Window to the Past

This is a window into our past. This picture was taken in a gold mining ghost town in the Eastern Sierras. It's name is Bodie. At one point in time, Bodie had a population of 10,000 people. Now it is run by the State of California as a park. It is kept in a state of "arrested decay". There are still many buildings standing, but you are able to enter very few of them. This is the General Store. The picture was taken through a dirty window.
There is a museum there with a myriad of items the miners used in their daily life. There was a bank, but all that is left of it is a wall and the old safe. There is a firehouse, a gas station, a mortuary, a schoolhouse and a church. Up on the hill above the town is the remnants of the old gold mine. They say there is still gold there, but it is too expensive to mine it.
At the edge of town is the cemetery. It has many fancy marble and granite head stones. Most of the inhabitants died very young. Outside the fence of the cemetery is a tall (5 ft?) obelisk with just the inscription " Rosa" on it. Rosa was a prostitute who helped nurse many of the miners when an epidemic hit. She is said to have saved many lives. However, due to her profession, she was not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground. I have been to Bodie many times and there are always flowers on her grave.
This is just a glimpse into the past of California. It is well worth visiting during the summer months. From mid-September to June the high mountain passes are usually snowed in. However, it can be reached easily from the Nevada side.

Tagged for a Meme

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was working nightshift as an RN at our County Jail. Worked with a great bunch of Officers! I still consider them some of my favorite people. I was into rubber stamping and just starting to take some bead classes. One of my favorite things to do was to take off by myself and drive up into the Eastern Sierras to do scenic photography. Another was watching my grandsons grow.

2. What are 5 things on my to do list for today (need not be in order)?

Take a picture of my BFAC doll and post it.
Finish a bead embroidered soft cuff bracelet and write instructions for the class I will teach in two weeks.
Start my Sample doll for BAD.
Start cleaning the apartment (hate housework!!!).
Start bead embroidery on silk cord bracelet.

3. Snacks that I enjoy.

Unsalted nuts of any kind.
Chocolate (in limited quantities these days)
Sugar Snap Peas (Love these)

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.

Set up trusts so my grandsons' college education was guaranteed.
Buy into our local bead shop so we could double the size and staff.
Spend money lobbying to improve mental health care.
Need I say it? BUY BEADS!!!!
Make sure all family members have what they need.

5. Places I have lived.

Born in Avenal, CA. Lived there until age 20.
San Luis Obispo, CA for 2 1/2 years. Worked as a Lab Tech.
Lawton, Oklahoma for 3 years. Married to an Army Officer.
Omaha, Nebraska for 9 months-Hubby taught at Creighton University.
Hawaii for 4 years. Stationed at Schofield Barracks.
Fort Ord, CA for 3 years.
Fort Knox, Kentucky for 3 years
Fort Leonardwood, Missouri for 1 1/2 years. Divorced.
Sanger, CA. Worked in a hospital.
Clovis, CA. Worked at Co. Jail for 16 years, then 6 years in Adult Day Health Care. Now retired.

6. Peeps I want to know more about.

Grace of GraceBeading
Bobbi of Beading at the Beach
Sandy of Focus on Fiber
Ellen of Dollie Beads
Jackie of Beading Gram

I will notify the above of their tags. Hopefully they will want to play too.

Thanks for the opportunity, Robin.

Bountiful Harvest

Well, today is the end of one of the most challenging years I have ever had. I finished my September page a couple of days ago. It was the last of twelve pages that I have worried about, prayed about, and worked my fingers (old though they may be) to the bone for. Actually, that is at least a partial untruth. This year has been heart wrenching at times, but I wouldn't have traded it for any amount of money. I feel like I have learned so much about beading, and more importantly, about myself. It has been a voyage of discovery indeed. The joy I have received from sharing such an experience with my fellow beaders and artists is unmeasureable. To thank Robin for starting this project somehow does not seem enough. If you multiply all my questions to her by 200+, it's a wonder she even had time to bead or write her book. The friendships formed during this year, I hope, will continue for a long time. I know I have become hopelessly addicted to reading blogs and will continue to do so. Thank all of your for sharing your knowledge with me.

UFO's Being Finished

I finally feel like I'm accomplishing something. I just finished my last BJP page and will post pics shortly. I also finished my BFAC doll yesterday. I just have to take pictures and send her off in the mail. I have a feeling that is going to be a little difficult for me. It's like letting your child go off to school for the first time.

I had no idea when I started the Bead Journal Project a year ago, what an impact it would have on my life. In many ways it changed how I think about my art. I love bead embroidery and I am constantly trying to think of new ways to use it. I also hope to incorporate more things into my BJP pages in the next year. I want to explore using different fabrics, papers, etc in my work. I also want to add some polymer clay and found objects.

