BEAD SHOW This Weekend in Pennsylvania

Well usually I blog once a month but it seems as though it has been two months since my last post - I have been busy!

I have been preparing for Berks Bead Bazaar in Pa this weekend as well as creating inventory for my very neglected Etsy shop. (Sorry and Thank You to the wonderful Beader's that have be so patient)  I was trying to figure out what my direction was going to be for 2012, especially for Bead and Button and earlier this month or was it late January (I do not remember) I think I figured it out.  I hope you like the new pieces

Below are a few images of porcelain and stoneware designs that will continue to evolve once I start preparing for B & B.  Raku comes later.  ** I know a few people have emailed me asking where my new Raku was so I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I only fire a few weeks a year now since the surgery on my cervical spine in 2010.  Lifting the heavy kiln with both arms in between in each firing is no longer an option for me and I require assistance.   Hank has made himself very available to assist me but is not there all the time so until we create a lift of some sort this will be the routine.  We have been renovating here at home and I am sure if we were not doing that he would have created something already..Will keep you posted!

I also have some other news regarding the Bead and Button Show this year but will blog about that when I return from Berks.  

Hope to see you this weekend - Happy Creating, 

Lisa

CYBER MONDAY - I am finally getting over here and giving something away!

Hello Everyone!

I am sure you have all been hitting the stores and taking advantage of the great sales out there!  I have not been pushing anything in my shop, even though I have had a sale going on since Thanksgiving Day!  If you missed it, not to worry.. I am keeping my coupon code active another few days!  The Coupon Code GIVETHANKS will get you 20% your entire order + one free mystery bead or button until Thursday!  I am planning on listing more items this afternoon and on Tuesday!  If you do not allready know my shop is: lisapetersART on etsy                      

But here is more exciting news.... 

I am having a Give-A-Way and the winner will be chosen by "randomness" on Friday, December 2nd.   And since I am so bad at these - participating in this will be pretty easy.   All you have to do is comment below and I will use Random.org on Friday to choose the winner.  As a courtesy I do ask, if you have the time... a little pimping of my giveaway on your blog or facebook page would be awesome!  Here is a photo of the items I am giving away *** PLUS *** a $25 Lisa Peters ART Gift Certificate to use in my Etsy shop!   So beads + Gift Certificate just for leaving a comment below!

3 Buttons, 1 Flower Disc & 1 Believe "shard" type Pendant
PLUS a $25 LPA on Etsy Gift Certificate
GOOD LUCK! 

So, there it is my CYBER MONDAY Give Away!  Good Luck!  and please if you are not all ready a fan on LPA on Facebook... please like my page - I am there more than I am here ;)

Happy Shopping and Happy Creating, 

and don't forget to BUY HANDMADE!

Lisa

It's not all about beads....... (well, it is..but sometimes we need to talk about something else)

This morning we slept late because of all the work we have been doing with the D.Y.I Bathroom Renovation and we just did not have the enthusiasm to "jump right up" and start in again....it's going to take us long enough so a little light reading and TV wasn't going to hurt any.  I was flipping through the channels and stopped to watch Rocco Di Spirito's - Rocco's Dinner Party and started to think about how much fun I used to have when I cooked every night.  I know I have been extremely busy lately and just haven't had the time but I never thought of cooking for Hank, family or friends as a chore-it was always something I looked forward to.  I taught myself how to cook..when I met Hank, probably because all he did was eat and no matter what I made he always loved it.  Whether that was the truth or not, he appreciated every meal as if it were his first or last and I don't think there is a better feeling than having something you create appreciated by the ones you love.  So for the last 20 years whether it was something quick or something that took all day to prepare he has always acted like it was the best in the world.. (he is reminding me now, there was that one time I made the carrot soup which did not only taste bad --he is deathly allergic to carrots)  Oops.

(getting back to Rocco's Dinner Party) So, as we were watching the show he asked me if I would know what to make if I was a contestant and I honestly could not think of anything..and it kinda pissed me off.  I tried., I thought about all my "never fail recipes" (which are not recipes at all..I have never used a recipe or repeated a recipe that I can think of other than a simple dressing or sauce) and honestly could not come up with anything that I could feel confident about in a show like that.. So, he (Hank) challenged me..  The episode we were watching was called "the fashion forward challenge" and the contestants had to create a "couture and a ready-to-wear finished dish using the same ingredients.  Hank told me to use whatever we had in the house and do the same.. (he was not allowed to exit the bedroom while I was cooking.)  Basically we were trying anything NOT to go back to work in the bathroom and this gave us a reason not to.

So I walked into the kitchen and then right back outside to the garden - grabbed two beautiful green tomatoes.  One being totally green and one being a little pink and green and decided I was going to make A version of Fried Green Tomatoes for my ready to wear...Hmm, now what was my couture going to be??  Since this was breakfast of course eggs popped into my head but now how to make it "fancy"??... and I immediately thought of Eggs Benedict.  At that moment my dish was decided.  

So, what is this mountain of goodness?  Well, first let me say this would be perfect if I did not serve it over toast.. that is too much food for regular people.  Hank is not regular people so sometimes here it is not Quality over Quantity it is Quality AND Quantity.. but toast was the mistake-not a terrible mistake, but for company-leave it out or not..it's a personal choice.  Maybe go with small toast triangles or something..   OK.  SO this is my Fried Green Tomatoes with Poached Eggs with Spicy Mayo and Corn Relish.  The Eggs over the Fried Tomatoes visually for me was "Eggs Benedict"  the spicy mayo was my "Hollandaise"  For Color I added the Corn Relish #1. because it was a gift and #2 I adore corn relish #3. It made it look really pretty!

