tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-145430682024-03-07T09:04:31.440-05:00Lampwork Diva aka Cindy GimbroneI see the world through rose colored safety glassesCindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.comBlogger1115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-52568626600875472932013-01-31T09:06:00.003-05:002013-01-31T09:06:44.063-05:00Earring Partnership: Nina Designs and meSo far, the new year has brought me luck. One of my good luck events has been partnering with <a href="http://www.ninadesigns.com/">Nina Designs</a>. Their representative, DeAnna, sent me a package of goodies that included the<a href="http://www.ninadesigns.com/bali_bead_shop/natural_bronze_three_tear_drops_link/vns2578/details"> bronze three tear drop links</a> and <a href="http://www.ninadesigns.com/bali_bead_shop/bronze_hook_earring_findings/vnt1102/details">bronze hook earring finding</a>
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The minute I saw the tear drop links, I imagined a set of earrings combining the beautiful golden bronze with silver accents. Mixing metal colors would make the earrings go with any outfit. I had just finished taking an online jewelry class where we had re-used vintage rhinestone jewelry. My jewelry supply stash was overflowing with bits of rhinestones which were the perfect accent to the warm bronze color.
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Showing off my quirkiness - one of the links is upside down!</span></div>
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What's even better about these earrings is they're quick and easy to make. You need four silver plated 6mm jump rings along with two vintage rhinestone drops, two teardrop links and two earring findings. Attach the teardrop links to the earring finding using the 6mm silverplated jumprings. Use the other jumprings to attach the vintage rhinestone findings to the smallest drop.<br />
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Quick, easy and beautiful. That's how I like it. What a beautiful partnership!Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-21023442686656482692013-01-07T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-07T07:00:04.293-05:00Howdy Partner! Nina DesignsJust want to say a howdy to my new blog partner, <a href="http://www.ninadesigns.com/blog/category/blog-partner-jewelry-gallery/">Nina Designs</a>. I received a lovely email from DeAnna inviting me to join. I really appreciate the personal touch. I'm looking forward to designing with the pieces DeAnna has sent me. Here's a peek at what's in the mail for me:
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa0Y95art2_mxauf8FeLOFLhuU6tSaWCAIcg20hYKCYT1XyVMAGdy448F_EyZQvsz6oB97oj1hyBo_WtR8sbBD-WeD2vpGk6Rqf0aPaqQuX6fAR3bt6M1pR91PFmW4_NdW1Jg/s1600/vns2695_natural_bronze_infinity_link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa0Y95art2_mxauf8FeLOFLhuU6tSaWCAIcg20hYKCYT1XyVMAGdy448F_EyZQvsz6oB97oj1hyBo_WtR8sbBD-WeD2vpGk6Rqf0aPaqQuX6fAR3bt6M1pR91PFmW4_NdW1Jg/s400/vns2695_natural_bronze_infinity_link.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ninadesigns.com/bali_bead_shop/natural_bronze_infinity_link/vns2695/details">The Natural Bronze Infinity Link</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyLijhZyyganBbS_jo6m2896AqFb5DRw4WH64rKga7E9WIqGcqNR-I0qpf2VmGBaiWAUFUinhJc6oq6RCktbnTPrk-gQX0KB_kHpKjtvKIX926KGyYvnFFrR0Xp5M9M47QjHx/s1600/vns2578_natural_bronze_three_tear_drops_link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyLijhZyyganBbS_jo6m2896AqFb5DRw4WH64rKga7E9WIqGcqNR-I0qpf2VmGBaiWAUFUinhJc6oq6RCktbnTPrk-gQX0KB_kHpKjtvKIX926KGyYvnFFrR0Xp5M9M47QjHx/s400/vns2578_natural_bronze_three_tear_drops_link.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ninadesigns.com/bali_bead_shop/natural_bronze_three_tear_drops_link/vns2578/details">The Natural Bronze Three Tier Drops Link</a></div>
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I'm looking forward to this new partnership. It's a great start to the new year!
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<br />Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-39097077082863182792013-01-04T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-04T07:00:02.072-05:00Friday FunniesIf you love Portlandia, you'll love this. Even if you don't or haven't ever heard of Portlandia, this is like one of those collages that says, "What everyone thinks I do." Bonus is they do it all to a catchy tune.
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Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-55608286333136000742013-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-03T07:00:01.866-05:00Art Jewelry Magazine and Nunn Designs ProjectOn November 30th, I was one of the lucky winners from <a href="http://art.jewelrymakingmagazines.com/">Art Jewelry Magazine</a> of a <a href="http://www.nunndesign.com/">Nunn Design</a> goodie bag. I received the package of lovelies about a week later.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Goodies from Nunn Design</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It took me about a month to decide on a design. I always have such a hard time committing to an idea because it's permanent. You know me and my committment issues. The problem with committment issues is you don't get things done. But I took an online class with the <a href="http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/p/classes.html">Crafty Chica</a> and <a href="http://somethingsublime.typepad.com/jewelry_works/the-alchemy-of-objects.html">Deryn Mentock</a> and I was ready to jump into a design and get things done. I spent this past Saturday afternoon working on the pieces. They're due at the Kalmbach offices on January 17th so I wanted to be sure I got them out the first of the year.
I used epoxy clay on the designs. It was the first time I've use it and it was quite a challenge because there was no room for error. I only had one of each piece and if I messed it up, I didn't have another one to replace it. I had to do it right the first time or I wouldn't have anything to send to Kalmbach. I read up on how to use the epoxy, read the Nunn Designs blog so I would repeat anything that had been done before and planned out the designs. After a tense couple of hours, everything was made and waiting to set. I'm hoping Kalmbach, Nunn Designs and you will like them. I know I do!
I can't post any pictures until after Art Jewelry Magazine sends out their January 24th newsletter.<br />
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(Photo Credit: Thank you to Nunn Design blog for the picture of the goodies.)<br />
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<script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document,"script","twitter-wjs");</script>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-4534299635464848042013-01-01T07:00:00.000-05:002013-01-01T07:00:10.452-05:00Happy New Year: She's Alive!!!Happy New Year and Yes my friends, I'm still here. I've been away working full time as an interpreter. Working 40+ hours with your hands keeps you pretty busy. Since interpreting uses my hands, arms and shoulders, I've had cut waaayyyyy down on the extras like blogging and crafting in order to avoid any injuries like carpal tunnel, tendonitis and the like. I haven't taken any orders except for the occasional customer who is sends me an email and is willing to wait an extended amount of time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm hoping to carve out a little bit more time for myself in the coming months. I'll probably only blog occasionally. Most everyone has moved over to Facebook and that's put a real cramp on how I like to connect with you. I don't like Facebook owning my content or how they can share it so I limit what I do over there. I don't connect all of my online life with Facebook either. That means everything I do on Facebook is another step, more moments taken from making. I much prefer <a href="https://twitter.com/CindyNG">Twitter</a>, quick and easy.
Just wanted to stop in and say hello and let you know I'm still around.
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(Photo of hands courtesy of <a href="http://sharkreef.org/visual-art/photographs-from-hands-at-work/">Shark Reef</a>.)
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Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-12885662422642272262012-07-01T10:55:00.000-04:002012-07-01T10:55:58.515-04:00Fusing Glass Jewelry Components: New ExperimentsI've been away from blogging for a bit. Working full time doesn't allow alot of spare time to be creative and then blog about it. I'd prefer to be creative than to blog! I've got a few extra minutes today so I thought I'd catch you up on what I'm up to.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A sampling of my latest experiments</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm playing around with fusing frit. I've created a few different custom made frit blends and used some Val Cox Frit. </span><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></i>If you use frit alot, you know that a little goes along way, it is intensely colored. So intense that it will look black if you don't "thin it out" with clear glass. That's one of the difficulties I'm having with fusing it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Deep royal purple looks black in this fused donut</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: right;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></td></tr>
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As you can see in the above picture, the royal purple looks black. It's difficult to "thin out" the bits of purple with clear, the bits still look black. I tried to "thin out" the color in the donut below:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZGDlOk1fKTBPDtNOkxX3pAo2WEid3q0HqX2wNOQIrzCCU7ZjGysPpL9L8qJhTtfEMOJ_zljtyr_t2OcvDOo7r7qi3amx3uszvMqW7TBOOEcVVyRWgZq0g8ZmLFNXi-KGVTuA/s1600/FusedDonutExperimentJune2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZGDlOk1fKTBPDtNOkxX3pAo2WEid3q0HqX2wNOQIrzCCU7ZjGysPpL9L8qJhTtfEMOJ_zljtyr_t2OcvDOo7r7qi3amx3uszvMqW7TBOOEcVVyRWgZq0g8ZmLFNXi-KGVTuA/s320/FusedDonutExperimentJune2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>By holding the donut up to sunlight, you can see the royal purple</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I've come to the conclusion that <i> </i>I need to stick to pastels or primarily light transparent when fusing.</span></div>
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Another accident happened when I was fusing the donuts. I got these "furry" or "sugar" pink hearts due to the spacing and the uneven heating it created in my kiln.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXi4FePmTU-MLngGVUaALhGNLUIPuB09umUkRjiCbOD11cdzLDN8eZCKy6FlgFuDKuNmmMg94iOi-5nt29kSRpyWiTIB-0asX0QuYxKzAFEjrHu-4P6KglEtdmEOBm7tCkQeb/s1600/FusedPinkSugarHeartClzUPJune2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXi4FePmTU-MLngGVUaALhGNLUIPuB09umUkRjiCbOD11cdzLDN8eZCKy6FlgFuDKuNmmMg94iOi-5nt29kSRpyWiTIB-0asX0QuYxKzAFEjrHu-4P6KglEtdmEOBm7tCkQeb/s320/FusedPinkSugarHeartClzUPJune2012.jpg" width="320" /><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Fur" or "Sugar" pink hearts</span></span></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></i><br />
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The hearts have brown spots because I left them at fusing temperature too long. I wanted them to melt smooth but it just wasn't going to happen with the way I'd set up the kiln.<br />
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They're kind of cool looking and there are no sharp edges so my dilemma is should I leave them this way or put them back in the kiln to fully fuse? What do you think?<br />
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Using these molds has been quite a learning experience. I'll share my thoughts on the molds in another blogpost. In the meantime, I'd like you to weigh in on what I should do with the sugar hearts - leave as is or full fuse to smooth finish?<br />
