Here is the info which I took from Lori Anderson's blog page:

The colors are calling me to come out and play again already!
In fact, I have already put up the widget for this party on my sidebar! <--hey, there I go again with one of those strange statements I would never have imagined myself saying ten years ago!
If you want to get the whole scoop on Lori's wonderful parties... and believe it or not, this upcoming one will be her fourth!!!...please stop by her beautiful blog spot regularly, here:
and check for upcoming details. You will also get a feel for the one which just ended, with over 200 participants! 
Lori has a terrific jewelry store also! I have noted the site at the bottom of this entry!
Additionally, Lori has another blog, very worth reading.
So you can see, she is quite a phenomenon, and it is in an outstandingly thoughtful and beautiful way.
Lori gives and because of this, the whole world just flat out loves Lori.
Count me in! I am so delighted I am getting to know her. She's amazing.

So here are her sites/blogs for you to enjoy:

Do not miss them!

http://www.lorianderson.net

http://www.prettythingsblog.com

http://www.AnArtistsYearOff.com

thank you, Lori, you are super!!!--jean

Purple Haaze, first snow  a mohair custom Blythe by A Dong



Beadbloggers!



Beads & Books
Do you use buttons in your jewelry? Michelle is hosting a Button Swap. Sign up to get a partner, trade buttons, and create something!

Cindy Gimbrone, the Lampwork Diva
Do you use any sewing techniques in your jewelry? Come see what Cindy's sewn up!  

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
A fun find at an antique store uncovers new inspiration with some women's medicinal history and a crazy folk song  

Lorelei's Blog: Inside the Studio
After a very busy couple of weeks, Lorelei finally has time to share some pictures from a recent trip to Spain! 

Snap out of it, Jean, There's beading to be done!
Come and see what the amazing Kim Miles has been up to as Winter turns to Spring--You will love it!  

The Bead Dreamer
Inspired by the poet Rumi and a gorgeous pendant from Green Girl Studios, Charlene creates a necklace using beads, fiber, a button - and of course - the pendant.  

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Want to win some FREE ImpressArt metal stamps from PJ Tool & Supply? Andrew hosts another Thursday Giveaway with a prize valued over $70!  

A Bead A Day
Expressing her love for daisies, Lisa uses scrapbooking embellishments to make a quick and cheerful bracelet!  

About.com Jewelry Making
Winter white can mean bitter cold or a beautiful double strand pearl and matte glass bracelet.  

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene gets your creative juices flowing with a treasury inspired by the monthly challenge painting.

Hi! I received these great beads from Amy Freeland!:

Then I had to think a LOT about how to emphasize the terrifically interesting and sophisticated complexity of the colors she had chosen. I consider this a very cool palette of colors, and a great collection of materials. I think she did a SUPER great job making her enamel beads and her felt balls. I really wanted to do a good job using the accent beads as well because they were challenging to me, in the sense that I wanted them to be an important part of the design. The lavender glass squares have tiny hints of gold in them which go nicely with the color of the copper. The black rondelles were perfect to play off of those, so I tried to see if I could make a second strand of beads using the cool black olive shaped black glass beads as well, which would suit my main strand. I loved the Swarovski Crystallized Elements bicone mix and found it to be a perfect size and compliment to the other beads. Nothing says awesome like a few Swarovskis in a jewelry design as far as I am concerned!

Amy made her beautiful beads and chose her collection which she sent to me extremely carefully and mindfully, in my opinion.

I was challenged to use copper by Lori, when I said that I prefer silver and pewter. However, there wasn't a second when I was making the chain of copper when I wasn't excited and engaged in what I was doing.

When I was ready to lay out the design, I discovered that I am just as in love with copper, when made as ebulliently and appealingly as Amy makes it, and just as in love with beads which go with the soft blush of copper tones, as I am with silver!

