What I've Been Doing

I think I have craft ADD.  I start a project, then start another one and before I know it, I have a whole bucket full of unfinished projects.  I started my Kalmbach Publishing necklace.   I'm not loving it, so it will sit on the table until I figure out how to fine tune it.  In the meantime, here is the Soup I was sent to work with.

We finished the Shop Hop and I won a basket from Beads of Paradise.  We are going to pick it up this weekend.  I'm super excited and can't wait to see what I won.  These are the treasures I picked up during the final days of the Shop Hop.

 Thankfully, I have finished a few of the things I've started.  I made two pairs of earrings for a birthday gift.  Yes, I made them the day of and finished them in time.  My bf helped with one pair as the beautiful glass beads were being stubborn.

Of course, I made a scarf to donate, and I misplaced it.  I was almost done too.  Hopefully it will turn up.

Long Time No Post

Hi!  So sorry for dropping off the planet for a while.  I've been going through some stuff and have no energy when I get home from work.  I have made a few pieces, and I hope to upload the photos soon.  I am also working on a website to finally display my work for sale.  It is going very slowly as my in home graphics artist has been very busy at work.

Right now, I am making my first Kumihimo necklace with beads.  In my attempt to destash, I picked some super small beads.  Although I am loving the results, it is taking a very long time, causing me to be quite cranky.  I can't wait to finish the necklace and post my first finished Kumi piece. 

If I make significant progress on the Kumi necklace, I will make a pair of earrings to post soon.

Thanks for not giving up on me.

Ooh, I can't wait to start working on my pay it forward gifts. :)

Extreme Bead Shopping

17 stores, over 430 miles in only 2 days. I owe this adventure to the Bead Shop Hop.  We have 10 more stores to visit this weekend.  Do you really think I could visit that many stores without buying anything? Of course not!

I went crazy with copper findings and a small amount of beads.  Check out the new additions to my stash.

Just a few of the findings. There are way more. I didn't want to spill out all of the tiny pieces.

Finally, I have pendants.

Beads!

More beads!

And a few more..

Beads & Beads.

Colorful Beads!

What, no more beads?!

The first creation from the shop hop.

I also bought tools and a Kumihimo kit.  Can't wait to try everything out.  Stay tuned for more jewelry and even more beads!

IN THE PINK

Thank you so much to Lori Anderson for her awesome efforts with the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party.  I was lucky enough to participate for the very first time.

I came across Lori's blog, her Bead Soup Café facebook group and the Bead Soup Blog Party about 4 months ago.  In that short time, Lori had made a huge impact on my life.  I made a promise to myself that I would become very active with my jewelry designing.  There is no way this would have happened without her. 

I learned all about challenges and blog hops and have made many bead friends.  I get wonderful tips and feedback from the cafe members and visit numerous blogs and websites for inspiration.

Unfortunately, I suffer from depression and in the past it has been difficult to keep active with things I love.  I am taking the plunge and sticking to my commitments.  Overall, I am happier and have beading and designing to look forward to after a long day of work.

Thank you Lori for helping me find a place in this community and ultimately making me a better designer. Your support and challenges means the world to me.  I can only hope to make a difference in at least one person's life let alone the hundreds that you have touched. You truly are a wonderful person and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to participate in the BSBP.

Lori, I've been PINKED!

Please visit all of the "in the pink" participants to see how they got their "pink" on.

Gail Vanderster-Zwang http://angelmoose.blogspot.com
Lea Avroch http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Leslie Wayment  http://www.aabeadsonline.com/blog
Kelley Katherine Hagerty-Fogle  http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Sheila Davis http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com
Amanda Effron http://craft-o-licious.blogspot.com
‎Solange Collin  http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten   http://www.vanbeads.blogspot.com
Isolina Perez  http://IsolinaPerez.blogspot.com
Toltec Jewels www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Sherri Stokey  http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Mary Howell Govaars  http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Bee Kuhlman http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com
Lynnea Perry Bennett   http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache  http://www.allprettythings.ca
Heather Otto http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Kimberly Flood  http://www.goddessesandbeads.blogspot.com
Courtney White Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com
Lisa Liddy  http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com
Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Marianne Baxter  http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Mária Horváth   http://horimarikabeads.blogspot.hu
Andrea Beth Trank www.heavenlanecreations.com
Heidi Mansfield Kingman  http://mybeadtherapy.blogspot.com
Emoke Schmidt  http://emoke1.blogspot.com
Sandra MrtzDiaz www.petaloazuljewelry.blogspot.com
Lupe Meter  http://gesmpccorner.blogspot.com
Tanya Boden http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com
Ambra Chicandfrog http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com
Kumi Fisher http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com
Sandra Young  http://blog.gypsyroadbeads.ca
Sandi Marinaro Volpe  http://www.sandivolpe.com
Gretchen Nation  http://www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com
Mimi Gardner  http://www.othercuriosities.blogspot.com
Marian Hertzog http://mhertzog-msplace.blogspot.com
Sonya Ingersoll-Stille http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Terry Matuszyk   http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com
Audrey Belangér  http://esperianterra.blogspot.com
Sandra McGriff http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Sally Bohner Anderson
Mowse Doyle
Judy Daly Reganti
Brenda Lee Sigafoos

Reconstructed

I love chunky necklaces, but I've always been afraid to bead something with large stones.  I have a few strings of chunky beads that I love.  Often, large stones can be heavy. I'm always fearful that I will make a necklace and it will break while I'm wearing it.  It has happened once or twice, and beads go a dropping.

