HighDesertBeadscapes

2011 BAABC Quilt Time!

2010-12-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well, it's that time of year again to begin working on the annual breast cancer quilt project coordinated by Jeanette Shanigan in beautiful Wasilla, Alaska. Last year, our group of beaders stitched 90 squares and Jeanette generously stitched them into a "New Mexico" quilt (and a private donation was made to the cause by a local businessman). The "New Mexico" quilt is displayed proudly at Lodi's Beads in Bosque Farms, NM. This year's theme is the "hand" - and our first stitching session is this weekend at Lodi's Beads (from 10:00 - 2:00). I'm looking forward to seeing the familiar faces that help stitched last years squares; and I'll be sad that our dear friend Anita will not be there after succumbing to this terrible disease just a few short weeks ago.

Romeo's Inky Shadow Karma

2010-05-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

Romeo's Inky Shadow Karma - A Cat Tale
(This is a true story - and it's kind of long...)

Once upon a time, a couple of professionals working in the healthcare-industry packed up their belongings and their three stray/rescue/shelter cats and moved from Louisville, KY to the arid high desert of New Mexico. There are fewer allergens here than in the Ohio River valley and the couple looked forward to spending some time outside.

About 2 years (to the day!) after the couple moved, the husband (who has been known to tell his bride - "No more cats!"), told his wife that he had seen a stray black cat on the patio the night before. The wife quietly nodded; fully aware that they would have "no more cats". Interestingly, a few days later, the same husband started sneaking bits of dried cat food onto the porch to feed the stray. Eventually, the bits were placed into a plastic bowl and accompanied by fresh water daily. Sure, no more cats. As the stray became more comfortable, the couple could see it through the patio doors. It was a pure black cat who was missing half an ear. The wife dubbed the stray a "her" and named her Inky. (The following week, the wife met a person who stated she had a "terrible week" the week before...that her cat of 18 years, Inky, had passed away. The wife was astonished...and told the person not to be so sad - that Inky's spirit was now visiting her home on the outskirts of town. The lady smiled, her sorrow lessened a bit, and said the thought of that brought her a bit of peace). Could it be a sign? No more cats.

Inky would not let the couple near; she would only eat in the evening, when the patio lights were off and no one was outside. One night, the couple noticed Inky wore a collar - and they were hopeful that one day, they might get close enough to read it and hopefully reunite her with her humans. Unfortunately, the next time they saw her, the collar was gone. Looks like Inky was now on her own...

A few weeks later, house guests arrived from Louisville and heard Inky's tale while they were talking quietly outside on the patio. At the same time, Inky cautiously entered the yard, and went to her bowl to eat. The ladies all watched with anticipation. Perhaps progress was being made after all. Too bad her collar was missing. Hmmm....no more cats.

In the weeks following that visit, Inky began lounging on the patio furniture in the evening. Every night, before bedtime, the couple would turn on the patio light to see if Inky was settled in for the night. They were relieved to see her out there consistently. Maybe one day they could coax her indoors (no more cats). On one particular evening, they flipped on the patio light and found a surprise! Inky was lounging on her chair, and another black cat was eating food. The one eating had a collar! Inky's buddy was instantly nicknamed Shadow. Absolutely, no more cats! The couple began putting out enough food for two cats.

As the weather worsened, the wife decided the cats needed shelter from the monsoon rains and impending high desert snows. The couple purchased and placed a dog shelter on the patio, large enough to house both cats should the weather get too bad. No more cats (oh, please). As the weeks and months passed, the couple did whatever they could to coax the cats to get closer to them, because all cats are in need of petting! These two strays were no exception. Sadly, around this time, one of their own "strays" who found them 10 years ago (and who was coaxed into the home with food and murmuring) passed away. In his time with them, he had gotten plenty of petting. He is missed.

The couple continued to talk to the stray girls through the glass doors, through cracked windows. They put the food closer to the door (until a large skunk found it...then they placed the food on top of the patio table). They hoped the skunk wouldn't move into the dog house. :-) The husband, meanwhile, began using a stronger lure: luncheon meat. And so, after months of feeding and murmuring, he was finally able to get Shadow close enough to pet (Inky would have no part of that). As the weather warmed, the couple could hear the bell on Shadow's collar through the open windows. When they heard the sound, they made an effort to meet her at the window and "chat". Soon, Shadow allowed the couple to pet and feed her by hand. Turns out Shadow was a boy. A sign from the boy they had just lost? No more cats.

