Blue Fantasy Blog Hop - will be late

I am sorry but I will be posting my pictures later today.  For some reason my pictures are not downloading to the computer or my Kindle so that I can insert them into my post.

Here are some pictures of the beads that I received from Lisa.

As you can see, I had some beautiful beads to work with.  Please be sure to come back and see what I made.

Thanks to   stopping by.

Carolyn

Bead Stampede bead show in Tacoma

I visited the Bead Stampede bead show held at Freighthouse Square in Tacoma WA.  The group of sellers was small but different enough that everyone should be able to find something.

I found some blue vintage German plastic connectors along with some pretty turquoisey blue beads (I forgot to ask what kind they were) that I plan to use with the connectors.  I also found some purple bicone beads.

Then I found some lampwork beads from Lara Lutrick.  She had a nice display of Halloween/autumn beads where I found lots of goodies.

I also found a couple of Christimas beads that she had hidden away.

Lara's next door neighbor (they were sharing a table) Lori Bergmann also had lampwork beads and I found a bunch of spacers that I could use with Lara's beads.  Lori also had brown spacers which I can never find so those were snapped up quickly.  Both ladies are on facebook and are semi-local (they live north of me but not a ridicous distance away) so I think I will be buying more beads from these ladies.

Lori's spacers.

Here's where I ran out of time.  It was 4:45 and they close at 5.  Not enough time to see what the other two or three vendors had or to revisit the other vendors.  I did manage to get in one last purchase from another lampworker, More Than Beads, another semi-local artist.  I always enjoy seeing what Donna has been making.

Thanks for stopping and be sure to stop by the bead show if you are in the Tacoma WA area.

Carolyn

Dark Bloom Challenge Blog Hop reveal

Today is the day for the reveal of Andrew Thornton's Dark Bloom Challenge blog hop.

To participate, you had to purchase a Design Kit.  This kit features a selection of Japanese hex-cut seed beads, premium Czech glass (both vintage and new), iron corrugated rounds, an iron filigree bead, lampwork glass, Irish waxed linen, a gunmetal toggle, vintage moon-glow lucite, and recycled African glass beads.  The kit also includes a Luxury Bead Blend.

Each kit comes with a special, handmade component that remains a mystery until it arrives at my door! The Mystery Component might actually be more than just one bead or pendant.  It's always a surprise.  The Mystery Component is publicly revealed about a one month before the actual reveal day.

For this challenge, Andrew made polymer clay coin pendants.  He saw a similar stylized flower motif on an old Roman vessel and thought that he would translate it into a jewelry component.  He used a dark purply-black base and then hit the raised details with violet Gilder's Paste.

I always try to do Andrew's beads justice and am never sure that I succeed.  I was able to make a bracelet which I forgot to get a picture of, a second bracelet which I did get a picture of, a necklace, two pairs of earrings, and some wine glass charms.

For the necklace I used the mystery component, the Czech glass beads, the recycled glass beads and the gunmetal toggle clasp.

I next made a set of four wine glass charms using the matte seed beads (pink, purple, and gray) from the luxury mix.

I made a bracelet from some of the smaller beads.

I made a couple of pairs of earrings.

I have a few leftover beads that I will be using in the next couple of weeks and I will have an "after the blog hop reveal".

Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to visit the other participants in the Dark Bloom Challenge. 

Hannah
Karin Grosset Grange
Carolyn Lawson
Holly Baldwin
Jeanne Steck
Ann Schroeder
Kari Asbury
Andrew Thornton, Laurel Ross, Alison Herrington, Geri Colgrove, and Crystal Lombardo Farrell
Here is a link to Andrew's blog:  dark-bloom-challenge-reveal


Carolyn

Dark Bloom Challenge reveal postponed

Andrew has had to postpone the reveal for the Dark Bloom Challenge until Thursday, August 14, 2014. 

But here is something to whet your appetite.

I made something with these beads.

and this bead.

and these beads.

and lastly these beads.

Be sure to come back next Thursday, August 14, 2014, to see what everyone has made.

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Blog Hop reveal

Today is the reveal for Rita's Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Blog Hop reveal.  Rita was generous enough to supply everyone with a chicklet bead that was made by Susan Kennedy of Sue's Beads that we were to use to make something.  I received a lovely lavender/periwinkle blue chicklet.

Oops! looks like I forgot to take a picture of the bead by itself.

