beading frenzy

2006-12-26T04:35:00.000-08:00

beading frenzy
Well, it's the day after Christmas- and I will have to admit- It's been a strange one.
I am in sunny Florida plowing through my parents overly stuffed house. The last time I worked this hard was when my own house burned down several years ago. I made spaghetti for Christmas dinner. I got off easy. I usually cook for a week. My mother and I had dinner on the porch that I spent several days cleaning out and it was indeed pleasant- dinner that is!
I've heard from many of my Michigan friends and hope they all had a nice holiday.
My dad is in a nursing home and has moments of lucidity but maintains his sense of humor. Good thing. I think these homes are sad places. My friend, Sue said that everything that you need for a nursing home can be put into one shopping bag- She's correct.
I will probably be in Florida a while longer and then return to my beads and the great frozen north.

I miss my dog!

Val

ps- it's wonderful to be so dam anonymous on the internet!!!

2006-11-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

beading frenzy

Well kids the purses were a big hit at the Flint Institute of Arts. And I wish I had a dollar for everyone who told me how wonderful they are and what a great artist I am-
I would like to get an exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts, and some cool boutiques in Hollywood or Palm Beach-
Val

2006-11-01T19:28:00.000-08:00

beading frenzy
Well- good news kids! My beaded purses are going to be on exhibit at the Flint Institute of Arts. I've had my stained glass exhibited in both the Toronto Museum of Art and the Corning Museum of Glass; but it's been a while-
So, it was one of my goals to get the bags into a museum. Hooray!
I think it's time to raise the prices!

Val

2006-10-29T18:12:00.000-08:00

beading frenzy
Good News and Dissappointing News
Well, the good news is that my beadwork will be on exhibit at the Flint Institute of Arts for a few days in November. It's been a while since I've had a museum exhibit. So, I am excited about it!
And the Dissappointing news is that the Tigers lost the World Series. They've made amazing progress this year and maybe next year, the boys will bring it home.

We spent the week end at a friend's vacation home in northern Michigan. It was great to get away in the woods. Coney, my angel dachshund, behaved beautifully. But that is what I expect from him!

Val

2006-10-19T18:58:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
Hooray Hooray!!!!!!
The TIGERS are in the world series!
Go Tigers!!!!!

Just got back from a trip up to the upper penninsula- 8" of snow on the ground-
sort of weird to see Halloween decorations in the snow- but having made many trips to the yoop over the years- I had my boots, gloves, and tibetan lamb coat with me- so I didn't freeze!

Found a nice beaded purse at the Vinny's in L'anse- and a Sterling silver mirror and brush at a garage sale for a buck!

Will be decorating my friend's store for Christmas next week-
Let's hope she gets a lot of business-
To say things are slow in Michigan is the understatement of the year-
Every other house is for sale- I use to want to sell mine and move to California-
But- it doesn't look like that will happen unless some miracle occurs-

val

2006-10-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

This is my angel, Coney, with his Taco Bell dog- He just loves to make them talk- It's pretty funny-

val

2006-10-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
The TIGERS KICK NYC Yankees' butts!!
HOOORAYYYYYYY!!!

2006-10-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
I don't know about you; but, I'd like my country back. I am tired of people shooting children in schools. I am tired of pedophiles molesting innocent children. And I am particularly tired of that weird church protesting at funerals. I'm tired of seeing the middle class being eliminated because of illegal immigration and corporate america giving jobs away to the lowest bidder. I am really tired of the lobbyists who really do control the United States.
I live in Michigan. Not so long ago- you could get a decent job with the auto companies and make a good living. Those days are gone. Over 100,000 have lost their jobs in Michigan. Michigan has the highest unemployment rate and lots of unsalable houses.
I am also tired of offending people who kill americans, behead them, and drag their bodies through the street. And I'll just bet all of Katrina's victims who live in FEMA trailers are dam tired of that- Isn't it amazing we can spend 2 billion dollars a week on World War Three and not do too much about our fellow americans.

Val

2006-09-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

This is me in front of the Ponderosa- I live on Bush Lake in Holly, Mi-

I think I will take up a petition to change the lake's name. I live in the sticks. I am from Royal Oak- a hip town; but to tell you the truth I prefer the sticks. There isn't a lot to do; but, as you can see- I am good at entertaining myself.

Val

2006-09-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

2006-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
WEll, I suppose you are all aware that the Detroit Tigers are HOT HOT HOT!
I am going to visualize them winning the pennant- or whatever it is they win-
Anyway, I did make a Tiger's purse to toast them. If I can figure out how to get
the picture portion of this up- I will it to you.

val

2006-09-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

This is a better picture of "ojos verde."