Thank you to Lori for having this party and THANK YOU to Amy for being the best Bead Soup Blog Party partner I can imagine!    

Follow the Bouncing Ball, designed by Jean Yates
copper enameled beads and felt beads by the fabulous Amy Freeland of Copper Diem on Etsy

for the Bead Soup Blog Party, conceived and created by Lori Anderson !  Participants listed below!

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life 

3.  Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane 

4.  Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio

5.  Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

6.  Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

7.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

8.  Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

9.  Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto

10.  Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

11.  Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas

12.  Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts

13.  Marian Hertzog, M's Place

14.  Mary McGraw, MK's Musings

15.  Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita

16.  Deci Worland, Gem Trails 

17.  Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

18.  Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs

19.  Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

20.  Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats

21.  Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs

22.  Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim 

23.  Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu

24.  Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads

25.  Deb Hunter, Living On Air

26.  Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio

27.  Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads 

28.  Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

29.  Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts

30.  Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

31.  Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie's Sammelsurium

32.  Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus

33.  Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble

34.  Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design

35.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

36.  Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs

37.  Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works

38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl's Insights

39.  Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire

40.  Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio

41.  Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack's

42.  Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

43.  Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya 

44.  Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

45.  Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles 

46.  Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig  

47.  Amanda Davie, Articulations

48.  Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady

49.  Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux

50.  Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
51.  Lori Dorrington, Lori's Glassworks

52.  Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles

53.  Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde

54.  Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel's Blog

55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning

56.  Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

57.  Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio 

58.  Amy Freeland, Copper Diem

59.  Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa

60.  Sandi Lee James,  Do Be Do Bead Do

61.  Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog 

62.  Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon

63.  Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs

64.  Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

65.  Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

66.  Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.

67.  Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash

68.  Laurel Steven, Rue's Daftique

69.  Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver

70.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

71.  Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey

72.  Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

73.  Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix

74.  Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems

75....you are here!

76.  Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium 

77.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art 

78.  Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden  

79.  Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

80.  Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook

81.  Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy

82.  Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

83.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

84.  Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

85.  Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries

86.  CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka

87.  Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae

88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy

89.  Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations

90.  Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss

91.  Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous 

92.  Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Bead 

93.  Nally Parfyonova, Nally's Creations 

94.  Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof  

95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio 

96.  Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

97.  Cindy Dolezal,  Cindy Dolezal Designs 

98.  Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

100.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

101.  Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio

102.  Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong's Creations 

103.  Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios

104.  Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore

105.  Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

106.  Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky

107.  Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

108.  Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs

109.  Grace Danel,  Grace Beading

110.  Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman

111.  Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe 

112.  Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 

113.  Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs

114.  Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me

115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf

116.  Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer

117. Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles 

118.  Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie 

119.  Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart 

120.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs 

121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven 

122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings  

123.  Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass 

124.  Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks 

125.  Hazel Ward, All Those Things 

126.  Brenda Salzano, Salzanos 

127.  Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee 

128.  Anna Denisova, Anita-M 

129.  Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry

130.  Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads 

131.  Penny Neville, Copper Penny

132.  Angela Blasingame, Hopemore

133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H's Blog

134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs

136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies  

137.  Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art

138.  Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.

139.  Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter

140.  Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy

141.  Heather Pyle, Welcome to My  Muse

142.  Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

143.  Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts

144.  Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear's Nonsense

145.  Loretta Carstensen, Loretta's Boutique

146.  Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads 

147.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul 

148.  Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me  

149.  Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog 

150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

151.  Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T

152.  Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals

153.  Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area 

154.  Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta

156.  Nicole Keller, Nicki's Reef

157.  Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

158.  Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color 

159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman 

160.  Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory

161.  Collette Collins, Firefly Myst

162.  Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed

163.  Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu

164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio 

165.  Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra

166. Anna Motz, Stunning

167.  Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings

168.  Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

169.  Lisa Boucher, Lisa's Clay Happenings

170.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

171.  Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones

172.  Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs 

173.  Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass 

174.  Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre  

175.  Julie Nordine, Julie Nordine | Credit River Art Glass 

176.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Blog

177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio

178.  Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're

179.  Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

180.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

181.  Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art

182. Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen 

184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink

185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin 

186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer

187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels 

188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry 

189.  Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos

190.  Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.

