Saturday, August 31, 2013

2nd Annual Challenge of Travel :: Wiesbaden, Germany

I KNOW quite a few jewelry makers who like to join Blog Hops and Challenges because, as they say, it forces them to get creative, to get them out of a slump and DO something. I don’t know how they are doing this, as obviously that doesn’t work for me. Last year I spectacularly failed not one, not two, not three, but four Hops/Challenges, so I was very hesitant to pick up any this year.

However, when I saw the announcement for this year’s Challenge of Travel by Erin Prais-Hintz of Treasures Found :: Inspiration Is Everywhere pop up on my reader (which was one of the four I failed last year), there was no way I could resist at least trying – the theme was simply too intriguing to pass up: Staycation. Or, as we Germans say: Urlaub auf Balkonien (vacation in balconia).

While last year’s theme was a trip around the world, this year’s idea was to explore your own hometown and draw inspiration from this.

SO, herzlich willkommen to Wiesbaden, the capital of the federal state of Hesse, Germany. It is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe, going all the way back to Ancient Roman times, known for it’s numerous hot springs. Their waters are supposed to help with various ailments, such as rheumatism. 

The Kochbrunnen 

The Kochbrunnen Pavillon

The Kochbrunnenspringer, fed from the same spring 

Built up minerals – the Romans actually used them as red hair dye!

THE springs were even mentioned in Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia. The town’s name actually translates to “meadow baths”, but by the Romans it was referred to as Aquae Mattiacorum, “Waters of the Mattiaci”. At one point Wiesbaden sported as many as impressive 26 springs – most of them are out of order now, or fed into a network which supplies thermal baths or is used to heat the town hall. The ones accessible by the public are certainly among Wiesbaden’s most famous tourist attractions. I even learned about one I totally didn’t know about!

The "Bäckerbrunnen", the bakers' spring  
Housing of the Bäckerbrunnen

The Schützenhofquelle – in ancient times, it was dedicated to the Goddess Sirona


Detail of the Schützenhofquelle

My "secret" spring, the Drei-Lilien-Quelle, the three lilies spring – I pass by there almost every day, yet I had no idea it was hidden there. It's at the back of one of Wiesbaden's most renowned hotels, the Schwarzer Bock. You actually have to ring and have reception open the door for you, but they'll do so without fuss.

Inside of my "secret spring" – and, boy, it was HOT inside that little room! Unlike the other hot springs accessible by the public, the water of this one is not safe for drinking, as there are no filters installed.
ACTUALLY, there’s so much more to see in this town, but I’m already late with this post, so I'll save it for another one … Plus, I remembered about this challenge two days ago? Woops, I (almost) did it again. So, without further ado, my creation “Aquae Mattiacorum”, inspired by Wiesbaden’s hot springs: 





IT HAD to be a fringe necklace. The colors were inspired by the springs and their minerals. Hammered copper wire, bits of "coin" chain I received in a Muse Box from www.bsueboutiques.com/, TOHO beads with a picasso finish from www.wahnmachtsinn.de, and coin shaped Czech beads which reminded me of water as well as ancient coins. 

THANK you for visiting. If you want to know more about Wiesbaden, stick around and add this blog to your newsfeed/blogger. If you want to hop along and see what everyone else created for this year's Annual Challenge of Travel, please visit: http://treasures-found.blogspot.de/2013/08/2nd-annual-challenge-of-travel-stevens.html and scroll to the very bottom to the link list. 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

I Heart Macro


Shine the Divine


tinythyme

THYMIAN-Keimlinge auf meiner Fensterbank.
THYME saplings on my window sill.

Monday, May 20, 2013

I Heart Macro

SEE, this is what I get for going on an extended blogging hiatus. One of my favorite weekly blog hops sneakily changes hosts and I only notice the week it actually changes. "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged" is no longer hosted by the lovely Lori from Studio Waterstone but from now on by Laura from Shine The Divine.
 
