Lori Anderson's Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop!

Aren't we all bead hoarders?  Doesn't it go with the territory?  I have so many special beads and cabochons...too special to put on my display at the hair salons where most of my jewelry sells.  See, I have to create pieces that are completely affordable, and that don't take hours and hours to put together...my time is worth something, after all...and my particular market will not support the higher prices that really special beads and labor-intensive pieces must command. 

When I read about this blog hop, I thought it would be a really great way to use some of those beads I've been hoarding for a special occasion.  As I was creating each piece, I could absolutely picture it being worn by my daughter (my very best salesperson!), or by me, myself, and I! 

I started with a gorgeous lampwork scallop shell bead, created by Catherine Steele of artwithheart.  Here is Catherine's list of materials: "glass, silver, time, love".  Here's the necklace I created, using the scallop shell bead as a pendant, with a recycled glass dangle at the bottom.  The "chain" was created with a whole bunch of shell bead chips I salvaged from an old necklace I bought in Hawaii in 1988, interspersed with some aqua cultured sea glass tiny rondelles.

 

Here's a close-up of the bead...it was available in "regular" or tumbled glass, and I chose the tumbled glass for the matte sea glass appearance.

 

 

I bought a set of gorgeous turquoise glass flower headpins ages ago, from an Etsy seller called HavanaBeads.  The headpins are described as "Aqua Sparkle Headpin Flowers"...and they came with a matched set of beautiful glass leaf headpins.  I made a pair of earrings...just for me!  I used the headpin itself (copper with a beautiful patina) for wire wrapping.  Can you see the lacy-looking frit on the edge of the flower?

 

 

 

My next project made use of three hoarded items!  I glued a vintage Limoges china cabochon to an old brass...thing.  Drawer pull?  Door hinge?  I don't know...but I do know it's a household thing, not a jewelry thing.  I've been hanging on to this brass "thing" for some time.  I attached a simple antiqued brass chain to create a necklace, and then carefully took apart a beautiful vintage rosary and used some of the lead crystal links to dress up the chain. 

 

 

The rosary chain (a "decade" of crystal beads in each section) is attached to the antiqued brass chain with the tiniest of antiqued brass jump rings. 

 

Here's a closer look at the Limoges cabochon:

 

 

There we have just a few of my hoarded beads.  I feel better, now that I've given them life!  Please join the other blog hoppers to see what they've created.  I always get inspired by seeing the beautiful pieces of jewelry created by members of this community!

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Leah Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
9.  Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
10.  Erin Guest, Renlish

11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

 31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65.  Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry
75.  Jackie Marchant, Fiddledeedee Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog







 



 

Znetshows Cultured Sea Glass Reveal!

It's time to reveal what I made from the fabulous selection of Znetshows beads chosen for me by the lovely Andra, of Andra's Joyful Journey blog.  We did communicate a bit before we chose beads for each other, so I knew I'd be receiving something special.  Andra did a fabulous job of picking and choosing for me!  I received a strand or two of glorious polished citrine nuggets, several strands of beautiful jade green cultured sea glass coins and a few conch shells, strands of peachy "baby pink" pearls and raspberry teardrop pearls, beautiful antiqued brass leaf chain, and tons of the most amazingly sparkly Chinese rondelle crystals in the "cherry blossom" colorway.  Let me tell you...this box of beads was to die for!

I worked with the green cultured sea glass coins first, and strung them with some of the crystals for sparkle and shine.  I added the leaf chain as a separate strand, and attached it to the stones intermittently, using small antiqued brass jump rings.  I love this bracelet!

 



Because I'm a traditional kind of lady, I like to have earrings that either match or coordinate nicely with my necklaces and bracelets, so I made these:

 

They are delightfully "swingy" when worn.

 

At this point, I was ready for a necklace.  I wanted something showy and spectacular in a shorter length.  I started with a beautiful sand-colored silk ribbon from Marsha Neal Studios, rather than using chain.  I made a three-strand necklace, using some of the crystals for my first strand...an amazing pale pinkish-gold color.  The second, slightly longer strand made use of the pale gold crystals, interspersed with seed beads and some antiqued brass swirly beads from my stash.  Ah...the third and final strand is made with the polished citrine nuggets and some antiqued brass spacers.  This necklace is lovely when worn...it hangs beautifully, and the weight of the citrines keeps it perfectly in place.

 

 

Here's a closer shot of the three strands.  In this picture, you can see the gorgeous coppery/gold tint on the pink crystals!

I really, really wanted to use the adorable cultured sea glass conch shells, and they just had to be made into earrings.  I used some fine silver wire, and made these:

 

 

For my final piece, I made a charm bracelet of sorts.  I used some of the pearls, plus the last of the leaf chain and citrine nuggets.  Yep, even a few crystals.  It was fun to make, and it's fun to wear.

 

 

I need to give the product codes for the znetshows items used in my pieces, so here goes!

     Green cultured sea glass coins: S15-B43

     Green cultured sea glass conch shells: S29-B23S

     "Cherry Blossom" Chinese crystals: zmx-19-02

     Raspberry glass teardrop pearls: BDS1867-17

     Baby Pink glass pearls: BDS1618-03

     Citrine nuggets: BDS1513-05

     Antiqued brass leaf chain: M0512-AB  

 

Now for something really cool...there's a giveaway for blog readers!  Please head over to the ZnetShows Blog (http://znetshows.blogspot.com/) to see the complete list of participants and enter the giveaway...tons of beautiful beads, crystals, pearls, metallic joy...a special package could be yours for the asking.   

 

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my creations as much as I enjoyed making them!  I can't thank Bill and Hope from Znetshows enough for the opportunity to play with their beads!  This is the second time they've given me the opportunity to play, and I hope they think of me again next time.  I had a blast!