Perlen Poesie

I can only tell you this now because I've already reserved my copies.....

Beads by Blanche has gotten in copies of the fabulous new German magazine Perlen Poesie. Yes it is in German and no I don't speak German but....oh the pictures and the illustrations and the layout, it is a most beautiful publication




Give Blanche a call and you too can have a copy

Looking forward to the Grey

Yep, when you live in San Diego a few grey days can be a relief. When I first moved to California from Boston (many many years ago now) the one thing I noticed was that there was no change of seasons to guide me in my life cycles. In Boston, summer was for water and outdoors, fall was for crisp walks and breathing in fresh air and winter was for hibernating and knitting and crafting (I didn't bead then, but sure wish I had experienced snowstorms with beads) and then spring was reawakening to the cycle.

With that missing, I would continue on the one faceted season of summer and my creative side was not nourished. I learned of course over time to adapt and in Northern California we had more of a differentiation then here in San Diego.

So today I look forward to five days with no committments (well no outside the house appointments at least, plenty of committments) some grey days, some tea, a clean studio (there will be some work required first) and some wonderful creative time.

Although snow is beyond unlikely I will be enjoying what reminders of seasonal diversity I can find, so I leave you with a beautiful snowy image.



And perhaps Deerfield will leave me some snow in March?

I've been busy

I've been beading away and took a few shots to show you today, but I have somethings to learn about the new camera...so I'll include a couple of shots for now

Beadwork and socks, well no, but as I put both the new Queen Anne's Lace and Turkish sock down to photograph, I noticed how well they coordinate. Which is a good thing right? I mean your bracelet should match your socks! This is a darling little sock by ChurchmouseYarns, although I don't know how to acquire the pattern, perhaps a phone call? It has a unique construction is easy to make and looks great with open backed clogs.



Next is a new colorway for Crystal Collage which I will be teaching for the 3rd or 4th year at Bead and Button Show (Did you now registration opened today!)I love this one, tabac and muted lilac with some jet nut and light colorado topaz ab.



I'm also almost finished with the olivine Descending Nights for Beading by the Bay and a Medium Vitral 'Under the Mast' also for Bead and Button. More photos tomorrow.

Photography Class in San Diego!

How fortunate can a girl get? I buy a new camera but of course a camera is only a part of the equation. Knowing how to use it and get professional results for your product (in my case beadwork) settings, lighting, depth of field, white balance,all the nuances that make a great compelling photo, well, those are the other part of the equation.

And a class addressing all of the necessary knowledge for great photos of your small objects is being offered right in San Diego on March 19, and March 20-21 by Kyle Cassidy, in conjunction with Kate McKinnon.



an excerpt from his blog

'I'm doing two photography workshops this March -- these are geared towards jewelry makers but would work for anyone interested in photographing small things (coin/doll collectors, ebay resellers, miniature painters, whatnot). It's being held in San Diego California in a really swank studio and will also feature Kate Freaking Mckinnon world renown, globetrotting metalsmith, and author....'

And I almost missed it. I was traveling out of affordable Internet range and didn't get Kate's email about this opportunity until I returned. As luck would have it, she checked my schedule and I'm available and I'll be there! I'm really looking forward to working with such an expert and improving my abilities in this area.

If you're quick you too can sign up

Huichol Beadwork

This was my treat to myself during my recent Mexican vacation. There was much good art in Puerto Vallarta and some of the best Huichol that I've seen. There was a huge selection, but having a few other birds in my studio I thought this rooster fit perfectly and is the right scale to not get lost among too many small things. He stands about 14 inhces tall.

Plus which I think he has attitude and I like him for that.

I was also completely intrigued with a set of Sergio Bustamante candlesticks (unfortunately not found on this link) that were definitely not in the budget and a beautiful bronze by Victor Hugo ?????oh dear, that will have to wait for unpacking when I locate the catalog.

I'm back

Back from vacation that is, and it was very nice. Mark and I got on a cruise in San Diego, no planes involved and cruised our way down to Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and back. Cruising is not necessarily my favorite type of vacation, but it has highlights. This particular one, a highlight was not having to fly. Then there is the fact that I sleep so well, with the gentle rocking of the boat. The ports were interesting, we ate well in Mazatlan, saw lots of nice art in Puerto Vallarta and drank Maragaritas on the beach in Cabo San Lucas.

On the boat I beaded and I knit, finishing up my one panel contribution to a group knit for a dear friends husband. He is recovering from illness and always cold so we got together and made him a Misti Alpaca afghan. I'm also working on Bitter root a lace shawl and will join a knit along at the Grove later today. I worked on a second colorway for Beading by the Bay and a fourth colorway for Queen Anne's Lace, pictures to follow this week.

In the meantime a few vacation pictures for your viewing pleasure.

A Christmas Tree in Cabo San Lucas on Luxury Avenue, you might guess the rest of the sign says Swarovski

My dear cute husband, looking his dapper self in a new hat and sunglasses. The man has quite a substantial hat collection and he looks good in all of them.

How often do you see a merman? One of the many excellent statues on the boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta

This couple was very endearing

And finally one of my favorite cruise ship spots, I loved these chairs, wish I could have brought them home

Tomorrow I'll photo my very excellent Huichol rooster which I added to my bird collection in my studio!

Happy New Year

Yes I am a day late....I had a rather rough start to the year with a little medical upset but I'm fine now and ready for a little r&r, so dear reader you will be left to your own devices until I return next Sunday. Now go play with your beads!

Last nights sunset was so stunning it was hard to believe as it kept changing and getting better and better with each passing minute. I'm fortunate to live on a slight hill so this is the view from my verandah. Next year, there will be a view from the hottub!



It was right up there with the top ten most incredible sunsets I've ever seen,, which is a pretty subjective thing to say because there is no side by side comparison, but truly it was amazing! And if you live in San Diego I'm pretty sure you would agree. It is so hard to capture, at least with my inexperience in this area of photography. The sky was on fire, but then it had ribbons of carribean blue running through it, something my camera did not capture at all. But the oranges and reds, oh my!



Have a great week!