Sunday Creations

I was very busy today. I needed to catch up on repairs today, so those of you who have jewelry with me you will be getting it back...finally. Actually, it is always fun to give people back there jewelry as good as new. They are so excited to have there favorite piece back.

So, I went to a local bead fair this weekend. I went because I needed a couple specific things I have not been able to find online. Not only did I get some Thai Silver for the silk ribbon bracelets

I been making, but I was drawn to some beautiful gem stones. The gem stones took me back to my early days of beading. When I thought about it...I 've been making jewelry for almost 20 years. I remember going to some of my first bead stores in Chicago.

I was inspired to make some simple gem stone and silver necklaces. They are very casual and are great for everyday and they also goes great with active wear.

I will be working on getting then on my etsy site later tonight or tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Beth

Be Creative for your MOM

This Sunday is Mother's Day! I get my love of jewelry from my Mom. She wake up everyday and right after breakfast she puts on her jewelry. She carefully takes each piece from her jewelry box and decides if this is the one she wants to wear today.

She is like a kid, when every I visit...She asks " Did you bring me any new jewelry?"

For special occasions I like to make her something new.

The two necklaces below are what I make from my Mom and for Peter's Mom (she loves jewelry too!).

A beautiful silver pendent on a black silk ribbon accent with thai silver beads

This is purple necklace on the left is for my mom. She like to wear color and I though the purple and green looked great together.

The bracelet below is for me! I was very inspired by the silk ribbon. The ribbon was hand dyed and it gave cool effect to the ribbon and the thai silver is a great effect

I hope some of these new creations inspire you to be creative for your Mom!

Creativity 365 Everyone can be Creative

Today, I want to tell you about some creative activities and creative people.

Ahhh...a young bride to be. Who really wants to play those silly games at a bridal shower anyway. I came up with an activity that would double as a shower favor! I bought sweet little earring kits from artful soul for each of the people who attended the shower. During the shower everyone spent sometime being creative. I had bought some inexpensive tools so everyone could share them and work on the earrings together. It was fun to see people get excited about something they made!

This gorgeous baby blanket was made by my friend Vickie for one of her dear friends who just had a bouncing baby boy. I love the non-traditional

color blocks...blue can get boring. Although Vickie has a demanding job she finds time in the evening and weekends to keep her creative juices flowing. This will be something little Jacob can treasure for a lifetime

I am looking forward to featuring many creative people on my blog. I hope everyone is spending sometime everyday being creative!!

Creativity 365 Valentine Project

I have this super cute felt heart hanging on my front door. I am the envy of all my neighbors, they couldn't believe I made it. I guess they just don't know how crafty I am.

I was reading through some of my favorite blogs and I came across this great project. It is easy, you don't need many supplies and it is pretty inexpensive. At the end of the post I will link you to the blog "the idea room" and you can see other variation on the same project with styroform wreaths and balls.

Supply List

1 yard of felt-on the bolt (joann fabric has it for $4.49 a yd)

1 styroform heart (joann's has these for $4.99)

lots of dressmaker pin's--essentially straight pins and they a

re the 1" 1/16 inch

3" round pattern--I used a glass to trace around

scissors

thimble--optional

As you see from the picture above you first cut out lots and lots of 3"circles. The fabric comes doubled and I wouldn't cut more than two at a time otherwise they start to get a little deformed.

Directions (also here is the link from the idea room for some additional pictures).

Take one circle and fold it in half and then in half again, place a pin through the point on the bottom and start pinning them to the form. It looks better if the little rosettes are not too close together, so they open a little. Judge for yourself...one you get a few pinned in you will get the idea. I do suggest you go to the above link for some good pictures.

This project only takes a few hours to make, so you have plenty of time to make one before Valentines day.

I'm make my second one tonight to send to my Mom for v-day. She still likes to decorate for all the holiday's, so I thought this would be perfect.

Happy Creating!

Beth

Organization and Inspiration-Creativity 365

As many of you know part of the creative process is being both organized and inspired. I have spent much of my creative time this month trying to get organized. With limited space it becomes a domino effect. To organize one thing you have to clean out something else. I have bought alot of different types of storage containers, I am not in love with any of them, but they do the job. Part of the organization challenge is I have to pull out things and I make a huge mess all over the house and then I have to put everything away. I wish I had a studio, a dedicated room for all my craft and jewelry supplies.

There is a certain amount of inspiration that comes from looking at all your supplies and pulling things out you haven't seen in a while, so it is all good.

If anyone out there has organization tips let me know and I will share them on my blog in the future.

I also continue to be inspired by all my fellow artist/crafters. I am addicted to reading blogs, my daily reading list is getting longer and longer. Some of my very favorites are vintaj, lillyella, anthology, amy hanna, french press knits.

These are just a few and I will share more later, but check

these out. It is just inspiring to know that "handmade" is alive and well.

I have been neglecting my etsy shop, but I do hope you will continue to stop by to see what is new. Here are a couple of the beauties that are available.

I have tons of new designs swirling around in my head. I also am planning a to revamp this blog page. Additionally, I think I am going to give photoshop a try!

There are not enough hours in the day for all the things I want to do!!

Creativity 365...

Welcome 2010...a New Year of Creativity 365

Creativity 365 is my blog about doing something creative everyday. Whether is art, craft, vocation or activity, it is about what motivates you and keeps you inspired. Being an educator allows me to be creative at work and designing jewelry keeps me creative at home. Creativity feeds my soul.

It's a New Year and everyone is talking about resolutions. I feel like resolutions at the beginning of a year sets you up for failure...life changes everyday, so what was important one day may not be what you are working on the next. Make mini resolutions, maybe it is one you set each week or each day! If your resolution is to be healthier don't just say you are going to eat healthy and exercise. Set mini goals each day...today, I am going to walk 30 minutes or I am going to learn a new receipe.

Set mini goals to be creative everyday...take a class, pull out that yarn you bought last year and ditch the idea to make a sweater with the yarn and use that yarn to make scarves, neck warmers, and coffee cup cozy's or organize all your jewelry and take apart some of the necklaces you never wear and make something new out of them!!

I'm always asking you to share your creations with me, so I want to share a couple creation from my friends.

My sister-in-law is a scraper..she makes beautiful

cards and I especially love this one because I am crazy about birds right now. Fly Free!

I went to a Christmas cookie exchange and my friend Sylvia made these AMAZING window pane cookies. They are so vibrant and absolute gorgeous. If these don't inspire you...I don't know what will!! And they tasted good too!

I have been inspired by vintage jewelry lately. I remember as a child I use to love to look through my mom's jewelry box at all the old--vintage jewelry she had. Boy, I wish I knew what happen to all those beautiful treasures. I have been making pieces for my Modern Vintage line on etsy and I am doing a lot of research about reposing vintage jewelry...I'm excited to start collecting vintage jewelry pieces to incorporate into my "new" pieces. In the meantime take a look at some of these beauties

Busy Creating

Wow this holiday season has been busy so far. After Thanksgiving, we went out to get our tree and we did all our christmas decorating. Last weekend we had our 13th annual christmas party, which is a weeks worth of creating. Making all our own food and desserts. We tried some new recipes this year. Chicken liver pate dip and Buffalo chicken wing dip were a couple of the favorite.

Also, I have been working on some jewelry designs and filling christmas orders.

Here are some of new items I made

I made this sweet little charm necklace for a friend...she is going to give it to a special friend of hers.

Tell me what your making this holiday season. Are you making any of your christmas gift?

I hope I have inspired you to do something creative today!

And The WINNER is!!

YEAH!!! Betsy Leonard Kaage. Congrats! Betsy wins "flying thought hoops"

Thanks everyone for entering my first give away. If you would like your very own pair of these earrings you can buy them in my etsy shop

Check back soon I will have another giveaway starting soon.

I wish everyone a safe and happy thanksgiving

Keep Creating!!!

