sFLi9zI5pcQ/s320/A+tiger+in+incoming+box.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courage Tiger helping to un-pack the incoming boxes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L52uMyxpoyY/TbHfynmrqyI/AAAAAAAAEWI/3BCZAmAcOcA/s1600/A+tiger+on+amethyst+cathedral+geode..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L52uMyxpoyY/TbHfynmrqyI/AAAAAAAAEWI/3BCZAmAcOcA/s320/A+tiger+on+amethyst+cathedral+geode..jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out our collection of mineral specimens and geodes and feeling quite at home with the giant Amethyst. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ZqLZtX52w/TbHf82xdImI/AAAAAAAAEWM/-iX5LbrbC5c/s1600/A+tiger+on+doorstep+with+carved+bear.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ZqLZtX52w/TbHf82xdImI/AAAAAAAAEWM/-iX5LbrbC5c/s320/A+tiger+on+doorstep+with+carved+bear.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the carved wood bear on our front porch. Don’t they both look at little stunned ! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VEohZMEq6cI/TbHgAJl6hAI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/9Nm3eGkCEDY/s1600/A+tiger+hiding+in+daffodils.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VEohZMEq6cI/TbHgAJl6hAI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/9Nm3eGkCEDY/s320/A+tiger+hiding+in+daffodils.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiding in the daffodils.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jbxvfl0JFo/TbHgB8wdXyI/AAAAAAAAEWU/0mZsnCz-3x8/s1600/A+tiger+on+our+very+first+ride+in+new+car+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7jbxvfl0JFo/TbHgB8wdXyI/AAAAAAAAEWU/0mZsnCz-3x8/s320/A+tiger+on+our+very+first+ride+in+new+car+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courage Tiger sharing my first drive in my brand new car. <br />
Courage Tiger loves Lime Green!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS_eR7nLZog/TbHgm-Shx8I/AAAAAAAAEWY/Hf62_NRISVU/s1600/a+tiger+on+our+way+to+post+office.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mS_eR7nLZog/TbHgm-Shx8I/AAAAAAAAEWY/Hf62_NRISVU/s320/a+tiger+on+our+way+to+post+office.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off we go to the Post Office to ship today’s sales and packages. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11pse-LK9m0/TbHgpIv9LSI/AAAAAAAAEWc/SZ_5JXThKSI/s1600/a+tiger+with+outgoing+goodies.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-11pse-LK9m0/TbHgpIv9LSI/AAAAAAAAEWc/SZ_5JXThKSI/s320/a+tiger+with+outgoing+goodies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two bins containing the out-going selections. Courage Tiger helped select them all. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><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://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tn2y0lUK4qA/TbHgrEOdrJI/AAAAAAAAEWg/0vEDHGokIIc/s1600/a+tiger+byebye.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tn2y0lUK4qA/TbHgrEOdrJI/AAAAAAAAEWg/0vEDHGokIIc/s320/a+tiger+byebye.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye-bye Courage Tiger, go out to the world and safe travels!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-69741993575303913432011-04-17T16:10:00.001-04:002011-04-17T16:10:52.535-04:00Week Eleven: Rosita PisarchickThe THREE boxes for Round Two of The Best Little Bead Box are now at the Pennsylvania home of Rosita Pisarchick.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sLG38WfMG0/TatIJJ3HWmI/AAAAAAAAEVc/OuKrgYzEmAo/s1600/rosita+2+sca+banners+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3sLG38WfMG0/TatIJJ3HWmI/AAAAAAAAEVc/OuKrgYzEmAo/s1600/rosita+2+sca+banners+2.jpg" /></a></div><b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related):</i></b> Business owner<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Website:</i></b> <a href="http://www.crownrosegems.com%20/">http://www.crownrosegems.com </a>and <a href="http://www.continentalstitcherytrims.com/">http://www.continentalstitcherytrims.com</a><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Facebook Fan Page:</span></b></i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/crownrosegems%20">http://www.facebook.com/crownrosegems </a><br />
<i style="color: #38761d;"><b><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </span></b></i><br />
About 8 years<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project?</span></i></b><br />
A fun project ! And i have many beads and stone cabochons to contribute.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3xE5HdDnlo/TatIxT_LlXI/AAAAAAAAEVg/nnbI5PRnL1s/s1600/large+seraphinite+pendant+kevin+stitched+on+black+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Have beads changed your life? How?</b></i><br />
Not really changed it but have added another dimension to my creativity.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker?</i></b><br />
Intermediate<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">How did you get started working with beads? </span></i></b><br />
When my husband and i opened a rock , mineral and cabs shop, I started working with the materials on hand to show customers what could be done with them, and became addicted myself!<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why?</i></b><br />
A perfect round South Sea golden pearl. <br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </span></i></b><br />
It would be a #8 seed bead as it would be large enough to be useful when making a fishing net, and small enough to make a fishing lure. Survival would be the name of the game!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </b></i><br />
Wash your hands often while beading.<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it. </i></b><br />
"Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself" George B. Shaw<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else? </span></b></i><br />
I don't think I have ever received a beady gift. I gave a gothic all black, grey and bronze bead-woven necklace to one of my cousins<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they? </i></b><br />
I sew.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What three words would best describe your current bead stash? </b></i><br />
Too much!<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.</span></i></b><br />
My favorite large beaded Seraphinite. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3xE5HdDnlo/TatIxT_LlXI/AAAAAAAAEVg/nnbI5PRnL1s/s1600/large+seraphinite+pendant+kevin+stitched+on+black+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s3xE5HdDnlo/TatIxT_LlXI/AAAAAAAAEVg/nnbI5PRnL1s/s400/large+seraphinite+pendant+kevin+stitched+on+black+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-25481710258183005642011-04-13T10:41:00.001-04:002011-04-13T10:42:43.791-04:00The Best Little Bead Boxes Shipped Yesterday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Uh Oh!!! Hey, wait a minute, there's Tiger sitting behind my purse! He didn't get into the box! I guess he will have to fly out today and meet up with the boxes. The little stowaway really hid, I think, so he could have one more shot at seeing a real live tiger at the Zoo this morning!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY2QhcfLdO0/TaWyWvkaFzI/AAAAAAAAAwk/ii_lm2uVDdA/s1600/Tiger-Hides-out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sY2QhcfLdO0/TaWyWvkaFzI/AAAAAAAAAwk/ii_lm2uVDdA/s320/Tiger-Hides-out.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="215" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Here are the fabulous goodies I chose from the Best Little Bead Box. Grace Danel's fabulous faces are irresistible. The vintage sequins, rosemontes and beads are wonderful. But the little vintage sew on crowns were what made me say out loud, "mine"! Thanks Grace.<span id="goog_1265251797"></span><span id="goog_1265251798"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUqXsJ1pw7A/TaWx4agISTI/AAAAAAAAAwc/cqZvI02PveQ/s1600/My+Take+from+the+Best+Little+Bead+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUqXsJ1pw7A/TaWx4agISTI/AAAAAAAAAwc/cqZvI02PveQ/s320/My+Take+from+the+Best+Little+Bead+Box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are my contributions. Some beautiful Czech beads, Vintage® dragonflys, Swarovski® crystals and tubes of seed beads. Along with some semi precious stone beads and modern sequins. Plus two Beady Eyed Women's® Guides, Sculptural Peyote Primers one Tide Pool Sculptural Cuff Kit and one Baroque Pearl Necklace Kit. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LULEaTxAOY/TaWx5BbiSFI/AAAAAAAAAwg/5LVf-JyIA04/s1600/My-contribution-to-Best-Little-Bead-Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LULEaTxAOY/TaWx5BbiSFI/AAAAAAAAAwg/5LVf-JyIA04/s320/My-contribution-to-Best-Little-Bead-Box.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WStP2OyLIdk/TaW1ZO87RuI/AAAAAAAAAwo/jDHrbHu2990/s1600/Bookskits-for-best-bead-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WStP2OyLIdk/TaW1ZO87RuI/AAAAAAAAAwo/jDHrbHu2990/s320/Bookskits-for-best-bead-box.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has been a great honor to participate in The Best Little Bead Box! Thanks Carol Dean.</div>BeadyEyedWomen@blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11447190663612040939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-53276788372075942542011-04-12T20:29:00.002-04:002011-04-12T20:32:28.806-04:00Courage Tiger goes to The San Diego Zoo<div style="text-align: center;">Tiger of Courage really wanted to see his cousins, the tigers at the Tiger River enclosure at the Zoo today. Alas, when we got to Tiger River, all the tigers were inside but one. He was way up at the top and we could barely see him. Maybe tomorrow...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, he had fun visiting other animals at the Zoo and even found more of his own kind...Other stuffed animals. Of course he posed with them too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oi92UD0ZNaM/TaTr00zJytI/AAAAAAAAAwA/bB1kWf3zRwk/s1600/Tiger+at+the+Entrance+to+SD+Zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oi92UD0ZNaM/TaTr00zJytI/AAAAAAAAAwA/bB1kWf3zRwk/s320/Tiger+at+the+Entrance+to+SD+Zoo.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's Tiger at the entrance to the World Famous San Diego Zoo</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MafgA72myo8/TaTr90EHMhI/AAAAAAAAAwE/zA36ts2uG7A/s1600/Tiger+with+Ngagi+SD+Zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MafgA72myo8/TaTr90EHMhI/AAAAAAAAAwE/zA36ts2uG7A/s320/Tiger+with+Ngagi+SD+Zoo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="237" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Posing with a bust of Ngagi the silver back gorilla</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwaXhMGIDsg/TaTsBfMR7qI/AAAAAAAAAwY/f9MnS2hKtG4/s1600/Tiger-with-Flamingos-and-Peacock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwaXhMGIDsg/TaTsBfMR7qI/AAAAAAAAAwY/f9MnS2hKtG4/s320/Tiger-with-Flamingos-and-Peacock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">While posing in front of the flamingos, the peacock tried to upstage Tiger!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-03sR9inOj4A/TaTrmtrnwvI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Yat5uLTBifg/s1600/TIger+%2526+the+Giraffes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-03sR9inOj4A/TaTrmtrnwvI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Yat5uLTBifg/s320/TIger+%2526+the+Giraffes.jpg" width="249" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WhWiTZIb5cw/TaTsAG0nQqI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Og9LuhiQwQ4/s1600/Tiger-Visits-the-Giraffes-at-SD-Zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WhWiTZIb5cw/TaTsAG0nQqI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/Og9LuhiQwQ4/s320/Tiger-Visits-the-Giraffes-at-SD-Zoo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This baby giraffe is only two weeks old. It's a girl.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lINpg3PHeqM/TaTrqWSAxbI/AAAAAAAAAv4/0ETc2Jbxa0k/s1600/Tiger+and+Ava+SD+Zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lINpg3PHeqM/TaTrqWSAxbI/AAAAAAAAAv4/0ETc2Jbxa0k/s320/Tiger+and+Ava+SD+Zoo.jpg" width="236" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ojw5nreVX0/TaTr-8QxDaI/AAAAAAAAAwM/hCEHNLcwac8/s1600/Tiger-Meets-Ava-the-Bonobo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ojw5nreVX0/TaTr-8QxDaI/AAAAAAAAAwM/hCEHNLcwac8/s320/Tiger-Meets-Ava-the-Bonobo.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I took Tiger to visit my friend, Ava the bonobo. she loves to mash herself against the glass. Then you match her hands with hers and she will kiss the glass. We see her almost every day on our walk at the zoo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kC9jZTxWsbI/TaTrst9qbJI/AAAAAAAAAv8/0vhDc3I5iio/s1600/TIger+and+the+Meercats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kC9jZTxWsbI/TaTrst9qbJI/AAAAAAAAAv8/0vhDc3I5iio/s320/TIger+and+the+Meercats.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tiger and the Meercats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7plhCME6YM/TaTsAyY6LmI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ax54dndjhY8/s1600/Tiger-Visits-the-Mountin-Lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P7plhCME6YM/TaTsAyY6LmI/AAAAAAAAAwU/ax54dndjhY8/s320/Tiger-Visits-the-Mountin-Lion.jpg" width="166" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This mountain lion is a close relative of Tiger.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jDfeDYBHc0/TaTr-XdHSCI/AAAAAAAAAwI/BjD_3bpRI_Y/s1600/Tiger-finds-some-other-stuffed-animal-pals%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jDfeDYBHc0/TaTr-XdHSCI/AAAAAAAAAwI/BjD_3bpRI_Y/s320/Tiger-finds-some-other-stuffed-animal-pals%2521.