Friday, January 07, 2011

The End of Porn as We Know It

As you've probably guessed from the post title, the first of the changes I'm making to the blog has to do with the Friday Bead Porn.

(pauses to duck hail of rotten vegetables from the crowd).

I know, I know, but hear me out before you riot and burn the place down. First off, I'm not doing away with it entirely. I'm just not going to have it as a weekly, guaranteed on Friday, thing any more. It takes and awful lot of time to pull all the pictures, upload them (IF blogger is feeling cooperative - which it isn't always), grab all the links, etc. And time is something that is becoming an ever more precious commodity around here.

Plus, I was starting to feel like it was a bit of a cop out just posting pictures instead of engaging in writing posts and having, y'know, actual CONTENT. Also, no more just swinging by on Friday so you can use me to fulfill all your illicit bead dreams. You're going to have to actually check in regularly, comment and WORK for your porn ;-)

So, porn will still happen - it'll just be more of a surprise, random kinda thing. I mean, ya'll know my bead-buying addiction isn't going anywhere any time soon so obviously I'll still have pics to post when time allows.

And now, turn off the lights and lock the door...because I saved the best for (temporarily) last:






Micro-faceted peridot rondelles. I bought these for some specific Christmas presents that I made last month. Of course, thanks to the deluge of rain, I didn't get pics taken of the finished jewelry before it had to go into Santa's sleigh. Everyone seemed happy with their gifts, though, so I guess it all worked out.





Micro-faceted quartz rondelles and various colors. Went into the same projects as the peridot above. All of these came from Licia's Bead Vault on Etsy.





As much as I love color, I still tend to buy crystal quartz whenever I find it. It just makes such a great "faux-diamond" in any design and really adds a lot of sparkle. The first design I ever had published was in "Bead Trends" and featured a great pair of long earrings using faceted marquis-cut crystal stones wire-wrapped onto cascades of sterling silver chain - and it's still one of my favorite earring designs that I've ever made.





Since that site was having a pre-Christmas sale on all things brio, I got some mystic green quartz ones, too. Both sets of brios are from Rubytrail.





This picture does not do justice to these incredible wine-colored faceted, fire-crackle agate jumbo beads from Excellent Gem. I brought them in to work this week to show my beady buddy, Julie, and she was on the site looking for a strand for herself practically before I left her office. What you can't see in the picture is the incredible sparkle on these. Frankly, if I didn't think it would be too heavy, I'd just stick a gold bead or spacer between each of the stones, slap on a clasp and call it done. They are THAT gorgeous! And NOT expensive...they just LOOK like they cost big $$$!





When Miss Fickle Media brings you purple like this...how can you NOT get you some?





With coin beads to match.





And did I mention they come in peacock blue, too? Cuz...YUMMM!





I just love these polymer clay creations from Menagerie Studio. I think she's got one of the most innovative ideas using the clay and fabric or paper along with crackle medium and paint.





And now she's doing these smaller hearts with the holes on one side so they can be used as dangles.






Of course, the large hearts are still awesome, too.





Wonderful ceramic beads from Mary Ann Carroll. I just loved the earthy colors on this set.





And you can barely see it in these pictures, but this set has touches of purple in it - such a great surprise element!





Great boro glass in shades of gold and pink.





Pink, purple and yellow boro glass swirls with sparkling gold in these pretty beads





One last set of boro beads in purple and gray. All three of these sets are from Being Beads.





Wonderful lampwork from Kelley Wenzel of Kelley's Beads. Y'know, Kelley, you might want to change the name of your shop because every time I read it, I secretly think it means that I own all your beads (even iffen you do spell your name wrong) The deep pinks and purples on these ivory beads are so pretty - they've already got me thinking of Valentine's Day designs.





And speaking of heart day - how about this deep red set called "Scarlet Letter" from Juls Beads? Normally, I am not a "red" kinda gal, but these babies were just too beautimous to pass up.





With all the rain we've had lately, I guess I'm already thinking ahead to Spring and these transparent nuggets with lavender and blue frit from Blue Seraphim fit perfectly with both raindrops AND thoughts of Spring.





Lastly, some tiny gold and vanilla nuggets from Radiant Mind.





And a single lovely focal bead to match them.

I hope you enjoyed what will be the last porn entry for a while. If you get lonely, there's PLENTY of porn back in the archives to get you through.

Oh, and there are more changes to come, but between the holidays, illness and rain, I've been delayed in implementing them so check back next week. I used my Nyquil-induced-stupor time to come up with what I hope is a great idea. Of course, if it's not, y'all can still riot if ya want to.

Have a great weekend!

KJ

13 comments:

TesoriTrovati said...

Yea! You're back! And I think that it is a smart move. I think that you are wicked cool and funny and the bead porn is just a crutch. I will miss my fix but I like surprises even more so that is a good thing! You are right, those beads are awesome! I will be checking that out.
Me? I would love to see what you do with all these beads you share with us. I see the inspiration, let's see the creation!
Enjoy the day, Kelly!
Erin

swopemelmel said...

Ohhhh Yeah baby, who's your Beader!! LOL, That was super HOT. Great finds.

Unknown said...

Sorry KJ, I won't be changing my shop name any time soon even if my name is spelled like the boy's spelling. You'll just have to drool and then remind yourself that they're not all yours :)

So thankful the weekend is almost here! Can you please speed up the clock a few hours? I'm ready to go!

Susanm said...

I will miss my Friday porn fix...but I read your blog on other days too because you are funny and observant. Looking forward to seeing what you have planned for 2011.

Mel said...

KJ --
I LOVE reading your blog, it's one of my absolute favorites. And not because of the bead porn (though I enjoy it of course!) but because of YOU!! Your writing is funny and engaging -- I love seeing your projects, reading your stories, and I even love hearing about things like your grocery-store debacles! You constantly keep me cracking up, but I also appreciate how real and sincere you are with your posts!

Okay, so before this became a mini worship-fest featuring an overabundance of exclamation points, I was trying to say that any changes you feel you need to make, we support you!

Unknown said...

Ok I read through and I guess if that is the way you are going to be...humph! Oh you know I am always coming back for more no matter how hard you make me work! LOL

Hugs and Love!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous, gorgeous beads as always; you find the best stuff.
i have a lot of stuff and i always think i should post some of my bead porn for fun, but i just to don't the energy to do all the work. like you say sometimes blogger just doesn't cooperate and i just want to pull out my hair, hee hee.

I LOVE color! said...

Oh My, Oh My wonderful beads. makes my mouth water. And I certaintly understand your cutting back on Bead Porn. Time is so precious it is what life is made of we must use it wisely. Be Blessed

SandyscoloringBox.blogspot.com

EmandaJ said...

Hey Kelly, glad to hear you are back among the living. I understand the labor-intensity of providing all us bead-pervs with our fixes, but you gotta do what YOU gotta do. Looking forwar to next week.

Emanda

Amy F said...

LOL. you have the funniest posts. I will miss your porn, but do you now get to refer to yourself as a "retired porn star?" LOL

SallyAnderson said...

I have loved the porn but am always up for new things! Can't wait to see what you have in mind!
Sally

Cathryn said...

Ok...I'm drooling with bead lust. Positively drooling. Are you joining in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party this year?!?!?! Just wonderin' in case we get chosen to be partners!

Tara P. said...

While I'm sad that I won't be seeing porn every Friday, I can't imagine what a huge commitment it must have been for you and I certainly understand why you need to cut back. I love your blog, though, and will continue to check it every day!