Now, the challenge was to get Shadow close enough to read his tag. A few weeks later, success! When the husband picked Shadow up and touched his tag, the tattered collar fell off in his hand. Perhaps in another day or two, the collar would have fallen off by itself - in an open field or nearby culvert. But Shadow was lucky; it fell off on the patio. The tag said Shadow's name was "Romeo" and Romeo had a phone number! The couple dialed the number, but got no answer; no voice mail, no recording. Just the tone of a fax machine. How were they going to find Romeo's humans now? Maybe they were meant to keep this boy as their own (absolutely, positively, no more cats).

The wife Googled the phone number and found it cross-referenced with an healthcare service website (a healthcare worker owned this cat?). The website displayed a person's name and an office phone number. There was no way to know how accurate this information was, but it was worth a shot. The wife called the healthcare company and left a voice message; not knowing if that person still worked there, or if that person was really Romeo's owner. After waiting a few hours for someone to return the call (that never happened), the couple left to run errands. Along the way, they decided that Romeo needed a larger collar. Uh-huh. No more cats.

When they returned home, there was a voice message. The broken voice of a woman stated that she had gotten the message about Romeo and to please call her. She couldn't believe it could be him "after all this time"...she left a new phone number. The wife called and left a voice message. Back and forth for an hour until they finally spoke. As luck (?) would have it, Romeo was sleeping on the patio when the couple returned home; so the husband took him into the garage (so he couldn't get away), and he stayed with Romeo as the wife spoke with Romeo's humans. The cat who would not let anyone near it for the last 9 months crawled into the husband's lap and began to purr - and there is a picture to prove it! Romeo stayed in that lap and received some long overdue petting until his humans arrived. He must have sensed he was going home...

The woman said the cat belonged to one of her daughters and had been lost to them last fall. Romeo's "mom" was now studying abroad, so the woman and her other daughter came to collect him. They recognized him right away; tears were shed. The daughter sat on the floor and Romeo immediately switched laps. :-) Seems he recognized them right away, too.

Romeo's Nine Lives:

About the time the couple moved to New Mexico, a mother across town agreed to let her daughters each have a cat. A local shelter was about to euthanize a bunch of strays, and the woman brought her daughters there to save two cats from that plight - Romeo was given another life. The girls and their cats became inseparable; the two cats themselves became best buddies. One night, Romeo hopped into bed and had a scary lump in his throat...seems the mischievous cat had "swallowed a chopstick" - it was safely extracted (Romeo was given another life). Last summer, the girls graduated from high school and to celebrate, they took a trip across the U.S...leaving their beloved pets at home. Romeo missed his "mom", and escaped the house to find her. Soon after his escape, he was hit by a car. He was taken to a local vet who informed the "grandma" that the cat, who had broken hips and several fractured bones, would die unless she could get his bowels to begin working. Having a healthcare background, she worked diligently and one day, Romeo stood up for the first time and began to walk around. The family was ecstatic! Romeo was still weak and thin, but seems he was given another life! But when Romeo's mom went to study abroad...he ran away again, perhaps to search for her. The daughters were devastated that he had gotten out once more; they blamed the mother for not taking better care to keep him indoors. The mom could only respond that he had "gone off to die in his own way" since he was still so frail. They were sure they would never see him again.

Somehow, he ended up over 20 miles away on a couple's patio in a rural community, where he was fed and sheltered (and given another life). To get there, he had to survive bobcats, coyotes, rattlesnakes and scorpions, monsoon rains, cold snow and humans (including the Animal Control guy who cruised through the community several times)....(another life?). His collar came off the day the husband picked him up for the first time - else it would have probably been lost for all time (another life?) ...the phone number on his collar is outdated, yet Google cross-referenced it with another number to a local healthcare firm (another life?)...

As the story comes to an end, it is interesting to note that Romeo's "grandma" worked for a healthcare firm based in Louisville, Kentucky (where the couple moved from). The company closed its doors after her family saved Romeo and his buddy from the shelter. When that company closed, the woman's patients (hundreds of them) no longer had healthcare benefits...so she and a friend started their own hospice company to help them. Their non-profit business registration became a public record on the internet. When Romeo's "grandma" converted her home phone number to the office fax line...it became part of an online record that listed a business phone. By contacting that business number, the couple was able to reunite Romeo with his family. At the time this was written (April 2010), Romeo was scheduled to have a video conference via the internet with his "mom" overseas. :-) She'll be home in the fall to catch up on all that petting.