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leaving the Zoo, Tiger spotted his kin! Other stuffed animals.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course he wanted to get a picture with them...</div>BeadyEyedWomen@blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11447190663612040939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-16397009579541178572011-04-12T11:11:00.000-04:002011-04-12T11:11:45.957-04:00The Best Little Bead Box (Boxes) are HereTiger of Courage and his Best Little Bead Boxes have arrived at Jeannette Cook's Studio, Beady Eyed Women® in Lemon Grove, CA.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDJmZzR53e4/TaRqaQiYKqI/AAAAAAAAAvg/gCslrPdp1yM/s1600/Best-Little-Bead-Boxes-W-Tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDJmZzR53e4/TaRqaQiYKqI/AAAAAAAAAvg/gCslrPdp1yM/s320/Best-Little-Bead-Boxes-W-Tiger.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PDJmZzR53e4/TaRqaQiYKqI/AAAAAAAAAvg/gCslrPdp1yM/s1600/Best-Little-Bead-Boxes-W-Tiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;">I was packing up my booth for The Rocky Mountain Bead Society Bead Bazaar when the boxes arrived! How exciting. My friend Nancy Rose and I brought the three boxes into the house and opened them up. Wooo Hooo! How fun. The first thing I did was take Tiger on a tour of the Studio and house and introduce him to some new friends.</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMp8wFLbgqs/TaRqnGACB-I/AAAAAAAAAvs/q37MuUxWM8A/s1600/Courage-Tiger-finds-two-new-freinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMp8wFLbgqs/TaRqnGACB-I/AAAAAAAAAvs/q37MuUxWM8A/s320/Courage-Tiger-finds-two-new-freinds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svyxCfUuuaA/TaRqOBVriKI/AAAAAAAAAvc/0dY9YL44LD8/s1600/Tiger-and-his-new-bead-Buddies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-svyxCfUuuaA/TaRqOBVriKI/AAAAAAAAAvc/0dY9YL44LD8/s320/Tiger-and-his-new-bead-Buddies.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mST-XtCT8/TaRqdOulWZI/AAAAAAAAAvk/VYSIobyZOAQ/s1600/Jasmine-and-Tiger-Take-a-Break.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mST-XtCT8/TaRqdOulWZI/AAAAAAAAAvk/VYSIobyZOAQ/s320/Jasmine-and-Tiger-Take-a-Break.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jasmine and Tiger Take a work break.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHhn-y7zei8/TaRqiXDqYAI/AAAAAAAAAvo/LTEPE1hEDM0/s1600/Where-is-Tiger-Hiding-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHhn-y7zei8/TaRqiXDqYAI/AAAAAAAAAvo/LTEPE1hEDM0/s320/Where-is-Tiger-Hiding-.jpg" width="239" /></a></div> Tiger discovers a little jungle hide out! Peek a Boo, Tiger.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmQ1xcJFJWE/TaRqn8IdLFI/AAAAAAAAAvw/AxuHxQ1sgBQ/s1600/Courage-Tiger-Hides-in-The-Jungle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fmQ1xcJFJWE/TaRqn8IdLFI/AAAAAAAAAvw/AxuHxQ1sgBQ/s320/Courage-Tiger-Hides-in-The-Jungle.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>More to come...BeadyEyedWomen@blogspot.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11447190663612040939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-68520236699922471592011-04-10T19:13:00.001-04:002011-04-10T19:13:42.259-04:00Week Ten: Jeannette CookThe Best Little Bead Box(es) are headed out west again, this time to the California home of Jeannette Cook.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PRx3NBVVxW4/TaI3tWLsH1I/AAAAAAAAEVU/OsKqP65RaOg/s1600/Profile-Pic-at-Barney%2527s-NYC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PRx3NBVVxW4/TaI3tWLsH1I/AAAAAAAAEVU/OsKqP65RaOg/s320/Profile-Pic-at-Barney%2527s-NYC.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related):</span></b></i> Bead Artist/Instructor/Author <br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Website:</span></i></b> <a href="http://www.beadyeyedwomen.com%20/">www.BeadyEyedWomen.com </a><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Blog:</b></i> <a href="http://www.beadyeyedwomen.blogspot.com%20/">www.BeadyEyedWomen.blogspot.com </a><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Facebook Fan Page:</b></i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/beadyeyedwomen%20">http://www.facebook.com/beadyeyedwomen </a><br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </i></b><br />
42 years <br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </i></b><br />
I think Beads of Courage is a wonderful project. I met a man while getting new tires. His little girl had cancer and was totally into beads thanks to Beads of Courage. She makes jewelry to sell to benefit other kids with cancer. I told him I would participate. This is a great way to fulfill that promise. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Have beads changed your life? How? </span></i></b><br />
Yes! Beads are the thread that run through all my changes from the time I was 14! I have met amazing friends, gotten to travel all over the U.S. and Abroad teaching. Seen so many states and met wonderful people all through beads. Economically, it has made me independent and self-supporting. I started out a single mother beading at night after work. Ended up quitting my full time corporate job 19 years ago. Never went back! <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </span></i></b><br />
Advanced <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How did you get started working with beads? </b></i><br />
It was 1968 and us little hippie girls needed Love Beads! <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? </span></i></b><br />
Seed beads. I have so many parts pulled together into one solid, but flexible being. <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why?</span></b></i><br />
Seed beads. So I could bead while I waited for my ship to come. <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </span></b></i><br />
When I quit the corporate job, I was so afraid I wouldn’t make it. I told one of my coworkers that I could always come back to work at a corporate job. He said never even entertain the thought of failure! <br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it. </i></b><br />
This quote was made by an African Grey Parrott- “It’s OK, it’s alright!” <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else? </span></i></b><br />
My friend Layne Shilling willed her large collection of lamp work beads to me. I was to split it between 4 of us friends. We sat in a circle and each chose one in a round of turns. Years after she died, I passed along many of them to Beading for a Cure. The auction to benefit Cancer in Layne’s name. I think she and I doubled her gift that way. <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?</b></i><br />
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I am trying my hand at Felting and Nuno Felting. I have sewn clothing, book/paper arts a small amount. In the old days, I did macramé, embroidery, ceramics and a tiny bit of wire work. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">What three words would best describe your current bead stash? </span></i></b><br />
Enormous, versatile, fabulous! <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available. </span></b></i><br />
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<div>Here's a photo of May's Garden Necklace, one of my all time favorites.</div><div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_C-5awMTPyA/TaI5XSUZ-vI/AAAAAAAAEVY/B02jJo7baKo/s1600/May%2527s+Garden+Necklace+for+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_C-5awMTPyA/TaI5XSUZ-vI/AAAAAAAAEVY/B02jJo7baKo/s640/May%2527s+Garden+Necklace+for+Cover.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div> </div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-61426499852341081442011-04-08T22:53:00.012-04:002011-04-09T00:42:39.001-04:00Fort Wayne, Indiana receives a visit from the boxes...<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ImbUQj_H_0/TZ_LHQ3qESI/AAAAAAAADsc/qPz2JF7NI0w/s1600/DSCF5576.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ImbUQj_H_0/TZ_LHQ3qESI/AAAAAAAADsc/qPz2JF7NI0w/s320/DSCF5576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593412587865379106" border="0" /></a><br />*all photos are clickable for a larger view*<br /><br />The boxes arrived right on time on Monday, bursting at the seams - no really - BURSTING. Those suckers were packed tightly! Here are the two boxes just opened to let the Courage Tiger get some air. You might as well grab something to drink and settle in - this post will be loaded with photos.<br /><br />I only took enough time to open the boxes when they arrived - as much as I wanted to tear into the many packages within - I had to get back to work.<br /><br />I have several cats at home - all rescues and all very much loved. However I know they cannot resist the sound of paper and/or plastic - so in order to deter them from getting into the boxes, I covered them (the boxes not the cats!) with a sheet to keep all contents safe. At one point there was a line to check out the contents<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sskb_DyhKX8/TZ_M80km4aI/AAAAAAAADv8/xM7_VHeOPNM/s1600/DSCF5661.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sskb_DyhKX8/TZ_M80km4aI/AAAAAAAADv8/xM7_VHeOPNM/s320/DSCF5661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414607493849506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is what I found in the morning... Chief making himself a bed on top of the boxes, in this shot he was doing his best imitation of a ferocious feline, or maybe I woke him from a nap.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqMrxQTvlEc/TZ_LHwzQlfI/AAAAAAAADsk/pRcWN-zm5Hg/s1600/DSCF5654.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqMrxQTvlEc/TZ_LHwzQlfI/AAAAAAAADsk/pRcWN-zm5Hg/s320/DSCF5654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593412596436866546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Once I was able to sit and go through the contents of the boxes, I did it slowly. As other before me, I carefully unwrapped each bag and bags within that if needed to look at each piece. It took a couple of hours and I thoroughly savored and enjoyed each minute. Here is what I took from the box - a selection of cabs, glass, clay, vintage - all awesome!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ-4XDCgP90/TZ_LIMdxB0I/AAAAAAAADss/jwnBbAwzQWU/s1600/DSCF5579.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ-4XDCgP90/TZ_LIMdxB0I/AAAAAAAADss/jwnBbAwzQWU/s320/DSCF5579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593412603862910786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next - an assortment of things - a needle box that I can bead around, a little glass vessel, a metal cross and beads of various materials.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEkPRwdv-XU/TZ_LId-ppaI/AAAAAAAADs0/XIcvIBCm5l0/s1600/DSCF5581.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEkPRwdv-XU/TZ_LId-ppaI/AAAAAAAADs0/XIcvIBCm5l0/s320/DSCF5581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593412608564241826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Look at these yummy selections<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqY2APTUh-4/TZ_LIrugFEI/AAAAAAAADs8/ufFOUfqLza8/s1600/DSCF5583.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqY2APTUh-4/TZ_LIrugFEI/AAAAAAAADs8/ufFOUfqLza8/s320/DSCF5583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593412612254602306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm a big sucker for hearts!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ9kOuKvtrs/TZ_L8UXAO8I/AAAAAAAADtE/LI4jM2AWtWY/s1600/DSCF5585.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ9kOuKvtrs/TZ_L8UXAO8I/AAAAAAAADtE/LI4jM2AWtWY/s320/DSCF5585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413499335228354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was impossible to resist the little chunk of turquoise and the peridot chips<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8zpyyAEi1ac/TZ_L8lGCwRI/AAAAAAAADtM/OWhoil39qaw/s1600/DSCF5588.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8zpyyAEi1ac/TZ_L8lGCwRI/AAAAAAAADtM/OWhoil39qaw/s320/DSCF5588.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413503827493138" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I HAD to have that strand of dice, I took 3 strands of the red fire polished beads, a strand of really cool flowers, a pretty strand of light blue leaves and a beautiful strand of rondelles with a rainbow finish.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQaH1-g58e4/TZ_L8641SxI/AAAAAAAADtU/-c1F6m2vgfI/s1600/DSCF5591.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQaH1-g58e4/TZ_L8641SxI/AAAAAAAADtU/-c1F6m2vgfI/s320/DSCF5591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413509677665042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I have had Dustin's book on my wish list for some time, so I took it!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwG3TCD6DNA/TZ_L9FPZT6I/AAAAAAAADtc/SEX36Yf744k/s1600/DSCF5592.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 303px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwG3TCD6DNA/TZ_L9FPZT6I/AAAAAAAADtc/SEX36Yf744k/s320/DSCF5592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413512456654754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I took two rolls of parawire and this adorable little purse that will be used in an art doll round robin in which I am currently participating - isn't it adorable???<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmWfMQDyDFk/TZ_L9V16WvI/AAAAAAAADtk/nKkOVqb2bhA/s1600/DSCF5593.