We're All Ears August Reveal

"USA Antelope-Canyon" by Lucas Löffler

Hi Blog I have missed you!!  Because of personal events, I haven't had a chance to stop in and visit lately so I was really excited when I saw this month's inspiration post for the We're All Ears challenge over at Earrings Everyday  If you have been following my blog for awhile, you may have seen these monthly challenges that start with a wonderful inspiration image and then all the participating artists post their pieces on the 3rd Friday of the month.   

The photo above is one of several beautiful photographs of Antelope Canyon that Erin chose for this month's inspiration here. These kinds of canyons are formed by thousands of years of weathering from wind and rain.   They are majestic and beautiful.   I true wonder right here in the USA.  Rock formations and canyons have always fascinated me, I would love to make it out West some day to get to experience such beautiful sites in person.

When it came time to design my earrings, I knew exactly what stones I wanted to use.  A few months ago,  I purchased two exquisite pieces of Red Creek Jasper from my favorite lapidary and I had been hoarding them until just the right pair of earrings called me.   They were perfect for this month's challenge!

Canyon Sunset by Forest of Jewels

Can you see the walls of the canyon weathered smooth by water in those beautiful stones?  Small gaps and outcrops changing the striations on the face?  I feel that they capture the theme of the challenge perfectly.   To finish off my design, I used Czech glass rondelles in shades of cream, brown and a touch of green.  The coloring in those beads also remind me of the canyon walls seen in the inspiration photo.  Tiny picasso finished Czech Druk beads add that little bit more of sandy earthiness to the design.   

Canyon Sunset Earrings

Thank you for stopping by and taking a peek at my earrings.  I always enjoy participating in these monthly challenges, hop on over to the Reveal Page to see what everyone else designed.   Have a great weekend!

 

Splendid Procession Challenge Reveal

Back in April, Designer Andrew Thornton announced his latest challenge, Splendid Procession.   He would post on his blog that his inspiration for the collection were Faeries.  He shared several wonderful pieces of art that fueled the inspiration and you can visit them here. Think of forests full of faeries celebrating in colorful costumes.  So much beauty that can be carried over into very special jewelry designs.

Here is a peek of some of the pretty beads included in the kit he sent:

Included in the selection are wonderful tourmaline chips, a vintage lucite flower, vintage seed beads, Czech glass, vintage German glass and dyed jade just to name a few of the yummies.

When I started designing the pieces for this challenge I was really excited.  The colors are different than what I usually work with and were rich and a bit bold for me.   It was an exciting challenge for me to sit with the beads and wait for them to tell me their story and come together in each piece.  Unfortunately, last week I had some personal sadness and I didn't get to finish making all the pieces I intended.  My service dog, Kellogg, passed away suddenly and I just haven't had my design mojo since then.   But,  I did successfully finish a few pieces before that, so I would like to share them with you.

My first piece uses Andrew's handmade mystery component as it's star.  He made a beautiful butterfly wing in rich shades of maroon and forest green.  I then used the tourmaline, many different pieces of the glass he included as well as a few crystals.   Imagine the Faerie Queen showing up wearing this special statement piece. 

My next piece used the wonderful flower.  I wanted it to be a focal piece in a necklace but I am also always trying to get out of my symmetrical head when I design for these challenges.  So I combined the best of both worlds.  The flower looks wonderful as the connector between some great gunmetal chain and the vintage green seed beads, wonderful burgundy faceted glass beads, and these fun leaf shaped glass pieces.   I can see one of the faeries dancing in the forest, moon light shining off the beads.

The young princess in the procession will be wearing a fun bracelet made up of lots of glass beads, quartz,vintage lucite,  Swarovski crystal and glittery seed beads.  A sweet little leaf dangles from the clasp. 

Finally, I of course had to make earrings or it just wouldn't be a challenge without one!  There were these wonderful pink pillowy squares in the collection of beads and I found the matching cube beads in the collection as well so I just had to pair them up with some of the vintage seed beads to make a romantic pair of summer earrings.  I love how the cubes are drilled asymmetrically for a great effect!

Thank you for stopping by and looking at my work.  As always, I enjoyed working with the beads and artisan made component Andrew included with this challenge.  On a personal note, if you have a special pet in your life give them a hug for me; it will make me smile.  

Stop by and visit the other designers participating in the challenge:

Alison Herrington

Michelle McCarthy

Tammy Bowman

Marybeth Rich

Ann Schroeder

Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, Nancy Noyes-Ward, Kathleen Enniss-Reid, Lisa Mendum, and Debbie Rogers
Shaiha. http://www.shaihasramblings.com/

Art of Awareness Blog Hop and Reveal

A couple of months ago, Lori McDaniel Anderson announced on her blog that she was hosting a blog hop that would be focusing on the awareness of a cause that was important to us.  Some people also might have used the blog hop as a way to remember someone special in their life or an event that may have been significant in their life.  To participate in the hop, we had to purchase at least one bead made by Heather Millican at swoondimples.  Heather even went out of her way to have a special stamp commissioned for the hop for those who wanted to use an awareness ribbon color for their bead.

When I heard about this hop, I knew right away that I wanted to participate.  Like most people, I have had my share of issues I deal with either personally or in my family.   So, while I sat down to decide what I wanted my bead to look like I actually had a bit of a challenge.  There were ribbon colors available from me to select, but to be honest I really didn't feel comfortable sitting down to my blog and telling the whole world about my health.   I never do that.   I am not comfortable opening up the windows and telling just anyone my personal details.  But, at the same time I wanted to honor myself, how strong I am and how I face the barriers that get in my way from time to time.  So how did I do that?  Let me give you a peek.

My bean bead doesn't have a ribbon on it, and it isn't pink for the reasons you might think.   Pink is my favorite color and it represents me.  I have friends that see pink items and immediately think of me.  :)  So of course my bead had to be pink!!  I wanted the piece of jewelry I designed to be fun and happy.  When I showed it to a friend she said it reminded her of balloons at a party and that was the look I was going for!  My bracelet is a celebration of my survival.  How brave I am and how special too.   Marybeth is great and no matter what she faces,  she can do so bravely.   

I am so happy with the way it came out.   I used light rose crystal rondelles, these fun resin beads with spikey crystals in them, frosted glass beads and finally little baby pink seed beads to make my memory wire bracelet.  

Please check out the stories of all the other participants on Lori's page because I am having technical difficulties with the list:

Art of Awareness Blog Hop

Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop Reveal

Today is the day!!!  I am so excited to share with you the wonderful creations I  made using some wonderful glass beads sent to me by my partner, Marcy Lamberson.   Here is a link to her blog so come check her out when you get the chance.   Marcy is an incredible glass artist (in fact I have since gone and bought more of her work because I just love her style)   Here is a look at all the wonderful beads she sent me to work with.

As you can see,  all of her beautiful gifts are sea related.  When I was checking out Marcy's Facebook page before we talked, I noticed that just a few days before the partners were announced she had been to visit my little rural spot of Florida!!!  What are the odds?  When we talked it was a great starting point for our getting to know you conversations.  While I live in the middle of the Withlacoochee State Forest,  I am also just 2 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.  So not only do I share a love for forests and trees, I have a deep love for water and the sea.  I often design based on water and sea themes and Marcy was kind enough to indulge my love of the water in the beads she sent.  Her work is incredible and the detail superb.  Even the back sides of her pieces are special.

My first design uses Marcy's beautiful shell bead.   If you were just looking at the bead you would not know it wasn't real.  It is the most detailed glass shell I have ever seen.   I created a Y necklace with it using pink cultured sea glass rounds, light rose crystal rondelles and the most delicious candy looking watermelon tourmaline.  This necklace just sings summer evening to me.   Here is a look at the shell from the back.  See how she carries the detail through her work?

My next design uses the really fun bead my son has called the mini aquarium and the sand dollar and scallop shell beads.

This necklace is just so much fun!!  The detail in the aquarium bead is really cool.   It has shells on both sides and what my son argues is a crab walking inside (I say it is coral).  I made another Y necklace and this time used opaque cultured sea glass rounds, crystals in padparadscha, teal and opalite and closed it with a cultured sea glass toggle clasp.   On a fun note, scallop fishing is very big here.  We are one of the best places to get Gulf scallops and it is a very big event here with people traveling from all over to go diving for them each  year, so this necklace has a bit of homage to my hometown too!  Here is a peek at the backside so you can see the detail on the aquarium bead.

