Saturday, July 14, 2012

Apple Pie Dough and a Coke Can

I've been working on my bead soup this week and so far I've gotten 1 piece finished. For some reason, I always have trouble designing a necklace with a focal piece. But I guess that's part of the challenge. I still have a few weeks to go.

This week I decided to use up some apples and make an apple pie. It's the first time making a pie so I looked up some recipes on how to make an apple pie.


Some things I learned:
  • Pie crust dough needs to be refrigerated so that the crust becomes flaky when baked.
  • Refrigerated pie crust is very hard to roll.
  • If you don't have a rolling pin, use a coke can. Just don't open the can to have a drink after all that hard work rolling the dough.

And now I've made my first apple pie! Yum!!!! I need some ice cream to go with it.


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

BSBP: My Soup is here!


It's here! My bead soup from Sandra arrived this morning in its pretty pink packaging. Opening it was like opening a birthday present.

My partner is Sandra Young from Gypsy Road Beads. Our next step is to use the focal, clasp and the extra beads to create something.  Then on August 11th we post our designs.

This is my second time participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. Joining these swaps and blog hops allows me to create using materials outside of what I usually use.


And here is what Sandra sent me......


I opened up the packages and my oh my! What do I see? Lots of pretty beads with a focal and silver findings. The colours are so coordinated and perfect together.

So lets unpack the package:

Crazy Lace Agate

crystals, rhondite and
brown freshwater button pearls

Impression Jasper focal
Rough-cut impression Jasper and
Muscavite Brios

Sterling earwires, bail and clasp


And here they are all together! Purple is my favourite colour and this mix has a bit of that plus a mix of other colours. I don't usually use gemstones in my designs but these are absolutely beautiful and ideas are already swirling in my head. 

One of the best parts of being a teacher is the summer holidays: more time to create and design! Can't wait to get started.




*********************************

Here is the soup I sent to Sandra. During our discussions of what materials/skills we wanted to try, she mentioned that she wanted to try knotted jewellery. PERFECT! I knew just what to send her.  A couple of pearls, silk thread and other "extras" later, Sandra's bead soup was ready!

Sandra's bead soup
Check out her blog to find out her reaction. I wonder what she's going to make????

See you all on August 11 for the BIG REVEAL!!!!!!!!!!!


Saturday, July 7, 2012

A Necklace for Grandma

As a handmade designer, I would of course have my stash of supplies at home. That also means family members have access to me. When I was living with my parents, my mom and sister had me make jewellery pieces for themselves and relatives. I didn't mind, as this gave me a chance to create new products and just have some beading fun. Some of these designs even ended up in my store. The one I made for my mom and mother-in-law for my wedding is currently for sale now! This is the latest design I made for my husband's grandmother in HK. 



I used 10mm dark grey Swarovski pearls and 8mm light grey Swarovski pearls. The two strands are then connected with three silver toned rhinestone connector. Made this in two hours one night after school. Because I already had a long day, I was cross-eyed by the end of the night. I'm very happy how it turned out. Even better than I originally planned.



I've entered this necklace in a contest by www.artbeads.com.  If you like, go vote for it during July 19-24. The winning design gets to be featured in their gallery.  


Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party #6: Soup Sneak Peak





Bead Soup Blog Party
It's party time! This is my second time participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party. We are paired up with a partner and then we send each other soup full of delicious beads. Our soup includes a focal, clasp and other beads. Then we make something beautiful out of the soup we get. 

This time, my partner is Sandra Young.  Check out her work:
Shop: http://shop.gypsyroadbeads.ca
Blog: http://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gypsy_road_bead
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GypsyRoadBeadsStudio

We can't reveal what we sent until we receive our bead soup but here is a sneak peak of the soup I sent to Sandra. Can't wait to see what she does with them! I'll reveal the bead soup when she receives the package.







Pantone Colour Bead Swap

Wow! It's been a while since I blogged. It's July now and school is out!!!! Yeah! So I can focus more on my shop and creating new products.  After a year of classroom trashing and other challenges, I'm ready to get back to may "business hobby".  lol.

Last month, I participated in Lori Anderson's Pantone Colour Bead Swap.  I'm learning so much through these hops and challenges. Here is what I sent to my partner Tania Hagen:
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Just like the BSBP, we were paired with a partner and discussed what we sent and how much.  Tania and I decided to send a bit of all the Pantone colours.  My first task was to find out what are Pantone colours.  Apparently, Pantone are the peeps that decide what the colours of the year are. Each year and season, there are a new group of colours for designers to play around with.

I have a few of the same beads I gave to Tania and of course the bunch that I got from her.  It's time to get them out and start making something!



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