Musings and a bracelet

I am at an age where you think life would be slowing down. Nope, the older you get the faster time flees.   But I'm ok with that other than not getting not enough time to bead. I did however complete this bracelet for one of my cousins.  This shade of Delica required natural sunlight to illuminate the colors.

And in looking at my pictures I did this one for my best friend:

I'll post from time to time which is the normal for me.

Can post to my blog

Back on 04-16 I had this problem:What the ?!*%#

  I have no idea what has gone on in blogspot.com / blogger.com but I'm not happy.  I have two blogs from 2012 and now this one.  I can find all the blogs in between but can't create a new blog from that link.  I don't know what the European changes are and I really don't care.
  So I don't know how much longer I will post here but I did want to post my three newest bracelets.
  Two are peyote patterns I purchased off Etsy (which is also undergoing changes and many sellers are unhappy with the changes).  The Solstice bracelet was a Bead and Button monthly entry.
      Nevertheless I enjoyed beading them and hope you enjoy looking at them.

Now my blogging is functional ..... at least for today

Lascaux Cave Peyote Stitch - custom order

Solstice bracelet

Monarch Sky Even-Count Peyote Pattern by Kristy Zgoda

Solstice contest

http://jewelrycontests.secondstreetapp.com/Solstice-Design-Challenge/gallery/54168385

The piece I created for the Solstice contest held by Facet Jewelry Making.   Fun piece, I enjoyed making this,  a bit late in posting.

Some days

  Well  I had a post that was supposed to load at 12:30 AM this morning. It was part of Andrew Thornton's Allegory Gallery Magic Potion reveal.  Where the post went, I don't know and the piece was a gift for a friend so I don't have it anymore and I can't locate the picture.  Such is the wonder of the internet.
   AND AFTER I POST THIS - THEN IT SHOWS UP.  GO FIGURE. 

Magic Potion Reveal

So I purchased one of Andrew Thornton's kits, the Magic Potion and the reveal is October 27th.  I really haven't done much beading over the last two years due to health issues.  I did complete the piece and working with Lucite is different.  I added the potion bottle after doing a bit of staining on it so it would go better with the components. So enjoy. 

Great giveaway from http://www.allfreeholidaycrafts.com/index.php/hct/Reviews-and-Giveaways

Here is the item at my Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/187251296986183967/

I'd really like to win this - great for crimps, clasps, wire and tools. 

It's been a bit of a roller coaster year but life is improving this fall.  So here's a piece I recently completed for a friend.  Not fancy but sweet - much like Melissa for whom it is for.  Done in 11o' Delicas.  I am back to beading and that feels great.

 

Update 2016

  Well my health has not improved as I had hoped it would. I'm finally getting my beads sorted out to create a few things. I will have some extra time to do beading as I have surgery next week and will be off work for three weeks. Nothing like cancer but taking positive actions to improve my health.
  Will post more about that later (at least that's the plan).
Hope 2016 is great for everyone.

Handmade at Amazon - Thank you

I am so happy to see this and happier for my crafting friends who will be selling through Amazon.

  At launch, Handmade at Amazon will include about 5,000 sellers from 50 states and 60 countries offering 80,000 items. Amazon takes a 12 percent fee from overall sales made by Handmade at Amazon sellers and includes payment processing, discounted shipping and access to other Amazon services. There’s no listing fee or monthly fee to start. In contrast, New York-based Etsy has 1.5 million sellers and 21.7 million buyers as of June 30. It takes a 3.5 percent fee on overall sales and a 20 cent listing fee per item listed. They also differ in terms of manufacturing policy. Amazon says sellers have to fill out an online application to be approved to sell on the site and all items sold on the site must be “factory-free” and not made by manufacturers. New York-based Etsy, on the other hand, started letting some merchants apply to use manufacturers for some products in 2013 [and this is where Etsy screwed up by going for large profits]. In September, Etsy said it was creating a new Etsy manufacturing marketplace to make it easier for its sellers to find “responsible production assistance.” Manufacturers can apply to be part of the program and Etsy approves them based on certain criteria.
   http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/oct/08/amazon-challenges-etsy-with-handmade-at-amazon/ 

Sorry for my absence

Just an FYI - I am dealing with health issues and plan to get back to posting soon.
Summer was long, hot and due to wildfires, very smokey.. It left me breathless which is a not good thing.  Starting to feel better now that fall is here and fall has truly arrived as leaves started changing over the weekend. 
So here's a pic of an earlier piece - enjoy

Why free stuff is killing creativity

Excellent article on why being an independent, successful artist is essentially a thing of the past.

