A very busy time of the year for me!!  I have done lots of classes... either @ my R.C.A.  studio or  some classes where I go out with my bag of goodies... Mosaics are really HOT  right now.  Just did a class  with 10 participants today.  Everyone can do mosaics.. it is a very forgiving craft.... Virtually anything can be mosaiked with the right sort of glue!!

linen necklace

Here's a photo of the new linen necklaces that I have developed!!  They were a big seller at the Potter's & Artisan Show & Sale
It was a challenge finding just the right linen to make them!!

linen bracelet

Here's a photo of the linen bracelet that I made just recently!!

Where did all the time go??  After I returned from France I had to get moving and get  ready for the Potters & Artisans Show & Sale at the Rotary Centre for the Arts..all the while teaching a few classes and dealing with my 87 year old Mom who has a fractured hip among other things... going everyday either to the hospital or the home where she reside to make sure she eats!!!

 

The sale at the Rotary Centre went really well.. the best one since I have been doing it!!!  I made some new linen necklaces  which were a big hit..the ear rings sold well!!  I have another sale this Wednesday....Not much work to do for this one as I am all set up from the sale last week???

 A view of our Villa in France... The part that we stayed in was built in 1629...But the inside had just been redone and was very modern!!

This is the wildfire that we can see from our house across the lake from Peachland. B.C. Canada

 Living in  a semi-arid desert is always a concern... we have not had any significant amount of rain for about  60 days.
This is what can happen in an instant.... just a small spark or carelessly tossed cigarette..some winds around 30 miles per hour and presto... a wild fire!!!  Over 1500  people have been evacuated!!!

Well..here it is Sept. already and I still have some blog hopping to do.

All of our summer company has come and gone..so I am just doing a few things  in the studio.. re-organizing and trying to get rid of stuff that I don't need or use.  I've got a big box of clothes to go to the charity shops and hopefully I can let go of some other stuff around my studio that is  just sitting here.  But as soon as I get rid of something I usually need it!!!  C'est la Vie!!!


 

6th Bead Soup Blog Hop 3rd Reveal

It's after midnight in the East so I am going to post this from the Pacific Northwest....

 Well, the big day has  finally come. Here's  what  I made with the beads from  Bonnie  over at Jasper's Gems....  I was feeling like making a bunch of wrapped bead dangles.....  I used some  of  my  vintage  brass chain which I have been collecting for a long time.  I usually work in sterling silver or silver plate.  Some times I use copper wire...but not too often do I use brass.  I like how the brass goes with the blue.. 
Just love the big brass hand-forged nugget... it has so much depth!!!

The whole project took a lot longer than I had anticipated but well worth it!!  I even had enough beads to make ear rings and a bracelet.  I added some dark blue seed beads, some white dagger tubes (also vintage), a few brass balls and some small white seed beads..  I called the collection 
     
                      "VINTAGE  BLUES"

View all of the participants here at  Lori's 6th bead soup blog party..3rd reveal

                  Happy blogging!!!!!!!



Thanks to our super hostess Lori Anderson for all the work that she has done.

The Bead Soup Blog Party is now on Pinterest:

  http://pinterest.com/limamike/6th-bead-soup-blog-party/

What a great way to see all the Soup participants!!!

Here's a look at the bead soup mix that I sent my partner   Bonnie
at Jasper moon!!

Here's the 2nd  Bead Soup Blog Party  reveal today      http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html...   can't wait to see what the other  fab beaders have come up with!!!

I'm working on my fabulous bead soup mix sent from Bonnie... all finished the main part.... I's trying some new stuff for me.... Can't wait to post it!!!!
My daughter & grandkids are here from Montreal... Lots of lake time,  the water is really warm......who knows I may even go wakeboarding this afternoon!!!!

The first reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Party happened on Saturday....over at    Lori Andersons Bead Soup Blog Party

and if you want to see the whole 1st  Bead Soup Blog Party reveal... Tanya 's massive endeavor... to show the entire 1st reveal at once  go to The whole shebang!!   So many talents artists!!!

 the latest singed fabric flower!!

