These are the things I love today.

Quote of the Day:  Feed Your Faith

Cup of Bead Soup:  NEW SOUP!

New Cup of Bead Soup from Clayworks.

via Pinterest

Knowing I have hundreds of pages left to go in a flipping awesome book, 

and I don't have to wake up early tomorrow 

because the hubby is taking a vacation day.

(PS:  "Outlander" lovers, you would really love this book.)

photo by raceytay.etsy.com, via brandigirlblog.com

Remembering the 4th of July

by remembering my time in the US Air Force.

via Pinterest

Searching online for new hair color ideas

and not being scared anymore to try new things.

Mental pep talks.

Wherever you are,

whatever you're doing,

give yourself a hand, 

and a hug.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Hair Today, Hair Tomorrow?

DIY Tutorial:  Sterling Silver Flower Ring with Tammy Jones

Quote of the Day: Get That Bitter Taste Out of Your Mouth

Cup of Bead Soup: Last Cup of Soup with Miss Molly's Designs

Yesterday's rant was cathartic.  I wish I could say today was bright and rosy and all my problems washed away with the dawning of the morning sun but this is the real world.  However, I took some of your advice and tackled my beading table -- 90% of my beads are put away.  Now I can start the chaos all over, but looking at a basically blank table is refreshing.

As for the bad hair week, I got my hair re-pinked today.  Yep, it's still pink.  I'm going to go through one more bead show in August and then it's bye-bye to the pink.  I'm thinking --- purple.

Or even go back to my favorite red and add purple.  Who knows?

But none of these cuts, no matter how cute.  I don't have the face for it, and certainly don't have a stylist in my bathroom each morning when I stumble into it.  I'm actually considering the arduous task of growing it out a bit.  Maybe. 

SO!  Hope you all have a happy weekend, and don't forget to check the links above -- we have a tutorial from Tammy of Jewelry Making Daily and the last of my Cup of Bead Soup with Molly Alexander!  Here's a tease...

Have a great one!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Venting (with pretty pictures at the bottom)

Book Review:  "1984" by George Orwell

DIY Tutorials: Polymer Clay Buttons with Mallory Hoffman

Quote of the Day:  Perfection Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be

It's been a rough couple of days.  Actually, longer than that, when I think about it.  I thought about writing about it but when I did, it rambled and made no sense to anyone but myself and the last thing I want to do is come off sounding like that odd yet mostly harmless coot down the street who mumbles to herself when she's grocery shopping for cat food.

So let me try to explain it in bullet points, as if I were giving one of those boring PowerPoint presentations I used to have to give Back in the Day.  You know the ones, where people's eyes glazed over and all you could think about was the box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts sitting in the break room and whether there would still be one when the presentation was over.

No donuts at the end, but pretty pictures -- so hang with me, m'k?

Venting Rant by Lori

*  I have disks in my back that are pinching nerves and I can't get comfortable no matter whether I sit, stand, lie down, or do cartwheels.  Cranky?  Oh heck to the YES am I cranky.

*  Both Zack and I have been suffering from "What do you want to do?  I don't know, what do YOU want to do?" and it's making us both -- you guessed it -- cranky.

*  I'm completely stressing out over the sheer amount of work I have in front of me.  It's like trying to eat an elephant -- you start with one bite and keep on eating.  Yet there's always a lot more elephant in front of you.

*  My office and bead table are a DISASTER AREA.  Level Five.  Wear Hazmat suits.  Declare a State of Emergency and call in the National Guard.  I get twitchy when things are cluttered.  Twitchy and cranky do NOT go well together.

*  Have you ever had a nightmare about a nightmare?  I had two this week.  Interesting to write about now, but holy heck -- that was a bad weekend full of crazy.

*  I have 798 blog posts waiting to be read in my Reader and I feel so incredibly guilty when I don't comment on your blogs!  You have no idea how badly I feel about that.

*  I'm having a bad hair week.

All right, I think that should do it.

Makes for a boring blog post, but it is what it is.  

And now for the promised beautiful pictures, all found via Pinterest.  Thanks for letting me vent, and tomorrow is another day.

A gorgeous studio

with an awesome typewriter.

An inspiration to clean my desk off.

Old buttons.

An inspiration to drag mine out

so I can sort them with Zack.

A dream bathroom.

I already have the tub (in white).

Will be heading there after I post this.

Helen Mirren.

A lady I consider incredibly beautiful.

I hope my hair grays like hers.

Book arch in France (I think).

I'd probably want the book on the bottom left.

Hope the photos 

were worth the rant!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Eye Candy Day -- and What is Style?

 Quote of the Day:  "Be This"

DIY Tutorials: Jewelry Display with Patricia Gasparino

I haven't shown what I've been working on other than my Cup of Bead Soup for a while, so I thought I'd show a few things today.  Hope you like them.

"Summer Lovin'" with polymer clay beads by Barbara Bechtel, vintage lucite, dyed Buri beads, and wood.

"Dutch Flowers" made with ceramic by Golem Design Studio and an awesome toggle I got at Bead and Button from AD/Adornments.

"Sunrise in Mexico" with a lampwork bead that flew to the back of my bead drawer without a name (sigh), turquoise, and Dutch love knots that about bested me.  Not entirely sure I'll attempt those again, and if I do, will make them in copper for a while before trying sterling again.

"Thai Elephants" made with my lampwork and copper.

"Sequins" made with just that -- vintage sequins and some Thai silver.

