Gentle Hues Challenge

Today is the reveal for Lisa Lodge's Pine Ridge Treasures Gentle Hues Challenge on Facebook.  I purchased a kit from Lisa and received a variety of pastel colored pearls and some pink and purple tiles.

 

I had some tough decisions to make - what to make.  I found a couple pendants that I had gotten from Lori Anderson and thought that they might work.  Then the decision was which beads to use with the pendants.

Will it be pink pearls with this pendant?  Not sure who made this pendant.

Will it be lavender pearls with this pendant by Gaea?  If so, the rounds or the egg-shaped ones?

Or will it be the tiles with this pendant by Gaea?

The pink pearls win out to be used with the pink pendant.  I used copper seed beads as spacers along with a copper toggle clasp.

Close up of the pendant.  If anyone recognizes it and can let me know who made it, I would love to give them credit for it.

Here is the copper toggle clasp I used.

The harder decision was what to use with Gaea's pendant, the pearls or the tiles.  I went with the egg-shaped pearls.

I used a S-shaped clasp at the front of the necklace as the clasp.  I need to find some more of the pearls as I got so engrossed in making the necklace I forgot to set aside a couple to be used for earrings.  I think I also want one for a dangle.

Here is a close-up of the pendant.

Thank you for stopping by.  I have another blog challenge next Friday, November 13 - Tammy Adams' Superstition Blog Hop.  To be followed by two of Andrew Thornton's challenges, Last Harvest and Gold Dust the following Thursday, November 19, 2015.

Comments are always welcome.

 

Carolyn

Grow Your Blog winner

If you are looking for the Winter Sparkle Blog Hop reveal, please click here:  winter-sparkle-blog-hop-reveal

I was finally able to draw the winner of my giveaway for a pair of earrings or some beads.  Annmarie from Wisconsin has been notified that she is the lucky person.  As soon as she contacts me with her preference and her address, they will be in the mail to her.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by and signed up to follow my blog.  I grew by half so I appreciate it.

I have signed up the the A-Z Challenge in April where you post every day but Sunday.  Your topic is the letter of the alphabet that is assigned for that day.  I have already started making my list.  There are some holes and I may be asking for some suggestions.  I thought I would talk about different gemstones and beading subjects. 

I hope to learn things about the different subjects and pass on what I have learned.  Please try and stop back by in the month of April.  I do intend to do some blogging in between then and now.

I have signed up for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party and a couple of the blog hop challenges that Lisa Lodge is hosting.  I have a patina challenge for Friday, February 28th and Erin's Challenge of Music Blog Hop is the same day.  I hope to get both done this weekend.

Stop back by and see if I managed to complete both challenges.

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

Lori Anderson of Bead Soup fame is sponsoring another blog hop, this one is a Bead Hoarders blog hop.  It is for all of us beaders that buy beads because "we must have them" or "I have an idea and these beads would be perfect".  I think every beader has done that once or twice or more times.  I know I have.  Enough so that I made a couple of different items.

First up is this necklace with matching earrings made from shell beads and a shell pendant.  I didn't think to take any before pictures.

The shell beads are an aqua blue, yellow-gold, ivory and kind-of-an-apple green.  The pendant is an abalone shell with all those colors and a dark brown/black in it.  I used gold lined crystal seed beads as spacers and a gold hook-n-eye clasp.

Here is a close-up of the pendant although this picture doesn't do it justice.

Here is a close up of the shell beads that I used.

Here are the earrings that I made, simple drops.  One set in each color.

Here is another necklace that I made with beads that I have had since I first started beading.  I think I bought just about anything I thought I could work with and browns are a favorite of mine.

These are acrylic beads in dark brown faceted rounds with light topaz leaf beads.  I used gold seed beads as spacers between the beads that make up the center of the necklace.  There will be earrings made up of the brown faceted beads.

