2nd Annual Ornament Swap

Hi all,

This is my first Ornament Swap so I am a newbie. My partner was Miranda Ackerley of NY.  This is the beautiful ornament piece I received .  It is a triangular piece of copper with holes drilled into it. In the holes she wired in beautiful little crystal  to resemble ornaments. Then a cute green crystal and a small brown crystal at the bottom for the trunk. On top is a gorgeous green metal flower with a crystal in the middle. I can't tell if the flower is a button but it is as cute as can be.

The card that the ornament is hanging on is a paint chip with holes punched in it. How cool is that???? Talk about recycling!!!!

I had a great time with this Swap and can't wait to see the other ornaments.

Hop on over to Miranda Ackerley to check out her site and beauties.

Below are the rest of the participants. Hop on over to their sites and check out their ornaments.

 Sally Russick

Lesley Watt

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Therese Frank

Andrew Thorton

Jeanette Blix Ryan

Maryanne Gross

Rebecca Anderson

Melissa Meman

Jen Cameron

Sandi Volpe

Susan Kennedy

Kristen Stevens

Shirley Moore

Cooky Schock

D. Lynne Bowland

Tiffany Smith

Patti Vanderbloemen

Pam Ferrari

Kim Hora

Christine Altmiller

Alice Peterson

Bette Brody

Julie Anne Leggett

Lola Surwillo

Kathleen Lange Klik

Erin Prais Hintz

Mowse Doyle

Kristi Jaro

     Just to let you know about a new Blog Hop and Design Challenge. Stay tuned for more information.  Or you can to www.thestudiosublime.com and check it out!

Since many know of my love of photography, I have posted a picture of a "ginger" plant. The "pod" is red and it looks like it has gold dust, but it is really where the pod is starting to dry out. I don't know much about this plant, only that it is called a ginger plant...But I love the red pod... Check out the others at i heart macro with button above!

September Challenge with Art Bead Scene

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted....been very busy. Trying to set up my online jewelry business. Anyway below is the picture we were given for the September challenge.  I had already started a piece with clay that had some of these colors so I went with it. 

Flora by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 1588

Oil on wood, 73 x 56 cm

Private collection, Paris, France

About the Art

Flora is one of Arcimboldo’s most famous paintings, painted at the same time as Vertumnus, when he was at the height of his career. Although his work was forgotten after his death, over the last 100 years it has grown in popularity to be included in many contemporary forms. This particular painting was used as the 2009 cover for the album “Bonfires on the Heath” by the English pop band The Clientele.

 The leaf and main beads are clay. I worked the clay and came up with the design of colors then made the leaf and beads. It is strung on silvertone wire with brown and yellow glass beads, silver metal beads, and swarovski crystals. I attached two silvertone metal leafs to accent the clay bead.

Thanks for looking.

All Free Jewelry Challenge

 When I shop I try to pick up different beads that I normally would not use just to challenge myself.  The glass striped beads I picked up at Walmart in their $1 bin.  I added turquoise glass beads and two rusty brown ceramic beads and strung on memory wire.  I had fun with this challenge and was glad I was able to use these beads.


Check out more at http://www.favecraftsblog.com/join-the-allfreejewelrymaking-beading-challenge/

August ABS Challenge

About the Art

Few of Homer's watercolors rival this one for its effects of shimmering sunlight and steamy atmosphere, achieved through the rapid application of wet-on-wet surfaces, the broad and dexterous exploitation of the white paper reserve, and the judicious sponging of wet pigment, especially in the shadows, reflecting light off the water. This picture is also exceptional for the number and visibility of its pencil marks, not only to indicate some of the boats' rigging (and betraying the pentimento of a sloop in the background that the artist edited out), but also to enliven the rustle of the sailcloth lifted by a phantom breeze. By contrast, Homer, in masterly fashion, merely daubed in the figures freehand, sacrificing nothing of their form and weight—they even seem to speak.

About the Artist
Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects. He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th century America and a preeminent figure in American art.
Largely self-taught, Homer began his career working as a commercial illustrator. He subsequently took up oil painting and produced major studio works characterized by the weight and density he exploited from the medium. He also worked extensively in watercolor, creating a fluid and prolific oeuvre, primarily chronicling his working vacations.

Here is my submission for August ABS.  This necklace reminds me of all the colors of the sea and the bead reminds me of a fish. I loved doing this and some other ideas too if I get a chance to post them.

To get more information check out the ABS Blog

http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

Stepping outside my comfort zone!

 For the ABS challenges you are supposed to use and "art bead"  and in this last challenge I had not done that, so Tari, kept pushing me and so I searched the internet just to see what new things I could do and come up with wire beads.  This is my first attempt but I know I will get better.  Enjoy.