And my "recipe as follows" ( I don't read directions well and I don't write them well.. u can figure it out)  There is no time to rest when making this... I am doing everything at once so clear space in the kitchen!

1. Start Boiling your water for poaching eggs

This was the first time I poached an egg the "right way".  I have poached them in egg cups and silicone floatation devices but I honestly do not know why I never just poached them them this way..it's easy.  I used a Medium size Enamel Sauce Pan and used the "vortex" method of poaching.  I added some white vinegar to my water. 
2. Readied my pan for frying (I also do not fry so this was a first..I used a shallow stone omelet pan with canola oil)
3. put a baking dish in the oven to keep tomatoes warm while waiting for the others to fry and some paper towels out to soak up excess oil.

I cut thick slices (about 3 per) of Green Tomatoes
Dipped them in an egg wash first (2 eggs lightly whisked with a fork)
Dredged them in Corn Meal & White Flour with S & P ( I used coarse corn meal because that is all I have, but I think the medium or fine would be better.. I am not sure...mine was fine)
Drop one at a time in hot oil, fry well on both sides.  I do not check for any sort of  "done-ness of the tomato..I just use the corn meal as my guide.
Lay on Paper Towels until any excess oil is absorbed then place in warm oven
Repeat over and over until they are all done.

Sauce:  In a blender I combined Mayo, Thin Hot & Sweet Pickled  Pepper Slices (just a few) some capers and blend.  If the mixture is too thick, thin it out with a smidgen of milk or water or whatever.  Pour into small bowl and fold in Green Relish or diced pickles or whatever you like. ** I added lavender flowers to this mixture..which I love...to add another dimension to the vinegary & spicy peppers/relish... only about 5-6 florets which as far as flavor is concerned-didn't come through, but about 2-3 times I got a really beautiful whiff of lavender while eating which was really nice.**

Poach 2 Eggs at a time per dish.  Crack 2 eggs and place them in 2 different ramekins then Take your Wisk and in a circular motion create a center vortex in your boiling water.  Pour your egg into the center of the vortex, then (this is tricky) take the next ramekin of egg and pour it into the boiling water sort of/kind of near the other but not too close.. and dont touch them.. leave them be at a rolling boil for approx. 3 mins.  When 3 mins has ended (I didn't time it, it just felt like 3 minutes) I removed them gently from the water with a strainer/ladle whatever you use and just set down on a wood carving board.  The were perfect I tell ya..

Layer all this yummy goodness they way they do on TV ;) and top with corn relish if you have a friend who gave you one as a gift!! Thank You Keith from Shangri-La!

Veggies from our (SMALL-Urban) Garden in June

Summer Food...........

Hank finally learned how to grill properly by watching Create TV's Primal Grill with Steven Raichlen.  At the lake we only have the channels available through the converter thingie..and we have become addicted to watching Create TV.   One of our favorite shows is Primal Grill with Steven Raichlen and it was only after watching about 10 shows in a row on rainy afternoon that Hank even realized we had a "still-in-box" Weber Grill in our shed, brand new-never used.  He realized this after he said to me " Can we go purchase the small Weber Grill that he used on the show"?  and I gave him that look... that look that makes him stop and think before asking the next question...then I pointed towards the shed.   He gets that look alot.. so he knows. I love this little Weber, BTW.. no need for a big, fancy grill at the lake..that's for sure.

Slow Cooked Ribs that I marinated for 24 hours in a nice little Secret Bourbon Marinade I thought up that day.. yum!

It doesn't matter what you are cooking, where you are cooking it or how you are cooking it. I honestly think that if you are not making your food from your soul and thinking about the ones you love while doing so that it will not deliver.   Ingredients are key and those that come from our own gardens even better.. 

Now, that I have procrastinated long enough...It is time to get back to the renovation --the sooner it gets done the quicker I can get back to BEADS..and stop talking about all this food ;)

Til then, I bid you Happy Cooking AND Happy Creating....

Paella!

 

Choc. Martini's

Fresh WILD Berries from the house in the mountains!

 

 

 

Mangia!

Favorite things heard at the show: OMG, I love your work & You're from Jersey, aren't you?

I thought I would sleep late today..and I couldn't or didn't or wouldn't...not sure which..I am just happy to be home. The Bead and Button Show is wonderful but the ride home is killer and I am glad that I only have to do this once a year.  The adrenaline is there on the way to the show but leaves the moment the show is over and that means the ride home is powered by just me..and "just me" was exhausted, but all is okay and I am here safe and sound.

The garden has doubled in size in just one week and Lulu has decided that she liked it better when it was just she and Hankster because when I got into bed last night Lulu jumped on Hanks chest with her head on his cheek and started speaking to him with her back to me.... I am now, the other woman in my own home.  Buddee cannot be bothered with anything and loves whoever-is-holding-the-food-bowl-at-the-moment, most.  I missed all three of them terribly while I was away.