191.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

192.  Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini

194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse

195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between

196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets

197.  Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts

198.  Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs

199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200.  Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend

201.  Christine Damm, Stories They Tell

202.  Kerry Bogert, Kab's Creative Concepts

203.  Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs

204.  Juli Cannon, Julsbeads

205.  Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique

206.  Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry

207.  Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads

208.  Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love

209.  Dana Jones, Dana's Jewelry

210.  Shirley Moore, Homeschooling Life

I have to say I have had so much fun doing this that I would not have missed it for the world!

--jean

The next party's sign ups begin August 1-3, 2011.  Don't miss it!

from Lori Anderson's blog:

The soup is nearly done.....

Bead Soup, that is!  Enough for the huge party THIS SATURDAY!

Click here to see the blog hop list.

Click here to see the amazing world map of partiers.

Click here to see what you can win if you visit me on Sunday!

Did you miss out on this Bead Soup Blog Party?

Email me by clicking here to be alerted of sign ups for the next party.

(Sign ups will be August 1-3, so mark your calendars now!)

--Lori is the greatest! I am so excited!!!--jean

some of you know I love pink--but Kim offers her steel jewelry in all sorts of colors and styles! I just chose these two photos from her site because I adore her skills,  which you can see easily in these two designs, The earrings are using wrapped stones and the bracelet  uses her soft glass beads. Both to knockout effect! *big sigh* at lusciousness !!!



Kim Miles, Kim Miles!!!, nothing she does is less than original and stunning. I have the utmost respect for her both as a jewelry designer and as an artisan. She could have lived at any time, in any age, and sold her wares to the finest of nobles. That we get to purchase them today at reasonable prices is a source of amazement to me.
Lately, her most recent venture combines a glorious metal which is beautiful and tough, hammered steel, with her own beads, rough cut gemstones, or brilliant CZs.
see this particular site where she is selling these, Alchemy Jewelry Studios 

Every time I visit recently,  I realize that she has truly burst forth with a fantastic message for all of us: the life forces of nature which have been lying dormant all winter are ready to blossom at any time once again.  For example,we have seen our first daffodils here in NY. Hooray!
This makes me think even more: Wow! We should bedeck ourselves with Kim's amazing creations and express our joy at the turning of the seasons.

This is a time of year which I love.

I never know what will happen at this time! It is very exciting.

With Kim as my guide, I can anticipate the most wonderful things due to her phenomenal ability to create one of a kind designs.

I hope you visit her site and  enjoy seeing (and purchasing) the lovely, reasonably priced pieces of jewelry which she is offering today!
You will not regret it. I know, because everything I own from Kim is a treasure. Additionally,  she moves like a light breeze,  always creating ever new items, with new concepts, which strike her fancy. They are always perfect and they are never around for long! 

here is Fiona , a Princess Q Pot, wearing  some earrings I made of Swarovski Crystalized components, outfit by scintillatingdollies, hairdo apparently by the guitar playing blonde from "Friends"--what was her name??? This getting old business this is getting preeeeeeety old!


BEADBLOGGERS!

Beads & Books
Michelle shares a behind-the-scenes look at her work doing technical edits on a jewelry magazine.

Carmi's Art/Life World
A new bronze pendant from Artbeads.com inspired this new necklace from Carmi.  

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
Cindy shares her "DO" for the week. Come take a look!  

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie explores the old craft of paper quilling in an experiment combining the technique with resin for jewelry.

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean reviews a comforting and beautiful book for beaders which she herself has often turned to as a "bridge over troubled waters": Beading for the Soul, by Deborah Cannarella

The Bead Dreamer
Book Review: Steel Wire Jewelry. Love alternative materials and modern, whimsical jewelry design? This book is a must have. Project one is an earring wardrobe! Read the review in full.  

