Saturday, June 19, 2010

TELLING VINCE

Hi Everyone,
There have been a few very difficult things I have had to do in my life, this however, has been the most ugly awful thing yet. We brought Vince home from the hospital yesterday, the energy felt so wrong. Vince is so weak that it took me and two others to help him into the car. Driving to Vince's apt. was quiet and the air felt heavy. Getting him out of the car was even worse. After I got him into bed and knew he was sleeping I just lost it. My brother is so small that I can lift him with no trouble. When he woke he seemed edgy. He was upset that no one had told him what was going on. Mom and I sat on the couch Nicholas on a chair next to Vince. I took a huge deep breath and began telling Vince about the medicine changes, then the doctors we had to see in the next few weeks. Then I told him about how bad the cancer is and the two choices he has. By that time we were all crying. Vince looked up at me and with his big blue eyes told me he loved me. Then he said, "All of this because of a donated kidney." We talked off and on all day. It was a tough FRIGGIN day and night. Today Vince has had a good day. He has been making us laugh all day with his jokes and his funny faces. He also asked me for my cell phone and to dial Mike. Vince told him how much he loved him and he was sorry that I had to be away from him right now. That he didn't know what he would do if I was not here. Now I did not know all of this because Vince pointed his finger for me to leave the room. Mike told me later. Another funny memory. I still have no transport for Vince and it seems everything we try to do a door is slammed in our faces. What ever test this is suppose to be I wish the "powers that be" would let up on us.
Oh, Vince just asked what I was doing. I said, "Playing on my blog" He said, "Tell everyone I said hi and to keep praying for me." OK so that chocked me up. We celebrated Father's Day today in case Vince isn't as alert tomorrow.
All of you are a blessing to me. All the loving emails and comments really do help me. Thank You Thank You and Thank You again.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Friday, June 18, 2010

VINCE UPDATE NEED HELP

Hi Everyone!

Sorry I have not been able to post or to email anyone. It is a bad situation here. I am doing everything I can to make things OK here. Now the last few months you know that Vince has been through the ringer with his health. He had his donor kidney removed to find out that it was given to him WITH CANCER ALREADY IN IT!!! The cancer has gone to his lymph nodes and now he has the decision of chemo or hospice. We have not told Vince yet how bad it is. He is very week, sick most of time, and can no longer speak clearly due to the stroke. My main problem is finding in home help for Vince. So my call to all of you is... if you know anyone in the Sacramento, CA area that can donate time to help Vince please have them email me.
I found out yesterday that In Home Health Services that Vince already gets (100 hours a month) is laying off 1,000 people this month. So county, city, and state help is at a stand still.

I hope all of you are doing well and life is treating you kindly.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

VINCE

Vince update
I phoned Vince earlier and for the first time he broke down crying and telling me how scared he is. A little later my Mom received a call from the hospital...... All previous plans are closed and mom and I are heading out first thing in the morning for the hospital. Mike will again take care of the home front.
Again thank you for all of the wondrous love and caring all of you have showed me and my family. If the angles come to take my brother to go play with my sister.... then it is what is suppose to happen. I will need a few shoulders to cry on.
Nicole
Hi Everyone!
I have been trying to keep quiet about my brother Vince. I know you all still have him in your thoughts and prayers. As you know Mike and I were to leave on vacation on the 10th. We spend a week in Az every year and this year we were also going to see my daughter in Texas. These plans have been cancelled.
Vince was out of the hospital one day and then had to return. A week or more ago he had his donor kidney removed. Today we found out that is was full of cancer. The doctors just did a scan on Vince to see if there is more. Even if there is he is so week that kemo is out of the question. Mike and I will leave as planned; stop at mom's, leave our dog there and go down to visit with Vince. Then drive back to mom's. Mike will take our dog home and mom and I will drive her car back down to Sacramento. Wow that sounds confusing but not.....
We have not told Nik, Vince's son yet. We want to see what the whole story is. So here is how wonderful my brother Vince is.
My two other brothers Steve and Pat phoned Vince right away. Vince told them both not to tell me or my mom about the cancer until they did another scan on him. Vince said "mom and Nik get too upset." (my brothers call me Nik) So how sweet is he for worrying about me and mom when he is sooooo sick. I feel like I am blabbing on, I guess because I can't stop crying.
Thanks for listening and caring
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

ARTBEADS.COM SUMMER

Hi Everyone!

As you know I am one of the bloggers for Artbeads.com If you have not gone shopping there then you are missing out. They have a huge selection of beads and supplies and always have some sort of sale or coupon available. So after you read this head on over there.




This month is a summer bead project incorporating charms. I made this piece for my brother Vince. This very nice painted canvas has so many possible uses. The colors are vivid and the wooden frame makes it easy to create with. The glass beads are the perfect color for this project and the scull and bones charms are perfect for Vince.














