#getthejab Archives

Tool Time Tales!

By Anne Marie June 16, 2021 June 15, 2021 0

Tool time tales are not the sexiest thing in your beading toolbox, but you need them just the same. Otherwise, how would you open, and close a jump ring, or even cut a piece of wire? I absolutely love my tools!! I still have my earlier tools, but my favourites are the ones I always reach for. My Xuron Chain Nose pliers, fit nicely in my hands. I also own their Bent Nose Fine Pliers, Round Nose Fine Pliers, and couldn’t live without my Tapered Flush Cutters. They also have crimping pliers, but no photo, as we don’t currently carry …

A Bead Muse Muses

May 2021 Bead Mat Update: Splashing about with colour!

By Anne Marie May 26, 2021 May 25, 2021 0

My May 2021 bead mat update, reflects my mood for the end of the month. A whole lot of rest, and then some splashing about with colour. To tell the truth, when I completed my #the100dayproject, I didn’t really want to do anything creative for a while. So, I took some time for myself, reflected on the project, then started thinking about possibilities for new beginnings. Yes, I drifted, but sometimes drifting is good! Then, after a bit more thought, I decided to finish up some of my outstanding obligations. I had some handmade driftwood brushes to finish. Check! A …

A Bead Muse Muses

Working in a Series: One heck of a challege!

By Anne Marie May 19, 2021 May 18, 2021 0

Working in a series, is certainly one heck of a challenge! However, it’s something that I both welcome, and enjoy! I’m very selective about the outside challenges that I accept, because I do need to keep my focus on the end result. With the #the100dayproject, it was easy, because the goal was 100 pieces of something. Not hard, because I set the parameters. I need to tell you that I was definitely slowing down at the end. I wanted each piece to be unique, but sometimes all I wanted to do was splash paint on paper. It was quick, effective, …

A Bead Muse Muses

Dreaming of Beads! Really?

By Anne Marie May 12, 2021 May 11, 2021 0

I’m dreaming of beads, but what else is new? I’m close to the finish line with my #the100dayproject, so I will need to focus on other projects. Beads are definitely in the running! But first, here’s my weekly update on my free-form peyote ‘Dancing’ piece. A stash buster for sure, but it also relaxes me, and allows for a tight grip on my sanity. All this social isolation is starting to wear on me, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I work at BeadFX 5 days/week (I see people!), it would be even more difficult. Speaking of dreaming …

A Bead Muse Muses

The Bead Goes On!

By Anne Marie May 5, 2021 May 4, 2021 0

The bead goes on, but the question is what does it go on? I will explore that a little further, later on in the blog post. It wouldn’t be Wednesday, if I didn’t update you on my free form peyote ‘Dancing’ piece. Weekends, and TV time are perfect for working on this project, but I get the feeling that it’s actually my excuse to not do any other type of beading. My focus is almost Zen like, so it would be interesting to see what would happen if I turned everything off, then continued beading. Would the lack of noise …

A Bead Muse Muses

April 2021 Bead Mat Update – Random Stuff!

By Anne Marie April 28, 2021 April 27, 2021 0

My April 2021 bead mat update is a study in randomness. But then, what else could you possibly expect from me? I’m an intuitive artist! I’m still working on my free form peyote ‘Dancing’ piece. However, I do have an endless supply of time, and beads (don’t we all?), so no end in sight! Marg, the squirrel pincushion is in honour of your recent escapades! Critters to go!! Next up on my April 2021 bead mat update, are the buttons that I just had to have, from the last BeadFX update. Also, a fabulous Luna Moth charm. No project in …

A Bead Muse Muses

Creativity is Blooming – and that’s the truth!

By Anne Marie April 21, 2021 April 20, 2021 0

Creativity is blooming, despite the current state of affairs. Exercise your imagination, follow the rules, and get your vaccination! I truly believe that’s the only way to recovery. Ontario is under a Stay-at-home order, until May 5th. Here are the details. BeadFX is still open for curbside pickup. Exercise your creativity, and bead your way out of it! Sort your beads, buy more (from BeadFX, but only if you need to), then get ready, and just go! My creativity is blooming in strange, and wonderful ways, and I’m excited to explore the possibilities! Here’s the latest on my free form …