Art Bead Scene Submission for February

The Art Bead Scene theme for this month is The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. I have had the good fortune to see this painting in the original when it came to the National Gallery in Ottawa, Canada. I have always, it seems, loved Klimt's work. For this submission, I made a ceramic pendant stamped from a Klimt syle stamp and then I hand painted the glaze in colors from the painting. I used a wonderful brass chain I got from Etsy (JemsGems) and wire wrapped black ABS and orange Swarovski crystals. I used some puff yellow agate beads which I also wire wrapped. I was so excited when I discovered that I could lay a link from the chain across the top of the pendant so that it blended in better with the necklace. I guess you can tell that I loved making this one.

Fab Fibers gave me The Love Blog's Award

Fab Fibers surprised me today ( really yesterday) with a very friendly visit to my blog and this award. Thank you so much. Now I will pass it on.

She tells me the award goes

" to people-like anyone of my bloggy
friends out there-who take the time to
leave a comment, or a word of encouragement.
Or the one I love the most, a compliment on
something that I created and shared with my
friends. You all make me feel so special. "

And I agree--comments on my Blog make my day. Thank you all for writing in.
There are some rules that go along
with this award:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.

3. Nominate 5 blogs.

4. Put links to their blogs.

5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Here is my list:
LLYYNN Expedition D

EveryHeartCrafts

LampworkDiva

Lucid Moon Studio

Jennifer Stumpf

How Perfectly Imperfect

New Mini Toggles

Here is a photo of the finished toggles that were cooling in the kiln a week ago. (They are about 3/4 of an inch square.) I can't believe the week has gone by so fast. I think they came out great but I am not happy with the toggle stick. I would love suggestions for a shape or size. I am going to make some more today.

I have been busy making some necklaces and beading. It has been nice being in the house and not having to struggle with the cold in my studio. This weekend promises to be relatively mild. I have some new ideas to try out and want to tackle those toggle sticks.

The Kiln is cooling

Here is a photo of some new small toggle clasps in the greenware stage. Now they are glazed and the big kiln is cooling. I will open it later today. The thermocouple in my smaller kiln AIM 88 needs to be replaced so my firing this week has been delayed until I could get enough together to use the bigger kiln. I feel lucky to have this backup. Since Aim is closed temporarily for "restructuring" I am working with Bailey on which is the right thermocoupler. I am also going to put the question out there to the Beads-of-Clay Group. Wish me luck.

One World One Heart Giveaway Winners

Today at Noon I used the Random Number generator to choose the winners in my Giveaway. I had thought originally I would use a hat because I had no idea I would have over 200 comments and requests to participate. I have been so pleased with the response and everyone's generous and kind comments about my work. Thank You one and all.





The winners picked by the random number generator are:





for the Thistle Pendant Vintage Crafters





and for the Toggle Clasp Kathy





I have emailed the winners of their good fortune.





But I want you all to know how much I have enjoyed this event. I will continue to travel to the sites of people who participated as I believe the list will be up awhile.

I Am So Excited

I am so excited. I just made these fused glass links last night and took them out of the kiln this morning. I got the idea from Deryn Mentock's blog tutorial on wrapped beaded links. I have some time this morning so I am going to make some more. I will also try some variations.
Thank you Deryn.

One World One Heart Giveaway

One World One Heart Giveaway

The Entries for this Giveaway are closed. The drawing for the Giveaways was held at 12N00n on Feb. 12, 2009. Thank you all for participating.

I heard about this Giveaway from Gaea and decided to join in. It is the dream and creation of Lisa Swifka. There are over 700 artists participating and each one has a giveaway. When you go to Lisa's site you can see all the names and visit those artists. The purpose of this Giveaway is for bloggers to get to know each other all over the world. Great idea Lisa!

Here are my 2 giveaways:

My first One World One Heart Giveaway is a Handmade Ceramic Thistle Pendant. It is made from earthenware ceramic clay. It measures 2 inches high by 1 1/2 inches wide. It depicts a wild thistle blooming in July in the pastures of Northern New York.




My Second Giveaway is a Handmade Ceramic Toggle Clasp. It measures about one inch. The Toggle Clasp depicts wild flowers that grow in the pastures of Northern New York. There is a high temperature stringing loop on both parts of the clasp. These loops have been fused into the clay during the firings.



Each giveaway includes a few handmade ceramic beads in a coordinating color.


All you have to do to enter my One World One Heart Giveaway is to leave a comment here on this post before February 12. Please include your contact information so you can be notified if you win. If you have a preference for either one of the two giveaway pieces, please specify in your comment.
I will be putting names into two hats and the drawing will be on February 12.

Thank you so much for stopping by.