BeadStyle : Ornament Thursday

Ornament Thursday: December 25

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

This is the last Ornament Thursday for 2008, and it's been a pleasure to bring them all to you. I found this easy ornament in a December 1998 issue of Bead&Button, and the PDF is available for half-price ($1.95) until January 2, 2009. The best part is that you can download the instructions, so you'll have them instantly and can create some over the next few days for next year's gift giving or your own decorating. It just takes seed bead and a 2-1/2" round ornament, so buy some on those after-Christmas sales. I've made some with colored balls, and I've even used clear glass ornaments. The ornament is quick to make, so create some today. My tip for creating--buy hanks of seed beads, rather than tubes. Since you're stringing a lot of beads in a row (35-36 on this ornament), it's much easier to slide your needle down the length of thread and load the beads on, rather than picking them up one at a time. Also, I suggest gluing the ornament top to the ball, because if the ball falls and breaks, it can cut the thread of the ornament and then you have a lot of restringing to do. But be careful to keep the beads away from the glue, because if you do have a broken ornament, the bottom ring that gathers it all up can be cut and the whole thing can be removed. Then you just have to restring the bottom ring and you're good to go again. (Take it from me, I have experience in this.)

As for my buddies, since we're posting on Dec 25, just a few people joined in.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's sharing her favorite OT project!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off a simple snowflake necklace for her final seasonal piece of the year.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all. Thanks for tuning in.

Ornament Thursday: December 18

Linda Augsburg — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:11:00 GMT

Here we go a-ornamenting again. After this, there's only one more Ornament Thursday in 2008, so I'd better figure out what that last ornament will be. Meanwhile, I share this little guy. He's created once again from supplies in my stash: 1-1/4" and 2" foam balls, twisted paper (or paper twist), half-beads (you can use whole beads, but I found these someplace years ago and they worked great), orange chenille stems, some knit fabric scraps, some sticks. pearl cotton thread, and hot glue.

The other members of the Ornament Thursday crew have been busy as well with their projects. Check them out and then stop back by for the general instructions to make this cutie.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Make a Confetti Ring to Wear at Your Next Holiday Party!

Holiday Sparkly Fan Pull
Lisa creates a dress up look for a ceiling fan

Ornaments so easy... even a kid can do them!
A recycled idea from last year using pearl UTEE!

Matching things..
Michelle gets in touch with her feminine side with a matching Christmas ensemble and Helen gets Modge Podge everywhere!

Poinsettia Madness
Beautiful poinsettias in glass.

Poinsettia Ornament
Polymer clay and glittery snow recreate a Christmas memory

Shiny Little Things
Felting for the Festivities!

Strands of Beads
Melissa has a quicker than quick snowball pendant for a perfect last minute gift.

It couldn't be much easier to make this snowman. You wrap the foam balls with twisted paper (untwist it first, of course). Then you glue the two balls together. Add a chenille-stem nose (I used the bumpy kind, which adds to the carrot-nose shape) and glue it and the bead eyes and mouth in place (to emulate the "eyes made out of coal" concept). I cut a 1/2" by 7" piece of knit fabric for the scarf and a 4" by 5-1/2" piece for the hat. For the hat, I turned under 1/2" along one edge twice to create the cuff, gluing it here and there to hold it in place. Then I wrapped it around his head, overlapping the ends in the back, and glued it to his head. I gathered it at the top of his head with a little pearl cotton and then stitched through the top to form the hanger. I broke the sticks and glued them in too. That's it! Easy as pie!

I've made similar snowfolk in various sizes with different hats, scarves, etc., but this little guy works great as an ornament and is pretty safe from breakage if you have pets or kids that like to touch, bat, and otherwise play with the ornaments. The only thing that's really breakable is the sticks, and you can always find two more of those!

