Monday, August 11, 2014

Who's a good Guest Blogger?

Hey everyone!

I finally have a new blog post...somewhere else! I am the guest blogger today for Art Jewelry Elements, a very cool blog from an amazingly talented group of artists. Please check out my first-time adventures with resin!

Yup. That's resin.

Friday, May 9, 2014

Welcome to the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party!

It's finally here!

The 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party starts today!

I was paired with Pat Haight of Wigglebutt Creations. She is a talented polymer clay artist (wait till you see the focal she sent me!) as well as a talented jewelry artist. Here's a reminder of the very generous soup she sent me:


She sent me tons of natural materials to complement her polymer clay; mother of pearl beads, black onyx, pearls, lava beads, shell hoops, serpentine and more!

My original "plan" was to use the focal and handmade brass clasp (she sent two!) in a single piece. But my muse wasn't having it...so I grabbed one of my more neutral lampwork focals, and started adding some clay disks...pearls...onyx...mother of pearl beads...and came up with a cool necklace I love!


And here's a photo that shows the neat clasp and the colors a bit better!


Next, I had to do justice to the amazing clay focal Pat sent me. It looks like real Jade--I couldn't have guessed it was clay by looking at it! I knew the focal was so gorgeous, it shouldn't have too much to compete with it. I decided to make the focal a pendant on a simple silver curb chain, and added some dangles made out of more polymer clay flowers Pat sent. I just love this necklace, too!

Here's a shot of how it hangs:


And a closer pic of the amazing focal!


Finally a made a pair of earrings with the shell hoops and the lava beads. I love the look of lava beads, so I had to make *something* with them, even if it was just earrings!


So much natural beauty! I didn't even use all the beads Pat sent, she was so generous with her soup! Please make sure to check out her Blog, so you can see what she made with the soup I sent!

Now sit, back and relax, and have hopping the rest of this amazing group, and be sure to visit our Hostess, Lori Anderson first! Click on the link below to see the complete list!




Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Someone had a lampwork tutorial published!

And that someone would be yours truly!

I've written technical articles for Bead Design Studio Magazine (formerly Bead Unique), for the past couple of years. For the first time, however, I found myself with an opportunity to create a lampwork tutorial for this great magazine!

Since one of the "themes" for the issue was corsets, I had to take it literally. Just for fun. And what fun did I have creating  a mini-army of corseted beads!

So if you already receive Bead Design Studio Magazine, check out my tutorial for a little lampwork fun! If you'd like the magazine, and can't find one at your local magazine outlets, you can order issues directly from their website.


Monday, April 21, 2014

Bead Soup Preview!

The HUGE Bead Soup Blog Hop is still a couple weeks away, but I have started to play with the amazing soup sent to me by my partner, Pat Haight of Wigglebutt Creations. Here is just a little teaser of the soup she sent; she beautifully labeled all of the delicious beads she sent me!


Yeah, I know the picture doesn't show the pretty beads...you'll just have to wait for the blog hop, happening Sunday, May 3rd!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Bead Soup Blog Party #8 is up and running!

One of the best things to ever happen to my creativity was to stumble upon the Bead Soup Blog Parties that Lori Anderson hosts. The Blog Hops have gotten so popular, that they are now a once a year major event in the beading community!

This year is the 8th exchange, and I have been lucky enough to be paired up with Pat Haight of Wigglebutt Creations. First of all, how can you not just *LOVE* that name? Her clay creations totally make me smile!

How can you not love this? :)


Secondly, her clay beads and jewelry are simply beautiful! I especially love when a clay artist can create a bead that reminds me of my beloved glass. It is so cool to see!

I can't believe this is clay! Gorgeous! :)
I will be sending out a very special soup to Pat this week, so she can hopefully have some fun creating for the Blog Hop come May 3rd!

Until then, you can find Wiggblebutt Creations online in the following locations:

Blog: http://wigglebuttblog.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WigglebuttClay
Main Website: http://www.wigglebutt.com/


Friday, February 21, 2014

Spring Surprises Challenge from Znet Shows!

Some of you may remember I have participated in design challenges from ZnetShows. They have put out a call to the design team once again, and I was lucky enough to be selected! (It truly was luck this time, as they pulled names out of a hat!)

I figured I would receive a few beads and make some pretties. My jaw dropped when I received the package from Znet; the amount of beads they sent was incredible!

A selection of their cultured sea glass!

And a mountain of different crystal shapes, sizes and colors!
I have already created some pieces for our reveal, which will be in the ZnetShows spring Glossi. When the issue is available for viewing, I will surely let you know!


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Me, published? Why, YES!

I've been a writer for Bead Design Studio Magazine for a few years. Writing was always my first passion, with beads being a close second. So it makes sense that my writing career got started in a bead magazine!

But even though I have numerous articles published, I never had a "piece" of mine published. You know, something I created out of *beads,* not just words. That is, until now!

I made this!!


Check out the latest issue of Bead-It Today to find the tutorial how to create this pretty necklace using one of my torch-enameled focal beads. I really do love this magazine. It's priced very fair (only $3.99) and is full of tons of inspiring projects and ideas. I am so happy to be included in it's pages!

I have the enameled focal in my Etsy shop if you would like to make yourself a similar necklace (or goo in a completely different direction!). Click HERE to be taken directly to the listing!