The Kreativ Blogger Award

I was recently honored with a Kreativ Blogger Award, care of Vicky from soapstar - an amazing shop filled with natural soaps and skin care products. At act natural * feel good! she shares the inspirations behind her wonderful handmade soaps. The combinations of colors and scents are so unique, and she pairs them with a handmade postcard featuring the inspirations behind each soap. I can’t wait to try the Egyptian inspired “Golden Girl” with scents of lavender, vanilla and black myrrh. Her blog is also filled with great photos, favorite Etsy finds and friendly humor.

I always love receiving and sharing meme awards, because it’s a great opportunity to see new blogs, introduce my favorite bloggers to each other, and check in with my sometimes neglected reading list to see what’s new. With the Kreativ Blogger Award, I also get a chance to share a little about myself. Here are the rules:

1. Post the award on my blog.
2. Thank the person who gave it to me.
3. Link to the person who gave this to me.
4. Share a list of 5 things that you probably don't know about me.
5. Choose 7 great bloggers to give the award to.
6. Share a link to their blogs.
7. Leave a comment on their blog.

So, here are five totally random facts about me:

- I absolutely adore summer. Summer sunlight seems to trap my memories more than anything else. Whenever the weather starts to warm up, I remember so many of my favorite moments.

English Bluebells photographed on a Mother's Day nature walk.

- I’m a terrible housekeeper. My house is only tidy when I have a few hours notice of company coming. I’d rather be beading or blogging than putting away toys and arranging cushions.

- I’m terrified of elaborate beadwork. I know that I could do it if I tried, but I just can’t bring myself to spare so many beads!

- Several years ago, I spent nearly 24 months creating a ‘Persistent World’ multiplayer video game on the Neverwinter Nights platform called Realms II. By the time I was done, interest in the game had started to dwindle, and I had no audience to share my creation with. One of my life’s biggest regrets is never being able to see others playing it.

- I love fashion. Ever since I saw an episode of Project Runway, clothing design has been a casual interest of mine. I have no sewing skills and no fashion sense, but I love seeing what others can do.

Thanks so much to Vicky for passing on the Kreative Blogger Award to Inspirational Beading. And now I’m sharing it with these great bloggers:

Additions Style - Inspiration Infused with Creativity = Limitless Possibilities
Artful Living on the Bluff with Cindy Caraway - Live Simply, Make Stuff, Play Music, Save the Planet
beadsandblooms
Cristina Amador Handcrafted Jewelry
Daisy Chain Jewellery with Jo Southampton
The Lemondrop Tree - Live in Your Imagination
My Everything Corner

These are some of my favorite blogs, for various reasons. They all provide a great reading experience with plenty of inspiration. Enjoy!

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and soapstar

Introducing The Empanda Blog Award

Receiving recognition, or a thumbs up from our peers is a wonderful feeling. When a fellow blogger receives a meme award, and chooses to pass it on to you, it’s a great compliment - a sign that you’ve been noticed and that your blog is pretty darn good.

Recently, I was inspired by some of my fellow blog artists to create an award of my own. The Empanda Award is named for the Roman goddess of kindness and generosity. Also referred to as Panda, her temples were true sanctuaries, and often distributed food to the needy instead of hoarding it.

The Empanda Blog Award is for bloggers who inspire us with their kindness and generosity. It is for bloggers who do good deeds, such as sharing their knowledge freely, or promoting the work of others.

I am giving the first official Empanda Blog Award to three very special bloggers, who have given me much reason to smile over the past few weeks. Their hard work and friendly nature are great examples to anyone who is trying to stand out in the realm of blogging. They are:

Marsha L. Wiest-Hines of Haute Ice Beadwork. Marsha is an amazing artist, with a flair for color and interesting techniques. You can see her work on Etsy, and among the Etsy BeadWeavers.

Christine Wilson of Christine’s Beadworks. Her designs are beautiful, and her blog is always filled with the work of artists she admires. You can see her work on Etsy, Artfire and Facebook.

Janet Trieschman, creator of The Craft Map. I can’t imagine how this lady ever gets any sleep - she’s always finding new ways to promote handmade artists and crafters. The Craft Map features links to some of the best handmade blogs, categorized lists for Twitter and Facebook, Artfire and Etsy groups, and a helpful Craft Forum.

The Empanda Award Rules:

The Empanda Blog Award is not a traditional meme, but a greeting card of sorts, for very special bloggers. There is absolutely no obligation to accept or pass on the award. Recipients are encouraged to display the Empanda badge on their blog, and link to the person who sent it, if desired.

To share the Empanda Award with others:

1. Write a blog post and ‘nominate’ one or more bloggers who have inspired you with kindness and generosity, and link to them.

