Seems like forever since I mentioned any beading around here, right?  I’ll show ya, I can talk beads!

Yesterday Jeanette and I spent a wonderful morning at the hotel venue for the big, upcoming ArtBLISS Inaugural Event.  We reviewed everything from the cozy dining facilities and lounge, to the ornate classrooms.  We discussed  the yummy lunch we have planned on both days.  It is all coming together.  If you’d like to join us, we’d love to see you there! 

Next up, I’m happy to share with you  a necklace I created for the Oct/Nov issue of Step by Step Wire.  Have you seen this issue?  It’s a great one…and several friends are featured in it as well.

This issue highlights wirework incorporating  crystals. In my piece, Spirit Dancer, I blended a bit of metal and wirework with the sparkle of crystal and a rustic patina.  I’d love to recreate this one, using sterling silver and a different color mix of Swarovski crystals….lots of possibilities. 

Recently I participated in a Bead Swap hosted by Lori Anderson.  Lori maintains a great Yahoo group where Bead Soup Blog Party participants continue to keep in touch.   Anyone can join…if you’re interested, drop her a line!  I was paired with an awesome lampwork artist, Jenny Cameron of Glass Addictions (lucky me!).  I’d love to show you the what I found in the big box of beads I received…. I tell ya, these swaps are so much fun.  Nothing like receiving a mystery bead box in the mail!  Jenny included some amazing clay pieces and some of her own gorgeous lampwork beads.  I think I won the beading lottery! 🙂

Well speaking of my friend Lori, we are meeting this afternoon for our own personal bead retreat.  She’s en route now from the Eastern Shore, and we have a hotel room just for us.  We’ll have lunch, talk beads, have dinner, talk more beads….. Well, I’m bringing my tools too…we plan to have some fun experimenting and playing with beads, wire and metal.  Shhh….I made a little surprise for Lori!  She won’t see this since she’s driving.  Remember those friendship necklaces where each friend wore a half of one heart?  Here’s my grown up, shabby chic version.  Vintage rhinestone earrings were soldered to sheet metal …. I added a rustic patina and now I think they’re just about right to wear with anything.

Time to run…last minute packing to do.  I hope you have a fantastic weekend ahead!  I have a tennis birthday party planned for our recent birthday boy, but -oh no!- it’s calling for thunderstorms!  Not to worry, I have a raindate planned in case…

-til next time!