Friday, August 31, 2012

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.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

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/

Friday, August 24, 2012

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
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
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
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
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
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
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
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
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
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
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

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
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

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!






Thursday, August 23, 2012

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!




Wednesday, August 22, 2012

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.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

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.

Friday, August 10, 2012

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!

Monday, August 6, 2012

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. :)

Photobucket

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.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Friday, August 3, 2012

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.