Showing posts with label Lampwork Glass Beads. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lampwork Glass Beads. Show all posts

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Ghosts, Ravens and ZomBEEs! Oh my!

After a small hiatus, I'm back for a new challenge and a little fun!  A few weeks ago, I was sent a DARLING little bead.... a zomBEE!  Isn't that ADORABLE made by the outstanding - Laney Mead.  It's part of the Art Elements Blog Hop and I'm SO EXCITED!!  This is the first time I've played along with the Art Elements gals and it was SUCH an adventure!

I received the zomBEE a few weeks ago and as soon as I saw it I thought to myself - I know *exactly* what I'm gonna do!  Oh the plans of mice and men.  LOL!  So... being honest.... I put it off.  After all, I knew what I was doing - just had to do it.  You're laughing, aren't you? =)

Yeah - it just didn't do what I wanted it to do.  I ended up breaking a bead (I nearly cried) and that made me COMPLETELY revise what I had planned to do.  SO - the idea of making an adorable talisman with the zomBEE and some other adorable themed beads was out de door.  I struggled getting the black I have to work.... so I went for "pretty" zomBEE...if that exists. LOL!

Instead, I decided to go with a sweet little ghost (which was made by Val Moser), a "raven" (Bo Hulley) and my sweet zomBEE (Laney Mead).  I added a flower (because bee's need flowers, right?), some GORG blue czech beads, some *expensive* czech petals and a custom made silver clasp.  (I like to challenge myself to do something new to me, whenever I partake in a challenge - so the clasp was my 'new to me' challenge).  I do love this piece and I'm quite proud of it.  What do YOU think?



Yes, it's bright and cheerful.  Yes...it's a little more "fancy" than usual... but I kinda love it. 

THANK YOU Laney Mead and the Art Elements team!  I had a BLAST, was stretched and ended up with a pretty great piece.  (If I do say so, myself ;) ) Check out every one's pieces, too!





Guests

http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/ - Linda

http://www.beadsforbusygals.com/ - Elizabeth Auld


Team

http://www.lesleywatt.com/ - Lesley Watt

http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog - Jennifer Cameron

http://dianaptaszynski.indiemade.com/blog - Diana Ptaszynski

https://jdaviesreazor.com/blog/ - Jenny Davis-Reazor

http://suebeads.blogspot.com - Susan Kennedy

http://blueberribeads.co.uk/ - Caroline Dewison

http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.co.uk/ - Lindsay Starr

http://cmendola.blogspot.co.uk/- Cathy Spiey Mendola

http://saraccino.blogspot.co.uk/ - Claire Fabian

http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/ - Niky Sayers

http://laneymead.co.uk/ - Laney Mead

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Welcome 2016....er 2017? WHOA!


Well friends, it's about that time of the year where I FINALLY get to show you what I've made for Christmas gifts.  Obviously, I can't post prior to Christmas....so here we are. =)

This year was an interesting year for me, in terms of gifts.  It seems like the folks I buy for - all magically had something come up in a beading group somewhere - that reminded me of them.

So, the first purchase was a BEAUTIFUL glass and metal cross, focal bead.  I purchased it from Jennifer Jennings - so does this awesome beads.  She also adds a footprint on the back of the bead - making it seem like the poem, footprints in the sand.  Just a REALLY cool concept and CLEARLY her trademark.  I bought it for my cousin, who was laid off earlier last year.  It was a *complete* shock.  She had no clue it was coming *as usual I guess* and was just stunned.  So, I bought the bead to remind her that even in the storms - God is still there - holding her up and standing strong.  I put the bead on some leather I won from Leather Cord USA and happened to have another spacer bead that matched perfectly to her focal. 
 



Can't wait for y'all to see the bracelet I made for her mom!  OOoooOO!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, May 15, 2016

2016 2nd Annual Bead Peeps Swap N Hop REVEAL!


What do you get when you take 80ish, awesome jewelry designers, give them a partner, have them swap beads and make something?  The 2nd Annual Bead Peeps Swap N Hop!

First - lemme give a shout out to each person who has worked hard, send beads, anxiously waited by their mailbox, worked hard to make something and even harder to write a blog post.  Without YOU, this wouldn't be possible!

