Spring Bead Challenge Reveal

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OK, now I can show you my entries to Crystal’s Bead Challenge. No more sneak peeks. I entered two designs. A copper butterfly necklace set and a blue beaded necklace.

Crystal posted the results today on her blog, Beadhappilyeverafter. There’s some real talent out there. Such pretty jewelry!!

My inspiration came from beads and bead caps I found at Crystal’s Etsy Shop. (You can see what inspired each entrant here in this photo I borrowed from her blog. 😀 )

First, let me tell you about my butterfly set.

I gathered what I thought I would use to create my necklace. A bit of this and a bit of that. After experimenting for a couple of hours, trying different colors of beads, I ended up not using all that you see here in the photo.

From this.

To this.

Supplies used in addition to Crystal’s bead caps:

• antique copper butterflies
• banded agate round beads
• antique copper star spacers
• antique copper curved tubes
• antique copper hammered clasps
• copper ribbed rondelles (for bracelet)
• seed beads, size 6/0 (for bracelet)
• stringing wire

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My second entry, a blue necklace, was last minute. I hadn’t planned to make it. But since my beading tools were already out on my craft table, I said, what the heck, “Let’s make something else.” I had been wanting to make something with these two-holed blue beads, just hadn’t decided what. After sorting through my supplies and putting “anything with blue” in a bowl, I got started.

From this…

To this.

Supplies used in addition to Crystal’s 2-holed blue beads:

• an assortment of blue beads
• seed beads, size 8/0 and 11/0
• toggle clasp with Swarovski sapphire crystals
• stringing wire

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I really enjoyed participating in this challenge. My creative juices were overflowing. I was relaxed and let my fingers do what my mind saw.

Oh, BTW, guess whose name was picked by Random Generator for 1st Prize? ME!!!
Look at all these beady goodies I won.

Aren’t they beautiful? Beady Eyecandy!! Can’t wait to get them. I already have ideas. Thanks so much, Crystal.

Also, thank you for hosting your 3rd Bead Challenge. All of the designs are really pretty. I am looking forward to your next challenge.

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Go here to see all Bead Challenge entries and the prize winners.

http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/?p=19092

Here is the link to Crystal’s Etsy Shop. She has wonderful products. Check it out!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadhappilyeverafter

Pillowcases and Another Sneak Peek

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How’s your weekend going?

Mine has been busy, busy, busy. In addition to the usual stuff (cleaning, watching TV, family stuff, etc), I managed to find time to do a second entry for Crystal’s bead challenge at Beadhappilyeverafter. http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/?p=18920

Here’s the Sneak Peek…

I can tell you that it is a necklace. Light blue is a color I usually bypass. But I like it. Will try to use it more in the future.

Now that my challenge entries have been submitted, it is back to sewing.

For the next day or two I will work on these.

Pillowcases. I will tell you more about them later. Who they are for and why I am making them. I think those fabrics will make up cute.

What crafting are you doing? Have a great weekend (what’s left of it). 😀

Taking A Timeout For Beads… And A Sneak Peek…

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You should see my craft room. It looks like a tornado ran through it and left me trying to figure out where everything goes. It’s a mess!! But it is a wonderful mess.

I took a timeout from sewing/quilting to create my beaded entry for Crystal’s bead challenge over at Beadhappilyeverafter. http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/?p=18920
This is her 3rd challenge. They are fun to enter and you can win great prizes. I won’t show you the finished item… yet. Crystal gets first look. All entries must be submitted by 9pm Saturday, May 12. But I will come back to do a show and tell after she posts the challenge results on her blog.   

Here is a Sneak Peek of my entry.

I haven’t decided on a title yet. I thought of a few.

• Madame Butterfly (but with a happy ending)
• Winging-It
• Spring Bling
• Spread Your Wings
• Beads and Butterflies
• Come Fly With Me

I have to admit it was nice spending some quiet time just sitting for a couple days working with my beads. It will be hard to store them away until the next time. 😦

OK… now back to sewing/quilting. A new handbag and zippered bag coming up soon. 😀

My Week With Seed Beads

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Inspired by this wrap bangle bracelet I made for the Bead Soup Blog Hop, I spent a full week working with my seed bead stash.

Yep, I actually did not pick up my rotary cutter for a whole seven days. Just sat and sat and beaded.

First I made this bracelet.

And then this one.

I had Brides and the “I Do” Season on my mind when I created this one. Even dragged out my button stash.

Next, I circled back to the bracelet that started it all. I added a second peyote bail to it. Loving it even more now.

I think I was probably into Day 3 when I created this red, white and blue one. Still not ready to go back to sewing/quilting.

And more…..

BTW, you won’t believe the number of empty bead vials I ended up with. There were even more but I tossed a few.

I made little containers of “bead soup” by combining my 11/0 seed beads by colorways. Whatever I thought would look good together got emptied into the bowl. What a great way to use up leftovers from other projects!!

After making this green, gray and black bracelet, I had an idea for a necklace.

But I couldn’t decide on how to end it. What type clasp to use. I chewed on several ideas and one day when running errands, I remembered these barrel tube clasps I bought a few years ago but never tried.