Ornament Thursday: December 11

Linda Augsburg — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:08:00 GMT

It's Ornament Thursday and I was up until midnight Tuesday finishing my ornament for week two of Ornament Thursday. Those are the moments when I'm grateful for the stash of supplies I have in that messy, unorganized sewing room! I found the channel-set red stones in my bead stash--their origins were a pair of clip earrings that I disassembled and had been turning into wearable earrings for friends. The buttons at the top and bottom were pretty buttons that I purchase on clearance years ago for just this type of use. And the big gold teardrop bead was also purchased for a "someday" ornament embellishment. As for the gingham fabric, we featured a counterchange smocked ornament in McCall's Needlework on occasion, and that's where I learned it and grew to love it. The ornament I made is simliar to one featured in the book McCall's Needlework 150 Best-Loved Christmas Ornaments. Ann Hallay designed the originals using striped fabric; hers were embellished with silk ribbon embroidery and ribbon flowers and were quite lovely. (I can't find a site for Ann, but I found several of her patterns and her book at Garden Fairies Trading Company.) Mine are much more homespun, but I have a stack of gingham strips cut for this purpose (again, from back in 1995 or so--another great take-along project that didn't get taken along enough), so I decided to make this one. If I had been planning ahead better, I could have done really beady embellishments in each diamond shape, but I think the little red gems add a nice touch.

As for the rest of the Ornament Thursday team, they've been hard at work too. Check it out.

Cindy Gimbrone Puts Up Her Xmas Tree!
Fused Glass Xmas tree ornament sparkles from Cindy's real Xmas tree.

Friendly Plastic Ornaments and Sew simple mittens
This week in the countdown to Christmas, Michelle shares her recipe for Friendly Plastic Ornaments and Helen sews another tree ornament

HHH Enterprises
We are pleased to have this special guest join us this month!

My Favorite Things in an Ornament!
Lisa shares a special gift ornament

New Beaded Ornament
See our special guest's beautiful creation!

Secret Garden Christmas Tree Ornament
Michelle's got a special tree from the Botanicabella collection!

Strands of Beads
Melissa shows off a simple winter rose bracelet project this week.

And as I said last time, you can join in the fun. Just go to the Ornament Thursday blog and post the link to your blog containing your ornament in a comment.

Ornament Thursday: December 4

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:15:00 GMT

Another Ornament Thursday on deck. This week, the whole Ornament Thursday crew is sharing holiday decorations. Talk about talent! And speaking of talent, don't forget to share your creations by posting a comment on the latest post on the Ornament Thursday blog along with a link to your project. As is my custom, first, the links to everyone else's projects, then the information about my project.

Beading Help Web's Holiday Candle Wraps
Super easy and festive "ornaments" for your candles!

Brandi's keepsake childrens coaster ornament!
Super fun and easy ornaments to make for the whole family!

Christmas Past and Needle Magic at http-design.com
Michelle is addressing the ghosts of Christmas past and Helen gets down and dirty sewing a Christmas ornament - stand well clear, she is dangerous with a needle.

It's ORNAMENT Ornament Thursday!
Michelle's got some cheap, easy mini clipboard ornaments to share!

It's Ornament Thursday Again: Icicle Time!
Lisa takes a look at handmade icicle ornaments from Ruskin Designs

Strands of Beads
Melissa makes cute and quick Christmas tree earrings this week.

As for my little stocking (which is approximately 4-1/2" long and 3" wide), it's needlepointed. I used 14-count needlepoint canvas and six-strand embroidery floss. I traced the shape on the canvas, leaving 3/4" between the top of the stocking and the bottom of the cuff so I could actually fold down the cuff for dimension. As for the stitches, from top to bottom--

Cuff, red: Hungarian Diamond Stitch

Horizontal green row below cuff: Fern Stitch

Left, gold: Double Cross Stitch

Right, red: Twill Stitch

Left, red: Some combo I worked up--a quarter Diamond Eyelet Stitch mixed with Tent Stitch

Center, green: Diamond Eyelet with red Backstitch worked above it

Right, gold: Slanted Gobelin Stitch

Horizontal, red: Cross Stitch

Heel, green: Scotch Stitch

Left, green: Brick Stitch

Heel, gold: Byzantine Stitch

Toe, gold: Leaf Stitch

Center bottom, red: Hungarian Stitch

Now you can feel free to challenge me on the names of these stitches, because I've found several stitches with the same name or the same stitch with several names. But I used the Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework, copyright 1979, which is such a great resource that I recommend anyone interested in needlework own one. Yes, it's dated, but the basics are fabulous.

