Artist Spotlight - Lennis Carrier

Our spotlight this week is focused on a unique individual I am proud to call friend. Her name is Lennis Carrier aka Windbent. Lennis is genuine in her dealings and in her art. As a rule - there is no rule with her mixed media, reclaimed/repurpose, vintage feel. Lennis creates and recreates beautiful wearable art. I must mention that she is an established polymer clay artist. She has a following for her artisan beads and components.

I actually own a couple of the birdhouses in the back and a pair of red birds and bluebirds... the picture does not do justice to the work...
 

I came to know Lennis through some online groups and have loved every minute of interacting with her. She is as true as the day is long. Don't find people who are free to be themselves and make no apologies for it much anymore. I love this about Lennis. I believe the first encounter was through Bead Soup Cafe we both have been Bead Soup Blog Hop participants. I also found her over at another facebook group BeadSwapUSA for those that that belong to the beadswap-usa.com site.

Both are fun interactive groups. Between swapping beads and bead soups, creating projects, and getting to know other like-minded people - they are definitely wonderful groups to be members of. It is a place to find your own inner artist and share with others. I found a wonderful friend and artist in Lennis because of these memberships and would be remiss not to mention them.

 

She has an etsy shop and facebook page you really must see. I enjoy her whimsy and freedom to create what she feels. She for the most part makes one of a kind (OOAK) creations - she does however make batches in the sake of prudence, even at that each piece still has it's own individuality and is touched by the hand of this artist. 
 

 

I am the proud owner of this piece!

 

 

I personally find myself drawn to her unabashed sense of self as it is revealed in her work. She has an uncanny way of joining past, present, and future trending in her designs. When she completes a piece you can't see it done any other way. This is talent.
 

 

 

Memories & Thanks

What happens when beaders get together and want to create some way to honor the people in our lives??? Well, you get a Memories & Thanks Blog Hop of course...

 

This all began when Lori Anderson, heartbroken, shared with the group that Marianna of Moods by Mari had passed away. When we all heard the news we were all brainstorming of a way to honor her on The Bead Soup Cafe facebook page thread. It morphed into a beautiful tribute to any or all that we would like to Remember and or Thank, living or deceased. The Memories & Thanks Blog hop was born. And of course, Lori has graciously hosted this event.

 

Well, for me personally, this has been an interesting end to a trying year and a welcomed embrace to a new one. The past five years seem to be a blur as life and death have ebbed and flowed, reminding me how fragile and precious life is, crippling me at times. This blog hop seemed like the perfect thing for me to do to honor Marianna and have a tribute to my dead. My mother-in-law died late October 2012 and my sister-in-law at Christmastime this year making this timely as there deaths are what finally broke me in the whirlwind of loss and the depression that was sucking me in.

 

I had big ideas for what I would create, sadly in the midst of preparing and coping things did not turn out as I'd planned. i have some artisan beads, still not here and a few other glitches in original plans. I did however find a way to work with what I had and came up with the perfect piece - that I already wear, for me. I love bracelets and love movement. A charm bracelet seemed perfect...

 I used charms that are representative of the person and what they imparted to me. The bracelet itself is made with bright pink w/black swirls Mother of Pearl(MOP) connectors that I joined with wire to form links. I added some chain links for adding charms, and a plate that says HOPE.

My bird charms didn't get here yet but I will add them. I have a red enameled Cardinal coming for Mari, Hummingbird for my grandfather who spent many hours delighting in watching them, Bluebird for my other grandfather, and a Dove for my mother.

The HOPE is to remind me there is hope in life no matter what I face and that I can do this without the physical presence of these influential people, who aren't really gone. The open heart at the hand-made clasp is a reminder of the eternal love shared between me and my loved ones. I chose a butterfly to remind me of metamorphosis in life and relationships. The INSPIRE, BELIEVE, and EMBRACE charms are to remind me of the lessons instilled by them all. For my Mother-in-law I have the smiling sun, and praying hands for my grandmother. I have a sunflower for my Kansas roots, crosses in shamrocks for heritage, and a life/energy swirl to celebrate life and my gratitude that these wonderful people were in my life and shared a part of the journey with me. I indeed, am blessed. I will post additional photos when I add the missing charms.

  

Now grab yourself something good to drink and maybe some snacks and enjoy going through the blogs of the other participants. Enjoy the stories and creations....

 

Hostess, Lori Anderson Pretty Things  - Thanks again Lori - for all you do <3

Adlinah Kamsir Dream Struck Designs

Aimee Biondolillo Aimee's Jewelry Treasures
Alicia Marinache All the Pretty Things
Andra Marasteanu Handmade by Indra Marasteanu
Andrea Trank Heaven Lane Creations
 
April Grinaway Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Barb Solem Vivi Magoo Presents
Becky Pancake Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery Stories by Indigo Heart
Bonnie Coursolle Jasper's Gems

Cassi Paslick Beads: Rolling Downhill
Catherine King Catherine's Musings
Cece Cormier The Beading Yogini
Chandra Leitz Juniper Goods
Charissa Nesler FireStorm Designs

Charlie Jacka Clay Space
Christina Hickman Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Stonefield Sweet Girl Design
Chrizette Bayman Bead Soup Mix
Cindy Wilson It's My Sea of Dreams

Crystal Thain Here Bead Dragons
Cyndi Lavin Beading Arts
Debbie Rasmussen A little of this, a little of that
Denielle Hagerman Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez Arte y Poemas

Diane Hawkey diane hawkey
Dita Basu ankarshilpa
Donetta Farrington Simply Gorgeous
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell Deeliteful Jewelry Creations
Emma Todd A Polymer Penchant

Erin Kenny beadiful therapy
Erin Prais-Hintz Treasures Found
Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements
Gloria Allen Innovative Dreams Jewelry
Heather Marston CSW Designs

Inge von Roos Inge's Blog
Jacqueline Marchant Fiddledeedee Jewelry
Jami Shipp Celebrating Life! - YOU ARE HERE!
Jean Yates Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!
Jennifer Reno Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Jenny Robledo Peppa's Dream
Jennifer VanBenschoten Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren Cellar Door Jewelry
Jessica Murray Whimsical Monkey
Joan Williams lilruby jewelry

Jo-Ann Woolverton It's a Beadiful Creation
Joanne Browne josjewels1
Jodie Marshall Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art
Johanna Rhodes Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC

JuLee Wolfe The Polymer Penguin
Julie Bean Blue Pig Blog
Karen Mitchell Over the Moon Designs
Karin King The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton Backstory Beads

Kat Douglas Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton Toodles and Binks
Kelly Hosford Patterson The Traveling SideShow
Kim Ballor Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity
Kim Dworak CianciBlue

Kim Houston The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter Kym Hunter Designs
Laren Dee Barton Laren Dee Designs
Lea Avroch LA Jewelry Designs
Leanne Loftus First Impression Design

Lena Adams (Mari's daughter) -- TBA
Liddy McLaughlin Liddy McLaughlin Art
Linda Florian Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations
Linda Inhelder Must-Haves Jewelry
Lisa Hamilton Simply Irresistable Jewelry

Lisa Suver Fancee That
Lori Bowring Michaud Artfully Ornamental
Lori Poppe Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
LouAnn Elwell Southpass Beads
Mandi Effron Craft-o-licious

Marcia DeCoster MadDesigns
Marcia Dunne The Alternative Foundry
Marie Covert Creating Interest
Marjorie Savill Linthwaite bennubirdrising
Marlene Cupo Amazing Designs by Marlene

Martha Aleo Ornamento
Marti Conrad Marti's Buttons -n- Beads
Mary Ellen Parker BeeTree by m.e.
Mary Govaars MLH Jewelry Designs
Mary Lindell Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry

Maureen Connolly Mrs Beadsley's Workshop
Maybeline Tay The Jewelry Larder
Melissa Elgin The Addicted Beader
Melissa Mesara one-eared pig beads
Menka Gupta Menka's Jewelry

