Blog Hop List Participants:

This is not fancy, but hopefully it will get the job done! 

·      Please see if I have your blog link correct.  Some I looked for because I didn’t have your address.   Some were Google+ accounts and I’m not sure if that is where you intend to post.  

·      A few mentioned you do not have blogs.  Please let me know if you would like to post on Facebook, if so which FB URL, or want to me to post on my blog.   If you want to post on my blog, please leave me a way to contact you.  I’ll send you details.

·      If your name is not on this list and you wish to participate, please comment with name and blog address.  Apologies for anyone who wanted to be on that I missed.  I tried to compile several lists and get everyone!   Many thanks! --Sharyl

·       P.S. I’ll update this list tomorrow so you can have the corrected, properly formatted version to add to your blogs!   Thanks! 

********************************************************************

Participant List:

Host: Sharyl McMillian-Nelson … http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

Donna Millard http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/

Ann Schroeder… http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com

Pamela Rachelle… http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com

Kristin L Oppold… http://www.yayjewelry.blogspot.com

Heidi Kingman ... http://heidikingman.blogspot.com

Andi ... http://strungoutjewelry.blogspot.com/

Patricia Buchanan Click “Blog” on the menu bar at http://www.braceletstoo.artfire.com

Helen Simon… http://helensharvest.com/

Kashmira … http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/

somethingunique ... http://somethinguniquebylana.blogspot.ca/

Renetha ... http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Kathy Lindemer ... http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com

Swapna Dinesh … http://www.swardaa.com

lindalandig ... http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

Ann Schroeder ... http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com/

Beti Horvath ... http://stringingfool.blogspot.com/

Sam S ... http://samsbeadshopandjewelry.blogspot.com/

Christina Miles ... http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/

Islandgirl ... http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/

macmillanmarie ... http://www.macmillanmarie.blogspot.com

Emma Todd … http://www.apolymerpenchant.com

Neena Shilvock … http://www.capriliciousjewellery.com/

Dee Clark… http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/

motidana ... http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.com/

Here Bead Dragons ... http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Carol D. ... http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Pam Sears ... http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith ... http://wirednan.blogspot.ca

AliMc ... http://northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com

Beda Hendrix ... https://www.facebook.com/SasijuhlsThings

Kari Asbury ... http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Shirley Moore ... http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com

PyxeeStyx ... http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/

Jayne Capps … https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com

Louann Elwell ... https://plus.google.com/117746558861718110652/posts

Rain ... http://honeyandollie.com/

Lori Bergmann ... http://www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com

Helen Simon… http://helensharvest.blogspot.com/

Arlene Dean ... http://aglassbash.blogspot.com

Sandra... http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de/

Alicia ... http://www.allprettythings.ca

I’m so pleased that so many of you joined in this blog hop and that we participants from India, UK, Canada, as well the U.S.!   (Did I miss your country?  Please let me know!)    Many thanks to all for making this a fun experience!   ~Sharyl

***********************

  
Sorry, removing Janice and Sy.  Not sure how to reach you or where you would like to post.  Apologies.   Feel free to add a note to comments if you see this and I'll add you in! --Sharyl

Yikes! Have you Cleaned?

Update:  Apologies for not getting the initial blog list posted Tue night. I've had a migraine and a hard time sitting up and reading the computer screen.   I'll do my best to get the list out tonight (Wed.)  Thanks for your patience! --Sharyl

*********************************************


As I look at the huge mess still surrounding me, I'm wondering, "Am I the last person to get busy cleaning my workspace?!"  I started this event  a month ago to urge myself to tidy up, and I've heard from many of you of the great progress you've made!   Wish I could say the same!   Luckily, there is STILL TIME!



Just a reminder that the "Clean-up, Fix-up" your workspace BLOG HOP is March 1st!      I'm  in a flurry doing last-minute organizing as well as cleaning.   I hope to heavens I can get my photos to upload as I'm struggling with that at the moment!   (What fun would this be without a bit of stress?!)   

If you signed up to be involved, or want to join, here are things that you need to know and do before March 1st:


1) Please, please, make sure I have your blog URL if you have a blog and plan to post there for this event.   (I'll post the list I have later tonight.)  Feel free to leave a comment here or on the Facebook page, mentioned below, if you just want to make sure I have your info for the list.  I'll sort out duplicates but don't want to omit anyone!

2)  There is also an "Fix-up, Clean  up" Event space on Facebook.   If you don't have a blog, please feel free to post your info there!   Many have been posting updates there too.    

