BeadLightning Jewelry & Photography

Back!

2012-01-10T19:55:00.000-05:00

Yes, it has been a while since I wrote...Christmas Prep, the holidays, and the wonderful vacation I took to Kansas City kept me super busy, but now things will calm down (maybe) and I can get back to more regular blogging.

Yes...that is a picture of a teapot. It was either that or the picture of the trifle I made around New Years...what this tea symbolizes is my desire to write about different and new teas I try because I drink a lot of tea. It is more or less the only thing I drink so expect random tea babbling in the future.

Future...ah yes, future! My future consists of moving in a couple months (maybe to Kansas City or Lawrence if I am lucky) making lots more paper products for my shop, and of course...gaming. Hopefully we will have some snow or amazing nature shots I can share with my readers soon, it has been a bit dull lately. Until then...enjoy my teapot!

I wish for snow, ice, and wintery things Cryosphere should ease that longing a bit. They (like everything else in my shop) is on sale still, so enjoy!

My Opinion on Autumn

2011-12-14T00:22:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I last blogged, I have been busy prepping for Christmas...and getting ready to redo my shop (details on that will come later) For now I will finish my seasonal rant. Autumn!

Loves: The obvious colors, the crisp smell of the air, the bright blue sky, pumpkins, my birthday....did I mention the leaves?

Hates: The cold, that is all really. I have no real complaints about Autumn except that it starts getting cold.

Today I am featuring this Autumnal piece Amber Glow it matches the leaves

My Opinion of Summer

2011-12-04T18:21:00.000-05:00

Ah, Summer! Probably my favorite of the seasons (contested by Autumn) and I have more good than bad to say about it.

Loves! The long days perfect for hiking and rambling in nature. The warm weather perfect for swimming in creeks and pools. The beautiful storms that inspire me! The ability to keep my windows open to the fresh air and birdsong...and lastly....this is the season I spend the least sick.

Hates: Not too many things...the occasional days when the air quality is bad and messes with my asthma, the REALLY hot days that makes it hard to function (I mean like 98 degrees and higher...last Summer had two weeks of those temps, it was rough) and the biting bugs (mosquitoes mainly)

This pair of earrings really capture my favorite part of Summer, the art of munching while hiking in the woods. Forage Earrings

My Opinion on Spring

2011-11-24T08:57:00.000-05:00

I figure I might as well give the other seasons their due since I covered my opinion on Winter. This time I will cover Spring.
Likes: Ah Spring, the season of returning warmth and flowers...I have been told its a beautiful season! I will be honest, there is not a lot I like about Spring except the blooming pretty flowers and gradual return of warmth. It is probably my least favorite season. I do also really enjoy the storms and rains of spring ^_^

Dislikes: My biggest gripe with this season is allergies, I have not been outside for any large amount of time during the Spring in years! I am sure I would enjoy it more if I could go outside without sneezing my head off! I do also find the racket of the returning birds singing to their mates at the crack of dawn...very loudly.

So yeah, Spring...The item that epitomizes the season for me is Spring Rains a necklace celebrating the rains and storms. A note about my shop, I am extending my birthday sale until Monday to give all you Black Friday-Cyber Monday shoppers a discount.

My Opinion On Winter

2011-11-18T18:43:00.000-05:00

I very much so have a love/hate relationship with Winter, probably more so than with the other seasons. True there are many things I love and loathe about all the seasons, but none as strongly as with Winter.
Love: SNOW!!!! I adore the snow, I find the way it sounds, smells, feels, looks, and tastes beautiful, its a true sensual experience. The joy of taking long hot baths, drinking lots of hot teas and eating hearty soups, wearing fuzzy sweaters, and piling under blankets...all of these are made of love for me. Other than the sensual experiences of Winter, I also love how creative I get this time of year, the bulk of my art and reading happens in late Autumn to early Spring. My theory is that since I am naturally nocturnal all the extra dark hours set my brain into hyper mode!

