It's been awhile

I realize it's been awhile since I've posted.   Life has been a little wonky lately, but in a very good way.  That being said, I've had so little time to actually create things.  I've managed to do a little bit.  Today, I wasn't feeling all that great so I sat down and just did some simple beading.

There's not much to it, but I love the way it looks.  Pearls and sterling always work beautifully together.  Below: 20" strung pearl necklace with sterling silver spacers and beads.  Sterling silver ankh pendant is hand made in Tibet with a pearl inset.  Sterling clasp is handmade by me.

I think it'd be perfect for work, but I'm likely going to put it up in my Etsy shop which is TBD very soon.  This simplicity is just what I needed today. 

 

 

Kumihimo - an experiment

I rarely work with any kind of fiber so any excursion into its use is a huge ordeal for me.  I literally sit there and stare at it with nervous anticipation because I don't know where to turn.  Case in point, I bought two kumihimo boards about 3 years ago and even made the cord used in this project over a year ago, but never figured out where to use it.

FINALLY, I had a small stroke of brilliance when I saw the carved mother of pearl pendant that my daughter picked out about six months ago.  I really only figured it out because I was organizing and cleaning my room of ingenuity aka the black hole aka my craft room. 

I don't know that I'll do a ton of kumihimo, but it's something I can take on a plane easily.  It is, however, a lot of work for one cord.  Without further ado, here goes:

Anklet Reveal

I've enjoyed these blog hops that I've been participating in lately.  They've been a nice conduit for creativity and allow me to expand outside of my comfort zone.

This time, I volunteered to do an anklet reveal.  There are no rules here except to create an anklet which, in and of itself, is a challenge for me.  I've never made one.  :) 

Before I move to the reveal, thanks and kudos go out to Kashmira Patel, who you met as she was my earring swap partner.  She did a great job organizing this hop and I hope you enjoying seeing all of the awesome designs. 

Not too long ago, my daughter, some friends and I went to the Fort Worth zoo.  All around the zoo, they have squished penny machines which got me thinking that they would make some great jewelry components.  The idea here is that I'll keep collecting these from my travels to create a super long necklace.  For now, it works wonderfully as an anklet.  No sharp edges and it sits perfectly along the ankle. 

 

 

Below are some pictures of my baby girl, Ainsley at the zoo.  As a treat, I found a picture we took 5.5 years ago on the same exact croc.  Ainsley is the one in the back grinning like a goofball.  She had a blast and I love seeing her smile. 

Thanks for looking!  Below are all of the participants for the awesome anklet hop.  Thank you again Kashmira!

Name	Blog
Kashmira Patel	http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Kaushambi Shah	Will post on Kashmira's blog
Jean Wells	http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/
Mischelle Fanucchi	http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Shellie Grindie	http://www.creativeeclectica.com/
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Monique U	http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata	http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
Libellula	http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson	http://www.kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Mimi Gardner	http://othercuriosities.blogspot.com/
Anindita Basu	http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Rita (Toltec Jewels)	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Jessica Murray	http://whimsicalweavings.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Ema Kilroy	http://emakaye.blogspot.com/
Emma Todd	http://www.apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/
K Morgan	www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson	http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Cheri Reed	http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Rochelle Brisson	http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com/
Michelle Buettner	http://www.misheldesigns.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff	http://www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Weiss	http://uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner	http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
Vickie Foley	http://ohabbyday.blogspot.com/
Lynda Carson Roxanne Mendoza Dagi	http://freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com/ http://roxidesigns.blogspot.com/ http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/

Earring Swap Reveal

Hello everyone!

First, huge kudos out to Jessica Murray who hosted this blog hop.  She's put up with all of quite admirably.  Check out her blog, Whimsical Monkey, here.

I've been a bit remiss in my posting lately.  I blame a lack of time to do things  :)  Rather, I've prioritized some items and crafting has taken a bit of a backseat.  HOWEVER, I have the privilege of participating in a fun new blog hop for earrings! 

My partner, Kashmira Patel, is a software engineer who creates jewelry to support her charity.  She has a huge heart!  I always love seeing people who put their talents to fabulous use like she is.  Plus, she has the added benefit of enjoying one of my favorite things - travel!  I wish I've been to as many places as she has.  :)

The rules were this --
1. Create some earrings
2. Swap with a partner
3. POST on the reveal date (today!)