2. Contact the bloggers via convo, email or blog comment, to let them know that they have received the award.

3. Include the Empanda Blog Award logo and rules in your post.

4. You do not have to be tagged or nominated to pass on the Empanda Blog Award - feel free to use it any time you want to recognize a great blogger!

I would like to thank Marsha, Christine and Janet for inspiring this award, for all of their hard work, and for their wonderful blogs!

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading

Poster Sketch: The Power of Sunshine

I was recently honored with my second Sunshine Blog Award, from Teresa of T.Rusk4u. I think that the award is very well named, since sending out nominations is a great way to brighten someone’s day. There is nothing like a burst of sunshine to inspire new energy and creativity.

The Sunshine Blog Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspires others in the blog world. The rules for accepting the award are:

1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.

3. Link to the nominees within your post.

4. Let them know they received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

This time around, I am nominating some of my favorite, newer bloggers, who are working hard to create memorable articles and journals for everyone to enjoy. My newbie Sunshine picks are:

Little Bear’s Mom
act natural * feel good
Joanniel Creations
Tres Belle Knits
Craft Dinner!
Gothic Soul Retreat
KSK Designs
Lovelies From Mihana

And a few of my favorite veteran bloggers:

Cutie Patootie Beads
Enchanted Beads
bstudio designs
The Art of Zen Crochet

To celebrate the Sunshine Award, this week’s Poster Sketch is a collection of bright and sunny designs. Many of these pieces are inspired by different solar deities such as Apollo. Others feature distinctly sun inspired shapes and colors.

Row 1:

Sun Man Brooch by Marynickydesigns
Apollo Earrings from XquisitebyLadyM
Garuda Earrings by Kezzmit
Distant Sun Lampwork Focal by EithneGlass

Row 2:

Inti Raymi Necklace by 7oh1jewelry
Surya Chandra Beaded Necklace by moondogtreasures
Antiqued Sun Shine Goddess Cabochon by sculptedwindows
Sterling Silver Sun Moon Necklace by abeadonawire

Row 3:

Grandfather Sun Ceremonial Necklace from theluckyfish
Colors of the Sun Lampwork Focal by WhitneyLassini
Swirly Sun Necklace by EquosDesigns
The Beaded Suns Dreamcatcher Necklace by Mariquez

Row 4:

Sunshine Ceramic Pin and Pendant by firedupladies
Topaz Sunflower Pendant by StickLizardDesigns
Red Sun Goddess Amulet by mysticorb
Rising Sun Medallion Necklace by TheJewelryChateau

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and Etsy.com

Poster Sketch: The Sunshine Award

Earlier this month I was treated to the Sunshine Award for inspiring bloggers, courtesy of Carolyn Good of 2 Good Claymates. It’s always exciting to receive an award from another blogger, and not only because of the compliment behind it. Following the trail of links left by each award is a great way to find new and interesting blogs to read and enjoy.

The rules for accepting the Sunshine Award are:
- Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
- Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
- Link the nominees within your post.
- Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I also love blog awards because it gives me a chance to have a good look at my reading list, visit my favorite blogs, and trim those that seem to be forgotten. These are some of the blogs that really stand out in the crowd:

A Little Precious
Jan Roger’s Blog for Mixed Media Art
Additions Style
Krafty Max Originals
Angelque Creations
Artful Living on the Bluff
Triz’s Beading Mania
Beadlust
Beadwright
Christine’s Beadworks
Foxan’s Beading Blog
Jesse Kate Designs

In honor of the Sunshine Award, this week’s Poster Sketch features 16 items from some of my favorite Etsy bloggers. This collection includes a few goodies that handmade sellers of all kinds would love.

Row 1:

Purple Pansy Buttons - by 2GoodClayMates
Zaggle Doll Beaded Rope Necklace - by daxdesigns
Art Deco Burgundy Candle Holder - by arosebyname
Green Arrowhead Pendant Necklace - by ambrosianbeads

Row 2:

Man in the Moon Pendant or Pin - by beadbabe
Lilly Pads Dichroic Glass Cabochon - by beadsforever
Wood Gift Tag Set - from cabin + cub
Orchid Brooch - by SFBeads

Row 3:

Blue Button Necklace - by beadsandbobs
Flamenco Flowers Choker - by Kerrie Slade
Gold Dip Star Dish - by Amy Esther
That Old Black Magic Necklace - by HauteIceBeadwork

Row 4:

Polka Dot Party Choker and Earrings - by Margot Potter
Copper Rose Necklace - by Kate Tracton
Spirit Doll - by The Bead Doodler
Life Collection Droplet Earrings - by The Beading Gem

Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and Etsy.com

Quick Inspiration: Superior Scribbler Award

There’s no better way to brighten someone’s day than to tell them - and the world - that you like what they do. I was thrilled recently to receive the prestigious Superior Scribbler Award, courtesy of Marsha of Haute Ice Beadworks. Thanks Marsha!