I guess that means I need to get right into the description of what I made.  With the unusual color of the bead, I was having some troubles deciding what other colors to use with it.  I was able to find a strand of mixed color crystal bicones

Because I made it a three strand bracelet, I wanted a clasp that would handle the multiple strands so I chose a clasp that actually looks like a chicklet.

Overall the bracelet looks like this:

Be sure to visit the creator of these beautiful beads:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog
                                                               Art Jewelry Elements
Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads
SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads
Be sure to visit the other bloggers to see what they created with Sue's beautiful beads:

Hostess:
Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com  You are here.

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams                                        http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                                               http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson                        http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Be sure to look at other recent posts of mine.  The Patriot Day Blog Hop sign up post and my reveal for the Summer Carnival Blog Hop .

I will be having another reveal on Thursday, August 7, 2014, for Andrew Thornton's Dark Bloom blog hop.

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

Summer Carnival Blog Hop reveal

Today is the reveal of Lisa Lodge's Pine Ridge Treasures Summer Canival Blog hop. 

The participants purchased beads kits from Lisa and were to make something that represented a summer carnival to them. 

Here are the beads that I received:

Strands of crystal and cultured seglass.

It was difficult to decide what to make but the first item was a blue and white seaglass necklace with gold sparkly seed beads and clear crystals.  To me the necklace just sparkles just like the lights on the midway or the ferris wheel.

Next up is a cultured seaglass rondell necklace that reminds be of the polka-dotted clown outfits.

I dug into the destash that I got from Lisa and found some red and green rondells to use along with the blue and color-blocked the necklace.

The earrings I made to match are a little different style than I usually make, kind of swingy like the buckets on the ferris wheel.

Please be sure to stop by and visit the other participants.

Summer Carnival Blog Hop Link List

Please let me know as soon as possible if there are any errors - thanks.

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Catherine Yvonne King, Catherine's Musings

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Dee Alcalde, Agape Creations Jewelry

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Carole Carlson, Bead Sophisticate

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Dolores Raml, CraftyD's Creations

Marianne Hurley, Reads and Beads

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Marci Allen Koziolek, Krafty Max Originals

Be sure to stop by and sign up the Patriot Day Red, White, and Blue Blog Hop scheduled for September 11.

Be sure to stop back by later today to see my reveal for the Haberdashery Hop put on by Melissa Trudinger of Bead Recipes.

Also stop back on Sunday, August 3, for the Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets Blog Hop.

New blog hop - Patriot Day Blog Hop September 11

I got a response that there are several people that would be interested in participating in a Red, White, and Blue blog hop on Patriot Day, September 11.  So I am planning to host my first blog hop.  Please bare with me as I find my way.  It will be a red, white, and blue jewelry day.  Beads of your choice.

Below is some information about Patriot Day taken from Wikipedia:

In the United States, Patriot Day (known in full as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance) occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the 2,977 killed in the  September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Initially, the day was called the Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001.

By presidential decree, the American flag is flown at half-staff at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments throughout the world; flags are also encouraged to be displayed on individual American homes.

Additionally, a moment of silence is observed to correspond with the attacks, beginning at 8:46 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time), the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The Corporation for National and Community Service is available as a clearing house for volunteer for service opportunities.
Because Patriot Day is not a federal holiday, schools and business do not close in observance of the occasion, although memorial ceremonies for the victims are held.

I am going to leave the sign-ups through August 3rd.  Be sure to leave your name, blog address, and email or way to contact you.

I will also be looking for a badge for the blog hop. (anyone know how to make one?)

Thanks for stopping by.

Possible Patriots Day Red, White, and Blue blog hop

Anyone interested in participating in a blog hop for Patriots Day, September 11?  Red, White, and Blue.

I am always interested in making patriotic jewelry and thought others might be also.

We can do it either of two ways. 

Michael's is having their Bead Gallery beads on sale 50% off through 7/26 or it can be a beads of your choice. 

If we do Michael's beads, I will choose the beads.

Please leave a comment by Tuesday, July 22, so I can make an announcement on Wednesday, July 23 in the evening.

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop reveal

Today is the reveal for Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures' Gemstones and Metal Blog Hop reveal.  Each of the participants purchased a kit from Lisa that contained gemstones and metal findings.  My kit kit contained Black-lined Jasper, some Snowflake Obsidian, a silver-plated toggle clasp, two bails, and two different spacer beads.

I have never worked with either gemstone but the Snowflake Obsidian called to me first and this piece just seemed to flow together.  I used the Snowflake rounds and rondels along with turquoise howlite and red seed beads.

