Pretty Things

Win a Handmade Photo Journaling Album!

2012-01-27T07:47:00.008-05:00

The lovely Jeannie Dukic is offering a free album to one lucky person!

Do you have photos lying all about and want to get them organized?

Jeannie has made some AMAZING photo journaling albums

Jeannie Dukic is giving away an album to one lucky winner.

Winner can choose whichever album they want.

I have a few of these albums and can say first hand

that they are AMAZING --

completely handmade with a lot of love and attention to detail.

She is also having a

20% off sale on all Photo Journaling Albums, today only.

Just leave a comment on MY blog to win.

An extra point if you go to Jeannie's shop

and tell me which album you love the most!

I will pick a random winner on January 31st.

Visit her blog http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog
and website http://www.jkdjewelry.com

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Eye Candy Day

2012-01-24T16:23:00.001-05:00

I haven't shown jewelry in what feels like ages. To be quite frank, I haven't had the gumption to pick up a single tool or bead since before Christmas. My husband says it's just that time of year when people are in a funk (is that true?). But today it's actually lovely outside and I've been able to take some pictures.

I've had these beads from Dawn White for a long time. I knew I had to have them, but didn't know quite what to do with them! I love the "stick" beads for the texture, and the black and white designs are just wonderfully done.

Then I realized I had a strand of center-drilled matte onyx in my drawer and pulled that out, and along with some White Opal Swarovski crystals, I was able to continue the basic pattern. Really, this is an incredibly simple stringing design, but I thought it best to wait for JUST the right accent beads to pull this together. And I like it!

These are very simple, too. It's all about the beads! The raku ceramic was made by Beads of Clay, and I didn't want to muck around with over-designing it. Brass bees were all the extra adornment these earrings needed.

I think a lot of jewelry designers worry about finding that awesome-cool-fantabulous design, but sometimes, just let the beads do the work. Choosing pretty beads is just as important a skill as knowing what and how much to do to them.

These beads were also made by Dawn White, and they're in my favorite colors! When I bought them, I knew I was going to make a cha-cha bracelet with them. It just came down to picking the right beads.

With lampwork beads like these, you have to keep in mind the shades of color and work to not have a color clash. I had at least ten different bags of pink beads on my table trying to not only match up shades, but to decide how much color, how deep a color, and how many shapes I should use. I like how it turned out.

This bracelet is an example of what to do to change a design from simple to one-of-a-kind cool. The square ceramic nuggets are lovely and colorful on their own, but they needed something -- some OOMPH. I added the gray polymer clay owl by Barbara Bechtel and a polymer clay imprinted charm by Swoon Dimples. For a little more, I added a hibiscus flower charm at the back of the pink charm. Because the bracelet incorporates a lot of colors and visual impact, I chose a simple toggle clasp.

Knowing when to STOP designing is sometimes hard!

These earrings are made with lampwork head pins from SueBeads and sweet matte silver lily blossoms. I've struggled with using lampwork head pins in a unique way, and one day they just ended up sitting next to the lily blossoms. PING, on went the light bulb. They fit inside perfectly, and I'm showing front and back.

The lesson here is sometimes a messy work space can bring the right beads together!

This is a long necklace (and I have yet to figure out how to take good "on the model" shots, darn it!). I used lampwork beads by JulsBeads, a "PEACE" ceramic bead by Diane Hawkey, and chain from Ad/Adornments. LOVE that there are Swarovski crystal pearls to match -- bonus! I added bleached wood and large pewter ovals, and found a very cool decorative lobster claw clasp at Hobby Lobby.

This is an example of my collecting random beads and holding onto them for just the right thing. I always have a big tray of "need to use" beads handy, and this design began with Jul's beads, then the pearls, and finally the ceramic bead.

This is, of course, from a big bowl of Bead Soup. I threw together colors, stirred, and then tried not to over-think it.

And finally, a clasp I made. I've been trying to work more with heavy-gauge wire, and this clasp is a result of that practice. I hammered it and oxidized it and there you go! I have to admit, I'm not quite sure how I made the Thai bead portion, but that's part of the magic of wire -- experimentation can bring good things!

I hope you enjoyed the eye candy -- I'll try not to make it such a long time between showings!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

It's a Day for Quotes

2012-01-23T18:04:00.000-05:00

(All found via Pinterest)

Book Review: "Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner"

Loving you .. Anonymously.

