Final Pics from Norwescon33 Trip

A few last pictures from the last day of the con. This is Gir from the comic Invader Zim - the costume was on sale and Gir was wandering around the con for a couple days.

One of the Drow (an elf character from Dungeons and Dragons) prowling the dealer's room

The other two caught up later & posed for this (unfortunately it's pretty blurry, sorry)

Snow capped mountains on the way home

Some of the snow in the pass in Oregon on the way home - I drove through some snow showers both coming up and heading home.

And once I got down from the mountains I saw this incredible rainbow. The picture doesn't do it justice, of course - it was amazingly complete and bright. You could see the full arch of it except for a bit at the top at times.

I'm still not unpacked nor recovered from the long drive - very glad to be home!

Day 3 at Norwescon - Busy!

I managed to get the attention of some of the passersby in their amazing costumes today!

And here are two of my customers in their purchases - the vintage lucite flower necklace and a jet lanyard:

Had a pretty good day today as far as sales were concerned. Tomorrow is the last day of the con and while I've had a great time, I'm looking forward to getting back home. I probably won't blog again for a few days - tomorrow is all about getting packed up and resting for as long as I can because Monday I have to drive the entire trip that I spent two days getting here earlier in the week in one day.

Brrr!! Day 2 at Norwescon

Really cold (at least for me) & very wet outside today. There were severe storm warnings and if the power went out we were told we'd have to "evacuate" the dealer's room. Fortunately it didn't happen.

Was either busy or distracted today and didn't take pictures - I wish I had at least gotten one of one of my customers - her outfit was fabulous. I made some new embellished retractable lanyards & she bought one which went really well.

My dear friends have made this con a near tie with LosCon for my best time ever behind the table. I say a near tie because spending four days with my Dad at LosCon last November was definitely at the top.

If I don't screw up and get my paperwork in on time, I'll be at Westercon/ConChord the 4th of July weekend in Pasadena, CA. I believe I turned in paperwork for LosCon 2010 at the end of last one's, so I hope I'm set. I think I'll email 'em just to be sure. If that's set, I'll have my 3 cons for the year.

I'm getting just a teensy worried about the trip home. If it snows in either of the two passes between here and home, I may be stuck in either Washington or Oregon until that clears. I have my work laptop and can check in with the office, so it's more of a inconvenience than anything, but I do hope I can get back on Monday, I miss my husband and kitties.

Well, need my sleep - will try to remember to take pictures tomorrow!

Norwescon Day 1

I got to the convention at 10:30 ish and worked on set up with my helpers 'til 4 when the doors opened. Sat at the table 'til 8, covered the stuff, had a lovely late dinner and then came back to my hotel room. Thank goodness my two dear friends are here to help. I got plenty of stretch and bathroom breaks. Their help in set up was invaluable. I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have figured out how to use the tiny space with out them.

Wireless wasn't very reliable today, so I didn't get a chance to post while at the convention. May not be able to tomorrow either, so if I do post tomorrow, it'll be in the evening again.

Good night from Seattle (and yes - it's raining).

Made it to SeaTac Today

The drive from Medford took 7 hours through some really lovely landscapes. There were quite a few places that looked like fun to visit, if I had time. The one place I passed that I was *very* sad about was Shipwreck Beads in Lacey, WA. I wish I'd had several hours to spare, but I wanted to be at the convention hotel by 4 so I could drop off all my stuff.

In my travel through Oregon I discovered that the 70 mph speed limit I'd gotten used to in California on I-5 drops to 60 or 65 through the entire state with several patches of 55mph. Goes back to 70 when you cross over into Washington. Also, there are no self-serve gas stations. At my first stop for gas a lively fellow told me all about it. At length. He's written to President Obama, suggesting that it should be a federal law. Probably would create several million jobs; can't say I think it's a terrible idea. The gas prices in Oregon, even with full service, are quite a bit lower than in California. No sales tax there either - I should have budgeted some time to shop.

One last note, if you ever need to stay in Medford, OR, I wouldn't recommend the Ramada. It's really run down and the room was bare bones - except for the refrigerator and microwave. No elevators, either. Had to carry my very heavy bags up a flight of stairs. I was inexpensive, at least.

