It's Just Another Day...

It's my birthday.  No fanfare.  No presents.  My Aunt and cousins called and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me.  It was very thoughtful and kind.  But, that is the kind of people they are. 

Why do we make such a big deal about the day we were born?  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE ice cream and cake.  I usually the first one in line to get the corner piece with all of the frosting!  And where did that come from?  Ice cream and cake?  So, I wondered if you could search why and I googled that very question.  This is the answer that I got; "The birthday cake has come to be a symbol of the celebration of a birthday. This is for another new year in the person's life, and the cake is sort of like a good-luck thing. That's why the birthday boy / girl blows out the candles and makes a wish, and why they are supposed to cut the first slice (almost as if the cake is the new year in their life, and the first cut is to sort of bring that new year to life).
Also it tastes awesome."
But why not birthday pie or birthday fruit?  I guess it could be what ever you would want for the celebration.  Be creative!  Be different!

So how should today be?  Should I be happy?  I don't know about that...I turned 55.  I think that I am considered a senior citizen.  Does that mean I can get the senior discount at the restaurants?  Should I go to bed earlier?  I don't feel any different.  I don't look any different. 

Actually, I feel great!  OK, maybe not great, but better that usual.  I have been through a lot in the last year...back surgery in June, broke my femur (right above my knee replacement) in October and had a mild heart attack in November and had a heart ablation just this past January.   And being just 55, I am young for a knee replacement.  I actually had it when I was 48.  Twice.  Within eight months.  The first one failed (glue became loose, micro fractures of tibia, bone wore away and possible infection).  So, they had to do it again.  And with that, just about anything that could go wrong, did.  But, I am still here, still fighting. 

I am so ready for a quiet, stress free year.  I want to do stuff that I want to do.  Like take jewelry classes to learn techniques that I don't know or to brush up upon stuff that I think I know, but don't!  I am starting my quest on April 18.  There is an event in Columbus, Ohio called 'ARTISCAPE'.  They are having workshops in many different categories.  I signed up for 4 classes that weekend with the possibility of one more.  I asked a few of my friends if they would like to attend, but no one was available that weekend.  So, I am going by myself! 

So, enough of me blabbing on really about nothing.  Just the rants of a person one year older and hopefully one year wiser. 

Thanks for listening!
See you soon.
Cheryl

Life got in the way! & by the way...Where's Spring?

I have been away for a while...not physically...more mentally!  Sometimes life just gets in the way!  But, we go on and we learn and it's all good.


I just had the pleasure of visiting all of the first reveal of the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party participants.  I cannot believe how it made me feel.  It took me two days, I'm not sure how many hours, but it was so worth it.  I was moved in many ways...I was in awe, overwhelmed, I was surprised and sometimes shocked...I was taken aback by creations that were breathtaking, imposing, majestic, stunning, and sometimes, moving.  There were jewelry artists who created designs that brought me to tears, that shocked me a bit, were dramatic, that were imaginative, pleasing and original.  I saw designs that were grand, poetic, exquisite and just plain old cool.  The time that Lori Anderson must have in this endeavor has to be staggering.  I just don't know how she does it...she deserves praise to the utmost.  The soup ingredients were so diverse, contrasting and varied that it made for a colorful and spirited mix of some of the most unusual and whimsical compositions imaginable!  I can't think of any more words that will tell you how I feel!  I will definitely do the same for the second and third reveal and look forward to it.  I am participating is the second reveal...and with this being my first Bead Soup Blog Hop, I am a bit apprehensive.  I know that we challenge ourselves everyday no matter what we do in our lives.  And we do venture out of comfort zone.  It should and will help us grow and understand something new and different.

OK...so I have babbled on more than I should have...just had to say something about it all!!!



Springtime, Where Art Thou?

Just thought I would add a little Spring time to this post.  These photographs were taken last year on March 21.  This year the Magnolia tree hasn't even started to bud, the daffodils are short, little leaf groups sneaking out of the frozen ground, cushion spurge are nubs poking up and the forsythia buds are hiding!  BTW...I live in northeast Ohio.


Take care, see you soon,
Hugs-

Cheryl

 
 





A Stack of Bracelets---Bead Soup Simmering!!!

I was down in my work area in the basement today.  It is a bit chilly down there, especially when the morning temperature was 12 degrees. BBRRRRRR!!!   Today I made this stack of bracelets.  I love this color combination.  I used memory wire as the base and added two lobster clasps at the back.  Usually, these are made as bangles but I have big paws.  So, a bangle doesn't go over the palm area of my hand.  In making these, I left the back open and using the memory wire, they hold their shape and are sturdy. 

Don't forget to check out Cheri Mitchell-Reeds blog:  CreativeDesignsbyCheri.blogspot.com.  She is my Bead Soup Blog Party partner.  She has challenged my creative juices, because I haven't used any kind of fibers before in any of my designs.  We will see what happens!!! 

 

I was going to patina with liver of sulfur...I probably will...more of an antique look.  I like that look.