3)  If you haven't already.....cleanup, tidy, organize, whatever... your workspace or even a portion of your workspace!   

4) Take photos and write a bit of text explaining what you did.  Prepare your blog page.   If you don't have a blog,... you can a) post on the Facebook Event page or b) your own Facebook page but I'll need to know your FB page URL if you plan to post there.  c) If you have neither a blog or FB, please let me know.   I'll post for you.

5) On Feb 27, (date corrected) I'll post an updated final list of all participating.  Please add that to your blogs.   At minimum, please link your blog back to this one so others can "hop" through the pages!

5) By Feb. 28, midnight central time, please make your posts live!   

6) Blog hop begins March 1st! 

I can't wait to see see what everyone has done!   

Now, I must go get VERY BUSY!    ... right after yoga class to calm me down...

Sharyl

"Clean-up, Fix-up" Challenge now on Facebook too!

The "Clean-up, Fix-up Challenge Blog Hop" now has an "Event" page on Facebook!  For continuous conversation, idea sharing, questions, and photos, please visit us there!

Just  CLICK HERE!

Happy Cleaning!

--Sharyl

"Clean-up, Fix-up Challenge" Update!

Thank you for the fantastic response to the "Clean-up, Fix-up Challenge" I posted here a few days ago!   

In the coming days,...  I'll compose a blog list with the info I have and ask for more info from some.  

I'm extremely pleased so many will be joining me in the task of cleaning and reorganizing our work spaces--it will make it so much more "fun!"   (It would be even more fun if you would all come over to my place and help me out,... but the space is tiny, so we'd never all fit!)   ;-)

If anyone else would like to join in by working on their own workspace (no matter how large or small a project you plan), please just leave me a comment and your blog address below.  

NOTES:

• There will be a blog hop March 1st, but anyone without a blog is welcome to join and we'll work that out.
• You are not required to spend any money on your workspace/studio!

If you need more details on the event, please see the original post!  You can sign up in the comments of either post.
   

How I'd like you to perceive me...

Right now, I'm mostly shoveling, shoveling, shoveling the snow!   So more news soon! 

More the reality of the situation!

Thanks, stay safe and warm!   

Sharyl

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * 


Graphics:

Photograph by Sharyl

Woman Cleaning:  http://www.wpclipart.com/working/people_at_work/cleaning/apartment_cleaning.jpg

Money: http://www.wpclipart.com/money/bills/stack_of_green_bills.jpg

Snow: http://www.wpclipart.com/weather/snow/more_snow/girl_in_snow.jpg

Shoveling snow:  http://www.wpclipart.com/weather/snow/kid_shovel_snow.jpg

"Clean-up, Fix-up Challenge"

This is NOT your ordinary "jewelry challenge."  It does NOT involve getting your beads out and spreading them all over the table and creating something beautiful.  

"Bead Lover's Memory Bracelet"

This is a different kind of "design challenge."   It's a "pick up your beads, clean off your worktable, so you can design something beautiful" challenge!   It's a "clean-up, fix-up your workspace"challenge!  

Now I admit it,... I HATE doing this.  For me, it will be a huge "clean up my mess" challenge!  For others, tidier than myself, it might be a "decorate my area so I'm more inspired" challenge or an organizational "make my space more functional"  challenge!    My space could use all of those, but first I must begin with cleaning up the mounting mess that grows on top of every flat space in my work room!  

Yes, this is one table-full.

Does anyone else have this problem?! 

I'll not embarrass myself by showing you every messy spot in my room, but will contend that all are not this bad!   Here is some shelving that still looks relatively tidy, but could be reorganized to make work flow smoother!

My "could-be-worse" shelving.

One revelation I've recently had is that for improved functionality, there are two very heavy pieces of furniture that ideally would be swapped in their locations... clear to the opposite sides of the room.  And to make matters worse, there is a very large, very heavy antique table in the center of the room that would have to be taken apart and moved out then back in again.  Yeah, right...  Not likely.  

Still, there are many things I could do to make my workspace more... workable!

I've "threatened" to do this several times, but never finish the job.   Today, however, looking at the blog post of Kristin Oppold (of YaY! Jewelry),   "Meet my New Studio" and a retro post,  "A Glimpse into My Jewelry Studio - On a Clean Day," I'm again inspired to take action!  (Thank you, Kristin!)  

