Andre Thornton Challenge - The Reveal

Well, here it isl. This is what I did with the bead package that Andrew Thornton sent out as part of his first challenge. I think that I am definitely going to have to call this a statement piece. When worn, the art clay focal and the large ceramic bead sit at the top of my wrist, and it is very comfortable. I used peyote and right angle weave.
I hope that you take the time to see what the other blogger's did with Andrew's package of beads!

Katie James, Sarajo Wentling, and Margriet Schnabel will have pieces shown on Andrew Thornton's blog.


Jessica Nelson http://stilettospirituality.blogspot.com/

Holly Baldwin http://trickoflightstudios.com/

Paula Kramer http://cavecreekbeads.blogspot.com/

Karyn Bonfiglio http://plussizebangles.com/blog


Sally Russick http://www.wireworked.com/

Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com

Norma Turvey http://moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com/

Anne Dixon http://annepomeroydixon.blogspot.com

Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com

Mary K McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/

Patty Gasparino http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/

Andrew Thornton http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

Urban Stripes by Judith Bertoglio-Giffin

Judith Bertoglio-Giffin has organized a crocheted rope bead along and I am one of the lucky participants. Participants are receiving pdfs that contain patterns for a 42 inch rope that will be crocheted in sections. The colors are inspired by the urban landscape. I've chosen a smoky blue, cream, lilac, truqoise ande a mettalic purple.
There are 35 participants and Judith has set up a page on Facebook so that we can share our color combinations as we go along. I find this all very exciting. Each pdf is like opening up a new present, and you don't know exactly what you are going to get until it is all assembled. My first section is strung and I will start crocheting tonight

Every Charm tells a story - Artbeads Blog challenge

Artbeads sent a new blogging challenge to its blog partners titled "What's old is new again" For this theme we were asked  to seek inspiration from the past by incorporating old, vintage or antique items into our designs and combine them with modern elements such as Swarovski crystals, Glass, Resin, etc. Each piece needed to have at least one old element; a family heirloom, vintage cameo, an interesting bead, pendant or item you found in an antique shop, an old key, photo or any unique element of the past. We could even re-use an old jewelry piece and ‘borrow’ items from.

The challenge came at a time that was both good and bad for me. I was in the process of going through the house, room by room, and drawer by drawer. As I sifted through 31 years of accumulation I was trying to decide what to keep and what would no longer be useful. I had a sterling charm bracelet and several necklaces with sterling charms. Each charm on the bracelet and each charm on each necklace had meaning: the Nantucket basket charm that I bought on a vacation in Nantucket, the painters palette to symbolize my interest in painting, the thimble and scissors given to me because I sew and have made quilts in a former life. I ordered a new charm in memory of out cat Annabelle, the Sterling Silver Angel Kitty Charm http://beads.artbeads.com/search?w=charms  and two  kinds of seed beads 15/0 Metallic Hematite Hex Cut    TOHO™ Bead Round Hybrid 8/0 Marbled Hematite AB. http://www.artbeads.com/delicas-seed-beads.html  I also had a pin that was one of my first pieces of jewelry. It had ivory colored flowers wired to it. Over the years, several of the flowers had gone missing. I ordered tiny Swarovski crystels (5000 2mm Faceted Round Black Diamond) http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski-5000.html serve as the centers of the flower. to

My finished results are pictured The tiny 15 hex cut seed beads were perfect for the chains of the necklace that I made. The hex cut reflects the light and makes that strands sparkle. The finish on the marbled 8o beads reflects the colors I wear most often. I created two strands with charms. For the third strand I restung a simple silver necklace that I had. This third strand is removable. I plan on beading some more chains that I can add to the two charm chains so I have different looks.

The Swarovski crystals were perfect for the center of the flowers. I added some green-gold megatamas that I had in my stash to make a carpet for the flowers and to fill in the blank spaces.

These two pieces did not require alot of beading, but they resulted in pieces that I will wear often, with many happy memories that go along with them. I thank ArtBeads for the opportunity to participate in their blog program, and I was delighted with the items I received.

 **Disclaimer I have received these products free of charge by Artbeads.com. I am honestly reviewing the products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.**

Bead Embroidery

LaBella Joya http://labellajoya.blogspot.com/2011/05/big-giveaway.html?showComment=1306685395507#c4421084320093611880wanted input on bead embroidery - what we liked in terms of embroidery, and have we done it. I've only done one piece of embroidery - my chatelaine - shown above, which I use to store scissors, tape measure, scoop and sewing needles. It took hours and I received an honorable mention for this work.

I do like bead embroidery and love the dramatic collars and bracelets. I do find that they are heavy and war. and I get concerned about odors clinging to them because of the fabric.

Art Bead Scene Giveaway

Even though I work in seed beads, I admire and collect one of a kind artist beads. They truly elevate simple designs into unique pieces of art that make you smile when you wear them. The Art Bead Scene is offering a giveaway of some of the most beautiful art beads I've seen. Follow this link to enter to win http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2011/05/giveaway-with-little-help-from-our.html

Do You Remember the Banana Man?

I remember going to the circus years ago, sitting on the bleachers and watching the performance. At one point the ringleader announced that the banana man was coming and a clown came out. He had a bright red nose, big floppy shoes and a large coat with pockets. He kept reaching into his pockets and pulling out bananas on a string. He'd pull and pull, and more and more bananas would appear. You had to wonder how so many bananas could fit in one coat.

Right now, our house is just like the coat on the banana man. More and more items come out. Out of drawers, out of closets, out of boxes. Out of two storage rooms and one storage shed. They go in to the garage to get ready for a tag sale this weekend - rain or shine. I found a plate in the kitchen yesterday that I do not remember owning, and a planter today that I don't recognize. My husband just found a yard implement that we don't know the use for (Practically, or probably, unused) Crystal decanters, china shoes, fabric, paints, paintings, tapes, books and records. So very many things, and so very many memories. After 31 years of living in the same house I expected some treasure troves, but certainly not this much. I hope that the items in the garage find a good home. I don't want them to contribute to the land fill.

If you are interested in tag sales, come on by this Saturday and Sunday 9-3 each day. Seven Dara Lane, North Granby Connecticut. Who knows what treasures you will find.

The Original Scrapbox Giveaway

The Original Scrapbox is hosting a giveaway for National Craft Month. I've been eyeing the scrapbox for months now. Designed for scrapbookers, it looks perfect for beaders and jewelry makers too. Link to the site is here:http://theoriginalscrapbox.com/ You can see scrapbox designs and many videos that show how it works. Their Facebook fan page(http://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalScrapbox) gives you up to date news about the Scrapbox, including information on how to enter the contest to win a free scarpbox!