"Root Beer Float" made with vintage pop can beads (or soda can beads, depending upon where you're from!).  All the pop can beads are from root beer cans.  I have a couple more bracelets coming up, one with cream soda beads, and one with various vintage sodas, like Nehi (grape and peach!), Sprite (the old style font), and the like.

And I'll round out the mix with larimar and garnet cluster earrings.

As you can see, there is truly not a bead I don't love.  My shop is a veritable cornucopia of "flavors", styles, and colors.  Some have said to me it's a mistake not to drill down and concentrate on one thing, but so far, it's worked for me.  My style IS my eclectic nature. 

When I'm asked what inspires me, I never have a beautiful, deep answer.  I wish I did because it would make me sound smart.  My answer is always "the beads".  They tell me what to do.  If you ever go bead shopping with me, you'll see that in what I pick up.  Sometimes I'll almost do gymnastics to reach a strand of beads that has shouted out "Here I am!" to me.  And then there is that one bead sitting quietly by itself saying nothing, just looking pretty, and I take it home, too.

I don't follow trends.  I wouldn't know a trend if it bit me, actually.  And I'm always a day late and a dollar short when it comes to picking up on the newest tutorial or class.

But that's ok.  There are a million beads out there, all with a voice, and heaven knows I can scoot things over and make some more room.






Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

The Stinky Shoes

 Book Review: "Fahrenheit 451"

Quote of the Day: About Growing Up

Today I've been in a reflective mood.

Taking stock of things.

Figuring out what's worth my time, and what should be thrown in the figurative trash.

It's not that I don't think like this on a regular basis.  I mean, all of us at some time or other sit down and think, "This or that is just not worth the effort I'm giving it," or "This person just does not have the power to make me have a bad day."

So why did this hit me today?

All because of a pair of stinky shoes.

I was buzzing around the house, trying to make up for lost time, still sniffling and coughing from my ill-timed cold, when I saw Zack's tennis shoes, sitting alone against the wall of the laundry room.  And there was just something so poignant about them I had to stop and stand and just look at them for a quiet moment.

Those shoes are small, and dirty, and stinky.  Zack still has trouble tying them and I smile as I remember how I could read on a high grade level in Kindergarten but couldn't tie my own shoes for what seemed like forever.  I think of Zack whooping with joy when I say, "OK," to his asking to go somewhere when he's sure I'll say "no", and his cramming his feet in those shoes.

This is what's important.  These moments.  Those shoes.

Don't get me wrong -- life here isn't all roses.  I write about the roses but I also share the thorns, and there are actually more thorns than anyone would ever care to read about (isn't that true of all of us?).  But when life gets thorny, I now have this picture of stinky shoes to remind me it's about small things, simple things, that can make life a joy.  

For you, it may not be stinky shoes.  I'm sure if you think for a second, you can fill in that spot with something equally meaningful.  Now, go take a picture of it, and if you're up to it, post it on your blog, as a little talisman of control.  Because you CAN take control, if only for a few moments of your day or of a few things in your life. 

Even if it's putting away some stinky shoes.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

Etsy Finds -- The "I Have a Cold" Edition

I have a summer cold and I'm not too happy about it.  But I'll try not to sneeze on you and this post is 100% germ free.

Today I'm going to do a quick post of Etsy finds.  I think you'll enjoy it.  Then I'm going to bed with Sir Nyquil and his Knights of the Round Table, Oranges All Juiced Up.

Nose ring from KR Design

Along with the pink hair I finally got the nerve for, I've always thought a nose ring would be cool.  However, I think you have to have a lovely face (like this girl) or a sincere sense of bravery that I do not possess.  Having pierced my belly button many, many moons ago, I know my threshold for pain and it is small.  Tiny.  Miniscule.  And I've always wondered how one dealt with a head cold with a nose ring.

But I can dream.

Owl tissue holder by Dainty Blooms

I'm a sucker for owls.  I remember my dad pouring owl candles in the basement when I was a little kid and am glad to see them making a come back.  Of course, when I get around to stopping my jealous hoarding of owl beads, the trend will be over.  But this tissue holder -- yeah, I could use one or ten today.

Kimono tea pot by OC Pottery

Is this not the prettiest tea pot?  And tea is supposed to be JUST the thing for a cold.  Who wants to make me some?  I have Tupelo honey, even.

Quilt made with Amy Butler fabric by LMK Quilts

I want this so badly I could cry.  Exactly my colors, and I adore quilts.  And I adore Amy Butler fabric.  I have handbags made with her fabric, but this quilt?  I'm seriously crushing on it.

OK then.  Please visit these wonderful Etsians, explore their shops, and give them some love.  Me?  I'm off to bed and will be back tomorrow.

Achoo.

'scuse me.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.

^^^ The BIg Bead Giveaway Winners (and a Celebratory Video from Zack) ^^^

It's time!  The winners of the

Big Bead Giveaway!

All chosen by Zack, who has a little celebration video at the end

that you just can't miss!

#1, Moobie Grace Designs

#2, A Bird in the Hand Art

#3, Silver Rose Designs

#4, The Bliss Guild

#5, WireWorked by Sally Russick

#6, For the Love of Beads

#7, JustATish

#8, Leelu Creations

and #9, Sandi Volpe

And Zack created a celebratory fountain for you all

with Mentos and Diet Coke

a la Eepy Bird.

Enjoy!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and wrote the blog An Artist's Year Off.  She's also a contributor to Art Bead Scene.  She is also the creator of the Bead Soup Blog Party.