The show was wonderful!  I want to Thank each and every one of you for coming to visit me,  for your generous purchases and for your genuine interest in my beads.  I am completely overwhelmed by the love and friendship bestowed upon me these last few days and I hope that what I feel for you comes through loud and clear and translates well from this very happy Jersey Girl!
Favorite things I heard at the show #1. OMG I love your work #2 You're from Jersey, aren't you?  They seemed to come one after the other..first being directed at the beads (thank goodness) and 2nd being distracted by me or mom saying something afterward...Jersey Girls aren't all Shore Towns and hairspray, ya know ;)  Though I was never one for hairspray I did have my share of fun "down the shore" but that is not where I learned how to make beads..that's for sure.   I am so glad you like my new designs.  I was a bit worried when I cut back so drastically on the Raku to show more of the dark stoneware but now I am very happy I did.  I cannot wait to see what you have made with them so please be sure to send some photo's my way.   A few exciting things happened at the show and I look forward to sharing them with you as they unfold.
I will blog more about the show and post some photo's but today I just wanted this to be about saying "Hello" and " I am home, this is how I am feeling"...


I have scheduled a little "me time" this afternoon for a long overdue facial and a massage...after letting myself go so much the last 2 1/2 years, after fertility treatments,  the spinal surgery and all that came before and after it - it is time I get myself back into shape if I want to continue doing in a way that I feel comfortable and does not make me take my health for granted as I have done in the past...it's time I got my a** in gear.  Though certain things we cannot prevent from happening, some of our problems as beaders come from living a sedentary lifestyle and loving a craft so much that we put it before ourselves and I am going to try to find a way for me to balance the two so that I can continue doing what I love....I am not one to post progress on things like this.. so  I am going to try and see how things go.. starting with some pampering.. ASAP! ;)

Missing the daily beady hugs I have gotten used to over the last week I wish you happy creating,
Lisa

Bead and Button Show here I come........

Ceramic Butterfly Charms

Well it is that time of year again.. The Bead and Button show is now taking place in Milwaukee and I will be arriving there on Tuesday to begin set up for the Bead Show which begins on Thursday evening til' Sunday.  For those of you going to the show for the first time, I am booth 1213 Lisa Peters ART which is the far right wall once you enter the exhibit hall. 

My beads are finally packed in their jewelry cases, which was the first time I could exhale in many, many weeks of manic-bead-creating and now the very arduous task of packing the car I leave to Hank.  I hate that part so I am glad he does it for me.  Mom and I leave Tuesday morning at 6am (we hope) and we  driving straight through, all 14-16 hours of it, so wish us luck.  If you need me you can shoot me an email which I will check on Wednesday morning after I leave or feel free to send me an email to my phone if you would like to get together or if you can't find my booth at the show. Either way I would love to hear from you!

There is a cute article here on Surviving the show that I just found while searching the floor plan...

So what did I make?  Well, If you are a Fan on My Facebook Page you can find a Preview Album here: Bead and Button Preview Album or in an album I have posted on my Flickr account.  (Same photo's both albums)  here are just a few pics..

Assorted Stoneware Components

 

 

 

Ceramic Owl Pendants

Assorted Stoneware Cabochons

Raku Jumbo Cabochons

SHOPPERS GOING TO THE SHOW: For those of you who have been shopping with me at the show you know by now the one problem that I have is overloaded bead trays.  It is the only thing that I have tried to change but for some reason, whatever the reason be it psychological, geographical, logistical or a combination of all of those things.. it is - what it is.  Have patience...  Cabochons will be on one side of my table and beads & buttons on the other.  I will have many trays behind the booth (mostly cabochons) if you are a "Cabby" you know where the "Cabby Chair is" have a seat and you can look through all of those trays.   If you need something in particular.. ASK ME., if you want to know if I have more of what you just found.. ASK ME.   I am taking credit cards, checks and preferably cash.  I am open to billing via Pay Pal if you are an established customer and would also prefer that to credit cards.   Atthe bottom of this blog post is a coupon for you to print out and bring to the show to use towards your purchase.  Please add your name and email on the back for my mailing list if you would like to.

NOT ATTENDING B&B:  I hope one day you can make the show but completely understand how difficult it is to go.  Lets face it - its an expensive trip if you are not local and there is just so much to buy it can be very overwhelming.  I am offering for those of you who cannot make the trip a coupon code for my Etsy Store which will be in effect from June 7th-14th, 2011.  The Coupon Code is: BeadButton and can be used as many times as you would like during those days for 20% your total order! (this cannot be combined with any other discount code) In July I will start packing the D*Stash store with lots of goodies..stay tuned for that announcement on my facebook wall.

I look forward to seeing my beady friends from all around the world!!  Lets have a great show and a fabulous time!  For those of you who cannot make the show this year -- you are in my thoughts and you will certainly be missed...

as always I wish you happy creating......

see ya soon

Spring Ahead My Foot!

I changed my blog colors to reflect a nice springy - green and maybe Mother Nature will take the hint!   We were doing okay there for a few days and then snow!  Today we were promised 8" or more., but all I see is rain so maybe it is not coming after all...though I do feel for my fellow NJ'ians out west,  rumor has it they received what they were promised!

The anxiety is starting and I am now trying to organize my thoughts and my materials for the upcoming Bead and Button Show in June.  The last few days I said I was going to start working in RAKU clay but just when I was about to open the box the Dark Brown Stoneware starting calling my name.  I am highly addicted to playing with different clays when I should be trying to perfect one -- but that's not going to happen in my studio..you can be sure of it!  I am as attention deficit as they come when you start talkin clay..as soon as I fall in love with one -- I am on to the other..but enough psychoanalysis for today..   All I know is I see alot of versatility during the next few months.

Etsy will not take a total back seat to this and I am trying to list 2 days a week and ship on Friday's.  The rest will be dedicated to creating in the studio and for those of you who know my routine, watching Netflix movies and documentaries!

