Cooking? Really?

Ok, the kitchen is not typically my forte. I put a decent meal on the table most nights, but the fact that I am not a gourmet I attribute to short attention span and beads......

But occasionally I find something to add to the repertoire, something that bears repeating, and I'm pretty sure I will be repeating this. It was quite tasty and made great leftovers.

Pork loin roast
Mix into paste
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tsp chopped parsley
1 clove chopped garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
2 tsp olive oil

Pat onto pork roast

cook sliced yam for 3 minutes in microwave
slice two apples

spray a pan with cooking spray
surround pork roast with potatoes and apple slices
sprinkle with brown sugar

cook at 450 for 40 ish minutes until done

Enjoy!

Came here for bead content.....tomorrow?

Photography

I take my own photographs of my finished pieces for my website and many other applications and I do a reasonable job, but I'd like to do better. Several months ago I bought Photographing Arts, Crafts & Collectibles, a Lark Book written by Steve Meltzer.




It was pointed out that the book can be rather an overwhelming amount of information for a beginner and while this may be true, I think taking it slow and absorbing the pertinent information a chapter at a time would benefit anyone interested in improving their skills.

Lately I've been wanting to purchase a new camera, and light studio. I thought perhaps a digital SLR but upon further reading I think I do not need the ability to change lenses. My camera will be for taking close ups of my jewelry. For travel I prefer a lightweight point and shoot which gives me results that are excellent for my needs.

The chapters are well segmented so I can learn about camera settings such as white balance, exposure, and image quality, then move onto lighting, special considerations for the type of product I am photographing and then the digital darkroom for enhancing digital image files.

Each time I revisit this book I learn something new to try out, and I may be researching cameras soon.

Where can I find...?

Since the release of 'Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence' the number one question emailed to me is 'Where can I find the rubber and heat shrink tubing for Beaded Bangles?'



followed by 'Where can I find a large holed lampwork bead?'


I've done my best to respond to each of you personally. I never mind sharing sources, but my wholesale source for the rubber has a 100ft minimum, most likely more then you might care to own.

You can find source information on my website.

And don't forget I would love pictures of those finished projects!

These are earrings done by Beverly Herman of
No Easy Beads.



And Quetzal done by Mari

Collector's Edition Beadwork

There's a new magazine out from Beadwork, 41 Favorite Jewelry Designs. While none of the designs are new they are all past favorites collected in one edition. I've often bought these 'Best of' collections rather then perusing my older issues for my favorite designs, so it that suits you it's now available. In this issue there are many additional features which make it worthwhile including product reviews, Tips from jewelry designers and a pull out stitch guide. I personally sat down and read everyone of the 50 tips and came away with some new knowledge.



I'm privileged to say that a few of my past designs are featured so if you missed Disco Squares, Earth and Sky, Little Black Dress Earrings, Ellipse Necklace or Terracita you'll find them here. Along with designs from Laura McCabe, Tina Koyama, Shelley Nybakke, Maggie Meister and many more.

Marlene Blessing, Editorial Director for Beadwork reviewed 'Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence'. I hold Marlene in high regard so I was thrilled with her kind words, calling the book a RAW Tour de Force.

Costume!

I haven't dressed up for Halloween since I gave up my Donald Duck costume when I moved several years ago. It is one of those things that I let go that I dearly regret as it was all handmade by me with white fake fur, with the sailors top and a pull on head complete with sailors cap. If only I could find you a picture. At the same time I let go of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum another excellent costume.

I also used to dress the stuffed bear collection in Halloween costumes, and I can't even imagine when I found time to do that, although it must have been pre-beads....

But here is my friend Judy in a most excellent costume, called Shutter Bug!



She's a true talent, having made this costume entirely herself and mind you she is one busy gal, with her fabric shop at the Grove and her full time job at the Fashion College.

Enjoy!

Elegant

I love this beaded ring over at Try to be Better's blog


Try to Be is actually Sabine and I've loved her blog for awhile. I think designing a ring to be really elegant is somewhat of a difficult feat given the small dimensions, but Sabine has done it excellently in these rich jewel tones. Sabine also has an excellent eye with the camera so her photos are always stunning.

And while you're persusing, look at the excellent cuff designed by Carol over at Sandfibers.



In Carol's Etsy shop you can see the same mirrored swirls in orange and silver. It is so hard for me to find time to do beadwork that is not directly related to my own design work and sample making, but man this cuff is gorgeous, who knows?

Crystally Bits

Sandi asked 'Do you label your boxes so you know what color in case you need more?' And the answer is....

Not the boxes because I may reuse them and confuse myself. I take 5 of any new crystals, put then on some beading wire with crimps, use a small label and add it to a 3 ring binder ring. It's also easy to take them shopping with me this way.

For the seeds, I pour a few into a 2 x 3 ziplock, label with with color and price and hang them on the slatwall.

I love my little boxes for crystals and other sparkly goodies. I got mine at Creative Castle in Newbury Park, California.