Summer's almost over! In a few more weeks, I have to go back to school and this time I'm teaching a new grade: Grade 4/5. I'm pretty excited about teaching this grade level for a number of reasons. It's an age group where I'd be teaching less of the basics of reading and writing and more interesting content material. I've never taught this age group before so I can't wait for the new experience. The problem is I have a lot of primary materials from teaching Grade 1 and 2's for so long. So how do I turn my primary materials into a junior classroom without spending a lot more money?
A few weeks ago, I ordered a ceramic pendent from Marti Conrad. I've seen her work on the Bead Soup Cafe and loved it! But I could never give myself a reason to spend the money on a new bead... until I saw this.
It's a dark brownish fish pendent! And since I've been fishing a lot this summer (husband loves fishing) and I love her stuff, it was a great reason to finally get one of Marti's lovely beads. When I got it I was so happy! It's so pretty! But how do I make it into a necklace? Well, after blog hopping during the last reveal, I noticed many people used waxed linen to macrame jewellery pieces. I've never used waxed linen before so I think I'll try it on the fish pendent. I'll post the finished product once I get myself some waxed linen and create something.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
App Review: Evernote
Looking for the Bead Soup Blog Party? Click Here!
Ever since getting my Samsung Galaxy S2, I've been downloading apps like crazy. There are many good apps that I found were useful in helping me organize my business. So I thought I'd review some of these android apps (although some have an iphone equivalent) that I think are useful for business, beading or just really cool! I'll try to post a new review every month. Here goes the first one!
Evernote
http://evernote.com/
AVAILABLE ON: Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7
Overall, Evernote is a great app to use for organizing all your ideas and notes in one place. As you can see in my second picture (look up) I created lists of items I need to buy and ideas. I can record my ideas when on my phone and then sync it and it'll be on my computer if I need it. And did I mention you can access your files from the web. So if you're at another computer, you won't need to download the program.
(I just typed this on the subway on my phone, then copy and pasted it onto blogger. What a good use if time:))
Evernote also has other apps that can be used with its original app:
Ever since getting my Samsung Galaxy S2, I've been downloading apps like crazy. There are many good apps that I found were useful in helping me organize my business. So I thought I'd review some of these android apps (although some have an iphone equivalent) that I think are useful for business, beading or just really cool! I'll try to post a new review every month. Here goes the first one!
Evernote
http://evernote.com/
AVAILABLE ON: Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7
Evernote was one of those apps that was raved about on Google Play. It was on the front page whenever I go into Google Play and I kept seeing ads about it. So I finally decided to give it a try. At first, I thought it was just a mobile app but soon realized that it could be downloaded onto your computer and other devices. It is best used on the computer to gather all your info and then its available on your phone. The phone app is used for gathering quick ideas on the run. I find that it works best when you create the more complicated notes (like creating a blog hop checklist) on the computer then use it on your phone. Some of the simpler functions like typing a note, taking a snapshot, voice recording etc. can easily be done on your phone.
The most useful thing I've done with this app is create a blog hop checklist of all the participants. From the computer, I copy and paste the entire list right from my blog. Then (somewhat tedious but not difficult to do) I manually put a check box next to each participants name. Now when I'm not near a computer I can still hop to a few blogs on my phone.
A list of items in one of my notebooks |
Bead Soup list of participants. I can click on the link to go to their blog then check off their name as I visit them. |
Overall, Evernote is a great app to use for organizing all your ideas and notes in one place. As you can see in my second picture (look up) I created lists of items I need to buy and ideas. I can record my ideas when on my phone and then sync it and it'll be on my computer if I need it. And did I mention you can access your files from the web. So if you're at another computer, you won't need to download the program.
(I just typed this on the subway on my phone, then copy and pasted it onto blogger. What a good use if time:))
Evernote also has other apps that can be used with its original app:
- Skitch - draw your ideas, on photos you've taken and attach it to your Evernote
- Evernote food - a food journal of all your food adventures
- Evernote Hello - keeps track of all the people you meet
- and more... check out their website to find out more
- Keep track of ideas that float through my head during the day or take a snapshot of something that inspires me for a beading project.
- Created a shipping checklist when I need to ship a package
- Make a list of projects that I need to finish so it doesn't keep swimming around in my head bothering me.
- Clip websites with ideas and tips about running a craft show.
- Create a checklist of all the participants in the Bead Soup Blog Hop so that I can check each person off as I visit their site. Best part is that I can do this all on my phone!
What do you think? Do you use Evernote? Let me know in the comments below and/or click one of the reactions.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
BSBP: The Reveal
**check out the other reveals HERE**
The day has finally come. It's party time! So sit back, drink some tea and enjoy some delicious bead soup.
My partner, Sandra Young, sent me this yummy purple-y, pink soup of beads. It consisted of a Jasper focal, flower clasp and many other lovely goodies.
The next necklace I made uses the really cute button shaped freshwater pearls. I love pearls! So for this piece I decided to hand knot the pearls using silk thread. At the ends I used matte Japanese square beads and attached it to a heart clasp that I've been trying to use for a while (the heart shaped was so small most of the beads I used wouldn't fit, therefore the toggle wouldn't go through).
I just love the button pearls. I think they're really cute. It's also very light to wear.
These are my favourite pair of earrings. When I first saw these Jasper drops I knew I was going to make them into earrings with the earring wires from Sandra. I love these! It has a little shine to them with the purple crystals.
My last piece is a dangle bracelet with the agate beads mixed with the purple crystals and some silver beads from my own stash.
And that's it! I hope you enjoyed that! This is my second time participating in the Bead Soup Blog Party and it has been a blast! I just want to thank Lori Anderson for hosting this year after year. It takes a lot of work pairing everyone up and organizing the hop. Also, thank you to Sandra, my partner for the lovely mix, I got to work with. Come see what she created with the soup I gave her.
Click me! |
Another really nice lady, Tanya of FusionMuse Thomas Pautler, created this site which lists all the participants from all three reveals. Be sure to check out some really talented artists.
Now it's time to hop on to Sandra's blog before I go to everyone else's. Have fun!
Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure
Amy Severino, Amy Beads
Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos
Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios
Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners
Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry
Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
Dhea Powers, Java Bead
Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio
Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads
Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations
Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae
Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place
Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio
Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life! <-----My Partner
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs <-----You are here!
Valerie Norton, Hot Art
Click HERE to see participants from the other reveal dates!
This Post is About:
Bead Soup,
Bead Soup Blog Party,
blog hop,
BSBP6,
Lori Anderson
Thursday, August 9, 2012
My New Studio!!!!
My "studio" started its humble beginnings in boxes and containers. I didn't have very much so it worked. It would be mobile so that I could bring it from my room to the living room and create while watching TV. I've always liked this arrangement except it caused me back and shoulder pain from looking down (I also like to sit on the floor, still do actually). All my beads would be all over the carpet and was a safety hazard for people walking around. It was also a terrible mess!
My old "studio"
So..... last week I decided to clear out a table in our bedroom that would solely be dedicated to beading. And during the school year, I can use it for school work. That solved the mess and back pain issues.
My new studio!
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