Sunday 26 May 2013

...and the Oscar goes to.......

Whoops wrong event, but I truly feel this way and so a little Oscar speech is in order.....


This has been such an incredible experience; I can't believe I am a winner. I have to thank the incredible director of the BSBP Lori Anderson; thank you, thank you, thank you, you throw a fantastic party. Thank you to all of the judges too, Beaducation – Lisa Niven Kelly, Fusion Beads, Kalmbach Publishing - Karin Van Voorhees, Lima Beads, Nina Designs, PJ Tool Jewellery and Design...what a daunting task you were faced with. A special thank you to Kalmbach Publishing, Fusion Beads and Nina Designs for choosing me ....WOW what an honor!!! Thank you to all my fellow artists who participated in the 7th BSBP, you made the journey so much fun. My incredible, incredible husband, who I couldn't have done this without. You are truly one of the unsung heroes of my life and my two daughters who offer me constant encouragement and are my biggest fans. You have all made my dreams come true and there are no words to describe how much I thank you. A special thank you Amy Severino for being my partner in the 7th BSBP.  Your soup was my inspiration and this win would not have been possible without you!  I can't wait for next year's party!




Kalmbach Publishing, 
Debbie Rasmussen of A little of this, a little of that

(voted for entire body of work)
 



Both Fusion Beads and Nina Designs chose
Debbie Rasmussen of a little of this, a little of that
(that's three wins with two pieces for Debbie -- way to go!)

Sunday 12 May 2013

...on the road again...

Yeah, I am off for a weeks vacation...so needed. My husband and I are headed to the coast - to get a  family fix, to do a little (a lot) of shopping, to take a few pictures but most of all to just get away.

Last time we got away, I took this picture of two swallows sitting on the fence....I love how this turned out.

Birds on a wire...


    





I seem to be enamored with dragon flies lately, I just figured out how to make Russian leafs and I found a picture of the Russian dragon fly and I knew I had to give it a try. I just love how it turned out!


Bluefly

Maybe I will be lucky when on the coast and find some gorgeous beads......


Saturday 4 May 2013

...and they're off....


My husband and I often go to the antique market in our neighborhood, to do what we like to call "picking". I am always hunting for pieces of old jewelery, old beads - anything that I could turn into a beautiful creation.  One day I turned down the last isle and there it was - a whole booth full of the most awesome fascinators and delightful little hats. I think I tried everyone on. I left without purchasing one because after all where on earth would I wear it.....that didn't last long. I had to have one even if I just wore it to wash dishes.  Spring forward several weeks and to my delight, there right before my eyes a blog challenge of the most wonderful kind...the "Hats off Challenge"  Jewelery inspired by the Derby - Kentucky that is. Bobbie you are a genius, for me this was meant to be.  I had so much fun designing a piece to go with the hat that I had recently purchase, but I couldn't stop there. Bobbie had posted some pictures of different derby hats for inspiration and I fell so in love with this one. I imagined myself wearing this hat with a lovely piece of jewelery. Oh and to complete both outfits, I bought matching gloves.  Thank you Bobbie for an incredibly fun challenge...I hope this becomes an annual event, just like the Derby.

Bobbie's Inspiration
Derby Blossom
My Inspiration
Black Onyx
Black Onyx close up
Please visit the other participants to see what they have done.



Bobbie Rafferty www.beadsong.blogspot.com

Susan Nelson Bowie www.susanbowie.wordpress.com