(Note: 2 days AFTER this was written, the couple received a call from a KY number...when they answer, it is Romeo's mom, calling from Japan, to say THANK YOU for saving her cat. She did, indeed, have a video call with Romeo on her Skype phone. OMG - was that the sweetest!?)

Romeo, we'll miss hearing the tinkle of your bell. We're glad you're home.

Now, what to do about Inky. No more cats. Yup.

Update - at Last!

2010-05-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

So... Obviously I have NOT kept my word about trying to do a better job about keeping this site updated. 2010 has started with its own challenges, but things are better now. Let me recap on the GOOD things :-) ... I've numbered them, but that doesn't mean they are in the order of "goodness"...

First - our 2010 Bead Artists Agains Breast Cancer project was a huge success. Our Albuquerque area beaders stitched up 90 squares - yes, 90! - which I shipped off to Jeanette Shanigan earlier this year. Even better, a private donor from Lodi's Beads came forward and, after coordinating with Jeanette, the person purchased our 90-square quilt for $1,000 donation to the cause! Soon, the quilt will be on display at Lodi's Beads in Bosque Farms, NM for everyone to see (I can't wait to see it myself!). Click here to see it on Jeanette's site.

Second - our little gallery, The Wooden Cow, was voted "Best of the City" by readers of Albuquerque, the Magazine. Can you believe that? We had only been open about a year when we won the award. We were so excited (still are!) and most of us attended a huge shindig at Isleta Casino to celebrate. We can only hope we do as well in 2010!

Third - Bead Fest, Santa Fe was back this year - yay! I took four classes (yes, I'm insane). Hubby joined me for a long weekend and it was fabulous. If you are ever visiting, I highly recommend the Plaza Real Hotel. The staff is always gracious, the bartender serves great tequila, and the rooms are very nice.

Fourth - The Bead Society of New Mexico held its Winter Workshops in Feb/March. I was invited to teach a spiral bracelet technique that I learned from Carol Huber-Cypher at the 2005 Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee. The workshop was well attended. I'm pleased to say I'll be teaching this class around town in the months ahead. Also, we are now coordinating the Summer Workshops with a series of fabuluos sessions. I can't wait to sign up (and I'm the one doing the website stuff - so it's hard not to get excited when I see all the pictures!).

Fifth - I'll be teaching beading classes at both The Beaded Iris in Albuquerque and Lodi's Beads in Bosque Farms starting this summer. I am so excited! I love to teach and these are such creative places to be inspired. I'll be finalizing schedules next week (yay!).

Sixth - We helped reunite a kitty with his family last month. I still miss seeing him around, but I know he is back where he belongs. I wrote a big, ol' long email about it and posted here on my blog somewhere...called "Romeo's Inky Shadow Karma". Poor Annie cried when she read it, but I told her that this was a GOOD thing...

Seventh - It's time to start thinking about the NM State Fair and what goodies I will be submitting to the Fine Arts exhibit. Last year (which was my FIRST year in Fine Arts), I sold one of my pieces. What's more, I didn't have a chance to attend the opening reception, so my husband and I made a quick trip a few days later...and that day, at that moment, was the day the piece was sold. I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out what to make!

I guess that might be enough catching up for now...I'm also trying to update my Flickr site with new images of my work.

Thanks for reading!
L

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

October is always filled with reminders of how breast cancer impacts the lives of so many women and their familes every day. There are endless ways you can help support the fight against breast cancer. One way that beaders support the cause is by participating in Jeanette Shanigan's annual Beaded Quilt Project.

Last year, a group of Albuquerque area beaders contributed almost 40 squares to this project. The project generated $2,125 for breast cancer research at the auction at the Bead and Button show in Milwaukee. This year, we have a new theme ("Turtles") and we're looking for beaders who would like to participate. I'll be supplying beads, needles/thread, peltex backing and the release forms...but if you have your own beads, turtle buttons/charms or anything you'd like to donate to the cause, please bring them along!

Below are the dates/times that I'll be hosting the beading sessions at The Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space in Albuquerque (7400 Montgomery Blvd NE Suite 20). Seating is limited, so be sure to sign up for your session(s). Hope to see you there.

