It's Sparkle-tastic!

I've been a wee bit quiet on the blog this month...between getting my class instructions done for the new classes that we had this month and all of the other lovely paperwork that comes along with running your own business, I haven't had a lot of time.  I did eek out some time to participate in a challenge through one of my vendors.  Ok... really got sucked into this one.  I haven't done any bead embroidery projects for awhile, so my mom said to give it a try for this.  The creative challenge was to use Swarovski cupchain.  Cup-a-wha?  Cupchain is chain which is made up of settings then set with chantons (usually round chantons).  My brilliant idea was to cut the chain apart and create beaded bezels for the components.  Now cupchain is usually about 4mm--this cupchain is about 6-8mm.  So my fingers got a bit antsy! 

This was my initail design.  I was just winging this project as I went along. 

All my cupchain has been bezeled.  I then bezeled a 16mm rivoli and attached it via stitching to the backing material.  The cupchain components were all glued into place.

My finished project.  Since I've taken my pictures at night and without two photo lamps (still have to replace the bulb that the doggie popped), the picture came out a bit darker than I wanted.

I also created a bangle using a Vintaj Creative hoop as my base.  I wired the cupchain to the hoop with steel wire.  I made a very basic hook & eye closure from the wire as well.

I've worked on a few other items as well, but I'll save those for another post.

My spring resolution is to post more frequently...I hope I can stick to this! 

Aren't I Pretty??

I just had to share a current picture of our "baby".  She was getting a make-over this weekend! 

I need a little more blush please!

Iz I bootiful? 

I just had to share...Zoe was being really needy on Saturday and while I was getting ready to go into the shop, she figured she needed a bit of attention!

Hope this gives you a giggle!

Want to Win.....

Would you like to score some hot beads by a cool artist? 

Head on over to visit Barbara Lewis at her new blog home at Painting With Fire.  Become a follower and get a chance to win one of three lovely sets of enameled beads.  Click on the link above to find out the details!

More Goodies Please.....

I promised some more goodies!  Some of my pictures are a bit on the dark side...while I was taking pictures the puppy knocked over one of my lights and blew the bulb! It may be a bit before I can get some nice bright pics...  :-(

Here is a better pic of the pendant from a previous post.  This is really the 1st poly clay pendant/beads that I've made (except for the bazillion candy heart charms).  The necklace has Swarovski crystals in Indian Red and Violet satin, red jasper pebbles, Cape Amethyst rondelles and TierraCast antique copper bead caps. 

This is the most recent Bead Embroidered pendant that I've made.  This one was the most simple one I've made to date.  The lovely cabachon is from Earthenwood Studio.  Melanie makes a variety of ceramic links and pendants and beads.  I've used Miyuki Delicas, 11/0 and 15/0.  I've also used some faceted Czech faceted rounds in jadite and topaz ab.  The maize colored seed beads are Toho 11/0.  The dangle is a gold colored coin pearl.  This didn't take that long to make...maybe about 3-4 hours total.

This teal pendant is made from poly clay and has some silver foil applied and then run through the pasta machine.  Since I can't really sketch/draw for diddly, I used rub-ons.  I then sealed the pendant with a satin glaze.  This is just calling for the beach!

Here is a new metal book.  I used Vintaj 34mm blanks and one of the embossed circle blanks. I've become addicted to making these little books!  I've also used a gold foil pen to highlight and edge.  And...something that I found at my local scrapbook store...Enamel Gel Pens...it's what I used to line my letters.

Page 2 of the Heaven book.

Page 3 of the Heaven book

Page 4 of the Heaven book...and my little version of an angel.

Another metal book.  This time using a rectangle embossed daisy blank for the cover.  The Ranger Adirondak inks also include a silver, copper, gold and pearl...I really love the way the silver & copper look (i'm waiting for the gold).

Page 2 of the Hope book--this one I've embellished with metal stamps. 

Page 3 of the hope book

Page 4 of the Hope Book

I just thought the overall picture of the book came out great!  The oranges and pinks are just so summery!  Can you tell that I'm ready for some warmth???

