OK OK PORCUPINE TUTORIAL AND INFO

Hi Everyone!

And OMG!!!!    So many emails and so many porcupine quill questions. I answered the emails but let me do the same here as well. I have had a kit on these earrings since 2008. I spent a few hours today changing it over to a PDF tutorial so you can get it now on my Beadwright etsy store. 

I am very connected to porcupine and when I first started my Beadwright business my logo was this guy here.

When I lived in AK and Idaho I was a legal and licnesed trapper so I was allowed to pick up road kill. Porcupines are nocturnal and low to the ground so when crossing roads they tend to get hit a lot. In those days I harvested the quills, cleaned them, and used them for mostly tradition style quill work. I beaded and quilled for dancers in several of the Northwest tribes. Sooo this is not a new thing for me or my mom. It is part of our heritage.

Question number 1. Mom does not harvest her own quills any more. She has a dealer that does that for her.

#2 does mom give out her dying recipes "Helllll no" she has worked on those for over 15 years and is NOT giving them out.

#3 No, porcupine quills are not hollow. There is white pith inside that my tutorial shows how to deal with it.

#4 Porcupines are NOT only in the US. However, the US porki is the only one that has the smaller to use quills. African and Australian porkis have very large thick quills.

#5 Are the quills easy to work with. Absolutey. They make amazing art pieces. Take time to check out the two reknowned quill artist in America and my friends Christy Hensler of WA.  and Nancy Fonicello of MT

Both of these women have contributed to keeping this artform alive.

So now do ya wanna work with some porki quills and make some earrings?  If you want the kit complete with quills just email me. If you want the tutorial go beadwright.etsy.com

I am off the back some cookies for Mike

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

MY MOM GREAT TIME

Hi Everyone!

I had the best few days with my mom. We are very close so spending real time with her (not on the phone) is always so much fun. We took one day and hit the 5 thrift shops we have here in Florence. I found a couple of display stands that I use for my beaded gourds and the coolest bottle to bead. Mom was looking for pots to use in her business. Ohhh have I ever told you what my mom does? She is the premiere seller of died porcupine quills. When you see beautiful jewelry made with died quills they were bought from my mom, oncedancingcrow and the shop name is Porcupine Hollow etsy,    Porcupine Hollow on artfire   Oncedancingcrow ebay and mom's website http://sevenwindsleather.com/ Go visit her sites. Oh yes I create traditional and contemporary quill art. Sooo... over the last 15 years mom has worked to developed a dying process that leaves the quill with beautiful colors that will not smear or rub off. Be sure to check out her stores.  I have had a kit for these quill earrings for a few years now.

Made with chain and crystals

Now you know that I try to stay away from the camera. I truly do not take good photos. However, here are some we took at the Elk Reserve about 30 miles from my house. You can tell because the sun is shining. LOL

 Me and Mom

 Mike and Mom

 My Mom. I think she looks pretty darn good for 80 years old.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

LORI COOK NEED CHEERING UP

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited today. My mom is driving over to spend a few days with me. Later today Mike and I will drive up the road to meet her. Mike will come home and mom and I will visit one of the art galleries I have art in.

So this morning I am trying to get things done up, finished up, and dust a few counter tops. LOL

Now most of you who visit me also knows my good friend Lori Cook. She is an amazing bead and glass artist and a very nice person. Well the other day she emailed me telling me she had to visit the ER. Her thigh was hurting so much that she couldn't stand it. It seems she has bursitis in her hip. She has been in bed for the past few days in terrible pain. So take a minute to go visit Lori, send her healing energy, say a prayer, or make a wish for her to get better. Be sure to leave a comment at her blog and tell her Nicole sent you.

Out of the flames Lori Cook

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

GOOD NEWS ON MY FOOT

Hi Everyone!

Today I had an apt. with the podiatrist. I am so glad I went this route. After the exam he told me that I DO NOT HAVE RSD !!!!! Yeahhhhhhh.... then he proceeded to show and tell me why not. He does need another CT scan. OMG poor pocket book. The medical bills over the last 6 months have taken their toll. Oh well can't get blood out of a turnip right?  So in two weeks I am sure I will have some resolution with this problem.

