Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Color is the Theme Here

I have always loved color. In my beadwork, I am moved more by color choices and secondly by design. My current crochet project is all about color. The variations of purples and greens to hopefully soon become a really fun afghan for my daughter, but shhh it's a surprise. Luckily she doesn't read my blog. At least I don't think she does. I guess I'll find out soon enough. This is a week and a half's worth of progress and it's coming together pretty quick. I hope she'll like it.
Speaking of purple, I made this cute little flower necklace with purple glass beads and Swarovski crystals for a cousin's daughter who is turning 6. Ah the joys of being young again. I wish I could remember that far back. Something I do remember from growing up and visits to my aunt's house in Connecticut was this Caprese' salad that my aunt used to make using only fresh farm mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, and basil from the farmer's market in Connecticut. My version has all of the above, plus balsamic vinegar, extra version olive oil and a little kosher salt. I think hers had italian dressing? or just olive oil? I don't really remember, see? What I do remember is the cheese. Oh the cheese. Anyone else a chees-o-holic like me? I adore cheese and a little wine, but that's another story.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Creativity All Around

When my son decided to grow tomatoes from seeds. I was thrilled. I love his commitment when he goes outside every day to water or make sure now all of our potted plants out back are growing nicely. On Sunday, we decided to get soil and a few herbs to put in our herb planter with a couple of the tomato plants. There are several nurseries around, but one in particular brings out creative inspiration in me and most likely anyone that goes there. It’s magical.
The woman that owns it does acting on the side. She makes Fairy Gardens and sells all the accessories and plants needed for anyone to make one. They are like fantasy worlds with fairies, and antique looking furniture and fencing with mini plants. My daughter had one in a planter bed at our home a couple of years ago but quickly grew tired of the responsibility of keeping it up so now we have a nice groundcover from the plantings. So as my son gathered the herbs, I ran around and probably like some weirdo was taking all kinds of pictures.
Later that day I went to my elderly neighbor’s home to say hi and she told me about a crafting group that she and other ladies had formed years ago. “Some have moved, some have died” she reported. She said they used to meet once a month to sew, do knitting and crochet projects and learn a new craft each time. Sounds so familiar (not the died part, but the getting together part).

It was later that day as I sat under a tarp at my son’s swim meet crocheting granny squares that a dad of a swimmer began telling me of his craftiness many years back. He used to crochet, sew, upholster car seats, etc. He called himself the Renaissance Man. I said half joking (but only half) that we should all sit around and crochet or knit since all we do is sit around. That got a few other suggestions of bringing games like chess, cards, or dominoes. At least they wouldn’t just be sitting around and eating like everyone tends to do all day. Great ideas.


Saturday, May 19, 2007

Oh the Possibilities

Back when I was solely into beadweaving with little teeny seed beads, I was able to find blank grids on the internet which I printed out and then spent hours upon hours drawing in my pattern. Like the peyote stitch flamenco dancer I made seems like ages ago when I had good eyes to see with. How I could have used this tool that I just came upon.....


A free tool, Knitpro can turn your photos into grids for knitting, beading (square stitch) needlepoint, and crochet. I'm sure you could find other uses as well. I just would love to find something free like this for other bead stitches (brick stitch and peyote stitch). So if you're reading this, and you know of a free one, let me know. I'm aware of Stitch Painter Software, which is not free to use. Now go create masterpieces.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

How Do Knitting and Jewelry Go Together?

Like this! A cool art bead in the shape of a red skein of yarn with knitting needles is proudly worn on a black onyx necklace. If you're a knitter, this is a must have. Show your knitting pride. Now available at Bonnin Designs.
But if you're a chocoholic like me, these Chocolate Strawberry earrings are too irresistable. Also available at Bonnin Designs now.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Every Excuse to Get Together

Saturday, we got a group together, many from The Switchboards for a craft supply swap and potluck at my home. I have to say, it was super fun and a big success all around. Pictured from left to right: Carrie (Sommer Designs), Shari (Bonnin Designs), Melissa (formerly of Beandip and Eddy), Leslie (The Paper Princess), Cristina (Bel Bacio Jewelry).

