Bead Soup Blog Hop...

Gypsy Soul...

The Archer led her life in whatever direction it wanted to, she pretended not to notice...

She collected her life in bits & pieces, a broken heart, betrayed, forgotten...

She carried her soul in the necklace, at every turn she added to it, a shell, a key to her heart, the buttons that came off of her loved ones clothes...but she always knew, always believed that life is good...once you reached the tree of life, it was always good...

The Gypsy Soul...a necklace with a story that I made with the lovely ceramic beads of Jenny Davies-Reazor and other goodies that she sent along, specially that awesome archer's sterling clasp...I added the chain and a few pieces, the necklace also has a pair of earrings...

Please visit all or as many of the blogs you can below and leave a comment...what a great party...hop along...
These are the partner pairs.

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen 
9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare


11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel 
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel 
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou


21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle


31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi


41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith


51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick


61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz


71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson


81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski


91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck


101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson


111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson


121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson


131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven


141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaport and Norma Agron
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers


151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haight and Mary McGraw
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka 
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya


161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Sheryl Stephen
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
 168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley


171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad
 
Thanks for stopping by, life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

Bead Soup, New Beads...

Hi all & a happy September to you...just got back from visiting Grandma & Grandpa for their 90th birthdays & 70th wedding anniversary which is on the same day as ours...Drove from California to Montana & back with Mooshi, she did really well & was a hit with the Grandparents. Save for the time that she jumped in a fast moving river after her ball & did it again right after hubby fished her out...this dog has no fear...had a great time with Grandma & Grandpa, they are so cool, the stories they tell. Lets face it they lived through a lot more than most of us, so far they have made it through a few wars & a few recessions & all kinds of fun stuff in between...I asked Grandma, what has been the best times & the worst times so far in their life, she said The Best Times were when were together & The Worst Times were when we were apart...brought tears to my eyes,so sweet & honest...love them...

In BEAD News: I have only made one set of beads since we got back, the rest in the photo I made before we left...Check out my shop on etsy...The Drum Roll Beads in the photo is my new set & I hope you dont mind, I am making them in to a bracelet for myself, I love them so much...I made them with Grace's Disk Shaper...  Also you can now purchase my finished Jewelry at a lovely shop in Morgan Hill California called Carta Luna, check out their facebook page for more information...Its a great store, with tons of cool things from their clothing boutique full of timely fashions to their handmade gift cards & gifts, lots to see & enjoy...

Bead Soup News: My very lovely & creative Bead Soup Partner Jenny Davies-Reazor sent me this (photos below) awesome collection of beads & findings including not one but two of her great ceramic focal beads, I am so inspired, I am hoping I can make the design that is swirling around in my head with this collection...I am going to use all of them in one large piece, its a lot of out of the box thinking for me, even theough she does not know me, to send me two focal beads one a tree and the other a face with the word vision, you would think we were best friends, as these are exactly the themes I love & I identify with...thanks so much Jenny...come back on the 17th of September to see what I came up with...Click here to check out Jenny's Blog

 A lovely box & note...

An amazing collection of handmade ceramic beads by Jenny, sterling silver, fresh water pearls, mother of pearl, several different kinds of yummy gem stones & even a heart locket, I have decided to use them all in one piece, wish me luck, come back on September 17th to blog hop...Check out Lori of Pretty Things Blog for more information on the Bead Soup...

Bead Giveaway: The yummy focal from the last post goes to Kiersten, please send your address so I can ship the bead to you...for this week I have a yummy set of 3 beads modern shin mixed with organic feel...love this mini set, hope you do too...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

I am getting ready for my trip to Turkey for my workshop...there is one space left let me know if you are interested...Thanks so much for stopping by...Life is good...

Jelveh

Peace

New Beads & Workshop in Turkey...

Hi all, hope your summer is going well, ours has been very nice so far...not as hot as it usually gets which is kind of cool...

NEW BEADS: I have made a ton of new beads the last few weeks photo above & have been listing them in my etsy shop, including some very yummy disk beads made with a brand new tool from Graceful Customs the above photos shows off some of my new beads...

WORKSHOP in Turkey: I am getting ready for my next class in Turkey at the Glass Furnace, from September 10 to the 17th, six days of Intermediate to advanced glass bead making from 9am to 5pm, for this workshop you stay at the school in the dorms, and see all kinds of other glass work in person, from their stadium seating hot shop to their 18 seat lamp working studio, cold-working, fusing,  kiln casting & any other glass technique you can think of, the Glass Furnace is a great glass school run by a very nice group of people who go out of their way to make your stay at their school and in Istanbul great...contact me for more information, there are 2 spaces still open, I have students coming from as far away as India & Australia & all over Turkey, not only I have the best time teaching at the Glass Furnace but I have made life long friendships & met so many nice people from all over the world...below is just a taste of some of the beads I will be teaching in this workshop...

In other news: I am told some of my beads made it in to the new Fire Mountain Gem Catalog...have you seen them? I am so proud as they are for a good cause, to raise money for the fight against breast cancer... I ordered a catalog as soon as I get mine I will post photos...

Silversmith: This last weekend I took an awesome silversmithing class with a the lovely Carmen Martinez, I made a yummy sterling silver ring with a mother of pearl stone, every student walked out with a finished product & most of us had never done any silver work...Contact Grace to get information on Carmen's next class...Here is the link to the blog post about the class...