The convention hotel here in SeaTac was fully booked before I heard that my application was approved, so I'm staying just across the street at the Days Inn. It's nicer than the Ramada, that's for sure and nearly as inexpensive. Unfortunately the room doesn't have a refrigerator and there aren't even little mini ones for rent. This matters to me because I drink copious amounts of Arizona Diet Green Tea and usually keep a gallon or two chilling in the fridge when I travel. I'm quite disappointed in that, but otherwise, it's a nice place. Plus, free wireless!

No pictures tonight - last night I pretty much did my post and fell asleep. I'll share convention pictures in the next post. Good Night!

Hi from Medford, Oregon and Some New Steampunk Creations

Well, I finally got everything organized and packed (with a few detours to make some new stuff - why does inspiration hit hardest when you have NO TIME for it?) and this morning I hit the road. Medford is 395 miles from my home and is the half-way stop before heading to Seattle, which I'll do tomorrow . Drove through some of the most lovely places - all the hills are green from rain and I drove past Mt. Shasta where most of the peaks are covered in snow.

The pass from California into Oregon had snow on the ground, but the freeway was clear and no chains needed.

I wish I could have taken pictures, but it's not really safe to do that and drive...

Anyway, I did manage to get pictures of the stuff I worked on when I should have been packing:

A steampunk style pendant with silver filigree and Swarovski crystals, top and bottom rings are steampunk style, the middle one doesn't have any gears or clockwork - just a vintage repro filigree from Accessories Susan in brass, with a freshwater pearl and 5 Swarovski crystals. Thanks go to Steampunk Supply for the beautiful etched watch parts that form the base of the pendant and rings, plus most of the other gears and the silver filigree. The curled silver filigrees and the wrapped filigree backing the pendant are also from Accessories Susan.

I'm going to try and live-blog this week from the convention, hope you'll check in!

Using Up the Stash #14 - More Infinity Knots and Green Glass

I thought I was done, but turns out this piece is still in progress. I find it interesting how after I photograph something to post about it, I take a new look and decide there's something else needed...

Anyway, I had the infinity knot links lying around since I made my St. Patrick's Day bracelet and decided to just start fiddling and playing around with them, the brass chain, brass head pins and some, smaller, lighter green, cathedral beads.

Here's where the design has taken me so far:

Can you see where I think I need to add two more links and something - probably chain with beads, to the design?

I have not yet heard from texinlulu about claiming her prize - I'll give her a couple more days then I'll re-draw and award the prize to someone else.

See you tomorrow for Weekly Wanderings, I hope!

TGIF! (Using Up the Stash #13)

Really glad to see the backside of this week. Not that I won't be working hard all weekend getting ready to exhibit at Norwescon next week (April 1 - 4, Doubletree Hotel, SeaTac, Washingon)

I did get a little jewelry work done. I made quick and easy earrings the last two days to go with other pieces I wore to work, and one pair to go with the electric purple vintage style necklace I shared on Monday - it's also quite a bit longer, been adding beads to it tonight.

Here are the earrings, made the ear wires myself, too:

This weekend and next week blogging may be a real challenge - I'll post when I can, and if possible live-blog and share pictures from Norwescon.

Electric Purple in a Vintage Look Necklace - Rings & Things Goodies Design

Just in case you missed it, texilulu was the winner of the Rings & Things memory jewelry bottle giveaway and there's a great list of posts to check out in Sunday's Weekly Wanderings.

I still have quite a few of the Rings & Things goodies from late February. That package was shell pearls and glass rondelles, as you might recall.

I decided that I wanted a very antique looking necklace with the electric purple roundelles, so I got out some antiqued brass chain, beadcaps and headpins to make one. The hook at the end is made from brass wire and because the design is like it is, the necklace can be worn as shown or with the clasp in the back.

Right now it's collar length, but I'm thinking since I have so many of these purple ones I may just keep adding until I've used them all up. Then I could wear it doubled or long.

See you next time!



FTC compliance notice of material connection: The glass beads were provided to me for free, to be used for design purposes, or for a statement of my honest opinion of them, by Rings & Things.

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

Welcome to the first weekend of Spring! It's definitely been spring-like here. Warm days, blooms everywhere. Allergies...mine were particularly bad this morning, so the post is *very* late today.

