Friday Feature: Susan's Charming Trinkets

Tweet

I am so pleased today to finally feature my Bead Soup Blog Party partner, Susan Walls of Susan's Charming Trinkets.  Susan and her art are all about creativity and fun, and I am having such fun getting to know her as we participate in this year's soup exchange.  I hope you'll get to know her a little bit more here and take the time to visit some of her sites. Welcome, Susan!

Explain the story behind your store or trade name.

Let’s see…to be honest I’m not entirely sure how I came up with that name. My business started for me back in 1996 (or before) as Hardwear by Susan. I was into everything creative and focused on nothing. It was (and still is sometimes) pure artistic schizophrenia. The original name was a play on words as my husband is a software computer guy…Hardwear, software…most days that’s an inside joke. As I started to hone in on jewelry as my focus, and themed charm jewelry, Charming Trinkets was uttered one day and I thought it sounded right. I’ve been that ever since…but am having a branding identity crisis yet again and I’m seriously thinking of changing it to Susan’s Art Circus. (my current web and blog name) Just the word circus explains my creative process, my home life, and so many other things!

2.     Explain how and why, if applicable, your work has changed in the last 5 years.

Change has happened gradually with the opening of ideas and really concentrating on what I love to do and shedding the things I don’t like so much. I’ve zeroed in much better on running with my intuition and gut rather than overthinking everything. (not everyday but more days that not) That translates into jewelry pieces with more of a mixed media flare, more varied mix of materials and themes, and much more of my sense of humor. I don’t worry so much that the general public will or will not like it. I just go with it…

3.     What and/or who influences your work?  OR  What and/or who motivates you in your work?  How do you find your muse?

My family is perhaps my best inspiration on a daily basis. We hang out together a lot and share many humorous stories, jokes, or situations. There always seems to be laughter in my house. Aside from that I love all kinds of people. Part of my career was spent in the restaurant business dealing with hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Faces show up constantly.  I work all the time so motivation comes in waves. Sometimes it’s the pressure of an upcoming show, other times the thought process of an idea. And the days when motivation seems to be lacking? Well, that I can normally fix with a cup of strong coffee and some studio clean up!

4.     What do you enjoy most about your work?

Two things: the freedom of being able to work for yourself and the control that comes with that. It’s very freeing after many years of working for someone else to be able to figure it out for yourself. It’s also a blessing (and some days a curse) to be able to figure out your own destiny and work your passion.

5.    What is your favorite piece in your shop right now?  Why?

I hate to admit my shop is totally empty currently. I am headed into my first show of the season and everything is going with me!* But if I had to pick something off the table it would be a bracelet filled with images from my own mixed media painting. It’s a fairly new technique I’ve been creating and allows me to take photos or fragments of a painting or larger work and turn it into a wearable piece of jewelry.

*Susan completed this interview over a month ago, but I'm just now posting it (see earlier post "Excuses, Excuses, Excuses"). ;)
You can find Susan and her work at the following sites - be sure to stop by!

www.susanscharmingtrinkets.com

www.charmingtrinkets.etsy.com

www.thecre8ivecircus.etsy.com  (my jewelry supply shop)

www.susansartcircus.com/blog

www.facebook.com/susanscharmingtrinkets

www.twitter.com/susanmwb

www.instagram.com/susanmwb

www.susanscharmingtrinkets.blogspot.com  (my old blog but has lots of stuff still there)

"Stay tuned" as Susan and I (and almost 500 other "beader-bloggers") participate in the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party next Saturday, May 8th - stop by here to see the creations I make from Susan's wonderful soup and start hopping to Susan's blog to see what she created with my soup...and on to the other talented designers!

"Friday Feature," is a highlight available to artisans/bloggers who follow this blog - just become a "GFC" (Google Friend Connect - in the right hand column) and I'll forward you the information.  If you know of someone who might like to be featured, let them know about this opportunity!

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

Tweet

Awol, I know...and when I've been supposed to be blogging about the amazing Bead Soup Blog Party exchange that I'm participating in (our big "reveal" of creations is coming NEXT Saturday, May 3rd).  If it matters, I do have some good excuses (a couple of unexpected hospital stays, a much needed vacation), some reasonable excuses (extra Mimi time with the kiddos, some final celebrations with soccer girl as she approaches graduation, a calendar full of graduation and wedding preparations), and yes, those excuses that just don't hold water (procrastination, "oh, I've put it off for so long so where do I begin now").  But, I'm here now so here we go...

First, let me say I am thrilled to be paired with the multi-talented Susan M. Walls of  Susan’sCharming Trinkets.  Just a reminder, with the BSBP, each partner sends a "soup" of beads which must contain at least one focal and one clasp and a variety of other beads. As the "cook," our guidelines are that the design(s) must use the provided focal and clasp.  I was wonderfully surprised and so excited to receive the following soup from Susan - who apparently miraculously tapped into my love of all things "ocean" :)

As soon as I opened the package, I immediately knew that Susan had a great whimsical character and sense of fun that I would love. :) 

 Each package was wrapped carefully with a touch of beautiful color.

