Creative Spark! WOOHOO!

Hey Y'all - Now that some of the excitement of the next issue of Creative Spark has simmered a bit - I thought I'd crank it up again. =)  As a reminder: Creative Spark is an E-mag featuring products from ZNetShows.  They have just redone their website and it's ON FLEEK!!  SOOO much better than the previous version - WOW!

This time, I was chosen to make some jewelry - Hooray!  I got to play with their sea glass tubes, their NEW 3x2mm crystals and their AWESOME sea glass nuggets!




You can see MY pieces, below the magazine - including their item codes so YOU can check out the exact pieces I used (and get some for yourself!)

My necklace design came very quickly to me.  I love the idea of the tubes swelling and contracting around the neck.  The crystals were the perfect addition, to add just a touch of sparkle and interest.  One thing I did find, is that the small tubes may require smaller headpins.  They are tiny little holes.  I absolutely LOVE the piece and when it's on - it's even more fun and interesting.

Necklace codes:

RS274-47AB     Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle Beads faceted 47AB-Opaque Sky Blue AB (about 150-pc-str) 
RS274-46AB     Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle Beads faceted 46AB-Opaque Blue Opal AB (about 150-pc-str)  
RS274-43AB     Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle Beads faceted 43AB-Opaque Seafoam Green AB (about 150-pc-str)
S93-B01     Cultured Sea Glass tube Beads 01-Crystal (strand length 8 inches)       14x4mm
S81-B01     Cultured Sea Glass tube Beads 01-Crystal (strand length 8 inches)       about 9x4mm
S92-B01 - Cultured Sea Glass tube Beads about 6x4mm 01-Crystal (strand length 8 inches) 

The bracelet started as a much different idea, but in the end, I love the way that it turned out.  I used the nuggets as a starting point.  When I think of sea glass, I always think of pearls - so I added a sweet little strand of pearls - but it was still missing something.  So, I went to my supply of ribbons and found some lovely, soft and wispy yellow silk, to add.  The silk kind of ties everything together and adds a touch of whimsy to the piece. 

Bracelet codes:
S38-B39     Cultured Sea Glass nugget Beads 39-Periwinkle Changes -periwinkle blue color (7-pc-str)
S38-B84     Cultured Sea Glass nugget Beads 84-Lemon (7-pc-str)
S38-B88     Cultured Sea Glass nugget Beads 88 - Light Aqua `Coke` bottle Seafoam (7-pc-str)
S38-B06     Cultured Sea Glass nugget Beads 06-Blossom Pink (7-pc-str)

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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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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
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com (You are here)
Natalie	Davidson	http://www.northshoredays.com
Marcy	Lamberson	http://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com
Kathy	Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Dita	Basu	Http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Andrea	Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Kristina	Peck	http://tealeavesandtinyhats.blogspot.com/
Shai	Williams	http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Catherine	La Vite	http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/
Christina	Hickman	http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
gloria	allen	http://wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
Teresa	Schurter	http://treezstreazurs.com/
Maria Rosa	Sharrow	http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Susan	Kelly	http://mimismilesdesigns.blogspot.com
Jenny	Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Michelle	McCarthy	http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Terry Jeanette	Carter	http://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com
Lee	Koopman	http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Laurie	Vyselaar	https://lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Marianne	Baxter	http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Divya	N	http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Kelly	Hosford Patterson	http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Johana	Nunez	http://www.artincendi.com
Kari	Asbury	http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog
ROBIN	REED	http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Kristina	Hahn Eleniak	http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Robin Lynne	Showstack	http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Rosantia	Petkova	http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Claire	Fabian	http://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Inge	von Roos	https://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Rachel	Mallis	http://mintmonarch.com
Sam	Waghron	http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Lori	Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Fay	Wolfenden	http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
SEEDERS
Suse	Stelljes	http://pearlify.blogspot.de
Ginger	Bishop	http://www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Nelly	May	http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
REbecca	White	http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/
sheila	Prosterman	http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Catherine	King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
PALLAVI	ASHER	http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/
Krafty	Max	http://kraftymax.net
Renetha	Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Becky	Pancake	http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Katy	Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/
Deborah	Apodaca	http://deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Heather	Richter	http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Tami	Norris	https://tamisdesigns.wordpress.com
Brandy	Scozzari	http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com
Catherine	King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Kathleen	Breeding	https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW/
Veralynne	Malone	http://veradesigns.blogspot.com
Bobbie	Rafferty	http://beadsong.blogspot.com
Lori	Blanchard	http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com

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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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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.

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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 #42 - More Scarabaeus Green - OOooOoo

Umm...what'd you say?  Scar-a who?  And what's that got to do with earrings?  Glad you asked. =)

Swarovski has released their latest line of products, and included is a new color called Scarabaeus [skar-uh-bee-uh s] green.  It's an INCREDIBLE new color that's been inspired by.......

Copyright http://www.masterandmargarita.eu/

you guessed it.....the scarabaeus beetle.  Isn't it interesting?  God's creation just makes me swoon - it's so incredible!

The color is amazing and has green, blue, and purple..... and really you could use it with most anything.  I've been having fun with it - I used it 2 weeks ago for the purple and copper earrings (you can see here:http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/2015/10/week-38-39-and-40-from-sea-to.html ) and this week, I've used them with some teal pearls and silver bead caps.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the versatility of these beads.  (I've made other things too, which you'll see soon)

I have a feeling that this color is gonna show up in a looooooot of my pieces.  We'll see though!  I can't wait to keep playing with it! 

What do you think?   Hot or not so much?


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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 #41 - Custom Order Earrings - woot!

Something many folks know about me, is that I lived in the DC area for 13+ years of my life.  It was perhaps, the most amazing time in my life.  I LOVED living there.....the things to do, the incredible chances to see things that most don't get to see, the memorials and monuments, the history, the closeness of big city life and above all these things - the friendships I developed there are some the strongest and longest lasting, in my life. 



When I first moved to DC, I got involved in a small group Bible study where I met some AH-MAZ-ING women.  We did life together.  Meaning, if someone had an UP we ALL had an UP, if someone had a down.....we all had a down.  It was an incredible group of women and a few of them are still my friends.  This group truly was a portrait of #friendsAreFamilyYouChoose .  I had the honor of staying with one of them, for my latest trip to DC.  (I FINALLY got my things moved across the country! WOOHOO!)  While there, my gal pal saw these earrings and said......

"OH I love them! But they just aren't my color.  Could you make them in silver?"  OF COURSE! =) 


SO - I present to you....week #41 - in *Silver*.  They feature Swarovski crystals in lovely shades of blue and I even added in a special bead that will pick up purples, greens and yellows, too!  *so proud* I wanna make a pair for myself! LOL!

Which do YOU prefer?  Silver? Copper?  Can't wait to hear your thoughts!



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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 #34 - Fun with Fibers!

Whatdya get when you take 1 girl who has 52  pairs of earrings to make, a package of bead caps and some wool?  A pair of earrings that include bead caps and wool. =) duh! ;)


Somewhere out my brain, I thought to myself "Self, what if you took some ribbon or something and wrapped it around a round frame? That'd look kinda cool"  Enter bead caps that I'd ordered from an online store, with some sweet fuschia Swarovski cubes and BLAM! HOT EARRINGS! =)
In all actuality, I was inspired by this photo from Munsinger Gardens, here in St. Cloud, MN.  I love the color of the purple plants and was excited to find my Swarovski crystal and wool matched!

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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 #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?


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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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JSBArts Beach Blog Hop

Hello Dear Friends - Please excuse my tardy entry.  You don't wanna know and frankly - who needs excuses? Right?

So, a few weeks ago, I received some hand crafted, one of a kind beads from Shawna Barnes of JSB Arts. Her theme was Summer Lovin'!

 TOTALLY exciting!  I love EVERY.THING. beach so I was ALL OVER this! =)

I will say - I was VERY challenged with this round.  For a couple of reasons - personal reasons, as you see above and I really had no.idea. what to do with the beads I was sent.  They were in colors I wasn't expecting, so it really took me a while to kinda think through how *I* could make them shine.

What I received - sweet beads and some silk

After thinking long and hard.... I decided to go with some gorgeous beach colored glass beads I had.  I loved that they helped bring the neutral color of the designer beads, up to a beachy look.  I, also, found some GORGEOUS Amazonite that tied all the colors together.

Now, to figure out how to put it together.... I could just string it - but why?  Does jewelry cable really help the design?  Not really.  So, I went through my drawer of goodness and found some beautiful green/tealy waxed linen cording that was PERFECTION!  I have never used it, so in keeping with another challenge I've issued myself, to continue learning and trying new products during challenges, I dug in.  =)

It took me 3 tries to FINALLY get it to where I liked it, the knots worked well together, even spacing etc.... but I fell in love with it.  Pretty proud, indeed!

My piece - ceramic beads, glass beads, Amazonite, bead caps and a gorgeous anchor charm

Details of handmade beads and cute linen in between

If I were to do it again, I'd have made the knots a bit bigger, but otherwise - very proud of this bracelet and am VERY excited to wear it!



Thank you, Shawna for putting this together!. Check out some of my friends work here:

To see more of Shawna's components available for purchase, please see her Artisan Component Marketplace store.

Linda A. - http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
Kelly P. - http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Wendy S. - http://dragonflydreamers.blogspot.ca/
Lori S. - http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Shaiha W.  - http://www.shaihasramblings.com
Carolyn - http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Debbie E. - https://www.facebook.com/designsbydebbi

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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 #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*

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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 #28 - Ode to Bead Caps

This week has been a little cray-cray for me.  Haven't really felt myself and really haven't felt the urge to make jewelry so this week's installment is a pair that I made a few weeks ago, but made some others I liked more - so these got pushed back a bit.  =)

After intentionally making 28 pairs of earrings, and looking all over for inspiration, something I noticed in other people's work - but not mine - was bead caps.  Those little things that can add a little pizzazz, when used right or can make you go "huh?" when used wrong.  I've been kinda scared of them, mostly because I felt like each time I used them.....it was "huh? that looks awful. remove"  In the interest of the Year project, I know that this is something I need to get comfortable with and stretch myself in to using.  As a friend said "bead caps can make pieces that are "pretty" in to "pretty AMAZING"" So, here's my first - intentional attempt at using bead caps.  (Yes, I used them in the gushers earrings - but that was more of a trial and error) 

Would love to hear your thoughts!  Cute little, hot pink glass rounds with bright silver bead caps on top and bottom - accented with silver daisies and a silver ball at the top.

Catch the next pair of earrings - as they too - will be using bead caps.  Mixed bright and antique silver - oooooooooo!


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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 #25 - Playing with Wire

Hello Hello!  Week 25 - I can't believe I've stuck with it this long. LOL! =)  I've been REALLY trying to push myself and not making wimpy little designs that I've always made.  I took this challenge on, to really push myself and grow....which I think I am.  

This week's installment is courtesy of me playing with wire, again.  Just some simple circles (hahahaha - simple? hardly!) and some GORGEOUS color-changing Alexandrite Champagne Swarovski crystals on top.  Alexandrite Champagne changes based on the light..... you can see kinda a smokey blue on top and the bottom is more purple....I LOVE these color changers....ESPECIALLY with copper.  The champagne color REALLY looks beautiful with the copper.  SO - here we are....week 25!

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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 #24 - Sweet Simplicity

 A few weeks ago, I learned that a local bead shop was closing.  I'd never been to this bead shop, but figured it was high time I go.  Sadly, it was an INCREDIBLE shop!  One of the best I've seen in the midwest!  They had everything from Semi-Precious stones, to seed beads, to quality tools, to Swarovskis, books, magazines, czech beads - EVERY.THING. you can imagine - they carried. 

This may or may not be the entire stash of things I purchased - ;)

While I was shopping, I picked up some wire (ok - alot of wire) and some new tools - including a hammer, bench block, liver of sulfer (which I haven't used yet), some new pliers....all kinds of goodies.  My first project using these supplies - is this week's pair of earrings. 

Somewhere I came up the idear to wrap wire around seed bead viles - what a cool idea!  So, these earrings came from that experimenting.  They're made of copper and have Swarovski Crystal AB rondelle's on top.  Sweet. Simple. Beautiful.

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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 #21 - Phone It In

So, while YOU are seeing this lovely posting - *I* am on my way back from PUERTO RICO!!  my bff's husband wanted to do something AMAZING for her upcoming birthday - and he decided that *I* would be that something amazing!  SO - we're all heading to PR - we're meeting up in Chicago, since that's where they live - and going together.  He's got a work conference down there - so our hotel is "free" to us - so an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING chance to see my bff AND an INCREDIBLE part of the US! =)

So, this week's pair of earrings are bright and bold - just like Puerto Rico!  They feature handmade glass rounds with a plethora of fun dots.  The bottom charms are pieces I made, handpainted - with resin - on wood - so they are SUPER lightweight!  They're bright, fun and BEAUTIFUL! 
 

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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 #19 - Sweetly Swirly

This week's installment is brought to you by Czech glass and some fun new beads! =)

I'm still kinda in love with Czech beads and just can't seem to get enough of them! 

I also, added something new for me - bead caps.  I'm learning that bead caps can add some texture and depth to earrings, so thought I'd give them a whirl this week. 

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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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It's the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop TA-DA! Party!

  Welcome to the #BeadPeepsSwap N Hop!!

 Wooooweeeee!  What an INCREDIBLE few months!

Just to recap:

In January the Bead Peeps Team sent out a challenge to those in our group to pair folks who signed up, with a partner....exchange beads.....make something.....and then all post on the same date, what we made.  Quite a CHALLENGE!

As the hostess, it was something I've never done before and it was certainly an adventure for me.  But more on that another day.  The task at hand is - soooo....what'd ya make?

Lemme introduce my partners again:

Because I was the hostess, when I was finished matching everyone I had 1 gal left over.  So, I took her as an extra partner - and boy am I glad I did!

I had Marica of Bead Lovelies who happens to live in Malta. (An island nation off the coast of Sicily)  She creates polymer clay components and makes beautiful jewelry!
 
You can find her here, too:
http://www.facebook.com/beadlovelies
http://pinterest.com/beadlovelies
http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadlovelies
Blog: http://beadlovelies.com

 AND

Jessica lives in Alaska.  She has a family of 6 children (#6 was born during the challenge!) and they are gold miners. She is a lampworker, metal worker and jewelry designer.

Here's what we went sent each other:

(Please note: You may click on any photo to enlarge it)

From Marica:

A sampling of the beads she sent + some suede cording

Yeah - these went into the "Private Collection"

To Marica:

From Jessica:

To Jessica:

Here are the final pieces:

Piece #1
This is the first piece I made of the 3.  This was a real struggle AND triumph for me.  So, as the hostess, I had a REALLY good reason for choosing Marica.... while we both have outstanding personalities and can really mess with each other in good fun, we have VERY different styles.  She's earthy and clay-y, while I'm more....Rainbow Bright.  So, while I figured she'd be a *fun* partner, I knew it'd be a SERIOUS challenge for me. (I had *NO IDEA* how much of a challenge I'd face!)

Being someone who works in bright colors, opening my package to see brown, copper, tan and khaki with a pinch of gold and green thrown in - nearly made me cry.  What the flim-flam would I do with THAT?!?!

I sat on it - for a looooong time.  I'd pull them out.... mix and match this and that....put them away.  I'd pull them out....mix and match this and that.....put them away.  You get the idea. I consulted friends, who offered great suggestions!  I just couldn't get "into" it.  (I realized I was trying to match the accent gorgeous seafoam green accent color on the tiki - nearly impossible when you're purchasing online) Until one day, it finally hit me!

Tiki's are typically found around beaches...... how's about some amazonite?  JACKPOT!  I pulled those babies out, put them with the STUNNING little copper, fire polish beads Marica had sent and WHAM! I have a piece!  Except.  It's heavy.  REALLY heavy - both in physical weight and in visual weight.  Curses!

So, I kept the 1 side of the amazonite and started playing with the other goodies she sent me, including the little jaspers and glass bicones.  The lampwork beads added just enough visual weight to make it PERFECTION! (there were a few other iterations as well, but I won't bore you with the details)  DINGDINGDING We HAVE A WINNER!  So, now you see..... piece #1. (And I pretty much LOVE IT!)

Asymmetric piece with Marica's Tiki head

Details (Click to enlarge)

Piece #2
I REALLY wanted to use some more of the beads Marica had sent.  She sent quite a large bag of the little round jaspers.  So, I set out to make a multistrand piece - mostly because they are beautiful and frankly - a challenge.  I played and played and played.  I didn't want the spacers to be all copper, since the other piece I made was all copper - so I pulled out some seed beads (gasp!) that were a free gift, in all different metals and alternated them.  It gave the piece mixed metals, and added a little drama.

I used one of the clasps that she had sent (which I think is tre-chic!) in the leaf shape. So, I wanted something that would compliment it, on the other side. The acorn was a piece I had in my stash and thought it went really well with the leaf shape of the other clasp, so the acorn it was (hey - kinda earthy - huh?).  And yes - you can detach the necklace part and use as a bracelet.  BOOM!

Jessica's Piece!

Jessica's package was also, quite a challenge for me.  I had chosen Jessica for several reasons...1. I thought it was AMAZING that she lives in Alaska 2. We have a very common thread of faith that runs through us 3. She just seemed like a sweetly cool chick.  

As I mentioned earlier, Jessica is a metal smith, lampworker and dabbles in many other things that have to do with fire.  I was QUITE excited when my package arrived from Alaska.  So VERY cool!  

I think my largest challenges with this package was that it's asymmetric (as we have seen earlier, I've not done anything like that before) and featured both opaque AND transparent glass.  It's tough to mix the 2 different types and get a great result.  SO, I had to figure out something that would speak to both the opaque heavy and the transparent lightness.

I thought long and hard about this one. I had this idea to use some of the connection pieces that I've started making, and see if somehow I could tie everything together with them.   SHOCKINGLY, I had already purchased the colors that happened to be in her piece!  So, I set out to make different shapes and sizes that would compliment and tie the shapes and colors together.  Each is hand painted (including the flowers to mimic her piece), hand resined and I punched the pieces with my new handy-dandy itty bitty hole puncher.  I've never made a piece like this and I've NEVER made (or used) a 3 way connector before.

I'm REALLY proud of this piece and LOVE how it came out!

Jessica MADE the focal bead

The whole piece

Overall - I'm SO PROUD of myself for rising to the challenges.  One thing, that's been REALLY important to ME with these challenges, is that I learn something new with each one.  I feel like I'm robbing myself of the experience, if I don't do something new to me.  Beyond that, it helps me to feel comfortable trying something out of the box and not being afraid to fail and try again.  THAT is why I love challenges like this.  You NEVER know what you're going to learn and how you're going to be stretched.

I pray that the rest of you pushed yourselves, tried something new, branched out and that most of all - you had a GREAT experience!  THANK YOU for playing along with me!  See you next winter for Round #2!  Don't forget to check out your partner's blog and comment on it!  =)

Your Fearless Leader!,
Linda

Check out all my friends who participated!

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2015  Partner List    Our Hostess: Linda Anderson from http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com (You are HERE) Marica Zammit http://www.beadlovelies.com Jessica Hocutt https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com Kristina Hahn Eleniak http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com Debbie Jeffries http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/ Shalini Austin http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/ Catherine La Vite http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com Annica Larsson http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/ Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/ Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com Mowse Doyle http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com Fay Wolfenden http://torchfairy.blogspot.com Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/ Claire Fabian http://saraccino.blogspot.de/ Janice Warden Bergeron http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com Deb Fortin http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca Inge von Roos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com Karen Mitchell http://overthemoon-design.com Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com Marie Covert http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/ Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca Nan Smith http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca Johana Nunez http://artincendi.com Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/ Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com Sue  Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com Shai Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com Niky Sayers http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com Candida Castleberry http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com Erin Guest http://www.renlish.com Nicole Rennell http://nicolerennell.com/blog Ien Temaluru http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com Robin Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/ Sam Waghorn http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk Marianne Baxter http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com Elsie Deliz-Fonseca http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.com Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com Jayne Capps http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com Marti Conrad http://artisancomponentmarketplace.com/martisbuttonsandbeads/2015/03/20/bead-peeps-blog-hop/ Tina Bosh http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/(Injured reserve) Eleanor Thomas http://woolywireetc.blogspot.com Jeanne Steck http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com Gloria Allen http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com Rachel Mallis http://www.mintmonarch.com/#!blog/c1jlz Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/ Stephanie Stamper http://skwds.blogspot.com Chris Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com Betony Maiden http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/ Kari Asbury http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/ Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/ Colleen Foley http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/ Marcy Lamberson http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com Dyanne Everett-Cantrell http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com Ginny Lones http://www.Skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com Maria Rosa Sharrow http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com Loretta Carstensen http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com Dolores Raml http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com Louise McCormick-Glazier http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/(Injured reserve) Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com Tammy Adams http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/ Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com Seed Beaders Susanne Stelljes http://pearlify.blogspot.de Sheila Prosterman http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com Pallavi Asher http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/ Jami Shipp http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com Peggy Kosier http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/ Andra Weber http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com Krafty Max http://kraftymax.com Sierra Barrett http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com Lois Sherwood http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com Katy Heider http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com Rebecca Robertson   (White) http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/ Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com Brandy Collier http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com Stephanie Haussler http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com Kathleen Breeding http://99bobotw.blogspot.com Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/ Tami Norris https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/ Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/ Peggy Johnson http://charmbarn.blogspot.com

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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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