 

 

I hope everyone stays warm tonight, especially here in Northeast Ohio!

See y'all tomorrow,

Until then,

Cheryl

I received my Bead Soup today!!!

I received my ingredients for my first Bead Soup!  Cheri , from Creative Designs by Cheri, is my partner.  We live really close to each other-probably 20 miles or so. 

She has sent me something that I never have worked with before...Sari Silk.  Also in the ingredients are a silver clasp, silver chain, a glass heart pendant, vintage clear, purple, turquoise and emerald glass beads.  I will have to think about what to create with these pieces...definitely a challenge!  Thanks for taking me out of my comfort zone, Cheri!

Have a great evening, all.  See you soon,
Until then,
Cheryl

Back in the saddle again...

 It has been a while since I made any jewelry of any type.  I made a set of necklaces to wear to a wedding last October.  That same night, I tripped over my own foot and broke my femur.  It snapped right above my knee.  I should mention that I have had a knee replacement in 2007.  So, I have been in the healing process ever since then.  (Not since 2007, but, since last October!)  I am still using crutches, but maneuvering better.  (It took me twice as long as it should have to clean my workspace.  But, its done.)  So, getting back to jewelry making...the necklace with the ukanite is an older piece that I found in a bin of odds and ends.  The filigree necklace is something that I made today.  It is made with a lot of the components that I got from B'Sue Boutique in East Palestine, Ohio.  It has a woodland motif to it.  I like it...it's not my style, though.  The triple strand is the necklace that I made for the wedding.  It proved not to be good luck for me!  I like the color palette, though.

 

Found in odds and ends container-made a long time ago.

Made for wedding-not good luck!



 



Made this today...not my style.

I will talk to everyone later-

 

Until then,

 

Cheryl

Bead Soup Blog Party Update!

Hello everyone!

Cheri, my Bead Soup Blog Party partner received her package today. I hope that she likes it! So here it is...I sent her some of my lampwork beads and a focal that I made.  There are some Czech beads, citrine, Greek beads, swarovski pearls and multiple strands of smaller beads.  The silver is sterling-most of it is Bali silver.  There are a few Hill Tribes pieces.  I included a regular silver toggle and a multi-strand clasp.  I can't wait to see what Cheri makes!

                                                          

Since this is my first Bead Soup Blog Party I had a hard time selecting what I thought someone else would like.  Every ones taste is so different.  I like the idea of venturing out of your comfort zone.  Thanks to Lori Anderson and her very inventive and creative mind!

Talk to y'all soon.
Until then-
Cheryl

Bead Soup Blog Party! & New Work Space!

Hi everyone!

It has been way too long since my last post.  I have been cleaning and resetting my work space.  More of that to come a little later...

Bead Soup Blog Party!  Yay!  This is my first Bead Soup Blog Party.  I spent a few days trying to make my soup...different beads...different ingredients.  Silver, Copper or Gold.  Maybe Bronze?  Should it be antiqued?  Polished?  I way over thought the whole process...but I think, in a good way.  I kinda put together my favorite color combination and chose a metal that I don't use very often.
My Bead Soup partner is Cheri Reed. Her blog is http://CreativeDesignsbyCheri.blogspot.com. Cheri is a very talented jewelry artist. Oddly enough, we live just a short distance from each other-maybe 20 or so miles! I look forward to a yummy Bead Soup! Check out Cheri's blog and enjoy!  I gave her the opportunity to create a couple different options-multi strand is a possibility...maybe.  We'll see what beautiful creation Cheri makes!

Here are the Bead Soup ingredients.

This is the metal soup ingredients.

Getting ready for the Post Office...on the way to Canton, Ohio.

OK, so I mentioned something about my work space.  I wish that I would have taken before pictures, because it looked like a snow globe.  You know, one of those things that you pick up and shake and the snow comes fluttering down.  That WAS my work space-shook up and fluttered.  The major reason I restructured my space is because my boys bought my a Craftsman work bench for Christmas.  It is so neat, and big.  It is 6 big feet of workspace with a back board and built in light.  Totally awesome!  So, everything had to be relocated and in the process, cleaned and straightened up.  I'm still not done, but, it is close.  My space is in my basement.  Our house was built in 1926 and its not the warmest place in the house.  I usually turn the space heaters for about 30 minutes before I do anything.  I am fortunate to have a large basement and for whatever the reason was, the ceilings are very high.  (when they built houses back then, the basement ceilings were typically low) On the middle table area, I have my torch for lampworking.  Then you can see my glass rod supply and then my bead stash---OK, maybe I'm a bit of a hoarder.  Here are some pictures of the space...

Here is the new work bench.  Love it!

 The bead stash, findings and mixed metal stuff. To the left is a picture of glass rods for lampworking.  There is also my small stash of dichroic for fusing.  I love dichroic!

 

 

So, I will see you all soon.  Here is to a really awesome Bead Soup Blog Party!

 

Until then,

 

Cheryl