Now if you know anything about me, you know that whenever I do a challenge or a blog hop I have to make earrings.  I just love making them so any excuse to do so, I create at least one pair.   This time Marcy had provided two wonderful little shells.  They are not quite a pair, but they are close enough and I just love the touch of asymmetry, it adds a bit of fun to the earrings.

To tie them back to the shell necklace, I used the same pink cultured sea glass rounds and a light rose crystal for that touch of sparkle.

My final piece is the one I just love.  Those two glass manatee beads are very special and I am going to hoard one for a very long time.  He needs to peek out at me from my special spot I have for artisan beads and become the mascot to my work area.  His partner  I paired with several of the glass rings to make this:

The blue rings made me think of bubbles moving through the water so my little manatee sits under the viewing dome at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park munching on his lettuce all the while the water above him sparkles.  I used icy blue seed beads and aqua and opalite crystals to give the necklace that watery feel.   This necklace is asymmetrical with bubbles going up one side.   I still try and embrace that not every necklace has to be the same on both sides; it remains a challenge for me and it is something I enjoy embracing when working on blog hops.

Here is a close up of the manatee:

If you are interested in seeing manatees, check out the manatee cam during the day.  It is dark and eerie at night.  :)

I had so much fun participating in this hop.   I had a wonderful partner who went above and beyond making special beads for me.   Thanks to Marcy and to Linda for organizing such a big hop.  Please stop by and visit all the other hoppers to see what they designed.

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2015  Partner List    Our Hostess: Linda Anderson from http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Marica	Zammit	http://www.beadlovelies.com
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Jessica	Hocutt	https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com
Kristina	Hahn Eleniak	http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Debbie	Jeffries	http://debrasdivinedesigns.com/blog/
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://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/
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/   (you are here)
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/
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

We're All Ears April Reveal

Reference piece from Earrings Everyday

For a little over a year now,  Erin over at Earrings Everyday has hosted a monthly design challenge.  Each month she chooses an inspiration item for us to focus on as we create our designs.  She is wonderful at coming up with ideas!  This month she chose the architecture at The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain.   These buildings are very modern and amazing!  I strongly encourage you to read the inspiration blog post here to see examples of the buildings and the marvels of architecture design.

The building I chose to use as  my inspiration (pictured above) is L'Oceanografic which is the largest oceanographic aquarium in Europe.  I just love the design.  It reminds me of a dolphin crashing back into water after it has just taken a breath.  The sleekness and the round curve is what drew me to the photograph.

Last week,  I also participated in Andrew Thornton's Frenzied Motion Challenge. While I was making the pieces for that challenge,  I couldn't help but think how much some of the beads he had included in the kit would work perfectly for this month's earring design.

I love the smooth circular lines of the saucer shaped beads and I continued the roundness in my choice of the light lavender coin shaped beads in the dangle as well.  Since this is an ocean themed inspiration picture,  I added Swarovski crystals in shades of blue and grey to mimic the color of the sea.

Thank you so much for stopping by and checking out my entry for this month's challenge! Check out everyone's designs below!

An InLinkz Link-up

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop Reveal

Yes, I am late... several days late in fact, which is very unusual for me.  I have been a bit under the weather lately,  and it took a big hit on my creativity so I had to wait for it to clear somewhat before I could post.   First of all, I want to thank Lori Anderson over at Pretty Things for hosting us for this special hop.  I get a lot of strength and energy from Lori and I couldn't wait to participate in her hop.

The whole theme of this Hop is going into your stash of beads and using those special ones that you have been hoarding.  It is time for them to come to life into something beautiful that everyone can see.  After all, your bead storage knows they are special beads so share with the world!  I have had these sweet little beads by Diana Rast for some time.  Check out her wonderful work here. I have started an obsession in the last year for lampwork beads and these khaki colored ones with the little pink dots are just adorable.   Add in the sand dollar bead, and I am in love. Anything beachy makes this Florida girl happy.

The beads are very delicate, so I didn't want to overpower them when I made a necklace.  So, I decided, soft, muted colors were the way to go.  I love brown and pink together and the color of the nubs on the lampwork beads made it easy to go with my favorite color of pink.   These little light rose glass beads are cultured sea glass so they fit perfectly with the sand dollar bead as well.   I added amber color heishi cultured sea glass to add some interest between the softness of the pink.  Here is a closeup:

I think you can really see the detail in the sand dollar now.  I just love how this necklace came out.   It fits well into my sea collection of pieces.

And, of course, I can never participate in a blog hop and not make earrings.   This time, I worked within the color palette from the necklace, but the beads are a bit different. 

This time, the bumpy lampwork (I am sure that has a name, so bead artists out there, please enlighten me.  Even though I love just calling them bumpy) is by Nancy Sinclair.   The khaki color is very close to the beads in the necklace, so they would work if you chose to wear them together.   I added some of the light rose cultured sea glass and finished them off with faceted crystal rondelles.   They look like sweet confections to me!  

Thanks again for your patience in waiting for my post and to Lori for hosting us.   I have enjoyed participating.   Please take a peek at the other artists who also took part:

Lori Anderson	PrettyThings  (Hostess)
Audrey Belanger	Toki No Hourosha
Jenny Kyrlach	Wonder and Whimsy
Kathy Lindemer	Bay Moon Design
Lori Schneider	Bead Addict
Dee Elgie	Cherry Obsidia
Dolores Raml	CraftyD's Creations
Rebecca Ednie	Eclectic Endeavors
Lili Krist	http://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosner	Good River Valley
Nicole Prince	http://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Jackie Ryan	http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca	http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelby	http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson	http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Terri Gauthier	http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Patti Pruhs	http://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com
Shai Williams	Shaiha's Ramblings
Andrea Glick	Zenith Jade
K Hutchinson	https://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci Brooks	That Nothing Be Wasted
Jo-Ann Woolverton	It's a Beadiful Creation
Jasvanti Patel	Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa Knappenberger	LIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindell	marylindell.com
Niky Sayers	Silver Nik Nats
Sandra McGriff	skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Patricia Handschuh	thecolorofdreams.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintz	treasures-found.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow	willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breeding	www.99bobotw.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart	A Half-Baked Notion
Jackie Locantore	www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl Stephens	The Babbling Beader
Becky Pancake	Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Mona Arnott	Bijoux Gems of Joy
Michelle Escano	Cabby Craft
Denise McCabe	Cabewoman
Carolyn Lawson	www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Sheila Prose	www.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak	www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso	www.CreativeAtelier.net/blog
Deborah Apodaca	www.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunn	www.elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas	www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Kari Asbury	Hippie Chick Design
Inge von Roos	Inge's Blog
Divya N	www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Debbie Rasmussen	www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
KJ	www.kjsbeadaciousbeads.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon	www.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp	www.kruseartllc.com
Ginger Bishop	www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Kelly Schermerhorn	www.meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andrade	www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sue Kelly	Mid-Life Greater Expectations
Rachel Mallis	Mint Monarch
Susan McClelland	www.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGraw	MK's Creative Musings
Tania Spivey	Moobie Grace Designs
Stephanie Perry	Mustard Seed by Stephanie Perry
Mitzie Crider	www.NeedfulLuxuries.Blogspot.com
Nicole Rennell	Www.nicolerennell.com/blog
Nicole Valentine	www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchell	www.overthemoon-design.com
Tammy Adams	www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Patty Miller	www.pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Blanca Medina	MediBeads
Stephanie Haussler	www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendoza	www.roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Claire Fabian	www.saraccino.blogspot.com
Bridget Torres	www.shears58.net
Donetta Farrington	www.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman	www.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan Walls	Www.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormier	The Beading Yogini
Heather Otto	www.thecrafthopper.com
Lizzie Clarke	www.theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Elizabeth Hodges	www.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfenden	www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Patterson	www.TravelingSideShow.blogspot.com
Nan Smith	Nanmade Jewelry
Jayne Capps	wwww.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com

Robin Kae Reed                                          http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger                                      https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood                                                  Gina's Designs