Look Homeward, Angel

Way back in high school I read “Look Homeward, Angel” by Thomas Wolfe. I don’t remember the specifics of the story ( it was a long time ago!) but I do remember being captivated by it, and I suddenly thought of it again as I fashioned this sweet little angel.

The antique doll used here is called a “frozen Charlotte”- these tiny ceramic dolls are dug up by the thousands from the ground by the German factories where they were once made. I was fortunate to receive several of them from my partner in the Bead Soup Blog Party a couple years ago ( thanks Gretchen!). It’s rare to find one that’s completely intact, but I don’t think the imperfections take away from their beauty – the missing arms just give opportunity for wings to sprout, and that’s exactly what happened here!

I used rusty black filigree pieces from B’Sue Boutiques to make these wings, and added some very old lace scraps along with what I believe to be the oldest (and my favorite) button in my collection. A little wire and some tiny rhinestone spacer beads are the finishing touch, and she’s strung on vintage cuckoo clock chain.

This little angel doesn’t need to look any further for her home – I’m keeping her with me!

BSBP8 reveal!

The time has come and it’s reveal day for Bead Soup Blog Party #8! My partner this year is Kim Paige of Red Tree Studio. Kim is a very gifted artist who specializes in metal clay, and *wow* is her work amazing!

Before I show you the fabulous soup she sent and what I did with it, here’s what I sent to her-

Soup #1

This was the first soup I sent to Kim – a handcarved mother of pearl pendant, some large irregularly faceted cut glass beads in the palest shade of pink, three kinds of pewter beads, tiny garnets, a moonstone and sterling clasp and silk ribbon.

And here’s soup #2. While the first one was all soft and pastel, this one was darker and more rustic-

I sent wood agate and bone beads, metal studded wood cones, vintage white hearts, an oversized toggle,  large ceramic focal and a sweet little Czech glass owl. Two soups, two very different looks!

 

Now for the soup I received from Kim – wow!

Leather cords, bronzite, bone, wood and shell beads, copper beads and chain, a beautiful copper S hook clasp – and Kim’s specialty – exquisite metal clay leaves and branches. The detail is incredible on these! Kim told me that she used blueberry leaves from her backyard for the texture.

 

….And here’s what I came up with-

 

First off I paired one of the leaves with pretty copper beads, tiny cobalt blue agates and a bird charm that I painted to match.

 

 

Next, I used one of the little branches along with some fire agates for a bracelet that reminds me of Springtime in the woods-

 

 

 

 

Then, I used another of the leaves along with Czech glass, a rusty metal flower, sari ribbon, cuckoo clock chain and a vintage skeleton key from my grandmother’s basement for a rustic boho necklace.  This will be a favorite that I’ll wear often!

 

 

Next up, I decided to use the S hook clasp as a bail for an amazing rough cut amethyst from Plum Bazaar, which is the wonderful bead shop in downtown Branson where I started working a couple of months ago – yes, it’s definitely a dream job!

 

 

OK, on to the exquisite curved leaf focal – this was the biggest challenge for me. I tried several different chains, silk ribbons, beads of all colors – but in the end I decided to keep it simple and just let the beauty of the leaf speak for itself. I threaded it with some copper micro ball chain and three strands of tiny jade tubes. Simple and lovely!

 

 

Another great find from Plum Bazaar led to this bracelet and earrings – these are vintage copper coins from India. I punched holes in them, painted them with cobalt blue Vintaj patina and then sanded them back. The bright copper beads and chain from Kim add just the right accent along with tiny blue agate beads.

 

 

Finally, I used the same process on a couple of the white bone beads – painted them and wiped it back – for one more pair of earrings. These are strung with some pierced sterling silver beads I’ve had forever. I think they have a nice summer-y look to them!

So there you have it – 8 pieces for the 8th BSBP! As always, I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it, and I so appreciate Lori Anderson’s hard work and dedication for putting it all together each year. Now, go check out all the other bead soupers!

Here’s the link:

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

 

It’s Bead Soup time again!

Once again I’ve signed up for Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Blog Party, which is the major event each year in bead/blogging world! This is the 8th year for the party, and my 3rd year participating. How it works is this – Lori pairs up the participants and you then swap bead soup ingredients for each other to create with. On reveal day you do a blog post showing what you designed with the soup you received from your partner. It’s lots of fun and a great way to challenge yourself to create with beads and components that someone else chose for you. My partner this year is Kim Paige of Red Tree Studio. Her metal clay work is elegant and simply amazing! Before I show you the incredible soup she sent, here is what i sent to her-

I’ve been hoarding these oversized pale pink cut glass beads for a few years – I love the way they’re cut, but because I’m “pastel impaired” I haven’t been able to decide what to do with them! (I saved a few just in case I ever figure it out though!) I paired them with a hand carved mother of pearl pendant from Plum Bazaar, which is the awesome bead shop in Branson where I just started working.

Next I gathered up some pewter beads – some with dragonflies, and some that remind me of ocean waves, along with a pair of large filigree beads. I added some tiny garnets, some hand dyed silk ribbon and a sterling and moonstone clasp. I sure hope Kim likes what I’ve chosen – it’s surprisingly hard to decide what to send to someone you’ve never met!

One thing I do know is that I’m absolutely thrilled with what Kim sent – just look!

A great assortment of stone, bone and wood beads, copper chain, leather cord and two fabulous clasps! That in itself would be a wonderful soup, but now for the really exciting stuff!

Aren’t these amazing? Kim made these from metal clay, using blueberry leaves from her yard for texture. And finally, this stunning focal –

I’m so excited to start working with these gorgeous pieces – I only hope I can somehow do them justice. Thanks, Kim, for a truly wonderful soup!

Bead Hoarders Reveal

Once again I’m happy to be participating in one of Lori Anderson’s great blog hops – this one is for those of us who are bead hoarders, which I’m sure is pretty much anyone who makes jewelry!

The packrat hoarding gene runs deep in my family, so for me it goes beyond beads – to ribbon, scraps of leather, old pieces of lace, watch faces and parts, micro mosaics, etc., etc., etc! All those things I found here and there over the years that I just had to have, knowing I’d find a use for them “someday”…..

For this piece, I decided to use something from my treasured micro mosaic collection-

(click on the pics to see close up)

Micro mosaics are made from extremely small pieces of glass that’s artfully arranged in beautiful patterns, usually with a floral motif. They’ve been made in Italy for centuries, and I’ve been fascinated by these tiny works of art for a long time.  I rarely use any of them because I love how they look in their little dish on my workbench!

I forced myself to part with one though, and chose this one-

Once part of an old brooch, these three tiny hearts are soldered together. Aren’t they sweet?

For the base of my pendant, I used this pretty filigree piece from B’Sue Boutiques in my favorite finish, rusty black. I also added a hint of color with metallic craft paint.

To add just a little more color and texture, I pulled out some of my ribbon and decided to use a scrap of multi colored gypsy ribbon-

And with some soft blue Amazonite beads (also hoarded for years) and a few more rusty black pieces from B’Sue, this is what I came up with-

Now the decision will be – list it in my Etsy shop  – or hoard it? 🙂

Thanks so much for stopping by, and be sure to visit all the other fabulous blogs here:

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
10.  Erin Guest, Renlish11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry – you are here!
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It’s a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda’s Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine’s Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre’z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D’Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65.  Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie’s Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama’s Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia’s Unique Beaded Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka’s Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda’s Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou’s time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 – For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD’s Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine’s Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl’s Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn’s Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings ‘n’ Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi’s Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra’s Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge’s Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca’s Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena’s Beady Blog

5×5 Challenge

This past month I participated in a very intriguing challenge, along with 4 other Artisan Whimsy members. It’s called 5×5 Testers, and works like this: five artists are chosen each month and each are given five identical components to create with. At the end of the month, all of the pieces are revealed and are featured in the beautiful Bead Chat e-magazine. To see it, click on the “Glossi” link on the right side of the page.

The results are fascinating, as each artist interprets the pieces in their own unique style. I wish I’d have thought to take a picture of the components before I used them (d’oh!), but I do know that some of the other team members did.

Here’s what I came up with-

I decided to work with this filigree piece first. This was the easiest piece for me, since I work with this style so often. I enhanced just the center of the filigree with Vintaj patinas, and curled the ends under at the sides. At first I was going to join the chain with jumprings, but instead I inserted a headpin with tiny brass beads to work as stoppers. Some absinthe green Czech glass drops swing from the filigree.

Next came the X shaped piece of brass. I gently shaped it with bailing pliers so that it fit the curve of my wrist, and carefully wound hemp cord around the legs and over the center, adding a few African trade beads as I went along. Some vintage cuckoo clock chain and a lobster clasp was added to finish.

When I saw this large, kind of open weave brass ring I knew I wanted to make a bezel with it, but wasn’t really sure how to go about it. After reading about the process on the ICE resin website, I decided to attempt a backless bezel with resin. I set the frame on a piece of packing tape and poured just a little resin in to cover the inside of the frame. After the first layer was dry I cut a piece of heavy scrapbook paper and laid it in for a background, and continued to add several thin layers of resin, letting it cure between layers. To finish, I painted a brass bird charm and glued it to the front. A couple of tiny bead caps painted with Vintaj patina became little flowers to hide the holes in the bird’s wings.

Next I tackled the little square of copper. The edges were pretty sharp, so I filed them a little, and then coated the square with Vintaj patina. Once it dried I sanded it here and there for a distressed look, and added a rusty metal flower layered with a bright Czech glass flower bead. It’s strung on bright turquoise suede cord.

Finally, the domed copper disc! This pretty much had me stumped, and I put off dealing with it until the very last minute. I thought about somehow winding wire through the slots but couldn’t come up with anything I liked, so out of desperation I just started punching holes in it. I had some bright colored embroidery thread laying on my table so I used it to make knots in the holes, and glued a flower shaped Czech glass bead to the front. It’s a little weird, but I kind of like it!

This challenge was a great exercise, and forced me to think outside my normal creative box! Thanks so much to Melinda Orr for letting me participate, to Alicia Marinache for moderating the challenge, and to Heather Kelly Marston, who generously provided the materials!

Here are links to the rest of this amazing team’s blogs and their fabulous creations –

Charlene Bausinger Jacka     http://www.clay-space.com/blog

Lesley Freedom   http://www.sweetfreedom-designs.blogspot.com

Heidi Kingman     http://www.heidikingman.blogspot.com

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson  http://www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

Heather Kelly Marston      http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com

 

Show and Tell – Bead Soup Reveal Day!

I’m so glad it’s here – the first reveal date for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by the amazing Lori Anderson!  I admire Lori for taking on a project like Bead Soup, and really enjoy being a part of it.

This is my 2nd year, and has been especially fun because of the incredibly generous  soup that was sent to me by my partner,  Gretchen Nation!

Here’s a peek of what she sent-

A strand of fire agates, vintage beads, buttons and more!

More beautiful beads and buttons, and best of all – Frozen Charlottes!

The  first thing I made was this bracelet, using some of the lovely fire agates along with a pierced sterling bead and a pewter button. I threaded a length of gypsy ribbon through the oversized rolo chain for a little extra color. The colors and textures reminded me of walking through the woods on a cool, misty morning-

Next I wrapped brass wire around and through bone circles and these cool Tibetan beads for a pair of earrings with a funky, earthy look-

This next piece is totally uncharacteristic of my usual style, as I’m not normally drawn to this kind of bright color – but that’s what makes these blog hop challenges so much fun! I call this one “April Showers”-

The teardrop shaped magnesite beads are the color of new Spring leaves, and are joined by tiny purple garnets and sterling silver, including the beautiful flower toggle that Gretchen sent. The pendant is a rusty metal rose that I “frosted” with Iced Enamels – a new product from the folks at Ice Resin!

And finally, my favorite! A Frozen Charlotte – well, Charlie, actually – since this one’s a boy – framed by wings that I formed from gears bent in half and coated with Iced Enamels and strung with Czech glass beads, more gears and a beautiful vintage bead in icy blue. This necklace is called “Frozen Angel”.

Thanks so much for hopping through today, and many thanks also to Gretchen for sending me such wonderful things to work with! I’ll be dipping into her box of treasures again and again. Be sure to visit her blog at http://artfoodlodging.blogspot.com

Then visit all the other fabulous blogs in this hop by clicking on the link below:

http://www.beadsoupblogparty.com/

I’m honored…

…that my earrings are featured in the Spring issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry!

These were made from vintage clock hands that I rusted and manipulated into curves and curliques, and dressed up with gears and beads. They’re lots of fun to make, although they’re too long for my fat little neck.

But that’s okay, because the real fun for me is getting to see them inside my favorite jewelry magazine! 🙂

p.s  If you’re one of those lucky ladies with a long neck, these and others can be found in my Etsy shop!

http://www.lilruby.etsy.com

Oh, the possibilities!

It’s Bead Soup time again – I’m participating in the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Lori Anderson. This is my 2nd year for Bead Soup, and my reveal date is March 30th.

If you haven’t heard about this wildly popular and fun blog hop, here’s how it works: Lori assigns each participant a partner, and you each choose a mixture of beads and findings (a soup) from your stash and exchange them. On reveal day, you post what you created on your blog. Creating with beads you didn’t choose yourself is a good way to stretch your creativity, and is lots of fun – especially since my partner, Gretchen Nation, sent me an absolute treasure trove of goodies – so much it takes two pictures to see it all! Check this out-

In this pic you can see vintage beads and buttons, found objects, a strand of fire agates and more!

Here we have more great buttons and beads, and best of all – Frozen Charlottes! There were five of these little beauties, but I’ve already started creating with one of them. Be sure to check back on March 30th to see what I come up with!

love life

When I started to make this bracelet, it was with the intention of just making a fun piece to sell for Valentines Day. But as I was deciding how to etch it and what the text would say, instead it became a reminder – to love life – no matter what challenges it holds. My husband and I have experienced some doozies over the past couple of years – illness, the loss of both of our mothers, job loss followed by extended unemployment which in turn has caused financial hardship…all of which equals stress levels that are off the charts! But – love endures – for each other, and for the life we share.
So, instead of a holiday sale piece, I think I’ll keep this one…or at least make another one for me! 🙂

Remembering Clara – Memories and Thanks blog hop reveal

When I saw that Lori Anderson was hosting another of her great blog hops I was ready to sign up, especially since this one has to do with memory jewelry – that is, jewelry that’s created to honor the memory of someone who has played a special part in your life.

Clara was my paternal grandmother, and was special not only to me, but to our entire family. Christmas Eves and family birthdays were always spent at Grandma’s house on Hendee St.

Grandma was gentle and soft spoken, but also very strong. She’s been gone many years now, but I can still see her in her dress, apron and cute little old lady shoes. She always wore a jeweled pin on her apron or a necklace, and had tea and cookies every afternoon at 4:00. To this day I think of her everytime I see a box of Lorna Doones!

God only knows what I was jabbering at her!

I’m the youngest child in our family by over 10 years so Grandma was already 70 years old when I was born. I knew her as the adorable elderly lady she was at that time, but I’ve always been fascinated by the lovely young woman she once was. So much so that way back in high school I painted this portrait of her –

The image I chose to use for my memory bracelet is from her wedding picture. I photocopied the photo, inserted it into a lovely brass stamping piece from B’Sue Boutiques and coated it with ICE resin. After that it was just a matter of adding a few crystals and a length of chain that I threaded with some tea dyed ribbon.

I like to think that Clara would have approved!

Thanks so much for joining me on my little trip down memory lane! Now go and check out all the talented artists and their beautiful creations on this blog hop –

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/11/participants-for-memories-and-thanks.html