Second - A HUGE shout out to my partner, Natalie Davidson of http://www.northshoredays.com, for sending me an INCREDIBLY generous package of goodies, encouraging me and being a good friend - even if I accidentally called at 4am.  =)

Ok - on with the goods!

Natalie told me that the theme of my goodies was "flight"

So, I started with an INCREDIBLE package from Natalie.  She sent ALL OF THIS - including but not limited to:
- Malaysian pearls
- Turquoise, blue matte and a variety of green glass beads (drool worthy!)
- Cathedral cut, green czech beads
- A package of Natalie-made beads - including an ombre of turquoise beads, a feather focal and butterfly toggle
- BEAUTIFUL orange lampwork beads
- Sinful turquoise rondelles
- Lovely foiled beads from Thailand
- A GORGEOUS crystal wrapped focal
- Sweet blue and green wire - which was SUPER slippery
- Awesome flowers
- STUNNING NZ Paua shell beads and focal
- Some itty bitty serpentine heishi beads
AND
- A slew of sweet charms - a feather, a butterfly (which she made!), dragonflies, itty bitty birdies, hummingbirds

PLUS
A tote bag (how did she know that I LOVE bags?!), magnetic bookmarks - which I LOVE AND some quite "interesting" white chocolate (which I also LOVE)....with lemon and pop rocks inside.

Can you say....SPOILED?! 

****You can click on any photo to see a larger version*****

Natalie's photo is MUCH better than mine =)



I was kinda overwhelmed.  So, I decided to just focus on the theme....flight.  I'd start something...look for supplies to finish and then...couldn't find anything I wanted - which happened a few times.  (Shocker =) ) SO - as the time was drawing near...things were getting desperate...so I did what any good designer would do....  I went through my stash.

I found a few of this and a few of that...nothing really spoke to me....until I found....a wing!  YES! Wings go with flight!   I was on to something!  Yellow goes with turquoise....and the wing has turquoise in it....eeek!  Here we go.....

(As a side note: one of my goals for this hop, is to learn something new.  I have used 4 new techniques between my necklace - daisies, S links, making the clasp bar, and I've never made the type of bracelet with those materials)

This piece features Natalie's handmade clasp and ombre beads.  My handmade S links and daisies, and the INCREDIBLE lampwork of Kim Snider.  *droool*


****You can click on any photo to see a larger version*****





So, once that was finished..... I moved on to the real project.....the one I'd thought of as SOON as I opened her packages..... a bracelet.  It's all hand wrapped and and features her handmade butterfly charm, as the clasp.  I tried to do an ombre-esque piece using her favorite glass beads that she sent.  I used some in this and hoarded the rest. (tee-hee)  I also added some of the butterfly charms she sent me.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this bracelet and am SO PROUD of it!  It just makes me happy!




And finally - gotta have some EARRINGS!
These feature Natalie's flower beads, her handmade ombre beads and her dragonflies.  I love how they turned out!



I have had a GREAT adventure and am SO THANKFUL for Natalie!  I hope I did you proud, partner!  #BeadPeepsSwap!

Check out what everyone else did HERE!

Linda Anderson
- Hostess -
http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com



LindaAndersonhttp://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com (You are here)
NatalieDavidsonhttp://www.northshoredays.com



MarcyLambersonhttp://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com
KathyLindemerhttp://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/



DitaBasuHttp://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
AndreaGlickhttp://zenithjade.blogspot.com/



KristinaPeckhttp://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com/
ShaiWilliamshttp://www.shaihasramblings.com/



CatherineLa Vitehttp://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/
ChristinaHickmanhttp://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/



gloriaallenhttp://wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
TeresaSchurterhttp://treezstreazurs.com/



Maria RosaSharrowhttp://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
SusanKellyhttp://mimismilesdesigns.blogspot.com



JennyKyrlachhttp://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
MichelleMcCarthyhttp://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com



Terry JeanetteCarterhttp://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com
LeeKoopmanhttp://stregajewellry.wordpress.com



LaurieVyselaarhttps://lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
MarianneBaxterhttp://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com



DivyaNhttp://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
KellyHosford Pattersonhttp://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/



JohanaNunezhttp://www.artincendi.com
KariAsburyhttp://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog



ROBINREEDhttp://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
KristinaHahn Eleniakhttp://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com



Robin LynneShowstackhttp://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
RosantiaPetkovahttp://bairozan.blogspot.com/



ClaireFabianhttp://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Ingevon Rooshttps://ingetraud.wordpress.com



RachelMallishttp://mintmonarch.com
SamWaghronhttp://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk



LoriSchneiderhttp://beadaddicted.blogspot.com
FayWolfendenhttp://torchfairy.blogspot.com









SEEDERS




SuseStelljeshttp://pearlify.blogspot.de
GingerBishophttp://www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com



NellyMayhttp://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
REbeccaWhitehttp://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/



sheilaProstermanhttp://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
CatherineKinghttp://catherines-musings.blogspot.com



PALLAVIASHERhttp://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/
KraftyMaxhttp://kraftymax.net



RenethaStanzianohttp://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
BeckyPancakehttp://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com



KatyHeiderhttp://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
DeborahApodacahttp://deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/



HeatherRichterhttp://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Tami Norrishttps://tamisdesigns.wordpress.com



BrandyScozzarihttp://bhjewelry.wordpress.com
CatherineKinghttp://catherines-musings.blogspot.com



KathleenBreedinghttps://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW/
VeralynneMalonehttp://veradesigns.blogspot.com



BobbieRaffertyhttp://beadsong.blogspot.com
LoriBlanchardhttp://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

She got HERS

Well, well, well.... here it is, March 23 and my partner received her beads yesterday.  I'm kinda jealous. =)  As a reminder, my partner is Natalie Davidson - who lives in the BEAUTIFUL country of New Zealand.  She lives on the northern island and has a little shop where she sells crafts and goodies that she makes.

I will be honest here....for some reason,  this was a tough season for me.  I had a really hard time finding something that would challenge Natalie, but not overwhelm her.  Even more importantly, I just felt like I was "off track".  I think it's just been my general feeling for the last few months - just kinda BLAH.  BUT I'm really proud of how it came together and am SO GLAD that she loves each item I carefully and thoughtfully included. 

So..... here's what I sent.  If you'll remember - this was the teaser......


And.....here's what she received.....


For the Swap N Hop!

Focal: STUNNING handmade, lampwork focal by The BeadFairy

Clasp: GORGEOUS flower, handmade by ArtIncendi

Metals: Copper filigrees, copper flowers, bright copper daisies and dark copper daisies, headpins, eye pins, jump rings and ear wires  -
So you're probably wondering why all the bits and bobs in copper...well.... in New Zealand it's pretty tough to get copper findings, so I figured I'd send them to her so she didn't have to worry about trying to find them, or order them.

Coordinating Beads: Czech firepolish beads in a "Luster Mix" both in transparent and opaque, purple druzy agate, Czech pressed beads including, but not limited to flowers, leaves, bicones, table cuts and saturn beads.


In addition to some goodies for the Swap, I also sent some goodies for her stash.

For Her Stash

Knowing her love for the beach, I wanted to include some beach themed pieces - they include: Swarovski bicones, starfish and mini rounds; blue/grey blister pearls, Czech saturn beads, hand painted (by me!) cabachons, kyanite coin beads, some seahorse beads (which didn't make the photo shoot) and my FAVORITE beads acrylic/rubbery beads - they feel as smooth as a babies butt.  Just AWESOME!  I also sent some extra clasps and odds and ends - and some purple hemp.


All together now!

Whatchya think?  I'm (im)patiently waiting for mine to arrive, although I suspect it'll be at least another week.  So, until then....I'll keep working on my organization (see post below) and twiddling my thumbs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Weeks #45 & #46 - Stumped

I think it's safe to say I've been........


 Week #45 - Snowmen




 Week #46 - Handmade lampwork beads with Swarovski crystals to accent

\

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Week #32 - I love me some, Colah!

Week 32!  What a week, too!

This week's installment is full of COLOR!  Those who know me, know I'm kinda a freak for rainbows and bright colors...... check out this week's manicure:


I rest my case. =)

So, when I saw these GORGEOUS stained glass window-ish, handmade, lampwork beads - I KNEW they needed to be in my grubby little hands. =)  I added some bead caps, and some INCREDIBLE Swarovski pendants.  


 


DEFINITELY some of my favorite-est earrings so far!  Hooray!  What do YOU think?


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Week #29 - Ode to Bead Caps - Part Duex

As promised, this week's installment is also dealing with bead caps.  As I mentioned in my last post, I haven't really ever been comfortable using bead caps.  A gf asked me why and as I thought about it - I realized that sometimes bead caps tend to make a piece look more...... mature.  If that makes any sense?  So, part of my goal in figuring out this bead cap thing is to make sure that my designs don't look matronly.  Not that there is anything wrong with that - because there is a HUGE market for matronly pieces.....just not mine. =)

These gorgeous earrings feature Swarovski crystals (my fav!), antique silver and bright silver bead caps and GORGEOUS handmade lampwork beads by Matt Jordan of Boise Art Glass.

Interestingly enough - the bright silver bead caps I used in these earrings - are the same as last week's.  =)  *proud*



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Week #26 - HALF WAY THERE!! An ode to the lagoon

 WOOHOOO!  We're half way there!  26 pairs of earrings MADE and 26 left to go!  I CAN do this! =)

This week's installment comes from being inspired by blues of the carribean waters.  My trip has really been at the front of my mind this last week and so I thought I'd see what I had to play with in the blue family.  This photo was taken on our trip to Bioluminescence Lagoon - the only one in the world.  When the water is moved, these special little plankton turn blue.  Isn't that AMAZING!?!  The photo was taken by the captain of the boat we took (if you go - TAKE A BOAT NOT
 a kayak!) is a Nikon trained pro photographer.....he took my camera and took this shot, while I played. =)  BUT it shows the GORGEOUSNESS of the sky and the water.  And that light - is light pollution from San Juan - which is nearly an hour away!


I pulled out some of my FAVORITE (so far) wood components and paired them with some of my ALL TIME FAVORITE czech beads - satin blue rounds.  The gorgeousness of these beads can HARDLY be captured by photo.  But I tried. =)

So, here's this week's installment....ode to the lagoon



~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Week #22 - Beach theme continued....

What an AMAZING trip!  Puerto Rico was divine!  We had SUCH an amazing time!  I can't wait to write down all the details and share them with you!

In the mean  time, though, I'll just share week 22's earrings.  They feature BEAUTIFUL hand made, glass rounds on top and adorable little star fish charms on the bottom.  Just looks like a beach on a headpin. =)  *sigh*

I miss you, Mr. Ocean!


Saturday's View from the Beach - *swoon*


 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop - Package #2 Received!

 As the leader of the group, Bead Peeps, while matching we had a "spare" person....so I picked up a 2nd partner....and what an adventure it has been! =)

Jessica lives in Alaska and has just had her 6th child.  She's SUCH a strong woman!  I can't imagine having 6 children, let alone...living in the bush.....homeschooling AND being a wife and mom.  Whoa!

I sent her package a few weeks ago and you can see what SHE received here:
http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/2015/03/swap-n-hop-partner-2-has-received-her.html

And THIS is what I received:

 
Some gorgeous spacers, some hearts and a beautiful "message in a bottle".

A beautiful lampwork bead, some blue quartz chips, some heart clasps and a beautiful blinged out crown.  

The deets - So, Jessica made the lampwork piece - oh so gorgeous! I LOVE pink and blue - like LOVE it!  So, that will be fun to play with.  I'm going to see how I can add the hearts in.... I haven't worked with something like that before so that will be a challenge for me. 

She also made the stunning message in a bottle, which features a verse about being healed.  I have struggled for nearly 12 years with chronic illness.  God has used that sickness to bring me to a new place in life, where I'm *artistic* and for those who know me - that's weird.  Before getting sick, I had no CLUE I had a lick of artistic ability inside me.  Isn't that incredible?  This beautiful gift that comes from the ashes of a life that *I* thought was the way life would be, from then until forevermore.  

Going to be interesting to see what comes from these pieces..... so many options....so little time. 

Check back here on May 2 to see what I've made and check out the blogs of the other participants, too!

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Week #8 - Spring - where ARE you?!

Click to enlarge
This week - the sun has been shining, very cold (because in Minnesota, USA - when it's sunny in the winter, it's cold.  the clouds "insulate" the heat here), and reminding me of spring.  So, I went with some BEAUTIFUL pink and green furnace glass.  They appear to be a little different lengths...remember the beads are handmade, so they're going to be a little imperfect, which makes them perfect!

I originally had another pair ready to go, but when I went to connect them to the ear wire - I realized I didn't have the right connection part.  NOOOOO!  So, I'll have to save those for another week. 

I've been having a hard few weeks physically and emotionally.  I'm hoping these little friends will help cheer me up and inspire me to keep going. 

If you're a praying person, would you send a few up for me?  It's been a long time since I've felt this way. 

Until next week!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Year of Earrings - Wk 1 and 2 - #fail

OK - so I kinda committed to doing a Year of Earrings and I've already failed. Oy. But at least I KNOW I failed and am ready to share my first jewelery of 2015!


Czech beads with Seagulls by Asbury Avenue Designs - can you smell the sea air?


 
Druzy Agate with Amethyst rounds - Delicious! 







These friends aren't on sale yet, but I'm just proud that I've made SOMETHING in 2015!  It's been a struggle, between running a group on FB and having 2 MAJOR events since Thanksgiving, I've been overwhelmed.  I've also been sick - that Christmas Crud had taken me over - 3 rounds of antibiotics, a whole box of day-quil/ny-quil and so many other things.... just felt miserable!

If the seagull earrings are any indication of the jewelry I'll be making this year - I can't WAIT!! WOOHOO!

Saturday, August 2, 2014

GO Green for Choosy Chicks and Gastroparesis!

Choosy Chicks..... we love chicklets....especially ones from SUEBEADS!  Check it OUT!

A few weeks ago, I was invited to participate in another challenge called "Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets " and we were all sent a GORGEOUS chicklet bead hand crafted by Sue Kennedy of  SueBeads. I was sent the adorable and lovely earthy green color (the GORGEOUS bead in the middle).  It's made of glass and has an adorable little flower imprinted on both sides.

I'm not a huge fan of green, but was quite excited to see how I rose to the challenge, yet again (I really DO have favorite colors, I promise!). =)  I made this sweet little bracelet with Sue's little bead in the center and I found some incredibly beautiful Unicorne beads that matched nearly exactly!  I was SO EXCITED to be able to use those Unicorne beads because sometimes it's tough to use handcrafted beads, when I'm making pieces for resale, because they can be tough price points - BUT since I'm keeping this gem for ME, MYSELF AND I - I went big! =)  I also used some precious blue pearls and some sagey green bumpy pearls.

Click to enlarge

One other detail worth noting - I used copper accents.  Typically, I use silvers but the silvers just made the piece so..... pale...and it felt like all the details in the beads were lost.....so copper it was!  I LOVE it!  I'm proud of this little piece and so glad it's MINE MINE MINE!


Click to enlarge


One other thing worth noting: Green is the color of choice for Gastroparesis awareness.  I have suffered with gastroparesis for 11 years, after a botched gall bladder surgery. It causes me to feel nausea and pain 24/7 and causes chronic vomiting (imagine the flu - every.single.day.of.your.life).  Gastroparesis is the reason that I'm disabled and have been able to pursue making jewelry in the last several years.  While this season of life has been devastating, it's been something I would NEVER choose,  but am thankful that in the horridness of life.....beauty has come from these ashes.  So, I'm THANKFUL for the green and a beautiful way to display my support on "Go Green for Gastroparesis Fridays".

THANK YOU, Toltec Jewels and SueBeads - SUCH an INCREDIBLE opportunity and chance to stretch myself - AGAIN! =)



ARTISTS:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog
                                                               Art Jewelry Elements
Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads
SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams                                        http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                                               http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson                        http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com