So Do you remember the very first seed bead you sewed? Here is one of my students. It is her first time beading how cool is this?

She is a very good student

 Her first bead sewn.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

ARTBEADS.COM WINTER THEME

Hi Everyone!

As most of you know I am a member of the Artbeads.com bloggers. You also know how I feel about Artbeads.com so I guess I don't have to go into that.

When Duchess, the Artbeads.com blogger coordinator emailed me asking what I thought of the Winter Theme my reply was, "Perfect" She was a bit concerned that some of the bloggers were in the midst of terrible winter snow storms and maybe a winter theme wouldn't be very thrilling for them. I have spoken to some of the other bloggers and they are very happy with the winter theme. In the midst of the storm a muse is born and the aftermath is beauty.With that in mind I am anxious to see what the other artists come up with. As soon as Duchess told me the theme, I knew my design would not be winter white. No longer living in snow country my winters are so different. Winter grey is the color that surrounds the Pacific Northwest and in every shade. Here on the rugged Oregon coast the wind Mariah rules. She orders the rain to swirl and twirl. To come straight down or to cut sideways and even turn corners. The ocean waves turn hard and the green is now shadowed with the grey as they slam onto cold brown-grey sands. It is a color that haunts me, and depresses me, and makes me shiver with the cold damp wind. My arms folded around me holding my coat closed. I look up to notice that the fog clears a bit and the sun so tries to shine through the dense grey clouds. Instead, finds it's way inland and forgets about us. 

My piece is how I view the winter of the grey Oregon coast and the bits of color I long to see.

I hope you enjoy it.

It starts like this. Focal beads on Nicole's BeadBacking and  Czech Ocean blue rectangles

3mm Druk beads in fuchsia, jet Picasso, and bronze

Tila beads

11/o celon smoke (lol grey)

Always backed with soft deer hide.

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.

JUDY LOVELL'S NOTE

Hi Everyone!

I got up this morning about 4:30 (my usual) started the coffee and turned on my work lights. I knew exactly what I was going to do, design and create my Artbeads.com Winter Theme. It is almost done just have to make the edging and I will share it with you later today. I have a ton of things to blog about. Some have been waiting a few days. However, when I turned my computer on to check email there was this lovely note from Judy Lovell. As most of you know this time last year I was a mess with the passing of my sister's husband and then a month later my sister. I didn't have time to stay in my depression because then my baby brother became ill and mom and I spent the next 4 months caring for him until he passed on July 4th. So much was going on then that I had forgotten about this little episode. Here is what Judy wrote as a comment for yesterday's post. You never know how your words or actions will effect people. Or how they come full circle. Judy thank you!

Judy

I just want to take this opportunity to leave a comment re: Nicole's superlative service. I ordered beadbacking for the first time when Nicole was at her brother's during his last days of his illness. Nicole did get back to me right away to say that I got my order in just before she put her store on a hiatus due to her being away, and said that her husband would be sending my order. I would have happily waited until she returned, but she wanted to get the backing to me. He sent it with all the correct colours I had ordered, even though he deals with colour blindness and some of the colours were hard to distinguish. The quality of the beadbacking is outstanding, I can do many hours of handling the backing while beading and it stands up to it.



If you're considering buying Nicole's beadbacking, please do not hesitate to do so, you will not be disappointed by anything to do with your order.

I am so blessed with people like Judy and all of you in my life. You do effect me, you make me want to be better, be happier, and be kinder.

BTW at the time of Judy's order Mike kind of demanded that I "write" the colors on the packages when I returned home.   Does anyone out there think I have done that???? LOLOLOL

Now take a minute and go visit Judy Lovell. Be sure to tell her Nicole sent you.
Have a great day Everyone!

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

NICOLE'S BEADBACKING AND TRIZ

Hi Everyone!

