Schwartzenbeader

I know, I know... I'm making excuses

2012-02-07T04:17:00.000-08:00

Facebook has taken up the time I used to spend blogging... Wait. That's a silly statement. I am on facbook W-A-Y more than I ever was on my blog! It's just SO EASY and I am happy to touch base with a lot of friends a little bit at a time. I am going to try to use this blog a bit more, so... we'll see if I can handle it. Stay tuned.

2011-09-07T13:14:00.001-07:00

My fortune cookie told me: 'Out of confusion comes new patterns.' Some of my best stuff starts in a state of confusion!

2011-08-27T04:27:00.001-07:00

I can't seem to send pictures from my phone to my blog... That's disappoiinting.

2011-08-26T18:12:00.001-07:00

Does this really WORK? I can send a text to my blog?

I remember this place...

2011-08-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

Wow... It's been forever since I posted to this blog. I am having so much fun on facebook, that I kind of stopped coming here! I have been doing some projects that might be better served here than on FB, but I will link things up... or is that "sync?"

Introducing... Zeke!

2010-05-09T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is Zeke's "Look out world, here I come" face!

Wide awake and ready to roll!

Time has flown!

2010-05-09T19:24:00.000-07:00

If you are my friend on Facebook, you know that I have a new puppy! I found a wonderful pup (now four months old) at the Humane Society of Huron Valley - part German Shepherd, and part Rottweiler, and perhaps, parts of other wonderful breeds. He is very talkative, and seems to feel the need to get the last word. With me as his mom, this is going to be a lifelong battle! But I AM ALPHA! He is very smart and is growing fast. The whole family loves him... even when he nibbles a little too hard, or chews up a flip-flop...

Stony Creek Bead is celebrating! May 1oth is our 5th "birthday!" That time sure went by fast! Business is great - thanks to all of our customers! Now, on to the next five... and beyond!

I am ready for some serious beading. Working at the shop full-time (six days a week,) raising a new pup, and spending w-a-y too much time on Facebook, all have cut into my creative beading time. I am in the planning stages for a new embroidery project!

Tree root in the River Raisin

2010-03-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Several times each summer, I kayak the River Raisin, just north of Manchester (Michigan.) This huge tree root has been in the river for the past few years - beautiful, and FULL of spider webs!

I am inspired by the silvery color of the aged wood - thoughts are brewing about a new jewelry piece...

Portrait

2010-02-28T19:13:00.000-08:00

This shot was my profile picture on facebook for a while around the time of Christmas '09. It's a bit grainy because it was from a cell phone. Sparkling Swarovski crystal earrings in bright red - perfect for the holiday!

New Year - New Challenges

2010-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Winter in Michigan is beautiful - but the cold weather makes me want to stay inside and play with beads. I'm planning my next large bead embroidery project, and I think it's going to be very 3-D. Beads attached to a flat surface, but rising up from there... Hmmmm... probably Spring flowers.

I'm also working on several necklace designs that use simple techniques, but pack a big punch. Great for intermediate beaders, and using some unusual materials.

I'm getting very excited about the shop's buying trip to Tucson in February. It's a lot of work (beads are heavy!) but the inspiration! Eye candy! New tools! Color overload! Ah-h-h-h! I love it.

Christmas 2009

2009-12-20T19:47:00.000-08:00

Time is flying by, and it's Christmas again in a few days! Wow, this year went by too fast!

In a few short weeks, Jenn and I will be in Tucson, Arizona, on the yearly big buying trip for the shop. I'm hoping to visit some cousins while I'm there, but the main goal is aquiring more beads and cools stuff for Stony Creek Bead. I haven't been in two years so I am looking forward to it!

Happy New Year!

Great Lakes Memories

2009-11-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

This is the Collaboration project that Susan Matych-Hager and I worked on. Susan is an outstanding glass bead maker. The name of the project is Great Lakes Memories, or Two Sues - Two Great Lakes!

During the month of November 2009, it is on display at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale.

Collaboration Project - Great Lakes Memories

2009-10-12T05:05:00.000-07:00

Here is just a section of my latest bead embroidery project. "Great Lakes Memories" will be part of a show at Lawrence St. Gallery in Ferndale, Michigan, during November '09. This bead embroidered collar was made with Susan Matych-Hager's beautiful glass beads, lots of seed beads, crystal quartz, and shells.

I will post a full view of this after the Gallery show opening.

What's up with my FEET???

2009-08-16T19:37:00.001-07:00

I seem to have a foot thing going here... I wonder what THAT'S about??? Things often happen in threes, so there might be another coming soon.

Late Afternoon at the Beach

2009-08-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

Mid-july, I was wandering the shoreline at Tawas Point State Park, taking pictures with my cell phone camera. Just last week I learned how to get those pic OUT of my phone and to my email... then save the the hard drive, then add to the blog. Wow... the technology!!!

Great Michigan Summer

2009-08-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

This is where I hang out - on my front porch overlooking the garden - in my sky chair. This chair is a great invention of canvas and thick wood dowels and it feels like a floating recliner, complete with foot rest. It's been such beautiful weather all summer... up to the last week or so, when the real August weather kicked in - high humidity and high temps.

Lazy, Crazy DAZE of Summer???

2009-07-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

I have always looked forward to Summer Vacation. The few years in my life that I've held a 9-5 job, I was shocked every summer when my boss told me that I wouldn't get a few months off. The nerve of that guy!

With my youngest daughter having just graduated from high school, I was thinking about how many years my life has centered around the September-to-June school year.

Like most of us, I started kindergarten at five-years-old; graduated at just-about-eighteen. A year later, got married to Bob, who was in school every semester, then five years later, our daughter Jennifer started kindergarten.

Those who know me, know that my kids were born with seven and twelve years separating them. I was 19 when Jennifer was born, she was seven when Katherine was born; Katherine was 12 when Stephanie was born. (So Jenn was 19.)

The point of this? I have been living around a school schedule for 51 years! I have visions of me wandering through the school supplies isle at Meijer and Staples and feeling bereft!?! I'll probably take home a new box of crayons and some filler paper... and I don't even need them!

Now, it's true that Stephanie will be headed for college, but it won't be like I'm totally responsible for that. I can now take a vacation ANY TIME OF THE YEAR that I choose. Hey! This getting older ain't so bad!

Collaboration Project

2009-05-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

The Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild and the Southeast Michigan Glass Beadmakers Guild (aka Glass Act) have joined together for the 2009 Collaboration Project. Members from each group will be paired with the goal of making beautiful art jewelry from beautiful handmade beads.

Margaret Sutherland, beadmaker, is organizing the effort. The theme of "Water All Around Us" was chosen - perfect for the state of Michigan! The finished projects will be shown at the Lawrence Street Gallery in Ferndale during November 2009 in juried/judged exhibit.

Susan Matych-Hager (Hager Studios) and I are excited to work together. Susan grew up on Bear Lake near Lake Michigan, and my family's vacation home is in East Tawas, which is on Lake Huron. We both have wonderful memories of hours spent on and near the water.

When we started bouncing ideas around, I said I would like to see the more muted tones - sand, hazy blue sky, sea gull gray, and green reeds. I remember one small yellow flower... Susan remembers tiny iris and thistles...

What really impresses me is Susan's response to my suggestions: "I can do that!" And she does. I have the COOLEST beads to work with. Susan is a phenomenal bead artist and I can hardly wait to get started! A few days ago we had lunch together and she handed me a boxful of excellent beads and my mind has been humming.

I've been itching to get started, but the priority has been my youngest daughter, Stephanie. She graduated from Lincoln High School last night - Hoo Yah, girl!!!! Now the real fun begins!

2009-04-30T19:54:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! Daffodils, forsythia, tulips, Korean Spice viburnum. Yellow finches, robins, and (those darn) cowbirds, too. It's pretty, and noisy, and it smells good outside! Soon it will be kayaking weather!

Winter Storm

2008-12-19T12:16:00.000-08:00

My previous post (one month ago) told of the first "real" snow of the 2008-2009 Winter Season. That was an appetizer of what has been happening today! It's not officially Winter for two more days, but we've had about eight new inches of snow since 4:00 this morning. It's going to be a long, long Winter if it keeps up like this.

I guess that just means I'll be spending more time inside beading! Maybe I'll catch up on a few projects, or think up some new ones...

2008-11-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

Winter has made it's first serious appearance in Michigan this past week, complete with snow showers and freezing temperatures. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were enjoying seventy degree balmy weather... Ahh... it's so Michigan!

In honor of the "frozen white stuff," I've included a picture of my Winter Garden bracelet. It's has the sparkle and shine of ice crystals, but I think it would be just perfect for a summer bride, too. And that makes me think of warmth, rather than snow.... Yep, I'll go with that thought.

This is a variation of my favorite-of-all-time bracelet - the Cha-Cha. It's layers of flower-shaped beads, daggers, and leaves, on top of a base that used square stitch and large Delica beads.

I have published a pattern for this, available at Stony Creek Bead.

2008-11-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

Today is November 5th, but it feels like Spring! Michigan has enjoyed a couple of absolutely gorgeous days - the kind of weather that makes me really glad to live here! Ahh-h-h-h!

When I started this blog, I had great plans to post frequently... I have no good excuses, unless I make something up for the sake of creativity! I'll try to do better.

For today, I'm putting up a picture of my Four-In-One Patchwork Bracelet. While it is not one of the most beautiful projects I've made, I love to teach this class and watch students as they have the "Aha" moment with each stitch - helping them take the mystery out of Peyote, Square, Ladder, Herringbone, and Brick stitches, and watching the mental wheels turn with plans for their first "real" project(s).

Bead Journal Project 2008

2008-09-05T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have joined the Bead Journal Project this year. If you want to see creative beading, check this out. The BJP 2007 was so inspiring... I'm speechless. Those of you who know me, know that I'm NEVER speechless. That's just how cool the BJP is. So, I had to join.

September is the month that starts a whole year of beading projects - one per month. There will be pictures on this blog, and eventually on the BJP page and links there.

Because my friend Liz asked...

2008-06-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

My friend Liz "tagged" me to answer these questions.

What was I doing ten years ago?

Some beading, some quilting, some knitting - in my spare time. I was still walking my 18 year path to graduation from Eastern Michigan University (I did it!) taking some time for family and other interests.

Five things on today's to-do list:

1. Catch up on my email
2. Weed, plant, water.
3. Work on Kate Dunn's Round Robin Project - wow, am I having fun with this!
4. Cook something wonderful with chicken - something creamy, herbed, and with mushrooms!
5. Write an article for the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild, just in case they need to fill up space.

Snacks I enjoy:

Fresh strawberries, ripe peaches. Ruffles potato chips with French onion dip. Dark chocolate with orange flavor bits. Unsalted roasted cashews, raw almonds. Chocolate chip cookies still warm from the oven. Pie.

Four things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Design my own house and its landscape. Each family member would get a "suite" - including an activity room just for them. I'd include a kitchen designed for five cooks and lots of friends, and I'd have a sound-proof music studio so I can play my music as loud as I want!
2. Travel.
3. Share my wealth - give to good causes.
4. Create new jewelry designs with beads, teach bead classes, bead with friends, shop for beads, travel to shop for beads, take lots of classes - specifically PMC.

Places I have lived:

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
2. Saline, Michigan
3. Ypsilanti, Michigan
4. East Tawas, Michigan, but only a week or two, every year of my life! I don't want to think of it as vacation.

Six people I'd like to know more about:

1. Mother Teresa
2. Ghandi
3, 4, and 5. The people my daughters are going to be when they're my current age.
6. Me.

The Bead Journal Project

2008-06-04T11:50:00.000-07:00

I just signed up for the coming year's Bead Journal Project! That means that I'm committed to making one "journal page" each month for one year. Learn more about this at http://www.beadjournalproject.com/ and consider joining the group. The only commitment is to yourself as an artist.

Another Paisley Study

2008-06-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

I LOVE bead embroidery! This is the fourth Paisley Study that I've completed; my other's have been in white (shown in an earlier post,) black, and amethyst. This looks very much like a parrot's wing. I will add strands to this to make it a necklace.

Serendipity... connections

2008-04-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

I have always loved what I call "the small world phenomenon" - finding the connections between people. My friends and family know how much I love to talk to people, and I can almost always find something in common - like a hobby, mutual friends, or finding that my brother-in-law grew up next door to their cousin... stuff like that. I talk to hundreds of people each week at the bead store, so I find LOTS of connections. A few months ago, two customers connected in our store - one was looking for a new pet, hopefully an adult greyhound, the other... rescues greyhounds! That kind of stuff gives me the chills, it's so cool!

In high school, I used to sing in the choir, and I majored in music. I took music composition, theory, and humanities. I sang in the choir at Dixboro United Methodist Church, too, from the time I was a "Cherub Choir" member (I think I was kindergarten?) After high school, I didn't actively persue singing, but always wished that I had. My dream gig would have been singing back up "doo-wop" vocals for some big star... like Elvis, maybe. I never aspired to a solo career, just wanted to sing all the great harmonizing that altos usually get to do. I never persued singing after high school... life was just too full, I guess...

About two months ago, on a Sunday morning, I was ready to teach a bead class. It was going to be small - just two students. One of them called and said she was going to be a few minutes late. To fill up the time, I asked the other student, Cathy Brodie, what she "did for a living" other than play with beads! She told me that she is an adjunct professor of music at Eastern Michigan University. I asked a bunch of questions, of course.

I made a comment to her that was soon going to make a big impact on my life. I said "I used to sing. My kids don't believe that I could ever because I'm so far out of shape." Cathy then told me that she sings in a women's group that meets locally. It turns out that it meets at my daughter Stephanie's high school (Lincoln Consolidated), and is directed by the choir director, Karen Nevins. The group is called The Carillon Women's Chorale.

So, the high school is just connection #1. I've met Karen before; Stephanie was in choir for a while. Karen is very good friends with Susan Matych-Hager, who is a bead artist. We have her beads in our shop on commission and she does trunk shows for us (next one is May 31st.) Connection #2 (theirs) and #3 (each of them individually to me.)

I considered attending a rehearsal, but let a week slide by... The following weekend, the shop had a booth at the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild's Bead Bonanza. Susan had her beads in the booth next to ours, as planned. Connection #4. Her good friend Karen Nevins was helping her all day, and we were all so busy that there was not time to talk until the last 15 minutes of the show.

Karen said to me: "Cathy Brodie told me you were interested in singing with Carillon." Full of self-doubt, I explained how "I used to sing, but..." We talked for a bit about my musical background, and when she issued the invitation to come and try it... I couldn't refuse. I told her that I would attend rehearsals, but if I really no longer "had it in me" and was a detriment to the group, she had to promise to kick me out! And I meant it!

Well, it's been seven weeks of Monday night rehearsals. We're preparing for two concerts, and I am LOVING the music. I was pleased to realize that I can still read music, and I can still stay on pitch. My voice quality is still a bit rusty, but I'm working on that, too. This week, I reminded her of the promise, and her reply was "You're IN!"

I've rediscovered singing, something that I've always loved to do. While I will probably never consider myself a "vocal artist," being part of a group that makes such beautiful music is certainly feeding my creative soul. Combined with my joy in making beautiful bead jewelry, and in teaching classes to help others make it, too... Wow... LIFE IS GOOD!

Round Robin Embroidery Project

2008-03-11T05:03:00.000-07:00

I belong to a group of beaders, semi-formally named "The Loomatics" (loom' - a - tics) which is a study group derived of members from the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild (GLBG).

