2019 Swap N Hop Reveals!!

Well well well,
Another year, another Swap.  I canNOT believe it's been *5* years!  I need to thank each and every person who is READING and who has participated over the years.  It's been SUCH an incredible opportunity to get to know new people, learn about jewelry, learn about another person, learn about  myself and more than ANYTHING - growing my skillz.  What an adventure!

Now, to my partner!  I had the wild and fabulous Jeanne Parker!  She's from PA and in her past life, she had a family farm.  Since they sold the farm, she takes care of a fellow who is blind and autistic.  She also looooves spending time with her granddaughter.  She has an INCREDIBLE artistic eye!  She has painted, illustrated, done some advertising and now even etches her own components.  (holy jealous, batman!)

For her goodies, I was putting some things away and I found the PERFECT focal!  It was from Grubbi Ceramics and featured a painting of rolling hills, and a farm.  =)  I thought it'd be a great fit!
So, that's what I sent.

Now....what I received?!  Holy MOSES!  I was SOOOOOO spoiled!  Jeanne sent me all KINDS of things!  I will say that I had a hard time finding a theme.... so I pulled a few pieces out and made them work. =)

Click to enlarge

Click to Enlarge

Click to Enlarge

My first project was a bracelet.  Again, I'd found the focal while putting some things away. (LOL!  I put stuff away alot, I guess?!)  But I just LOVE this focal and a few of the pieces Jeanne sent, seemed to match the colors.  The accent beads on the focal were from Jeanne, as well as the clasp.  I had some of the Beadalon artsy wire (I found it chips somewhat easily... so some of the copper shows through) and ended up making the chain.  It seemed to be a perfect match!  So, this was a real stretch for me.  I've made chain with beads before...but never from just wire.  I like it, alot!  So, I may end up doing that more often.

My second project is my piece de resistance.  I fell in LOVE with the flower bead that Jeanne sent.  My problem was that it wasn't really big enough to be a focal, by itself.  SO, I started with the focal and tried to build it up a bit by making the headpin with the big loop, adding a dragonfly from Jeanne and some crystals.  Then it was a challenge to figure out what to do with the focal to really make it shine.  After going through this and that... I found a bag of lucite flowers I'd bought a few months ago...and that's when the project really took off.  From there, I pulled out a Vintaj connector and since it was the wrong color - I painted it.  In addition, I wanted the piece to be a little.... whimsical?  What's more whimsical than white pearl leather, with pastel paints hand applied?  =)

Andy's Garden (

I LOVE it!  I really, REALLY do!  I love the colors, I love how the paint brought everything together AND that I won't be allergic to this piece! ;)

 But really - this piece reminds me of my Grandmother and my Dad.  My Grandma always had a big, beautiful garden.  I remember going out and picking fruits and veggies from there and sneaking cherry tomatoes (because No Grandma..there weren't any out there!).  She grew state fair winning flowers!  My Dad also has an INCREDIBLY green thumb.  He grows gladiolas - usually around 700 bulbs.  He's sold them locally and does it because he loves them.

So, this piece is going to be called "Andy's Garden".

  

Here you can see the details of the filigree I painted.   I, also, added some light paints to the metallic pearl leather.  The paint ties everyone together, so nicely....AND it's a personal one-of-a-kind finish.  (and SUPER easy to do!) The little rhinestoney part is actually a pearl enhancer... I'm using it as a clasp, here.  (Thanks, Diane Whiting!)

You can see the paint on the leather here (Click to enlarge)

I decided at the last minute to make a pair of earrings, as well.  This is what I came up with....

Yep - just 1.  The other is currently on the other side of the bead room.  ROTFL (No really... ) I'll finish it tomorrow.  The ear wire and bead came from Jeanne, too.  Once I finish the other, they'll go delightfully with both the bracelet AND Andy's Garden!  Hooray!

THANK YOU, Jeanne!  I had SUCH a great time and I'm thankful to have had YOU for my partner!




AND THANK YOU to everyone who played along this year!  I can't WAIT to see what y'all made!  Here's a list of all the friends who played along!

Hostess: Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com you are HERE!

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Non-Seed Beaders

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Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com you are HERE!

jeanne parker http://www.instagram.com/silverwoodstudio

Fay Wolfenden http://beadsbitsbaubles.blogspot.com

Teri Del Signore http://instagram.com/artisticaos_studio

Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com/

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

Shai Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/

Rozantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/

Kari Asbury https://www.facebook.com/kariasburyjewelry/

Sarah Reid http://www.instagram.com/sarahreiddesigns

Robin Reed http://www.facebook.com/artistryhcbd

Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com

Samantha Jones https://www.facebook.com/Arm-Candy-by-Sam-1735179996705639/

andrea frank https://www.instagram.com/andreazeef/

Inge von Roos https://ingetraud.wordpress.com

Lois Sherwood http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadPeeps.

Valarie Dunsmore http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadpeeps.

Marde Lowe http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com.