To finish it off, I sewed a backing on it, turned the top of the cuff inside, folded the cuff down, and added a hanger.

Ornament Thursday: Holiday preview

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:45:00 GMT

It's Ornament Thursday and it's the start of our Ornament Thursday Invitational. Check out the ornament I made (shown here and on the Ornament Thursday blog) and get involved. Between now and Christmas, our group will be posting ornaments online each and every Thursday, and you can join the fun by adding a comment on the Ornament Thursday blog along with a link to your blog where your ornament is featured. If you'd like to let us know you've posted a comment with your link there, leave a comment on my weekly Ornament Thursday blog posts on BeadStyleMag.com! So get busy and play along--I can't wait to see what you make!

Happy Thanksgiving and here's to a creative weekend.

Ornament Thursday: Gratitude

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:00 GMT

It's Ornament Thursday, the theme is gratitude, and, I'll have to admit, this subject had me stumped. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for so many things in my life. I have wonderful, loving friends and family who I can laugh with, cry with, and share my life with. (A few of them may even give me grief over ending that last sentence with a preposition, but they mean well.) I have a silly sense of humor, a good head on my shoulders, my feet on the ground, dreams yet to be achieved, and an ever-changing career that continues to challenge me. I have the desire to create, and I've had the chance to nurture that creativity and explore paths and hobbies that bring me joy. I'm grateful to be in good health and that true tragedy has not been part of my life. I have people who touch my life in unexpected ways or at unexpected moments: a friend who recently sent me a photo of a 'gator that made me laugh; the woman who wants to learn chainmail after we chatted and laughed the entire flight back from Salt Lake City; a fellow CHA board member who inspires me (and I imagine everyone she meets) to boldly pursue my dreams (thanks, Elizabeth); a friend from decades back who just recently emailed. I truly am grateful for everything.

All of that said, it's difficult for me to turn all of THAT into a project for Ornament Thursday. But my dear friend, carpool buddy, and editor of Art Jewelry magazine, Hazel, reminded me that I DO have the perfect project for Ornament Thursday's gratitude-themed posting. Let me tell you about it after I share the works of the other creative Ornament Thursday posters, for whom I am also grateful.

Brandi's gratitude journals
Check out Brandi's stamped journals

Cat's Attitude of Gratitude
Michelle at http design has a fun take on gratitude - think about it - what do cats give you when they love you? Mice!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's grateful for Ornament Thursday!

Gratitude Screen
Michelle's grateful for OT!

Lisa looks at the meaning of the word
Just some reflection this month

Ornament Thursday - Gratitude
I am grateful that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There are so many ways to say thank you
Helen from http design puts wordle.net to work to create these earrings which say thank you in so many ways.

******************************************************

After my grandmother passed away almost 10 years ago now, my mom and her sister were charged with going through the things in Grandma's house, including her photos. This one from 1925 shows my Grandma Edith (kneeling, left) and my Great Aunt Ella (kneeling, right), their mother (center), and their grandparents.

My great grandfather was a very old-fashioned man and didn't believe women should have short hair. I imagine that he ran a pretty tight ship, so, as you can see on the left in the picture, both girls had their long hair rolled in buns covering her ears--pre-Princess Leia--Edith's are much more obvious in this photo. (The "1927 Ella and Edith Bob Their Hair" rebellion is a great family story, but I'll save it for another time.) But this picture always makes me reflect on how different life was back then.

