My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me

  

It's time once again for the latest installment of the Inspired By Reading Book Club.
This month we delved into the anthology My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, edited by Kate Bernheimer. The book is a compilation of fairy tales with a modern twist. As it is a rather long book, It was decided we could read as many or as few as we wanted as we found our inspiration.

After reading several of the fairy tales, "The Brother and the Bird", by Alissa Nutting spoke to me. It is based on the Grimm fairy tale, "The Juniper Tree". In this modern version, the jealous stepmother kills her husband's son, cuts him up and feeds him to his father. His sister eventually rescues his bones from the deep freeze and plans to bury them under the juniper tree. The juniper berries swarm off the tree to consume the bones. Meanwhile, the family's radio would mysteriously turn to static, send out the sound of fluttering wings and play the following song, "Mother killed her little son; what a beautiful bird am I. Father ate 'til meat was gone; what a beautiful bird I am. Sister saved my bones; now I sing and fly..."

I did a little research. Found a few photos of juniper berries. And went in search of the perfect beads.

I found them in NYC at the Whole Bead Show. These vintage pine cone shaped vintage Blue Heron beads were perfect.




I actually won  these beads from the Whole Bead Shop!  I entered a contest on their Facebook page -  Whole Bead Shop - and won a $25 gift certificate!
Yeah - I spent more!
But scored some amazing vintage glass beads.    
















The beads were wrapped onto a medium flat oval chain to resemble a
cluster of juniper berries. I added some pale gray labradorite to represent the the layer of ash at the base of the tree.
And a bird from Green Girl Studios finishes off the necklace.

As always, I have enjoyed the challenge put forth by fearless leader, Andrew Thornton.
Don't forget to check his blog, as well as the other participants.
I hope you'll consider joining us in the future.

Andrew Thornton  Our host!

Sharon Palac

Mary K McGraw

Jeanne Steck

Sarajo Wentling

Mary Harding

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Sue Kennedy

Sally Russick

Erin Prais-Hintz

Are you going to the Whole Bead Show in NYC? Oct.18-20

Do you want to win free beads?
From the Whole Bead Show's Facebook page....

"It's GiveAway Time! Who wants a $25 Gift Certificate to shop vintage glass beads from Blue Heron Bead Co? LIKE, SHARE & COMMENT to win. Tweet & Follow on Pinterest to increase your chances. 

This is for a $25 shopping certificate to shop online or at The Whole Bead Show for $25 worth of vintage glass beads from Blue Heron Bead Co."
Blue Heron Beads Contest

"Dogeaters" - September's pick for Inspired By Reading Book Club

Thank you again, Andrew Thornton for inspiring me, once again, to explore outside my comfort zone - in my reading and in my jewelry design. This past month, we read Dogeaters, by Jessica Hagedorn. Well - everyone else read the book, I'm still working on it. It takes place in Manilla, in the Phillipines in the late 1950's and follows the lives of several different characters. I have difficulty following books that seem to jump from one character to another and continually look for a connection. I have renewed the book from the library and will finish. For now, for a better synopsis, you will have to check the blogs of the other participants.

I was touched by Rio's relationship with her grandmother. and particularly related to the scene where she is curled up under her "lola's" crocheted bedspread. My grandmother crocheted bedspreads for her three adult children. She would not give them the spreads until she had finished all three. I now have my mother's crocheted bedspread.

I knew as I read those passages that I wanted to create a crocheted design. I could have wimped out and just photographed some crocheted designs from the past - jewelry and afghans. Instead, I decided to try something new. My goal was to mimic the floral motif in my grandmother's bedspread. I lot easier with cotton thread, than wire.

                        

 After several missteps, I did create a flower motif I was satisfied with. I discovered that pearls are native to the Philippines, so I found some freshwater pearls in my stash for a center for my "flower".

                         

A necklace with more freshwater pearls finishes the look.

I think I'd like to try this again with 5 petals.
And... I'm also not sure I love it as a pendant - maybe a brooch?





BTW - that is my grandmother's amazing crocheted bedspread!


Please visit the other members of our group!

Mary Harding

Mary K. McGraw

Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, Connie Parsons and Allison Smith

I can't believe it's the last week of August already. That means it's time for the August reveal of the Inspired by Reading Book Club!

Thanks again to Andrew Thornton for selecting the books, organizing the blog hop and hosting an in-person meet up at his shop Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA. Maybe we should call the group Inspired by Andrew!