Today is an amazingly beautiful day. The sun is out and it is even warm. Mike and I took a drive up to Reedsport and then over to the Elk viewing area. I have photos for you later on. First I want to tell you that I receive between 50 and 300 emails a day. These are not spam. These are people writing to ask about beading, leather work, carving, writing, taxidermy, (yes I even do that) vegetarian recipes, herbs, lupus, and I can't think what else. Today the main question has been.... Does Triz use your bead backing? I can happily say answer, "yes". Triz has been using my Nicole's BeadBacking for many years for all of her flatwork and bead embroidery pieces. The next question has been, Can I buy a single sheet? the answer is "Yes" if you go to my website http://nicolecampanella.com/ you can purchase single sheets. Nicole's BeadBacking now comes in 15 different colors. You can purchase a sample package of all 15 colors in about 3x4 inch squares. Some bigger some smaller. Nicole's BeadBacking also comes in 12x9 inch sheets and 9x6 inch sheets. I stand by my Nicole's BeadBacking for quality, colorfast, and natural material that is the best for beading, doll making, handbags and a host of other arts n crafts. The bonus is my Nicole's BeadBacking is less expensive than others on the market. The sample pack is just $6.00, 12x9 is just $2.50 each and the 9x6 is just $1.50 each. I will soon have a booklet out showing the amazing things you can create with Nicole's BeadBacking. So head over to http://nicolecampanella.com/ for single sheets or to my Beadwright Etsy store for packs of all sizes.

All 15 colors. White through black.

 Sample package

 Here is a good idea of the size you will receive in the sample pack

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

 Nicole/Beadwright

TRIZ HAS A TUTORIAL

Hi Everyone!

It seems it is a day for blogging.  I am actually getting ready to leave and go up coast, however,  I just had to share with all of you about Triz. Triz has been my friend now for about 5 years I think, anyway, I have many of her beautiful pieces published in my "FlatWork" book. If you don't know who Triz is, you are really missing out on some of the finest bead work around and knowing a very nice person.  Today when I was reading her latest blog post she announced that she now has a PDF tutorial on her wonderful beaded cuffs. Well, one in particular. I got mine today and I have to tell you, that even though I already know how to do this technique, her directions are excellent!!! If you want to know how to make this beautiful cuff head over the Triz's blog and then her etsy store. You won't be disappointed. Be sure to tell her Nicole sent  you.

Have fun! 

Or click here to go right to Triz's etsy store.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

EARIN'S GIVEAWAY

Hi Everyone!

It seems that January is the time for giveaways. With OWOH soon coming I think people are just gearing up. I was visiting Erin's blog, treasures found and wowow she is having a huge giveaway to celebrate 501 followers on her blog. If you have never visited Erin then you are truly missing out. Take a few minutes to see all the details for this great giveaway and meet Erin. Be sure to tell her Nicole sent you

She is actually giving you a choice of what you would like. How sweet is that?

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

ARTBEADS VALENTINES

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe that Valentine's day is almost upon us? I have a feeling this year is going to whiz on by. So with that said, I know you must need some Valentine type beads. You have to see what Artbeads.com has!!!

Hearts and love sayings in all types of beads from glass to metals. A great selection!!

On top of that get 15% off Swarovski. They already have great prices so this is a deal.

Not to mention the best customer service from any online store.

So do you think I

Artbeads.com???

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

BEAD CLASS TODAY

Hi Everyone!

Today I will be gone most of the day. I am teaching a private bead lesson to a lady who is so excited about discovering beads that she can hardly sit still. Hmmmm remember that?? I love teaching as much as I love creating so this will be a fun day for me.

 What are you doing today?

I don't really  have any new photos today and since I have been thinking of my time spent in Japan I thought I would share some of those photos with you. It was amazing sharing 4 days with the Yamanaka family. For those who don't know they are the founders and owners of Toho Beads. They are wonderful people who treated us like family. So here are a few Japan photos.

Making beads

The workers are extremely happy
 

Let us not forget the traditional Japanese toilets.
 


We had a cooking class

 The best  beer I have ever had and with every meal.

 The offices of Toho Beads

 My rickshaw ride. This guy was so funny.