2012-01-22T15:40:00.001-05:00

Wreath in my House. Photo taken by me.

I had no idea what to expect when I asked people to post anonymously on my blog.

No idea at all.

One of those anonymous posts is mine. And when I typed it out and hit the "post" button, it actually changed my thinking a bit. Just putting out there, anonymously, something I'm afraid to say to anyone, was cathartic. Didn't solve my problem, but was a little soul-cleansing.

I hope it was that way for you, too.

Some of your posts frightened me. Most I could completely understand. All made me want to bring you home for a cup of something delicious and a plate of something yummy, and let you know you aren't alone. Make you laugh at least once. Cry with you, too. But mostly, most importantly, let you know you are loved, even though online, here, on this blog, I may seem like just words on a screen to you.

One of the things I love about the internet IS the ability to make friends you never see. Just because you don't live down the road from me doesn't mean we can't be friends.

First and foremost, to the person who said they were afraid they'd kill themselves if things didn't get better -- ~~please email me~~, (she emailed me), call someone, or share this fear with a therapist, because I know from experience how the feeling is crippling. But I also know that while things look dire, hopeless, and impossible, if you keep pushing forward, things can change. I write that having gone through two years of intense therapy, the right medications, and hanging on by the skin of my teeth. When I was 30, you were me. I'm 42 now. Please, hold on. And seeing a professional does NOT mean you've failed, are labeled, or anything like that.

via Pinterest

Don't be afraid of opening that door.

Most of the anonymous posts dealt with fear of failure, fear of not having enough time, and guilt about pursuing their art. If any of you go back and read through the comments, you'll see -- you're not alone. Many of us, I'm sure, have harbored thoughts of never "making it", or being afraid to take the last step to LET you "make it" in your art. It's about opening a door to the unknown and not knowing what you'll find -- that's more than a little scary, isn't it? I share these feeling as well. And I think the guilt associated with finding time is universal.

I've often wondered if I have enough time to finish the long list of things I feel driven to do. And I say "driven" because I've always been a person who wanted to finish what she started, and a couple of my supervisors in my "real life working days" have used that word to describe me. I used to be called the Engergizer Bunny, but now I feel both boredom and a desire to push forward in my artistic endeavors.

I think that's ok. What isn't ok is quitting everything. Everyone needs something that truly makes them happy, and it doesn't have to be a huge accomplishment. Sometimes the deepest pleasures can come from taking a book to bed and staying there all day, luxuriating in peace and quiet and escape. Sometimes it's a drive down the road, singing loudly out of tune to your favorite songs. Sometimes it can be as simple as splurging $5 for that decadent bar of chocolate we always pass by in the grocery store.

The person who said they were surrounded but alone -- I've been there, too. I know that feeling, and I'm sure many readers have felt it, too. I've also felt the agonizing misery of being quite literally totally alone. Either way, if you look through those comments, you aren't alone in your feelings. It's hard to know what to do about it, because the fear of reaching out and facing rejection is terrifying. But we have to try. Sometimes it's as simple as smiling at strangers -- it's amazing the joy you can give someone (and yourself) when you smile. I wish it were always that easy, and it takes practice. But practice, we must.

I've lived a lot of life -- experienced a lot of things -- but I don't think there's a deadline for achieving anything. Sometimes I'm not even sure what I WANT to achieve, so those are the times I try really, really hard to find peace in something else. I've started and stopped several huge things. I could have been an Air Force careerist. I could have been a doctor. I could have lived my life totally alone, but traveling the world. I've started all three, and chosen to stop all three. Interestingly, I'm at peace with it, because the fear that I dealt with in between stopping and starting something new was erased when I FOUND that something new. I keep that thought close to my heart -- the journey can be hard, but the destination can be wonderful.

This post has taken me so long to write because I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing. I'm absolutely in empathy with all of you, but I speak only from my personal experience -- I'm not a certified professional by any means. I've struggled with the right things to say that will help or encourage, and struggled with guilt for even writing yesterday's post -- did I make things worse? I desperately hope posting anonymously helped someone.

It's ok not to finish what you start, to be afraid of the unknown, to be scared, because every road has a fork in it at some point -- every tree has many branches.

Trees near my home. Photo by me.

You are loved, anonymously by me.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Post ... Anonymously.

