Week #23 - Helllllllo Summer!

 I dunno about you - but these last few weeks have seemed like summer may NEVER come!  It's june and we haven't even hit 85 yet, which is kinda strange.  A blessing, but kinda strange.  I guess that's life in the sub-arctic tundra, fer ya! 

So, this week's earrings were inspired both by my trip to Puerto Rico and summer!  I found these ADORABLE little chevrons while at a local 'big box' store.  I had no intentions of buying beads, but was waiting for an inventory check on some storage boxes and these little guys caught my eye.  They're so cute, bright and fun!  Just like moi!  =)

A beautiful building in Old San Juan

Since taking this challenge on, I've been looking at earrings more than I ever dreamed I would....and this trend - using the chain this way - has been pretty hot, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  

Hope you love them as much as I do!

They can be purchased right here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/236159522/rainbow-bright-earrings-sra-summer-fun?ref=shop_home_active_1

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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!
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Week #16 - Here SeaHorseyHorseyHorseyHorsey.....

It's week 16!! Can you believe I've made it THIS FAR?!  I can't! =)

This week, a dear family member is celebrating a birthday and being that she's one of my best customers, I nearly always make something special for her.  This year, is no exception. =)  Lemme tell ya a bit about her:  When we were little, we never spoke.  Not because we hated each other or anything of the sort - we just didn't speak.  So, when she was in college and she called me to see if she could come spend a few days with me in Indiana, I was floored.  We had SUCH a great time!  I played some pranks (which we STILL talk about) and learned what an incredible woman she had become. 

As the years progressed, good things and tough things happened in each of our lives.  I got sick....really sick....and she has been there with me to support me through nearly all of it.  She came to spend weeks with me in DC and driving me all over creation to different doctors (and adventures), she's cried with me, laughed with me and had some tough talks with me.  We've walked through boys, doctors, friends, jobs, social security, disability and drama - she really means the world to me.  So it's fitting that the first piece I ever had published was a piece I created for HER wedding! =)

Ok, so back to task at hand....she loves sea horses.  Loves them.  She loves all things ocean, but ESPECIALLY sea horses....so you can imagine my surprise when I found these little goodies!  I, also know, that she loves unique things and styles so I really wanted to "go outta the box" with this and the idear for squares came to mind. 

*I* created the ear wires and with the Swarovskis wanted to add both the purples (also her favorite color) and some sea colors, so she could wear them with other things beyond just purple....and honestly - sea horses live in the SEA - they need sea colors. =) 

I hope she likes 'em - cuz I LOVE them! =)

Happy Birthday, K!  Love you, girlie!

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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!
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Week #6 - Something boring but beautiful

So, I decided that this week, I wanted to do something simple and not over the top. The weather here has been gray and yucky so I went with some BEAUTIFUL green glass beads. I love love love the bling balls and how they add a little pop to the green.  It just gives me hope for spring and the goodness that comes with sunshine and joy. =)

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop Partner Intro Sample

SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE

OHMYGIRD! I just got my partner assignment and lemme tell you - she is AWESOME!!  We go waaaaay back.... about 14 minutes.  She's so great!  She lives in Transylvania and is 29.  She's been making jewelry for 32 years and has been a real pioneer in the industry.  She invented wire!  Isn't that OUTSTANDING!?!?  I mean, where would we be without HER?!  She loves dark colors - blacks, gray, brown, charcoal, ash, light gray, grey, black and gray.  She loves everything about bats, spiders and snakes...and often uses them while she's brewing making her jewelry.  I've long admired her work and CAN'T WAIT to get to know her better!  WOOHOOO!  You can find her blog here: http://lindaHasLostIt.com

SO, while I'm waiting for MY goodies to arrive....here's what I sent her:

TOTALLY amazing right?!  OH this is gonna be AWESOME!! WOOHOOOO!

Here are some other teasers I made, too....

Can't WAIT to show you what I sent her!!  EEEEEEK!

SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE 
You can see the original pictures here:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.378054505699477&type=1

Gems and Metals Hop

*****Looking for my Bead Soup Piece? =) Click here!**** 
DISCLAIMER:
Please do NOT be offended if this is your favorite gemstone.  This merely MY experience with it.



OHMEGERD - what a CHALLENGE!  So, I signed up for this great little challenge called "Gems and Metals" - I would be sent a package of pre-selected, random gemtones and a chosen metal.  I was VERY excited.  I hadn't done one like this before and had visions of sodalite, amazonite, pietersite and mookaite dancing in my head.  Would I get gold, silver...copper?  I was SO excited when the package came...I KNEW this was my big moment......I anxiously ripped that envelope open and to my shock and awe - I found...... what the?! What IS that?! I ain't never seen THAT before...what IS it?

RED AVENTURINE - in my eyes - baby food orange.......ew.  What the BLEEP am I gonna do with THAT?!!?!?

Stone and antique brass metal finding

So, after I recomposed myself - I'm not gonna lie....it took a few weeks....I finally pulled out my baby food. In the meantime, I went to a trade show and picked up some fun new beads.... not even considering my red aventurine. It was home and I was HAPPY! As time continued to pass by, I just kept shaking my head going - what am I gonna do with that?!!?

Time was closing in quickly and while I was putting my new beads away, I came upon my challenge.... and decided that perhaps it was time to pull out the "big guns" - a color wheel.  I know - crazy, right!?  The color is very red-orange.....and compliments to it include blues, purples and greens.  So, at least I had a jumping off point - somewhere to begin.

On a whim, I held up my new aqua quartz and HOLY SCHAMOLY it looked AMAZING!!  Ok, I'm on to something here..... so I went through my spacer beads and had 0 that were bright gold (remember the metal I was given was an antique brass color) - so I found some seed beads I had and they were PERFECTION!   

I present to you....Piece 1.....*drool*

 Piece 2:
Now, I had some of these crazy sticks to use.... if  you know me at all - you know that I'm NOT a fan of sticks (ok, not a fan of Red Aventurine + not a fan of Antique brass + NOT a fan of sticks = GREAT challenge!) =)  So, I tried to take a fresh look at them.  Again, back to the color wheel and back to my greens and blues.  I decided to try a new product (to me) and put some very cool electroplated hematite in between them.  I used blue/green on top and a bright blue on the bottom.  Using the 2 colors gives me more options of things I can wear this piece with. =)

I'm actually surprised at how much I like this piece.... considering all it had going against it. ;)  It needed a little jazz , so I went a little crazy with the filigree connections..... it took some time to get it figured out and in the process.... this came out - which I kinda LOVE =)  Hot, right?!

But this is how it ended up and frankly - I LOVE this piece.

Red Aventurine?  Eh - it's not so bad.... not my favorite but I don't have a vendetta against it.......anymore. ;) 



As a side story: A dear friend had come over one day and asked me if I had any new challenge things I was working on....I mentioned my "UGH Red Aventurine" and after talking about it for a while...I ended up showing her my start (which at the time was the first piece with the aqua) and I REALLY loved the way it was shaping up.  She nearly brought tears to my eyes when she said that even though it wasn't something that I'd have chosen on my own, I knew how to elevate it and make it gorgeous - really - I about lost it.  I was so humbled and thankful for her encouragement.  <3 you, girl!

Be sure to leave a comment on what you thought, and don’t forget to visit all of the wonderful other artists in this fun blog hop!
 Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Big Margaret

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware (May be delayed a few days)

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things (May be delayed a few days)

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Judy Campbell, Macmillanmarie Jewellery Design

Nan Smith, Handmade Jewelry Nanmade

Marde Lowe, FanciMarDesigns

Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board (You are here)

Leithleach Alainn Seodra, Alainn Jewelry

Lisa E. Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Czech glass

Continuing the series on Whys It So Expensive?!......

Glass is glass is glass....right?  Or is it?

When we buy things like glasses or windows or even mirrors, we start to learn that all glass is not created equal - and the same is true in beading.  The most popular types of glass include lampwork (see the last edition of "Whys It So Expensive"), crystal, dichroic, Venetian, vintage, cats eye, and today's topic Czech.

I've been learning all about Czech glass in the last few weeks because my Bead Soup partner is a big fan and sent nearly all this type of beads to me.  It's been a challenge and so much fun to learn about the different finishes, shapes, colors, mixes and types of beads.