That said, I'm not sure what Andrew was thinking when he chose The Infinities, by John Banville. Maybe that's not fair of me to say. Perhaps, you will like this book. If not for the book club,. I'm sure I would have put it down after the first chapter. According to the "blurb" on the back cover, "a clan of mischievous immortals... begin to stir up trouble for the Godleys".  Sounds good - I like a good fantasy combined with modern day realism.

I'm happy to say I did finish the book, although I found Banville's style difficult to read. One reviewer compared John Banville to Shakespeare. I think that could be an appropriate comparison. Banville uses so many obscure words and phrases that I needed a dictionary as I read. I also found the story line hard to follow at times.

My inspiration this month, quite simply, was the title - The Infinities. I decided to challenge my wire skills and make a linked bracelet. I used 16 gauge sterling silver wire to make the infinity symbol, which I hammered flat. I then connected them with 5mm jump rings and created a hook. I gently curved each link so it would sit comfortably on the wrist.

I am so glad I took photos immediately -
(I so often forget)

This beauty sold on Saturday at the fair in Shelter Island!

Looks like I'll be creating another one before HarborFest!

I can't wait to read the other blogs and see how the other members of our group felt about this book.

Mary McGraw

Andrew Thornton

Sarajo Wentling

You can also check out the facebook group and join us next month. You do not have to create jewelry, although many of us do. We'd love to see other art forms!

Inspired By Reading Book Club/Blog Hop ---- July

I was excited about the July selection for several reasons. For the first time ever, I finished the book and project on time!

And… I had decided to take a road trip. Yes, I traveled 7+ hours to join the group at Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA. It was so great to meet Andrew, Laurel, Amy, Terri and Connie. We enjoyed Andrew’s hospitality, including the yummy peach cobbler and interesting chocolate “wedding cake”. Thanks to Amy and Laurel for running down to the ice cream shop.

For the month of July Andrew chose the book,  The Cookbook Collector, by Allegra Goodman.  It is the story of two sisters who are very different from each other. Emily is the corporate CEO during the rapid growth of technology, while Jess, the philosophy major is the perennial scholar/environmentalist. As Goodman introduces her many characters, you wonder what their connection will be. The free-spirited Jess spoke to me early on. I went in search of the “Green Girl” pendant I purchased a few years ago, but could figure out how to use. It’s a rather large, heavy rectangle, with 2 holes on top and 3 on the bottom. When I reread the quote on the back I knew it was perfect for Jess!

 

My goal this month was to work out of my stash. The conch shell on the front of the pendant steered me toward a ‘beachy’ theme. Out came the larimar I purchased in the Dominican Republic. I challenged myself to work “outside the box”, or should I say “outside my box”.  The finished piece is asymmetrical or unbalanced. 

I also wanted to to showcase some wirework and be a little more creative this time. I've included wirewrapped sections of beads, handcrafted links and connectors.

Finally, I created a simple pair of earrings with my handcrafted earwires.

Check Andrew Thornton's blog for more information and links to the other members of the group.
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop - Done!!!

Lori Anderson has done it again. This time it's the Bead Hoarders Bog Hop.We all have those beads that have been hanging around for ages - just waiting to be loved.

For me it was a strand of brown tourmaline I found at my local bead store.

I fell in love with them the minute I saw them...
square cut, sparkling facets, slightly graduated.
But the retail price was a bit out of my reach. (To be honest, a lot out of my reach.)

Then a year and a half ago, the owner called to let me know that she had decided to close the shop. I coveted that golden goodness at 30% and 50% off. Finally, when the discount dropped to 65% off retail, those babies were mine.

Teaching full time and building inventory for shows didn't leave me much time to create for me.




I decided to keep the necklace unadorned.
The stones really do speak for themselves.

Just two gold filled beads at the ends with a simple lobster claw clasp.























The earrings presented more of problem. I also purchased 2 gorgeous pear shaped citrine briolets at the same time. I had intended to wire wrap and have some dangling tourmaline, but I found my supplies lacking. I have all sorts of sterling wire, but no 28ga gold-filled. I strung the earrings on beading wire, crimped together, then finished with a crimp cover.
I might redo them when if the price of wire goes down again.

For now, I plan to keep this set.












Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out the other hoarders!




1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends

8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

  10.  Erin Guest, Renlish

11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry

12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey

13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads

15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments

16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design

18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity

19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini

23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft

25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul

26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads

27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo

28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31.  Robyn, Museiddity

32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings

33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy

34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations

36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley

38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly

40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs

43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design

44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art

45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo

48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations

49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan

50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest

52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita

53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design

55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design

56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising

62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another

63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper

64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes

68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design

69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini

73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry

76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 

77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs

79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie

84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills

85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry

86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog

87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner

88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog

89.  Susan, Mistheword

90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky

92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog

93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads

97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse

98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations

100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs

102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea

104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter

105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures

106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios

107.  Lennis Carter, windbent

108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads

109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution

110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories

112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands

113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams

114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful

115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings

117.  Kim, Cianci Blue

118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry

119.  Karen, Spokalulu

120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market

123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc

125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti

126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread

129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections

130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK

132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space

133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie

137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs

139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem

142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads

143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead

146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales

147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams

148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar

149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations

150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz

154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio

155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe

156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations

157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show

159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs

160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs

162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead

163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads

164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place

166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs

167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

Another deadline missed

So it seems that if it weren't for blog hops, I might not blog at all.
I keep promising myself I'll write weekly.

Anyhow, today is the reveal for the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop and my pieces are not finished.
Oh, what a surprise.

I have strung some beautiful beads, but need to create the earrings. If not tonight, tomorrow after the Farmers Market.

Inspired by.... The Bucolic Plague

Wow - I can't believe almost a month has passed.

I am so glad school is over so I'll be able to finish reading my books! I now have 3 in progress!
And I'll have time to work on my jewelry projects.

This month's book was the Bucolic Plague by Josh Kilmer-Purcell. It's a tongue-in-cheek memoir of two professional men from Manhattan who decide to run a farm in upstate New York. It's a quick, engrossing book that had me laughing out loud as I shared anecdotes with whomever would listen.

The creativity and talent of the other members of the group is astounding. I almost feel like my simple pieces are not worthy of the group. That said - I am still excited with the materials I found and what I created in a short amount of time.

I had only read about half of the book when I wandered around the local bead shop (Island Bead in Eastport, NY) waiting for inspiration to hit me. And there they were - little glass goldfish reminiscent of Josh's drag queen costume. (I expect you can find out more about that in his first book, I Am Not Myself These Days:  A Memoir, which I plan to read sometime in the future.)

I found some 4mm neon orange candy jade beads and amber swarovski crystal in my stash.
Then I wrapped lots of fish and round beads to create dangling earrings and an ankle bracelet.
There are 3 lonely fish left - maybe the future holds a long chain necklace.

These dangle from my
 handcrafted ss earwires.

Hoping this is a hit in The Hamptons!

I love the way the gold pops out in this photo.
 Depending on the angle the coating on the fish looks gold or silver.

I have since finished (and loved) the Bucolic Plague and can't wait to start our next book, The Cookbook Collector, by Allegra Goodman. I'm looking forward to having the time to plan out my next project instead of putting it together at the last minute.          

I'm also very jealous of the folks who get to meet up in person with Andrew Thornton at the Allegory Gallery.  Check out Andrew's blog for more info -  http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/
ps - Check out the other participants!
Sarajo Wentling http://www.sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jeanne Steck http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/
Mary Harding http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/
Judy Campbell http://www.macmillanmarie.blogspot.ca/
Michelle Mach http://www.michellemach.com/blog/
Mary K. McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Andrew Thornton, Amy Roadman, and Laurel Ross http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

A Rumor of Gems - Inspired By Reading Design

As if I didn't have enough to do, I decided it would be fun to join an online book club organized by Andrew Thornton.
Ah - but this is no ordinary book club. Each month we read a different book which should inspire us to create.
Click here to find out more about the club and upcoming titles
http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2013/03/inspired-by-reading-book-club.html


For the month of May we read (or are still reading) A Rumor Of Gems, by Ellen Steiber. It's a very engrossing story of magic and relationships set in an old town, but in modern times. I tend to be very literal and became obsessed with the moonstones.  With little time before a weekend show, I put together two very simple pieces with amazonite, moonstone and sterling silver.

Finally, I wanted to create a labradorite bridge. Instead settled for this bracelet with beautiful labradorite from my stash. I just had to highlight it's brilliant flash with apatite. There are some great charcoal gray shell pearls and, of course, sterling silver.

 I can't wait to see what some of the other participants have created. I'm sure they'll be a bit more creative then me.