Hate: The cold!! I know you can't have snow without freezing cold temperatures, but I wish we could. The cold temperature itself doesn't bother me, the pain from my rheumatism does! Since I was a child I have dreaded the cold because it means months of pain and being barely able to walk. Of course as I get older the pain gets worse so I walk like an old lady and occasionally have to resort to the wheelchair. People being stupid about snow...when I lived in Atlanta, watching people freak out about snow (even a few inches) was completely expected because hey, its warm down there! After moving to Pennsylvania I expected people to be used to functioning in snow, but as soon as the flurries start it seems like everyone forgets how to drive, has to stock up on emergency rations (you know: bread, milk, eggs...the bread I get but the other two seem kinda off for emergency food) and panic ensues. I have lived here 11 years and have been snowed in a grand total of three times, so I really find people using the weather that they should be used to as an excuse really irritating. And lastly I hate the heat, or should I say using a heater. I would rather pile on layers of clothes, blankets, and my cats then deal with using the heater...it dries my sinuses and chest out sooo bad and makes breathing less than enjoyable.

So that is it! Keep in mind my sale is still going on until Sunday! Birthday Sale

Birthday Sale

2011-11-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

Every year I like to celebrate my birthday by putting my shop on sale. Starting now until Sunday morning everything will be 15% off. Just use coupon code BIRTHDAY at checkout for your discount
BeadLightning Etsy Shop

also, coming to my shop soon...garlands! I have two made and several more in progress! That photo is a preview of one of them ^_^

Pile in Process

2011-11-10T02:39:00.000-05:00

This is a pile in process, by pile in process I mean soon all these recycled magazine stars will be made into a garland for my shop. My obsession with origami is taking over my life...it was my first love, the first craft I ever actively enjoyed. I love mixing it with jewelry or making it from odd paper. My shop seems to like it too!

The first of many Kusudamas made its way to my shop yesterday. Pages is made from recycled book pages ^_^

DOOMSDAY!!!!

2011-11-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

No I am not talking about 2005YU55...though is anyone else as excited about the asteroid as I am? If you have no idea what I am talking about, 2005YU55 (it really needs a better name) will be passing inside the moon's orbit on Tuesday... Feel Free to get more information, its made of win

No, I am talking about the most stressful and exciting time of year for business owners...the Holidays. It is also very stressful for shoppers, that is what this journal is about...what would make shopping with me for the holidays easier? What features or products would take that edge of stress off?

Speaking of my pleasantly stuffed store...I have been making things! Origami things!! This is my current plan with projects:

1. star garlands, I have one planned made from recycled magazines and some from regular paper

2. star jars, you know jars filled with paper stars in various themes and colors

3. Origami Kanzashi, I know traditionally they are made from fabric, but I am making them out of paper. Like all my paper products they of course will be finished with a varnish to keep them safe. I have some beautiful washi in mind for these

4. Star ornaments...clear plastic or glass balls filled with stars as ornaments or as decorative light catchers.

5. Blessing stars...origami stars made from joss paper with traditional Taoist and Buddhist blessing written on them, burn the stars as offerings at your shrine. If no one else uses these I will ;p

6. More kusudamas for my shop, with beaded hangers for extra sparkle

Expect to start seeing these things trickle into my shop around the 17th, that is when my annual Birthday Sale will be held

Today's featured item deals with astronomy and all that goodness, Rigel is one of my favorite stars from Orion, enjoy its blueness!

Fold Me Up

2011-11-04T01:42:00.001-04:00

Once in a while I make a treasury that makes my shopping cart weep for wantings, this is one of those

'Fold Me Up' by BeadLightning

My love of origami paper is getting out of control! It seems lately I cannot look at a piece of paper without wanting to turn it into something...so for this treasury I included beautiful Origami Paper and paper that inspires me.

Vintage Inspiration... DestashPearl $7.00	Japanese Yuzen Chiy... craftyjapan $10.00	50 Sheet Origami Pa... jpstore $2.71	Pearlscent Double S... lovingpaper $2.00
Lucky Stars Paper S... OrigamiJoy $3.00	Gift Pack - DIY 3D ... littlegestures $4.00	Asian Paper Pack fo... whachuneed $3.95	Translucent Origami... NikkiCrossAppl... $10.00
20 Joss Paper Assor... ViragoCreation... $3.00	Asian Newsprint Pag... lostartcreatio... $5.00	Vintage sheet music... krazykatedesig... $3.00	LARGE scrapbook 4 i... papieRRroyal $10.90
Traditional Chinese... origamipalace $2.20	Japanese Handmade P... toolipsupplies $6.00	A Kitchen Sink Vari... LoveToFly $3.00	5pcs Japanese Zen P... paperdesigner $7.99

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Cold Rose

2011-11-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

Luckily most of the snow piles have vanished and now we can get back to Autumn actually happening! This rose is very special to me, after I photographed it covered in snow my love picked it for me as a surprise. Days later it still smells heavenly, like an English garden in summer no matter what time of year.

