Gypsy

When I started creating these, I had something different in mind: very loooong earrings, maybe just a single one. I wanted them/it for myself, for a special outfit and occasion.

But sometimes (or always?) the components take the lead and I can only follow.

I really like these earrings, and as you can see they are still long. Not of the length that I had in mind, but still long. Unfortunately they are absolutely not what I imagined to complete my outfit, so I put them into my new etsy shop.

Right now I am working on another pair of earrings. Looong ones. Or maybe just a single one. For myself. Hope the components I have chosen this time will let me. Please keep your fingers crossed ;)

Remember always...

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown. None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and wearness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end.

Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others.Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered.Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead, nurture love within you and and strive to be a friend to all. Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds.Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself.

Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.

Despite all appearances, no one is really evil. They are led astray by ignorance. If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light, rather than blame and condemnation.

You, no less than all beings have Buddha Nature within. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remose nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.

Faith is like a lamp and wisdom makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in the Light.

- Dhammavadaka -

Today I finally found some time to finish this buddha necklace. Yay!

The pendant and a matching bead is from epoxy clay. The clasp is bone and rock crystal, embellished with the words "secure the peace". Another word on a button says "voyage".

Namaste,

my friends.

The bead soup I sent

As promised, here is a picture of the soup I sent to Joanne.

Joanne had told me that her skin reacts very sensitive to copper and brass, so all metal in here is solid sterling silver. The sea urchin (epoxy clay) , the cotton pearls and the clasp were handmade by me.

Bead Soup, again ;)

Oooops, did I really forget to show you the lovely silver clasp that Joanne sent along with her bead soup as a "little" extra!?

I love it! It's so fine! Thank you ever so much, Joanne!
If you would like to own one of her beautiful handmade jewellery supplies, you can buy it here!

"You got Royal Mail" - Bead Soup is here!!!

When I came home from work yesterday, there was an envelope waiting for me on the kitchen table, and it had a British stamp on it.

My first thought was: "Finally Mr. Bond asks me to be his new Bond Girl!", ....

... but then I turned the envelope around and saw that it was from Joanne, my incredibly talented Bead Soup partner.

(Okay, Mr. Bond, don't let me wait too long, because next time I might say NO! )

Just kidding.

I won't say no.

But back to topic:

When I opened the envelope, I found ths pretty card in it.

And a beautiful brown organza bag (unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of it, but I took 6 pictures of the envelope...ts,ts) with little packages in it, carefully wrapped in brown paper.

Here's what was in the packages: Three most beautiful lampwork beads (made by Isabelle Anderson), matte white and sparkling purple czech glass beads, some round copper beads, some copper rings (handmade by Joanne) and one of her georgeous handmade copper clasps!

The colour scheme will challenge me (that's part of the fun, you know) , but I love everything about my soup. You should see the lampwork beads - in reality they are so much more beautiful!

And I can't stop touching the copper clasp. It's perfect.

The dust on the czech glass beads was not in the package... it was in the bowl I put the soup in. If there is something that I am not, it's a good housewife ;)
If you would like to see the soup that I sent to Joanne, you can either wait for my next blog post or visit Joanne's blog :)

If love is shelter...

Playing around with my new cotton pearls. These ones remind me a bit of old mercury glass - they are of warm, silvery color and one of them seems to have sprinkles of black patina on its surface.

"If love is shelter, I am going to walk in the rain."

My Bead Soup partner and what she'll receive from me

This time, my bead soup partner is the fabulous Joanne Tinley (Daisychain Designs) from the UK. If you don't know her already, please go to her blog by clicking here! You won't regret it, I promise!!! She also has two etsy shops: one for supplies and one with her beautiful jewellery creations.

When I first saw who my partner was, I (honestly!!!) shoutet out: "Jackpot!" - we say that in Germany, too.

Obviously she and I both have different styles, but I really love her jewelry... oh, sorry, she lives in the UK, so it's jewellery of course... ;)

Here are some examples of her work:

Isn't she fantastic!?

I also really love her blog. She offers a lot of free tutorials there, and the pictures of her two little boys are too cute!

And here,

finally,

...

tadaaaaaaaa,

...

as promised,

is the bead soup I am going to send her:

Ooooooops, what's that!? Oh no! Something must be wrong with my camera! I'm so sorry for that! Hopefully I will manage to take some better pictures for reveal day... ;)