Soup's On

My Soup is on the stove and simmering right now.  The veggies add color to the broth and the meat will give it just the right flavor.  Just the right combination of spices and this Soup should be very yummy!

Well, I'm not really making Soup in the traditional sense but Soup with ingredients that include a beautiful hand-made toggle clasp and a very kewl pendant made by my partner, Leslie Giddens of Mad Maggie Designs.  Add some pearls, crystals, and metal components and this Soup is just waiting to be made into something.....could it be a bracelet, necklace, earrings, pin.......well, you'll just have to wait and see what my creative juices will be designing.

Find out on February 26, 2011 when my creation and the creations of the other 209 Bead Soup Blog Party participants will be revealed. 

The list of all the Bead Soup Blog Partiers will also be listed on my blog, Perles and Life.

Until then.............Happy Beading!

Kitty

Bead Soup Blog Party Mess and Hoarding

Havoc abounds in my bead room in preparation of putting together a stash of various sundry items for Leslie, my BSPB partner.  I had to soften up this picture so that it doesn't look as bad as it really is.  How does "stuff" seem to accumulate all over.... a saw, chain nose pliers, hammer, .........oops, don't want to give to much away.  Well, it felt good when I was done and hope Leslie likes what I put together for her.  It will be in the mail probably tomorrow. 

Are any fellow beaders out there "hoarders"?  When it comes to my beads and bead related items (otherwise known as "my stash") that I have, there are definitely things that I put in a special place and think, I'll use that, don't know when, but I know I'll make something from it or with it some day.  Just knowing it's there gives me comfort.  I can go look at those things when I want, think of things to do with it when I wake up during the night, go through my things and have that discovery moment when you're going through your stash and you see things that you forgot you had but know you had to keep them because you knew you'd make something with it some day!!!!  Well, you get what I'm saying.

The Bead Soup Blog Party provided me with a challenge to go through "my stash" and try to become an un-hoarder.  Now, things in "my stash" may not seem that special to someone else, but we each have our own special "stashes" that make us be hoarders.  So, I can thank Lori Anderson and her BSBP for helping me to become an un-hoarder!!!  Thank you, Lori.

Well, my bead room has been cleaned up and I feel so much better!!!  What has the BSBP done for you???

Until then....Happy Beading!!!

Kitty

Introducing........My Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

I'd like to introduce you to Leslie, my Bead Soup Blog Party partner.  We are both BSBP newbies and I think she's as excited as I am to be a part of this remarkable event.  Leslie was the Art Bead Scene's Designer of the Week....check out her beautiful and creative design.  She's currently a busy working MOM and her etsy shop is in the works. 

Keep tabs on Leslie's blog for interesting posts....I especially like the interview she had with her daughter, Madelyn.

Well, I better skee-daddle, as I already know I'm behind in getting my goodies ready to swap with Leslie.....the ideas are in my head...now, I need to make it happen!

Until then...........Happy Beading!!!

Kitty

Re-Inventing Myself

In November, 2010, I decided that I needed to do something different in relationship to my jewelry.  My work has evolved, trying different methods and mediums.  Taking workshops has helped build my techniques and skills.  It has also shown me what I do and do not enjoy doing...and given me an appreciation of the work that goes into a creative process.



From my "Oui" Series



My interest lies in working with metal, wire, vintage elements, and cold connections.  I enjoy working with all kinds of beads and incorporating them in my designs.  My thoughts went to my etsy shop and how I had ignored it for so long.  With a new determination, I decided to re-invent myself by giving my business a new name and become focused on creating a style of jewelry using the methods and mediums that I enjoy the most. I do not want to limit myself and know that I will continue to grow and learn while still

maintaining a "style"!  

Thus, Suite7 Bijoux Designs was born.  It has a French theme which some of my pieces reflect.  It was definitely time for a makeover.  Many jewelry artists have a definite style to their creations that with one look at a piece of jewelry you know who the artist is...designers such as Stephanie Lee, Susan Lenart Kazmer, Ruth Rae, and Denise Yezbak Moore.  They are and will continue to be an inspiration to me.

Until then........Happy Beading!

Bead Soup Blog Party---Just Around the Corner

There's a party going on....well, not right now, but starting January 7, 2011 you can sign up to participate in the Bead Soup Blog Party by visiting Lori Anderson at Pretty Things.  This will be my first Party and looking forward to being able to put some beautiful beads and findings together for someone and then waiting with anticipation to see what is created with those beads.

Come Join in the Fun.  Mark January 7 on your calendar!!

Until then.....HAPPY BEADING!  Oh, and HAPPY 2011!

Kitty

A Good Thing--Journaling

For the past couple of years I have been fascinated with the aspect of journaling....I'm not sure why as I'm not a great writer or communicator for that matter. 

I've read several excerpts of journals that people have shared in magazines and on-line articles....some very visual using paper, paint, and images.  I like to write but I'm not a writer.  I'm not artistic in the sense of drawing or painting. 

My contemplating over starting a journal came to an end when a friend of mine was featured in a local paper about her travel journal.  Her journal was descriptive in two ways....through her writing and through her drawings.  We talked about journaling and she wanted to start another journal on a specific topic.  I expressed my desire to start but how I'd never done anything about that desire.  It didn't take her long to present me with a beautiful book for me to use to start my journaling. 

This journal has Kitty written all over it.....

.....Very French! 

I've started my journaling....given it a name, a purpose, and decided that pictures, paper, stickers and glue will give me the visual interest I'd like to add!! 

But most importantly, it will offer me an outlet to express myself and give that feel-good emotion inside and out!

Until then......Happy Beading, Journaling, and whatever makes you smile!

Kitty

Man-Bracelet

I wanted to make a piece of jewelry for my husband (ya know....something that he might actually wear!). He's not one to wear jewelry but he liked the ID-type of bracelet.

I cut a piece of sterling silver sheet into a rectangle, filed the edges, texturized and then let him pick whatever he wanted stamped on the rectangle. He chose the word tonnerre which is French for thunder. Why? I haven't a clue! I was struggling with what kind of links or chain I should make or use. Then it came to me.....from Stephanie Lee's book Semi-Precious Salvage "Lives-Entwined Bracelet". Stephanie used flattened shell casings as a charm. I just took it in a different direction and made links from the casings. I attached each casing with jump rings and used a magnet clasp.

He's actually wearing it and I've been encouraged to start making more jewelry with men-in-mind.

Until then.........HAPPY BEADING!

Kitty