tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59189529685583856982024-03-19T00:15:45.242-04:00Beading & ReeBeadingReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-3350720990629240262011-03-13T18:08:00.014-04:002011-03-18T07:47:22.562-04:00Sorceress of the Ice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTTW3153INu1ZaETUPBKqYHI3fInTdNQOSC6DT2UMzzT4NnjBu3nApBx2NnhU4NaRxIIJAEhZ7OMI9O2BX65jvPPMSyg03bBxAcy8UypebHkQNDcDAhBbF3D1Yw5BPrUAfaEsmEPj-jXO/s1600/Birch+Inspiration.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r_gVKhm03MwbicSNfnhV5tgP3kBsdlOj19KfiUL63Vz-OtGb3OM8aGqEKQxmq4YsF9_zuWdYOfPajn1xTeoIqZtckzT046KdRDSQ5M27APRWEuZ1Vg2B3XKf2KVJo8UCd73xGr3QWyLZ/s1600/Inspiration.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583693124086165138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3r_gVKhm03MwbicSNfnhV5tgP3kBsdlOj19KfiUL63Vz-OtGb3OM8aGqEKQxmq4YsF9_zuWdYOfPajn1xTeoIqZtckzT046KdRDSQ5M27APRWEuZ1Vg2B3XKf2KVJo8UCd73xGr3QWyLZ/s320/Inspiration.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thanks to a new challenge from Artbeads.com, I've dug deep into my creative soul to discover what I think "Winter Enchantment" is all about.<br /><br /><div>A lifelong Mainer, winter isn't exactly a new concept to me. I've had 38 years of bitter cold, snow and ice. Yet throw in the word "Enchantment" and my view on the frosty season takes on a whole new meaning.</div><br /><div>I had the honor of waking up one morning not too long ago to find that the morning sun had won its daily battle with the winter clouds, resulting in a spectacular show-and-tell of azure sky, glass-like trees covered in melting ice and Mr. Sun himself high in the sky radiating over the whole scene in pride. My drive to work was more like a tour through some obscenely high-end art gallery. Everywhere I looked, I saw nothing but sheer beauty. The landscape was glorious. Breathtaking. Just look for yourself!<br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPpd5RpIFSItNjFQHCFVzpFvPiLZnBW0KW4X5qH_yqyxX8IDmZyoxasWhDVkz2rBtErq44uAS84JvDVIbinl9eUYB5fWOSeZ9KCBuan0_4SVZdqqqIgmvBAQpcBwB2SScuztSloXWGKhT/s1600/Birch+Inspiration.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583695656210139218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 339px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPpd5RpIFSItNjFQHCFVzpFvPiLZnBW0KW4X5qH_yqyxX8IDmZyoxasWhDVkz2rBtErq44uAS84JvDVIbinl9eUYB5fWOSeZ9KCBuan0_4SVZdqqqIgmvBAQpcBwB2SScuztSloXWGKhT/s320/Birch+Inspiration.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>When I saw the next sight (below), everything fell into place. What I envisioned was the forest home of a long ago and far away Sorceress of the Ice, straight out of your favorite fantasy story. I could just imagine her long, flowing, silvery-white hair and icy blue eyes. The idea of "Winter Enchantment" hit me square in t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sLGnec56BUbKoRWJCQYdY-6HJg7bwmLI3RFWKXwZmOrg4vj-JGgrsWBJU24a2jJfKVCVNe3o9vOszDfpZELgZMahnWtE5t3hV3g0-qn8uRK9NW5W9YE0yqVOKeIbYoGgB_FyG0jBmpCc/s1600/Ice+Queen+Forest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583697820822077762" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sLGnec56BUbKoRWJCQYdY-6HJg7bwmLI3RFWKXwZmOrg4vj-JGgrsWBJU24a2jJfKVCVNe3o9vOszDfpZELgZMahnWtE5t3hV3g0-qn8uRK9NW5W9YE0yqVOKeIbYoGgB_FyG0jBmpCc/s320/Ice+Queen+Forest.jpg" border="0" /></a>he nose. I finally got it!</div><br /><div>Then it all came together. Those beautiful icy stiletto branches coupled with the soft arcs of trees bent nearly to their limit by the sheer weight of it all...I decided to make my Sorceress of the Ice a magnificent necklace that only one so "Enchanted" could pull off!</div><br /><div>The colors were a no-brainer: Crystal whites and the lightest of blues with just a hint of somber wintery gray. </div><br /><div>My flavor-of-the-month beading technique is Kumihimo. I am in love with Japanese braiding! The process is very rhythmical and soothing and the finished product is always one I'm happy with. This Artbeads.com challenge was no exception. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2vtXrZMRgqB9blWiRrWckkfqM59jO8n3ZLgBfkTAPwtPtywA2s69sZocgvc_byzITMy0A6m85iOqo2lC4bTER3VSiI32QPsY-kHeNobNmRGwDhuUqx-IXgs_MZ-JRk9WkVUlCdLtCjXm/s1600/Main+Photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583704444225277362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2vtXrZMRgqB9blWiRrWckkfqM59jO8n3ZLgBfkTAPwtPtywA2s69sZocgvc_byzITMy0A6m85iOqo2lC4bTER3VSiI32QPsY-kHeNobNmRGwDhuUqx-IXgs_MZ-JRk9WkVUlCdLtCjXm/s320/Main+Photo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div>The clasp sits in the front of the pendant and is camouflaged by the little spikes of beads and crystals, including <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/toho-glass-seed-beads.html">Size 6 TOHO seed beads in Lined Crystal Colonial Gray</a>. </div><br /><div></div><div>The piece de resistance is, of course, the stunning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tMnCL6qNoxbgF0R9vFqxpnEC4joxEdRnGTZRXVvS-fW_urlr62IvPcUobKlBke348v1J6ptfK5cs9jaZUzktdzgB18oIBgpj1YX4xa-VJP0dSNMQuM6dBsQffkoYNKZf99yPoev9r5tO/s1600/Detail.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583709041693722210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tMnCL6qNoxbgF0R9vFqxpnEC4joxEdRnGTZRXVvS-fW_urlr62IvPcUobKlBke348v1J6ptfK5cs9jaZUzktdzgB18oIBgpj1YX4xa-VJP0dSNMQuM6dBsQffkoYNKZf99yPoev9r5tO/s320/Detail.