YES I am LATE!!!!!
Very very late for an important date.
Remember these?

Well today is NOT the 15th.It is about a week later and these Emeralds are yelling at me to send them to a good home.
So I went back and looked at the number of comments and there was 31.
Put that range into the random.org number generator and Bingo.....

Comment number 18 was chosen.....
The winner is Gretchen,


I will be in touch with you for a shipping address.Thank you to all for being a part of my give away.
I'll be back to regular postings after the end of the month. A few bits of life keep tripping me up and I need to get that back under control.
Love and Hugs
Tanya

This is a community service announcement.
In appreciation of all the Love and Care and support I have received from all I am announcing my give away winners......
Got you all there for a moment LOL
So what was I giving away?
Ah yes Soup pieces. Wood set and a Skull bracelet.
Preview again....

Wood wood....who won the wood?
A Polymer Penchant your number was chosen.

Please contact me with details for mailing out. 

And the Skull.
It was a first to use any threads and I love the one that Amy Of Torch by Night Lampwork sent me.To see her awesome Bollywood style beads you need to go here.

The Skull again.... (cause I really like it LOL )

 Oops thats a bunny...wrong pic

Ah thats better.
Miss  Creative Moon you are the winner of this one. Please let me know your addy for shipping.

And that is all for today.
I will be drawing Emeralds on 15th (60 carats with Sterling silver check out  the post if you havent already entered) and I am going to sort some new stuff in the next days as well. I have to find my head first LOL.
Love and hugs
Tanya

What started it all.

A little bit of Bead Soup. Lori Anderson from Pretty Things blog holds the Bead soup party. Next one will be January or February next year and this is the final reveal for this cook off. I sent these lovelies to my partner Miko Wirapati who is in Indonesia. That was WAY BACK when.

In return Miko sent me these.

Not the best pic but it is here.

So I have been thinking and thinking.What to do? In the meantime I fell through my floor in my office.The timber gave way and we had to move out of upstairs to replace the floors.

Dust and dirt EVERYWHERE for about 3 weeks. So my soup lay still on my bench while I worked on the Web site for reveals and madly commented on all the other participants blog posts.

The third page is underconstruction and should be done tomorrow if I am on time. 250 hours to edit and assemble the page. It has been fun.

In the meantime if you want to recap the 1st and 2nd reveals they are here.
https://sites.google.com/site/beadsoupparty2012/

Reveal 3 participants are here.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Ok back to my bench.
Two different workers fell through the floor upstairs dislodging the suspended ceiling and as a result there was a layer of dirt on all my tools, beads and what a mess on my bench.

You can see some of the dirt in the top left hand corner and parts of my poor soup peeking out in the bottom right corner.

So I spent 5 hours cleaning it and much better now.

So what did I make?
Well it was a CHALLENGE. I havent used wood beads ever. I havent used ceramic focals ever. I have not really ever used anything but metals and gemmies and glass, so let me show you what came out.
First up is the Dragon focal. I made this for my daughter because she loves Dragons and I made it very long because she wont wear short. It is simple stringing on a brass wire because my tiger tail that I usually use rusts way to fast.I used one of the toggles here as well.

Then the butterfly focal.Its a chunky solid piece and quite heavy to wear so needed balancing with a lighter stringing. I have not used string before so knotting was fun.

I added some small black agate beads to the lampwork barrels so that they stayed in place better. Another toggle used with another focal.


The wood....the wood....what do I do with the wood? The rings had no drill holes, the others all had huge holes and I have not ever worked with wood before. To me they felt kind of fly away light so I added a couple of huge Black agate and wire wrapped them with heavy weight brass.
A three piece set emerged.

The necklace finishes in the back with a Brass chain and a simple lobster clasp as it is long (approx 24 inches) and doesnt need to be opened as it will slip over your head. I hand made the brass wires as well. The Black Onyx matte finish rondelles add a little bit of weight to the wooden beads.
This set is for give away. How to enter ? Join my new FB group Fusion and Muse and leave a comment. Looking forward to see you there.


Still had more soup pieces to go.
A breakfast break was needed and so we have a Breakfast Bracelet with fried Eggs and Fruit Loops. After all no day is complete without a decent brekkie.

Delicious. This one is mine LOL

I spent a little time at my bench while the floor was in progress and made a prototype design to use the other big focal and toggle clasp. It is my Goddess Bracelet. Using beautiful seed beadies I got in another swap for Pantone colours I matched the lampwork rondelles with loads of seed beads and lost of brass wire. This one turned out very chunky but it looks awesome.

and yes lucky last. I can hear you...but you had that skull focal.

