beads by breul

Monday, August 27, 2012

Struggling

Dropped my daughter off at college on Wednesday.
(While driving home on Thursday I was thinking that
childbirth without an epidural was easier)
 
So phsyched for her, such a great, great school.
She is feeling lonely, awkward and frustrated.
My heart has a hole in it.
 
Her roommate is a local, I thought GREAT!
She left on Saturday afternoon to go home, wasn't
back by 7:00 pm last night when I talked to
my daughter. My heart goes out to my daughter,
she wanted to have someone to hang with, someone to
go and eat with, to walk around with.......
 
Struggling here.
I know that she will figure it out, but WOW,
is this hard on my end! :)
 
Any of you mom's out there who have been through this
have any advise, I would love it!
(apart from don't wear eye makeup and carry a tissue
for awhile)
 
Thanks!


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Oh.My.Soup!

I love Soup!

Thank you for joining me for this amazing blog hop
enjoying all kinds of Bead Soup.

My partner Lisa Sittniewski of
Love, Yesterdays sent me some
gooooood ingredients.


I got two beautiful focals, a clasp that I drooled over and some
fantastic beads. Some how she knew that I LOVE
sparklies!  Totally my colors too! Yeah.  See those fun 
swirl rondels up in the left corner, totally in love with those! 
Thank you Lisa.

I did my usual pick up, put down, pick up, put down,
lay out, move around thing but have to say
that inspiration hit fast and hard. I knew exactly
what I wanted to make, all three things.... :) 
I was also very good, I only used what I had on hand,
really.

So, without further ado

Ice Princess

I love the rhinestone focal. It was a pin that has been
re-purposed. I worked in the blue scheme keeping with 
the wonderful ingredients Lisa sent me.  I used her clear
crystals mixed with cubic zirconia drops, pearls and a handful
of Swarovski crystals. She sent the most beautiful deep blue, velvety
chinese crystals......
I created a tassel off of the bottom of the crystal to continue
the lines of the necklace. Now, I didn't use the clasp on this piece, I 
saved it for my next piece.

This bracelet uses the wickedly cool swirly crystals, the velvety blue
chinese crystals, some snow white chinese crystals and 
Swarovski crystals all hand wrapped onto
a silver plated rolo chain.


I loved Lori's idea of using a vintage photo for a backdrop.
This photo is of my grandmother on her wedding day.
I love this. (thank you Lori)

Lastly, I made a pair of earrings.
You know when you make something that you love and it becomes
your new favorite piece? Well, that is where I am with all
three of these! 

Thank you Lisa for your amazing ingredients! 

And, thank you Lori, again, for coordinating all 400 of us,
creating three amazing hops, and supporting and nurturing us!

Now, sit back, get a cuppa something good, and
hop around.


Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul - You are here! :)
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art


Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Playing (part 1)

I have had the most amazing treat for the 
past five days. My family left me at home and 
went on vacation.

I am ok with that, really. I had five, 5, days
ALL TO MYSELF!

Heaven. *contented sigh*

That being said, I was very careful about planning exactly what
I wanted to do, what I wanted to play with,
what crafts I wanted to try.  Now, I have jumped
on the Mason Jar bandwagon, albeit late.
I wanted to try my hand at making a mason jar candle
holder decorated in a Moroccan motif.  I have seen
some really beautiful ones on Etsy and thought, hmmm.
Of course, my hmmmms never look quite as good, if 
you know what I mean.

My two toys..


Ok, I am lovin' the frosted glass spray. I have sprayed:
an old scotch bottle and made a vase,
some glass dishes I bought at the thrift store.
and a pickle jar that I turned into a "lantern"


Ok, my dots are a bit off (along with those damn squiggle lines) and
you have to agree, it looks better lit in the dark.... :)


Below are more lanterns.

Blurry, but you get the jest. They have to cure for 10 days or so before
I can use them.

Now, the Krylon Looking Glass spray. 
So, again slow on the uptake, I saw on Pinterest (addicted) 
a DIY mercury glass vase. Yup, had to try.

17 apart had the best directions for me.
I couldn't find the Looking Glass spray anywhere, had to
order it from Amazon.

The potential is huge, and they look reasonable. :) My only
disappointment is that I had to wait for it to arrive and then
the can only did two and a half jars.........

The Kerr jar is only partly done.  These were my "test subjects".  I 
didn't want to ruin any of the fun glass that I have been collecting 
(read rummaging through the recycle bin and visiting the thrift
store on Monday for 25% off day)

I do like this one though. :)
Think that I may have to order another can or two. 

Oh, I also started homemade vanilla extract
(vanilla beans and vodka)
and made some great lemon hand scrub
(to put in one of my mason jars)

Speaking of the thrift store, I found this great bottle!

How much fun is this!!! Not sure what I will use it 
for, but I will love it.

And I bought this ridiculously great kitchen tool. 
A Rikon Kuhn vegetable julienner and peeler thingy.
I julienned zuccini, heated it up, and tossed it with some 
sauteed shrimp, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice
and a splash of white wine. 
Sort of a shrimp scampi dish, only no pasta! 

LOVE THIS TOOL

I have been juilenneing everything........ :)

And, I got time to play with my beads.....
I will save that for another post as this has been quite long.
My family returns today, and yes, I have missed
them all much, but have loved being alone
in my house! :)

Here's to hoping you all get some time to play.

Monday, August 6, 2012

My reveal date is coming up.........

August 11th to be exact.

My partner is Lisa Sittniewski of 

She sent me some wonderful ingredients,
some of which I fell hard and fast for.

I think, for me, this is one if the first soup's where
I needed nothing! My muse was soooo inspired.

Here is a sneak peak.....

I am lovin' that focal!

I can't wait to share with you all and see what Lisa made.

Happy Monday!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

I.Heart.Macro

Do you know?

This belongs to this him after he does this.........


Please go and visit Lori's blog for some truly 
amazing Macro shots.