Friday, December 14, 2012

FIRST BLOG

I'm such a good (bad) example of learning curves!  As you can see, my own efforts to create a beautiful "blog" page have failed miserably.  Thankfully, I do have friends that can help - after the holidays. . .so, in order to be timely, I need to post my FIRST blog on a crappy blog page.  No reflection on Blogger, or how difficult it is to use (it isn't according to responders to my Facebook request for help) but it IS a reflection of my own problem of reading instructions and putting them into action!

So, to share what's been going on with me this holiday season. . .I'm plowing ahead!!!!  Going places I've never gone before .  .  .

My enamel studio was shut down for the holiday.  Hubby bought a new band saw and my space got filled up as his space was revamped (That's what you do when you live in a small townhouse and every inch of space is crowded!  That’s all I’m saying about band saws!).


The benefit  from this experience of space sharing is that I've had unlimited pre-holiday time (if not space) to devote to making holiday decorations. . .a favorite pastime of mine for this time of year.  Making Christmas decorations!  What better way to use my enamel beads and my HUGE bead and button collection!!!


I started with this little feather tree and decked every branch (BEFORE Thanksgiving) with a sweet little enamel bead ornaments.  That just made me want to make more decorations. . .after all, my dining room table and every other flat surface was covered with boxes of beads, caps, wire, findings, bead soups, etc., etc., etc. . .


The search for another small tree resulted in this whimsical tree from ChristmasEveTrees.com

And the ornament creation began again. You see, there are lots of branches even though it's only 2.5 feet tall!




The garland is made from two blue bead necklaces from Beads For Life (http://www.beadforlife.org/en/frontpage/us).  Most of the other decorations are centered around my enamels and personal bead collection/hoard.  Center left is a small ceramic disc connector that was sent as a "thank you" gift with my last order of Wooly Wire from Karen Totten - Starry Road Studio (http://www.etsy.com/shop/ktotten?ref=seller_info).  Color was perfect for use with some mini rubber o rings from Yvonne Irvin-Faus (My Elements http://www.etsy.com/shop/myelements).

I used lots of enamel beads (my own work) but just couldn't resist adding a few treasures from my VAST bead collection!  In the picture above - center, far left, there is a little icicle from Joan Miller's (http://www.joanmiller.com/ ) 2012 Winter Blog Collection.

Pictured below is her photo of the collection.  I also used some of the darling little stars (not pictured) and the silver snowflakes as ornaments.  I may leave them in the ornament collection.  The beautiful lentil and all the other little bits are reserved for ME in future jewelry pieces!  They are beautiful all by themselves as they wait in the hoard!  

Joan Miller's photo of the winter blog collection.  Every bead is a treasure!




                                                              More photos of ornaments. . 



 And the button trees. . .







TA DA!

 I think I'm done with this tree!  Oh, and the painting behind the tree is by friend and local artist, Catherine Christopher (http://www.artworkbycjnc.com/).





But I'm not quite done with the creation process or the mess!  This weekend will be THE END!  Working on Christmas sussies - button trees - for my friends in the Ladies Bible Study Group and for the gals at Tuesday Nite Bead Fun!  Now, where did those elves go?



Again apologies for the blog page. . .the next one will be much better looking (I hope!).  I just couldn't wait till after Christmas to show my Christmas FUN!

Blessings to all!





23 comments:

  1. Awesome! The silver tree is SO CAROL!!! Love the ornaments! Buttons are so clever! Good first blog! It'll all come together just give it time. Try cutestblogontheblock.com for ideas!
    Happy Holidays!!!
    <3 Cathy <3

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    1. Thank you, dear friend!!! Glad you were the first to review! I could count on you being an encourager! One of the button trees are for you but I don't have your new address. You also get the honor of picking out which one you want. Miss you so much! Bead Fun just ain't the same!!! Send address, please!

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  2. OOh! I love your sparkly silver tree! What treasures! Welcome to the Blog-o-shere!

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    1. Thanks, Jenny, for the welcome! I thought I had ordered a white tree. . .glad it came sparkly, vintage-y silver! Merry Christmas!!!

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  3. Congrats, Carol. Blogging is difficult for me too. I am not a writer but do enjoy sharing. I recently rec'd my order (16,000) of iron and metal beads from China and some were much larger that I thought they would be. ORDERING THAT MANY WAS AN ACCIDENT BUT THAT IS ANOTHER STORY!! I decided to use them as christmas tree ornaments. They are silver so they would be fine just as is but I will be enameling them this year. I will send you some if you msg me your address:O) Keep on blogging, you're doing great and Merry Christmas to you and yours <3

    Sally

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    1. 16,000!!!!!!! Honestly, I've ordered from China, too! And it was the 5,000 pieces that were too LITTLE to use that got me! Maybe some of your over purchase can be used here? I could use some large beads! If there are ones I need, I'd be glad to purchase. Will send you a message with address!

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  4. I love your decorations! That silver tree is wonderful. I am proud of you for getting a blog out there. It was a goal of mine for 2012 but that didn't happen-maybe next year. Hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    Susan Marling

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    1. Thanks, Susan! It's a labor of love (the love of Christmas, crafting and gabbing, not writing) that finally pushed me over the edge. I've been putting blogging off for years! Hopefully I'll post again before next Christmas! Have a blessed one!

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  5. Welcome to blogging! And I hoard Joan Miller's beads!

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    1. Thanks, Lori! I bet you have a hoard to covet! Hope your holiday is blessed with better health and many sweet family moments! And a Happy New Year!

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  6. Carol, I am so happy you started a blog! Yeah, no worries about the appearance, I know your friends will add the final touches and it will be lovely.
    I love the idea of the little tree decorated with your enamel beads! What a cool idea. Just a small tree and creating your own little bead creations as ornaments. I think I will do this next year too.
    I also love the painting behind the tree! Will definitely click on the link to learn more about the artist. Have a wonderful holiday.
    Jeanette

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    1. Thanks for visiting my first blog! I was making little ornaments every free moment the past month - which means this place has been an "arty, messy pit" for that time. No deadlines, no one telling me what THEY want, it has been very therapeutic!

      I think you'll be so pleased when you check out Catherine's web site! She is an incredibly talented artist and uses an unusual medium for her paintings.

      Have a wonderful, blessed holiday, too!
      Carol <><

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  7. I think this is very nice, wifey. By the way bloggers she (and I) have been married 37 years next week. It has been a real adventure for the last few years since our kids have flown the coupe. About the bandsaw, I have lusted after this tool for the last two years and finally made the plunge. More dust in the studio is better for me, not so good for the studio but that's the best I can do. I am looking forward to making more sawdust in the near future. I may have to put in a better sealed doorway.

    If I can get inspired then I may even make some wood beads. A real novel idea.

    Good luck on making your blog a success.

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    1. Thanks for all your support, Hubby! Couldn't do it without you (and wouldn't want to, either!)!!!! XOXO and Happy Anniversary!

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  8. Love the trees - you are a genius! We need to get together for lunch - do you have any time before or after Christmas?

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    1. Probably won't be till after. . .will message you! Thanks for stopping by my maiden voyage into blog land!

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  9. Carol....love your first post! The trees turned out lovely. Happy Anniversary to you and Steve! LOVE YOU!

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Melissa! Love you back and hope we can get together soon!

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  10. I found you! Welcome to Blogland, so happy you are here! I love the button ornaments, very cool and colorful and festive! Happy New Year!

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    1. I'm glad you found me! I'm spread pretty thin these days (except around the middle). Am so looking forward to A & S!!! Enjoy the rest of your winter in the sun! We may be on the shore mid Feb. You?

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  11. I had no idea you started a blog!!! Congratulations!!!! Your trees and your ornaments are absolutely gorgeous!!! Nothing says Christmas better than a handmade ornaments using art beads! Cannot wait to see your next post...sorry I am so late!!!!!

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    1. I can't believe you found me!!! I've been staying under the radar until my bog creator/guru can spiff up the page a bit! I need help with buttons and lists, etc. I am working on the next blog. For a non-writer, blogging is a real challenge! Thanks for encouragement!

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  12. Hey Girl! Thanks for the shout out! I know Bette too, I've taken classes with her at The Queen's Ink before. We'll get you there for some classes one of these days! Your prints are awesome - that Gelli Plate is one addicting tool isn't it? I love your button ornaments. If I'm not mistaken, weren't you starting to play with them at Art & Soul last year? You'll have to let me know what classes you are in this year. I'm sure we'll cross paths. Playdate soon??? Hugs!

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Your thoughts and comments are so encouraging! This blogging business is hard work for me!