I wondered how to honour it.

Tada.....

A little bit of silky thread wrapped about on some small gauge Brass wire and floating baby skullies. I made the hook and loop toggle (not really seen well) out of heavy brass wire and added a "diamond" to his front tooth and forehead as the anchor point for the dual strands. A funky style semi bangle that is definitely One of a Kind LOL.
And this guy is for give away as well. So take the time to comment,Share my blog post about my give away of 60 + carats of Emeralds and Sterling silver set (link is here) and I will pop you in the draw.
Both pieces for this give away will be drawn on the Blue Moon 31st August 2012.

Thank you for reading my ramble.Come back and often and see what I am doing.
Love and hugs Tanya

Free Beads for blogging is going great guns and I am happy to say all five spots were filled last week.
Yes I am late again. My head and a little bit of life got in the way.Let me explain.

Suglite Cab

This lovely stone as cut for me by an inexperienced cutter who unfortunately cut the rough the wrong way to get the best colour. This is one of the rejects and looks a little black when not in full sun but has divine purple colour otherwise. I have this and few more if you are interested email me.

So I was introduced to a new guy.....Well he promised me as part of the contract we made he would only cut the rest of the rough to get the best colour out of the stone that was left. I figured there was about 20-40 carats of colour in the stones I left him with. I was excited because Sugilite is a beautiful stone and quite rare and expensive. I went back when they rang to say they were done and he had cut all the rough and ALL the stones were black.Only one had a streak of colour that was in the middle and NO purple in the others. I told him I was not paying and he suggested he recut it for me to see if there was anyway to improve on his work. I told him not to bother but he did anyway.

So I went back and now even the one that had colour has no colour and this man wants me to pay $1.20 a carat for cutting.There is about 500 carats in the bundle. I refuse because he still hasnt done what he said he would do and I left.

This was about 2 weeks ago. Since then the phone has not been quiet and the threats started so I went to the police to sort it all. Truth has prevailed and he is in trouble if he doesnt leave me alone. 

The biggest problem was that the stress set me off.My head has had really bad days and I was not able to focus on anything more complex than a simple FB posting for many days. Sleep was had but it didnt help much. I think the last giveaway blog post was the biggest thing I did in a short while (check that out too and go in the draw for the Rubies and Pearls). So now I am back on track.

Oh and we had baby bunnies.Will post about them another day. 

Here are the winners from last week. This weeks will be announced on Sunday and cut off day for this week is today. If you have tried before and want to still be in the running then please comment on a post  and I will put you in the draw for the week. Fair's fair. 

So who this time? 

Beti of Stringing Fool  

Her pieces are lovely and here is a peek.

Tammie of TTE Designs 

Wow her pieces just jump off the page. 

Linda of Lily's of the Valley Jewelry Creations and Designs 

Linda does other crafts not just Jewelery 

And Amanda of AWJewelry

With her lovely pieces and such helpful Tutes.  

And last but not least 

Lisa of Pine Ridge Treasures

Go and check out her page for giveaways and fun as well.

Ok all from me for today.I will catch up more soon.Got a web page to complete for the first Bead soup reveal and that is FUN FUN FUN.

Love and hugs

Tanya

I have been greatly saddened by so many passing and so many young ones being taken of late.
I want to give some sort of help......to be there in some way....to hold a hand.....be a shoulder.....to be allowed to show I care. Know that feeling?

This is NOT a nice feel good topic so if you want to please just close the page and come back again another day. Having said that I want to share what I CAN do.

I have so many pretties sitting in plastic baggies waiting patiently for me to list or to sell or do something with and it occurred to me that with something I have sitting I can help someone who needs some support.

I am acquaintances with the lovely fellow who owns the Sinarin Silver web site. He and his wife lost two out of three of their triplets about two weeks ago.The third little fellow is in the ICU and will possibly be there for about another 6 weeks. ICU is expensive when you have little or no insurance.

So how do these things connect?

I am going to give away this set of Rubies and Pearls (approx100 carats of Rubies and rows of Freshwater Seed pearls all set in Sterling silver) to one of you. It has a retail value of $1400. The rubies are actually more red in person.My pics do leave a lot to be desired I am afraid to say but who ever get this set will not be disappointed.It took me about 3 weeks to make.

The SET.

