HELLO FRIENDS!

 

I was excited to see my necklace featured on the table of contents page of Belle Armoire Magazine!  The front page of my article is also featured as an online promo for this issue. A big thank you to Cynthia Levens for including my work. I have submitted again, with some decal enamel pieces, but I don't know, I have no idea about being accepted, one never knows, until the email arrives.  We will see.  In the mean time, I have some of my decal artist components on Etsy, for you to consider for your own designs,  

Some other exciting news, I will have a piece published in Barbara Lewis' new book coming out in August.  It will be in the section on color.  I cant wait to see it in print, and I can not wait to see what Barbara has in store for us!

Thank you for stopping by the studio!  Come back by for the Bead Soup Party Reveal where I will have 2 pieces with Laura Blanck's fabulous lamp work beads.  I hope to see you then!  Laura

 

 

 

 

Bead Soup

 

 

Here are the pictures of the soups that Laura times 2 have sent each other.

 

I received many of Laura's lamp work beads. 

 I already have some projects that have popped into my head. Now, to see if I can create what I see in my imagination, will be the challenge. Another challenge for me, will be working with large beads.  Laura's beads are bigger than the beads I normally work with.  So, this is perfect, because this is what the Bead Soup Blog Party is all about.  Creating and challenging yourself!  I am thrilled to work with these beads! The colors and the designs are fabulous.  Laura was very generous in what she sent me.  Besides the handmade beads, she sent a beautiful clasp, some wonderful leaf beads, and some sparkly glass beads.  The soup is simmering!

 

 

Laura Blanck - Open Studio Beads

 

 Focal Beads by Laura Blanck

 

 

Clasp and extra beads that Laura sent to me.

 

 

The pictures below are the Bead Soup I sent Laura.

 I created the enamel beads and pendant with the text "Sing" and "Dance"

because Laura is a performer. 

I also created the enamel art quote pendant. 

 I made the silver solder clasp and wing of which

I was happy with how they

turned out.  I wanted to give Laura a choice with the focal.

 



 

Here is the picture of the entire soup together.  I chose bright colors, because Laura is bright and cheerful.  I cant wait to see which focal Laura uses!  Stay tuned for our pieces in the May 3rd reveal.



8th Bead Soup Blog Party

 

 

The party has arrived!  I have my partner, and the fun is just beginning!  Meet another Laura.  Laura Blanck of Open Studio Beads.  Laura is a lamp work bead artist, creating fabulous beads!  She works with fire and a torch to create her wonderful artisan beads.  I think we will get along!

 

 Each and every bead Laura creates is  absolutely stunning.  Bright and cheerful and full of detail.  Laura sells at art and craft shows and her beads have been published in Belle Armoire magazine and other publications I believe.  

There are some amazing focal beads and bead sets available on her Etsy site.
  You can visit her shop here.

 Laura is originally from Buenos Aires Argentina, and now lives in Florida.

I love Laura's fun and creative style, and her love of whimsical and funky comes alive in her work.
She is also a poet, and loves to dance, sing and perform.  I am excited to get to know Laura.  

 

I am also looking forward to seeing what soup Laura has simmering for me.  I need some color and fun after the dreary days of winter. I am ready!

 

 

Stay tuned for my reveal, as I will include a giveaway! I already know its going to be spectacular, if Laura has anything to do with making the beads!

Thanks for visiting Blue Antiquities!

 

 

Romance is in the Details

 

Hello everyone.  I am very excited to have my torch-fire work published for a second time in Belle Armoire Jewelry.  This is the Spring issue, due on shelves nationwide March 1.  My pieces are spring colors of pinks, purples and greens, so it fits that my article got delayed a couple of times to this publication.  I still feel uneasy when it comes to writing.  My pieces and the titles for them, were inspired by the streets of France and the Bridge of Sighs located in Venice Italy.

 

I really would like to go across the ocean and see all of the lovely places we hear about and see in the movies.  It's a dream of mine, along with so many other people.  Anyone up for planning and saving for a trip?  Seems so out of the realm of possibility now, with my kids and where they are in life.  And the responsibilities of family, and marriage.  Ah, a girl can dream, I dream of Paris flea markets.  Yes, and the  gorgeous buildings and walkways, the Eiffel tower, and little antique shops, and the flea markets I see in the pages of my decorating magazines.  But for now, it is only but a dream.

 

A little information on the Bridge of Sighs, the title for my necklace published in the "Romance is in the Details" article in Belle Armoire Jewelry.

 

 

 

The bridge was built in 1602 and made of white limestone with windows having stone bars.  It is the last view of beautiful Venice by convicts going to their imprisonment.  The bridge name given by Lord Byron in the 19 century comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their last view of Venice before being taken to their cells. 

 

On a happier note, there is a legend that if lovers kiss at sunset under the Bridge of Sighs while the church bells ring, eternal love will be granted.  In the movie 

A Little Romance  featuring Diane Lane this legend served as a plot line.  

