What a tangled web we weave

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Earlier this week, I was invited to a Fresh Connections meeting hosted at the Incite Center for Holistic Therapy in Norwich, CT.  The center and its practitioners allowed the Fresh Connections group of women to come in and experience what they have to offer! We each got to have mini sessions for massage, reflexology, qi gong, and meditation through zentangle art. The zentangle method is a fun and relaxing way of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns. It's surprisingly easy; even those in our group without an artistic background made great images! Here is what I made with just a few minutes of instruction:

I had a lot of fun learning to zentangle and meeting all the lovely and inspirational women through this networking event! There may even be some of my jewelry available for sale at the Incite Center soon!

Currently, I am...

A glimpse of my bead table. This mess is from me playing with my Bead Soup from Shannon!

I've been really into Pretty Lights lately. He gets huge points because you can download all his music FOR FREE at www.prettylightsmusic.com.

A bottle of Rosé with the girls!

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

My back injury has been much better, but I'm still having to go to the doctor's office for maintenance.

Yes, it's a cat. Yes, it's headless. No, it's fake :)

Upcycled Copper Flower Earrings

About a year ago I started the 'Upcycled Jewelry Project' with the idea of collecting old and unwanted jewelry as donations. Then, I rework the jewelry into new and sellable designs and donate proceeds from these sales  to local organizations that help women in need. Although I don't get to spend as much time as I'd like on this project of mine, there has been such a supporting from people and it is so fun that I try to make a couple pieces a month.

These earrings were made from old clip-on flower earrings, vintage glass pearls and metal spacers from a donated necklace and scrap wire.

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(Tip: Don't be afraid really dirty jewelry. Warm, soapy water will make them look like new!)

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Finished Earrings!

Art Beads on a Budget

If you are anything like me, you love art beads. You admire the work and talent that goes into creating them. You want to buy almost every bead your favorite artist lists on her etsy shop. You covet all the amazing jewelry made with art beads. You save every spare penny so that you too can own these beautiful works of art. Have I hit the nail on the head? Then this post is for you.

I've come up with an Etsy Treasury featuring fantastic art beads at great prices, mostly all for under $20! Hopefully you see something that you not only love, but that you can purchase on your budget.

Click the image for links to each Etsy shop!
I was thinking of making these treasuries a regular part of my postings. What do you all think? If anyone has any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

Bead Table

The last few days I have spent in bed because of back pain. Thankfully, with the help of my chiropractor, I'm on the mend. There isn't a lot in the works on my bead table, but I've still got a couple photos for you.

I received these fantastic jewels as a donation for the Upcycled Jewelry Project.

A recent project as made me outside my comfort zone and working with copper wire. Here I twisted two wires together, made my links and hammered them.

 

{Tutorial Love} DIY Leather Bracelets

A collection of great D.I.Y. tutorials for leather bracelets!

Painted Leather Bracelets

by A Beautiful Mess

Leather Bracelets decorated with ribbon and buttons

by Jolijou

Stitched Leather Bracelets

by Crafty Nest

Leather Bow Cuff

by Melissa of ISLY

 Woven Leather and Chain Bracelet

by Runway DIY

Leather Layered Bracelet with Rhinestone buttons

by Wobisobi

Upcycled Belt Bracelets

 by The May Fly

by Delighted Momma

Bead soup has arrived!

I received my bead soup from Shannon of For My Sweet Daughter yesterday! Everything is so pretty, I'm surprisingly not sure where to start! Included in the package was 2 pendants, a Vintaj toggle clasp, Lampwork glass beads, Silk String and Picture Jasper rounds. My favorite has to be the pendant that Shannon  made herself. How did she know I just looove keys? :)
Below are some pictures of the awesome beads I received. And don't forget to return on March 3rd for the reveal and blog hop!

 

Rochelle's Sweet & Spicy Chili

Many of you will be gathered around your televisions tomorrow for the Superbowl of 2012. And although I am not a fan of football, I do understand that this game is a big deal to lots of people around me. In the spirit of things, I am making chili for Superbowl Sunday and I wanted to share my unique recipe with you.

Carstor | Wikimedia Commons

Rochelle's Sweet & Spicy Chili

Ingredients:

1 Large sweet onion, finely chopped

1 Large green pepper, diced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 lb of lean ground turkey

1 (15 ounce) Can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) Can of navy beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) Can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained

3 (15 ounce) Cans of diced tomatoes (including juice)

1 Tbsp of Chili powder

1 Tbsp of Cumin

1 Tbsp of Crushed red pepper

1 Bay leaf (remove before eating!)

1 (12 ounce) Bottle of Frank’s Sweet Chili sauce
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Directions: 

Sautee onions, peppers and garlic. Cook ground turkey until brown, drain. Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook on low for about 6 hours.

Sprinkle on shredded cheddar cheese and add a dollop of sour cream before serving.

Enjoy!

Challenge Complete!

Yesterday I finished my January Earring Challenge. Whew, what a challenge it was! It was interesting to see how daily life effected my creative side. I was very excited and motivated in the beginning, but started to lose steam about a third of the way through. I pushed onward, even if my earrings were very simple for a few days. I was able to get my enthusiasm back for the last week or so, and tried to go out with a bang!

What I learned:
1. I like to switch up my work. Towards the end of the month I was getting very antsy! I am proud that I stuck with this challenge, but can't wait to make a damn necklace!

2. I need to use my sketchbook more! Throughout the month, I kept a sheet for brainstorming and sketching out possible designs. Some of the designs are totally new to me, others were specific to beads I already have. I found this to be particularly helpful on days when I struggled to create something.

3. Photography. I have always struggled with taking good photos, but with time and practice, I am getting better. Having to take so many photos, with inadequate natural lighting because of the season, I was really forced to work with my lighting and displays. I learned what worked and what didn't. Now, I can take photos quicker and with less editing.

I had a lot of fun with this and will certainly be doing another challenge soon!