The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
Andrew gets in touch with his inner "Calder" and hammers some wire with Kate McKinnon and Dustin Wedekind.  

A Bead A Day
A 1 minute jewelry project? Lisa shares a swarovski component that can be used to make a SPARKLY ring! 


About.com Jewelry Making
For gemstone fanatics, earrings are the perfect way to enjoy fast projects that include all their favorite stones.

Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene loves a wall of beads. Stop by and see if you don't love it too!

As some of you know, it isn't always easy here at our house. Lately we have been going though a difficult time and this book immediately came to mind as a book to share with you to comfort you if you find beading spiritually uplifting, as I do.It gives me peace and solace and helps me meditate without consciously attempting to meditate.  I recommend this book for anyone who is going through a troubled time or who just wants to keep a beautiful beading book around which encourages comforting thoughts. When my father died in 2005, I purchased this book. I made a pin, which I riffed off or a project in this book,  using milagros (not that my Dad was Hispanic--he was Scottish)
(*Milagros (also known as an ex-voto or dijes) are religious folk charms that are traditionally used for healing purposes and as votive offerings in Mexico, the southern United States, other areas of Latin America, as well as parts of the Iberian peninsula. They are frequently attached to altars, shrines, and sacred objects found in places of worship, and they are often purchased in churches, cathedrals or from street vendors.
Milagros come in a variety of shapes and dimensions and are fabricated from many different materials, depending on local customs. For example, they might be nearly flat or fully three dimensional; and they can be constructed from gold, silver, tin, lead, wood, bone, or wax. In Spanish, the word milagro literally means miracle or surprise.--from Wikipedia)
... and as I made it, I healed, slowly. I have the pin still. It is a symbol of my love for my father, and I was able to create it by learning how to do it from this book, Beading for the Soul.
Now, as we are going through further troubles here, I am confident that this remarkable book will assist me once again.--jean

One of my most cherished beading books. This review is from 2005

Beading for the Soul

by Deborah Cannarella

If you, like me, find that when you are creating pieces of jewelry you are released from everyday cares and nourished by what you are doing, then you will understand instantly what makes this book special.

I have been making jewelry for some time now, but I have never consciously tried to figure out what it is about the process of creating the things that I make that I find so replenishing.

Beading for the Soul explains in separate sections (for example: "Beading for Protection", "Beading for Good", Beading for Prayer") what it is that we are doing when we pick up a bead and SAY something with it. I was wowed by this book. I finally understood why someone like me, who has a love of beauty but also has a need for quiet, introspective time (as a parent of children with disabilities) would want to really come forward and express myself. Put me under the heading of "Beading for Healing". The author, Deborah Cannarella, has a chapter titled that. Yes, put me there, and put this book in your cart if you wish to understand why you are doing what you do when you bead. It is a beautiful book in every sense of the word, anyway. Lovely photos, moving stories from the artists, and inspiring projects. I am grateful I chose this book as one of my New Year's gifts to myself.

JEWELS,  a PD Tokyo Blythe

BEADBLOGGER'S SUNDAY!



Art Bead Scene
Art Bead Scene unveils the February monthly challenge.

Beads & Books
Michelle shares the bracelet she made for 7000 Bracelets for Hope. There's still time to make and donate a denim blue bracelet for this great cause.

Carmi's Art/Life World
This week Carmi has a hand felted heart brooch to celebrate Canadian Valentines!  

Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
Finding the perfect findings can be difficult. Here are some suggestions.  

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie uses metallic resin clay to solve a design problem of altering antique buttons to make them into charms and links.  

Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean got some super wonderful beads from Amy Freeland , her Bead Blog Soup Party partner, and shares some photos of them and some thoughts with her readers here!  

