Simply Gorgeous

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Jeannie Dukic's 9th Do-Over Challenge

Well...apparently all the "excitement" (translation: terror, time-consuming appointments and tests) surrounding my upcoming knee replacement surgery has affected my short-term memory. Jeannie's Do-Over reveal was Saturday, the 10th. In my MENTAL calendar, it is this coming Saturday. I have my done-over piece made and photographed...just the blog post to write...I was going to set it to post at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday, the 17th.

I apologize from the bottom of my heart to Jeannie and to her lovely peeps (Kara!), for being such a space cadet. I'm completely aware that the beauty and rhythm of a challenge such as this one depend on the participants being present. Honestly, I don't know why my mind has gone blank on so many things lately...I sure hope it isn't a permanent situation!

I received a necklace from Jeannie that contained a hefty portion of silver-plated chain, lovely MOP shell sticks in creamy white, aqua, turquoise, and a pretty almost-royal blue...all the colors of the sea on a very good day! Additionally, I was gifted a BEAUTIFUL polymer sand dollar pendant and some sweet starfish polymer pendants (how does Jeannie DO this???). You know...first step was to photograph the "before" item:

Second step, take it apart and sort the pieces. Is there something wrong with me that I so enjoy taking things apart? Why does it give me such a thrill to deconstruct? I do a LOT of it...I have never, not once, said "This isn't right, so I'll throw it away"! So I organized the stick pearls according to color, and put the gorgeous faux beach residents nearby. And I began to ponder. What to do, what to do?

And this is what I came up with...another necklace!

I made a long necklace...it slips over the head and is about 36 inches long, not including the pendant. Going with the beautiful sea-inspired colors and feel, I used small (4 mm) glass pearls for the necklace. I had separated the stick pearls according to color, and used small groups of each color, set off with small crystal cultured sea glass beads. Rather than using the silver findings, I went with antiqued copper. Attached to a hammered antiqued copper oval ring, I attached one of the polymer starfish, and five assorted lengths of small antiqued copper chain, each with a pearl attached to the very end. I love the way the chain drapes and falls around the starfish, reminiscent of seaweed.

Here's a closer look at the focal:

I loved making this necklace, and I love wearing it even more! Thank you so much for the opportunity, Jeannie and Kara...I look forward to this challenge every time, and I'm sad that this will be the last one! Please check out the other participants to see the beautiful items they created from some of Jeannie's fabulous beads:

Jeannie Dukic https://theexchangenexus.wordpress.com/

Rachel Mallis http://www.mintmonarch.com

Penny Houghton http://www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au

Rebecca Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Znetshows Summer Challenge!

Another fabulous bead challenge from Znetshows...this time in honor of the beautiful summer season! Each participant was assigned to create pieces from one of the following categories: Sea Inspired, Fresh From the Garden, More than Jewelry, or Upcycled. I chose to make pieces inspired by the sea, which speaks to my soul...the colors, the sounds, and the ever-changing intensity of Mother Nature.

The lovely peeps at Znetshows provided me with many beautiful cultured sea glass beads...some were of my choosing, and some were extra "freebies"...so generous! I picked beads in beautiful seaside colors: turquoise, aqua, a beautiful sea green, and crystal. And oh...the fun I had!

Here are some of the beads I received from Znetshows:

My first project was a necklace...I had some drilled scallop shells that I was DYING to use, and started playing with that idea. I teamed the scallop shell with a gorgeous green starfish, and wire-wrapped them together. I used some keishi pearls from my stash, as well as some classic round green cultured sea glass beads and tiny glass pearls. Here's the result:

And you know, a girl HAS to have some earrings to go with this beachy theme, so I made these:

The corner-drilled squares are slightly convex, and while the crystal starfish are attached to the headpins, the drilled squares and keishi pearl dangles swing a little bit when worn. (They are adorable when worn...am I allowed to say that about my own creations?)

After all this seafoam green gorgeousness, I turned my attention to the beautiful turquoise pebbles and starfish. I knew I wanted to make a multi-strand bracelet, so I started with one strand of tiny round turquoise beads. From there, I did some white work...I made a strand using crystal starfish, some frosted white glass beads, and some tiny white glass pearls; I used silver bead caps on the large frosty white beads. My third and final strand is made with the beautiful turquoise pebbles, which are irregularly shaped and very organic and natural in appearance. To the finished bracelet, I added two dangles: one with another crystal starfish, and one with tiny silver beads and a frosted white glass round bead. This bracelet ROCKS on a summer-tanned wrist!

I made a pair of earrings that combine beautifully with the bracelet...as well as with the necklace...in fact, this pair of earrings looks spectacular with anything! I used a couple of the gorgeous crystal shard pendants, which dangle from frosted white glass beads with silver bead caps and decorative spacers. These earrings have just the right amount of "swing"!

