Memories and Thanks Blog Hop Reveal

As a "silent" follower of Lori Anderson's blog, Pretty Things, I lurked in the shadows for ages...personally blogless and deeply impressed by all the amazing pieces of jewelry created by Lori's friends and followers for the annual Bead Soup Blog Parties.  I wanted to be part of this group...oh, I wanted it so badly!  But the mechanics of creating a blog were, I thought, beyond me.

With some encouragement from friends, and some HANDS ON (!) help from Lori herself, I finally created a blog, strictly so I could join the bead soup parties and be part of this community of beaders and stringers and knotters.  And I have done just this...poorly, for the most part, as the mechanics still mostly elude me.  Photography and technology in general are not where I excel.  But one of my resolutions for the coming year is to embrace the process, read the manual that came with the camera, and get with the program. 

This particular blog hop really spoke to me.  Memories and thanks...what a terrific idea!  I'm contributing to this blog hop in memory of my Grandma Ellen, who meant the world to me.  I loved her so much!  And you know what?  You would have loved her, too.

My grandma was the oldest of several children in a poor family in Indiana...she was born in 1898 (I know this, because when I was 10 she gave me a real silver dollar from that year so I'd never forget when she was born).  She worked in a bank until she married my grandfather at the advanced age of 28 (he was a young lad of only 22...quite a scandal!)  When her two children were mostly raised, the family moved to Sebastopol, California, where she began working as a bookkeeper in an apple cannery.  In fact, she worked as the cannery's bookkeeper full time until she was 76 years old, long after my grandpa died.  Every morning she would hook herself into the most amazing corset (swearing all the while...hating her large breasts and wishing they belonged to anyone but her), attach her support hose to the garters hanging from that corset, and put on her slip, blouse, and suit.  Then she would spray herself with Avon cologne, put on her makeup and do her hair, and finally she would visit her jewelry box and choose a brooch to wear, and matching clip-on earrings. Then she'd light a cigarette, drink a cup of percolated black coffee, and off she'd go.  In my mind, my grandma was the most exotic woman in the world.  She worked; she had a housekeeper; she bought cases of Coca Cola (in glass bottles) from the guy who stocked the vending machine at work, and kept cold Coke in her rounded vintage refrigerator just for her grandchildren!

Ah, those brooches!  My grandma was a short, stout woman...but she was drawn to Sarah Coventry brooches like a bee is drawn to nectar.  BIG brooches.  Big and glittery and showy.  I never knew what became of all the treasures in my grandma's jewelry box after she died; she lived a long time (until she was 96), and spent at least five years in a nursing home before she died.  When my father died two years ago, my sister found two of the brooches in Dad's handkerchief drawer.  She gave them both to me, thinking that I could use them in one of my creations. 

You know, I never really found a use for them...until I read Lori's post about the "Memories and Thanks" blog hop.  I tried everything I could think of to make this particular brooch into something that was "mine"...I tried inserting beads and pearls into the chain.  I tried using a beautiful antiqued brass bail.  Ultimately, every single thing I added actually detracted from the finished piece.  And that's not the point of making jewelry, is it?  It's not supposed to be so busy that it hurts the eyes to look at it!  And believe me, this focal is busy enough...bright and shiny enough...just by itself.  So although I feel like I'm cheating by simply attaching a chain...it stands alone much better than with anything else hanging from it or attached to it. 

Here we go:

 

Can you see the absolute glitziness of the center focal?  It's like GLITTER CONFETTI!  Here's a picture of more of the whole piece, which in reality is just a chain attached to the brooch:

 

Oh, this makes me miss my grandma more than ever!  She was the most understanding person in my world.  When I visited, I slept in Grandma's double bed with her.  She would wrap her hair in toilet paper and pin it in place, put on a hairnet, and TAKE OUT HER TEETH!  But then morning would come, and she would transform herself into an elegant (in my eyes, anyway) career lady...an amazing thing to behold.

