MWPAI says Thank you!

When I woke up this morning there was 1,007 Fans on the Munson Facebook page. Now it's at 1,011~ I can't believe we did it, overnight. It's amazing and I thank all of you who joined in.
Below you will find the necklace that I created to give the lucky winner of the random drawing.
If you didn't become a fan yet, there's still time. I won't draw a winner until tomorrow. So go ahead and become a fan, but leave a comment on this blog post so I count your name in the drawing!


This necklace is an asymmetrical beaded piece, with 3 glass seed beads strands up around the back. Flanked by a Green Girl Studios skull bead on one side, and a lovely handmade lampwork tab from Kabs Concepts on the other. I also added this very cool Shield connector made by my friend Lynn Davis of ExpeditionD. Vintaj Brass chain around the front, and the hook clasp is from Vintaj as well. That black shank button is antique. Metallic green lucite nugget beads are below the skull. Hope you like it! I had fun putting it together!

Step Right Up

Photo courtesy of Dave Revette Photography, Syracuse, NY

Did you know that I work in a really cool Art Museum in Upstate New York called Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute? That's my full time gig. It's the bomb. I get to manage the art collection there, it's what I went to school for, it's close to my house, and it's one of the best, most prestigious art/culture centers in Upstate NY.



We have been trying to get Facebook fans on the MWPAI's facebook page and we've been quite successful in getting 900+ fans. But that's not enough. One of the goals is to get 1000+ fans by 2010. That's just 1 day away.



So here is where I ask your help. Go here to the MWPAI fan page. Now, click that little button at the top that says BECOME A FAN.



what's in it for you?



Do it before 12:00a.m. January 1st, and I'll put your name in a drawing to win one of my handmade necklaces. I'll make up something special and show you tomorrow. Leave me a comment to let me know you've become a fan.



Let's get to 1000!!! now, GO!

It only took 2.5 years to finish!

That's right folks. The bathroom is finally finito. Done. Fin.
And I must say,

it's my most favorite room in my house right now.



Here are some before pics of the bathroom when we moved into the house. The full bath on the first floor off the family room, was partially gutted when we moved in due to the previous owners starting the project and then splitting up due to unfortunate circumstances.
Little by little Joe has gutted the rest, tore everything out and replaced EVERYTHING new.
A bathroom reno is expensive so this is the best way we could do it. Piece by piece.

and now it's done.

and I couldn't be happier.

or prouder of my handy hubby. Thanks Joe. You're the best!

Next on my list: create the reading nook.

Yesterday I went online and bought this cute chair for the reading nook. I have this weirdly long shaped family room with this little space that we have yet to fill with furniture. Last year we put the Christmas tree there. This year we couldn't, mostly because all of Joe's tools and the toilet from the bathroom were using this spot.

Now it's all cleaned out. And empty again. So my plan is,

a round area rug. This cool chair. a side table. floor lamp. a cozy blanket. a small ottoman. a candle. a book. a cozy nook to snuggle up and read.

And then maybe those ugly closet doors

could be ripped out, and I could revamp the shelves

into book shelves.

yes, indeed.

a good idea.

Can't knock this beader down

I created some new jewelry on Sunday night and had intentions of getting them photographed and listed on Monday. But then I got this awful stomach
bug, a 24 hour thing that kept me in bed all day. Dang it.
Still not sure what that came from, I thought maybe food poisoning but I'm
not really sure. Especially since I had a fever all day too.
Today I am better. WHEW.

This first necklace features a Marsha Neal Studio ceramic floral pendant

in a beautiful chocolate brown, paired with bright pink. Wood two-tone rondelles,

fuschia dyed aventurine, and faceted aqua jade rounds.

This chunky bracelet features lampwork from Kelley Wenzel, and Cindy Gimbrone,

with large copper hollow beads and a faceted Amethyst nugget, glass, and filigree beads. Hammered toggle from AD Adornments.

