... to ponder whilst star gazing or ceiling gazing from Viktor Frankl's 1946 classic Man's Search for Meaning :
"Don't aim at success - the more you aim at it and make
it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For
success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must
ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect
of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself or
as the by-product of one's surrender to a person other
than oneself."
Sweet dreams...
Sharon's Jewelry Garden
Musings and Random Thoughts on Art, Life, and Jewelry
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Yes, it's True!
I am so excited to have participated in Lori's ground-breaking Bead Soup Book! I want to thank Lori for her confidence in my creative ability and congratulate her on an awesome and ofttimes, difficult job.
Head out to Lori's blog to celebrate her brand spankin' new book. I'm waiting for my autographed copy!
Head out to Lori's blog to celebrate her brand spankin' new book. I'm waiting for my autographed copy!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
First Annual Virtual Craft Show
Big news! The First Annual Virtual Craft Show is being hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, Nov. 26th through Dec. 3rd, 2011.
Seven days of fun, 70 artists participating, including yours truly:
And we are GIVING AWAY 70 beautiful pieces of hand-crafted art to wear!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Autumnal Alchemy
Mother Nature is alighting every flower and tree with her alchemical wand and we are her rapt audience. The chilly air is perfect for torching copper and watching the transmutation of color from that of shiny pennies to shades of vermillion, rosy reds and softest pink. The torch is our magic wand and like Mother Nature, we weild it with care to achieve those gorgeous fall hues that warm our hearts and senses. Happy Autumn!
Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Barbara Lewis' Virtual Book Tour
Head on over to Barbara's blog and check out her Virtual Book Tour for Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry and cool giveaways!
Lots of good stuff happening there, so check it out!
Lots of good stuff happening there, so check it out!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Winner!
Melissa Meman, come on down and claim your prize! Email me your address and Beaducation will send you a DVD of your choice. Congratulations and happy creating!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Beaducation DVD Review and a Giveaway!
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Beaducation's newest MetalWork Series DVD class, Introduction to Soldering with Kate Richbourg. Kate demystifies the art of soldering, it's not as frightening or dangerous as it looks! Kate's teaching style is meticulous and thorough and will have you soldering away creating a beautiful sterling silver link bracelet and a cool copper dome charm in no time!
Kate begins by reviewing the most important first step: your safety and what you need to protect yourself from chemicals. I found the her tips on making jumprings the most thorough I have seen yet. Using paste solder, Kate demonstrates how easy it is to produce excellent results, as well as troubleshooting tips if your solder decides to misbehave. Creating the copper charm is the icing on the cake and with Kate's instruction, you will have the resources and inspiration to create anything your imagination can dream up.
And now for the giveaway! Please leave one comment on my blog and I will draw a winner for a Beaducation DVD of your choice! Check out your DVD choices here on Beaducation. Comments will be closed on Saturday, October 1, at 12 Noon PST. I will draw a winner by random generator. Good luck and happy soldering!
Kate begins by reviewing the most important first step: your safety and what you need to protect yourself from chemicals. I found the her tips on making jumprings the most thorough I have seen yet. Using paste solder, Kate demonstrates how easy it is to produce excellent results, as well as troubleshooting tips if your solder decides to misbehave. Creating the copper charm is the icing on the cake and with Kate's instruction, you will have the resources and inspiration to create anything your imagination can dream up.
And now for the giveaway! Please leave one comment on my blog and I will draw a winner for a Beaducation DVD of your choice! Check out your DVD choices here on Beaducation. Comments will be closed on Saturday, October 1, at 12 Noon PST. I will draw a winner by random generator. Good luck and happy soldering!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
No Naughty Dogs Were Harmed In the Making of This Second Bead Soup Necklace!!!
Whew! It's finally done and I think I like this version better, so I'm chalking it up to a "happy doggy accident"! And yes, my dogs really did eat my beadwork...if I had a nickel for every time that student excuse was thrown my way I would have tons more beads! Maybe I should have believed them... ;)
Drum Roll Please:
Well, there you have it. A tragedy of sorts has blossomed into a comedy of errors and all's well that ends well! Thank you for being patient and all your funny comments!
Bead Soup Blog Hop
Drum Roll Please:
I used almost all the stones that Shannon sent me and added my own Czech glass flower and leaves, in addition to my handcrafted copper S links which I think echos the curves in the flower focal.
I think the rich pinky-orange ribbon really enhances the ceramic butterfly, bronzite and jasper stones Shannon included.
Bead Soup Blog Hop
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Bead Soup Reveal:To Be or Not To Be, That is the Question:A Tragedy in One Act
Well, I'm sure this is going to be a first in blogland, and especially Lori's Bead Soup Party! I had made a lovely necklace from the gorgeous beads Shannon Chomaniak had sent and I was ready to take pics yesterday in front of a nice sunny window in the bedroom.
The phone rang as it usually does in the middle of a project! So I ran to the kitchen to answer it and had a conversation with a dear friend. SO. Here comes the tragedy...as I was walking down the hall toward my "photo shoot" bedroom, I heard scuffling sounds under the bed, and guilty looks from the other two dogs who are too big to fit under that bed. Well. My creation was transformed into a play toy that now was scattered all over the hardwood floor. ZOUNDS and CURSES, you naughty dogs!
Hubby helped me gather the bits and there is one bead missing which I'm sure landed in a guilty party's stomach. It should come out in the end though, but you may be sure I won't look for it!
Anyway, I will do my best to salvage the bits and create a new necklace or bracelet today and post by this evening, I hope. But meanwhile, I did visit Shannon's blog and I'm thrilled that she created such beautiful pieces! I'm so happy she loves my handcrafted copper flower and butterfly that I created for her! Here is some eye candy so my post won't be so bare!
The phone rang as it usually does in the middle of a project! So I ran to the kitchen to answer it and had a conversation with a dear friend. SO. Here comes the tragedy...as I was walking down the hall toward my "photo shoot" bedroom, I heard scuffling sounds under the bed, and guilty looks from the other two dogs who are too big to fit under that bed. Well. My creation was transformed into a play toy that now was scattered all over the hardwood floor. ZOUNDS and CURSES, you naughty dogs!
Hubby helped me gather the bits and there is one bead missing which I'm sure landed in a guilty party's stomach. It should come out in the end though, but you may be sure I won't look for it!
Anyway, I will do my best to salvage the bits and create a new necklace or bracelet today and post by this evening, I hope. But meanwhile, I did visit Shannon's blog and I'm thrilled that she created such beautiful pieces! I'm so happy she loves my handcrafted copper flower and butterfly that I created for her! Here is some eye candy so my post won't be so bare!
Head on over to the talented Shannon's blog to check out her finished soup, and everyone elses! Go Here
Monday, August 22, 2011
Bead Soup Goodies
Look what I found in my mailbox today!
My Bead Soup partner Shannon Chomanczuk of For My Sweet Daughter sent me some delicious ingredients and I am excited to cook something up with these gorgeous beads!
Shannon sent a rustic ceramic flower pendant by Beadfreaky, peachy butterfly by Nan Emmett, swirly lampwork bead by Unicorn, navy blue lampwork by Sea Shore Glass, and to tie all the earthy colors together, some leopard jasper, bronzite, and a Vintage toggle clasp.
I really love these ingredients, thanks Shannon! And I do have to mention that great minds think alike, not only are our names similar, but I also sent Shannon a flower focal and butterfly charm...I hear the Twilight Zone theme song...:0)
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