My Grandmom...

Today we put my Grandmom Martin to rest.
She was a wonderful woman. A strong woman. And she will be missed...


She always had family gatherings at her place for any occasion (but especially for the holidays) and would welcome anyone that showed up with open arms and a big smile. Her favorite thing was being out in the sun - especially on the beach! That woman always had a tan...


She loved life and her family...


So today we gathered after the service and burial to share a meal together.


Somehow being together made the hurt vanish - even just for a bit...


We know that no matter what, being there for each other is so important for healing...


Family from all over came to pay their respects to her.


It was especially nice to see our family that lives in Tennessee.
My Aunt Bobbie gave a perfectly fitting speech about the strong, stubborn and amazing woman we knew and loved.
She had the most beautiful prayers for Grandmom.
Adding such a nice personal touch to the service, especially since Grandmom moved down to TN for three years, before coming back to DE to go into an adult rehab and care facility for this last year.


All of my Aunts & Uncles are well into being "grandparent" age.


And we have taken their place being in the middle.
We are starting to see shifts in family dynamics.
It's kinda weird growing up. But if we are lucky enough - it happens to us all.


My little brother - not so little or young anymore. He is becoming that cool fun uncle...


My sister - always young at heart, goofing around with the little ones...


And the funny thing. Today. My uncles chose Kid Shelleen's in Wilmington as the place to have family & friends gather. On purpose of course because the building it resides in was once our family's restaurant.


As kids, my mom & my uncles lived behind this building. My great-grand parents lived in the building attached to it (from what I remember my mom telling me). They ran on these same floors that my kids ran on today - surrounded by older generations, just as today.


All very fitting for our final farewell to my Grandmom Martin.
Her presence will be felt but her laughter, smile & hugs will surely be missed...

Thank you for everything Grandmom. We love you so very much!

Silk Color Palette Challenge Design Post

Are you creating and making finished items with any of the 2mm silks you've purchased for the Round 1 or Round 2 of the Silk Color Palette Challenge?

Round 1 and Round 2 Silk Palettes for the Marsha Neal Studio Silk Color Palette Challenge

Round 2 Silk Palette Finalists.

Here are the 24 palettes that are up for sale through September 17, 2012 in my Etsy shop and Website.

Right now, purchases of any of these 24 palettes from July to Sept 17, 2012 gets you entered to win a $50 Marsha Neal Studio Gift Certificate.

Marsha Neal Studio Silk Palette Challenge Round 2

Marsha Neal Studio Silk Palette Challenge Round 2

Marsha Neal Studio Silk Palette Challenge Round 1

Marsha Neal Studio Silk Palette Challenge Round 1

If you make something with any of the silks from these palettes, link up at the bottom of this post or on the bottom of the Silk Color Palette Challenge Blog Page by direct URL to your item (blog about it, have it on Flickr, in your Etsy shop, website, whatever URL takes you directly to that item) by November 9, 2012.

On Saturday, November 10, 2012, I will pick a random winner from the entries for this Design Challenge to win a $50 Marsha Neal Studio Gift Certificate.

And don't forget, the more of these silks you buy, the more entries you get to into that $50 drawing.

AND you help the artist that picked out the palette to win some free silks and Marsha Neal Studio items too!

**This will be the last of the Silk Color Palette Challenge for 2012**
No Round 3 is scheduled at this time.
Thanks everyone for participating and having fun working with these silks!

Bead Soup Blog Party 6 Reveal

Welcome to the reveal for Bead Soup Blog Party 6

The Third Reveal (Aug. 25, 2012).

My swap partner is the awesome Malin de Koning

And we had extra fun with our soup, working from a theme:

A movie called "The Party".

Read more about it HERE.

In this necklace/bracelet I used a lot of the up-cycled and vintage beads that were in my soup from Malin.

I was drawn to the gold and black of these pieces and decided to make a double wrapped bracelet.

Luckily, this bracelet fits perfectly as a choker necklace too.

1.8mm golden leather knotted with all sorts of fun beads.

I think I'm going to need to make more of these (and to make clay beads to go with them!)

This pink, purple, yellow triple strand (long) necklace was a bit of zen experience for me.

I used the Barbara Bechtel (Second Surf) pieces, and Malin's Polymer bead in this one.

I blame all the wire wrapped pieces on hanging around at beading nights with my friend Jenny Davies-Reazor (it's totally the good kind of blame - her work is awesome!).

