Tuesday, October 1, 2013

That Old Familiar Feeling!

It's that time of year again. The time when everything shimmers and turns to gold and red. Autumn is my favorite season. It makes me melancholy even before it starts. I love the bitter sweet feelings Fall arouses in my soul.

It's the cool nights and gloriously blue skied sunny days. It's the papery crinkle of fallen leaves. The rich scents of baking in the kitchen. Smiling pumpkins, sweaters, boots, long walks, apples...the list is endless. If I could live in a place that feels like Fall all year round, I'd be a very happy camper.

I've been busy creating lots of Fall jewelry in the last few weeks. Gearing up for craft shows and church bazaars. I am so thankful to God that He allows me to do something I love and has given me a little talent and a lot of passion to be creative!


The Autumn Bouquet bracelet features lampwork beads by Carolyn Conley. 
It can be found in our Etsy shop here...


The Elephant Walk necklace and earrings set is another one of my new creations. It features one of my hand sawn pendants. This started as a sketch in my sketch book and was created entirely from scratch. He can be found in the Etsy shop as well.




Sunday, July 21, 2013

I have recently joined a metal working group on Facebook and I'm learning so very much. I am trying to keep my eyes and ears open and gleaning information without opening my mouth and letting my ignorance show. I am so used to just asking a question of my beading friends, but these metal smiths are hard core. :-).

Recently, one of the group members asked folks to post some of there work that was created just for fun. I am here to tell you that some of the pieces are AMAZING! So much so that I had to share one of the artists work.

Carrie Nunes is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America and studied her jewelry and metal working arts at The Appalachian Center for Arts and Crafts. Be SURE to check out her website and Etsy store.

What I wanted to share was her series of cake rings. These are BEYOND adorable and what I refer to as a "Happy Maker." The attention to detail and the shear awesomeness of these little works of art blow me away. They are definitely on my wish list of things I'd like to own. I can't decide which one I like the most. If you need a gift suggestion for me, one of these would definitely work. :-).


Friday, March 29, 2013

Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal!

It's time, it's hear! It's time for us to show off our creations for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party!

I am really excited! I was partnered up with Patty Miller of Cabaribeads! She sent me a BEAUTIFUL soup loaded with my favorite turquoises and aquas! I was so excited when my soup finally arrived! She made the gorgeous lampwork focal bead and the lovely etched copper heart link.






I was out shopping the day that my soup came and took advantage of a sale and scooped up some larger coordinating beads to go with my soup.  I chose the turquoise howlite rectangles and the dyed ocean jasper.  Both of these colors really played beautifully with that awesome focal bead!





What I finally ended up with when I finished editing out the extra beads form both Patty and my shopping spree, was the howlite, the jasper, the little purple jade beads from Patty, the turquoise glass beads from patty, some copper and purple jade beads from my stash, the focals and the toggle from Patty. I wanted to try an asymmetrical design so I used the heart on one side. I think it came out beautifully!




I want to thank Lori Anderson of the Pretty Things Blog for putting this Blog Hop together! There are almost 500 participants, world wide, in this blog hop! Be sure to check out the other participants reveals! There are going to be some really gorgeous designs! BLOG HOP BLOG ROLL!

Be sure to check out Patty's blog on the second reveal date next Saturday to see what she does with the soup I sent her!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

New Look!

One of my favorite lampwork bead artists, Heather Davis, (Blissful Garden Beads) recently launched a new line of ceramic components. I have been collecting them and I have to admit to hording them. LOL. (yeah, what else is new?)


Heather asked me to do a guest post on her blog in exchange for a few components to try out. Needless to say I jumped at the chance. :-). Below are the components that Heather generously supplied to me. I have to admit, I was overwhelmed, there was such a variety and they are all lovely!




I knew that I wanted to try pairing her lampwork beads with some of the ceramic pieces so I bought a few pairs of lampwork and waited patiently for them to arrive. When they got here, I was tickled! I knew what I would do with them right away. Below you'll see the results of my first two sets using Heather's components.



True Blue pairs up a lovely trio of links in a gorgeous true blue color and a pair of Heather's beads with light blue flowers and deep pink roses. True Blue is available here in my Etsy shop.



Pink Lady is a FUN set! I love the big hole pendant and it allowed me to pair it up with a silk string. The two links are complimented with a pair of Heather's 'cut glass' style rose beads. Pink Lady is available here in the Etsy shop.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Sand and Sea Blog Hop Reveal!

It's here, it's here! It's time for the reveal for the My Bead Table Blog Hop, Sand and Sea theme! I have been dying to share my creation and I've been really good about not sharing it yet. I am normally too impatient to wait to see how other folks like my new stuff so this was good for me.

If you remember, Lisa Lodge sent out bead kits to all of the participants in this blog hop. You had no choice in what you received, it would either be Sand or Sea themed. I really REALLY wanted a Sea themed kit so I kept my fingers crossed and waited. When I got my kit, I was tickled to pieces to see that it was indeed a Sea themed kit. And it was LOADED with fun beads in some of my favorite colors!



I had wanted to push myself for this challenge, I wanted to design something outside of my normal simple stringing. I had the vague notion of a multi-strand bracelet or an asymmetrical design. I played with my beads for about a month or so and then finally, in January, I sat down and created my piece.




As you can see, I created a 3 strand piece using almost ALL of my kit beads. I did make a switch out on the findings, I thought with the warm brown tones in the ceramic bead, that brass would compliment that focal more then the supplied silver findings. There are two strands of strung beads here along with a third strand of chain to which I have wire wrapped dozens of glass bead charms. This one closes with a lobster claw clasp.

I have this one in my Etsy shop here (Boho Rose) but  I wanted to share it with you all and find out what you think about it. Be sure to take some time and check out the other folks in the Blog Hop. There are so many talented designers that gave this one a go, I'm looking forward to seeing them all myself!

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry
Marla Gibson, Spice Box Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Dot Lewallen, Speedie Beadie
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life
Monique Urquhart, A Half Baked Notion
Gloria Allen,   Gloria Allen Designs
Cindy Anderson Wilson,  It's My Sea of Dreams
Suzi Campbell, Suzi Campbell Creations
Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings
Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess




Saturday, January 12, 2013

Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

When Lori Anderson put out a call for folks to sign up for a special blog hop, I knew that I wanted to participate. The Memories and Thanks Blog Hop is based on sharing a creation to commemorate a person in our lives or to honor a person that has a big impact on our lives.  I chose to honor my fiance, Rome.



Rome and I have been together for 16 years. We started dating on January 1, 1997. We had met the previous Summer but we were both involved with other things and didn't get to know each other very well. When Rome came looking for me on New Year's Day, I wasn't looking for a relationship. I was in school and working and I didn't really want complications. I didn't know he'd completely change my ideas about settling down, LOL.

Rome is warm and funny. He has a personal strength of character that I admire greatly. He is loving and kind and he is my rock. He and I have been through some really horrible stuff together and instead of running away, Rome has always opened his arms and supported me and lent me strength to get through the hard times.

My piece for the blog hop is not a new one. It's one of the first pieces of 'guy' jewelry I ever designed so it's about 7 years old. I made this piece for Rome and he loved it. I have to admit to wearing it too, I love the earthy mix of materials, it's a boho chic look that I really love. For the blog hop, I updated the necklace. I restrung it on better beading cable and finished it off with a chain around the back instead of the original Liquid Silver bugle beads I'd used when I first created this one. The piece is titled Madagascar and it's features an elephant skin jasper pendant and chips, brown sardonyx, Czech glass and sterling silver.



Be sure to check out the other participants blogs to see their creations and read their stories! I really enjoyed doing this one. Thanks to Lori for organizing this hop, it's been an honor to get to share my Rome with everyone.

Hostess, Lori Anderson       Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir                   Dream Struck Designs
 Aimee Biondolillo               Aimee's Jewelry Treasures
 Alicia Marinache                 All the Pretty Things 
 Andra Marasteanu               Handmade by Indra Marasteanu 
 Andrea Trank                      Heaven Lane Creations
 April Grinaway                   Brooklyn Bead Goddess
Barb Solem                         Vivi Magoo Presents
Becky Pancake                    Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery                         Stories by Indigo Heart
Bonnie Coursolle                Jasper's Gems
Cassi Paslick                       Beads: Rolling Downhill
Catherine King                    Catherine's Musings
Cece Cormier                      The Beading Yogini
Chandra Leitz                     Juniper Goods
Charissa Nesler                   FireStorm Designs
Charlie Jacka                       Clay Space
Christina Hickman              Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Murrow               Charis Designs Jewelry
Christine Stonefield            Sweet Girl Design
Chrizette Bayman               Bead Soup Mix
Cindy Wilson                      It's My Sea of Dreams
CJ Bauschka                       4 His Glory Creations by CJ
Crystal Thain                      Here Bead Dragons
Cyndi Lavin                        Beading Arts
Debbie Rasmussen             A little of this, a little of that
Denielle Hagerman             Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez                  Arte y Poemas
Diane Hawkey                    diane hawkey
Dita Basu                            ankarshilpa
Donetta Farrington             Simply Gorgeous
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     Deeliteful Jewelry Creations
Emma Todd                        A Polymer Penchant
Erin Kenny                         beadiful therapy
Erin Prais-Hintz                  Treasures Found
Gina Hockett                      Freestyle Elements
Gloria Allen                        Innovative Dreams Jewelry
Heather Marston                 CSW Designs
Inge von Roos                    Inge's Blog
Iveth Caruso                       Creative Atelier
Jacqueline Marchant          Fiddledeedee Jewelry
Jami Shipp                         Celebrating Life!
Jean Yates                          Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!
Jennifer Reno                     Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Jenny Robledo                   Peppa's Dream
Jennifer VanBenschoten    Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren                  Cellar Door Jewelry
Jessica Murray                   Whimsical Monkey
Joan Williams                     lilruby jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton            It's a Beadiful Creation
Joanne Browne                   josjewels1
Jodie Marshall                    Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art
Johanna Rhodes                 Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen                 Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC
JuLee Wolfe                       The Polymer Penguin
Julie Bean                           Blue Pig Blog
Karen Mitchell                   Over the Moon Designs
Karin King                         The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton                       Backstory Beads
Kat Douglas                       Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton                        Toodles and Binks
Kelly Hosford Patterson     The Traveling SideShow
Kim Ballor                          Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity
Kim Dworak                       CianciBlue
Kim Houston                       The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter                         Kym Hunter Designs
Laren Dee Barton                Laren Dee Designs
Lea Avroch                          LA Jewelry Designs
Leanne Loftus                      First Impression Design
Liddy McLaughlin               Liddy McLaughlin Art
Linda Florian                       Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations
Linda Inhelder                     Must-Haves Jewelry
Lisa Hamilton                      Simply Irresistable Jewelry
Lisa Suver                            Fancee That
Lori Bowring Michaud        Artfully Ornamental
Lori Poppe                           Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
LouAnn Elwell                    Southpass Beads
Mandi Effron                       Craft-o-licious
Marcia DeCoster                 MadDesigns
Marcia Dunne                     The Alternative Foundry
Marie Covert                      Creating Interest
Marjorie Savill Linthwaite     bennubirdrising
Marlene Cupo                        Amazing Designs by Marlene
Martha Aleo                           Ornamento
Marti Conrad                          Marti's Buttons -n- Beads
Mary Ellen Parker                  BeeTree by m.e.
Mary Govaars                        MLH Jewelry Designs
Mary Lindell                          Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry
Maureen Connolly                 Mrs Beadsley's Workshop
Maybeline Tay                       The Jewelry Larder
Melissa Elgin                         The Addicted Beader
Melissa Mesara                      one-eared pig beads
Menka Gupta                         Menka's Jewelry
Michaela Pabeschitz              la mar de bonita
Mischelle Fanucchi               Micheladas Musings
Mona Rae Baroody               Who Does She Bead She Is?
Nan Emmett                          Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth
Nancy Pedersen                    Something Heartfelt by Nancy
Natalie Davidson                  NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas                      Bead It and Weep
Pam Farren                           re-maker
Pam, the Crazier Sister        The Crazy Creative Corner
Pam Traub                            Klassy Joolz
Priya Krish                           Hellopalz 
Rebecca Anderson               Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag                 Becca's Place
Robin Kae Reed                   Artistry HCBD
Rochelle Brisson                  a creative chelle
Rosa Maria Cuevas              Helena de Troya
Sabine Dittrich                     perlendschungel
Sandi Volpe                          Sandi Volpe
Sandra McGriff                    Creative Chaos
Sarah Goode                         Pookledo
Sarah Singer                         String a Song of Sixpence
Serena Trent                         All Things Made Jewelry
Shai Williams                       Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac                        Sharon's Jewelry Garden
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson    Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
Sheila Davis                         Stone Designs
Shelley Graham Turner        Fabric of My Life
Sherri Stokey                       Knot Just Macrame
Sherry Baun                         Unicorns Jewels
Skylar Bre'z                         Brising Beads
Stephanie Haussler              Pixybug Designs
Tania Spivey                        Moobie Grace Designs
Terri G.                                Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter                         Tapping Flamingo
Terry Matuszyk                    Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Toltec Jewels                       Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse                         Goldkisses Art
Tracy Martin                        Nutkitten's Jewelry
Zia Parks                              Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe
Zoe Marcin                          Beads, Tea and Sweets