Molten Mayhem

Bead Fest Bounty . . . .

Well, what can I add that hasn't been said?!?!??!!? It was a year in the making for me (August 2012) there were as usual a years worth of trials and tribulations, of highs and lows . . . and life goes on.

There is a camaraderie at these events like no other, you get to meet and interact with the artists you met through Facebook and their shops and what a thrill it is. You get to stock up on supplies, you get to buy/swap artisan beads . . . it's a delightful way to spend several whirlwind days!!! 

But enough talk let me show you "MY" goodies . . . . . 

Super light weight made of paper, bark and banana leaf, and got to hang with the lovely Laura Coleman . . . . 

Ever get home and say "I should have gotten more" yeah, I should have . . .  oh Karen . . . . 

the color combo in these goodies from Olivia are stunning . . . . mine, mine, mine

did an awesome swap with Michelle . . . . 

some Diane Hawky awesomeness . . . hope you feeling better!

increased my stash with some more beads from Amy . . . . 

and I had to get my "Suburban Girl" fix . . . . . hmmmmm, I see a trend in colors here!!!

here's my supply purchase, there was allot more on the list but to be truthfull I have enough at home yet . . .  sooooooo, I was able to pick up on some pearl awesomeness!!!

my loot from the swap Dianna organizes . . . fantastic partners and great art beads!

did a cool swap with Heather for these . . . at least the name is spelled right on there, lol

snagged some Kristen Stevens beaded beads . . . 

a total surprise from Staci!!!! She is such a sweetie, and totaly surprised me when she gave me this, how did she ever know . . . . 

you can never get enough of Yvonne's MyElements . . . had a fantastic swap with her!!!!

and some handmade rolled paper beads from Mary Hubbard's youngest talent . . . . 

It is standard practice to fondle your newly acquired stash for at least the first week or two, some of us (like me) tend to hoard I mean hold onto their newest additions longer than others . . . . 

While it was as always a great time, there really is no place like home . . . till next time ladies!!!

 

 

 

 

What a week, and it's only Monday morning . . . .

Ever have that feeling some higher power is trying to tell you something?!?!? Ok, so this is how I'm doing so far . . . . it's 6:30 am, I'm dying to see how my newest bead efforts have turned out (new to me, but folks have been doing these for some time now) I figure I can just put a hoodie over my granny flannel nities, no one will see me, right? 

Dash across the yard to the studio grab my stash from the kiln and dash back into the house, only to remember it's garbage day and, YES, the truck is in front of my house . . . with a long line of cars behind it. Oh "Hello neighbors" so much for stealth!!!!

Pickle and straighten all the copper wires, and place into tumbler. After plenty of time tumbling I look for the strainer designated strictly to the stainless steel schot, I see it on the counter and it takes my feeble brain a minute to register what I'm seeing . . . . yep, they've been tumbling for half an hour without the schot!!! Ok, no biggie just a good thing no one knows about it. Add the schot and re-tumble . . . . . viola!!!

Bust out laughing, and get ready to use nylon tools to straighten . . . . no worries.

                                                                               But then!!!!

As I finish the center hole bail/bead headpin creation and was taking it into the the other room to take a picture, me in all my butterfingered glory catch it on the lip of the desk it goes flying out of my hands across the room and breaks (heavy sigh) I realize now I'll never be able to sell it so I prepare it for my "special" collection. Get out the 2 part epoxy and glue the leg back on it, now I normally do a bang up job gluing things back together, to the point that most people can't even tell . . . . you guessed it, not this time!!!!! As I said it's only Monday . . . . . 

not too bad from a distance, but I can see it like a beacon from here . . . . 

Gosh I'm so upset, nice close up of the break. That's all I see when I look at it . . . . 

Still pouting . . . . 

On that note folks, have a better week than my Monday morning. Does this count as being done for the week now only good things happen?????

Spring has finally sprung?!?!?!??

Well it seems like the winter that wouldn't end is finally having to let go . . . and not a moment too soon if you ask me, which of course I'm sure no one is!

My brother's house is back on the market, the economy still sucks so the return investment on the house and it's 6 acres is non-exisiting. There is one couple that are coming for a second look but to say they have been making odd requests of my Mother is an understatement!!!! But hey, if they buy it so be it, however if they come back with more stupidity I'll personaly tell then to hit the road . . . . 

Since it has warmed up some I can make it out to the studio and get some time in the torch in, not too long though. I still have to go into the house when my toes are numb!!!! I'll be planing to be out later today.

Salute - to a Kind Spirit!!!!

Gosh where to start, well, I'll always remember the phone call from my Mom. She was frantic, she kept repeating "please, please come up. please" I was instantly on red alert I knew some thing was terribly wrong . . . . . . . and it was.

I can't believe it's been a year without you little Brother. I miss you so so soooooo much. So many times I went to call you or to asks you a question only to be rudely reminded you are not there anymore. So much I wanted to show you and share with you . . . . oh I know we had our moments, but when push came to shove you were always there for me!!!

We will be spending the day together, we are devoting it to you and your favorite things, it will be a tear jerker, and you will/are terribly missed!!!!

What I wouldn't give to have you back . . . . .

Love always, you Sister Jan

Sally Russik's . . . Journey . . . .