One of the things I really enjoy about these blog awards is getting the chance to stop and check in with other bloggers and see what they’ve been doing lately. Trying to pick five awesome blogs is a great excuse to put the rest of the world aside for awhile, sit down, and do some reading.

I’m passing on the Superior Scribbler to these excellent bloggers:

Lisa of A Bead a Day, for endless beady inspirations.

Valerie of Cabin + Cub, for wonderful photographs and images.

Zoya of Gem and Beaded Jewelry, for stunning designs and an expertise worth striving for.

Erin of Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere, for a totally unique reading experience.

And The Lone Beader, for her surprising, intriguing and exciting creations.

If you’re not following these blogs yet, take a moment or two to stop by and see what they’ve got to offer. I promise you’ll be impressed! Thanks also must go out to The Scholastic Scribe for creating this award.

Here are the rules:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit the post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor.

Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

If you're looking for great new blogs, there is already an immense list of excellent blogs to try out. Stop by and see what interests you. Happy reading everyone! Keep looking for inspirations wherever you go.

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading

Inspired Beaders: Mortira Plus Seven

I was doubly humbled and honored to receive the Premio Meme award this month from Jennie The Bead Doodler and Emma of Glitter Glow Beading. We beaders and jewelry designers are such a generous and tight-knit group. It seems that no matter where we’re from, or what we create, we always find a way to compliment and encourage each other.

The Premio Meme Award

The rules are simple. List seven facts about yourself and pass the award to seven worthy bloggers. I thought it would be fun to use some of my favorite Inspired Beader questions and do an autobiographical interview.




Seven Things About Mortira:

1. How did you first discover beading?

When I was younger, my mother filled up her free time with different crafty and creative hobbies. Every year or so she would find something new, such as stained glass or doll making. When she gave up doing Native American style leatherworking and bead embroidery, I inherited her entire stash. I only made a few seed bead strung necklaces and bracelets, but something inside of me had clicked.

Since then, I have always gravitated towards crafts with beads, until one day I discovered bead weaving. I picked up a beading calendar just for fun, and I’ve been completely hooked ever since.

2. What is your favorite source for ideas or techniques?

I really love to see what other artists are doing. I’m always watching the newsstand for the latest issue of my favorite beading magazines, and I try to visit blogs and forums whenever I’m not totally swamped. When I see an amazing project with a stitch, color or material I haven’t used in awhile, or that is new to me, I think about how to adapt it to my own style.

3. Do you have a favorite type of bead?

I have always been completely crazy about color-lined crystal 11/o seed beads. There’s something about their shine that really captures everything I love about beads. A few years ago I also discovered tinted color-lined seed beads, and found that there are endless possibilities for color and beauty with these little treasures. I think my all time favorite is black-lined red.

4. What is your favorite bead color combination?

I love to match black with green and/or coppery browns. I think the combination looks so elegant and regal. If I have an idea for a piece of jewelry that doesn’t require a special color palette to come together, chances are it will be black and green.

5. Where do you find the most inspiration?

I used to be obsessed with Ancient Egypt, and did a lot of beadwork in typical Egyptian color schemes and patterns. Now I find myself doing a lot of ocean-themed pieces. Living on the West Coast makes finding inspiration easy - there’s aquatic life and art everywhere. Not only are there so many gorgeous and wonderful sea creatures to imitate, it’s really easy to express the ideas and themes with beads. Even abstract work can easily be recognized for it’s aquatic undertones.

6. What is your favorite technique?

Whenever I’m inspired by color, the first thing I think of doing is spiral rope. I love it’s simplicity, and how easy it is to embellish, adapt, connect and stitch. If peyote stitch is a beader’s bread and butter, spiral rope is like salt and pepper - it goes with everything.

7. Who do you hope to inspire with your work?

I’ve made it my mission in life to help change the way people think about jewelry. The amount of value that is placed on gold and diamonds - with little thought to how they make it to our jewelry boxes - doesn’t exactly fit in with 21st century thinking. I hope that by making, wearing and selling handmade glass jewelry, that I can help to inspire more eco-friendly fashion trends.

Seven Inspired Beaders I Admire:

Jean Hutter of Bangles and Beads
BeadPixi
Beverly Ash Gilbert
Julieta Bisuteria
Beverly of No Easy Beads
Mei of Wire Bliss Mei
Ollee of Ooh Miss!

Copyright 2009 Inspirational Beading