Octoberfest 2014 Third Annual Autumn Splendor Blog Hop Reveal

I am so excited to be a first time participant in Toltec Jewel's Octoberfest blog hop!  I love when Rita hosts a blog hop; she is always extremely generous and the beads she provides us are wonderful.  This time, however, the hop is a bit different.  The whole premise of this hop is to celebrate Autumn.   You don't have to make jewelry.   Some of the suggestions that Rita makes for the hop include,  creating a fall craft,  have a get together, carve a pumpkin or any combination of autumnal themed activities you can think of.  I can't wait to see what everyone has done!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons.   I remember when I was a girl and lived in the Suburbs of Chicago, what a great time of year this was.  We don't get much Fall down here in Florida, (It is in the 80's as I write this), but I do remember hayrides, apple picking, the scent of freshly made cinnamon donuts at the Wauconda apple orchard, and that crisp feel of the season in the air.  Now, Fall reminds me of birthdays (there are several this time of year), festive fun for children,  the upcoming holidays and a time of renewal.  

To celebrate the season, I made several pieces of jewelry (of course!!)  and a Halloween themed card.  All of my jewelry pieces were pumpkin themed.  I used different lampwork glass pumpkins that could be worn all the way through Thanksgiving.

Handmade lampwork glass pumpkins highlighted with carnelian rondelles and sparkly silver beads 

Wonderful patina-ed leaves, lampwork glass lentil shaped pumpkins and some sparkly crystals in champagne and burnt sienna. 

Czech glass rondelles in yellow and red, lampwork pumpkins and crystals.

Finally,  a handmade Halloween card.  I embossed the leaves and added a fun Victorian inspired Halloween greeting.  Little autumnal flowers complete the design.



I had so much fun participating in Octoberfest.  Thank you again, Rita for making all of this happen.   Make sure to stop by and see what all the other participants have created!

Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/

Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/     (You are here)

Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr

Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co

Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com

Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/

Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca

Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com 

Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com

Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/

Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com

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

Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/

Debbie Rasmussen                  www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca

Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/

Carol Dillman                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk

Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com

Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com

Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com

Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com

Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com 

Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com

Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com

Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com

Gloria Allen                             http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/

Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com

Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com

Jill Bradley                                http://chat2jill.blogspot.com

Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28

Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda

RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com

Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com

Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com

Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com

Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com

Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com

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

Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign

Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com

Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com

RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com

Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                            http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

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

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

Divya N                               http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/

Anchors Aweigh!! Design Challenge and Blog Hop Reveal

It is time for the Anchors Aweigh Design Challenge Reveal!!!  The wonderful Rita over at Toltec Jewels was kind enough to put together a blog hop featuring the absolutely beautiful beads created by Diana at Suburban Girl Beads. The Sweet porcelain anchors just called to me and my love of the sea.   I was so happy to be chosen by Rita to participate,  and I appreciate all of the hard work she puts in to making these blog hops such an enjoyable experience for everyone.

I was certain that I took a picture of my sweet little anchor beads when they arrived, but after searching my very well labeled photo files, I couldn't find it. So, I borrowed Rita's photo to show you how cute Diana's beads are.   They were such a pleasure to work with and I am excited to share with you the necklace I created.

I knew I wanted to make a necklace, the anchor beads deserved to be the focus of a sea themed piece.   It only took me a few minutes to decide to use cultured sea glass, but I wanted to add a bit more; maybe challenge myself a bit with the piece.

So,  I took a Vintaj brass blank,  embossed it with a sand dollar and then added a soft blue patina and glaze.  I wanted the brass round to remind you of a coin from a ship that had sunk many many years before.  A treasure that can be found in many places very near by.  If you ever get the chance to visit Florida, Sebastian Inlet has a nice little museum that includes a lot of information about sunken treasure.  

What do you think?  Does it remind you of a coin who has spent 200 years at the bottom of the ocean?  I added the porcelain anchors to a strand of small round aqua cultured sea glass, then my signature touch of sparkle with some aqua crystal spacers.  Half way up the necklace, I created interest with aqua blue lampwork glass.  There are some small rounds and the nice square pieces as well. 

Earrings you ask?  Of course I did earrings!  I just can't resist making a pair for a challenge :)  I used the same aqua cultured sea glass rounds, an aqua crystal spacer and added some Vintaj  brass sand dollars to carry along the theme of my necklace.

Thank you so much Rita and Diana for creating such a fun blog hop.  It was a pleasure to participate and I can't wait to see what everyone else has made.   To check out all the participant's designs, please use the links below:

Anchors Aweigh!! Design Challenge & Blog Hop 

Participating Artists

Featured & Honored Artist:        Diana Ptaszynski

Diana's Shop:                           Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's Blogs:                          Suburban Girl Studio

                                                 Art Jewelry Elements

Hostess: TJ                               Jewel School Friends

Bobbie Rafferty                         Beadsong Jewelry

Chris Eisenberg                         Wanderware

Heather Richter                         Desert Jewelry Designs

Michelle McCarthy                    Firefly Design Studio

Kathy Lindemer                         Bay Moon Design

Dini Bruinsma                            Angaza by Changes

Cynthia Machata                       Antiquity Travelers

Kathleen Breeding                     99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Linda Younkman                       Lindy's Designs

Robin Reed                                  Artistry HCBD

Marla Gibson                              Spice Box Designs

Gina Hockett                               Freestyle Elements

Renetha Stanziano                      Lamplight Crafts

Marianne Baxter                          Simply Seablime Jewelry        

Christina Miles                             Wings N Scales

Marybeth Rich                            A Few Words from Within the Pines

Shai Williams                              Shaiha's Ramblings

Cheri Reed                                  Creative Designs by Cheri

Monique Urquhart                      A Half-Baked Notion

Jennifer Reno                             Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Shirley Moore                             Beads and Bread

Tammy Adams                           Paisley Lizard

Melissa Trudinger                       Bead Recipes

Jill Bradley                                  JillyBeads

Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Design Challenge Reveal

Welcome to double reveal weekend! If you are looking for the Summer Carnival Blog Hop, it is the post below this one.   

One of the nicest people I have met in the jewelry design world is Rita from Toltec Jewels.  She is so caring and helpful and a genuine sweetheart.   Rita goes out of her way to make her design challenges fun for everyone.   Thanks for that Rita!   When she announced this design challenge I couldn't wait to join in.  The pretty little beads made by SueBeads were just so cute I couldn't wait to participate!

See how cute it is???  This sweet forest green little bead was right up this girl's alley.  When it came time to design my piece, I really focused on the size of the bead.   Since the chicklet is small,  and it was very very important to me that the bead not get lost in my work, I decided that I would make a delicate design.

Forest Nymph

My chicklet is the star of the show, and it has lots of glitter and shine to go with it.  The lighting when I took the picture was a little strange.  Thank the Florida summer weather when it is bright sunny  one second and stormy and dark the next.   But,  next to the focal bead are crystal rondelles in a citrine color.  That light yellow crystals work really well with the green.  The spacers have a hint of green in the crystals as well.  Finally,  I used Czech glass beads in ruby and yellow with a Picasso finish.  

I am really very much in love with this delicate piece.

And, as an added bonus, I made a little pair of earrings to go with the necklace.  I just can't keep from making earrings!

Thank you again Rita and Sue!  This was such a fun challenge and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone else's designs.  Please click on the links below to visit the other artists participating.

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog
                                                               Art Jewelry Elements
Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads
SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com (you are here)

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

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

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                                               http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson                        http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com