I CAN'T HELP MYSELF

Hi Everyone!

I hope your Halloween has been and is fun. I am waiting for the kids to show up. In the meantime I just couldn't help myself. I have been building, sculpting, and carving shoes soooooo I am shoe crazy right now.

 I love these!!!!! Even the toe shoes. LOL

Love the shoes they just don't seem to fit right???

 I hope there is rubber on those balls

 I just love these!!!

I feel like this shoe needs chains

Spike it up baby.

 

 Perfect for Halloween

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

CHOCTAW KEITH

Hi Everyone!

It is Halloween and I couldn't be more happy. I have the candy ready to go and the front porch is decorated, (it has been for weeks LOL) Can't wait for the kids to come knocking on the door.

Hope the rain goes away for that.

So while I am waiting for the night to come I thought I would introduce you to a guy that I think is pretty cool. His name is Keith but he goes by ChactawKeith. I find that there is an easiness about him. He doesn't seem to be hurried or pressured and that comes through in his art. Keith sent me a few photos and one of a piece in progress using my Nicole's BeadBacking. I am so fortunate that Nicole's BeadBacking has brought so many very nice and talented people into my life.

Keith is one of them.

In his own words

About Me:

I grew up in Carlsbad, New Mexico. I currently live in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. I am married to wife Julie. We have four children: Jennifer, Heather, Jackie and Chris and four grandchildren.

I am a graduate of New Mexico State University with a degree in Chemical Engineering. I spent forty-one years with Continental Tire North America before retiring in 2009. I was corporate manager of their North America environmental programs when I retired.

I have always had an interest in the arts. I have experience in oil painting and stained glass. Julie and I are active in numerous community theater groups where we perform onstage and assist backstage. I have done a commercial for digital television for WSIU. Julie and I can be seen in the documentary "The Legend of Charlie Birger" produced by WSIU.

Design Inspirations:

Having grown up in the Southwest, and being a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I have an appreciation for Native American design. My father was a "rock hound" and taught me an appreciation for mineral gemstones. On all of my Native American theme designs I try to use mineral gemstone beads in the necklace fringe to compliment the design.

How did I get into beading?

In 2002, we were in Carlsbad and visited the Carlsbad Art Association shop. There was a selection of splitloom necklaces by Frieda Bates for sale. We bought one.

With the necklace came a brochure about Frieda and a reference to her website. After reading about her work, I wanted to learn how to do loom beading. I sent her an e-mail and she replied recommending two books: "Out on a Loom" by Margie Deeb and "Beading on a Loom" by Don Pierce. With these two books, I began the most enjoyable hobby of my life.

Art By ChacktawKeith

WIP with Nicole's BeadBacking

 I am not a "blue" person but I love this and would wear it.

 I am a "green" girl and this is so beautiful.

Visit Keith at his Website

Drop him a note and be sure you tell him Nicole sent you.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

SHOES????

Hi Everyone!

Today it is pouring rain and so it is a good day to sculpt. No I am not doing a my beloved faces today I am making my next favorite thing an art shoe. I have been obsessed with shoes since I was little. I always wore funky wild shoes and in the 1970s and 1980s I was the disco shoe queen. I suppose that is why my feet are so messed up now. LOL However, I have never lost the love of the shoe. Here are a few I found on line how cool are these?

Have a great Sunday.

And where is her foot?

 Can't quite make this out but they are interesting

 Only a dog lovers shoe

 I love these. I could do these with a snake in them

These are just wrong and painful

 as are these LOL

Seriously???

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

MAGGIE MEISTER BOOK WINNER

Hi Everyone!

This is it!!! the time to find out who the winner is for Maggie Meister's new book. You are all awesome and I thank you for leaving comments and joining in the fun. But there can only be one winner. I did use the Random number machine, I just don't know how to put it in a post. Soooooo I am happy to announce and congratulate.... Ann  from 

Ann's Imagination Creations.....because !!

Head over to Ann's blog to see what she is up to. Be sure to tell her Nicole sent you.

Have a happy weekend everyone!!!

 

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

CRYSTALS N BEADS

Hi Everyone!