 

 

Bridge of Sighs Necklace- Torch Fire enamel,

and patina with Gilders paste

 

Petites Maisons Roses Earrings

"Little Pink Houses"



 



 

Romantic Ruins Earrings

 

I really enjoyed creating these pieces, and I would love to teach you how to torch fire enamel with the Painting with Fire method. It's quite easy to learn, and there are many different things you can do with the technique to personalize and add an artistic element to your components and beads in your jewelry.  If your in the triad area of North Carolina, contact me here, lkguenther@triad.rr.com

I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for visiting my blog!

Laura

 

  

Hello friends, many of you know that I am not a writer, in fact I am terribly uncomfortable writing things for my blog. And many of you know I moved to a new state this past year, and it was crazy I have to admit.  So, why I am I blabbing about this? Well, the words below came to mind when I was putting together a photo table in my new living room.  I am so thankful to have space to put a lot of family pictures about the house.  I have them all up and down the stairway and 2 tabletops are full, and I have frames scattered about.  I know most people have pictures, so what's the big deal?  Well, with 5 of us sort of crammed into our old house, I didn't have a lot of room for photos, without it looking terribly cluttered. Anyway, I decided to risk embarrassment and put the words here. 
An attempt at poetry.
 

~Into The Light~

 

It was all quiet in the room, when the day had ended and night fell, 

the trees still and bare, in the winters light. 

She carefully placed the table, perfectly under the window, 

arranging each frame, each family, lovingly on the tabletop. 

She secretly wished they were all there, everyone. 

She lights a small candle and sets it next to the smiles that are missing.

Sorrow and grief have been replaced,

 with faith and solace, for within their treasured faces 

shines a reminder of an everlasting promise. 

It is there in the quiet of the night, 

one candle lights the darkness.

It is there in the calm of the night, 

she felt the reassurance and safety, and peace,

that she desired. 
 

And somehow she knew, she knows,

that it is all true.

What awaits will have no pain, no suffering,
no worry, no guilt,
only love and light.
And the smiles of treasured souls awaiting.
Welcoming. Light. Love.

  

2013 Year in Review 

Hello friends!  My last blog post was in the summer just before our big move to North Carolina. A lot has happened, and I am glad, to say the least, that it is all done.  We are here. I decided to write a little year end review for my family, friends and my jewelry peeps.  

It has been a whirlwind of a year.  Starting at the end of January, finding out my husband, Kevin was on a layoff list at Lockheed Martin.  Within months we were signing the contract with Honda Jets, and our move process began. With the uncertainty of landing a job in Atlanta, Kevin's desire to get out of defense, (where he had spent his entire engineering career) along with the move package provided by Honda, it was full speed ahead.   

We moved into our house in August, and the boys started school soon after.  Thankfully we have come very far in making our house a home.  Most things are in the right place, and we have done lots of painting and rearranging of furniture to fit in the new spaces. There are still plenty of projects for the future, but amazingly the downstairs is pretty much done!
Finally, all of the things I had been storing, stashing and hiding for a bigger house, have found spaces in our home. 

A little about Greensboro- (There is still a lot to learn!)

Greensboro is a really pretty area to live in, beautiful scenery with a pretty landscape, not much different than Georgia.  It has a small town feel, with all the conveniences of a city.  We live off of a main road named Friendly.  Our neighborhood is called Hamilton Lakes, with well built homes in the70's.  Greensboro's neighborhoods have no official borders, and many were originally villages before they became part of the city of Greensboro. Luckily the 70's decor is long gone, and 2 out of 3 bathrooms have been remodeled recently.    

Life is a little slower here. People take their time with things.  Driving, oh yes, the difference in driving is major!  I am a pretty fast driver, so this is something to get used to. Plus, Atlanta driving is fast and furious!  People here, are not out and about after 10 o'clock on a week night. If you go looking for a bite to eat after 10, many of the restaurants are already closed!  And, you will feel like the only one awake and driving!  Well, I am exaggerating, but you get the idea of the adjustments we have made.  Life in the fast lane to the slow lane.  I am beginning to like it. 

So far we have not made any real friends yet, just some acquaintances.  But it will happen.  Its a friendly neighborhood off Friendly road.  An area where you find "found" signs posted at the end of streets.  Little mini parks at the corners of the neighborhoods with playgrounds up kept by the city of Greensboro or local garden clubs.  A neighborhood with dog depots available to grab a bag when you need it while walking your dog. A place where people walk up and down the street everyday all day long, for exercise.

Honda Jets-  Honda Jets is going extremely well for Kevin.  He is already doing some lead jobs and the management has been telling him how much they like his work. The company is amazing, they are continually giving T-shirts, and lunches for the employees out of the blue. They reach out to the community frequently.  Recently they had all the employees wear pink t-shirts for breast cancer support.  I just cant get used to Kevin wearing a pink T-shirt!