I felt like Susan was right there with me as I opened her package :)





And in a way, she was  :)

I

And look, such a gorgeous soup, I have to work with!!

You'll learn more about Susan when I feature her and her work here on Friday.  As for me,  I better get working on this soup!!

It's Here!!!!

Tweet

Yay!! My soup has arrived, and I am SOOOO excited! It is just what the doctor ordered :)  First, excuses for being AWOL....well, there you go.  No, seriously, a repeat bout with a nasty infection landed me in the hospital for a few days - and said infection really beats the energy out of me as well (nice stuff, eh?) so yes, it actually took this package to "kick" me back here ;)

Back in January, I posted an announcement about the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party, hosted by the most-incredible, super-awesome, unbelievably-talented Lori Anderson (all of those superlative adjectives mean you really must take some time to visit her blog, her website, and show her some love).  After only ONE day of sign-ups this year, we still have almost 500 participants WORLD-WIDE!  This is my second year so I still consider myself a "newbie."

As a "newbie," I was a little surprised but VERY thrilled to be matched up with my soup partner, Susan M. Walls of Charming Trinkets, who is participating in the soup for the first time (but as you can/will see has creativity and experience that is so inspiring).  The "rules" of the soup are that we "make" a bead "soup" for each other which must contain at least one focal and one clasp in addition to whatever else we would like to add to the "recipe."  Once each "cook" receives the soup, we have until May 3rd to design and create at least one piece featuring the focal and/or clasp (but more pieces can be made) by adding to the "recipe" as needed.  On May 3rd, ALL soupers will post their creations on their blogs AND on the 8th BSBP Pinterest Board.  AND a wonderful blog hop begins as we all start jumping around to see what we've created by visiting as many blogs as we can.

Last week, before I was sidelined, I carefully mixed my soup for Susan and packed it all for her, ready to head for sunny southern California (someone might be trying to tell me something as my soup partner last year, Mandi E., of Craft-o-licious, is also from southern California!). :)


Here's a sneak peek of what I sent - the "big reveal" of the soups will be next week as both Susan & I have now received our packages.

And NOW, it's here - my soup from Susan arrived today!  And....it is SOOOOO over-the-stovetop,  perfectly terrific!  I'm holding off on sharing it with you until next week - and be sure to check in next Friday when I'll have a special feature on Susan and her shop!  But, for now, enjoy what I did as I opened the package and found such joy and...as I'm learning, Susan's trademark, "FUN!" inside!! :)

"FUN!" indeed!  See you next week! ;)

Calling All Knitters!

Tweet

I love penguins.  There is something adorable about the tuxedo-wearing, teeter-tottering creatures that has always made me smile.  So when this "news" came across my Facebook feed this morning, I didn't hesitate to share it and knew that I'd be pulling out my own needles and collection of leftover yarn (oh, don't ask about that pile in the corner...) to help out.

 

Knitters wanted for penguin pullovers - ABC Melbourne - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

 

The sweater ("jumper" as it is called) pattern is available for downloading on the site as are directions for mailing.  I'm planning to share the project with my knitting group and see if we can get a few "jumpers" to mail.  C'mon - if you're a knitter, I know you've got a stash, too! ;)  Why not give it a go?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Tweet

Mr. Matt Turns Three!

Tweet

A new month, another birthday to celebrate - yes, that's the way it is this time of year for Mimi.  Today is our Matthew's third birthday, and what a terrific three-year-old he is!  Again, I am amazed at how quickly the years are passing.

 

Happy, happy birthday, dear Matthew - you are our big boy, and we love you so very much!

And, a "birthday" poem for you, sweet Matt...

"Noise Day"

Let’s have one day for girls and boyses
When you can make the grandest noises.
Screech, scream, clang a bell,
Sneeze– – hiccup– – whistle– – shout,
Laugh until your lungs wear out,
Toot a whistle, kick a can,
Bang a spoon against a pan,
Sing, yodel, bellow, hum,
Blow a horn, beat a drum,
Rattle a window, slam a door,
Scrape a rake across the floor,

Use a drill, drive a nail,
Turn the hose on the garbage pail,
Shout Yahoo– – Hurrah– – Hooray,
Turn up the music all the way,
Try and bounce your bowling ball,
Ride a skateboard up the wall,
Chomp your food with a smack and a slurp,
Chew– – chomp– – hiccup– – burp.
One day a year do all of these,
The rest of the days– – be quiet please.
                --- Shel Silverstein

(Well, maybe not...) :)