Introducing my Bead Soup Partner...

Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff). Cryss, live in North Idaho, near Coeur d'Alene .. no affiliations - I'm independent - over 55, screw hair dye, ride my Harley, miss my horses ..online gaming with my husband.
Beading and ceramics and I do craft judging


What is your shop and or blog address and name? http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


What is your favorite color combination? scarlet with hunter green or sapphire blue


What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it? in the early 70's I would use embroidery thread and string necklaces using old clasps (found in antique stores) to make necklaces for me and my cousins


What inspires you? looking at random items and seeing the beauty within


Where do your ideas come from?
living, seeing - listening to music, sunrise, sunset - a horror movie, you name it


Does the atmosphere affect your creativity? nah


Where do you create, in a workroom/ studio or in a park? the third bedroom in our house has my desk and beads


What type of jewelry do you make? necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pins - just starting to do ornaments


What are your favorite materials/ techniques? i like gem stones and delica's -- for techniques - i try most anything - even count peyote is fun and i really like beadweaving


What is your favorite thing to do with your creativity? gift it - I donate some items each year to a womens program that helps women get better jobs


Why should people buy handmade? why would one want something that anyone else can get? handmade is unique, created with care and vision


Any tips of wisdom on selling handmade stuff?
mostly I gift, so no - but sometimes others see the gift and order something


Apart from creating things, what do you do? work 3 days a week, game or ride the Harleys with my husband, keep in touch with the sons and their families. sometimes I paint/glaze/chalk ceramics


Read any good books lately? I read books by Kim Harrison, Patricia, Jim Butcher, Maria Lima, Clive Cussler to name a few - I gave up on just listing book titles - I like way to many authors


Any other links or information you want to share? Keep trying new things, you continue to learn


Do you have any current projects that you want to describe, techniques to share, give picture of?
Have been learning odd count peyote and I picked the most complex pattern so boy am I learning


In ten years I'd like to be . . . Wintering in Hawaii, living in a nice, small condo with a good view and still be able to bead

Me, My Blog and the FUTURE!!!

This will really be a bunch of ramble mumble jumbo but as many of you know I write from my heart at times. Today is one of those times...

As an artist of all sorts of mediums...jewelry, sewing, literary and others I am yet to discover, I have figured out what my really passion is and things I want to pursue in life.

First and foremost my baby girl, Olivia, is doing exceptionally well. All the glory goes to GOD. If it had not been for him she would not be 2 months 3 weeks (today) and 3lbs. So, thank you Jesus!

My daughter has taught me to live life to the fullest and that means for me to start setting my goals from aspirations that I've had in life. So, I will be posting more often on the blog and doing more artistic things. I'm going to do more submissions to publications and hopefully get my own book published one day. I'm also going to start making dresses for little girls...newborn to toddler starting out! I have the most beautiful model there is Miss Olivia! And I'm going to start making my own beads (and I'm not sure where that adventure is going to take me). Most of all I'm going to do a lot of traveling. I got places I wanna see and where I wanna be...

First, I'm going to start with finding my own design voice especially when it comes to jewelry making. I get so wrapped up in other people and their pieces that I forget how good I actually am. I have to stop being afraid of being Serena at her best. I have found that my best moves mountains. I'm not the only one who can move mountains...you can too!

Me and my quotes...here is a good one!

"A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others." ~ Ayn Rand
Live life to the fullest and don't be afraid of being YOU at your best!

Bed rest over!

Olivia Latrice arrived May 20th and she is doing well. I am still praising GOD for all his grace and goodness! He has blessed with a beautiful daughter who is tenacious beyond her size and length of time on this earth.

Thank you all for your prayers. I ask that you continue to lift us up in prayer!!!
(will not be posting pictures until she is bigger)