I was able to make two sets of earrings to go along with this necklace, each different than the other.  One set is just the Snowflake Obsidian round, red seed beads, and the turquoise howlite on an eyepin.

The second set is Snowflake rondels with turquoise howlite and red seed beads with dangles.

My next piece used the Black-line Jasper ovals and diagonally drilled squares (diamond shaped??) stones to make a necklace.  I used the ribbed silver-plated spacers that Lisa sent in the kit along with the leftover purple glass beads I had from the recent Michael's Challenge blog hop.

I have two sets of earrings for this necklace and I have another necklace laid out already to string using the rectangle Black-lined Jasper beads.  I hope to update the pictures by Monday evening.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit the other participants:

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Big Margaret

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations  You are here.

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware (May be delayed a few days)

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things (May be delayed a few days)

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Judy Campbell, Macmillanmarie Jewellery Design

Nan Smith, Handmade Jewelry Nanmade

Marde Lowe, FanciMarDesigns

Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

Leithleach Alainn Seodra, Alainn Jewelry

Lisa E. Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Be sure to stop back by August 2 for the reveal of the Summer Carnival Blog Hop and on August 3 for the Chicks Choose Chicklets Blog Hop.

 

Carolyn

I apologize for the lateness of my post but my computer did not want to co-operate last night or this morning.

Good Earth Challenge reveal

Today is the day for the reveal for Andrew Thornton's Good Earth Challenge.  Each of the participants purchased a bead kit from Andrew that was stuffed with goodies.

Included in the kit is a Luxury Bead Blend that consists of Japanese Miyuki seed beads, Toho seed beads Czech glass. African recycled glass, jasper, agate, gold plated daisy spacers, quartz, Chinese crystal, goldstone, Swarovski crystals, ventage sequins, German glass, vintage Japanese glass, Swarovski crystal pearls.

The kit also features a selection of Japanese hex-cut seed beads, premium Czech glass (both new and vintage), vintage brass rounds, Indian glass, Irish waxed linen, a vintage Hamilton gold bead, artisan ceramic rounds.  (Bead descriptions are from Andrew's blog.)

It also includes the gorgeous mystery components that Andrew made himself.  A set of five faux Moroccan Amber beads made out of polymer clay.  Just my colors.  Love them already.  He included a leaf charm also made of polymer clay.



I loved working with these colors.  Things just sort of flowed together.

First up I used the Irish waxed linen cord, the faux Morocan amber beads and some of the Czech glass beads (if the nuggets aren't Czech glass please let me know so I can correct this) to make a bracelet. I also used the gold star spacers.

  

Here is another view of the bracelet.  I have left the cord hanging as I am trying to decide whether I want to add dangles.

I next made a necklace using the leaf pendant, Czech and Indian glass beads.  This I strung on wire

Andrew is very generous and I have lots of seed beads left.  I also need to make a couple pairs of earrings to match the bracelet and necklace.

Thanks for stopping by and please visit the other participants at Andrew's blog.

Michael's Beading Challenge Blog Hop reveal

Heather Powers of Humbleads and Lorelei Eurto of Lorelei's Blog are co-hosting a blog hop using Michael's Bead Gallery beads.  Heather saw that the beads were on sale for 40% off and picked out the beads pictured below.  Picture from Heather's blog.

In the order they are pictured from top to bottom: 

Round Cut Horn Beads

Aqua 9.5 x 10mm Table Cut Glass

Purple Glass Round 6mm

Green Ceramic 12mm Round

Aqua Opaque Table Cut Glass

Bone Amber Rectangle 12 x 20mm

Reconstituted Turquoise White Rondel

When Heather called this a challenge, she meant it.  I would never have selected these beads to go together but that is what a challenge is.  My friend Evelyn and I decided to split the beads between us to see what we could come up with.  The only thing that we came close to making the same were the earrings.  You can see her creation here.

I had a vague idea of what I wanted to make and just laid it out.  I used the rondels as spacers, the amber rectangles as the focals beads, and the purple glass beads as an accent on either side of the amber rectangles.  I then alternated the green ceramic, the cut horn beads, and the aqua opaque beads up the sides of the necklace.

Below is a picture of the complete set to include earrings.

The earrings.  Just nice simple ones.

 We will using the Linkz up tool on Heather's blog so be sure to visit to see the other participants:  Humblebeads

Thanks for visiting and come back tomorrow as a I will be revealing what I made for Andrew Thornton's Good Earth Challenge.

Also be sure to come back on Saturday, July 19th for the reveal of Lisa Lodge's Gemstones and Metal blog hop.

Carolyn