TED talks

I have spent the last week working my way through the 20 TED talks that were recommended for this subject. I have found them to be very interesting, and a great starting point for this subject. I had only discovered the TED talks site a couple of weeks ago, when I downloaded the ITunes U app -what a great thing that is - I have found a number of great talks I want to listen to when I get time! I also watched another talk by Clay Shirky on cognitive surplus that was very useful http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/clay_shirky_how_cognitive_surplus_will_change_the_world.html

I really liked the idea that people have so much time and generosity of spirit that truly amazing things can be created when they choose

Starting out with INF506

My first post  for INF 506 will look at several points:

*my understanding of social media
*what technologies I already use
*what I hope to learn in this subject

To me, social networking is the use of a wide range of communication technologies to build relationships, commections and shared virtual spaces with others. Social networking can provide people with the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, to share information and understanding, and to express themselves.

I am not a huge personal user of the technologies, but am a member of a forum on a topic of interest to me, and have maintained this blog via blogger, although that has been somewhat neglected for a while. I have not previously had a Facebook account, but do maintain the account for my library, and am about to set up a work twitter account as well. I have had a twitter account for a while, but really have not used it much -I did participate in one live chat session on twitter for the summer reads campaign, but admit I found it hard to follow all the simultaneous conversations!!!!

I think that I will get a lot out of this subject, as I am keen to become more comfortable with the various technologies for a few reasons
* I need to be able to keep up with what is happening in libraries
* customers expect library staff to understand anfd troubleshoot social media sites
* I want to find ways to reach out to my customers and build a greater sense of community around my library, and social media is a great tool for that.

I do have some trepidation about the need to immerse myself in so many things and am not entirely comfortable with the amount of personal sharing that seems to be a part of so many of these services - I guess time will tell, and that I must continue to make my own choices about what I am comfortable with.

Blue Sky Boho

I have fallen in love with "Blue Sky Jasper" of late - the cool blues and greens, combined with the warm chocolate brown, really appeals.

These dagger beads combined beautifully with some rondelles and daisy spacers, to give an earthy, tribal feel.

I finished off with brown leather thong to keep the natural feel to the piece.

It feels very summery - sun-dresses and white t-shirts by the beach - shame I live inland! 

Dragonfly Dreaming

Time to play has been in short supply recently, but I managed this over a few days recently.

The stone is a large pendant, which I think is jasper, perhaps ocean jasper.  

I used alcohol inks on the dragonfly stamping, to work with colours of the stone, before wrapping it gently around the pendant.

The braid is a basic kumihimo, with two skeins of different variegated silks - the colours all ended up blending beautifully.

A close up of the detail.

Green Goddess

I made this super long necklace with some lovely green agate ovals, some "wire" beads, and gunmetal chain.  It reaches nearly to my waist.

  I have also made a shorter chain section that I can clip in, to turn it into a shorter, double strand piece, giving me a bit more versatility.

The agate were purchased at my local gem show, and cost me $10.00 for a strand of about 12 beads. They are around 50mm long, so are a great feature bead.

Simple but stylish - Labradorite

I love, love, love labradorite

 - the secret flash of colour hidden behind the demure grey exterior really does it for me.  

I wanted to do something really simple with these, to let the beauty of the beads speak for themselves.

A shame the picture cannot capture the inner beauty - they really must be appreciated in person.

Copeton dam nearly full

I am enjoying a couple of weeks of holidays at the moment - no study, no work, just some time to myself.  We went out to the local dam for a picnic the other day - at 98% full it is am impressive sight.