Make A Statement :: Featuring Therese Frank's Cabochon

Today's hop is hosted by Sally Russick featuring cabochons. She's left the rules a little loose so that people can create with their cabochons using metal smithing, wire wrapping, bead weaving or bead embroidery. I decided to go with a beaded bezel for my cabochon. But not just any cabochon, but one created by my beady friend Therese. 

I wanted to give a little shout out to her hop for next weekend with the ATTS crew (A Time To Stitch) for the 7th installment. Christine and Therese have been hosting this hop for the last few years now (has it really been that long?), and this upcoming hop (Saturday June 6) features bead embroidery. Therese was so sweet to share with many of us her cabochons that she personally made. Her skills seem to know no boundaries, and now she's added lapidary to them. Click here to see some of the other's she made.

The one she sent me I think is just beautiful. It is a plume agate and seems to have a landscape pattern to it. In doing a bit of homework on this type of agate I found that there are several large areas in Eastern Oregon and Idaho (the Owyhee Mountains and Graveyard Point) where they mine this type of agate. They say that plume agates are a seam agates and get their names from the plume like shapes from inclusions in the stones. Many are cloudy plumes, but you'll find brown and black mineral inclusions as well. One 'rock hound' said that when the agate is exposed to the elements it tends to make it look fractured, stained and cloudy. However these stones form, they make for some gorgeous eye candy to bead around.

For my cabochon I decided to use a mix of 'mineral' colors in gun metal grey, copper, brass and gold to highlight all those beautiful inclusions in Therese's stone. I tried (for quite some time) to add leather for the strap, but it just wasn't going to happen. I gave up and went with a simple chainmaille instead which gave this piece just the right balance and substance that I was looking for.

Please be sure to check out all the other artists and their cabochon pieces: Sally (our host), Therese, Sandi, Karin, Paula, Veralynne, Elizabeth, Niky and Terri

Blog Book Tour :: Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading

I know that I've already told you about Karen's new book Explorations in Freeform Peyote Beading, but when she said she was doing a book tour I just had to jump in!

You all may know that Karen is the reigning queen of freeform, and for good reason. Have you seen her work? There was one piece she showed on her blog as a work in progress that I just could not wait to see how she finished called: Messages in a Bottle. Yep it is in here, And yep, it is as amazing as I thought it would be. But I'll let you guys all run over to Karen's blog to get a preview from her.

I thought instead that I would give you a second peek at some of the work in the book. Aaaaaand, since I already shared with you one of my featured pieces, I asked Karen if instead of talking more about me (which of course is fun and all) it would be ok to give you all a peek at someone else in the book: Bobbie Rafferty. 

I could gush all afternoon about Bobbie's beadwork, and was thrilled when Karen said it would be great to give a shout out on her piece. But what I really wanted to know was the story behind the intriguing face? And so I asked Bobbie, and she told me that it was something a friend gave her years ago who owned a bead shop where she taught. Where she of course also frequently shopped ... what self respecting beader could hold back if you just happened to be in the shop teaching?!

Her friend bought several of the faces, but people weren't buying as the light purple tint on the profile seemed challenging? So her friend handed one to Bobbie and said "do something with it." Bobbie certainly did! But she did confess that it took her 10 years to finish, LOL. This baby went back and forth across state lines and was part of a pack up and move, then rediscovery before it was complete. 

Bobbie told me her inspiration was the sea. She said ....
"She just always looked like a mermaid or sea nymph to me, and the color of her face was the soft pinkish purple you find inside a shell. I had tiny shells from the beach, which I thought I could weave in, but getting the needle through the natural lengthwise hole formed by the swirl of the shell was impossible. I was afraid that they were too delicate to drill a hole into. So even though I swore everything would be stitched around the face, glue became my friend in making the hair. After that, I completed the bezel, made some ruffles to imitate waves and seafoam, started expanding the freeform."

I can imagine that this piece lured many to pick it up, and Bobbie said she sure did ...

"Once she was finished, she was always front and center in my display at shows, serving as a great lure for passersby into my booth.  She was in an exhibition at the Kentucky Artisans Center. I wore her to a couple of events. And then at one show, she went home with a charming lady who fell in love with her."

There are just so many wonderful pieces to pour over in Karen's book. And it isn't all just eye candy (which I know we all love). She's also got lots of instruction on stitches. and she makes it a point to show how artist bring their pieces together. Anyone who has tried freeform has likely struggled a bit with it - at least at first. It feels messy, and there aren't any instructions. So getting a sense of the thought process can be very helpful when you're trying to find your freeform style. Karen really covered a lot of territory in this book!

I hope you'll take the time over the next few days to stop in and visit the other artists on the book tour. Oh and there is a drawing too! Just hop around to the blogs and comment. Each comment (per blog) counts as an entry in the drawing (a total of 8 for each participating blog). Karen will announce the winner on her blog Saturday January 24th.

Book Blog Tour and Launch Party  January 15-20, 2015

Thursday (January 15) Karen Williams of Baublicious
Friday (January 16) Cynthia Machata of Antiquity Travelers
Saturday (January 17) Nancy Dale of NED Beads
Sunday (January 18) Bobbie Rafferty Beadsong Jewelry
Monday (January 19) Natalia Malysheva of Aqvatali
Monday (January 19) Sarah Meadows of Saturday Sequins
Tuesday (January 20) Ibolya Barkóczi of Ibolya-gyöngyei 
Tuesday (January 20) Mandi Ainsworth of Bead Circle 

Featured :: Janet :: Honey From The Bee

While I was away a lovely Christmas package came from a friend of mine, Janet. 

Some of you may know her blog Honey From the Bee where she shows you some of her talents like photography, travel writing, painting, knitting, crocheting, and even hooking rugs. Seriously ... is there anything that Janet can't do? 

But of course my favorite is to see her jewelry. Deep colors, romantic style ... just simply gorgeous jewelry. You can check out her Etsy shop to see her work.

I was totally surprised when I got the package from Janet and opened it to find these beautiful, red lampwork glass earrings inside! Aren't they stunning! And so festive for the holidays! I've been sport'n these babies for days now.

There is a series that Janet created last year that is one of my top favorites from 2013: bullet casing earrings. Yep, I said bullet casings. I can't think of a better way to use bullets than to make these pretty etched earrings! She calls the series Flower Child, which she used the image of a protest in the 1960s with a man putting flowers into the barrels of a soldiers' guns. The soldiers were protecting the Pentagon during an anti-war demonstration.

This series also introduced me to a new favorite fiber bead (middle right earrings), which I am now the proud owner of an array of these beads from Jimena's Treasures. I used these copper & fiber coil beads in one of my designs for Christine's Vintage Wooden Spool Challenge back in November. Thank you Janet for my new earrings, introducing me to a new artist, and for your continuing friendship.

Featured :: Patti of My Addictions

Last week I found out that I won a pair of Patti's earrings! I confess, I have been coveting her work for awhile. What's not to love? her metal work is gorgeous! Check out her Etsy site and her blog to see her work.

I saw a pair of her earrings up close a few months back and can tell you they were as beautiful up close as I had imagined. And when these arrived in the mail ... seriously beautiful. 

This is exactly the kind of wire work I'd like to do some day. Maybe we can get Patti to teach a class? 

Thank you Patti for my new favorite earrings! I put them on and haven't taken them off since. They are fantastic!

Featured :: Bikbik & Roro

This post is crazy long over due. Back in July my friend Janice over at Bikbik & Roro sent me the sweetest package. It included this cute little guppy pin that I absolutely adore! And she included some fun stuff for my girls (stickers - which my youngest still loves to collect) and a ghostlet postcard. 

She makes each pin by hand with recycled heavyweight paper and fabric, and a lot goes in to each one. She mounts them on thick illustration board and painstakingly hand cuts, paints, sands and varnishes each one to make these cuties. But then all her wonderful items in her shop are such wonderful handmade items like her soft toys and tabby cat totes. Check out her shop!

It was back in July when I sent two of my beaded fish to two big sisters over in Singapore that were expecting a baby brother. Yes, Janice has a beautiful new baby in her family. And even in her last weeks of pregnancy, she was so organized to exchange fish with me! And I absolutely love mine. 

Featured :: Lindy's Designs

One of the most amazing things I've discovered in meeting so many people in the beading community is watching artisans grow. I love the comradery especially when I see artists helping artists. It warms my heart.

I have been working with Linda Younkman on Bead Chat Magazine for some time now, and have seen her evolve her style and really come into her own. It is an amazing thing. She's been working with Melinda Orr and picking up all kinds of ideas and use with leather. Melinda really enjoys showing and teaching others what she knows. She's just a kind soul that way.

But Linda does have her own flare. When she told me she was a 'cowgirl at heart' I could not resist picking up this amazing focal from Jana of Happy Fish for her. But I tell you, I would never have guessed she'd create this design. Isn't it awesome! And look at the beauty of it displayed prominently in the pages of the magazine (pg 59-60). 

I don't think this one is for sale. I popped over to her Esty and didn't see it listed. Can't say I blame her as I'd want to keep this one too!

Featured :: Melinda Orr

I recently order several copper component pieces from Melinda of Orrtec. I have been working with Melinda for the past many months on Artisan Whimsy and loving every minute of it. But I realized that I'm creating with components from many designers, but have yet to with Melinda's work. I needed to rectify that pronto! So I put in an order, and wouldn't you know it she spoiled me! She was so sweet and sent me all kinds of extra pieces!

I love these red beads she included, which she tells me are dyed howlite. They are fantastic! I paired them up with copper components and beads from Melinda. The colors blend beautifully, and they have a nice weight to them.

Copper has not been a regular material in my repertoire, but it is making it's appearance! There are quite a few more projects in mid-stream with Melinda's components which will be making their appearance here. I do really love the copper that she sent me. And I am simply in love with this color combo of deep, deep red with copper! Now I am digging through my stash to see what else I can create with this style.

Featured :: Memories for Life

I've been meaning to show you all a set of custom glasses I asked Edi over at Memories for Life to make for me. My girls love pretty much anything mustache related, and if it is a joke; well then all the better. They are just silly that way.

I asked Edi to make me a set of 4 for my girls to giggle over with their favorite beverages. 
Edi and I spent a few days trying to find our favorite 4 mustache jokes and decided on: 
1. I "mustache" ask you a question
2. I'd love to stay and chat, but I really "mustache"
3. If you really "mustache" ... I'm thirsty
4. Let's shave it for later

Yes the girls giggled over each one. As you can see, mustache-related anything is a constant source of laughter with my girls. It is hard to choose between pointed ears and round ears being more silly.

Check out Edi's Etsy. She makes such fun wood and etched glass pieces, including a whole line of wood cards for anniversaries, weddings, birthdays ... and well, whatever else you can think up. Every piece is custom just for you.

Stringing Magazine :: Spring Issue

I am (of course) an avid reader of Stringing Magazine and for years I've seen the bylines of all the wonderful bead artists that I blog with. But in this last issue I finally joined the ranks of all those amazing beaders and artisans! 

 

The latest call to artists included a few various themes, one of which was for the most recent trend emerging for Art Deco from a revival brought on by The Great Gatsby. 

Stringing Magazine put out the call to use a theme of the Great Gatsby while using colors from a Vintage Moxie color pallet. Since I recently received some gorgeous deer leather from Nina Designs and had a stash of pearls (including some pale pinks) I could immediately tell that I had the the right color pallet and I absolutely love this genre.  So I knew I was in to submit for this last issue.

I was so excited when I heard from the magazine that they wanted to include my bracelet, but I had no idea that it would be a feature. I was so thrilled once I saw the issue and realized that my bracelet was the only one in among an amazing array of necklaces in the first section of the magazine.

Thank you Stringing Magazine for picking my design and making my day.

Featured Artisan :: Lesley Watt of THEAtoo

Back in December Lesley was celebrating her 1000th sale of her Etsy shop called THEAtoo. She announced a giveaway on her blog The Gossiping Goddess (isn't that the best name for a blog!). And I was lucky enough to win! 








I already created a pair of earrings with the gorgeous bronze headpins. This is the second piece I made using the bronze bracelet bar that she designed from a real oak leaf. It is so beautiful that I really wanted it to be the center stage. What I was concerned about is that there is a single hole on either end. So I was worried that if I didn't make the band substantial enough the bracelet bar would flip around. So I created a peyote beaded backing and then added strings of micro seed beads on either side. The clasp is a piece of suede that I stitched each bead string in to, and then finished with brass crimps. The bracelet fits like a glove.

Thank you Lesley! I have had so much fun playing with these bronze components! Your work is stunning. And I still have that gorgeous leaf clasp to work with!

Featured Blog :: Moncy3

A few weeks back Claudia over at Moncy3 asked if I would consider being interviewed for her featured artist series. I was thrilled! 

I had learned about Claudia's blog because another bloggy friend of mine, Janice at Bikbik & Roro, had told me she had been interviewed. Claudia had done such a wonderful interview of Janice that I was very excited when she asked me.

So I'm doing a quick shout out to click over to her blog today and see the interview she did on me! Thanks Claudia! Isn't this a lovely picture of her and her family from this Christmas.

Blogger Award: Premio Dardos

The lovely Marcela at Fashion Adictas has given me a most wonderful award ... the Premio Dardos. Thank you Marcela! It means a lot to me that someone with so much talent and creativity has decided to share this with me. (That is, once I figured out the meaning of the award!)  

Ok, so my search did make me laugh just a bit because I have to tell you that Google translator makes me giggle at the nonsensical idioms. But I believe after translating some 30 or so blogs, I can give you a sense of what this award means. I can also tell you that it seems to have swept through Madrid and made it's way here. 

The award was created by the Spanish writer Alberto Zambade in 2008. It appears to be a journalistic award for bloggers. Zambade wanted to recognize those bloggers who write about everyday life, culture and art, and who do so on a personal level and with integrity. Now mind you, that isn't exactly how the translation goes, that is my interpretation.  If you want a flavor of the translations they go like this: "the award aims to recognize the values ​​of each blogger, for his commitment to the transmission of cultural, ethical, literary and personal. Expressing ultimately their creativity through their remaining living thought innate in his words."

The one translation I particularly enjoyed was that this award was created: "In an effort to promote brotherhood among bloggers, show affection and gratitude for adding value to the blogosphere" The following blogs do exactly that in my opinion.

So now the fun part. I get to give this out to other bloggers (the rules say up to 15 other blogs). But, I'm going to focus on a short list of some of my must stop places each week. The list is by no means exhaustive as I read quite a lot of blogs, but this handful of bloggers seem to really exemplify the meaning of the award to me. While I'm including a few links (of more serious discussions) all of these blogs also have a lighter side and most provide plenty of laughter in their posts.

Janice over at Bikbik and Roro has done many a blog that talks about today's issues, whether they be environmental or humane. She's also had the courage to do some pretty deep soul searching and to talk about it in a way that I would say has the utmost integrity. One of my favorite posts from Janice is one she wrote "On the Perception of Beauty."

Another regular blog for me is Martha at Plowing Through Life. She has a big heart for animal rights and has done quite a bit of work with animal shelters. 

She also recently wrote one of the most thought provoking posts on humanity and helping a neighbor in need called "Please Remember the Less Fortunate." 

A blog that I have been very impressed with is Amy of Copper Diem. She is continually thinking about other people, and how she can help in whatever way she can. She's organized and motivated many of us to come along with her and support causes like Ears to You and 7000 bracelets for Hope. In fact she did a whole blog post title "So how can I help?"

Here is a blog, Jacqueline at Cheapskate Blethering, that has just a general curiosity about life that never ends. Asking great questions, exploring different cultures or just enjoying the world around. A recent post is a wonderful remembrance of how our elders can play such an important part in our lives called "Time Goes Marching Ever On."

A blog that I have just really come to enjoy ... each and every post ... is Ana at Introverted Art. Here is a quote from a recent blog post that for me, sums up just why I love to read her blog: "I admit, without shame, I am one of those people who make new year resolutions. They are not about losing weight or exercising, but they are about what I want to become. My birthday is in January, so the new year has always represented a sort of rebirth to me."

The Zen of Motherhood is a blog that creates a lively forum of discussion ... but with less words and more telegraphic images. Like her recent post called "Bad Moon Rising" with subtitle "Happy Apocalypse!"

To all these wonderful bloggers, I wish you warm congratulations and a deep thank you for 'promoting the brotherhood among bloggers.'

BBA Secret Santa :: Nancy Fallon Designs

My BBA group (Blogging Business Artisans) did a Secret Santa swap this year and I was matched up with Nancy of N. Fallon Design Studio who sent me a few of my favorite things!

And like one of my children, when I got my box in the mail I promptly ripped it open. Opps! so I I don't have a picture of the individually, beautifully wrapped gifts. Oh, and one of them is missing from the picture since it was wonderfully scented soap and quickly was put to use! 

Included in my box was two scented soaps, tangerine orange tea (I LOVE citrus and tea - so she combined that!). And she included a cute little notebook, which will be put to use in my beading studio.

I've been having a wonderful holiday break; enjoying a little down time. Which reminds me it is time for a little afternoon tea ... perhaps some tangerine orange

Happy Holidays Everyone

Blogger Feature :: Amy Herzog

Lately I've been thinking about trying to get some of my designs published. I've been looking at the many beading publications to see if I should submit my designs. I did finally submit to two of them and was accepted by Stringing. I am very excited that a retro-deco design of mine will be featured this Spring. 

But here's a funny twist. I gave a few samples of my work to a knitty friend of mine, Thea at Baby Cocktails, on a recent visit. And she shared those samples with a few of her friends. One is a knitter I've come to know through the blogosphere: Amy Herzog. She does a really amazing series on how to knit to fit your own body features---how to alter patterns and make sure that it is something that will look good on you. Really amazing idea if you ask me. I posted awhile back that Amy was wearing one of my necklaces in her blog, but guess what? She's published a book and she's wearing my necklace in her bio feature! Looks like my first published piece will be her book coming early this April, 2013.

Here is the quick summary to Amy's book: Knit to Flatter is about celebrating the body you have been given and creating sweaters that make you look and feel great. Part instruction manual and part pattern collection, Knit to Flatter teaches you how to assess your shape—top-heavy, bottom-heavy, or proportional— and then knit accordingly. With a great sense of fun and acceptance, Amy Herzog presents silhouettes and styles that work with each body shape, along with four ideal sweater patterns per category. She then provides patterns for 10 more sweaters with guidelines for customizing, so they can be tailored to flatter. Each pattern is written in up to 10 sizes, and the garments are photographed on models with genuine curves. No smoke and mirrors here. Just real beauty!

If you're a knitter, I highly recommend both Amy and Thea's blogs. You can check out Amy's Fit to Flatter blog series now and get the book on order at Amazon. Amy also teaches her series at knitting retreats; she has one coming up called Fibre Space Dec 8-9 you can check out.

Give Away Winner :: Aotearoa

Our original Kalmbach giveaway took us a little longer than we expected. The necklace was set to go on display Oct 28th, yep that would be right as Hurricane Sandy was heading directly for us in CT. 

Thistle Beads needed to delay the giveaway until they were able to reopen the store in Niantic, CT.  Over the last week, quite a lot of people stopped by the store to sign up, and yesterday we did the drawing. Our winner is ... Carol Ann! 

We asked Carol Ann when she first started beading, and she joked saying "when I learned to talk!" Well alrighty then, we've got ourselves a beader here! She said it was probably closer to age 10, but she's never stopped. She currently teaches beading projects to her adult education students.

When we asked Carol Ann what keeps her beading? She said "to be a lifelong learner." What a great answer!. She said that loves the creativity she finds in the craft and that six people could get the exact same set of beads and each will create something different." Isn't that the truth! We've all see that through our bead soup projects and hops, and I agree that is what is so fun about these projects --- to see how everyone brings their own creativity to the bead table.

She also told us that her favorite stones are turquoise and amber, but she probably leans a bit more toward amber given her Lithuanian roots. Having been to the Baltics myself, I can tell you that the amber is stunning with such a range of colors from light greens and yellows to honey to burnt orange. I hope you enjoy the necklace Carol Ann, congratulations!

Blogger Feature :: The Beaded Tail

There is a blog that I make sure to stop by every week, and just wanted to give a shout out to the Beaded Tail who has such a great blog. Sharla posts multiple times a week and features her inquisitive cats and her sweet dog. 

We all love to see what her little fur-babies are up to like Angel who loves Birdie TV, which is just outside the window. 

Or Sadie who has such a great smile. Look at how happy she is out for a walk, or when she gets the chance to jump in the leaves. Sadly, Sadie left us late last summer, but not in spirit. We all still celebrate Sadieday each Saturday, along with Tortie Tuesday and Wordless Wednesday each week. 

Here is a recent post with Isabella checking out one of my designs. I did a drawing for my Nina Design necklace and Sharla won. Isabella had to investigate to see if it would do. She was quite gentle in her curiosity, and I believe she did give her 'two-paws-up' approval. I hope Sharla will enjoy her necklace. Such a sweet bunch over at the Beaded Tail.

Mudlarking :: The Ultimate in Upcycling

Many years back, my parent's cleared out the house I grew up in. There were all kinds of things in the house that reminded me of my childhood. Things that were sentimental to me, but not likely valuable. Doesn't matter, as I cherish them. 

The oil lamp shown here is something my parents displayed in one of the cabinets, but I really never knew much about it. They would pull it out and use it when we lost power. I had forgotten about the lamp until my husband and I were home helping my parents clean out the house, and making keep or toss piles. I tucked it into my pile of 'keepers.' 

When my family first moved to Astoria Oregon, the town I grew up in, we lived in an old Victorian place on the river. What I remember most about living by the river was the fog that would bring the bridges or the old pier pilings in and out of focus.

Astoria is the oldest settlement west of the Mississippi; at the end of the Lewis and Clark trail. So there are lots of relics from various periods of western history. My early memories of our house on the river were of the 4th floor with windows all the way around the upper floor (probably to watch the ships), and below the windows were small apothecary drawers where I hid all my treasures.

The oil lamp stayed in boxes for many, many years. Traveling from our San Francisco home to our Connecticut one. I pulled it out this year after being intrigued by a few of the British bloggers who do something called mudlarking. But what exactly is it? I had not heard this term until a few months ago. A mudlark is someone who scavenges in river mud for items of value. A term used especially to describe Londoners who scavenged along the banks of the Thames during low tide in the late 18th-19th centuries. Then I remembered the lamp I had been carrying around with me from coast to coast. My father had told me that this lamp had been found in the mud along the Columbia River. Ha ... My Dad the mudlarker!

So I set out on a mission to figure out what, and where this lamp might have come from. After researching it online I discovered that is was likely an Aladin lamp popular during the turn of the century. Further research told me that it was an Amethyst Lincoln Drape with a crowfoot base likely manufactured between 1941-1953. Ok, so maybe not as old as I thought it was, but still pretty cool. I'm a total geek for history.

I'm one of those people who loves the Antique Road Show. And the stories I love most are the ones where someone finds a priceless antique that they cleaned up with pledge. It just cracks me up. One lady found a museum piece... a Milanese helmet worth at least $250,000. The appraiser looked at her (after she confessed to use of pledge) and told her "this really should be in a museum." Man, that one had me rolling.

I would encourage you all to check out two of my favorite bloggers who mudlark. The first, Tania of Moonflygirl, makes the most beautiful jewelry from her finds. Look at these triple drop earrings she's done from pottery with what's called a Willow Pattern. I am always so amazed by how she sees just the right shard to work with. The other blog is simply called Mudlarking. In this second one Julia focuses on the history behind the pieces she finds. The one I am showing here is recent find that she's matched to the head dress Anne Boleyn likely wore. How cool is that? Ok, so my little town doesn't have the rich history that these two UK ladies have available along the Thames, but still it is fun to get out there and find a piece of history.

BLOG 6 Award: Late Addition to the List

By popular demand, there is a write in addition to the BLOG 5 awards .... one for humor. I suppose that makes it the BLOG 6 awards, but what's a girl to do? And so we add one more award to the list. I noted two blogs for their sense of humor, and thus I'm going to award them both with this additional award. Note the gnome. Yes the graphic was decided by the write in co-host .... ahem... Christine who decided that we had forgotten a category. 

So without further ado, I give two more blogs the honor of the humor award: Beadsong Jewelry and Life on Peanut Layne. I've already mentioned them both, and noted their wicked sense of humor. But in case you missed it ....

Peanut Layne is one of the most hilarious writers I've come across in awhile. I am usually laughing and snorting over my cup of tea on Saturday mornings with the rest of my family wanting to hear what's up. The last time it was this post on grocery stores. Her motto "providing laughter, entertainment and permanent birth control to the entire neighborhood." She had me on the floor laughing with a post on come backs for dumb questions people ask about why she had so many kids.

One blog that gives me constant inspiration is Beadsong Jewelry. Bobbie's work is beautiful, but she is also one of the hardest working artists out there. She has been 'on the road' to bead shows for months, and living through disastrous circumstances, hot as the 'hinges of hell' weather, and taking it all in stride. Her stamina is awe inspiring. She has such a wonderful outlook on this crazy beady world, and a wicked sense of humor that seems to keep her going. A recent post where she is passing on the honor of a blogger award shows her quirky side, and apparently just how much she hates to hem a pair of pants. Her list of bead artists is well worth a look. Check it out.

For the rest of the awards, just scroll down to yesterday's post.

The BLOG 5 Awards: Artistic, Style, Journalistic, Educator, Newbie

Today, seven of us will be awarding the BLOG 5 Awards through a blog hop linky. Here's how it works. Myself and my 6 co-hosts (Kashmira, Janice, Gloria, Alicia, Christine and Therese) will each be giving our awards on our blogs; you can find links to each of our blogs on the linky below (or the links above). We've chosen bloggers who we believe best represent one of the 5 categories. When a blogger is given one of the awards, we are inviting them to join the hop and continue building a linky group of awarded bloggers. 

So sit back, grab your favorite beverage ... be that coffee, tea or perhaps a lovely glass of wine, and visit a fantastic list of bloggers. You might just find a favorite new one you didn't know was out there. Now, let's get started! 

EDUCATOR:
There is a blog I try to never miss each week; Duni's Studio. She is an amazing seamstress and crafter extraordinaire. She is regularly showing her readers just how she does it. I tell you, I can't sew worth a darn, but it makes no difference --- I love her blog. It is wonderfully written; she peppers it with all kinds of fun stuff like setting a gorgeous afternoon tea complete with recipes. And of course she's made the table cloth, the decorations, the cake, the cards, and likely the party favors for the guests including the gift box it came in. She is simply amazing.

A second blog that I have more recently been following Erin Siegel's. It's not a new blog, and it most certainly has many, many followers. In fact she just published one of my favorite new books: Bohemian Inspired Jewelry. Anyone who follows my blog knows how much I like Boho, and this book has become my 'go-to' book. It is on my bead table most days. What I've noticed most about Erin is just how much she enjoys teaching, sharing her ideas and helping people learn how to improve their craft. I'm sure many of you already follow her, and know her. But she absolutely deserves an award like this.

JOURNALISTIC:
There are two blogs that I only recently started following, but it is like a good book you just can't put down. I'm always scrolling through my blogger list to see if either of these two blogs have a new post: Introverted Art and Life on Peanut Layne. 

Peanut Layne is one of the most hilarious writers I've come across in awhile. I am usually laughing and snorting over my cup of tea on Saturday mornings with the rest of my family wanting to hear what's up. The last time it was this post on grocery stores. Her motto "providing laughter, entertainment and permanent birth control to the entire neighborhood." She had me on the floor laughing with a post on come backs for dumb questions people ask about why she had so many kids.

If you prefer to ponder deep questions, then try Introverted Art. It is an intellectual forum infused with beautiful artwork that she creates --- and that usually matches the theme of her discussion. She gets quite a lively debate going on midlife crisis, fear of dying, intolerance, bad managers in the work force. Pretty much nothing is off limits. I love how she writes, how she serves up a topic and how she does it in a way to spark a lively debate and not a rant. She's got quite a gift.

ARTISTIC:
I have complete photo envy when I look at Alchemy of Art. Visually this site is stunning. The photography captures moments and colors in time. And the macro shots are freak'n amazing! Not only is the photography outstanding, but then there is the beadwork. Oh come on now ... you're killing me. Fantastic, intricate beadwork that is shot in an ultra-macro style. Seriously, if you haven't yet been to this site you've got to check it out.

Another artist's work that I absolutely love to see is MoonflyGirl. I could come back day, after day and just marvel at how she turns old pottery shards from the banks of the Thames into gorgeous bezeled jewelry. The term is called mudlarking, which comes from the 18th-19th centuries for Londoners who would scavenges river mud for items of value to resell. Have I mentioned that I'm a sucker for history? She will bring back a pile of what looks like bits and pieces of a lost time and shapes them into stunning, unique charms, pendants, bezels ... complete with metal work she also does. Lately she's been creating 'Owlies' . Love these little guys.

One blog that gives me constant inspiration is Beadsong Jewelry. Bobbie's work is beautiful, but she is also one of the hardest working artists out there. She has been 'on the road' to bead shows for months, and living through disastrous circumstances, hot as the 'hinges of hell' weather, and taking it all in stride. Her stamina is awe inspiring. She has such a wonderful outlook on this crazy beady world, and a wicked sense of humor that seems to keep her going. A recent post where she is passing on the honor of a blogger award shows her quirky side, and apparently just how much she hates to hem a pair of pants. Her list of bead artists is well worth a look. Check it out.

STYLE:
It goes without saying for those that follow my blog that I am a huge fan of the blog Fashionadictas. So much to love with Marcela's style. While on the surface it is fashion in it's purest sense ... a runway. What Marcela has done is truly unique; she has blended the fabrics, style, colors and the feeling of a runway show with the emotion, movement and colors of art. It always amazes me to see how she puts her posts together. 

Mona's Picturesque is such a beautiful blog in so many ways. The photography is simple, lush and emotional. I just love it. She takes pictures of the beautiful Finnish countryside, of the wild flowers and of her two gorgeous girls. I mean, you can just imagine the giggles of these girls in the pictures --- they are that good! I think the mother-daughter moments are my favorite part of her blog. You sort of feel like you've walked into a private moment. It is captivating.

NEWBIE:
There are some great new bloggers out there, and so my co-hosts and I wanted to be sure to point a few of them out in case you haven't yet had the chance to stop by their blogs.

Let's start with Marla from Spice Box Designs, someone who embodies the saying 'looking for the silver-lining.' She has such a great attitude, and is always up for trying something new. Her blog is a mix of beautiful beadwork and everyday inspiration on life. This blogger has serious beadweaving talents, a heart the size of Texas (or Mississippi --- her home state) and just lights up any beady challenge. I love to see her name on the list.

Another new favorite blog of mine is Sexta-feira, written by an English teacher in Greece who does the kind of travel I wish I could do! She provides a plethora of reviews on movies, music, concerts ... and American TV? But, she had me at 'hello' with her post of one of her Greek Island excursions. Can you even imagine if this were your view? It is a really well done blog, and she's been stacking up the blogger awards! So here is one more for your collection.

I want to mention just one more of my new favorite blogs: Cheapskate Blethering. I'm really enjoying her tips and recipes, and her dog is seriously cute. But what I like most is her writing style. It's fun to read, really informative and makes me laugh. All good in my opinion.

THE BLOG HOP RULES: there are no rules, but we do have some suggestions. These awards were designed to point out some of the great blogs out there. And you can choose to pass on your award to as few, or as many as you like. So if you've been tapped on the shoulder and given one of these awards, we would love to see you display it proudly on your blog. Join the blog hop and show off that lovely blog of yours. We would, of course, love to hear why you like to blog, and why you chose a fellow blogger for an award. So let's get hopping!