The Bead Making Process

I thought I would share with you the process that I go through when I create polymer clay beads.

Making beads is something that I really enjoy doing. I realized recently that not many people have heard of polymer clay, let alone understand what goes in to making a bead.

After the clay is softend the first thing I do is chop the color(s) of clay in to small pieces. Then the clay is painted usually with black paint, sometimes silver, gold or bronze create a nice effect. This paint technique is the viening that creates a faux stone look.

When the paint is dry I then form the beads in to the desired shape. Many different types of tools are used to create the look I want to achieve.

The clay is then baked in an oven and cooled.

To remove the paint the beads are rinsed in alcohol then put through a series of sanding that takes about 48 hours.

When the beads are smoothed they are ready to be buffed. Each one is individually buffed by hand on a bench grinder and buffing wheel.

Each set is then beaded up and ready to be worn and enjoyed.

Be sure to check out my Cyber Monday sale starting at Midnight tonight. As always I welcome any questions or comments.

Until next time God bless

Thankful for my Dear Friends

I thought perhaps I would list off the things I am thankful for today.
After some consideration I decided it would take much to long to write and read. God has blessed my life in so many ways.

I have been thinking about friends lately. I am so thankful God has brought so many wonderful friends into my life. There was a time when my kids were young that friends were a bit scarce. Today I can tell you
I not only have one "best friend" but I have many. I know the thought of "best" indicates one but that just puts limits on the amazing group of people I call my "best" friends. Each relationship is as unique as the people in them. Some are closer than others but I call them all my best.

First ofcourse is my amazing husband. A true blessing to my life. He has been in my corner through thick and thin, rough and easy times. He is always "on my team" or I am "on his team", does'nt matter much because it's the same team!

My mom. We have a unique friendship that is rare. Since I was in highschool we have been more than mother and daughter. We have laughed till we cried and cried till we laughed. A true blessing.

My Sista! No she is not my sister but we get mistaken for sisters...and each other sometimes. I can't imagine sisters being closer. We think so much alike that it makes us laugh and so different that we don't kill each other. :) A better friend I challenge anyone to find.

I have an amazing friend that is a constant example of living out the call God has placed on her and her growing family.

Then there is the friend who I met when she was very young and perky. I now know that even then her testimony was amazing of what God has done and I see God use the talents and gifts He gave her. She leads people to worship Him and she leads people to the feet of Jesus to find answers for their lives.

One of my "bests" is an amazing cook, she will always tell you what she thinks and respect your opinion at the same time.

Another dear friend has seen excruciating pain over the last few months. The kind that makes even the strongest mom curl up in a ball in the corner, and yet she chooses to seek the Lord and praise Him.

Amazing people! I could go on and on. My friends if you don't recognize your self in these lines, please know you are on my mind and I am thankful for you too.

What does this have to do with beads, jewelry, and my business. Not much other than each of my friends have been such an encouragement and support to me.

Thanks guys for everything you mean to my life and know I thank the Lord for you. I pray that somehow I could bless your life a fraction of how you have blessed mine.

Happy Thanksgiving

Yikes Thanksgiving and Christmas Already

Ok it's true I love this time of year. Getting together with the fam, cozy fire place snuggles, and all the beautiful decor. Most of all I am reminded of the gift Jesus gave for me and how blessed I am.
With all of that said somebody put on the brakes!!!! I just finished protesting about summer being over. It can't be time for things to get even busier. With getting my business going and regular life happenings, I find even as I write this I am realizing that I have made life a bit too "busy".
Does anybody remember the booklet Tyranny of the Urgent? Well it's been a while but the jist from what I remember is we can get so caught up in what we think is urgent we miss what is needful. Sounds a bit like Mary and Martha. I guess the trick is finding a balance between what has to be done and what needs to be done. "Need" being sitting at the feet of the Father, spending time - real time - with family and friends and serving those in need.
So I guess the "Urgent" things will need to become the things that fall through the cracks. Oh life will continue, laundry will still be piled up and there will always be more beads and jewelry to make, but it's time for what's NEEDED.
Till next time have a happy Thanksgiving and Christmas season and I pray you are blessed with what you need.