I had wire wrapped some of the focal beads when I first received my soup, 

but then put the soup away for a while to get ready for Bead Fest Philly.

Then just the other night we had an impromptu Beading Night at my friend Bonnie's house while her very cool daughter was home for a week after just graduating from college - Go Jen!!!

This was the first official bead night that I took Chloe (my 4 year old daughter) with me since we were not planning an extremely late night being on a Wednesday and all...

Chloe helped me make brownies ahead of time.

Jenny brought salad and wine.

Bonnie and Jen made dinner.

Lisa brought the fruit.

It was also a Bead Fest Show and Tell night too!

It was SO delightful to just sit around and work on projects together and chat.

 The funny thing that kept happening to me is that sitting next to Chloe,
her little 4 year old wandering eyes kept looking at my bead stash.
Chloe has her own bead stash, an entire triple stacked bin of beads.
And I knew what was coming as Malin's bright pink, purple, green and yellow beads hit my work station - she kept reaching over into my Bead Soup stash...
"Mom. You have a lot of these pink beads. Can I use them too?"

She was SO drawn to them - all those bright colors...

And at first, that grown up voice in my head said: 

"No. I need those beads for my Bead Soup."

Then as I looked at her, with that creative desire going - how could I tell her no?

(I am trying to be extra aware of how adults can say things in a negative way that can stomp the creativity and self confidence within a person, especially a child.)

And I aim to have my daughter be creative, smart, strong and caring.

Besides, I had SO many beads (thank you Malin!), 

and was probably not going to use up every single one anyway.

So Chloe created a bracelet on her purple Irish Waxed Linen string.

You can see it in the photo above.

It is the bright colored one - in the bottom right corner.

So as I sat yesterday putting the rest of my beads on wire and wrapping then assembling them,

I fully let myself be inspired by the creativity of my 4 year old daughter.

Just the love of the colors of the beads and the way they went together.

It's a good exercise to remember to not stress out about how perfect something is, and to enjoy things as they are and make the best out of what you have in front of you.

And to experiment with things you are not quite familiar with,
then be ok with taking them apart again if you need to.

I took to some more leather knotting and wire wrapping with this quick bracelet.

I used the polymer bead from Maureen Thomas 

and the fiber wrapped copper wire from Nellie Thomas (Yarn Sweet Yarn).

I need to get more of that yarn (Karen Totten of Starry Road Studio sells it for her daughter Nellie)

One of the greatest joys in jewelry making is getting together with a bunch of friends.

Either on a blog hop like this.

A FB group where you can all share and chat.

Or at a friend's house, enjoying being together over a meal and finding things in common to talk about.

It's all comes back to "The Party!"...

Thanks Malin for providing our swap a theme!

And for lots of fun and awesome beads!

Thanks Lori for hosting this wonderful gathering of beady goodness!

And thanks to you, the reader of this post and the many others that are participating in this 6th Bead Soup Blog Party!

Here are the rest of the 3rd Reveal Participants:

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 

Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads

Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry

Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems

Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini

Charlene Jacka, Clay Space

Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're 

Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On

Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design

CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations 

Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry

Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog

Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs

Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia

Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads 

Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!

Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda

Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy

Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels

Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame

Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World 

Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It

Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper

Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy

Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez

Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier

Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?

Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs

Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks

Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs

Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu

Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum

Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems

Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design

Karen Williams, Baublicious

Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!

Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle

Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time

Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road

Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara

Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry 

Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment

Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs

Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures 

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design

Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land 

Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner

Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

My Partner ---> Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin <--- My Partner

Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious

Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading

Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change

Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs

You Are Here ---> Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio <--- You Are Here

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog

Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival

Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter 

Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua

Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities

Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts

Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color

Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals

Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner

Penny Neville, Copper Penny

Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs

Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry

Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place

Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories

Sarah Goode, Pookledo 

Sarah Small, blog by salla

Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire

Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead

Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs

Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads 

Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought

Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs

Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created

Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse

Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas 

Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 

Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

New Textured, Textured Disc Beads

I had about an hour today to spend making some of my textured disc beads for orders & an Etsy update, and I decided to see how it would look if I pressed some texture onto the top & bottom of these discs.

I am excited to see what they look like glazed...

Alone Time Brunch

Yesterday was my day to head to Bead Fest. After quick good-byes to Dave & the kids I got in the car, put on some music, and started the hour drive to King of Prussia, PA.