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<br />Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-57382303182405961662012-01-04T07:00:00.047-05:002012-01-04T07:00:02.385-05:00Minding the Business: Be Inspired. Be Brave. Digital Art Pep Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe4Q-GYbmfBD9yqeQ-ywDKE8sxHoXEh86rvrT9iZEt6x-n9sqGyZpPfrBspyZdqWQjSYAAjd6HYmhy5tY1-3LMOKQTdnvVXzDHQUjkx6dD_0WpogP8YnAOY65KaxzrBckGzhA/s1600/CindyCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe4Q-GYbmfBD9yqeQ-ywDKE8sxHoXEh86rvrT9iZEt6x-n9sqGyZpPfrBspyZdqWQjSYAAjd6HYmhy5tY1-3LMOKQTdnvVXzDHQUjkx6dD_0WpogP8YnAOY65KaxzrBckGzhA/s320/CindyCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is a digital collage I made using PhotoShop Elements 8, a Wacom Bamboo tablet and <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/02/tuesday-tangle-digital-art-project.html">Digital Expressions</a>. It's a visual peptalk to encourage me to step forward and do something of the things I've been dreaming and talking about for a long time. The colors are strong and saturated like a stiff cup of coffee to get me going. A self portrait is paired with one of my favorite glass beads to remind me of my creative self. Text phrases are bent into crowns so I can wear who I am proudly. The entire collage brings together phrases that encourage me to live and work in my own skin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I know I'm not the only one. You probably feel like this at least sometimes. You might want to make Peptalk Collage for the days when you can't reach your best girlfriend to talk. Making the collage made me think, made me create, made me smile and made me brave. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://simpleetiquette.blogspot.com/2009/08/simple-farewell-to-eunice-kennedy.html">Eunice Kennedy Shriver</a> puts into words what I need to tell myself when I step out with fear:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let me be brave and I wish all of you to be brave but most of all, I want us all to win our dreams.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg688cbKxLIhARNrpq8GFrbGzG5fKAniFZekPHeGUMhvY0rJS6TxTdKt8mbBNdshnoTbgYoymKe3D18rU2QjDjgxJS47PKQ26-NaqG1JVl31tj_r3ZYig4IrJ4H_H6hABX8ZkH5/s1600/149975_179184245425329_163437517000002_643998_6891186_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg688cbKxLIhARNrpq8GFrbGzG5fKAniFZekPHeGUMhvY0rJS6TxTdKt8mbBNdshnoTbgYoymKe3D18rU2QjDjgxJS47PKQ26-NaqG1JVl31tj_r3ZYig4IrJ4H_H6hABX8ZkH5/s320/149975_179184245425329_163437517000002_643998_6891186_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-83172704106183961502012-01-03T07:00:00.035-05:002012-01-03T07:00:10.285-05:002012's Mantra: Do and Follow Through<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've got a mantra for this year in the spirit of KISS (keep it simple, stupid!): <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">do and follow through</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">My two weakest areas - stop talking and DO and make sure I FOLLOW THROUGH. I might get to the doing but then I don't always follow through. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've got an idea to help myself. I don't like to write to do lists because if I do, there are 35 items on it. I find 35 items overwhelming and then I move into procrastination or "what's the use" mode. So, I'm going to limit ANY list to only 3 items.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I said three - 3 items.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully that will help.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hopefully.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">So here is item number one:<br />
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Post book reviews for next week or so. I like to actually try the projects in each book I review so you get an honest feel for what the book offers. I've held off on the Jewelry for the New Romantic because I don't have many of the beads called for in the projects. I used to use beading wire quite a bit when I first started beading back in 1997 but moved away from it. This is a good reason to re-familiarize myself with what beading wire has to offer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hSL8jnw8bq6J0X4z8B0K5W_GYPT6b4KqOrZmyxNAkyifxREhEUbhr0fjQj8Jr5eGU9NvrJujfbqWh_ZssUGvABxXbQ0QqjkY2iYjYZpvGm94DHYm9DFdq_j1n-s553RIvKYq/s1600/yhst-22106725251441_2190_37163095.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hSL8jnw8bq6J0X4z8B0K5W_GYPT6b4KqOrZmyxNAkyifxREhEUbhr0fjQj8Jr5eGU9NvrJujfbqWh_ZssUGvABxXbQ0QqjkY2iYjYZpvGm94DHYm9DFdq_j1n-s553RIvKYq/s320/yhst-22106725251441_2190_37163095.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/11/monday-morning-eye-candy-and-book.html">Jewelry for the New Romantic</a></div><br />
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I've ordered resin clay and am waiting for it to arrive. I made the rounds of the craft stores to see if anyone carried it and was out of luck. There are lots of exciting projects in The Art of Resin Clay I can't wait to try out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkR12DzYC1G8GYwx7zFvxwyhq4yvkgoK_lvuStmdcR1LCc1b8S-4plr6MIFWBMGHGaGafl_Hc8-nGL8AZSQr6AcLiUL2GTO02DUa4HcLtJYbGp3DIv1Z6AJRBP2KuxPbSe6kW/s1600/105237807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkR12DzYC1G8GYwx7zFvxwyhq4yvkgoK_lvuStmdcR1LCc1b8S-4plr6MIFWBMGHGaGafl_Hc8-nGL8AZSQr6AcLiUL2GTO02DUa4HcLtJYbGp3DIv1Z6AJRBP2KuxPbSe6kW/s320/105237807.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Resin-Clay-Techniques-Decorative/dp/0823027236/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">The Art of Resin Clay</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Do you have a word to inspire you onward for 2012? </div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-70639001757980010012012-01-02T07:00:00.002-05:002012-01-02T07:00:04.312-05:00Happy New Year....a look back on my beady year<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfjnSaW71ChM6qW-HWFZLQUC5YbcYFsMWfR_aH-rl3yhMP0hjfmzmvFsUM28aUcYYmqwEV0JO4ADfzKaSDHTDeerndheC7zwSx3HagR28494PsQaBarow7JoWJA5EMJihX25U/s1600/Happy-new-year2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfjnSaW71ChM6qW-HWFZLQUC5YbcYFsMWfR_aH-rl3yhMP0hjfmzmvFsUM28aUcYYmqwEV0JO4ADfzKaSDHTDeerndheC7zwSx3HagR28494PsQaBarow7JoWJA5EMJihX25U/s320/Happy-new-year2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.all2need.com/new-year-2012-pictures/">Photo/Graphic Credit - thank you!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Happy 2012 to you! I wanted to blog straight away today. I spent quite a bit of time away last fall and want to start the New Year off with a blog post. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">As is tradition, I looked back on 2011 to see what I accomplished and despite the feeling of not getting much done, I actually covered alot of territory.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My 2011 New Year's Resolution was one word: DO. I wanted to stop talking and start making. So, with that in mind, here's a review of 2011's DO..... </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">... I made new beads......</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcU0kptlBeX9JTTWgEF8cSj29TBd9PGoZnUBOXlR8H4Bjikuowbb2NbiNsRJiDhdOOLlRmPLirmB9l69epBLuklhB06iOkONGOZKiMkhpbGQiumpDy2SoLflxO3umLx6ZI8vf/s1600/PolyRedLotusWiredFrontWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcU0kptlBeX9JTTWgEF8cSj29TBd9PGoZnUBOXlR8H4Bjikuowbb2NbiNsRJiDhdOOLlRmPLirmB9l69epBLuklhB06iOkONGOZKiMkhpbGQiumpDy2SoLflxO3umLx6ZI8vf/s320/PolyRedLotusWiredFrontWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPLmWOGH6LAmVV2eVCoK6gMT1Hc8l-P8jKTZWR5dEytBccaZRz5nH1nnvyLB6hbU43mSOA4UhgNJcVOBxGoYuyw9Xny2wt5QcYtCGZ-a7U2gfFvfc7lx9bnzobXQlqbxn-Kou/s1600/HeartJan2011FloralWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPLmWOGH6LAmVV2eVCoK6gMT1Hc8l-P8jKTZWR5dEytBccaZRz5nH1nnvyLB6hbU43mSOA4UhgNJcVOBxGoYuyw9Xny2wt5QcYtCGZ-a7U2gfFvfc7lx9bnzobXQlqbxn-Kou/s320/HeartJan2011FloralWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> ....I made earrings..... </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjIU0-tNKICXb5D1SxaWZZntS8Sgp42lVyGO7LSXVicWWRFcTFdsutPMzzZkqBwDDOpuCdBf5iY3tvRjHVhBj0WjwNXxLam-YxVhzQpx0Embw-RH7I9WsBqSQYuggms9Pqb1b/s1600/EarringsRedFusedSilverRetroWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjIU0-tNKICXb5D1SxaWZZntS8Sgp42lVyGO7LSXVicWWRFcTFdsutPMzzZkqBwDDOpuCdBf5iY3tvRjHVhBj0WjwNXxLam-YxVhzQpx0Embw-RH7I9WsBqSQYuggms9Pqb1b/s320/EarringsRedFusedSilverRetroWeb.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDagjVaTIoIARqNZFxLQGgwNukQWWy0xmjU1dHXIaMn1Lq0-zEHCf3STpDTl1IV8_bq9nPDVvxQEZmIk_S1Rso8Ht1Yi_4VafVOS3F8DyHwcNvCyykflOjiOJQJPYMZHm-zzd/s1600/BlackOnynxWireEarringsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDagjVaTIoIARqNZFxLQGgwNukQWWy0xmjU1dHXIaMn1Lq0-zEHCf3STpDTl1IV8_bq9nPDVvxQEZmIk_S1Rso8Ht1Yi_4VafVOS3F8DyHwcNvCyykflOjiOJQJPYMZHm-zzd/s320/BlackOnynxWireEarringsWeb.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvtBxOtcX_Qc4xRRyfekBRHHhHhpQokac8EoLq2hr5kPwtN6xph1tfSfWfiYtWVmnjdB8HYtaMOGrM9axiLryR_rXYoxLpFbvPUrGtIIvdwmI2cKmDcKhjS9lFvJPvt16bIyJ/s1600/DropsFirstBlushPinkSetClzUpWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvtBxOtcX_Qc4xRRyfekBRHHhHhpQokac8EoLq2hr5kPwtN6xph1tfSfWfiYtWVmnjdB8HYtaMOGrM9axiLryR_rXYoxLpFbvPUrGtIIvdwmI2cKmDcKhjS9lFvJPvt16bIyJ/s320/DropsFirstBlushPinkSetClzUpWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMU9tnoDDAbUoqrYcTyxPIoZnnz0ipWC_HT4I9lbCQJsQhDi2MHrjVb-M0H0h06DQyYOpqSEID2CblgYBQDyUcl1S57N0RiTjCDcp92eia7VCnSDBLRSZwLJCEzRgEB_7doEs/s1600/EarringsPolyClayAllyPurpleWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmMU9tnoDDAbUoqrYcTyxPIoZnnz0ipWC_HT4I9lbCQJsQhDi2MHrjVb-M0H0h06DQyYOpqSEID2CblgYBQDyUcl1S57N0RiTjCDcp92eia7VCnSDBLRSZwLJCEzRgEB_7doEs/s320/EarringsPolyClayAllyPurpleWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqEUizsn5ee7IV758Sf5FQcFm021bT8NLVqYmEgO4fuOALALXDEY3NwxWCndjsytj5moFLRG-tSEEIgH4wlATFznRXtRx61Huo32oAMT3ksFQ817pOC6id-92_4oycvQ-DDjO/s1600/EarringsDuosWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqEUizsn5ee7IV758Sf5FQcFm021bT8NLVqYmEgO4fuOALALXDEY3NwxWCndjsytj5moFLRG-tSEEIgH4wlATFznRXtRx61Huo32oAMT3ksFQ817pOC6id-92_4oycvQ-DDjO/s1600/EarringsDuosWeb.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">.....set up Tuesday Tangle for all things related to wire craft.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjTbT3Mng7zFuY8RxPPQAj2osKp-4l-L7euWyRC1QFs6iIn2aFG0M3c3ufPKNJopzg-HZ8NgQt6SdVOllc-j2ym-i9zCaAJEWaKhzW9XIc6rHTpbVhhZS0QSKwP058AksQAu1/s1600/TuesdayTangleButton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjTbT3Mng7zFuY8RxPPQAj2osKp-4l-L7euWyRC1QFs6iIn2aFG0M3c3ufPKNJopzg-HZ8NgQt6SdVOllc-j2ym-i9zCaAJEWaKhzW9XIc6rHTpbVhhZS0QSKwP058AksQAu1/s1600/TuesdayTangleButton.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">...and set up Metal Monday to post on all things metal....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShyYNL4qxxidq6AnBtHcVekK6lPgTSQ4uPnGJ0YFgbZAKv-DW8avQODtWJH1818WHRERqbdNszb5bMX2rbZpGJZBU67mplJkyQE0ul_sYVZK6kRwauxS-BuM6_OFZWqnrY7nu/s1600/MetalMondayLogoWeb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShyYNL4qxxidq6AnBtHcVekK6lPgTSQ4uPnGJ0YFgbZAKv-DW8avQODtWJH1818WHRERqbdNszb5bMX2rbZpGJZBU67mplJkyQE0ul_sYVZK6kRwauxS-BuM6_OFZWqnrY7nu/s320/MetalMondayLogoWeb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">.....bought a rolling mill....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdycmRxuQBDz7n6EUn_qVJOc8gNFzLlsCrWsb_cZpG-xpAzkJ1uYg5qmo13aMGiV1jAyNcE1K3knU_gS9EI8bJzaIyBjpEHN4QslcH8TVmsttFCFJaZ1Lv2Cjs6Mz-zTz5GIB/s1600/190-891LARGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdycmRxuQBDz7n6EUn_qVJOc8gNFzLlsCrWsb_cZpG-xpAzkJ1uYg5qmo13aMGiV1jAyNcE1K3knU_gS9EI8bJzaIyBjpEHN4QslcH8TVmsttFCFJaZ1Lv2Cjs6Mz-zTz5GIB/s320/190-891LARGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
