Happy New Year!!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!!

Another Humble Post!!!

The ever creative and generous Heather Powers at Humblebeads and Art Bead Scene is sharing some Holiday fun. First, there is a Holiday Ornament Blog Hop on her blog and at ABS. I wish I'd been paying better attention, because I would have loved to participate, if I'd known about it sooner.

Next, check out her tutorial at ABS to make these adorable ornaments. This would be a great way to use up those mixed up, previously spilled, seed beads - we all have them! Or, you could buy a bead mix in a color theme. I love this idea and plan on making at least one of these. I'm picturing little mini ornaments, as earrings! Are you with me?

And if that were not generous enough, she is having a give away too!!!
Good Luck! (only, I really hope I win!!)

Some Humble Holiday Necklaces

I recently ordered the following pendants from Humblebeads. I will definitely order more Humblebeads, once the old credit card cools down! These necklaces practically made themselves!
I will apologize now for the photography. I have been having some camera issues. Maybe Santa will resolve the problem with a new camera(??)

OK, you're probably noticing that this first one is not really "Holiday". But it's a little owl from Humblebeads, and I borrowed the idea for the wire nest from Heather (at Humblebeads). I love her wonderful woodland sense of style! I paired this pendant with some czech glass and olive wood "acorns".

Look at this cute little owl!
Unrelated info:We had a BIG owl in our back yard recently, that was kinda exciting. He (or she) was perched at the very top of a tall dying tree. At dusk you could see it, and hear it calling: "Who, Who, Who-who, Who". Pretty neat!

Next is the snowflake pendant. I had the blue beads in my stash. They are Czech milk glass. I may have mentioned that I love peanut beads these days. It doesn't show in my photo, but the peanut beads glow, just like ice!

Another little cutie - this snowman is so cute. And I liked the different shades of blue and aqua. The beads are foil lined beads from Fire Mountain - blue, aqua and crystal with little blue flecks (snowflakes). I'm really sorry there's no close up shot - because he's even cuter closer up.

This one isn't really Holiday, except for the little dangles. This is a Midnight Willow pendant. The dangles are made with AB crystal teardrop beads. Actually, I meant to make the drops differently, like in the next necklace...you'll see.

Pretty close up shot!

I decorated this evergreen bough with Christmas lights! The dangles are multicolored crystal teardrops, strung upside down, to look like little light bulbs.

A closer look at the beautiful pendant!

Now, this is not Humblebeads, but it is Holiday!! It's a glass pendant I picked up at Beadfest a couple years ago. Red and green swirls! I just got the red and green cane glass from Fire Mountain. And the green recycled sari silk is from Barbara Lewis, Painting with Fire. I thought I needed a little more pop of color, so, I went with the green silk. Very festive!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

Challenge of Color Blog Hop - reveal day!!

Well, the big day is here! It's the Challenge of Color Blog Hop reveal day. Erin Prais-Hintz at Tesori Trovati Jewelry is the hostess (with the mostest - check out ALL she made!!!) We (the participants) picked a color. The color could be your favorite, or most challenging, or whatever - up to you. Then Erin selected a palette for each participant from Design Seeds (check out the site - some really beautiful color palettes there!).

So, I chose "red", because I do not seem to use red in my designs very often, so I thought it would be a good stretch for me.

Erin chose "Autumn Comfort" for me. As you can see, the red in this palette is on the orange side, which I was happy about. I really didn't know what I was gonna do if I got candy apple red!

So, first, I looked through all my red beads. I sort my beads by color, for the most part. I keep my art beads separate, so I looked through the art beads next. I found lots of rusty reds in there. The first thing I made were these earrings. I was just trying to warm up a little, like with exercise - you don't want to over do it!  The beads and the rings are lampwork from Outwest.  They have the red and darker grey color from the palette. I love matte lampwork!

Next, I made this necklace. It's made of beige cane glass I've had forever, don't remember where I got it (maybe Fire Mountain?). And red ceramic rounds, I think from Fire Mountain. And matte grey pony beads, that are from Fire Mountain. And, Vintaj bead caps.

Much to my surprise, I found the yellow color the hardest to work into my designs. But then I found a string of very large stone nuggets in my "yellow beads". I swear I don't even remember buying them. I don't know what "stone" they are. But, I picked out the best one on the strand. I liked this one because it has a darker spot on it. Along with that, I used some red coral little donuts, some white-grey marble rounds, some faceted Czech beads (that match the mystery stone perfectly), and the same grey pony beads as in the first necklace. And, of course, Vintaj bead caps.
I have not done it very often, so I'm still never sure how it will turn out, but I wire wrapped some gold sari silk in three places. I actually like it. It adds just a bit more golden yellow to the necklace.

Thanks to Erin for creating this fun challenge!!
Here's the list of all the other participants. Enjoy all the colors!!!

1 Norma Turvey ~ Teal ~ Color Crave

2 Jeannie Dukic ~ Green ~ Mineral Tones

3 Mary McGraw ~ Teal ~ Embellished Hues

4 Jo Tinley ~ Red ~ Decadent Tones

5 Rebecca Anderson ~ Pink ~ Tulip Tones

6 Kristi Jaro ~ Red ~ Temple Entrance

7 Stephani Gorman ~ Green ~ Dew Tones

8 Melissa Meman ~ Green ~ Fruit Star

9 Kathleen Lange Klik ~ Teal ~ Silk Hues

10 Cynthia Riggs (you are here) ~ Red ~ Autumn Comfort

11 Heidi Post ~ Teal ~ Flora Bright

12 Cece Cormier ~ Teal ~ Merino Teal

13 Amy Freeland ~ Gray ~ Cultured Tones

14 Alice Peterson ~ Blue ~ Island Play

15 Rose Noble ~ Gray ~ Autumn Stacked

16 Kristina Johansson ~ Yellow ~ Sunny Flower

17 Kirsi Luostarinen ~ Teal ~ Dragon Hues

18 Tari Kahrs ~ Orange ~ Citrus Tones

19 Mallory Hoffman ~ Purple ~ Petaled Dark

20 Molly Alexander ~ Brown ~ Peppered Tones

21 Regina Santerre ~ Red ~ Frosted Berry

22 Emanda Johnson ~ Teal ~ Color Purl

23 Amy Severino ~ Orange ~ Winged Tones

24 Bobbie Rafferty ~ Teal ~ Lime Hues

25 Tanya Goodwin ~ Gray ~ Pecked Tones

26 Lisa Lodge ~ Blue ~ Nocturnal Tones

27 Hope Smitherman ~ Blue ~ Bloom Tones

28 Linda Landig ~ Green ~ Cacti Dark

29 Ambra Gostoli ~ Teal ~ Perched Autumn

30 Lori Bowring-Michaud ~ Blue ~ Sharpened Blue

31 Pippa Chandler ~ Teal ~ Hungarian Hues

32 Keirsten Giles ~ Purple ~ Mineral Brights

33 Jennifer Justman ~ Blue ~ Autumn Rays

34 Sandy Richardson ~ Purple ~ Moroccan Brights

35 CJ Bauschka ~ Teal ~ Teal Air

36 Shaiha Williams ~ Teal ~ Sushi Hues

37 Kay Thomerson ~ Purple ~ Autumn Spectrum

38 Sally Russick ~ Purple ~ Golden Gate Tones

39 Cilla Watkins ~ Purple ~ Autumn Infused

40 Shirley Moore ~ Purple ~ Frozen Heather

41 Jenni Connolly ~ Gray ~ Paw Tones

42 Tamara Soper ~ Green ~ Field Tones

43 Sharyl McMillian-Nelson ~ Blue ~ Nested Blues

44 Jen Velasquez ~ Pink ~ Sweetened Tints

45 Maria Grimes ~ Red ~ Bright Bloom

46 Elisabeth Auld ~ Gray ~ Petaled Tints

47 Susan Kennedy ~ Pink ~ Zinnia Tones

48 Shannon Chomanczuk ~ Gray ~ Autumn Leaf

49 Holly Westfall ~ Yellow ~ Sprinkled Tones

50 Patty Gasparino ~ Red ~ Color Carton

51 Angela Little ~ Pink ~ Singapore Brights

52 Lizzie Zawinski ~ Green ~ Budding Hues

53 Kristen Stevens ~ Pink ~ Scooped Tones

54 Dawn Doucette ~ Brown ~ Jarred Tones

Challenge of Color - getting started

I signed up for For Erin Prais-Hintz's Challenge of Color blog hop. Erin always thinks up the funnest things! She asked participants to pick a color. Once you pick a color, Erin picked a color palette from Design Seeds for each participant. The color I chose was "red", because I do not usually design with it. I like red, but I have way more green and brown beads in my stash. The palette Erin gave me is "autumn comfort". It's so yummy! Who doesn't love grilled cheese and tomato soup?

So, I've gone through my stash of red, yellow, gray, tan beads. I am excited to say that I was able to find beads to match the palette, without buying any more beads (always a plus). I've gotten started making some things. You'll have to come back on Nov 30th for the big reveal. See you then!

Let me take time here to say that if you have ever thought of participating in the many challenges like these - just do it. I get such a kick out of challenging myself to make something that otherwise would have never been made. I would have never gone through my bins of beads, looking for these very specific colors. And it builds a feeling of community. You get to interact with other, like-minded artists out there. And everyone brings their own unique style to the party. It is rewarding, challenging and above all else, just plain fun.

Artist Bio on FMG

I now have a Jewelry Artist's Bio on Fire Mountain Gem's website!

Here's the link:
http://www.firemountaingems.com/jewelryartists/jewelryartists_bio.asp?docid=RIGGSC

:-)

Some Golem Pendants, plus an all Vintaj design

A couple months ago, the Beads of Clay blog had a sale where all (or most all) of the artists participated. I picked up 2 Golem pendants. They are both of the same flower, but in different colors. I do the same thing with pants - buy the same thing in different colors. I know I'm not the only one who does this.

This is the blue one. The brown clay offers a nice contrast to the blue, and in real life, it is a bit darker, and more matte looking. I found some czech glass beads that matched the blue. Is it me, or are blues hard to match - "this one's too red, this one's too green, ahhh, this one is just right" - I feel like Goldilocks sometimes! The bumpy bead is an inexpensive "faux pearl" I picked up at Beadfest. The color matched Vintaj Natural Brass, so I knew it would work itself into something eventually.

This is a closer look at the blue Golem pendant.

This is the red one. Actually, it's somewhere between orange and red, and I had czech glass that matched it perfectly. The center of the flower is a darker purpler red so I added some dark red spacers. And years ago I got the larger red cathedral beads, 4 in a little baggie for $1.00. They were just right for this necklace. I love it when I use something from my stash that I've had for a long time. I made the bails on both of these necklaces with 20g wire.

This is a closer look at the red-orange Golem pendant.

This necklace is all Vintaj Natural Brass Butterflies. Sometimes it's nice to have an all metal necklace, with no "color". It goes with every outfit!

A Pay Pal question

I just found out that Pay Pal has a limit (for spending)! I am being told I have to link my bank account or apply for the Pay Pal credit card to continue to use Pay Pal. I'm not comfortable linking my checking account, but I also don't need/want another credit card to pay! Honestly, the limit is quite high, and I have to believe that it has taken me years to reach it. I've been a "good customer" for so long - they are basically giving me an ultimatum.

Do any of you have any advice, or experience with this? Should I trust Pay Pal, and give them my checking account number?? I don't really want them to take money directly out of my checking account. I only use Pay Pal for buying beads, I'm not using it as a seller. I really love the convenience and ease of use of Pay Pal, but I'm afraid of my checking account being wiped clean. Maybe I should be more trusting, but in this day & age, you can't be too careful. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

WOOT!

I just scored a kit for Andrew Thorton's November Reader's Challenge!! I've been too late the past couple month's (always SOLD OUT), so I'm excited to participate. Plus, the entire kit is a mystery, with the only clue being "jonquil". With just that one clue, I think it will be yellows and golds - I can't wait to see it!!

October Vintaj Design Challenge

I haven't entered the monthly Vintaj challenge in a long while. The theme this month is right up my alley: Flea Market Finds. There are only 7 entries this month, so maybe I have a chance of winning.
Here's what I entered. All the flea market stuff was actually my Mom's childhood treasures. The large piece was curved to fit her wrist, as an ID bracelet (I flattened it).
Back in the old days, in a small town, you would have been returned to your parents with just this info - no micro-chip needed ;-)

I'm # 7 on the Vintaj blog, if you'd like to vote for me.

Lima Beads Challenge Reveal

Today's the day! Well, actually, tomorrow's the day, but I have to post today, because I can't do it tomorrow morning.

I loved the beads in this kit! Each bead was so pretty, and the clasp, chain and ribbon too. My problem was that I could not get them to play together!

This first necklace uses the fabulous Abalone bead (I'm planning on buying more of those!!), the stick pearls, the little yellow potato pearls, the green crystals and the little TOHO beads. After making the matching earrings (below), I added the center pearl on a chain. I really like how this turned out, but what about all the other beads?!?!?

A close up up the center drop. I made it like the earrings, except I added a Foliage bead cap.

To make the earrings, I had to ream the pearl holes to get the wire through (UGH!). That's probably why I don't use as many pearls as I used to. I wrapped lots of wire around the top.


For the next necklace, I really wanted to try to use the Vintaj focal, and the clasp, and the chain. And I was determined to use the pretty purple flowers!! I dangled a flower behind, and in the center of, the focal and made links with the purple flowers and TOHO beads. I also used the last green crystal bead, and worked in 2 of the purple rondelles. This necklace looks more like my usual designs - asymmetrical.

Here's a close up of the gorgeous Missficklemedia clasp, as well as the other links.

I bent the wires on the back of the flower links to keep them from spinning and turning upside down. (and it worked!!)


After I had the kit a little while, I enlisted help from one of my beading buddies - Suzan Lopatin. I told her I was having trouble getting the beads to play nice together, so she took a stab at it. This necklace is a combined effort, but she did 99% of it. She probably would have used Sterling, but deferred to me on the brass. She was able to use the purple teardrops and more teal stick pearls. She added olive Keishi pearls and some peanut seed beads (we are both loving the little peanuts right now!) I think Suzan made a stunning necklace!! It is so rich and luxurious looking! I wore it already, and received lots of compliments.

Here's a close up. Something Suzan likes to do is wrap a fine chain around, to give the design a little extra somethin'-somethin'! I never would have thought of doing it, and I think it really makes it more interesting and attractive. You might notice some green wire. I added that in a few random places to help keep the chain in place. Mmmmmm, looks so yummy.


So, those who know what was in the kit know that I did not use the ribbon, or the oval lemon Chrysoprase beads, or the Zebra Jasper nuggets. Those Zebra Jasper nuggets are so cool, with iridescent stripes, but I could not get them to fit with anything. I'd like to thank Lorelei and Shannon for hosting, and picking out the fabulous kit components!

Please go to Lorelei's blog for the blog hop list! Have fun!

Between challenges

The next challenge is the Lima Bead challenge that Lorelei organized. Please stop back on Saturday for that big reveal.

In the meantime, I found a couple more fall themed necklaces that I made, photographed, but did not post yet! Acorns have really been my theme lately. I was making them in the weeks that lead up to yesterday's challenge.

This first necklace has the same horn beads with acorn caps that I used in the Very Vintage challenge. Added to that are some iridescent green Czech beads and small matte red pony beads. The green wood grain focal is from the "Varnish" line, I think by Blue Moon. My niece was with me when I bought them and she did not think I should get them. But, I kinda like them here (& in the next necklace, as you'll see). I recently also purchased (Are you noticing a spending habit here??) the Vintaj Oak Leaves - really prettier in person! Finally, instead of chain, I used some tan greek leather.

And a slightly different perspective.

Very similar to the above necklace, this one has the same focal, the same oak leaves, same Czech beads, same bead caps, but the acorns are made from olive wood beads.

There's some groovy fake wood grain goin' on!

Different, but the same....same oak leaves, same bead cap (because I am in love with the bead caps), red-orange dyed Howlite focal and orange flower bead (coral, I think), a felt bead acorn, and opaque orange crystals.
I think I need to move on from the Autumn themed jewelry. It is my favorite time of year, but it's getting a little ridiculous. My necklaces for Saturday's reveal are not fall themed at all, thank goodness!

Very Vintage Challenge reveal

Michelle Mach put out the challenge to who ever wanted to participate. She made up kits, and also mini kits, that you could buy from her. I purchased the mini kit, because I already had many of the Vintaj pieces in my stash. I could not wait for my mini kit to arrive, because the morning Michelle posted the challenge, I had an idea driving to work, about using the Vintaj branch in a necklace design. My necklace turned out pretty much how I pictured it. I also felt compelled to use every last bead in my mini kit, so I made some earrings and a second very simple necklace.
So, without further ado....

I added extra acorn bead caps to create more acorns and the Lucite links. My idea (from that morning) was to create a "vine" of wire, wrapping around the branch, with leaves, acorns and berries hanging from it. The acorns are made with carved horn beads and small bead caps at the bottom.

Here's another shot:

I could not work the brass leaf from the kit into the first necklace. There was already enough going on in that one. So, I decided to hammer it up a bit, and make a little drop and a matching link. I made a free form wrapped wire "bead", to look like jumprings, and made the wire wrapped loops a little free form too. It's not a statement necklace, just something that you can wear any day of the week (in autumn, of course!)

This is a slightly closer, but slightly blurry photo (it wouldn't hold still), but it shows how it hangs.

Lastly, a pair of earrings. I stacked black Lucite flowers with bead caps and 2 of the beads from the kit. I made the wraps on the top free form, to match the above necklace. The little seed drops at the bottom just glow in the sunlight.
That's it for me. I enjoyed this challenge and would like to thank Michelle for dreaming it up.
You can check out all the Very Vintage participants list at Michelle's blog.

I've been bad!

Almost a month ago, I took advantage of a one day "cyber sale" at Beads of Clay. All the members participated in the sale, some offering up to 25% off!! I love a sale! and I love to shop for beads, so, I spent my lunch break being very bad that day!! I bought so much, I had 4 envelopes in my mailbox on one day (*squee*). I am slowly allowing myself to make them into something (I am still hoarding many purchases that date back years).

This leaf pendant is from Shaterra. I was immediately drawn to the warm colors and the leaf design. I used a carved horn bead with an acorn bead cap, faceted smokey quartz, orange-red freshwater pearls and some Foliage bead caps from Vintaj.


This moth pendant is also from Shaterra. I love how it's kinda spooky, misty, dark. It forced me work with antique silver for a change. I'm more comfortable with brass, partly because I have way more brass in my stash. I also used some gray crackle glass, Lucite black flowers, silver-toned pony beads, faceted hematite and some flower bead caps.

Here's a close-up of Shaterra's fabulous Moth focal!

Unrelated to the above mentioned sale, I used another of my cute owls from beadfreaky. I used the same black Lucite flowers as in the moth necklace, and some turquoise Czech glass, along with bead caps. I can't remember where I got the gray beads. They came in a pack with some light blue beads, and they are speckled like robin's eggs.

Just look at that cute owl!!

This last necklace isn't clay at all. I just felt like throwing it in for fun. It was my first attempt at using sari silk. I recently purchased some at Beadfest Philly. I put 2 small squares sandwiched between an orange Lucite flower and a brass bead cap (from this angle, you can't see the flower). Then I wrapped a little piece of silk on the hook clasp with some wire.

Happy Fall!