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmWfMQDyDFk/TZ_L9V16WvI/AAAAAAAADtk/nKkOVqb2bhA/s320/DSCF5593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413516913171186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Oh and I know it's hard to believe, but I'm not done...<br />Next I took some beads, big beads, small beads, flower beads, fresh water pearls in (my favorite color) green<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFimqP4PMak/TZ_MMdNvzBI/AAAAAAAADts/-b8uKvFf_r0/s1600/DSCF5596.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFimqP4PMak/TZ_MMdNvzBI/AAAAAAAADts/-b8uKvFf_r0/s320/DSCF5596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413776590228498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lastly (no <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> I'm done taking now), these awesome glass chili beads, some silver beads, glass heart beads, a tube of hex beads, some neat peanut beads - first time seeing these and a selection of small beads by Golem I believe.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNftys0KYxw/TZ_MMlS9niI/AAAAAAAADt0/62S_JKB3nSI/s1600/DSCF5606.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SNftys0KYxw/TZ_MMlS9niI/AAAAAAAADt0/62S_JKB3nSI/s320/DSCF5606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413778759589410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now you might be thinking (like I was), okay you hog... what did you put back?<br />I started with some vintage selections - purple Japanese beads, very delicate. Blue 2 holed beads, German cabs - very thin glass with a white backing that comes off fairly easily if you like them that way. Next are 2 holed flat glass sew ons in yellow with one in blue. Little glass gems in dark and light pink with gold on the backside. Green iris nail heads and yellow gold nail heads.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ7d0pvwsVo/TZ_MM8nzlVI/AAAAAAAADt8/QnJ5c6sT5bY/s1600/DSCF5608.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ7d0pvwsVo/TZ_MM8nzlVI/AAAAAAAADt8/QnJ5c6sT5bY/s320/DSCF5608.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413785021027666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Seed beads - various colors and finishes<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkINtIBmbpg/TZ_MNZmFJGI/AAAAAAAADuE/5a5FkWjjoeA/s1600/DSCF5611.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 281px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkINtIBmbpg/TZ_MNZmFJGI/AAAAAAAADuE/5a5FkWjjoeA/s320/DSCF5611.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413792798418018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More vintage - glass 2 holed crown shaped sew ons, strand of green trade beads, long strand of black heart sequins, 2 strands of dark pink/light red sequins, 2 holed shell shaped sequins, light blue rose montees, hank of dark blue iris bugles.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWjYPIxnxes/TZ_MNrc0k_I/AAAAAAAADuM/9mA-1dvViXE/s1600/DSCF5612.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PWjYPIxnxes/TZ_MNrc0k_I/AAAAAAAADuM/9mA-1dvViXE/s320/DSCF5612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593413797591421938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Some close ups<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvdyUf5zFsw/TZ_MaLNe6-I/AAAAAAAADuU/DKLvqK6NYsc/s1600/DSCF5613.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvdyUf5zFsw/TZ_MaLNe6-I/AAAAAAAADuU/DKLvqK6NYsc/s320/DSCF5613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414012275452898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F_yNlKD0Es/TZ_MaZV38QI/AAAAAAAADuc/J6bS7Ik-vhg/s1600/DSCF5614.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2F_yNlKD0Es/TZ_MaZV38QI/AAAAAAAADuc/J6bS7Ik-vhg/s320/DSCF5614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414016068743426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-preRyaXE11s/TZ_Ma0mlbeI/AAAAAAAADuk/V7AsdBPSxIw/s1600/DSCF5615.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-preRyaXE11s/TZ_Ma0mlbeI/AAAAAAAADuk/V7AsdBPSxIw/s320/DSCF5615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414023386590690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sew on filigree with Swarovski crystals<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DjLFPnmOk0/TZ_MbAv-CFI/AAAAAAAADus/U2AN7Tsi0Dc/s1600/DSCF5619.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DjLFPnmOk0/TZ_MbAv-CFI/AAAAAAAADus/U2AN7Tsi0Dc/s320/DSCF5619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414026647177298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A strand of glass hearts, a vintage glass gem, 2 carved bone buttons, a mother of pearl pendant with a dragon, a clay fish by a local artist.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neslVrM3iGw/TZ_MbZUTSAI/AAAAAAAADu0/mQ_hOoIjXrU/s1600/DSCF5620.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-neslVrM3iGw/TZ_MbZUTSAI/AAAAAAAADu0/mQ_hOoIjXrU/s320/DSCF5620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414033242015746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Four raku star beads by Star Spirit Studio<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9RQgrDGTU4/TZ_Mpep7jgI/AAAAAAAADu8/t4MMgO5HUi8/s1600/DSCF5624.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9RQgrDGTU4/TZ_Mpep7jgI/AAAAAAAADu8/t4MMgO5HUi8/s320/DSCF5624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414275193081346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A beautiful (front and back) cab with a fairy face on it - wish I could remember the name of the artist that made it.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C17vjguTwU0/TZ_MpqpGifI/AAAAAAAADvE/Omayy7OruAU/s1600/DSCF5625.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C17vjguTwU0/TZ_MpqpGifI/AAAAAAAADvE/Omayy7OruAU/s320/DSCF5625.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414278410832370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A hand sculpted face by Dottie Hoeschen of Stonebrash Creative<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6ybkn2c1uY/TZ_Mp15FsVI/AAAAAAAADvM/6vfz-8v9mLY/s1600/DSCF5629.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 257px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n6ybkn2c1uY/TZ_Mp15FsVI/AAAAAAAADvM/6vfz-8v9mLY/s320/DSCF5629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414281430675794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Various clay items by Duane Collins of Elements Pottery<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhOaBPbOd00/TZ_MqMkxiVI/AAAAAAAADvU/zv9syc9s6k4/s1600/DSCF5632.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhOaBPbOd00/TZ_MqMkxiVI/AAAAAAAADvU/zv9syc9s6k4/s320/DSCF5632.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414287519484242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A selection of Czech glass buttons<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlzpIL8DvLU/TZ_MqZVuU8I/AAAAAAAADvc/yWWBNPPXWLc/s1600/DSCF5635.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KlzpIL8DvLU/TZ_MqZVuU8I/AAAAAAAADvc/yWWBNPPXWLc/s320/DSCF5635.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414290946020290" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More clay items, this time from Pottery 123 Findings<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z27mgzWZIW0/TZ_M7-JE1tI/AAAAAAAADvk/JYAs-2Aa4B8/s1600/DSCF5638.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 294px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z27mgzWZIW0/TZ_M7-JE1tI/AAAAAAAADvk/JYAs-2Aa4B8/s320/DSCF5638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414592882857682" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More vintage glass, Czech, German, Japanese<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdaGCU4zCnE/TZ_M8Lxt5eI/AAAAAAAADvs/2sbkGBN-41I/s1600/DSCF5645.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdaGCU4zCnE/TZ_M8Lxt5eI/AAAAAAAADvs/2sbkGBN-41I/s320/DSCF5645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414596542981602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And the final addition is a collection of faces by Jen Martin of Graphix Outpost and one face from Star Spirit Studio - the last face, bottom right.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8_R1uyINw/TZ_M8hPl63I/AAAAAAAADv0/_Cvt_diOkqk/s1600/DSCF5651.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FV8_R1uyINw/TZ_M8hPl63I/AAAAAAAADv0/_Cvt_diOkqk/s320/DSCF5651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414602305432434" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I did not get out much with the tiger for various reasons, but we did make it to the local park. He did seem to enjoy himself even though it was a tad chilly for us humans<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlaaZoeWDzQ/TZ_N7bFvKuI/AAAAAAAADxM/ken306eD2oc/s1600/DSCF5674.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlaaZoeWDzQ/TZ_N7bFvKuI/AAAAAAAADxM/ken306eD2oc/s320/DSCF5674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415682985241314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZwJ2l9p_9I/TZ_N7_QZtwI/AAAAAAAADxU/l0P5sHkYY7o/s1600/DSCF5675.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZwJ2l9p_9I/TZ_N7_QZtwI/AAAAAAAADxU/l0P5sHkYY7o/s320/DSCF5675.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415692693649154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxn1x8QJ9pI/TZ_N8O01YQI/AAAAAAAADxc/lPQO1TnZ1TA/s1600/DSCF5676.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kxn1x8QJ9pI/TZ_N8O01YQI/AAAAAAAADxc/lPQO1TnZ1TA/s320/DSCF5676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415696872988930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLVvjDtan30/TZ_N8aMHdVI/AAAAAAAADxk/D170n5Ewrfw/s1600/DSCF5677.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLVvjDtan30/TZ_N8aMHdVI/AAAAAAAADxk/D170n5Ewrfw/s320/DSCF5677.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415699923432786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMe7kRlAtz8/TZ_OKXKo-CI/AAAAAAAADxs/r3wURZsnjOM/s1600/DSCF5680.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 167px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tMe7kRlAtz8/TZ_OKXKo-CI/AAAAAAAADxs/r3wURZsnjOM/s320/DSCF5680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415939630102562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He was also much loved here. This is my granddaughter showing the tiger a little love<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLZaZP5MNS4/TZ_OKvJH2RI/AAAAAAAADx0/nldX4xSXsWg/s1600/DSCF5683.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hLZaZP5MNS4/TZ_OKvJH2RI/AAAAAAAADx0/nldX4xSXsWg/s320/DSCF5683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415946066188562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H3c0I4FHxTw/TZ_OK5RJtwI/AAAAAAAADx8/Vkusy8UIj3Y/s1600/DSCF5684.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 236px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H3c0I4FHxTw/TZ_OK5RJtwI/AAAAAAAADx8/Vkusy8UIj3Y/s320/DSCF5684.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593415948784219906" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We all very much enjoyed our visit with the tiger<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRFA3bIRyX8/TZ_M9SjO3xI/AAAAAAAADwE/WZmOFQ4wqWM/s1600/DSCF5671.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRFA3bIRyX8/TZ_M9SjO3xI/AAAAAAAADwE/WZmOFQ4wqWM/s320/DSCF5671.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593414615541145362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And I am thrilled to be included,<br />Grace Danel<br />Fort Wayne, INGraceBeadinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17971642196236029385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-14316902426450391132011-04-03T13:41:00.000-04:002011-04-03T13:41:08.294-04:00Week Nine: Grace DanelOur boxes are heading from warm (almost hot) New Mexico to the home of Grace Danel in Fort Wayne, Indiana.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DUZOISVQA0/TZiuJR85VnI/AAAAAAAAEVE/bzkfztCjiLM/s1600/Blog+profile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5DUZOISVQA0/TZiuJR85VnI/AAAAAAAAEVE/bzkfztCjiLM/s320/Blog+profile.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related):</span></i></b> Business Systems Analyst<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Website:</b></i> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1177824631"> </a><a href="http://gracebeading.com%20/">http://gracebeading.com</a> (directs to my blog) <br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Blog:</span></i></b> <a href="http://gracebeading.blogspot.com/">http://gracebeading.blogspot.com/</a><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Facebook Fan Page:</span></i></b> GraceBeading (not yet active) <br />
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<b><i style="color: #274e13;">How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </i></b><br />
Just about 6 years. I bead for fun and the pleasure it brings me. I do not teach classes and I have never sold my work for profit – I give most of it away to friends or to charitable fundraisers. At this point in my life – it is what works best for me since there is no stress attached to it. It is PURE joy! <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </span></i></b><br />
It sounds funs, involves great beaders and it keeps me connected to the bead world in a special way, not to mention beady surprises in the mail are the best! <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Have beads changed your life? How? </span></i></b><br />
Yes they have, they provide an escape from the grind and stress of everyday life and my job. It is my own private sanctuary! <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </span></i></b><br />
Intermediate.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">How did you get started working with beads? </span></i></b><br />
