Let's give a big CAST welcome to our Wednesday featured artist Luella Newkirk from the shop ElsieLight on Etsy. She has been kind enough to offer a giveaway of this beautiful white bugle beaded bracelet! To enter, go to her shop and come back her and leave us a comment telling us which item was your favorite. Just commenting won't get you entered, so be sure to look through her shop and find a favorite and let us know!
Now, to find out a little about Luella from her own words:

Etsy shop name:  elsielight

Intro':  Color has been driving my extracurricular activities for years.  Perennial gardening started it, quilting gave me the thrill of the indoors version.  Then a friend introduced me to bead weaving.  The bug bit really hard - playing with color in a new way.  I feel very fortunate to live in a time when so many beautiful natural and glass beads are available.

Most of my work is bead woven bracelets.  I love to take a particular bracelet and make it in many colorways, complementary colors, tertiary colors, etc.  Swarovski crystal, Czech glass and the beautiful uniform Toho seedbeads make this an attainable goal.  I enjoy the prospect of expanding my use of materials and color interaction.

I am from the Pacific Northwest - living in western Oregon affords me many months to pursue my beading habit and not let my garden perennials suffer.  My husband and family are very supportive of my craft.  My miniature schnauzer Slippers not so much.  She does not understand why every moment of my time is not hers

How did you get your start on etsy?:  Etsy came into my life through a friend who sells here.  She gave me the ropes to get started and courage to sell online.  I am very grateful for all the ways this experience has touched my life.  My learning curve has been steep since I joined and my skills and abilities have been exercised and expanded greatly.

How did you come up with your shop name?:  My Etsy shopname is a play on the letters L and C for me and a beading friend.  We decided if we were to ever start a business together we could call ourselves Color and Light.  Because I am the 'L', elsielight it became!!


Tell us about a typical day for you:  I begin each day with devotions.  Now retired, I actually enjoy keeping my home.  It doesn't become overwhelming if I do just a little every day. A typical day is scattered among a number of activities.   I am a Master Gardener and enjoy working with other mostly retired folk on chapter and community projects.  I attend West Hills Community Church here in west Salem where I serve as a deaconess, assistant librarian and listen to AWANA verses.  I enjoy spending time church friends and friends I made while working.  I often wonder how different our lives would be if our children lived near.  One of our children live 2 hours from here, the other 4 hours.  We love it when they come and time stops when they are here. 

If you could be anywhere in the world for a day, where would it be?:  Of course my Lord Jesus would have to be there because He wanted me there and not just because He lives in me!!  I would love to tour the gardens of a large beautifully landscaped English country estate at the height of the color season.

What is your favorite Bible verse?:  John 14:23  "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."


Other places to find me:




Thank you for agreeing to be featured Luella! Everyone go check out her shop with all her beautiful items and even if you decide not to enter the giveaway, leave a word of encouragement in the comments :-)


And the winner of the last Wednesday featured artist giveaway from artist Laura Gibbs:




On April 18, 2012 9:38 AM mommysdream said...










LOVE the spring green scarf...perfect for spring weather!

Comments (7)

On June 7, 2012 at 12:44 AM , Heidi said...

I agree with you, Luella! I also live in Oregon and we sure do have plenty of INDOOR time thanks to our weather. Your work is lovely. I love earrings and bracelets most, but picked your "Blue Faceted Crystal Dangle Earrings" as my favorite. May God continue to bless you! ~Heidi

 
On June 7, 2012 at 6:42 AM , MYSAVIOR said...

This is absolutely stunning.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/92643679/soft-lilac-white-woven-bead-bracelet

I admire your patience to do this beautiful bead work.
I would love to see some photos of your garden.

♥♥♥
Sue

 
On June 7, 2012 at 7:07 AM , bananaorangeapple said...

I have really enjoyed reading Luella's blogposts through the weekly castteam blogblitz. I love that she is a gardener like me (well, I am a wannabe gardener, anyway) and a quilter to boot.
Now I am going to have to go have a look through her shop.


hmm, I think I like this copper and black one best
http://www.etsy.com/listing/81989911/copper-and-black-woven-bead-bracelet
But the black and white necklace is beautiful too. http://www.etsy.com/listing/94043870/black-white-necklace-collar-style

 
On June 7, 2012 at 8:29 AM , cast said...

Love your jewelry!!

 
On June 7, 2012 at 2:35 PM , Sue Runyon said...

So interesting, Luella. Where are some photos of your garden? Love your jewelry. I am a quilter too, but not as much as I used to be.

 
On June 7, 2012 at 3:06 PM , Julia Badgley said...

The Mint green crystal and pearl bracelet is beautiful-as is all of your work!

 
On June 7, 2012 at 4:33 PM , Luella Newkirk said...

Many thanks for your kind comments. Many of you are friends from the Mid-Week Blog Blitz and it's great to see you here too!

It will be so exciting to send off my bracelet to the winner! It is always fun to find new homes for my jewelry.

For those who wish to see my yard/garden, I do have one blog about it, taken earlier this year: http://luellanewkirk.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-in-yard.html. The rose picture at the top was taken of a climbing rose by the side yard gate last month.

Thanks for your interest. Blessings!!