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.

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

Kim Booth, The Pink Martini Boutique

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life

Leah Tees, My Beady Littleeyes

Christie Murrow, www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

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

Berries and Leaves Challenge

The ladies over at the Artisan Whimsy site have created a new challenge for the month of November. The theme is Berries and Leaves. With it being the lead up to Christmas, naturally my mind turned towards Holly berries and leaves. My entry is an upcycled piece that features buttons and scrapbooking brads. I love  how it came out. These button charm bracelets are a favorite of mine for creating cute themed or holiday inspired bracelets.

Be sure to stop by the challenge site and check out all of the entries! 

This cute bracelet is available in my Etsy shop here.