Just a reminder: these posts come from my personal wanderings. I know there are many, many more bead/jewelry and related crafts blogs out there, but these are some of the ones I visit every day via my Google Reader. If you have a favorite blog I'm not mentioning, let me know and I'll start visiting (and linking!) it, too.

A Bead A Day - Look at the fabulous springtime design element Lisa found at Artbeads, check out the rest of the week's posts and then land here for the piece she made + a giveaway of her book!

Ahtee's blog - Adventure in Big Bear - there's an inspirational location! She promises some jewelry posts this week, too.

An Artist's Year Off - Lori made some beautiful beads and talks about the learning process.

Backyard Beads - take a poll, beautiful packaging

Beading Arts - Beads of Courage call for submissions

Beading Gem's Journal - another great week - tough to choose just a few, but this Artbead's Beauty of Spring project is lovely, and Princess Diana's Swan Lake necklace inspires a design are definitely good reads.

Be-jeweled by Jana - Five Things about Me and You giveaway

Carmi's Art/Life World - Manifesto Brooch

The Cerebral Dilettante - Industrial Brain (I really love this style)

Deez News - You are going to have to visit each day's post - every day last week she's done a piece inspired by the "Monday's Child" poem. I'll start you off with Monday but, seriously, view each day's work - and leave a Davinia a comment (you can tell her I sent you), this is really gorgeous stuff.

Designs by Blanche - lovely "steampunked" skeleton key

Just A Tish - some fun earrings, bracelet and necklace with Rings & Things goodies, tidying up the studio, and some great finds at the flea market were a few things Tish shared this week.

Margot Potter - Margot shares the steps to making a necklace embellished T-shirt, and some of her design inspirations.

Orion Designs - love these brilliant pink briolette earrings.

Silver Parrot - Friday bead porn!

Smutopia - there's a Thing a Day going on over there, so every day has a great project, but I really liked her Thursday bracelet - congratulations on having it displayed (with the rest of the set) at the Art of Fashion event in downtown Raleigh, NC on Monday night!

Willow Walker - she finished and listed some lovely earrings last week, but you can't have these, I already bought 'em!

Normally I'd select a post or two for each of these, but today I've been so busy I really only had time to finish up the artisan blog posts, but I encourage you to visit these supplier's blogs often.

Artbeads -

The Beadin' Path -

Daily Bead Buzz -

Earthenwood Studios Blog -

Friendly Plastic -

Ornamentea -

Rings & Things -

SoftFlexGirl -


Thanks for coming along this week. Remember, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss the weekly wanderings because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

Hope you have a great week - see you tomorrow!

Congratulations texinlulu! You won the Rings & Things bottles!

Thank you to everyone who entered with comments here, on Facebook, who became new fans and tweeted! I was so thrilled to see the many multiple entries.

I drew from all the names (some of which were entered up to 5 times) and texinlulu was the winner of the Rings & Things goodies shown below:

I will be having another giveaway next month of some Spring themed items from Artbeads - keep checking back!






FTC compliance notice of material connection: The glass bottles were provided to me for free, to be used for design purposes, or for a statement of my honest opinion of them, by Rings & Things.

Thank You Rose for the Roses!

In this UUtS post I grumbled about having to go search for a clasp. But Rose commented with an entire list of links, one of which led me to a little treasure of clasps - including the porcelain one with a yellow rose I added to the necklace:

While I was shopping there, I grabbed 4 clasps, some stamped brass medallions and bead caps, too.

Later today I'll collect all the entries to my Rings & Things giveaway and post the winner! I'm sorry I'm a day late - yesterday wasn't a very good day and I turned in early.

Hi everyone - this is just a placeholder post. I may have something to share later in the day, but I didn't get anything done last night so I didn't have anything for today's post. I was going to share some pictures of beautiful spring blooms I saw at work and took pictures of with my phone camera, but I can't get them to send from my phone.

I'll leave you with a picture of Jello in a Sink:

Rings & Things Goodies - Skeletons, Skulls, Peppers and More

Thank goodness Rings & Things sent a bag of goodies. I'd have nothing to post again, otherwise. I'm just not in a real creative place tonight.

