Thursday, October 31, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
Halloween / Day of the Dead Blog Hop...
You
may already know (based on past blog posts) that Halloween is my
favorite holiday and we celebrate the Day of the Dead every year at Bone
Garden Cantina. When I saw an invitation to join a Halloween/Day of the
Dead blog hop, I immediately dropped everything and went to work on
some ‘creepy’ new designs.
Blog
hop host Diana Ptaszynski asked that each design contain at least one
Art Bead. I dug through my lampwork bead collection and came up with
several possibilities. I also purchased a marvelous polymer clay
skull pendant from artist Jenny Davies-Reazor.
In celebration of the lives of my dearly departed, I’ve crafted this Catrina necklace using an Art Bead made of polymer clay, individually wire wrapped Czech glass flowers and round Howlite gemstone beads. The Bali sliver links have been in my stash for several years, they seemed perfect for this design. I plan to wear the necklace to the annual Day of the Dead celebration at The Bone Garden Cantina in mid-town Atlanta.
Despite its macabre name, Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a joyful celebration. It's a day set aside to remember, honor, and celebrate the life of loved ones that have passed. The day isn’t spent mourning the loss; it is spent celebrating the lives of the dearly departed.
In Mexico on the Day of the Dead, families travel to village graveyards to visit their departed loved ones. Favorite foods and drinks of the departed are shared graveside during family picnics. The graves of relatives are decorated with sunny marigold garlands and candles. Some folks even bring toys for the children that were taken too soon. Families sing, reminisce, laugh, and tell stories. They are conversing with the dead, unafraid and happy. Death's morbid side is buried under music and remembrances; they are celebrating life during the remembrance of death.
In celebration of the lives of my dearly departed, I’ve crafted this Catrina necklace using an Art Bead made of polymer clay, individually wire wrapped Czech glass flowers and round Howlite gemstone beads. The Bali sliver links have been in my stash for several years, they seemed perfect for this design. I plan to wear the necklace to the annual Day of the Dead celebration at The Bone Garden Cantina in mid-town Atlanta.
 |
| Sculpture by Michael Benoit At Bone Garden Cantina, Atlanta, GA |
El Dia de los Muertos is one of my favorite days of the year. I love the colors, vibrant orange, yellow and pink. I love Catrinas, the dressed-up skeletons doing all kinds of things, like dancing and cooking and getting married. I love the brightly decorated sugar skulls, and most of all I love the significance of the day.
 |
| Mural by Michael Benoit - At Bone Garden Cantina, Atlanta, GA. |
I had a few glass flower beads left after finishing the necklace, so I made a matching pair of drop earrings to wear to the celebration.
For the Halloween portion of this blog hop, I used a great lampwork bead of Jack from the Tim Burton movie Nightmare before Christmas. The bead was made by fellow lampwork artisit Melanie at Moonraker Beads and I thought it would be perfect for this challenge.
I added several small lampwork beads, some freshwater pearls and several different sizes of black glass beads to compliment the Jack lampwork bead. The bracelet is long enough to wrap around the wrist twice. I like the multi strand look.
Have fun hoping around! Cheers!
Diana Ptaszynski http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com
Staci Smith http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/
Kathleen Breeding http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Sue Kennedy http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Dianne Miller http://www.artbydianne.blogspot.com
Lisa Liddy http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Toltec Jewels http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Linda Landig http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com
Laura Medeiros http://Www.zoeowyn.blogspot.com
Veralynne Malone http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Lynn Jobber http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk
Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Karen Totten http://www.starryroadstudio.blogspot.com
Jayne Capps https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor http://jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Joan Miller http://metalmudandsand.blogspot.com/
Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger http://www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Kari Asbury http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Inge von Roos http://www.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com
Stephanie LaRosa http://Www.stringaholic.blogspot.com
Lola Surwillo http://www.beadlolabead.com
Jennifer Cameron http://glassaddictions.com/blog
Diane Hawkey http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com
Kristi Harrison http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmer http://www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Tanya Goodwin http://www.Pixiloo.blogspot.com
Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Sarajo Wentling http://www.sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Marie Covert http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com
Lisa Stukel http://www.carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar http://www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Sherri Stokey http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Pam Traub http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Lori Dorrington http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com « You Are Here
Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com
Eleanor Burian-Mohr http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com
Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com
Dawn M. Gallop http://www.flipflopsandpoptarts.com
Christine Damm http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Pumpkin Carving Ideas...
It's time to crave our Pumpkin! Here are some of my favorite designs found on Pinterest:
At Williams-Sonoma I found a great carving set with heavy duty tools made especially for the job. I have small hands and finding tools that are comfortable to use but not made for kids is a challenge. Should have known that WS would have just what I need.
Well, I'm off to the pumpkin patch.
Cheers!
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Working on Creepy Blog Hop Designs…
You may already know (based on past blog posts) that Halloween is my favorite holiday and we celebrate the Day of the Dead every year at Bone Garden Cantina. When I saw an invitation to join a Halloween/Day of the Dead blog hop, I immediately dropped everything and went to work on some ‘creepy’ new designs.
Blog hop host Diana Ptaszynski asked that each design contain at least one Art Bead. I dug through my lampwork bead collection and came up with several possibilities and I also purchased a marvelous polymer clay skull pendant from artist Jenny Davies-Reazor. I’d love to show you what I’m making, but it’s a secret until the big reveal on October 28. Stop back then to see my finished designs and Links to the other participant’s jewelry.
In the mean time, here is a definition of what an “Art Bead” is and some great Day of the Dead examples I found on Etsy.
 |
| Earthenwood Studio http://www.earthenwoodstudio.com/product/raven-pendant |
“Art Bead” Defined by Art Bead Scene:
“First, art beads are made by individual artisans in independently owned studios. They work either alone or in very small studios, making one of a kind beads by hand or in small batches. Most are self-representing, meaning you can buy their beads directly from them, although some work with stores to get their beads into the hands of the public. Art beads are not made in factories or sweatshops in mass quantities. When you buy art beads, you are supporting the people who make them directly.”
 |
| Joan Miller https://www.etsy.com/listing/164189735/flower-skull-bead-handmade-colored?ref=shop_home_active |
Art beads can be crafted using many materials: Glass, ceramic, polymer clay, metal, and natural materials. Art beads are usually made with the intention of becoming a part of a beautiful piece of jewelry. The bead maker is the first step in the journey of an art bead. The handcrafted bead may be sent on to another artist who uses the bead to create their own art in the form of jewelry or other crafts. It is a truly inspirational process and very special relationships can develop between the artists who make the beads, the artists who turn the beads into jewelry, and even the owner of the finished jewelry.
 |
| PreciousViolet https://www.etsy.com/listing/111394212/hoot-in-the-brambles-wrap-around?ref=shop_home_active |
 |
MakoslaCreations https://www.etsy.com/listing/166307644/bat-necklace?ref=related-6 |
Remember...stop back on October 28th to see my finished designs using Art Beads and links to the other blogs that are participating the this blog hop. Cheers!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Itty Bitty Bat Cupcakes
I saw this cute cupcake idea on the Bakerella Blog; I think I'll try this for our weekend at the cabin with our family. They make me smile!
Get all the details
on how to make them here:
on how to make them here:
Cheers!
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