I am waiting for the very last minute to draw the winner for the Maggie Meister beading book so if you have not left a comment you still have until this afternoon. In the mean time I just listed a stash of 4mm bicon/bicone crystals. There are 25 strands each different in color and finish. Get ready just $1.35 per strand. You have to buy all 25 strands. This is a great deal. Also listed some Toho seed beads and a few other things. Head over to my Beadwright etsy store to see what is new.

These are fantastic!!! 25 strands

These are great colors

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

 Nicole/Beadwright

ArtBeads.com

Hi Everyone!

I can hardly believe it is Saturday and the end of Oct. Time really does seem to fly by. LOL

This morning I want to share some of the things that are going on over at ArtBeads.com

 If you have not been there then you are missing out. Not just on sales but on the giveaways, learning center, and oooohhh so much more. It's Saturday a day to just relax with a cup of coffee and see the happenings at Artbeads.com

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

MY GRANDMOTHER'S SWAROVSKI

Hi Everyone!

I have been so busy getting ready for winter. I have cleaned and packed up the back room. You know the things that you haven't even looked at for a few years??? Why are they in my room?! I has amazed me at how much space I actually have back there. LOL

If your read along with me you know that I am so very fortunate to have my great grandmother, grandmother and some of my mom's beads and jewelry. Sooo while going through boxes I came across some small paper boxes that were filled with treasures. I remember packing them away years ago but to find them now feels like a grand surprise. These are all stud earring made with Swarovski Rivolis and small Swarovski crystals. At first I thought to reconstruct the stones.... haaa  I have a better idea and can't wait to get started on this project. How cool are these earrings??

Speaking of "Project" How many of you watch Project Runway and now the first episode of Project Accessory? Well I think two mistakes were made last night. As much as I liked  Anya I felt that her lack of experience should NOT have made her the winner. Just seems wrong. Hey that is my opinion.

The other mistake I think that was made last night was the first elimination of Project Accessory. If you didn't see it check it out.

I do like the concept of the show and it will be interesting to see it play out. I just might apply for next year.

So if you watched what did you think?

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

RIDE BABY RIDE

Hi Everyone!

I am not one to put a You Tube on my blog, however, this is just to awesome to not pass a long. It will only take a few minutes and I know you will like.

Have a great day today.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

WINNER FOR THE RING A DAY BOOK

Hi Everyone!

Today is Mad Monday. Well it is for me. I have tons of things to do in town and I got up late. I do have a winner for the Ring A Day book. So without any further delay the winner issss.....

Alicia from All The Pretty Things blog

Congratulations Alicia

Be sure to stop by her blog to say hello and congrats and tell her Nicole sent you.

Wednesday I will have a new book. OMG wait until you see this one. No I am not going to tell what it is you have to come back. LOL

Happy Monday

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

REMINDER FOR BOOK GIVEAWAY

Hi Everyone!

It is a busy Sunday. Painting, beading, cleaning all in one day. LOL

Hey my life in a nut shell.

I just want to remind you that tomorrow I will be drawing the winner for the RINGADAY book so if you have not left a comment then do it now.

Happy Sunday

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

SOME NEW BEAD YEAHHHH

Hi Everyone!

I hope all of you are having a nice Saturday. I have been busy all day. I did want to show you some new beads I got yesterday. After grocery shopping I stopped in at my friends bead store to find these awesome and very colorful resin beads. I am not usually into anything other than glass but these are so bright and full of life that I had to get them. They have drill holes but I am going to do something completely different with them. I will show you as I get the piece finished.

Tell me what you think of them.

 Are these cool or what???

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

HALLOWEEN IT'S THE BEST

Hi Everyone!

How do you like my Halloween banner? I love it!!! Click on the banner to check out the other animated gifs available. You know I love Halloween and keep it in my house year round. Sooooo check out the coolest Tequila bottle EVER! Yes there was Tequila in it at one time.  Is this perfect for me or what??

This is another gift from my friend Charmain. She says she has another one for me too.

I see some of my other skulls got in the background.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

ODD AND MACABRE

Hi Everyone!