It was a natural progression from cross stitch – which I did for years.<br />
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If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? </i></b><br />
A green charlotte/true cut – because of its subtle sparkle. You may see the sparkle, you may not – depending on the angle and which side of the bead is visible at the time. <br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </i></b><br />
Charlottes/true cuts – see above (#6), that says it all for me!<br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </i></b><br />
I have received a lot of good advice over the years; I am, for the most part, a bead embroiderer. The best advice has come from Robin Atkins by way of her books and through working on the Bead Journal Projects with her. I don’t recall her exact words, but it has to do with dealing with/silencing the inner critic. When I get to a spot where I don’t necessarily like my beading (it happens with most pieces), I don’t rip it out, I ignore the inner critic and keep beading. I rarely have a plan or pattern when I bead, I choose a focal piece, bead colors I like which compliment the focal(s) and go… and I have always been pleased with the results. Often the beading will take twists and turns I did not anticipate, but that just adds to the fun! <br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b><br />
Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it. </b></i><br />
Yes, it’s a long one by Walt Whitman as follows: <br />
<blockquote>This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body</blockquote><i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else? </b></i><br />
The best, most thoughtful beady gift(s) ever received can be found on my blog here: <a href="http://gracebeading.blogspot.com/2010/10/friends-do-nicest-things.html">http://gracebeading.blogspot.com/2010/10/friends-do-nicest-things.html</a> You must see the photos, as words do not adequately describe these gifts. <br />
The best beady gift given – I think all the beady items I donate for charitable auctions are great, but the ones I would describe as the best are any that have raised money to save lives, such as the items donated recently to raise money for animal shelters/animal rescue groups. <br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they? </span></i></b><br />
I enjoy photography and want to try working more with felting<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What three words would best describe your current bead stash? </b></i><br />
Needs MORE storage!!!<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available. </i></b><br />
Tough one! I’m including 2. One – my granddaughters hand won my only award to date, Margie Deeb’s <a href="http://www.margiedeeb.com/challenge/index.php">2007 Color Challenge winner</a>. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="432" src="http://www.margiedeeb.com/images/color_challenge_photos/Grace_Danel_2.jpg" width="328" /> </div><br />
<br />
Second one, a bag, was created for “Beading For A Cure” for 2010. Photos can be found in <a href="http://gracebeading.blogspot.com/2009/03/bfac-project-for-2010.html">this blog post</a>.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TQw-zsM8x2g/SbyEwcpyO9I/AAAAAAAACvY/KvjjxpyRzms/s1600-h/bff04.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313267628250381266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TQw-zsM8x2g/SbyEwcpyO9I/AAAAAAAACvY/KvjjxpyRzms/s400/bff04.jpg" style="height: 400px; width: 264px;" width="264" /></a></div><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-10003639920954190712011-04-03T00:06:00.001-04:002011-04-03T00:28:03.509-04:00The Boxes' Albuquerque Visit<div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Written by Nikia. Posted by Carol Dean.) </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal">The Best Little Bead Box is here. I just finished the minimum amount of work I HAD to do before I would allow myself the luxury of opening the box and rolling in the contents…no, really I’m gonna! </div><div class="MsoNormal">Because I’m going to be taking pictures along the way a quick tidy up of the bead table was in order….done. Now to open the box! I’m so excited! The box arrived at the perfect time at the end of a stressful week. This is my reward! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B19vrkCZ_gw/TZfu1WImWYI/AAAAAAAAEUg/29HlMDgejN8/s1600/box1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B19vrkCZ_gw/TZfu1WImWYI/AAAAAAAAEUg/29HlMDgejN8/s400/box1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">At this time I didn’t even know that this was just the FIRST box! LOL! There was another one on the way! </div><div class="MsoNormal">I restrained myself and started opening the bags one at a time. There were really great things in here!</div><div class="MsoNormal">I worked my way slowly through the box, looking at everything. Then I went back through to gather. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Soon after that I emailed Carole to tell her the box had arrived and that’s when I learned there was another box coming! O.M.G.! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next morning the second box was dropped off. I followed the same procedure. Pulled everything out a bag at a time and looked at everything. Then I went back to gather. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44qKdJdEdwc/TZfvSJmE9HI/AAAAAAAAEUk/Y_N3yVPJmyI/s1600/box2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44qKdJdEdwc/TZfvSJmE9HI/AAAAAAAAEUk/Y_N3yVPJmyI/s400/box2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Here are the fruits of my labors. There were some great tubes of delicas, a wood needle case (that I’ll bead over of course). Then I found some really nice focal pieces, a fimo cabochon, a couple of dichroic fused glass cabs and a trefoil focal. There was a couple of really cute Golem Studio clay pieces with coordinating beads, a nice tube of long magatamas…what else…I found some nice gold pearls I had an idea for along with an aluminum bracelet cuffs. I’ve been wanting to try a aluminum one. I got some cute Czech glass hearts and other shapes and a great bag of acrylic flowers in black and silver. I have an idea for those! There were some really nice chunky pieces of what I believe is chryscola that will make a great bracelet with some beaded beads in between...a pietersite cab that will look great with some other pieces that I have. Oh! And I got some parawire in silver and black to play with too. I found some paua shell pieces and an ammonite that will look great on a bead embroidery piece I’ve been thinking about. There was a nice bundle of silk cords that caught my eye too. Last but not least I found a lovely selection of clay pieces that I’m looking forward to making some sweet pendants with. What fun!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I also had the pleasure of meeting the Beads of Courage Tiger. We called him Boc…like Bach! LOL!... he was squinched up from being crammed in the box with all the treasures so we decided to go outside to get some fresh air in the garden and plant some peas! We even found him a pair of sunglasses to protect his eyes from the bright New Mexico sun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKtxLfFSLek/TZfvoXjfwNI/AAAAAAAAEUo/tVxuc9_zkpE/s1600/box3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GKtxLfFSLek/TZfvoXjfwNI/AAAAAAAAEUo/tVxuc9_zkpE/s200/box3.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QfYxRQLybc/TZfvywAkyAI/AAAAAAAAEUs/8YDXI7zyx9Q/s1600/box4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2QfYxRQLybc/TZfvywAkyAI/AAAAAAAAEUs/8YDXI7zyx9Q/s200/box4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1731209957831693387&postID=1000363992095419071" name="_GoBack"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Boc took a little rest after that and lounged around on the straw bale while I raked and moved dirt around. He went and checked out the dandelions and then played in the bamboo “jungle”. Tiger’s native habitat includes bamboo jungles I believe. He was very at home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8E5e3YefT8/TZfwDc6fRkI/AAAAAAAAEUw/ToHMhokDDqw/s1600/box5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k8E5e3YefT8/TZfwDc6fRkI/AAAAAAAAEUw/ToHMhokDDqw/s200/box5.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Snunnr5AuGg/TZfwMNDetbI/AAAAAAAAEU0/xAX-FAoWhMY/s1600/box6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Snunnr5AuGg/TZfwMNDetbI/AAAAAAAAEU0/xAX-FAoWhMY/s200/box6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Later that afternoon we took a quick trip to Santa Fe to the kitchen gadget store and lunch. Boc played tourist. He climbed a tree and I took a picture of him with the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the background. It was a pretty day! I tried to get a picture of Boc with my own tiger cat “Spartacus” but he was feeling a tad shy that day. We ended the day with a great lunch at the Blue Corn Brewery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4_DcAXP02g/TZfxau1-fWI/AAAAAAAAEU4/Q3GbJoWX0MA/s1600/box7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4_DcAXP02g/TZfxau1-fWI/AAAAAAAAEU4/Q3GbJoWX0MA/s200/box7.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2W8_-rDJ6k/TZfxkY35OpI/AAAAAAAAEU8/_PNYncX-pKE/s1600/box8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2W8_-rDJ6k/TZfxkY35OpI/AAAAAAAAEU8/_PNYncX-pKE/s200/box8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I had begun collecting things to put into the box for some days before it’s arrival. After perusing the Best Bead Boxes some more to make sure there wasn’t anything I couldn’t live without, I packed them back up into the two large priority boxes. I wasn’t sure everything would fit but it did. Here’s what I added:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7g8MdFv8Tz4/TZfxz84ChDI/AAAAAAAAEVA/4ChECL3vk00/s1600/box9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7g8MdFv8Tz4/TZfxz84ChDI/AAAAAAAAEVA/4ChECL3vk00/s400/box9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I started with some kits I just happened to have laying around. I collected several bags of lampwork beads and cabochons and then I got into the vintage glass! I put together a nice selection of vintage Czech and West German glass cabs to play with along with a bag of glass globs. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have a nice selection of metallized plastic beads and pewter so threw some bags of those in. I included a few bags of “Czech mix” and some of my beadiots wanted to come along so there are a group of them in there. There are some old rosettes, some turquoise pearls, a nice mix of seed beads and a couple of cool tools. I’m sure there’s a few things I forgot but that’s the gist of it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’m so happy to have been a part of this. It was great fun and looks like there’ll be a lot of cool stuff to auction off at the end! Thanks!</div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-75974223948933393592011-03-26T19:28:00.000-04:002011-03-26T19:28:03.383-04:00Week Eight: Nikia AngelOur two, at this point very heavy, boxes have found their way back into New Mexico, to the home of Nikia Angel in Albuquerque. It will be fun to see what Nikia takes and gives over the next week.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NqjxYTSqwc4/TY5zO82TzdI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/VPKwCzcZp8g/s1600/Nikkia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NqjxYTSqwc4/TY5zO82TzdI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/VPKwCzcZp8g/s320/Nikkia.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><i style="color: #274e13;"><b></b></i><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related):</b></i> Bead Artisan/designer<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Website:</b></i> <a href="http://www.buythekit.com/">www.buythekit.com</a><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Blog:</span></b></i> n/a<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Facebook Fan Page:</b></i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buy-the-Kit/192357802969?ref=ts&sk=wall">Buy the Kit</a><br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </b></i></div>I have been beading since I was 7, obsessively for the last 22 years.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </span></b></i><br />
Sounds like a fun way to connect to fellow beaders and I have some cool stuff to pass along! And, it is for an excellent cause.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Have beads changed your life? How?</b></i><br />
Beads are my life. Beads have given me the wherewithall to build the life I lead and love. <br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </span></i></b><br />
I consider myself advanced in some aspects and intermediate in others, but rank beginner with RAW and bead crochet!<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How did you get started working with beads? </b></i><br />
My nanny (maternal gmother) taught me to do loomwork when I was spending the summer with her in 1960.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? </span></b></i><br />
I am a bead...a human bead. We all are. Stand straight, look at the sky and open your mouth...you are a bead. But otherwise I'd be a vintage swarovski crystal.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </b></i><br />
seed beads...11s would be best. Because with them you can make pretty much whatever you want.<br />
<br />
<span data-jsid="text"></span><i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </b></i><br />
