Beaded 2 Bless

Spring is still struggling with winter and will soon be overpowered by summer's heat here in the countryside of Texas. In the wee hours of the morning the temperature managed to drop from a comfortable 70-ish to a chilly 50-ish and now- cold rain. I am thankful for the rain, but I am not a fan of the cold. I tend to get slow, crickety and cranky when the cold comes in and today is no exception. These wild Blackberries are loving the spring rains. This is a portion of the same patch of Blackberries after I cleared some of the dead  brush/plants. BUT, it is a good day to be a beader. The great outdoors is not calling my name today and I can contentedly sit at my desk and create. It could use a good cleaning but I think I need another dose of spring  to jump start that "spring cleaning" mode. I shall be content to create in my mess of a haven. "The Hook Line and Sinker" kits have been swimming out of here so fast that  I have been struggling to ba...

Custom Steampunk cuff Custom Steampunk cuff with stylized "Compass needle" Steampunk cuff Hook Line and Sinker Hook Line and Sinker, Majic Orchid Colorway Gothic Swan Cuff- 1st Place Advanced and People's Choice (TBR 2013) Beaded Bead with the new Twins and Spikes designed with Mandi Ainsworth. One of the beaded beads in two sizes. Beaded Beads with Twins and Spikes designed with Mandi Ainsworth. Baby Spike the dragon. Beaded Beads, and Baby Spike and Gothic Swan are upcoming Kits/ tutorials and Hook Line and Sinker is already available. Blessings, Ralonda

It was decided that there would be a beaded art doll shoe challenge on BAD..... Two of us are stitching shoes to offer as forms. I have been playing with some ideas to make shoes like the one I previously posted small enough and completely stuffed. This way, a doll face could be added and it could become a small art doll. There are requirements that must be met on BAD (Beaded Art Doll Yahoo group- for those who may not know) for forms that are to be used in a Round Robin. The most difficult to achieve of these requirements is size. The forms I want to make are difficult to sew and sewing them in miniature is even more difficult. after several attempts I have landed a design that I can both sew easily and reproduce often. The last time I designed a form for one of their Round Robins, I wound up making 33 teapots forms. The demand doesn't seem to be as high this time and there is another lady making forms (phew). Below are the first few, which are far too large for a RR but are ok...

Been feeling a bit ragged here lately. So, I decided to capture that in a doll as a way to remember that being run ragged often produces some pretty neat things if we will follow thru and endure with hope and patience. That last bit is a pep talk to myself but feel free to claim it for your own. Blessings!

Bead Fest Texas is fast approaching and I have been making kits and even putting a new design together for my students. The workshop being offered on Friday October 26th from 6-9pm is Steampunk Style Beaded Cogs. Here is a quick photo of the new design using the same technique being taught in class. You can also find me at meet the teacher on Friday from 11:30-1pm. Many of the teachers will have their wares for sale as well as contact info for future reference.  For the first time ever, "The Native Spirit Earrings" kit will be available too. The Native Spirit Earring! Hope to see you at Bead Fest. Blessings!

It has been a very long time since my last post. Hang on to your hats because I now have a laptop dedicated to staying connected that no one else will be using- ever. I have been beading- but not on anything very  important.  I participated in a bird RR for a beaded art doll group on yahoo. I also had the privilege of delivering a RR doll to its owner after 9 other ladies worked on her. We had to put all the other dolls on hold so that we might deliver "Joy" as soon as possible. The dolly's mommy was very ill and was concerned that she may not see her doll before she died. Well, we barely made it. She received her doll only a week before she went home to be with the Lord. Carol Anne was a  remarkable lady (forefront) and an amazing friend and mother. Kathy is an awesome friend too (also pictured). Usually the passing of a loved one while working on a beaded doll puts me in a funk. Having been able to deliver hers really gave me some closure on that k...

As a toddler, my mother knew there was something wrong with my ankles. It probably didn't help soothe her mind to note that there were two other cases of club foot and  another baby born to my father with a severe deformity. I tell you this because my mother spent a lot of time rubbing my feet and taking care that I had just the right shoes. I wore corrective shoes and braces until I was old enough to protest. She knew I meant business when I threw one of the braces out the window as we sped down the highway. Thanks to my mother, her persistence and the grace of God, I can walk today. A real trendy shoe to be beaded! Shoes always had a special significance to me, not just because they are trendy, but because they represent her dedication to my future. When I found her ballroom slippers under her bed just before she passed ( we knew she was going to in just a matter of hours), I cried my eyes out. Being practical, I nearly passed them over. It wasn't...