SEHT ihr, das hat man nun davon wenn man eine verlängerte Blogpause einlegt. Einer meiner liebsten wöchentlichen Bloghops wechselt klammheimlich die Gastgeberin, und ich merk’s erst in der Woche in der es soweit ist. Die Gastgeberin von "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged" nun nicht mehr die liebenswerte Lori von Studio Waterstone sondern fortan Laura von Shine The Divine.
shutterholder
THESE little dudes adorn almost all the houses in my new neighborhood, they are window shutter holders.

DIESE kleinen Kerle verzieren fast alle Hauswände in meiner neuen Nachbarschaft, es sind Fensterladenhalter.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

BSBP 7 – Welcome to the 3rd Reveal!


7th_bsbp_3rd_reveal
SLIGHTLY delayed due to health issues of our hostess, but, what do they say, better late than never. Many, many hugs to you, Lori Anderson, thank you so much for organizing and running this great event. My best wishes to you and your family.
So! As a reminder, this is the bead soup I received from my lovely partner, Merja Sundström from Finland: 


Merja went all out on this, it is a very lovely and unique mix: dyed agate, shell beads, ceramic beads, hand-felted beads, THREE clasps and two focals, one of them a porcelain pendant created by the talented Othel Lehto

That focal has quickly been dubbed the “hippo bead”, though my niece thinks it looks like a dragon. Personally, what with the overall color scheme, it made me think of the Monster of Loch Ness.
Now, without further ado, this is what I created:

The ceramic focal was a bit of a challenge. Bigger than what I usually use, and – on top of it – side drilled. I knew almost immediately this was going to be a choker. Something reminiscent of a torque, and vaguely (very vaguely) Celtic looking. So this is what I came up with:



Two firsts, I used memory wire to string the beads, and aluminium wire for the metal links. One of the links sneakily also serves as a clasp.

Another thing I immediately knew I when I first saw the agate beads was that there were going to be bracelets, either Chan Luu or Shambala style. The latter was what I did.



I still had to use the clasp (well, one of the three at least), and I had immediately fallen in love with the dragonfly clasp Merja had added to the bead soup the very last second. This one was easy.





The only qualm I have with it would be that the pretty clasp is hiding at the back.
Now, thanks to the delay I had some time to go to the craft stores again to get some more linen cord to finish the last one of the bracelets, and to pick up some wooden beads that went with the second focal Merja sent me, an artisan made heart pendant crafted from juniper wood. Luck would have it that I had a heart pendant from B’sue Boutiques around that would sit on top of it just perfectly, so I was able to pull off this memory wire necklace basically last second.



A very simple piece that goes with practically everything.

