Tracey Nanstad - Beadweaver and Photographer Extraordinare

I'd like to take a moment to introduce Tracey Nanstad of A Beadiful Mess.  Besides having a really cool name for her blog, Tracey is an extraordinary nature photographer and an accomplished beader.  Better yet, she's my Bead Soup partner this time around.  Yep, I couldn't resist the siren call of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup party and came running to sign up once again.

In case you're not familiar with the Bead Soup Party, Lori pairs beaders from around the world.  Each set of partners then exchange special packages, containing a focal bead/pendant, a clasp and any other little beady goodies they want to stick in the package.  You can see the lovely package Tracey sent me above left, including the organizing tray and vials!  And a roll of wire - looks like I have some wire working in my future. 

Here's a closeup of some of the lovely goodies.  The Bluebird focal is her original design.  The 13 is a reference to this year - I had to ask then felt really silly once I heard the answer. 

With both silver and bronze components, I could go in so many directions.  Need to make some decisions soon and get stitching, because our reveal is April 6th.  That's coming up fast, now!


But before I let you go, here are a few examples of Tracey's work to support my earlier claims.  Tracey's nature photography:

photo by Tracey Nanstad

photo by Tracey Nanstad

Aren't they gorgeous?  I just chose two of my favorites, but her blog is filled with her amazing photography.

And a couple of her past Bead Soup projects:

design by Tracey Nanstad

design by Tracey Nanstad

Now it's time for me to start cooking!

Focus on Life 7/52 - First Blooms of Spring

After a week of cloudy weather, the sun burst through the overcast and it truly felt like spring.  Especially when I spied these flowers hiding under a winter bare tree on my walk home.  I've always loved snowdrops, and this one was so open it reminded me of a starburst.

And walking up my front steps, I found these:


I can imagine them opening to the sun's warmth, then slowly furling again as the day crept into shadows and on toward evening, which is how I found them.  I can't wait to see them fully open tomorrow! 

Thank you Sally, for your photo essay prompt for this week:  Beauty of Flowers.  It reminded me to look around me as I walked through the neighborhood this week, and to track all of the wonderful signs of spring.

And thank you for stopping by for a visit.  To see more responses to this week's prompt, don’t forget to visit Sally's blog for the list of all the wonderful people participating in this week's  “Focus On Life” 52 Photos.