 

Please visit the other bloggers participating in this challenge:

 



Adlinah Kamsir Dream Struck Designs

Aimee Biondolillo Aimee's Jewelry Treasures

Alicia Marinache All the Pretty Things
Andra Marasteanu Handmade by Indra Marasteanu
Andrea Trank Heaven Lane Creations
April Grinaway Brooklyn Bead Goddess

Barb Solem Vivi Magoo Presents

Becky Pancake Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Beth Emery Stories by Indigo Heart

Bonnie Coursolle Jasper's Gems

Cassi Paslick Beads: Rolling Downhill

Catherine King Catherine's Musings

Cece Cormier The Beading Yogini

Chandra Leitz Juniper Goods

Charissa Nesler FireStorm Designs
Charlie Jacka Clay Space

Christina Hickman Vintage Treasures Jewelry
Christine Stonefield Sweet Girl Design

Chrizette Bayman Bead Soup Mix

Cindy Wilson It's My Sea of Dreams

Crystal Thain Here Bead Dragons

Cyndi Lavin Beading Arts

Debbie Rasmussen A little of this, a little of that

Denielle Hagerman Some Beads... and other things I like
Diana Gonzalez Arte y Poemas

Diane Hawkey diane hawkey

Dita Basu ankarshilpa

Donetta Farrington Simply Gorgeous (You are here!)

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell Deeliteful Jewelry Creations

Emma Todd A Polymer Penchant

Erin Kenny beadiful therapy

Erin Prais-Hintz Treasures Found

Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements

Gloria Allen Innovative Dreams Jewelry

Heather Marston CSW Designs

Inge von Roos Inge's Blog

Jacqueline Marchant Fiddledeedee Jewelry

Jami Shipp Celebrating Life!

Jean Yates Snap Out of it Jean, There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Reno Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Jenny Robledo Peppa's Dream

Jennifer VanBenschoten Jewelry, Art and Life
Jessica Klaaren Cellar Door Jewelry

Jessica Murray Whimsical Monkey

Joan Williams lilruby jewelry

Jo-Ann Woolverton It's a Beadiful Creation

Joanne Browne josjewels1

Jodie Marshall Jodie Marshall Lampwork Beads Wearable Art

Johanna Rhodes Fire Phoenix Creations
John Rasmussen Rasumussen Gems and Jewelry LLC

JuLee Wolfe The Polymer Penguin

Julie Bean Blue Pig Blog

Karen Mitchell Over the Moon Designs

Karin King The Sparklie Things Blog
Karin Slaton Backstory Beads

Kat Douglas Washoe Kat's
Kay Bolton Toodles and Binks

Kelly Hosford Patterson The Traveling SideShow

Kim Ballor Vitamin C ... A Daily Does of Creativity

Kim Dworak CianciBlue

Kim Houston The Pink Martini
Kym Hunter Kym Hunter Designs

Laren Dee Barton Laren Dee Designs

Lea Avroch LA Jewelry Designs

Leanne Loftus First Impression Design

Lena Adams (Mari's daughter) -- TBA
Liddy McLaughlin Liddy McLaughlin Art

Linda Florian Lily's of the Valley Jewelry & Creative Creations

Linda Inhelder Must-Haves Jewelry

Lisa Hamilton Simply Irresistable Jewelry
Lisa Suver Fancee That

Lori Bowring Michaud Artfully Ornamental

Lori Poppe Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

LouAnn Elwell Southpass Beads

Mandi Effron Craft-o-licious

Marcia DeCoster MadDesigns

Marcia Dunne The Alternative Foundry

Marie Covert Creating Interest

Marjorie Savill Linthwaite bennubirdrising

Marlene Cupo Amazing Designs by Marlene

Martha Aleo Ornamento

Marti Conrad Marti's Buttons -n- Beads

Mary Ellen Parker BeeTree by m.e.

Mary Govaars MLH Jewelry Designs

Mary Lindell Mary Lindell Artisan Jewelry

Maureen Connolly Mrs Beadsley's Workshop

Maybeline Tay The Jewelry Larder

Melissa Elgin The Addicted Beader

Melissa Mesara one-eared pig beads

Menka Gupta Menka's Jewelry

Michaela Pabeschitz la mar de bonita

Mischelle Fanucchi Micheladas Musings

Mona Rae Baroody Who Does She Bead She Is?

