Sometimes I need a push..............

When Jen Cameron of Art Elements posted this months Bead of the Month, and it was one of her glass sugar skulls, you know I commented on that blog in hopes to win one.  

I mean, looks at how fun these are!

Each month, one of their artists make a bead, and each member, plus a couple lucky readers, get one of the beads, and then they create something with them.

I haven't really had a chance to do that in awhile (to create with something that I did not purchase), and you know what, once in awhile I need that push.

Now, I buy and use a lot of different components.  But when I am making and / or hand picking my components, they are all very much my style, and something I can see right away in my jewelry.  Once in awhile, I like to have something given to me, something that challenges me to think a little more about the design.

It's no secret I love sugar skulls- and Jen sent me a delightful one.  It is however, bright.  Like sugar skulls usually are.  And I didn't really want a bright finished piece.  So it took me some time to figure out how to maintain the color pops, but tone it down, so it still looks like something I'd make- old and a bit gritty.

I love a good challenge and push now and again.

I began to pick beads that matched the colors in the skull, but were earthy.  At first the layout had some polymer beads in it, but it quickly changed to all / mostly gemstones.

I decided to wrap the skull in wire.  Putting antiqued copper wire around something bright immediately tones down the brightness.  So I started there.  

Since the hole is vertical, I could not do one of my chunky classic chokers.  So, it needed to be the dangle, or part of a dangle.  I kinda saw that would have to be the layout from the start.

Well, after much fiddling and doing and un-doing, I am so freakin happy with how it turned out.  I honestly didn't think I'd love it.  As I added elements, I wasn't sure they would work (like those seed beads).........but they did.  It all came together quite nicely.  It is heavy with all those large gemstones and heavy wire (16-18g) and the extra chain, but it lays perfect and is oh so comfy to wear.

I think I need to make some more like this, one one art bead shown off among many large gemstones.  

I am so thankful I got to be a part of this challenge.  I needed that little push.  Something a little different and fun came out of it- and that is what it is all about.

Now hop over to these other blogs and see what everyone else made with their pieces!

Guest Designers

Staci Louise SmithKarin Grosset GrangeSolange Collin

Art Elements Team

Caroline DewisonSusan KennedyLaney MeadClaire FabianDiana PtaszynskiJenny Davies-ReazorCathy Spivey MendolaLindsay StarrNiky SayersLesley WattCooky SchockJen Cameron 

New Work and a Holiday Sale

I try to do a sale each year........I don't do them often.  However, its a way for me to thank everyone for their support.  So this year, I am giving 25% off your total order from my shop, by using code "thankful" at checkout.  Sale runs from Thanksgiving day until December 2nd.  

I will be filling the shop with LOTS of new goodies tomorrow.  It will hopefully be the most full my online shop has ever been!!! Earrings, bracelets, beads and necklaces.  I even made some new styles.  They are a tad simpler, and in a lower price range.  Great for gifts.  

I know I certainly have friends and relatives who love my style of jewelry but are intimidated by the larger pieces- these are perfect for them!  They are more average sized, yet still have flair, cool stones and fossil and are unique.  They will make great gifts.

I also got these Zen Beads strung into some simple necklaces on leather.  I wanted those intricately carved beads to be the stars of the show!

 Now, even though I am listing tomorrow, I cannot hold items until the sale starts.  It is first come first serve.  Early orders will not get the sale price refunded.  Coupon code goes active midnight on Wednesday.

In other news, I have also been messing around with some other "art".  I made some polymer mixed media pieces that have been running around my mind for some time now.  It felt REALLY good.  

This is the direction I plan to explore next, and take a bit further, these organic fossil like pieces.

I LOVED how these turned out, though I had not even sketched them. They just happened spontaneously

Tree of Life

(these all sold already, but I plan to make more)

My full moon and swirling sky piece's were the first I sketched.  I have one hanging in my home already.  These were my favorites!