The Bead Dreamer
Bead Soup starts to simmer in Charlene's studio  

About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy has a new book review out, this one for a book on making ceramic jewelry.  

A Bead A Day
Lisa shares a great new beading resource that has just hit the shelves!! It's Tammy Powley's new book, "The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making"!  

having a family crisis--will be offline for a while

jean

Amy's handmade beads, above--love love love!!!

The whole fantastic shebang! What fun I shall have with these!


I was so thrilled to be partnered with an actual bead maker for the Bead Soup Blog Party. I simply design using beads, love them, and do research on them. I have only MADE a few beads and clasps in my life, and therefore I have the utmost respect for people who actually create the objects d'art which I dream of owning.

Amy made me a fantastic copper hammered enameled focal ( she sells similar discs from her store Copper Diem on etsy)  and some awesome enameled accent beads,  all of them in sensuous hammered copper with lovely lustrous colored enamel coating them. She also made some great colorful  felted balls ...the perfect 3D shape to go with the enamel discs and bring some depth to the collection for me to have fun with!
Then she sent me a  completely cool bunch of other beads to go with her own handmade creations, and wrote me this lovely note:

(PS  she has very artistic handwriting--I admire that,  as I am a lefty and have the handwriting of a dyslexic five year old. Plus she used an actual ink pen, where I tend to use a crayon I feel lucky to have located in the kitchen drawer )

Amy wrote:

Dear Jean-
Hope you like what I've selected!
The enameled ones and felt beads are made by me.
The rest are glass & a bag of Swarovski beads.
I got the little flower clasp at a local bead shop this week and hope you like it.
Cheers!

Amy

Well I DO like it Amy, and thanks so much! You have painted me a jewelry design inspiration with your wonderful color palette and your fantastic shape choices.

xox jean

This gorgeous smiling woman is my Bead Soup Blog Party partner and I really love her! Amy Freeland!  She is everything perfect I could want in a partner, and this interview will show you why!  I wrote her last night and she responded so brilliantly! She made my questions look good.  She is flat out SUPERGREAT! My questions are in italics, her answers are in regular type. To know her is to love her.

Interview with Amy Freeland of Copper Diem:

1) Amy, could you give me and my blog readers a little bit of background info on you, such as where you grew up  and whether your family encouraged you to be creative? I am so curious to know more about you! Just go anywhere in your thoughts with this.

I grew up in Ventura County, California, and have lived in San Bernardino county for about 10 years now. We weren't a very "artsy" family, but I did banging out short stories on an old typewriter when I was a kid, and my parents were really encouraging about that. 

2) what are your great loves? what do you love to do?  Has your affection for these things evolved recently or are they things you have always enjoyed?

Well, first and foremost my husband, family and friends. In terms of "non-people" loves, I love beads & making jewelry & enameling, reading, photography, gardening, good food, wine and travel. My hobbies have definitely evolved - 10 years ago I was obsessed with making candles and soap. But, I feel like my interests have a kinda natural progression.

3) What is your favorite color?

 I couldn't possibly pick, I love them all.

4) what is your favorite tool?

Hmmm, my favorite enameling tool is my kiln. Don't really have a favorite beading tool.

5) if you were a cup, what  would you look like--FIRST THOUGHTS, only please.

 A thick, pottery mug. The big kind with a big handle and thick walls that is perfect for coffee on a cold morning. All comfy and homey. The mug equivalent of pajamas LOL

[note from jean: this is a thing I do to gain insight into what a person's ego and personality are subconsciously like. Amy's response is so delightful and wonderful--she is such a REAL person! So nice and easy to be around]

6) are you a family, dog, cat person? all three? 

We don't have any kids, dogs, cats, etc. And I REALLY like it like that. Houseplants are about as maternal as I get. Although I do love spoiling nephews & nieces and godkids.

7) what is your favorite season and why?

