Monday, January 7, 2013

2013

Well we are a week into 2013 and I am finally getting around to my first post of the year.  Last year was an extremely stressful year.  I am not saying that it was bad, it just made me feel tired.   We had several changes in our family, some good and then some not so good.  We moved out to the country full time.  This is one of the really positive things that took place during 2012.  I love the small school my son, Jacob attends.  I love that my boys will grow up learning about wildlife and working on the land. 


  The biggest negative to living in the country is the skunks.....yuck, and the snakes.  The above picture was taken from my car.

2012 was a good year for my Jewelry making.  I participated in many more blog hops and challenges.  I really enjoyed this, although there were a few times that I did feel a bit overwhelmed and thought to myself I need to stop for awhile.  I even thought that my only blog hop for 2013 would be the BSBP.  It is now 2013 and there is no way this will be my only hop/challenge.

I have one that will be revealed on the 14th of January,  my Head to Head Challenge with my great friend Sweet Freedom.


I am also participating in the Art Jewelry Elements earring challenge, and the The Studio Sublime's focusing-on-life-2013.

The Art Jewelry Elements earring challenge involves making a pair of earrings a week using art beads or elements.  These can be items from another artist or yourself.  You just need to list who made the are beads or elements.  This challenge is for the entire year, but it is broken down into quarterly sections so you can do 13 weeks or more.  We will reveal on Sunday's every two weeks.  This means you get to see 2 pairs of earrings from me.  The first reveal date is January 20th.  I choose to participate in this because I often struggle making earrings and want to grow.

The The Studio Sublime's focusing-on-life-2013.  I have joined this a week late, but will catch up.  Sally from The Studio Sublime will email all the participants a photo prompt.  We then have a week to capture our picture and it will be posted on Saturday.  This will last the entire year.  You will be able to see moments of our lives for 52 weeks.  I am really excited about doing this. 

Well this is a great way to welcome in 2013 and say goodbye to 2012!



Tuesday, December 25, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 
I wish all of you a wonderful and amazing Christmas!  I pray that God blesses each and every one of you today, and in the New Year!



Saturday, December 15, 2012

Holiday Bling 2 Blog Hop

 


I am once again participating in the Holiday Bling Blog Hop hosted by Shelley Graham Turner and Marlene Cupo. 


 
This time I was paired with the extremely talented Debbie Rasmussen.  She makes stunning bead woven items so I knew that I would receive something really great from her.  We exchanged some emails and got to know each other a bit.  I learned that she really likes copper and warm tones.  I also do some bead weaving so I did not want to send her something that I felt she could make herself.  So I went about creating a necklace, bracelet, and earring set using copper.  I made an asymmetrical necklace using some of my enamel beads and copper chain.  I made a bracelet with lots of dangles (one of my favorite styles) also used some of my enamel beads and them some earrings to match.  The necklace clasp is made with a S hook and is adjustable.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I really hope she likes these.  I had fun making them.

Here is the amazing bracelet and earrings that Debbie sent me.  I love them!
 
They are a beautiful silver/gray color.  The color in my picture is off, sorry.  They came packaged in this cute little purse wrapping.
 
 
I will be wearing the bracelet and earrings Debbie made for me on my cruise this week.  If you are reading this on the 15th I will be sailing the seas!  I will visit all the participants when I return.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.  I wish each and every one of you and wonderful and prosperous New Year!
 
 
 
Please visit all the other participants in this blog hop and see what wonderful Holiday Bling they created!
 
Shirley Moorehttp://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaudhttp://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine Kinghttp://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stillehttp://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Rayhttp://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hocketthttp://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolvertonhttp://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussenhttp://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanzianohttp://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishophttp://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerleyhttp://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriffhttp://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everlyhttp://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinachehttp://www.allprettythings.ca
Melinda Abrahamsonhttp://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewelshttp://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Chandra Merodhttp://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaarshttp://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogelhttp://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smithhttp://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Ottohttp://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyerswww.leelucreations.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupohttp://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turnerwww.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Head to Head December Update


I am doing a Head to Head Challenge with my good friend Sweet Freedom.  For all the details go here and here.  Well the good news is not only have I selected beads but I have started stitching!!!! Progress from last month.  This is amazing for a procrastinator like me.  Come back in a month and see my finished piece!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Echo Creative Club November Reveal

I once again have the privilege of having a guest spot in Jeannie's Echo Creative Club.  Jeannie makes such beautiful and amazing creations using polymer clay and you can find them her in her  shop.  In her Echo Creative Club she sends you a piece and you then use it to design something.  I received this beautiful pink Gin Blossom.  I LOVE it!
 
 
I wanted to keep the design fairly simple so as not to take too much away from the focal piece.  I decided to do a Russian spiral weave.  I also stitched the toggle clasp and added a bit of fringe. 


 



I ADORE this necklace and know that I will wear it often.  Thanks to Jeannie for allowing me to showcase one of her wonderful creations.  Please visit Jeannie and all the other participants.



Charlie Jacka http://clay-space.com
Cindy Cima Edwards http://www.cindycima.com
Donna Martin Bradley http://strandedbeads.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Head to Head Challenge November Update

Remember from this post I am doing a Head to Head Challenge with my good friend Sweet Freedom.  We decided that we would do a monthly update until the reveal date.  Well..... I have gone so far as select some beads that go with my triangle bead.


Please come back next month to see what progress I have made.  And be sure to see how far Sweet Freedom has gotten with her head to head challenge piece.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Ears to You blog hop

I first must apologize that this post is late.  When I join a blog hop I always make sure that my post is ready and I schedule it to post at 12:30 am the day it is due.  Well.....life got in the way!  Thursday and Friday I had a sick and cranky 2 year old and then yesterday with his fever it was a REALLY CRANKY day and with Mom not feeling so hot herself it was not a good day!  So anyway her is my post....better late than never I say.

Amy of http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/ is our wonderful hostess and found this awesome organization Ears to You .  They provide free earrings to women undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.  She decided that since this was such a giving and easy way to brighten a woman's day why not ask some of her like minded friends to help out and make some earrings.   Her rule was for us to make 3-5 pairs or more of earrings to send to the organization and share with each other what we made. 

Here are my earrings.




If you would like to donate just go to http://www.earstoyou.org/ and you too and make a woman's day!

Please visit the other wonderful participants to see what they created for this amazing cause.




Copper Diem
My Addictions
Beads, Tea and Sweets
Juls Beads
Fabric of my Life
Blogging Business Artisans
Jeannie's Blog
Lorelei's Blog
One Kiss Creations
Backstory Beads
According to Katie
Cherish Designs
Beads: Rolling Downhill
Falling Into The Sky
Garden Path Beads
Antiquity Travelers
Sissy and Jacks
Erin Siegel Jewelry/Art Bead Scene
Northwood Creative Studio
SilverRose Designs
Dreamin of Beads/SAS Jewelry Design  *** you are here
Cabe Woman
Summers Studio
Honey from the Bee
Shaiha's Ramblings
Mama's Got to Doodle
Beads for Busy Gals
Tanya McGuire
Creative Atelier