Past blog hops and challenges

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Artisan Component Marketplace Blog Hop

Artisan Component Marketplace is a fairly new component marketplace where you can buy handmade components from approximately 25 vendors.  They recently called for people that would be interested in participating in a blog hop using some of the vendors' components.  I was one of the fortunate ones that was chosen to participate.
 
I received a copper component from Kristi Bowman Design:
 
 
 
A ceramic component from Marla's Mud:
 
 
 
A wood toggle clasp from Asbury Avenue Designs:
 
 
 
The first piece that I made went together fairly quickly.  I had some crystals leftover from another blog hop on my bead mat waiting for me to make something.  They went together perfectly with Asbury Avenue Designs toggle clasp.  I used the sari silk that came with the components to make a necklace.  I don't do mixed media very often but I think it turned out nicely. 
 
 
 
Below is a close-up of the toggle clasp and the crystals.
 
 
Below is a better look at the sari silk and how the colors go with the toggle clasp.
 
 
 
Marla's component went really well with some pearls I had laying on my beading table.  I took an eye pin and bent it around the component and wrapped it to make the bail.
 
 
 
The component had touches of pink and gold over a darker rose color.  I used dark rose pearls along with pink rice pearls and gold seed beads,
 
 
 
The final component I need to use is the pretty diamond-shaped copper bracelet bar from Kristi Bowman Designs.  I wasn't able to complete the bracelet that I plan to make.  Here is the idea that I have for it:
 
 
A three strand bracelet with turquoise heishi beads.  I plan to use the copper round beads you see on the top strand and some red seed beads for another strand and the final strand will probably have bright copper seed beads.  I thought to use a lobster claw clasp on one side of the bracelet bar.
 
This should be finished on Sunday and I will post the finished bracelet then.
 
Please be sure to visit the Artisan Component Marketplace blog to see what Kari has made and the links below to see what the other participants made.
 
 
Thanks for stopping by.  I participated in another blog hop today, so be sure to visit it /pepitas-butterfly-birthday-blog-hop-and-giveaway 
 
Carolyn
 

Friday, April 10, 2015

Pepita's Butterfly Birthday Blog Hop and Giveaway

Alenka of Pepita Handmade blog asked for people to help celebrate her birthday by making something with butterflies whether that would be a piece of jewelry, an ornament, or something else.
 
I had the intention of making crystal butterfly earrings but time got away from me.  So I decided I would showcase a necklace I made a while ago.  I think JoAnn's was either having a sale or closing out some of their Swarovski components.  I picked out the butterfly that is in this necklace.  I usually do not tend to pick out silver components but I really liked the colors.
 
  
I added some crystals in Violet, Jet Black, and clear colored Crystal.  I added a lobster claw clasp at the back making the butterfly offset to the side.
 
 
Please join me in wishing Alenka "Happy Birthday".  Her birthday was actually March 28th but that date had several blog hops already scheduled and Alenka rescheduled so that the blog hop would not get lost among all the others.
 
Be sure to visit her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a pair of earrings that she has made. 
 
Please visit the other participants to see what everyone made.
 
 
1. Alenka (Pepita) - hostess --> http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
2. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion) --> http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
6. Christine Altmiller --> http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com
9. Cynthia (Antiquity Travelers) --> http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
11. sheilaposter --> http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
16. Ana (ACBeads) --> http://acbeads.blogspot.com
17. Jasvanti Patel --> http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
18. Carolyn --> http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com   You are here.
19. Nan Smith --> http://wirednan.blogspot.com
 
Thank you for stopping by.  Be sure to visit my other blog posting for the Artisan Component Marketplace Blog Hop.
 
Carolyn

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Jasper Intrigue Blog Hop

Today is the reveal day for Lisa Lodge's Jasper Intrigue Blog Hop.  I needed to purchase a kit from Lisa and I received a bag full of goodies that I was to use to make a piece or two or three of jewelry. 

Here is what I received from Lisa:


A little metal birdie and a brass stamping, a strand of beads, and some green and red jasper (those pieces on the left) and some dark gray and red jasper (on the right).


On the top right are two pieces of oval shaped jasper, a strand of crystal rondells, some egg-shaped green and red jasper pieces that match the pieces in the first picture.  Some more smaller sized crystals and some pretty brown jasper.

I used the egg-shaped green and red jasper and some of both sizes of crystals along with some dark red seed beads to make a necklace and matching earrings.


I still have more beads left over.  One bracelet is in the works and at least one more pair of earrings.

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

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Susan Anderson, La Main Tresor
Karin Grosset Grange (France), Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Shaiha Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings
Sheila Prose, Cheap Charms
Terri Wlaschin, Baking Beads in the Keys
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
 
Thanks for stopping by.
 
Carolyn