I think this was the first time ever going to a bead show that I was not on a time constraint. So I took the back roads through Kennet Square into Chadds Ford (PA). It was so beautiful & calming. It was just what I needed to gather myself from a crazy busy week, and the loss of our older cat Stinker (we decided to have her put down).

Half hour into my drive, I decided to pit stop for a bite to eat at The Terrian at Styers. This Anthropology owned Flagship garden center (I would venture to calling to be an extension of a botanical garden - it would be a botanical garden's dream gift shop and cafe). Inspirational. To shop there on a regular basis would be out of our household budget, but a few things here and there is ok.

So I picked up a Birch Bark planter for creating some interesting photos with my new Terrarium pieces.

I enjoyed French Toast and Applewood Bacon with unsweetened blueberry vanilla iced tea from a mason jar. It was amazing!

The perfect way to have some inspirational alone time. Then go see bead friends (because you know I talked the entire time, only got a few beads, and need to go back today for the things on my list).

Bead Fest New Stock Photos

At Bead Fest Philadelphia you can find all of my new work at the D7 Studio booth #261/#360 end cap shared booth. I quick remembered to snap these photos as the beads went out the door this morning to the show!

And remember to share your goodies from Bead Fest that include items from any of the Beads of Clay artists on the Beads of Clay blog Aug. 22 to 30 to get a chance to win free BOC artist beads!
I'll be at Bead Fest on Saturday (shopping & hanging out around the show, so say hi if you see me!)

Bead Fest or Bust 5 Giveaway Winners!!!

First - Thank You ALL so very much for shopping in my Etsy shop during this Bead Fest or Bust Sale!

I'm delighted to be giving all kinds of stuff away to the winners!

Winners are picked by Random Generator according to the date and each the listings sold are given a number according to the order that they were sold. Some duplicate listings (like silk knot bundles and bead sets) were purchased, so I apologize for any anticipated confusion.

BEAD CAP WINNERS!!!

New Bead Caps: Left = Friday, Middle = Saturday, Right = Sunday

Friday's Purchasing winner 

for the first pair of Bead Caps bought this listing:

OOAK Silk Knot Bundle #170

Friday Purchasing Random Generator

Saturday's Purchasing winner 

for the second pair of Bead Caps bought this listing:

Marsha Neal Studio Porcelain Shards in Glacier Glaze

Saturday Purchasing Random Generator

Sunday's Purchasing Winner 

for the third set of Bead Caps bought this listing

(this was one of the duplicate listings purchased!):

Marsha Neal Studio Textured Discs (Sky Cowgirl Palette)

Sunday Purchasing Random Generator

$25 MARSHA NEAL STUDIO GIFT CERTIFICATE WINNERS!!!

There are 2 drawings for $25 Gift Certificates:

Purchasing Winner 

Anyone that made a purchase during the BFOB dates Aug. 10 - 12, 2012

Was entered into this drawing. Each individual purchased listing gets an entry.

(This is the 2nd duplicate listing item!)

Marsha Neal Studio Silk Knot Bundle (all three silks): Simple Nature Color Palette

$25 Gift Certificate (Overall Purchaser) Random Generator

Blog Commenter

(in number order, according to comments from Tues #1-16, Thurs #17-23, Sunday #24-27 posts)

Congrats KayzKreationz!!!

$25 Gift Certificate (Blog Commenter) Random Generator

I didn't put names above for the purchasing winners because I'm never quite sure if you want your name out there...

So there are a few listings where people may think - Hey, I bought that one too!

I picked the winners in order of the listings sold by each date...

Sorry if anyone is confused or disappointed (no worries - I try to always make everyone's package special when I ship :)

Congrats to the winners!

Thank You All for supporting my business over and over again!

You keep this alive!

And REMEMBER ~ If you are one of my Newsletter subscribers and purchased with BEADYGIRL coupon code - shoot me a convo by Tonight (8/13/12) to let me know you are on it so I can put you into that special drawing just for my newsletter subscribers.

Drawing will happen Tuesday around 10am EST, so you must let me know or use the special code I sent you if you are purchasing through midnight tonight (8/13/12).

You can sign up here if you want in next time!

I've got to get back into the studio to get orders packed and shipped and to glaze some things before sending off my stock to Darlene of D7 Studio (Bead Fest Philly Booths #261/ #360).

Thanks again!!!