BEAD SOUP BLOG HOP

 Here is the fabuous bead soup mix that I received from my partner Bonnie at Jasper Gems... just love the pretty vintage blue beads and the brass  findings..especially the large hand-forged brass nugget focal... I am going to have to think of something extra-special for these babies!!!

 Here is the soupy mix that I sent to my partner Bonnie...I call it

   'Ode to Orange'

I love the orange and  lavender colours together.... It was fun making the head-pins too!!

So much happening toay!!!  Just received my Bead soup Mix from my partner Bonnie ....Awesome.... will have to wait till tomorrow to take some photos...

I passed my Boat drivers licence exam..yeah!!!  My daughter and grandkids arrive from Montreal tomorrow....  Summer has finally arrived... Got my passport stuff done & in to the PassPort office to get it renewed... (going to Spain in Sept/Oct....  So far it is a good week!!!

Bead Soup Sent to my partner Bonnie

 here's a hint of the bead soup that i sent to my partner Bonnie

Busy studying for my boat exam... all boat operators have to have a licence from the government...(my husband thought I should get the licence in case I get to drive the boat.... not much chance there!!!!  It is a bit intimidating!!!!)

So far I have spent 10 hours doing an on-line course...I can see another 5 or 6.

Waiting for my bead soup mix to arrive in the mail... should be here some time this week....

Took a glance out of my dining room window the other day ..  just in time to see these beautiful creatures!!!  We are so lucky to be living where the wild animals can roam freely....they don't seem to be at all bothered by us  'humans'.

Life is good!!  the sun came out last week and we are having glorious SUMMER weather.... nice and HOT..although we have a lot of smoke hanging around from the Colorado fire and even some smoke from fires burning in Siberia!! of all places.... We have  had a few fires here  ourselves  but the big plane that drops the fire retardant was on them super fast.... so they didn't amount to much... we are going to be on the Extreme fire danger alert by this weekend though!!

Here's some photos of the kids mosaic project I did with them a while back..
There were 129 kids in 4 classes... it went really well... except for the grouting..I think I will do the grouting next time...hope the janitor didn't mind the black grout all over the floor.  It was a BIG project and I learned just as much as the kids... Over all it was really fun!!  Kids are so enthusiastic!!!

Where did all the time go??   Got my partner from Lori over at prettythings.....  Bonnie and   I  are paired up again....  that makes it easy-peasy.... I know what I would like to send to  Bonnie over at JaspersGems... just have to make the beads... 

It's a bit hectic here right now... we live on a large lake and  it is fulllllll of water.. so much that it it just about over our dock... we had to put big barrels and sand bags out to keep the water from going into our little cabana that has our well in..  We have had so much rain in the last month....all the rivers are overflowing and washing away buildings, etc.  Hope we don't get any big wind which will make bigger waves!!!

  Signed up for the 6th Bead Soup Blog party!!!!

   Can't wait to see who I am partnered with..

  Just got a new kiln to anneal my beads  and  have to get going making some awesome beads...  Just got back from Toronto a few weeks ago and took a  lampworking class with Amy Waldman-Smith...super lampworker!!

Here's the other pair of ear rings I received from Sharleen Newland  This is another of my favorite colour combos!!!  LOVE the ear wires on both pairs...

Here's the ear rings I received from Susan Kennedy   They are just fabulous.. and one

of my favorite colours!!!!

The Big Reveal Day is HERE!!!Here's the list  of the participants for the EAR RING SWAP..     organized by:  Diana

Diana Ptaszynski
Jan Onipenco
Patti Vanderbloemen
Mary Harding
Diane Hawkey
Lesley Watt
Jenny Davies Reazor
Melinda Orr
Cilla Watkins
Stephanie Haussler
Sally Russick
Susan Kennedy
Amy Freeland
Marla James
Pam Sears
Tania Spivey
Kathleen Lange Klik
Lori Bowring Michaud
Erin Prais-Hintz
Gail Barnett
Linda Landig
Sharleen Newland
Dee Elgie
Mary Shannon Hicks
Lisa Johnson
Shelby Foxwell
Keri Lee Sereika
Cheryl Brown
Linda Younkman
Kari Asbury
Fay Wolfenden

two things to report today!!!  I received one of my pairs of ear rings for the ear ring swap yesterday.. they are georgeous!!!!  Hope I get the other ones tomorrow!