......read and reviewed several awesome books....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftresegIZ-Q38qUuUV5PlK3kSbUZsqy0oZdw_o0tThp1tupPgeNQXLnryaUcjsULf03mRmi-TL74XX9i6XR6Y6X2zJQgZ4T7uBphs7y2T-YiBRpr15NrMwNCedu39cYcQVeXv/s1600/51WTnPmecbL._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftresegIZ-Q38qUuUV5PlK3kSbUZsqy0oZdw_o0tThp1tupPgeNQXLnryaUcjsULf03mRmi-TL74XX9i6XR6Y6X2zJQgZ4T7uBphs7y2T-YiBRpr15NrMwNCedu39cYcQVeXv/s320/51WTnPmecbL._SS500_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/02/tuesday-tangle-digital-art-project.html">Digital Expressions</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv97rEWMWPZjR0QfZOeGbtlnoRDaN-2CYAIVONbcq6yJ_iZtVGqbvHJKlkPiTPwnbU_BxzOVvgygpIF5mSjBTQvqQMFqgiEUEmFVKjOc7xaaURktDuG3UXAcTwp-FFMuioB0Ns/s1600/1-26866ab49a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv97rEWMWPZjR0QfZOeGbtlnoRDaN-2CYAIVONbcq6yJ_iZtVGqbvHJKlkPiTPwnbU_BxzOVvgygpIF5mSjBTQvqQMFqgiEUEmFVKjOc7xaaURktDuG3UXAcTwp-FFMuioB0Ns/s320/1-26866ab49a.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-bookshelf-hot-connections-jewelry.html">Hot Connections</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyGrmDczLF0f6dGBH7Bni_8FBwBfPI6_3UfVLfrJVI1XjWPCLhoKhyphenhyphenY3Is8qPlMHdFYAKEU5h54zN1rsWlxzmVNs1vZwinocD8NcDieadrGmkh3zCBxPvW27qkrjvEF59W5kr/s1600/XBEMW001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyGrmDczLF0f6dGBH7Bni_8FBwBfPI6_3UfVLfrJVI1XjWPCLhoKhyphenhyphenY3Is8qPlMHdFYAKEU5h54zN1rsWlxzmVNs1vZwinocD8NcDieadrGmkh3zCBxPvW27qkrjvEF59W5kr/s320/XBEMW001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/07/tuesday-tangle-tech-interweaves-live.html">Live Wire</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcutVJT9UpKyG_77EQM6WtsyiGhFhs5r8Yz797kP5TUvwSq08JnBJiGbud4qvKgjk79t-6nRCT9FXX_2j6JCTZ86hdx_ReWArCae2puk-m6_bP9pwkoK83FOW8KGC1G-Eu3ZYL/s1600/yhst-22106725251441_2163_49367298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcutVJT9UpKyG_77EQM6WtsyiGhFhs5r8Yz797kP5TUvwSq08JnBJiGbud4qvKgjk79t-6nRCT9FXX_2j6JCTZ86hdx_ReWArCae2puk-m6_bP9pwkoK83FOW8KGC1G-Eu3ZYL/s320/yhst-22106725251441_2163_49367298.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-bookshelf-mixed-metal-mania.html">Mixed Metal Mania</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTBO8OiK15N-yX9bKIIlVMSWrDUzLMNzP2jv1fnp-g8ZnuSAVIKk6T2J0E1y2fkYFqrDS2cZubwqlpHSUKppMyvjGmNu2HUZpsHZ460VJcWiXy_0zkeXQXtpxRI-Gy5RIIRKV/s1600/51%25ED%258E%25BD%25E5%25AE%25AF%25E2%25B6%258B._SL500_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTBO8OiK15N-yX9bKIIlVMSWrDUzLMNzP2jv1fnp-g8ZnuSAVIKk6T2J0E1y2fkYFqrDS2cZubwqlpHSUKppMyvjGmNu2HUZpsHZ460VJcWiXy_0zkeXQXtpxRI-Gy5RIIRKV/s1600/51%25ED%258E%25BD%25E5%25AE%25AF%25E2%25B6%258B._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/08/tuesday-tangle-steel-wire-book.html">Steel Wire</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNuhMEDoh6N0tAvvs4WKvkJ7xz5uFWW_tyiOHLxwEHK4SBxbW0VNAiP1aAP1m5SANiwuyodVvDlw_BdxcsgsP-MzXrT2xzoBGEgLUgYwFPeiqTFOnu3s9Lk5XbwrhMOsTDAgJ/s1600/HeatherPowersbook-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNuhMEDoh6N0tAvvs4WKvkJ7xz5uFWW_tyiOHLxwEHK4SBxbW0VNAiP1aAP1m5SANiwuyodVvDlw_BdxcsgsP-MzXrT2xzoBGEgLUgYwFPeiqTFOnu3s9Lk5XbwrhMOsTDAgJ/s320/HeatherPowersbook-cover.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/09/jewelry-design-in-nature-by-heather.html">Jewelry Designs from Nature</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36L0IDj-N4hTheNyaMjYU46iyHZOHVfbZ-pPRdp5VjXL-sNjwo1MDpv8CuSvvX85yIDjDxA3TrI4UdVwtZAdN-Fs5jo0_chvB31JdsDHdtelgnsEZX9s7_aY1AtZminQlA5kz/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36L0IDj-N4hTheNyaMjYU46iyHZOHVfbZ-pPRdp5VjXL-sNjwo1MDpv8CuSvvX85yIDjDxA3TrI4UdVwtZAdN-Fs5jo0_chvB31JdsDHdtelgnsEZX9s7_aY1AtZminQlA5kz/s320/-1.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/10/on-my-bookshelf-craft-activism.html">Craft Activism</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw_Fi_yeACHPQAjjHkhhXWo4Wggra6FRnx74vg_sHbzYd1EgGQDzJ_C6E7SlT31JZpqW-eL6cb3_1Af-6eiJH3J0ZBLlkRKsCqtmA1kNwfVCLRmQ6yckpYHrq0HmyRDLW0-QL/s1600/yhst-4959681647834_2180_46739485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw_Fi_yeACHPQAjjHkhhXWo4Wggra6FRnx74vg_sHbzYd1EgGQDzJ_C6E7SlT31JZpqW-eL6cb3_1Af-6eiJH3J0ZBLlkRKsCqtmA1kNwfVCLRmQ6yckpYHrq0HmyRDLW0-QL/s320/yhst-4959681647834_2180_46739485.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/10/monday-morning-blue-fingers-and.html">The Handbook of Metal Clay</a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTGogJcM7_lJgD0cHfKFQkE0P-hBbLSKwcpOAxj7z98P0GR_UFaAC-BBockycIiKSUhhZZsZTwnFgWbNv2cmdMv2s57ONBmrqQ3__CDXASG9gSq5BKX27ByuP5BG0OOfUr7P5/s1600/products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTGogJcM7_lJgD0cHfKFQkE0P-hBbLSKwcpOAxj7z98P0GR_UFaAC-BBockycIiKSUhhZZsZTwnFgWbNv2cmdMv2s57ONBmrqQ3__CDXASG9gSq5BKX27ByuP5BG0OOfUr7P5/s1600/products.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-my-bookshelf-stitch-workshop-right.html">Stitch Workshop: Right Angle Weave</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">...taught myself to create digital art using PhotoShop Elements and PhotoShop....</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1C75Q2t7AIAsVVDRwdb44XjA7ADFRd2t-XjOoZjXUQERKsRkLsQVBTjnJjUl8rgDX1L0bl8Nb-ZIc2lUGy_t-NtQmjdnjOHx0v9tMK9KytigruxohcgWDxR8U1zhDKQ5oMQb/s1600/DigitalProject3Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1C75Q2t7AIAsVVDRwdb44XjA7ADFRd2t-XjOoZjXUQERKsRkLsQVBTjnJjUl8rgDX1L0bl8Nb-ZIc2lUGy_t-NtQmjdnjOHx0v9tMK9KytigruxohcgWDxR8U1zhDKQ5oMQb/s320/DigitalProject3Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div> ....gave needle tatting another try and learned how to do it this time.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bmWynlIiOjgW0NlVQ-xHSGrOALcg6W6q_wKy57B2tOUNz9YOWRogjH2kDx-0Zp3viXk1qqIqc05xxf9QS5uf_hI05IyC5M7vv1K6_dRPEsTke_HQSRgZA3gk7OXFobqi1Tkk/s1600/FirstTattedFlowerDec2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bmWynlIiOjgW0NlVQ-xHSGrOALcg6W6q_wKy57B2tOUNz9YOWRogjH2kDx-0Zp3viXk1qqIqc05xxf9QS5uf_hI05IyC5M7vv1K6_dRPEsTke_HQSRgZA3gk7OXFobqi1Tkk/s320/FirstTattedFlowerDec2011Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">....took a Hadar Jacobson class and learned how to make Mokume Gane metal clay....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH3EtIpUiuw6N8AUwA6BKIVJqwZoJ2TYsiQWwQN9f0QuIj5S60GgN7kmrR-g6LHCJa_hNxEykC7hxDWztVyOCQVwA46vMLB2utmETI5VykLTFJHsa5pvVyiQzZaCbOwJmT6QT/s1600/PolishedBeadsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH3EtIpUiuw6N8AUwA6BKIVJqwZoJ2TYsiQWwQN9f0QuIj5S60GgN7kmrR-g6LHCJa_hNxEykC7hxDWztVyOCQVwA46vMLB2utmETI5VykLTFJHsa5pvVyiQzZaCbOwJmT6QT/s320/PolishedBeadsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">....taught myself right angle weave (YAY!)....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvQIJFSJCFyI2C_nc-MGkrY6u9HZbtSF4SJzdbBMIi9HC0EWrlyVUKpQBgOkTEPByeEDd6qHIu7VU1QYKq7FC2AGWDNWdxkJGyq_GVJFkZNiN2ETNLL1aHw5BBdjO82xUUbk_/s1600/RAWBraceletsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvQIJFSJCFyI2C_nc-MGkrY6u9HZbtSF4SJzdbBMIi9HC0EWrlyVUKpQBgOkTEPByeEDd6qHIu7VU1QYKq7FC2AGWDNWdxkJGyq_GVJFkZNiN2ETNLL1aHw5BBdjO82xUUbk_/s320/RAWBraceletsWeb.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> ....rolled some metal....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Ox5DXwuoVHSDRyIdbRUYMvKV93_BxOsPkHG4wiZS8QRQh9aW9CMPE-NiHxn4B8OJ8ie-OH_KwlxwAWw3p6Od_7xWueQ3HcILuAAvUAMsVaDAWl5pDd_1K5Ow0-lFUOnBjQd/s1600/RMl2011RibbonDisksWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Ox5DXwuoVHSDRyIdbRUYMvKV93_BxOsPkHG4wiZS8QRQh9aW9CMPE-NiHxn4B8OJ8ie-OH_KwlxwAWw3p6Od_7xWueQ3HcILuAAvUAMsVaDAWl5pDd_1K5Ow0-lFUOnBjQd/s320/RMl2011RibbonDisksWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br />
.....tried to crochet with wire (FAIL)....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxbjLUZLY3NF2PlcRImvobh5liEO0shfzlmfRhDquq0TnNBv7k-3J0mg7fxSTZna4kEqWZOmxjqnbWIu8p9chJxBpZWbeUNJpljkAJtIAaXlpv80Xl5UjWmMgr91mYlqcagzz/s1600/CrochetWireAttemptsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxbjLUZLY3NF2PlcRImvobh5liEO0shfzlmfRhDquq0TnNBv7k-3J0mg7fxSTZna4kEqWZOmxjqnbWIu8p9chJxBpZWbeUNJpljkAJtIAaXlpv80Xl5UjWmMgr91mYlqcagzz/s320/CrochetWireAttemptsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">...joined in on the Bead Soup Blog Party....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_oJFkitsbKV9WT7-Y-_eUXdZ5NvLfYAbpa-jZ14zTItzuSr3SEEAjoLJrNV2fZBKsPB2TF5-9oTfFxxNb8u2t79zEMVsHBG2AgcFUDaEB4y4YTZBF12f8es0iRtYto6wDLEO/s1600/BeadSouptoCatWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_oJFkitsbKV9WT7-Y-_eUXdZ5NvLfYAbpa-jZ14zTItzuSr3SEEAjoLJrNV2fZBKsPB2TF5-9oTfFxxNb8u2t79zEMVsHBG2AgcFUDaEB4y4YTZBF12f8es0iRtYto6wDLEO/s320/BeadSouptoCatWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk6PU4ZuQl03z_BcEjGSviv-WK4SjyVfZ__RYXCpDac4B6ScJEPNEI26mvpgJ76leWglg31-fbVnZsAcQGatU8vKAFgQPMpLWug4LYUvsaEx_4Pos9XBhuySb5ij6IEwv6jUK/s1600/BeadSoupNecklaceWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizk6PU4ZuQl03z_BcEjGSviv-WK4SjyVfZ__RYXCpDac4B6ScJEPNEI26mvpgJ76leWglg31-fbVnZsAcQGatU8vKAFgQPMpLWug4LYUvsaEx_4Pos9XBhuySb5ij6IEwv6jUK/s320/BeadSoupNecklaceWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">....remodeled my home office/jewelry studio.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvW-0TXKW56zXqxl6Ltg4dY8xYEPcwG7uK7mbR0HWp8rV8aLudkqn_VI41rx07g9pYZI1KnPVgQwXHOEX1PVqDi43cb1yUfxCXIz60tY-trWp4DntmsGAWuifuP7iEhOtVtdC/s1600/OfficeHomeBizBeadsMarch2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvW-0TXKW56zXqxl6Ltg4dY8xYEPcwG7uK7mbR0HWp8rV8aLudkqn_VI41rx07g9pYZI1KnPVgQwXHOEX1PVqDi43cb1yUfxCXIz60tY-trWp4DntmsGAWuifuP7iEhOtVtdC/s320/OfficeHomeBizBeadsMarch2011Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMt4PDdW7KRGUMs8o7loYsRE1alagcHFymO-o0X8o6wz6hDrTgm8QuaYlyTFGgwFzWd5zObFN5Sp3P3oNTRyuscshSc3-6p5poYvsrsgmILoeWwJ45ysbF2vyHNJ6chF99yEo/s1600/StudioPegboardToolsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMt4PDdW7KRGUMs8o7loYsRE1alagcHFymO-o0X8o6wz6hDrTgm8QuaYlyTFGgwFzWd5zObFN5Sp3P3oNTRyuscshSc3-6p5poYvsrsgmILoeWwJ45ysbF2vyHNJ6chF99yEo/s320/StudioPegboardToolsWeb.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">....remodeled the hallway outside my home office/jewelry studio with beads....errr bubbles...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF6iXTD3XNSVDEpZgJm84KL-mkjDF3J3ztbi07B4JbQfAK174r_SRi0jOm9ADd-hKWbXpQT_kDj-EFiBisVbIcSaDvBQA7VDCMBwizq4p_Lq8ECZbOTS4ioCo9Srv4dcPIUSC/s1600/HallwayBubblesApril2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguF6iXTD3XNSVDEpZgJm84KL-mkjDF3J3ztbi07B4JbQfAK174r_SRi0jOm9ADd-hKWbXpQT_kDj-EFiBisVbIcSaDvBQA7VDCMBwizq4p_Lq8ECZbOTS4ioCo9Srv4dcPIUSC/s320/HallwayBubblesApril2011Web.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div>...got the babylock fixed and made a jewelry display....</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG0VvhjFVRhYXqH8LZ4Oy8NdAIlKqHjdR6M6yhB4yiwbOLd8B8A2st4_5pEnYH0HxsatHNUrz9RidlDedDA7L0M5zTVlUaqj0-HZSmv_EsGjBAa57aoaM30u41Gu1z8kO-K3z/s1600/HandPatternCuttingAug2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlG0VvhjFVRhYXqH8LZ4Oy8NdAIlKqHjdR6M6yhB4yiwbOLd8B8A2st4_5pEnYH0HxsatHNUrz9RidlDedDA7L0M5zTVlUaqj0-HZSmv_EsGjBAa57aoaM30u41Gu1z8kO-K3z/s320/HandPatternCuttingAug2011Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5OhtYm-zaEuW1Wv6_KskSVdKsjiNVS4BHaZR2mlT52ryJLhXHg37smsHpoMr4Rb2smqFf3zxnatih-bFjg0YKcKhzkYpFyntU9RK6Wb3leLblv_dJkzOyqYQA_Ey_F2XxLVs/s1600/HandClothStuffedAug2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5OhtYm-zaEuW1Wv6_KskSVdKsjiNVS4BHaZR2mlT52ryJLhXHg37smsHpoMr4Rb2smqFf3zxnatih-bFjg0YKcKhzkYpFyntU9RK6Wb3leLblv_dJkzOyqYQA_Ey_F2XxLVs/s320/HandClothStuffedAug2011Web.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div> </div><div>...I even remodeled in my kitchen...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMoQRxXZjISe21t3eT8yPNGKhrSQcknLtHTWLhghLKwKat4NY-qhM13zKUGHY3hyphenhyphen4wfyaES-mUWcj9tGmqcjkfFEPPTpaehjciuDcFkvOGpQCWoSl7I61oMs-YVqJ_z54XidB/s1600/DayOneTilingWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMoQRxXZjISe21t3eT8yPNGKhrSQcknLtHTWLhghLKwKat4NY-qhM13zKUGHY3hyphenhyphen4wfyaES-mUWcj9tGmqcjkfFEPPTpaehjciuDcFkvOGpQCWoSl7I61oMs-YVqJ_z54XidB/s320/DayOneTilingWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Guess I fared better with 2011's New Year's resolution than I thought. I think I'll put DO on my 2012 New Year's Resolutions too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">What about you? How do you think your 2011 went? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-20031658062154632802011-12-27T08:27:00.000-05:002011-12-27T08:27:33.411-05:00Gone but not forgotten....to keep creating!Hi blogging buddies! It's been awhile since I blogged - life got in the way. Despite my absence from blogging, I've been busy making and creating!<br />