The summers here in San Bernardino county are horrid - hot dry and windy. So I love fall, when it starts to get cooler and the leaves change. I also love spring too though, with the new leaves and rains and flowers.

8) why do you have two etsy stores, if I may ask,  and what is your contact info for them?

Copperdiem.etsy.com is my enameled copper components shop

greenbead.etsy.com is my jewelry shop.

I have two shops because I thought they would get kinda different audiences and could be marketed differently. Plus, I've had the greenbead shop for a long time, but really loved the phrase "copper diem" LOL

[note from jean--I got treated to copper diem pieces and will post photos shortly! Amy is extremely talented!]

9) what was it that called out to you to urge you to sign up for this really fun Bead Soup Blog Party which Lori of Pretty Things created?

I did the last one in May, which was a TON of fun and a great way to meet new beady people and find new blogs. In fact, I started my blog for the sole purpose of doing the bead soup, and I am so glad I did. [note from jean--it is a great blog! see address below at bottom of this post]

10) if you could have just three words to describe yourself, what would they be? do not be modest, I am interested and want the true  TRUTH! 

exuberant, creative, and colorful.[<-- jean: love this!]

11) finally, if you could have a wish granted  what would you wish for? Just for fun

And I can be selfish and not wish for world peace? endless bead money! Just kidding. I'm pretty content - I'd wish for that to continue!

Amy, you are a dream come true. Thanks  for your great beads, and thanks for being you! Lori knows how happy I am to be your partner cause I wrote to her and told her.

--jean

Amy's blog is here: Copper Diem

So one of my kids with autism (yes, Robert) picked the Packers, so Jim and I went with the Packers, and I went for a walk down memory lane.
I spoke to the real Rainman--(remember the gambling subplot?) (the major fellow with autism the movie was based on--there were several people with autism combined and used as Rainman)  by phone during a radio show. His actual specialty was sports and dates,  I was the first caller who got through, as you KNOW I can be very determined!  

He had a unique way of speaking--his cadence was all "off" and he had a high laugh, but it was OK anyway. He had his devoted father with him (sort of cute) . Knowing his areas of expertise, I double checked the answers before I called and one of the questions I asked was "what was the date of Reagan's 2nd inauguration?" <--I had been there. My uncle was in the Cabinet as Sec.of Commerce.

 He immediately told me, also told me that the Superbowl was held the same weekend, and also told me the exact weather temperature, which was so cold the Inaugural parade had to be cancelled  (my Uncle was crushed  because he was a ranked rodeo rider--he is in the Professional Rodeo Hall of fame--he was a cowboy all his life--he used to practice roping when we were little by roping us as we ran wildly around screaming with joy )

and had planned to ride his horse alongside his rode riding pal John Connelly --the gov who was with Kennedy in the car when K. was shot-- in the Inaugural parade). This was my incredibly fine uncle, Malcolm Baldrige. He was an extraordinary person. He died in office in a rodeo accident later on at Connelly's ranch, training for an upcoming rodeo. A freak accident.

Mac Baldrige was one of the best men I have ever known (um, despite the fact that he was a staunch Republican as was/is everyone in my family but me--I am an Independent). Totally upright and honest, Malcom Baldrige and my dad Bob, his younger brother taught me everything I know about being good. Their younger sister Tish achieved great fame as well as Mac -- she  was social secretary at the White House for Jackie Kennedy--she switched  temporarily to "being a Democrat" for that stint in her career, and she is the most famous famous etiquette expert of our time, Letitia Baldrige.

Uncle Mac and my Dad Bob instilled in me every ethical value I possess. My hero is Abe Lincoln and this is due to my upbringing. We were never punished for dishonesty, we were simply expected to be good people. I never was dishonest, in fact the only time I was dishonest was when I was a kid and went to confession. We are Catholic. I never did anything wrong so I had to make up "sins" in the confessional booth so the priest could absolve me and I would then make a good act of contrition. I would say things like,"last week, I took the name of the Lord in vain", etc. I found it agonizing to do this. I was too young to realize that if I hadn't  done anything wrong I didn't have to go to confession. However at the time you couldn't take Communion unless you had gone to confession. It was a Catholic Catch-22, all right.