Sunday, October 25th, 1:00-3:00
Wednesday, October 28th, 6:00-8:00
Thursday, November 12th, 6:00-8:00
Friday, November 13th, noon-4:00 at Lodi's Beads (Bosque Farms, NM)
(see us featured in the Valencia County News Bulletin)
Saturday, November 14th, 1:00-3:00
Thursday, December 10th, 6:00-8:00
Saturday, December 12th, 1:00-3:00

And so better late than never, check out this great 'Pink Glove Dance" project developed by the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, to help promote breast cancer awareness and to generate funds to provide free mammograms to women who otherwise could not afford them.

ABC News coverage at http://abcnews.go.com/WN/pink-glove-dance-youtube-video-spreads-breast-cancer/story?id=9210224.

ETSY Beadweavers Challenge - September Indian Summer

2009-09-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

So wow! Look at these beautiful entries in the September beadweavers challenge on Esty. Be sure to vote! 33 entries - that's fantastic. Go to our site to see more details at http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/. Voting begins on Sept 9th! Want a shortcut? Go to www.etsy.com and enter "EBWC" into the search field. That will bring up all of the entries and you can just hop thru them.

Looks like creativity is in the air. I'll be conducting 2 beading classes in October at The Wooden Cow Gallery in Albuquerque. I've got folks signed up in both and am really looking forward to them. One is a beadwoven bracelet (taught to me by Carol Cypher at Bead and Button!) and the other is a needle-felted bead necklace.

I've ordered my "Use the Muse III" kit and can't wait to see what's inside. Be sure to get yours before they disappear. You can order them through Scarlett's site.

I'm hoping to hear from Jeanette Shanigan soon about the annual Breast Cancer quilt project that she sponsors every year...I wonder what the theme will be this year.

On more serious matters, the recent news of Jaycee Dunbar has struck a chord, perhaps because she was abucted on my birthday in 1991. The Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe has set up a fund to help Jaycee and her family, and those wishing to donate can do so at the address below:

Jaycee Dugard Trust Fund
C/O Viewtech Financial Services
PO Box 596 Atwood, CA 92811

Use the Muse II

2009-08-14T07:40:00.000-07:00

So Scarlett has posted the big REVEAL on her blog. WOW - what an incredible turnout for this contest. I cannot believe how many different ways that the Muse was used! There are entries from just about anywhere - including Austrailia, Norway, Isreal, Canada, Hungary, Curacao, Denmark, United Kingdom, Italy, and all across the United States. Great job, Scarlett! Check out the winners and the two galleries of entries. Remember, EVERYONE started with the same set of beads and the same MUSE. I must say, I was quite excited to see so many entries from New Mexico! Way to go ladies.

Feeling adventurous? Now is the time to sign up for Scarlett's newsletter, where you'll learn more about the "Use the Muse III" contest.

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

2009-08-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

Ok , so I've totally ignored my blog since January - it's unexcusable. But I'm back now and will do my best to keep things current. The item that snapped me out of my fog was the current Etsy Beadweavers' Challenge for August 2009. You HAVE to visit their page to see all of the beautiful creations and to start narrowing down the candidates for your vote as "THE BEST" (voting begins on August 9th). Visit our blog and scroll through the entries...they are one of the best crops ever! Click here.

Next, The Wooden Cow Gallery is gearing up for another fabulous show this evening - called "Word Play" - we've got some great pieces on display (I made some cute mis-matched earrings from sterling silver). I'll post photos. Click here.

Next week, I am starting a metalsmith class with a wonderful local artist, Lauren Tobey. She is the visionary behind Meltdown Studios here in Albuquerque. Not only does she teach, but she makes her studio equipment available to practicing metalsmiths. She says it's "like a gym membership" ... pay by the day, week, or month. Wow - so I don't have to buy it all and put it in my garage. Don't you love that? Click here to visit her studio.

Then, as if I don't have enough on my plate...Lodi's Beads called me yesterday to say that they are offering their next "master purse" class this fall (I've been waiting over a YEAR to get into this class). The instructor, Casey Case (from Tucson, AZ) will be guide the lucky participants thru the design, construction, and finishing of a beaded tapestry using her patented Pattern Perfect technique. I wish there were photos to share of completed projects (including her own wonderful Petroglyph purse that she carries around)...but alas, no such luck. If you're a seed beader in the area, this class shouldn't be missed. Call Lodi's and sign up before the seats are sold.