Today I am featuring a bracelet devoted to a rose, the Belle Amour rose. I wish I could make it smell as sweet as my snow rose.

Weather

2011-10-30T12:11:00.000-04:00

I am not going to say that I am more focused on weather than most people, true I might spend hours watching weather radars, stalk thunderstorms, and get ridiculously excited at the mention of unusual weather...but that is all normal, right? Anyway, being a weather nut means I have seen my fair share of odd weather, but the before Halloween snow storm might take the cake! I have seen flurries on Halloween and had the temperature plummet to below freezing, but never have I seen 7 INCHES OF SNOW before my birthday in mid-November!

So to show off my love of snow, here is a Snowstorm to commemorate the first snowfall of the year!

Too Much!!

2011-10-27T10:44:00.000-04:00

You know when you have one of those moments where you see something just so cute that your squeeing can be heard several houses down? I had one of those moments yesterday when I found Tao and Espeon cuddled up in my chair. Espeon (who already looks too cute in her sweater) usuallsy pushes Tao out of whatever chair or window sill she is in...because she is a brat...other than on the bed I have never seen them snuggle together. Must be because its getting cold and Tao is a great source of warmth!

Today's featured item (I had 299 items in my shop to choose from....I have been busy!!) is Lost in Time a necklace that celebrates the passage of time.

Leaves

2011-10-21T05:23:00.000-04:00

This beautiful old golden tree greets me every time I go outside. Part of it is dead and covered in mushrooms (I suspect its the thing that killed it..heart rot fungus) Today I had to close up my windows, it finally got too cold! The blustery smell of Autumn has driven all sorts of random bugs inside (and promptly back outside again) and I broke out the sweaters and extra blankets.

Have I mentioned how much I love Fall? I hope to go hiking soon to soak up the air and take in the scenery. Here is this Autumnal bookmark to remind you how great it is to read with a cup of hot tea on Autumn mornings.

Pumpkin Mail

2011-10-19T23:34:00.000-04:00

I was browsing through my photos today when I found this old one. Whenever I see the Pumpkin Mail I just have to smile...its just so cute!! I mean who wouldn't just be thrilled to find a pumpkin in their mail box? It is like the spirit of fall arrived in your box.

Speaking of fall Have some Autumn in the form of a brooch.

Falling into Water

2011-10-13T02:18:00.000-04:00

It looks like we are going to be lucky this year, it seems like Autumn is going to be spectacular! The leaves are just now starting to turn all sorts of vibrant fire tones. This maple leaf fell into the creek which is already filled with leaves, it was wonderful watching it float by without a care in the world.

Speaking of Fall here is a lovely Appalachian Autumn themed necklace. One of my favorite things about these mountains is the color show we get every year

Recovery

2011-10-11T22:06:00.000-04:00

Recovery has been hard and is still not over. The antibiotic felt like poison and now I am detoxing so I still have a while. I have been passing the time making stars, so far I have made about 3,500 stars and plan on making lots more! They are truly wonderful to make, a very meditative process for me.

Starting today everything that is in my gallery will be making its way into my shop! So when I update it will just be with random pieces I want to feature. Today it is Heart of Summer since it is beautifully Autumn. Look forward to blogging tomorrow!

Morigami?

2011-09-22T21:40:00.000-04:00

Yes, its more origami! I am sadly still sick, but I did go to the doctors. Apparently my life long illness can be cured and I will be getting the meds for it soon. I have been truly enjoying designing and printing star paper for lucky stars, I cannot wait till I get more ink for my printers. This lovely photo is of my Kusudama, it required 60 sheets of paper and will eventually be made into a hanging ornament (with beads and stuff)

No new items in my shop yet, but I am having a sale. 20% off all items in my shops and galleries. To help pay for the ridiculously expensive prescription Details can be found Here

Sickigami

2011-09-19T04:20:00.000-04:00

Good news and bad news my dear readers...good news...I have been obsessively making origami in the last few days. I find Origami meditative, a good way to block out the pain. Bad news...I am still really really sick, bed ridden. I am making a doctors appointment tomorrow (cringe, deathly fear of doctors...I have my reasons) it has just gone on too long. Maybe this time I can actually get a diagnosis, a real one that doesn't get second guessed or changed!