My final project was nothing but fun. I wantedto make a purse charm for a good friend in Texas, who loves sea glass and beachy colors. Say no more! I knew what I was meant to make!

I had some beautiful variegated silk ribbon that shifts ever so slightly from ivory to sandy brown and then to the palest of turquoise tints...absolute heaven! I knotted a length of this ribbon to a large silver jump ring, and added a wire-wrapped turquoise starfish (it's top/side drilled), a crystal starfish (center drilled) and turquoise pebble dangle, and another dangle using those sweet keishi pearls and a small white round cultured sea glass bead. I attached the jump ring to a clip.

Can you tell that this challenge was a pleasure and a joy? It WAS! I can't thank my Znetshows friends (Hope and Bill) enough...it's an honor to design for Znetshows, and I look forward to many future challenges. Please check out the Znetshows Glossi (online magazine) here...you will be thrilled with the beautiful creations from my fellow designers!

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Znetshows "ICY" Winter Challenge!

I love these challenges...I do! This time around, the Znetshows designers received a package of beads chosen by an anonymous "someone" at the bead company...we had no idea what we might receive (now THAT'S a challenge!). We were charged with creating pieces of jewelry that had an "icy" feel, to honor the winter season.

When I opened my package of beads, I found so many strands that it takes two pictures to show them all:

I mean...wow! The thing is...when I looked at all this gorgeousness, all I could think about was "beach"...and I don't mean an icy beach! I wanted to blink my eyes and summon the balmy days of summer! But, you know, that wasn't the challenge. So I had some thinking to do. Fortunately, we are never expected to use each and every bead. And equally fortunately, we are allowed to use any beads and findings that we have in our stash. So this wasn't going to be Mission Impossible, not by a long shot!

I bucked my own tradition, and started with a bracelet rather than earrings. (For some reason known only to my inner self, I almost always begin with earrings.) I pulled a bunch of white dichroic glass beads from my stash, because they have an "icy" look. And since I wanted to put as much variety as possible onto this bracelet, I made a stacked memory wire wrap.

I used every single one of the cultured sea glass pebble beads (BDS1926-46), along with most of the icy white dichroic glass beads in my stash, and some aqua beads that I also thought had a frosty appearance. I added a dangle created from an adorable cultured sea glass large starfish in Pacific blue (S27-B30T) at one end, and an icy white drop dangle at the opposite end. I knew I wanted to use silver findings with this theme, since it has a "cooler" vibe than gold, brass, or copper.

I also created a collarbone-hugging necklace, not too short and not too long...about 19 inches long.

In my mind, I called this "Frozen Mermaid Tears", due to the clusters of AB teardrop crystals that I interspersed with small and medium round silver balls, a few round white dichroic glass beads, and one of my favorite Znetshows "go-to" beads, the 4 mm rounds...this time in light aqua (S03-28FIVE). And, of course...some of those stunning top-drilled starfish (S27-B30T).

The first pair of earrings I made are what I call "show-stoppers". Elegant shoulder-dusters for special occasions.

When I first saw these gorgeous round teardrop beads in opaque seafoam green (S77-B43), my mind flashed to a pair of crystal clusters I had removed from a thrift shop "find"...a silver chain, with two silvery-coated crystal dangles hanging front and center. I found the dangles, and connected them to the long, elegant teardrop beads as you see above.

I knew I wanted another pair of earrings, and this time I noticed that I had exactly two of my larger white dichroic "ice cube" beads remaining.

I made 24 little wire-wrapped dangles, using ball-tipped silver headpins and 4mm round cultured sea glass beads in "Moonstone Opal" (S03-86FIVE). Yes, 24. 12 for each earring. I attached them to tiny silver jump rings in clusters of 3, and added them to a larger silver jump ring to dangle over the tops of the large white beads. They are such fun to wear! There's a bit of movement from the dangles, a lot of flash and glam from the ice cube beads...and plenty of sparkle from the silver and the "ice cubes"!

I had a wonderful time with this challenge, and thank Hope and Bill from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to participate. I can't wait for the next challenge! Please check out the other designers and the Znetshows Glossi here: http://joom.ag/sFfb

And I will tell you honestly that my favorite design of ALL is on the cover of the Glossi...check it out!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop!

For the first time EVER, I forgot about a blog hop. I'm speechless...with dismay. I wish I had a handy reason for my lapse, but I don't.

In an effort to present SOMETHING...anything, really...I'm going to show you a few things I've made recently, using some of my favorite old (although not hoarded) beads, as well as some new beads from various sources: Jeannie Dukic, Znetshows, and possibly a BSBP partner or two from the recent past.

I made this bead-wrapped key into a not-so-long necklace, using a strand of the metallic seed beads I used to wrap the top of the key. To add a bit of pizazz, I added links made from faceted stone beads.

I call this the "Ice Princess" bracelet...I had a special request for a bracelet using "ice cube" (dichroic glass) beads. I've used these beads before and now I remember how much I liked them. Which then leads me to the question we all face: why do I have so MUCH stash, and why do I continue to purchase beads...every time I look into my meticulously organized bead boxes I find something that truly is new to me!

And honestly, here's what I've really been doing, rather than working with beads and wire...

Winter Fairy Artist Trading Card

Blue and Silver Artist Trading Card

"Sender's Choice" Artist Trading Card

It seems that I can either work with paper, or with beads, but not both. Or maybe my attention span is getting shorter as my age gets longer. Either way, I am really embarrassed that I forgot...please forgive me, Lori!

Here's the list of the real participants...please stop by and let them know how special they are!

Lori Anderson	www.PrettyThingsBlog.com (Hostess)
Audrey Belanger	esperianterra.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Dee Elgie	http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Rebecca Ednie	Http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Lili Krist	http://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com/blog/
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	http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Andrea Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
K Hutchinson	https://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci Brooks	https://thatnothingbewasted.wordpress.com/
Jo-Ann Woolverton	itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Jasvanti Patel	Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar	Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa Knappenberger	LIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindell	marylindell.com
Niky Sayers	silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
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	www.ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Jackie Locantore	www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl Stephens	www.babblebead.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake	www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Mona Arnott	www.bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Michelle Escano	www.cabbycraft.com
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
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	www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Inge von Roos	www.ingetraud.wordpress.com
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	www.midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Rachel Mallis	www.mintmonarch.com/#!Blog/c1jlz
Susan McClelland	www.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGraw	www.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Tania Spivey	www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie Perry	www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
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	www.peru-medesigns.com
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 (You are here!)
Lee Koopman	www.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortin	www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan Walls	Www.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormier	www.thebeadingyogini.com
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	www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Jayne Capps	www.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com

Robin Kae Reed http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Znetshows Summer Day and Night Challenge!

I am bringing up the rear on this reveal...I was supposed to have my post ready and set to be published by this morning! And since I'm so late, due to "technical issues" (unable to upload pictures in the usual way) I'm going to cut to the chase and show you all sorts of pretties, made with Znetshows cultured sea glass beads.

Each participant was asked to select two colors from a list...colors that inspired summery thoughts. We were not able to choose specific beads, those were a surprise. And we knew we'd be receiving beads in different colors as well as our chosen colors. Our mission was to complete at least two sets (two or more pieces) of jewelry...one set appropriate for daytime, and one for evening wear.

The colors I chose were "periwinkle changes" and a beautiful spring green, "peridot". What I received...well, you can see here:

Okay. I have to admit that at first glance, I wasn't entranced with the matte purple barrel beads. However, as I started playing...well, one thing led to another. I had some beautiful matte white beads from a previous challenge; I believe they are "marquis spindles". Long, elegant beauties that are tapered on both ends. I also discovered a strand of tiny teardrop beads from a long-ago bead store purchase; they are a color mix called "sea glass", and the beads are a combination of shiny and matte glass. I made a combination of strands for a bracelet, using the matte purple barrel beads, the white marquis spindle beads, little clusters of the sea glass teardrops, and a few tiny (4mm) round clear Swarovski crystals. I twisted the strands, added a pretty dangle, and made some coordinating earrings. Here is my offering for an evening set:

Oh no...look at the SIZE of these pictures! Why can't I upload from my Dropbox folder? I had to copy/paste from my Flickr page, and it is not successful in this format. I'm unable to resize the photos, I'm so sorry!

I love the way the different shades of purple work together, and I was thrilled to be able to use two of the pretty pastel lampwork beads from my Bead Soup partner, Dyanne Cantrell! The picture below is of the same bracelet (slightly different angle)...with the two additional sets of earrings. For the evening challenge, I made one bracelet and three sets of earrings.

And now for the daytime set...I used the Znetshows rings in "turquoise bay", and joined them together with large silver jump rings. Front and center is a focal piece made from a big chunk of recycled glass...oh, how I love those rough, chunky beads! I added a few tiny matte aqua teardrop beads and a dangle of brass and turquoise Czech beads...a bracelet just isn't finished for me until there's a dangle or two! The earrings are simple aqua nuggets with small dangles made with more of the matte aqua teardrops. The earrings are on the larger side, to complement the bold bracelet.

What a pleasure it was to work with these beautiful beads. I didn't touch the beautiful peridot barrel beads...but I'm playing with them now! Here's a link to the fantastic Znetshows e-magazine that Hope Smitherman labored over with such a great result...please check it out, and see the beautiful creations from my fellow designers! You can find the Znetshows blog here: znetshows.blogspot.com, and the individual designer's blogs here:

DonettaFarrington (You are here!)