Spread the joy. Try to teach as many people as you can to move our artform forward. If we don't teach and inspire the next generation of beaders, it could die.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.</b></i><br />
Leave the world a better place. Play nice.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever</span><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">gave to someone else? </span></b></i><br />
The time and freedom to follow my bliss (continually given to me by my husband) and my husband's unwavering support of my efforts. Best gift I've given would be teaching my daughters to bead and letting them rummage in my bead room for supplies.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?</span></b></i><br />
Not really...beads are pretty much it.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What three words would best describe your current bead stash? </b></i><br />
Unique, very large, sparkly<br />
<b><i><br style="color: #274e13;" /><span style="color: #274e13;">Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available. </span></i></b><br />
Dunno if it's my very best, but it is my current very favorite!<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QW765lAkrrg/TY5ylY8UM-I/AAAAAAAAEUM/LP09FrblwjI/s1600/fetedefaesm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QW765lAkrrg/TY5ylY8UM-I/AAAAAAAAEUM/LP09FrblwjI/s400/fetedefaesm.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-69808389379188463642011-03-23T15:56:00.001-04:002011-03-23T16:03:52.602-04:00The BLBB spends the first day of Spring in NC!It was a gorgeous spring Saturday in central North Carolina. My best friend Linda and I were headed 90 miles East to Raleigh for the Bead Mercantile Show. We were looking forward to the drive since the recent warm weather had urged the trees into bloom about a week early. All along I-40 I felt like I was looking into an impressionist watercolor of fluffy white Bradford Pears, frilly palest pink Cherry blossoms, hot pink/purple Redbuds, the first green tinged blooms of dogwoods, the deep red of the maples and the soft greens of the newest leaves. And at the end of all this vernal glory…BEAD SHOW!! It doesn’t get much better than that. <br />
<br />
Returning home again to Greensboro by mid-afternoon, I was blissed out with beads and blooms and was considering taking a nap, when what to my wondering eyes did appear but two boxes of beads and my husband’s wry sneer. “Now whadja buy?” was the greeting. I didn’t expect the Best Little Bead Box(es) for another couple days, so I didn’t prepare him, and he and our postal carrier shared some amusement at what could possibly be in those crazy heavy boxes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y2YOU6aW1pM/TYpKVmy4v1I/AAAAAAAAAFo/SD_KwNmCbGs/s1600/Amelietiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Y2YOU6aW1pM/TYpKVmy4v1I/AAAAAAAAAFo/SD_KwNmCbGs/s320/Amelietiger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>My nap forgotten, my husband and two cats (Harry & Amelie) all gathered around the boxes and spilled the contents onto the kitchen table. Oh, yeah…I was experiencing bead nirvana now! Bead-topia, bead-tacular, bead-zinga, bead-gasm (can you say that on a blog? ;~). And there was my husband in the middle of the loot acting like a kid in a candy shop (a wrestler in a folding-chair factory maybe?). How awesome is it to have a husband (30 years!!) that is so genuinely happy for you and what you love?! So he helped me gently unpack and open up all the packages. Here Amelie meets Courage. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I took... <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MpZPZX1Hwso/TYpKzLsRCxI/AAAAAAAAAFs/pTEABMGbLVc/s1600/took+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MpZPZX1Hwso/TYpKzLsRCxI/AAAAAAAAAFs/pTEABMGbLVc/s320/took+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Urged by the BLBB goddesses Carol Dean and Jennifer not to be shy about taking, I started my keep pile. Seed beads are my weakness so I made a beeline for those (several strands of size 8 mixes, a tube of pink 11s, a bag of transparent green that I had just about run out of, beautiful rainbow crystal cut charlottes and a tube of very cute pink peanut beads!). One can never have enough Czech glass anything, so I got some leaves, flowers, ladybugs, faces and crystals. I grabbed a couple cuff blanks, a knot of gorgeous pink/red silk strands, and that cool color wheel (THANKS Sharon!!), as well as lots of gemstone cabs, pendants, chips and rounds. I chose some really droolworthy lampwork glass, a vitrail rivoli, a gorgeous porcelain face, some charms, a sweet Czech button, some clay and glass pieces and two yummy pendants and beads by Golem. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UzwELe7Py78/TYpK1vPAbgI/AAAAAAAAAFw/W2gNRaSNcMo/s1600/Took+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UzwELe7Py78/TYpK1vPAbgI/AAAAAAAAAFw/W2gNRaSNcMo/s320/Took+1.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPZzzurMRFo/TYpK4PiqJII/AAAAAAAAAF0/jYc05QsRsZQ/s1600/took+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPZzzurMRFo/TYpK4PiqJII/AAAAAAAAAF0/jYc05QsRsZQ/s320/took+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What went in... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r_7Wf1hi3FE/TYpL9bn-bOI/AAAAAAAAAF8/K026V7C7wqk/s1600/donate+seed+beads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r_7Wf1hi3FE/TYpL9bn-bOI/AAAAAAAAAF8/K026V7C7wqk/s320/donate+seed+beads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In anticipation of the BLBB, I began a “donate” box a couple weeks ago and started filling it with goodies from my stash and as instructed, I gave gooder than I got. I have to tell you that my face started to hurt from the giddy smile I got while bagging and tagging my contributions, I think that was my favorite part!! Again, I started with seed beads: 5 hanks of assorted 11/0 Czech seed beads, two hanks each of burgundy and dark navy Czech charlottes, a couple size 6 bead mixes, some big bags O’ beads in matte rainbow amber and purple, 9 tubes of assorted Delicas, some green rainbow triangle beads, and some assorted tubes of size 11 seed beads and one tube of fabulous size 15 Miyuki hex beads in antique bronze (oh the sparkle on those babies!).<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qvaa5xv1iHQ/TYpMPOAfZYI/AAAAAAAAAGA/pbXnv4m-4fw/s1600/donate+odds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qvaa5xv1iHQ/TYpMPOAfZYI/AAAAAAAAAGA/pbXnv4m-4fw/s320/donate+odds.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
In the odds and ends category, I included a bag of assorted shell coin beads, some nylon gift bags, earring cards, wooden balls (for beaded beads), assorted glass, goldstone, hematite and metal pendants, assorted findings and threads, a few pieces of vintage glass and acrylic cabochons, some gold charms and puffed hearts, and some kicky clay bananas, budgies and hibiscus flowers that came off some old necklaces. I’ve added an assortment of Czech glass leaves, hearts, flowers, crystals, pearls, fish, cubes and rounds and four lovely gold 14mm rivolis. Three beadweaving books are also included. Are we having fun yet?!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVPGMJAgbvE/TYpSHsEsrdI/AAAAAAAAAGs/dm1jsVFe1ik/s1600/donate+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uVPGMJAgbvE/TYpSHsEsrdI/AAAAAAAAAGs/dm1jsVFe1ik/s320/donate+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fFehJzgqYSM/TYpMc8Zwb1I/AAAAAAAAAGE/5jX-faRWfs4/s1600/donate+rocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fFehJzgqYSM/TYpMc8Zwb1I/AAAAAAAAAGE/5jX-faRWfs4/s320/donate+rocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In the naturals category, I’ve added lots of rocks: cabs, pendants, donuts and rounds in assorted agates and jaspers including some paua shells, picture jasper, and an amazing pietersite cab. Cat’s eye (optic) glass rounds in several colors, a bag of olive green fresh water pearls, amethyst chips and several strands of shell<br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sFX-wlma-Sg/TYpMq26utAI/AAAAAAAAAGI/EjDMwu1XLNk/s1600/donate+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sFX-wlma-Sg/TYpMq26utAI/AAAAAAAAAGI/EjDMwu1XLNk/s320/donate+stars.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The Grand Finale includes pieces from some of my favorite artists: two Golem Pendants, a bunch of lampwork glass beads from Gail Hanley, clay tiles from FiredandFused, several bits from Lisa Peters Art, two polymer clay pieces from TrinityDJ, a polymer clay sun/moon cab by CreationsbyAna, two Kenyan porcelain beads, a raku pendant from a local NC potter, a couple gorgeous dichroic glass pieces, and two fabulous porcelain slides by Marsha Hedrick. <br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i36lEa5fBxc/TYpM1l9Gv5I/AAAAAAAAAGM/bYLQs7fmcN8/s1600/harrytiger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i36lEa5fBxc/TYpM1l9Gv5I/AAAAAAAAAGM/bYLQs7fmcN8/s320/harrytiger.jpg" width="320" /></a> Harry and Courage supervise loading the boxes<br />
Before I packed up the boxes and tucked in the Tiger for the next destination, the Courage Tiger and I took a little stroll to celebrate the first day of Spring in North Carolina! He’s a frisky little guy and enjoyed frolicking through the flowers. I’d turn my back for just a second and he’d scramble up a tree! I think he was happy to be out in the fresh air after being cooped up on his long travels. He even hung out on my deck catching some rays! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wKAhmQh2Y7w/TYpNN4bXEEI/AAAAAAAAAGU/kxNpBvTaRzo/s1600/boctiger+cherry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wKAhmQh2Y7w/TYpNN4bXEEI/AAAAAAAAAGU/kxNpBvTaRzo/s320/boctiger+cherry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> In the Cherry Tree.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9sVvQt3Arn8/TYpNSKxeOtI/AAAAAAAAAGY/NE8a2buGIec/s1600/boctiger+deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9sVvQt3Arn8/TYpNSKxeOtI/AAAAAAAAAGY/NE8a2buGIec/s320/boctiger+deck.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Catching rays on the deck!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8-ACnau3fsw/TYpNeUfBiJI/AAAAAAAAAGk/TegBCdI_xAg/s1600/boctiger+redbud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8-ACnau3fsw/TYpNeUfBiJI/AAAAAAAAAGk/TegBCdI_xAg/s320/boctiger+redbud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Scampering up the Redbud tree!<br />
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The Best Little Bead Box is now officially two LARGE flat rate boxes weighing at least 25 lbs each. As I told Carol Dean, it should either be illegal or required to have this much fun! I’ve enjoyed the entire experience, not the least of which has been getting to share this great cause with so many friends! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-14933490642872242182011-03-20T13:55:00.000-04:002011-03-20T13:55:44.521-04:00Week Seven: Chris Maj<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Our two anything-but-little boxes arrive at the home of Chris Maj in North Carolina yesterday. Chris will have the next few days to choose what to keep and what to add to these boxes before she sends them on to the next beader.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IgKii4mDkas/TYY6FvyjQmI/AAAAAAAAETc/xhcLQHpjz8c/s1600/Chris+2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IgKii4mDkas/TYY6FvyjQmI/AAAAAAAAETc/xhcLQHpjz8c/s320/Chris+2007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead): </span></i></b>Homemaker / Bead Artist<i style="color: #274e13;"><b> </b></i><br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Website:</b></i> <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadn4fun">http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadn4fun</a><i><b><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></b></i><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Blog:</span></b></i> <a href="http://chrismajbeadn4fun.blogspot.com/">http://chrismajbeadn4fun.blogspot.com/</a><b style="color: #274e13;"><i> </i></b><br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Facebook Fan Page:</i></b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_133227784"> </a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/beadn4fun">http://www.facebook.com/beadn4fun</a></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b> </b></i></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker?</b></i> </div>About 8 years<br />
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<i><b>Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </b></i></div>Beside the uncontrolled glee of opening a box of treasures and choosing a couple for myself, I would love being a part of the end goal of contributing to Beads of Courage.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>Have beads changed your life? How? </b></i></div>Well, sure! I get to play with pretty, sparkly, shiny objects on a daily basis which makes me very happy. I spent 15 years as an administrative assistant during which I began to feel acutely the lack of creative/artistic outlet. Now I’m able to look at everything with the eye of an artist/beader for inspiration, and create ooak pieces that also make others happy.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </i></b></div>I’ve acquired quite a few techniques, but still consider myself to be an intermediate plus.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>How did you get started working with beads? </b></i></div>For Christmas 2003 I was making jar candles for everyone in my family and I wanted to decorate the jars with some pretty beaded ornamentation. At the time, beaded amulet bags seemed to be all the rage and I bought a book and began making them. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why?</span></i></b> <br />