I have to say that one of my most favorite things occured today....and I think that it's the 1st time that it's happend this winter.  Of course in Wisconsin, our winters are very grey and gloomy.  The last 2 days have been beautifully sunny!  I stopped off to do some shopping between the paying job and going into the shop.  I parked my car facing the sun.  When I got into my car...it was that lovely warm heat!  I have leather seats in my car and they just absorbed that heat.  So even though it was cold...that lovely warmth just radiated out of my seat and into my body.  I think I could've stayed there all day!

Do you have a small pleasure like this?  That when it happens, it is such an unexpected yet treasured joy???

Have a great one and remember to Bead Happy!

It's been way too long.....

....Since my last post.  I wasn't feeling well for most of December and January so I didn't work on a bunch of new stuff.  So now I've been working like mad, but still have to take MORE pictures.  I've been trying out some new stuff so hope you enjoy!

I made a little "book" from Vintaj Blanks, Alcohol Inks and some texturing. I came home from the shop one Saturday and did the whole book in one sitting...although I did add some copper ink and re-worked the neckstrap.

Page 2 of the Metal Book--this one is my favorite page...the colors just worked out perfectly!

Page 3--a great sentiment of what we should all try artistically

Leap into experimenting with metal...my last page of my book pendant.

Thanks to Diane Fitzgerald's book Shaped Beadwork I've been playing with dimensional peyote.  This is SOOO addictive to do.  I'm going to eventually connect the Triangle, Rectangle & the Pentagon to make a pendant. 

I had to try my hand at polymer clay.  I made the pendant and the barrel beads in the neckstrap.  This was after making some candy heart charms.  I really need to retake this photo with better lighting. The colors are a twilight purple that fades to copper.  Then, after the pendant was baked, I added copper mica powder to the glaze to give it more shimmer.

This is just a small portion of the polymer clay heart charms that Mom & I made---over a 110 of them in all (that's just the large charms!)

I've been really hooked on making wire spirals.  I called this Spiralling Out of Control---hmmm...maybe I can mix some wire spirals with the dimensional peyote.

I couldn't get this pendant to come out really clear no matter how many times I tried to photograph it!  This design is by Deborah Roberti.  The crystals are Swarovski 4mm Ruby, Black 11/0, and Cream pearlized Fire Polish.  I said that this was my Twilight inspired heart.  I have since made a lovely Aqua Satin and Light Green Pearl heart.

I guess that's all for now.  I'll take some more pictures over the weekend (hopefully during the daylight hours instead of always at night) and post a few more finished pieces. 

Bead Creative and Bead Happy!

Practice, Practice

Ok...I've been practicing on my wiring.  Both of the earring styles are from Perfect Match:  Earring Designsfor Every Occasion by Sara Schwittek & Anita Lin.  Below is a simple pair of earrings using sterling and 8mm Amazonite rounds. 

This is another pair of earrings using sterling silver, lilac crystals, smokey quartz rounds and fluourite colored glass donuts. These were not as challenging as they look!

We had our It's Riveting Class on 11/14 and the students created pendants using Vintaj rivets and blanks.  Not only did they rivet their pendants, but they also played with some texture. 

These are Catherine's pendants (thanks to Catherine for taking and emailing me the photos).

Linda's Pendants.

Lindsey's Pendants...Lindsey did make one more pendant...but we didn't get a picture of that one.

Pam's Pendants.

Patty's Pendants.

We didn't get a picture of Theresa's Pendants.  She made 3 really nice ones as well.  All of the ladies did a great job and had fun making just a "little" noise pounding on the metal.

Hope you enjoyed the pics....let me know what you think!

New Projects, New Technique

I've been happily working on some wirework....this is something new for me.  The picture below was my very 1st project with the coiling/wrapping technique.  I used 16 gauge copper wire as my base and 26 gauge silver plated wire to coil and add on the 3mm Firepolish.  The outside dangles are dyed quartz rondelles and the large central dangles are vintage German gladd beads purchased in Portsmouth, NH.

These delicate little beauties were my 3rd attemp and were just me fooling around.  I was inspired by a trip to the local box store and their costume jewelry selection.  I used 22 gauge wire as my base and 26 gauge copper wire to wrap/coil.  The accents are ivory ceylon 8/0 seed beads and small rice-shaped freshwater pearls.  These were a bit trickier because the wire is soft and thin but so worth the delicate, airy look!

Hope you've enjoyed my practice runs at some wiring beyond the basic earring.

Bead Happy!

Michelle