Mr. Mailman, Have You Any Mail Today

It is so much fun watching the mail for a special package to arrive.  That is just what I did as soon as Alice emailed that my Bead Soup package was on its way to my house.  And this box of goodies did not disappoint.  One of the purposes of this Bead Soup exchange is to make us step out of our comfort zone.  Alice is certainly helping me to do that.  Most of my jewelry work is done with sterling silver wire and my own handmade lampwork beads. 

Upon opening the box, I found this beautiful present.  It looked so cheery and I could see treasures just waiting to be taken out and admired. 

Each small package inside was labeled.  There is such a variety of beads and findings and all very different than my usual materials.  Even the color scheme is a switch for me.  I am really eager to tackle this project.

Alice sent Brazilian agates, a gorgeous amber-colored vintage gemstone, vintage lucite beads, buttons and the cutest little rhinestone beads.  The most unusual items include a peach pit bead, a wood cutout and an ammonite fossil.  She also included Vintaj findings which I have really wanted to work with but just haven't gotten around to doing.  What a great variety!  Thank you Alice. 

The wheels are starting to turn and ideas are beginning to form.  Stay tuned for the results.

Have fun creating,

Carol

HItting the Archives for a Macro

Hitting the archives today for a macro shot.  I took several shots but poor focus and lighting were the order of the day.  This is a strange fungus that was growing in my yard this past summer.  There are so many varieties of fungus and I don't claim to have much knowledge about them.  I just find them interesting and beautiful.

I will have to start earlier this week to get the good shots.  Let's just hope that this week goes better than last week.  Somehow I injured my back and have had to see the doctor twice.  I'm not sure what I did to hurt it but my back does seem to be healing.  Hopefully, I can move a little better which should help the photography.   

If you care to join us and share your close up photos, jump on over to Studio Watersone.  Hope to see you there. 

Keep creating,

Carol

Sneak Peak for Bead Soup Party

Just a reminder that the Bead Soup Party is revving up.  My package has been sent off to Alice of Alice Dreaming and here is a sneak peak at the goodies.  It was so much fun and a challenge putting together a package for someone I know only from a short email. I will soon be sharing the package I receive from Alice.

Hope you enjoy them Alice and I can hardly wait to see what you create.

Be sure to check back on March 3 for the Blog Hop.  So much creativity will be exhibited.  And you will probably find a lot of new blogs that you just have to follow from now on.  Maybe some new cyber friends are just waiting for you to find them.

Keep creating,

Carol



Time for Close-Ups Sunday!

Here is what I see on a daily basis.  And you? 

My part-time job as customer and tech support requires many hours at the computer.  Then I work on my blog and Etsy shop - more computer hours.  In my leisure time, I like to read others' blogs, shop online, answer emails, visit Facebook, download photos and just look at interesting information.  There are so many other things I could find to do on the internet such as play games, read the news, and follow links to my heart's content.  So it is a challenge on some days to stand up and say, "Enough!"  I have to make the time to be creative so for today ...

Don't forget to share some of your close-up photos with us at Studio Waterstone. 

If you need an idea, why not share your daily view. 

Keep creating,
Carol

Lavendar Blue

Before Christmas, a friend needed an anniversary gift for his wife.  He selected this bracelet with beads made of transparent lavendar glass and then etched for a soft effect.

Earrings to match.

The two photos to the left are taken with my light tent and lots of light from my spots.  The right hand photo is take outside with natural light.  You can see the color is not exactly the same in the first two photos but a different color completely in the right hand photo.  All beads are from the same glass.  The bracelet is the same one in both photos.

Getting colors to show true in pictures and on the computer is always a challenge but these beads take it to a new level.  Has anyone else had these issues with colors or have any suggestions for getting colors right?

Keep creating,
Carol

The 5th Bead Soup Blog Party

The 5th Bead Soup Party has begun and I can hardly believe the randomizer picked me.  A big thank you to Lori Anderson at Pretty Things for organizing this event again. 

This is the first time that I have participated and I am so glad to have Alice Peterson from Alice Dreaming as my bead partner.  There are 101 pairs of participants who are getting their bead soup ready to send out to their partners and anxiously waiting to see what will come in the mail.  Be sure to join us on March 3rd when the jewelry creations will be revealed through the Blog Hop.  

Keep creating,
Carol   

Sunday Close-Ups

Thanks to Lori at Waterstone Studio and "I Heart Macro", I am taking more pictures. That in turn, makes me look for new subject matter.  Seeing the pictures that others post and checking out their pictures on their blogs gives lots of inspiration. 

This week I checked out our vehicles through the lens.  Suddenly you see new patterns.

Why don't you join Lori and the rest at:

Keep creating,

Carol

Bead Soup Blog Party

The Bead Soup Blog Party sign-ups end today.  So if you haven't thrown your name in yet, now is the time.  Quick!  Hurry!

I have already submitted my name and I need some company.  Only 200 people will be chosen to participate and Lori will do the pairings.  Can't wait to see who is chosen - hope it's me, hope it's me!  You too, of course.

Keep creating, 
Carol

I heart macro!

Don't want to miss the i heart macro! this week.  Been away from it for too long and only running a little late this week!  While outside riding around the yard in the golf cart with the grandkids,

I thought I would grab a few pictures of the winter garden.  It can be amazing when you stop to look at all the details and colors.

Berries, twigs, grasses, rocks, shrubs - how often do we even notice them when dashing from the car to the house to avoid the cold.  But this last weekend was unseasonably warm and the kids did not want to be inside. 

So out we went to have an adventure.  We explored all around our few acres and even built the small "bonfire" you see by the kids above.  Roasted marshmallow s'mores are just as big a hit with them as they were for our children and us when growing up. 

I think they loved every minute of it.  And when it was time to go home, they begged to stay a little longer.  They live five hours away so we don't get to see them as often as we would like.  Can you ever see grandkids too often? 

Of course though, as soon as they saw Mom and Dad, they took off running and gave them big hugs.  Good to end the weekend on a high note!

Want to join the fun over at Studio Waterstone with some special up close photography skills?  Just click a link, it's easy.

Keep creating,
Carol