Thursday, February 5, 2009

Amsterdam & Snow...OH & beads...

Hi all, hope you are doing well in your world…things are great in my world & the landscape is ever changing...Over the weekend we made a quick trip to Amsterdam, I have always wanted to see this city, hubby had been before, he has traveled the world over...I am just catching up. The bikes & the architecture stood out most to me in Amsterdam...it is a lovely city, with its old and new buildings & there are more bikes than people; we could all learn a few things about life & saving the environment from the Dutch.

The very libertine atmosphere of Amsterdam is a bit different & distinctive from what we are used to...we did take a walk through the Red Light District & blushed as we watched the girls sell their wares..but most of our time in Amsterdam was spent checking out the amazing Van Gogh Museum, the Rijks Museum, the Amsterdam Zoo “The Artis” & a few glass galleries...At the Zoo, most of the animals were much smarter than we, they stayed inside during the cold temps. At this zoo however they have inside exhibits for most of the animals as well, so you can go inside & see them, it was really cool, I particularly liked the butterfly exhibit, not only it was warm in their tropical forest, but you could walk among them, it was magical, I see some beads coming from that experience...

The Van Gogh Museum was awesome too, I learned a lot about the artist, I was amazed to see how many different styles of paintings he had actually done in less than 8 years...you can see the evolution in him & his art..just amazing... Most of the Rijks Museum was closed due to remodeling, but we did see the Philips wing which houses most of the important collections while the museum is under going renovations, & this is where I met Rembrandt & fell in love with him.WOW...I feel so fortunate to have been able to his & Van Gogh’s art...life is good...

On the way home Sunday night, our flight was delayed out of Amsterdam due to snow fall in London, turns out, our plane was the last one that landed at Heathrow before they shut it down & cancelled some 600 flights...Of course the airport was not the only mode of transportation that was shut down, the buses and most of trains followed, by Monday most of England stopped, schools closed & the news went around about the worst snow storm since the 60s...Tuesday & Wednesday brought some sun & it all melted, only to wake up this morning to 5 times as much snow as what we had a few days ago...I have included all kinds of photos from both our trip & the snow for your viewing...if you click on the slide show it will take you to a larger version of the photos...

I managed to make some yummy beads, some inspired by our weekend outing, I have listed them in the shop; check them out to the right of this post…

The Winner of last week’s Beads is Suzie from Suzifits...send me your address girl...this weeks giveaway is a lovely large (36x22mm) focal bead, I call is Aqua Tidal Wave...very yum...to win it, enter a comment here in this post, about the bead, how cold it is where you are, say hello or what have you...winner picked at random by hubby in about a week...

Thanks so much for stopping by & all the love...

Jelveh

Peace

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jelveh, I so envy you being able to see all of these amazing places! Before I read what you called your bead I was thinking of a winding brook with bubbles! Love it, it is amazing! Here, in southern Indiana it has been around 10degrees for quite some time. We had a storm that went through last week and closed schools for four days and had 2 hour delays for a couple days as well! WOW, it is crazy here! We are finally just now getting back to normal except for the huge blocks of ice that are still everywhere, including the main roads!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your time there! Hugs, Nicole Anderson

Unknown said...

Hi Jelveh!!! I love the beads this week...I just bought the key bead I loved it. To of my favorite things your beads and old keys!! The aqua tidal wave really reminds me of the ocean.

Love
Julia
Lewistown

Anonymous said...

Hi Jelveh, I envy you too. Your a lucky girl! I can't wait to see your butterfly inspired beads! Maybe even some inspired by Van Gogh.
It is -7 here in Northeastern Ohio today. Brrr. I'll be inside all day with my 3 year old. He'll want to go out to play, but I don't think that'll happen. Its supposed to warm into the 30's this weekend. Lets hope so. We have over 2 feet of snow to melt.
Have a good weekend everyone!

Anonymous said...

Amsterdam, I would love to see it! I'm part Dutch. I love reading about your trips that are so interesting. This week's giveaway bead really reminds me of a tropical cascading waterfall and I would be thrilled to win it!!! Here in Las Vegas it isn't cold at all, feels more like spring. I am not looking forward to the scorching heat ahead so I am glad that the groundhog prediced six more weeks of winter! Take care...

ginny said...

Hi Jelveh:
I loved reading your new blog! What a wonderful trip you had! I know you and Martin thorougly enjoyed every minute of it. Your love of art museums must have made your visit one that you will never forget.
I am blown away by your beautiful pictures that you took at the zoo---astounding color and clarity! Now that zoo is a place in which I could lose myself. When we lived in Coronado, I would spend as much time as I could at The San Diego Zoo.
Ah, you said that we could mention the weather. Our Florida weather is so cold that I don't even like to think about it let alone talk about it! All I can say is that I want my Florida warmth back!!!
Good thoughts coming your way for all the packing you have to do.
Ginny

Anonymous said...

We had snow and cold weather this week, but the sun is shinning today.

I like your beads!

acptuser(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

hi jelveh! so much to comment on...glad you are home safe. isn't the artwork overwhelmingly beautiful. i can't even find the words. i'm so glad you got to experience some of it. the zoo sounds wonderfully fun! it's cold/sunny here in the northwest. supposed to snow again this weekend. your latest wonder bead looks like a cool steam...very beautiful. take care, lisa d., portland, oregon

Libbie said...

Hello Jelveh,
Aqua tida wave is Gorgeous - has a bit of a primordial ocean look about it.
It is raining and blah here today.. I guess it's good we have some rain. Maybe my avocado tree will produce some avocados this year - it's the first winter it hasn't lost all of its leaves and it's looking good.
I would love to go to Holland some day - thanks for sharing the photos!
Libbie

Sue said...

Hi Jelveh, I still have some of the prints were able to purchase in the Van Gogh musuem. Hearing you talk about it brings back memories of a happy day. Glad all is good.

Sue

Laura Sparling said...

Jelveh - so pleased you enjoyed your weekend. The Van Gogh museum is amazing, isn't it?

Great photos!

Kristen said...

Jelveh,
I just found your blog! I have been a fan of your Etsy store for some time, and I'm so happy to have stumbled apon you here. You make just beautiful beads! Looking forward to reading more!
Kristen

Anonymous said...

Hi Jelveh,
Such a beautiful bead as always. Your designs never disappoint!! What a wonderful opportunity you have had to see much of the history that Europe has to offer. I have never been there (Other places, but not Europe) but hope to make it some day. Working on a trip to Tuscany for next year.
Our weather in Dallas has been really fickle this year. Thirty degrees one day, then record setting 80 the next. Seems everyone is sick with a cold or such...no wonder!!! Due to be in the 70's today, but was just in the 30's a couple of days ago!! Hard to get dressed in the morning..just never know!!
I wish you luck in your upcoming move....know you must have "mixed" emotions!! But I truly believe.. everything happens for a reason and every move is a blessing in the making!
Take Care,
Sandi R in Texas

Rickie said...

Oh my goodness, I can't believe that much snow in London! Thanks for sharing your pictures. My parents lived in London for a couple of years right after I was married and winters there are chilly, but not usually much snow! It looks beautiful, but I'm sure it was difficult to get around in. They're probably as prepared for a big snowstorm as we Californians are!

I have to comment on that beautiful focal--since I come here to look at the fabulous Jelveh eye candy! Those colors look to me like you're California dreamin' already!!!

Anonymous said...

Jelveh ~I loved "traveling vicariously" through your blog! I'm certain the inspiration from all the sights and sounds of Amsterdam will result in more beautiful beads from you...can't wait to see them!

Great bead this week (aren't they all?) It was in the teens here in NE Ohio the other day, I was sick of looking at the mountains of snow piled around the parking lots, so I just had to wear my Jelveh bead because it reminds me of my favorite sunny beach, Flagler Beach, FL.

Thanks for sharing your adventures!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jelveh,
Wow girl, you get around! Amsterdam...I can't wait to get back there and to the Van Gogh museum...it really is amazing to see the broader scope of an artist's talents, isn't it? This week's bead is gorgeous as usual. I can't complain toon much about winter here on Long Island. We've had some snow and ice and cold weather...but it is winter after all. The bead looks to me like a brook winding through the woods on a cold day, much like today. The browns are the bare and hibernating foliage. The greens of spring and summer can't be beat, but I love a winter piece that captures the coldness in the blues.
namaste,
stephani

Anonymous said...

Hi Jelveh,
This bead is to die for. The color of the water is just like the water off Miami Beach. We live were the shuttles go off and the water is a grayish blue. But the father you go down the coast and the Gulf Stream comes into play the waters start changing into the most beautiful blues. I have so enjoyed your trips through the pictures you post. I so love the fish and the butterfly. Our weather has been great. It was 28 at night and 49 in the day for several days and tomorrow it will be in the high 70s. Florida does have nice winters. Take Care, Carolyn

ginny said...

This is for Carolyn on the Space Coast in Florida. I live just south of Jacksonville in Orange Park. However, my sister lives in Merritt Island. You must be very close to her! Small world!
Ginny

LisaL said...

LOVE your photos. You are so fortunate to be able to travel like you do. I dream of visiting many places. :o)

Sorry to hear that your flight was delayed but glad you did finally make it back.

Gorgeous new bead. The name is perfect.

Have a great week!