Vintage Czech Glass Seed Bead/Natural Stone Necklace

Today is the day…well, actually yesterday was the day that I finally started to use my Czech beads.

I am thrilled.

In my first necklace, I used vintage (1940’s) mint pistachio glass seed beads.

I incorporated these beads in with other natural gemstone/stone beads to create a one-of-a-kind single- strand necklace.   All of my necklaces that I make are unique and one-of-a-kind.  I want each and every one to be special for the owner; the recipient of a gift; or, even, for myself.  I never use a pattern  as  each design is inspired by my natural surrounds and by  the natural stones that I use, and I never make duplicates…remember, one-of-a-kind.

What do you think?

If you have to have it, you can purchase it from my Etsy store, MtnGlen; that is, until someone else purchases the necklace I affectionately call ‘Spring Green’.  You will also find a more detailed description of all the other stones I used to create 'Spring Green' on the listing.

Visit my shop at www.etsy.com/shop/MtnGlen and you should be able to access my shop directly.  Thanks for taking a look!

 

Beautiful Beads

I am getting super anxious now…

Today, I just had to organize my newest batch of beads that I purchased.   I was ecstatic!

Unfortunately, my multi-purpose table, the place where I create my necklaces, is serving double duty at the moment.  I had just enough space to work with the newest of my beads, but not enough space to spread out my entire collection from which to choose as I make my bead choices. 

Why?

Well, even though I finished with my part of the tax paperwork, hubby has not.  He is still spread out on my table (well…it was actually my grandmother’s table before it became mine) as well as in the office and a few other in sundry places. 

I have got to get him in gear to finish the taxes.  I want my table space back.  I desperately need my table space back.                

 

WHEN AM I GOING TO GET MY WORK SPACE BACK????? - excuse the outburst!

Fortunately, I am happy just looking at my latest additions and dreaming of future, finished creations.

I can wait.  I have done so in the past; and, I am doing such now.



Gorgeous!!! 
And, you too, can own one of my my unique, one-of-a-kind necklaces
 made from natural gemstones/stones -
 inspired by my earthy, peaceful surroundings.

Cake Decorating Class Finale

My last cake decorating class culminated in utilizing all my new, learned cake decorating skills on my final cake.

I used the basket weave design to create a basket on the lower half of my cake top.  I added writing, ‘Happiness Forever’ above the basket.  I embellished the remaining areas with frosting roses and shell trim.  And, before I totally finished, I ran out of frosting - oh, well!

 

 

The result…amateurish at best; however, I had so much fun!  And, I indulged in way too much sugar; even for this carb-loving gal.

Now, I have the knowledge to take the skills I have learned to: practice them, improve them, accomplish them, and then utilize them to create decorated cakes from here on out. 

I am thrilled.

 My next endeavor…honestly, I just don’t know; nevertheless, there will be a next endeavor. 

Until then, I am anxious to get to back to making more necklaces.  I have all those fabulous new gemstones and antique beads waiting for me; and, they are non-caloric.

More Cake Decorating - Class Two and ClassThree

And, the decorating continues.
 

 

shell, writing, and rosette practice cake

 

After two more cake decorating classes, I continue to be thrilled with the techniques that I am in the process of perfecting.  Perfecting….yeah, right.  I am happy just to know the ‘how to’ for the shell trim, basket weave, rosettes, roses, and writing.  What more do I need to know?  After all, up until a few weeks ago, I would frost a cake, badly I might add, throw a bit of colored sprinkles across the top, and call it good.  I have improved.  And, the results, not perfect by any scope of the imagination, but a bit more creative.

basket weave practice plate

shell border and writing practice plate

 

As with most skills/talents in life…practice, practice, practice is crucial to further technique.

and, the practice continues...

So, I keep practicing.  If I would have started this decorating process 35 years ago, I would have been an accomplished cake decorator by now.  Alas, that did not happen.  The positive side is that I get to learn a new skill now…how fun!

 



Head of the Class



basket weave on practice cake

 Quick...eat the cake to destroy the evidence of a poorly decorated cake!