Here are the links for the beads at Artbeads.com

Charms very high quality http://www.artbeads.com/charms.html

Great pendants http://www.artbeads.com/pendants.html

Glass beads http://www.artbeads.com/glass-beads.html


Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright
I am a reviewer of products for Artbeads.com. I received the beads above free of charge. I have used and reviewed this product and my statements are an honest description. I receive no compensation from Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the product above.

Monday, June 7, 2010

FISHING IN MONTANA

Hi Everyone!

I have been wanting to share these photos with you for some time now. Today I finally got them all together to do just that. If you fish and are going to be in the Kalispell, Montana area then you have to contact my brother Pat. He is the owner operator of A Able Fishing Charters on Flathead Lake. Believe me if you want a fun time call Pat. Well, Tobi will probably answer the phone LOL. Pat has the sense of humor that will have you on your toes all day long, however, when it comes to fishing Pat knows where to go and how to catch the big ones.

He has two boats you can choose from.


This baby is "Fun Time"



and here is "First Strike"



This is a happy guy! and
Pat is in the back making sure all is well

How can you not smile with a fish like this?
Pat loves a good photo OP

All day on the lake and these guys are winding down


Yeahhh the fish is as big as she is.


Sunny days on Flathead Lake and
the fishing is fine!!


OK Pat... breath... LOL

So don't wait call now and place your reservation

2010 is our 23rd year in business!

Bookings can be made by phone:406-844-0888

Your Skippers:

Patrick Campanella, Outfitter #12455

"Shorty" Goggins, Outfitter #24

A Able Fishing Charters and Tours688 Lakeside Blvd.PO
Box 355Lakeside, Montana 59922
With 2 boats we can handle up to 26 people
Located in Lakeside
We are just off Highway 93. In Lakeside, at the blinking light, turn east towards the lake at Adams St. Road turns to the right at the water, follow down 5 houses and park at the A-Frame house.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Sunday, June 6, 2010

DOUBLE FACE CAB FINISHED

Hi Everyone!
For my regular readers you know that over the last six months my life has been a bit stressed out. Aaahhh ha ha ha ha I just crack myself up. A bit..... For me creating and shifting my focus helps with the difficult times. Some months back I started this project and this morning finally finished it. The double faced cab is made by my good friend Beth from http://bellesanbeauscrafts.blogspot.com/ She makes the best face cabs and I was so please that I got this one among several others that I ordered. She does an excellent job on detail and is meticulous on her finished products. If you need face cabs be sure to visit Beth and tell her Nicole sent you.
So do you want to see my finished project??? Really do ya??? OK here it is.



The beadwork measures 8"x 7" backed on my
BeadBacking and set into a frame


Brass buttons and small cabs are
surrounded by 15/o charlottes

I love that I had this died Turquoise to match
enamel beads by C-Koop Beads


small earth stone beads were used as well as bugles


I love the detail of these faces. Also used Cats Eye
scarabs and black Onyx cabs

This photo doesn't show well, however,
there are 6 layers to this piece.

Hope you enjoyed
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

CABS BEADS N SKULLS

Hi Everyone!
I mentioned the other day that I had gone shopping at Juls destach etsy shop. Well I received the goodies the other day and I have to tell you with out a blink of my eye that these are high quality cabs, beads, n skulls for terrific prices. If you are shopping around today be sure to visit Juls at her blog here. http://julsbeads.blogspot.com/ and then head over to her etsy stores
You will love what she creates and what she is getting rid of.

Have fun shopping.
Here is what I got.
The skulls are so awesome!!!! and a large size too.





Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Saturday, June 5, 2010

OLD BEADWORK

Hi Everyone!

I have the best sister-in-law!!! I have three. However, Tobi, who is married to my brother Pat, live in Montana right on Flathead lake. Tobi has strong roots in the Kalispell/Lakeside area and the property where they live has been handed down since the mid 1800s. The last two years both Pat and Tobi have been cleaning out and clearing out STUFF. She has found generations of antiques, and old family items. The most fun for me is all the beadwork she has discovered. Over the last few years she has sent me treasures that I have shared with you. Wellllll yesterday I received another box from her. Wowowowowo oooohhhhhhh and aaaahhhhhh is all I could say. There were two very long lariates from the early 1900s. Here is one of them. You may recognize this technique, it has come back in that last year or so.



The beads are old Czech size 10/os, these were the bead size of choice back then.


Notice the black cotton thread, and the Czech beveled rounds.

The second one is much longer. It is a bit more worn and has some damage.



These are old Czech 9/o tri cuts with beveled rounds and French bugles.
Haaa and you thought beaded beads were a new thing. A black wooden bead was used. It is not painted it is black wood.



The beads are sewn onto a fabric netting

that is wrapped around cotton twisted rope
Thanks Tobi for adding these wonderful pieces to my museum collections.
Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Friday, June 4, 2010

Hi Everyone!
We had the storm of the century last night. My poor dog was so afraid of the thunder that we actually had to move her bed into our bedroom. It is still raining but the winds have slowed up.