All in all, I'm a very happy camper these days.

Big Sur Coastline in California

This is a picture I took some years ago along the Big Sur coastline of Central California. The rugged cliffs and multicolored blues of the water greatly appealed to me. It was a cool, very windy day and the fog was slowly coming in. If you have never driven Highway 1 along the California coast, you have missed a rare treat. The road is narrow (just two lanes) and very winding, but well worth the trip. The scenery is outstanding and you may catch a glimpse of whales, sea otters, or elephant seals if you're lucky.

April and May BJP Pages

Almost done! The butterfly represents my turning 65 in April. It's called "Free to be Me". Working on this project this year has shown me more of who I really am. I think this is a good thing. LOL.

The May page is just called "May Flowers". I have to finish my September page and I will be done for this year. I am already looking forward to BJP 2008. Many ideas buzzing around in my head already. Too many projects to finish between now and then though. It seems like I can't stop signing up for each new thing that comes along. Oh well. That's me all over. At least I now have the time to work on them as much as I want to.

It's a Puzzlement is done

This doll has been such fun to do. I hadn't done a flat doll before. Of course, the required purple beads were no problem for me. I love purple. She is a challenge doll in the Beaded Art Dolls forum on Yahoo. It is a lively group who freely share their expertise with newer beaders. I'm very glad I joined the group. Soon I will be starting a new doll from a swap with others from around the world. Can't wait
to see what kind of kit I get. It should be fun. I still must put the backing on this doll with a picot edging. I'm getting to be quite expert at that with all the pins, pendants, and BJP pages I am doing.

More BE

Here is another pendant I made. I've discovered these things are very addictive. I no sooner get one finished, than I want to start another. Soon Mother's Day will be behind us and I must make myself settle and finish my BJP Pages. sometimes it's very hard to work on the big things when the little projects are calling.
This is a pin I made for my DIL's mother. She and her husband are ardent Raider's fans. I don't understand the attraction myself, but each to his or her own I guess.

Gift for a Friend

This is a pin I made for my friend Lynn's birthday. She has a beautiful blue blazer that this will compliment. She has been a good friend to me for some years now. We have enjoyed traveling together, going to bead shows and taking classes at the coast. Right now I'm very envious of her. She leaves soon to visit her family in Minnesota and then on to the Bead & Button show. I know she will have a great time taking classes and shopping.

New Pieces

I recently finished these pieces. The first will be a secondary raffle prize when the Pink Artist doll "Love Squared" is raffled off this coming fall. The pendant is approximately 2 1/2 inches across and has fresh water pearls and gemstones embedded in bead embroidery. The necklace is Russian Spiral.

The two pins below are the beginning of a line I hope to market eventually. It will consist of pins, pendants and possibly earrings and barrettes. It is such fun doing these small items and so rewarding to see them take shape. They will all be one of a kind. I never did like having to make the same thing repeatedly. They will have gemstones, crystals, and perhaps some unknown items included in the bead embroidery.

Latest Pieces

A friend of mine recently asked me for something to cover a hole in her favorite jacket, so I beaded a patch. Then I decided the jacket would look funny with one small patch, so I beaded three more. Someone asked me how she would be able to wash her denim jacket with all that beading attached. Hmmmm... Then I remembered a glue I had used for sequined patches several years ago at Christmas time. It's Allene's Tack It Over and Over. I'm going to put it on the patches tonight so it will have time to cure. Then we'll try it tomorrow. I'll let you all know how it works. The patch to your left is a pin that I made this morning. I have several patterns (shapes) I'm going to make into pins and pendants. What do you think? This is a new idea for me. A year ago I wouldn't have attempted it. Doing the BJP this year has given me the confidence to not only try new things, but to put them out there for the world to see.

Arline

It's a Puzzlement

This is a progess picture of my puzzle doll. The title comes from "The King and I". The colors I'm using remind me of the ball gown Deborah Kerr wore in the movie. These dolls are great fun to work on and a challenge in that we can only use the colors assigned. fortunately for me, I love purple. I was originally going to bead the back too, but changed my mind as I want to hang her on the wall.

I've been having fun this week working at my LBS. Can you think of a more fun place to work? And...I get to see all the new stuff coming in before anyone else. Yum!!! In truth, I'm just helping out, but I'm able to do so now that I'm retired, so why not? Have to get ready for work now. More later.

Boy's Handprint

This is the class sample for a class I am teaching next weekend. In a previous post, I showed a print for a 3 y/o girl. This one is much easier for a beginner in bead embroidery. It only uses the back stitch. I found all these fun charms for little guys and couldn't resist them. I have several ladies anxious to do this. It should be lots of fun. It's a good way to introduce people to bead embroidery.

Pink Artist-Love Squared

Is she not beautiful? What a privilege to be a part of an endeavor such as this. So much love and caring went into this doll. I know when she is auctioned, she well bring many dollars to help with breast cancer research. To see more of her go to : http://girl-gone-thread-wild.blogspot.com/ You won't be sorry you took the time to look.

Finished Hand

Whoo Hoo! Finished it. I'm happy with the way it turned out. I'm going to make one on a cobalt backround that will be less encrusted. It will have Boy-type charms and be done in primary colors. I just want students to be able to picture several different types of beading for this project.
Now back to my April page for BJP.

Beady Family

As I have been brousing through different blogs these past weeks, I have seen a phenomenon that I just had to write about. Over the past 10 months I have been associated with the Bead Journal Project. Staying active both in beading and blogging, I have met so many wonderful people throughout the world. For a woman who was raised in a small town in Central California, it tickles me no end to mention communicating with someone in Scotland or Italy or New Zealand . More than that, however, it pleases me to know I have friends in those far reaching places.

It reminded me of a poem I wrote:

REACH OUT

Reach out to people.
Touch their minds quietly.
Reach out and perhaps, one day
They will reach out to you.
There is no better feeling than to have someone
Return your gesture of friendship.
To know that your thoughts and feelings are returned
Brings a sense of well being and satisfaction.
Always reach out.
The rewards are worth it.
A. Lewis 1989


The cameradery of beaders is like that of no other group with whom I have had contact. There is sharing of not only beady things, but personal things as well. There is support when one is ill, or in need. There is celebration when joyful things happen. What more could you ask of a group of friends?

Thank you all for sharing part of your life with me and allowing me to share mine with you.

Arline

New Project

This is the latest project I've started. I want to do a bead embroidery class using a child's handprint. I think it would make a great birthday or Mother's Day gift for Mom or Grandma. What do you think? It's a way of learning basic bead embroidery stitches and having fun too. You can add charms or any kind of special beads to make it appropriate for a specific person. I'm going to recommend students bring in their own hand outline, but will have some available to use. Can you imagine doing a newborn's hand for Mom? Or you could even use a footprint. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Arline

BFAC Doll

Here is an in-progress photo of my BFAC entry for this year. She is no where near finished, of course, but her name is Fire Dancer. She is going to be auctioned eventually to benefit Colorectal Cancer Research. I bought a kit, sight unseen, to do my project. I must use at least one of every kind of bead in the kit. I may add one kind of bead. I chose to add a silverlined orange to my kit. I made her face from a mold I had made from a doll. Her body style is similar to a doll I received in a swap with Speediebeadie a year or so ago. Dot's doll was about 4" tall. Fire Dancer is about 10" tall. I haven't done a doll for over a year so she is a real challenge for me. However, I did discover the joy of curved needles and they really help get into those tight places.

I'll keep you posted on her progress. I can't seem to put her down for very long. That doesn't help get my other projects done any faster. I'm finished through March with my BJP pages and am working on April.

Arline

Old and New

This is the first doll I ever made. It was great fun to work on her. I did most of the beading at Barnes & Noble and Border's bookstores. She is called Bookstore Browser. Prior to this I had never done any bead embroidery. I made her several years ago.

I have decided to do a doll for my BFAC project this year. Found some great fabric in my stash. Now to find the right face for her. I may have to make one to get the right color combo. I don't mind though. I love to play with clay.

I am jazzed that BJP will continue for another year. This has been a very positive experience for me. I am working to finish my last couple of month's pages and will then decide how to finish the whole project. I think I will have them framed, but don't know exactly how yet.

I am starting a new project that I hope to teach at my LBS soon. I'm going to be embroidering children's handprints. These will make great gifts for Mom or Grandma for birthdays and Mother's Day. I have sort of adopted my girlfriend's daughters so I have one surrogate great grandson here and a great granddaughter on the way. Can you imagine a tiny newborn handprint embroidered?

Arline

January BJP page

I finally finished this page. It was a bit labor intensive, but worth it in the long run. For me, this represents the start of a new year. There will be highs and lows and a few flashes of high intensity to live through. I have to finish some work on an older page and then I will be caught up through March.

I'm so glad Robin is considering continuing the BJP for another year. Even if that doesn't happen, I will continue to try to stretch myself and try new things. Learning more about myself and my skills this year has been good for me. Why mess with a good thing? Growth, in most forms, is a positive thing.

Pay It Forward

Thanks to KiwiEllen, I have joined in the Pay It Forward project.

The first three people who comment on my blog will receive something handmade from me, if they in turn will do the same thing... See the rules below:

Pay It forward rules: I will send a handmade gift (something beaded) to the first 3 people who leave a Comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange (and email me their mailing address), and who make the same pledge on their own blogs. I don't know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward meaning you will do the same for three people who comment on your blog.
Arline

Beading For A Cure

The auctions for Beading for a Cure started yesterday. Each year, beaders buy a kit, sight unseen, to bead a project of their choosing to be auctioned for the benefit of Colorectal Cancer research. This project was begun in memory of another beader, Layne, who was struck by this terrible disease.

To find out more about this organization go to www.Beadingforacure.org At this site you will find out about this year's auction and be able to see all the incredible work done by beaders in past years as well. Open your hearts and pocketbooks. Bid on these wonderful artworks and help raise money for research for Colorectal Cancer.

Arline

I've been tagged

I've been tagged and must now give 7 random bits of informations about myself. Okay, here goes:

1. I love color- almost any color. Mostly jeweltones and autumn colors.
2. I'm the worlds' worst procrastinator. I have a saying on my wall that says: "If it weren't for the last minute, nothing would get done around here."
3. I am much in favor of instant gratification.
4. Love seeing others' work and gleaning new techniques from it.
5. I am defininitely NOT a domestic goddess. Hate housework or anything that resembles it.
6. Hate dealing with financial things
7. Love the brother and sisterhood of beaders.

I will now contact those bloggers I want to tag.

Thanks, Sue for including me.

Arline

Learning New Things

Well, I'm learning more about how to do things on the computer everyday, thanks to my friends. I've been trying to update my blog for the past week or so. FYI I am definitely no computer expert. Fortunately for me, I have friends who are.
For the past 9 months I have learned about myself, my beading, and my computer. Not bad for an old lady. I do say that with tongue in cheek as I refuse to grow up even though I will be 65 soon.
After reviewing some of my older bead embroidery, I realized just how much I have learned in the past few months. It kind of makes me cringe when I look at the old stuff. Thanks to Robin and her BJP, I can see a significant difference in my work now. I know I have a long way to go to reach the goals I have set for myself, but I think they are attainable.
More than anything else, I am learning to look within myself for what I need. I want to put more of my emotions, positive and negative, into my beadwork. Bead embroidery is my sanity saver. ( There are those who would say it is too late, but.....).
I hope that Robin does another BJP, but even if she doesn't, this one has given me the confidence to enter into other projects such as the "Pink Artists" and this year I am doing a piece for Beading For a Cure (colorectal cancer research). I'm very excited about these projects. I not only get to bead, but to do it for a good cause just puts icing on the cake.

Arline

Winter Green - December page

Whoo Hoo! One more done. This is my December page called Winter Green. I found this Serephenite pendant and fell in love with the silvery green. Knew I had to do something with it. It was a very hard green to match though. I used some handmade paper for the backround, but I sure am glad I didn't have to handle it too much more. It really softens up fast. January page is started and on the way.
I finally feel as if I'm making some progress.

March BJP

Yes, I know it's not March yet, but I just had to do this one before I did the ones for December and January. These beads have been screaming at me for months now and I couldn't put them off any longer. I bought the Cherry Quartz several years ago at my first big (San Mateo) bead show. I went into overload and bought every thing in sight. LOL. Since coral is one of my favorite colors, I figured I would eventually find something to do with them. I started collecting things to go with them and found the perfect cabochon. From the beginning of BJP, this page was one of my goals. It went together fairly quickly, but just didn't fit December or January for me. So........March it is.

Pink Artist Squares

Just finished these this morning for the Pink Artist project. I am so glad to be able to be a part of this because research for breast cancer is so important. Too many women (and men too) have been struck down by this terrible disease. While great strides have been made, I know there must be more that we can do to prevent others from suffering. Monica put out the call and so many have answered. Too many of these artists have had to live through this disease.

It is my pleasure to contribute to such a worthwhile project. I hope this auction brings in many dollars to help with the research.

Arline

Blossoms in the Snow

I just finished my February page. It was originally to be for December, but it just didn't fit somehow. I like it much better for February. You will note I restrained myself and didn't bead every square inch on this one. It just didn't call for it. I am still working on December and January, but am making progress. I'll have some pics up soon. My chum Arther(itis) seems to be taking a vacation at the moment so I'm doing all the beading I can. Wonder if it's because I'm retired now?