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/components-swarovski-austrian-crystal.html">Swarovski Avant-Garde crystal pendant</a> measuring a whopping 40 mm! This component is a true beauty and I couldn't wait to work with it. </div><br /><div></div><div>In addition to light blue silk cord, the body of this piece is made of <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/toho-glass-seed-beads.html">Size 6 TOHO seed beads in Transparent Crystal AB</a>.</div><div></div><div>Thanks, Artbeads.com, for getting me out of my traditional Maine winter blues by challenging me to think outside the snow-covered box!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>Disclaimer: All<span style="color:#000000;"> TOHO seed beads and Swarovski crystal pendant</span> used in this project were kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their Design Partners blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from Artbeads.com and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.</em></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-69628148017338823332011-01-21T22:50:00.000-05:002011-01-21T22:53:51.570-05:00Introducing...MRS. ReeBeader!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPk5heh2y5ljBA8yrpFzmQM17OUHMDLIw0687SrP9X3Mhchm9HV1CQh-MOXRAFiiLJB7F7LDRdTEweUILvn4BVm86eO9P8Yc-lwcaUuRo-qkvJemrfJZa5R54vZaouThb9t79od81RB1C/s1600/FinalWeddingPhoto.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564853393927442338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPk5heh2y5ljBA8yrpFzmQM17OUHMDLIw0687SrP9X3Mhchm9HV1CQh-MOXRAFiiLJB7F7LDRdTEweUILvn4BVm86eO9P8Yc-lwcaUuRo-qkvJemrfJZa5R54vZaouThb9t79od81RB1C/s320/FinalWeddingPhoto.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hello All!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It's been a while and I'm itching to get back into beading and blogging! On December 11, 2010, I married the best guy in the world and wanted to share a photo with everyone. I'm working on my next <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/">Artbeads.com </a>project right now, so there will be more to come very soon. Keep warm!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-3824583944676246782010-06-21T18:43:00.001-04:002011-01-21T23:40:58.850-05:00Sailor's Delight<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKAWA9wuUmeiViCtY72kDpXa2y388zYNTAh0k4p3vK9P5cTM2r7L2HaYvVi_7FoHBq_iasji-GRuvcdY8Lo-eUUNBQR-nXQP6hhKF2rKp3wDX1oFBSlini0oKIRQHHuEIra1r_Z__vTmJ/s1600/Sailor's+Delight+Correct.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485363065635412498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKAWA9wuUmeiViCtY72kDpXa2y388zYNTAh0k4p3vK9P5cTM2r7L2HaYvVi_7FoHBq_iasji-GRuvcdY8Lo-eUUNBQR-nXQP6hhKF2rKp3wDX1oFBSlini0oKIRQHHuEIra1r_Z__vTmJ/s400/Sailor's+Delight+Correct.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">Ever heard that old saying, "Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning"? My dad (who served in the Navy in WWII) told me this when I was a young girl and it just sort of stuck. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;">While trying to think about summer themes for my next beading project, I kept imagining a hot summer night with hues of red, orange, and yellow flooding the sky. Dad's old adage popped (product back into my head and this little baby was off and running!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:85%;">These fiery tones (particularly the beautiful </span><a href="http://www.artbeads.com/pendants.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Magma Starfish pendant</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> and the </span><a href="http://www.artbeads.com/beads-findings-artbeads.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Chinese Rhodochrosite round beads</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">) are a departure from the cool blues and purples or beigy neutrals I usually use, making this piece quite fun and interesting to create. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span></em></div><div><em><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:78%;color:#cc0000;">Disclosure: The 28-mm Starfish Crystal Red Magma pendant (Product code 6721-RMM28), Orange/Yellow Roundelle Mix strand (Product code CR-RL116), 4-mm Yellow Druks (Product code DRUKS-YELAB4), 8-mm Light Topaz Stars (Product code 5714-LT08), 6-mm and 8-mm Faceted Round Fire Opals (Product codes 5000-FIRE6/FIRE8, respectively), and 10-mm Red Chinese Rhodochrosite Round Beads (Product code LTD-2794) were kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their Design Partners Blogging Program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from Artbeads.com and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.</span></em></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;"></span></div><div></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-82234163287481390292010-04-01T16:05:00.000-04:002010-04-01T16:09:22.678-04:00Happy Easter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpSHPKVKRj4ZexHg4pn1x5RtMdqmFzh6jT6_HV8vPgVE_DJin1NuZ7ckzX60ZfNvPXbQPObFc_kelKBLrl7rKKSASAJAReeNbVREAl3y91jXYrA7udfSSZiHWP2buiLjqfMDZDYgN1WZH/s1600/Sacred+Heart.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455263637107044610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpSHPKVKRj4ZexHg4pn1x5RtMdqmFzh6jT6_HV8vPgVE_DJin1NuZ7ckzX60ZfNvPXbQPObFc_kelKBLrl7rKKSASAJAReeNbVREAl3y91jXYrA7udfSSZiHWP2buiLjqfMDZDYgN1WZH/s400/Sacred+Heart.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I painted this in honor of Easter. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy Beading!</div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-29373893147373141632010-03-26T14:42:00.000-04:002010-03-26T14:49:16.242-04:00Beauty Just Outside the Window<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWmQwuScpIfeVoT76H0e8CEJzMLQlUan2O1hR8E9VXve3a8K2ye2IjlSo0i-kEk_PzkwF4lxSNSsmcxJeMx3N3c6xtZWmyNAnfJ94Kyg1w-oCWnv_YtlmA3zohW2UX5meB9TrnJeYac58/s1600/IMG_0160.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453016480290291154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWmQwuScpIfeVoT76H0e8CEJzMLQlUan2O1hR8E9VXve3a8K2ye2IjlSo0i-kEk_PzkwF4lxSNSsmcxJeMx3N3c6xtZWmyNAnfJ94Kyg1w-oCWnv_YtlmA3zohW2UX5meB9TrnJeYac58/s400/IMG_0160.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Still recovering from this illness, I may not be beading but I'm not completely nonproductive! I saw this handsome fellow yesterday while looking outside my kitchen window and had to snap a shot of him. Maybe this will be inspiration for my next project?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I also submitted a design idea to <u>Crafts 'n Things</u> today. Fingers crossed I'll hear from <em>someone</em> soon!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Happy Beading!</div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-30536733388123428162010-03-25T16:52:00.000-04:002010-03-25T16:54:34.245-04:00Still Waiting on that Query LetterI sent out the query letter to Kalmbach Publishing Co. on February 12 regarding my book proposal, yet still I've heard nothing. I know these things take time, but their guidelines specifically state that they usually respond in a few weeks...my baited breath is wearing out!ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-15851654621317036272010-03-25T16:51:00.001-04:002010-03-25T16:52:13.721-04:00Itching to Bead!Whoa is me! Still fighting this flu thing/sinus infection and feeling pretty sorry for myself as I haven't beaded in a week! I hope to have several pics for you soon because I've really got some making up to do!ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-28974292824390887732010-03-14T10:21:00.000-04:002010-03-14T10:24:10.124-04:00A Note from the Trenches<span style="color:#993300;">Hello Everyone,</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">Although I know there's never an excuse for not beading, I've been quite ill this week and just wanted to blog my little heart out with apologies for not writing sooner. Wishing you all well and you'll hear from me asap!</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">Happy Beading!!!</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;">PS: How about beading a few extra rows for me while I'm under the weather? :-)</span>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-77339900405888387322010-03-10T14:42:00.000-05:002010-03-10T14:50:07.969-05:00The Gal Behind the Beads<span style="color:#993399;">Hello!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I figured it only fair that you get a glimpse of the person doing all of this beading and blogging business. I literally just snapped this photograph especially for you, my beading and blogging buddies. Notice the t-shirt? </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzvrP1yo5BBrl-9-fD6cqNqzk5HQJLj92pspY3D2TbRl4V6kl6XaT9MDjHbuKPgDHyATDqLQSTqx8yyErpSRSiy56ObTXngnn5n_tOafY_HZf0EesBYmrDcZyu646Ik5DpVm35ws-ebjx/s1600-h/BlogPhoto.JPG"><span style="color:#993399;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447094094680248930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXzvrP1yo5BBrl-9-fD6cqNqzk5HQJLj92pspY3D2TbRl4V6kl6XaT9MDjHbuKPgDHyATDqLQSTqx8yyErpSRSiy56ObTXngnn5n_tOafY_HZf0EesBYmrDcZyu646Ik5DpVm35ws-ebjx/s400/BlogPhoto.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#993399;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#993399;">Happy Beading!</span></p>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-71674093406347450522010-03-09T16:56:00.000-05:002010-03-18T17:20:56.876-04:00The Beauty of Spring Part 2<span style="color:#339999;"></span><span style="color:#3333ff;">Thanks again to Artbeads.com, I was able to create my vision of "The Beauty of Spring" with this piece called "Metamorphosis." Funny enough, as soon as I saw the blue cat's eye cabochons on their website, I immediately envisioned a beautiful flower focal piece. </span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil97Yu7PwF63md4x5KLzyfiiNUrseG-zQHayXJANOEoxXMW7dgg-YWWXYL1yGwn9PM3tdhasGRP8ilEBtYIg9FoglL8OYf-CuoLtFXqFv_0abUZ118sni3XhKvZjTtSg7IVe0nQCvStXb-/s1600-h/Pictures+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446756705727306578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil97Yu7PwF63md4x5KLzyfiiNUrseG-zQHayXJANOEoxXMW7dgg-YWWXYL1yGwn9PM3tdhasGRP8ilEBtYIg9FoglL8OYf-CuoLtFXqFv_0abUZ118sni3XhKvZjTtSg7IVe0nQCvStXb-/s400/Pictures+053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#339999;">As I worked on the flower, it somehow evolved into a butterfly. Just the transformation of my own creation, let alone the actual lifespan of a real butterfly, led me to the title "Metamorphosis" because, really, nothing else was right. </span><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWdTfIWMzRUPRwL3TuWLPS5Jv4AyDQJ5KoLkOtzw28M6QX3VUbawXaYF16OmtYnFJHxsD6Nv2FGPWjnWvMQWHnk039TThDQZWiI92z1paq4K6mB5GWOF5lC5xhLjSsN8NWd_Fek39GomE/s1600-h/Pictures+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446756951510774098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWdTfIWMzRUPRwL3TuWLPS5Jv4AyDQJ5KoLkOtzw28M6QX3VUbawXaYF16OmtYnFJHxsD6Nv2FGPWjnWvMQWHnk039TThDQZWiI92z1paq4K6mB5GWOF5lC5xhLjSsN8NWd_Fek39GomE/s400/Pictures+054.