Bingo!! It worked. I am just thrilled to pieces how this came out. No matter that this necklace and bracelet took 24 hours to make. I love it!!

As it turned out, My Week With Seed Beads ended with that necklace. I had a crochet order (which you saw) that I needed to work on. So sadly, I pushed my beads aside. Now, observe how I said that. “Pushed” aside. Not PUT AWAY.

If in a week I don’t have a desire to bead something, then I will dust cover my bead supplies until the next time. Hopefully it won’t be for too long. Need to show all of my crafts some love from time to time. 😀

After all, these pearls and jade beads are waiting to be made into a necklace.

My favorite. Yellow.

Hubby’s favorite. Bronze.

I had fun designing and creating them.

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These wrap bangle bracelets and wrap necklace are This Year’s Dozen originals.

Please respect Copyright Laws. Do not distribute, copy or post on the Internet without written permission. Thanks.

It’s REVEAL Time… Look What I Made With My Bead Soup!!

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What fun!! I had a blast coming up with necklace ideas. And I tried them all. I used Soft Flex beading wire because I knew it would retain its shape through all of my experimenting.

I didn’t take photos of each idea I tried. Just a couple. These I liked but after photographing them, I felt they were “overkill.”

So I took them apart and started over. And that was yesterday, LOL!!

This was my last design. It seemed more balanced.

I turned this seed bead necklace into a wrap bracelet with a peyote bail. I also made a fun charm bracelet with the leftover beads using macrame cord and chain links but the photo came out blurred.

I knew I wanted to make at least one pair of earrings, so I set aside these two green beads and the gold spacer beads. They are cute. And lightweight.

Lisa at Pine Ridge Treasures, my bead partner, will be happy to know I used every single bead she sent. Even added a few of my own, keeping with her color palette.

In case you can’t remember what all she sent, here is a photo. The BEFORE. There’s Picture Jasper, Fire Agate, Porcelain/Ceramic, Sari Silk and a really pretty Melinda Orr clasp.

Avocado is a color that looks great on me, if I say so myself. I have always enjoyed wearing it. And fire agate. I have quite a bit of it in my own stash. So this Bead Soup was tailor made for me.

Can’t wait to see what all she made with the Bead Soup I sent her. I want you to see it too. So you will have to go to her site for a look see. In fact, there are 200 jewelry designers participating. For sure, plenty of pretty and unique designs. Jewelry Eye Candy to die for.

But first… visit Lisa’s blog and also her shop. She makes beautiful jewelry. I really enjoyed chatting with her during this process. And don’t forget to leave a comment.

• Her blog. http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com

• Her shop. http://www.pineridgetreasures.com

For all of the details and list of participants, go to Lori Anderson’s blog, Pretty Things Blog. Maybe next year you will participate.

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Let the Blog Hop Party begin. Have fun.

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Thanks for hosting, Lori. You made it fun and kept us all informed.

Crystal’s Bead Challenge Reveal: My Kissing Hearts Necklace

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I am so glad I gave myself plenty of time to experiment with these pretty red hearts and white tubes. Got them at Crystal’s bead shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadhappilyeverafter. The plan was to spend about two days making a bracelet. The design which was in my head was a charm bracelet with dangling hearts.

But after starting, a different idea popped up.

And another.

And another.

Even necklace ideas floated passed my eyes.

If the hearts could talk, I bet they would have said, “enough already!! Pick ONE design and stick to it!!” LOL!! Thank goodness stringing wire is cheap.

This is what I ended up submitting. Kissing Hearts. It makes my heart go all skippy just looking at it. I love it!!

I had fun working on Crystal’s challenge. Go check out the other entries from all of the participants. Very pretty. Looking at them gave me a couple of ideas. I love looking at handcrafted jewelry.

http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/?p=18634

Thanks, Crystal, for hosting your 2nd bead challenge. Can’t wait for the next one.

LOVE Is In The Air

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What to do? What to make?

Hmmm. Hearts and Tubes. From Crystal’s shop. BeadHappilyEverAfter. So pretty.

But what to turn them into? As usual, I am late to the party. Only six days until I have to submit a photo of my creation. Now I have to get busy. Oh, I have been thinking about designs. For several weeks. But now, thinking time is over. Fingers must move and get to creating.

I will probably make a bracelet. Sure. That’s what I will make.

Yep. The hearts and tubes will be a bracelet!!

More details and photos in a few days.

Hop on over to Crystal’s site to see what her challenge is all about.

http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/?page_id=17770

http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadhappilyeverafter

SMILE: Bead Soup Beads Sent and Received

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Oh Wow!! Did I tell you how excited I am about participating in the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party? I was thrilled to find out my name had been picked by the Random Generator. This would be my first time entering and my fingers and toes had been crossed for several days. So when Lori Anderson, the host, e-mailed that I had been selected, my creative brain went on crack overload.

I had an idea on what to send my Bead Soup Partner but still slowly went through my jewelry stash anyway. I had a fun few days putting it all together going… ahhh, hmmm, what if, maybe. I couldn’t show you until now. Had to wait for her to receive my goodies. They were delivered today.

