SWING IN IT

Hi Everyone!
Most of you know that I have a very special place in my heart for Japan and the Japanese people. With the blessing of a lifetime to have gone to Japan in 2009. So when my mom sent this to me I just had to share it with you. This is so cool. The embedding is disabled so you will have to click on the link. It is worth it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_popout&v=L7N6slVrQeY

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art
Nicole/Beadwright

60TH BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!

Hi Everyone!

I could hardly wait for this so here it is early in the AM. So with no further a due. The winner of my 60th birthday giveaway isssssssssssssssss............................. the drum rolllllll please. Congratulations to

Kim from CianciBlue 

I am sending an email to Kim this morning, be sure to stop by and say hello to her.

Now I just couldn't give one thing away so since I am 60 I am giving 1 sample pack of Nicole's BeadBacking for every decade. OMG 6 decades LOL

Those winners are

Crystal

Vimila

Csirus Pearls

Shirley

NEDbeads

Tracy N

I will email all of my winners.

I want to thank all of you for making my birthday a blessing with your well wishes.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY

I am leaving this post on top so you can join in on the giveaway!!! Scroll down for newer postings.

You have all night to add your comment for a chance to win this great prize. I have added beads, kits, seed beads, beading supplies, books,  cabs, and lots more. So leave a comment and be counted.

Hi Everyone!!

As you know I will be the big 60 on the 27th of this month. Sooo I am have a huge birthday giveaway!!!

I will be adding beady goodies to this pile all week. I will announce the winner on Monday April 30. Now I am going to put as many things as I possible can in a flat rate envelope. So far this is what I have and believe me I have lots of room left. So far, a great book, Nicole's BeadBacking, crystals, cabs, Czech glass, horn, bone, wood, Lucite, one of my flatwork kits, charms, seed beads, bugles.....and well like I said I will be adding to the list all week long. I will add photos this week too.

OK so how do you win??? Easy peasy simply leave a comment. If you want to spread the work via FB, Tweet, you blog, or website just let me know and I will give you extra chances. Following me will give you an extra chance too. OK that is it.

Happy birthday to all of us April kids and happy giveaway to everyone who joins in.

Photo 2. Juat a few more items I am adding to the giveaway!!!

Can't have beads with out needles and thread...Right???

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

HOME AND READY TO GO??

Hi Everyone!

We returned home an hour ago. I have everything put away, a cup of coffee in hand, and ready to go. Well my brain is racing with all the things I need to do just to catch up and the new things that have to be done. I am tired though and will take item one at a time. However, the main thing I am doing tonight is cutting all the names that I have written down from the comments for my birthday giveaway. You still have all night to leave a comment and get your name in. I have TONS of beads, beading supplies, books, cabs, seed beads,

 Nicole's BeadBacking and what ever else I could fit into the envelope. The winner will not be disappointed.

I will have Mike draw the name first thing in the morning. That is Monday morning.

In the mean time check out this amazing snow art.

Artist Simon Beck must really love the cold weather! Along the frozen lakes of Savoie, France, he spends days plodding through the snow in raquettes (snowshoes), creating these sensational patterns of snow art. Working for 5-9 hours a day, each final piece is typically the size of three soccer fields! The geometric forms range in mathematical patterns and shapes that create stunning, sometimes 3D,

designs when viewed from higher levels.

How long these magnificent geometric forms survive is completely dependent on the weather. Beck designs and redesigns the patterns as new snow falls, sometimes unable to finish a piece due to significant overnight accumulations. Interestingly enough, he said, 'The main reason for making them was because I can no longe r run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise. Gradually, the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera.” Spectacular art for the sake of exercise

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

Hi Everyone!

This is a quick post. The car is loaded and I am off to visit my mom. But before I go I wanted to share with you some great kits that are on sale right now. Here is the email I received from my good friend Joanna Loos, she is the owner of  Beadkitsbymail.com a very nice website. Check it out you just may see a kit or two that you must have.

Hello!

I've got 3 different kits about ready to come off the 50 % presale.

The first kit of the Aurora Broad Collar

and Into the Woods

have been sent off. But in each case I was missing one bead style to make

additional kits. I've now ordered the missing bead for each necklace. When the

beads arrive and the bags get filled, the presale is finished.

To make sure you always have enough beads I have to:

* count out the number of each bead needed for the necklace 10 times,

* then weigh them,

* put the information into a spreadsheet and

* run sophisticated statistical analyses on these numbers.

As you can imagine, this is time consuming. So the presale on Wave of the Future

will continue until I've got all the beads counted and the packages made up.

So, if you'd like to get any of these kits at the presale price, order now. I'll never discount

them this low again.

Thanks!

Joann

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

Hi Everyone!
Remeber the other day when I showed photos of how nice it was?? The sun was out and actually warm. No wind and well I thought for sure we were in for a few days of nice. NOOOOOOO we were NOT. The next day and every day there after we have had this weather.

Dark, crappy, stormy, wet, no drenched, and let us not forget the wind that never stops. Boo hoo hoo

You can see and feel the rain/wind blowing the trees across the street.

