52 Pairs of Earrings & BTW

This is my 7th pair of earrings for the 52 Pairs of Earrings a Year group. These were created on one of those days when I really didn't know what I wanted to do. There were lots of silver discs already punched, so they got domed and soldered together. Only the concave area is patinaed with silver black. I really like the contrast, except that some of the patina must have chipped/flaked off in the tumbler. If you look real close you can see where the silver is shining through the dark. No problem, I'll just reapply, carefully. Overall, I love how they turned out considering my state of mind that day.

Moving on...

This is today's bead mat. You'd never know it but there is lots going on on this bead mat, hence the mess:) Today I brought some "stuff" inside to work on. It was super chilly in the garage, a nasty rainy day, and there was lots to do in the house. I stole away to the table several time to work on projects in between doing my house work and other errands. All in all it worked pretty good, but I will be so excited when it warms up and I can work out in the garage without freezing. Plus, no fire in the house unless it's a butane torch:(

Different Colors

Here's a peek at my bead table, not the colors I would ordinarily choose. Maybe it's the fact that spring is finally starting to arrive, maybe I'm delusional from the pollen, or maybe it's because I had to change my filthy bead pad for a new, and the only color available is pink...I'm totally not a pink girl! One will never know but this is what is on the bench.

Almost got this finished today, hopefully next week I can share.

As promised, here are a few pictures of the gorgeous cabs and beads, I picked up during BeadFest. The photo just doesn't do these beautys justice.

Scenic jasper, Texas palm wood. lapis, Peanutwood, fossilized coral, larimar, druzy, laguna agate, sugilite

turquoise, phenite

can't remember the name of this cab (I had to write the name down), but I love the color and the size!



Can't wait to put these cabs to good use!

These are the few stands of bead that I picked up

What fabulous projects were on your bead table today?

BTW & Dinner

I'm totally loving Bead Table Wednesdays! It's keeping me motivated and on my toes! I love having to show what I'm working on, with the anticipation that in a few short days, I'll have a project finished and ready to share. However, that has not been the case. So today, this is what my bead mat looks like.

There are a couple of projects half done that I am determined to finish today!...I think I can....I think I can, and lots of components to make. It is my hope that since I'm showing this today that I will have both of these projects finished before the next btw.

On a different note...much to my daughters dismay, we went to B&N last week to pick out some new books. She does. not. like. to. read. but she does love to cook. This time she found a cookbook by Paula Deen for kids. I had suggested that maybe she could cook us dinner, with my help of course, one night a week from her new cookbook. She was giddy with excitement! So tonight was the first night and she had a blast...baked potatoes and fruit kabobs. Yum!

We're definitely gonna have to do this again:)

Be sure to check back Saturday to see my Bead Soup Blog Party reveal...it's a goodie!

Workin', Workin'

I'm sure you've heard by now, Heather at Humblebeads came up with a great idea of showing a glimpse of what is on your bench on Wednesdays...Bead Table Wednesdays. It has been going since the beginning of the year, but this is my first "show." I always want to participate, but loose track of time, and by the time I think of it again, Wednesday has come and gone. So this week, I marked it on my calendar and was sure to take a quick picture as I worked on a new project today.

Okay, so this is not a very good picture, it was really, really cloudy today, but this is what I was working on. These great cranberry colored lampwork beads with a silvery gray swirl, faceted black quartz, and of course some coiled sterling silver wire. I didn't get this project finished today, but hopefully soon, so that I can share it with you.

It's been a pretty productive week! And my muse is sitting right on my shoulder, yea! Gotta try to make up for last week. Waiting for the sun to come out, so that I can take photos of some new pieces...and I need your opinion, but that's for another day.