Let it Bead

It's hard to believe the year is almost over. 2012 has been a difficult year for me in many ways, so I'm ready to kiss it goodbye and to embrace what the new year has to offer. In the art of positive thinking:

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This time of year is flooded with weight loss advertisements appropriately placed to fit in nicely with resolutions to lose weight in the new year. I'm impressed with Kellogg's Special K's positive and motivational way to approach weight loss (and resolutions) with their new slogan of "What will you gain when you lose?" Since weight loss is always on my New Year's resolutions list (sometimes in the form of "I resolve not to make weight loss a resolution" in case it doesn't happen and to prevent the inevitable guilt that follows as a result) this slogan resonated with me and I chose to take that positive approach when making my 2013 New Year's Resolutions:

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Learn a new jewelry making skill.

All of my jewelry making is bead based. While I absolutely love working with beads of all shapes and sizes and weaving them into jewelry with needle and thread, I also love the idea of learning about different jewelry mediums and eventually incorporating them into my beaded jewelry. I'm particularly interested in learning about working with PMC (Precious Metal Clay).

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Participate in The Studio Sublime's "Focusing on Life, 52 Photos"

I got a DSLR camera for Christmas this year and I'm so excited to learn how to use it so I can take pictures of my beaded jewelry. I also want to use it to capture moments of life as they unfold this year and this weekly photo challenge will encourage me to do it long after I've learned how to work the camera.

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Practice Positive Thinking

Budha says it best...you are your thoughts...and maybe mine haven't been as good or as positive as they should be...

Whether you believe in New Year's resolutions or not, I hope you're able to peacefully close the chapter on 2012 and welcome 2013 with open arms.

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Let it Bead,


~~


Do you make New Year's resolutions? More importantly, do you keep them?

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Happy Holidays

May your days be merry and bright,

and may all your Christmases be white.

Let it Bead,

Twas the Night Before Christmas

A few years ago my brother wrote his own version of Clement Clarke Moore's "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Nick had just graduated from college that past summer and had spent the months leading up to the holidays in a grueling search for a job in the financial industry. He used some of his spare time that holiday to pen the following poem and it's become a Christmas Eve tradition to read Nick's version of the classic poem each year.

The Night Before Christmas

by Nicholas Salezze

 (Permission graciously granted by the author after a small bribe was made.)

'Twas the night before Christmas, and I still had no job;
Not a business was hiring, not even the mob.
It wasn't my choice to start a career,
I just wanted to stay in college and drink lots of beer.
I said my goodnights and went to my bed,
While visions of dollar signs danced in my head;
I knew while my dad was laying on down,
He'd think of my progress and surely he'd frown.
I thought to myself, should I be like his daughter
and move to Schenectady, or hell, maybe farther;
He missed her a lot, maybe he'd miss me too
and then feel bad for what he put me through.
I couldn't do that, I just couldn't leave;
I'd miss spending time with my mom and her bees;
When it comes to being kind, my mother is able
Just don't answer your phone when you're at the table.
I then stopped thinking of my professional state;
I'll go to sleep and leave it to fate.
I awake in the morning to a delightful call;
It was an offer to coach for boy's basketball.
I said yes right away and was very excited;
Then I told my father, who seemed kind of slighted;
He wasn't ecstatic with my new position;
Cuz in his eyes only what mattered was one condition;
In regards to that call I need a re-occurrence;
Because as my dad pointed, it didn't come with insurance.
I was all bummed out and didn't know what to do;
Then I thought "I'll head up to Scranton, go visit da U."
I'll visit my friends who still think I'm cool;
They just told me to get a job, and to stop being a fool.
I came back home, with my head in my hands;
"What the hell happened," I thought, I used to have fans;
I'll call my sister, she"ll know what to say,
"Nick, it's ten in the morning, for waking me you'll pay."
As I walked into the kitchen, what did I see?
The only Salezze less successful than me.
"Hey there, Charlie, how is your day?"
"Roof, roof," he barked. That's all he can say.
I gave him a hug, thinking he needed one too;
Then Aunt Patty said Nick, take him out to poo."
I looked at Charlie who was jumping with glee
and wished I was that happy after only a pee.
I came back inside and thought to myself,
What are my job options, I'm too big for an elf;
Oh phone, please ring, someone please call,
I don't know know how deeper my depression may fall.
And that's when it happened, my luck finally changed,
the job offer I'd wanted had finally came.
I had to tell my family, it would make them so happy
and maybe my dad would stop being so sappy.
So I hung up the phone without even knowing;
My mom was there, tears already flowing;
She sprang up from her seat and gave me a kiss
Ahh the appreciation that I've clearly missed.
I'm so happy and glad, ahh this feels so right;
If only I knew I'd be studying all night!

Click the picture below for an extra special Christmas treat!

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday!

Let it Bead,


~~

What holiday traditions do you celebrate each year?

In addition to reading my brother's poem, my family also goes to Christmas Eve mass, eats a seafood dinner Christmas Eve and wakes up extra early (per my brothers demand request) to open presents and bask in the early morning glow of Christmas.

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String

While perusing through Pinterest for some holiday wrapping ideas, I came across this one and immediately thought "brown paper packages tied up in string..."

Source: jugglingwithkids.com via Marla on Pinterest

So I bought some brown paper and some raffia ribbon, pulled out my letter stamps, stickers and card stock from my old scrap booking collection, printed out some great Christmas images and went to town wrapping.

An interactive wrapping paper with a black and white Charlie Brown Christmas scene and a small box of crayons:

The paw print means the gift is from Gracie.

Images of Santa for the Secret Santa gifts:

 And if you're more of a traditionalist, Gracie recommends this wrapping paper:

Let it Bead,


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Beaded Ornaments

Last year I made beaded ornaments to give as gifts to some of my family members for Christmas. It was a personalized gift that they can hang each year on their Christmas tree.

For my parents, I made a bead embroidered ornament for their 32nd wedding anniversary, which is celebrated each year on December 22. My mom liked it so much she displays it year round in her home.

For my aunt, I made a bead embroidered ornament of my aunt's love and joy, her Airedale Retriever, Charlie. 

The likeness of Charlie to the Airedale Retriever on the bead I found at a bead show is uncanny!

Let it Bead,


~~

Have you ever beaded an ornament or made a homemade ornament to give as a gift?

I've only ever made beaded ornaments for gifts. (I've also made a few handmade ornaments in art class that I've given to my parents and they still hang them on their Christmas tree each year.) Next year I'm determined to make a beaded ornament or two for my own tree.

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Dancing Around the Christmas Tree

When my tree finally gets put up, sometimes it stays up for a few weeks days after Christmas. Since I know that will be the case despite my best intentions, I decorate my tree with ornaments that match the interior colors of my living room. The typical red and green holiday motif would make me feel guilty past December 25, but a palette that blends with my decor makes me feel just a little better when I'm still staring at my tree in the middle of January.

 

Let it Bead,



~~

What kind of Christmas tree do you put up each year?

I grew up with a traditional Christmas tree and my parents still put up their traditional tree each year. I love being a part of decorating their tree because the ornaments in their collection signify important moments and memories of people, places and events in our lives. They still hang up ornaments commemorating their first Christmas together (they had a Christmastime wedding), ornaments my brother and I made in Art class during elementary school and ornaments from their Christmas tree as children.

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Stocking Stuffers...

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 

...for the Beaders in Your Life

Thread Cutter Pendant

Mini Sticky Bead Mat 

Needle Storage Case

 Peyote Ruffle Bracelet Kit

Storage Containers

...for the Women in Your Life

 Mini Magnetic Bag Light

Holiday Stackable Tea Tin 

Echo 'Touch' Ruffled Wool Blend Gloves

L'Occitane Hand Cream

Rosebud Salve

...for the Men in Your Life

 Whiskey Stones

Jack Black Lip Balm Quad

Cigar Case and Cutter
Stag Bottle Stopper

Gam 6-in-1 Hammer

...for the Dog Lovers in Your Life

Bad Dog Coasters

Sandy Paws Print Kit

Paw Print Notecards
Dog Bone Photo Frame

Sniff Soy Candles

Hope these stocking stuffer gift guides help you fill
the stockings of all the people in your life this year!

Let it Bead,


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Innovation Team

I'm excited to announce that I've been selected to participate in the 2013 Nunn Design Innovation Team!

Nunn Design is a small company that produces jewelry findings of the highest quality. Nunn Design  was founded by Rebecca Nunn and makes their findings in the United States. The goal of Nunn Design is to foster communication, build community and facilitate the creation of beauty. You can learn more about the Nunn Design brand here.

I'm so honored and excited to be a part of this creative and innovative team and to help spread Nunn Design's mission of inspiring and nurturing creativity among jewelry artists.

Introduce yourself to the other Innovation Team members and discover their talents here.

Let it Bead,


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The Write Stuff

"Greeting cards have all been sent

The Christmas rush is through

But I still have one wish to make

A special one for you.

Merry Christmas, Darling..."

Today I addressed my last Christmas card envelope, only to discover I had run out of cards and still had more recipients to write to. So I placed a quick reorder of cards from Shutterfly and dropped the 75 cards I had signed, stamped and sealed in the mailbox.

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

This is the first Christmas we're celebrating with my puppy, Gracie. She has quickly become my family's dog, not just mine. So I thought it only appropriate to include her in the family Christmas photo and formally introduce her to all our friends and family. 

Writing out this year's holiday cards was truly in the spirit of celebrating 25 Days of Christmas. With each envelope I addressed, I thought of the recipient and the importance they played in my life over the years. The sentiment on the back of each card, along with a paw print stamp, will hopefully spread cheer and goodwill to everyone who receives it, knowing I'm thinking of them this Christmas.

May the magic and wonder of this Christmas season fill your heart and home.

~~

Did you send out holiday cards this year? Where do you create your photo cards?

I used Shutterfly for the first time to make my holiday cards. I found a 10% off and free shipping promotion code which made the price very nice. They had a great selection of greetings and designs and I was very pleased with the final product, although I couldn't get rid of our red eyes. While on the Shutterfly website I also discovered some creative photo gifts for the people on my Christmas shopping list, a happy bonus!

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