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#339999;">To complete this piece, I incorporated the <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/cabochons.html">cat's eye cabochons </a>into a center focal piece by creating the basic bezel out of <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/beads-findings-artbeads.html">blue satin delicas</a>. After much deliberation on how to situate the focal, I used the 4-mm porphyr sapphire <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/beads-findings-artbeads.html">cat's eye round beads</a> as the basic foundation for the necklace. I had a great time with this project and thanks again to <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/">Artbeads.com</a> for the opportunity.</span><span style="color:#339999;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#339999;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#339999;">As always, Happy Beading!</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color:#339999;"><em>Disclosure: The 13x18 oval glass cabochons (product code GCOV-PSAP18) as well as the blue satin delicas (product code DB0831) and 4-mm round cat's eye beads (product code CATR-LTB4) were kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their blogging program. The author has not received any payment from the above and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.</em></span></p>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-64967141299387665722010-03-09T16:45:00.000-05:002010-03-10T08:35:18.369-05:00Memories of Dragonflies in Baxter State Park<span style="color:#6600cc;">Hello, Fellow Beaders!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">I'm in love with the chunky look (hmm, possible book idea?) and have a bunch of gemstone chips that I've been planning to use in such. Well, one look at my dragonfly pendant (below) and it all came together. Let me introduce "Sunset Hike in Baxter."</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdXV4x9JENCukHbCY68cU4OEIHDTaa2pIS_R-zBWd6oBPrBxvSlnTQZlm0g2Q2p5cwGFkc2YF0ahxHnehR0i6AJOvtQvK768DcWdPpxOqhVvJM0qrvL71lxeXJETXrxe1XFQFilnznAdT/s1600-h/Pictures+051.jpg"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446756247816667938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdXV4x9JENCukHbCY68cU4OEIHDTaa2pIS_R-zBWd6oBPrBxvSlnTQZlm0g2Q2p5cwGFkc2YF0ahxHnehR0i6AJOvtQvK768DcWdPpxOqhVvJM0qrvL71lxeXJETXrxe1XFQFilnznAdT/s400/Pictures+051.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Below is the detail. This was pretty tricky to create, I must admit, probably because I didn't think through the attachments very well. Working with 10 strands of gemstone chips and beads proved difficult when all was said and done. It's a very heavy piece. I'm considering this a lesson learned!</span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQbMnVAP6gC3Ubd5qWoxg-jw4v2kEOBgqPn9cA-eb9RlTvpBSEQEzjOaj7IV7_kLqyX_78rYbT-qPbN-WstYJZJ78LCWnymbNy80kdF38RrFHv1NlCRb-0fJw-g975Q9USq_7S3Rtpw_s/s1600-h/Pictures+052.jpg"><span style="color:#6600cc;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446755885448331730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQbMnVAP6gC3Ubd5qWoxg-jw4v2kEOBgqPn9cA-eb9RlTvpBSEQEzjOaj7IV7_kLqyX_78rYbT-qPbN-WstYJZJ78LCWnymbNy80kdF38RrFHv1NlCRb-0fJw-g975Q9USq_7S3Rtpw_s/s400/Pictures+052.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#6600cc;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#6600cc;">Have any of you out in the beading blogosphere mastered the art of multi-stranding? I would truly welcome any tips.</span><br /><p><span style="color:#6600cc;">Happy Beading!</span></p>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-30001940137599650582010-03-09T04:34:00.000-05:002010-03-18T17:16:12.807-04:00Early Bud Under a March Frost<span style="color:#006600;">Hello, Fellow Beaders!</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFrCxVyPTlBf6A36eqXDXmV5rdcmJv-qjH1i7n5g7CcYhfBL0D_xqbaENFQDPpQTu4YksWYiikErkmm9tX1dYmUDHHAer13UpdM5XrPwWC2UJ7mV7JTEy1Q44F-YgR2mpPTHJMfyJFu_-/s1600-h/EarlyBudBust.JPG"><span style="color:#006600;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446567844996769266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFrCxVyPTlBf6A36eqXDXmV5rdcmJv-qjH1i7n5g7CcYhfBL0D_xqbaENFQDPpQTu4YksWYiikErkmm9tX1dYmUDHHAer13UpdM5XrPwWC2UJ7mV7JTEy1Q44F-YgR2mpPTHJMfyJFu_-/s400/EarlyBudBust.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#006600;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">This is the piece I produced for the <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/">Artbeads.com </a>blogging program. Here in Maine, we're more than ready for some sunshine, so "The Beauty of Spring" was a theme I could definitely relate to!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwWMFuD4YFcXR35ccuEjIzzs0vPW0EqDR2qXgN1E44M_RI5FwELHrUvtBSG4JJPRcDIN0U6R4kM3nJKK_Uv3JLNFFQjwqiL_7h9yCuYoRkSt7dweXtdQAwy91ZocyH8d1YMxaw5O3oZAF/s1600-h/EarlyBudCloseup.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446568531332788530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwWMFuD4YFcXR35ccuEjIzzs0vPW0EqDR2qXgN1E44M_RI5FwELHrUvtBSG4JJPRcDIN0U6R4kM3nJKK_Uv3JLNFFQjwqiL_7h9yCuYoRkSt7dweXtdQAwy91ZocyH8d1YMxaw5O3oZAF/s400/EarlyBudCloseup.