GIVEAWAY TODAY!!

We finally reached the twenty followers mark. So I will do the drawing for "flying through hoops" earrings later today. So, stay tuned...one of you will be a winner!!
thanks for supporting me to be creative 365 and I hope you keep checking back through the holiday season for inspiration!

Broken Promises

I said I would take some pictures at my class today, but I got so caught up in the process that I totally forgot. The class was super, I made two fine silver rings. They are a little rustic, but once I get them shined up I will post a picture.

By the way only TWO more spots left in my giveaway. I hope I can give my earrings away this week!!

Creativity 365

Happy Sunday! Many of you have time off this week, so get creative, whether you cook something new or start making Christmas gifts. I would love to show off your creativity. Send me a picture and tell me what you are working on!!

Only four spots left for my giveaway!! I want to give those earrings away this week!!! "Flying through Hoops"

During this past week I have been working hard...jewelry making and knitting. I have always loved vintage looking jewelry and was inspired by all the long necklace I have been seeing. Take a peek at this necklace. It is made of vintaj brass chain, champagne colored fresh water pearls and clear crystals. It is really fun to wear.

I will have this posted in my etsy shop today.

Today I going to a PMC (precious metal clay) class and I am going to learn to make rings. I am going to take my camera, so I hope to take some picture of creativity in action!! Hopefully, I will have a couple rings to post this week.

Get inspired and do something creativity today...let it feed your soul!

Creativity 365

I have been work on several different things this week. I made this really cool bracelet from buttons that I got from a crafter over the past weekend. Knitting during downtime. I have also been working on a long triple strand vintage necklace. Hopefully I can post it later this week. I have been using more and more vintaj supplies in my designs. I love the warm brass. Check out their website and blog at http://vintaj.com.

There are so many creative people out there...I hope you consider buying handmade when you do your christmas shopping. Get a cup of tea and cuddle up on your couch with your computer and SHOP. No need to fight the crowds. Of course check out my jewelry at http://bwillydesigns.etsy.com and search other treats such as: hand knitted scarves instead of buy the mass produced ones at the mall from other sellers on etsy.

Be creative your self and make some of you x-mas gifts this year. Really...people always need potholders. hee hee

If you are making you x-mas gift...tell me what your making. Let's share it with the world and inspire creativity!!

Creativity 365 Busy Weekend

I started the weekend gathering inspiration at the Bay Area Extravaganza. Now, I promised to take pictures, but I forgot because I was totally engrossed in all the fabulous artist!! I found so many treasures and new techniques. I could have spent the whole day!

Peter and I went to our friends Theresa and Eric for dinner. It was a special treat created by Theresa and another friend Lida that was inspired by Julie-Julia. They made Bouef Boriunginon. It was a labor of love...a whole afternoon of cooking

Today, I got early and was excited to try this new kit. It uses Wire Mesh that can be manipulated in many ways. I has handmade glass bead and colored wire mesh...it is very cool I can't wait to wear it. I will also have two post on http://bwillydesigns.etsy.com in different colors.

I also made "flying free" necklace. it is one of my favorites

...it was a special order. I won't be posting it, but if you would like one let me know and I will work on getting all the supplies.

It was a creative weekend me and my friends. I hope yours was creative too!

Creativity 365 Show me how to make that

Today I want to direct you to my very favorite blog. I follow it everyday, sometime I check in more then once a day. She updates often. http://lillyella.blogspot.com Today she has a tutorial that she got from another blog for making ruffled head bands. I love it, it is infectious...passing on creativity. The headbands a super cute and look like they would be easy to make and would make a great christmas gift!. Please let me know if you make anything cool that you would like to share with everyone. I would love to post tutorials of great DIY project.

Don't forget about my give away--flying through hoops earring for one of the first 20 who become followers of me blog!! Come on sign up...I want to give these babies away.

If you want to see more jewelry I created check out http://bwillydesigns.etsy.com

What did you do creative today?

