The 3rd Annual Handcrafted Ornament Swap and Hop

Sorry I am late in posting...I am having such a time with my computer...hopefully after the first of the year, I can get a new one.

Though she doesn't have much to do.....(not) our esteemed leader Sally Russick has again challenged us to create a Christmas Ornament and swap.

This year my partner was Therese Frank of Therese's Treasures/facebook. I love the ornament she sent me as it is done with bead weaving...something which I am really trying to get the hang of.  It is beautiful and is hanging on my tree in a front spot.She didn't think a white snow flake would be right since we both live close to the Gulf. And the blue and sandy colors represent the ocean and beach.   The bead with the snowflake was made by Lesley Watts of the Beading Goddess Blog. I think it is just stunning. She even added a few goodies to my box to wet my appetite to get creative. I love it and even when we put the Christmas tree away...I have a hook by my desk that I am going to hang it on so I can look at it year round. Kudos to Sally and her awesome prompts for us.

 Here is a picture of the one I sent her.  I am a crocheter and always make different kinds of crocheted ornaments each year. The piece hanging on the bottom I bead wove around the picture made into a cabochon. This is where I am in my bead weaving skills.

For more Ornament goodies hop over to The Studio Sublime and check out the list of the participants.

And may I say to all who land here....Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! And May 2014 be the best year for you.

V

Lampwork and Clay 2013 Blog Hop

Way back in the summer Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures sent out a challenge using Lampwork beads and Clay beads.  When I first got them...I of course had to try out some different arrangements...but nothing would work...they seemed to just laugh at me....soooooo....I am like...OK...you can go back into your envelope for now and sit on the back burner...I don't need you til Nov anyway....

Don't laugh...I know there a LOT of you that talk to your beads.....

So anyway I got busy with life...and was looking for something else when ALL OF A SUDDEN...this painted shell pendant just LEAPED at me and said..."hahaha...here I am and I know I will look GREAT with those Lampwork and Clay beads....." and you know...it was right....in fact...all that I needed just happened to be RIGHT ON my work table....How did they know?????

I had taken some before pics...BUT....my computer died the other night and of course I can't get to my pictures....so I had to take new ones of the finished product..

But before I show you...the Large clay beads are by Kazuri of Antelope Beads and the small one are by Bucaroo Beads, a Michigan Artist..no website. the painted shell was in my stash...I know I got it at JoAnns at some point...and then the rest of the beads are from my stash and from Cousin Beads...which I pick up at Walmart and JoAnns or anyplace really I see them... I just love working with them.

Anyway..below you will see the pictures...I even made matching earrings.

 The two black shiny beads with the green/orange on them and the little orange disk on each side of them are the ones Lisa sent me...

This is a close up of the pendant that "spoke" to me....

And this is all beads together...don't they play nicely??? I used orange waxed cotton cord  that I had picked up at JoAnns ages ago...then attached it to black chain using black wire that I had. 

The green square beads are from Cousin Beads that I got at Walmart. I buy beads all the time and keep them in my stash area...never know when you will need them...the orange round ones...I have from a bag of broken jewelry I got at a thrift store... and the little black circle/spacers...I had on hand too.

I even made matching earrings...

I will soon have these in my Etsy shop...

I really enjoyed this challenge and have signed up for more of Lisa's challenges...just keep a look out for them...I can tell you I have one coming in January....maybe two....

Thanks for looking and for more great goodies...check out the links at Lisa Place.

Halloween/Day of the Dead Jewelry Blog Hop

It feels official here in FL.  The weather has cooled...yeah...so it is beginning to feel a lot like fall/winter.   I mean....50 degrees in FL...that is COLD to some, though I like it.

Anyway...everyone is hopping on the holiday bandwagon so I am too.  My first Holiday Challenge is by Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio.  It is called Halloween/Dad of the Dead Jewelry Blog Hop.  My offering is made of clay that was made by a friend several years ago...of course my husband says they look like dogs...but they are really skeleton heads....

I did a coil of black wire and input red satin ribbon in it and capped the ends with Antique Copper styled cones.  I then attached the bead with black wire. The earrings are just a smaller version of the main bead.  

I am really trying to step out of the box and try different techniques.  I like how the wire looks...but it is a bit stiff for my liking.  But if the wire was any softer I don't think it would hold as well.  

So here is my piece...make sure to hop around to the others listed below to see what spooky pieces they created in their cauldrons.

Thanks for looking and come back soon!

 

Diana Ptaszynski  http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Staci Smith  http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/

Kathleen Breeding  http://99bobotw.blogspot.com

Sue Kennedy  http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Dianne Miller  http://www.artbydianne.blogspot.com

Lisa Liddy  http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Toltec Jewels  http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Linda Landig  http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com

Laura Medeiros  http://Www.zoeowyn.blogspot.com

Veralynne Malone  http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com you are here!

Lynn Jobber  http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk

Michelle McCarthy  http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

Karen Totten  http://www.starryroadstudio.blogspot.com

Jayne Capps  https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor  http://jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Joan Miller  http://metalmudandsand.blogspot.com/

Melissa Meman  http://melissameman.blogspot.com

Melissa Trudinger  http://www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Kari Asbury  http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Inge von Roos  http://www.ingetraud.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com 

Stephanie LaRosa  http://Www.stringaholic.blogspot.com

Lola Surwillo  http://www.beadlolabead.com

Jennifer Cameron  http://glassaddictions.com/blog

Diane Hawkey  http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com

Kristi Harrison  http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com

Nicole Valentine Rimmer  http://www.nvalentine.blogspot.com

Tanya Goodwin  http://www.Pixiloo.blogspot.com

Shai Williams  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Sandra McGriff  http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com

Sarajo Wentling  http://www.sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Marie Covert  http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com

Lisa Stukel  http://www.carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com

Laurie Vyselaar  http://www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com

Sherri Stokey  http://www.knotjustmacrame.com

Pam Traub  http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com

Lori Dorrington  http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com

Kristen Stevens  http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Eleanor Burian-Mohr  http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com

Sally Russick  http://thestudiosublime.com

Dawn M. Gallop  http://www.flipflopsandpoptarts.com

Christine Damm   http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com

2nd Annual October Fest

For this challenge we were asked to create based on October.  Well in Florida it is hard to tell if it is October, though it is starting to cool off. But up north, I know the colors are just awe inspiring. So I took those colors...reds, browns, golds, greens, yellows and oranges and put together a few pieces.

The first one is a free form crochet necklace using buttons and some beads.  It is big enough to slip over the head. I made matching earrings.

The second is some fabric I had that I made into a type of scarf then slid brown wooden beads onto it, separated by glued in wooden beads. Then on one side I took some green, red, and orange shimmer fabric, cut it into strips and laced through some more wooden beads then laced each end with some more wooden beads. The closure is a purse ring that I fabric glued the ends around, so it too just slips over the head.

Then I again used some fall colored buttons and made two sets of earrings.

 Thanks for stopping by..for more fall beauties check out the links below.















Caroline                                       http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick-Zenith                     http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml                               http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan                               http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Susie Harris                                 http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Susan                                          http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle                                      http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi                                               http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson                           http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates                                  http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson               http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                           http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E                                            http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel                              http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow                           www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                             http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank                              http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma                              http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca                     http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita                                         www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                              http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen                                     http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Veralynne                                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/  you are here...
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King                           http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
Lily Vincent                                 http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar)               http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins                           http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry                  www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata                http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                         http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis                                 http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen)              http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed                                 http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti                        www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge                                  http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A.                                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner                                www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett                               http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                                    www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire                           http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille                                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam                                            http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D.                                      http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih                      http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop                             http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine                                         http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Toltec Jewels (Rita, your hostess)  www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Do Over Challenge - 6th

I have been wanting to do one of these forever, and when Jeannie Dukic of JKD Jewelry posted for it...I jumped on immediately!  I love being creative and am always trying to do things out of the box.  I guess you could say it is like the new Sci Channel advertisement for a new show...the future starts today...sounds like a good mantra....hmmmm.

So, below is the picture of the piece I got. I ALMOST took the whole thing apart before taking a picture as I was so excited!

 

Of course that pink bead with the roses on it...just SCREAMED bead work pendant.  And since I had just finished a cabochon challenge with Sally Russick of the The Studio Sublime and wanted to stretch my wings based on what she had taught me I was like "lets fly baby!"

