Star Carol

My Star Carol ornament is in honor of Carol Ann Risher, the artist who hand crafted the beautiful art bead that I was so privileged to use.  I came upon some of Carol's ceramic pieces at a little unheralded bead show in Ballard Washington a couple of months ago and, when I dug it out of my stash, thought it spectacularly perfect for this blog hop.  I generally do bead weaving and bead embroidery but I was some how moved to try a bit of metal and wire working. My Star Carol piece can adorn a lovely evergreen tree as an ornament or a lovely special person as a pendant.  I was so touched to discover, just prior to writing this blog, that Carol had died in December 2010, one day after her 56th birthday.  I can't think of a better tribute for an artist who was born and died in the Christmas season and whose name is the holiday season's song than a beautiful ornament.  So here's to you, Carol Ann Risher . . . thank you for your art and inspiration and all the beauty your life brought to our world.

Many thanks to Heather for her efforts in coordinating this fun event for all of us.  Find some quiet, peaceful moments to enjoy the holiday offerings of our fellow artists whose challenge ornaments can be viewed at the sites below.

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2013/12/ornamentbloghop2013.html

Merry Christmas to all and God bless us, every one!

Peacemaker

It was only moments after signing up for the "I Love Clay" Blog Hop that I began questioning my sanity.  Who in their right mind adds more things onto their December "to do" list?  When I received my kit, even though I loved the beautiful antique pink floral focal by Southern Gal Designs and the assortment of white pearl beads that accompanied it, I had never worked in this color palette before and wasn't sure I could come up with the creative impulse needed to be successful.  Then one evening my incredible daughter arrived for Sunday dinner looking so amazing in a mixture of cream, browns and antique pink and unknowingly became my muse for this challenge.  Rebeccah, or Becca for short, is my youngest child of three and is literally one of the most incredible people I have ever met in my life.  Her name means "peacemaker" and she definitely embodies that title in every single facet of her life.  I am so blessed that God trusted me to be her mom and so privileged to also share her life as her friend.  This "peacemaker" cuff bracelet is made with so much love to honor this truly amazing young woman.  I love you more, Beccers!  *poom* 

Becca ~ my peacemaker

Thanks to our always incredible host, Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist, and all the other crazy, amazing artists who somehow found time in their busy holiday schedules to bring more beauty into this world.  Please join me in enjoying their offerings at the individual sites listed below.

Happy and peace-filled holidays to all of you! ~ chris

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations

Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems

Dolores Raml, Crafty D's Creations

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Mowse Doyle, Mowse Made This

Janine Lucas, Esfera Travel Blog

Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Kelli Nelson, Zenith Jade Creations

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Jasvanti Patel, Jewelry by Jasvanti

Candida Castleberry, Sugar Spun Beadworks

Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out