Art has always been my passion, and though I get to be very creative making jewelry, I always long to be painting or sculpting or doing something else as well.  I was really happy with how these turned out and plan to make more.  They are for sale, but not in the shop, nor are they part of the 25% off sale.  You can see which are still available on my facebook page here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.907680209302220.1073741875.214196618650586&type=3

and if you are interested in one, you can message me.

So that is all.  I hope you can stop by the sale- and enjoy your Thanksgiving.  May it contain laughter and love and good food!

Crafts in the Meadow- Tyler State Park Pa

This weekend you will find me at Crafts in the Meadow- Tyler State Park Pa.

 

I am booth #79- so please, if you are in the area, stop by and see me.  This is a pretty amazing show, with lots of wonderful artists.

 

Here is a map of the meadow if you want to plan out your trip.

 

I hope I see you there- the weather looks delightful for a show.  Fall is my favorite season and I am excited to be outside all weekend socializing with other art lovers.

 

 



Ready to Rennovate

 

A few years back I finally claimed our "spare" room, which was more of a gathering place for all things crafty, as my studio.  I thought it was the biggest space I had ever seen, since prior to that I worked in the corner of the family room, with things stacked all around.  Me I had to go to the basement to solder, the kitchen to patina, ect ect.......

 

 

Well, fastforward a few years, and I have outgrown it again.  However, there is no new space to comendeer.  So, I had to do a massive clean out to create a more workable space.

See?

 

 

Not much space to move around.  And after shows (when this picture was taken) is always the worst.  Things just pile and pile in the creating frenzy that occurs up until the last minute.  Then the piles get torn through to find the things I need to take with me, and this is what is left in its wake.

 

I also had no where to store my totes and things that I take to shows.  They pretty much sat in the middle of the studio, and blocked an entire entrance way.

 

So, I had to get rid of the sewing portion of my studio and move that to the corner of the family room, say good-bye to lots of hoarded fabric, and clean out everything I no longer need in there.

 

Here it is today.

 

 

My biggest inspiration for the clean up (no, it wasn't just because I couldn't move, I normally work like that) was because I plan to rip out the carpet.....YAY!  I told the hubs when I took over the room I wanted to take out the carpet, and he said no.  Well, now that its ruined, and hard to clean, he agreed.  So we need to empty the room (gasp!) and rip it out.  So the clean up helped to minimize that project by a little bit.

 

He is also going to build me a taller wood work bench along the far wall in the picture, where I have two folding tables.  This is will be my metal bench, so I stand and hammer, drill, polish and saw all on one bench.  I will also have much more under the bench storage room, and with no carpet, I can use storage with WHEELS!!!!!!!

 

And- that is not all.  Although I love this old cabinet, its going to have to go, and will be replaced by a folding table for my computer and paperwork.  Not sure if I can hook up a printer and even do my shipping from in here, but will see.  The hubs would be happy to have me out of his office for good !

 

 

These shelves will be replaced with bigger shelves and go next to the desk.  They will hold the contents of the cabinet and then some.  Right now I have a bunch of empty totes waiting to be temporarily filled for the move out for rennovations.  This is also the exit that normally has all my show stuff piled in it.

 

 

These shelves can stay full during the carpet tear out (thank goodness).  I did get tray storage for all those trays though.  It is wheeled cabinets that go under the desk, so I can have all those beads and such at my fingertips, and wheel them away when I don't need them.  So that shelf will be opened up a bit.

 

 

 Below the shelf of trays is where I can now fit my shows stuff.  I can actually walk up to these shelves, there used to be a pile of things in the way.  The bottom shelf to the right is all my sea glass.  That needs to be re-vamped somehow.  But that is a project for another day, week or year!

 

Yesterday I finally got in the "now cleaned" studio to make some things.  I had some Mothers Day Pins to make for some very special Grammy's. 

 

 

I cannot wait until I have my metal bench so I can do more metal, and not have such a mess at my bead table!  Plus, I am on the taller side, to have it custom built is pretty exciting to me.

 

I also made this piece.  I was inspired by an article by Joy Kruse in the new Belle Armoire Jewlery magazine. 

 

 

 

I really miss working in silver...it was my first love.  The first things I made were in silver- sea glass, and I soldered on little shell barnacles that I made in PMC. 

 

 

Joy's article made me want to re-visit adding textured items to my bezels in a fun and whimsical way.  Her work really speaks to me.

 

Even though I really loved my piece I created with the amazing dark grey druzy (how I love druzy's), there was something about that I didn't like, and I couldn't put my finger on it. 

 

Once I uploaded it to facebook, and saw it in the pictures, I figured it out.  It was too tidy.  Too symetrical.  My eye was telling me this piece was not finished.  So I took it back into the studio.

 

Now its done.  Now I love it.

 

 

 

Can't wait to make more, hopefully it will be happening on my new workbench next week!

 

I will post progress if by chance we get to do my studio on Monday, like I hope to!

 

Have a great holiday weekend!



Rings and Things

No, not the shop silly, but I do love them and get most of my chain there!  (www.rings-things.com)

 

I have been making lots of rings for my shows.  I really slacked in the ring department last year, and thought it was time to make some rings as crazy and fun as the rest of my jewelry.

 

I made these before the Peddlers Village Show last weekend.

 

Turquoise discs, in the same style I made my sea glass rings last year.

And some antique brass ring shanks that are adjustable with stones and pearls riveted to them....as well as some crazy copper and pearl tribal looking rings.  People seemed to like these better.  So I thought I'd take my rings even a little further into the tribal, old, earthy theme, and add fossils.

 

So I drilled a bunch of my favorite ring sized fossils.......................................

 

I originally wanted to just wire wrap them into rings, but it wasn't working.  They were too raised, and I was afraid the pressure on the fossil alone would eventually make them crack or wear down (cause there was just a bit of wiggle to them).  So one day of ring making was kinda a bust.

 

But day two, I came up with a design, to make a copper backing with a thick sterling wire shank soldered to it, and a hole in it, so I could us a ball pin (and some E600) to secure the fossil to that and protect it more...  Here it is empty, and I kinda like the shape of it, it feels very nice on, I may have to make some sort of spin off this in just metal today !!!

 

Needless to say, it all worked out, and I love these rings.  Fossil rings anyone?????

I am making a few more today.  I just love using fossils in my jewelry.  I take lots of time, just pondering how ancient they are, how beautiful they are, living thing turned to stone. 

 

While I am not making stuff for my shows (another one this weekend in Bethlehem Pa if you are local, its a great Art Show) I have been running around with the kids.  They have had open house and a school play, and a class trip (2 of them)....keeping me busy.  Tomorrow is a party and the 5th grade gets to sleep over night as well.  Fun times!  I cannot believe I have a 5th grader going into the middle school next year. 

 

Here he is in the play they performed, WHAT A GREAT PRODUCTION!  They are so young, yet they did wonderful.  And Aiden is typically shy in front a big groups, so I am so proud of him for getting up there, and not only having a solo line, but singing (with two other kids).  Soooooo proud.  Aiden is in the red.

 

 

I love that kid.

 

I also changed my display up, just a little bit for my last show, and I really liked it.  ILO shelves up front, I brought an old crate, which I think goes well with my jewelry.  It also opens the front up more. 

 

 

Last show for a bit this weekend, wish me luck, send happy thoughts of sunny weather and no thundertorms (like they are calling for!!!!)  I know I am not the only one with shows this weekend and a sad looking forecast.  Sunny thoughts all around!

 

If you are a Mama, have a great Mothers Day weekend.  And if you are not a Mama, hug your Mama, or another Mama.....cause its the one day its all about us........hehe!  Happy Mothers Day! 

Bead Soup Blog Hop 1st Reveal

Hi all, I hope you are having a good time hopping! 

 

Before we start, I'd like to request you take a moment to say a little prayer, to conjure up some thanks, send love or light, whatever you do, to Lori Anderson.  She is going through a rough time lately, and still managed to pull off this massive blog hop for us all to enjoy. 

Thank you Lori!!!!  Your heart inspires.

 

 

 OK- now for the beads.  My partner is Emily Greer of Gaia Copia.  She does amazing work.  Once again, through the bead soup blog party, met someone I really enjoyed- and clicked with.  I love when that happens.

She sent me a very eclectic bead soup.  I really liked the Bohemian feel it had. 

 

 

It was a great mix of beads, a bunch she made herself or embellished.  I also liked the pallette she chose- the greens with the orange colors.  Unfortunately, I barely used any of them, I just had a lot of trouble making it all work. 

 

 

The gorgeous bright green stone pendant was the focal she sent.  She embellished it with some gold paint.  I really love it, though its not my usual style.  First of all its bright, and its a shape I was finding it hard to design with.  But I love a challenge.

 

 

 

This was the clasp she made for me.  A handmade heart toggle.  Very pretty.

 

For the party, we only need to use the focal and clasp.  I tried to use them both in one piece, and I just couldn't make it work. 

 

 

So the clasp went into its own piece.  I hope Emily doesn't mind, but I took it apart.  :cringes:  I really LOVED the heart she made, but when the clasp was fastend, you couldn't see the heart at all.  So I broke it up into three parts and used the toggle as closure, and the wire heart and other component as part of the design.  I love it how it turned out, and you can see her pretty wire heart clearly.

 

 

 

 

 

 The copper focal is by me (www.slartisanaccents.etsy.com) and the red / black ceramic disc is by Starry Road Studio (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ktotten).

 

Now, for the focal.  What to do with it?  Well, I turned it upside down.  It really spoke to me soooooo much more then the way the pendant was drilled.  Visually, it just needed to be inverted.  So, with a little metal work, some tab settings and creativity to make it all work (yeah- its all kinds of rigged...lol) I got it just how I wanted it. 

 

  It reminds me of some secret garden.

 

 

 

I used my gemstone pendant from Emily, a fetish bird of blackstone, a copper swirl and turquoise disc, and a copper poppy (by me- copper clay) for the main portion of the necklace.  There is a yellow ceramic disc by Starry Road Studio again, a fern metal clay component by me, a bone bead and more turquoise.  The rest is chain and pearls.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Below is a little something special for you.

 

 I am offering a special sale to the bead soup blog hoppers this weekend. 

 

(sorry- just got up and realized the code wasn't working, it should be now- I had to change it a little) 

Use code beadsouprocks13:

 

 save 10% in my bead shop

and 25% in my jewlery shop!

 

 Now make sure to stop by and see what everyone else did too!

 

 

Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Amber Dawn Goldish	www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Barb Solem	http://www.vivimagoopresents.com
Bev Breisinger	http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou	www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Breana Fry	www.vault31.blogspot.com
Brenda Sue Lansdowne	http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/
Bridget Torres	www.Shears58.com
Carol Dee Myers	http://caroldeezigns.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault	www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Cassi Paslick	http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier	Http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud	www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson	www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com
Crystal Thain	http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Riggs	http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey	http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/
Dana James	http://danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Darlene Fortier	www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Deanna Cox	www.deannaaki.wordpress.com
Deb Brooks	http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
Debra Behrends	http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/
Denielle Hagerman	http://www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Diana Frey	www.dianafrey.blogspot.com
Diana Welte	http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com
Dini Bruinsma	http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
DiYana Alcalde	http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Donna Millard	http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/
Dot Lewallwn	http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com/
Duane Clark	http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Burian-Mohr	http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Elisabeth Auld	www.beadsforbusygals.com
Elizabeth Owens Dwy	www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Emily Greer	http://www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2/
Enikö Fabian	http://perleni.blogspot.co.at/
Erin Grant	http://ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com
Eva Kovacs	http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/
Eva Sherman	http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett	www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Grace Rotenberg	http://rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com/
Gretchen Nation	www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com
Heather Davis	http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/
Heather Marston	http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com/
Heather Powers	http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue	www.wrappedinsilver.com

 

Janeen Sorensen	http://wildvanilladesigns.com/
Jane-Michael Stallings	http://www.craftvacuum.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel	www.Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Jayashree Paramesh	www.nchantme.com
Jayne Capps	http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Jean Yates	http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Cameron	http://glassaddictions.com
Jennifer LaVite	http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Joan Williams	www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jodie Marshall	www.Marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs	www.rigglettes.blogspot.com
Julie Anne Leggett	www.thepeacefulbead.com
Kat Barron Miller	http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kim Hora	www.kimmykats.com
Kim Houston	http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com
Kim Sparks	http://beadabunch.blogspot.com
Krafty Max	http://kraftymax.blogspot.com
Kris Lanae Binsfeld	www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Krista French	http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
Kristen Stevens	http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Kristi Harrison	http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com
Kumi Fisher	http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com
Laren Dee Barton	www.larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Laura Bracken	http://laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com/
Laura Demoya	www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com
Laurie Hanna	http://jewelrybylh.blogspot.com/
Laurie Keefe-Cecere	http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/
Lea Avroch	http://www.LAJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus	Http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Lee Anne Messerschmidt	http://wiredhammerednworn.wordpress.com
Leslie Schenkel	http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/
Linda Anderson	http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
Linda Djokic	www.lutkaandco.com
Linda Murphy	www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Linda Sadler	http://idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy	http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/
Lisa Suver	http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/
Liz DeLuca	http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/
Liz Engriser	http://www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Lola Surwillo	http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen	www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com
Lori Bergmann	www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lori Poppe	http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Lyn Foley	www.lynfoleyblog.com
Maddison Langford	http://maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Magdalena Sikora	http://porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Mallory Hoffman	http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Marcella Austenfeld	www.goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson	http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Maria Clark	http://sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/
Maria Rosa Sharrow	www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan	www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Marie Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad	www.marticsclay.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan	http://www.MaryEllenBeads.com
Mary Harding	www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Molly Alexander	http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett	http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Niky Sayers	http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Pam Chesbro	http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/
Pam Farren	http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Pam Sandy	http://pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com/
Pam Traub	http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Pamela Gangler	http://shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com/
Patricia Buchanan	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo
Patricia Johnson	http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com
Patty Miller	http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel	http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Peggy Gabrielson	http://georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com
Perri Jackson	http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/
Rachel Baron	http://www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Rachel Stanley	http://2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah	http://honeyandollie.com
Rana Wilson	http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano	www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Robin Reed	www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson	http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke	www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Ruth Szapa	www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com
Sally Russick	http://thestudiosublime.com
Sandi Volpe	www.sandivolpe.com
Sandra Pendragon	http://sandrapendragon.blogspot.com/
Sandy Richardson	www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com
Sarah Small	http://bysalla.blogspot.com
Shannon Hicks	http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Shari Replogle	www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Sheila Daniels	http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Sheila Davis	http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/
Shiraz Biggie	www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore	www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Skylar Bre'z	http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith	www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Stacie Florer	http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Pomerleau	www.craftenvilleblog.com
Stephanie Weiss	www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com
Sumi Rani	www.HundredColors.blogspot.com
Susan Sheehan	http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/
Suzette Bentley	http://elliesbijoux.blogspot.com
Tamera Norris	www.beadsinspireme.com
Tracy Choy	www.bumblebeadsdesigns.Blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman	www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Valerie Norton	www.hot-fused-glass.com
Vicki Holliday	http://flopcatdesign.blogspot.com/