Oh...let's see...what else. Oh, I submitted a fun piece to Scarlett Lanson's "Use the Muse II" contest (but I don't know if I'm allowed to post a photo yet because the "Muse" is a secret). Check back to see what I submitted. I think the "Use the Muse III" contest will launch this month - so I can't wait to see what she has in store for us!

Fall is almost here...and that means it's time to keep checking Jeannette Shanigan's website for her next beaded quilt block project to support breast cancer awareness. Here are the quilts we made for 2009. The generous beaders in the Albuquerque area are featured on Quilt #3 (yay!).

So - like I said - lots going on. Be sure to check back. I'll do a better job of keeping you posted!
Linda

New Classes at The Wooden Cow

2009-01-16T07:51:00.000-08:00

2009 is starting off with a bang at The Wooden Cow Gallery.

We are offering a wide variety of classes in every medium you can imagine (acrylics, oil painting, beadwork, polymer clay, chip carving, etc.) - AND - many of our instructors are offering a 2-for-1 discount on registrations to help get those creative juices flowing. So you can sign up and bring a friend for free! It doesn't get much better than that.

Visit the Wooden Cow website and click on our "CLASSES" page to see what's available from January thru April. Every class is listed along with the price, description, and a photo of your finished piece.

If you have any questions, blog me!

Wooden Cow Celebrates Chinese New Year

2008-12-29T09:34:00.000-08:00

Join The Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space as we celebrate Chinese New Year!

Opening Reception

Friday, January 2, 20095 pm to 8 pm
Show runs January 2 - 31, 2009

Stop by and take in the art of our featured artist, Ren Adams, as well as a juriedshowcase of Chinese-inspired creations.

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The Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space

7400 Montgomery Blvd NE, Ste 20
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-999-1280

Check our our Spring Class Schedule!

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

Well, I've been neglecting my blog...but couldn't resist sharing a quick holiday greeting with you all. I wish everyone the best. Have a safe holiday season and a very wonderful New Year! If you need a little boost of cheer, be sure to turn up your speakers and click on this great singing Santa and his reindeer!

Dia De Los Muertos Show

2008-11-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

Come celebrate the colorful, age-old Day of the Dead festival with The Wooden Cow's select offerings! Friday, November 7th, 2008 5 - 8 pm.

Featured artists:

Elaine Russell (photography, jewelry, mixed media), Sue Orchant (silk painting), Vanessa Brown (recycle art skeletons)

Guest Artists (Day of the Dead entries):
John de Jesus, Albert Noyer, Steve Snowden, Francisco Bussetti, Lisa Rossignol, Jessica Coulson, and many others!

Face painting (Day of the Dead inspired!) by Jeannette Lyle. Tarot readings by Wendy. Festive refreshments provided. Funky music. Easy parking! Come see what all the fuss is about.

Don't forget to stop by and check out the life-sized recycle art skeleton by Vanessa Brown and Lisa Rossignol's impressive, larger than life recycle art skeleton Wedding Party (they will blow you away!).

The Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space
7400 Montgomery Blvd NE, Suite 20
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505-999-1280
http://thewoodencow.wordpress.com/

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2008-10-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

For the past several years, wonderful Alaskan bead artist Jeanette Shanigan has been beading against breast cancer. Every year, she asks fellow beaders to help her stitch “beaded quilt blocks” for an annual charity auction to support breast cancer research. This year’s quilt theme is “Bead artists have the heart to take on breast cancer” and we’ve been asked to stitch tiny beaded 1.5” squares of hearts. The Etsy Beadweavers Street Team is stitching away to collect some squares to send to Jeanette. Here is my pattern this year (these are made using a "square stitch").

Look at some of the other wonderful hearts that are being submitted (did you stitch some hearts? Let me know so I can link to your photos!):

Wednesday, October 8th, 6:00-8:00 PM
(YAY! We had 8 beaders from Z-Coil and the New Mexico Bead Society!)
Sunday, October 19th, 1:00-3:00 PM
(YAY! We have 8 visitors from Arizona signed up!)
Sunday, November 2nd, 3:00-5:00 PM Sunday,
December 14th, 1:00-3:00 PM

In our two hour class, students will stitch quilt blocks (any design as long as it ontains a heart!) – sign them (and, dedicate them to a special friend or family member who has battled this terrible disease) – and photograph them as a personal keepsake! At the end of the year, all of the quilt blocks created at the Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space will be shipped to Alaska where Jeanette will stitch them together and donate the finished quilt to Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer (BAABC) for their 2009 auction (the 2008 “rose” block quilt raised nearly $4,500). Let’s show our New Mexico spirit for this great cause…all supplies and instruction are free – all you need to bring is your imagination and generous heart.