I'm finally beginning to feel like a human being again. Still coughing, but that always seems to hang on forever, doesn't it? All things considered, I'm in a pretty good place right now. Guess I'd better get back to the beads.

Free At Last

This phrase has a whole new meaning to me now. I am no longer working for a living. Yeah! The down side of the past two weeks is having been sicker than a dog. I hate sinus infections!!! I always know I'll live through them, but don't always want to.

Enough whining! I am starting a whole new era in my life. My income may be slightly more limited, but having the time to create is going to be wonderful. I plan to teach more during the week at my LBS and basically just enjoy myself. At 64, I think I'm entitled to do this.

Bead embroidery will continue to be my first love, but there are some other areas I want to explore as well. Some needle felting, maybe some chain mailling. Who knows? I also still want to do some writing to promote better care for the mentally ill. It's something I feel very strongly about and I have some things that need to be said.

Arline

Frustration

It has been a very frustrating month for me. My beading has been minimal due to another arthritis flareup. I hate this! My left hand has been unusable a couple of days. I'm trying all the remedies the law allows to combat this insidious pain.

I refuse to give in to it completely. I am in the process of making 30 crystal bracelets as belated Christmas gifts to the ladies I work with. Only 12 more to go! I have to say they are being very patient waiting for their gifts. They work so hard everyday and oftentimes get so little recognition. They deserve something pretty.

I have missed doing my bead embroidery recently. I made a start today on a page based on a cab I bought a year or so ago. It will include some "cherry quartz" I bought at the first big bead show I went to see. I have to laugh when I think about that day. I went into major sensory overload. I must have bought everything I could get my hands on. LOL. I bought the quartz because I love that color more than any other. Oops! Don't let purple hear I said that.

I continue to be in awe of the wonderful work I see everyday in the BJP. I feel I have learned so much since I started this project. Not just techniques, but more importantly I am learning the reasons why others bead as they do. I'm learning to put my own feelings into my work and I can see a difference in before and after. Those projects I just do for the sake of doing just do not have the soul I want to see in them. Maybe that's why I'm doing so little jewelry lately. The bead embroidery calls to me and I enjoy it so much.

Had a wonderful Christmas. Anytime I can spend whole days with my grandsons is wonderful for me. They are growing so quickly. Sometimes I want to keep them small, but I also love seeing the changes as they get older. They are 18, 14, and 8 years old now. my DIL made a great picture album of the boys for all the grandma's. What a treat looking back and seeing them over the years. Had to be my favorite gift.

My beady family also had a great Christmas party. My LBS owner for whom I teach, gave all her teachers rolling duffle bags with our names on them. We all go to the bead shows together and now we'll know whose bag is whose. I received some wonderful storage pieces for my beads too. How lucky I am to have met these wonderful women.

I see I have been carried away with my blog entry, but I had lots to say.

Pool of a Mother's Tears

It's only the 18th of November and I'm finished. It seems fitting somehow that I finished this page on my daughter Michelle's birthday. She would have been 35 today. I believe working on this has helped me weather my November bout of depression. I can't kid myself that it will never return. I'm more realistic than that, I hope. In actual fact, I enjoyed working on this page.
I borrowed some ideas from all of you and will probably borrow more as time goes by. I included some thread embroidery this time. It's nice to know I haven't forgotten everything my grandmother taught me. Used to do tea towels and pillowcases when I was young. I'm anxious to get on with my next page.

I am in such trouble. Went to BABE in Oakland this past weekend. I took classes from Christie Friesen and Gail Crossman Moore. Christie's class was a blast. My mermaid has a face that belongs on a Harley, with maybe a beard. LOL. I hadn't done PC in a while so it was great fun. Gail's class was more labor intensive, but wow! I actually ended up with something resembling a felted treasure pouch. I'll post it when I get it embellished.

Felting is fun. I work with two guys who love to wear crazy hats. That is my next project. I came home with some great colors of wool. I'll make them some wild hats and reinforce what I learned in class.

Bought my share of beads and then some. I actually spent some money on jewelry for me for a change. What fun. Had dinner Friday night with Beki and Shawn from Whim, Pam(the editor of Beads Unique), Nikia from Buy the Kit, and several other friends as well. Dinner was okay, but the company was great!

Pool of a Mother's Tears

This is the start of my November page for BJP. This page is a memorial to my son who passed away in 1979 and my daughter who died 13 1/2 years ago. My daughter's birthday is the 18th. This month is always very difficult for me and I decided to once again make something positive out of a negative. I'm hoping working on this page will allow me to let go of some of my sadness and sorrow. It never hurts to try. This dichroic cab reminded me of a pool, thus the name.