They say that's what life's all about  . . . my life has been relatively uneventful for a long time. But last year had it's super "duper" lows and highs. My little brother, my only brother, lost his life due to complications form a permanently disabling work injury. My world was turned upside down, we are German immigrants. We, the 4 of us, came to this country to seek a better life. We were the only family we had. My Mom was crushed, she was his caregiver for the past 10 years, she's in her 70's, it took it's toll on her but he was her son and she did what she had to do . . . . we all did. 

Then, I had to opportunity to to vend at BeadFest in PA. Yes, that was a super high. I had the pleasure to meet so many good hearted souls, it was a thrill not to be forgotten. But with the high come the lows. Within a month of that my beloved Angus was in the veterinary emergency hospital and lost his life to an aggressive cancer. Devastated and heartbroken, life as they say goes on. 

I was not a happy camper, to say the least. I lost interest in everything, putting on the "I'm ok" face was sooooooooooo hard. The house was so empty without my Angus, so we decided to "rescue", it was frustrating at times because all the critters were "in urgent need of a good home" yet no one ever called you back!!!

We of course came upon our new addition to the family, some of you are very familiar with his story on Face Book. We rescued him and he did the same for us, so here we are on a new JOURNEY down life's path. Dealing with sever loss and exhilarating gain . . . . truly a never ending journey we go all along sometimes not even realizing it.

Here we are going down a new path in life, exploring new things together finding each other, the journey goes on . . . . 

This was something new for him, probably the first time he was ever on sand . . . 

 

Sally Russik"s "Focusing on Life" Photo

 

I am going to give it my best shot (no pun intended) to follow through and keep up with this wonderful idea Sally came up with! I hope I understand the concept behind it . . . . but here is my photo for week one. 

This is when I'm happiest, zoned out of life's nonsense, my self portrait . . . . 

May we all have a Happy New Year . . .

Hi!!! We are all starting the new year off with great hopes and expectations. I'll be right up there with everyone, last year was the worst year of my life . . . so in order to get things going bright and early Friday morning in my etsy shop I'll be having a 20% off sale . . . . you make your own happiness, no one is going to hand it to you . . . this is my mantra for the year, and sales make me VERY happy!!!

A walk to mend some hearts . . .

It's getting closer and closer to my favorite holiday, and there is a great sadness in my heart. My brother and I were the biggest kids when it came to Christmas we were always on cloud 9, silly I know but it's what it was.

To loose him so suddenly and unexpectedly was a shock I'll never get over, as if that wasn't bad enough I had to loose my beloved companion Angus too. It just about killed me . . . I know you hear those that say "he's just a dog" no he was 142 pounds of pure love and joy!!! He also left me with no warning. 

They say the 2012 will be the end of the world, well I don't believe that but I do know the a piece of my world did end this year. 

There is a new fur-ball in our lives to help ease the sadness, a rescue dog, because it was the right thing to do. He's coming out of his shell and adjusting to his new life with us, and yes, he's worming his way into my heart. He can be such a clown. He's a good boy that needed a good home when I need a new shadow - companion - friend all of the above! 

Here we are at Hopatcong State Park, my usual park is closed for bow hunting. I think it was the first time his paws ever set foot on sand, he had fun exploring . . . and then a good nap in "my" chair while I was on the computer.

Thanks for sharing with me, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Be sure to tell those that you love just how much they mean to you, because, well just because!!!

Mother Nature . . .

The very first post I ever made on this blog at the beginning of the year had a view of our little yard with a boat load of snow, it was tranquil and beautiful!!! 

Thank you "Hurricane Sandy" for landscaping my little slice of paradise . . . one of the only two trees on the property came crashing down!!!!! Along with the only bit of privacy between us and the neighbors. They have only been there a year but have proven to be the worst kind you can have . . . 

Just took this picture this morning, I need to dig up the original and put them side by side . . . yes that's what I'll do right now, hang on folks!!!

Then - 01/03/2012                                                                Now - 11/08/2012

Mother Natures Landscaping Service . . . . 

But all in all it could have been oh so much worse. I'm only sad the tree is gone I was measuring it's growth from when we first bought the house to the present. Any thoughts to what to plant for privacy??? I'd love to plant some fancy trees but they loose the leaves and I'm back to square one!!

Fall Challenge reveal . .

Oh thank goodness the power is back!!!! I only had minor damage in the yard, one of our 2 trees came crashing down. It made a lovely ornament on top of our shed. I was only concerned that it would destroy my studio, but it was a good tree and spared us any and all heartache of damage . . . I loved that pine tree too.

Ok! So on with the reveal, I wasn't smart enough to write it all up before the due date as I'm sure most of you were, plus I was not expecting to be with out electricity for 7 days, yikes, so here is my design I'll let the pictures do the talking . . . . I love the stoneware pendant that Diana created, I seem to be very partial to this medium. Plus a total surprise was the lovely clasp form our fellow team member Michelle Buettner, fall fell as they say  . . . .

Bright vibrant silk cord with my favorite fall colors . . . 

The warmth of the copper just brought it all together . . . .

Thank you for looking and look forward to the next challenge . . . 

 

Please visit the other member's blogs and leave us all a note!!

 
Diana Ptaszynski http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com/ 
Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Jan Onipenco http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/ (just got power back)
Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp  http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/  
Sandra Basara Miller http://www.sandra5461.blogspot.com/ 
Michelle Buettner http://misheldesigns.blogspot.com/