Saturday, August 25, 2012

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
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

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

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!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

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

 
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. 


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



Saturday, August 18, 2012

My Bead Table Blog Hop soup has arrived

Lisa Lodge has gathered 25 creative people to share her stash with.  We each paid a very small fee to receive a part of her stash to create with.

"The idea is to combine the beads in your bead kit with extra/leftover/miscellaneous bead from your bead table (and bead stash, if absolutely necessary) to make creative pieces of jewelry.  Please do not buy more beads to augment what you have.  Try to use as many beads from this kit as you can."

Well, challenge excepted, and I've already created 3 pieces.  One inspired by the big chunky jewelry Dr. Temperance Brennan wore in the first season of Bones.  I wish they hadn't removed that part of her style in the following seasons.  I'll show it and the other pieces to you on October 13th. Until then take a look at what I've been given to create with.




Friday, August 17, 2012

And the Winner is...ME!


I won a special surprise from Eileen at Dorset Hill Beads!  It's on the way.

Check out her lampwork beads, flowers and bottle caps on etsy.




Thursday, August 16, 2012

Happy Birthday Lil Sis and the Winner Is...

Looking for the Bead Soup Blog Party post click the button on the right-->

Today is my little sister's birthday, and she's in the full swing of newlywed life.  Her brilliant husband is diligently working on a major home addition of his own design.  She not only works to help him, but make herself comfortable in the first home where she will build a family instead of just being part of one.  They both have full time jobs in addition to this of course.  Oh and my sister was just selected for a new job with better pay (CONGRATS!).

Today is the day those of us who know her celebrate her life, and how blessed we are for how she's touched our own.  We're siblings so we've had our ups and downs over the years.  I doubt she really knows how much she means to me.  That is the reason I chose the giveaway deadline I did so I could  tell all of you I am so proud of my sister. 

Happy Birthday Karen!

And the winner is...
Margareta
Congratulations!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party 6


Alrighty, Bead Soup Party reveal #2 for me today.  Not only am I a part of the second reveal day of the massive group's 3 reveal days, but this is the second time I've participated in the famous Lori's brilliant blog hop.  It is an international event with about 400 participants this round.  Lori's even turned this into a book.  We're paired up, send beads to our partner, post about the beads we receive, create something with them, and most importantly post on our blog on the assigned reveal day.  That's today for me and all these bloggers listed below.  I highly encourage you to check out as many of these as you have time for.  I learn so much from blog hops.

Hostess The Queen Bee of Bead Swaps...the one the only, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs
Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs
Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 
Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 
Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 
Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 
Amy Severino, Amy Beads 
Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations
Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios
Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 
Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 
Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 
B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 
Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners
Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi
Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 
 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box
Carmen Lau, Little Maketto
Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine
Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio
Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 
 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry
Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life
Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing
Dhea Powers, Java Bead
Diana Welte, Lilyweeds
Dita Basu, alankarshilpa
Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs
Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works
Francy Inman, Francy's Studio
Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...
Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland
Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 
Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 
JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery
Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs
Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio
Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads
Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 
 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast
JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery
Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 
Kim Dworak, CianciBlue
Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae
Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs
Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
Lennis Carrier, Windbent
Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More
Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead
Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders
Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays
Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?
Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead
Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog
Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental
Lori Finney, Using My Beads
Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja
Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads
Marian Hertzog, M's Place
 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.
Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings
MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 
Martha Aleo, Ornamento
 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder
Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor
Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.
Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pam Farren, re-maker
Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs
Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams
Patty Miller, CabariBeads
Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres
Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings
Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates
Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel
Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos
Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul
Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!
Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl
Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins
Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss
Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 
Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess
Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Art

 Before we get to what I made I'd love for you to check out my post about my partner, Debbie Rasmussen.  She is amazingly multi-talented, generous, and a brilliant bead weaver from Canada.  Oh and for those of you like me who use blog hops to find interesting new pieces check out her new etsy shop