Michaela Pabeschitz la mar de bonita
Mischelle Fanucchi Micheladas Musings
Mona Rae Baroody Who Does She Bead She Is?
Nan Emmett Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth
Nancy Pedersen Something Heartfelt by Nancy

Natalie Davidson NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas Bead It and Weep
Pam Farren re-maker
Pam, the Crazier Sister The Crazy Creative Corner
Priya Krish Hellopalz

Rebecca Anderson Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag Becca's Place
Robin Kae Reed Artistry HCBD
Rochelle Brisson a creative chelle
Sabine Dittrich perlendschungel

Sandi Volpe Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff Creative Chaos
Sarah Goode Pookledo
Sarah Singer String a Song of Sixpence
Serena Trent All Things Made Jewelry

Shai Williams Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac Sharon's Jewelry Garden
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
Sheila Davis Stone Designs
Shelley Graham Turner Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey Knot Just Macrame
Sherry Baun Unicorns Jewels
Skylar Bre'z Brising Beads
Stephanie Haussler Pixybug Designs
Tania Spivey Moobie Grace Designs

Terri G. Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter Tapping Flamingo
Terry Matuszyk Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Toltec Jewels Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse Goldkisses Art

Tracy Martin Nutkitten's Jewelry
Zia Parks Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe
Zoe Marcin Beads, Tea and Sweets

Book Review - Tear Soup

This week's book review is on a lovely and timely book, entitled Tear Soup by Pat Schwiebert & Chuck DeKlyen

This book was sent to me as a Secret Sister present at a time it was really needed. My mother-in-law had just passed away and I was lost... still am sometimes. Now just barely two months later her second daughter, my sister-in-law passed away. I have a feeling this book will be a mainstay for awhile. It sits on my coffee table and my granddaughter Andi and I read it frequently.

Andi is a smart little cookie - she seems to sense when grief is taking me and climbs into my lap with the book and says,"time for 'Tear Soup' Nana" or she'll ask me, "will you read 'Tear Soup' Nana?" I'm not sure why she likes the book so much or if she even understands the layers in the book - I do know it seems to help us both.

The book is written in layers, what I mean by this is that though it is written for a child, it speaks to the adult as well. The concept of grief and its steps are often big and difficult for adults to understand, yet in these pages it seems to be easily digested at any age. The story telling is easy to identify with and characters in the story are easily any one of us. I believe this book is a must have in any home library. We all live and part of that life is dealing with death and loss.

The book is written with the purpose of helping children to understand and cope with the grieving process that we all do so differently. The characters, main and supporting, demonstrate the viewpoints of the grieving, friends and family, and those who are removed. The main character Grandy, has just suffered a great loss and she is going through the grieving process - referred to as making 'Tear Soup'. It likens steps in grieving to the cooking steps and components of the emotional side of grief as ingredients. As the story unfolds you can see how others grieve differently, as soups are different. The book gives permission to grieve your way and helps you to understand that others do it differently and allows you to respect their needs as well. It truly is well written. I am glad that we own the book. There is even a "Cook's Tips" section after the story that is helpful in acknowledging the full spectrum of thoughts and emotions and direction. There is also a final section full of resources to help the grieving.  

It is never easy dealing with loss... and truly, it doesn't have to be dealt with alone, unless of course that's how you prefer it.

Blessings

A wonderful Barbara Lewis Giveaway!

Barbara Lewis DVDs are always something to be excited about! But these are exclusively offered as a giveaway to
members of Jewelry Artists Network. Membership to a group you'd want to belong to anyway and a chance to win a free Barbara Lewis DVD workshop - your pick of which one from the two... no brainer. Check it out and enter to win - I did ;)

Here they are - they will be released to Amazon soon...

Kalmbach Bead Soup Blog Hop - Winners Revealed!

 

We have finally come to an end of a journey, many of us moving on to others. Some taking a rest before the hustle of the holidays. To see all of the contestants and get a better appreciation of the talent involved you should head over and check out the Kalmbach Bead Soup Creations Album.