Lots more about my trip to Japan

http://beadwright.blogspot.com/2009/11/elegance-of-geisha.html

http://beadwright.blogspot.com/2009/11/elegance-of-geisha.html

http://beadwright.blogspot.com/2009/11/kyoto-japan-rickshaw-ride.html

http://beadwright.blogspot.com/2009/11/bead-museum-japan.html

http://beadwright.blogspot.com/2009/11/garasu-no-sato-glass-village.html

These last two links are a must see

Have fun

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

A FREE TRIP TO TUCSON

Hi Everyone!

Always wanted to go to Tucson during the big gem, jewelry and fossil show??? Well here is a chance to win a free trip from Artbeads.com for next year. That's right they are offering a free trip with all the bells and whistles for Tucson 2012.  Read all the rules and facts at Artbeads.com. How cool is this????

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

THANKS

Hi Everyone!

First I want to say, "Thank You" to all of you who wrote in with encouragement and love.

♥♥♥♥♥♥ I cherish all of you.♥♥♥♥♥♥

Yesterday I finished up a few art projects and then mega cleaned my house!!! Yes, sadness sends me into cleaning LOL I started in the kitchen. Got all of the walls and cupboards washed. Moved everything off the counters and did a cleaning there. Then I moved into what is suppose to be the dinning area. However, it is where I create everything except bead art. I got the shelves all organized, table space cleared off and... well it looks like a different space. LOL I mopped the floors and took a short break. Mike helped with the rest of the house and it is pretty nice to see everything in it's place. Today we are driving up coast. The sun is suppose to shine today. I am stopping by the Mind Power Art Gallery in Reedsport to drop off some of my leather masks, faces, and some Miss Skully pendants. We don't know where we are going or what we are doing after that. Just stop when something draws our interest. I am calling it "A day Away."

What ever you do today make it a day to remember.

Ohhh here are just a few of my leather masks. Ohhh baldy here has a hard time keeping his mask in place. They really do fit. LOL

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

HARD DAYS

Hi Everyone!

The last few days have been a bit difficult for me and my family. Memories of our dear sister, brother, and brother-in-law have come to the surface. I read that grieving the loss of a loved one takes 6 months to a year. Hmmmm.... My sister's husband passed Nov, 2009, my sister Dec 2009, and my brother July 4 2010. My thought is, this person who wrote this about grieving never had a love one  or a good friend pass away.

I know I have days that seem OK but I will never get over loosing them. So I have been keeping very busy. Leather, beads, and paint. Keeping my thoughts focused on the task. But the tears well up and finally drop down on the colorful beads. I take another stitch as I blink my eyes and the tears come like the rain outside. 

Who ever said the process of grieving has a time set on it has never lost a loved one or a good friend.  I know so many of you have and are going through the same ordeal. So I know I can tell you this and you will understand, you will not judge me for missing them, for loving them so much, for wishing with all my heart to take back harsh words or actions. Who ever said that I should be over this in  6 months to a year never lost a loved one or a good friend. Be kind to one another, love each other, you never know when they will be gone.

JD,Gayle, and me

 Vince and me

Always in my memory, always on my heart

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

OMG THE SUN IS OUT

Hi Everyone!!!

After non stop rain for the last 3 days with winds from hell and darks skies, the sun just came out. It is a very nice sight. A little drying time is needed here. LOL

I have been working all day and it seems I don't have much news so I will tell you that I have lots of new items in my Beadwright etsy store for you. Take a look, and see what you just can't live with out. Lots of cabs, and crystals, and beady things.

Great drusy in this

Nothing like amber

oh and this recycled glass has three hearts in it

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

GOODIES FROM ARTBEADS AND A NEW NECKLACE

Hi Everyone!

I have so much to do today. It seems when I get one or two things finished something else comes my way. Don't get me wrong I love being busy, I thrive on it, I would hate to wake up and not have anything pressing to do. Sooo I wanted to share with you two things. First Artbeads bloggers are getting geared up to create a winter theme. Well all of you know how I feel about winter.... gaaaggg.... So I have decided to go in a different direction than a normal winter theme. (Oh really?? everyone knows I am NOT normal LOL) Here are the beads I received from Artbeads.com. The 3mm druks are so cool. Check them out there is every color you can imagine. My focal of the piece will be these Ocean Blue Picasso beads. Come on.. I live on the Oregon coast. But what I am most excited about using are the Metallic Tila squares. These small square beads with two drill holes came out last year from Miyuki. They are sooooo awesome. Artbeads.com does have the best price for them so be sure to stock up.