Raquel Rosario http://facebook.com/seaglassparadisetreasures

gloria allen https://www.facebook.com/GloriaAllenDesigns

Leah Schneider http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadPeeps

Cheri Mitchell-Reed https://www.facebook.com/creativedesignsbycheri

Kathy Lindemer https://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Strehler http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadpeeps

Terry Jeanette Carter https://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com

Cynthia O'Toole https://www.facebook.com/Sparkles-and-Sweets-211404598956160/

Christina Hickman https://www.instagram.com/laughingsalmon/

Cindy Peterson https://www.facebook.com/howlingdogjewelry

Hope Smitherman http://CraftyHope.com

Bonnie Robbins https://www.instagram.com/brobbins_wireandwonder/

Sarah Auerbach http://www.jewelrybecause.com

Catherine La Vite http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/

Nadine Edris https://www.facebook.com/moondancejewelrymaine/

michelle marson https://www.instagram.com/ellecountry/

Lori Poppe http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com

Kristina Peck https://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com

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Seed Beaders

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Dora Oresic https://m.facebook.com/nakitich/

Krafty Max http://www.kraftymax.net

Susanne Stelljes https://www.facebook.com/sbeadz/

Penny Houghton https://www.instagram.com/forgottentrack/

naomi knafla https://www.instagram.com/naomiknafla/

Heather Faaborg https://www.facebook.com/heather.faaborg

Marcy Roll http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadPeeps

Carla Fry http://www.instagram.com/carlafrycreations

Renetha Stanziano https://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Krafty Max http://www.kraftymax.net

Tina Hemr http://instagram.com/mariecaroldesigns

Kelly Rodgers http://beadinblacknblue.blogspot.com

Shannon Luthy https://www.facebook.com/BeYoutifulBeads207/

Marianne Baxter http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadpeeps

Heather Canepa http://www.instagram.com/canepaheather

Sue wagner https://www.facebook.com/SueZeeBracelets/

Deborah Apodaca http://www.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com

Barbara Harbuck http://www.facebook.com/groups/beadPeeps

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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 Instagram or Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
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2019 Swap N Hop Intro post - #5!!!!!

Well friends - here we are again - time for another intro for another partner for the Swap N Hop. It's like the 1st day of school for me - filled with so much excitement, wonder as to what I'll send and receive, what we'll end up making....just an EXCITING time of the year for me. 


You can see my IG feed here:

http://www.instagram.com/cherryOnTopDesign 


I find myself posting my newest pieces on Instagram, as I'm working to build my following there and hopefully open up some new business opportunities. 

FINALLY!  I have a prettied up Brand, new biz cards, new sign, new earring cards...the hole bit!  I've enjoyed revamping my brand to make it more....elegant.  I'm hoping to step up my game this year, by introducing a higher end line, as well as my regular stuffs.  I'm hoping to reach a little higher price point, customer.  So - we'll see how that goes.  It's gonna be a risk...but hopefully one that will pay off!  


1. Why or how did you get started in making jewelry?

I got into jewelry by way of a craft show.  I purchased a beautiful necklace for a family member for $38.  The next week, I saw the same vendor at another show and mentioned that I had purchased a similar piece the week before.  Her response was that they "got some more in".  I thought "I thought you made it"?  A few days later, while at a big box store, I see the same pendant for $4.99.

I went home and found a "how to make jewelry class" that night.  As they say...the rest is history =)  ------> that's my first piece ever 

2. What style(s) of jewelry do you like to make?

It's really important to me that pieces are versatile, so that you can wear it with many outfits vs just 1 piece in your wardrobe.  I love color and I'm trying to start incorporating other materials in to my typical type pieces.  For example: Using fish leather in the necklace on the right.   

3. What materials do you prefer to use (and which ones do you avoid)? 
Typically, I'll use anything from handcrafted lampwork beads, to Swarovski pearls and crystal, to bits and bobs of fabric, to beads purchased at big box stores, beads from tradeshows and anything else I find interesting.  I like things that are unique - be it in color, style, size, shape, sparkle...something interesting.  AND I'm kinda obsessed with handmade beads, right now.  I've also been playing with Patina paints and loving every.second.of.it! =)  

Generally, I avoid seed beads and anything that generally just doesn't appeal to me (seriously, no aventurine).

4. Which techniques do you prefer (and are there any that you don't like)?
I like to make many styles of jewelry.  I consider myself a stringer, first and foremost.  I've done pearl knotting, kumihimo, wire crochet, play with resin, some painting and some basic wire work.   

I don't do bead weaving of any sort or anything involving heat.  So, no soldering, lampworking or anything like that....I sure love the pieces - just don't make them. 

 




 


5. What colors do you use most, and which do you run screaming from?

I  love working with color.  When making a piece versatile, having more colors involved tends to make something easier to wear with many things.  I typically lean to silvers and coppers for metals.  I'd also say that anything with rainbow colors is VERY difficult for me to pass up. ;)  

I've realized that making pieces with 1 color are REALLY tough for me.  Someone suggested I make a black necklace.  I didn't (and still don't know) where to start.  I want to add color! Can't win 'em, all right?



Some other random trivia: 
- I'm a Christian and hope that my light shines bright  each day
- I'm a night owl - that's when I feel the most creative
- I've been in 3 different magazines with 4 published pieces
- I get to babysit 2 of my favorite little people from time to time - they're the BEST!
- I love cherries -  not the flavor - but the shape.  (my biz name is cherryontopdesign) =)
- My favorite shirts are either a deep royal blue or a teal green
- I prefer white chocolate over milk and DEF over dark
- I love to cook and bake - I don't like to clean up the mess ;)
- I'm a pretty decent photographer
- I love PJs and fun socks - I wear them most of the day....every day.
- I've had major health issues for over 15 years
- I'm often the 1%...99% of people have no issues.... I'm the 1% who does =) 
- I love to laugh.....alot.
- I LOVE board games
- I love to plan an awesome party!


Linda

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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 Instagram or Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
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