I like how this Wisdom necklace turned out. Ceramic Wisdom heart focal from Diane Hawkey,

Wood briolettes, cream recycled glass, turquoise rondelles, wood cubes, and bone tubes. The handmade ceramic toggle is from Every Heart Crafts.

Colorful beaded bracelet with brown waxed linen cording, a Pewter heart focal from

Green Girl Studios, ceramic coin bead from Jubilee, glass, ruby quartz, fuschia briolette, amazonite, and Bali glass rounds. Silver

button.

These dangly earrings feature cool handmade skull charms that I got from Andrew Thornton.

I paired them with pretty keishi pearls, faceted glass, and taupe colored Swarovski Crystal

ring beads from Artbeads.com.

Sweet Chicadee earrings with Marsha Neal Studio image transferred charms,

and bumply beads from Pinocean.

And these cuties are fun and colorful too, with Candice Wakumoto charms,
brown waxed linen cord, jade, ruby quartz, and glass in bright tones.

I also have a few new pieces going into My Mom Pattie's shop on Etsy.

Post Christmas Update

Ahhhh. It's good to be back home. We headed out to Connecticut to celebrate Christmas with my in-laws on Thursday morning. The plan was to spend Christmas eve and Christmas day in CT and then Saturday, head to my parents in NY to celebrate there and then travel home Saturday night. This is a bit much, as far as traveling goes. The weather didn't cooperate and so we canceled with my parents and are going to head there for our family Christmas, this coming weekend. So we headed home yesterday and had a nice quiet evening. We don't usually watch many movies but we were in the mood so we ended up getting one on On Demand.
Taking Woodstock.

It was alright. Not great, but pretty entertaining. Demitri Martin plays the lead and there are some other big names in the movie too. It was a bit bizarre in parts but overall we liked it.



Christmas eve was a small family get together of Joe's cousins, and their parents, Joe's Aunt and Uncle. We had some great food, drinks, and then enjoyed watching Joe play Santa. lol The kids are oblivious that Santa is actually Uncle Joe. We get a kick out of Joe in the family Santa costume. Every year it induces mad giggling. And lots of adult innuendos that the kids never pick up on. :) On his way out Santa asked me for a Kiss which caused the kids to bust out laughing. Too cute.
We stayed the night at Joe's sister's house and it was great waking up with Max and Alexandra on Christmas morning and doing gifts there. Christmas day was nice and calm and low key. We started a new tradition with my Mother-in-law and go to the movies for a matinee. This year we enjoyed It's Complicated, with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, and Steve Martin. It was outstanding. I loved it. Meryl is such an amazing actress. I love everything she's in.


When we got home yesterday I had this beauty in my mailbox. I blogged last week about a necklace that I made for Nancy (Round Rabbit). Well, lo and behold, she made this for me! I had read on Facebook a few days ago that she was putting together a special bracelet for a special person with a certain special bead and had no inkling that it could be for little ol' me. I was shocked and blown away by her act of of beadiness. Look how amazing this piece is! It's amazing! A show-stopper for sure!


After a nice hot shower last night, I sat down and read the first few chapters of The House at Riverton by Kate Morton. It's the book club book that we are starting for January. I like it so far. It's easy reading and is very interesting. I'm excited to get further into it to find out what the 98 year old main character is hinting at, when she mentions a Poet whom she was a servant for, supposedly committed suicide back in the 1920s. A big unknown secret lies beneath the rumors-

And as for beading. I've been meaning to get my butt up in to the studio today but it's already 3pm and I'm still not there.
*sigh. I need some inspiration. Seen any good inspiration lately? Care to share?

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!

I'll be back tomorrow to catch up...

little glass sculptures

Mika - I heart you and your beads so much.


... little glass sculptures, delicate and lovely. The colors of these beads are so unique and I love the combination- teal with a pine green. I recently bought several sets, there was a sale. You know how that goes. Cannot resist a good sale. So now I've got quite the dragon's hoard of Pinocean beads in my stash. I suppose I can finally start using them now. Maybe.