We are all still in transition and I must say we are in a bit of a rough patch, but it will get better with time.  The kids are having trouble adjusting to everything, especially my oldest two. It's nothing that we didn't expect, but it is still difficult nonetheless.  

As 2013 fades away we are very thankful for Kevin's new job, our new house and neighborhood.  We miss Atlanta terribly, we miss our friends. We are thankful for the decisions we made, that everything went fairly smooth. And we are thankful its all over!

Here's to 2014 being a year of meeting and making new friends. My wish for all of you this year is that you deepen your relationships with your friends and families.  I wish you a year filled with PEACE, LOVE and most of all HOPE.

Thank you to all of my family and friends who supported our move to North Carolina.  So many people were of help emotionally, and we so appreciate it. Thank you!

I am finally making plans for BlueAntiquities and my jewelry.  I hope you will check back and see what I am doing!

Laura

Moving to North Carolina!

Hello Friends, 

My husband recently took a new job in North Carolina to work for Honda Jets, after working for Lockheed Martin here in Georgia for 16 years.  Yep, Honda car company is making a jet. Check it out here.  The new jet is a private aircraft, highest and best in it's class, a design conceived 40 years ago, and now finally being rolled out for production in Greensboro North Carolina. So, we are a bit exited, and somewhat sad about leaving Atlanta.  We love Atlanta, and have enjoyed our life here, so as you can imagine, mixed emotions for all of us! We have heard nothing but good things about North Carolina and Greensboro, so that makes us feel good about our decision. It is definitely going to be a change of pace from the life we are used to.

"Home is Where the Heart Is"

 “A little happy house is the strongest castle in this whole universe!” 

- Mehmet Murat ildan

“I should say: the house shelters day-dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream in peace.”  -Gaston Bachelard

“This is terrific. What a gorgeous kitchen. You've decorated it so beautifully. Now you’re going to have to clear all the counters. Vases. Books. Knickknacks. Get rid of all that stuff. I mean, it is just beautiful. Beautiful. I love what you've done with this house. Make sure you put it all away.” ~Real estate agent (p.76)” 

- Dominique Browning

I pull in the driveway, turn off the truck, and let out a breath. It's raining and I don't want to run in and get all wet carrying my bags.  My garage door opener has not worked in...um...forever.  The thing gave out a long time ago, and well, I never got a new one, why? Just never got to it, and I didn't know where to get a new one because it was an old garage door opener. It came with the house when we bought it 14 years ago.  We don't park in the garage anymore, we've outgrown the house and park our cars in the driveway. We complain about the size of the house and how we need more living space, and of course there is the fix-it list a mile long.  Sound familiar? This is the point where I remind myself that we are blessed to be living in this house, many are suffering around the world and in the states, without a home, or struggling to pay a mortgage. People in third world countries have 10 people living in a one room building with a dirt floor. It always puts things in perspective and makes me appreciate what we do have. 

My kids have grown up in this house, our home in a quiet, small neighborhood in the suburbs of Atlanta. Really, it has been a good house and a great neighborhood for our family.  One wonderful thing that I loved is the the elementary bus stop right is right outside the door!  So, many mornings the kids were able to catch the bus, simply by me turning on the porch light to alert the bus driver, yes, were coming!

That door there, the door with the brass handle and knob that used to be shiny and new and now is grubby, with the kick plate that needs to be replaced. There are a world of memories behind that very door. Two of my kids went from babies to pretty much grown up behind this door.  And my caboose, he has known nothing else.  When I open the door in my mind, a flood of wonderful memories come floating out like butterflies. I can see them, recall them, experience them once again.  Our kids growing up, losing teeth, having birthday parties, summer nights on the deck, heading to the bus stop on the first day, Halloween trick or treating ,14 Christmas trees in our great room, playing in the snow. Years of memories, and fun times.  

And our neighborhood, lots of great memories and friends made in our neighborhood.  Best friends, life long friends, friends that are like family. We will always have the memories and stories to tell, of our neighborhood ( oh some funny stories of our neighborhood, my friend Kimberly will know what I mean) and schools.  The best of times.  Usually, it is a move or the big happenings in life that make you reminisce, make you look back on the chapters of your life, and sum them up.  My husband once told me, that when looking back, we should always remember the good times and memories, not the regrets and negative or "bad" things that are there in the corners of your mind. That advise has always stayed with me.  

We don't know anything about the buyers of our home except it's a family with 2 kids. I hope they will be good neighbors, and love the house and neighborhood like we did. When they walk into their new home, they will have a shiny new door handle and kick plate on the front door waiting for them, and a new garage door opener in hand, with a little note on the counter, saying "Welcome Home!". 

It's been a good house, a good home full of the best of memories! 

Wishing you all the best, and a happy home,  Laura