Speaking of a different life, back to the shadowbox. The house in the background is actually the house where I was raised as well. I imagine my great grandmother, grandma, and great aunt all embroidered, crocheted, knitted, and sewed in that house. I have a quilt that the girls made together before they were married off, and I'm grateful to have that. In fact, Ella was a prolific knitter and crocheter right up until the end of her life a few years ago and when Edith passed, there were at least a dozen stamped pillowcase sets to be embroidered and various other needlework supplies. So to create this shadowbox, I mounted in on a softly patterned, off-white paper, added the scrollwork watercolor-looking page embellishments, inserted the silk lilac to commemorate the lilac bush that grew outside the living room window, and crocheted a piece of lace from instructions that I found in my grandma's needlework supplies. To me, this shadowbox reminds me of where I come from, the things I love, and all that I have to be grateful for.

This weekend, I hope to work on a few other projects that express my gratitude for creative endeavors. I'd like to make some seasonal cards, I've got some earrings and chain to make, I might dive into the fabric stash and get the new ones from my little shopping excursion into the proper containers, and, on Sunday, I'm quilting a lap quilt my mom made on a quilting machine. (I'm so grateful for Mom--she bought some bags of cut quilt blocks at Goodwill and turned them into a quilt! She says she's not a quilter, so it's REALLY inspiring!) Let me know what you're grateful for--leave a comment below!

Ornament Thursday: Brew

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:11:00 GMT

So it's Ornament Thursday once again. We're getting close to the holiday season, but since we aren't there yet, my Ornament Thursday post is jewelry-based. Since the theme is brew, and I reside in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, I took the obvious path and created a brew-inspired bracelet. The gals here call it my Amber Bock Bracelet. I used amber and citrine chips for my four-strand bracelet. Four-hole spacer bars keep the strands in cuff formation. Follow along with the step-by-step photos and instructions on the right to create one of your own. (For beading basics, go to our basics section or watch our basics videos.) And now I have something to wear to all the Oktoberfest celebrations (and brewery tours) that we have in Wisconsin this time of year. (Truth is, the brewery tours are held year-round.)

What did the other players in the Ornament Thursday group find for their inspiration? You'll just have to check it out for yourselves!

Art Bead Scene
Jennifer's Not-So-Scary Halloween Bracelet

Brew'in up a few Witches
Witches born of glass

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
New Beads are Brewing...

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble...
Joolz by Lisa has a "Hairy" Twist on OT Brew

It's not easy being green
Michelle yearns to be the Wicked Witch of the West - we think she's hit pay dirt here.

Strands of Beads
Something wicked is brewing at Melissa's place

Swelldesigner
Alexa stirs it up with this retro witch wall hanging!

September 19 Jewelry Gems of the Web

Linda Augsburg — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 18:18:00 GMT

First, let me send out some birthday greetings. Cathy, editor of BeadStyle magazine, and my sister Alice shared a birthday this week, so I want to say happy birthday to both of them. And speaking of celebrations, I'm in a bit of a celebratory mood. We're less than a week from Ornament Thursday, where a group of us create projects based on a theme and and post them on our blogs. The preview for this month is already online and it's from one of the "gems:" Melissa Lee. I don't have a whole lot of time left to figure out what my brew-themed project will be, but being in Milwaukee (Brew City), coming up with brew-themed inspiration shouldn't be too difficult.

The gems have been a busy group this week. Let's check out what they're up to.

About.com Jewelry Making
Mixed-Media is still a very hot topic in the jewelry making world, as evidenced by two recent book reviews posted at About.com Jewelry Making.

Barbe Saint John - New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Another Marketing Monday and Barbe talks about what is involved with creating a line sheet.

BeadStyle Magazine
Stacy shares her story about working with the jewelry designers who contribute to BeadStyle magazine -- could you be next?

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
It's the beginning of the busy season, and Carter has new designs to share!

Clear Resin Silhouettes
Carmi lets her image stand alone in a clear resin ice cube.

Jennifer Jangles Blog
The new studio is finished

Jewelry & Beading
Learn one of the foundational skills of jewelry making: the wrapped wire loop

Katie's Beading Blog
Tune in this Thursday to hear Katie as a guest expert on CNBC's The Big Idea. They're profiling the inventor of a new game called Bead Trade.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's Beading to be done!
Jean finds a lot to like about the fun book by Karin Buckingham, Altered You!

Strands of Beads
Melissa reviews a book of grace, style and wit - Links by Jean Yates

August Ornament Thursday: Academia

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:29:00 GMT

Welcome to the August installment of Ornament Thursday. This month's theme is Academia, and I was stumped at first, but then inspiration hit in the most unexpected way.

Beading Parties, the latest special issue from BeadStyle magazine, arrived on my desk features several projects by Lindsay Haedt. Lindsay was the BeadStyle editorial associate for BeadStyle magazine until the lure of academia was too strong and she succumb to joining the noble ranks of those fine folks who educate and inspire. We tried to explain that she educated and inspired here at BeadStyle too, but it's different, and we understand. We wished her well and sent her off to inspire the next generation of readers of fine literature. In fact, since school's almost in session now, I imagine she's knee-deep in academia as I type. (And we love our new editorial assistant too! Erin Dolan's a great addition to the staff.)

But back to the projects. Before Lindsay left to explore her new career, she created some fun-to-make projects for Beading Parties, including the "Say it with beads" bracelet, shown at right. I'm not going to provide instructions for that bracelet here, since the issues on sale now and you really should pick one up. But I certainly don't want you to feel like your good deed of coming over to our blog and checking out the Ornament Thursday blog posts was in vain. So, to celebrate the theme of academia and to give you the opportunity to learn a little something yourself (call it BeadStyle academia), check out the links to the free projects on BeadStyleMag.com.

And now, on to the other blog posts by my creative Ornament Thursday classmates:

Art Bead Scene & The Golden Rule
The Art Bead Scene editor shares a few words of wisdom for jewelry designers.

Back to School—Make your own Pencils
School is back in session, everyone needs new pencils. Why not glass?

Beading Help Web Wires Up Academia
Lynn Kvigne to read! While you can easily use a scrap of paper or an old magazine subscription card for a bookmark, why not whip up a stylish book mark instead?

Check out the "homework" project from Joolz by Lisa
A collab effort works out great when you plan ahead

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's learned how to Mail!

First Day
Michelle's School Book - it's academic!

Michelle's Edumacation
Michelle has yet another go at decorating Helen's workstation, this month, less scary than last but oh, so funky

Swelldesigner goes crazy over school supplies!
Alexa shows you how to turn pencil grips into ultra funky accessories

August 1 Jewelry Gems of the Web

Linda Augsburg — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:49:00 GMT

I'm on schedule this week with jewelry gems of the web and I couldn't be happier that these links are posted and the weekend is upon me. I've got a new "gem", Carter Siebels, so be sure to be the good neighbors that you are, visit her site, and welcome her to the neighborhood. You aren't expected to whip up your "welcome to our neighborhood" tuna casserole, but it looks like she likes cake, so maybe something sweet would be good. (Just mark your plate so she knows who to return it to.) Those are her beads in the picture—No better way to make someone feel welcome than to show off their creations!

About.com Jewelry Making
Back to the de-stashing jewelry supply topic - Selling your supplies is not the only option for de-stashing. Don't forget the many charity groups out there.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene throws away the key!

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
Carter shares her full bead box, new marketing efforts, and a visual taste of blueberry ice cream cake!

Jennifer Jangles Blog
A look ahead

Jewelry & Beading
Cinch a stone using right angle weave!

Strands of Beads
Melissa and her son share their passion for beads

Ornament Thursday: Red Hot

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:33:00 GMT

Happy July Ornament Thursday! We're entering the red-hot season in the Midwest (and in a lot of the U.S.), with temps in the 80s and above and sunlight aplenty. Boy, do I love summer!

One thing I love about this summer in particular is my sun porch. More specifically, when I rented my 1920s flat, I imagined sitting on the sun porch at my drafting table making cards or lounging in my bamboo furniture while reading a book. This is the third summer I've been in my flat, and though I have spent some lounging time on the porch the previous two summers, I really hadn't gotten my paper, stamps, ink, and other stuff organized in a functional way to make cards on the porch. And since it's not heated in the winter, I have to drag all the supplies in from the porch in October and then move them back out there in Spring (the timing of which fluctuates here in Wisconsin).

But this summer, I decided it I had two optiotns: make some cards or get rid of all the supplies (I talk big, don't I!?), and that seems to have helped me focus. So now I have a stack of cards and idea for many more. The next step is to remember to send them to friends and family when I'm thinking of them or when they need a little extra boost. In a world of e-mail, text messages, cell phones and landlines, I personally get great joy out of receiving actual mail that's addressed to me personally instead of the credit card offers that go straight into the shredder pile. And I know my friends and family enjoy real mail as well. Of course it usually triggers a response via email or phone, but that's okay too. They don't all have a sun porch to play on or the stash of supplies to play with in order to create cards of their own. (And not that I don't enjoy the e-mails, text messages, phone calls!)

As for how I made this card, it's pretty basic. The stamps came from Stampin' Up and the inspiration came from a project in their catalog, though I tweaked it to suit. I traced around a coaster for the circle and then backed it with the black paper. My cutting along the double-border circle edge isn't perfect; I know none of you will pass judgment about that. I saw some black-on-white stamped things at someone's booth at the CHA show and that clean, crisp look must have been lurking around in my subconscious as inspiration. And the ribbon was a playful addition and a good way to disguise the edge of the stamped bottom border. No, I didn't add beads (I know, it's almost wrong considering I'm posting this on the BeadStyle blog), but you could glue or stitch on some beads where I dotted red in the mini-flowers. Or you could replace the ribbon with a beaded bracelet and tie the ends together with a bow (the card is 4-1/4" across, so you might have to add the bow to connect the ends of a 7" bracelet) — literally creating your own gift card. (I wouldn't recommend mailing it with a bracelet in place of the ribbon though; it would be too easy for the bracelet to get damaged.)

This stamp was from a three-pack — the others are holly and fall leaves, so I might adapt this idea and make some for the upcoming season. But lest you think I'm getting a little obsessed, I am not, repeat NOT making 150 Christmas cards again this year to send to my list. But a selection of stamped cards seems like it might make a nice hostess gift, birthday present, or thank you gift, so I might get in the zone and make multiples.

Speaking of friends, check out what my other Ornament Thursday friends created for the Red Hot theme:

Art Bead Scene
ABS Editor Cindy Gimbrone Goes Red Hot Crazy!

Beading Help Web is RED HOT!
Lynn Kvigne takes up the torch and shows you how to make a toe ring using fine silver.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Trendy, Popular and Red Hot!

It's a Red Hot July in Arizona!
Lisa finally finishes a project from over a year ago. Check out this "hot" take on a changeable necklace.

Katie's Beading Blog
Check out Katie's Red Hot faux coral necklace! It's a punch of color with a summery feel.

Michelle is RED HOT!
Well, really, Margot is...

Savvy Crafter
Hotsie Totsie Plexi-glass Flower pendant over on Candie's blog!

Strands of Beads
The heat is rising, and Melissa is making a Red Hot Firecracker necklace!

Swelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield
The Swelldesigner gets red hot with a Hunka Hunka Burner Necklace!

Too Red Hot
Our own Michelle Zimmerman has been hard at work this month sculpting a devil of a project for your enjoyment.

Ornament Thursday: Independence

Linda Augsburg — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:41:00 GMT

Happy Ornament Thursday!*

As I reflect back on this month's theme—independence—what came to mind was memories of the day we celebrate it (at least here in the States)—July 4th. And you'll read more on my memories of that holiday and of the project that the memories inspired in a bit. First, let me share the links of the other bloggers and their independence-inspired projects:

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Craft some red, white, and blue drink charms from vintage wartime posters. They'll make a big bang at your 4th of July cookout!

Art Bead Scene
Field of Poppies bracelet project from Heather.

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Celebrate the Independent Spirit

Hurray for Red, White and Blue
Lisa takes a shot at teeny tiny beads for a change

Independence Jewelry!
Beading Help Web has two easy jewelry projects that you can put together just in time for the July 4 holiday!

Michelle's take on Indpendence
Over at http design, Michelle has scuplted a piece which gives a different perspective on independence.

Strands of Beads
Melissa sees stars this month while considering the meaning of independence

What is America to Me?
Michelle's favorite words on our country...

*******************

(think of those as mini-fireworks)

June 2008. I was zipping around the Bead&Button Show marketplace earlier this month and spied these fun little baubles. They really are made from bottlecaps and they're made by Cathy Collison at Glass Garden Beads of Northfield, MN. (Isn't there a college in that town, too?) And just looking at them took me back to picnics and the celebration of Independence Day and my own childhood celebration over the great independence that choosing my very own bottle of soda afforded me.

When I was a kid, the month of July was filled with picnics. My Dad's folks would have a 4th of July picnic with their card-club friends and families (who were mostly, in some way or another, related to us—some distantly, some more directly; I'm still trying to understand some of family tree's branches!). Also in July, my maternal Grandpa's family had a big family picnic. And my Dad's folks would have all of their kids and kids' kids together for a picnic too! Seriously, we were eating fried chicken out of a bucket every weekend in July! In my Dad's family, many of us lived on farms, and it seems like there was always an old-fashioned washtub or a big tank filled with cold water, ice, and bottles of flavored soda, or pop, as it's called in the Land of Lincoln. (Back then, you could get a case of assorted flavors in bottle for just such events.) And my favorite was always strawberry. You have to understand what a luxury this was. Yes, there was always Pepsi in the house, but normally that was for my parents or for when we had company. But FLAVORED pop—orange, grape, lemon-lime, and strawberry—well, that just wasn't something we had very often. We lived in the country, so there wasn't any of this "ride your bike over to the drug store and buy yourself a bottle" stuff going on like I hear my city-friends talk about. So this was a BIG DEAL. And if you were lucky enough to have the picnic at your house that year, any left-over pop was fair game for the next few weeks. Paradise, I tell you! ("Pop" for those of you who live in other places, was how we in northern Illinois—and other place—referred to the bottles of soda, soda pop, or, as I've heard it called "cold sodie". For those in the South who may call such a thing a "Coke," this is not to be confused with something like a vanilla Coke, which is a whole other thing. But I digress.)

So here's the necklace that that one little bottlecap bead inspired (shown top right), and the step-by-step photos and instructions (right) will walk you through the easy-peasy process. And lest you think I'm not going to help you out with the basics, think again. Turns out BeadStyle magazine has a bunch of basic information on its Web site, right here! If you're new to beading or just need a refresher, you might want to check out cutting flexible beading wire instructions, making a wrapped loop video or step-by-step instructions, and making a folded crimp video or step-by-step instructions in order to complete this project. I know a lot of us learn visually and the kindest compliment I ever got was when someone said they weren't able to successfully crimp a crimp bead until they watched it on one of our videos. Pictures are great, but sometimes seeing the process in motion lets us jump that final hurdle.

So now that I have my strawberry soda necklace finished, I can wear it to the family picnic next month. Yes, we still get together once a year—whoever can make it. We don't get soda in bottles anymore (who does these days?), and I'm sure strawberry soda has a ton of dread calories (something I didn't worry about then), but it's fun to remember back anyway. Maybe my cousins will get a laugh out of the memories that the necklace inspires as well.

*[Sidenote: For those of you who aren't aware, Ornament Thursday started as a group of creative gals getting together in the virtual world to share ornament ideas last November. The group has continued, mostly because we all have such fun seeing what the others are up to. But we tapered back to once a month, and each month has a theme. To check out previous themes or for more info, go to the Ornament Thursday blog.]