It's finally summer....

My  year with the Grade 4/5 munchkins was quite a challenge. Just dealing with drama everyday gave me a headache but I've learned a lot from them. Since I'm an LTO, my contract with the school ended and I had to look for a new positiong for September.  It was sad to leave this school that I've worked for for the past The last two weeks of school was all about sending out resumes and hoping for an interview.  Fortunately, I had one ye three years but I think I've done what I had to do there and it was time to move on. Yesterday I had an interview and I am now a grade 1 teacher in September until November. At least I know what I'm doing in a few months.  

It's been almost a year since I last touched my beads. Next week, I'll be on vacation to Hong Kong and Japan which leaves only this week to do some beading. So, today I set up my temporary beading area in our bedroom which may eventually be moved into either a room upstairs or the basement.  Not sure what the best set up is right now.  

So clean.....

 I took out some charms and white Swarovski pearls and started making some new wedding jewelry designs. The funny thing was that since I haven't made any jewelry in a year, I almost forgot how to hand knot the pearls.  lol Good thing these skills never leave you! After a slow start, I hope to have at least one finished product before I leave for vacation.

The start to a nice mess.

Working on a new project!

More Bead Soups! 2nd Reveal

Looking for my Bead Soup reveal? Click Here

The Bead Soup Blog Party isn't over yet! The second reveal is today with over 200 out of 541 participating in this round and a special group of non-bloggers through Facebook. Lori Anderson, the hostess, mapped out all the participants and here it is:

Even though my reveal day is over and done, there's still more soups to see! Click on the link below for the list of the second reveal participants

Second Reveal Participants

Enjoy!

BSBP: The Reveal

It's that time of year again! The Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal is here and I get to share what I've created with my partner's bead soup. For those of you who've just joined, BSBP is Lori Anderson's baby. She hosts this event each year for beaders all over the world. Participants are paired up and beads are sent to each other. Then each person creates something with the goodies they are given and posts it on their blog on their reveal date (there are three dates). The only rule is that we must use the focal and clasp in our pieces. Visit www.beadsoupblogparty.com for more info.

My partner is Deanna Cox from Collette Designs and she gave me a lovely mix of blue and green soup. She sent me a beautiful handmade OOAK tree focal. I'm always amazed by the artists that make these kinds of beads because of the detail they put into it. Deanna also gave me some "Collette Originals". She is such a great lady, she even gave me some bits of extras "just because" :) Thanks, Deanna!

I ended up creating three necklaces and a pair of earrings.

See this post for the soup she sent me. Click here.

Ready for the REVEAL!!! Here it is!


For the first piece I made I used the focal and the vintage Swarovski necklace. I linked it to the vintage brass chain with some of Deanna's "extra" goodies then added some bronze Swarovski pearls from my own stash and some other beads from my soup.

The etched brass link and keyhole tags are some of Collette's Originals. The clasp that went with the vintage Swarovski chain necklace ended up being the clasp on the side of this necklace.

This second necklace was partly inspired by the movie "Oz the Great and Powerful" that I watched during the time I made this piece. I used the Vintage Japan Spring Green Spatter glass beads and the darker Vintage green beads to create this necklace. 

In between the links I used some of the gold links from the soup to give it some colour (gold.... yellow brick road.... get it? haha). Deanna's etched brass clasp is attached to this necklace. This flower shaped bead link is actually not attached to the necklace. I couldn't decide whether to add it in, leave it out or put two (one on each side). But here it is!

This last necklace is a simple design but beautiful because of the beads. I love simple! When I saw the beautiful, shiny Swarovski beads, I knew I wanted them in a simple necklace. I used the left over brass chain, two of the Vintage Czech glass beads, some brass bead caps and one of my flower links.

I call these my eggplant earrings! I had some of my bronze teardrop Swarovski pearls to match it with the bead caps then added the Vintage Czech glass and voila! A simple earring I can wear with the focal necklace.

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

Well, that's it for this year! Now it's time to visit Deanna's blog to see what she made with my "sunshine" soup. Here is what I sent her:

Let's see what she made with it: Click Here!

Now it's time to hop on to the other participants and see what they've created. You can click on the link below to see the list. Then come back on April 6th and April 13th to see the second and third reveal. Happy Hopping!

First Reveal Participants

I'm a house owner!!

Last month, we finally found a place that we both loved. We put in an offer and after some negotiations we got the house! Our move in date will be the first week of May so that means lots of packing and moving heavy boxes. I can't wait to move in. I already have an idea of where to set up my little studio. I'll finally have a room all to myself for beading!

SMILE!

My Sweet students

Teaching Grade 4/5 this year has been really busy. Not only am I learning a whole new curriculum, I'm also learning how to teach and interact with this age group. Some days they drive me crazy with all their arguing with each other and all the drama issues that I have to help them solve. Other times they make me laugh with just being who they are.

One day I find this:

Each month the students vote for the classmate who
shows the character trait of the month. This month is
Perseverance. I took a peak at the votes and found this.
So encouraged to keep going!

I have a wonderful, but crazy group of students!

My Bead Soup is Here!

It is the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party and my third time participating. This time I've been paired with the lovely Deanna Cox from Collette Designs. For more about the Bead Soup Blog Party please visit Lori Anderson's blog. 

A few weeks ago we both received our bead soups but I've been super busy with moving houses to actually find the time to take pictures and blog. Now that it's March Break, I'm going to spend a lot of time with my soup and blog! But anyways, this is what I sent her. Notice the butterflies...hehehe... (I love butterflies!)

As for the ingredients I received? Well, here it is! This will be my first time working with vintage material but that's stepping outside my comfort zone. That's why I love participating in the BSBP. Meeting new people and being challenged.

OOAK handmade focal

Focal and special clasp

The rest of the soup ...

vintage swarovski necklace

The soup is brewing and the ingredients are cooking. Come back on March 30th to find out what I've made from this soup!

Bead Soup Sneak Peak

Bead Soup Blog Party is coming up and I've been paired up with the talented Deanna Cox!

This time around there are 500 participants spread out into three reveal dates: March 30, April 6 & April 13. For more info about the party visit www. beadsoupblogparty.com.

But here is a sneak peak of the soup I'm sending to Deanna. Watch out for the next post where I interview my BSBP partner.

Bead Soup Sign Ups!

Even though I've been so busy these past few months, I have to sign up for the Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Lori Anderson. Lori hosts this awesome event every year where each participant is paired up and sends each other a "soup" of coordinating beads. When you receive your package of a focal, clasp, and other lovely matching goodies, it's as exciting as getting a Christmas package in the mail!

Here are some of my pieces from the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party. Or you can click the images on the side to see the blog post.

A New Year

***Turducken*** A New Year's Eve tradition. Chicken and
duck stuffed into a turkey, layered with strips of bacon......

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

The holiday is almost over with a few more days to go. After all the delicious food I've had this past week it's time to think about the future of my "hobby business".

I've come to realize a few things.
1.  I haven't created any new items for half a year. Part if the reason is my day job as a teacher. Teaching a new grade makes my life a bit busier than normal. I come home from work and all I want to do is rest and watch mindless t.v. and then do some more marking/planning till it's time to sleep. The other reason is that I really don't have the motivation the create anything. So I have decided to put my shop on hiatus for a bit. I won't be renewing anymore but I will still be taking custom orders. And maybe do some bead soup... :)

2. I've been to a few craft/handmade shows this year and I find that the people who go to these shows are young women with kids. I wanted to sell at a craft show one day but now I don't think that is where my target audience are. Most of my customers are people who purchase for weddings. They most likely will not go to a craft show looking for bridal jewellery. So.... I probably won't be entering into a show anytime soon. Unless I come up with a line of jewellery that is unique and serves the audience at craft shows.

3. Even if I had the motivation and the time to work on new pieces, I don't have a convenient area to work. Even though in a previous post,  I mentioned that I made room on my bedroom table, it is now taken over by school related material. The hubby and I are in the process of looking for a new place to live so hopefully I can find something soon and set up a real studio!

So, in conclusion, it's time to say goodbye (or see you soon) to my shop for the next little while and move into my new house (after I find one of course), then set up a studio work space for my beady stash.

HELLO 2013.....

***Update***

We've bought a new house!!! I'll be moving at the end of this month (April 2013) and have already picked out a room for a studio.  A real studio! With a desk, chair and hopefully some shelves! So that means I might be starting up my shop again by the summer! Yeah!!!! 

A Very Late Necklace

Normally after your wedding you would give a gift to the pastor that married you. So the hubby and I decided to do something special for our pastor. It would have been easier to just give him a monetary gift or a random gift card but we wanted to so something a little more special and meaningful. The hubby suggested that I make a necklace for the pastor's wife and then we would buy a gift card to a nice restaurant. Our gift to the pastor that married us: He would take his wife out on a date and give her a pearl necklace as a gift!

We've been married for a year and a bit now...... and we finally finished the gift. (it took us a while to think of something special)

Here's the necklace I made!

A review of Prima Bead's Jewellery Kit

About a month ago, Prima Bead contacted me to review one of their products. Prima Bead is a jewellery supply company that is just over a year old. Their sister company Cousin has been around for many many years. They sent me one of their kits that included all the required materials: a 3-in-1 tool, beading mat and full colour instructions. All I had to do was give them an honest review.

I don't usually use jewellery kits but this one is well worth the money.  It is one of several jewellery kits that Prima Bead sells. They also sent me a full colour catalogue of all their beading products and supplies.  Everything was easy to make when you follow the instructions. I had so much fun putting them together!

So let's get into the details!

3-in-1 Tool:

The first thing I went to look at was my new tool. I was so excited for a tool that has the three essential tools I normally use, all packed in one. When I opened it, I found black powder-dirt on the inside of the tool. It was  part of the metal so all I had to do was clean it up and it was good to go. So no big deal...

Instructions manual:

The instructions were easy to read and in full colour. It was also in three languages (English, French, Spanish) so you don't have to worry if your English isn't so good. The first page showed a legend of the different findings and beads. It also had a bead size chart that you could use to measure your beads if you weren't sure what size they were. At the back of the instructions there were tips on making jewellery. So if you were a beginner this manual had everything you needed to make the jewellery. 

Materials:

The materials were packaged very nicely and in separate compartments so you won't get them mixed up. Alot of kits I've seen have all the materials in one baggy so you would have to sort it all out before you could even start making anything.  They included extra material in case you make an oopsie. Which is nice cause even an experienced jewellery maker can screw up. They also included a beading mat, which was nice since I didn't have one.  :)

Overall, this was a great kit for both beginners and advanced beaders. Beginners have all the tools and instructions to help them with their new hobby and the difficulty level can still be challenging for an advanced beader. Everything you need is in the box!

You can buy the kit here:  http://www.primabead.com/Jewelry-Class-in-a-Box-Gold-Chain-Kit-P2902.aspx

Or visit their site for more kits and other beading supplies!  www.primabead.com

Here are the pieces that I made! Aren't they pretty! My sister already claimed the green/gold chain one.

App Review: Canada Post

* This app is for the Canadian Postal Service so it doesn't really apply to anyone international. Sorry.


Canada Post
www.canadapost.ca

AVAILABLE ON: Android, iPhone, Blackberry

Most of the functions don't apply to my business. The only functions I use are the package tracking, finding a location and price of a package.

When you track a package you type in the package id. It also gives you an option to type in the name of the package which is useful when you have multiple packages getting shipped. I usually write in who the package is being sent to or what it is for. This is the most useful function in this app.

Like I said earlier there is not much use for the app. Hopefully Canada Post can upgrade it to have more useable functions.

What do you think? Do you use Canada Post? Let me know in the comments below and/or click one of the reactions.

New Bead, New Grade

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.

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

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

HOW I USE EVERNOTE:

1. 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. 
2. Created a shipping checklist when I need to ship a package
3. Make a list of projects that I need to finish so it doesn't keep swimming around in my head bothering me.
4. Clip websites with ideas and tips about running a craft show.
5. 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.

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. 

 I wanted to use the focal and clasp on one piece. The Jasper pendent looked best by itself. At least I thought so. At first, I put the focal on a silver chain and attached it to the flower clasp but what kind of challenge was that. It was too simple of a design that I scraped it.  Then this piece went through several more changes before I ended up using Amethyst seed beads that I got a long time ago at a bead show. I was going to add some of the faceted crazy lace agate but I didn't like how it went. I thought it best to keep the design simple because that's how I like it. Why complicate it with more beads when it looks great already.

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.

 My next two pieces are earrings. The first pair I used some copper wire and wire wrapped two of the Muscavite brios. Then I added the rhodonite rounds to make it dangle some more.

 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.

https://sites.google.com/site/beadsoupparty2012/home

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!