Ooohhhh fun beads from Artbeads.com

Now several months ago I bought this bead from my good friend and glass maker James Lias.

You can go here to watch him dance with the torch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMfufI1xaRM

This piece is a cage with a dicro marble inside.

 

 The peyote spiral fit perfectly with the glass. I purchased all of the seed beads from Artbeads.com

8/0 rounds, 15/o, and 11/0

Hope you can feel my excitement. I am off to bead!

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.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

GROWING MUSHROOM UPDATE

Hi Everyone!

It is a stormy wet (and let us not forget the wind) day. I did have a few errands today but nothing to get to excited about. Sooooo if you read my post about the mushroom patch my mom gifted to me you know that I was soooo excited about eating fresh mushrooms that I didn't have to hike in the woods to get. Now no one has ever said I have a green thumb, or in this case a shroom thumb. I did everything the directions told me to do. However, I felt it was too cold where I first placed the shroom patch so I moved it close to the wall heater. It seem to be doing fine. Then one morning when I went to do the misting, it looked really wet and a bit mushy. So I laid off the watering a bit. Well that made it get too dry and a white coating formed with a bit of very dark brown on top. Also the shrooms that had started to grow just stopped growing. After a few days of trying to figure out what to do, the entire patch became very white with more of the dark brown. I called the shroom place. She knew exactly what had gone wrong and what was happening. So I got it too warm by limiting the watering. The patch forms this white when it is dormant getting ready for the second growing. The dark brown color is normal too. She said it is generating nutrients and if all goes well for the second crop I should have LOTS of mushrooms. I have to let it sit for two weeks, then start the process over again. So, if you decide to get one of these, placement is key.

Here is my mushroom patch now. Boo hoo hoo no shrooms yet.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

DAY WITH THE GIRLS

Hi Everyone!

It is freezing cold here today. OK we don't have the blizzards some of you are enduring, however, cold is cold. So it was a nice warm visit with my beading pals in a local restaurant here in Florence. I know quite a few people here but there are only 4 people that are in my circle of "Friends". It was nice to get all of us together today. We ate Italian food with good conversation. We are also know as the "Bad Bead Girls of Florence"  Some of these people you may know by name.

Starting close up and the oldest (young) person of our group is Roma. She is the delight for all of us. Then me. OK OK I know I take the worst photos EVER!!!!! This doesn't even look like me. LOL  on the other side of me is Kelly Angelly. Well know bead artist. Across from Kelly is Charmain Pesnell winner of last years Toho competition. I was her guest for the trip to Japan. We had soooooo much fun!!!! Next to Charmain is well know glass artist extraordinaire Denise Sanders. We always bring things to share and today I brought my leather masks that are going to the Art Gallery. I only brought in three. The girls were so nice to model them for you.

So that is what I did today. What did you do???

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

THE BOOB REVEAL???

Hi Everyone!

I am actually happy it is Monday already. Why? Well a few months ago my friend Debbie over at CraftyMoose had made a polymer bead. She looked it over and decided to cut it in half to make some interesting cabs. Here post on those cabs had me cracking up. She thought they looked like boobs. You have to see this post because that thought never crossed my mind.  (check out her blog to see the post)

After some emailing Debbie and I decided to do a mini fun challenge. A dueling of beads. As always my time flew by and I ended up making a simple necklace. Debbie and I have not see each other's creations but we decided to show them off today.  Soooo here is my Boob Reveal.

First off the cabs Debbie made

Drum roooolllllll here is what I came up with

 I used my technique of lacy flatwork

Debbie and I talked about different things to do with the finished pieces. For me I would like to offer this necklace up for auction. All the  money will go to Breast Cancer. So if you are interested make an offer. Highest bid wins.

Now go check out Debbie's piece.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright