Bead Soup Reveal Day - Finally!!!!

Well, here we are finally.  It is reveal day for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party Blog Hop.  I am so excited that this day has finally arrived. 

My partner is Erin Grant.  She has been making jewelry for about five years, but she also knits.  You can see more of her work at her etsy shop.  Just click here ETSY SHOP.  Below is a picture of the soup she sent.  She included a beautiful lampwork seahorse pendant, glass beads the color of the ocean with a beach glass finish, seed beads, a silver clasp, and some wonderful little sea shells.

I must admit that I was thrilled with this soup.  I love working with these types of materials and while I understand that one of the purposes of this party is to push yourself beyond what you are comfortable with, it was easy for me to come up with all kinds of ideas for this soup.  Oh well, maybe next time.   But, I wasn't completely without a challenge -- I attempted some construction that was new and I modified the clasp toggle bar somewhat.

I love the look of "beaded" beads and attempted to get that look by using six strands of small leather cord in complimentary colors of pink, turquoise and sand.  When I pulled them all together with knots, they sort of look like beaded beads.

Here is a close up of the beaded beads.

Another challenge that I faced was when the necklace was completed, the weight of it caused the toggle to pull easily out of the square side of the clasp.  To solve that problem, I used more of my pink wire to wrap around the bars extending them to a length that would hold.  Because it is 20 gauge wire, it is strong enough to hold.

I made dangles of the shell beads and put them on each side.  The only thing I added from my own stash of supplies is the silver starfish charm and the leather cord, three purple pink mother of pearl rounds and pink wire.  I made the seed bead links on pink artistic wire continuing with the "pink" color theme.

I also wanted to challenge myself to use all of the materials that Erin sent.  I did that, in fact, I was a bit short on seed beads so I had to use about 8-10 from my own stash.  I also had just a few of the beach glass beads left over, so I was able to make these "jellyfish" earrings to go with the necklace.

Erin, I loved what you sent and I hope you love what I made with it.

I have narry a bead left of Erin's soup.

Hostess, Lori Anderson




Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5.  Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6.  Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8.  Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9.  Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10.  Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery 

11.  Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12.  Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13.  Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14.  Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)

17.  Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18.  Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19.  Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20.  Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23.  Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26.  Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27.  Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28.  Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29.  Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30.  Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31.  Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)

34.  Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35.  Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36.  Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)

38.  Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40.  Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42.  Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44.  Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46.  Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47.  Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49.  Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50.  Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian

51.  Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52.  Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53.  Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)

56.  Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57.  Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58.  Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59.  Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60.  Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan

61.  Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62.  Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63.  Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64.  Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67.  Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68.  Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69.  Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70.  Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71.  Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

 72.  Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73.  Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74.  Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75.  Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77.  Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)

79.  Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80.  Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry

81.  Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander

82.  Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84.  Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)

85.  Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86.  Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen

87.  Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88.  Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89.  Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson

90.  Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91.  Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94.  Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96.  Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

99.  Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100.  Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum

Two Days to Bead Soup Blog Hop

Wow, the day is almost upon us when we can reveal what we made with the bead soup that we received from our partners.  I have been ready for some time and am so excited that the time is about upon us.  Here is a sneak peak at what I've made.

I haven't made any jewelry for the last couple of days - rather, I have been involved in the task of getting our taxes finished and filed.  They are quite complicated as we have rental properties and two corporations, unincorporated business and investments, and on and on.......   It takes me two days to get the forms completed and checked and that doesn't even include the constantly ongoing bookkeeping required.   Anyway, its done and I'm glad. 

Lori Anderson recently had a giveaway of seed beads and some red pressed glass beads.  I won the seed beads.  I tell you, I can't believe it.  I have never had luck like this.  I love seed beads and it seems like everytime I want to use them I never seem to have just what I want.  I won some beautiful blues and reds -- two colors that I really lack.  I can't wait to get them.  I will have to do something special with them.

I don't have any new jewelry to show you so I am going to show you some recent pictures of my three babies.  Jebadiah Boone, Justice Marie, and Sophia Suzanne.  I love these guys.....

Lori Anderson - 7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop and GIVEAWAY

Lori Anderson is hosting another giveaway as a part of her involvement in the 7000 Bracelets of Hope Blog Hop.  You can check it out HERE.

Be sure to check it out and register to win beads, beads and beads.

Note:  5,005 page views on February 26, 2012

Bracelet - Beads by Pippa of PipsJewellery on Etsy

I recently won a set of beads that were being given by Pips of PipsJewellery on etsy.  She was offering a complete set of five beads of winner's choice.  I chose these bronze capped beads as my winning set.  I am saving them for closer to fall.

But, while I was at it, I purchased these turquoise water petal capped beads. 

They came all the way from England to be in this bracelet that I made using Pips beads, three of Natalie Pappas beads, one of Ingrid Mueller's beads,  some howlite orange and yellow melon beads, sari silk, and pastel seed beads.  I made the clasp out of a vintage wood button - I really liked the green color with this piece.  It is put together with brass.

I have two of these beads left and am going to try to come up with some earrings to match.

I decided I liked these beads being "directional" once I quit fighting it and embraced it.  I also managed to work in one of my UTEE head pins - hah, you will probably be seeing a lot of them.  I do need some different colors though.

Pips, I hope you like it.

Barbara Lewis is hosting a giveaway on her Painting With Fire blog.

As stated in the title, Barbara Lewis, the authority on torch enamel, is hosting a giveaway of one of her eCourse Introduction Workshops on her blog.  Click HERE to enter.  I purchased one of her kits over a year ago and have yet to give it a try.  I don't really have a space dedicated to doing a project like this and I still need to acquire some fire bricks so I don't burn the place down.

I promise though if I win, and as you know from the Pips Jewellery and Daisy Chain giveaways recently, it is quite possible for even me to win these things.  lol

Who would of thought it.

Anyway, go there and enter.  Good luck.

Stoneware Bracelet - Flowers, Headpins and Pantone Colors

Today's bracelet was made with Marti Conrad's textured focal in Starfish (taupe).  I made the wire-wrapped strap from her stoneware disc beads which are puffy enough to have the strength to support a bracelet strap.  I have some cute brass clasps with a flower design and it just jumped out at this piece.  I finished it with lucite leaves, glass flowers, a Vintaj leaf and.............................wait for it:

a UTEE dangle that I made using the tutorial published by Marina Rios of fancifuldevices.  I had so much fun making these.  I had her tutorial spread out all over the kitchen cabinet, with spoons, and a heat gun, and headpins and little beads.  What fun!  My husband came in and wanted to know what I was cooking.  Well, there are a lot of things other than cooking that you can do in the kitchen!

Anyway, it may not be the most appropriate component for this bracelet, but I was dying to use it, so here it is.  Let's just pretend that it is perfect and completes the bracelet......

And, this bracelet is also chocked full of Pantone Spring 2012 colors -- Cockatoo (teal), Solar Power (yellow), Starfish (taupe) Caberet (pink), Tangerine Tango (orange), Margarita (lime).

Anyway, a word about Fanciful's tutorial.  It was wonderful.  I so enjoyed it.  I'm going to keep working on these because even her excellent tutorial is no substitute for experience.....I would recommend it if you are interested in making your own enamel looking headpins.  I used some of my sister's old eyeshadow to give the dangle its purply color.  Who'd a thought...

Bracelet and Earrings Made Just for St. Patrick's Day

Well, our next "jewelry" holiday is St. Patrick's Day.  I have dedicated some pieces in my shop that would be appropriate for St. Pat's day but this is the only set I am planning to make especially for St. Patrick's Day.  It is a charm bracelet with lots of green beads, some with four petal flowers and some capped and a few little green glass beads that I've had for awhile that had a gold shamrock on them.  I also attached a shamrock charm.

I made matching earrings as well.

 You will notice that I put in a little red glass ladybug bead.  Two reasons:  1)  I love the little surprise of bright red color amidst all that green.  2) It makes the bracelet just as appropriate for wear all summer long with the flowers, and leaves, and the bug.

How many of you out there are Irish?

Red Stoneware and Black Leather Wrap Bracelet and Earrings

And, by Marti Conrad, from one of her latest wonderful firings.  To me this set looks like you should wear it with blue jeans on the weekend or any time you want to look cool, it has a flair of gothic to it, and to me the stoneware looks like tooled leather.  There is a lot of leather in this bracelet - three strands - doubled - that wrap the wrist three times.  It looks very substantial - gives a layered bracelet look with just the one bracelet.

 And, as a bonus, matching earrings.

Couldn't find these colors on Pantone's Color for Spring, but they are timeless - and good in any season -- good old red, black and a splash of turquoise.  Ummmmm, it doesn't get any better than that.

Pantone Colors for Spring 2012

The following is a good guide to Pantone's colors for Spring 2012.  They have chosen Tangerine Tango as the Color of the Year.

When I made this bracelet with Kristin's bracelet focal I couldn't help but notice how many of the Pantone Spring 2012 colors are represented in it.  It's got about everything but the lilac, cabaret and sodalite blue. 

I really love the tangerines, yellows, greens, and brown grays that are going to be popular this season.  But, I love those colors all seasons.

Enjoy.

Spring, Green and Color

Today's installment features a bracelet that I made using one of Kristin's clay focals.  She owns Keystone Clay and Bead.  I have posted her work prior.  The green on this piece is so intense.  It's beautiful.  I paired it with a really pretty red and green handmade lampwork by Cheryl Harris of Cheryls Art on etsy.  I just received a huge shipment of handmade beads by her and I love them. 

This piece is finished with amethyst, green quartz, and carnelian rounds and glass flowers and a brass dangle.  It is held together with brass chain and findings.

Macrame Bracelets.....

These bracelets are something I've been wanting to make for awhile.  They are a great way to use the disc beads that Julie of Outwest makes in lampwork and the disc beads that Marti and so many other ceramic artists are making now.  I recently ordered a lot of Greek leather in different sizes and a few nice colors.  I hope you like them.

Those lampwork discs are gorgeous and this is my all time favorite Marti Conrad bead.

Marti made these adorable pink textured flower disc beads.  My friend from Jatterwunky made the lampwork bead.

 Organic brass button clasp and those ends can also be cut short, but I like to have dangles.

This is an antique mother of pearl shank button. 

Raku Arrow Bracelet - On Balance....

Well, here it is with three additional beads.  You all were so right - it needed the strap section filled with beads.  Let me know if you think this is better.  I think it is..

Happy Valentines Day To Everyone

Just a quick post wishing that you all have a great Valentines Day with your sweetie.  We're going to go see War Horse this afternoon and this evening we're going to try a restaurant that is just around the corner from us.  It is Chai Thai and we walk our dogs past there twice every day -- they leave a big tea jar full of bones for the dogs and a big bowl of water for the dogs.  I love having merchants like that in our neighborhood. 

Well, I'm just going to put this out there for you to look at........

As a designer, it is always a bit scary to try something new that you haven't seen done before.  At least it is for me.  I have seen several different designers connect two strands of chain with beads and simple loops.  Okay, I wasn't crazy about it, but it seemed to be well received by the jewelry buying public. 

Months ago I saw a piece of Raku on Karen Totten's Starry Road Studio in a triangle shape.  I believe it was a pendant with one hole if memory serves me correctly.  I was just gaining interest in the curved bracelet focal pieces that I use so much and asked her if she could do the same piece with three holes and a slight curve for a bracelet.  She did and here it is. 

I am always aware when I begin to design jewelry with a piece such as this its strengths and weaknesses and how it may or may not handle different construction techniques.  In this case, the hole on the point was too far to connect with a jump ring small enough that would do the job and not be too large.  So I went for metallic rust leather. I don't want to bore you with every thought process that I had last night sitting and staring at this piece listening to it tell me what to do next, but I decided to try connecting the two strands of leather with beads and simple loops like I had seen done with two strands of chain.  The lampwork beads are Rustic Copper by Outwest with faceted labradorite.  I want to like it, I think I like it, but I'm not sure.  It fits well, I can't find a thing wrong with the way it fits, wears or performs as a bracelet.

So, I want to know what you think.  Not just "Oh its pretty."  I know you will all say that.  It would mean a lot to me if each of you that look at this took a moment to tell me what you think of the strap - even if its just a yes or no, but it would also mean a lot to me if you took the time to tell me why you think its a yes or no.  In the meantime, I'm going to go ahead and list it in the shop.  Its another piece that because of the focal and lampwork beads will be on the pricey side and I don't want to waste such beautiful components on a stupid construction if that is what it is in fact.

The beads do have the ability to slide up and down the leather, but they don't move too much from where you place them.

In keeping with the "Arrowhead" theme, I also made some copper "arrowhead" charms to hand here and there.

Orange Seahorse Bracelet

Today, I have an Orange Seahorse bracelet to show you.  I made it using a focal from Marti Conrad of her speckled stoneware clay with the seahorse glazed in a lovely orange glaze.  The color people, name escapes me right now as I haven't had coffee yet, tells us that Orange is supposed to be a very popular color this coming season.  I'm glad because I love orange.

I made the chain strap from red agate nuggets, one of which I capped with some new copper caps, and dark carnelian rounds.  Each bead was hand wrapped on copper wire, oxidized and tumble polished for that wonderful pinkish orange glow.

The second strand was woven onto orange waxed linen.  I just purchased waxed linen from White Clover Kiln in 54 different colors.  I'm loving that linen.  She also makes earthenware components, but I digress.  I alternated some dark amber AB seed beads and amber bugle beads and "tied" with small carnelian rounds.  I made the toggle clasp from copper and seed beads, added a couple of charms and here you go.

Reminder of Giveway at Love My Art Jewelry Blog

Several days ago, I posted about a giveaway on the Love My Art Jewelry Blog.  They are giving away a necklace that I made using Ingrid Mueller's Heart Pendant.

I just checked and so far onlt 10 people have entered.  They will be drawing the winner February 14, 2012 so be sure to click here to enter. 

Short Version......

I recently made some earrings using porcelain beads, metal beads and seed beads.  They were long........

Marti Conrad came up with a great idea to shorten them........so I did.  I like them better short, but then I prefer short earrings.  In a spirit of "waste not, want not" the wire cut from the long sides were fashioned into dangles.

This pair is made with Ingrid Mueller's "stoney" beads.  I love the matte glaze that she used on these.  These "Beaded Buckets" are listed HERE.

This version is just 2-5/8" long

Sophie, I am still planning a discussion on crimp covers.

Something to look at while I go get a haircut......

I'm off to get a haircut today - been trying to get that done for two weeks - finally reached that point this morning where if I don't get it cut today, I am going to cut it myself tomorrow, and that would not be a good thing....

In the meantime, just took this set out of the tumbler.  I used lampwork discs by Julie of Outwest on etsy and I used Yellow Jade and Labradorite along with just a few faceted glass picasso beads in the new earthy colors.

In case you are new to jewelry, these are earrings.

And, this is a necklace.  They match.

Earrings and Bracelet - Southwest Flavor

I have recently started buying lampwork art from a couple of etsy suppliers and I love their work.  The first is Outwest.  She makes beads that really capture the flavor of the west.  The second is Lynda Cogbill.  Her beads are broader in style, but I was drawn to this set of southwest beads.