October Beadweaver's Challenge

2008-10-09T15:12:00.001-07:00

It's that time again - time to vote for your favorite creation from the Etsy Beadweavers! This month's challenge is "Animal Instinct" and my Petroglyph Cuff is lucky number 13! So if you have a chance, please stop by our blog and vote for your favorite. Thanks!

My New Petroglyph Cuff

2008-10-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

Well, this one was a long time in the making because it was pretty intricate, but I'm proud to say that I finished my "Petroglyph Cuff" in time for the October 2008 Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge. I also found out this morning (thanks to Sarah at The Beaded Lily), that this cuff was featured on The Art Zoo (wow! - that's a first for me). So I'm anxious to see how the voting goes next week. Let me know what you think!

Latest Project - BC Quilt

2008-09-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

Look at some of the other wonderful hearts that are being submitted (did you stitch some hearts? Let me know so I can link to your photos!):

Kerrie Slade's Hearts
Triz's Hearts
Melody's Hearts
Smadar's Hearts

Jojo's Hearts

In the spirit of this cause, our new Albuquerque gallery, The Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space is hosting four FREE separate "stitching" classes for beaders who wish to make a heart for Jeanne's quilt project. All of the materials will be provided by an instructor (me!) who will help beaders learn new stitches while beading for a cure. If you're in the Albuquerque area, the dates for the classes are below. Please SIGN UP for any of these dates because seating is limited.

Wednesday, October 8th, 6:00-8:00 PM
Sunday, October 19th, 1:00-3:00 PM
Sunday, November 2nd, 3:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, December 14th, 1:00-3:00 PM

In our two hour class, students will stitch quilt blocks (any design as long as it ontains a heart!) – sign them (and, dedicate them to a special friend or family member who has battled this terrible disease) – and photograph them as a personal keepsake! At the end of the year, all of the quilt blocks created at the Wooden Cow Gallery and Art Space will be shipped to Alaska where Jeanette will stitch them together and donate the finished quilt to Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer (BAABC) for their 2009 auction (the 2008 “rose” block quilt raised nearly $4,500). Let’s show our New Mexico spirit for this great cause…all supplies and instruction are free – all you need to bring is your imagination and generous heart.

Busy Busy Busy!

2008-09-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

Well, how time flies when you're busy (having fun!). Since my last post, some great news from different venues to share with you.

First, my Yurok Cuff was selected as a "Finalist"(out of 1,300 submissions!) in Fire Mountain Gems 2008 Annual Beading Contest. They sent me a wonderful certificate (matted!) and gift certificate, along with a letter stating my design will be displayed in the online Gallery of Designs (it hasn't been posted yet, but I keep checking...) as well as future advertisements. So I was so thrilled!!

Then, off to the New Mexico State Fair... The New Mexico Bead Society sponsored this year's "Beadwork and Jewelry Competition". I worked at the booth for three days, accepting submissions and categorizing them for the judges. The NM State Fair opened its doors last Friday (and all of the ribbons had been awarded). Such talented artists in New Mexico. My hat goes off to you all!!

In the midst of all this excitement, I've been working hard at our new Albuquerque shop (The Wooden Cow Gallery & Art Space). We will open our doors for business this week, but our GRAND OPENING is October 17th. Our gallery has two classrooms - and I'll be busy teaching beadweaving classes thru the end of the year.

Well, to top it all off, I was notified this weekend that my submission into The Bead Museum's "Celebrating Beads, the journey of..." First Annual design contest was accepted as a finalist (of almost 350 entries from 33 states and 15 countries). I have to get it wrapped up and shipped out to Washington DC today (because it needs to arrive in time to be on display for the gala on September 20th!). I'm not allowed to show you a picture of the design yet (contest rules), but I'll be posting as soon as the competition results are final.

Phew...that's alot going on!
Thanks for stopping by.
Linda

Got some catching up to do!

2008-08-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

Well, first of all - THANK YOU EVERYONE - who voted for me in the August "Art Deco" beadweaver's challenge. To my absolute delight, I was awarded THIRD PLACE in the competition - which I think is a very respectable result given this is an international audience! So thank you!!