Anyway enough of my babbling, I will be sharing some more of my origami as time progresses...right now I am cutting strips for stars. I need more printer ink soon!

No items in my shops, just too sick, hopefully soon. I miss my jewelry

The Sickness

2011-09-15T00:56:00.000-04:00

I have been a bit silent lately...ok for a day...but I have reasons! I have managed to get myself very ill, either food poisoning or a stomach virus...no details but I am kinda dead at the moment. Just imagine me with little Xs over my eyes and with a daisy on my chest.

So until I get better blogs might be sparse, so for now I leave you with this friendly snail. Isn't it just the cutest?

No new items in my shop...not being dehydrated takes top priority at the moment.

Zhongqiu Festival

2011-09-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival or Zhongqui Festival. Ben and I celebrated it by trying out a new Chinese restaurant in town and being dispicably romantic while eating moon cakes and making our wish by moonlight. And it was a beautiful night for a festival! Clear skies, cool weather, and a beautiful orange moon! I could sit outside right now and probably read just fine because its so bright. On a night related note I totally stayed awake for 30ish hours yesterday and played Mass Effect 2 for 20 of those. My sleep schedule is back to being mostly nocturnal again. At least I tried!! Also melatonin really helps with insomnia!

Today's newest item is a reminder to control your destiny. Life Is... what you make of it!

Want to Help?

2011-09-09T21:06:00.000-04:00

As I am sure you all recall from my previous blogging, Pennsylvania is currently very wet. Many families and business have been impacted and most the state is considered a federal disaster zone...not good. I wanted to help but I am a starving artist, so I decided that I will donate the money from today's necklace to the charity listed in the description. It is the least I can do for the drowned city of Harrisburg and sunken state of Pennsylvania. Hopefully we will have a swift recovery. This picture is from a park in Lemoyne that I stalk sometimes, the view is of the Susquehanna River and Harrisburg.

Today there is A Chance of Rain in my shop, buy it to help people!

Flood

2011-09-08T20:21:00.000-04:00

I was planning on sharing all the amazing mushrooms I found while walking today. Sadly I was unable to get near the park because well....New Cumberland is underwater. This was about a mile from my house and about 2 streets down from my mom's house, luckily I am out of the flood zone, but she might have to get evacuated to stay with me. The waters are expected to rise even higher tonight and tomorrow. Luckily I did find mushrooms, but the gravity of the flood took priority for now.

No new items today, I was too focused on nature and editing photos to do any real work :P

Mushroom Hunter

2011-09-07T19:50:00.000-04:00

The east coast has been getting a lot of rain...I mean a lot! With the rain and flooding comes my favorite thing that the ground produces, mushrooms. I was examining a crumbling Russula mushroom when Ben took this photo of me, just more proof to the world that my obsession with mushrooms is a wonderful thing. I wandered around the library grounds finding lots of lovely fungi: Bird's nest, dog stinkhorn, Amanita muscaria var. formosa...and lots others. I hope to hunt more mushes tomorrow in the park!

Today's newest item is mushroom related Forest Floor celebrates the beauty of the deadly galerina mushroom

Tao and the Origami

2011-09-06T18:47:00.000-04:00

First off, Greetings to my new followers from the Swap-bot Blog Swap, welcome and enjoy my blog. I finally think I am somewhat alive again and have found a happy medium with my sleep schedule and I am starting to get back into a routine. While I was away on my 'vacation' I worked on some origami, made the Kusudama that Tao has in the photo. Funny story about that, one of the mornings I was photographing my jewelry and when I came back inside I found her in my chair lovingly holding the Kusudama, it was too cute for words I thought.

Today I renewed one of my older pieces in my etsy shop Djinn Keep in eye out in my shops, they will be getting a photo makeover soon!

Vacation

2011-08-31T22:12:00.000-04:00

Hello readers, I am taking a brief hiatus to sort things out. By things I mean my sleep schedule. To make everyone's life easier I am trying to go diurnal. I flipped my schedule but kind of hate life right now...being diurnal has zapped my will to do anything at the moment. I give it a week, if I still feel so listless I will give up on this silly idea of daylight. My little vacation could last a few days but no more than a week. I could still blog everyday but if I don't feel inspired it would be like lying to you all, and I don't want to do that.

So for now enjoy this macro shot of Labradorite. Tootles!