The turquoise is from another etsy seller that I recently discovered.  Her products are great, her selection is managable, and her service is perfect.  Most of all, she is friendly.  Take a look at  Rosemary's shop sometime you have a moment.

I rarely use an entire set of lampwork in one piece because really good lampwork by a really good artist can make a piece very pricey, but this set was an exception.  It would have been like splitting up ninetuplets (or whatever you would call a litter of 9).  I simply separated with faceted pyrite, added some wavy copper spacers and stuck on a clasp.  That wonderful little heart turquoise magnesite bead also came from Rosemary's shop.

I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Lotteries, Gambling, and Giveaways....

I know it varies around the country, but I live in Kansas City, MO.  About twenty years ago, our state legislature voted to allow legalized gambling on river boats.   There are now several such boats in Kansas City.   I was not glad to see that being of the opinion that gambling is a detriment on a society and not a help, but the legislature didn't ask me for my opinion. 

Most of my opinion on legalized gambling is a direct result of my Mother's opinion.  She says that the worst thing that can happen to a person at one of these river boat gambling casinos is to win.  Because once they win, they think they can win every time and will usually lose much more than they can afford trying to win again - which is where it becomes a hindrance on society. 

But, I did not intend this post to become Jean's Treatise on the Ills of Gambling.  No, indeed!  Now on to the purpose of the post......

I have won two - not one, but two giveaways in the last couple of weeks!  Okay, in case you didn't hear me, let me shout it.  I HAVE WON TWO - NOT ONE, BUT TWO GIVEAWAYS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS!  Now, let me say that I hope you won't interpret this post as being braggy - I don't intend it to be braggy -- in fact, I never (can't say that anymore) win anything -- but rather I intend it in the spirit of getting these artists names before as many of you as I can.

The first that I won was from Jo, owner of Daisy Chain Extra on Etsy on January 23.  You can visit her etsy shop here.  Jo lives in Southampton, England.  She is a jewelry designer and tutor and makes the sweetest jewelry components from sterling and copper.  I didn't even know I'd won until February 6 when she posted on my facebook.  Don't you just love facebook?  She was giving away 20 (is it English pounds - I don't even know) in free products from her shop.  I went online to try to find a money changer and I think it is about $32.58 in US Dollars.  Hey folks - that's a lot.  Did you hear me?  THAT'S A LOT!  I really don't know why I think all of you are hard of hearing today....

Anyway, these are some of the items I picked from her shop, along with about that much more that I purchased.  I just can't pass up free shipping....

This is a daisy.

These are poppies.

The second giveway was from Pippa PipsJewellery.  She lives in Bath, United Kingdom.  She makes jewelry and jewelry components from polymer clay.  She is a true artist with color and I believe I am going to love her beads.  She describes her shop as Handcrafted.  Unique.  Special.  She sure has that right.  They are beautiful, in fact they are beautifully gorgeous.

She gave me my choice of a set of polymer beads.  I chose these --

And to go with them, I purchased this....

And then because I love free shipping, I purchased these.

Also, because Pippa is so generous and because she was so pleased with the huge response to her giveaway she also gave a set of beads to Cilla of TellYourGirlFriends on etsy.  Cilla makes beautiful artisan jewelry - and she is also a customer of Ingrid Mueller's which proves in my book that she has good taste in jewelry makin's.  I can prove she makes beautiful artisan jewelry if you will click here.

I can't wait to receive all this booty.  These women are very generous to have offered such spectacular giveaways.  I would encourage all of you to check out their shops and consider their contributions to your jewelry designs. 

Anyway, thank you Jo and Pippa for making the opportunity to win these gorgeous components possible.  Now, I have to go do another happy dance.
P.S.  Apparently, the English spelling of jewelry is jewellery.  We American's we want to take the shortcut on everything don't we.