A few months ago, I made a chunky necklace while riding in a car.  Original post here: Car Beading.  The stones are pretty heavy once they are all strung together.  I asked for advice on strengthening the necklace.  After many great tips, and months of other beading projects, I finally reconstructed the necklace.

Hope you enjoy the new look!

I doubled up the wire and the crimps.  I also added wire protectors and shortened the necklace by reducing the quantity of black beads at the end.

Closeup of the gorgeous stones.

I can wear it proudly, now that it feels way more secure.

Week 6 - Rings

Recently, for some unknown reason, I've stopped wearing rings.  This weeks ring challenge posed an interesting issue.  How do I inspire myself to make something I don't normally wear?  Well,  I tried a tutorial, and love the ring.  I think I'll start wearing them again.

Left to right (Rosette Wire Wrapped Ring, Simple Wire Wrapped Ring, Wire Wrapped Ring

I found a fun wire ring tutorial through Craft Gossip Rosette Wire Wrapper Ring Tutorial.  I love Craft Gossip.  The site features articles on all sorts of crafty tutorials and ideas.

The next ring was made using this tutorial Simple Wire Wrapped Ring Tutorial.

The tutorial for the third ring was emailed to me and I can't find a link to post.  Sorry.

Similar to the ring in the email tutorial

A red rosette, an attempt at leaves, and another view of the ring above

Making rings (and wearing them) was more fun than I expected.  Everything was quick to make and fairly simple.

This week, I will be making a necklace or bracelet that showcases the wire used to string the beads.

Pay It Forward With Handmade

I found this awesome meme on Therese's blog!  I love the idea.  

Here's how it works:

I will send a surprise gift to the first three commenters on this blog post. The gift will be a handmade surprise by me and will be sent to you some time in the next 365 days.

All you have to do is, leave me a comment and make sure you include your email address (if your profile doesn't include it). I’ll email you for your mailing address and a ask a few questions.

To complete signing up you MUST play along too. To do this you must blog a similar post and pledge to make a surprise gift for the first three people who comment on it.
So, do you want to play? Comment below and I’ll sent a thoughtful handmade gift to the first three people who do.
Who is in?

Refreshed Dangles

A while ago I posted about a pair of dangles I made not knowing what to do with them Dangles.  I ended up making a charm bracelet Charm Bracelet, but one of the suggestions I was given was to add green leaves to help fill up the bracelet.

This past weekend, I tried out a new bead store.  It was much more expensive than the one I normally go to, but it had a different selection.  What do you know, they had leaves!

Check out the improvements I was able to make to the charm bracelet.

I love the color combo now.  The green leaves made a huge difference.

Look how full it is!

I'm looking for ring tutorials for this week's personal challenge. I hope to have one or two made this weekend.

Phantom of the Opera Blog Hop

First off, Pam, thanks for putting this on!

I love the Phantom of the Opera and I use to play the soundtrack on the piano.  My favorite song is Music of the Night.  Naturally, I chose Music of the Night as my inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera Challenge.

I really wanted to catch the essence of lights twinkling on the water and mimic the colors of the lake at twilight. I love the necklace and believe it captures everything I envisioned.

 

I wanted to make a necklace for a good friend of mine, and the colors I selected for this challenge were perfect for her.

For more wonderful Phantom of the Opera inspired jewelry, please visit the other designers blogs:
The Crazier Sister (host)
http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Amanda - http://craft-o-licious.blogspot.com/ *me
chicandfrog - http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com/
Andra – http://creezpentrutine.blogspot.com/
Dana Lang - http://tumblestonehandmakery.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner - http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
SueBeads - www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Lp’S Jewelry - http://lpsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Sonya - http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/
Kelli Jacobson - http://creativemoonjewelryandthings.com/
Therese Frank - http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/

Bead Soup Blog Party, Final Reveal!

Whew! I am so excited it is finally here! Welcome to the 3rd and final reveal of the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party. The event was possible thanks to an amazing hostess, Lori Anderson. Can you believe there were almost 400 participants? What does that mean? 400+ wonderful creations and 400 blogs to visit. Sound tiring? Yes, it is but it's all worth it.


Here is the soup my partner, Kay Thomerson, sent me. The picture isn't the best, but the beads are beautiful.

After three failed attempts, I contacted Lori for a little helped.  Funny enough, she suggested a similar idea to  my fourth design.  It all worked out and I'm pretty happy with the results.