ArtBeads.com describes it this way:
Glass making in the Czech Republic is an age old cottage industry. These glass beads are still made in small quantities by hand. Due to the way the glass is made, there may be slight color variation from one bead batch to the next.

Now, you may wonder why this matters....well...it matters because when an artist decides to use this glass, it's more expensive than say something that is mass produced.  HOWEVER, this glass is simply *splendid*!   Check out some of these different types:

Click Photo to Enlarge

GORGEOUS, right?!!?  I'm having a great time using these 'new to me' beads and looking forward to using them in my jewelry.  I LOVE that they are hand made in small batches and that gives them more personality!  The price is a bit higher than a typical glass bead, made in large quantities but it is CERTAINLY worth it!

Here is an adorable pair of earrings I made with some adorable pressed flower bead caps:




Next time you're looking at hand made jewelry and they tell you it's made with Czech glass - you know that while it may be a little more expensive - it's also that much more special!

OOOOOOOOHHHHMOMMA! You Ain't Gonna Believe THIS!

....... some CRAZY NEWS is a COMIN'!!  

Bead Soup - Year 2!

Some of you may remember, around this time last year, I started talking about "BeadSoup" -well...it's upon us again!  BeadSoup started as a facebook group of women who were jewelry makers/designers and decided to swap beads and see what they could all do.  What an INCREDIBLE idea!

Last year, I participated in my first Soup and was matched with a woman from Kentucky.  She stretched me to look at different metals, where I was once an exclusive Silver girl - and opened my eyes to new types of beads, including ones she made of clay.  I'm REALLY excited to participate again and can't wait to see who my partner is and what we can learn from each other.

Here's what I made last year - I STILL love it!

SWARVOSKI - This is ALL YOUR FAULT!!

Do you know what I did yesterday?  Don't do ya....

I went to a bead show from one of the large chain retailers and spent a boat load of money.  I bought this and thats, bits and bobs, and thing-a-ma-jigs....and crystal.  Vintage Rose, Rose Peach, Sand Opal, Light Rose Satin and Griege....

When I got home, I started doing my 'inventory' - putting things in their new homes with new prices, so I know what to charge when I use them and all went well until......SWAROVSKI.

I held that little bag in my hand, peered through the plastic and marveled at their beauty.  I oo'd and ahh'd to myself and dreamed of making beautiful pieces with my new colors of.....SWAROVSKI.

I, finally took my little bag, worked up the courage and opened the bag.  I reveled in the twinkles and shimmers.  I took the sticker off the bag and found the new little home for these little gems.....SWAROVSKI.

I poured them in, so carefully, watching them flow out of the bag like a brand new bag of cereal.  It sounded like little puffs of rice hitting my bowl.  And then I sat......and stared......and moved the little container around for all them to sparkle and I sat and sat and STARED at my new......SWAROVSKI (for 30+ minutes).

So, while I may be tired and may be weary, I'd do it all again for another bag of my favorite.....SWAROVSKI!

Look for some new pieces from me, too, featuring SWAROVSKI crystal!  Check out my store right here! - http://cherryOnTopDesign.Co

Love their AWESOME crystal, too?  Show them some love on their facebook page!  And NO I was not paid for this opinion, given any crystal or offered any (although I'd never turn it down ;) ) by Swarovski or any of their affiliates/subsidiaries. 

Putting the FUN Back In My Life

Holy Crickets has it been a loooooooong winter here!  Just this week - we had another FOOT of SNOW!!  THIS is why I moved to DC!

As you can imagine, gray skies and a bunch of personal drama (You can help by clicking here) has REALLY damped my spirits.  I've been struggling with depression for most of my life and after being here just 1 winter, I know why.  It's just SO dark, gray and dreary for SO long!  I miss the sun, I miss playing in the Cherry Blossoms and I miss the freedom of SPRING!  This has also been evident in my jewelry...pretty boring or not even happening at ALL.  SO sad and making me feel even worse about things. 

A few days ago, I'd had enough.  It's time to start putting some FUN back in to my life.  SO....here is the fruit of that labor. 

You WOODn't Know It's Spring....

I Went To A Craft Show and Came Home Hammered

I SAW her standing there..

 No Need To Be Crabby, Linda!