The necklace measures approx 30 inches at the longest strand and the shortest one is about 24 inches. The Earrings are lever back sterling silver hooks and measure approx 2 inches from the curve of the hook to the end of the longest part.

Why is she doing this? Because I can.

How do I get in the give away ? 
There are a few ways.
1. Go and check out the web page and choose your favourite. Come back and comment here. (That's one entry)
2. Buy something and come back and comment here ( That is technically two entries cause you visited and purchased.)
3. Share the link.(please tell me in the comments where you did and that can be another entry for you)
4. Write a quick post on your blog about the site (this is a 5 entry thing because it will go out there so much further) and come back and comment here please.

I will run this until August 15th to give you all some time to play.The more entries the more chance you get to win this lovely set. The winner will be randomly chosen.

Ready Set Go......
Love and hugs
Tanya

My soup arrived today.
OMG !!!!! I was so excited. It came so fast.My lovely partner is Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua and she is based in Indonesia. Miko and I have become friends online just recently as she saw some beads in my store and I sent them to her as a gift.
So what did I get?????
Loads of yummy pieces to play with. Yes Yummy. Fried Egg sandwiches anyone?

Well I was inspired but Thomas tells me that they wont fit in the pan so I am going to do something different with them instead. I think I will "do my Saturn" instead and you will have to wait until reveal date of 25th August for that one.

Here is the rest of the collection. I had a hard time getting them all in the shot.

So many pieces to play with and I have ideas for all. I even get to combine some of my new beads that I picked up just today and I am going to make a clasp to go with one piece because it is crying for some Brass.LOL So much fun and I am itching to get started.
Stay tuned. Tomorrow I announce the giveaway beads for blogging winners of the week. Please take the time to check out what others have won and done with their giveaway pieces.

Love and Hugs to all
Tanya

I had a little time this week and so I hand wrapped some chains. These are for sale in my Handmade Artists store. This store and all the stores in this site are guaranteed to have items made by the artists themselves with NO resellers allowed. About time we found a place that will up hold its principles instead of wanting to make a fast buck at others expense.


I have a promo running to give away beads. YES, no strings attached giveaway. No cost involved except a little time and effort to put a button on your blog.I gave away 5 parcels already Are you interested? Take a peek at the rules here. Nothing to lose.

I think this week we will test run this new chain. There are at least 6 different colour combos so all who are interested will get a section of chain and some findings to play with as well as beads.
Looking forward to sending parcels.
Tanya

Normally I would be featuring someone on a Friday and we will start with guests as of next week. I have had such a fun time kick starting the blog again and getting the free beads competition running and sorting out swaps that the week ran away. I have a jump start on next week though and have it almost finished.
So today let me tell you about me.
I am originally from Australia and grew up in Sydney.I now live in Bangkok and love it here.

Loads of new stuff coming in the second half of this year and many projects that I have been working on for a few months are finally starting to unfold.


I have a hobby and make lovely jewelry to suit many different tastes and styles. I love to use great gems and silver but am now branching out into Brass and Copper as metals of choice. This is because I can get them easily and my new pieces....well I am wanting to melt metal and hammer more.Love my tools.

We have a cat we rescued and 4 bunnies, 2 of whom were blogged about in an earlier post and we all live happily in a small townhouse in the suburbs of Bangkok.

We will be running competitions, giveaways and other fun things as time goes by. What a busy life we lead.

On that note it is time to go and start my next task.
Love and Hugs
Tanya

Its your lucky day.
Leave me a comment  and email me and I will put you in the draw for these Fine Silver and copper earrings. They were the first pieces I made using my little torch and I still have them. Time to send them to a new home. They are approx 1 1/2 inches from the curve of the Sterling Silver hook to the bottom.Not too heavy, not too light, Just right.
Just leave me a comment and then email me at fusionmuseoffice@gmail.com and I will put you in the draw and let you know next Winning Wednesday who won.
Thanks for playing
Tanya

Thoughtful Thursday

I have been sorting myself for the last few weeks. Oh my Gosh what a mess!!!! LOL
My life has been kind of on hold because my headache returned and so I was trying to work out how to reduce the headache. I even went off my pain meds to see if that would help and whilst it did for a few days I am now using them again to get through the day.
So a Thoughful Thursday. There are so many many ideas running in my head and it is time to implement them. As a result one of the things I want to do is the join the Bead Soup Blog Hop. Once a year it is hosted by the lovely Lori and here is the link. Sign up is this weekend. You can join too as long as you fit the rules.
Ok off to do some more.
See you tomorrow.
Tanya