The pendant, clasp and red shell/gemstones and green Chinavoski  rondelles.

Necklace Closeup

Earrings to match!

Colorful fiber, silver chain and gunmetal round beads.

Fiber necklace closeup

I used all the beads, the lovely heart pendant, the clasp and some of the fiber.   This is the first time I've played with gunmetal and/or pewter.  I love the darker metal with the beads Kay sent. I haven't figured out what to make with the handmade clasp yet, but something is coming.

Since my jewelry stash is becoming overwhelming, I'd like to do two giveaways #1 for both the necklace and the earrings and #2 for the fiber necklace. If you'd like to participate, please leave a comment with a way to contact you and which number giveaway.


Thanks for checking out my Bead Soup reveal. Don't forget to hop through the other fantastic creations. Visit Kay Thomerson to see what Kay did with the soup I sent her. Enjoy!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads

Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads

Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry

Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems

Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini

Charlene Jacka, Clay Space

Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're

Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On

Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design

CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations

Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry

Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog

Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs

Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia

Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads

Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!

Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda

Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy

Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels

Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame

Gretchen Nation, Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World

Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It

Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper

Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy

Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez

Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier

Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?

Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs

Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks

Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs

Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu

Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum

Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems

Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design

Karen Williams, Baublicious

Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!

Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle

Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz *My Partner

Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time

Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road

Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara

Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry

Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment

Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs

Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design

Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land

Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner

Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin

Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious *Me

Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading

Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change

Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs

Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog

Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival

Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter

Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua

Milla Hope, LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities

Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts

Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color

Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals

Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner

Penny Neville, Copper Penny

Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs

Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry

Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place

Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories

Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla

Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire

Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead

Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs

Solange Collin, Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought

Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs

Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created

Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse

Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas

Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 

Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

A Little Knitting

I knitted a necklace that's kind of like a skinny scarf.  It can be worn in a few different ways. I didn't have anyone to take photos of it on, so I can't show off the versatility yet. It's a casual necklace with a little shimmer. Perfect for the weekends.  Hope you enjoy!

Week 5 - Crochet

When it rains it pours.  I was a beading machine last night.  I even starting a knit piece.  I've made a few attempts at knitting wire.  It's really awkward and the results have been less than pleasing.  Switching gears, I thought I'd trying crocheting wire instead.  I bought this amazing book to use as inspiration for the Bead Soup Blog Party Easy Beading Vol. 8.

I pretty much followed the instructions for One Stitch Lots of Style.  Since this is a new technique for me, I wasn't ready to get all creative and put a twist on it.  It was pretty easy and way more rewarding that knitting (for now).  Give it a try.  Expect to see some more wire crochet pieces popping up here in the near future.

Week 4 - Earrings

As promised, I'm catching up on last week's challenge.  I love making earrings.  They are so fun and quick.  I bought some beads this weekend in a last attempt to perfect my Bead Soup creation.  These opalescent leaf shaped beads didn't make it into my Soup piece and I imaged them as earrings.  They have a mind of there own and don't always hang right, but I enjoy that part.  Hope you like!

Progress

Yay!  I finally finished my main Bead Soup piece.  Check back Saturday at midnight for the reveal.  I'm a little behind on my challenges.  Don't worry, week 4 and 5 are coming soon.

Week 3 - Wire Connectors

This week's challenge was was wire connectors (links).  I didn't get as creative as I wanted to, but I was having a bad week. I love copper and hope to use all these links in a bracelet or necklace soon.

After three weeks of playing with wire, I look forward to making some earrings.

On a separate note, I made my first attempt at a little Bead Soup.  I liked it, but didn't feel it was designer soup quality; back to the drawing board.

Bead Soup Blog Party, 2nd Reveal

It's that time again. Please check out the talented jewelry designers of the 2nd Reveal of the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party. You won't want to miss the creativity and talent.

Visit Lori's blog for the list of participants and details of the annual challenge.

In just a few short weeks, come back and join me on August 25th for the third reveal!

Bead Soup Book Giveaway

Geneva of Torque Story is celebrating/commemorating her 100th post with a fantastic giveaway.  Please stop by Torque Story for a chance to win a signed copy of Lori Anderson's soon-to-be-released book.  Torque Story  Don't forget to check out her lovely jewelry and some of her other post. :)



There are still two more Bead Soup Blog Party reveals coming up.  I'm in the third reveal August 25th.  I hope you come back to see what I created.

Week 2 - Wire Working Continued

The wire working continues...

Wire Coiling

Finally, a little purple

Week 2 - Wire Working

I had made a few dangle cluster pendants last week to finish out week 1.  I miss placed them before I photographed them, darn.

For week 2, I tried making different shapes using 22ga. and 18 ga. silver wire.  I'm having a hard time coming up new shapes.

Enjoy the little wire treats!

I made a pair of loop earrings, minus the ear hook.  I'm fresh out right now, but I'm on a spending diet.  I often buy whatever pretty beads and findings catch my attention.  Next thing I know, I have a giant box full of beads that don't go together.