As a kid, if the change in a public phone fell out because the coin box was full, I would attempt to reach an operator and inform her that I was going to put it back in. Then I would proceed to stuff it back in.

I expect honesty of the highest sort from others, in turn.  

I am writing you all this because the last time a Superbowl was important to me, indeed  it was on the Inaugural weekend which  was that 2nd Reagan Inauguration, and I was there at the Inauguration. I was in my early thirties and I had a ball. Mr T

 was there, Ray Charles sang America at one of the parties, which was televised, I stayed in a fantastic hotel with people like Gregory Hines and his entourage
--he had dreadlocks at the tome and a huge fur coat and was an incredible sight to see--what presence!  There were jellybeans all over the place because Reagan liked them. Reporters from the Today show, and stars--David Hasselhoff (Knightrider)

 and Pierce Brosnan (Remington Steele at the time)

 were there and I flounced over to their table at a brunch and forced them  to allow me to pose with them for a photo, with their wives. I was the only person tacky enough to do this! Everyone else was being so cool tripping over Hollywood's finest. Whatever that may be. hahaha!!!!

My Uncle Mac was awarded a medal of honor posthumously when he died, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Baldrige,_Jr. His funeral was at the National Cathedral with Billy Graham speaking at the Service as well as Reagan.

my uncle Mac, far right, discussing the VERY important issue of proper treatment of animals at rodeos

There is also an award in his name presented yearly. The Malcolm Baldrige Business Award: see this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Baldrige_National_Quality_Award  It is awarded every year to an American company ...one which has been shown to be an asset to our country for whatever reason, It is considered a great honor to get this award and no matter what president is in office, Democrat or Republican this tradition continues each year. I am always slightly annoyed when my own dad, who was the most wonderful person in the world, is never mentioned in these links I have cited, but  he changed our name to Baldridge after WWII --he was sick of everyone spelling Baldrige "Baldridge", with an extra D. THIS IS TYPICAL OF MY DAD.  Tish and Mac agreed to do it too, and they never did!  This is so idiotic that every time I see their names misspelled, "Baldridge"  I have to laugh.My Aunt even had one of her books come out with Baldridge on the spine of the cover. Boy did that frustrate her! HAHAHA! My Dad had in fact done the sensible thing, even if slightly eccentric.

I think I am compelled to put this up on my blog today. I have never quite gone in this direction down memory lane before.

Hope I didn't bore you all to death. 

My father adored our autistic kids (as well as all my sons). He would visit regularly until he died and Robert would throw himself upon my dad's lap and knock the wind out of him hugging him (Robert is big) and Dylan would race past him and steal his bacon in the blink of an eye which always made my father laugh in delighted surprise at breakfast at our house. My father was the embodiment of love and was never jealous of his more famous siblings because he was just so terribly GOOD, and so very proud of them as well. It took me years to understand how he could be so happy for them and just never be jealous. Until his death he took loving care of the medal of honor my uncle received, carefully at his home. My dad, Bob, was the greatest Baldridge of all the Baldriges! 

jean

PS: Mac loved singing and could play the guitar a bit, he like the song, "You are my Sunshine". He could not hold a tune and it was quite cute to hear him sing. We even have a report card from when he was a kid in Nebraska, from his music teacher, who said somethng like "Mac is very enthusiastic, but simply cannot carry a tune". 

Myth: a custom alpaca teal hair rerooted Blythe vampire, on "Team Edward" of course

The title of this is : "What Vampire Blythes do in their  free time"

she has her cell phone ready in case Edward dumps Bella and gives her a call

photo by jean

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