Nan Emmett Spirit Rattles -- Spirited Earth

Nancy Pedersen Something Heartfelt by Nancy

Natalie Davidson NorthShore Days
Nikki Douglas Bead It and Weep

Pam Farren re-maker

Pam, the Crazier Sister The Crazy Creative Corner
Priya Krish Hellopalz
Rebecca Anderson Song Beads

Rebecca Sirevaag Becca's Place

Robin Kae Reed Artistry HCBD

Rochelle Brisson a creative chelle

Sabine Dittrich perlendschungel

Sandi Volpe Sandi Volpe

Sandra McGriff Creative Chaos

Sarah Goode Pookledo
Sarah Singer String a Song of Sixpence

Serena Trent All Things Made Jewelry

Shai Williams Shaiha's Ramblings
Sharon Palac Sharon's Jewelry Garden

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections

Sheila Davis Stone Designs

Shelley Graham Turner Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey Knot Just Macrame

Sherry Baun Unicorns Jewels

Skylar Bre'z Brising Beads

Stephanie Haussler Pixybug Designs

Tania Spivey Moobie Grace Designs

Terri G. Blooming Ideas

Terry Carter Tapping Flamingo

Terry Matuszyk Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Toltec Jewels Jewel School Friends
Tracy Kruse Goldkisses Art

Tracy Martin Nutkitten's Jewelry

Zia Parks Anzi~Panzi's Work Shoppe

Zoe Marcin Beads, Tea and Sweets

 

Erin's Challenge of Color 2012!

Having followed Erin's blog for a looooong time, I know that her challenges are always exciting and thought-provoking.  There's something special about each one, and this one really piqued my interest.  A "challenge of color"...that's nice.  But what makes it so special and so COOL is that the color palettes are, in Erin's own words, "...created by my friend Miss Brandi Hussey who is my color guru. The pictures are from the Earth As Art exhibit from the United States Geological Service taken from the Landsat 7 satellite."

Each of the participants was provided with two different palettes, and could either choose one, or make pieces inspired by both.  I can't speak for the others in this blog hop, but my choices were both amazing, and completely different.  My eye was first drawn to the Meighen Island palette, which contains gorgeous shades of blue with a pop of chartreuse.  However, the palette I chose was of the Great Sandy Scars...muted, earthy shades of dark green, tan and beige, a lovely yellowy-brown, and a deep reddish brown.  I instantly thought of the different types of jasper beads in my stash, which contain all of these colors.  I couldn't resist! 

great sandy scars

I created a necklace:

 

I used jasper beads of different kinds, colors, and shapes, and some pretty little Czech glass Picasso disc beads in the same earthy colors.  Because I'm a sloth when it comes to labeling my bead purchases, I'm usually guessing when it comes to identifying them later.  I think what we're looking at here are picture jasper (sandy yellow-brown stones), mookaite (the dark reddish stones), and the faceted square focal bead might be ocean jasper.  I added some short lengths of chain and a bead dangle to each side.

 

This was an inspiring challenge, and I had a good time working with my chosen color palette.  I love Erin's philosophy, her joyful attitude toward life, and her amazement of the beauty surrounding all of us.  It was a pleasure to participate!

 

Please visit the other participants to see the beautiful things they've created!

 