Is anyone else wanting to clean your space?  ... (or even a corner of your space space), spruce up your beading environment (no need to spend money), and/or do something to make your work area more inviting and functional?!  Your space may be the end of a table or one or more rooms--doesn't matter.  I hope some of you will sign up to join me in the challenge!    No rush, you can take all month and we can have a blog hop on March 1.  

Leave me a comment and your blog address if you'd like to participate.  If you don't have a blog, just let me know your name, some way to contact you, and that you'd like to post on my blog instead.  Take some before-photos, and some after photos, and let us know how YOU made your space better!

Are you ready to give it try?!   Hope so!  Cleaning up by oneself is lonely!   :-)

~Sharyl

P.S.  There will be a drawing for a prize for participants.   (I think I'm bound to unearth some lovely treasures during this project!)  ;-)  Wonder what YOU'LL find?!  
----------------------------------------

Art Bead Scene Inspires me Again!

Those of you who have been with me for a while, know that for a long while I regularly entered the monthly challenges from Art Bead Scene.   I found such inspiration in the selected art pieces, and the challenges pushed me to do my best jewelry designing using artisan-made beads. 

  

July 2013 entry

A few months ago, I put myself on a "challenge break."  Too many things happening at once as holidays approached, and I felt like I was not being as creative at it anymore.   In the last year, I've also turned my attention more and more to making metal components, and in the last few months have gotten busy with polymer clay.   

Beads alone cannot be entered into Art Bead Scene challenges, only jewelry made with art beads.   But last month I found myself working and working on a pendant for this piece of art: 

Winter Landscape by Wassily Kandinsky, 1909 

Trivia:   I made the windows using a tiny metal stamp that says "HOPE."

The pendant turned out to be more of an education than a work of art, so I didn't turn it into a necklace.  I'm still really glad I did it.

When I looked at the artwork for the January 2014 ABS Challenge...

Textile Design for Cretonne, 1928? by Lois Mailou Jones

I was inspired all over again!   But not to do jewelry design. Suddenly it gave me all kinds of ideas for beads and components, and I decided to try out more techniques with polymer clay...and make a few altered metal pieces which I have been neglecting.   

I've had great fun and finally finished and listed them in my Sharyl's Jewelry Artfire studio.   I wanted to share a few of them with you!

Some of the polymer pieces were made using molds, a first for me.  Leaves are the main theme, but you'll find a few flowers too!     Others are free-form beads with colors or shapes that seemed to fit the art this month.    I used a lot of metallic acrylic paint on these, and added mica powders to some for a raku look.   

There are also what I'm calling "donut" beads in coordinating colors for many of these.  

And I was in such a mood to make leaves, I made some altered brass components in several sizes and styles.

You'll find these and more in my store.   I hope you will go take a browse and see what's new since you last looked!   Window-shopping is perfectly acceptable!   

If anyone does make a piece using my beads, please let me know!   I would love to feature your work here on my blog and also on my Pinterest page! 

Hope some of you will join the ABS challenges.  My thanks to all the people who make that web site possible!   I find it challenging whether I'm designing jewelry or not!    

Sharyl

Happy Birthday to Mom...

Hoping that the New Year is treating you well! I'm hoping to get back to regular blogging soon.  I miss it, and I miss all of you.   

Today would have been my mother's birthday, and so I have her very much on my mind.   I was trying to think of something I could share with you, and thought of this.

When my mother moved to a nursing care facility, my sister acquired our parents' former home, the house they built themselves, that we grew up in.   She recently sold the house and gave me some special remembrances I was allowed to choose.  

This was top on my wish list.   

It's what I remember my mother using as a sewing box when I was very young.

My mother was a wonderful seamstress.  She made our clothes when we were young, made us suits when we went to work, maternity clothes and baby things as we started our families.   She made a wedding dress for our cousin and madrigal costumes for many students in our home town.   I have curtains in my house I'm using still that she made when we moved to this house over 20 years ago.   

When I look at fabrics, I think of her.  As I collect beads, she loved her fabrics.  I still love looking at the patterns and feeling the textures, and often buy pieces even though I don't sew!  

She outgrew this little sewing box and gathered others to keep all her threads and tools and sewing supplies in.   

I'm not sure where she got this.  I turned to the bottom to see if it might have been  candy tin at one time.   Expecting to find it had been "Made in China" as most things are today, I found this stamp instead.

Her family was from Germany, so still no clues to me how she obtained it.   I never really thought about that before today.  I just know it's a treasure to me.   

I wonder what "treasures" people will make of the things that surround me some day?   

Happy Birthday to Mom.   Happy New Year's to the rest of you!

Sharyl