Do Over Challenge - Blog Hop

Yay!! The reveal date is finally here... of course, I didn't start actually assembling my pieces until last night.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the challenge - Jeannie is hosting her second Do Over Challenge.  She sends you a piece of jewelry that she feels is tired and boring; and your challenge is to create a brand new piece using at least 50% of the original piece.

So without further ado - Here is what she sent me:

And here is what I created:

First a memory wire bracelet.  I added different shades of red Czech glass and Swarovski crystal beads and some brass bead caps.  I used the large pieces from the necklace as well as some of the smaller Czech pieces.  I am still working out a dangle for this.

The second is a retro-glam style bracelet.  I used the small black Czech glass from the necklace; added some Czech glass pearls and some Swarovski spacers.

Here are the links to all the other participants.. I cannot wait to go through and see what everyone created!

Jeannie & Donna

http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Natasha

http://nswhims.blogspot.com

Michelle (you are here)

http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com

Sandra

http://ladychaos.blog.com/

Andrea

http://heavenlanecreations.wordpress.com/

Cathie

http://www.cathiecarroll.blogspot.com/

Norma

http://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com/

Dagi

http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/

Marcy

http://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com/

Camille
http://craft-a-mamie.blogspot.com/

Have fun hopping!  Much love,

Shell

New Adventures

After some prodding by Brenda Sue I have taken on the task of playing around with polymer clay in order to familiarize myself with it and the different things that can be done with it.  

So I thought that I would share with you some of the beads that I have created over the past week with this new medium (at least for me).

To start out, I thought that I would playing with marbling and here is what I created:

I marbled together some white and red Sculpey III.  I really love the different shades that these beads have. I tried two different shapes for these beads - round and oval. I had a little difficulty piercing the holes in some - at least when speaking of middle of the bead hole. 

Then I decided to try some of the texture stamps that I purchased.  For these, I used Sculpey III in beige (I wanted to be able to see the designs clearly so I thought that this color would be best.) 

For the left piece, I added color by the way of Guilder's Paste to this with a fingertip after baking.  The color didn't come out as I had hoped, but I think that with a little more practice I can get a better effect.  

The middle piece was baked and colored with Guilder's Paste after baking.  The effect is much better with this one.  

The third is an example of what happens when I don't apply even pressure to the roller when adding a texture stamp.  The left-hand side has only a faint impression.

Then I tried my hand at a cane.  Unfortunately, the clay was soft and ended up melding together.  So rather than waste the clay, I decided to use it as a marble effect. Below are the results.

I created a few flat circular pieces and added texture to these.  The larger circles have a hole in the top, while the smaller circles have a whole in the center.

I also created a round bead and had better luck with a straighter hole this time. 

The final piece was a larger round bead that I decided to make into a teardrop.

Not bad for my first attempt although creating the hole through the bead misshaped the smaller end.

Using the same clay as above, I thought I would attempt a crude toggle clasp. 

I have baked this and thought that it would be nice to add the wire after baking this first time.  I think that next time I will try to bake it with the wire in place.  The round part of the toggle has some texture added with the piercing tool.  The hole (which isn't pictured is in one side.  The toggle part has a whole pierced through the center.  

And here they are all together.

All in all, I must say that I am a little bit proud of my creations.  

And most of all I am proud of this piece that Aidan (my 8 yr old created). 

I am not sure how many of you can guess what it is .. I will will just tell you. It is a turtle with a rainbow in its back.  He not only created this, using Pluffy Clay, but he also narrated the entire time as if he was making an instructional video.  I will have to pull out the video camera next time to capture his hidden talent. 

Thanks for stopping by to see what my son and I created.  Hope to see you again really soon.

Much Love,

Shell

Sari Ribbon Blog Hop

Today is the reveal day for the Sari Ribbon Blog Hop hosted by Brenda Sue at B'sue Boutiques.