But for those that really know me, I don't do the simple...I want to always challenge myself.  So I had downloaded the book "Bored By Back Stitch" By Cyndi Lavin of Mazeltov Jewelry and had been just drooling over the pictures wanting to "bead" something!!!!

So I went through the book and found the Single St Petersburg Chain Motif. Of course there were SOOOO many different designs, it was really hard to choose. But I did decide that the St Petersburg Chain had a "swing" to it and would look really good!

Below is a collage of the in between steps.....

We had to use at least 50% of the beads, I used 4 of the main beads, then the small silver ones, and the chain.  The bead caps came from the do over necklace also.  The seed beads and the small filler beads were from me.

This is what I had left over...

I have some plans for them too.

I really love the way my finished piece turned out.  The "little bow" at the bottom has a tiny metal rose that I stitched in with the crystal beads. I also enclosed a larger detail of the beaded pendant.  I can't say enough on how happy I was that Sally put out this challenge and that Cyndi had written her book.  With out these two wonderful people, I wouldn't have had the nerve to try the beading.   AND with out Jeannie hosting the challenge, I wouldn't have been even interested in it...So THANK YOU to my inspirational peeps for giving me this chance.  

Future....here I come!

For more do over's hop the list below!

Jeannie K Dukic
Penny Houghton
Susan Delaney
Becky Pancake
Therese Frank
Donetta Farrington
Molly Alexander
Mowse Doyle
Renetha Stanziano
Ginger Davis Allman
Kathy Richardson
Christie Murrow
Veralynne Malone
Shai Williams
Beti Horvath
Linda Britt
Miranda Ackerley
Mischelle Andrade
Tracy Stillman
Charlene Bausinger
Deana Hager

Oct Art Bead Scene Challenge

This month challenge was really good in that even though it didn't have those "Halloween" colors, it was symbolic of the season.  Owls are fascinating birds.  The ability to swivel their heads amazes me.

Owl on Gingko Branch (Scops Owl Under Crescent Moon) 1915

Ohara Koson

Woodblock Print on Paper

(Please note this art is copyrighted and is to be used only as inspiration.)

About the Art

Skillfully executed "bokashi" shading throughout; nicely visible woodgrain entire background; the crescent moon's edges, owl, and ginko leaves raised in "gauffrage"; "burnishing" to owl's black eyes; sharp key-lines, much fine detailing.

A delightful image of a little scops owl perched on a ginko tree beneath a thin crescent moon. 

About the Artist

Ohara Koson - (1877 - 1945) was a Japanese painter and printmaker of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, part of the shin-hanga (new prints) movement. He was born Ohara Matao in Kanazawa, Japan. It is thought that he started training in painting and design at the Ishikawa Prefecture Technical School in 1889-1893. He also studied painting with Suzuki Kason (1860-1919), although accounts differ on whether this happened during his school years or after he moved to Tokyo in the middle to late 1890s. In Tokyo, he produced some woodblock triptychs illustrating episodes of the Russo-Japanese War, but most of his production was prints of animals (kacho-ga). He worked at first with publishers Akiyama Buemon (Kokkeido) and Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya), signing his work Koson. Starting around 1926, he became associated with the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo, and signed his work Shoson. He also worked with the publisher Kawaguchi, signing his works Hoson. Through his association with Watanabe, Oharas work was exhibited abroad, and his prints sold well, particularly in the United States. He was active designing prints until at least 1935, and died at his home in Tokyo in 1945.

For this challenge I knew what I wanted to do.  My brain has been in creative overload lately and it running full steam ahead whether I am with it or not.  Anyway, I have met a new creative artist, Sydny Sierra, that is dipping her toes in the craft ocean and asked her if she could do up this pendant piece for me.  I wanted something rustic and I think she did very well.  She hasn't quite got a site up yet, but I am mentoring her. Her site will be called Blue Rose Crafts. She is into photography also and has a FB page called Blue Rose Photography.  

So she did this piece for me and I made it into a necklace with matching earrings.  I used orange cotton braiding cord, wire, and beads that I had in my stash.  I am soooo trying to use up my beads...but funny thing....as fast as I use them...the more there seem to be. 

I did find some coppery glass beads that I decided to wrap around, I tried to take pictures so you could see it.  I "very carefully" put some wire with green beads on the real stick she put on under the owl.  Then I hung the orange leaves below the owl. I was very careful also drilling the holes in the corners to hang the leaves and the rings to hold it on the cotton braid.  For being her first piece, I am impressed and she truly captured the owl.  I will be posting on flicker and abs.com for the challenge.  Thanks for looking. 

And I have several more challenges coming up that I will posting about, so hop back around this weekend. 

 

Thanks for stopping by.  May you have a blessed day!

V
ABS Oct Challenge

Creating with Cabochons Challenge/Blog Hop

As if she doesn't have enough to do....our esteemed leader Sally has once again given us a challenge.  Create with Cabochons.  Ok, no big deal....unless you really don't understand how to make them.  Hmmm...Sally to the rescue again!  She posted some tutorials for us newbies so that we could understand this wonderful art.

I had a stone that used to be on top of a ring my mother always wore.  She passed this year so I wanted to make it into something I could see and wear to remember her by.  So using Sally's great instructions, I created the cabochon you see below.

I didn't put it on a fancy chain or doll it up.  I don't think I am quite ready for that step yet, so I put it on a satin cord with coordinating beads, tied knots between the beads and then attached a simple chain.  Very simple and just like I like them.  So I will wear this quite often.

I do plan on doing more as I have seen some beautiful patterns I would love to try.




For more beauties, check out the links below. And thanks for looking.

Pearls, Pearls, and More Pearls!

Michelle from MiShelDesigns has thrown down the gauntlet for those of us brave enough to accept it. The challenge...PEARLS!  We were to make jewelry (or not) using PEARLS.  We could use other beads also, but I got the feeling she wanted PEARLS, PEARLS, AND MORE PEARLS. So....I went though my stash...and man do I have some PEARLS.  I didn't realize I had so many.  Big ones, little ones, colored ones, and the list goes on.  After days of going back and forth I knew I wanted to do something out of the box and with crochet.  (I have been crocheting for oh....30+ years).  I had found some faux PEARL button covers, so I took off the backs, found a pattern to crochet and then sewed the button covers on the finished piece and then added a few accent PEARLS. I sewed a couple of PEARLS on the edge to fasten it with.  The yarn is silvery white. I also crocheted up a ring with the last button cover.  Around a size 9 - 10...

Then I decided to do a second more conventional piece using PEARLS and Swarovski crystals.It is a three tiered necklace with matching earrings. It has a PEARL chain closure set so that it can be adjusted. The earrings are just simple dangle.

Thanks for looking and for more delicious PEARLS hop over to Michelle's.

Art Bead Scene - Sept 2013

For this months challenge I really wanted to try some new techniques that had been swirling in my head. They involved clay and wire.

First I had seen some clay pendants that Erin at Treasures Found had done that I fell in love with.  She gave a link to Stroppel Cane to show how she did it.  I went and reviewed it and was hooked!  So when this months challenge came out, I was like, ok , perfect time to use this technique. Of course....I didn't do it quite the same since I was relying on my memory to do it.  But making mistakes is how you learn!

As you can see....my clay design didn't come out quite like I wanted, and I think I used to much red. Plus since my pasta machine died....I didn't the thinness required. BUT, I put my pendant on the back of washers that I had to give them some stability.  Then I put black felt over the backs after running the satin ribbon from the bottom up to use for the hanger.

I also have a Coiling Gizmo that I like to use. I coiled copper wire and used it in the design. I wanted to see how clay and wire looked together so I encased the copper wire in between the clay.  Then I drilled holes in the clay disks and ran the coil through two of them, connecting them on each side. Then I used the coils to make earring dangles...I put the clay on the ends of each coil before baking.  If you look at the bottom right picture you can see what NOT to do when baking beads and that is to lay it on a flat surface....it burns.... Anyway I then used my wire to make another coil but this time with beads on it to use to hang the pendant on. I love working with the coil and beads. Maybe I'll make some to sell.....

Any way this is my submission for this months ABS challenge.  I think I am going to hang it close by, so I can make sure NOT to make the same mistakes.

Thanks for looking.

For more info hop over to ABS Monthly Challenge