GLBG members are from all across the state of Michigan, and across the country! The GLBG, 400 members strong, encourages its members to find other Guild members who live close to their homes, and form study groups. The Loomatics is one of these groups.

Loomatics is a group of 12 creative, accomplished women, 11 beaders and one non-beading, yet very creative, friend. This is actually a pretty big group to get together - not everyone is lucky enough to have a table large enough for beaders to spread out their mats! If you are considering forming a group, you may want to consider your space carefully.

Last fall, I suggested a project to The Loomatics, and wonderful women that they are, took this suggestion and are running with it. A group project - a Round Robin Embroidery project.

Each of us started with a design on a background (Lacy's Stiff Stuff or felt, etc.,) maybe beaded a bit of it, then passed it on to the next person on the (alphabetical) list. Each person gets one month to work on it, then on it goes to the next one on the list. We are only in the second month and already we've seen beautiful work.

We get together once a month and share the project that we've worked on. Part of the excitement of this project is that the "owner" leaves the room while the rest of us get to see her project. We will not get to see our own project until it has made the complete "Round". It's great fun, but when I'm the one out of the room, I hate not knowing what everyone is saying and laughing about!

If you think a Round Robin is a project your group may want to try, important to know the group members well enough to trust them with your project - skill level is not the only consideration. There should be some basic rules, and respect for the individual artist's vision, yet with lots of room for creativity.

If you would like to learn more about the basic "rules," please contact me at:
SueSchwartzenberger@hotmail.com

The Ancient Garden Collar

2007-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

The Ancient Garden Broadcollar is my most intense piece of beaded art to date. I stopped keeping track of the time I worked on this piece after I logged 150 hours! It was probably closer to 200, and I loved every second of it.

As many gardens do, this one took on a life of its own. I planted the five jasper stones, drew three swirled lines (the first five inches of the rust colored vines connecting near the center stone) and the rest... grew!

The color scheme is simple - green, rust and black. Limiting the color to just these few unusual tones allows you to concentrate on textures and shapes that may otherwise go unnoticed in a garden that is rioting with color.

Very simple bead embroidery techniques are used. I used mostly back-stitch, some peyote stitch for the stone bezels, couching only when necessary, and a tiny bit each of netting and brick stitch.

Those of you who know me are aware of my love of using black matte beads in my jewelry projects. The background of this Garden is worked in tiny black matte seed beads, sparked occasionally by a single shiny one. Black matte beads add depth and definition, without really being a dominant color - the perfect background.

Bead Embroidery has become a very popular class that I teach at Stony Creek Bead. I warn people that the technique can be very dangerous! It's like painting... with beads! And you may not want to stop once you've started!

The shop has many smaller projects on display, and I encourage people to start with a piece that will become a brooch or a pendant, about a three-hour project. Save the broadcollars for your second project!

Paisley - Study in White

2007-12-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

My husband, Bob, found these great drusie quartz beads at a show in Tucson. I've been toying with the idea of monochromatic pieces and this is the first in a series of five.

Other than the quartz focal piece, the remaining beads are Czech glass and Japanese seed beads. This piece has a handmade fine silver fibula (pin back) and rings where a chain or beaded necklace can be attached. The backing is UtraSuede.

The Quiet Forest Free - Form Peyote Bracelet

2007-12-14T13:58:00.000-08:00

This bracelet was shown at the Downriver Council on the Arts. It features a bead made by Michigan artitst Andrea Lindell. The wonderful colors that she used in this bead inspired the choice of the quiet, earthy greens and bronzes. As much as I loved this bracelet, I'm happy to say that it was purchased from the DCA Gallery exhibit and I hope whoever has it now enjoys it.

Using Free Form Peyote is like painting with beads. I teach this method at the shop (Stony Creek Bead) and use it frequently in my personal jewelry pieces.

I like to use unusual buttons for clasps. While it doesn't show in this picture, this button is different because it doesn't have a shank. Instead, it has a clip that was meant to slide into two button holes, one on each edge of the front of a shirt or blouse. Back in the day of Mangel pressing machines, it was much easier to get wrinkle-free clothing without buttons getting in the way. I found a bag of these buttons at an antique shop.

