GIVEAWAY 5 copies of Jewelry Designs for Artisan Lampwork Beads

Well it has been a long time between posts, you probably had all thought that I had fallen of the face of the earth. A change of jobs has led to a change of pace in the bead studio.  I am not even sure if I would call it a pace, I think it would be more likened to a dead stop.  I can't even tell you the last time I turned the torch on,  I even bought two new diamond tipped reamers from the USA and they are still sitting in the packaging that they came in.

This lack of creativity has had me thinking about what it is that I really want out of life.  I would love to -  stay at home, create a few beads, learn more glass skills, potter around my large garden, learn more about photography, spend more time with my family, cook (and enjoy the process), teach jewelry making again and even video the odd tutorial.  That 9-5 day job is stifling my real passions.

Well it is time to take a stand, pull up my big girl undies (Australian Slang for underwear)  and make a change.  Whilst I love being able to go to work and be appreciated for what I do, I just don't love it that much to keep me ultimately happy.

I have come to the realization that I have to start my "real life design" on the side whilst still doing the 9-5 thing.   This poses a problem for me, as I am so easily distracted during the day with all my amazing ideas for my "real life design".   It is going to take Focus, Focus, Focus, Organization and Patience - these are skills I need to hone in on.

Step One - JUST START!!!

One of the life coaches I listen to regularly says to FAIL FAST.  So if what you are doing is not working, find out sooner than later and change the plan.

So over the last couple of days I STARTED!!.  and now I wanted to share that first step with you.

I compiled my first ever Kindle Book.  The book features my jewelry designs using my own lampwork bead creations.  It is a book that offers inspiration to beaders struggling with what to do with that awesome beads that they bought.

To celebrate Step One - I am offering the PDF version of the book for FREE to 5 of my fellow bloggers.

All I am asking is if you can share this book on your blog or your facebook page and leave me a comment to let me know that you have done so.

 

 

I will let the lucky 5 Bloggers or Facebook fans know on Wednesday 7th August  - I will contact you again then so I can send it to you via email.

Lampwork Rings and Stock Clearance

I just have way too much stock and no room.

I have been diligent about listing my jewellery supply stock on Etsy over the last week or so.  I have so much in my demountable studio that I don't have room to lay it out the way I want - you know Girl Cave Style - I want to put a sofa in there - have a nice display of my finished works - a place where I can invite friends over for a coffee and play with beads and things.

I have also started to import some items that will be new and need ROOM!!! - so go and check out my Etsy store - and see if you can help me make some space in my Girl Cave.

Chain - great for Steampunk Designs available on Etsy

While I was cleaning out some things in the cave - I found a packet of adjustable ring bases - these are now featuring some of my newest lampwork beads. - These ones are available on Etsy as well as down at L'abundance

I had these pink strawberry beads floating around in the what to make pile - they found there way into a chain with some funky black and white beads, making for a fun fresh necklace.

Lastly my EDP goddess adorned with Bali Silver accents

I have also finished my bead soup jewellery item.

Can't show it until the reveal date on Saturday - which is Sunday here. I nearly wore it to work today, I am really happy with the results.

Cheers Tania

Bead Soup Ingredients on their way to Canada

Well the bead soup has left the building, out of my little home town of Fernvale, Qld Australia off to Burlington, ON Canada.  Off on a little trip to Alicia - All the Pretty Things.

I visited Canada back in 1989 when I was still a university student.  I meet a young boy here in Australia "Kurt" who used to live in Canada and we went for a months holiday to go back and visit some of his old school friends.  It was my first time travelling overseas and it was wonderful,  We mainly hung out in Vancouver and Victoria Island, and I was always commenting on how the people there were very similar to people in Brisbane, happy, easy going folks.

Anyway back to BEAD SOUP - I had a hard decision on what to send Alicia as I have been making quite a few different beads lately,  I have got my mojo back at last!!!!

Now that the package has gone, I have a few things to get up to speed with,  I have to check out my Zentangle challenge for this week as I missed last weeks due to my little holiday with Ella.

I have to put together an outline for my one-on-one classes "Lampwork Bead Making Basics" that I am going to start offering very soon

I have to get some finished items down to L'abundance before they completely run out.

I need to also concentrate on those UFO's that I mentioned a couple of posts ago

And lastly (I am sure I will find something else LOL)  I need to keep working on the new blog for Australia Artisan Beaders.

I think that is enough to worry about this week - Phew! - that is alot!


Cheers Tania

PS - ok in the time is has taken me to rough draft this post - I have just joined another challenge - on the Lampwork Etc Forum.  Yes another one.  Anyway this one is not due to ship out until the 1 Oct - so I will tell you a little more about it later.

PPS - joined another challenge on the Lampwork Forum this morning - Reactive Twisties and also think I signed myself up to look after the challenges on an Australia Forum - haven't announced that yet.

OK TIME TO STOP!!!!!!!!

Meet My Bead Soup Partner - Alicia

Well I have just returned home from a little trip to Sydney with my Daughter.  We had a ball, visited Taronga Zoo, Sydney Aquarium, took a ride on the ferry and saw the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

While I was away my partner in the Bead Soup Challenge was announced, so now I am busily catching up on all the things I need to participate and get my soup package sent.



Meet Alicia from All the Pretty Things - from first glance she loves making jewellery - always a good thing of a bead swap partner.  So I am off to find out more - I know she is from Canada! ( I visited Canada back in 1989 seems like another life time ago).

Now that I am back I have a heap of blogs to catch up on, a Zentangle challenge to check out and some serious beading to do - just had good news that another couple of goddess have been sold at my favourite little shop L'abundance, so some goddess action will be on the list this weekend.

Goddesses, Gemstones, and Going for it.

It has been a big couple of weeks for me, I have been slowly settling back into my creative and spiritual side.  Funny how some things fall off the spectrum when you are stressed. 


Since listening to my gut instinct about asking the lovely Danielle about her stocking my creations in her shop L'abundance, a lot of things have taken a turn for the better.  Attitude, courage and determination have a lot to do with gathering the abundance that you seek in your life, and over the last couple of weeks I have been graced with abundance in a lot of different areas.


I have let some of my sculptural skills emerge over the last couple of weeks - producing some amazing goddess beads with some wonderful TAG glass.  These have been a pleasure to make and the ones left are gracing the shelves of L'abundance.  I will be making some more for sale on my etsy, and facebook stores very soon, and there will be a goddess give-away happening very soon as well.


So time for some photos.

sold

 sold

Now the part about going for it was the scariest part,  for some time now I have been reading Oracle cards and doing readings for friends.  For the past 6 months I have been wanting to start a facebook page offering my card reading services as well as giving a free daily card reading on the page for everyone to benefit from.  I was worried about what some of my friends and colleagues would say as I don't really talk about doing it much in general conversation.  I have had constant validation from different sources that this was a venture that I should be taking, it just took courage for me to finally do it, and stay true to myself.  


So if you are interested pop over to Oracle Card Readings.  This avenue also helps me promote my Healing Heart Jewellery range where I create gemstone jewellery that possess healing energy for the wearer.  Here is one of the creations that I made this week.


Fluorite Gemstone Charm Bracelet


Fluorite aids in concentration and intuition, it increases positive energy and helps to capture negative energy. If you’re seeking overall physical and emotional balance, the fluorite gemstone is the one for you.

Cheers Tania!

Stepping out of your comfort zone.

Since I have moved I have been somewhat sheltered from my old social life.  I have generally just been working and looking after house and trying to fit the good parts of my old life into my awesome new life.  I had retreated from my old social scene and the downside of that was that I was missing out on talking to people and friends that had the same interests as I did.  A couple of days ago I got the urge to contact a lady who owns a business in my new town about the possibility of stocking some of my glass pieces,  this would not normally be a problem for me, but a got a sudden wave of fear - maybe she would want to talk with me, maybe she would not like my stuff, maybe, maybe, maybe.   Well maybe I should just get off my butt and just message her.

Well I did that and today I spent the good part of an hour in her shop talking about my creations and just generally getting to know each other.  It was good to share common interests and to generally have a good chat.  I am so glad I put that little bit of fear aside and followed my gut instinct.

So in a couple of weeks I will have some of my finished items in a shop call L'abundance in Fernvale

There is wonderful energy in this shop and worth a visit if you pass this way.