Will have to take photos of them & post them on my blog on Thursday.. the big reveal!!

I did the mosaic project with the first group of kids today.. 60 in total... they did fantastic!!!  Will do the other 69 on Thursday morning...  Will have to post the ear ring swap pics when I get home in the afternoon!!!

The Ear Ring Swap that I entered  organized by 
  go here :     Diana Ptaszynski..Surburbangirlstudio 
 My ear rings have made it all the way to  Pennsylvania.. I have yet to receive mine yet!!  The reveal day is June  7
I can't wait to get mine.    The Mail to our little city is ever so slow!!!! I totally forgot to take photos of the ones I sent  I was in such a rush to get them mailed.

Finally finished getting ready for my mosaic session with 129 Grade 5 & 6 students.... Had to drill a hole in 129 pieces of 4" x 6" glass. The old Dremel on the drill press-stand came through with flying colours.. Could not have done it without it!!!
 Just getting the frameless picture frames from all the $ stores in town was a challenge in itself. But I did  learn that I can order them if I have a least 2 weeks lead time.  Oh well..next time!!!!
Cut up 30 pounds of glass into little pieces.  By all my calculations that should be enough glass.   My kitchen scale came in handy to weigh it.  All put into baggies by the colour... Not sure how that will work..  will probably be all mixed up at the end of the sessions... I am surprised that my fingers are still working!!!!  Next came the glue.. My husband had a gallon of Weldbond, so I poured it into 8 smaller squeeze bottles.
Fortunately I am doing each grade on separate days.. I am sure the project will need a bit of tweaking.....Will post some pics. soon!!

It's been a while since I have posted.... it's visitor time again!! This time some relatives from England!!!!
Just got another  assignment...working with the school kids... so had to design another project.... have been having fun doing that.   We are going to do some
glass mosaics... It seems I am going to be working with about 125 students, so a lot of preparing to do!!!  Will post some photos when I get it all organized!!

 I have just entered a  EARRING   SWAP... so excited about it........SurburbanGirlStudio..  arranged it.....ART  BEAD  EARRING  SWAP..   so sorry I am not on my own computer so don't know what I am doing  (I am  a  total  computer flunky)  will have to wait till I get home to do the swap badge properly.

I'm in Toronto right now..Not able to upload any pics 

Just took a lamp working class with  Amy Walden-Smith....learned how to use a dual fuel torch.... a new learning  curve for me...  so different.....  I now need to get   a dual  fuel torch.... But  so  much more needs to be done to ensure the safety aspect  of it...  Not impossible.... but  a lot of improvisations in the studio...ventilation  .. etc.  the torch is definitely hotter  &  quieter...  and much faster...  I get to see the beads that I made need week when they mail them to me.  

The Fused Pendants

 Here's a pic. of the fused pendants for the kids class!
Now I just have to glue on the bail & add the neckcord!!
All done for Mother's Day gifts

Kids fused glass pendant project

 Here's all the pendants the grade 1's  and  2's did this morning.  Just waiting to go in the kiln. The project went really well.  Had lots of help from  some grade 6 students and some fathers also showed up to help!!!!  I would definitely do this again!!
Lots of fun...

The kids were so excited and it's great to teach them a new art form!!! 
 Hat's off to the teachers for arranging this project for them.

Finished Pendant Project

 Here's the fused glass pendant that I will be doing with 50 grade 1's & 2's on Monday!!!

Almost the middle of April already...  where has the time gone.... Been busy teaching classes and  getting my spring/summer schedule ready for the R.C.A. studio...   

 I will be  teaching 50 or so kids... yes I said 50  kids

(grade 1 & 2 ) how to make fused glass pendants.... for Mother's Day... that should be really FUN.. Went out today & got the glass... ordered the bails from the U.S.  hope they get here in time, but I do have a back up supply... just wanted all the bails to be the same.  Kids are great to teach... Will take some pics to post next week!!!