Although I craft for pleasure and the occasional pin money it's a shame that this is occurring.

http://morningswithmadge.com/free-stuff-is-killing-creativity/

A new piece & an update

  I'll start with the update. Due to health issues including surgery last fall I just haven't had the energy to keep this blog updated. I am feeling better so may post here more often. I dropped out of a couple blog hops and didn't even pick up the kits from my LBS.

  I did however complete this piece.  I have friends on the Big Island who used to have Great Pyrenees.  They currently have a dog who is similar to their Pyrs but she has a more pointed muzzle. Somewhere in my travels I picked up the dog charm and realized it closely resembles their current dog. So white beads because of the Pyrs, turquoise and silver because they both like SW art and jewelry and the dog charm. Peyote stitch and a strong magnet clasp.

  First pick is the completed bracelet, the second in the happy owner modeling it.

Ma-halo, y'all.

Silverniknats

Found a lovely blog from a lady in the UK who beads. She is having a give away based on Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the US).  It ends November 28th. Very nice items, some one of us will be lucky.

http://silverniknats.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-giveaway.html#gpluscomments

Good luck.
~cryssT

Octoberfest 2014 - my apologies

My apologies - I had surgery on October 17th and forgot about this hop.

It's been a long year so I am glad that fall is here and I can enjoy the beautiful colors.

I'm too tired to blog - so here is the piece, which has decided to load itself at about 90 degrees offset.  Hmm.

Welcome to C4 blog hop.  I want to thank Sue Kennedy and Rita from Toltec Jewels for allowing me to participate. I know there will be lots of lovely pieces on the various blogs listed below.

I received my Chicklet and took some time to think about colors that would enhance the olive chicklet and hopefully look like candy (Willy Wonka Oompas comes to mind).  I liked the red beads because they are drilled from corner to corner.  I added a mood bead because it changes color and yellow beads for brightness.  I used the purple bead and brass beads for space and asymmetry. What I really like is that on this bracelet the chicklet stays up (on the top of my hand), so many time I will make a bracelet and the focal bead ends up on the inside of my wrist.  So here it is - I find myself wearing bracelet because it has an easy, comfortable feel. Thanks for stopping by.
   I have changed the picture at it shows the bracelet off a bit better:

Permalink for Artists: 

http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2014/06/Choosy-Chicks-Choose-Chicklets-participating-artists.html

ARTISTS:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog

                                                               Art Jewelry Elements

Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads

SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels        http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                  http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                  http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                  http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                    http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                        http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                            http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                       http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                              www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams               http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson          http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                    http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                     http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                           http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                  http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                     http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers            https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps         https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi  https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter          http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding  http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                    http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain  (you are here)    http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed             http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont      http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider        http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams         http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr          http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                    http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                            http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges      http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                          http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                  http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                 http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson      http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Chicklets Challenge

Coming up all to soon is 

   Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Challenge 

so I am in the process of completing my piece. 

Sue Beads was kind enough to donate 45 chicklets 

so there will be lots of pieces to view. 

The blog hop is August 3rd.  

Here's the banner. 

   

Gemstone & Metal Blog Hop 2014 Reveal

Good Morning and sorry for the delay in posting - but it's the morning of the 19th so I'm in time.
I received a wonderful assortment of Aventurine from Lisa Lodge for this blog hop but am not sure what I did with the picture I took of the beads.  Update - I finally found it:

 

That said, I competed two pieces and would have liked to have had more done but have been dealing with health issues. 

Here are the pieces I completed and I am looking forward to seeing the many wonderful items that others have done.  The necklace is for our granddaughter who is eight and the bracelet is for a friend whose jewelry was stolen earlier this year. 

I have retaken the pictures and at the bottom of the blog you can see the original blah picture. 
The  great thing about blog hops is that I see and read others presentations and use the information to improve what I do.