I don't think I have anything coming up - publication-wise, if I do., please let me know.   I do believe I will be doing another Trunk Show at Beads Mosaic-Nanuet in May and other than that there is nothing on the calendar for right now!  That will probably change shortly.

So I leave you with this unexciting blog post for today - maybe I will have something a little more exciting to say next week!

Happy Creating!
and please check out the ETSY shop.. lots of new listings went up this morning and more to come this evening!

Lisa

Is November really almost over?

WOW, I was just trying to figure out my schedule for next month when I realized in 2 days it will be...

As some of you may or may not know I have been very busy with personal things the last month and a half and have not really been active in any of my online groups or my filling my online stores as I usually would be..especially this time of year when that is all that anyone is doing.

The weekend of the Wonderful Soft Flex Bead Show in NYC my Great Aunt had taken ill and was brought to the hospital for a serious medical condition that no one thought would prove to be as fatal as it did and after spending almost 10 days by her side she finally passed and we were devastated.  I grew up with my Great Aunt as much a part of my life as my grandmother and mother and it was a very sad time for all of us.  Shortly after we began the task of taking care of her belongings & her place of residence which took almost three weeks, working very long days to do so that it was done quickly but with respect.  I was basically put in charge of everything, which I did so willingly & with much love and a very heavy heart.. but everything else in my life had to be put on hold while it was being done.  

Before I knew it, Hank had his shoulder operation, and Thanksgiving was almost here and I could not believe how much time had passed since I had felt like I'd even held a bead in my hand!  If it was not for the  Fabulous Trunk Show at Bead Mosaic in Nanuet, I may have gotten a paper route and called it quits! (kidding) Things are finally getting back to normal and I want you all to know that I was so touched by your wonderful emails and messages.  I apologize for not answering any of them as I was completely overwhelmed..and when I tell you I have not answered any of them.. I have NOT.  I hope you can forgive me as I did it as a way to maintain the level of anxiety I would have suffered had I answered them in a rushed or hurried fashion, perhaps not expressing things exactly how I would like to therefore causing more stress and anxiety.  Its just my way of coping.   I hope to be able to answer each of you in the next few weeks.

I am very happy to say that I did get back to the business of Beads a little on Friday and alot today!  If you would like to see what new things were listed in my Etsy Shop please click on this link: Lisa Peters ART Etsy.   If you would like to see what products are on Serious SALE today please click on this link: Lisa Peters DeStash. and if that isn't enough by using the Coupon Code: CyberMonday in any of my Etsy Shops you will receive and additional 10% off your entire order.   It doesn't end there!  Lisa Peters on BIG CARTEL also is having a huge sale on any item in the store.  By using the Coupon Code: THANKS you will receive 25% off your order total!  How's that for a comeback?  I will begin getting back into the groove of daily listings and start opening those jewelry cases filled with beady-goodies for you to use!

I hope things are going to be calm for the next few weeks.  I could use a little calm.  Soon it will be time for me to get back into the studio to begin creating for 2011 and I am looking forward to doing so with a clear head and lots of wonderful ideas that have been swimming around in there even though I was not able to let them out due to my situation.. Ya never know, pain brought forth some phenomenal designs last year.. Maybe I can channel all the emotions I have been feeling the last 2 months into something meaningful for all of us to see.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Happy Creating,
Lisa

Come See Me

I never know when I am going to write a blog post so thinking ahead....

Please come see me Oct 15,16,17, 2010 at The Fashion Institute of Technology Campus Conference Center / John E. Reeves Great Hall Entrance on West 28th Street between 7th & 8th Ave in New York, NY 10001.. In a nutshell, I will be in the city that weekend doing the www.softflexcompany.com show!  Check out their website for more information!


Until then you will always find me on ETSY, Etsy D Stash and BIG CARTEL.. and can ya believe it, I opened an artfire shop but I didn't put anything in it yet... How about Tiles and Mosaic or Multi-Media Art pieces only???  That's a thought!


Hope everyone is happily creating..
Oh and Erin Prais-Hintz of Tesori Trovati Jewelry told me that one of HER designs featuring one of MY designs is going to be in Bead Style that's on shelves now!  I haven't seen it yet, if you have... check it out!


Ok, thats it for now..

ARTISTS: You are so talented, so different - its cool to be among you

I believe this morning I took my first deep breath after the shock that is Bead and Button (show).  The first few days after coming home you are still in the "zone" and then after a few personal appt's and telephone calls to non beady friends and family you begin to realize where you are.  HOME.   I slept late, I made a good breakfast, not an I-dont-have-any-time-or-counter-space-left-breakfast...because I am getting ready for a show.  We sat down together, at a table, civilized, though unkempt and talked.  I actually heard what Hank was saying instead of watching his lips move and thinking... "did I pack my rectangle cabochons in the jewelry case or is it in the shoe box of extra's?"  I drank all of my coffee.   We discussed some new product I picked up at the show and then sat down and used it for a bit and made some funky new molds for bead making... because we wanted to not because we had to..   Hank and I have a special project that we will announce when the time is right.. (no, Im not pregnant :( ) so we are doing our best to prepare for that.   Yesterday it was decided that I would be having minimal surgery on my cervical spine so that this awful problem that has been with me since last August can be put to rest (for a little while).    It is not a cure, but it is what I need for now and I am 100% satisfied with the Dr and the procedure and so is Hank.  You will have to do without me for about 6 weeks (awww, can ya handle it?  Please say no! :) but after-wards I believe I will be happy physically once again.   I have a "diet" that I do when I am about to have surgery (I hate the word diet., but it is a diet of sorts) so that my levels are in check and the process of recovery is easier, for me.  So I started that this morning.. hmm, its been 45 minutes and I'm doing ok..so far-so good! LOL  I will keep you posted on events as they unfold.

