Holiday Bling Blog Hop

Ok folks, today is the day.  Boy this hop turned out to be a roller coaster ride that I am still on.  Three typhoons made things crazy on this end.

Off topic-side note:  We are all fine.  And a special thanks to all you fabulous ladies who've expressed concern.  I'm truly blessed!  

I've never before put so much effort into the processes that follow creating the piece.  Packaging, shipping and verifying receipt had been the easy part.  Oh well, change keeps life interesting, right?  I hate to possibly ruin the surprise for Melinda, but here's what I sent.

The pattern is a beaded bauble titled Loopy that Gemma Andrews allowed several of us on the Operation Tackle that Bead Stash facebook group to test for her as she changed her kit pattern to a tutorial.  I messed it up adapted it a bit because my bauble was bigger than planned for, but I love it so much more.

And for my personal amusement here's a little string by string view.

and 'den...

and 'den...

Voila!

There is no way to photograph some things.  You can only truly enjoy them when you add the sense of touch.  This is one of those things.  It's actually aqua not baby blue like it shows on my screen.  It's the color of the sea where I dipped my feet after my walked this morning and many other mornings.

Despite waiting till the last package was taken off the last truck of the day no holiday bling arrived for me.  The guys at the post office didn't have to be so sweet, but they checked for me anyway.  Oh well. 

Early Holiday Greeting to All!  Now enjoy some more holiday bling with my fellow blog hop participants.  Oh, but first a big round of applause for our hostesses Shelly Graham Turner and Marlene Cupo.  Thank you so much all the hard work, Ladies!

Michelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart	http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Therese Frank	http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Heather Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.com
Linda Florian	http://lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Lo/  Lynn Jobber	http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus	http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Rita/Toltec Jewels	http://www.toltecjewels.blogspot.com
Shelly Joyce	http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com
Shai Williams	http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lennis Carrier	http://www.windbent.net
Marla Gibson	http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Howell Govaars	http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Linda Younkmann	www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Jones Moore	http://​www.beadsandbread.blo​gspot.com
Melinda Orr	http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille	http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Anindita Basu	http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Lori Jean Poppe	http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com
Charlie Jacka	http://clay-space.com/blog
Stephanie Stamper (Woods)	http://skwds.blogspot.com
Mary Hicks, Shannon Hicks	http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com

Barely Hanging On

This post is not meant for sympathy.  I just want to share.  It may help someone.  It might help me too.  Since I am blessed so greatly I was due for some hardships, but it's been wearing me down.  It seems like I'm trapped in the tide.  I can see the shore.  I know I'm not in any real trouble, but I'm tired of trying to catch my breath.  Figuratively speaking of course.  I have had a few tiny over-stressed fits here recently and I suspect they aren't over yet, but letting it out and keeping on moving forward is much better than staying stuck in a bad place.  So don't worry about me.  I'm not worried about me.  I'm just worried about some things that I am sure will work out eventually.  We've all had these times, and I'm sure I'll be here again.  For now, I just keep moving forward.

art by Michael Crichlow

 

Whew!

Ok, on the right side of the page here you'll see a list of blog hop challenges.  That's there to remind me of what I've signed-up to do. 

Well, mother nature doesn't care what I've signed up to do so two typhoons in a month has really kinked my schedule.  Not to mention that my new car, well new-to-me car, must really like it at the auto shop because it keeps telling me to take it back there. 

During yesterday's "get it done or you'll have to walk there" marathon errand run, I mailed Melinda Orr her Holiday Bling and Jennifer Cameron my Art Charms.  For some reason I am panicking I've done something wrong somewhere.  My luck I mailed the art charms to myself by putting my return address label on the box instead of in it.  Oh well, neither package was perfect.  I did however put a lot of work into the contents of each one, and I am proud of the beading.  Let's hope it all works out.

Now I've got to figure out what I am suppose to do next.

Another Beading Babes Beadwork Reveal

Sorry to keep this brief, but we are in the grips of Typhoon Sanba here in Okinawa and I don't like having my hands on anything plugged in during any kind of storm.  This is superstitious and childish, I know, but part of who I am.  So here's my bracelet:

This design is by Janice Chatham and can be found in the April 2012 edition 

of Bead and Button magazine on page 88.

Beading Babes is the brain child of Karyn White.   To learn more visit her blog Releases by Rufydoof or our facebook group Beading Babes-Bringing Beaders Together

BSBP 6 final reveal day!

Today's the day!  The 3rd and final reveal day for BSBP 6!  Check out the great soups and creations of the following amazing people.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Tumbling Tiles

Recently I bought a tutorial from Marcie Carroll of La  Bella Joya.  

I don't have a lot of tile beads, but I worked it up in what I had.  

I like it though. And here it is:

  This is not one of those tutorials where you are allowed to sell what you've created.  I know that detail is important to many people.  Since I still haven't made the leap to selling my work it doesn't matter to me, but I thought you'd like to know.

When I get around to taking some more pictures I'll have more new work to show you, but 

that's all for now folks.  

Have a great day!

I love this kind of mail-a giveaway prize from Libellula Jewelry.

http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/

 

I am a very lucky girl!  I won a giveaway from the amazing Susan of Libellula Jewelry.  These are now the best earrings I own.  The detail, texture and design are perfect IMHO (in my humble opinion).

earring backs are one of the details that make this a above and beyond find

Aren't they gorgeous!

Love these colors!

Amazing wire work including handmade headpins for ear wires!

I could probably say more, but the work speaks more elequently than I ever could.

So now to save some pennies to by more of her work. 

 Libellula Jewelry on etsy

Cicada Silver on etsy

Libellula Jewelry at big cartel

I highly recommend it.  No photo does the work justice.  To hold it is to be amazed!