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!

15 Minutes of Fame!!

I am the featured "guest designer" on Jeannie's Blog today!

She asked a bunch of probing questions, which I tried to answer. And I sent her 8 photos, which she put in a slide show.

Thank you Jeannie, for my time in the white hot spot light!!

I'm going to go bask in it now....

A Challenge or Two...

I decided to join in on 2 design "challenges". I'm usually apprehensive about doing these challenges because I don't want to disappoint anyone. There has to be enough time to make everything AND photograph it. And I mostly can only do photos on the weekend, if it's not to overcast.

The first one is Michelle Mach's "Very Vintage" challenge. She had kits and mini kits available to purchase. The kits included vintage lucite leaves and bits, some glass beads and some Vintaj filigree, branch and leaf. I got the mini kit, because I already had the Vintaj pieces in the bigger kit. I, coincidentally, had an idea that morning about a fall themed necklace, and Michelle's kit components fit my idea very well. The kit arrived, and I made my necklace that very evening! The big reveal is Oct 4th, so please stop back.

The second challenge is Lorelei Eurto's & Shannon Chomanczuk's Lima Beads challenge. These kits were a bit more costly, but, man, there's a lot in there! There are some really pretty colors and textures! My kit arrived over the weekend, and I need to get busy with it. The reveal for this one is Oct 8th. I might have to post mine on Oct 7th, because I don't have Internet at home (no, I'm not Amish, as my co-workers kid!) Hopefully that will be ok!

More fall designs

I'm really in the mood for fall, although I wish the rain would stop. We've had too much of it lately.

This necklace is all Raku beads I picked up at Beadfest Philly. The artist is Amy @ Xaz beads. I used a Vintaj Acorn bead cap on top of the larger bead.

This necklace was made to enter in Vintaj's Honey Bee challenge, but I did not get a decent picture until after the deadline. There's no sense in entering with a bad picture!
I WON this focal from Erin Prais Hintz, during her birthday extravaganza week, lucky me! I used crackle glass in 2 shades of yellow, and more Vintaj.

This little cutie is from Beadfreaky. I posted the other beadfreaky owl yesterday. I just love these owls! I made an acorn out of a felt bead, and the little bead, which is dark looking in this picture is a really pretty raku lampwork bead from Kelleys beads.

This last necklace is one I'm on the fence about. I like using buttons, but I don't like the holes to show. So I had the idea to make a birds nest and attach it through the holes. And the lampwork egg (also by Kelleys beads) matched the button so well, I hung it below. But I'm not sure I like the red with the blue. I normally work in monochromatic themes, so maybe it's just me being shy about color. The little beads are tiny millefiori beads with a red "flower" in the center, so that was the "color combo inspiration". The red beads are those deep red velvet beads (from China, I think)
If anyone has opinion, feel free to comment.

Some Autumnal Ceramic Focals

A while ago, I bought a bunch of stuff from Gaea. Then recently, I bought more. (we all understand the spending habits of a bead hoarder, don't we?) I love all my new stuff so much that I thought I'd better use some of my older stuff! I guess I'm bitten with the autumn bug, like so many others. I used 3 leaf pendants, all in different colors. I am totally loving the acorn bead cap from Vintaj too. So leafs, and acorns, and owls, oh my!

This pendant is teal with the darker ceramic clay showing through. The round beads are also from Gaea - I made one into an acorn.

This leaf is a greyish brown glaze with darker clay showing through. It goes well with the Vintaj chain.

This leaf pendant has a matte finish. The bead that is the acorn is also from Gaea. The owl was a link I picked up at Michael's.


And while I'm on the fall subject, isn't this owl fantastic? This owl is from beadfreaky. I bought some other cute owls from them too. If you like owls, you should check out the shop.
I used some faceted fluorite barrel beads. They almost look like recycled glass, except for the occasional spot of purple.

A close up of the owl! So sweet!

My next investment

My next investment should be photography lessons, and possibly a new camera!
I have a hard time getting my jewelry to look half as good in the photos as they do in real life. And I can't ever get anything to look like it was just thrown on to the background. I know the beautiful photos I've seen elsewhere are a result of arranging and posing, but they look natural and effortless. I promise these necklaces are really cute, but you'll just have to take my word for it!

This is a Chinook focal I bought a little while ago. I made the nest with brown speckled e-beads. I put the same beads on large jumprings, to form a chain. I thought the beads would all be on the lower side of the chain, but actually, when I wear it, the chain twists, and they kinda spiral up my neck, which I like better!

Here's a closer shot of the lovely Chinook focal...


This is another Chinook focal. I ALWAYS get a compliment when I wear this necklace. It's an old key from my stash, czech glass leaves, and inexpensive (read: Chinese) lampwork swirly beads.



Take a closer look at that focal! I'm dying to buy more stuff from Chinook, but think I should use some of what I already have first!

My brick and mortar spot

I am not an "etsian", as of yet (well, I'm buying, but not selling). I just don't seem to have the time (nor internet access at home). But I am in 2 "Brick and Mortar" shops. One is in Hyannis Port, MA. I have not seen the shop yet. I hope to get there before the season closes. I do not have my own space there. I think my jewelry is mixed in with other artists, which is fine. If you find yourself walking down Main Street, look for "Menagerie on Main", across from the Kennedy Museum.

The other place I sell my jewelry is Orchard Artworks. It's an artist's cooperative, run by the artists, on a volunteer basis. I work once a month, and in exchange, I get to display and sell my designs there. It's a great little shop, nestled in an old farmhouse in Bryn Athyn, PA. The community of artists is a great mix of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, painting, glass, etc. I am always inspired when I walk in the door. I recently took some photos of my little spot. It's in a 12" deep window - one of the original outside windows.

This is the whole window...


This is a closer shot of the shelves...


and this is an old screen that I hang earrings on...


If you are ever in Bryn Athyn, PA, stop in and say hi!

I'm a winna!

I just won these fabulous pendants form Jeannie! The first winner never claimed them, so now I'm the winner! I love fabric and I love beads, so these are way up my alley!


Aren't these so pretty?!?!?

Jeannie's got another give away going, for some really pretty hand made paper beads. So, check it out!

What a give-away!!

Barbara Lewis is having a fabulous give away. You gotta check it out!

http://paintingwithfireartwear.blogspot.com/2011/05/bead-giveaway.html

I can't wait for her book to be available!!

Stringing Challenge

This is my first time entering Stringing's reader challenge. The theme is Poetry and Prose. I made this necklace from an old broken pin. It's iridescent white with a drawing of a person giving a bouquet to another person. It was made in Czechoslovakia, probably in the 1930's or 1940's (I think).
Here's the link. You need to be a member of the "Beading Daily" community, which just means you subscribe to the free emails. I don't know if it will accept votes if you are not a member, but I figure most bead bloggers are probably members. If you aren't, the emails are mostly fun to read, and sometimes give me new ideas.
Stringing Poetry & Prose challenge:
http://www.stringingmagazine.com/gallery/Poetry-and-Prose/

My design is #18, if you feel like voting for me.

Vintaj March challenge

I entered the Vintaj challenge this month. I have been slacking off about this lately, but I got my act together in time this month! (always a plus)

Anyway, here's the link: http://vintaj.com/wpblog/?p=10782
my necklace is design #1. Feel free to vote for #1!!



And, in case you do vote for #1, THANK YOU!!!!

More "junk"

I am slowly getting photos of the remaining necklaces I made from my Mom's girlhood treasures (junk).
This necklace is made from an overall hook. Can you see it under there, it's to keep the shoulder strap up. And also, a tiny lock & key that was in her box. I added the filigree and hammered ring, and some vintage crystal beads.

Such priceless treasures! (well, they are to me, now)

Recent Designs

I've been on a jewelry making frenzy....

This is a mother of pearl Lilly Pilly focal. I used Blue "quartz" and turquoise.



This is also Lilly Pilly (I LOVE Lilly Pilly). I used yellow turquoise and purple crystals.



This is a ceramic focal from Chinook. The photo turned out very dark - the ceramic piece is gorgeous in person! I used dark blue Czech glass and swirled green lampwork beads.



This is dyed Howlite (from Bead Gallery/ Michael's). I used little czech glass beads - so pretty!




And last but not least, this is a ceramic button from Mudalicious (I've been hoarding this one a little while!)I used some blue dyed coral, and dark blue czech glass beads.

OK, so, it's late February, and I'm just now getting around to using one of my Christmas gifts. I received a tabletop photo light booth from my Mom (she asked what I wanted). It's pretty cool. It folds up into it's own carrying case, and came with a tripod and 2 lights, and a couple different fabric backgrounds. I used a piece of fuzzy fabric I already had for these photos. I think I need more light. The photos look dark on my screen at work, but they looked fine on my screen at home, after I brightened them up a little, and cropped them, in Photoshop. If anyone has any tips for getting more light on the subject.... I know, natural light is preferred, but I work full time, and it's hard to get photos of things. There is only so much daylight...although, I've been enjoying the slightly longer days lately...sorry I drifted a little there. (I'm sooooo ready for Spring!!)

Anyway, these are some simple necklaces I finished recently. The green one is mother of pearl, sort of like a Lilly Pilly focal, but not quite as nice or detailed. The brown & orange one is Lilly Pilly. The crazy leaf shaped one is also mother of pearl, but printed on. I got it years ago at, I think, the first Beadfest I ever went to. I bought so many beads that day!!