This morning I was looking through my contacts on Flickr.  My Goodness, sometimes I just can't believe the talent I see from all the creative people out there.  It was not like this years ago, it just wasn't.  Though the internet has brought us all together, I still believe the products and inspiration were not getting to alot of people who are using their creative energies now, in the most fabulous way!   There is alot of product on the market yet I find myself still very interested in those works that are simple and done with found objects and media-though I must have those products (just in case)

I am a poser of sorts lately.  I have a studio filled from floor to ceiling of hoarded medium.  Seriously, you have no idea.  I know alot of people say that.. but seriously, you have no idea what the heck I have.. Hank and I always joke and say "Wow, look at this place.. our kid would have had some Harvard education..." LOL (insert any expensive college of your choice in place of Harvard)  So, Anyway, I am a poser... because I don't use it, I only use ceramic lately..  So I would like to make a loose-goal of incorporating more mixed media works into my schedule this year (was that my goal last year??) and I really do hope that happens.  I miss it.

So, that's what I have to say this morning.  This blog post was inspired by my husband Hank who I found fabricating a skull & chain link "bumper" for his new pimped out golf cart by the sound of electric current kicking on and off and the glow of a MIG welder coming under the door in his work shop.   This is ART.

   Art is everywhere.. Mom's who are making the perfect Barbie Cake for their daughters birthday party - you are creating ART, Men and Women who are in their garages sanding the fender of their custom motorcycle - you are creating ART..  I hope the image of ARTIST is changing for people who when they HEAR the word do not just, SEE an image of an old Frenchman dabbing oil onto a canvas with shaky hand and baguette crumbs in his beard.   Its you too.

With much love on this beautiful day,
I leave you with..... The Hankster..

Bead and Button Show - It's finally Here!

In Just a few more hours I leave for the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI! I cannot believe how much stuff I have -- I thought I would get better at this and it seems as though I am getting more and more unorganized! Here I am, 12:20am doing laundry and have not even sent out a blast email to my customers! I figure if you are going, you know I'm there! Right? Right? Um, right :O uh oh!

So for those of you who are interested I am in Booth 1213 and will be there all week! Just for stopping by my blog I have a special for ya. Here is a coupon good for $5 off your purchase of $50 or more at my table! (at the bottom of this blog post or also available on my Facebook FAN Page!) Just print the coupon and bring it with you!

I will try very hard to keep my booth organized and pretty -- but simple when it comes to my beads is not one of my strong points! Please tell me if you are looking for anything in particular because I have so much stuff that will be stashed behind the curtain (literally.. there is a curtain and behind it is where I stash stuff! ) or under the table! Just make yourself at home behind my booth and take your time!

So here we go again! I look forward to seeing you all and Look forward to meeting some of you for the first time. I will have my computer with me so I can check emails at night when I get back to my room, so please send me a message if you need something! Driving in 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-

Save The Date!

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted to let you know about my next show! May 21,22 and 23, 2010 in New York City! Yay, I don't have to pay for hotel... I'm so happy! I will not be at the show personally on May 22 from 12pm on. I have a personal event that I have to attend. I will be there on Friday and Sunday!

My Mother (Dona) and My Husband (Hank) will be there on Saturday alone (GULP), so if you have any questions you need to ask me or if you have to discuss my product or process you will have to try to see me on Friday or Sunday or please email me. If there are any questions that you need answered on the spot have them call me!

Closer to the date I will be emailing a coupon to use at my booth lisa peters ART.

Stay tuned,
Lisa

I AM HAVING A BLACK FRIDAY BLOG GIVEAWAY

First I want to say to everyone HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am posting this a little early so that as many people as possible have a chance to participate. Next Friday is the so called "Black Friday" where people rush the stores and get the good sales. I know some of you cannot get out to the stores for this event and I know a lot of people are having a rough time this year. So I took a few moments and tried to come up with a way that I could show my appreciation and Give Thanks to all of you for being the wonderful support you have been, my old friends and new!

I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I have "met" on the internet and in person at shows & classes. I never thought my creative soul-mates were just a click away! As an artist there are times when we feel closed off from the rest of the world because we can lose hours, days, whole weeks and months dedicated to a single project or many little projects as far as bead making is concerned. Its nice to know that when I look up for a moment at the screen next to me there you are! Not only have you shown interest in my work but you have shown concern for me personally when physically all isn't working as it should. Who knew I could be so lucky! So, with that said...

MY BLACK FRIDAY BLOG GIVEAWAY is............................ a surprise-I can't show ya! But what I will tell you is, The winner will receive $100 worth of Lisa Peters ART assorted beads, buttons, pendants and cabochons as well as some of my studio stash that is not ceramic related! I am a hoarde---- I mean collector of many beautiful things and would like to share a small bit of those things with you! I am hoping that with these things and some of your own you can put together some handmade gifts to share this holiday season or give yourself a gift and make lovely things for you to enjoy! My only wish is that it brings a smile to you! So again, $100 worth of LPA Goodies and on top of that a whole bunch of great Studio Stash.