So this A.M. I open my email with a reminder that it is time to vote for the 8th international Ugly Necklace Contest over at Land of Odds. This link is for the 8 finalists and voting. Now it is stated that it's not easy to create ugly, and I have to agree with that. ( Even though I have come up with some UUUUgggglllyyy pieces in my time.) However, for a contest I find a distinction between creating ugly and just throwing things together. I know I will hear some slack on this but that is how I feel. I voted for a gal that followed the criteria, and actually created ugly. Hope she wins. Go see for yourself and be sure to vote. It is all in fun anyway.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Thursday, June 3, 2010

BEADS WHAT ELSE

Hi Everyone!

Since I have been gone for so long I thought I should remind all of you that I do still have Beadwright Etsy and Beadwright Artfire stores. LOL I know it may seem like I don't but if you need seed beads and especially Charlottes head over to my Beadwright Etsy store. For other beads try my Beadwright Artfire store. Also if you are looking for essential oils I have them in both stores. OK that is it. Have fun shopping.

Flatwork is not the same without Charlotte cuts


don't forget the Charlotte kits!

These tiles are perfect for beaded rings.
Ahhhh twisted silver bugles!!!!!

Honor and Integrity in life in art
Nicole/Beadwright

ARTBEADS SUMMER BEADS

Hi Everyone!
I am so busy today and got up late. Why does that happen? LOL. I wanted to share with you the beads I received from Artbeads.com I will be creating my summer charm piece for them this week. If you have not been to their site you should head on over. They have a huge selection of beads and beading supplies along with sales and discount coupons. Check the home page for these. The staff there is excellent as well. Customer service is some of the best I have experienced.
Some vintage Czech glass and I love peacock beads.

How could I pass up the sculls???
If you are looking for high quality charms then ArtBeads.com is where to get to them!!!

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

BEADS I BOUGHT IN CA.

Hi Everyone!

I know I know more than a few posts today. LOL I mentioned that when I was in CA there was one day that I made it over to a bead store. U BEAD IT. A great store with really great prices. I didn't have much time so I just grabbed bead colors I was out of. So to share here they are.


Mike was so proud of me for not breaking the bank LOL



These are so awesome in real life can't wait to use them.


I am not a pink kind of girl, however these matts I couldn't leave behind


These are a golden rainbow metallic in size 8/0 and 11/0 the color doesn't show very well here


Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

HAPPY BEADY THINGS

Hi Everyone!
When I was in CA. I received a few packages. Yessssss... some of them were beads!! from Juls over at


Be sure to visit her. She will have you laughing with her bright and clever sense of humor and delight you with her talent in glass art.
She had also set up a destach site with lots of beads, cabs and other goodies with great prices.

A note: some of you know my camera is waiting for the charger to be returned to me. Mike's camera is too wham zoom for me to use. LOL I like my point n shoot. So I am using my very old 3.5 megapixel camera. OMG!!!!

So here goes hope the photos are ok.
Bead from Juls
I Love them!!!!!







Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

IT MUST BE THE YEAR

Hi Everyone!

It must be the year of family illness and tragedy. Anyway it seems that way to me. I know some of you out there are going through illness of your own or a family member. 2010 will be remembered for this, I think. I just received an email from a dear and wonderful lady, Ray Davis. She is this happy go lucky lady that when she smiles the whole room lights up. Ray and her husband Jerry are the owners of Gourd Gracious gourd farm in Collinsville, MS. Every year they hold a gourd festival that looks like so much fun. No I have never been able to attend, MS is a bit out of my driving range. However, Ray always shows the best photos and I do know gourd artists who attend. The sad note is that Jerry, after a year of going to the doctor, has been diagnosed with cancer. Ray wanted us gourd people to get the word out that there will be no festival this year. In addition because of the illness no new gourd crop. She does have some gourds from last year. Please add Jerry and Ray to your prayer list. I know it works.

Happy note: Vince is doing better and as soon as the doctor takes the staples out of his stomach he will be able to go home. He will be an outpatient for speech and phys therapy. My family thought we were going to CA for a funeral and now Vince will be going home. So all the love, prayers, healing energy that all or you have sent our way really did work. It is a strange universe we live in.

It is storming here today. I mean wind, rain, hail, and OMG wind. LOL
Blessings to all of you.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

WINNER MONTHLY COMMENT CONTEST

Hi Everyone!

I am beginning to catch up on sleep and household things. I will give Mike credit for keeping the house clean the way I like and do it. LOL! He even washed windows while I was away. OMG!!! something I never do. Hey it is not in my job description!!! :))))
It is June first and time to announce my winner for my monthly comment contest. It occurred to me that I started this, on my web site, almost 6 years ago. Some of you may remember it was actually a silly question you had to answer. For now all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win free beads. Annnndddd the winnneeerrr is
http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/ This German artist has a nice easy way. I find the art to touch a bit of my spirit since the traditional reaches out to the contemporary. Visit Kokopelli Designs. Be sure to say Nicole sent you.
Have a great day everyone!

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright