Thursday, March 29, 2012

Starting over again



"Live a life you're proud of and if you need to, have the strength to start all over again."

 

I haven't been able to post much lately, as over the last month, life has gotten in the way. I decided to end my engagement and have moved to my own apartment. Although this has been on the hardest decisions I have ever made, I know that it is the right one. I am nervous, of course, but also very excited for my new start.


My apartment is a jewelers dream! With loads of space for shelving and lots of beautiful windows that let in so much natural light. Right now, most of my things are still in boxes, but I can't wait till I can share photos of my new studio space with you!





Here is a little teaser of the necklace I made for the upcoming Bead Swap Blog Hop. I've had such a blast working with the beads Kerri sent me, so be sure to come back on the 1st for the reveal!


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Challenges that lie ahead.

I've joined, not one, but two more challenges for next month. A lot for me to handle? Yes, but I really enjoy these because they force me to try new things, and in the past I have learned a lot each time I've participated. So in book, that makes them well worth it :)




The first challenge is very similar to the Bead Soup Blog Party, only this one is being hosted by the talented Keri of Pink Lemonade. Keri also happens to be my partner for the bead swap! She sent me the most beautiful beads and her own handmade copper focal pieces and clasp. Everything arrived in this cute little suitcase box with her little note, "Have fun creating!". How could I not with all of these amazing beads!






Here is a great picture, taken by Keri, of the beads I sent her.



I am also participating in a challenge hosted by Lorelei Eutro. This is a different challenge, in that each of the 10 participants received a pair of handmade lampwork headpins. The color and style were a surprise. What makes these headpins so unique and challenging is that they have a ball-style end. Confused now? I think I know just what to do with this beauties though!



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Art Beads on a Budget Vol. II


For my 5th Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal, please click here.

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Good morning!
Today, I bring you the second installment of Art Beads on a Budget! Enjoy!




Saturday, March 3, 2012

Soup's up!

Welcome to my Bead Soup Blog Party reveal!

Here is a little refresher of the beautiful beads I received from my blog soup partner, Shannon of For My Sweet Daughter.
 


The first necklace I put together features the porcelain pendant (by Marsha Neal) and the picture jasper rounds sent to me by Shannon. I used rose quartz, mauve glass pearls and green Czech glass beads from my own stash. As well as a glass flower bead and silver toned leaf to layer on the pendant. The two strands are finished with large sterling silver chain and lobster claw clasp.



It seems every Bead Soup round, I am given a new metal to work with as a challenge. Last time it was gold and this time I got to work with Vintaj brass. I love the color of this toggle, but I don’t actually have anything else to match, only silver.  I hunted through some old jewelry and long forgotten beads, but it wasn’t until I picked up a pile of fabrics that I saw exactly what I needed. On an old shirt, sewn around the collar, were these round brass disks. I pulled a few off (which I’m assuming was the plan all along) and found they matched the toggle almost perfectly! I used a mix of coral and brown colored beads with Amazonite, then added an old skeleton key and a large amazonite pendant to the clasp.



I had originally tried to pair the pendant with the clasp and make one necklace with my bead soup. I struggled for days to come up with something, but I couldn't see the design until I looked at the pieces separately.

Many thanks to Shannon for the beautiful beads. She also sent a pendant that she made herself! I wasn't able to complete a piece with it yet, but it is in the works! It might just be my favorite of them all.
Please, be sure to stop by her blog and see what she created with the Bead Soup I sent her!





  Complete List of Participants 
Hostess, Lori Anderson 
Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer
 
1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)
2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)
3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)
4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman
7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu
15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)
16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)
21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski
22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)
24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)
25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs
30.  Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter
 
32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)
33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)
37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)
39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)
41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)
43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday
45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)
48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent
54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)
55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)
65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)
66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)
76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)
78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)
80.  Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry
   
83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)
92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde
93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick
95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)
97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)
98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

Friday, March 2, 2012

{Simmering} Meet my soup partner!


For Lori Anderson's 5th Bead Soup Blog Party, I have been partnered with Shannon Chomanczuk of For My Sweet Daughter. I am so excited to be paired with such a talented artist! Check out some of her beautiful work below and then head over to her blog to see more :)  Don't forget to come back here tomorrow for the big reveal and blog hop!






This is the bead soup that I sent to Shannon. I  chose a color palette and style that I thought might be a challenge for her. I hope she enjoys it!


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