Stony Creek Bead & Gallery

2007-11-28T10:16:00.001-08:00

Stony Creek Bead & Gallery opened May 10, 2005. It is owned by my daughter, Jennifer. Another daughter, Katherine, and I work with her. It's a great place to get supplies and to learn how to make beautiful beaded jewelry.

Stony Creek Bead is a full service bead store, offering classes, lots of beads including: Bali silver beads, Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones, Czech glass and a huge selection of seed beads. We have lots of great findings, books, and tools.

We feature a several local artist's hand made beads, including Andrea Lindell of Williamsburg, MI, Susan Matych-Hager of Adrian, MI, and Michelle Conde, Boylan Glass, of Columbus, Ohio, and a few others.

Stony Creek Bead offers lots of classes, including beginner "essential" classes along with lots of great projects.

Here's how to contact Stony Creek Bead:

2060 Whittaker Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.544.0904
StonyCreekBead@hotmail.com

Here's how to drive to us:

Interstate 94, to exit 183 (Ypsilanti, Huron Street)
Go one mile South

We're located in Paint Creek Crossing shopping center, South of Kroger, between the Hallmark store and the dollar store.

Bead Art Pieces

2007-10-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild members exhibit in the Gallery at the Downriver Council on the Arts opened Thursday, October 25. On display in this juried show are more than sixty pieces by eighteen artists. This includes wearable and non-wearable art - necklaces, bracelets, wall hangings, sculpture, whimsical dolls, shoes, and some pieces of Native American design. Many beading techniques were used.

Seven pieces of mine were selected.

Ancient Garden
A bead embroidered necklace - very subtle colors, yet a profusion of vines and flowers in a rock garden.

Paisley - Study in White
Paisley - Study in Black
Paisley - Study in Purple
I'm working on a series of monochromatic pieces. The Black and White were fun, but the purple was very challenging. Not all purples are created equal!

The Cha-Cha Bracelet in Peaches and Cream
I have made four of these Cha-Chas and this one is my favorite. Subtle colors, great impact. Wherever I go, I get stopped with questions and comments about this bracelet, every time I wear it.

Free Spirit Girl
Casually hanging out (waiting for the coffee to brew) in her bathrobe and bunny slippers, she reminds me of me in the morning.

Quiet Forest Free Form Peyote Bracelet
The colors were chosen from the focal bead made by Michigan artist Andrea Lindell. Soft colors of leaves and dappled sunlight.

Jewelry Art Pieces at the Downriver Council on the Arts

2007-10-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

Several of my beaded jewelry pieces will be part of a gallery showing. About 20 members of the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild will have approximately 60 pieces in the Gallery at the Downriver Council on the Arts in Taylor, Michigan, October 25 - November 15.

(Pictures coming soon)
Cha-Cha Bracelet Peaches and Cream
Paisley - Study in White
Paisley - Study in Black
Paisley - Study in Purple
Free Spirit Girl
Free Form Peyote Bracelet
Ancient Garden

Embroidered Felted Wool Evening Bag

2007-10-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

I'll get better at posting with practice. This bag started out as a sweater, which was washed in hot water in the washing machine with lots of agitation. This technique is also called "boiled wool". The resulting fabric was cut and sewn into this simple bag.

The bronze beads are all Czech and Japanese glass beads.

First time at my new place in space

2007-10-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

This is my very first post. I wonder if anyone will find me...

I will soon have pictures of some of my beaded jewelry projects.

I am the primary teacher at the bead store that my daughter, Jennifer, owns. We have a full range of classes including Basic Stringing, lots of wire work, beadweaving using Peyote, Herringbone, Square and Brick Stitches and many, many others!

Stony Creek Bead & Gallery
2060 Whittaker Road
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.544.0904

The shop does not have a website, but lots of information can be found at its blogspot:

www.stonycreekbead.blogspot.com

More coming very soon!