Translate

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

You can call me PollyAnna...

Pin It


This is the image I saw on the Megan's Beaded Designs FB page today. I once referred to myself as an optimistic pessimist during an online conversation. I love these little sketches that make me lean a little further to the "O" side. Thanks for sharing, Megan!

I also dig how she so serendipitously sums up what many of us are suspecting: her latest blog post, How You Should Regard Your Competition, made me purr like a kitten. Check it out!

And keep the kindness movin' along, will ya? xoxo

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

My Charms Have Arrived!

Pin It


Just a reminder: the following charms and many more can be purchased at Jennifer's eBay auction which is live right now. But hurry... some are already sold! ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO THE "BEADS OF COURAGE" CHARITY FOR SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN.

From top: Shelley Graham Turner of Fabric of my Life; Robin Koza
of Robin Koza Glass and Art Jewelry; Shai Williams of
Shaiha's Ramblings; Rita of Jewel School Friends 

Clockwise from upper right: Babette Cox of Digit Designs by Babette; Carolyn
Chenault of Sea Glass Inspired Beads & Jewelry; Deb Kauzlarich of
Flame. Color. Metal. Glass.; Perri Jackson of Shaktipaj Designs
Ah, yes, they are late to the party, but all is forgiven! My long-awaited Charm Swap guests were waiting for me in my mailbox this evening. Sorry the photos aren't better, ladies, but I seldom find photos can do justice anyway... especially when I'm taking them LOL.

This is another opportunity to firstly thank Jennifer of Glass Addictions for graciously organizing, coordinating and generally keeping somewhat sane while keeping over 500 little charms under control. You rock, Jen! By the way, over the next few days while the 50 or so donated charms are being auctioned on eBay, Jen is having a charm fashion show over on her blog. Click on the link above to go there.

I am always amazed at the talent and creativity of my fellow artisans. To you wonderful ladies in my group, I want to thank you for these precious little works of art. I love them all. I had some kind of fantasy that I would be using them in jewellery and sending them out into the world. That may or may not happen! I need some time to enjoy them for myself. MY PRECIOUS... So to Babette, Carolyn, Deb, Perri, Rita, Robin, Shaiha and Shelley, my hat is off to you! You are my idols and I am indeed proud to own the original creations you have so kindly bestowed on me. 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Charmed, I'm Sure!

Pin It


Welcome to my staging area for the 2012 Art Charm Swap. What is an art charm, you ask? A charm that has been either created or altered by the designer; by their nature most are one-of-a-kind, miniature works of art. 


I have made my charms with my favourite creative medium: polymer clay. 






On the left is a multicolour cane of swirled Kato (I used the standard colours, something I seldom do, but I wanted the impact of the intense primaries in this case). At right are the baked slices. Each is unique!

On the back of each baked disc I then added a cute pink heart with some text:





Each charm was baked, sanded and buffed at every stage. Next came the fronts, in two further steps, the base (arms) of the sun was formed and added to the disc, and detailed. Lastly the face was carefully made using only basic etching and pearling tools. Custom-tinted glaze was applied as a final finish. I think I'll call him "Sunny".



Each of these cousins is a unique item. The jump-rings are niobium in a rainbow of colours!




I hope my loving, laughing suns will bring some cheer wherever they have travelled! Now please do check these other artists and find some unique charmers that speak to you. Then, starting at 3:00 pm EST, click here for Jennifer's charm auction for "Beads of Courage", a fantastic program helping seriously ill children to bravely face difficult challenges!


Alenka Obid http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchage-reveal.html
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-auction.html 
Babette Cox http://babettecox.com/blog.htm
Carol Watson http://www.carolwatsonartglass.blogspot.com
Carolyn Chenault http://carolynchenault.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage-auction-2/
Cassi Paslick http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal.html
Charlene Jacka http://clay-space.com/2012/11/early-christmas/
Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/2012/11/to-participate-in-charm-swap-you-must.html
Cheryl McCloud http://cherylmccloud.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-beads-of.html
Deb Kauzlarich http://debkauzlarich.blogspot.com
Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Emma Todd http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-in-aid-of-boc.html
Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-laugh.html
Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-2012.html
Inge vonRoos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Jean Peter http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/ http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-charm-swap.html
Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage/
Jennifer Cameron http://wp.me/p1xIa0-wn
Kia Dallons http://kiadallonsstudio.blogspot.jp/2012/11/laughter-is-best-medicine.html
Kimberly Roberts http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap.html
Kristy Bowman http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-hop.html
Lea Avroch http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-beads-of-courage-art-charm-swap.html
Leslie Schenkel http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/?p=171
Linda Florian http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com/
Lori Greenberg http://lorigreenberg.com/blog/?p=3068
Lynnea Bennett http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-time-has-come-art-charm-blog-reveal.html
Marcy Lamberson http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-by-minions-im-sure.html
Marsha Neal Studio http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-exchange-and-beads-of-courage.html
Maureen Connolly http://mrsbeadsley.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-reveal.html
Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-blog-hop.html
*YOU ARE HERE* http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-im-sure.html
Natalie McKenna http://www.grubbi.co.uk/
Perri Jackson http://shaktipajdesigns.com/11/blog/reveal-the-laughter-art-charms/
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-auction-and-reveal.html
Robin Koza http://www.robinkoza.com
Shaiha Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-hop.html
Shannon Hicks http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Shelby Foxwell http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal.html
Shelley Graham Turner http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/2012/11/reveal-2012-charm-swap.html
Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-art-charm-reveal.html
Stephanie Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/laughter-art-bead-charm-swap-auction.html
Susan Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal-and.html
Toltec Jewels http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2012/11/BOCArtCharmRevealBlogHop.html
Vanessa Gilkes http://culturezine.com/blog/?p=550

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Frivolous and Fabulous

Pin It
Buddy the Elf Cat Hat
Go ahead and laugh... I DARE YOU!



My Etsy Finds newsletter just featured Sara, who calls herself "the cat hat lady", and her adorable creations over at scooterKnits. Of course, they showed another  hat, but I am in love with this one. I am probably Will Farrell's biggest non-fan, but I accidentally saw him in "ELF". I fell in love with his hilarious and innocent Buddy the Elf character. Farrell IS Buddy in my mind. Well worth watching if you are a sucker for Christmas movies (I still cry every time I watch "It's a Wonderful Life").

Now if I can just talk my kitties into wearing hats...





Friday, November 09, 2012

Stay tuned for some charming characters!

Pin It


On Monday, November 12, please join us for a "charming" event. A large group of artisans, working in a variety of materials and styles, have created and swapped charms around a special theme. We will be revealing our designs, and possibly some ideas for future projects; in addition you will be directed to an online auction to raise funds for a wonderful cause: the Beads of Courage, a program which helps seriously ill children in participating hospitals throughout many countries. 

This auction will be administered by the charming Jennifer Stout Cameron who will offer for sale charms donated by all the artisans! The money raised will be donated to Beads of Courage. What a great way to pick up some special one-of-a-kind creations AND help bring smiles to sick children! Drop in here on Monday and link to all the blogs for some early Holiday Cheer!

Link Within

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...