That is my complaint for the week.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

DESIGNS BY DAWN MARIE

Hi Everyone! and happy Monday.

Today if the sun comes out like it did yesterday I am pulling out my Bissell and cleaning my carpets. Ohhh what fun. Actually it is pretty easy and I love the fragrance after it is all done. So that will be my Monday.

In the mean time most of you know Dawn Ducette of Designs by Dawn Marie if you don't know Dawn then you need to head over to her blog and introduce yourself. She is a delight to be around. She is funny and fun and has so much to offer. She has a passion for her art and it shows in the fine details that she pays attention to. She is also very vocal about the supplies she uses and that include Nicole's BeadBacking. So she tried out my new colors of Tropical Berry and Chartreuse Shine. The colors truly do inspire the art. Here is what Dawn came up with. I love these colors.

Here is just a bit about what Dawn thinks of Bead Embroidery

Bead Embroidery as an art form has given my creative soul the ability to dance! Just letting the artwork talk has provided me with so many ah ha moments in the last year! I encourage you to step out of your box and try something new. You just might really like it!

And here is what she says about Nicole's BeadBacking (NBB)

I saw Nicole's 2 newest shades Tropical Berry and Kermit the Frog... no not Kermit, but it is called Chartreuse Shine and I was immediately drooling. I began seeing vibrant flowers, fruity drinks and yet, Kermit & Ms. Piggy did pop into my brain. The colors are very vibrant and when put together I think even the angels in heaven are singing because they are gorgeous!

If you create bead embroidered jewelry, or you are contemplating trying, you have to give NBB a try. She has a sampler pack that includes all of her color options - including the 2 newest options - so you can try something new without breaking the bank.

I created this piece using Nicole's Bead Backing in Tropical Berry. I like how the vibrant pink edges the design. It makes the pressed flower pop and adds that summer feel. The necklace chain was created by braiding Softflex Beading wire with teal fire-polished Czech Glass crystals.

Angels singing??? Well Dawn is an angel and she is singing so I will take that. LOL Please stop by Dawns blog to read her complete review on Nicole's BeadBacking and to she all of her amazing beaded art pieces.

Plus once you get to know Dawn you will see what a beautiful soul she is in all aspects of her life. I am truly blessed to have her in mine.

Honor and Integrity.... that is Dawn

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

ShhooCKeerr

Hi Everyone!

As the title say ShhhoooCKeerrrr. The sun came out this morning and it was awesome!!! I paced the deck while I spoke to my mom. It was actually warm!!! If it is like this tomorrow I will clean my carpets. The North Pacific wind is up now so the warm is NOT so warm but the sun is out and that works for me.

My back yard in sunlight. Yiiipppeeee.

Wishing all of you a great Sunday.

Plumb Tree in  bloom

 Apple trees in bloom

 I could only dream of 98 degree days. aaahhhh how I miss AZ.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

BEADING BEADING EVERYWHERE

Hi Everyone!!

After taking most of last year off from beading, ( and doing other creative endeavors) I am swamped with bead orders, getting ready for shows and most of all pow wow. Spring pow wow brings in new life. Rejuvenates from a long winter and helps the spirit see to the future. That is how I am feeling today. There is nothing like the beat of the drum and the chant of song to make you know there is something good about to happen. Think I will do some drumming today.

While I was going through things the other day  I also found some of my old loom beading patterns. I am revamping them and putting them to PDF. This pattern had a 1983 date on it. I now have it up in my Beadwright Bead Coop patterns  Take a look at the 123 patterns I have listed  in The Bead Coop. There are loom, peyote, two-drop peyote some tutorials ohhh even a how-to on making your own traditional drum.

I am off to paint right now and then hit the beading table. Wishing all of you a happy Friday.

This is so pretty made up.

 Make your own drum

Putting it all together.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

MEMORIES

Hi Everyone!

First thanks to all of you who didn't think 60 is old. I sure don't feel 60. I feel like I did when I was in my 30s only with a few more aches. LOL And speaking of age some of you know that my heart, my grandmother passed away a few years ago at the age of 104. Yep. She was so sharp of mind that if her body had not said enough is enough she would still be here critiquing my art. I was going through a box of "stuff" the other day and came across a magazine that my Nan put out from her art store. It is so amazing to touch something of the past that was so important to my Nan. She was the first woman to open and art supply, school, and framing store in Bremerton WA. My grandfather hand crafted all of the frames. He was an amazing woodwright. Anyway the information in the magazine is so perfect for today's artists. I see, especially on the back page how my Nan put her push for women's rights and equality. She was a master artists and teacher and never got tired of showing others how to find their way through art.

Marry's Gallery and Art School was started in 1938, this magazine was the May/June issue of 1968.

Here is my Nan in her art school having a showing. I am not sure what year this is.

I now see where I get my chin and jowls. LOL

Have a great day everyone!

My Nan Dorothy Marry

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

BEADING BLOGGING LIFE

Hi Everyone!

