Bead Soup Blog Party #7 - I'm in!

Between kids, home, and developing new designs for my lampwork beads, I haven't been making much jewelry lately - yeah, there hasn't been a lot of time for jewelry making, but even more - there hasn't been much motivation, oomph, or even inspired spark. I think I really just needed a break.

I knew that the next Bead Soup Blog Party was fast approaching, and was really on the fence about participating, given my lack of creative mojo. (I first participated in the September 2011 Bead Soup Blog Party and had a blast! I made a few new friends, not least of whom was my partner, Ambra Gostoli - annnd, I got booted waaay out of my comfort zone and came up with some exciting new (for me!) designs.)

Then I learned that Lori Anderson, creative mastermind behind the increasingly popular Bead Soup Blog Parties, is hosting just one of these massive events per year now. (Really, I'm not at all surprised - coordinating this online festivity is an insane amount of work and stress - Lori is truly gifted and amazing to be able to pull this off, time & again. She inspires me, that girl does.)

Suddenly the inner child in me stood up on the chair and loudly declared that she did NOT want to be left out.

So...I signed up this past weekend.

Now I'm trying to figure out what kind of bead soup to send my partner - I sent Ambra one of my tulip beads and some coordinating spacers last time, and I've got some great calla lily beads happening now...but...gosh, maybe something other than a floral theme? Hmmm. Sounds like a GREAT excuse to head out to the torch!

In any event, break time is over and I'm hoping my creative muse gets the memo.

Just look at what she did with my beads!!!

Lariat necklace by Jennifer Justman, Field of Tulips lampwork focal by Christine Hansen

Jennifer Justman is one of my favorite online jewelry friends. She has a sweet personality and creates thoughtfully original jewelry designs. Too, having written tales and poetry since she was a child, Jenn’s delightful writing style is a joy to read. (You can check out Jenn’s blog here: Soul’s Fire Designs.)

Jenn’s been making jewelry since 2004, when she first paired sterling silver pendants with seed beads in her wedding colors of royal blue and deep green as gifts for her bridesmaids.

She’s been busy since then – not only does Jennifer have three kids under six, but she makes fantastic jewelry (for humans *and* dolls!) which she sells primarily through her shop on Etsy, Soul’s Fire Designs. Her favorite materials include dark brass, sari silk, gemstones and glass. She’s also very fond of artisan focals including wooden tiles from JLynn Jewels and Skye Jewels, ceramic focals and elements, and of course, lampwork beads.

Jenn is talented with metal; her favorite techniques include wire-wrapping and hand stamping. “There is something about the perfection of its imperfection that just gets me,” says Jenn. “Swinging a hammer is also great stress relief.” Jenn says she’s fascinated with new techniques, and hopes to add basic soldering to her repertoire soon. “I’m also interested in the various types of clay, but for right now, I think I will leave them to the experts.”

Mixed media necklace by Jennifer Justman, Calla Lily lampwork focal by Christine Hansen

“My inspiration comes from everywhere,” says Jenn, who listens to music almost constantly, so it’s no surprise that music is a huge inspiration for her. “A lyric, a mood, an entire song can get my creative spark going.”

Keeping that spark going with three little ones can be a challenge though, and one Jenn copes with by sleeping less. “I used to be a total morning person, but now I’m a bit of a night owl. The calmness of nighttime is very soothing and provides room for my creativity to finally get a chance to flow.”

“I love what I do,” says Jenn, “not just for the chance to create beautiful things, but for the friends it has brought me. Being a SAHM can be very lonely, but I have made the most wonderful friends through this bead-y/creative community.”

I thought it would be great fun to see what Jenn might do with a couple of my lampwork focals, so I sent her one of my Field of Tulips beads and one of my Calla Lily beads, along with one of my lampwork heart pendants. I’m thrilled with how Jenn worked with the tulip and calla lily beads, and I can’t wait to see what she does with the heart. You can see additional pictures of Jenn’s work with my beads at her blog post, here. (all photos in this post are by Jennifer Justman)

Forest Fantasy Mixed Media Art Charm Necklace

Lovely Em models the completed necklace.

A couple of months ago, a dear family friend asked if I could please create an "over-the-top mixed media necklace with art charms, in forest green, deep blue, and plum purple."

Tierra Cast toggle with seed bead/faceted Czech glass bead section.

Though I don't do many necklaces in general, and it has been AGES since I've done any mixed media work (I've been really focusing on my lampwork beads lately), I couldn't bear to tell her "no can do." So I pulled stuff from my stash, took pics and sent them to her to see if I was on the right track...and I was.

Pressed glass flower dangles and upcycled necklace chain.

But inspiration was elusive - I knew I had *most* of the elements I needed, but what about the design? I didn't have a clue where to start, and it felt like something was missing anyway, so what's a girl to do? Go on an inspiration hunt, that's what!

Ribbons and recycled (fair trade!) sari silks wrapped with 19 ga. annealed steel wire & connected to upcycled necklace chain.

The center of the ribbon section features one of my lampwork beads strung onto the blue and green sari ribbons - I love how this turned out, and I think I'll make more lampwork beads with holes big enough to fit multiple ribbons. :)

The other end of the ribbon section - also finished with a wrap of my beloved 19 ga. annealed steel wire

Poring through my stash of jewelry magazines and surfing my favorite jewelry sites, I found some mixed media necklaces I liked. Made rough sketches of my favorites...and then I really looked at them. As I didn't want to copy someone else's work, I decided to focus only on my favorite element of each piece.

The center of the necklace front - how it all comes together.

I made a list and rough sketches of each of those favorite elements, pulled the ingredients from my stash, ordered a bird connector from Bello Modo, and then started laying things out, playing with texture and color, and trying to get it just right.

The charm cluster: custom art charm by C. Hansen using Vintaj Arte Metal blank, Vintaj patinas, paper, chalks, & sealer; one of my lampwork hearts, one of Peg's sparkle-icious dichroic glass cabochons, a cute little beach stone, and more of the adorable pressed glass flower drops.

Once I started placing components here and there, the necklace came together amazingly fast - it was one of those takes-forever-to-get-rolling/comes-together-at-light-speed things.

Bead links made with 19 ga. annealed steel wire, Czech seed beads, and Czech glass beads.

I'm *really* pleased with how it turned out, and even better, my client LOVES it! win/win!

The bird connector was originally brass-tone, but that didn't work with the color scheme, so I used my new Vintaj patinas on it - love the results! (I *need* Vintaj patinas in lots more colors!)

Now that I've gotten my feet wet with this design concept, I think I'll try making more mixed media pieces using this strategy. Stay tuned for pics!

The view from the other side. Please ignore the messy kitchen counter!

How the charm cluster hangs when it's worn.

Another view of the whole necklace.

Last Call for 2012!

Strung Lanyards 101 by C. Hansen (class samples)

In order to spend more time at the torch making lampwork beads (yay!), I've decided to cut back on my teaching schedule (boo!).

As a result, next Sunday, October 21, 2012, will be your last opportunity until 2013 to take Strung Lanyards 101 and/or Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant.

Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendants by C. Hansen (class samples)

Both classes take place at Shipwreck Beads in Lacey, WA: Strung Lanyards runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wild Wire runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

I'm also offering a new class this year, the Chain Reaction Necklace, a combination of chain and bead links. This versatile design can also be worn as a lanyard or an eyeglass holder. The Chain Reaction Necklace class will take place at Shipwreck Beads on Saturday, November 3, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Chain Reaction Necklaces by C. Hansen (class samples)

Any of these projects make wonderful gifts, and it's early enough in the season that you can actually start (and finish!) these lovely pieces in plenty of time for holidy gift-giving.

Read on to learn more about these classes. Register for classes with Shipwreck Beads - by phone at (360) 754-2323 or (800) 950-4232, or online:

• Strung Lanyards 101 
• Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendants
• Chain Reaction Necklace

Strung Lanyards 101:

Student work, Strung Lanyards 101 

If you wear a badge, the Strung Lanyards class is for you.

Student work, Strung Lanyards 101 

If you like wearing a lovely necklace, piled with art charms, the Strung Lanyards class is for you.

Assymetrical Art Charm Necklace by C. Hansen, lampwork glass beads, vintage sheet music bead, lampwork glass heart, etched metal art charm, and embossed collage art charm, all by C. Hansen 

If you wear eyeglasses, the Strung Lanyards class is for you. (Leave off the badge, and use the center link to hold your eyeglasses.)