And here is what I created for the hop

I braided Sari Ribbon and Gypsy Ribbon that I purchased from B'sue.  I incorporated some wonderful beads from Gaea .  Rather than wire wrap the beads and attach with jump rings.  I coiled the excess wire of the headpin and connected it by stringing it on the gypsy ribbon prior to braiding.  To finish it off, I added a Vintaj Natural Brass Swirl Clasp.

Below is a close up of the clasp area.  I need to work on the colors so I will probably rewrap the ends in Vintaj Natural Brass wire and remove the copper and well as update the jumps that I used to better match the clasp.  Also, Any suggestions on how to finish off the ribbon ends would be appreciated.

I hope that you enjoyed my creation.  Here are the links for the other participants in the hop.

Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop

Vickie Wills

http://www.jewelrybyvee.blogspot.com/

Susan Kennedy

http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Michelle Mach

http://www.michellemach.com/blog/

Michelle Lee Hardy

http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/ 

Ruth Crawford

http://www.home-with-ruth.blogspot.com

Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

http://fryestyle.blogspot.com/

Diana P.

http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com 

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques

http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/

Elizabeth Owens-Dwy

http://www.clarityofpurplesage.blogspot.com 

Connie Rios-Relyea

http://www.JewelsDesignsCreativeCorner.wordpress.com/ 

Jennifer Justman

http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/    

Deb Davis

http://www.naturaltreasuresbydeb.blogspot.com

Beanzie

http://www.thevintageheartcharmbracelets.com/the-vintage-heart-charm-b/

             

Cathie Carroll

http://www.cathiecarroll.com/

Rosemary Cowit

http://www.gemrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Georgene Lockwood

http://sylvanavintagedesigns.wordpress.com/

Cathy Buckley

http://cathybuckleycatsmeow.blogspot.com

Harry Wood

http://www.oscarcrow.blogspot.com

Sonya Stille

http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com 

Mary Deis

http://mdeis.blogspot.com/

Heather Goldsmith

http://asibeadit.blogspot.com/

Susan Rouleau

http://mountainshadowstudio.blogspot.com

Terry Matusyk

http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com

Pam Chesbro

http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/

Mary Shannon Hicks

http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Janice Everett

http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.com

Davinia

http://www.daviniadesign.com

Kristina Johansson, Maneki

http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com 

Kris Binsfeld

http://www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

Mandy

http://www.beadsforbrains.blogspot.com

Charlene

http://thebeaddreamer.com/blog/

Catherine Jeltes

http://www.galleryzooart.com

Jackie

http://kydojewellery.blogspot.com/ 

Sharon Palac

http://www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com 

Deb Beechy

http://beetique56.blogspot.com/ 

Jean Yates

http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

Patrice Pfeiffer

http://treeseatreasures.blogspot.com/ 

Dorcas Midkiff

http://wondrousstrangedesigns.blogspot.com/

Lynn Perry Bennett

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com

Linzi Alford

http://www.magpieintheskyspoilheaptales.blogspot.com

Deb

http://greenshoot.blogspot.com/ 

Cynthia Wainscott

http://www.exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com

Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

http://skyejewels.blogspot.com

Alice Craddick

http://alicesbeadsandbaubles.blogspot.com/

And here you will be able to see all the participants photos.

B'sue Boutiques Creative Group

http://www.flickr.com/groups/bsueboutiques/

Much Love, 

Shell

Lima Beads Challenge

Lorelei and Shannon teamed up with LimaBeads.com to create this stunning kit.

First let me begin by saying that the colors in this kit are outside of the colors that I normally use.  To challenge myself a little bit more, I decided that I was going to create at least two necklaces from the kit. Since I usually only work with bracelets, this was a stretch for me.  So for my reveal, I will be showing the two necklaces.

