Everyday things that make me smile

As you read my blog – THANKS for that, by the way 🙂 – you’re probably wondering

‘What is she like?’ ‘Who is she?’

Let me try to answer those questions. I think the best way to do this is in pictures!

So, when the idea for this blog came to me, I grabbed my camera, walked around my house and my yard, and snapped a few photos of things that make me happy, that make me smile every day!

1. Of course, my beads! I can never have enough beads. When you walk into my studio, they are everywhere. Either still in their little package, in containers, in drawers – I’m using ‘nuts ‘n bolts’ storage receptacles- and in half-finished creations.

Just last week I received a bead order, and the beads that looked real pretty in the pictures, were amazingly beautiful in person. That made me smile!                              Here they are….

These are Glass-beads – almost 2″ long – and handpainted in India. They are gorgeous, don’t you agree?

I just started using them in my creations…here are the first two pieces. A long necklace, and a hair barrette

2. My fabric stash                                                                                                                          I always had my sewing machine within reach – but never used it much. Until recently when the ‘Fabric Bug’ bit me, and I saw beautiful textures and patterns everywhere.  My favorite right now is the blush pink/black cotton print on the right.

Together with the black and white on the left, and a complimentary color (yet to be found!), it will be a Springtime Infinity-Scarf – kinda like the ones I have in my store.

3. My favorite coffee cup… a gift from my lovely daughter 🙂

4. Books – I read mostly fiction ~ ‘who-dune-it’s’ with an amateur sleuth, à la ‘Jessica Fletcher’ 🙂  But these here are two of my all-time-favorites non-fiction books…

5. My loom – recently acquired. I had mentioned it in an earlier blog – a children’s loom, quite small, made of wood. Perfect for me – since I like to weave ‘motif-wall-hangings’. Right now there’s a new project in the making – a ‘brick wall’ (marble beads) which will be topped by green ‘ivy’ and flowers.

6. My favorite sweatshirt – I love the colors, the design, and the hood!

7. My Angel collection (pictured here are just a few of my favorite ones)

8. My dogs – Lorelai ( the Westie) and Eddie (the ‘we don’t really know’) in the background, racing to get into the picture. I would have waited for him, but Lorelai is a little camera shy – usually, as soon as she see’s the camera she averts her eyes. Might be a bit attitude-y!

9. My yard – all things Nature, really – but in my yard I get to enjoy it all day, every day.

Our Birch-Tree                             Maple

This ^ beautiful russian Olive tree is in the neighbors yard                                                    Here’s a picture from last fall – when a mushroom grew in the hollow

The first Rosebud 🙂

The Rhododendron – which according to our ‘Yard Pro’ does not grow in our climate.   Ha – showed him!

10. …and last but not least…. Marble Cake (no further explanation necessary, right?!)

Art Deco – then and now

The most common question is ~ ‘What is ‘Art Deco’? Well, the most straightforward answer would be ‘decorative Art’.  But let me elaborate….

The term ‘Art Deco’ stems from the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes, held in Paris. The show was organized by an association of French artists known as, La Societe des Artistes Decorateurs (society of decorator artists). Most of it’s founders were previously involved in ‘Art Nouveau’, a style that, with it’s fluid motifs, contrasts sharply with ‘Art Deco’.

The structure of ‘Art Deco’ is founded on geometric shapes which drew equally on the faceted architectural forms of Babylon, Assyria, Ancient Egypt, and Aztec Mexico.             To be specific, Art Deco designs are characterized by trapezoidal, zigzagged, and triangular shapes, chevron patterns, and sweeping curves.

Art Deco styling was enthusiastically adopted by artists all over the world – in architecture*, interior design, poster art, furniture, jewelry, textiles, fashion and industrial design. It is also very evident in the visual arts, such as paintings, and graphics.

Initially a luxury style, using costly materials like silver, crystal, ivory, jade and lacquer, after the Depression it also used cheaper and mass-produced materials like chrome, plastics, lacquer, inlaid wood, aluminum, and stainless steel.  ‘Art Deco’ also introduced exotic items like shark-skin, and zebra-skin.

Bold, bright colors and metallics rose fast in popularity.                                             During the roaring 20s lively energetic colors began to symbolize the prosperity of the time. Hues like canary yellow, peacock blue, emerald green, brilliant red, and royal purple were all the rage. Since metallic finishes instantly add Glitz and Glamor, and imply wealth. Silver, Gold, and metallic blues were used in abundance, and represented the prosperity of the time.

I recently found acrylic, C-shaped beads, in metallic hues, and instantly had a necklace design in mind, that needed to be made. Here it is….

I combined the beads with gold chain, gold links (oval and rectangular), and ‘Charlotte’ beads. Due to the nature of the acrylic beads, this necklace is delightfully lightweight, while it still makes a statement, will get you noticed!

As you saw in the ‘opening picture’, I did make 3 more necklaces using these beads. This time I stuck to 2 colors, making the pieces more modest. Here is a better look…

I hope you enjoyed this post!                                                                                  ’til next time! I hope I get to welcome you back!                                                    ~Tina @ Kristabella Weston

Here’s a little tidbit for my neighbors..                                                                          *In Missouri, the best example of the Great Depression and its effect on Art Deco construction is the Kansas City Power and Light Building (completed 1931). Other examples in Kansas City include the Municipal Auditorium, the Jackson County Courthouse, and City Hall.