This is what I sent. I am calling my assortment of beads SMILE. Because it makes me smile.

There’s Jasper, Agate, ceramic and glass beads. As well as Antique Copper. Hope she likes. Can’t wait to see what she creates.

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AND NOW ON TO THE BEST PART…..

This is what my Bead Soup Partner sent me. Just gorgeous!!

There’s Picture Jasper, Fire Agate, Porcelain/Ceramic, Sari Silk and the prettiest clasp I have ever seen.

So many ideas. One minute necklaces are prancing before my eyes. And then a playful cuff bracelet keeps making an appearance. I am sketching ideas as fast as they pop up. Hopefully one idea jumps front and center in the next week. I am anxious to get started. I will let the beautiful Melinda Orr clasp guide me.

My Bead Soup Partner is Lisa at Pine Ridge Treasures. Go. Check. Her. Out. She does beautiful work. She makes a great partner. Love her color palette. Right up my alley!!

• Her blog.   http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com

• Her shop.  http://www.pineridgetreasures.com

Bookmark my blog or better yet go over to my right Sidebar and sign up to receive my blog via e-mail. You don’t want to miss the reveal of both. What I made. And what she made. Can’t wait. So excited!!

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Go here for more details and to see the list of participants.

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

My Bead Challenge Entry

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Yay!! I am so excited.

I have wanted to show you the bracelet I made for Crystal’s First Bead Challenge. But wanted to wait until she revealed them all on her blog. Go here to see the amazing work of the participants. Stringing, wirework, bead embroidery and bead weaving.

http://beadhappilyeverafter.com/blog/?p=18048

All different takes from three sets of beads. (I borrowed this photo from Crystal’s blog.)

I had the idea for my bracelet immediately after seeing the choices. I knew I would peyote something.

 

I used all ten of the silver saucer beads to connect the peyote tubes. And then created a clasp using round Swarovski crystals in siam, smoke and black.

I will be putting this bracelet in my Etsy Shop soon.

Thank you, Crystal, for sponsoring your bead challenge. I really enjoyed it.

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Crystal has an amazing selection of beads. Something for everyone. Even handcrafted jewelry is available. Great prices, super fast shipping. Check out her shop here.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadhappilyeverafter?ref=em

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AND for those of you following my blog for the beadwork and have waited patiently… good news!! I am going to make another bracelet in bronze. Crystal also had gold beads like the silver ones I used. Can’t wait to get started. Who knows!! Maybe 2012 will get me back to fondling little seed beads!! 😀

A Few “Ta-Dah” Moments… Class, Bunting Set, Wall Hanging

And in no particular order…..

Ta-Dah!!!

I finally hung the first quilted item I made. My Dresden Plate wall hanging. It’s been so long. You have probably forgotten. I sewed a black polka dot sleeve on the back.

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My Cold Connections class yesterday was FABULOUS!! I really enjoyed the instructor. What talent!! She teaches at several places including a Community College. I learned three ways to add a rivet, one way to “staple” metal together and used a Flex Shaft power drill to punch holes in metal.

Also more sawing of metal. We worked with copper and brass.  In the last few minutes of class, I quickly added extra holes.

Don’t know what I will do with these pieces.  I will figure out something. It was all hands on. My favorite type of class. I learn better when I am actually doing the work.

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I created this Pillow and Bunting Set. I had July 4th on the brain.

You see bunting flags and triangles everywhere. So I decided to make up my own version. Using fabric, clear vinyl and cut up little pieces of yarn. (A perfect way to use up all that yarn just sitting.)

I pieced together some burgundy, blue and mustard fabric to make this patchwork pillow. I quilted the front and made an envelope back.

The pillow form is recycled. I took an old toss pillow not being used, was just being stored, took it apart, used the stuffing to make a new pillow form. The fabric is the same fabric I used to line the patchwork pillow cover. I have eight more pillows I can recycle.

Here are more photos. The pillow back. The bunting backs.

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😦

My sewing machine died!! It stopped on me when I was stippling my first quilt. I already had about half done. Got through another 12 inches or so and the stitches started to come apart. I did everything any sewing machine owner would do. Rethread, changed the thread, changed the bobbin, cleaned out the bobbin case, removed the bobbin holder, cleaned out under it and all around it, changed needles (several times, different color tips). I did everything I knew to do. Still acting ugly!!

So.. my Janome now sits in the front passenger seat awaiting a trip to the repair shop. The last time I took it, they had it for 3 weeks. I sure hope it isn’t that long this time. I will go through sewing withdrawal. I will have to drag out my little Sew Petite. And try to sew on it. The foot does not raise up very high, so no way to quilt anything on it. Just straight sewing. 😦

A day without crafting!! No way!!

Maybe I will make up a few jewelry pieces. I have a couple coiled wire ideas. And I need to macrame a couple of plant hangers. This downtime may be good for me. Give me a break from sewing. Get a couple of patterns done. Get some of the many things I have made listed on Etsy. Now THAT is something I could do!! Should do. Will do.