 

These are the first round of winners, the round authors picks! Lori Anderson, has to pick her favorites. These lucky people win a bead soup kit, provided by Lori Anderson www.beadsoupkits.com, how exciting! I love the soups Lori puts together. I will definitely watch for their creations and blog about them at a later date.

 

 

 

 

 

The next round of winners were office picks. These winners will receive the new book, Crystal Jewelry Inspiration from the Create Your Style Ambassadors. This book will be available in January. http://www.kalmbachstore.com/67019.html

 

 

 

 



There were just so many beautiful pieces, there had to be more winners. Here are three more random winners. These winners will receive a autographed copy of Anna Elizabeth Draeger's new book, Great Designs for Shaped Beads. http://www.kalmbachstore.com/64957.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

After adding all the votes from facebook and those tallied from the office the final winners are selected.

 

I was stunned to find myself one of them!

 

I don't know that I can ever express the pleasure and joy I have experienced, just being able to participate. The joy of a bead soup is definitely one all beaders should experience at least once in a lifetime. I have been blessed to be in four soup/swap events and several other challenges since June. What a ride and all because I stumbled upon Lori Anderson's Bead Soup and participated in Bead Soup Blog Party - 6 - this was definitely a defining moment in my life.

Thanks for sharing a part of your day so that I can share a part of my life.

Be good to yourself and those around you and go make the world a better place by creating beauty wherever and however you can!

Entertaining Thoughts... For Sport or Refinement?

http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/about/thinker

Don't run after ideas. Save and nourish them, and you will have all you should entertain. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love quotes - especially ones that truly make me think. I am a thinker,  a contemplative soul by nature - to a fault. My husband always says I think too much. I can't seem to shut it off. I don't obsess over things, I ponder them, let them go in several directions, and watch them unfold. It is good to have several scenarios, in my opinion.

There are brain exercises or puzzles that require you to stretch the brain and see things in multiple ways. I love things like that. I think of these things as sport. There is also learning and exposing yourself to different schools of thought - broadening horizons, if you will. These things would fall under the refinement category. I enjoy these activities as well.

What type of thinker are you? Do you tend to always want to learn, play, or a combination of both perhaps? I love the above quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, it makes me think, ponder really, about what I fill my head with - how I feed my thoughts. Am I wasting my time, my thoughts, or am I bettering myself and those around me with the influence of what bounces around in my head?

I personally think moderation is always key, so I will play and spend some of my thought power on sport. I do however hope that I spend more time entertaining thoughts for refinement. Nourishing positive and proactive thoughts that encourage growth and betterment, seems to be the path of mastery and abundance. Ultimately, I would love to say I use my brain in a perfect balance.... I don't, yet.

I have learned not to dwell on thoughts that get me nowhere, that don't move me forward, though I still get stuck sometimes. In entertainment, I choose things that will improve my abilities. I do hope I  can achieve this balance of thought one day. When I do, I believe I will have all that I need.

If you think it, you can dream it... If you dream it, it can come to pass... If it can come to pass, you can achieve it...

Go think, dream, achieve... be good to yourself!

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

The Bead Soup community will feel the loss of a departed friend and artist Marianna - Moods by Mari for some time. Though I didn't know her well, only knew some of her work, we all knew of her kindness and generosity, and her loving spirit. I am saddened by her passing.

Lori Anderson, founder of the Bead Soup and perpetual host of events has decided to host a Blog Hop in honor of Marianna and those who have meaning to us living or deceased. This way we are honoring those people either in memory or in thanks and appreciation of who they are to us. Life is short not to appreciate those lives who connect with ours. 

As participants we will create a piece of jewelry from our own stashes - that tells a story of those loved ones. I think this is timely for so many, and am honored to be a participant. I have people I would love to honor in a wearable piece of art, keeping their memories close to me as I wear it. Below are a few I would like to honor and thank. My father's mother Juanita and my mother's father Edward - were both very dear to my heart. Also below are my mother-in-law Jessie - just recently deceased, a very big-hearted woman and my father-in-law - longer removed from us in a shot with six of their seven(my husband the youngest) children and some grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned - I will post about my progress as I can until the Blog Hop reveal date of January 12, 2013.