So, by leaving a comment on my blog a random generator "thingie "from random.org will calculate a number that corresponds with the order in which you left your blog comment. To make it fun - I would like everyone to answer the following ridiculous question. How would you use Lisa Peters ART pieces to save the world? I will randomly choose some of your answers to use in my advertisements on Etsy and on My Facebook Fan Page. You do not have to, I do not think the random generator will show favoritism! :) If not tell me what types of pieces you are interested in working with from LPA. I show and tell most of the time on flickr, so take a few moments and have a look-see!

Good Luck! The Reader Comment Option has been turned off until The Blog Giveaway begins Black Friday, November 27th, 2009 at approx. 12:00am EST until Monday Evening, November 30th, 2009 at approx. 11:59pm EST. The winner will be notified on my blog on Tuesday, December 1, 2009! I will not comment back to any of you until after the giveaway so that I do not interfere with the sequence., but will hang out over at LPA on Facebook anxiously awaiting your comments! BTW, I would love it if you stopped by my FACEBOOK Fan Page and became a fan! Until then I will be listing items on etsy that will have their own special deals as well! Etsy shoppers will be offered FREE SHIPPING on any orders placed in my etsy shop on Friday, November 27th - so if you can't get out to the stores that day feel confident that you will find something to create with at lisapetersART's etsy store and you wont have to pay to get it to you!

Don't forget to check out the BAO IOTW (Bead Art Originals, Item of the Week) and the BAO Color Mosaic for Winter White & Gold Items from your favorite BAO Sellers!

I Thank You for making 2009 a wonderful year!
Much love from my home to yours,
Lisa Peters

Creative Jewelry is Right!

Creative Jewelry 2009 featured alot of great designs by alot of wonderful designers! It was alot of fun to play the "I know who made that bead" without peeking at the answers game while looking through the pages.. Do you do that too?

I had recieved a few emails regarding a stoneware piece I created that Jane Dickerson purchased from me a year ago. It was the only one I had ever made of this particular piece (gee, how unlike me) and I was really excited to see how it came out.. I had to rush out an get a copy of the mag and am really pleased with the results! The Stoneware Crescent shape was hard to make, Jane did a fantastic job on Rich Earth, I really love this and the piece that was shown on the opposite page entitled Sleepy Trees was really cool too!

For the customers who did request via email the Crescent Shape Pendant, thank you so much and I should have a handful of them created by this October (cross fingers please!). To my blog followers if you would like a piece like the crescent shown in the magazine please let me know in advance or I will show my progress on Flickr.com & the regular venues!

I am back from the Lake Ontario, picking vegetables from the garden and making lots of soup! When the laundry is done and the Lake Gear all put away I'm getting that clay bag out! I found lots of good textures waiting for me at some garage sales over the weekend and they are just itching to be pushed into some new buttons & beads!


Til Next time!

Bead & Button 2009 is over, see ya next year!

Hello everyone! ( all 3 of you who read my blog! LOL) Bead and Button Show is finally over! The drive to Milwaukee, WI with Mom was not so terrible. The ride lasted 16 hours but that was because Mom likes to drink coffee... alot of coffee, which means, she likes to stop for bathroom breaks ALL THE TIME! It was fine, we left a day early and my set up is very simple so we had alot of extra time to chill out. The show began with a BANG, Thursday Preview night was fabulous and Friday was just as good. Saturday was really slow, slower than I had imagined "slow" would be like at B & B and Sunday only a wee bit better! I love being there so even the slow days are ok, but I would have really loved it to be 4 days of Thursday night repeats! I am going back again next year, I have handed in my contract and that will decide my future at B & B. The show is so fantastic to be a part of and I hope I can continue being a part as long as I can. It was wonderful seeing the winners of the Bead Dreams Competition were some people I knew, especially a BAO sister, Janice from Naftali. It was very sad to see the lack of a variety of materials aside from those mixed in with Seed Beads and especially sad to see almost no representation of buttons. If there was I am sorry I missed it. I sometimes wonder if my next subscription the word Button may disappear entirely as it gets smaller and smaller with each issue.

I had so much fun meeting "in person" Mary Lou Holvenstot from time2cre8.com. She is such a wonderful person to know over the net, and in person just as wonderful! Mom and I were very happy to have Heather Powers from Humblebeads stay with us on Friday night and tell us all about the Bead Cruise and her creations! I believe we have to say things like this nowadays, due to the nature of how we meet so many fascinating people via our computers. I am always describing how much I adore a good friend of mine only to then say, but we have never met face to face. I am happy when I hear that is becoming part of the norm! What did people do before they could meet their creative soul mates from way accross the country or accross the globe?

I displayed beautiful pieces created by Carol Dean Sharpe of SandFibers, Mary Lou Holvenstot from Time2cre8, Grace Danel from Grace Beading and Linda Themer from Textured Turtle. I also brought along Marsha Hedricks, Amazing Porcelain Beads alot of which were featured in Beads 2009! My favorite has to be the jointed teddy bear...if only you could see this piece in person you would just fall in love! The pieces created for the show by the artists I mentioned were such an integral part of my being able to sell my cabochons (large cabochons) that I truly owe them a commission on every sale! Potential buyers, who moved on from trays of pendants to cabs, wondered, "why dont these pieces have bails?" and all I had to do was point and the gasps began. (see photo of MOM) I cannot thank you enough ladies for supporting me in the way you have over the last few months (even years) What is most amazing is how each piece, using the same materials had totally unique outcomes. They were absolutely amazing and I love you all so much for spending the hours that were necessary to complete such wonderful works! Please check out the artists websites, blogs & flickr.com accounts to see these works in all stages of developement and I too will have photographs posted everywhere I can! My dear friend, Linda Themer was going through a very rough time as I was preparing for this show and I wish I could have been more supportive (email/phone call-wise) during this time, as she was very supportive to me when she assisted me in 2008 Bead and Button Show! Thanks for your understanding Linda! and people LOVE your Rusty Turtle Fabric!

