It's that time of year again for the Bead Soup Blog Hop, organized by Lori Anderson. It's my second year participating and its a pretty awesome concept. Lori, God Bless Her!, takes all the names and sets them all up with partners and emails the information and out and then troubleshoots and makes the final list so we can all hop blogs at the end. It's a lot of her work on her end but it certainly makes for a very fun hop. And today is the last day to send out the beads, and so I got mine out yesterday - cutting it close.
I think Lori really picked a partner well for me this year. My partner is also a Denise and the similarities don't end there. We both have husbands named Kevin, 3 kids and are nurses. Denise makes some really neat jewelry with vintage finds and encompasses some things that I would like to learn but haven't taken (or gotten) the time to do just yet - soldering and resin. Check out her blog at: http://www.reinventedobjects.blogspot.com/
Here are a sneak pick of the beads I sent my partner:
A little variety!
Have you seen the new Vintaj Artisan pewter? I like wearing silver jewelry so much more than brass, but I also really like the Vintaj stamps. What a great marriage of both! The pewter definitely has a different feel than the brass. The Vintaj DecoEtch Dies patterns come out much more distinct in the pewter and frankly, I think the embossing looks much better on the brass and copper than the pewter.
I really like these earrings. The idea is from Beadaholique. They used a peacock pattern.
Just a word of caution - if you choose to make these - watch that the pattern doesn't make an 'etch' on the circle loop at the top. It weakens the tiny bit of pewter in the loop and while mine are okay to wear now, I have a feeling the one loop will end up opening and I'll end up looking the earring. I darkened the etches with black Vintaj ink. Swavorski crystals were glued on the front - just used jewelery's cement.
The pattern for this stunning bracelet was actually on the front page of a beading magazine, but I've let my friend borrow the magazine for the same pattern and I can't remember which one. I'll update when I get it back. And I finished this in one evening. Not too bad. The pattern recommended one of those button clasps, which I did not have (at the time) so I added a SAKI toggle clasp. It is a little difficult to open and close with the thickness of the bracelet but it'll do for now. I see why the button clasp is better for this kind of bracelet and will use one next time.
Beautiful toggle clasp that is not too functional with this kind of bracelet. :(
I think this page is probably one of my favorites in the Stringing magazine because I like to make jewelry, but don't always usually want to spend a fortune on every piece. This bracelet caught my eye right away. And I wanted a fun accessory for the holidays.
Here it is - lovely - fits so well. I made each memory wire 7.5" since my wrist is smallish but really, if you make this bracelet and your wrist is small or big, keep the same amount of memory wire as listed in the pattern (8") so it goes all the way around the wrist. It shortens up a bit with the braiding of the wires.
The name of the pattern is 'Memory Lane Cuff' by Lauren Ivy from the Summer 2013 Jewelry Stringing magazine.
I used a bead mix from Wildly Bohemian Czech glass beads in Iron Maiden.
This is actually the 3rd one that I've made. I finished one for my mom, who then wanted me to make one for my aunt and now my cousin would like one for her mother-in-law. So maybe I've actually made a somewhat 'popular' design. It's just sparkly and pretty understated, unless you know what the colors mean.
A stone for each child and/or grandchild. This bracelet can look all sorts of ways depending on when the birth month of the children and grandchildren. My mom's looked pretty Christmas-sy since 3 of her children/grandchildren were born in July (Siam/Ruby color) and one in May (Emerald).
Here's the latest...
Once again, I was asked to submit some items to sell as part of the Cincy Craft Cartel at the 1305 Gallery. They have an annual Yuletide where you can buy locally-made, handmade items from many talented artists. I was working through November to make more items. Here's just some of the jewelry for sale there.
I really had fun making earrings this time around - and make 40 pairs for the show - lots of festive things and bright colors. I think that's what I need when it gets colder and so dark for so much of the day. I long for the days where I can go for a run at 8:45pm and make it home before the sun goes down (and where its warm enough to be wearing shorts and a t-shirt at that time!). In the meantime, I'll just have to keep making jewelry.
Oh! How I've admired these for awhile and awaited the time when I could take on the challenge of these beautiful bracelets! I finally got the pattern and decided to put other things on hold, while I took this project on. And they did take time, a little here, a little there. A little while helping the kids with coloring and workbooks and homework and a little while watching some tv late at night.
And then the finished product....
Aren't they stunning? I could tell from just doing the first steps of the bracelet that they would be gorgeous - the beads for the first right angle weave just feel silky. The pattern and kits are called 'Othello' from TamaraScottDesigns.
I would highly recommend the patterns. Very easy instructions. And the results are so pretty - I've gotten lots of compliments when wearing them.
Can't wait to try them in different colors!