I would be a voluptuous lampworked goddess bead. A big, one of a kind, sorta odd bead that you would admire, but never be quite sure what to do with.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </b></i></div>SEED BEADS!! There is no limit to what you can do with a mess of seed beads. You could make a fabulous hammock.<br />
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</b></i></div><div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </b></i></div>I can’t think of a single piece of advice, but in getting to know the community of beaders on facebook and ETSY, one of the things I’ve heard the most that has inspired me is “Try it”. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.</span></i></b> <br />
“Do what you Love”. I don’t know if it’s a direct quote from someone or just an often said ideal, but life is short, do what makes you happy and others will respond positively.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else? </i></b></div>A friend gave me this huge vintage bead from Africa and I had a blast playing detective to try and figure out what on earth it was. Still haven’t used it, but it’s fun to imagine. I’ve given my jewelry to many people because there is no greater gift than the happiness you feel as you present something special to someone. But one of my favorite giving experiences was in taking a beautiful agate that was very special to my friend’s mother, and creating a beadwoven necklace she’s able to wear anytime.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they? </i></b></div>Not currently. Back in the day I was a fabriholic and made quilts and renaissance costumes. And before that I crosstitched my way through the 80’s.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>What three words would best describe your current bead stash? </b></i></div>Colorful, Organized, Incomplete.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available. </i></b></div>I've attached a picture of "Mariposa" my entry to the Haute Couture Beading Contest that I created in September. My best bead embroidery piece. I've only been doing bead embroidery for less than a year.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S8qFUepL4RM/TYY-QQcY_XI/AAAAAAAAETk/pPJVZuux-wI/s1600/mariposa+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-S8qFUepL4RM/TYY-QQcY_XI/AAAAAAAAETk/pPJVZuux-wI/s400/mariposa+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I've also included one of my best beadwoven pieces, a cellini spiral.<br />
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</a></div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-38459686463853872902011-03-14T12:26:00.000-04:002011-03-14T12:26:52.992-04:00Week Six: Sharon Erwine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />
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In the next day or so, Sharon Erwine, newly of Fort Worth, Texas, will be receiving our two The Best Little Bead Boxes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F32Jh5ycO-g/TX489h0lHZI/AAAAAAAAES8/BdfYQv7xsUo/s1600/sharon+erwine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F32Jh5ycO-g/TX489h0lHZI/AAAAAAAAES8/BdfYQv7xsUo/s320/sharon+erwine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Occupation:</b></i> Bead designer (mostly flowers)<br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Website:</span></b></i> <a href="http://www.sharonerwine.com/">www.sharonerwine.com</a><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Blog:</span></b></i> <a href="http://www.sharonerwine.blogspot.com/">www.sharonerwine.blogspot.com</a><br />
Facebook Fan Page: n/a<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </b></i>Since 1998, but seed bead weaver since 2006<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project?</b></i></div>Fun and friends, and pure love of beads.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Have beads changed your life? How? </span></b></i><br />
Yes, it is my creative outlet, relaxation, delight. I love to share it with others who share my passion.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </b></i><br />
Intermediate to advanced, depending on technique. (Thank you teachers who come to my guild and all you<br />
wonderful pattern writers!!!)<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>How did you get started working with beads? </b></i></div>Needed to fix a purchased necklace, saw the beads – that’s all it took – I was hooked.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? </b></i></div>A size 11 seed bead because I would be so versatile that I could make almost anything! And I would come in so many colors!!!!<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </b></i></div>A size 11 seed bead because I could use it to create endlessly, for years and years.<br />
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<div style="color: #274e13;"><b><i>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </i></b></div>Oh, so many, many teachers and ideas to choose from, but I would have to say the best advice was to learn to control tension while beading, because it can make or break the success of a project.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.</span></b></i><br />
“To love someone is to give them room to grow."<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?</b></i><br />
The best gift I received was an artistically rendered necklace from my friend Sheryl, because it was completely unexpected, so thoughtfully done with me in mind, and was so representative of her own distinctive art.<br />
The best gift I am giving is to my friend R.Dee, who found a beautiful birch knothole on Labor Day. She wanted it as a keepsake of our trip to Mackinaw Island, but when I commented that it would make a beautiful<br />
piece of jewelry, she insisted on giving it to me! I had a wonderful time creating a bracelet from it, learning new techniques along the way, blogging about it, and secretly planning to give the completed bracelet to<br />
R.Dee. She thought I would make something for myself. The bracelet is now complete and ready to go to R.Dee this week. I am so excited.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?</span></i></b><br />
I have enjoyed all forms of needlework all my life – well, at least from age 16. I am 65 now so that is a lot of years! It is wonderful how much you can use ideas from one needlecraft to work on something in a<br />
different medium. And bead weaving is a needlecraft, though most people don’t think of it that way. And bead looms connect to weaving ….<br />
We have such a rich needlework heritage to draw from.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What three words would best describe your current bead stash?</b></i><br />
“Over-invested, but wonderful.” I can usually find plenty<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.</span></b></i><br />
Here it is: Stargazer Lily (pattern and kit available)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="373" src="http://www.sharonerwine.com/sharonerwine.com/Stargazer_Lily_Kit_files/Stargazer%20in%20hand%20forward.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="400" /></div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-67128409090547376822011-03-09T20:02:00.008-05:002011-03-09T20:31:02.807-05:00Hello from Chicago!The Best Little Bead Boxes arrived at my apartment on Monday afternoon. The larger of the two boxes as quite heavy so Jeremy helped me take them upstairs. I opened them and spent a few hours just looking through everything, and deciding what to add.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VLEFIO3bn0k/TXgpAiOzMhI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Lge3CPFuRuw/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VLEFIO3bn0k/TXgpAiOzMhI/AAAAAAAAAAk/Lge3CPFuRuw/s400/IMG_0846.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582256827291349522" border="0" /></a><br />I didn't want to be greedy, so I tried to make sure I only took a few handmade pieces, so there was some for everyone. I took two gorgeous Marsha Neil pendants, and a bundle of hand-dyed cord which goes perfectly with Kristie's blue pendant and the sodalite tubes. I have also fallen in love with this pendant from Golum Studios, I love the summery colours it has. I think I may make it into a necklace for my Mum. I also couldn't resist the little Zuni bears.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zxGCldba68/TXgohdqOjyI/AAAAAAAAAAU/oeCPDqnG-dI/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zxGCldba68/TXgohdqOjyI/AAAAAAAAAAU/oeCPDqnG-dI/s400/IMG_0853.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582256293488267042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-889dGEMowa4/TXgohgLzZwI/AAAAAAAAAAc/5kzLdsKA658/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-889dGEMowa4/TXgohgLzZwI/AAAAAAAAAAc/5kzLdsKA658/s400/IMG_0858.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582256294165964546" border="0" /></a><br />In their place I put a group of findings and cords, there were a lot of seed beads in the boxes and not a lot of findings, so I added a bundle of ultrasuede pieces, a few aluminium cuff blanks, and a roll of KO beading thread. I also added some gorgeous pearls and a few rivolis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMzOHNJDsUQ/TXgpSX_kfMI/AAAAAAAAAAs/Zn5mlRL-fw4/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMzOHNJDsUQ/TXgpSX_kfMI/AAAAAAAAAAs/Zn5mlRL-fw4/s400/IMG_0849.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582257133780761794" border="0" /></a><br />The last photo is a picture of the Beads of Courage Tiger, enjoying a tuna sandwich with his new friends in Chicago, Merlin and Arwen, while I looked at the beads. He is now on his way to visit his new friend Sharon in Fort Worth for the next stage in his journey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EziFIWOBtS0/TXgpgSi7w4I/AAAAAAAAAA0/JnQZsaRunWo/s1600/IMG_0848.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EziFIWOBtS0/TXgpgSi7w4I/AAAAAAAAAA0/JnQZsaRunWo/s400/IMG_0848.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582257372836643714" border="0" /></a>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16494363886814373391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-50097567904688159692011-03-07T16:20:00.000-05:002011-03-07T16:20:35.073-05:00Week Five: Jan AthertonJan Atherton, currently of Chicago, Illinoise, will be receiving the TWO Best Little Bead Boxes within the next day or two.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmM4LI96CDI/TXVJsATdZ5I/AAAAAAAAES4/yXlYMmXQL7I/s1600/JanCoat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmM4LI96CDI/TXVJsATdZ5I/AAAAAAAAES4/yXlYMmXQL7I/s400/JanCoat1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related):</span></b></i> Beadwork Tutor and Bead Shop Assistant.<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Website: </b></i><a href="http://janatherton.com/janatherton/">http://janatherton.com/janatherton/</a><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Blog: </b></i><a href="http://janatherton.com/janatherton/?page_id=15">http://janatherton.com/janatherton/?page_id=15</a><br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Facebook Fan Page:</b></i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-Storey-Love-Song/186072182907?">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ten-Storey-Love-Song/186072182907?</a><br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker?</b></i><br />
I started beading in October 2000, so just over 10 years ago.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project?</span></i></b><br />
I have enjoyed reading the posts from the first round. I think it would be an interesting challenge, and it would encourage me to try materials I haven't worked with before.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Have beads changed your life? How?</span></i></b><br />
They have taken over my apartment! I started beading at at time of major upheaval in my life, my husband's job took us 3,000 miles from home, to Memphis tennessee, the later on to Chicago, and I didn't know many people at first. Beadwork forums, and friends from a local rubber stamping group in Memphis kept me sane.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker?</b></i><br />
I'm an advanced beader, but intermediate when working with metals. I learn new things with every project.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How did you get started working with beads?</b></i><br />
I wanted to add a few beads to an embroidery project I was working on at the time. I took a trip into Edinburgh to Beadniks (not part of the chain of bead shops), which was in Raeburn Place at that time. I walked out with a bead loom, and a copy of Horace Goodhue's book Indian Beadweaving Patterns.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why?</b></i><br />
Probably something like a pebble or beach glass, shaped by time and experiences.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why?</span></b></i><br />
Probably Czech size 11/0, you can do a lot of different things with them.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend?</b></i><br />
Don't air file...<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.</b></i><br />
"I never could get the hang of Thursdays" written by Douglas Adams. I tend to be a bit of a daydreamer. I don't know how much it reflects my philosophies, but it does describe my state of mind most of the time.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?</b></i><br />