And the links to the other artists:

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Big Margaret

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware (May be delayed a few days)

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Crystal Thain - Here Bead Dragons (that is this blog) http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things (May be delayed a few days)

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Judy Campbell, Macmillanmarie Jewellery Design

Nan Smith, Handmade Jewelry Nanmade

Marde Lowe, FanciMarDesigns

Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

Leithleach Alainn Seodra, Alainn Jewelry

Lisa E. Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

 

Gemstone & Metal Blog Hop -- July 19th, 2014

Yep, that's right another blog hop courtesy of Pine Ridge Treasures.
So there will be a posting in July.

Do Over

Do Overs really don't occur in life. There's no rewind or pause.  
You might get a second opportunity if you're really lucky. 
This is one Do Over that I hope to be able to enter:

http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/8th-do-over-challenge/

The Color of Dreams blog hop

If I do this right, it will post automatically, Sunday April 6, 2014.
 

   I feel lucky to have been included and really love the polymer cube bead that was chosen for me. I titled my piece 'Slowly Spring'.  I live about 100 miles from the Canadian border in a small town in Idaho and winter has been drawn out with freezing temps at night this last week.  So I have been dreaming a lot about Spring actually arriving. 
   I find I sleep better if I have been beading for at least an hour before I go to sleep.  
So that's my dream - to bead, to sleep, perchance to dream (happily). 
   I worked on having some asymmetry in this piece and feel it has a nice balance.  I used 4 colors of Delica; turquoise, rainbow translucence, a mystery color (no name on the tube) & a small amount of grass green.  I chose copper as a transition color from winter before the gold of summer. 
   I have lots of blogs to visit & see the other wonders that have been created, so here they are:


Honorary Artist:          Patricia Handschuh
Patricia's blog:            The Color of Dreams        
Patricias Etsy:             The Color of Dreams
Hostess: TJ                 Jewel School Friends
Kay Thomerson          KayzKreationz
Audrey Belanger         Toki No Hourousha
Alicia Marinache         All the Pretty Things
Terry Carter                TappingFlamingo
Lori Schneider            Bead Addict
Jenny Kyrlach            Wonder and Whimsy
Asri Wahyuingsih       Asri's Beadwork
Dini Bruinsma            Angaza by Changes
Karla Morgan             Texas Pepper Jams
Debbie Rasmussen      A Little of This, A Little of That
Veralynne Malone       Designed by Vera
Kathy Stemke              Vintage Memories Jewelry Design
Mowse Doyle              Mowse Made This
Heather Richter            Desert Jewelry Designs
Lori Poppe                    Adventures in Creativity with LorilliJean
Jayne Capps                 Mama's Got To Doodle
Andrea Glick               Zenith Jade Creations
Kathleen Breeding       99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Becky Pancake             Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Karin Martinez             Fairies Market
Miranda Ackerley         Mirandack
Penny Houghton           Smelly Nelly
Carolyn Lawson           Carolyn's Creations
Chris Eisenberg            Wanderware
Christie Murrow           Charis Designs Jewelry
Monique Urquhart        A Half-Baked Notion
Eve Shelby                   Raindrop Creations Jewelry by Evelyn
Cryss Thain                  Here Bead Dragons
Jasvanti Patel               Jewelry By Jasvanti
Nan Smith                    NanMade Handmade Jewelry
Sue Kennedy               SueBeads
Jean Yates                    Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Debbie Rogers             Debbies Treasures
Marybeth Rich             A Few Words From Within the Pines
Shirley Moore              Beads and Bread
Shaia Williams             Shaiha's Ramblings
Kathy Lindemer           Bay Moon Design
Linda Anderson           From the Bead Board
Judy Turner                 Silver Rains
Gloria Allen                Gloria Allen Designs
Regina Wood              Ginas-Design
Robin Reed                 Artistry HCBD
Mary Goovars             MLH Jewelry Designs
Marlene Cupo             Amazing Designs
CJ Bauschka               4 His Glory Creations
Robin Showstack        The Crazy Bead Hoarder
Cynthia O'Toole          Sparkles and Sweets
Jael Thorp                   Jael's Art Jewels
Renetha Stanziano         Lamplight Crafts