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="color:#006600;">The 22-mm peridot <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski.html">Swarovski Cubist focal piece</a> was such a wonderful source of inspiration that I had great difficulty in deciding what to do with it. This focal piece was very easy to work with because of the way the hole was drilled and the size of the hole, accommodating a number of attachment options. My original plan for this piece evolved and I couldn't have been happier with the result. </span></p><p><span style="color:#006600;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#006600;">As you will see in the detail below, I complemented the Cubist focal piece with both <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski.html">6-mm faceted peridot Swarovski cubes </a>and <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski.html">4-mm faceted peridot Swarovski cubes </a>to balance the look and highlight more "early buds." As with the focal piece, I adored working with the Swarovski cubes and due to the versatility of these little darlings, any number of combinations could have been achieved. </span></p><p><span style="color:#006600;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#006600;">I'm really into the use of color right now and I love color transitions. That's why I wanted this look to invoke a feeling of early spring by using medium-dark green on one end and crystal-white on the other. The <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski.html">crystal faceted bicones </a>on the "winter end" of the necklace remind me of the late winter frosts that try to sabotage beautiful early spring buds. As you can tell, I had a great time with this piece. Thanks again, Artbeads.com!</span></p><p></p><p><span style="color:#006600;">Happy Beading!</span></p><p><em><span style="color:#33cc00;">Disclosure: 22-mm peridot Cubist (product code 6650-PER22) as well as 6-mm/4-mm peridot faceted Swarovski cubes (product codes 5601-PER6/5601-PER4, respectively) were kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their blogging program. The author has not received any payment from the above and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.</span></em></p>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-68881220994897704112010-03-03T04:54:00.000-05:002010-03-03T05:14:10.291-05:00Every Bead Has a Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94oe2yn8glj1HWbzTwMqrXw572Pv90cLk11HIFbQV84LA6rMUAbzgNQTqdhaJaeOC5rD_zwHdQkckiB5I-0qW3P6fAWxfTTrTmFIpWgVpAij9LRqJQ8StAtyklvS9sJweCcUcFK9aM6NQ/s1600-h/Cross+Close+Up.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444344532852886690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 393px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94oe2yn8glj1HWbzTwMqrXw572Pv90cLk11HIFbQV84LA6rMUAbzgNQTqdhaJaeOC5rD_zwHdQkckiB5I-0qW3P6fAWxfTTrTmFIpWgVpAij9LRqJQ8StAtyklvS9sJweCcUcFK9aM6NQ/s400/Cross+Close+Up.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Serendipity!</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>Yesterday was my 37th birthday and lo and behold...I received my first shipment from <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/">Artbeads.com</a>! What a treat!</strong><br /><br /><strong>I'm working on a Spring-themed project with those materials (to be posted) but I found that I had some leftover <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/catr-ltb4.html">blue cat's eyes</a>. With Spring still in mind, I thought about bright blue skies and the sense of renewal this particular season has to offer. With that, here's what evolved:</strong></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgq1cf6zV96ALX_w-Jdk78d6Wi-bJZTA4WXBXz4ibp2xiZotFY2NVduXDXyHDpz0HXB3ihJ9anR5R4dVD4zEln5EiXrphbDR3PitYegmyOWJVQH3fk5gJxE4VUvATRJIM3gb7AuOAy3GC/s1600-h/CrossOnTable.JPG"><span style="color:#3366ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444345153046768818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgq1cf6zV96ALX_w-Jdk78d6Wi-bJZTA4WXBXz4ibp2xiZotFY2NVduXDXyHDpz0HXB3ihJ9anR5R4dVD4zEln5EiXrphbDR3PitYegmyOWJVQH3fk5gJxE4VUvATRJIM3gb7AuOAy3GC/s400/CrossOnTable.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"> Happy Beading!</span></strong></p><p><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">Disclosure: Round 4mm Cat's Eye Bead - Light Blue Product Code: CATR-LTB4 - Was kindly provided free of charge by Artbeads.com as part of their blogging program. The author has not received any payment from the above and any posts about their products represent the author's personal opinion only.</span></em></p>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-20300018276911781312010-03-03T04:49:00.000-05:002010-03-03T04:54:11.434-05:00Please Help Me Come Up With a Name!<span style="color:#3333ff;">Hello All!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjFAic42UESggUOdrGTp9lNVFVKbRG9EiDuNY-w-eO0Z-yfVKGEHxBL4m-gMXoL-gDreVvYGoczg7GBHP21rVt9jE0RanFbkHf4isMJdJCu9NfVknGwZ2QBhTwTZ7P8aBW7XgRTFuTpt0/s1600-h/BlueStonesBust.JPG"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444342876890863506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjFAic42UESggUOdrGTp9lNVFVKbRG9EiDuNY-w-eO0Z-yfVKGEHxBL4m-gMXoL-gDreVvYGoczg7GBHP21rVt9jE0RanFbkHf4isMJdJCu9NfVknGwZ2QBhTwTZ7P8aBW7XgRTFuTpt0/s400/BlueStonesBust.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">I'd love your help in coming up with a name for this work of blue stones. It was a lot of fun to do, but nothing is coming to mind as to a title for this piece yet. Help!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#3333ff;">I really liked the top photo because of the way the light shines through one of the stones. However, I realize that it's a bit shadowy so here's a better photo:</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXMWTPJUr1N1-IbD57BWG31-93F73UNPMY_ed0xePZ8AruWY2ckFVZXlhKDLAPL1vsRhdJzkomzcuoLE9oBgljfs9WLGVVCV0maqJGhyphenhyphenikaV4wi1F72not-NcdYFJHYkr0yUgOKd7fiWB/s1600-h/BlueStones.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444343383590674850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXMWTPJUr1N1-IbD57BWG31-93F73UNPMY_ed0xePZ8AruWY2ckFVZXlhKDLAPL1vsRhdJzkomzcuoLE9oBgljfs9WLGVVCV0maqJGhyphenhyphenikaV4wi1F72not-NcdYFJHYkr0yUgOKd7fiWB/s400/BlueStones.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#3333ff;"> Happy Beading!</span>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-6922793085938602442010-03-03T04:43:00.000-05:002010-03-03T04:48:10.719-05:00Nice but Needs a Tutorial<div><span style="color:#000099;">I worked up this project a day or so ago from an online tutorial which, to be frank, wasn't very instructive. </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11OKuqGY0PFbzusLSFO6zIl5WK4gcC0Aw4rRUhV95F3omwZs8fLSgHzrTrFT74PJ5bJgbCXzT2Ir8jq4s84A-7t6VtcpAtHqZ8PnWCgeDRmsGRhaT8uSqgxYk3A9C-tqN6rXlQwuqg8bC/s1600-h/BoxWeave.JPG"><span style="color:#000099;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444341741916470770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi11OKuqGY0PFbzusLSFO6zIl5WK4gcC0Aw4rRUhV95F3omwZs8fLSgHzrTrFT74PJ5bJgbCXzT2Ir8jq4s84A-7t6VtcpAtHqZ8PnWCgeDRmsGRhaT8uSqgxYk3A9C-tqN6rXlQwuqg8bC/s400/BoxWeave.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#000099;"><br /></span><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000099;">I'm thinking about tweaking the project a bit and rewriting the instructions much more clearly and posting as a tutorial here on this blog. I'd like to provide you with several tutorials in fact, so bear with me please.</span></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-75335566515513008502010-03-02T05:27:00.001-05:002010-03-02T05:30:14.633-05:00What's In A Name?<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#009900;">I've been asked..."Why ReeBeader?" so I figured it was time to explain this odd name. It started with my real name, Marie, being shortened by my nieces and nephews to Auntie Ree. As they got older, it became Ree or Ree Ree. With this nickname and a (then) freelance writing background, I adopted the username ReeWriter. Although I'm still doing a bit of writing, beads have sort of consumed my life (and I know you know how that goes) so ReeBeader only seemed appropriate!</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;color:#009900;">Happy Beading!</span>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-33630827636063321562010-03-01T04:49:00.000-05:002010-03-01T05:06:20.015-05:00Cabin Fever 2010<span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color:#000099;">My second home, Beads on the Kennebec in Augusta, ME, and I are working on a contest to beat the late-winter blues in Maine. It's called "Cabin Fever 2010" and the theme is "What does winter in Maine mean to you?"</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaji-x0Arik17ytU-_055ahiQuGnIHkwtBmvhw2HIvcifG8qoURn1BDqEFojEx6-XcXZ3wsKJ_pHeqP7_CiVF175svR1Hmt-J6GuLRMn0PGlhItYFu8JkZ106Og8Gtepn5NU51LquCMwsa/s1600-h/IceforBlog2.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></a><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pys8TzqcyzwmPzPQJQZ7qd7bW7tKtGkycT_vglFYf5XxUyStWy_-ifmHoVITIMlC5lx24mPAno1yjV0W0d_wFugmunNmcw14IzQVZSR756AwM3-cAL6qdBv1eTrbT7VYuD-nVvJ1m8pp/s1600-h/IceforBlog2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443603116803745410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pys8TzqcyzwmPzPQJQZ7qd7bW7tKtGkycT_vglFYf5XxUyStWy_-ifmHoVITIMlC5lx24mPAno1yjV0W0d_wFugmunNmcw14IzQVZSR756AwM3-cAL6qdBv1eTrbT7VYuD-nVvJ1m8pp/s400/IceforBlog2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color:#000099;">I happen to like winter (although admittedly I'm more than ready for spring and I write this as it's snowing like crazy outside) so I designed an inspiration piece that reminded me of the beautiful first snow where the entire world seems to be white and blue. I just so happen to be a cabochon fiend so this was truly pleasurable to work up. I'd welcome your comments and if you live in Maine, stop by and sign up for this fun contest with some fantastic prizes!<br /></span><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RFA5_Whyphenhyphen419tDGa0Ui9rfTCO2mqT4msxxJ8q3faTuS1pGgPUX_YDzr7BfJ1TUvXuiFDs3pOBSBGJEcqVwCnjfiFvb7Jjm2elC-ex7IDUv89rbutNRceMr3FJ9zSFSaRY32OZ-r7xPYR5/s1600-h/IceCloseUp.JPG"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443601882705983970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RFA5_Whyphenhyphen419tDGa0Ui9rfTCO2mqT4msxxJ8q3faTuS1pGgPUX_YDzr7BfJ1TUvXuiFDs3pOBSBGJEcqVwCnjfiFvb7Jjm2elC-ex7IDUv89rbutNRceMr3FJ9zSFSaRY32OZ-r7xPYR5/s400/IceCloseUp.JPG" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">As always, Happy Beading!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;">Don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.beadsonthekennebec.com/">http://www.beadsonthekennebec.com/</a><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="color:#000099;"></span></span>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-70208402003089280612010-03-01T04:45:00.000-05:002010-03-01T04:48:57.890-05:00Easy ProjectHello!