THERE’S still so much I haven’t used yet from this soup, so I’m certain there’ll be “seconds” at some point. I still have to use the felted beads, my innitial plan for them didn’t work unfortunately (hahah, I thought it would be easy to pierce them with wire – NOT!). There’s also still that lovely, lovely fairy ribbon, and a whole bunch of leftover beads. Like, I didn’t make ANY earrings this time around? I need to fix that.
I hope you enjoyed your visit, please take some time to visit my partner Merja Sundström on her blog Suntsan Supersimppelit to see what she created with the bead soup I sent her.
And, of course, everyone else who takes part in the 3rd reveal:
Adlinah Kamsir
www.dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.com
Agi Kiss
http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Alenka Obid
www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Alison Sachs
www.beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com
Amanda Tibbetts
http://www.amandamade.com/blog
Amy Sims
www.amysimsdesigns.com
Ana Cravidao
http://acbeads.blogspot.com
Andra Marasteanu
http://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Andria Poole
www.Jewelleryartiste.blogspot.com
Angela Perkins
http://jeweledinspirations.blogspot.com
Anja Schultz
http://anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de/
Ann Sherwood
http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Anna Nordeman
http://annas-adornments.blogspot.com
Annita Wilson
http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean
http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Astrid Boyce
http://astridboyce.blogspot.com/
Barb Fernald
http://barbarasfernald.com/
Betty James Hoppensteadt
www.tybetastidbits.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardt
www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Bonnie Coursolle
http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Brandy Thomason McNair
www.bellavitajewelry.blogspot.com
Brenda Sigafoos
http://brenda-sigafoos.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau
http://littlemake.blogspot.com/
Carol Wilson
http://jetadorn.blogspot.com/
Caroline Dewison
http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Cassie Donlen
www.cassiedonlen.blogspot.com
Catharine Temaluru
http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine Turrell
http://fairysketches.blogspot.co.uk
Cheri Reed
www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzocha
http://colorsofshae.blogspot.com/
Christa Murphy
http://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/
Christina Hickman
http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina Stofmeel
www.fengbeads.com
Christine Hansen
http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield
www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins
www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
Cindy Cima Edwards
www.cindycima.com
Claire Lockwood
www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Colleen Vinthagen
http://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog/
Dagmar Liebisch
http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de/
Dana Fowler
www.blogjunepur.blogspot.com
Danielle Kelley
http://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Deb Fortin
www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Dee Elgie
http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Denise Milward
http://milwardstorysofar.wordpress.com/
Diah Anggreni
http://pernik-manik.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez
www.arteypoemas.com
Diane Valasek
http://dragonflyclose.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu
http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington
http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Doris Stumpf
http://glaszwerg.blogspot.de/
Elizabeth Bunn
http://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Drake
http://mutteringsofacrone.wordpress.com/
Elizabeth Jones
http://www.eyekandyjewellery.com
Elizabeth Stolarczyk
http://elizabethsart.blogspot.co.uk/
Ema Kilroy
http://www.emakdesigns.com/blog
Erin Kenny
http://beadifultherapy.blogspot.ca/
Evelyn Duberry
Www.ShebaMakeda.com
Fay Wolfenden
www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Francesca Watson
http://francescawatson.com/
Gen Smith
http://gennysworld.blogspot.com/
Ginger Davis Allman
www.thebluebottletree.com
Giorgia Rossini
www.joyblonde.blogspot.com
Hannah Annear
www.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com
Heather Otto
http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Heidi Kingman
www.Heidikingman.blogspot.com
Ildiko Jarai
www.sviroalkotasai.blogspot.hu
Iveth Caruso
www.CreativeAtelier.net
Jackie Locantore
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
Jacqueline Keller
www.creartelier.blogspot.com
Jane Pranata Lim
http://cherryeve.blogspot.com
Jennifer Davis
http://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Tough
http://jenniferbeads.blogspot.ca
Jenny Vidberg
http://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/
Jessica Klaaren
Http://cellardoorjewelry.blogspot.com
Joanna Matuszczyk
http://filcowe.blogspot.com
Joyce Becker
www.joycesjoyfulgems.blogspot.com
Judith Johnston
http://www.lampworkbeadlounge.com/
Judy Riley
www.threeredbeads.blogspot.com
JuLee Wolfe
www.thepolymerpenguin.blogspot.com
June Butt
http://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Karen Mitchell
http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Kari Asbury
http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/
Karin King
www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Karin von Hoeren
www.creativeideen.de
Karla Morgan
http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathrin Lembke
http://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Kathy Stemke
http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic
http://slovoni.blogspot.com
Katy Heider
http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson
http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Kelley Fogle
www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Keren Panthaki
https://vasdea.wordpress.com
Kimberly Idalski
http://www.Kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Kirsi Loponen
http://peikkonen.blogspot.com
Klaudia Tóth
http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu/
Krista Quantrill
www.cornucopiaofcrafts.blogspot.ca
Kristina Hahn Eleniak
www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kristina Johansson
www.wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com
Laney Mead
http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Lara Lutrick
http://www.lutrick.blogspot.com/
Laura Guenther
www.blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Lauren Potts
www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar
www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Leah Tees
www.mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Lena Adams
http://mommaslilbirdiesblog.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt
www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Leslie Wayment
www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
LiliKrist
http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Linda Kropp
http://lindasartbarn.blogspot.com/
Linda Newnham
http://www.earth-shine.co.uk/
Linda Younkman
www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Boucher
http://lisasclayhappenings.blogspot.com/
Lizzie Clarke
www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Lora Bright
http://fandangling.wordpress.com/
Lorelle McIntyre
http://beadyart.blogspot.com.au
Lori Anderson
www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Finney
http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/
Lucie Bouvier
http://www.carlosbeadstore.com/blog/
Malin de Koning
http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se
Marina Dobrynina
http://savonfeutre.blogspot.fr/
Marina Kosovic
http://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Marion Simmons
http://www.shadetreejewelry.com/blog.html
Marita Suominen
http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Marjolein Trewavas
http://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Marsela Schroth
www.marselita.de
Martha Aleo
www.ornamento.wordpress.com
Mary Govaars
www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mary K McGraw
http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Maybeline Tay
http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/
Mea-B. Uebler
www.glasorakel.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger
www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Menka Gupta
http://menkag.blogspot.com
Merja Sundströmhttp://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Merja Syrjämäki
http://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi/
Michelle Buettner
http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
Michelle Escano
www.cabbycraft.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton
http://adornedonadelaide.blogspot.ca/
Milla Hope
www.Lbcreativeart.com
Miranda Ackerely