On the first one, I used a few of the Turquoise Zebra Jasper Tumbled Nuggets and one of the Lemon chrysoprase ovals.  I added some rustic antiqued copper chain from Antiqued and a Vintaj natural brass hook and eye clasp that I purchased through LimaBeads.  The focal pendant is ceramic from Seven Seas Beads

The second necklace was created using the Czech Glass Gladiola Flower Buttons, the Vintaj Brass Framed Scrollwork pendant, one of the Czech Glass Luster Transparent Amethyst Teardrop, and the MissFickleMedia Patinated Violet Oval Toggle Clasp from the kit.  From my stash I added ceramic beads from Gaea, very vintage filagree stampings from GypsySpiritStudio, and circular rings links antiqued brass chain from Antiqued.

Thanks for stopping by to see some of my creations with this wonderful kit.  I will post more pictures of more creations from this kit later this month.

Use the links below to view all the other participants in the challenge.

Much love,

Shell

Bead Soup Blog Party - Reveal!!!

The time has finally come to reveal my creation(s) with the items that I received from my BSBP partner Niki Meiners.  I can honestly say that this has been a challenge for me.  Here are the many incarnations of my BSBP piece(s) : 

I started with this one.  I used the blue on the left to highlight the blue in the beads.

However, I decided that this one just wasn't right.

So my second design was this one. I really liked the layout of this one. I was stumped with that to do with the chain because I felt it looked too plain and needed a little something extra.  *there are some extra pieces so you may see this one again*

This is my final creation and the one that I was the most satisfied with.  I love the mix of colors and textures. This piece includes the large focal piece and the clasp that Niki sent me.

But wait, I have another piece that has been with me throughout the whole process.  I love love love these earrings.  They are not heavy at all and look wonderful when worn.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look.  Click on the Bead Soup button on the left to see the list of all the other participants' blogs.  Take your time and enjoy the soup.

Much Love, 

Shell 

BSBP is Coming!!

Only one more day until BSBP reveal.  I will only say at this time that I have had a doozie of time coming up with a design for the reveal.   Here is a reminder of what my Bead Soup looked like.

And here is a peak at what I sent my BSBP Partner Niki Meiners

The rose in the center was damaged before I could send the package out to Niki, so I replaced with the piece below. 

Be sure to come back tomorrow to see what I created with what Niki sent.  I will also have a link to the other over 360 participants this round.

Much love, 

Shell

Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop

So many things are going on this fall.  It may be that way every fall, but this is the first fall that I have been creating jewelry.  Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B'Sue Boutiques announced yesterday the date of the Sari Ribbon blog hop that she is hosting.  She put the rules on paper *so to speak* in her blog post Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop..You're Invited! .  Head on over to her facebook fan page B'Sue Boutiques to get more info and a button to add to your blog.  Also, she has Sari Ribbon available on her website B'Sue Boutiques.  I can't wait to see what you make on the reveal date of October 14th

Much Love,
Shell

A place of my own

No...not an apartment. Although at times that thought has occurred to me ~ not always easy finding a quiet space with a big family. I am speaking more of a place of my own to sit and create.  As most jewelry artists do, I started by sitting at the dining room table while creating my pieces. Until recently that suited my needs and it kept me to close to the heart of the home. Then I noticed that there wasn't much space left for us to sit and eat.  So with encouragement from some friends, I decided to carve out a little niche just for me.

So I started searching for a little space in whatever room I could find some space in.  My house is not very large and small rooms with a big family tend to fill up quickly.  Luckily my mom found a new table for her house and passed to me the dining table and chair set that she has had since I was little.  The new table fit more comfortably in my dining room than the table we currently have.  So when I swapped the tables out, which left some open space in the dining room.

So I pulled up a table from many moons ago from the basement and set about trying to create my space.  It is still a work in progress, but I have a space of my own that is "off" limits to children, spouse and pets alike :).

My work table with no clutter - of course I just brought it up from the basement.

Then I decided to go through and reorganize all my beads, findings, and other misc tools of the trade

Now to begin to fill up the cool tray that I found for such a steal a little while back.

Then I decided that I couldn't live with the traditional plastic bead trays that I have always had a love/hate relationship with, so I went looking for storage.  I found the cutest cart at an office supply store on sale.