2012-01-21T11:07:00.000-05:00

The lovely blogger Dancing Bran Flakes had an original idea that I'm borrowing -- post anonymously, and ask what you want, state what you want. As she said, "it's anonymous, so why not?"

(And please visit her beautiful blog -- it's one of the ones I just discovered and adore.)

So go for it -- tell me what you're thinking today, hopes and dreams, even anger issues. Like Post Secret, you can unload if you like, share a secret, post a thought burning brightly in your brain.

(If you're reading this on Facebook, you need to be on www.PrettyThingsBlog.com to leave an anonymous comment.)

(As always, my comments are moderated, but I vow to let them ALL be published).

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Jo's Blog Hop and Giveaway!

2012-01-20T14:45:00.000-05:00

Joanne Tinley of Daisychain Designs is having a blog hop AND a giveaway! I just ordered some of her amazing clasps -- divine!

Anyway, she's running a lottery for a Poppy Challenge blog hop to FIVE people for her amazing creations. I'm throwing my name in the hat -- run there and throw yours in, too!

She's also having a giveaway....

a voucher for her store!

(samples from her shop)

Click here for the giveaway.

Good luck, and thanks, Jo!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Bead Soup is on its way to my partners!

2012-01-19T18:11:00.001-05:00

I have two partners for this Bead Soup Blog Party (I oopsied on matching two people up who had already been partners) and I finally, FINALLY, made the time to make my packaging pretty. For the past four parties, I've been so swamped for time that I ended up sending them in my regular (but pretty!) jewelry boxes that I send jewelry to my customers in. But everyone else has always had this amazing packaging, and I was bound and determined to get it right this time.

Enter a trip to Paper Source, my favorite place for cool, um, well, paper stuff! Love, love, love that place and can never get out of there with JUST the things on my list.

I hugely respect all the paper and mixed media artists out there, because this shouldn't have taken as long as it did! But here's what I came up with....

So Rebecca Anderson and Marcie Abney, these should be arriving soon!

But here's the problem.

I boxed them up and then forgot which was which. So I actually have no clue what I'm sending to whom!

Typical of me, eh?

Quote of the Day: "Grow"

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

The Random Post

2012-01-18T18:42:00.001-05:00

You know those days when your brain is just taking a vacation and you can't remember what day it is, let alone what to write about?

Yeah, it's one of those days.

So this will be a totally random post.

First, some more photos of the Birthday Boy. One of his favorite presents was a huge Matchbox car track. He'll drag out a million cars and sit with a notebook and write down which one won each time. He's going to be a statistician as well as a policeman and part-time artist!

Love that boy.

Next, some random photos I took during the summer at an outdoor statuary store in St. Michaels, MD (Gatsby's) but had no idea how to work into a blog post. So here they are in no particular order.

This one is obviously for a tombstone. I think it's amazing. And one day I hope to go to the famous Highgate Cemetary in England. It may seem strange to want to tour a graveyard, but this one has so many aspects to it, and it's full of historic gravestones and is absolutely beautiful. It includes attractions such as the Egyptian Avenue and the Circle of Lebanon. The most famous person buried there is Karl Marx, and Douglas Adams, author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" is also buried there (and people leave little gifts on top of the stone.) And then there's the manager of the Sex Pistols. This place is eclectic and I am, too, and I just can't wait to visit it one day.

Then there are lions for your driveway entrance (of course).

There's got to be a proper name for a half-lion, half-buxom babe, but I don't know it.

A beautiful mermaid fountain.

And finally, a Buddha.

This place is pretty eclectic, too!

OK! So that was random, right? Hopefully tomorrow I can clear my head enough to write something more interesting!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

The 5th Bead Soup Party Participants!

2012-01-15T12:44:00.010-05:00

OK, guys, here you go! And if you missed my post yesterday, and didn't get chosen by the randomizer, please click here.

First, I will be emailing each person so if you do NOT get an email from me TODAY, I'm getting caught in your spam or have a bad email. Be sure to mark me as a safe sender and email me right away!

I'll also be explaining in my email what to do next. Once you get your emails from me, please contact each other as I have certain things you'll need to ask each other to make sure this all goes smoothly.

A good sample for bead soup -- photo by Cindy Wimmer.

NOW! I've never done one of these parties without screwing something up. SO! If you are listed twice, end up having to ship internationally when you didn't sign up for it, or have the same partner as you've had in the past, click here to email me. Additionally, if you have ANY concerns, please contact me privately by email.

(Check both sides of the list, as I've listed everyone as pairs).

And if your link is incorrect, please let me know.

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8. Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10. Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery

11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)

17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26. Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)

34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)

38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50. Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian

51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)

56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60. Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan

61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)

79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80. Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry

81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander

82. Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)

85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen

87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89. Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson

90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

99. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum

Congratulations,

and please do NOT send beads

until you get a personal email from me.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

A SOLUTION for those who don't get picked for the Bead Soup Blog Party!

2012-01-14T19:36:00.000-05:00

I had a miserable time getting to sleep last night and as I often do when I have insomnia, my mind races through all sorts of ideas. And I came up with an idea I think will not only give those of you who the randomizeer didn't pick a way to participate anyway, and also a way to drive traffic to your blog.

So here's the deal.

On March 3rd, the official Bead Soup Blog Party reveal day, post a picture of YOUR jewelry on your blog. I'd like to challenge you to dig into your bins and drawers and choose beads you have either been hoarding, bought and can't remember why on EARTH you bought them anymore -- pick something out of your comfort zone. Make it, post it, and then, visit the official partiers.


My first Bead Soup from Libby Leuchtman. I told her I don't "do" donuts. She sent me a donut. And that was the whole idea -- working outside my comfort zon

Why will this work for you?

In blogging, you often get followers by leaving GENUINE comments on other people's blogs. When I say "genuine", I mean more than, "Pretty necklace, visit mine at blog.blogspot.com". I love to click each person's name who visits my blog, and that's lead me to so many new places! I've become followers of blogs I've really liked, and gotten some followers in return. And I always make sure to take a look at a few of their posts, too, to get a feeling for their blog and what it's all about.

my finished necklace

I hope that helps take any sting out of not being chosen, and gives you some ideas about how to increase your blog readership at the same time. Besides, visiting the BSBP blogs will give you a lot of ideas, introduce you to a lot of new people, and blogging can be a great networking tool.

Visit me tomorrow for the list of attendees!

(are you a follower on my book review page????)

MEGA book review today!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Stay Steady

2012-01-13T13:59:00.001-05:00

via Pinterest and dolled up by me

Today my husband and I are getting the randomizer ready

for the Bead Soup Blog Party.

As I said on Facebook,

"What have I done???"

With 384 people signed up,

184 won't be chosen.

PLEASE KNOW

it's not personal, or me being mean,

or favoritism.

Even though I am still pairing you up myself,

I'm doing so by visiting your blogs

and making the best choice I can think of,

AFTER the randomizer is used.

I also worry that because I can't handle 384 entrants

(and I don't think many of you can visit that many, either)

I'll hurt the blog hop.

Which is my baby,

so much so that it's trademarked

(as an educational event!)

PLEASE don't let this keep you from signing up in the summer,

even if you've signed up ALL the other times

or NONE of the other times.

I respect ALL OF YOU.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Ack. Cough. Cough.

2012-01-12T13:05:00.002-05:00

Poor Zack and I are in bed coughing, sniffling, and otherwise miserable. I'm feeling a bit better today but Zack is worse and we've been sharing a bed watching movies, so who knows, I might get HIS germs. Zack only gets sick about once a year but my immune system, ever since having MRSA, is trashed.

Thank you everyone who sent Zack a card or little giftie -- he has been so amazed! I am also so touched -- you just wouldn't believe how touched.

The worst part of being sick for me is the exhaustion. I just can't seem to open my eyes half the time and yesterday kept falling asleep and dropping my book on the floor. Poor Rick. He's a gem among men.

I wish I had something more interesting to say! Oh, but I have read a number of books since being sick so be on the lookout for the book reviews coming soon.

In the meantime, here you go:

via Piniterest

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Bead Soup Sign Ups are Closed (and a shout out to the birthday boy)

2012-01-10T08:19:00.000-05:00

I rolled out my bed with a massive cold to announce the Bead Soup Blog Party sign-ups are CLOSED. There were 384 people who signed up. More than last time. I have no idea what makes this hop so interesting to people but to say I'm humbled beyond words is an understatement.

My husband will be helping me with the spreadsheet, and I'll use randomizer.org to pick the numbers associated with the names.

IF YOU DO NOT GET IN -- that does NOT mean I don't like you. Oh man, don't think that. I'm already a bit of a mess worried that you'll be distressed. What it DOES mean is that next sign up, you have twice the chance of getting in. Next sign ups with be in late summer. So PLEASE don't think I'm playing favorites or dislike your work. Not at ALL. This is for beginners and the very advanced alike, as you'll see.

Come back January 15th to see who will participate.

And now a shout-out to my birthday boy, Zack, who turns NINE today.

How did we get from this....

photo by Jen Fariello

to this?

So before I go back to bed for a bit

I'm hiding his presents all over the house.

And hope he'll let me take some NINE year old pictures when he comes home.

Happy birthday to the best creation I ever made.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

SIGN UPS for Bead Soup Blog Party are HERE!!!!!

2012-01-07T00:02:00.006-05:00

Please click here to learn the rules and how the party runs.
Please be aware the participants will be picked at random.
I will then make the pairings myself.

Up to 200 people can participate.

SIGN UPS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Partner announcements are HERE, on this blog,

January 15th

so please mark your calendars and come back!!!

Good luck, and have fun!

Bead Soup -- are you ready?????

2012-01-06T19:07:00.000-05:00

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Sneezing and Rice Krispies (with some deep thoughts included)

2012-01-05T19:10:00.005-05:00

Every Friday, Zack's school has something called "Special Snack". Parents sign up for a Friday or two throughout the year and make, well ... a special snack. Usually the kids take a break for pretzels and peanut butter or something of that sort to keep them running on the other days, but FRIDAYS -- now those are special.

Thus, the

For the past four years, Zack has requested Rice Krispie treats, on a stick, with a marshmallow anchor, dipped in chocolate. This is my entirely my fault. I got this grand idea for snack in his preschool, so for four years now, I've made these.

OH, and it requires a double batch. If you've ever made these sticky treats, you know how much fun stirring that mess is. Let alone cleaning it up!

With the cake pop craze in full swing, we adopted a Rice Krispie Cake Pop. Zack decided the sticks should be paint brushes so the kids would have something left over. Very clever on his part, don't you think?

They may not look very appetizing right now, and the photography is horrid, but I've been told they are goooooood. Transporting 21 of them to school will be a challenge because the snack bags I got to oh-so-artfully package them in were too small. Enter the hair-tearing and mental swearing. But oh well. I'm in my pajamas and this took two hours and they can do without bags. Yay for waxed paper!

Zack tasted his first Rice Krispies (as plain cereal) today, too. He is a very very very very particular eater -- technically, per the doctor, has "food aversion". Anyway, he has a thing about texture, so he likes cereal but won't put milk on it.

Lesson One

Rice Krispies are very lightweight.

Lesson Two

Don't sneeze while lifting a spoonful of

dry Rice Krispies to your mouth.

Lesson Three

It IS possible to laugh while vacuuming.

And now for the Deep Thoughts portion of the blog post.

A dear friend gave me a set of Magnetic Poetry for Artists for Christmas, and Zack LOVED it. Here's what he posted on the fridge:

I like it.

That kid's worth

two hours over the stove

and vacuuming up sneezed-upon Rice Krispies.

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY

sign ups

start

SATURDAY!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Starting From the Beginning

2012-01-03T19:42:00.000-05:00

Today was Zack's first day back to school, and after dropping him off, I had this urge to drive my Bug somewhere. I don't think I've driven anywhere at ALL in the past two weeks, thanks to the holidays, and the awesome-super-fantastic CD I made was just waiting for a reason to be turned up really, really loud. Who cares if there was a bit of snow blowing through the air? Crank it up and zoom, I'm outta here.

Flowers in the vase of my VW Beetle.

Instead of driving 45 miles to Annapolis like I usually do when I want to shop anywhere other than Target and Walmart, I went the other direction and drove an hour to Salisbury. My destination -- the new Hobby Lobby for their big bead sale. I rarely buy retail beads, but Hobby Lobby has Vintaj and Zack and I needed some crafty goodness, and I can easily get lost in a world of happy there.

LOVE the Vintaj toggles -- you can buy this bracelet by clicking here.

Of course, if there's a book store around, I head there, no matter if I have a stack of unread books to the ceiling or not. Plus, they have Starbucks. But no pie.

A big difference -- I bypassed the beading magazines and went straight for the writing magazines. I already have a few really good books about writing memoirs, but that's not the only thing I want to write.

I immediately honed in on Writer's Digest because my favorite author, Diana Gabaldon of "Outlander" fame, was on the cover.

One of the goals I have this year is to get some significant writing done. I just finished an article (not a tutorial!) for BeadTrends and I'm itching for more opportunities. Picking up this magazine was a great first step for January 2012.

I'm doing my best in these early days to stay focused -- not necessarily on one BIG thing, but on the little things that lead up to it. One of my focal points is staying centered and balanced and knowing how much I can really bite off and chew without spitting it out on the floor. To that end, I'm using my handy perpetual calendar.

You fill in the number dates at the top yourself, so if you skip a few weeks, you won't feel guilty staring at those empty blocks on regular calendars. There's a limited amount of space, too, so it makes me prioritize. So far, so good.

But it's only week one.

Let's not get cocky.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Win Sherri Haab's New Book -- Resin Clay

2012-01-02T18:40:00.000-05:00

Want to win this book? Then click here to Art Bead Scene and comment! I had the opportunity to review it, and now I'm giving it away!

Good Luck!

Looking Forward.

2012-01-01T01:11:00.079-05:00

Yesterday I wrote about looking back on 2011. Now it's time to look forward.


via Pinterest

The past year was a whirlwind of ups and downs. If I had to categorize the year into "good" or "bad", I'd have to say it was ...challenging.

Now I'm looking forward and wondering what's in store.

Some people have adopted a "word for the year" as a talisman of sorts and I've avoided doing that because I've always been afraid of letting that word down. But after talking to my friend Maire, I decided I'd give it a try.

My word -- metamorphosis.

via Pinterest

It's long been time for a change. I've talked quite a lot this year about feeling at a crossroads, and I really do believe it. What is confusing me are the sign posts. I don't even know what they say, so how do I know which way to turn?

Do I want to continue doing craft shows, and if so, expand into other states again? Can my body handle the pace I'd have to keep?

Do I want to change my style of jewelry, if one can even say I have a style?

I do know I like to write, but now, what to write? Who to approach? Or do I just take off and start writing and hope someone will like it?

Do I quit it all and start something entirely new? Do I focus on making beads instead of jewelry? Writing instead of jewelry? Both? Neither?

I've got no idea.

Which, I think, is the point of choosing the word metamorphosis.

I was drawn to this gate section and snapped the photo.

Pin It

The changes might be as sudden as ripping off a bandage, or as slow as the rusting of a gate's ornate door. Change won't come without some degree of discomfort, I know. But sometimes the gate is allowed to slowly patina and sometimes the gate is hit with a sander and a fresh coat of paint. Both end up beautiful. But there's still change. It's just gone at different paces.

And there's a chance I'll make the wrong choice and go completely wrong. But it's a chance I'm willing to take.

One thing I DO know is I'm ready for whatever comes my way. Bring it on!

A big welcome to 2012. I hope you'll travel the path with me.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Looking Back.....

2011-12-31T08:00:00.003-05:00

Pin It

It's amazing looking back on this year.

I discovered how intense hosting
the Bead Soup Blog Party could be.
And then I started writing a book about it.

I taught a jewelry class
(and will be teaching another in March).

The 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party reveal was exciting
as I worked with beads completely out of my comfort zone.

Pin It

I dyed my hair pink.

I had a lot of MRIs and had some good thoughts
in the tube.

I learned to melt solder and burn up fire brick
with Stephanie Lee.

I thought about finding my bliss.

You made blue bracelets with me.

I went to BeadFest and Bead and Button
and shopped like crazy.

I took my camera for an outing and
wrote about the entire day,
which ended with hugs from this guy.

Both the older boys got their PhDs, and
Zack wants to be like them.

Zack and I went to the beach
and then went again.

I had Bead Soup Blog Party #4
and about lost my mind.

I went to ArtBliss
and met a lot of friends
and made some cool things.

Pin It

I finished my book
and had my picture taken.

I wrote 266 blog posts

and read 79 books.

And I read lots of comments
and emails and cards
from all of you, which brought me
unbelievable joy.

Thank you all
for a wonderful year!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

It will be ok. I have pie.

2011-12-30T13:22:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd share one of my Christmas presents with you --

Yeah, buddy!

Rick bought me this on CafePress.com, and I flipping LOVE it! I love pink, and then, well... there's the pie.

We have had pie in the house for the holidays and as I sit here in jeans, I can tell that I, um, partook too much, methinks. But who can turn down cherry! Pumpkin! Key lime! And a coconut cake. It's not pie, but it's an awesome, awesome cake.

I've loved this holiday time. Every year Rick takes off a week or so, the older boys come for a long visit, and it's just a lovely, relaxing time. One of my favorite parts of this time off is the lack of guilt for lying about reading. My brain is so messed up from this past year that the devouring of books has helped tremendously.

I've tried to make jewelry -- but for some reason, it's not coming to me. Soon. But right now, the brain is on survival mode and is telling me to chill.

(Isn't that a cute picture of Zack at three years old?)

So everyone,

take some time to be good to yourself.

The payoff is tremendous.

Bead Soup Blog Party is coming!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Santa Recycles

2011-12-27T13:36:00.000-05:00

Another Zack story today:

As he opened a present, he noticed it was in an Amazon.com box that had been re-taped.

"OH!" he pipes up. "Santa uses Amazon! AND he recycles!"

Quote of the Day: "There's Always a Plan B"
Book Review: "Schindler's List"

Artists Helping Artists Auction (one day left!)

Bead Soup Blog Party is coming!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Christmas with LEGO

2011-12-26T18:16:00.000-05:00

Last year we started a tradition that has been a blast for the three boys. We buy one of the LEGO shops -- this year, the Grand Emporium -- and the three boys put it together. The buildings link together so eventually, we'll have a village (and need to figure out where the heck to show them off).

I'm awed and amazed at the detail of these creations. I makes me think a job at LEGO would totally rock.

This is a shot of the two buildings hooked together.

Notice the window washer?

Then there's the rotating doors....

... and the ice cream vendor.

Of course, there has to be a billboard!

And now we lift off the floors so you can see each department.

There's a crystal chandelier above the escalator, and the toy floor.

Down the escalator to the first floor, with the cash register,

revolving door, and window displays.

And out the front door for another look at the window displays,

a street light, and mail box.

These are not the LEGO things I knew as a kid!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!

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Bead Soup Blog Party is coming!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

A Merry Christmas from Zack

2011-12-24T16:47:00.000-05:00

Zack at 11 months

photo by Jen Fariello

I absolutely adore this photo.

If you'd like to see more from this series,

click here.

Much love to you all!

Artists Helping Artists Auction

Bead Soup Blog Party is coming!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Spending Christmas Alone

2011-12-23T18:26:00.001-05:00

Our tree, taken by me lying underneath it. Pin It

For most of us, I dare say, the holidays are a joyful time with family and friends, great food, surprising gifts, and a general warm feeling of happiness.

However, there's a number of people who hate the holidays and I used to be one of them. There are so many wonderful posts about the great times, but I wanted to acknowledge those for whom this time of year can be dreaded, difficult, and hard.

When I was in the military, Christmas didn't mean all that much. No tree, no family, no gifts -- just another day. I'd always volunteer for day duty so those who had their families with them could celebrate. I have religious beliefs that make Christmas meaningful, but the loneliness was like a heavy fog.

Then when I was 30, I pretty much hit rock bottom in my life. I spent the worst Christmas ever alone in my house. I think I spent a lot of it in bed. But the desire to be a part of a celebration was horribly painful.

Some of you have lost loved ones. Some of you may not be able to see family. Some of you may dread this holiday more than going to the dentist for a root canal.

I understand all of this.

To counteract these feelings surrounding the holiday, consider trying some of these things:

** Volunteer in a soup kitchen or hospital.

** Do Pay-It-Forwards for strangers -- buy them a cup of coffee if they're behind you in line, hand a card to a stranger, things like that.

** Drive around and look at the lights. That has always made me happy. Be sure to take a cup of hot chocolate with you!

** Email me. Because I get it. I've been on both sides of the fence.

I write an open, sometimes raw blog. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's like this -- introspective and possibly depressing. But I'm trying to change the depressing to an open invitation to celebrate with me. I want to make your holiday a better one.

I'm not trying to be narcissistic or Mother Teresa, thinking I can cure all ills. I'm just hoping that someone who's having a rough holiday will see this and know they're not alone. I would have given anything for that in past years.

Lots of love, respect, and care to you.

Artists Helping Artists Auction

Quote of the Day: Holiday Shopping Flowchart

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off. She is the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.