Mika is so friendly and ships her beads so fast. And she appreciates every single sale she makes, and wraps each bead set carefully in bubble, in a box, with the prettiest paper cover I've ever seen, stamped with a custom stamp in red. It's like a special little present that shows up in my mailbox and you just can't beat getting little presents in the mail.

I also ordered some glass beads from Ellen Dooley. They are on their way and should be arriving today, can't wait to show you those. They are beautiful as well.

Some gifts.

Hoping someone isn't reading this blog or I'm ruining her surprise!!

Lisa Peters sent me these copper components to put something together
for her Mom for Christmas. I created this 3 strand bracelet with large
connector focal. The flower that sits on top, was separate and I wired
it on with copper wire.

This last necklace was made for Nancy.
I found this cool pendant at Lynn Davis' shop, ExpeditionD. It
screamed Nancy, because she's got the cutest bunnies ever.
I bought it with the intention of just giving her the pendant to put into her own
jewelry but with how busy she's been lately, I thought it would be better to
put it into something that she could wear right away. She received it already
so I'm not ruining her surprise. I hope she loves it!

Update: okay so- Yesterday I was completely convinced I was pregnant. I even went to the drug store and took the test at work. I did the thing, and waited. and waited. and waited. The little timer on the digital test, blinking and blinking and blinking at me in the stall. Then: NOT PREGNANT. Might as well have been blinking and bright red, with a fog horn attached.
I'm not pregnant. Pretty disappointed (*really disappointed) but I suppose we'll try and try again next month. I am thinking about getting acupuncture done. I've heard some good things about it and figured it would be worth a shot, before I start getting into the whole Clomid thing. I'm sure that the stress of the holiday season didn't help matters much and my Mom thinks I need to calm the F down and relax. I think she's right. So maybe acupuncture. and maybe YOGA. and maybe the book club that I am joining will help. I am participating in a virtual book club with Nancy at Round Rabbit. She's hosting. We are reading The House at Riverton, by Kate Morton. You should go over and check it out, we won't start til January so there is still lots of time to get the book. I am looking forward to being able to get through a novel all the way to the end. I haven't finished a book in ages.

Another winner is named in place of the missing Phyl.

Sorry Phyl, but I had to pick another winner since I never heard from you. The new winner of the $25 gift certificate from ArtBeads.com is:

ALLI!

alli said...

I would get their awareness charms!

northssclub at yahoo dot com

Thanks Alli- I'll send you an email this morning!!

And the Winner is....

The winner of the Classic Bead tree pendant is comment number 28!

SARAH said:

I wish for health and happiness for everyone that needs it this year. I'm so blessed in my life I don't need or want anything. And I hope you get your wish. Mine came true for me this past year and I couldn't be more blessed. Happy Holidays!

12/18/2009

I was unable to see a blogger profile for the Sarah that won, just be aware there are a few Sarah's that entered this week- one that I went to school with, and one that I didn't.

Thank you everyone for all of your nice wishes and comments! Sarah, Contact me via email and I'll send your pendant right away!

ALSO- if you know PHYL, the winner of the Artbeads.com gift certificate giveaway, please tell her to contact me ASAP because I need to send her the prize! If I don't hear from her, I will need to pick a new random winner!!!

Bead Blogger Round up

Boy the time is just flying by isn't it? Before we know it, it will be
mid-January and we'll be saying What Happened to Christmas? It always
flies by like that. I got into the studio and made a few things yesterday... the owl
necklace is listed for sale in my shop. Another Jade Scott beauty!
But the bracelet is a Christmas present. I hope she doesn't
read this. But my luck, she will so SURPRISE!!
he he he :)

Check back later tonight to see who is the winner of the Classic Bead tree pendant!
Until then, Surf through the Bead Blogger links for the week!

A Bead A Day
Lisa shares a special gift she received from a friend, SHRINKY DINK earrings!! Still a great product after all these years!!

