Sunday, October 14, 2012

I got beads LOL

A couple of little baggies.
Loads of different sizes, glass, lucite, brass, some mixed gems, wood and plastic.Lots of bits.

So what to make.
I sat with my torch and made about 200 brass pins and then beat a clasp out of some wire. All metals used are Brass.
With a few extra little seedies to use as spacers I came up with a lovely set that is bright and Fall coloured.
 A three piece set
 Cute little earrings with a Brass lever back hook
 Necklace measures approx 20 inches.
Bracelet measures approx 8 inches and has to sit a little looser due the the dangles.

This is a set I would like to auction off for cancer research. I had a PET CT scan about 3 weeks ago.I have 3 major sites of cancer.One on the stomach, one on the uterus and one in my lower left leg. As cancer is not an easy disease I want to help raise some funds. I am happy to take bids until 31st Oct, the highest bidder makes the donation to which ever cancer research place and sends me a copy of the payment with shipping address. Then I will post. Lets start bidding at $10.
This way you get a lovely set and a tax deduction as well.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the hop.
Here are all the participants.

The My Bead Table Blog Hop

Your Host: Lisa Lodge 
  
Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Lisa Boucher, Lisa’s Clay Happenings
Michelle Buettner, Mishel Designs
Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps
Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's
Mary Anne Klinglesmith Flesch, Hand Crafted Serenity
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress
Mary Hicks, Falling Into the Sky
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Shelly Joyce, Au jour le jour
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Susan Lloyd, Designs by Susan
Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers
Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
Kristen Stevens, My Bead Journey
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories


Love and hugs
Tanya

Saturday, September 22, 2012

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

Monday, September 3, 2012

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

Friday, August 31, 2012

Wow the country of Mt Fuji and Ninjas.



Japan has been a country shrouded in mystery due to the culture and how closed it has been through out the centuries.
I teach many Japanese in my English classes and the students are the most eager to learn students. They try so hard because they dont want to fail or even be seen to fail. Decisions to act are very carefully considered and once a choice is made every effort is put into the task at hand.

The Wikipedia tells us that Ninjas were a group of mercenaries who were very covert in their actions. It was a closely guarded network and has only become more known as Japan opened more to the rest of the world in the last century.

Japanese Jewelry has many different styles from traditional to newer contemporary styles such as these.

Cartoons such a Manga style have become very popular in the last years and cutesie pieces as in my pic  (sometimes quality leaves a lot to be desired) and Hello Kitty are common even with more mature ladies. The simple childlike "wonder" is still in place.


My Jewelry is still mostly on the bench. I am working with some Larimar which is very popular with Japanese people because of its colour. Sapphires and Rubies are also very popular in the Jewelry market for Japanese. Here is a piece that is completed. It is a unisex piece that would suit a man as well as a lady.Sterling Silver and Larimar. Simple, understated and very beautiful colour stone.

There is so much more to Japan than I can put in one simple little blog. So many facets that I have left untouched but the longer I live in Asia and the more contact I have with people from Japan, the more I have learnt and understand about a mystical culture that shows one side to the world but has so much more depth behind.

Please check out the other countries that the other participants researched and enjoy your virtual travel around the world.

NameBlogRegion ChosenInspiration Nation
Monique Urquharthttp://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/AfricaBurkina Faso
Niky Sayershttp://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/AfricaEgypt
Therese Frankhttp://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.comAfricaKenya
Raychelle Heathhttp://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/AfricaLesotho
Joan Williamswww.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.comAfricaMauritania
Sherri Stokeyhttp://www.KnotJustMacrame.comAfricaSenegal
Regina Santerrehttp://reginaswritings.blogspot.comAfricaSeychelles
Raida Disbrowhttp://havanabeads.blogspot.comAfricaTanzania
Kristi Wodekhttp://livedinlife.blogspot.comAfricaZimbabwe
Sally Russickhttp://www.thestudiosublime.comAmericasBrazil
Melissa Trudingerhttp://beadrecipes.wordpress.comAmericasMexico
Tracy Stillmanhttp://www.tracystillmandesigns.comAmericasUSA
Sandra Wolberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.deAsiaIndia
Tanya Goodwinhttp://pixiloo.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Susan Kennedyhttp://suebeads.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Beth Emeryhttp://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Lisa Conehttp://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Tanya Bodenhttp://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Inge von Rooshttp://ingetraud.wordpress.comAsiaLaos
Erin Prais-Hintzhttp://treasures-found.blogspot.comAsiaNepal
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.comAsiaPhillipines
Carolyn Lawsonhttp://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.comAsiaSouth Korea
Lisa Stukelhttp://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.comAsiaSri Lanka
Elly Snarehttp://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.comAsiaThailand
Shelley Graham Turnerhttp://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.comEuropeAustria
Mallory Hoffmanhttp://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/EuropeBosnia Herzegovina
Paige Maximhttp://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.comEuropeFrance
Jenny Davies-Reazorhttp://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blogEuropeGermany
Sharyl McMillian-Nelsonhttp://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.comEuropeGreece
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/EuropeIceland
Holly Westfallhttp://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeIreland
Rebecca Siervaaghttp://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Toltec Jewelshttp://toltecjewels.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Lee Koopmanhttp://StregaJewellry.wordpress.comEuropeIreland
Laren Dee Bartonhttp://larendeedesigns.blogspot.comEuropeItaly
Cindy Wilsonhttp://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.comEuropeNorway
Kathleen Lange Klikhttp://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.comEuropePoland
Shaiha Williamshttp://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/EuropePortugal
Jennifer Justmanhttp://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeRomania
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.comEuropeSpain
Lola Surwillohttp://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.comEuropeSweden
Kim Horahttp://www.kimmykats.comEuropeSwitzerland
Leanne Loftushttp://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Patti Vanderbloemenhttp://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Marcie Carrollhttp://labellajoya.blogspot.comEuropeTurkey
Marlene Cupohttp://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.comOceaniaFederated States of Micronesia
Ine Vande Cappellehttp://jewelsbyine.blogspot.comOceaniaFiji
Tammie Everlyhttp://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/OceaniaGuam
Alice Petersonhttp://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.comOceaniaKiribati
Elisabeth Auldhttp://www.beadsforbusygals.comOceaniaNauru
Susan McClellandhttp://mistheword12.wordpress.com/OceaniaNew Zealand
D Lynne Bowlandhttp://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.comOceaniaNew Zealand
Denielle Hagermanhttp://somebeadsandotherthings.comOceaniaNew Zeland
Rebecca Andersonhttp://songbeads.blogspot.comOceaniaPapua New Guinea
Mischelle Fanucchihttp://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/OceaniaSamoa
Kari Asburyhttp://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.comOceaniaSolomon Islands
Cece Cormierhttp://www.thebeadingyogini.com/OceaniaTonga
Emma Toddhttp://www.apolymerpenchant.comOceaniaTuvalu
Debbie Pricehttp://greenshoot.blogspot.comOceaniaVanuatu


If you leave a comment I will put you in the draw for a bundle of Larimar to wrap or string.
Thank you
Tanya


PS, Please excuse the brevity of my post.I have been really ill for the last two weeks. Thank you for understanding. Tanya

Friday, August 24, 2012

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
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