The bag has 8 pairs of lampwork skulls - some with decoration on the back, the others have the same skull design on both sides- 8 hot chili peppers 4 gold plate skeletons (two men, two women) and two silver plate skulls and two silver plate skeletons, plus an assortment of gluables (two of them are "shoe clips" which may not end up being for shoes at all) these will definitely be used for Steampunk designs.

Check back to see what I do with all these fun pieces!



FTC compliance notice of material connection: The beads, charms and gluable findings pictured above were provided to me for free, to be used for design purposes, or for a statement of my honest opinion of them, by Rings & Things.

Using Up the Stash #12 - St. Patrick's Day Bracelet

Sorry I was too tired to post Tuesday. I did get a start Monday night on today's bracelet, but for some reason wrapping the cathedral glass beads onto the knot links gave me a ton of trouble and I didn't finish until today.

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I wanted to make something green. While going through my stash I came upon these Celtic looking "Infinity Knot" connectors from the Blue Moon Royal Boheme collection and decided to pair them with green cathedral cut glass beads.

I wasn't totally happy with the look after I'd wired the beads to the knot connectors, so I pondered a bit and decided to add some chain. I put jump rings through the loops on each side of each knot and "strung" them through the rings rather than attaching them to give the chain a bit more movement.

Here's a long view

This view shows better how it looks on the wrist

Happy St. Patrick's Day, all!

Using Up the Stash #11 - Constellation Necklace with Lemon Ice CZs

I mentioned that when I finished the purple Constellation necklace that I had a lot of the silver rice beads and was going to make more Constellation necklaces with other colors. When I bought the purple CZ teardrop I also bought some "Lemon Ice" colored ones. The Lemon Ice is very green (although it photographs much yellower) so I got out my bright green pearls and started the necklace.

Unfortunately, I wasn't happy with how the necklace looked just using the pearls, so I went to Lima Beads, where I'd bought the teardrop, and ordered some Lemon Ice CZ bicones. Yeah, the necklace isn't totally from the stash, but for the most part it is, so I'm ok with the UUtS label.

~*~*~*~*~

Since I posted about it on Saturday, which is not one of the most visited days here, I'm going to mention again that Soft Flex Company is having another Flex Your Creativity Contest! This time the focus is on creating Steampunk-style work with Soft Flex beading wire. I love Steampunk, so I'm really excited about entering. Contest entries must be received by September 1, 2010, winners will be announced on December 1st.

I listed some references and posted some pictures of my Steampunk designs on Saturday - hope you'll check the post. Click the image above for the rules and more information about the contest at the Soft Flex site.

Weekly Wanderings Around the Beadosphere

If you're living in the U.S. it's "Daylight Savings is Back" Sunday. Will be waking up to darker mornings for a while, but it will be nice to have more sunshine after work.

Just a reminder: these posts come from my personal wanderings. I know there are many, many more bead/jewelry and related crafts blogs out there, but these are some of the ones I visit every day via my Google Reader. If you have a favorite blog I'm not mentioning, let me know and I'll start visiting (and linking!) it, too.

A Bead A Day - Lisa has great ideas for her Rings & Things Memory Jewelry goodies, went digging for treasure in the bead bin at her local bead store and made a bracelet with them to remind her of the fun time she had.

After Hours Art Glass - Shannon shares great photography hints and SEO (search engine optimization) ideas.

Ahtee's blog - Rose posted a great list of blogs she's reading, and shows off her first Etsy purchase (lovely piece!), and some lovely bridal earrings.

Need a little humor break in your day? May I suggest An Army of Ermas? This is a shared blog with short family humor pieces that always brighten my day.

Backyard Beads - announces the winner of her giveaway

Beading Arts - have you heard of (and seen) Zulugrass beads? Cyndi has a lovely Zulugrass bracelet to giveaway, too.

Beading Gem's Journal - get the info on historical jewelry worn at the Oscars, tutorial on making water bracelets, see a spirograph inspired necklace and more toy/game inspired jewelry plus a tutorial on making a domino bracelet.

Be-jeweled by Jana - Jana made an awesome wire and bead crocheted red iris bead necklace. I'm not normally a fan of crocheted wire, but Jana's perfected the art.

Carmi's Art/Life World - great mixed media piece: Jeweled Button Necklace

The Cerebral Dilettante - with posts like harboring purple in her psyche, lizard in a former life, how can you *not* be following this blog?

Deez News - Even during a heat wave, Davinia creates a beautiful necklace!

Designs by Blanche - Alice in Wonderland inspired and totally wonderful!

ErtheFae - Do you know about the Beading for a Cure auction? Round one ends today, so don't miss out, but if you do, another round starts Monday.

Just A Tish - more shell pearl earrings, Spring furnace glass fun, Spring fling bracelet, and purpose pendants, and those were just some of her posts last week! Tish, you're wearing me out!!

Katie's Beading Blog - Katie got a Rings & Things shell pearl goodie bag, too - look at the fabulous multi-strand necklace with a bold daisy focal she made!

Margot Potter - Margot laments the empty necklines at the Oscars and challenges: "leave a comment with your own design ideas here. I'll announce two winners and share a finished design based on my concepts next Friday." Hope you enter!

Orion Designs - I'm going to admit something that may make me unpopular, but I'm just not that fond of beadwoven jewelry. I admire the art and patience and spectacular designs, but it's not my thing. *HOWEVER* this necklace, a free form one by Vicki Potter, I love. I'd get one like it in a heartbeat and wear it a lot. Vicki also makes other jewelry styles and has a wonderful, conversational blog.

SCDiva - grabbed my attention with her post about metal foils, alcohol inks and polymer clay.

Silver Parrot - her opinion of the fashions at the Oscars, "sometimes jewelry happens" and she was the winner over at Treasures Found!

Smutopia - She's doing a "Thing a Day" so you'll want to catch her every day, but here are a couple favorites - origami cranes, and a lovely citrine necklace.

Strands of Beads - Melissa is having "The Short One's Superhero" giveaway!

Willow Walker - a full week over at Willow Walker! Started with these red drops, then there were these elongated turquoise colored ones, and yesterday, these fabulous heart shaped ones.

Artbeads - Easter ideas and Crafts Month

The Beadin' Path - Weekly Beadditudes with Dara - wire wrapped heart pendant

Daily Bead Buzz - check out these emeralds and some green jade marquise cut beads - Spring is clearly on their minds.

Earthenwood Studios Blog - "The Wheel and the Maypole" - song inspired designs

Friendly Plastic - National Craft Month Tips, Haute handbag (this wouldn't have been out of place on the red carpet on Oscar night)

Ornamentea - customer showcase winners

Rings & Things - Bead Tour Contest, "crunchy granola charm" ebook review

SoftFlexGirl - spotlight on Lisa Crone's book A Bead in Time, necklace inspired by Alice in Wonderland and (fanfare!) this year's Flex Your Creativity Contest announcement.

Thanks for coming along this week. Remember, if you follow* this blog, you'll never miss the weekly wanderings because you forgot to check - I'll be delivered right to your reader or Blogger dashboard every day!

*Look up at the uppermost left hand side of this page - see the boxes that say "search blog" "flag blog" and "follow blog" - just click the "follow blog" box!

Hope you have a great week - see you tomorrow!

Exciting News! Steampunk and Soft Flex "Flex Your Creativity Contest" Together!

Just out from SoftFlexGirl's blog: Soft Flex Company is having another Flex Your Creativity Contest! This time the focus is on creating Steampunk-style work with Soft Flex beading wire. I love Steampunk, so I'm really excited about entering. Contest entries must be received by September 1, 2010, winners will be announced on December 1st.

Want to learn more about Steampunk?

I did a whole post about it here, and here are some Stemampunk styles I've worked on:

Spring Time

M is for Moments (sold this at LosCon in November '09)

Ring


Pendant (changed a bit and sold at BayCon '09)


charms (at the bottom of the post)

Other Steampunk sites on the web:

Steampunk Workshop
Steampunk Lab
Steampunk themed comic (one of my favorites) Girl Genius

Melanie from Earthenwood Studios has done some great Steampunk work and has great Steampunk themed components and focals for sale.

Here's a necklace I made from one of her "Toolbox Treasures" focals.

Hope you enter - can't wait to see what you do!