My husband Jeremy has bought me tools and beads 2, or 3 years running for birthdays and Christmas. He has always been very supportive of my creative streak. I have been lucky enough to make jewellery for the weddings of a couple of our friends, which I loved making.<br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?</b></i><br />
I knit - I have been teaching myself to knit lace recently, I also draw, take photographs, and I love fabric painting and embroidery.<br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">What three words would best describe your current bead stash?</span></b></i><br />
Eclectic, ever growing...Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-60415609399582402642011-03-07T10:42:00.000-05:002011-03-07T10:42:19.438-05:00Susan's Time with the Box<i style="color: #274e13;">written by Susan, posted by Carol Dean </i><br />
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The 2 Best Little Bead Boxes were hand delivered by my postman last Monday, Feb. 28th. The large one was almost too heavy for me to carry but I managed with a smile. This was also my first day back to school since the late eighties so I didn't even have time to see inside each box until the wee hours of the morning.<br />
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I was so impressed with all of the wonderful items that were already there. It took me a few hours to decide what I would take from the boxes. I decided on some unique seed beads for my first "take" and then I found some other goodies I couldn't resist including a beautiful glass heart with dots of glass.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-45fzQdPRAjQ/TXT8GaTTRvI/AAAAAAAAESE/_gtFarqyuQI/s1600/BLBB+took.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-45fzQdPRAjQ/TXT8GaTTRvI/AAAAAAAAESE/_gtFarqyuQI/s640/BLBB+took.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
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Then I went through my stash to add to the mix. I was going to add something to the stuffed tiger but ran out of time. I did drape some of the fire polish strands around his neck for a photo.<br />
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Over all this has been a nice experience and I'm happy to have been a part of this worth while project. Now the boxes are on their way to the next spot. Thanks for allowing me to be in this go around.Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-25741756132447372382011-02-27T17:43:00.000-05:002011-02-27T17:43:34.421-05:00Week Four: Susan Feldkamp<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</style> <![endif]-->Susan Feldkamp of Mesa, Arizona, will be receiving The Best Little Bead Box in the next day or two.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5M0zhL0jD9U/TWrQqeeZFFI/AAAAAAAAER8/tnADFDOCI4I/s1600/2011%252520me%252520in%252520butterfly%252520stages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5M0zhL0jD9U/TWrQqeeZFFI/AAAAAAAAER8/tnADFDOCI4I/s320/2011%252520me%252520in%252520butterfly%252520stages.jpg" width="320" /></a><i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Occupation (either bead-related or non-bead related) </b></i>Unemployed but beading my heart out. <br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Website:</span></i></b> None at this time <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Blog:</b></i> None at this time but will be making a new one soon <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Facebook Fan Page:</b></i> need to get one <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </b></i><br />
15+ years <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </b></i></div>I’ve heard of it before but never got the chance to sign up and enjoy reading about it. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Have beads changed your life? How? </b></i><br />
Yes. They’ve taken me to many places and have given me the opportunity to make a large number of wonderful friends. Without my beadwork, I’d probably be in the crazy house by now. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </b></i><br />
Advanced <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>How did you get started working with beads? </b></i></div>In the early seventies, I started making Daisy Chain necklaces and it has been an obsession ever since. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were a bead, what kind would you be?</b></i> <i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Why?</b></i><br />
<br />
I’d be a large flamework bead in purple with lots of cubic zurconia. Because I work best when put to the fire and have loved purple and sparklies most of my life. <br />
<br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><i><b>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </b></i></div>Seed beads, because they are so versatile. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend?</b></i><br />
Keep doing what you love, you have a natural talent for bead work. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it.</b></i><br />
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~ Pablo Picasso <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received?</b></i><br />
A beaded Santa doll.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else?</b></i><br />
Each piece I’ve given away has been my best and I am happy people love what I do with BEADS. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they?</b></i><br />
Yes. I love doing mixed media work, collages, knitting, crocheting, sewing, any type of art that uses my hands and creativity. <br />
<br />
<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>What three words would best describe your current bead stash?</b></i><br />
Expanding, Shiny, Colorful. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>Please include a photograph of your very best piece of beadwork, if you have one available.</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p79VQLiMmCE/TWrTL6uYiCI/AAAAAAAAESA/mIpZ4opC-Xo/s1600/Butterfly+neck+piece+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p79VQLiMmCE/TWrTL6uYiCI/AAAAAAAAESA/mIpZ4opC-Xo/s400/Butterfly+neck+piece+09.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-74421899135382491032011-02-25T22:13:00.031-05:002011-02-25T23:35:43.485-05:00Best Little Bead Box Visits New Jersey !!The Best Little Bead Box arrived on my doorstep while I was out, so I didn't get to attack the mail lady (lucky her!).<br />As soon as I got home & saw it on the counter, I decided to clear my nightly schedule and DIG IN !!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6GQRkPOxtw/TWh12p3uIII/AAAAAAAAAD8/5QZXoJcIl80/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6GQRkPOxtw/TWh12p3uIII/AAAAAAAAAD8/5QZXoJcIl80/s400/IMG_1310.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577837720311308418" /></a><br /><br />But first, pour a nice glass of wine.<br />And of course, enlist help of friend that helps me do <span style="font-style:italic;">EVERYTHING</span> around the house.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYK8woGQAvM/TWh2HC17gII/AAAAAAAAAEE/u2DM94Sla2Q/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RYK8woGQAvM/TWh2HC17gII/AAAAAAAAAEE/u2DM94Sla2Q/s400/IMG_1311.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577838001892589698" /></a><br /><br />Meet DaVinci - he's my furbaby, office buddy, and foot warmer at night. He follows us around the house like a dog, gets into things he shouldn't (more on that later), but loves us more than I've ever witnessed a cat <span style="font-weight:bold;">want<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> to be around a human.<br />He's an 11lb, almost 2 year old, Siberian breed. Otherwise known as, "creator of all fuzz fuzz floating around the house."<br />This picture was taken before his mishap....(more to come...)<br /><br /><br />The box was packed nicely with a treasure trove of goodies! Each little bubble or zippy bag full of beading fun.<br />As a bead shop owner, I certainly have had my hands into tons of beads over the years. Yet, there are a few things that I am always a sucker for..... handmade and gemstones !! I am drawn to the unique, one-of-a-kind, or out of the ordinary beads.<br />Recently, I've had some sort of love affair with porcelain & stoneware pieces. (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LisaPetersArt">Lisa Peters Art</a> and <a href="http://www.marshanealstudio.com/">Marsha Neal Studio </a>can attest to this!) However, there is some artisan work that I have had yet to see in person. Well, Best Little Bead Box Round 2 cured me of that !!!<br /><br />I have to admit, I dove into the porcelain/stoneware/raku pieces and pulled them all out into the "maybe" pile. It took all I could muster up to put some back ! ha haaa!! But alas, in the good faith of sharing, many were placed back in to be enjoyed. (it was SO hard to pick my favorites...they were ALL favorites)<br /><br />Here are the pendants / focals that I've chosen from the stash:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt6hqTDT1S4/TWh1JFuxbRI/AAAAAAAAAD0/_6oEPVR6rZc/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt6hqTDT1S4/TWh1JFuxbRI/AAAAAAAAAD0/_6oEPVR6rZc/s400/IMG_1321.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577836937515986194" /></a><br /><br /><br />The next few things that caught my eye are unique! I think Lori Anderson & I have similar taste!! I managed to choose several of the items that she'd included when the box visited her.<br />I've selected some hanks of czech seed beads, some gemstones, a strand of pearls, a couple of handmade lampwork leaf beads, a shell pendant, a silk bead by Kristal Wick, some crystal spacers, and some beads that appear to be some form of wood (square with green sides):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVJ4-rbqv4M/TWh46s4pvHI/AAAAAAAAAEM/HN6OjbquG6M/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zVJ4-rbqv4M/TWh46s4pvHI/AAAAAAAAAEM/HN6OjbquG6M/s400/IMG_1323.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577841088374881394" /></a><br /><br />Last but not least, I kept digging and found even more cool stuff !! I really liked the lucite that Kelli Burns had donated, and while I felt bad taking the whole bag, Kelli had requested that these stay together - so together they stayed !! (and it makes sense - I imagine I'll end up using the beautiful assortment in one project! Great idea Kelli!!) <br />There was a nice hank of luster green leaves included, so I pulled a couple strands from that (perfect for fringe). There are a few gemstone focals I couldn't resist, a small assortment of champagne coated Swarovski crystals and a few random glass and gemstone beads:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbJlBeG-zAo/TWh517c1B3I/AAAAAAAAAEU/dOaUmLCaTss/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbJlBeG-zAo/TWh517c1B3I/AAAAAAAAAEU/dOaUmLCaTss/s400/IMG_1324.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577842105896994674" /></a><br /><br />Now - onto what was placed back into the box.<br />An assortment of fun seed beads was added, including Farfalle (or peanut shaped) beads & Miyuki's Long Magatamas:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tgrKfGSfw4/TWh7bV5cHbI/AAAAAAAAAEc/FJRHc1LxM_I/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1tgrKfGSfw4/TWh7bV5cHbI/AAAAAAAAAEc/FJRHc1LxM_I/s400/IMG_1325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577843848163106226" /></a><br /><br />A wide variety of czech glass & crafted lamp beads:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDyfOzgI4p0/TWh76axbKnI/AAAAAAAAAEk/JZ_OagoZzvg/s1600/IMG_1327.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDyfOzgI4p0/TWh76axbKnI/AAAAAAAAAEk/JZ_OagoZzvg/s400/IMG_1327.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577844382047611506" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CE91Ah3sjsg/TWh8HNvE7SI/AAAAAAAAAEs/wDa_MWLr2BA/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CE91Ah3sjsg/TWh8HNvE7SI/AAAAAAAAAEs/wDa_MWLr2BA/s400/IMG_1326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577844601886403874" /></a><br /><br />Charms by TierraCast<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-7Qygah4IU/TWh8d9EPnrI/AAAAAAAAAE0/RqeWH-iTRyg/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-7Qygah4IU/TWh8d9EPnrI/AAAAAAAAAE0/RqeWH-iTRyg/s400/IMG_1328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577844992548773554" /></a><br /><br />An assortment of craft wire from Parawire<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1FoRQ6l8aA/TWh8pDsrePI/AAAAAAAAAE8/CtUsQDWS0KA/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d1FoRQ6l8aA/TWh8pDsrePI/AAAAAAAAAE8/CtUsQDWS0KA/s400/IMG_1329.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577845183307544818" /></a><br /><br />A generous contribution from Marsha Neal Studio - when Marsha found out I was participating, she was all too happy to help!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIM4jLfrnj4/TWh9FFiADFI/AAAAAAAAAFE/VdcU-F0YFHo/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MIM4jLfrnj4/TWh9FFiADFI/AAAAAAAAAFE/VdcU-F0YFHo/s400/IMG_1330.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577845664835963986" /></a><br /><br />Lots of fun gemstones, all kinds of shapes & colors !! A lil bag of pearls and some metal beads<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QoM4qljA7-E/TWh9abo38LI/AAAAAAAAAFM/szC7rhSOAyI/s1600/IMG_1331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QoM4qljA7-E/TWh9abo38LI/AAAAAAAAAFM/szC7rhSOAyI/s400/IMG_1331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577846031547625650" /></a><br /><br /><br />And since I had sticky fingers with the artisan crafted porcelain / stoneware pieces, I can only hope that the next participants enjoy handcrafted as well. <br /><br />This batch of handmade lampwork beads was made by a very good friend of mine, glass artist, Jennifer Pagliarini<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8_Z2ocRZJc/TWh919LGndI/AAAAAAAAAFU/S1MhvtFlWJg/s1600/IMG_1332.