www.mirandack.com
Mowse Doyle
http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Mrs M Makes
www.mrsmmakes.wordpress.com
Nan Smith
www.wirednan.blogspot.com
Natalie Davidson
http://northshoredays.blogspot.co.nz/
Natalie Moten
http://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Natascha Marty
www.sommerlicht.ch
Nikki Banham-Hall
http://jewellerymakingblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Noemi Baena
http://blog.noemibaena.com/
Norma Turvey
http://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com
Pam DeBoer
http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Pam Hurst
www.pamhurst.blogspot.com
Patti Pruhs
http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton
http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au/
Penny Mills
www.cobblestone-lane.blogspot.com
Rachel Van-Walsh
www.balancedcrafts.com/blog
Rebecca Sirevaag
www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Regina Santerre
http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Regina Wood
http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com
Roberta Fauntroy
www.thevirtualbeadsociety.wordpress.com
Rosanagh Watson

http://ring-a-ring-a-rosie.blogspot.co.uk
Rose Johnson
http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com
Rosemary Cheslock
www.glasseyebutterfly.tumblr.com
Rossana De Gaspari
http://rdegas.blogspot.com
Sabine Dittrich
www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn
http://palemooncreations.tumblr.com/
Sandi James
http://www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff
http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sandra Wollberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/
Sandra Young
http://gypsyroadbeads.blogspot.ca/
Shai Williams
http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Sharon Palac
www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Sierra Barrett
http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/
Silke Gröber
http://just-beads.blogspot.com
Siobhán Keogh
http://vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie/
Stefanie Teufel
http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
Stephanie Stamper
www.Skwds.blogspot.com
Sue Hamel
http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Sue Rennie
http://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/
Susan Kennedy
www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Susan McClelland
http://mistheword12.wordpress.com
Susanna Lehto
http://othellehto.blogspot.fi/
Suse Stelljes
www.pearlify.blogspot.de
Susie Hibdon
http://vintagesusieandwings.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilson
www.BeadphoriaBlog.com
Tara Plote
http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Terri G.
http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Terry Carter
http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com/
Terry Matuszyk
http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/
Theresa Frank
http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
Tina Bosh
http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Tina Noonan
www.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewels
www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Facebook Participants
Audrey Allen
https://www.facebook.com/adallen07
Cindy Wimmer Muse
https://www.facebook.com/mritech813
Cynthia O'Toole
https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.otoole
Deb Floros
https://www.facebook.com/deb.floros
Debbie Jensen
https://www.facebook.com/debbie.jensen.984
Erin Honeycutt
https://www.facebook.com/erin.honeycutt1
Kaushambi Shah
https://www.facebook.com/kaushambi.shah
Lisa Lloyd Harrison
https://www.facebook.com/lisa.lloydharrison
Mary Jane Tanner
https://www.facebook.com/mary.j.tanner
Valerie Tilghman
https://www.facebook.com/valerie.tilghman

