Friday, December 18, 2015

Earrings Everyday ~ December Challenge.

Erin is calling it the "CRAFTERMATH"
what is left over after creating.
We're All Ears Challenge
In the words of  Popeye,
"That's all I can stands, cuz I can't stands it's n'more.
This is embarriskin'!  Ahh gagaga!"
Image found on Google
Is there no end to this madness?
By accepting the challenge I put a dent in
 the inevitable cleanup. Yeah! 
And made some earrings! Win Win!
I actually have 3 more piles of inspiration.
Possible second ABS creation so....
 I'm not going to share that just yet.
Plus it's ... Embarriskin'! Ahh gagaga!
 I started bagging up some possibilities.
This is what I made.
8 bagged,  but only Six  made it to the finish.
Glass Window Dandles
Czech Hoops
 Stone and Czech Dangles
Frosted Dangles
 Leafy Fall Dangles
African/Greek Dangles

Thanks for stopping by and looking if you would like to see more 
Leftover Creations click the link here.


Monday, December 7, 2015

ABS December Challenge

PARIS
by
Maria Helena Vieira do Silva
1951
For more details about the Artist and the paintings check out this
For this month's challenge 
I had local bead maker and friend
Katherine Thompson, 
Custom make some faceted PC rondelle beads 
in the soft clay colors of the painting. 
She went above and beyond creating 3 tones.

I also selected from here plethora of metal finding this 
Heart link and Pendant with a subtle embossed grid.
I easily turned the heart link ono a clasp 
with my own recycled copper staple fashioned into a hook.

(The pendant is still on the bead board,
waiting for just the right idea.)

Paired her beads with the bead I won from 
Heather Wynn Millican of Swoondimples.
I went through several design layouts before I settled on this one.
Adding just a few pops of the yellow like the painting.
Even the rusty orange with the silk ribbon.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Cluster Pearl & Crystal Necklace.

I had Great Fun 
putting this together.
 Soft Lavender and Champagne Pearls
were personally selected by the customer.
Loads of Crystals with a mix of 
silver and gold plated findings.

SOLD

Friday, November 27, 2015

TTBS November Challenge

Any Book Served for this Month's Challenge.
Any book Except a Craft/ Beading Book.
I went for a Book on one of my Favorite things...
Chocolate.
It's been said it's practically a vegetable!
Good to eat any time of day!
No need for Apologies....
Oh No, not when it comes to Chocolate!
I made a tasty Chocolate Truffle Bracelet.
 Dark Chocolate Truffles
Image found on Google

So Delishous you maybe tempted to eat it...(wink)
Warning: Not to be left out around little Children.
 Dark Chocolate Truffles
Image found on Google
Going Going.... 
GONE!

Saturday, November 21, 2015

November ABS Challenge

 Autumn Flowers
By  Marguerite Zorach 
1940
Was this months challenge inspiration for more details 
about the challenge and the artist check out this link.
I had a lot of fun playing with this color palate.
Doing my best to mimic the leaves and the colors.
Got the tools out to saw off the key to turn it into a link. 
Got the drill out to make another hole.
 I had to re-enamel the key link since the heat created 
by my drilling melted my first time enameling it.
No biggy.

Friday, November 20, 2015

Earrings Everyday - November Challenge

Seed Pods were this month's Challenge theme.


For more details about this month's challenge
Check out Erin's Post's
This is what I came up with
These Czech beads always reminded me of big seeds.
The shape and tops of these Czech Beads
 reminded me of the poppy pods
And while I was looking for findings,
 I came across theses  copper beads...
which  remind me of 
Poppy pods as well.

By default it looks like I am drawn to the 
Poppy pod shape the most.
Thank You for another Fun Challenge Erin!

Friday, October 16, 2015

Earrings Everyday ~ October Challenge

Fashion designs by Monique Lhuiller
served as this month's inspiration.
To learn more about
 this month's challenge click here.
For me I was drawn to the model in the middle.
How could I combine that edgeness with the lace.
I had purchase some Vintaj blanks 
the looked like shirts. I cut off the sleeves.
embossed them and alcohol inked them.
Then covered them with black lace.
Topped them off with a matt bordeaux  pearl.
and used a matt black lever backs.

Want to see what the other designers 
came up with click here.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

OTTBS - September Challenge

The Subject matter was Whatever the Weather.
I had made this bracelet and sold it.
I had a few beads that were left over
that needed to be made
 into earrings
Perfect timing for the challenge.
Want to see the what the other 
designers came up with? 
Click HERE.

Lima Beads Beads Rocks!

So many times we complain when we 
receive bad customer service and rightly so.
I want to share with you a company that gets it right!
Lima Beads.
I recently wrote them this complaint:

271043... My recent order..two of the 
Tangerine Recycled Glass Small 
Freeform Drop 6-12x11-15mm
 have cracks..from the hole to the edge of the bead.
 I know it is not a lot of money..but they are un-usable.
 What are the chances you could send replacements?
 I had planned to use them for earrings.
Thanks Terri Gauthier

This is their quick response:


Hi Terri,
Oh no! We are so sorry about this! 
Unfortunately they are now out of stock 
so I am unable to send replacements.
 I've refunded your credit card for the cost of them. 
PLease, no matter the cost, 
always let us know when you receive a broken 
or unusable item. 
We want to make sure that you are able to enjoy
 and use the items you've paid for. 
Please let us know if you have any more 
questions or concerns.
Kind regards,
Jen

Thursday, September 24, 2015

ABS September Challenge Part II

I randomly won  a $20 gift certificate from
 Heather of Swoondimples.
You can find her beads for sale on Lima Beads
 and her Etsy shop.
 Life is a little crazy for Heather right now
 ...she is in the process of moving.
So there was a bit of a delay getting  the beads out to me.
So she generously sent extras.
She didn't have to but I'm so glad she did.
I had selected the love bravely bead
especially because of the neutral color. 
Sure that I would be able to use it in an 
upcoming ABS Challenge.
Here is the inspiration piece again
for this month
and this is what I created
The Gaea beads represent the reflection
 of the clouds in the pond.
the Czech glass rondells ...the water.
The ceramic red orange the curtains.
The silk green ribbon  the tree.
all of these surrounding Heather's lovely 
statement bead.

THANK YOU SO MUCH
Heather!

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

How Did You Know?


Have you ever wanted something and thought,
 " I would like to have one of those."
"I think I would use that."
So it was with my friends electric kettle.
Heats water up lickity split.
Then it seemed I was seeing them everywhere.
 BBC programs and Bollywood movies I was watching.
What!?
I must of been living under a rock.
Oh well...I guess in the end it doesn't
matter when or how you discover it.
So I started checking them out.
What style and features would I want to get ?
I happen to mention to Debbie that I would like
 to get one... seemed like a few days ago.
Serendipity!
She found one at the Flea market hardly even used.
and it matched my (current) Coffee maker.
Lately, I've been draw to red appliances.
What an unexpected  swap. 
I had planned to gift her with some fall greenery
from my floral stash that she wanted for this display.
and  to surround a glass centerpiece
for her dinning room table.
(not pictured)

I had no idea that she had a gift for me too!
Hmm how did you know, Debbie?
It is just what I wanted!

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!
I just Love it!!

Friday, September 18, 2015

Earrings Everyday ~ September Challenge

Earrings Everyday September Challenge was
 all about the line and movement.
You might want to hop over and check out
 the video for this months inspiration.
I picked the circular motion.
Who doesn't like hoop earring.
Hoop! Hoop!
Added these
Rhinestone heart sliders 
for the spot of light.
Curious to see what the other 
designers came up with

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

September ABS Challenge

September ABS Challenge 
View of the Pond 
by  Vanessa Bell
1919
She was taught by and admired John Singer Sargent.
I had the privilege of viewing his work 
many many years ago at the DIA.
To find out more about Vanessa and her influences
click here.
I was thrilled by the color palate of this painting.
Even more thrilled that I had some Art beads
 that seemed to go with the 
color and feel of the painting.
Suzi Q Bracelet bar and Gaea beads.
The Gaea beads  I used represent the pond,
the greenery, and the inside wall. 
Paired them with misc. Czech glass,
 faceted green Advent.
and antique brass findings.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Spring 2016 Color Forcast

What new Pantone Colors for Spring 2016
float your boat?




s/s 2016 women's art for trend theme: color bomb mood:

Friday, September 4, 2015

Altered Keys

I've been playing around with
 Cabinet keys lately. Altering them
with what I would call Faux-nameling.
Because these are not done with the torch fired 
method to enamel.
Maybe some day I will get into to that but
 for now this technique works for me.
 Here I have glued two of them together 
to make one hefty pendant.
And if it flips to the other side no big deal.
 I like how the color variations give
 the keys a new look.
 The color combos are endless.
 These Pinkish ones remind me of Spring
This pair reminds me of  a Monet Painting
 These remind me of the Amazing Cosmos
 A serene Summer day!
A few of these babies are now listed
 in my Etsy Shop.