Well..I'm back home and itching to get back to work... all things glass of course..

had a great time skiing in Whitefish, Montana and even got some ideas for some kids classes....  But before  I left I was contacted by a  school teacher and she wants me to do a glass fusing pendant class for her grade 1's & grade 2's... I said YES..    I would love to do that... kids are so creative & it's amazing at what they come up with.... So that fits in with what I learned about the classes in Montana!!

Anyway right in Whitefish.. there is an Art Studio for the community... they do workshops on painting, pottery, ceramics, and glass fusing.  So I gathered a few ideas there!!!!  Maybe I  will even offer the glass fusing classes in my studio @ the R.C.A.

•            PAY IT FORWARD.......
• .
• I'm sure most of you have heard of the concept of paying it forward.  Someone does something ncie for you and you in turn do something nice for someone else. (without expecting anything in return)  I think this kind of giving is the ultimate example of good Karma and the Golden Rule.  I really like giving something away..
• I have given many stained glass  art pieces to my husband's  Rotary  Club   to  be auuctioned off.  It  feels great to be able to that.     

I am playing with www.Dillman'sDallies.blogspot.com    can't wait till I see what she sends me!!!

•           PAY IT FORWARD. 

Here's how to play:

1. I'll make something hand made for the first 3 people who comment on this POST..What I make  will be a surprise & will arrive when you least expect it. 

                        Doesn't everyone Love a surprise??

2. I have 365 days to make & send the gift to you.  Here's the little catch- to get a handmade gift from me, you have to play too!!  This means you take the pledge to send something to 3 of your  BLOG readers.. (the first 3 to comment)   It just has to be hand made ..       easy peasy!!!

3.  In case it wasn't obvious in # 2, you have to have a BLOG.

4.  Once you comment here & get a confirmation from me you have to  POST about

   "PAY IT FORWARD"    on your BLOG  and keep it going!!!!

Be sure to give me your e-mail if it is NOT LINKED on your BLOG  !!!!

                      I will e-mail you to get your address..

Well... I am now back from Montreal... after looking after the Grandkids for their spring break.... so now I am playing catch-up ... will try & visit some of the Bead Soup Blog Party blogs.... may take me awhile... but will do my best... 
Had a great time in Montreal  with the Grands... & did all the kid things that Montreal has to offer... was super easy to get around Montreal on their Metro system.... & the weather even co-operated with us & was great!!!!  My husband took the kids to a Montreal - Toronto hockey game & my daughter  & I went out to dinner.... how great was that!!!

Here's the Bead Soup that I got from my partner Bonnie:

   www.jasper-moon.ca   the beads that I received from Bonnie were:
Lampwork beads.. 1 large focal & 2 matching beads,   tiny  black Swarovski bicone crystals, large black faceted beads. Lots of green rondelles.  Carved bone beads in cream & finally a silver square toggle!!!!  I have never worked with bone before so I was delighted to have a chance to incorporate them into  the piece!!  I had a vision in my mind of what I was going to do after thinking about it for a long time... I basically put them on the bead board & went from there... 

I  strung the main strand which includes the lampwork beads on some black steel wire (which I am loving to use at the moment) made a loop on each end to attach the diamond shape hematite chain to & also to attach  the smaller strand of rondelles,  carved bone beads, Swarovskis (also on black steel wire). I then wove some cream ribbon in the chain to pick up the cream colour in the carved bone!!!  I love how the hematite chain reflects the light.. I added some silver bead caps to the ends of the black faceted beads to add a little sparkle, they also pick up th silver colour in the square toggle.

This design is very fancy for me & something I have  not done before.  I usually do very simple designs,  but I would definitely consider making more of the same... I love the colours and black is always a welcome addition to the piece for a little  "POP".

Laying out a  design

the finished necklace

the earrings are a real deviation for me. I usually only use 1 or 2 beads, but I have found a new design  & I will definitely be making more of these babies!!!

I just LOVE  how the ear rings turned out

the finished necklace on the manekin.... It sits very well around the neck!

        VISIT   www.PrettyThingsBlog.com  for a complete list of participants for the   BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY HOP

To see more of the talented participants in this event you can check out this post (the list is down at the bottom!)

Here's a new design that I have been working on!
Steel wire from the hardware store no less...
A new bail idea also... called a tong bail... I can see endless oportunity for uses for this one!!