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t8_Z2ocRZJc/TWh919LGndI/AAAAAAAAAFU/S1MhvtFlWJg/s400/IMG_1332.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577846504406031826" /></a><br /><br />This next batch of lampwork beads was made by me, Amy Blevins, of Bead & Glass Boutique<br />There are a bunch to choose from, so don't be shy. I just hope they are enjoyed as much as I enjoyed making them specially for this project !<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0hKoaTcNeU/TWh-FufyVrI/AAAAAAAAAFc/TrXfP_n6ZHY/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 219px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n0hKoaTcNeU/TWh-FufyVrI/AAAAAAAAAFc/TrXfP_n6ZHY/s400/IMG_1378.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577846775344158386" /></a><br /><br />Last but not least, some books published by Kalmbach<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exPJ7-FSPLQ/TWh-a7SjORI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HpyNspKB29U/s1600/IMG_1387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exPJ7-FSPLQ/TWh-a7SjORI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HpyNspKB29U/s400/IMG_1387.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577847139555555602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TjD-Sqw5ng/TWh-W_rnteI/AAAAAAAAAFk/yju_jy3LMEs/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4TjD-Sqw5ng/TWh-W_rnteI/AAAAAAAAAFk/yju_jy3LMEs/s400/IMG_1384.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577847072014972386" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now...I have to tell the short version of the week's happenings while the box was visiting. For those readers that are friends on Facebook, you already know the story of the Kitty that got into the Lilies in my Valentine's Day bouquet. Lilies are one of the most toxic plants that a cat can get into.<br />A complete accident (as the flowers had been sequestered from kitty), he managed to get his nose into them. We spent 3 very long days praying he would be OK. Numerous trips to and from the vet, transporting him to overnight emergency care, and back in the morning. <br />As a long hair kitty, the vet had to shave parts of his legs to keep the IV in, flushing his system.<br />The good news is DaVinci is now OK. But we were really scared for a good 4 days this week. As I said, he's my furry-child and I wouldn't know what to do without him.<br />Ironically, as the Best Little Bead Box arrived and the Courage Tiger was staying for a visit, DaVinci welcomed him upon being unloaded from the box. He brushed against him and stayed close while I sorted the box.<br />I couldn't think of a better little guy for the Courage Tiger to share a photo with. DaVinci's visiting buddy.....full of courage.<br />My little buddy was so exhausted the day he got to come home from the vet, he just crashed out under a blanket "tent" we made for him.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMNMOv5fAsE/TWh_ykhGnCI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Qx10bz_hUZY/s1600/DaVinci_Home_022311.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rMNMOv5fAsE/TWh_ykhGnCI/AAAAAAAAAF0/Qx10bz_hUZY/s400/DaVinci_Home_022311.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577848645271067682" /></a><br /><br />Here's DaVinci this morning, saying his goodbye to his new friend<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMRBm1HTtFM/TWiAJC_xQnI/AAAAAAAAAF8/B_T3GqhzYVA/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMRBm1HTtFM/TWiAJC_xQnI/AAAAAAAAAF8/B_T3GqhzYVA/s400/IMG_1389.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577849031409877618" /></a><br /><br />And seeing the 21 pound package off to its next destination<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwB9JiktoX8/TWiAVcTQVyI/AAAAAAAAAGE/km2UxQ7WMpc/s1600/IMG_1391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DwB9JiktoX8/TWiAVcTQVyI/AAAAAAAAAGE/km2UxQ7WMpc/s400/IMG_1391.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577849244360922914" /></a><br /><br />I am crazy for a couple of things in life: my kitty baby, my fiancee, and beads.<br />Yes - I "heart" my little kitty guy like a child, and not shy about admitting it....<br />So during a week where life was turned a bit upside down by fur-baby's incident, there was the box...full of joy, happiness, and solace.<br />It brought a peaceful calm to the end of a stressful week.<br /><br />I couldn't think of a better way to share with my new beading friends. Thanks so much for having me participate in this wonderful project!<br />Kudos to our coordinators, Carol Dean Sharpe and Jennifer VanBenschoten !!<br /><br /><br />.Amy B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16556819048890684939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-90591282604617341732011-02-25T16:08:00.000-05:002011-02-25T16:08:12.725-05:00Another box???The Best Little Bead Box is on its way from Amy's home in Maryland to our fourth beader (whose identity we will reveal this weekend). Joining it this afternoon, is a second, considerably smaller box from Carol Dean's home in New Mexico.<br />
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Back in December the talented and generous Vladislav Ivanov of <a href="http://golemstudio.com/">Golem Design Studio</a> in Bulgaria mailed off a package of his beads to Carol Dean, some of which were for a joint project of theirs but the rest were designated for The Best Little Bead Box. With severe weather in Europe at the time, we expected the usual 2-week trip to take up to 4 weeks. Never did we dream it would take more than two months for the package to reach its destination!<br />
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It arrived yesterday afternoon. Half of the treasure is being held back for Round Three. Because we had promised our Round Two beaders that they would not have to do without because of weather delays, this is what went out today:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abodv_sNFzA/TWgYQ1lOrwI/AAAAAAAAERo/OSIp1YRYtSg/s1600/Golem+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abodv_sNFzA/TWgYQ1lOrwI/AAAAAAAAERo/OSIp1YRYtSg/s400/Golem+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Itxu3_x5zWA/TWgXynQJsYI/AAAAAAAAERk/da3A2rwRLF4/s1600/Golema+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Itxu3_x5zWA/TWgXynQJsYI/AAAAAAAAERk/da3A2rwRLF4/s400/Golema+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIEUcyLLWiU/TWgXaz3l48I/AAAAAAAAERg/Hs22Lazjfic/s1600/Golem+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PIEUcyLLWiU/TWgXaz3l48I/AAAAAAAAERg/Hs22Lazjfic/s400/Golem+2.JPG" width="288" /></a></div><br />
All of our donors are amazing, and we are deeply grateful to them for their generosity. There is, however, something extra special about those "foreigners" (<a href="http://golemstudio.com/">Vlad</a> from Bulgaria, <a href="http://www.triz-beadingmania.blogspot.com/">Triz</a> from Israel, <a href="http://www.m-ixes.eu/">Marjorie</a> from The Netherlands) who would donate to a project for United States beaders to benefit a United States cause. Thank you!!!Carol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1731209957831693387.post-55970990071929116742011-02-19T13:50:00.001-05:002011-02-19T16:23:10.414-05:00Week Three - Amy BlevinsAmy Blevins of Pitman, New Jersey, will have The Best Little Bead Box to "play" with in the coming week.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9D9hVJ-j8o/TWAOrMpUXzI/AAAAAAAAEQw/aqWWskSWdyg/s1600/amy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H9D9hVJ-j8o/TWAOrMpUXzI/AAAAAAAAEQw/aqWWskSWdyg/s320/amy2.jpg" width="234" /></a><i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Occupation</b></i><b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">:</span></i></b> <br />
Financial Advisor (yes, I still have a full-time career) AND Bead Shop owner <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Website: </span></i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.beadandglass.com/">www.BeadAndGlass.com</a> <br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Blog: </span></b></i><br />
<a href="http://fastfuriousbeader.blogspot.com/">http://fastfuriousbeader.blogspot.com/</a> <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Facebook Fan Page:</b></i> <br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pitman-NJ/Bead-Glass-Boutique/61978214939">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pitman-NJ/Bead-Glass-Boutique/61978214939</a> <br />
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<i><b>Facebook Personal Page: </b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1285971285">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1285971285</a> <br />
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<i><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">How long have you been a beader/jewelry maker? </span></i></b><br />
7-8 years <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Why do you want to participate in the Best Little Bead Box project? </b></i><br />
This is a wonderful project, for an amazing cause. I’ve watched the first round with awe and excitement for each participant’s post. <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Have beads changed your life? How? </span></i></b><br />
Yes. Oh gosh… <br />
Well, it all started with a beaded bookmark & a need for stress relief. <br />
Migrating into massive amounts of stringing, crimping, and wire-wrapped loops. <br />
Followed shortly thereafter by buying in bulk & selling online. <br />
Dove into lampwork glass bead making. <br />
Leading to today’s venture – a full blown brick and mortar retail bead store, allowing me to enhance others’ lives by teaching customers their own beading stress relief techniques. <br />
So, all in all, I’d say “yes,” its kind of changed things a little bit. <br />
Have loved every waking minute of it. <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or advanced beader/jewelry maker? </b></i><br />
Advanced <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>How did you get started working with beads? </b></i><br />
My full time career is in a high-stress executive position. I used to do a lot of fictional reading to take my mind off my rough days. <br />
EBay provided not only a place to find used books but also unique bookmarks. <br />
During one perusing adventure, I located a beaded bookmark (sometimes referred to a book thong). One trip to a local big-box craft store was all it took! Bead-love inception. <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were a bead, what kind would you be? Why? </b></i><br />
Lampwork Glass <br />
Glass always has been and always will be, even though it can change its format. <br />
My life is a constant evolution of change and ventures. Its just fitting. <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>If you were stranded on a desert island and could have only one kind of bead with you, what would it be and why? </b></i>Seed beads - versatility <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">What is the best advice you've ever received from a bead artist, teacher or beading friend? </span></i></b><br />
Take your time, it doesn’t need to be perfect and there’s no prize for first done. <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Do you have a particular quote that you think reflects your personal philosophies? If yes, please share it. </b></i><br />
“Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks” <br />
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<b style="color: #274e13;"><i>What was the best beady gift that you have ever received? What was the best beady gift that you ever gave to someone else? </i></b>The best beading gift I ever received was from a generous fellow eBay friend. She had been making lampwork beads on a hot head for quite some time. When she upgraded to a dual fuel torch, she so very kindly sent me her hot head and the attachments necessary to get me started. <br />
I have since graduated into my own dual fuel torches, but will never forget the enthusiasm and good-hearted gesture she shared with me. <br />
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The best gift I’ve shared with someone… I’ve had a very great customer of mine stand in front of me in tears, thanking me for being ‘there.’ She was referring to opening the retail Boutique. Apparently when she found us, she had been struggling with something very important in her life. She admitted that we (the shop, the staff, and our friendship) was her saving grace. She spent a lot of time shopping, beading, and sharing ideas with all of us. Two and a half years later, she was pulling me aside, telling me how important we are in her life, thanking me for everyday we have had our doors open to give her a place to escape. <br />
While this is a business for me, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize that beading isn’t just about profits, its about sharing. <br />
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<i style="color: #274e13;"><b>Aside from beading, do you do any other crafts? What are they? </b></i><br />
Not anymore… <br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">What three words would best describe your current bead stash? </span></i></b><br />
Diverse <br />
Like old friends – always there when you need them (ok, that's more than three words...) <br />
Out-of-controlCarol Dean Sharpehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17163930598784445612noreply@blogger.com0