A Heart from South Africa

Just a quickie post... I have been impatiently watching the mailbox for a couple of treats I won over the last few weeks. Today the first arrived: this  beautiful set of ceramic beads from Wellington, South Africa, courtesy of Desirée Malan (earthbutter studio blog).

Until I decide on a design in which to use them, I've strung them on some lovely coordinating silk ribbon from Marsha Neal Studio that looks and feels so nice with ceramic. So pretty... on second thought, this may well be their permanent home!

  

Desirée now has two Etsy shops, EarthButter Studio, where she has been busily selling for just over a year to very appreciative customers; and her newly opened EarthButter Beads shop, for larger bead orders, and featuring a great opening special... a coupon code for 20% off! Here in Desirée's own words is her creative statement:

"This is where you will find unique colour co-ordinated ceramic bead sets & one-of-a-kind ceramic beads made in South Africa. Earthbutter beads are hand shaped by single mothers from a disadvantaged rural community near Cape Town. I design, glaze and fire the beads in my pottery studio.

Each bead is a small work of art and the finger prints of the beadmakers are often visible in the clay surface. This is the reason why Earthbutter beads are so special - no two beads will ever be exactly the same!"

Thank you so much for this beautiful and unique set of beads, Desirée! I can't wait to wear them proudly and carry a bit of sunny South Africa wherever I go.♥

 

Season of Storms

I'm working on my creation for Miss Erin's Challenge of Music, inspired by the unbelievable weather we have been "enjoying" here in the eastern part of North America (and many other spots). I have selected a favorite piece by Antonio Vivaldi. You should easily guess which movement from the following hints:

On a more pleasant theme, here's a musical treat for today, a lovely interpretation of a traditional hymn, from a 1993 recording by Marty Haugen, Jeanne Cotter, and David Haas. There is a newer version out there covered by many other amateur and professional singers, but I love this older melody, written by American Baptist minister Robert Wadsworth Lowry in 1869. The original words by "Pauline T":

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth's lamentation,
I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn
That hails a new creation;

Thro' all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?

What tho' my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What tho' the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it;

The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his—
How can I keep from singing?

These words were later adapted and "folksified" for performance by 1960s folk revivalist Pete Seeger. As a hymn, this beautiful composition remains inspirational. Hope you enjoy it!

Just in Case...

Lori's First Bead Soup

This is a public service announcement... in case there is anyone in the galaxy who hasn't yet heard:

***LORI ANDERSON'S 7th BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY SIGN-UP IS THIS WEEKEND, JANUARY 25, 26 AND 27, 2013.***

There, that's my civic duty done. Here is the link to Lori's once a year event. She explains EVERYTHING you need to know, so no need for me to elaborate.

To be completely honest, I haven't yet decided whether I will be taking part. This party is huge... and I am am such a party-pooper by nature! I've had a few issues with receiving mail in a timely manner from certain locales. Add my need for control in the mix... blah, blah, blah... I'm starting to see this for what it is: fear of commitment. Emphasis on the FEAR!

Recycled Hearts

 

Here's a kid-friendly, quick and easy (and green) Valentine's craft from the Create for Less blog. Could be adapted for any theme. This was shared by the crafty and vintage-loving Stephanie of A Geek in Glasses. Thanks Stephanie! 

Enter to Win from The Beading Gem!

Here's another give-away from Pearl at The Beading Gem, folks. This draw is INTERNATIONAL and will end Monday, January 28, 2013. **YOU MUST ENTER AT PEARL'S BLOG, JUST CLICK ON THE LINK.** In a previous shout-out I apparently (and unintentionally) was not clear about that. My apologies! Here is the lovely prize: 

A letter set from ImpressArt in the winner's choice of font. These stamps are made especially for use on metal. I rarely stamp in metal, but I love the stamps for writing neatly on the backs of polymer clay projects, like this one for the Challenge of Color blog hop last year:

Good luck in the give-away, everyone!