Finding Time to Homestead

I have been taking an e-course with an artist that I admire Stephanie Lee. The class is for five weeks and I have only been able to practice what I learned from week one. I have been chomping at the bit to do more, but alas life gets in the way. I have a huge 4 day show Cary Academy Holiday Shoppe starting Wednesday and I had one last Sunday, plus I have a job, husband and kids (go figure!). Hopefully I will get to it in a week or so.

In the mean time, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate lots!

See you soon!

Cheers,
Stacy

My Friday Favorite ....

Today is a great day! I get to meet and have dinner tonight with Lorelei Eurto. She writes a blog that I read almost everyday Inside the Studio. She creates beautiful jewelry and often incorporates components from other designers. This was all put together by Cynthia Deis owner of Ornamentea, the best bead store in the world! Go check out the online store. Also joining us is Susan "Boo" Reynolds and Elaine Ray. Lorelei uses Elaine's ceramic beads a lot in her designs. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall tonight!!

A few months ago Lorelei was making a custom piece and she asked me to make a stamped component for it ... I was so honored!

Well I need to get busy working so I can go to dinner tonight. If you are in Raleigh come visit me Sunday at the University Club's Holiday Shoppe 1-5 pm. Have a great day!

Learning How To Flood Solder

I am taking this great e-course from the wonderful Stephanie Lee. I have admired her work and style for quite a while. What I like the most is she uses materials that are readily available at your local hardware store.

We have learned how to flood metal with solder and add bezels. Here is the metal flooded with
the solder:

One of them I have stamped with an alphabet metal stamp. Stay tuned for the samples of these with the added bezels.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads!

You must check out Lorelei's blog about the traveling box of beads where people contribute to the loot. If you win, you take whatever beads you wish and replace with beads from your stash! The above picture is the box that she received along with a journal to add an entry if you so choose.

Here's what you need to know to play along:

The giveaway: The entire box of goodies, WELL over $200 worth of beads.

The stipulations: You'll pay for shipping: $15.00 for flat rate priority mail.

The rules: You'll take what you want from the box, add in items from your own bead stash to replace the items you took and do the same giveaway on your blog. We'll keep the beads traveling for as long as we can.

To enter: Leave a comment, be sure to include your email.

Bonus: Blog, facebook or twitter about it to enter more than once. Leave another comment letting me know how you helped spread the word.

Deadline: Comments will be accepted until Friday Nov 5th, at 5pm
[the box will then be shipped Monday Nov. 8 to the winner.]


The winner will then have 2 weeks to go through the box and pick out their items and contribute to the box, and then host their own giveaway.

All I ask is that each time it passes hands, the winner will email me when the next giveaway starts so I can enjoy the traveling and help promote your giveaway!

International bloggers: I'm sorry, but due to shipping only those in the U.S. can play along. But I'm suddenly feeling really bad for my non-U.S. blog readers. If you are outside the states leave a comment and I'll also draw one international winner for a bead grab bag from my own stash of beads.

Hop on over to her blog and check her out. You will be glad you did. Bonus for me .... I get to meet her when she comes to Raleigh in two weeks. I can't wait!