Creative Weekend

I got my computers back today, so I am back in business. I have 9 people entered in my give away only 11 more and I can randomly pick a winner. Remind your friends to become a follower. Yesterday I worked on some silver pieces. These are imperfect circles which I have hammered for to shape them and sanded to make them satin. I made both earrings and a necklace. They will be available on http://bwillydesigns.etsy.com later today.

Today I went for my first lesson on my Mac and spent most of the hour waiting for them to figure out where all my music from itunes went. It didn't make the transfer. They had to go get a "special cord" and then magically all the music was on my new computer.

Today I also made guacamole...avocados were 10 for 10 dollars. I only bought two, so I could make a reasonable portion of dip. The picture is close up and personal...

I hope everyone had a great weekend and spent some time being creative!!

Creativity 365 Knitting

Here are a couple pictures of a knit scarf I am making for myself. I am determined to get it done so I can wear it when I visit winter over the holidays. I treated myself to cashmere yarn. it is super soft and lush.

How many knitters do I have out there? I love knitting and I especially like to do cable knitting. I think people see cable knitting and think it is really hard, but it is one of those things that looks harder then is. There are time when I like to do a simple knit-purl stitch and not have to count or follow a pattern....you just knit. The repetition is calming. Other times I like to be deliberate and percise and follow a pattern. But really cable knitting is easy and I challenge all my friend who knit to kick it up a notch and try a new stitch!!

Creativity 365

No pictures today. I worked on my cable knit cashmere scarf that I am 3/4 done with and now feel inspired to finish. I will try to post a picture in the next couple days. I want to share some of responses I have got from my friends out there.
I love the stories of what inspire people to be creative. My sister-in-law makes cards...they are beautiful, as I have been a recipient of one. She has been making a card once a week for her friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer--a labor of love is what she calls it.

Today, my friend Susan Parsons has been inspired to try a new recipe for grilled vegetable quesadilla's---sounds yummy and healthy too. Susan has an esty shop where she displays and sells vernacular photography. The photos are so great...check them out. http://primelias.etsy.com

Thanks to Tracy and Susan for becoming a follower of my blog. They are the first two to be entered into my "flying through hoops" earring giveaway.

Creativity 365 Giveway

Good Morning everyone

Today I am going to do my first give away.

The first 20 people to become "official" followers of my blog by logging into the gadget under my profile will win the "Flying through Hoops" earrings. You can see them from yesterdays creations. Once you have become a follower...leave a comment on my blog with your name and email address so I can contact you if you are the winner the drawing. The first 20 followers will be entered into the drawing.

Check back later to see my creation of the day

Have a great day!!

Creativity 365 Fall Flying

I was so excited to get home and create. I have pictures of the necklace I was making over the weekend and I make a pair of earring that will go with everything. I am really into birds! I have been adding them to many of my designs

I am thinking of entering this necklace into the Vintaj "Autumn Nights" The November design contest. I need to try to get some better pictures. The little flowers are golden and remind me of how the sun competes with the night at this time of the year and the sky is golden in the late afternoon.

I will be posting both of these items on my etsy site later tonight if you are interested in buying them for your fall jewelry
http://bwillydesigns.etsy.com

I hope I inspired you to create something. Tell me what you created and I will share it.

Creativity 365 Pumpkin Muffins/Bread

They turned out perfect. I decided to use half of the batter for muffins and half for a loaf. So, I had enough batter for 12 muffins and one 8 X 4 loaf. The baking time is alittle off. I baked the muffins for 35 minutes and the loaf for only about 50 minutes. The original recipe says to bake for 1 hour and 15min. I suggest setting you timer for 35minutes...take the muffins out and then add another 15 min and see how the loaf is...you can always add time. Our oven always runs hot, so just keep an eye on it. The recipe came from cooking light, so the calories for the loaf..one 1/2 inch slice is 150 cal. The muffins are a much smaller portion so I would estimate 100-125 cal. Either one is pretty good for a treat.

Hopefully, I will get to post my finished necklace today

Be creative today and tell me what you did.

I would love pictures too..I will post your creations too.