Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Witch

If the broom fits...ride it! 

Come Fly with me....

Happy Halloween Y'all!


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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.  

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks

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.

Sculpture by Michael Benoit - Bone Garden Cantina
Sculpture by Michael Benoit At Bone Garden Cantina, Atlanta, GA

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks

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.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks

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 - Bone Garden Cantina
Mural by Michael Benoit - At Bone Garden Cantina, Atlanta, GA.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks

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.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks

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.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorisGlassworks

Thanks for stopping by my blog to take a peek at my designs. If you have a few minutes, stop by some of the other blogs revealing today. Participants are listed below.

Have fun hoping around! Cheers!
Kathleen Breeding  http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Dianne Miller  http://www.artbydianne.blogspot.com

Lisa Liddy  http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Toltec Jewels  http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Laura Medeiros  http://Www.zoeowyn.blogspot.com
Veralynne Malone  http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor  http://jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Stephanie LaRosa  http://Www.stringaholic.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmer  http://www.nvalentine.blogspot.com

Sarajo Wentling  http://www.sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Lori Dorrington  http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com   « You Are Here
Dawn M. Gallop  http://www.flipflopsandpoptarts.com


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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Pumpkin Carving Ideas...

It's time to crave our Pumpkin! Here are some of my favorite designs found on Pinterest:

Halloween


Halloween


Halloween

 
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.

Williams-Sonoma


Well, I'm off to the pumpkin patch.
Cheers!


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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.



Day of the Dead Blog Hop
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.”



Day of the Dead Blog Hop
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.



Day of the Dead Blog Hop
PreciousViolet
https://www.etsy.com/listing/111394212/hoot-in-the-brambles-wrap-around?ref=shop_home_active



Day of the Dead Blog Hop

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!


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Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Itty Bitty Bat Cupcakes


Bakerella Link

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:

Cheers!

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