Thursday, March 21, 2013

7th Bead Soup Blog Party: Meet My Partner – Darf Ich Meine Partnerin Vorstellen

OH would you look at this,” you’re probably thinking right now, “she’s still alive!”
Yeah, I know, long time no see. Nowadays I only ever seem to resurface when it’s time for the next BSBP, which does not bide well, as it’s become an annual event now. So, after the Big Reveal, see you 2014? Hahah, I certainly hope it wont be that bad.
So … while most of you probably know what the Bead Soup Blog Party is about, some may not, so here’s a real quick summary:

Bloggers from all around the world who have fun beading and creating jewelry sign up for this, and are assigned a partner. Partners send each other a “Bead Soup” which consists of a clasp, a focal, and some beads, and then create something with what they’ve been sent. On a set date the participants reveal their creation via blog post and there’s loads of fun involved hopping from blog to blog admiring everyone’s creations and drinking wine and having snacks. Well, the latter two might be just me.
So, without further ado, my partner this time around is the lovely Merja Sundström from Finland! She herself describes herself a “baby-beader”, but I think her work looks far from being a beginner’s. Why don’t you hop over to her blog, "Suntsan Supersimppelit", and take a look for yourself.

OH, guckt mal da,” denkt ihr euch wahrscheinlich gerade, “die lebt ja doch noch!”
Ja, ich weiß, lange nicht gesehen. Dieser Tage scheine ich nur noch an die Oberfläche zu krabbeln wenn es Zeit für die nächste Bead Soup Blog Party ist. Und da die jetzt nur noch einmal im Jahr statt findet, heißts dann nach der Enthüllung wohl, auf Wiedersehen in 2014? Naja, so schlimm wirds wohl hoffentlich nicht. Hoffe ich.
Die meisten von euch werden wohl wissen worum es bei der Bead Soup Blog Party geht, aber manche vielleicht noch nicht, deshalb hier noch mal eine schnelle Zusammenfassung:
Schmuckbastelnde und perlenfädelnde Blogger rund um den Globus melden sich an und bekommen einen Partner zugeteilt. Die Partner schicken sich gegenseitig eine “Perlensuppe”, bestehend aus einem Verschluss, einem Anhänger, und ein paar schönen Perlen, und verarbeiten diese dann. An einem bestimmten Datum stellt dann jeder seine Kreation im Blog vor, und man hat dann jede Menge Spaß von Blog zu Blog zu hopsen, jedermanns Kreationen zu bestaunen, Snacks zu futtern und Wein zu trinken. Naja, letzteres vielleicht nur ich.
So, um mal endlich zu Potte zu kommen, meine Partnerin dieses mal ist die fabelhafte Merja Sundström aus Finland! Sie sagt von sich selbst sie sei noch eine blutige Anfängerin, aber das seh ich ganz anders. Am besten springt ihr mal auf ihrem Blog "Suntsan Supersimppelit" vorbei und macht euch selbst ein Bild.

THIS is the bead soup I received from her:
soup_from_merja_2

DIES ist die Perlsuppe die sie mir geschickt hat:
soup by merja
NOT one, but three clasps, pearls, agate beads, hand-made felt beads, fairy ribbon, and two focals. I love the cool, yet earthy color scheme, and I completely adore the ceramic focal she has sent me – the head of a fantasy creature, created by Othel Lehto.

NICHT nur einer, sondern gleich drei Verschlüsse, Achatperlen, Muschelkernperlen, Seidenband, und zwei Anhänger. Ich liebe das kühle und gleichzeitig erdige Farbschema, und besonders die große Porzelanperle von Othel Letho die den Kopf einer Fantasykreatur darstellt.