Here is a list of all the other bead hoarders that are participating:

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Leah Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
9.  Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
10.  Erin Guest, Renlish


11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict


21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri


31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads


41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts


51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics


61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65.  Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes


71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry
75.  Jackie Marchant, Fiddledeedee Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork


81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8


91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives


101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa


111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry


121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy


131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations  You are here.


141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla


151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted


161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

Thanks for stopping by.  Comments are always welcome.

Carolyn

Heather Powell Nature-themed Retreat and Giveaway!!!!

 

Heather Powell is having a weekend retreat inspired by nature this October 26-28.  It will be held at a location along the Black River in South Haven, Michigan. 

 

It includes three classes: Resin Forest Treasures, Leaves & Berries, Metal Sketches, Birch Trees Duo, and Beaded Flora.  Erin Prais-Hintz is the guest instructor and will offer design principles to breathe life into old jewelry.

 

All materials for the classes are included in the price of the retreat along with your meals. Lodging is not included in the price of the retreat. Check out the link above for more information.  This sounds like it will be a fun get-together.  Just wish I could be going. 

To give you a head start on your creativity, Lori Anderson has a giveaway from Heather for a $30 gift certificate to Heather's shop.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Carolyn

Beads Direct bead giveaway

The very generous Lori Anderson of Pretty Things and Bead Soup Blog Party fame is giving away some beads that she was sent from the British bead firm of Beads Direct.  Lori was given these beads so that she could use them and then review the quality of them.  Lori made a couple of bracelets and had beads left over, so she is very generously having a giveaway. 

Here is a link to Lori's post: http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/08/giveaway-with-beads-direct-uk.html  The winner will receive three large-hole wood beads and two magnetic clasps along with some braided leather and several different types of dyed wood beads.  The only thing that you need to do is makie something from the beads and review it linking to Beads Direct's website.

I would love to try to make something out of the braided leather.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to stop by Lori's blog to enter her giveaway.

Carolyn

After the Bead Soup Blog Hop reveal

It has been several days since the big Bead Soup Blog Hop reveal date number 1 for the blog hop that Lori Anderson of Pretty Things hosted this past Saturday.  I was part of this reveal with 100 other beaders.  I have visited a few of the other bloggers that made something this reveal and everyone did a super, super job.

Here is a link to my bead swap partner's blog, the Stringing Fool, so you can see what she made from the beads that I sent.

I also want to thank everyone for their generous comments regarding my designs and especially the jasper donut.  The making of the pendant was something that I thought about and played around with.  I am glad that it turned out so well.  Thank you again for your wonderful comments.

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

Bead Soup is done!!!

Here are my pieces from my Bead Soup mix that I received from Beti Horvath, the Stringing Fool. 


 

I started with the flourite rounds and added peach-lined crackle beads with black seed beads as spacers.





Here is Beti's handmade clasp.



I added adventurine lentil beads and another shape for the peach-lined crackle beads.



The final design!





I still have another set of beads to be made up so look below.


 

The Jasper donut decorated with brass bead caps, a pearl, and root beer colored seed beads for the bail. You can see the pearls that I used.  I added dark grey pearls to the blue ones that Beti sent me.







Other side of the above jasper donut.  I used a head pin threaded from the other side and made tight loops on this side so the pearls do not move.  Am thinking of adding short chain lengths to have a different look.



Beti's brass hook 'n eye clasp



The complete set!



 

 The final set of beads - Adventurine chips and flourite rounds



 I hope you have enjoyed looking at what I made.  I want to thank Lori Anderson of Pretty Things for hosting this Bead Soup Blog Hop.  I had a great time making everything and am anxiously awaiting the next Bead Soup Blog Party. 

Here is a list of the other participants in the blog hop:

 Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com

Alice Craddick,  Alice's Beads and Baubles

Alicia Marinache,  All The Pretty Things

Amanda Tibbetts,  Amanda Made

Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul

Annita Wilson,  AW Jewelry

Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

Birgitta Lejonklou,  Create With Spirit   

Candida Castleberry,    Spinning Spun Sugar

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle

Cheri Reed,  Creative Designs by Cheri

Cheryl McCloud,  One Thing Leads to Another

Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry

Christine Hendrickson,  Clamworks

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream

Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs

Cris Peacock, Cris' Page

Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things

Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers

Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru

Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

Dana Lang, Tumblestone Handmakery

Debbie Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs

Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things

Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close

Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto Jewelry

Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

Ilenia Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded and Painted Jewelry

Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life

Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

Jean A. Well, Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Jean Yates, Snap Out of It Jean! There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads

Jennifer VanBenschoten,  Jewelry, Art and Life

Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design

Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me

Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry

Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston

Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead

K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch

Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch

Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles

Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio

Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe

Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon

Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly

Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade

Kim Ballor, Vitamin C... A Daily Dose of Creativity

Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat

Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut

Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork

Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist

Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox

Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny

Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess

Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings

Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This

Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land

Lori Poppe, Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio

Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design

Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry

Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog

Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads

Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio

Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions

Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps

Mowse Doyle, HoCArt

Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles - Spirited Earth

Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs

Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart

Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs

Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft

Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink

Patricia Johnson, Patricia L. Johnson Glass Art

Patti Vanderbloemen, My Addictions ... Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky

Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media

Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks

Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance

Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs

Sue Hamel, The Bottle Cork and Crystal

Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

Szarka, Magpie Gemstones

Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily

Tania Tebbit, Glass, Craft, & Artful Goodness

Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau

 Tina Bosh, Every Good and Perfect Gift

Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash

Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

Next reveal date -- August 11th!

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn

Pretty Things giveaway

Lori Anderson of the Pretty Things blog is having a BIG giveaway.  Here is a link to her blog entry:  five-bead-and-button-bead giveaway.

She is giving away 1) a goodie bag of things that she got at the Bead 'n Button Show in June, 2) a copy of her first book, Bead Soup, 3) a copy of her eBook on blogging, 4) a "Bead Souper" tote bag in your choice of color and 5) a Bead Soup mix that she will create especially for you.  I want all of the goodies but I need to choose only one, not sure which one I will choose.

Go on over to Lori's blog and enter to win one of goodies that she is giving away.

Hope to have some goodies to show you tomorrow or Saturday of what I find at the Puget Sound Bead Festival.  If you happen to go on Friday, I am the one with the orange rolling backpack, be sure to stop me and say Hi!

Thanks for stopping by. 

Carolyn

Back again

Sorry to have been gone so long.  First vacation came and then trying to catch up with my day job.  I am also a procrastinator and want to be able to include pictures in my posts.  Not happening right now.  Then my bowling trip to Reno and trying to catch up again at my day job.  The procrastinating about no pictures for my posts.  Lastly, my mom has been sick in the hospital. 

I said to heck with the pictures I need to get this blog going again. 

I managed to get signed up for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party in the middle of all that was happening (See above).  My bead soup needs to be mailed by Monday to my partner, Stringing Fool's Beti Horvath.  Beti remarked that we seem to be like minded in what we make as we have the same blog design.

I am hoping to do better with posting.  In fact, I will have to as Beti has already mailed me my soup.

I can work on my blog from my phone and hopefully learn to add pictures.  Haven't taken too many pictures of my jewelry with my cell phone.  Will have to learn to do that.

Thanks for stopping by. 

Carolyn

Lottery for Cup of Bead Soup

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog and creator of the Bead Soup Blog Hop is having a lottery for her new Cup of Bead Soup mini blog hop.  Here is a link to her blog announcement:    lottery-for-cup-of-bead-soup-with-lea 

The bead to be used is a beautiful lampwork bead made by Lea Avroch.  It is made of silver glass with murrini and has a beautiful design to it.  I already have a design in mind if I happen to be one of the chosen three beaders.

Please stop by Lori's blog to see the bead and sign up if you want to.

Carolyn