Student work, Strung Lanyards 101 

Geared for beginners and beyond, we'll combine heavy beading wire, your favorite beads, and a generous portion of bead soup to make a gorgeous functional necklace. Skills covered include planning and layout, stirring up a delicious bead soup, stringing and crimping. Class fee is $25 (class fee will increase in 2013).

Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant:

Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant by C. Hansen for Bead Soup Blog Party

I took part in the Bead Soup Blog Party last year, and was really stumped when my partner sent me a gorgeous bamboo agate focal to work with. Until then, I hadn't worked much with stones, precious, semi-precious, or otherwise, and just did not have a clue where to begin.

Student work, Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant

After banging my head on my bead table a few times, I came up with this wild wire wrap. I was so thrilled with the results, and knowing that Shipwreck has a fantastic selection of stones to work with, I decided to offer this class.

Student work, Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant

The wire-wrapped focal can be enjoyed as a pendant or one could use it as an ornament - perhaps a seasonal decoration, or something year-round, hanging in a window or maybe even suspended as a fan pull?

Student work, Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant

Another beginner-friendly class, Wild Wire students use basic wire working skills, two gauges of wire, a handful of coordinating beads, and improvisational style to embellish a large focal pendant and create a bail for use as a pendant or an ornament.

Student work, Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant

Once you get the hang of it, this project goes fairly fast, so we may be making 2-3 pendants/ornaments in class. Class fee is $35.

Student work, Wild Wire Mixed Media Pendant

Chain Reaction Necklace

One of the hottest looks right now is chain combined with bead links. In this class, you'll learn how to create bead links and join them with chain segments for an easy, stylish necklace that showcases your favorite pendant, it can also be worn as a lanyard or an eyeglass chain.

Chain Reaction Necklace with etched copper tag and lampwork glass heart, all by C. Hansen, class sample

Skills covered include planning and layout, working with wire and jump rings, and creating bead links. Quantities of supplies will depend upon supplies selected; e.g. if you select large focal beads, you may only need 6 total large beads, or if you decide to alternate large focals with smaller accent links, you'll need a few more accent beads and spacer beads. Please make sure all beads will fit 18 gauge wire. Class fee is $35.

Chain Reaction Necklace by C. Hansen, class sample

Cough & Cold Tea Recipe (kitchen remedies 02)

thyme

 

A pernicious bug has been making its way throughout the greater Olympia area lately, so I thought I'd post our current cough and cold soothing strategy.

1. Raw organic apple cider vinegar - a teaspoon in water 3 x day - is really helpful for boosting the immune system.
2. Gargling with warm salt water at the very first sign of a scratchy throat can be enough to stop it in its tracks. Try 1 tsp. salt in 8 oz. of warm water. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sore-throat/DS00526/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies
3. My standard go-to remedy has, for years, been our trusty sinus infection essential oil blend.
 

Here is our newly-developed recipe for a cough & cold tea blend. The tea recipe was inspired partly by Rosemary Gladstar's excellent book, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use, and partly by my friend Tess' cough syrup recipe. Drinking the tea & steaming your head with the sinus blend will deliver a 1-2 punch.

Chris' Cough & Cold Tea
(all ingredients are dried, I measure by weight)

1 part ginger root (warming, decongesting, used for colds and flus, respiratory congestion and sore throat)
1 part cinnamon powder (warming, antiviral, antifungal, improves circulation, clears congestion)
1 part thyme leaf (fights infection, treats coughs, helps sore throats)
1 part marshmallow root (soothes inflamed respiratory tissues, lubricates & moisturizes lungs)
1/2 part catnip (to help bring fever down)

Combine all in a screw-top jar and mix well.

To use: Steep 4 tbsp. in 1 quart of boiling water, covered, for 45 minutes. Strain and press herbs. Add honey to taste. (I added quite a bit - 1/4-1/3 cup of honey to 1 quart of tea...it wound up tasting a LOT like those Hot Tamales candies I was so addicted to as a child, lol.)

Dosage: adults: 3-4 cups per day, kids 7-12: 1-2 oz/4 x day

catnip

 

Images are from the New York Public Library Digital Gallery.