I do not have a shop, so sorry for that, but here's what you've all been waiting for.  
Here's what I started with,
Soup from Debbie
and here's what it became.
Deb's focal and my last "Life is Good" clasp used in the necklace
Since the Alice Blog Hop, I can't get this piece made by one of it's hostesses,
Staci Smith, out of my head.
Alice Blog Hop piece by Staci
Though I was not aware of it at the time, I now believe my soup pieces are an unconscious interpretation of my favorite parts from that piece.  My pieces were created by acting without thinking.  While trying to pull myself out of a long beading slump, I brought the beads over to where I was watching the 2nd season of Sherlock.   It's a great British show with one of the co-stars being from a family go-to movie, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
my necklace, bracelet, and earrings for this BSBP
my favorites are always bracelets
This set is really funky for me.
I think this piece from Debbie's shop was floating around in my inspiration well too.
Whimsy by Debbie
love this magnetic clasp-it's actually big enough to get a good hold on
love these lever back earring findings
No need to follow my blog unless you really want to, but by leaving a comment before August 16th you have a chance to receive these earrings.  Make sure there is a way I can contact you, and yes, I'm willing to ship internationally. 
WINNER Margareta!!! HOORAY!
I took a picture from random.org, but it's still in my camera.

Oh and I understand that Debbie has created a piece with this same soup so take a minute to compare two creative soul's jewelry creations with the same beads.
  Next stop A little of this, a little of that, Debbie's blog.



Friday, August 10, 2012

More pictures of new pieces

The two bracelets below are a created from a pattern by Arlene Reller.  It's a Glass Garden Beads kit called Tango I received as a Christmas gift, but came from Fusion Beads.  Then I made a second one in more classic colors.  The grey crystal seeds where larger than the others and really messed with the tension on of my own attempt at choosing beads.
I have a thing for buttons after being paired with the lovely Cindy Wimmer for a focal swap this past spring.  Here are two less than fine examples, but they worked great with these pieces.
Here are a few other things I created. Excuse the poor lighting and photo quality.
long drop earrings

Still trying to find something for my Mom...I wonder if she'll like these.
actually a lovely pink color
Finally, the book I won from Craft Gossip arrived!  It has a very glossy cover, and is a great drop it in your purse size.  I'll share more rave reviews later when I've had time to create something from the book.

New pieces

I'd like to show you the little productive spurt I was fortunate enough to have after finishing my BSBP pieces.  My reveal is all ready to go, but it's not till tomorrow.  Who says I have to post things in the order they were made?  That's right, nobody!
Below you'll see the pink one I made for a Beading Babes reveal for size comparison.  One thing I learned with this experience is that the same pattern's ease can be dramatically effected by bead choice.  The pattern is by Helena Tang-Lim and is linked under the photo.
Four Leaf Clover Cuff
I have more to show you, but blogger wont load any more photos at the moment.

So until next time...what have you been up to?

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Summer Lovin' Challenge

Visit Amy's blog
Ok as I write this I have 4 bandages covering 3 fingers on my right hand.  I should have taken a picture of that.  Despite that I am finished, and I am quite proud of my piece.  I can't tell you much about my process other than I tried to go with the flow and let the pieces decide what it wanted to be.  For a person who's greatest beadweaving fear is free-form peyote this was a big leap for me.

I used blue and green trim to symbolize the colors I felt best represented nature since the focal is a tree.  It began to look like roots and branches to me with underground water flowing below as well.
And a branch style clasp to tie it all together.
I must say I was impressed with the finishing of the ends which is not one of my strengths.  The image below shows 3 places I finished ends.
And the back is really great in my opinion.  I was hoping I wouldn't have to cover it because I love the free spaces.

Well, I guess I explained it just fine.  Click any of the pictures to see a larger image.

Ok, now this fabulous piece must also acknowledge Amy at Amybeads because the challenge and the kit were all her inspiration.  Check out her work with this kit and the many other talented participants by clicking the link to their blogs below.

Lori B. (no blog as of the time of this post)
Lucy K. (see her creation on Amy's blog)
Debbie Beechy Beetique
Mary MLH Jewelry Designs

Oh and if you read all this way I guess I should tell you I hurt one finger with a door, one with a drawer and the last on the floor.  Boy I wish I was making this up.  I could have just said from being clumsy, but what fun would that be.