2006-09-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

2006-09-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
Today I finished lining my latest purse- a butterfly- I am not crazy about it-
it's not as spectacular as I like my purses to be- but I figured I needed a break.
I really do not like lining purses- It's too much like sewing- ah, but they look so much
better with a lining.
I also took my dachshund, coney, to the cider mill. We enjoyed a carmel apple and some
cider- After all, what's a cider mill for?

2006-09-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of my latest creations- I think it's quite spectacular-

I have been busy staining my deck. It took 80 hours to do it!

I have also been busy doing some other things that needed to be done-

I am going to get back to my beading tomorrow! Val

2006-09-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
These are trying times for my father and sister- They both have terminal cancer-
I carried my sister home from the hospital when she was born- Though, I left home when she was very young and she moved out of state shortly after I left home; and I am sorry to say I don't know her very well- I hope that she doesn't suffer.
My father is quite elderly and has lived an interesting life. While none of us are excited about going through the great door and becoming personally acquainted with the Grim Reaper; we all know that one day it will happen to us.
So- if you are cruising the net, send up a prayer for both of them. And may I suggest that you Carpe Diem!

2006-09-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

A week or so ago, George Bushwacked came to town- He landed in Flint- not far from here-
There were two cops on every overpass from Flint to Clarkston- and that is a lot of cops-
I was surprised to see very, and I mean very few people camped along the roadway to see his motorcade-
probably less than 50! George came to the sticks to help promote Brochard. Air Force One actually flew over my house! Our tax dollars at work- Brochard is 20 points behind Debby Stabenow in the polls-
Too bad George couldn't find time to talk to the auto execs on his trip-
Things are going from bad to worse in Motown- Maybe we can give a few more industries away-
And no, I didn't stick around to see George- I wouldn't walk across the street to see him-

2006-09-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
Hiya gang-
I am back after a long delay- I spent 80 hours staining my deck- and fixing up a few other things around the house- today- I had a birthday party for one of my friends- I went on a cook a thon yesterday-
Had a large garden this year and canned and dried a lot of tomatoes etc-
I have to get back to my beading-

hmm- Detroit- things are in the toilet as you are probably aware- I have to say I am glad I learned a few tricks from my old gramps- He always said to pay everything off and don't carry a lot of debt-
If you can't pay for it- you don't need it.

I hope a lot of the Ford employees who are going to lose their jobs- had similar advice-

my - how the world has changed. What a dam mess-the whole thing is-

Thank God for beads and friends-!

Where would we be without them-

Like Motown Mojo use to say- hang on tight- don't let go- don't say dam- say whammy whoa-

2006-07-06T17:28:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
Next week end I am going to Sagautuk with some friends of mine. I've never been there, so, I am looking forward to it. We are going to stay in their cottage. Which, as I understand it is pretty cool.
I only have to work two more days in my friend's store. I will finish up the purse I am working on.
I don't mind design work in stores- but; don't care for the retail end of things- Tooo boorrrrrrring!

In a few weeks, we will go up north- Escanaba and stay with some family at their cottage. Nothing like almost free vacations- other peoples' pools, boats, and hot tubs- though, I do have my own- a change of scenery is nice. There is also a great bead store in Escanaba. And lots of the indians up there sell beads-
no tax! and they are reasonable!
val

2006-07-05T19:52:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy
I have a 1925 Roseville jardiniere for sale up on ebay-
I am hoping to make a killing on it-
And good grief, some one offered me a job today- Do I really need another one?

2006-07-01T06:04:00.000-07:00

This is the Fox theatre purse- I designed it- The Fox is certainly one of Detroit's jewels-

I hope to go there soon and carry this purse-

that will freak them out!

val

2006-07-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

Happy Fourth of July!

2006-06-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

This is me in front of my house in Holly, Michigan- I live on Bush lake- and to tell you the truth- I wish they would change the name! Anyway, I made the skirt out of a pair of old jeans-
val

2006-06-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

I will be store sitting for a friend of mine who is going on vacation to Mexico- I also design her store windows for her. And I am getting ready for an exhibit of my beaded purses which will be held in downtown Holly on August 5th- So- if by chance you come across this and are interested in spectacular beadwork- put me on your agenda-

val

2006-06-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

I had an extraordinary call from Florida a few days ago- One of the noted artists I had written a poem for a few years ago- passed.
Her daugher-in-law somehow found me in Michigan and told me they would like to read the poem I wrote for Faith, the artist, at Faith's memorial service-
of course, and godspeed.