<br /><br />I'm into the habit of creating, photographing, posting, creating, photographing, posting now so I figured I'd share this little project I did over the weekend. I love ceramic focal pieces so this was quite fun to work up. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXxHVJm3IWV63Oxkp4Ud-FADiY8zCWZGELqat6H-ABAPY-Te_Ys_g14watv-eOWpmelEsKORFV1V1IQUhkYKYn5c5sUCz0eYfYoKOcfbJhmRJs3gGL4W3VltODt0unZshhTil57AM1gmf/s1600-h/LeafBust.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXxHVJm3IWV63Oxkp4Ud-FADiY8zCWZGELqat6H-ABAPY-Te_Ys_g14watv-eOWpmelEsKORFV1V1IQUhkYKYn5c5sUCz0eYfYoKOcfbJhmRJs3gGL4W3VltODt0unZshhTil57AM1gmf/s400/LeafBust.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443599881707788866" /></a><br /><br />I hope everyone had a great weekend. I just received an email that my Artbeads.com order had been shipped, so I'm waiting patiently...well, sort of patiently...for it to arrive so I can begin!ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-19782130044421215972010-02-25T04:13:00.000-05:002010-02-25T07:39:52.824-05:00Spring is Soon Arriving!I just placed my very first Design Partners order with Artbeads.com in a "Beauty of Spring" theme. My palette is a light sapphire and peridot. I can't wait to create! Stay tuned for photos of my finished piece/s.<br /><br />If you haven't yet, you've GOTTA check out Artbeads.com. Terrific website and amazing products!ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-11168632503763676122010-02-24T04:43:00.000-05:002010-02-25T04:23:19.330-05:00Hooray for Duchess & Artbeads.com!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-x1l43XO0L-IiKo8ec3mvru71zNfI36dj2tGmrq-HUjX3MEDDSF_dwpTE8D0le6sBZKlnbk1wrn7PoDAQDJ0G-ilm6E6WSf4VS7iF9NM760_HCTOQPekMKN2Nys9_zWRrrdabOjzqG6V/s1600-h/ArtbeadsLOGO.gif"></a>Great news! I just heard from Duchess over at Artbeads.com and I'm now enrolled in their blogging program! They have a terrific website and products and now I'm going to have the chance to blog about them! Check back in the near future for some more reviews and thanks again to Artbeads.com!<br /><a href="http://www.artbeads.com"><img src="http://site.artbeads.com/Images/i-heart-artbeads-purple-125x125.jpg" width="125" height="125" border="0" alt="Beads"></a><br /><br /><div><div>Be sure to visit them at <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/">http://www.artbeads.com/</a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-18000185067947240882010-02-24T04:24:00.000-05:002010-02-24T04:43:20.315-05:00Product Review--Beadsmith Bead Tube Tower<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuDQJwON5MHA3s4cp5BBTo5vh5rfunfx11tniwPsAw6v7m-RTeiS-GcVZ6lENs-znOuYcTO5gRtiaGcukDbIvQqUqupHHPvTfn9fA8yZK2M0QLNFCQik507UWusxj46zjKsmH6SUh7VUL/s1600-h/Tower3_232x400.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441740188632147778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 275px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuDQJwON5MHA3s4cp5BBTo5vh5rfunfx11tniwPsAw6v7m-RTeiS-GcVZ6lENs-znOuYcTO5gRtiaGcukDbIvQqUqupHHPvTfn9fA8yZK2M0QLNFCQik507UWusxj46zjKsmH6SUh7VUL/s320/Tower3_232x400.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB5YF5K6zHuq9tgbbNk-f8LTfwFkAEZpAAWlmt8bEHCni0-04YTjkzHPkSIY2CxXv-BuJzs86PR5y6094amGHn5nJbA08QsAuqjYSxOWVBmNtOO15Q2ZB3m2ypIBcam1gnMM09jf4eOhL/s1600-h/beadsmith.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441740046766386354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 135px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB5YF5K6zHuq9tgbbNk-f8LTfwFkAEZpAAWlmt8bEHCni0-04YTjkzHPkSIY2CxXv-BuJzs86PR5y6094amGHn5nJbA08QsAuqjYSxOWVBmNtOO15Q2ZB3m2ypIBcam1gnMM09jf4eOhL/s320/beadsmith.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">Hey All,</span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#333399;">After teaching a beading class this weekend, Linda at BOTK turned me onto a "portable bead-tube storage system" by Beadsmith called the Bead Tube Tower. It's a portfolio of sorts that measures 8"x16" when closed, folds for storage and includes a clear plastic travel pouch. This tower holds 13 small tubes (2-3"), 69 large tubes (5-6") or an assortment, up to 9/16" diameter. I was so excited for this find because, perhaps like many, I've been throwing my bead tubes into bags after finishing a project and when I next start something, my beads are organized in no rhyme nor rhythm so I'm left sorting through my many bags yet again!</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;">THE GOOD:<span style="font-size:100%;"> What I loved about this tower is the fact that it holds so many tubes. A beader could easily have 3 or 4 of these things hanging around and it wouldn't take up nearly the same amount of space as several bags or storage boxes would. I love that it is portable and includes it's own carrying bag. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#6600cc;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#6600cc;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">THE BAD:<span style="font-size:100%;"> While this product holds lots and lots of bead tubes, I did find that it was difficult squeezing the tubes in next to each other as the tower began to get filled. I also thought it was a very tight squeeze trying to get my filled, folded bead tower back into the plastic carrying case. I was worried the whole time I'd rip the zipper from the plastic. </span></span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">THE UGLY: <span style="font-size:100%;">Perhaps it's just me, but I couldn't get this thing to close properly! I was able to sort of trifold it down after filling it with tubes; however, the velcro closure only seems to be useful when the tower is standing upright. Once it's folded flat, there's no way to hold it together so you must put it back into the travel case in order to make it portable. </span></span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#333399;">Overall, I really do like this product despite my negative points above. I guess we can't have everything! I do recommend this bead tube tower and it retails for $10 to $12 in most places. If your local Michaels, AC Moore or Joann's carry this, you could always print off a coupon and get it for a better price. </span></div><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span> </div><div><span style="color:#333399;"><strong>Visit the Beadsmith site at </strong><a href="http://www.helby.com/"><strong>www.helby.com</strong></a></span></div><span style="color:#333399;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#333399;">Please share your comments about this product if you've tried it. Thank you and happy beading!!!</span> <div><br /></div><div><span style="color:#333399;"></span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-25086718097243547162010-02-23T05:28:00.000-05:002010-02-23T05:31:10.235-05:00Waiting with Baited Breath<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBYHKu5_Xu0g8dkew79BLgHISYEWZ2pANoCB1RCwT9ti9CP3JAz4v-HYTvwH-z3YwLwjBvcQcdoh8ptZOEEv709y3gMCxifnEkyP1BSwkcpDB91xNnhTbmDytozin9Fs-VtGRboggCpBY/s1600-h/books.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441384496630306594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBYHKu5_Xu0g8dkew79BLgHISYEWZ2pANoCB1RCwT9ti9CP3JAz4v-HYTvwH-z3YwLwjBvcQcdoh8ptZOEEv709y3gMCxifnEkyP1BSwkcpDB91xNnhTbmDytozin9Fs-VtGRboggCpBY/s320/books.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Still no news from my book query as to whether or not they'd like to see my proposal package, but then again I don't really expect to hear anything for another month or so...can't hurt to cross my fingers, though!</div><br /><div></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-29472622791124880872010-02-20T14:40:00.001-05:002010-02-20T14:47:24.899-05:00My favorite place in the world<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Q7KJCLKiW-J7ADgSXgM7JCNEjjKeQYuntcfjIT5SAaEkIGot2udRCmsuuIwTlVJ1iTYp2FLSpizABqupcf_Vx04x6ZhtV0Kf2472l28Msus0jVDNWAAVS9uc78AXHizBp792noI_ddcu/s1600-h/BOTK.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440413904347648946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Q7KJCLKiW-J7ADgSXgM7JCNEjjKeQYuntcfjIT5SAaEkIGot2udRCmsuuIwTlVJ1iTYp2FLSpizABqupcf_Vx04x6ZhtV0Kf2472l28Msus0jVDNWAAVS9uc78AXHizBp792noI_ddcu/s320/BOTK.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I taught a Beading Basics class here today. Beads on the Kennebec is the "best little bead shop in Maine." I would consider this my second home at times. If you haven't been by the shop yet, do come if you are in the area!</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.beadsonthekennebec.com/">http://www.beadsonthekennebec.com</a></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-12672545955675315442010-02-20T14:38:00.000-05:002010-02-20T14:40:01.529-05:00Beaded jewelry make great gifts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxB6fZa15oHr1bwN_T-tikNu5UDlpB-fDQQsDpaGht7yzWne0YddzhMEpTMp1eq9UKs5CrcyakpjRTnnnpCdgmOCKW7ZcVy-44l9AcmqDyD1OS3gsAEweRlky71-s77HY4ysgoB0faNu3/s1600-h/IMG_0051[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440412714713005106" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxB6fZa15oHr1bwN_T-tikNu5UDlpB-fDQQsDpaGht7yzWne0YddzhMEpTMp1eq9UKs5CrcyakpjRTnnnpCdgmOCKW7ZcVy-44l9AcmqDyD1OS3gsAEweRlky71-s77HY4ysgoB0faNu3/s320/IMG_0051%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My coworker is a licensed cosmetologist and colored my hair for me last weekend. Well, she also gave me a haircut and I was so impressed with the outcome that I felt paying her for the materials alone wasn't enough. Here's what I made to give her as well:</div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918952968558385698.post-38658527639297036532010-02-20T14:35:00.000-05:002010-02-20T14:37:53.858-05:00Some of my work this weekend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvP40ffxan7dKFUM2HVGpB6KVlC9xGMd4R7xH27Fr7H8iqAIRZuKKme_gE-C0Gv_7M_EGqxjjRi2aJSbVCATfqqVzs10qaa65JiRfj1bQ0fDqDGX6nAUH7dDJaLuoGJTTkK-9oaWtkGsy/s1600-h/IMG_0061[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440412019356965826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvP40ffxan7dKFUM2HVGpB6KVlC9xGMd4R7xH27Fr7H8iqAIRZuKKme_gE-C0Gv_7M_EGqxjjRi2aJSbVCATfqqVzs10qaa65JiRfj1bQ0fDqDGX6nAUH7dDJaLuoGJTTkK-9oaWtkGsy/s320/IMG_0061%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UiDv8RGu851djxgUK0qaBgtdoXs5wlhgNNKXvDJlyUV4x-Az155wELD4QCbT3us1TQpI6Ztt1nHJLWsAzJRA7mnDC0ZOsgDaCGLeAEOfpsY7oXUWerlShm_GIlK0Ad3J88sMoKSo_7uJ/s1600-h/IMG_0048[1].jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440411875619553954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UiDv8RGu851djxgUK0qaBgtdoXs5wlhgNNKXvDJlyUV4x-Az155wELD4QCbT3us1TQpI6Ztt1nHJLWsAzJRA7mnDC0ZOsgDaCGLeAEOfpsY7oXUWerlShm_GIlK0Ad3J88sMoKSo_7uJ/s320/IMG_0048%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>While my fiance was snowmobiling this weekend, guess what I did? You bet! Here's what I made yesterday.</div></div>ReeBeaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16586874647597032965noreply@blogger.com0