 

My current status is still quite novice, but I will practice, practice, practice until I can decorate and offer a presentable, well-adorned cake.  And, I repeat… presentable, not perfect.

my third practice cake
I discovered that if I make a monochromatic decorated cake,
the mistakes are hidden.
This frosting was way too thick to cooperate with my abilities.

Check out my first attempt at roses (see above 'Happy')...I call them wildflowers!

 

Look out Cake Boss…here I come! HAHAHA

 

 

 

More Beads

OK, OK, OK….

I know I promised myself that I would not purchase any new supplies in which to continue to make more of my natural gemstone necklaces until I made some sales; but,…I just could not help myself.

The natural gemstones/stones that I use to create my original, no pattern, no copy, no duplication designs are fabulous; and, I just wanted to pad my supply so that I could expand my future design options.

My newest supply arrived three days ago.  Yes, I looked and drooled over every new bead choice, but I refrained from beginning even one necklace.

Why?  I placed another self-imposed limitation on my special and much adored creative time.  Before I begin having fun, I have to finish my 2012 tax paperwork - ugh!

But, I can still embrace and dream and gawk during my many breaks from said, boring task.

So, I am sending you a pre-head’s up to watch for my newest compositions. My pencil is working at warp speed.

Cake Decorating

Well, true to form, I always have to try something new.  This time… cake decorating.

I had a desire to decorate cakes from watching The Next Great Baker and Cupcake Wars programs on television, but not passionate enough about it to place said desire on my priority ‘to do’ list.

My daughter gave me a decorating set for Christmas in 2011.  The set sat in a kitchen drawer because I had no idea where to begin. The set included 14 different decorating tips, a flower nail, a cake tester, two plastic reusable decorating bags, a coupler, a spatula, a smoother/decorating comb, and food coloring (4 colors),  but no directions. So, I had all the 'stuff', but I did not know how to use any of it.

I asked a friend, a real pro at cake decorating, if she was planning any classes.  I never received an answer after several inquiries; so, I assumed she was too busy actually making cakes for her business.

Eventually, I decided to go online and check out the current class schedule for a nearby municipal parks and recreation department.  This is the place where I got my start in making my necklaces.  And, you know how successful that class was since I am now selling my never-ending creations.  A cheese-making class was offered which I thought I might like.  And, a soap-making class which I thought my friend Ann would like.  Then, I saw it on the list; Beginner Cake Decorating…class registration due by January 28^th.  It was now February 4^th, a Friday and late at night to boot.  I thought about that class all weekend.

On Monday morning, I decided to call and see if it was still possible to register for the class which started on the very next day.  It was, I did and I prepared for my class which called for bringing an 8” cake to the first class.

I rarely make cake, and I never make an 8”; I usually make an easy 9” X 13” pan cake.  Maybe I should have taken a cake baking class first????

In any case, during that first class, I learned the proper technique for frosting a cake, the foundation for decorating, which I never knew.  If I did, I would have no problem baking those 8” layer cakes.  The problem was not so much in the baking as it was in the frosting sliding down the side of the cake.  Now, that problem is solved.  Then, we students went on to learn our first decorating techniques:  writing, such as Happy Birthday, and making a shell border around the edge and base of the cake.

Heaven, my instructor, preparing
the class supplies and tools.




Heaven demonstrating 'writing'
on a cake top.

I was sold, I was impressed.  I could stop here and be very satisfied with my new found cake decorating skills.  But, there is more to learn.  I keep practicing on plastic-covered cardboard cake rounds or even on plates.  I seem to do my best work off cake; I guess I am under less pressure when I am not actually working on a ‘real’ cake.

 

 



My first attempt at decorating
a REAL cake - not too bad, right?
Now, for the taste.....

Come back and visit to see my progress.

My Czech Beads Have Arrived

My order of glass Czech vintage/antique beads arrived today…from the Czech Republic!

 

They are so beautiful. Each bead sparkles and shines as it catches even a hint of light. My mind is already spinning as I think of new necklaces that I wish to design.