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</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaNWrFwNwQMU2jn5AJyrUVBfWBGURC8M9o_zH-Sbtd6PS-LHOMpVD8uC7JUpX1MK1FxAsAjXin5JlRf4cypdcY4_CQ8JHdjfIXmofEn6CBM8NX-NIJ7XM6nSsQzwt2qRx9LRc/s1600/FirstBatchNov2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaNWrFwNwQMU2jn5AJyrUVBfWBGURC8M9o_zH-Sbtd6PS-LHOMpVD8uC7JUpX1MK1FxAsAjXin5JlRf4cypdcY4_CQ8JHdjfIXmofEn6CBM8NX-NIJ7XM6nSsQzwt2qRx9LRc/s320/FirstBatchNov2011Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper clay beads in drying stage</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cold weather in the northeast signals a move indoors to my office/jewelry studio area and a change in media. This year, I thought I'd experiment with <a href="http://www.paperclay.com/">Paperclay</a>. I've made several different shapes that I'm fond of - a bird, house and cloud. Stay tuned to see how these come out.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Next up was<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73luorqg8v4"> needle tatting</a>. I tried this awhile ago and got stuck at pulling the thread through the needle. I thought I was doing something wrong so I stopped trying. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KPIJK7NOsn5FcRYQDWIDaEFGF7pICMas-fKc92gn_K8wn-4cmcF7b3CtIKMqUUc-74VWtArctRz2lrGojH6CAImAdtw0JtGVcRMSl6AOQ59N-3YrdhsHbke0p24MvZePuOz9/s1600/FirstTattedFlowerDec2011Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8KPIJK7NOsn5FcRYQDWIDaEFGF7pICMas-fKc92gn_K8wn-4cmcF7b3CtIKMqUUc-74VWtArctRz2lrGojH6CAImAdtw0JtGVcRMSl6AOQ59N-3YrdhsHbke0p24MvZePuOz9/s320/FirstTattedFlowerDec2011Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First successful attempt at needle tatted flower</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>This time around, I watched the video and stopped it in the places where I got stuck before. It took me about 2 hours to figure it out but I finally got it right! I've made several more since the red one above in black and purple. Needle tatting is really addictive - I'm now on the hunt for patterns! If you know of any good ones, send a link my way!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So although I've been gone, I haven't forgotten to keep creating. I feel particularly satisfied that I finally learned to needle tat. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">What about you? What have you been up to?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-62807864493995596382011-11-07T07:33:00.000-05:002011-11-07T07:33:15.289-05:00Monday Morning Eye Candy and Book<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD_r6z2C5cngb-XPYEJ5ZB7eE9k3kOlt8EHWz_-WzLq02PMuMVHWdRoxblYSxtuBDsj9ytN0MLsGx0hiVuZ0WfFyy-dI5wAJfJ5KYMFPqDKHTt73qXaOF335gjdgE_IlFn-jR/s1600/RAWCrystalBraceletWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD_r6z2C5cngb-XPYEJ5ZB7eE9k3kOlt8EHWz_-WzLq02PMuMVHWdRoxblYSxtuBDsj9ytN0MLsGx0hiVuZ0WfFyy-dI5wAJfJ5KYMFPqDKHTt73qXaOF335gjdgE_IlFn-jR/s320/RAWCrystalBraceletWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Another practice bracelet of <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-my-bookshelf-stitch-workshop-right.html">Right Angle Weave</a> made with Gossamer floss, <a href="https://shop.rings-things.com/cart/pc/Rondelles-Briolette-Beads-5040-5041-c776.htm">crystal 6mm firepolished rondelles from Rings n Things</a> and silverlined "E" beads. I like the single row of RAW because it makes up quickly and by changing the beads, you can make one to match your wardrobe!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've got another book from Kalmach that I'm smitten with. It's Jewelry for the New Romantic. Here's an interview with the book's author Nealay Patel. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tFDAE-cOFlw" width="420"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Projects look yummy don't they? I haven't done any stringing with Soft Flex wire in quite awhile. Patel puts a new spin on it and I can't wait to dive in. Are there any techniques you haven't tried in awhile?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-37909195749429201032011-11-01T07:00:00.093-04:002011-11-01T10:14:58.232-04:00On My Bookshelf: Stitch Workshop: Right Angle Weave<div style="text-align: center;">Drum roll please.......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvQIJFSJCFyI2C_nc-MGkrY6u9HZbtSF4SJzdbBMIi9HC0EWrlyVUKpQBgOkTEPByeEDd6qHIu7VU1QYKq7FC2AGWDNWdxkJGyq_GVJFkZNiN2ETNLL1aHw5BBdjO82xUUbk_/s1600/RAWBraceletsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvQIJFSJCFyI2C_nc-MGkrY6u9HZbtSF4SJzdbBMIi9HC0EWrlyVUKpQBgOkTEPByeEDd6qHIu7VU1QYKq7FC2AGWDNWdxkJGyq_GVJFkZNiN2ETNLL1aHw5BBdjO82xUUbk_/s320/RAWBraceletsWeb.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">TA-DAH! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">These are my practice bracelets in Right Angle Weave. I made these using the very first pattern from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stitch-Workshop-Editors-Button-magazine/dp/0871164558/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320019823&sr=1-2">Stitch Workshop: Right Angle Weave. </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTGogJcM7_lJgD0cHfKFQkE0P-hBbLSKwcpOAxj7z98P0GR_UFaAC-BBockycIiKSUhhZZsZTwnFgWbNv2cmdMv2s57ONBmrqQ3__CDXASG9gSq5BKX27ByuP5BG0OOfUr7P5/s1600/products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTGogJcM7_lJgD0cHfKFQkE0P-hBbLSKwcpOAxj7z98P0GR_UFaAC-BBockycIiKSUhhZZsZTwnFgWbNv2cmdMv2s57ONBmrqQ3__CDXASG9gSq5BKX27ByuP5BG0OOfUr7P5/s1600/products.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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As I said yesterday, I'm not a rank beginner with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bead_weaving">off loom</a> but have never done right angle weave. The projects in the book are arranged from easy to advanced. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Let me say now that I've never been able to teach myself an off loom technique by using a book. Usually I try and then go take a class so I can see how to do it. I wanted to use beads from my stash and I didn't have any 6mm rounds to use so I substituted with size 6 and size 8 seed beads. So it was a little harder to see the beads and pattern.<br />
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The beginning of the book includes the basics of right angle weave with colored illustrations and arrows to show where to weave your needle and thread (or stringing material. These illustrations came in very handy when I got confused with the project directions. The illustrations are followed by "Tips and Tricks for Right Angle Weave by David Chatt." It's a list of tips for the more experienced right angle beadweaver. Page 8 is "Beading Technique Basics" and it covers topics like adding thread, ending thread surgeion's knot, other beadweaving stitches, wire techniques and opening jump rings to name just a few. Tools and materials are covered in the next section. I'm very familiar with these materials so I skipped over this section and went straight to the first pattern by Pam O'Connor, "The Cuff Crystallized."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay5QyltaihjtePeFJrkkYwqcUyVZcUX9leyqjGUW3DdvDeL_Z56BCU0MzLaFSm8xhZVHIPFV7cT5ebNWKu05O6wf1_n08UgEIloNJo56LYhqeRKlUJiyaDc7-p6srLTePKpdp/s1600/RAWBookwithBeadsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay5QyltaihjtePeFJrkkYwqcUyVZcUX9leyqjGUW3DdvDeL_Z56BCU0MzLaFSm8xhZVHIPFV7cT5ebNWKu05O6wf1_n08UgEIloNJo56LYhqeRKlUJiyaDc7-p6srLTePKpdp/s320/RAWBookwithBeadsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It took me a couple of tries to get the pattern and stitch right. When I got to the right length, again it took me a couple of tries to join the bracelet properly. Adding the next row was also trial and error. I'd read the directions and look at the pictures given on page five rather than the pictures in the pattern. The similar colors in the pattern pictures confused me. The colors were too similar to be clear. I alleviated the confusion with the pictures on page five. It took me several tries flipping between the pages and pulling out the beads but I eventually got the second row going. Since it was nothing like the first row, it took me awhile to get into the rhythm.<br />
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Despite the learning curve, I was able to teach myself how to beadweave in flat, right angle weave using a single needle. The first project states you can make the bracelet in a couple of hours. It took me approximately 5 hours over two days. Not bad for a beginner.<br />
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I've got my sights on the third project called <a href="http://julieglasser.com/gallery_UpDown.cfm?pageid=2573&pagesub=0&pagesubof=0&gn=1">"Wiggle Room." It's by Julie Glasser</a> and it's made with various sizes of seed beads to create the wiggle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUWEFiEJAsS-Tsy8kUvjaF9XtBr3NZG5yYd3bNSBQR8_jAKh_EcHsxOEi7M5rV7kjv1GEbaXgabsL5VaaO4tKLiQFext1OzsHf7a5psEL_OSS1R8kDuFJavcqwShy4m8x7r9o/s1600/20080622081209643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUWEFiEJAsS-Tsy8kUvjaF9XtBr3NZG5yYd3bNSBQR8_jAKh_EcHsxOEi7M5rV7kjv1GEbaXgabsL5VaaO4tKLiQFext1OzsHf7a5psEL_OSS1R8kDuFJavcqwShy4m8x7r9o/s320/20080622081209643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Wiggle Room photo courtesy of <a href="http://julieglasser.com/gallery_UpDown.cfm?pageid=2573&pagesub=0&pagesubof=0&gn=1">Judy Glasser.</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I have a big stash of size 6, 8 and 11 seed beads in all colors just perfect for this project. I may try the bracelet project after called Crossing Paths by <a href="http://lisabearsbeadingblog.blogspot.com/">Lisa Twede</a> or skip right to another favorite, <a href="http://www.beaddreams.biz/instruction.htm">Cosmic Crystals by Deborah Staehle</a>. Another luscious project I'm smitten with is April Bradley's Spring Snowflakes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABb72EHAyiAuZe6Kz8lY104Q6s-UMhaDyxkRuGpZXkFi83fU2rrYl370lSxwWJ1RyVxvaH9j0eAyvE9gmXR28_wtirhMxLmhL44f7gErPjXpz-0hi-xNbalEwA3GWZnS6lrAa/s1600/7706457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABb72EHAyiAuZe6Kz8lY104Q6s-UMhaDyxkRuGpZXkFi83fU2rrYl370lSxwWJ1RyVxvaH9j0eAyvE9gmXR28_wtirhMxLmhL44f7gErPjXpz-0hi-xNbalEwA3GWZnS6lrAa/s320/7706457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aprilbradley.com/index2.html#ecwid:category=693216&mode=product&product=2806500"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A variation of Spring Snowflakes called Mediterrean Photo and necklace by April Bradley</i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And those are just the beginner- intermediate projects! There are lovely advanced projects Where you can learn advanced and dimensional right angle weave such as Chain of Rings by <a href="http://cindypankopf.com/theartist.html">Cindy Thomas Pankopf</a> and Victorian Sparkle by Julie Walker. If you're looking for a book on right angle weave with a variety of projects, this is a bargain for under $20. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div></div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-63075924979340505302011-10-31T07:00:00.025-04:002011-10-31T07:00:06.894-04:00On My Workbench: New Off Loom Beadweaving with Seed Beads<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay5QyltaihjtePeFJrkkYwqcUyVZcUX9leyqjGUW3DdvDeL_Z56BCU0MzLaFSm8xhZVHIPFV7cT5ebNWKu05O6wf1_n08UgEIloNJo56LYhqeRKlUJiyaDc7-p6srLTePKpdp/s1600/RAWBookwithBeadsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay5QyltaihjtePeFJrkkYwqcUyVZcUX9leyqjGUW3DdvDeL_Z56BCU0MzLaFSm8xhZVHIPFV7cT5ebNWKu05O6wf1_n08UgEIloNJo56LYhqeRKlUJiyaDc7-p6srLTePKpdp/s320/RAWBookwithBeadsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm working on a off-loom beadweaving technique, right angle weave. I'm not a rank beginner to off loom beadweaving. I learned peyote and brick stitch about 10 years ago and have a little 4 x 6 box where I keep my off loom work.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbyDrYd9Ccvp-0ocqX4yLJ2SHWvH6vUf_CBh-y9cgwzYvip9_7mzMiXLD8Mdt0hNbnj2L5JGBo1_rlpIGe7gmpNb_LWXo5d8z1WXA2fOpbz8BMEpFxSaEMl78DjOUeAZvvNaX/s1600/SeedBeadsOffLoomWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbyDrYd9Ccvp-0ocqX4yLJ2SHWvH6vUf_CBh-y9cgwzYvip9_7mzMiXLD8Mdt0hNbnj2L5JGBo1_rlpIGe7gmpNb_LWXo5d8z1WXA2fOpbz8BMEpFxSaEMl78DjOUeAZvvNaX/s320/SeedBeadsOffLoomWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I've never taken on RAW though and when I saw Kalmach's new addition to their Stitch Workshop series, I figured it was a good time to teach myself. So I'm in the middle of a series of "practice bracelets," simple, flat right angle weave done with .5mm stretch cording. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTGogJcM7_lJgD0cHfKFQkE0P-hBbLSKwcpOAxj7z98P0GR_UFaAC-BBockycIiKSUhhZZsZTwnFgWbNv2cmdMv2s57ONBmrqQ3__CDXASG9gSq5BKX27ByuP5BG0OOfUr7P5/s1600/products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTGogJcM7_lJgD0cHfKFQkE0P-hBbLSKwcpOAxj7z98P0GR_UFaAC-BBockycIiKSUhhZZsZTwnFgWbNv2cmdMv2s57ONBmrqQ3__CDXASG9gSq5BKX27ByuP5BG0OOfUr7P5/s1600/products.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.retailers.kalmbach.com/product.aspx?id=64551&sc_section=%7BE42F5D15-6D3D-4746-97A5-ECB01A4554A3%7D"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stitch Workshop: Right Angle Weave from Kalmach</i></span></a></div><br />
