For myself

These days, I pretty much never make anything for myself. But, I’ve been looking for a nice, sturdy hair clip for my thick, unruly hair.

So, I got out some Copper sheet metal, some rivets and a clip… and voila!

 

I love it’s rustic, faux-bois texture!

Have you made anything just for you lately?

well used

my solderite board, covered in patinas

Color Palette Blog Walk

 

I am happy to be taking part in Brandi Girl’s Color Palette Blog Walk!

Brandi has gathered several bloggers to share their color inspirations through color palettes. If you’ve never created a color palette, Brandi has you covered there too, with this great tutorial.

passion flower

This photo was taken at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. I wish I could remember the name of this flower, if anyone knows please fill me in! I am fascinated by it. The colors, the shape.

::update – ’tis a Passion Flower, thank you to one of my lovely readers!

This photo is from a day trip to Bray/Greystones. It was taken along the Bray to Greystones cliff walk in Co. Wicklow. It is a beautiful trail, with gorgeous views of the Irish Sea. You’re surrounded most of the time by beautiful ferns, wildflowers and old stone walls. A very inspiring place.

I tend to go for colours found in nature. Could you tell?

 

To see all the other lovely palettes for this blog walk, please click on over to Brandi Girl’s list of participants.

Bead Soup Blog Party – Reveal!!

Remember this post? It’s here!!!

Welcome to the 3rd Bead Soup Blog Party!
What is a Bead Soup Blog Party?

Each beader was paired up with another jewellery designer and tasked with sending the following:

~ A focal
~ A special clasp
~ Some coordinating spacers or beads

Using the focal and the clasp was mandatory, but we could use anything from our own stash to round out the rest, and choose to use the coordinating beads or not.
Here’s what I made!

bead soup blog party necklace
I call it ‘Garden Lover’. The focal is just a gorgeous piece of work and I wanted to showcase it by leaving the rest of the necklace fairly simple. I added a silver lily charm from my own stash and incorporated some of the gorgeous glass throughout. I’m really pleased with it!
I also made some simple little earrings to match.

bead soup blog party earrings

 

 

I have to sincerely thank Lori for organising all of this.  What a lot of work it must have been. This was my first official BSBP and I have had so much fun! Thank you, Lori!

And thank you again to Virginie for these gorgeous, gorgeous beads to work with!


Come see what the rest of us made!  There is a lot of us!

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life
3.  Michelle Heim, Life In the Bead Lane
4.  Lisa Petrillo, Lucid Moon Studio
5.  Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
6.  Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
7.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
8.  Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe
9.  Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto
10.  Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio


11.  Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
12.  Rachel Walsh, Balanced Crafts (you are here!! )
13.  Marian Hertzog, M’s Place
14.  Mary McGraw, MK’s Musings
15.  Sarabeth Burke, Chronicles of Sarita
16.  Deci Worland, Gem Trails
17.  Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
18.  Laura Zeiner, Stick Lizard Designs
19.  Kristin Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs
20.  Cathryn Brooks-Williams, Chile Cats


21.  Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
22.  Janna Harttgen, Palima-Lim
23.  Libby Leuchtman, Libby Leu
24.  Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
25.  Deb Hunter, Living On Air
26.  Diana Ptaszynski, Suburban Girl Studio
27.  Jennifer VanBenschoten, VanBeads
28.  Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
29.  Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
30.  Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul


31.  Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie’s Sammelsurium
32.  Patricia Gasparino, My Life Under the Bus
33.  Tari Khars, Pearl and Pebble
34.  Kristi Bowman-Gruel, Kristi Bowman Design
35.  Jayne Capps, Mama’s Got to Doodle
36.  Becky Fairclough, Chameleons Designs
37.  Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead & Metal Works
38. Lynne Bowland, Islandgirl’s Insights
39.  Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
40.  Lorelei Eurto, Inside the Studio


41.  Stacy Hartis, Sissy & Jack’s
42.  Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions
43.  Marcie Abney, La Bella Joya
44.  Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
45.  Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles
46.  Melissa Mesara, One Eared Pig
47.  Amanda Davie, Articulations
48.  Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady
49.  Virginia Joste, ViviBijoux