About.com Jewelry Making
Sparkle plenty with this endless knotted red crystal necklace project!

Art Bead Scene
It's the last ABS monthly challenge of 2009. Are you running out of ideas and inspiration? ABS has just the antidote!

Beading Arts
If you can string stone nuggets onto wire, and if you can crochet a simple chain stitch, then you can make this pretty necklace.

Carmi's Art/Life World
One shrunk sweater equals felted beaded mits for me!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy explains why she chose Lee Krasner's painting "Untitled" for this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge.

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei tested out some cool chain from Rings and Things.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Would you like to investgate a lyrical book which explores all areas of your imagination and challenges your creativity? Try Lisa Crone's!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shares a cute find - sterling silver elephant clasps.

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Thinking deep thoughts, Andrew offers up a sumptuous bracelet and adds a new bronze charm to his shop.

Welcome, Saturday!

I have never been so relieved to have the weekend. It was a long week. And stressful. But I finally got my Quarterly taxes done. I did them all by myself. I hope I did it right. I just went over the last quarterly paperwork that I have from when I had the tax guy do it last time.
This time I just couldn't see paying $65 to have him do it. It took me probably twice as long to add everything up and then figure out the complicated form. Why does it have to be so hard?
I don't get that. But anyway, I got it done and now it's behind me and I'm sure they'll let me know if I didn't do it right.
Next up on the agenda, finish the Christmas shopping. But I think that doing it this weekend is a mistake so I may wait and go late Monday night. Once that is done, I'll be ready to enjoy the holidays.
This necklace you see above was the first piece I have been able to sit down and create in like 2 weeks. I sat down and the flow came and all of a sudden I had this outcome. I love it when that happens and I truly missed being able to bead without any deadline, or agenda.
It's listed in my Etsy shop. It's really needing a good home. It's very wearable. And agreeable. It won't argue with you, and won't cause any marital problems. It's pretty good about doing chores, and keeping the peace. And it won't leave the seat up on the toilet. AND it's a very good cook. You can't go wrong really.
Thank you to all of the wonderful comments on the Pendant giveaway post. I will let you know what happens either way but we are still waiting to see what happens. I have a few more days before I'll know for sure. Somthing's gotta give. With all of these wishes, and hopes, and dreams, and prayers...something's gotta give.

Giveaway Mania

I swear I think I should start a new blog. the giveaway blog. one place, one agenda. all giveaways. only giveaways.

but until then, here is another Ceramic Pendant giveaway. The lovely and talented Tracee Dock donated this super sweet, season appropriate Tree pendant!

This giveaway will be short and sweet. I'll pick a random winner on Sunday evening. (Dec20)

So get your comments in quick! That way, I can mail this beauty to the winner on Monday morning.

In this post, leave one comment. Tell me what your best Christmas Wish is for this holiday season!

I'll start: I am wishing and hoping and praying to all the Gods and Goddesses, that I'll have some really good news for my family and friends this Christmas.

what are you wishing for?

ArtBeads Gift Certificate WINNER!

HOLY CROW!


Can you believe this giveaway prompted 91 comments! That's probably the most that I've ever gotten on a giveaway!


Thanks for your overwhelming support and love.

Oh.

It was just the prize?

Alright well,

THANK YOU Artbeads.com!

<--------------- According to the super cool True Random Number Generator, the winner of this week's giveaway is.....

PHYL!

Phyl said...
....I'd order seed beads and pearls to play with! Thanks for the giveaway and a chance to play......

Thank you Phyl, I hope you get the beads and pearls that you were wishing for! {Send me your full name and address and I will forward that info to Artbeads.com and they will get your gift certificate right to you in an email!}

Stay tuned for the next cool giveaway, another Classic Bead pendant!!

Drool over some Bead Porn (Borrowed Term from Silver Parrot)

Vintage Lucite Glass from Reduction Nation

Gemstones: Prehnite, Soocho Jade, Spice Jasper, Imperial Jasper
from BeadsonSale.com



More Gemstones: Ocean Jasper from my LBS
Apatite nuggets, Peruvian Blue amazonite wheels, Pink Opal rounds
from BeadsonSale.com



Lovely lampwork from The Orange Bell




Snagged me some of Kerry Bogert's beads in her recent
Bead Buyables update!

Hope you liked it.

maybe you should take a cold shower.

or

start shopping for beads!

*please note, the original Bead Porn poster is Silver Parrot. Go check out the REAL Bead Porn at her blog here!

Upcoming FUN

I made this last night. It's a bracelet that I made on request from my Mom -wants to use it in the family Christmas Day Swap that they have. I love the colors. And I think it will hopefully suit any age. And it's stretchy. So no need to really size it. See that cool key? One of my new favorite things.I wrote a post that should be published soon, over at the Art Bead Scene, introducing you to Pork Chop Show. A cool Etsy shop that I recently discovered.

I am trying to catch you up on a few posts today so that I don't feel so far behind! I know it's just the time of year but man, when the ol' day job starts getting in the way of what I want to do in the studio- we have a serious backlog of information. I actually got an email from a friend today wondering if I was doing okay since I've been so absent on my blog! whew. Doing good, just still trying to catch up!

Things to look forward to:

*another Ceramic pendant giveaway from The Classic Bead!

* a review and a really awesome giveaway- sponsor is AllModern.com- soooo cool, you won't want to miss it. There may or may not be owls involved. :)

*Another Book giveaway from the folks at Lark Books!

*some bead porn, cuz all I've been doing is buying beads on Etsy since my horribly failed attempt at the bead diet. And yes, I bought myself a toy anyway, even though I didn't pass that test. I know. So LAME.

*Announcement of the winner for the $25 Gift Certificate from Artbeads.com, on Friday Dec. 18! There is still time to enter! CLICK HERE!

That's about it for now, til I can think of something else that I know I'm forgetting.

SO STAY TUNED!! Lots of fun coming your way sooooooon!

Chain Gang

You know who I love? Rings N Things. The fine folks over there invited me to be one of their blogging partners and they send me really cool stuff. Like what you ask? Like, CHAIN!! I got 3 types of new chain to play around with in the newest batch of goodies. I used them in the following ways:

Number one:

I created a long CHAIN necklace by connecting this hammered brass cable chain with this big chunky wood chain from R&T. It's a long 36" necklace that will go with anything! And it's such a statement piece- lots of compliments came my way when I wore it to the Craft show at the Temple a couple of weeks ago.

Number Two:

I also used this cool chunky gunmetal cable chain in one of the necklaces I created for Marsha's Mom's etsy shop. It has the coolest finish and I love the weightiness of it. I'll be using more of this for some bracelets soon.

Number 3:

And finally, this delicate darkened textured cable chain adds a nice flair to this dragonfly necklace that I put together with some linen cord and glass beads.

Another cool spot to hit while you are on the R&T website is the Design Gallery. There are lots of easy and inspiring designs to jumpstart your beading frenzy!

Next time you are looking for chain, Check out the chain section at Rings N Things. I bet you'll have a full shopping cart before you can blink an eye!

Rings N Things have sent me these products to review on my blog and I have not been paid for my endorsement of these products as it pertains to the products recieved.

Relieved on a Monday?

I finally got my project finished that I was working on for the past few weeks. What a relief that was to send it out the door. Whew. Now that that's done, on to the next stress. Christmas Shopping. Got a little bit done today but not all of it which means one more trip to the freakin' mall. Man, I hate that place this time of year.
Nice Christmas spirit I'm in huh? And then the next stress on top of Christmas, Quarterly Taxes. I think maybe I'll finally be able to relax about mid January.
*sigh*
Good news, I've got some new bracelets, 6 total! Slowly filtering into my etsy shop. Here's one of em; MY FAVORITE.

just check out those sweet little elephants in that new Jade Scott charm!
Jade, you've outdone yourself yet again.