 

Until now, I thought I was only going to use natural gemstone beads in my handcrafted necklaces. I wanted to use materials that were earthy and genuine.  But, these beads are so fabulous; I am rethinking the benefit of other materials, especially these glass beads. I can appreciate many wonderful combinations of natural stone beads linked with a sprinkling of these glittering pieces of glass; not to go unmentioned, the fact that my Czech heritage is bolstered.

 

Initially, I bought a very limited supply of the Czech beads because I did not know what to expect…near perfection is a reason to purchase more; and, I will.

 

Until then, I have to get over my infatuation with these magnificent beads so that I can actually utilize them in my conceptions rather than collect and protect them. 

 

 

Keep watching…these beads will find a home in some new necklace creations soon!

 

I Just Had To

Yep...I took the plunge, the next step, went over the edge....yes, I ignored my bead budget and ordered some Czech glass beads directly from the Czech Republic (the current name of a smaller-sized Czechoslovakia - this country has seen many border changes, as well as having many name changes).

 

Now, I wait. 

 

I have no idea how long it takes to ship, as small as it is, order from the Czech Republic.  Does not matter, I will patiently wait in anticipation.

 

The few beads I ordered were considered 'vintage' and 'antique'.  The vintage beads were made in the 1960's and the antique beads were made prior to/around 1930.  My order was small.  But, if I am satisfied with the beads, I will order more.  They are just too beautiful in the photos.

 

I will include photos of the beads on their arrival.  Until then,

 

I wait.

Hiatus

I am currently on hiatus from creating my one-of-a-kind beaded necklaces.

 

Why?

 

Initially, I wanted to bead necklaces for my own use and to give as gifts to family and friends.  With that accomplished, I just could not stop beading.  I was addicted.

 

Now, my inventory is large enough for me to be in the proverbial hole financially from the purchase of the supplies for these necklaces. I have the necklaces listed for sale on Etsy (see my site directly at www.etsy.com/shop/MtnGlen - you might have to try to access several times before you actually reach my site - technology?), but the competition to garner even a look at 'my store' is tremendous. I have sold two necklaces to date to the same purchaser. The sales were months apart.  I am taking that fact as a show of customer satisfaction.  Still…a slower start than I anticipated - ugh!

 

 I cannot justify spending more money, going further into the red, until I sell a few more necklaces.  After all, my happiness in making these necklaces is not a valid argument to continue.  Well….at least, not a totally valid argument.

 

Currently, I have primarily been using natural gemstones/stones for my creations.  I have included some porcelain/ceramic beads for extra color.  I am thinking of adding Czech glass beads soon.  Those Czechs are not only well-known for all their glass work, but my heritage is Czechoslovakian.  How can I steer clear of such an obvious choice for future bead use? I cannot!

 

 

The natural gemstones are called natural because their color has not been enhanced.  Many gemstone beads have their color and durability enriched by several means: dye, heat, irradiation, and coating to name a few. These procedures are not bad; I just consider them artificial, more akin to imitation or manmade beads.  Of course, all beads serve a particular purpose for each artist.  I just prefer to use the natural beads in my present designs.

 

And, there is always an exception…turquoise.  I do use turquoise from time to time and turquoise is always enhanced; either stabilized or dyed and stabilized due to its inherent softness.  Turquoise has to be stabilized for use as an element of jewelry-making.  So, I have made the decision to use this enhanced stone within several of my necklaces.  To me, there was no other option.

 My hiatus has to be short-lived.  I just enjoy making these gems (pun intended) too much to stop for any length of time. 

 

Time to go…I feel the urge to bead!




 

WELCOME

Welcome to Stillmountain Serenity...my personal creativity forum.

A new year, a new adventure....

This is the place where I intend to document my fun, creative side...come along if you wish for your own personal entertainment, inspiration, or whatever the need.

Comments are definitely encouraged and appreciated.

What can you anticipate?  Well, read "About Me' to get a glimpse of my current interests and my future direction. My goal is to have FUN!

My family's farm life is already being shared in the blog, mountainglenfarm.blogspot.com.  Check out that site for the reality of country living and farming at Mountain Glen Farm.

And, enjoy!