Generatin’ Colors

I learned this trick from my friend Shannon over at Art Bead Scene last week. She blogged about this cool Color Palette Generator, that formulates color from your favorite photograph. How cool is that!? I will be using this tool from now on. I couldn’t believe how easy it was. As soon as I read this post, I knew I wanted to use one of Kelley’s recent photographs. Did you know Kelley is a budding photographer? She IS! And she keeps a really cool photography blog here.

She showed this photo of a cactus that she photog’ed and I just love the colors. So, voila!! I shall be looking for these tones while shopping for beads tomorrow in Atlanta with KW! 

This Old House

Leaving TOMORROW for Atlanta! Whoooot!  Orders placed today, will ship Monday morning. Have a good weekend!

Come & get em!

If you are interested, I have 9 spots open  for your art bead ads. Email me at ljeurto[at]gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing an ad spot for August!

Randoms

-Taking one day at a time. Deep Breaths every 15-20 minutes. 

-Don’t forget the sale is still going on, it ends tomorrow.

-We are finally caught up, after being behind by at least 3-4 episodes of Big Brother. Anybody watch it? I could knock that redheaded girl out, she’s so annoying.

-3 more days til I get to fly to Atlanta and see Kelley!

-Soooo not looking forward to the all staff meeting today.

– I am totally in love with the necklaces I made last night. They are now in the shop.

– I have major deadlines looming, and I hate working under pressure. I hope I can get it finished. I hope I hope.

– Wondering how I can save up $950 so I can buy this cool work table for my studio.

– Having Tara and her husband, and little Jillian over for dinner tonight. Can’t wait to smooch that baby. On the menu- pulled pork sandwiches, slaw, and salt potatoes.

– I really wish Summer wasn’t flying by as fast as it is.

– why is Blogger telling me WASN’T isn’t spelled right?

what’s random with you?

Kylie says I Do!

Wedding Jewelry!! I have never been asked to do wedding jewelry before. But when Kylie Parry asked to make her a wedding necklace to go with her beautiful dress for her wedding in January, I jumped all over it. I love Kylie’s work, respect her big time for her artistry, am completely flattered she asked me, and she’s cute as a button so why wouldn’t I!? 

She had really liked this bracelet when it was in my shop, and we planned the design around this style, using glass beads, brass chain, and vintage lace. I contacted my friend Sab at BeadBead, and she came through like a trooper! I luckily picked out all the right colors, and when I put it together yesterday I added in a few freshwater pearls. The beads are all wire wrapped on handmade eggplant head pins from E2S Supplies.

I forgot to add a little signature owl tag, will have to do that before I ship it out.

Adding a bit of blue, as tradition warrants- a blue birds egg resin clasp from Amanda Davie. The egg signifies Kylie’s “new life” that she’ll be starting with her husband.

I have to be honest here, I got a little teary when I was thinking about Kylie as I wired wrapped all the little beads. Imagining her in her dress, joining her man in this special union… and imagined myself there- seeing it all happen. I am in no way, wishing I could be there, just solely because she is getting married on the beach in Jamaica. 😉  

Luckily, she loves it! YESSSS!

Thank you Kylie for asking me to be a part of your awesome day. I wish you years and years of happiness in your marriage! xo

Read Kylie’s blog here.

Weekly Bead Blogger Links

A Bead A Day
If you enjoy recycling, Lisa shared a bracelet idea using an “old” canvas belt.

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy catches you up on some of her latest free jewelry tutorials.

Art Bead Scene
It’s the Art Bead Scene Monthly Carnival Blog. This month’s theme is “Commitment.”

Beading Arts
You won’t believe the goodies that Mama’s Minerals in giving away on Beading Arts this week!

Carmi’s Art/Life World
Carmi has completed the necklace featuring her “found again” bezel!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Mad for Monday features Cindy’s new Step by Step Wire Jewelry Double Dip Adjustable Ring Project.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A shopping spree at an antique mall grants Melanie with some new old treasures! What will she make with these little bits of history?

Lorelei’s Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei’s blog ended up on the Wikio.com Craft category, check out the others!

Snap Out of It, Jean! There’s Beading to be Done!
Jean made some summer fun earrings for Artbeads and they are soooo pretty! Go see!

Strands of Beads
Melissa has finally hung out her shingle and opened a modest store-front on her website.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Up for grabs in this week’s Thursday Giveaway is an organic, lampwork glass bead by Susan Jones Designs.

Linen and Lace

Yesterday I headed out to the big local antique mall in Westmoreland, NY. They are located in a huge red barn, 2 floors of vendor booths filled to the brim with antiques, knick knacks, junk, you name it. I was on the look out for tins, lace ribbon, buttons, keys, or whatever I could find that I can re-purpose into jewelry.

The first treasure I found, was this enormous jar of buttons. It’s filled, right to the top. And the kicker? It was only $7!

I took some buttons out of it yesterday afternoon and made this bracelet!

The next thing I needed was vintage lace ribbon. I had found some here before, and was really lucky to find more of it, even from the same vendor! I have to create a special wedding necklace for Kylie Parry, and this was the last thing I needed to get started. 

The extras I found were some small packages of buttons- one collection of shell, and one collection of bone? maybe wood? I’m not sure. I loved the patterning. Also found some pretty Jet faceted ball shank buttons… 

I also found some awesome doilies, one- that I plan on cutting up. You’ll SEE!  and the other one is a pretty khaki linen doily that has embroidered flowers on it, which turned out to be a pretty awesome backdrop for my photographs! 

Framed

Ceramic Frame pendant- Chinook Jewelry

Pewter bird- Green Girl Studios

Pewter button- Mamacita Beadworks

Chain

Silver wire

Leather lace

Lampwork glass- The Orange Bell

I am really enjoying my weekend, making the best of it. Not sure what’s in store for me today, but whatever it is, I plan on making it fabulous.

Hope you are making the best of your weekend too!

BOGO sale!

Come over to the Etsy shop and enjoy a sale… Buy one Get one 50% – wait for a revised invoice before paying.

Help me earn some cash for major bead shopping next weekend in Atlanta!! New Beads means New Jewelry!

Stay Calm, Carry On

That’s me today. Stay Calm. Deep Breathing. Carry on, like normal.  Okay, who the F am I kidding here. I am totally not staying calm. After 3 different meltdowns yesterday at work, I am hoping that today will be calmer. But I can’t guarantee it. You ever just feel defeated, when the shit hits the fan? Several times yesterday, I was hoping I could crawl under my desk, close and lock the door and come out at 5pm.  It’s going to get easier right?

At least my jewelry has a calm feeling. Last night I created the Paloma link bracelet with some pretty jasper beads, and Tierra Cast bird links…and some sweet little silver earrings to match. Then I realized I had never listed this wood toggle necklace.  All three are now in my shop.

TGIF! I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend at home, a party with friends tomorrow night… and hopefully getting my head back on straight so I can concentrate on a super secret, extra special project that’s in the works. More on that at a much later date. Sorry to tease you!!

funny.

Joe showed this to me this morning. I was grateful for the laugh. The last 24 hours have been no laughing matter. One thing you probably don’t know about me is, I’m a bit of an Eeyore.  My Mother has always called me Eeyore. Sometimes it just takes me a while to see the good, or positive in situations. 

Yesterday the Museum laid off 2 people I work closely with. It was a total shock, and due to budgetary reasons. The next few months are going to be a real adjustment. My current position there has now changed. Promoted. yes. But at the same time, losing a confidante, friend, boss, and mentor.  The new responsibility will be intense. I hope I can handle it. 

It’s such a shock how one day can be completely normal and then the next day, people can just be… gone.

I suppose I will just keep doing what I do. But if you don’t see me here at the blog, as much as you have before- you’ll know it’s because I’m adjusting to a new demanding schedule.

Be thankful for your jobs!! It could be gone tomorrow!