Most of you know that I am, and have been my entire life, on the macabre side. So when my friend Charmain phoned to see if I would be home saying that she said she had something for me, I knew it had to be something spooky. She pulled this little guy from behind her back and we both cracked up so hard we had tears coming down our cheeks. I love this guy!!! He fits in perfectly.

Need a name for him though.... any ideas?

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

MAKING RINGS WINNER

Hi Everyone!

It is the day to announce the winner of this fantastic book, 30 Minute Rings

Thank you for all of the wonderful comments and I am sorry there can only be one winner. That person is....

Copper Diem

Congratulations!

I will be posting the next book review tomorrow.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

ME N MOM

Hi Everyone!

Did you miss me? I spent the last four days with my mom. We always have the best time together and this trip was no different. We spent Saturday shopping and 3 hours of that was looking at the rows and rows of Halloween goodies. Mom and I sprayed our hair blue and got witchy neon striped stockings to wear. And we did! that night when we went to dinner. OK so mom and I have truly reverted to our childhood. LOL

If you want to meet my mom and see what she sells in her etsy store head over there. You may just find a use for her died porcupine quills and other items.

Died African Porcupine quills

 American Died Porcupine quills

 I am not sure how many colors of quills mom has now but there are a lot and they match some of the seed beads that are available now. Ohhh mom's name is Sarah Tronti and she is Onedancingcrow on etsy. She spent the last 15 years developing and improving the dye methods for porcupine quills.

This is me and mom this last summer

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

PATTERNS PATTERNS EVERYWHERE

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that I have new patterns in my Beadwright Bead Coop. Still time to make those Halloween designs and I have a few Christmas patterns and well just go check it out. LOL 

 How fun are these?

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

POLYMER BOOK WINNER oHHHH yEAAAHHH

Hi Everyone!

Today is the big day to announce the winner of Katherine Duncan Aimone's

"The Art of Jewelry Polymer Clay"

First a huge thanks to all of you who played along. Tomorrow I will be featuring and giving away another great book so come back to see what it is.

Now on with the winner. I did use the Random number generator. (If any one out there can tell me how to put the generator on my blog post I would so appreciate it.) Out of 23 comments the generator came up with number 9

And that person  issssss......... Susan from Cosmic Tea at Dawn

Congratulations Susan

Please stop by Susan's blog.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

WANNA MEET A VERY COOL LADY?

Hi Everyone!

I have met this very cool lady a while back when she purchased some of my Nicole's BeadBacking. If she lived closer I would definitely be hanging out with her. She is so full of fun and energy and artistic talent. So I would like to introduce Maureen Taylorson (AKA) Moeart. Here she is in her own words.

When I was little, in cold, dark Buffalo, New York, I started my crafting life making my own doll clothes and then my own clothes. Life intervened and over the decades I found myself living in Honolulu where I've been these last 33 years. Crafting called again so I progressed to drawing and painting then I found polymer clay. When I decided I wanted to learn how to bead, a friend in San Jose taught me...long distance! During that time, I was also teaching myself wire wrapping. Now, with those 3 crafts, I have more fun than any one person deserves. :D

A new beading friend told me to go to see Nicole's BeadBacking when I was whining one day about white backing. And so, I trotted off to Nicole's site and didn't look back! I told my friend Ginger and she bought some, too. For those who love to bead, this stuff is the best! It comes in lots of gorgeous colors and doesn't fray! It's soft enough to use as actual backing when you don't want to use ultra suede. It's firm enough for good bead/cab support but is thin enough so your finished piece looks wonderful. I just got some cabs from Nicole and they are gorgeous! Guess I better get going and make something, hunh? :D So, here are a couple photos of stuff I'm making or have just finished. Yay for Nicole's Bead Backing!!

Geeesss I should make Maureen my spokesperson LOL

I really want to show you more of Maureen and her art. Stop by her etsy shop you will be so happy you did.

click on the banner

This is Maureen beautiful and happy.

 Her work in progress

 So pretty when it is finished

 Here are a few more pieces.

I love this earthy piece

 I think this is her poymer cab. Looks like stone.

 Pretty flowers in polymer

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright