Sometimes you Just Gotta Rework it!

This necklace began it's life as a a straight forward stringing piece.  I checked the archives but unforunately, right before I moved, I got into a "search and destroy" mission and removed most of the files from my computer, including the original design of this one.  I am clueless as to why this frenzy involved deleting most of the pictures of my old work.  It's true I was planning to ditch this computer.  And, yes, it's true, there were some early designs that made me cringe.  Still...????   Anyway, here it is today with gorgeous handmade lampwork flowers from a German artist whose name slips my memory.  Her work is so exquisite.

Gemstone and Metal Blog Hop - The big Reveal

Yikes! I am doing this on my SmartPhone (while swearing) surrounded by boxes from my recent move to Key West. No matter.  The beads must go on!!!

Unfortunately,  I just realized to add pics from my SmartPhone, blogger only let's me take a picture. So, I can't access my gallery that shows da booty I got.   It was a lovely mix of picture jasper shapes and silver findings.

That cool leather triangle focal is from Melinda Orr. I threw in a few of my painted beads and wire, and some ceramic beads just cause I could, he- he.

Next I went Tribal.  I really love mixing shades of brown and then throwing in that chunky eye bead (agate?) I had around for ages. I think it was watching me the whole time.  But, I outspooked it cause I was damn near giddy crazy when I finished. 

Thanks for checking me out. Here are others who participated.  I need to send you to our gracious host, Lisa lodge's page.

http://gratefulartist.blogs post blog's lot.com

Ocean blog Hop - The Big Reveal - And There is a Bounty, Mates

The Drop

I was astonished by the hefty weight of beads that showed up in my mailbox.  After hauling the package down to my secret bead cave, I tore into it like a hungry beast finding scraps in a dark alley after weeks on the prowl.

 There's a Turtle bead - be still my beating heart!!!!

I was well into my third or fourth piece (of eight) before I remembered to take the “before” picture showing the beads as they arrived.  Oh well, I thought.  I am among friends who break this rule all the time.  Aren’t I?  See my previous post for the "Before" picture.

The Big Reveal

It just tickles me to make necklaces that can be worn different ways. You can change the look of this necklace just by turning the piece around.  Funky, chunky by day; elegant, swellegant by night.  Or live on the edge and wear it with half sea glass, half beads and chain in front.  

 But wait...no sign of the Turtle bead???

Water Spirits

 

Water Spirits Bracelet

Next up, I decided I wanted to bead weave and create texture and movement.  An icy cool, sassy sea siren on the lookout for naughty pirates and missing turtles.

  

Sea Siren

  

I am thinking some earrings are needed about now, aren't you? 

 Psst, do you see a turtle? (Answer:  Not yet - Turtle bead's killing me cause I can't find a home for her)

 

 

There are still tons of beads left burning a hole on my table. The guilt is weighing me down.  So, I think, well, I will make a loooong necklace. Yeah, yeah, that will do it.  Something you can wear extra long using lots of beads. I added a clasp so you could also shorten it (see end of blog for another way to wear the piece).  And because I needed to use that clasp somewhere!!

Wait!   This can't be happening. The Turtle bead is left stranded on the table.

 

Sea Treasure

 

Well, I did not do much wirework I noticed. How about a bangle? Something I have not tried before. Why not make some waves, eh? 

 I won't say it but you know who is missing...sigh.

 

Waves

Happy dance time!!!!  Turtle has made her appearance!!!  And she's rocking it, way ahead of the rest of the beads.  Oh Yeah.  No matter how they toss the dice - it had to be (some of you will know why I put that line in here cause elsewise it makes no damn sense).  I called this "The Keys" because if all goes well, we will be living in paradise Key West in a couple months.  If there is anyone living there already, please give a holler in the comments section.

 

The Keys

 

More views of the pieces 

 

 

 

Another way to wear Sea Treasure

 

 

 

 

Looking forward to hearing what you think and which piece you like best.  And to seeing what everyone else did with their booty. Thanks Lisa Lodge of  Pine Ridge Treasures for hosting this delightful event.  May the beads be with you.  Links to others in the hop.

 

 

Ocean Blog Hop May 31^st Reveal:

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines

Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Mary Ann Macri Jacobs, Trucksville Crafts

Jeanne Steck, Gems by Jeanne Marie

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Margaret Pelech, Margaret Pelech's Ocean Blog

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

 

 

Ocean Blog Hop - Da Stash & Sneak Preview

Wow!  I got a lot of stuff from Lisa Lodge for this hop.  In fact, I was so excited tearing into everything, I forgot to take a picture until after I opened and got into some items.  Now, I know that never happens to any of you.  Luckily, I was able to rescue a number of the beads, which are pictured below.  I can tell you I was determined to and did use every bead (well nearly every).   I made 8 pieces of jewelry, including strung, bead weaved, and wire worked.  There are 2 big reveal dates (May 31 and June 14th).  Mine is the May 31st date so stay tuned...

The Stash

The finished jewelry

Lampwork and Clay blog Hop --- THE BIG REVEAL

What happens when you give 37 jewelry artists a mystery stash of beads and tell them to create something?   Find out by hopping along.



Me

My lovely mystery stash came from Shelley Graham-Turner of Tori Sophia, who has a lot of scrumptious beads in her store.   I do not work a lot in this particular shade of blue, I was nonetheless determined and excited to step out of my usual color box.

Wireworked and beadweaved statement necklaces are two of my latest passions so I knew I was going to create my design using one of those techniques.  About 2 weeks ago, I decided it would have to be wireworking and I wanted brass pieces to be part of it.  I thought I would create a lighter version of my usual statement necklace.   Here is "Denim Treasure."

I added brass pieces from my collection and a ceramic piece (in front) from Round Rabbit, which I glued onto a brass piece. All the beads are attached to 2 separate wire crocheted backing that I wired together.  Was a good use of some "scrap" pieces I had.

To keep it simple, I hammered and attached a rounded length of 18 gauge wire to create the neckwire. Was fun to play with my textured hammer that I have not used in a long while.

Thanks to Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures for sponsoring this. Other participating artists are listed below.  Hop Along.  Go on.  Go!

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess

Karin King, The Sparkle Things Blog

Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings

Mimi Gardner, Baubles, Beads and Other Curiosities

Dee Alcalde, Agape Creations Jewelry

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Linda Aspenson Bergstrom, TBD

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Gloria Allen, Gloria Allen Designs

Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's

Connie Tipton, TBD

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

Michele Dotson, Star Jewels

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Jennifer Clifford, TBD

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

Loretta, Loretta's Boutique

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations

Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems

Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and BaublesTori Sophia

Lampwork and Clay blog hop -- COMING SOON! Sneak Peak - not really:)

Well, it's been a long time since I have been involved in a blog hop.  The hop isn't until Saturday November 16 but the handmade clay beads arrived back in May.  Lovely beads but a color I seldom work with.  Oh well, I thought, I have 6 months to figure it out. 

Most of my work lately has been big, bold statement pieces, either beadwork or wirework related.  I feel like I have all these necklaces inside of me yet to be made and up until recently I don't feel I every really had a signature style.  I can still dig dainty but nowadays I love packing the beads on.   Anyway, I was not sure what to do with the sweet treasures but in the last week or so, I came up with a design that is lighter than my usual fare but still is signature me.

 Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures is hosting the blog and about 35 artists are participating. Stay tuned...

Retro Chic and Sassy or do you prefer bold or maybe seascape?

Forest

Bronze Age

Well I have been buried in the basement studio hovering over these babies for a while.  Sometimes it takes a long time to figure which bead goes next.  Anyone else have that problem? :)

 My latest creations:

Sea Scape



Retro Chic