Isn't the bunny cute?  My husband and I watched the light box tutorial from Auctiva that Ruth found and shared with so many of us.  The video features a lawn gnome. My husband teased me when I went in the store to grab the tissue paper to remember the gnome.  Alas they didn't have any so I came out with this bunny and he now has a permanent place in my work space.

Now that I am settling in and beginning to work. And as much as I would prefer order in my little space, it more often than not looks like this.  Always filled with pieces in the midst of creation.  New beads that I have purchased but don't want to put away just yet.

 I am still searching for just the right wall shelving and displays.  As I come across the ones that I have in my head, I will update the space and post more pics.

What does your space look like where you create?  Share with us in your blog and feel free to include a link in the comments below.

Much Love,
Shell

Artist Spotlight - Wendy Baker of Bendywho and Sleeping Dog Studio

Yay!  A new feature.  For now this feature will be monthly, but I hope to be able to expand to weekly as I learn more about all the wonderful jewelry and bead artists that are out there in the big, big world.

This month the Spotlight is on uber fabulous Wendy Baker. 

Many of you already know Wendy from her facebook fan page Bendywho by Wendy Baker and her Etsy shop Sleeping Dog Studio. Maybe you have even hopped by her blog Wednesday 3 o'clock where Wendy gives us peaks into her life at home, in the studio, and at shows.  

I want to take just a moment to thank Wendy for taking time out of her very busy and hectic life to answer these questions for me.

I had the opportunity to ask Wendy a few questions.  Here they are with her thought provoking answers.  Mixed in are photos of her awe-inspiring designs.  These and many many more can be found on her facebook fan page bendywho by Wendy Baker.

What do you love most about designing and creating your own jewerly? 

*i get to pick things that intrique me and then play with them until i either give up, get some kind of good or bad result, get bitten to keep working on some technical evolution, or just try to form something i saw in my mind's eye.  i also like wearing my creations to see if anyone else is as curious as i am.

What are some of you favorite materials to work with and create with?

*loads of influences both passive and actively have settled around me to shwo me how other artists express themselves. i always loved the wire and 3-d expressions that Alexander Calder could fabricate with a spool of wire and a pair of cutters.  he could travel anywhere and then create what he saw in his mind. so i love wire...a lot.

also, i have sewn since i was 12. the idea of taking something flat and creating functional 3d wearable art is so gratifying, i have been through a lot of different media, which i suspect is simply a result of materials available and interests evolving over time.

 

How did you get your start in jewelry designing and what have you learned over the course of being a designer?

* i grew up near beaches on long island. my friends were all lifeguards, so i would visit them while they worked and i tried to get a tan. i have always been a collector as well as someone who made stuff from other stuff. so being at the beaches and finding shells, as well as being a child of the sixties, i wound up macrameing necklaces with things i found and waxed linen string. i have always played with stuff i found and played with making other things from it. + my mother is a great gardener. i have 2 black thumbs. i have been able to play with the floral pieces i found to make my own version of lush gardens. i like trying stuff and looking at magazines. also the time before i fall asleep or as i am waking up is vital for my random connecting of dots in creative ideas floating through my mind.

What gives you the most pleasure in career as a jewelry designer? 

*since i am currently making jewelry, i am smitten with a person approaching me to comment on my jewelry out of the blue. this is often done while grocery shopping. this approach validates my sense of accomplishment. more importantly, i enjoy the beaming faces of ladies who try on my work. it seems to transform their expressions.  this is great to watch and feel responsible for!

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs from?

*i read magazines, look at art work, get out of the house to do some errands. it clears my mental cobwebs. this is a really great way to rejuvenate my system.

I really hope that you have all enjoyed this peak into the life of the wonderous Wendy Baker, I know that I have.

If you would like to be featured on the Artist Spotlight, please send me an email.  If you have any suggestions for other questions on future spotlights, please leave a comment.

Much Love,

Shell