I'll review the book the book tomorrow after I finish the bracelets I've started. What about you, have you done any off loom beadweaving lately?Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-20985677786152255912011-10-28T07:00:00.037-04:002011-10-29T08:45:13.479-04:00Boo! Happy Halloween and Hauntingly Hallowed Links!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIG97HEY3m_wph_ulTRYumTJA3wBhn6IWvNFafR2I7_a3W7sJOx573Q-8DMWXjcdJXPZQPl8y72FbqaOiS5TNPPyuFoUJ5LDw4IFb80J7qHxzDq3uAYSU3kk_mdBxmVbIdSEU/s1600/DSC03414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIG97HEY3m_wph_ulTRYumTJA3wBhn6IWvNFafR2I7_a3W7sJOx573Q-8DMWXjcdJXPZQPl8y72FbqaOiS5TNPPyuFoUJ5LDw4IFb80J7qHxzDq3uAYSU3kk_mdBxmVbIdSEU/s320/DSC03414.JPG" width="191" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://carmicimicata.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-pin-repost.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Carmi's Halloween Brooch</i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Halloween is upon us already, readers! Every fall, I'm shocked at how fast the times goes! Lots of great jewelry and ideas from our bead bloggers this week, take a look.....</div><br />
<a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-weeks-project-simple-shiny.html">A Bead A Day</a><br />
Are you sharing your talents with others? Lisa shares her recent experience teaching a group of friends a simple, but rewarding project.<br />
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<a href="http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2011/10/22/break-the-mold%E2%80%A6-glass-jewelry.htm">About.com Jewelrymaking</a><br />
Break into glass jewelry making with these tutorials and techniques. <br />
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<a href="http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/10/design-tips-for-holiday-jewelry.html">Art Bead Scene</a><br />
Heather helps us look ahead to the holiday season with some great inspiration for seasonal jewelry <br />
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<a href="http://www.beading-arts.com/2011/10/framed-polymer-clay-mixed-media.html">Beading Arts</a><br />
Polymer clay + greeting cards = a fun mixed media necklace! <br />
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<a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/359-Book-Inspiration-Frog-and-Toad-Are-Friends.html">Beads and Books</a><br />
How long does it really take you to make a piece of jewelry? Michelle shares the long process behind a simple pair of earrings. <br />
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<a href="http://carmicimicata.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-pin-repost.html">Carmi's Art/Life World</a><br />
Carmi has a cute fabric brooch idea for Halloween. <br />
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<a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/10/tuesday-tangle-duos-earrings.html">Cindy Gimbrone Beads</a><br />
This week's Tuesday Tangle features handmade earrings of metal clay and wire. <br />
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<a href="http://resincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/skull-and-bone-easycast-brooch.html">Resin Crafts</a><br />
This week we have a nice series showing you how to use an ice tray to make fun skull and bone cast pieces. <br />
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<a href="http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2011/10/beaducation-news-and-giveaway.html">Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!</a><br />
Wonderful, really exciting giveaway from Beaducation! Read all about it and sign up on Jean's blog!Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-43561227048733359932011-10-26T07:00:00.034-04:002011-10-26T07:00:08.737-04:00Minding the Business: Taking care of you!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl7TmNzWuUBPLiQW7gAZP3qnzHlJIkN5sxAfT4kDE3ngUNpGuNtRAQbZUtd6EelxYEeZsmFQepvPIT2lhLXwFL26L9fZK0wLRK7akgDRS7nXs-XKU2k1YaCccxWRIStkceHO2/s1600/BuddhaClzUpWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJl7TmNzWuUBPLiQW7gAZP3qnzHlJIkN5sxAfT4kDE3ngUNpGuNtRAQbZUtd6EelxYEeZsmFQepvPIT2lhLXwFL26L9fZK0wLRK7akgDRS7nXs-XKU2k1YaCccxWRIStkceHO2/s1600/BuddhaClzUpWeb.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I've talked before about <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/09/minding-business-customer-service.html">learning to say no </a>as a fundamental business lesson. Especially for those of us who have a tendency to always put others first. There are good reasons to put others first such as, you have children, aging parents and/or that's who you are. But always doing for others and never carving out a little time for yourself leaves you depleted and worse yet, sore. If your unwinding time involves making jewelry or crocheting, the small muscle movements can leave you wound up tighter than an old fashioned grandfather's clock!<br />
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I work as a sign language interpreter, beadmaker, crocheter, knitter, jewelry designer and all around crafts maker. I know what I'm talking about. Over-use. Repetitive movement. Carpal Tunnel. My down time just wound me up more. I kept over using my muscles, giving myself migraines and soreness, but I didn't make anytime for me. No vacation, no days off, just work and over-use.<br />
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Maybe that's you, maybe it's not. But either way, I'll bet you need to make a little time for yourself. But what should you do? <br />
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Get a massage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU137T0bJOgAE6_eTMuP-vU_nFWdM4JPDWBZP7Ws1kBibJTd0c3G-XpwiKhYw_vh2w09PhdZqmO4b5I7HjaZfItBL3_0PL-HHgPREjuJ8gXAMNxjuOaf1fJnECeSVrwH6-o-Gu/s1600/massage+blueprint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU137T0bJOgAE6_eTMuP-vU_nFWdM4JPDWBZP7Ws1kBibJTd0c3G-XpwiKhYw_vh2w09PhdZqmO4b5I7HjaZfItBL3_0PL-HHgPREjuJ8gXAMNxjuOaf1fJnECeSVrwH6-o-Gu/s320/massage+blueprint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes, dear readers, a massage. I'm encouraging everyone and anyone to get a massage.<br />
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I was the original queen of denial. I didn't realize how tight my muscles were and what they were doing to me. It drove me to doctors and neurologists. When the neurologist sent me to a chiropractor who said he could give me 50% of my movement back and massage therapy should be part of my regular routine, I was in so much pain I just did what the doctor ordered to feel better.<br />
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It took awhile to finally get to the point where I was ready for massage. Once I started going in the spring, I wondered why I hadn't gone earlier. Whatever stood in my way, I'm glad it didn't continue because massage is one of the best things I've ever done for my health.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yTRbz-vZrEVyXVJvu9YoD3zU1KK6TVXJ36lrmdFqIxwNuWWcD_-ok-EFLobWJqEhMpBmOGEfR6UPABI7gVi9tHE9iYzhWk2Zd9Xao1CD7bnAGcWataSH8NcmHQp-78dNRff6/s1600/hand-massage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yTRbz-vZrEVyXVJvu9YoD3zU1KK6TVXJ36lrmdFqIxwNuWWcD_-ok-EFLobWJqEhMpBmOGEfR6UPABI7gVi9tHE9iYzhWk2Zd9Xao1CD7bnAGcWataSH8NcmHQp-78dNRff6/s1600/hand-massage.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=massage+therapy&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=MwM&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1254&bih=857&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=S0-AGJGYunjhtM:&imgrefurl=http://wellnessboston.wordpress.com/&docid=DxRlqRCvX-wk_M&imgurl=http://wellnessboston.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/hand-massage.jpg&w=265&h=274&ei=20WkTru_DsHu0gHanp3DAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=689&vpy=261&dur=464&hovh=219&hovw=212&tx=115&ty=106&sig=118053069734218000387&page=9&tbnh=170&tbnw=154&start=171&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:171">Ahhh - Hand Massage (photo credit</a>)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I take 2 hours every three weeks to have a massage. My work and my hobbies wind up my muscles. Massage unwinds them. I feel better, have less pain and more movement than I've had in years. Two hours every three weeks, that's hardly a blip in my schedule. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It would hardly be a blip on your schedule too. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Take care of yourself, my friend. After all you do for others, you're entitled to enjoying your handmade work and feeling good. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-8246006252008204682011-10-25T07:00:00.004-04:002011-10-25T07:00:04.596-04:00Tuesday Tangle: Duos Earrings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2GrO1DtZOoncs1ZJ68_bkfB3vcRUzTd7REwLIFKf9Tg__4pipc0CCySFkI-l0hhwQV3P3vxLO3PnfIxpJpt6hKdOIBpqdCCJ1AQELT0sfaDf28wZ8uu9xuHw1H0IgxiZPpfz/s1600/EarringsDuosWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2GrO1DtZOoncs1ZJ68_bkfB3vcRUzTd7REwLIFKf9Tg__4pipc0CCySFkI-l0hhwQV3P3vxLO3PnfIxpJpt6hKdOIBpqdCCJ1AQELT0sfaDf28wZ8uu9xuHw1H0IgxiZPpfz/s320/EarringsDuosWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Finally! A piece of finished jewelry from the metal clay class! These are meant to be very worn and rough. They were extra test blanks I had rolled out to test the kiln. But their simplicity is striking - copper base with bronze centers. The violet patina on the copper earwires is made in a flame.<br />
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What do you think?Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-5323509109322841372011-10-24T07:00:00.001-04:002011-10-24T07:00:06.180-04:00Monday Morning Blue Fingers and The Handbook of Metal ClayIt's been a couple of weeks since I took <a href="http://www.artinsilver.com/index.html">Hadar Jacobson</a>'s class on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokume-gane">Mokume Gane</a> but I'm still working on the pieces I didn't have a chance to fire and finish during the class. I've even fired a few pieces that I had laying around from <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2009/07/bronze-metal-clay-journey-patina-polish.html">my first foray into bronz metal clay</a> (yes, they've been sitting there for two years!) I was amazed when they fired without crumbling.<br />
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I've been polishing with my dremel tool. I had alot of trouble with it during class and frankly, I'm a little afraid of taking an eye out trying to polish those small pieces. There's lots of dust too so I wear my safety glasses and my dust mask when I'm finishing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxyNzdXfMN3wVtRxEAqchRjsx2i3zCDDZQKw2fWDClanaHkFfekiSzvUhU-j9QbBjoYdOP-32aFA0md5bP7hxjQLu8xqvtJuA4IOsuzp7IbBRVBN2c3yim_7BFhn1sO9XRp4G/s1600/DustMaskGogglesWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxyNzdXfMN3wVtRxEAqchRjsx2i3zCDDZQKw2fWDClanaHkFfekiSzvUhU-j9QbBjoYdOP-32aFA0md5bP7hxjQLu8xqvtJuA4IOsuzp7IbBRVBN2c3yim_7BFhn1sO9XRp4G/s320/DustMaskGogglesWeb.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Safety ain't pretty but your lungs and eyes appreciate it!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div> Most of the patina goes directly onto my fingers turning them blue giving me a zombie look just perfect for Halloween. I understand now why so much of the metal clay jewelry is large, it's easier to finish.<br />
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If all this metal clay talk makes you want to take a class from Hadar, I recommend it. If you can't get to one of her classes or don't live near her, the next best thing is her book, <a href="http://store.artinsilver.com/cobhaofmeclt.html">The Handbook of Metal Clay: Textures and Forms. </a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw_Fi_yeACHPQAjjHkhhXWo4Wggra6FRnx74vg_sHbzYd1EgGQDzJ_C6E7SlT31JZpqW-eL6cb3_1Af-6eiJH3J0ZBLlkRKsCqtmA1kNwfVCLRmQ6yckpYHrq0HmyRDLW0-QL/s1600/yhst-4959681647834_2180_46739485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizw_Fi_yeACHPQAjjHkhhXWo4Wggra6FRnx74vg_sHbzYd1EgGQDzJ_C6E7SlT31JZpqW-eL6cb3_1Af-6eiJH3J0ZBLlkRKsCqtmA1kNwfVCLRmQ6yckpYHrq0HmyRDLW0-QL/s320/yhst-4959681647834_2180_46739485.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo Courtesy of Hadar's website</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Handbook of Metal Clay first edition was <a href="http://www.artinsilver.com/handbook-of-metal-clay.htm">reviewed in Jewelry Artist August 2008</a>. I consider myself a beginner with metal clay and have had the opportunity to take a class. The handbook is an excellent follow-up to Hadar's class along with the <a href="http://artinsilver.com/blog/2011/08/21/upcoming-special-workshops-in-january-february-2012/">free downloadable instructions available on her blog.</a> However, if you haven't taken a class, I believe if you read through all the available material and the book, you would be able to create lovely pieces of metal clay. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the second edition and contains information on mixing metal clays. The book reads like her class, opening with a comprehensive list of materials and tools needed.</span><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </i></span>The actual book is spiral bound making it easy to open to specific pages while you're working. I've actually ruined my <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2010/12/key-to-my-designs.html">Enchanted Adornments book</a> by pressing the spine to have it stay open while I'm working. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Throughout the handbook, there are boxes on the margins containing useful tips. You'd be wise to read all of the tips as you work. Many of your questions can be answered by reading them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I skip through the book and pick out projects I really have been jonseing to do. Page 20 is "Collage Pendant in Copper and Bronze" and is the first project I skipped to after taking the her class. I could use a little more practice on working with different textures but it's the basics of backing and adding a tube bail that I want to perfect. From there, I plan to skip to the project on page 25 called "Changing Places." It's an exercise in mixing bronze and copper clays into a squares and rectangles project. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're into architectural style jewelry, page 44 introduces the concept with a project called "House Earrings." You'll hone your skill in joining and making tube beads. I've got to make a pair of these! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYS5cXP_oWvWwN7z6qt7svhoESOdblCRfvho0aQgDt1aAq0Wk-GLvbsg1mMEc5mmDXNYajNlYCiCvye-r1KZPj0fIwcBQRWdGceSI_ObQF9CQUkw5RnPdyD9WvF_5-vVpKblbC/s1600/yhst-4959681647834_2180_8280203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYS5cXP_oWvWwN7z6qt7svhoESOdblCRfvho0aQgDt1aAq0Wk-GLvbsg1mMEc5mmDXNYajNlYCiCvye-r1KZPj0fIwcBQRWdGceSI_ObQF9CQUkw5RnPdyD9WvF_5-vVpKblbC/s320/yhst-4959681647834_2180_8280203.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.artinsilver.com/trea.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Treehouse Earrings by Hadar Jacobson</i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">There are many more projects in this section but I'm going to skip right to the section on Flexible Clay and Textile Techniques. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've had dreams about flexible wire clay so you can be sure I'll make a project from this section soon. I love the Mobius Washers and Cross-Armed Earrings projects. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f-A2X8LZZQWN_bv3Yc5vBQj-MuHHGgZfLyYWq6ixjahLEzpiv_g9h2ADjjapIydSRyaqhuJUFeASPkiqH8Rke7cla91jNOzkO-KG72vqOzUjdgrYfMi3Py3zn0N0wAZ3tagx/s1600/yhst-4959681647834_2180_3405574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_f-A2X8LZZQWN_bv3Yc5vBQj-MuHHGgZfLyYWq6ixjahLEzpiv_g9h2ADjjapIydSRyaqhuJUFeASPkiqH8Rke7cla91jNOzkO-KG72vqOzUjdgrYfMi3Py3zn0N0wAZ3tagx/s320/yhst-4959681647834_2180_3405574.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.artinsilver.com/knots1.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Knots Earrings made with flexible wire clay by Hadar Jacobson</i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Whew! That's quite an array of techniques and those are just the ones I've mentioned. There are many more in the book. The books are self-published which makes them a little more expensive than those on Amazon. If you're looking for Hadar's techniques and tips, this is the only place to find them - well worth the price. If you've taken a class and don't understand the notes you took because you were too busy watching, the book is a great refresher. Everything is there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So me and my blue fingers are going back to work now. Have you taken a class from Hadar? Have you bought her books? What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-84423068900001934162011-10-22T07:00:00.054-04:002011-10-22T07:00:02.686-04:00Saturday Crafting: My Baby Lock is back! Crafty links to enjoyIt's Saturday! Today is my crafting day! I'm so excited to finally have my <a href="http://www.babylock.com/sewing/previous-models/creative-professional-new/">Baby Lock back in working order. </a> This week's project isn't very creative but it's useful. I bought <a href="http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=1b9ccba&Nao=21&Ne=4+840+877+878+5+961+6+968+29+3+598+11+15+12+506+10+23+585+596+963+579+1031+8+1022+1014+586+1007+879+1027+18+904+903+969+833+949&N=4294959029&hdnOnGo=true&NOffset=0&Ntt=Cindy+Crawford+curtains&SearchString=Cindy+Crawford+curtains&submit%20search.x=0&submit%20search.y=0&SO=0&PSO=0&CmCatId=searchresults">curtains for the bedroom</a> that are too long. So I'll be cutting them down and hemming them. I think I'll make pillows out of the leftover fabric. Unless you have another idea? What would you make? <br />
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Lots of crafty-ness going on. Let's check out the Crafty bloggers and see what they're up to this week....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://familycrafts.about.com/b/2011/10/17/make-it-over-monday-craft-challenge-63.htm">About Family Crafts</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The current craft challenge is all about crafting with plastic bags. Submit your project and browse through the pumpkin projects submitted for the last craft challenge. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steevithak/4561529414/" title="img_8198 by steevithak, on Flickr"><img alt="img_8198" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4561529414_f58248a750.jpg" width="333" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Recycled plabric remade into high style (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/steevithak/4561529414/">photo courtesy of steevithak on Flickr</a>)</i></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/10/on-my-bookshelf-craft-activism.html">Cindy Gimbrone Beads</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cindy reviews Craft Activism just in time for Make a Difference Day! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://craftside.typepad.com/craftside/z-oct-14-20-2011/">Craftside- A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This week at Craftside there is a blanket stitched felted flower pattern and tutorial, a chance to win a copy of The Wine Lover's Devotional, some high fashion clothing details, and a recipe for an oven smoked roast. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tammypowley.com/?p=5657">Crafty Princess Diaries</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Crafty Princess takes a trip and talks a little about the benefits of attending functions away from home. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://the-artful-crafter.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-create-your-own-3d-cards-using.html%20">Eileen - The Artful Crafter</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Got tea lights? Look at this darling mini birthday cake favor you can make with them. You'll find directions for a coordinating birthday card as well. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS1flUNBsM07pqfKJH6tokDrLKf2aCHsR1WDP7TvmQG66-k-ZodZpiPXcEZHK-0IUmyKVnznHRtOKSqdZLhOH3eaZ56SKepzJLjaFzSpCVFBet_TK3MDiuk8BEjsxqjvssQO0/s1600/TeaLightCakeCard3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixS1flUNBsM07pqfKJH6tokDrLKf2aCHsR1WDP7TvmQG66-k-ZodZpiPXcEZHK-0IUmyKVnznHRtOKSqdZLhOH3eaZ56SKepzJLjaFzSpCVFBet_TK3MDiuk8BEjsxqjvssQO0/s320/TeaLightCakeCard3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Eileen's adorable tealight birthday cake.</i></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mixed-media-artist.com/2011/10/painted-fabric-quilt-part-four.html">Mixed Media Artist</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cyndi's painted silk fabric quilt is almost finished! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sweatersurgery.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-make-recycled-wool-sweater.html">Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How to make a recycled wool sweater pumpkin with flower die cuts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOHjEWylHEfJHv_bAdgJuqY23KP0EP2GsrK-NUlyNiasO2wEQRWx7TrIxCdVPjjDB2O5sBaWaGY-kNk93FcZ7riuCgSEeb1EReDLUlri9ELe4cIAbyI9lIwFq7YtapR2llA3h/s1600/recycled%252Bwool%252Bfelted%252Bsweater%252Bpumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwOHjEWylHEfJHv_bAdgJuqY23KP0EP2GsrK-NUlyNiasO2wEQRWx7TrIxCdVPjjDB2O5sBaWaGY-kNk93FcZ7riuCgSEeb1EReDLUlri9ELe4cIAbyI9lIwFq7YtapR2llA3h/s1600/recycled%252Bwool%252Bfelted%252Bsweater%252Bpumpkin.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stephanie Girard's felt pumpkin gets eyeballed cuz it's so cute!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-89291513415988182272011-10-21T07:00:00.033-04:002011-10-21T07:00:07.314-04:00Funny Friday and Fabulous Links!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/10/20/funny-pictures-cute-kittens-basket-cast/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=sharewidget"><img alt="Funny Pictures - Cute Kittens" class="event-item-lol-image" height="266px" src="http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/d1e4af0f-0a17-4b17-9e94-d4c38a987cf2.jpg" title="Funny Pictures - Cute Kittens" width="500px" /></a></div>see more <a href="http://icanhascheezburger.com/?utm_source=embed&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=sharewidget">Lolcats and funny pictures</a>, and check out our <a href="http://memebase.com/category/socially-awkward-penguin/">Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!</a><br />
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<a href="http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2011/10/18/making-a-charming-charm-necklace.htm">About.com Jewelrymaking</a><br />
You will fall in love with this new necklace tutorial, or at the very least follow your heart. <br />
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<a href="http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/10/free-project-zipper-pulls.html">Art Bead Scene</a><br />
Jennifer shares a free tutorial on making adorable bead zipper pulls, perfect to spruce up a fall jacket! <br />