To all the people I met this year at B & B for the first time, it was a pleasure to meet you and thank you for your purchases! To all the people who could not attend, I will begin stocking my ETSY shop next week, which I let run out prior to the show so I could have all new inventory! There are a few trunk shows in the works for different parts of the country which I will let you all know about as soon as they are "written in stone" so if you are local you can stop by and see the pieces in person! To B & B Faculty a BIG THANKS for sharing my pieces with your students and vice versa, that is always wonderful to hear that my work gets a thumbs up from "gals in groups". And lastly, Lisa finally bought a little kiln! So custom orders may be do-a-ble! And if I get my way Cone 10 & PMC Metal Clays will be added to the lisapetersART mix as well.. lets see how adventurous I become! Til then, I should be back to blogging next week, please check out Facebook & Flickr for photo updates and Thanks again for your constant encouragement and support - it really means alot! I'm back, Lisa

Do you smell smoke?

Well, that would be me.

I have been raku firing for the last few days Sunrise - Sunset. If I had to sum up how its going I would say, AWESOME! I believe that the pieces I have fired have been my best in the few years I have been doing this. Everything seems to be working. My glazes, my reduction. The styles I created this last time around really stand apart from previous firings. I hope everyone is as excited about them as I am when I debut them this weekend at Berks Bed Bazzar in Pa, and next week online on flickr - I am trying to build my inventory for Bead and Button Show so most items will not find their way to etsy, but please do not hesitate to check out flickr and inquire about a piece, YES they will be for sale.

This morning, before my eyes were even open I checked my email and saw a wonderful note from Patrizia Tager, from Triz Design, a bead designer which lead me to a link on her Face Book Pages. I could not believe it when I saw this gorgeous piece that started from a Raku Cabochon Triz picked up from me last year on Etsy. The photo and description are all taken from Triz's Flickr Photostream and are c. Patrizia Tager.

A bead embroidered collar inspired and beaded around one of Lisa Peters’ Art’s ( www.flickr.com/photos/lisapetersart/ ) beautiful handmade raku fired ceramic cabochon and small olivine Swarovski flat back. Bead-embroidered using bronze and grey Czech seed beads, gold-lined and cream-lined grey Japanese seed beads. Embellished using sand opal Swarovski crystals, fresh-water pearls in various shades of grey and cream and Czech fire polished glass beads in different shades and finishes of grey.The back of this collar is lined with grey ultrasuede and the clasp is an antique gold pewter toggle and ring.The collar measures 17” (c. 43 cm). The centrepiece measures 3 ½” (c. 9 cm) at the widest part and 4 ½” (c. 11.5 cm) in length. The side panels measure 1 ½” (c. 3.5 cm) at the widest part and ¾” (c. 1.8 cm) at the narrowest closer to the clasp.This is a handmade original One-of-a-Kind piece of wearable art, never to be repeated again!
Is that not an amazing piece of artistry? Wow.. It certainly inspires me to get back to my studio and begin another day of smoke and fire - Raku'ing more creations for you to have fun with. I will be firing until Wednesday night and then I will begin to organize for: Berks Bead Bazzar. Please come see me if you are local!

For those of you who cannot see me this weekend, I will photograph my inventory on March 3rd and upload to my flickr.com photostream for you to review. If you see anything you like please post a note on the photo OR send me the link to the page (not the photo title) the actual link from your browser so I can easily locate what it is you are interested in.

Til' then - Happy Creating!

Lisa

This is going to be a great week - I can feel it!

This is going to be a great week! I feel very part of the bead world in every sense!

It started out last week with the wonderful article in Interweave Press' BeadWork Magazine, Lisa Peters BEADMAKER! I have received some wonderful emails from friends and customers regarding the article. I thanked her in my previous blog post, but I want to thank her again -- Thanks Marlene Blessing from Interweave for using me as your Featured BeadMaker in the BeadWork Feb 09' Issue!

This morning I see that "Amazing Grace" is offering 2 items, made with my stoneware shank buttons (lips and flower) for the One World One Heart Blog Event! Check out this wonderful post on Grace Danels, Grace Beadings Blog and then check out One World One Heart Event on their blog as well! (photos: stolen from Grace Beading)

The gals over at Bead Art Originals are doing it again, with their Bead Art Originals Item of the Week! This week I am offering a set of 3 stoneware connector beads, 2 called ugly beads and one rose shaped bead in Fire Opal Pink! Check out the great specials offered by our other members at the Bead Art Originals Blog!

And lastly, wow..I had been worried that this last clay session was not going to click.. but it has -- I am making some really great pieces. And for you Beadweavers out there! Wow..if you like big, I have some awesome BIG Cabs for you to bead around. Please sign up for my mailing list (via my website) or feel free to send me a message or comment to this post and I will add you to the mailing list. Tell me if you are looking for anything in particular so I can always notify you of anything new I have create!

