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.

"Time to Let Go"

I made this piece for beading forum's YOJ theme "Tick Tock". 

 It is a brooch made up of watch parts set in a heart shaped bezel, and featuring gemstone dangles - a pearl for wisdom, rose quartz for gentleness and love, and a tourmaline to protect against negativity.  

I shall wear it to remind me it is OK to let go of things that no longer serve.