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<a href="http://www.beading-arts.com/2011/10/silver-leaf-polymer-clay-cabochons-part_17.html">Beading Arts</a><br />
Cyndi explains how to turn a cabochon into a simple bead embroidered pendant! <br />
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<a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/346-Sari-Ribbon-Blog-Hop-My-Ribbon-Earrings.html">Beads and Books</a><br />
See the fun earrings Michelle made with sari ribbon and get inspired to work with this popular material.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RD4Q8kl1E-hFeeEINp986XsHaVaaP0ZwIBYvWp_UaYfq5MAJNBX2Fxtl78ownofWpqzNmkcSjy4VxURoMB9LQ1lfe4FHb-fNvLNhj2uzqD0Ag3S-yBW5U6fTkBNyL0HfPv4e/s1600/sari-earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RD4Q8kl1E-hFeeEINp986XsHaVaaP0ZwIBYvWp_UaYfq5MAJNBX2Fxtl78ownofWpqzNmkcSjy4VxURoMB9LQ1lfe4FHb-fNvLNhj2uzqD0Ag3S-yBW5U6fTkBNyL0HfPv4e/s320/sari-earrings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle Mach's lovely sari earrings</td></tr>
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<a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/10/tuesday-tangle-mokume-gane-metal-clay.html">Cindy Gimbrone Beads</a><br />
Cindy's back from her class with Hadar Jacobson. Take a look at the mokume gane pieces she made from metal clay. <br />
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<a href="http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/10/free-project-zipper-pulls.html">Earthenwood Studio Chronicles</a><br />
Melanie shows off her holiday packaging and questions photography in another Etsy Boot Camp post <br />
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<a href="http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2011/10/review-by-jean-yates-of-heather-powers.html">Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!</a><br />
Jean reviews the beautiful new book by Heather Powers, Jewelry Designs from NatureCindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-43796226529751925942011-10-20T07:00:00.003-04:002011-10-20T10:08:13.604-04:00On My Bookshelf: Craft ActivismWhile at my metal clay class last week, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Activism-Projects-Community-Handmade/dp/0307586626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318769497&sr=1-1http://www.randomhouse.com/book/203184/craft-activism-by-joan-tapper-and-gale-zucker/9780307586629/">Craft Activism by Joan Tapper and Photography by Gale Zucker</a> arrived at my doorstep.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36L0IDj-N4hTheNyaMjYU46iyHZOHVfbZ-pPRdp5VjXL-sNjwo1MDpv8CuSvvX85yIDjDxA3TrI4UdVwtZAdN-Fs5jo0_chvB31JdsDHdtelgnsEZX9s7_aY1AtZminQlA5kz/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36L0IDj-N4hTheNyaMjYU46iyHZOHVfbZ-pPRdp5VjXL-sNjwo1MDpv8CuSvvX85yIDjDxA3TrI4UdVwtZAdN-Fs5jo0_chvB31JdsDHdtelgnsEZX9s7_aY1AtZminQlA5kz/s320/-1.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo from the Random House Website</i></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've read it from cover to cover, taking in all of the ideas and projects. I felt like I was walking through a modern, yet retro craft show. There were the crafts of my mother and her sister, crochet, knitting and quilting. They were traditional crafts yet put together with a fresh spin, a sense of humor and decidedly activist. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The author, Joan Tapper has laid out the book according to the purpose of the crafts. Part one is entitled, "Crafting a Statement" and includes a section on Ruth Marshall who knits the fur patterns of endagered species to call attention to their plight. An ocelot knitted scarf project follows so you can knit a conscious raising scarf. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY34ImfUb1k0xJAESqqnag6BjPjADYll7HVBMMyutKvlLFwFkLsjJKfbjneuEunWu7zKPwpYhyphenhyphenmSMNjdc2C9YLPN2ao9V2y8xc_ZxhN10MUbVryJMNBniupIJoFK0lKupB_70c/s1600/Z-YARN-P1-2-articleLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY34ImfUb1k0xJAESqqnag6BjPjADYll7HVBMMyutKvlLFwFkLsjJKfbjneuEunWu7zKPwpYhyphenhyphenmSMNjdc2C9YLPN2ao9V2y8xc_ZxhN10MUbVryJMNBniupIJoFK0lKupB_70c/s320/Z-YARN-P1-2-articleLarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/fashion/creating-graffiti-with-yarn.html">Yarn bombing - making a statement with yarn - crochet a public sculpture! (Photo courtesy of NYT)</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Part Two, Recrafting the Past, is where I found my old junior high school crush, crochet. There's a colorful explosion of granny squares made by Ellen Bloom along with an easy "Granny Greenbag" project you can make yourself. The rest of the section highlights embroidery and sewing. The intermediate sewing project resurrects the <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/2010/04/house-dress-humble-history.html">1950's housedress</a> meant to be worn over your jeans. It made me happy that I bought a new Baby Lock. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtNBfUB0PUbxKPJ5yG7sT_mWh6ym53cxmeCktelucYu70Bql81FP_4AJJmQZdqVNOElUHaoarduxuzLoYbUspzfWl9xJQAhP0d_Vn2Li2ipHG_L2hNGvOqaSrdeGuM2MVKW89/s1600/house%252Bdress%252B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtNBfUB0PUbxKPJ5yG7sT_mWh6ym53cxmeCktelucYu70Bql81FP_4AJJmQZdqVNOElUHaoarduxuzLoYbUspzfWl9xJQAhP0d_Vn2Li2ipHG_L2hNGvOqaSrdeGuM2MVKW89/s320/house%252Bdress%252B2.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Vintage Housedress Pattern (Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.blogforbettersewing.com/">Gertie's Blog</a>.)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was Part Three, Crafting for a Cause that really brought the activist in me out. Crafts aren't just for style or hobbies to the craftivists in this book, they're for making a difference in someone else's life. <a href="http://fc2success.org/what-we-do/programs/red-scarf-project/">The Red Scarf Project </a>is featured in a section along with the <a href="http://www.motherbearproject.org/about.html">Mother Bear Project </a>and the <a href="http://qovf.org/">Quilts of Valor Foundation</a>. You can donate handmade scarves, teddy bears and quilt blocks to help others. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jBNlLA4td6juoF4MrgAptIMKm1_5FmNAVjuJ3aDsG_Wd83y-7tlUUYe4jKvaQGUk3T4V6t4aAJOEPwYQOx60rIZyPwfplycSMRP60J3s8HkXVt3CDYYWrx9huVZ08zUh6QfM/s1600/protest-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jBNlLA4td6juoF4MrgAptIMKm1_5FmNAVjuJ3aDsG_Wd83y-7tlUUYe4jKvaQGUk3T4V6t4aAJOEPwYQOx60rIZyPwfplycSMRP60J3s8HkXVt3CDYYWrx9huVZ08zUh6QfM/s320/protest-8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>All we are saying is give plabric a chance.... <a href="http://people.howstuffworks.com/protest8.htm">(Photo credit)</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The last section, Crafting to Recycle, Renew, and Reuse showcases the "green" side of crafting. From how to recycle t-shirts into "Sun-Tea Dresses" to making a "Tongue in Chic circle skirt" of "plabric" You'll be looking at your recycle bins and garage sales in a whole new way. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Throughout the book there are sections on business advice, how to get a community of crafters together and other business tips. At the end of the book, there are three full pages of further readings, resources and links to get you pointed in the right direction.<br />
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Tapper and Zucker have delivered on the subtitle of the book - People, Ideas and Projects from the New Community of Handmade and How You Can Join In. If you're jonesing for the new spin crafts, this is the resource book to get you started. There are a wide variety of crafts and causes and you can take your pick. <br />
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Craft Activism will get your creative DIY juices flowing! So get out your needles, hooks or sewing machines and make your craft statement! Just in time for this year's <a href="http://makeadifferenceday.com/">Make a Difference Day!</a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></div></div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-41078362807995680962011-10-18T07:00:00.008-04:002011-10-18T07:00:00.234-04:00Tuesday Tangle: Mokume-Gane Metal Clay Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Tuesday Tangle is a weekly feature about all things wire (and sometimes not).</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCt6xPI6HZRTwibB_OiJkpEBIvpu7xWuOEP6JO7aSIJzjstkoRsHe-7O2yrau0dJuCKyQX3LOrTO-rtNnDqh5P2WiOL_AePgxYj2FwvkScfKiBACmdA_xL-L2uC3oUDJlXU0d/s1600/PendantBurnishWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCt6xPI6HZRTwibB_OiJkpEBIvpu7xWuOEP6JO7aSIJzjstkoRsHe-7O2yrau0dJuCKyQX3LOrTO-rtNnDqh5P2WiOL_AePgxYj2FwvkScfKiBACmdA_xL-L2uC3oUDJlXU0d/s320/PendantBurnishWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burnishing a Metal Clay Mokume-Gane Pendant</td></tr>
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</div>I'm taking today's Tuesday Tangle to finish catching you up on my class with Hadar Jacobson. I wanted to show you where I am with the mokume-gane projects I made in Hadar's class but wasn't able to fire and finish. The pendant above has three different kinds of metal clay, copper, bronze and steel. It's primarily copper because copper shrinks less than the bronze so I avoid the potential warping. I'm burnishing it to see if there are any flaws in it. It's easier to catch at this phase than try to fix it after its fired. I can't let my tendency towards skipping steps to come into play. I'll be very sorry later if I do. <br />
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I had to test my brick kiln first by making a full load of copper and bronze test circles. Fortunately, the first load came out perfectly so I didn't have to do any adjustments from the recommended firing temperature. I love the quick fire clay and shortened firing time. It's closer to instant gratification for those of us who are impatient. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM2cX047PMjyD993NezYolVQ55uXN56xSenoSe8EUswrYco4gpb6304uB9zkF32F2IpztSm7Pg20zzojbp9m_7YTKw7RKzcL4ZEjllgXJrNrYc6iZQGH96Wt_cFaNJh1n6hkE/s1600/MokumeGaneProjectsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM2cX047PMjyD993NezYolVQ55uXN56xSenoSe8EUswrYco4gpb6304uB9zkF32F2IpztSm7Pg20zzojbp9m_7YTKw7RKzcL4ZEjllgXJrNrYc6iZQGH96Wt_cFaNJh1n6hkE/s320/MokumeGaneProjectsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fired to perfect blackness in my own brick kiln!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Here's what they look like in all their polished goodness....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH3EtIpUiuw6N8AUwA6BKIVJqwZoJ2TYsiQWwQN9f0QuIj5S60GgN7kmrR-g6LHCJa_hNxEykC7hxDWztVyOCQVwA46vMLB2utmETI5VykLTFJHsa5pvVyiQzZaCbOwJmT6QT/s1600/PolishedBeadsWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqH3EtIpUiuw6N8AUwA6BKIVJqwZoJ2TYsiQWwQN9f0QuIj5S60GgN7kmrR-g6LHCJa_hNxEykC7hxDWztVyOCQVwA46vMLB2utmETI5VykLTFJHsa5pvVyiQzZaCbOwJmT6QT/s320/PolishedBeadsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I'm happy with how these turned out especially the teardrop in the front. I wanted it to look like a <a href="http://www.czechbeads.com/catalog/Default.aspx?cid=118">table cut bead</a> so I polished it flat rather than keeping the rounded shape. I really like how it looks.<br />
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Which one is your favorite?Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-40881720055704203732011-10-17T07:00:00.001-04:002011-10-17T07:00:14.870-04:00What's Up This Week: Metal Clay class, Baby Lock and Craft ActivisimFall has turned out to be very busy for me! I've got lots of catching-you-up to do so I'll overview what I'm blogging about this week. <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/10/tuesday-tangle-im-little-scared.html">Last time you visited, I was nervously awaiting my metal clay class</a> with <a href="http://www.artinsilver.com/">Hadar Jacobson. </a>It was a fabulous class and it didn't matter that I hadn't had a lot of experience with metal clay. Hadar took us through the basics and I had alot of help from my classmates. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM2cX047PMjyD993NezYolVQ55uXN56xSenoSe8EUswrYco4gpb6304uB9zkF32F2IpztSm7Pg20zzojbp9m_7YTKw7RKzcL4ZEjllgXJrNrYc6iZQGH96Wt_cFaNJh1n6hkE/s1600/MokumeGaneProjectsWeb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioM2cX047PMjyD993NezYolVQ55uXN56xSenoSe8EUswrYco4gpb6304uB9zkF32F2IpztSm7Pg20zzojbp9m_7YTKw7RKzcL4ZEjllgXJrNrYc6iZQGH96Wt_cFaNJh1n6hkE/s320/MokumeGaneProjectsWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mokume Gane Metal Clay fresh from the kiln</span></i></div><br />