We ate wonderful food, chatted a lot and had fun trading each other's stash.

We all are sure we took home probably more than we brought in craft supplies. However, Melissa had a great idea and took a lot of the supplies that didn't get traded to a local library for their summer reading program where they do crafts as well. SO, I believe she had like 8 huge bags of supplies for kids. Yay. Gift a little, get a lot!

We hope just get together to just craft. It was so fun meeting everyone and learning more about them.

I took some pictures, but my camera isn't working like I want so I didn't get a lot. I know Carrie has some more she'll share as well as all of the other girls. We all had our cameras in hand.
Here are some more of the pictures on Flickr.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Just Can't Get Upset

It’s an expensive creative idea, but creative nonetheless. My daughter took apart her old ipod and used the dial and its circuit board to make this necklace. I love that creativity is catching on around here…I guess it wasn’t repairable anyways. It’s hard to get mad at that.
It’s also hard to get upset about the 2 wild bunnies that live under my deck in my backyard and hang out and eat grass in my front yard. I see them hanging out about 6 pm and later. They are so cute.
What they don’t realize however is that I own Whippets and their favorite thing to do in life, besides lick my ice cream bowl when I’m done, is to chase rabbits. My advice to the rabbits, don’t be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Wine for Mother's Day

Yesterday I was shopping in a store and ended up talking to a couple of gentlemen that work at the Coppola Winery, as in Francis Ford Coppola. I was looking at a bottle that said Pinot Noir but I had not seen a rose' pinot before. They recommended I try it. It's called Sofia, named for Sofia Coppola. The bottle is very elegant, like a perfume bottle and I adore the label. I think it may be a nice touch for my Mother's Day. I'll let you know the results.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Show It

This weekend my friend Bill had a jewelry show at a local gallery so I went to visit him. You see, I met Bill on the set of the DIY show "Jewelry Making" a few years back and found out that we live in the same town. Also I found out that he taught metalsmithing at the time, so I signed up and we've been friends ever since. His work is really amazing.
Currently he is making some contemporary pieces involving disc shaped silver that has textures and different shades of darkness with oxidation. I just love it. He's also got pieces made with mica.

After the jewelry show, I went to check out my crocheted felted purses at The Dragonfly. I was interested to see how they were displayed. These are some of them. When I went in to talk about my jewelry I happened to mention that I had some purses I crocheted. She wanted to see them. So I brought them in and she liked all of them. So, they are for sale instead of hiding in a bag in my cupboard at home. They look pretty happy here. I hope people like them. I'd be happy to give them new homes.
Today our cupcake jewelry was mentioned on Funky Finds! That's a nice surprise.

Friday, May 04, 2007

I Had a Flashback

My son and I took a shopping break to our local very special thrift shop that's called Flashbacks. Well he went to buy pins and patches and I went to take photographs.
Let me explain. It's owned by a woman who kinda looks like Debbie Harry and dances all of the time. She's a real kick. Loud 80's music is always playing and the items found there range from very old 50's clothes to rock and roll and punk clothing, to things that you can find if you want to dress exactly like Madonna in her "Like a Virgin" period. I even found a vintage flamenco dress there before. Yes I bought it.
The dresses are amazing and it looks like any kind of dress can be found here.

And of course the obligatory beads at the counter picture with a mirror. Do you see Madonna in the reflection of the mirror? She's there.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

New Look


What's that a picture of, you ask? It's part of the new background on my website. Finally I sat down and figured out how to make the design I wanted. Go to the site and see how it looks in action. Also, don't forget about the Mother's Day Sale. Details are at the website as well.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

But Mom, It's May


Poor Summer (that's my dog's name). I crocheted this sweater for her just in time for Summer (the season). Not really. It will be for when it gets cold again but I like how it turned out even though I had to fudge a lot to make it wide enough. I love the girly touch with the flower buttons. Pretty cute, huh? She doesn't seem convinced.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Celebrate Mom Special Sale

Take 30% off at our Mother's Day Sale. Discount includes sale items, so that's 70% off. Shipping is FREE to the USA, always.
Feel free to share this discount code with friends and family.