Vroooom!

SUCCESS!! We went to a local dealership yesterday and I was totally not expecting to be signing any papers without lots of talking and discussions and research. Normally we would go to a place and test drive, and I would fall in love and then Joe would see the numbers and panic and we'd have to sleep on it and there would then be disappointment and heartache.

It was going in this direction all the way up until the salesman kept asking how much you wanna pay, what's it gonna be. Then Joe checked the bank account to find out what we pay on our current Subaru and found out the exact payoff on it (cuz we were trading it in) and that brought the price down some more. What clinched it, I offered to help pay half the down payment (with jewelry money) and help out with the payments each month. It's not that much more so I agreed. Now I better start selling some jewelry!

Here is the car we picked. It's a black Subaru Impreza, 2010, gray interior, all-wheel-drive, power everything, automatic transmission, moon roof, 6 disc changer, 4 doors, and lots of airbags.
The best part is, we got rid of the old subaru because it was starting to nickle and dime us big time. And the windshield wiper fluid doesn't work, I JUST found this out, and with the weather lately, that is just sooo unsafe. Talk about worried. Geesh Joe!
We actually liked the salesman, he wasn't your typical suit and tie, pompous asshole like we normally deal with. He was really young, and was wearing a leather jacket. We thought that was pretty cool. and kind of funny. but we only laughed whenever he would leave the room. lol

well anyway, enjoy this week's Bead Bloggers Links!
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Each representing a different spectrum of lampwork glass, Andrew shares the new additions to his bead collection from two different artists.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
When you check out this ornament kit which is available for you to make, it will REALLY put you in the spirit!

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
Lorelei is saying Thank you and Merry Christmas by giving away a gift certificate to artbeads.com!

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie's making tons of earrings this season. Here are a few fun ideas for your own last-minute gifts!

Jean Campbell
Jean shares 3 easy tips for making holiday gift production a little less stressful.

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows a sneak peek of a pair of earrings she made for the upcoming book Steampunk Style by Jean Campbell

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Inspired by Grandma's necklace, Cindy creates an edgey look with CZ's.

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi wonders if anyone else is working on Spring.

Beading Arts
Cyndi shares a new tutorial featuring one of Earthenwood Studio's fabulous new pendants!

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Barbe gets all steamy over the new Steampunk Style book!

Art Bead Scene
It's the first day of Art Bead Scene's annual Twelve Days of Free Projects!

About.com Jewelry Making
Thinking of making some beaded ornament covers? Then you'll need to know the size bulb to use too.

A Bead A Day
If you find yourself in need of a quick holiday gift, don't overlook memory wire! With this simple design, you can make one for all your friends.

New Earrings

Happy Saturday! Today I am sporting my new Mary Jane Dodd (aka MaireDodd) earrings. I bought these for myself because I love Mary Jane's work, and because I love jewelry. I adore them. They are my new favorite thing. Thanks MJ!

Today we are headed out to the Suburu dealership.
Going to try to trade in our old suburu for a new suburu.
we'll see how it goes.
they have to give us at least what we owe.
and if they are feeling especially swindler-ish there,
this might not work out to our advantage.
wish us luck.

Gift Certificate Giveaway

Artbeads.com and I are teaming up to say Thank you this Christmas holiday.
Thank you, for your love and support!
To show our gratitude, Artbeads.com
has donated an email-able Gift Certificate for
their online shop for $25!
I am giving it away to one lucky winner!

Please leave ONE comment on this post,
and tell me what you'd buy with your Gift Certificate if you won it!
Please remember to leave your email so I can contact you if you win.

I will draw a random winner using the Random Number Generator
on December 18th, that's ONE week from today.

GOOD LUCK!

They are having a cool giveaway on their Facebook fan page as well,
Shoot over there to enter to win a $100 gift card, that contest ends
DECEMBER 20!

I am not being paid for hosting this giveaway,
and have not recieved any products or compensation
for this giveaway.