Kashmira and I chatted and I'm afraid I gave her no real direction other than "I love earrings!"  Well, I take that back.  I asked that she not use fiber because the humidity kills it here and nothing too heavy.  She did an absolutely awesome job!

Here is what she came up with:

Didn't she do a fabulous job??  I love them and have had several people complement my nice pretty earrings. 

Here I am wearing them:  They fit my face perfectly.  The length is fabulous :)



 

Here is my partner: Kashmira Patel.  Check out what I sent her.  :) 

I didn't take pictures before I sent them over so I stole the pictures from her website.  She did a fabulous job taking pictures of them.  :)

 

http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/sadafulee

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sadafulee

 

So in the next few days, visit these hard working people and see what they made/swapped.  I'm really looking forward to seeing the different earrings out there.  Happy Hopping!

Inge von Roos: ingetraud.wordpress.com

Nancy Smith: wirednan.blogspot.ca
Marianne Baxter: http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com/
Leah Tees: mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Andrea Trank: www.heavenlanecreations.com
Miranda Ackerley: http://blog.mirandack.com/
Cheri Mitchell-Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Susan Kennedy: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Michele Dotson: http://star-jewels.blogspot.com/
Deanna Cox: www.deannaaki.WordPress.com
Shelley Graham Turner: www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue: www.wrappedinsilver.com
Lennis Carrier: http://windbent.wordpress.com
Ginger Davis Allman: http://thebluebottletree.com/
Mary Anne Flesch: www.handcraftedserenity.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmer: www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Stephanie Weiss: uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/ --> You are here
Silvia Sernicola: http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/
Karla Morgan: www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson: http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Paula Hisel: http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Carol Dillman: http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Spun Sugar Beadworks: Spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Tara Plote: http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Rachel Baron: http://rbarondesigns.blogspot.com/
Laurie Keefe: http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/
Kashmira Patel: http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett: http://www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Shellie Grindy: http://www.creativeeclectica.com/
Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell: http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Mimi Gardner: www.OtherCuriosities.blogspot.com
Jessica McMullen: http://pheonixgatedesigns.blogspot.com/
Jennifer LaVite: www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Laura Medeiros: http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com/
Alenka Obid: www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Elsie Fonseca: http://www.ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Dunham: www.renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com
Sandra McGriff: http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tania Spivey: http://moobiegrace.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doyle: http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com

Facebook:
Beccy Peterson: Beccy's Baubles
Mischelle Fanucchi: www.facebook.com/micheladasmusings
Marde Lowe: FanciMar Designs

In a purple mood...

Sometimes simplicity is best :)  I made the below with citrine nuggets, faceted amethysts, copper beads and some gorgeous lampwork beads.  I love how easy this one is.  Too bad I ran out of lampworks to make some matching earrings as I feel like going matchy matchy with this.

What do you think?

It's been awhile...

Work has been absolutely crazy lately, but in a crazy good way. I love my job so there are absolutely no complaints when I have to put in a few extra hours.  :)  In the meantime, I had some fun the past couple days as I've been laid up a bit sick.  I had the opportunity to sit down and watch some TV while crafting.  Something I used to do all the time, but haven't prioritized it lately with other things in life. 

I've been feeling a very purple and green mood lately.  But, I was absolutely inspired by the green and purple clasp that I purchased from Mary Harding not too long ago.  I don't typically buy findings like that as I generally prefer to make them myself, but this one was a piece of art!  I adored it.  I paired it with some patinad copper chain, purple and lime lampwork beads from a couple of my favorite artists (FeyGlass and Taneres) and a couple of swarovski crystals.  I love the resulting look.

 

I've done the bracelet below before, but I gave it away to my Mom who also made a few of them herself!  It's something easy and quick to do, but is really just a pretty thing.  I needed something to match my A&M shirt for the maroon and white game so I quickly put this together with some burgundy and off white wooden beads, copper jump rings and a lampwork button.  Super cute and quick to make.  Great project!

Pretty in Pink Challenge

I had such a fun time with the Bead Soup challenge that I joined another one -- Pretty in Pink!  Essentially, we're given a picture for inspiration and are directed to create something based on the image.  I decided to keep it simple this go around and I love the results.  :)

 

Here is the inspiration picture:

 

I came up with a very simply pretty bracelet with the color scheme as inspiration.  Easy to wear and super comfortable!

 

The below are some fun earrings with the copper wire acting as vines around the silver.  I LOVE mixed metal.

 

I can't wait until my next challenge.  Give me your feedback.  Would you add to the bracelet or leave it as is?