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color-reveal.html
Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Kris Auderer http://strandedinthecity.wordpress.com
Chrizette Bayman http://beadsoupmix.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/
Lynsey Brooks http://yellowunicorncreations.blogspot.co.uk
Stephanie Buss http://maxandlucie.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso http://www.creativeatelier.net/
Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com
Lisa Cone http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier http://thebeadingyogini.com
Lori Dorrington http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com
Dawn Doucette http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com
Jeannie Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/
Kim Dworak http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Janice Everett http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.com
Pam Farren http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com  (You are here!)
Gloria Ferrer http://judetaama.blogspot.com.es/
Cherrie Fick http://designsinthelight.co
Therese Frank http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Patty Gasparino http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com
Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color.html
Ambra Gostoli http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/3rd-challenge-of-color
Jess Green http://tabbiekoshka.blogspot.co.uk/
Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Mary Harding www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Karla Hartzog http://www.karlakrafts.com
Kim Hora http://www.kimmykats.com
Brandi Hussey http://brandigirlblog.com
Emanda Johnson http://ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com
Jennifer Justman http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Ema Kilroy http://emakaye.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman http://Stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Linda Landig http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com
Kirsi Luostarinen http://kirsiluokorut.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca
Beth McCord http://www.ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com
Mary K McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Karen Mitchell http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Cheri Mitchell-Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Aimee Moisa http://threecatsdancing.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan http://www.texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Penny Neville http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Alice Peterson http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Kayla Potega http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com
Debbie Price http://greenshoot.blogspot.co.uk
Bobbie Rafferty http://beadsong.blogspot.com
Caron Reid http://caronmichelle.blogspot.com.au/
Nicole Rennell http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Cynthia Riggs http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color.html
Andrea Ross http://silvermapledesigns.blogspot.com/
Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com
Annie Scherz http://www.studioluma.ca
Pam Sears http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Sandra Stein http://sannipanni.wordpress.com
Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Sherri Stokey http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2012/11/challenge-of-color-reveal.html
Lola Survillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Jo Tinley http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com
Emma Todd http://www.apolymerpenchant.com
Cory Tompkins http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Pam Traub http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle Tucker http://michellescreativemusings.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Rachel Van-Walsk http://balancedcrafts.com/blog
Patti Vanderbloemen http://www.myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Lynn White http://lynnwhitejewelry.com/Lynn_White_Jewelry/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog.html
Joan Williams http://www.lilrubyjewelry.com

 

 



Jeannie Dukic's Do-Over Jewelry Challenge

It's time to reveal what I received from Jeannie (items from when she was newer to jewelry design and creation), and what I made from the pieces sent to me. This was a great swap...Jeannie is a delight to work with...welcoming and encouraging. I hope she does this again, although I suspect she may be running out of "old" stuff!

Here's what Jeannie sent to me:

A simple strand of lovely Czech fire-polished AB faceted crystal beads, in an icy sage green color, which I love.  Since I'm very, very fond of the warmer, darker antiqued copper and bronze findings, I decided to switch out the silver for my current favorites.  I took apart the strand of beads and the earrings, and started playing with wire and different beads and findings.  Here's my first creation:

The necklace is about 19 inches long, before the pendant.  And a closer look at the pendant detail:

I've been admiring the multi-strand bracelets I see everywhere, but have never actually made one myself.  After educating myself with a You-tube tutorial, this is what I made:

Recently, I ordered some curved tube beads from Fire Mountain Gems, and they were offering cheap multi-strand necklaces (by Blue Moon Beads) for only $1.00 each.  On a whim, I ordered several of these, in various colors.  The sagey green seed bead strand and yellow bead links are from the green necklace I received.  I'm all about parting out stuff I wouldn't ordinarily use, and making it work as part of something else I like the looks of...and here you see that I ended up with a triple-strand bracelet.

My favorite things to make are earrings.  I wear them all the time, they are relatively easy to make, and they sell like hotcakes.  Here are some of the earrings I made with Jeannie's beads:

Okay, this picture will not rotate.  It is correct in Picasa (oh, how I struggle with Picasa), but this is how it loads here.  Annoying.

Honestly, I need to read the manual that came with my digital camera.  Most of my failings are due to photography skills, or my lack of photography skills.  This is definitely on my to-do list.  Promise.

I was amazed at how much fun I had making new stuff from the beads donated by Jeannie.  I have several of them left, too...and they will not go to waste.  I made another pair of earrings also, using the crystals and some antiqued copper skeleton leaf charms, which are long and dangly.  However, although I did upload my photos, they are not to be found in Picasa.  I'm so confused...

So Jeannie, thanks a million for sharing some of your personal beads with us, and if you ever want to do this again, I'm definitely on board!  It's been a total pleasure.  Please join us by hopping from blog to blog to admire what Jeannie's fans have made:

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Miranda Ackerley http://mirandack.com/

Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/

Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Kelli Jacobson http://www.creativemoonjewelryandthings.com/

Dagi http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/

Gerry Nickerson http://gersgems1.blogspot.com/

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

Birgit Klughardt http://www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com/

Mowse Doyle http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/

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

Debbie Beechy http://beetique56.blogspot.com/

Cilla Watkins http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/

Carolyn Lawson http://carolyncreationswa.blogspot.com

Micha Sorensen http://tulipsandpine.blogspot.com

Emma Todd http://www.apolymerpenchant.com

Donetta Farrington http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/ (You are here!)

Tracy Stillman http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com/

Rita Avila http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

This and That

I've been struggling with Windows Vista for some time...it came with the computer, and I never really felt that it was all it should be.  Cranky, capricious, difficult to maneuver...yeah...all that.  My lovely tech support division (my son-in-law) took the computer for about a week recently, and magically Vista is gone, and Windows 7 is installed.  And although I'd love to say that my challenges have disappeared, that's not the case.  I still struggle.  The Picasa thing, for instance  I admit I'm technologically challenged, but I simply can't seem to make it work the way I need it to work.  Why is this all so complicated?  Or am I only making it complicated, when it's really simple? 

Enough.  I've had a dry spell.  Artist trading cards ONLY.  Instant gratification...just the ticket for someone so easily befuddled by all things involving technology.

But I did join Jeannie Dukic's Do Over Challenge, which I've been working on for the past couple of days.  Jeannie sent a piece of jewelry she created a long time ago, when she was new to the whole concept of jewelry making, and when her beading style was maybe different than it is now.  Our reveal date is October 20th, and I am really looking forward to it!  We've been asked to use at least 50% of the beads sent by Jeannie, and we're allowed to supplement from our stashes. 

I've made a pact with myself to keep trying new techniques and new styles.  To stop reverting to what's comfortable for me, because I've done it so many times.  It's tempting to almost copy designs from other jewelry designers, if they've had critical acclaim...but it's very important to keep track of my aesthetic.  It's a balancing act, really...keep learning, keep trying new techniques, but stay true to my style without becoming stale and (thank you, Nina Garcia of Project Runway) a "one trick pony". 

So for now, it's back to the bead table to re-work a project from yesterday that just didn't work out the way I wanted it to.  I leave you with the following visual images of life at this woman's home:

Post soup activities

For the past several days, I've been occupied with blog hopping, checking out all the bee-you-tee-ful blogs and pictures from my fellow BSBP third-revealers.  Such gorgeousness...I am reminded that amping up my photography skills must be placed at the top of my "to do" list.  I shouldn't have written that for public consumption, since my "to do" list is a joke among my family and friends.  I always have one, but I usually list the things I intend to accomplish tomorrow, and it's always an overly ambitious list.  And then at the end of the following day, I discard that list without a second thought, and make another list (again, overly ambitious) for...you guessed it..."tomorrow".  I've had some of the same things on my daily "to do" list for years.  (And years.)

It's not that I'm flighty or anything...but I'm easily seduced by something new.  A new project...I'll start a new project any day, rather than work on something already in process.  And by "tomorrow", the new project has become something "already in process" and therefore not as likely to be completed, because I spend way too much time on Pinterest and reading blogs and being inspired by everyone else's completed projects...versions of which then make it onto my "to do" list.  It's a never-ending cycle of dysfunction, and makes me wonder how I manage to complete any projects at all.  I believe this illness has a name...and that name is "startitis".

And something else I've noticed...just a random thing...when I'm busy with my crocheting, what I'm dreaming about is the creation of jewelry designs.  When I'm busy at the bead table, I keep casting my eyes at my artist trading card station, and thinking of all the great techniques I have in mind.  I am very consistent...when I'm making artist trading cards, what I'm really longing to do is bend wire and string beads! 

Today, however, I'm really trying to make sense of the hellacious mess in this craft room.  It's so bad that I had to pick a corner and start working around the room.  I've found so much stuff...stuff I'd forgotten I had!  Last night I completed about one-fourth of the room.  But I started late in the day, so hopefully today I'll finish the job.  I haven't put it on my daily "to do" list (because I can't find the list), so I probably have a good chance of finishing the task. 

Maybe my illness is one reason I enjoy making artist trading cards so much...they're tiny, and there's a definite deadline regarding when they must be sent.  Here are a few of the artist trading cards I've made lately, and sent off to new homes (in a timely manner, too):

 

 Swap-bot "Add a Ruler" challenge...using an image cut from an old Simplicity pattern.  The pattern is so old that it has a bust measurement of 32 inches...for a size 12.  And the price marked on the envelope is 60 cents.  I think I remember those days, but vaguely.

 

 

Swap-bot "Lady with a Big Hat" challenge

 

 

Swap-bot "Wax Paper Resist Technique" challenge...my first time attempting this technique, which makes some very cool looking backgrounds!

 

Back to work...I have my girls to keep me company (one is sleeping at my feet, and the other is on the windowsill), and unless I find my to-do list I should be in good shape by bedtime!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bead Soup Blog Party 6!

This is the big day for those of us who chose the third (and final) Bead Soup reveal...Saturday, August 25th.  Our fearless leader and organizer of all the Bead Soup details, Lori Anderson, has worked, reworked, and reworked yet again to make absolutely sure that everything is perfect for our reveal.  My hat's off to YOU, Lori...you are a supremely generous lady, and I strongly suspect that it's at great personal cost.  I hope you can feel the love and appreciation we all feel for you.

My partner, Janeen (Wild Vanilla Designs) sent me a whopping fistful (or two) of truly beautiful beads, including a handmade (by Janeen!) focal and ceramic toggle closure.  I had so much to choose from...a selection of really cool vintage lucite in summer colors, dyed pearls...the list goes on and on.  You know the saying, A picture is worth 1,000 words?  I'll stop talking and just show you!

 

I played and played...assembled different combinations of beads into likely looking necklaces, bracelets, and earrings...moved beads around to see how they worked together...picked out different types of chain...and then I had a little talk with myself regarding the concept of a challenge.  Here is a golden opportunity to take the pretties sent by Janine, and stretch my limits a little bit. 

 

So I rummaged through my extremely disorganized stash of jewelry making "stuff", and discovered a baggie full of the most amazing silk ribbons from Marsha Neal.  Wowser, the colors went perfectly with the beads in front of me!  I chose a gorgeous dark pink skinny rolled ribbon, and decided to use it in place of chain for a necklace featuring Janeen's big, bold, beautiful focal.  I picked out tons of beads to use in the necklace, and one by one I set them aside...except for a special few that set off the focal.  I wanted the focal to be...well, to be the focus of the necklace, and didn't want to detract from it.  It's a showstopper of a piece, and deserves to be enhanced rather than diminished with a bunch of other beads.  So here's what I came up with:

 

 

I must apologize for the quality of the picture.  I know it's not the camera; and I used the very same techniques I've always used (disclaimer: that's not saying much), but my new home is quite a bit darker than my old home, and I've yet to figure out how and when to take really acceptable pictures (notice that I didn't say "exceptional"...I'm realistic about my weaknesses!).  Try as I might, I simply could not produce a photograph that clearly showed the hand-stitched beadwork in the center of the focal flower and still showed the entire necklace.  Epic fail.  Without a doubt, this is one of the simplest, most streamlined pieces I've ever made...three chunky wire-wrapped lucite beads on each side, separated by copper daisy spacers and attached to the ribbon on one end and to the focal on the other end.  The copper lobster claw closure attaches to the link at the top of one of the bead segments. 

 

I was so thrilled that I'd used silk ribbon for the first time EVER; it inspired me to have another go at it.  For the second necklace, I chose a melon-colored skinny rolled ribbon, which contrasted beautifully with the chartreuse and turquoise colored ceramic toggle from Janeen.  I rummaged through my bead stash and discovered some very, very cool Czech glass beads that are variegated from chartreuse to dark pink.  On a roll with the "first time EVER" syndrome, I learned to wire wrap beads, with that super-pretty swirl of wire across each bead.  (So happy...)  Here's the result:

 

 

The toggle is on the side, and is connected to a short strand of sea glass rondelles in aqua and white, with a couple of Janeen's little orange lucite balls thrown in for fun.  Then I attached asymmetrical strands of wire-wrapped variegated Czech beads on each side, attached to a silver V-shaped floral connector.  Hanging from the connector is a large aqua sea glass pendant, topped with three wire-wrapped variegated beads.  This piece was pure fun to make. 

 

I couldn't NOT use some of the sweet little aqua lucite flowers sent by Janeen, so I made a fun pair of earrings:

 

 

I started with decorative antiqued copper headpins, and strung them with the aqua flowers, topped with a pair of opaque white lucite flowers (from my stash) and then with those little orange beads.  I used eyepins to string the orange lucite squares from Janeen, and attached them to the earring wires on top, and to the flower charms on bottom. 

 

And I still have tons of beads yet unused, that will be put to good use over the next few months.  Thank you, Janeen, for your generosity and for the gift of these fabulous components.  I love them, and had so much fun expanding my horizons a bit for this Soup.  You're the best!

 

Please stop by and see what all the other "third reveal" participants created:

 

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper Gems

Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog

Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous (this is me!)
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda

Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels

Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation, Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier

Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road

Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope, LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts

Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color

Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny

Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin, Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs

Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Bead Soup Challenge

Lori sent a sweet reminder to all Bead Soup participants, asking those of us who haven't blogged and posted photos of our beautiful bead soup to please do the right thing...she said that doing so makes our partner feel loved and appreciated, and also invites other jewelry peeps to see what's going on in our particular corner of the world.

Here's the thing: my partner, Janeen, sent me a fabulous selection of beads, including a hand-made pinky-gold metal flower focal, and a beautiful enameled clasp.  Janeen couldn't have done better by me.  Look:

See what I mean?  Gorgeous.  Vintage lucite, pearls, dyed gemstones; super sweet and generous, that's my partner Janeen.

If only I could fix myself... but I seem to have lost my enthusiasm and "crafting mojo" for lack of a better phrase.  It's not just making jewelry that's gone by the wayside, oh no.  It's everything that I once found exciting, stimulating, and fun to do.  I have been making ATCs (artist trading cards) for almost two years now, and routinely swap with people all over the world.  It's so much fun to be given a theme, and to sit down with various papers, charms, vintage ephemera, paints, and rubber stamps, and to create something evocative of that theme.  It's one of my biggest sources of enjoyment, right up there with beading and bending wire. 

I took a six-week hiatus from everything (except the ever-frustrating granny squares), knowing that I needed to pack my belongings into moving boxes and to move into a sweet new home just a few miles away.  I had no idea what that six weeks would do to my spirit.  And now that I'm technically unpacked, and have a great craft room setup, I'm struggling in ways I never imagined.  I can't find what I need, when I need it.  My embossing folders are...where?  My wire snips...why aren't they with all the other "jewel tools"?  That six-week "break" has turned into a solid two months.

Can't find the special cat comb (essential for my long-haired babes); can't find the tube of prescription feline eye ointment; can't find so many of my basic cleaning supplies.  Yet I swear that every box is unpacked.  And frankly, although it seems that I have much more in the way of available work surface in the craft room, everything is stacked and piled around me in a chaotic mess.  What's going on? 

I even joined a group of blogging beaders who are struggling with these issues, and bought a great book on regaining our creative spirits...but I haven't contributed to the group in any way, and haven't even cracked open the book. 

Previewing this post makes me sad...I sound like a wimpy whiner!  Maybe I just need to step back from the situation and figure out a way to organize this room that will make it more workable for me.  That's the task I'm setting for myself for this afternoon, and hopefully my next post will be full of joy.  I really want that to be the case.