The moon must be favoring me right now, because I also entered a fun competition with the New Mexico Bead Society and won FIRST PRIZE last evening at our monthly meeting. Every year, Opera Southwest has a musical fund-raising event that is tied to an opera. This year, the opera is Das Fledermaus, a light-hearted comedy that takes place at a masked ball. In the spirit of this opera, Opera Southwest provided NMBS members with "blank" eye masks and encouraged us to adorn them with beads (or whatever other little goodies we keep in our stashes). Our masks will be donated to the event and worn by the gala attendees at the September fundraiser.

Well, here is my mask...Isn't it fun? Trust me when I tell you - that's ALOT of tiny beads.

It's Time To Vote!

2008-08-07T06:59:00.000-07:00

Starting on Saturday, August 9th, you can place your vote for your favorite Art Deco design. Each entry was hand-woven by the talented artists of the Etsy Beadweavers Street Team.

On our blog, click on the links below the mosiac to see each entry "close up and personal"... The voting ballot will appear on the side bar to the right beginning August 9.

Please stop by and vote for your favorite (my entry is #11!)...Voting ends on August 15th.

August EBW Challenge

2008-07-28T00:22:00.000-07:00

I've completed my entry into the EBW August challenge, themed as "Art Deco".

My inspiration was the mixture of simple geometric design and the intracacy of detail found in Art Deco art and architecture. My necklace is a bold, beadwoven collar in hues of red, bronze, gold and black. I cannot say how many times I tore it apart and restitched it on my loom. It is my first piece where I pre-strung beads (gold-plated bicone metal beads to be exact) on the warp threads before I began weaving. I think it's good to go!

I'm so pleased with how it turned out. Tell me what you think...

Midsummer Madness Sale!

2008-07-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

The ETSY Beadweavers are offering great deals from the 21st to the 27th, so shop now!! Check out the fabulous beadwoven art jewelry at:

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http://adri33.etsy.com/ Select Items on Sale
http://amberleilani.etsy.com/ Free Shipping
http://arosebyname.etsy.com/ Free Shipping on Beadwoven Jewelry
http://caraway.etsy.com/ 20% Off Pendants-- Excluding Archetypes
http://cielodesign.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything
http://cigarboxbeads.etsy.com/ SALE Section
http://clairecreations.etsy.com/ Select Items on Sale
http://clinkscalesarts.etsy.com/ 20% Off Select Items
http://conlinscreations.etsy.com/ 20% Off Everything
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http://beadesignsbydale.etsy.com/ Free Shipping + 10% Off Multiple Purchases
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http://grandmamarilyns.etsy.com/ 15% Off Everything
http://highdesertbeadscapes.etsy.com/ Free pair of Cactus Bloom Earrings + Free Shipping
http://joyfullyjewels.etsy.com/ SALE Section
http://littlestonedesign.etsy.com/ 20% Off All Bracelets
http://lolos.etsy.com/ Free Shipping on Select Items, 15% Off Select Items
http://mistyridgebeads.etsy.com/ Free Shipping + Gift
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My First Silk Purse

2008-07-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

This week, I wanted to share with you my first silk purse that I learned to make in a class by a fantastic Albuquerque artist, Cindy Chavez. Cindy's motto for the class is "there aren't any rules" - and that's difficult for a beadweaver like me to grasp. Well, I gave it my best shot and here it is. I must admit, it's amazing!

Cindy asks us to choose two colors for our silk (one for the outside, one for the liner) and then she orders the fabric from us from her favorite silk merchant. From there, all we needed to bring to class were the beads and bead mixes we wanted to use on our purse. I chose Czech glass bead accents for the binding and pintucks. For the focal bead, I purchased a beautiful wave jasper domed cabachon from My Gem Garden (an awesome eBay store that I recently discovered). I used bead embroidery to secure the cab to the purse flap, and embellished with more Czech glass and pressed glass leaves. She provided the needles, stiff foundation fabric, pattern template, and coordinating thread for our project - and off we went! I can't believe this started as a flat pile of fabrics!

I think I'm going to give this to our son's sweetheart (who just graduated with her nursing degree and recently passed her board exams - let's hear some snaps for Angela!).

If you get a chance, click on Cindy's student creations link to see what YOU can create. Cindy sells kits for her beautiful embroidered cuffs. You can see her work in various publications, such as Belle Armoire Jewelry. Look for her again this fall when her designs are featured in Haute Handbags.

My First Treasury!