I will be out of town Tuesday and Wednesday (sigh, we sold our beach house at the Jersey Shore..) Bye-Bye Belmar! but will be back on Thursday and ready to fire up some of the great pieces I created last week!

Til then, Happy Creating! Wishing u a fantastic Monday!

Brrrrr... Its Cold & Snowy Outside

Doesn't bother me at all though - all I need is clay and some coffee and I am oblivious as usual to the weather outside! I did find my kitty Buddee sleeping on the table this morning, watching the snow fall - laying on my freshly made pendants! I guess he was trying to "hatch them"...

Working with the clay the last few days I did not think anything was clicking, but now that I look at them again, in their dry stage (before the first firing, called Bisque firing) I think I made some cool stuff. My beads (the connector type) are coming out great, the pendants - I am still waiting for the ah-ha moment..but they are ok. I am making alot of non textured pendants so that I can melt alot of glass and copper on them in the Raku Firing. Making them look similar to the fat pendant type beads I was making. Very runny and drippy.. we'll see.

So, off I go back to work. Wanted to say good morning and again, thanks everyone for all the support for the B & B issue. I am over it..what's done is done..I have not given it another thought after their response, except to respond to all you wonderful people for your kind words! And I move on to the next. There is never a lack of injustice's in this world and I am never without my handy soapbox, so..

Til next time, Have a great one! stay warm (to all the locals!)

Open Houses? 12 Days of BAO Gift Giving? Black Friday? Cyber Monday? Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My!

I am super proud to be a member of a team that really has their stuff together! They complete me! (lol!) Well I am sure you didn't hear it here first, but just in case you are the Bead Art Originals Street Team are totally in the spirit of giving! First you have to check out the Twelve Days of Gift Giving on the BAO Blog. Its fun, exciting and you get a chance to win a free gift!

And if that isn't enough to keep you going then starting 12:01am, November 28-31, 2008 we are having an OPEN HOUSE! Yes, an Open House and you don't have to go anywhere in order to start shopping! With the price of gas today how can you go wrong shopping for one of a kind, artisan made gifts from the comfort of your own home!

Some of our members will be offering specials during the Open House, including special pricing and free worldwide shipping. Here's the list of participating members and their special offerings. (If you purchase from one of these shops during the Open House weekend, make sure to include the code BAO OPEN HOUSE in the Notes to Seller when you check out.)

Anna (ARoseByName): free shipping
Heather (Humblebeads): free shipping on all orders and a free gift with purchases of $50 or more Carli (Juiceglass): free shipping
Lisa (LisaPetersArt): free surprise gift (at least $5 value) with any purchase over $30 (note that this special is being offered through the end of the year)
Mak (MAKUstudio): free shipping + 10% off purchases over $50 and 15% off purchases over $100
Dee (Malodora): free shipping
Swanee (MistyRidgeBeads): free shipping
Janice (Naftali): free shipping
Melody (SalamanderHouse): free shipping
Carol Dean (SandFibers): free shipping and a set of Sand Fibers coasters ($12 value) with every order
Smadar (SmadarsTreasure): free shipping + 10% off the second item purchased
Sarah (thebeadedlily): free shipping
Darcy (thejadedog): free shipping
MaryLou (time2cre8): free shipping on entire order with the purchase of anything with the "bao team" tag
Lisa (tqbdesigns): free shipping
Triz (triz): free shipping

Have a Wonderful Weekend and Fantastic Shopping Experience!

Stay Tuned!

Lisa

HOME SWEET HOME - At least for this week.

Home Sweet Home. I am finally back for more than one day. I arrived home late last night to find some really large beefsteak tomatoes in the garden and 2 of the largest squash I have ever seen waiting for me, which is a good thing because I believe I ate more than I ever have whilst enjoying the last of the summer on the lake. It is so sad saying good-bye to Pt. Penninsula, NY even though I dont go that often (thank you gas prices) it is sad to drive away and see the place all quiet and ready for winter..and what a winter it is there..I have been once and never again. NO THANK YOU! I also arrived home to find out my debit card had been compromised and the little thieves cleaned out my checking account. Sigh :( Its all fun and games until the money is gone! LOL. Hopefully the matter will clear up ASAP... until then can you tell the nice people at American Express the check is NOT in the mail? and the electric co, gas co, water co, phone co, etc., etc., etc.... hey, I didn't have any money to pay them anyway..who am I kidding?

I did arrive home to some really nice messages & photographs from my customers of work they have created with my pieces - I hope in the next few days I can blog about each person and show you their work.

One in particular I would like to showcase today is MaryLou Holvenstot from time2cre8.com. MaryLou creates intricately detailed and whimsical pen and ink drawings. She also designs and creates beadwoven jewelry and art pieces, some of which have been featured in Step by Step Beads. One of her newest creations includes a RAKU Shank Button she purchased from me recently. I love the way the ndebele rope was created. I think the twists and turns really add depth to the piece and I believe Mary Lou Matched the color of the RAKU (Not an easy task) really beautifully and brightened it up using the lighter shades of beads. You can view/purchase this piece by visiting Mary Lou's Etsy Shop . Thank you Mary Lou for turning my shank button into such a wonderful pendant! It is a great example of how versatile a button can be..turn it into a cab! It is so wonderful when I see my pieces in action., I truly admire all the bead artists, especially those members of Bead Art Originals who create such wonderful pieces. Where would we (artisan bead makers) be without you? (Photo: Turquoise with a Twist c. Mary Lou Holvenstot)

Til Next Time,
I will be doing vacation laundry...