I have noticed that it is not just me blogging less over the last few months. For me it seems that my busy days keep me off the computer more. I do like that to a point. I get so much  more done around the house and find myself out of doors more too. (AAhhhh well not like taking walks and things I use to do in Idaho. I refuse to walk in the rain and wind.) I mean meeting up with friends for coffee. Anyway life, with my 60th birthday coming up next week, seems to be taking a new path. I seem to be thinking differently. I wonder if that comes with starting a new decade, one that is well over the hill. LOL 

Here is a piece I made yesterday.

The base is peyote with peanut beads. I love the effect.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

IT'S ALL ABOUT COLOR

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday I started a new necklace and just finished it. (Sorry about the photos. It is typical Florence ugly gray, dark crappie day.) I do really like this piece. It has so much color in it. aahhh do ya think I was influenced just a tiny bit by my new colors of Nicole's BeadBacking......???? dahuuuu... LOL

New NBB Tropical Berry and Chartreuse Shine

 I love that my leather backing matches my beadwork in almost all of my pieces.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

FREE WIRE WORK PATTERNS

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share with you some free wire work patterns courtesy of Lark Crafts. These patterns come from the new book Making Wire & Bead Jewelry: Artful Wirework Techniques. The projects in this book are amazing and hey how can you pass up free, Right??? LOL

Have a happy Sunday

Click here for the free projects.

 

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

BEADING WITH THE GIRLS

Hi Everyone!

Yes I am up with the chickens. Ya know getting rid of head pain so I can officially get my day started. :) So last night I decided to head over to our Florence bead meeting. It is really a bead gathering. I haven't been there in a long while and it was so very nice to see the ladies again. I truly enjoyed myself and the company. I took Nicoles' BeadBakcing and of course the new colors were a hit along with Sandy Spievey's cabs, which were also a hit. Hey how can those two things NOT be a hit? LOL I am hoping to get back in the groove and make more of the monthly get togethers. Along with that I have finished another of Sandy's cabs. The photo is terrible so use that wonderful imagination to focus in.

Ohhh I just remember today is Friday the 13, one of my most favorite days.

OK so I stand out a bit with my dark hair. I have been wanting grey hair since I was 5 and at 60 I still don't have any.

click on the photos to see them close up. I fell in love with this peacock and love how the beads just knew where to go.

The triple traditional edging really feels like feathers.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

SWAROVSKI SALE

Hi Everyone!

Boy has it been a tough week. Hopefully things will settle down and I will be home. All is well, just had to be gone most of the week.

We all know that Swarovski is making a huge push to bring us new shapes and styles of Swarovski crystals. Yes some of them can be pretty spendy, however, Artbeads.com is having a 20% off sale on Swarovski!!! Head over and use this code at check out  ZZCRYSTAL20.

Artbeads.com is having other specials and I was happily surprised of all the new items they are offering. I will tell you, if you have never ordered from them, that the quality of their products are excellent and the customer service is the best!!!! You can not go wrong at Artbeads.com 

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

EASTER BEADING

Hi Everyone!

Hope you are all having a nice Easter in what ever way you celebrate. Quiet here, baked an apple pie and cleaned up a huge coffee spill this morning. LOL Not mine it was Mike.

Here is a piece I did early this AM like at 4 AM. I love getting up that early and having my part of the world all to myself.

For me there is something elegant about wearing a brooch. In winter I wear mine on my coat lapel. Summer I sometimes hook them to a belt of sash that I am wearing. This of course is a Sandy Spivey cab with size 15/o Italian seed beads and 11/o Czech seed beads. The embellishment beads are Toho drops and flats.

Have a nice Easter

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

TEXTURED FLATWORK ON NICOLE'S BEADBACKING

Hi Everyone!

This is a short post but wanted to share a piece just finished. This is my "textured" flatwork that you can find in my "FlatWork" beading book. It starts with Nicole's' BeadBacking "NBB" my sewing machine, the layers of beads from size 16/o up to Czech press beads. The cab is from Sandy Spivey. Once the beading is finished it is backed with leather, (not ultra suede) add a clasp and a signature and the piece is ready to sell.

I hope you enjoy it.

You want Nicole's BeadBacking to show through the beading.

The back must be as beautiful as the front

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright

NEW COLORS FOR NICOLE'S BEADBACKING YESSSSSS!!!!

Hi Everyone!

This week has gone by so quickly that I totally spaced out Paint Party Friday. I guess I just have been so excited about my new colors for Nicole's BeadBacking and getting the cut and ready for all of you. Ohhhh these two colors are two of the requests we have been getting and after a bit of playing with color we came up with these. I have named them Tropical Berry and Chartreuse Shine. Both colors are amazing. I will be adding each of these new colors to my sample pack of Nicole's BeadBacking at no additional charge. So you will be getting 16 colors for the low price of $6.00 How can you beat that?

Right now in my Beadwright etsy store and my Beadwright website you can get the new colors of Nicole's BeadBacking at a discount!!! So ya wanna see the new colors????

I just love these new colors

 Right now in my Beadwright etsy store this combo pack

 In addition while supplies last 4 shades of green.

Honor and Integrity in Life in Art

Nicole/Beadwright