2008-06-23T11:39:00.000-07:00

Being part of the Etsy community is a wonderful experience. In addition to meeting other wonderful artists and finding inspiration in their creations and their support, the Etsy community also encourages artists to promote other artists - and this is done with "Treasuries" (click here to view some gorgeous collections).

I've been a member of Etsy for about 5 months now and I'm thrilled to report that of my pieces ("Sea Nymph Cuff") was selected as part of a beautiful treasury created by Sarah at The Beaded Lily called "No Slime Allowed" - a tribute to beautiful "scaly" textures. Her treasury appeared on Etsy in June, and even though it has since expired, here is a snapshot of her favorite "scaly" pieces. Isn't this great?!

Thanks to Sarah for including me in this, my first-ever, treasury. I'm so flattered!

And the Winner is....

2008-06-17T13:01:00.000-07:00

Sweet Freedom Designs! Of the over 700 votes cast this month, this piece received the most.

This lovely pendant, has a woven spiral rope with peacock freshwater pearls and several colors and sizes of glass seed beads, including slate blue, seafoam green, fuschia, and bronze. The matching peyote bail is embellished with seafoam green freshwater pearls with fringe dangles adorning the bail.

Visit Sweet Freedom Designs at any of the following sites to see more beautiful jewelry:

http://www.sweetfreedomdesigns.com/
http://sweetfreedom.etsy.com/

To see the other wonderful creations that were in the running for the June 2008 EBW challenge, visit our team blog at http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/

And come back soon to learn more about the July 2008 EBW Challenge...the theme? "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

June EBW Challenge

2008-06-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time again - and boy will it be a difficult choice! The ETSY Beadweaver Team has posted its June Challenge entries. This month's catagory: Anything Goes! (and that's an understatment). There are so many beautiful designs this month, I know I'll have a hard time choosing my favorite ~ how about you?

Please take a moment to visit our site and vote on your favorite!
(leave me a message and let me know if you had a chance to vote)

Some Great News from Fire Mountain!

2008-05-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

Well, wonder of all wonders - the two designs that I submitted to the 2008 Fire Mountain Gems jewelry contest have made it to the FINAL ROUND of judging! There were over 1,300 entries and I'm an just thrilled to make it to the next round.

My "Yurok Cuff" design was inspired by a traditional Native American design from the Yurok Tribe of Northern California. The imagery reminds me of a celebration, but after a quick e-mail, I've learned that this design is called a 'foot' design and is commonly referred to as a Frog hand design. According to Jeanne Riecke, the basketweave researcher for the Yurok tribe, 'the story behind this design in legend is that whenever you came across a dead frog on the road, you were to pick it up and remove it from the road and some day he would return the favor if you became sick. The design was for healing and placed in a circle as we dance in circles with our hands joined together for unity. The design goes both directions for our inner and outer self. –Note: as described by the Yurok artist Tony Sylvia regarding the Yurok Tribal Seal which has the Frog Hand basketweave design on the seal. (Thanks to Jeanne and Tara at the to the Yurok Tribal Council for their assistance with this).

My "High Desert Beadscape" Cuff is my signature design. 2-drop peyote base with funky fringe and semi-precious embellishments. I've stitched the hidden magnetic closures into the peyote base - which makes this a very secure closure. The result is a flowing wrap around the wrist with no interruption for clasps, buttons, or loops.

Now I have to get stitching - because I sold both pieces in April at a New Mexico Bead Society exhibit at the Arts Alliance Gallery in Albuquerque - and I have to get them to the judges by June 30! Wish us luck in the finals!
Linda

And the winner is...

2008-05-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

The winner of the May 2008 Beadweaver Challenge is Ileana. There were 534 votes this month, and Ileana's Food Chain in the Enchanted Garden pouch garnered the most votes this time around. The pouch features the sun, plants, an owl, a mouse, a spider, a ladybug, and a butterfly!

Click here to view some more of Ileana's beautiful work!

May 2008 ETSY Beadweaver Challenge!

2008-05-07T13:32:00.001-07:00

Wow!

Look at the diversity of entries for this month's challenge:

"The Food Chain"

These talented artists put on their thinking-caps to come up with wonderful interpretations for this theme.

Click on the link to take a closer look at their gorgeous work, then vote for your favorite!

Voting is open from May 7 - May 14.

Click here to visit our BLOG

2008-04-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

And the winner is...#17! View some of Wolf's other amazing works at DantesSpirit.etsy.com. Check back soon to see the nominations for the May Challenge: "The Food Chain"