Here is part of it-

Faith
Faith Krucina

Angel of Music
Goddess of paint
That bird in pink,
Faith
in bowered, sensurround dreams
hibiscus, magnolias, gardenias
beaming

portraits
pointing out pathways
to hypnotic, subconscious beauty
journeys of discovery
leading like ghost castles
on the moors
through a mystical, Byzantine
enchanted forest-

jazz lady light displays
transformed in an overlap
of misted, spirit glazes
images of ethereal fires
mirroring from her eyes
generating excitement
captured in soft, gentle,
flashed touches from her brushes
the abra cadabra palette
those remaining tubes of paint
jump off the canvas
into the soul

color presentations
with the saxuous power of sound
mystical miles up in smoke
artistic impression found
sparking from the hands of Faith

calling poets, and dreamers
from the warmth of
other wordly places
to distant spaces
along the sunset boulevard
discovery of I

imaging emancipation
in each creation
to softly steamed delicious
ethereal connections
to reality
golden, going home moments
raptured
how she captures
spirit elusively
the angel of music
the goddes of paint
the Faith

val magnuson
c2006

2006-06-28T05:05:00.000-07:00

ojos verde- spanish for green eyes- this will eventually become a purse- she is a margie deeb design- done in a higher key than margie recommends- I don't usually like to do other peoples' designs- but I love margie's designs and cannot resist a few of them-
val

2006-06-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

here's my angel, coney- he is beautiful don't you think?

val

2006-06-27T18:38:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

If I can ever figure out how to get back into the upload picture section. I will show you a picture of my wonderful weiner dog, coney. I have written a few dachshund stories for the dachshund annual.
My dog is wonderful - no one should go through life without a dog- and I recommend a weiner-
They are smart, sweet, clever, no end of fun. Of course, I spoil my coney dog- they don't live very long and should be spoiled. My last dachshund, also Coney, died two years ago- he had to have back surgery-
poor thing. He died of cancer.

Dachshunds are a funny race
they come with plain or bearded face
maxi and the mini size
like to snooze and snap at flies-
some coats are shaggy
some coats are sleek
they all like a blanket when they go to sleep
they like to bark go to parks
and growl at everything in the dark
it is their habit to chase the rabbit
and if given a chance
they will surely grab it
hunters and sweet little hounds
lots of fun to have around
and a good name for one
no baloney
is to call a daschund, coney

val magnuson

2006-06-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

I invited a few of my friends over for the July 1st fireworks- on the lake we have a ringside seat- and the fireworks are spectacular!

From a pallete of melting jewels the neon warrior paints the sky
mysterious packages of powdered light burst forth into heavenly adornment
beautiful summer night
on the cusp of ecstasy and entertainment
from the glowing spill all senses are truly dazzled from the glowing spill-
val magnuson

2006-06-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

What a great day today was! My neighbor Sandy planted 3 trumpet vines for me.
Another friend brought out a canvas awning thing to put on the deck- that will be great and we'll really enjoy looking at the lake from it-
My friend Val took me junking and out to lunch- I found a couple of treasures at the Salvation Army a perfume lamp and a fenton Christmas tree.

I also finished weaving the front of a face purse- The batteries in my digital camera are dead so- unfortunately you can't see it today- but it is spectacular.
Nothing better than creating artwork!

So, thank you for friends and the great gift of art!
xx
val

2006-06-26T19:59:00.000-07:00

beading frenzy

I'm not quite sure why I am doing this- You can find a lot of my work out on the internet-
Actually, I'd rather be beading-
So, hasta la vista- if I can figure out how to get back into my blog- I may show you a few more gems-

2006-06-26T19:39:00.000-07:00

I noticed it along my path
a lovely, random leaded glass
twigs and branches formed the lines
framed by spruce and balsam pines
and unknown, unseen, yet might hand
appeared to have a master plan
beveled light and trilling wren
became the transient cartoon
from the Master Glazier's pen
fractured, antique, crackled transom
rays twisted, bent but truly handsome
I thrilled at the ethereal leaded light
and marveled at the Master Glazier's might
val magnuson
c2006

2006-06-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

As you can see- I've made a few purses! Actually, I've lost count.

2006-06-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hello World-

From the shores of Bush Lake in Holly, Michigan. I am Val Magnuson, poet, artist, and creator of beaded purses.
So, here you will eventually find a collection of my purses and poems and perhaps, a collage or two.