Focusing on Life - Week Three: Taking Time

I'm linking up with Sally again over at The Studio Sublime for her weekly Focusing on Life photo submission. This week's theme was taking time for ourselves, which fit in nicely with my weekend mountain getaway. 

So far the weekend has included snuggling up by the fire, walking Gracie in the snow, beading bracelets and feasting on delicious homemade vegetable stew.

Have a great weekend. Don't forget to take some time for yourself!

Let it Bead,


~~

What's your favorite weekend getaway?

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I Promise I'll Keep it Short

I love long hair. Long, wavy hair to be exact. Problem is, my hair is stick straight and can only keep a curl for about an hour, despite the copious amounts of styling tools and products I use. But that doesn't stop me from growing my hair out every once and awhile with the hopes that I'll "make it work" this time around.

Shortly after sporting the beautiful hair bow look for my friend's wedding in December, my long hair quickly went from fab to drab.  It was just too long to manage and I couldn't justify the time or energy it took to dry and style it every day. So I took the plunge and cut most of it off!

The result: a lighter, fresher, more manageable coif!

Let it Bead,



~~

What's your favorite hairstyle and how do you wear your hair everyday?

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Focusing on Life - Week Two: Your Word

I'm linking up with Sally again over at The Studio Sublime for her weekly Focusing on Life photo submission. This week's theme was to choose a word to focus on in the new year. Based on my photo, it's no surprise what word I chose:

The past year and a half have been challenging for me health-wise. When I tell myself it can't get any worse, I seem to be reminded that it can. (There's a partial view of the immobilizing boot I'm currently forced to wear as the result of a recent high ankle sprain in my photo.)

I chose the word HOPE to focus on in 2013 for a few reasons: Hope I'll get better physically; Hope that there are valuable lessons to be learned from these unexpected challenges; Hope that everything will work out the way it's meant to, even if it's not the way I want it to.

Let it Bead,


~~

What is your focus word for 2013?

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Bead & Button Show Classes

Mark your calendars for May 29 through June 10...it's the Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!

Registration for classes has officially opened. If you haven't registered, head on over and make your selections. 

I'm so excited to be attending this year, as I've been wanting to go for years. I'm also excited that I was able to secure a seat in the following classes:

Light and Shadow: The Art of Photographing Jewelry

This class will hopefully help me get the most of my new DSLR camera and photographing my jewelry for my blog and Etsy shop.

Pinwheel Woven Pendant

 

So excited at the thought of basket weaving with metal wire. Even better, I can incorporate my beads into the design.

Introduction to PMC

Really excited to learn how to use PMC. I was torn between a three day intensive class and a three hour intensive class. I was afraid the three day would be too much and the three hours not enough, so I went with the middle of the road and hopefully will learn enough in this one day intensive PMC class.

Twisted Delight

I've been trying to teach myself the double spiral rope stitch for years. I love the single spiral rope and the double spiral rope will just take it to a whole other level. Excited to get some professional instruction on this stitch so I can finally master it.

Resin A-Z

I'm starting to step out of my beading box this year as I try to incorporate different components and findings into my work. My affiliation with the 2013 Nunn Design Innovation Team has really helped me do that and I'm excited to learn how to use resin properly so I can start incorporating it into my jewelry.

Encore with Sherry Serafini: Embroidered and Embellished - A Coin Purse

This is probably the class I'm most excited for. I've beaded with Sherry Serfini before at a 2011 bead retreat and she is just awesome. Because of her, I'm addicted to bead embroidery and I love the idea of incorporating the beaded technique with a favorite accessory of mine: the purse!

See you at the show in June!

Let it Bead,


~~

Are you going to the Bead & Button Show this year? What classes are you taking?


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Good Luck Charm

This was the first year I became an "active" Notre Dame football fan, i.e. actually watching the games all season rather then just asking someone if they won or lost the next day. I'd like to think my sideline participation from the couch had something to do with their incredible season, but credit can only really be given to the talent, hard work and passion of the players and coaching staff. Let's hope the luck of the Irish continues tonight as they kick off against Alabama in BCS National Championship game in Miami.

I made a quick "lucky" charm bracelet with emerald aventurine beads and gold four leaf clovers to wear while I cheer on the Fighting Irish.

Emerald is a big Pantone trend color for 2013, so the Fighting Irish uniforms are right in style!

Possibly the biggest Notre Dame fan--maybe even trumping my dad and brother who are actually attending tonight's game--is Gracie.

She's been bleeding blue and gold all season:

They probably don't need it, but good luck Notre Dame! We'll be watching!

Let it Bead,


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Focusing on Life - Week One

Sally over at The Studio Sublime has created a "photo a week" submission entitled Focusing on Life. Given I received a new DSLR camera for Christmas this year, I decided to join her and others and submit a photo a week chronicling the 52 weeks of the new year.

Focusing on Life - Week One: Self Portrait

This picture was taken while getting ready for my friend's wedding. It was one of those photos that I had no idea I'd taken until I was looking through all the wedding photos the next day, and it thoroughly surprised me. I chose this picture for my self portrait because it captured an enthusiasm for life I sometimes doubt. The photo also showcases a recent pair of earrings I made that you can see in technicolor here.

Let it Bead,



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Blushing Bridesmaids

My friend got married the weekend before Christmas and I was one of her bridesmaids. I was so excited to be a part of her special day and the wedding was lovely. It was the perfect precursor to Christmas--with the hustle and bustle of getting ready, the snowflakes flurrying through the sky as we made our way into the mansion where the ceremony and reception were to be held, and the warmth and beauty of the charming Christmas decor at every turn.

My gift to the bride was making her wedding jewelry and the jewelry for the three bridesmaids. For the bridesmaids, I made each a bracelet and pair of earrings.

I made beaded bracelets adapted from Csilla Csirmaz's Petite Pearls Toggle bracelets originally published in Beadwork magazine.

I choose dark raspberry pearls and satin ruby Swarovski crystals to match the wine colored fabric of our dresses. Since our shoes were silver, sterling beads and findings accented the bracelets and earrings.

One truly blushing bridesmaid!

Let it Bead,


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