50.  Andrew Thornton, The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton
51.  Lori Dorrington, Lori’s Glassworks
52.  Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
53.  Kate Gardenghi, Tropical Blonde
54.  Serena Trent, PinkIce Jewel’s Blog
55. Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin de Koning
56.  Shai Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings
57.  Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio
58.  Amy Freeland, Copper Diem
59.  Lisa Liddy, Joolz By Lisa


60.  Sandi Lee James,  Do Be Do Bead Do
61.  Mary Harding, Mary Harding Bead Blog
62.  Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
63.  Leslie Gidden, Mad Maggie Designs
64.  Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals
65.  Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
66.  Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.
67.  Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash
68.  Laurel Steven, Rue’s Daftique
69.  Ingrid McCue, Wrapped In Silver



70.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
71.  Diana Hawkey, Diana Hawkey
72.  Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
73.  Jeanette Ryan, Jeanette Blix
74.  Jackie Ryan, Silver Lodge Gems
76.  Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium
77.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
78.  Jana Trupovniece, Stories of the Secret Garden
79.  Amy Severino, Amy Beads


80.  Emma Thomas, Fred Beans Nook
81.  Karen Zanco, Everyday Gypsy
82.  Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
83.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
84.  Dana James, Dana’s Jewelry Designs
85.  Kristina Johansson, Wild Roses and Blackberries
86.  CJ Bauschka, CJ Bauschka
87.  Angela Barribea, Re: Angela Rae
88. Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
89.  Tanya Floyd, Glass Migrations


90.  Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss
91.  Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous
92.  Jenni Connolly, Jenni’s Bead
93.  Nally Parfyonova, Nally’s Creations
94.  Karyn White, Releases By Rufydoof
95. Emanda Johnson, Artemisia Studio
96.  Sandy Richardson, Sandy’s Coloring Box
97.  Cindy Dolezal,  Cindy Dolezal Designs
98.  Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue
99. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads


101.  Nicole Valentine-Rimmer, N. Valentine Studio
102.  Jacinta Meyers, Jamberrysong’s Creations
103.  Charlene Gary, Gray Girl Studios
104.  Rubiee Hayes, Glitter and Keys Galore
105.  Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations
106.  Elizabeth Freeman, Turquoise Sky
107.  Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric
108.  Lynda Moseley, Diva Designs
109.  Grace Danel,  Grace Beading
110.  Lois Moon, Que Onda Quitman


111.  Agnes Shapiro, Beader Bubbe
112.  Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
113.  Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
114.  Mary Ellen Parker, Bee Tree By Me
115. Barbara Bechtel, Second Surf
116.  Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
117. Alice Craddick, Alice’s Beads and Baubles
118.  Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie
119.  Ronda Adams, The Ravished Heart
120.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs


121. Anna Lear, The Laughing Raven
122. Susie Hibdon, Vintagesusie & Wings
123.  Amanda Austin, Sea Shore Glass
124.  Jennifer Velasquez, Jen Judd Rocks
125.  Hazel Ward, All Those Things
126.  Brenda Salzano, Salzanos
127.  Dee Gordon, Runako Designs by Dee
128.  Anna Denisova, Anita-M
129.  Margaret Saari, Mags-Jewelry


130.  Genea Crivello-Knable, Genea Beads
131.  Penny Neville, Copper Penny
132.  Angela Blasingame, Hopemore
133. Helena Fritz, Beadwork by H’s Blog
134. Stephanie LaRose, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
135. Stephanie Haussler, PixyBug Designs
136. Diane Cook, Rosa & Josies
137.  Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
138.  Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by J.P.
139.  Shannon Chomanczuk, For My Sweet Daughter


140.  Lisa Godfrey, Bead Happy
141.  Heather Pyle, Welcome to My  Muse
142.  Regina Santerre, Regina’s Writings
143.  Liz DeLuca, Creative Arty Facts
144.  Sig Wynne-Evans, Beaded Bear’s Nonsense
145.  Loretta Carstensen, Loretta’s Boutique
146.  Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
147.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
148.  Shelly Graves, Stars Dance With Me
149.  Jess Italia Lincoln, Vintaj Blog


150. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
151.  Carrie Tahquechi, Carrie T
152.  Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
153.  Katarzyna Kwiatkowska, Quiet Area
154.  Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs
155. Magdalena Sikora, Poranna Gazeta
156.  Nicole Keller, Nicki’s Reef
157.  Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye
158.  Noemi Baena, Fire, Metal, and Color
159. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman


160.  Barbara Blaszczyk, Labotorium Flory
161.  Collette Collins, Firefly Myst
162.  Carola Greiser, Polymer Clay Shed
163.  Joanna Kopijczuk, Bizuteria z Filcu
164. LeAnn Weih, Summers Studio
165.  Cassandra Watsham, Design by Cassandra
166. Anna Motz, Stunning
167.  Shea Zukowski, Gr8findings
168.  Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
169.  Lisa Boucher, Lisa’s Clay Happenings


170.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
171.  Alison Crenshaw, Beads by Earth Tones
172.  Dorcas Midkiff, Wondrous Strange Designs
173.  Melissa Rediger, Sea of Glass
174.  Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
176.  Menka Gupta, Menka’s Blog
177. Patsy Evins, Patsy Evins Studio
178.  Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie’re
179.  Suzette Bentley, Ellie’s Bijoux

180.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
181.  Lyn Foley, Lyn Foley Wearable Art
183. Natalie Schuetz, Natalie S Perlen
184. Kim Hutchinson, Running on Ink
185. Haley Frank, Wide Eyed Smilin
186. Grace Caputo, Suddenly Last Summer
187. Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp, Skye Jewels
188. Erin Siegel, Erin Siegel Jewelry
189.  Janea McDonald, Organized Chaos

190.  Kristi Evenson, Colie Bug & Co.
191.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
192.  Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
193. Whitney Lassini, Whitney Lassini
194. Nancy Schindler, The Rabbit Muse
195. Pam Brisse, The Blue Between
196. Beth Bricker, Vintage Sweets
197.  Ruthie Stickney, Rose Works Jewelry and Gifts
198.  Rose Noble, Lady Noble Designs
199. Karen Williams, Baublicious

200.  Claire Maunsell, The Next Bend
201.  Christine Damm, Stories They Tell
202.  Kerry Bogert, Kab’s Creative Concepts
203.  Wendy Blum, Sand & Sea Designs
204.  Juli Cannon, Julsbeads
205.  Jenny Robledo, La Dona Boutique
206.  Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
207.  Pam Krinski, Ewa Beads
208.  Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman, Art, Life, Love
209.  Dana Jones, Dana’s Jewelry
210.  Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

The next party’s sign ups begin August 1-3, 2011.  Don’t miss it!


 

Works in Progress

I’ve been punching, stamping, texturing and hammering like a madwoman lately!

My neighbours hate me, I’m sure. But, well, I’m not that fond of them either. :P

These will all find their way into new pieces, coming soon!

This, is not a work in progress. Just a new necklace that I made for myself, which is rare. This little pendant came from an assortment I purchased a while back from Kylie Parry. I’ve used the other pieces in the assortment for items to sell, but this little pendant I just couldn’t get rid of. I love it so.

It’s a simple little oval clay pendant, but I adore the color. I just stuck it on some chain and made a simple little hook clasp for it. It’s short and dainty and very subtle. And I love it!!

What are you all working on today?

Bead Soup Blog Party

Say what?

I’m taking in part in Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Blog Party! What is a bead soup blog party? Well, you can click that link to find out more of the details, but basically… a whole LOT of people sign up, get a partner, send each other beads that are out of their partners usual style and then you create something using the beads you receive.

It is challenging because it forces you to use materials you wouldn’t normally work with or be drawn to and it’s a lot of fun!

My lovely partner is Virginie from Vivibijoux who I already knew a bit as she is also a member of the Etsy Ireland Team. What luck!!

She makes beautiful, feminine, colourful jewellery and sent me some of the most beautiful handmade lampwork beads, along with some gorgeous glass, some Swarovski and a cute little Sterling heart toggle!

bead soup blog party beads(click to enlarge)

Now I just have to make something with them. Using all of them or some of them, but I must incorporate the focal (not a problem!) and the clasp. I have a while to get it together and I don’t want to rush it.

I can’t wait to play with them, though. Don’t they look good enough to eat?! Like, candy?

I hope she enjoys what I sent her, too.

I’ll be posting the completed piece here on the day of the party, which is Saturday, February 26th.

Can’t wait!

Thank you, Virginie!!