Quote of the week: Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave. by Indira Gandhi 

Bead GIVEAWAY: The yummy fish goes to Katie D. of Northern California, please send me your address...for this week I have one of my yummy golden organic ribbon beads for your beading needs up for the giveaway...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

Thanks so much for stopping by and for all the love, life is good...
Jelveh
Peace

New Beads & Quote of the Week...

Hi all, hope you are keeping cool in the midst of this summer's heat wave...we are doing well here, life is very good & busy, went to the best party ever for my sisters 40th, she is so cute, does not look a day over 29...we saw the movie Horrible Bosses...it was funny, perhaps even more so for us since hubby & I have both worked for such people in the past & you probably have too, life is full of difficult people...
life is good...I made beads...

I have listed a few sets of beads to my etsy shop  below is a photo of the new beads...

Quote of the Week: A feature I had for years on my weekly newsletter, many of you remember I am sure, but for some reason I stopped it, well its back...here is this week's Quote: I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe. By the Dalai Lama

Our Bi Monthly Get Together is this coming Saturday July 23nd from 11am to 5pm at Graceful Customs in Gilroy. click here to read all about the cool happenings, it promises to be a fun day with a lot of artists sharing their great skills...

While you are checking out Graceful Customs stop by their shop and check out this new great tool...I a have been having a ton of fun with it...

Winner of last week's bead is Meredith, please send your address. This time I have a lovely fish bead (if I say so myself) for the blog giveaway...enter to win by making a comment on this post...maybe you can help me out with my photo question, white background or gray rock background?

Thanks so much for stopping by, life is good...its just a bit hotter than usual...
Jelveh
Peace

Hi all, hope your summer is off to a good start & you had a great holiday weekend...we went to the Russian River for the holiday, although it was really hot hanging out at the water was fun...lots of things have happened since my last post which was in May, some are really good and well some are not so good...

Lets talk beads first, I have managed to make some beads in the past few weeks, and you would be proud of me I have actually listed most of them in my etsy shop below are some photos of the beads...after 10 plus years of making beads, once again I have changed my photos, from white background to gray & rocky background, so please let me know which you like best...the white ones take so long to do...change is good!!! right?

John Rizzi's last class was so much fun at our studio, check out photos of the day & beads here & other stories on Graceful Customs Blog

I have added new class & get together information to the left side of my blog, check it out, try & make it for one of our meetings, I think both the Chain Maille class & possibly silver soldering glass are full, but send Grace an email & get more information.

Keep an eye out for new tools from Graceful Customs as well...

The last blog post bead goes to Sandy "SanSan" from Sacramento, send me your address girl...for this blog post giveaway I have a bubble eye bead with deep see blues & silvered ivory, love this bead, it will make a great pendant...enter to win it by making a comment on this blog post...maybe tell me your thoughts about the new photos...

And here is the rest of the story...After months of doctor appointments, many many different kinds of procedures & drugs, we had our one and only IVF cycle & it did not work...So we move on now, although I have been feeling down about the whole thing, physically, emotionally & getting over all the shots & drugs is very hard too...as I struggle to get back to my daily life, I remember so many other people who struggle in their lives with far worse issues than mine...I remember my parents struggle to bring us to America so we can have a good life & not have to live in oppression. I remember how we had no money & my father a man with a PHD working  for 17 years as a card dealer in a card room club for tips, my mother, a master degree holder & teacher working at Kentucky Fried Chicken, so we could have good a life...I remember so many people suffering all over the world with far worse life problems than mine, from the middle east to Japan, from Arizona fires to Floods all over the country and so many many other ills all over the world...So we move on, life is good...I have so many things to be thankful for in my life...Life IS GOOD...
Thanks for stopping by...
thanks for all the emails asking about my whereabouts...
Jelveh
Peace

47 & counting...New Beads too...

Hi all, What is 47, is it just a number? surely it is not the answer to the meaning of life, if you remember that number is 42...47 = I can count 47 things that I am great full for in my life, heck I can count 4700 things that are positive & good about my life...47 = just about the number pounds I would like to lose...

47 = there is an actual group called The 47 Society no joke...47 = I can give you 47 reasons why you should never ever buy any glasses from any Site For Soar Eyes or their mother company Sterling Vision locations, bad service & so over priced & mean people...send me an email if you need more information

47 = I gave away & tossed at least 47 pieces of clothes, thanks to my mom's help my closet is 47 times more organized than it was...

47 = the number of listings I hope to have in my etsy shop at all times check out the ones I have so far...

47 = is a prime number...

47 has many other meanings but so do other numbers I am sure you can find them all on the web...this last weekend I turned 47 years young...I don't feel older, I don't feel different at all in any way...it is just a number to me...we went to Santa Barbara for a couple of days & had an awesome time...it was a great calm happy birthday...I am sorry that the same can not be said for so many people in Joplin MO and other parts of the south that have storms going through again today...sending lots of prayers & good wishes to them all...

and here are more beads I will be listing...

Graceful Customs has a new cool website where you can purchase all of their cool tools from, Grace is extending her introductory price on the tools for a bit longer so check them out now, as the prices will go back to normal soon...

I have listed the new Classes & the July & September bi-Monthly get together at Graceful Customs Studios  on the left side bar of this blog, check them out and contact Grace if you have any questions & want to sign up...

Winner of last blog post's Zentangle bead is aMorita-sa of GA, please send your address...for this blog post I have a yummy marbled blue white water color bead with rain drops & raku spots, this bicone bead is about 36mm long & very lovely if I say so myself...enter to win it by making a comment on this post...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Life is good...

Jelveh

Peace