The pieces in the photo look a little crisy but they're supposed to look like that. More on Hadar's class tomorrow. I've tested my kiln and fired pieces at home without the luxury of having Hadar close by to give me feedback. You'll see how I've done.<br />
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Next up, my <a href="http://www.babylock.com/sewing/previous-models/creative-professional-new/">Creative Pro Baby Lock Sewing Machine </a>is back from her tune up. YAY! Now I can get on with <a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/08/diy-thursday-sew-custom-jewelry-display.html">the jewelry display sewing projects I have lined up!</a><br />
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While I was at Hadar's class last weekend, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Craft-Activism-Projects-Community-Handmade/dp/0307586626/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318769497&sr=1-1http://www.randomhouse.com/book/203184/craft-activism-by-joan-tapper-and-gale-zucker/9780307586629/">Craft Activism by Joan Tapper and Photography by Gale Zucker</a> arrived at my doorstep.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36L0IDj-N4hTheNyaMjYU46iyHZOHVfbZ-pPRdp5VjXL-sNjwo1MDpv8CuSvvX85yIDjDxA3TrI4UdVwtZAdN-Fs5jo0_chvB31JdsDHdtelgnsEZX9s7_aY1AtZminQlA5kz/s1600/-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36L0IDj-N4hTheNyaMjYU46iyHZOHVfbZ-pPRdp5VjXL-sNjwo1MDpv8CuSvvX85yIDjDxA3TrI4UdVwtZAdN-Fs5jo0_chvB31JdsDHdtelgnsEZX9s7_aY1AtZminQlA5kz/s320/-1.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo from the Random House Website</i></span></div><br />
I'm devouring all the crafty goodness in it right now and will be reviewing it later this week. <br />
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That's what's on my plate for this week, what about you? What are you up?<br />
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</div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-1604916061873928182011-10-04T07:00:00.000-04:002011-10-04T07:00:00.541-04:00Tuesday Tangle: I'm a little scared....<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHU5WYigJ0WIC2hHzDEuht98Bs2SBG4Gmm5AQqn_AlJyKAygjbG7cqYsGH059HzCHpA_DL7Bx9OXvIgUauFeTKDynEjw1bRHfyhgcnGsnYKOXfMYrkiAAf5s0oU_gssemw3tI/s1600/TuesdayTangleWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHU5WYigJ0WIC2hHzDEuht98Bs2SBG4Gmm5AQqn_AlJyKAygjbG7cqYsGH059HzCHpA_DL7Bx9OXvIgUauFeTKDynEjw1bRHfyhgcnGsnYKOXfMYrkiAAf5s0oU_gssemw3tI/s320/TuesdayTangleWeb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I have to admit it, I'm a little scared.<br />
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I've signed up for a Hadar Jacobson class for this upcoming weekend. Originally, it was supposed to be a beginner to advanced class, the first two days, a beginner class and then the last two days would build on the first two. So I signed up, but sometime in between, the class became advanced. No beginner. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cVR5zadncZuYhqNYWGUN7APl57unhJr1ywLZHxgHdDP3ITnhtMGVUlStD5DFtP9HFvxXHKE31pQD6Zx1IOnZkV6kahN_qIp0eAifFKAPWVVYzWEiISt0E4eecmuMr86ZaeSY/s1600/yhst-4959681647834_2172_33242363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cVR5zadncZuYhqNYWGUN7APl57unhJr1ywLZHxgHdDP3ITnhtMGVUlStD5DFtP9HFvxXHKE31pQD6Zx1IOnZkV6kahN_qIp0eAifFKAPWVVYzWEiISt0E4eecmuMr86ZaeSY/s320/yhst-4959681647834_2172_33242363.jpg" width="274" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://store.artinsilver.com/squares1.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Squares earrings by Hadar Jacobson</i></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd44ZG_0A5mzB_HWealKSWtxukGK2uWhHSUEArt7-1WEOrwQByQ0vgrIHqcwRlZNJgGfRxeIcCyud3ojRpeQAoSZbTHS_tmQqfDfT7rJJJ7DiiNC1-K_H5RpZBP6Pmh_vy9ztz/s1600/Toggle_People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2009/07/bronze-metal-clay-frustration-design.html">I've worked with metal clay</a> but I wouldn't exactly say I was an advanced metal clay artist. So I'm worried everyone else will be a master and I'll be the dumb one in the class.<br />
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But I'm going anyways.<br />
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I've wanted to take a class with Hadar for a long time and I don't want to miss out on it. Wish me luck and let's hope I'm not the class dum-dum!Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-25858292663217203272011-10-03T07:00:00.011-04:002011-10-03T07:11:18.024-04:00Monday Morning Inspiration and Winner!There is inspiration all around us and fortunately, it's captured by the people on flickr. Here are a few fall color inspiration pictures I found on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/explore/">Flickr's Explore! page</a>.<br />
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Lovely greens of the Northern Lights.....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/railtalk/6191017283/" title="Northern Lights over Cass Lake by railtalk, on Flickr"><img alt="Northern Lights over Cass Lake" height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/6191017283_d54d01d453.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/railtalk/6191017283/in/photostream"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Northern Lights over Cass Lake by railtalk on flickr</i></span></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">.....high contrast of warm oranges and reds .....</div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beluga_7/6201657597/" title="For your eyes and soul/ Pour l ame et les yeux by beluga 7, on Flickr"><img alt="For your eyes and soul/ Pour l ame et les yeux" height="394" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6201657597_d358c1aec9.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><h1 class="photo-title" id="title_div6201657597" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/beluga_7/6201657597/"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>For your eyes and soul/ Pour l ame et les yeux</i></span></a></h1><h1 class="photo-title" id="title_div6201657597" style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">....russets, brown and golden yellow for contrast plus the texture captured in the macro setting....</span><i> </i></span></h1><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/asaingurl/6189708792/" title="Stick to my Heart. by asaingurl, on Flickr"><img alt="Stick to my Heart." height="333" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/6189708792_2b29ef11d2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/asaingurl/6189708792/"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Stick to my heart by asaingurl </i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">...now you have a whole fall color palette to inspire your creations. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of creations, I promised to announce the winner of the double dip giveaway....<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com/">Indigo Heart! </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Congratulations! <a href="mailto:cindygimbrone@yahoo.com">Send me your email</a> and I'll send you the double dips.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thank you to all who participated and help spread the word! I love my blog readers!</div></div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14543068.post-14985436158254383382011-10-01T07:00:00.015-04:002011-10-02T07:49:55.507-04:00Sunday Macro and Sensational Links<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="169" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="260" /></a></div></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSt6M9x7FS-WF4viibELeB5y1qKlgkVDcMMBk8hXuKuQZBO8lRn-stR109LXMsZQm46zZT-teEUKRmrpO9pMG-jgz1GsSDLBpyVjUnszokMImYjL-OUUR4DHGy9g4vsl0PxsG/s1600/LeavesMapleFall2010ClzUp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSt6M9x7FS-WF4viibELeB5y1qKlgkVDcMMBk8hXuKuQZBO8lRn-stR109LXMsZQm46zZT-teEUKRmrpO9pMG-jgz1GsSDLBpyVjUnszokMImYjL-OUUR4DHGy9g4vsl0PxsG/s320/LeavesMapleFall2010ClzUp.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Japanese Maple Leaves wearing fall colors</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/2011/09/rings-and-things-bead-tour.html">A Bead A Day</a><br />
Lisa's got a quick tip for bead lovers! If a fabulous wholesale bead show comes to your city, don't miss it!<br />
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<a href="http://jewelrymaking.about.com/b/2011/09/20/learn-a-little-about-mother-of-pearl.htm">About.com Jewelrymaking</a><br />
My, oh my, what is your favorite type of mother-of-pearl, natural, colored, bleeched, all of the above? <br />
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<a href="http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/09/autumn-inspired-art-beads.htm">Art Bead Scene</a><br />
We are all ready for Fall at Art Bead Scene! Check out the bounty of Autumn beady goodies we found from art bead makers on Etsy. <br />
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<a href="http://www.beading-arts.com/2011/09/book-giveaway-beading-20-great-weekend.html">Beading Arts</a><br />
Cyndi has a really fun giveaway book with great projects for fall weekends! <br />
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<a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/350-The-People-in-My-Neighborhood-An-Etsy-Photography-Game.html">Beads and Books</a><br />
Michelle shares a strategy for improving her Etsy shop photos. <br />
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<a href="http://lampworkdiva.blogspot.com/2011/09/bead-soup-blog-hop-way-is-in-heart.html">Cindy Gimbrone Beads</a><br />
Cindy shares what she made with Cat's lovely etched copper heart.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoTn_rKaemvBQzuxqVFgAcn04AG61fr4JwaK6Nizb-t4UDjWQP33OslWZHxm1VLdn-694ds5XNSHBHIPG4AzQIbUIoTekIglQ5S9n-AB2oE4H5NXnkUNrPF-cBcRWa6cOghaf/s1600/HeartPendantCatWeb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoTn_rKaemvBQzuxqVFgAcn04AG61fr4JwaK6Nizb-t4UDjWQP33OslWZHxm1VLdn-694ds5XNSHBHIPG4AzQIbUIoTekIglQ5S9n-AB2oE4H5NXnkUNrPF-cBcRWa6cOghaf/s1600/HeartPendantCatWeb.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Close up shot of Cat's handmade etched copper heart</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="http://earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/2011/09/etsy-boot-camp-promises-and-buddies.html">Earthenwood Studio Chronicles</a><br />
Melanie starts Etsy Holiday Boot Camp with some goals and promises. <br />
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<a href="http://resincrafts.blogspot.com/2011/08/faux-jade-with-easycast.html">Resin Crafts</a><br />
Carmi has a blog post featuring a resin disaster<br />
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<a href="http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/2011/09/repost-from-different-time-in-my-life.html">Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!</a><br />
Jean goes back through the mists of time and fondly recalls a favorite bracelet she made using components from two favorite websites! <br />
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<a href="http://thebeaddreamer.com/blog/2011/09/28/accessorizing-autumn-clothes">The Bead Dreamer</a><br />
Handcrafted jewelry and autumn looks for 2011 are just perfect together. Charlene shows how. <br />
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Please take a peek at the other "i heart macro" postings. I'm sure you'll enjoy what others have noticed during this past week....<br />
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<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="169" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="260" /></a></div></div>Cindy Gimbronehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15625146240609776265noreply@blogger.com4