Bead Soup Party

Hello everyone!  I apologize for the lapse in blog posts, it has been a wee bit crazy busy lately.  I wanted to share photos of the bead soup I sent my partner Grace in the 7th annual bead soup party (challenge).  I haven't heard from my partner, but the delivery confirmation on the package I sent was February 13th, so hopefully she has looked at her package by now.  I hope she likes it!!!

First photo is of the bead soup (left) and the extra vintage earrings (right).  I packaged both in organza bags.

Here is the bead soup, it is a mixture of shell beads, different pearls, some glass and ceramic beads with a silver closure ~

Here is a photo of some of the vintage earrings I sent, except the bottom right earring.  I sent a variety or vintage earrings (only one of each style, gotta mix things up), but I do not have photos of some of the styles (at least not out of the organza bag, yikes) since I have used the partner earring or piece of several items in my mixed media projects or for pendants. This pic is reflective of the style of the pieces, or the partner of several of the pieces I sent.  I love vintage jewelry that I can cut up or use in other pieces.  It is really fun to upcycle or recreate items.  I wanted to send these as a bonus, since Grace does steampunk jewelry, and I think she could do something amazing with the vintage items.  Hope she likes these too! 

I received a very different type bead soup from Grace. :) Here is the bead soup as it  was packaged ~

 Here is the bead soup out of the plastic bags ~

I have to say, the beads are not my usual style, which is OK since that is part of the fun of the challenge.  Truthfully though, I had a moment of panic when I opened the package, especially with the eyeball beads and the lumpy bumpy glass bead that looked like it had lots of fish eyeballs on it.  They kind of scared me.  :)  The milifloral beads are colorful and interesting, but not my normal style either. The funny thing too is I have beads like the ceramic beads but mine are heart shaped.  I have never used them because they are a bit bigger (like almost two inches) than those in the bead soup, and I wasn't sure what to do with them once I received them.  Do you ever do that?  Order something and when you get it think, Why did I order this???  What was I thinking of making?  Anyway, after thinking about the variety of beads in the bead soup and what I could create with them, I got busy.  First, I grabbed my trusty wire and instantly felt calmer and more grounded.  After cutting and twisting my way through things I had a bracelet, necklace, and a pair of earrings!  How cool is that???  I blended some items in my  jewelry making stash to create a gift set for a friend, and I am pretty sure she will love it.  Her eclectic and international style is in line with the bead soup I received, and with the use of wire it fits my style of jewelry making too, perfect match.  

The reveal isn't until March 30, but here is a sneak peek of one item I made, using two of the most challenging to me anyway, he he he beads ~  

So happy I was able to create something with this colorful variety of beads!  I am thrilled that something that kind of had me panicked ended up turning out well.  It is good to try something outside our comfort zone every now and them.  I can't wait to see what other participants do with the huge variety of bead soups that went out.  Once reveal day arrives I will share photos of all the items I created. 

So my message to you today is try something that scares you, or that you would not normally do.  You might end up with something interesting, creative, or even spectacular.  At the very least you will expand your horizons!  :)  

I wish you a joyful and creative week ~ Pam 

WOOOO HOOOO!!! A Challenge!!!

Hello everybody!  I hope you have been able to join us in our grand reopening at The Art Studio!  You may have seen this, but if not, I wanted to make sure you saw it today!  I hope you play along, you can create any type artwork using our faboo logo colors, and upload your creation as described below.  I really look forward to seeing what you make!

Grand Opening - First Challenge & Prize

The Art Studio's Logo Challenge Back to topTo celebrate the Grand Opening of The Art Studio, we thought it would be fun to create artwork inspired by the colors of our logo. The turquoise, white and black were the perfect jumping off point for a variety of projects from layouts to cards and everything in between. For awesome artwork, check out our blog to see how our instructors used our logo's colors. How to Participate: Join us in The Art Studio's Challenge Group . You must register on our site to submit your artwork. Please feel free to leave love and praise for others while you're there.  The Prize: Faber-Castell goodies, including gelatos, watercolor pencils and other mixed media items. The Fine Print: All entries must be submitted by Sunday, November 11, 2012. You must have your name (or username ) clearly visible so we can contact you for more information. Please note that any prizes not claimed within 30 days will go to another randomly selected artists. Please Note: If it doesn't allow you to upload to the challenge's album (some browsers have restrictions), then please feel free to start your own album. You can add as many as you like. Just have fun, create and let us see!

Hi there! Are you going to CHA next week?

I am fortunate enough to be going to CHA this time, WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I am so excited, I have been a fabric, craft, and paper addict forever it seems. Well, at least since age 9, which believe me was a looooooooooong time ago! :) I made some badge holders to wear for a few buddies. Here is a pic of mine, I am still adding a wee bit of embellies, but keep changing my mind on what I want to add. I did fold and stitch my ribbon in half, I like it a wee bit better this way~



Here is a pic of the 4 badge holders I made ~



Here is a pic of the embellies I sent to everyone with their badge holders (so they can customize them to their liking if they wish to add a bit) ~



Can't wait to meet them in person, we have been online pals for quite some time now. Should be lots of fun. I can't wait to meet lots of my online friends at CHA, it will be so exciting!!! Plus just see all the fabulous crafty goodness that is available, oooooooooh my!

I have a challenge posted at Citrus Tree Studio, hope you will join in the fun. I had the ad or art inspiration challenge for July. I used this art piece by Linda Paul, I loved the rich summery colors and beautiful peppers ~



I created a little mini using the fab fab FAB July Port Townsend kit. My inspiration from the piece, the beautiful ruch summery colors and the cascading theme~



Front unfolded ~



Back unfolded ~



You can check out the kit here. Make sure you check out the challenges while you are on the site!

Remember I told you I would have directions on creating 4 mini albums using white cardstock, mist sprays and some of your favorite patterned paper? Well, it was posted on the Bind-It-All Blog on Tuesday July 13 if you would like to take a peek. Of course I used the oh-so-fabulous So Lovely Collection by LilyBee, LOVE that stuff!!! There are boatloads of pics posted in my tutorial. I would love it if you stop by and scroll down to view it. Please leave me a comment so I know you stopped in. :)

Well, I have been a sewing nut lately, and boy has it been fun. I haven't had a chance to sew much in the last year or so, and since that is something I have been doing since I was nine years old, I miss it when I don't have time. Here are a few things I have created lately ~








I will be working on wedding flower girl dresses soon, as well as lots of tablerunners and other wedding type items. Can't wait!!!

Time to run, I have to can pickles, spicy beans, and make 150 zucchini muffins today. Not to mention plan out my CHA trip for Tuesday, yikes! Hope to see you there, if not, I will catch up with you here when I return. Happy crafting everybody! Have a super week ~ Pam