Designing with Nina Designs...................

I was fortunate to get a goody bag from Nina Designs to do some designing with as a part of their Blog Partner Program.  I was able to use these to make some pretty amazing things, I do so love Nina Designs and have been a customer of theirs for years.  Here is what I made:

In honor of the fall season and Halloween, I used some of the hammered marquis components, purple deer hide, and skull charms to create this bracelet and necklace.  I wove the deer hide in some chain I had to make a heavier chain, and added an amethyst and herkimer diamond for some bling!

This piece I used the snake component to make this wonderful pendant with a lepidocrosite briolette, 

 ruby and a herkimer diamond.  I added the chain and finished it with a bronze s clasp.  This piece is on it's way to the stylist for The Vampire Diaries show to be considered for their show.

This wonderful brass chain went really well with a mixed metal charm I crafted and I decorated it with a petrified wood bead.

Just love these earring components, the hammered goldtone is great, I used some more of the hammered marquis components to hang a wonderful bronze lotus petal charm, a pearl and a blue topaz from each.

 And here is a photo of all of it, the photo did not come out as well as I would have liked but you can get the full view of all the pieces.

Thank you Nina Designs for allowing me to partner with you and for these wonderful pieces!

The materials above were provided as part of the Nina Designs blogging program. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.

I Promise!

The I am promise, to buy one thing handcrafted once a month!

How easy is that? and with that little promise the influence we all could have in local economies, supporting local small business and artists!  I love to buy from individuals who create out of love, so I make my promise to buy one thing handcrafted per month from an individual, do you?

The Big Reveal, well, maybe little......

This is my second Bead Soup Blog Hop Party, hosted by Lori Anderson and it has been so enjoyable.  I had a huge bead soup from my partner so I had some left over and will continue to add to my soup! Thank you Kris!

I received all these wonderful beads, chains, and clasps from my partner, Kris Binsfield, from Cherish Designs.  You can see the bead soup in my prior post.  Her handcrafted pendant was so wonderful and the clasps she sent, oh my, bling and more bling, I just couldn't decide what to do.

So, I just had to use the sparkly clasp in a bracelet to show it off.  Here is what I created with the some of the chain, beads, and clasp.

and the pendant, I just though it deserved to be the focal, I tried add beads and I just didn't like it, so I kept it simple with the chains and I just love it, but that is more my style, simple and blingy!

well, that leads me to the fact, I have plans for the rest of the soup, so there will be more to come, I have more to do and hope to have it done by the next reveal date, so please come back and check!  A little view of the rest of the soup that needs to be done! 

and a few more photos just because..................

The rest of the party, go check them out!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs

Amy Schmidt, Amy’s Treasure

Amy Severino, Amy Beads

Ana Krepel, Cat’s Pajamas, Dog’s Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra’s Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry

 Bryna Lumb, Bryna’s Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll’s Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez’Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy’s Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes…

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie’s Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni’s Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It’s a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations

 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q’Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei’s Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M’s Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK’s Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi’s Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina’s Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It’s a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin’ of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese’s Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

New Bead Soup arrived............

I am participating in another bead soup blog party and I just got my "bead" soup from my partner, Kris Binsfield from Cherish Designs.  After the excitement tearing open the outer package I found these, yeah.....

and so I opened them to find this..

In box 1, the long box was this wonderful group of beads and chain..

In box 2, was this awesome group of beads, chain, etc...

with this amazing focal pendant made by Kris.....

so I am off to stir up my soup and see what I can create!

If you are interested, here is a sneak peak of the soup I sent my partner, but she needs to reveal the rest, until later.......

Life Inspired, what exactly does that mean???

I had a real hard time coming up with a tag line for my jewelry.  Still not sure it describes my jewelry, but it does describe my business.

A few weeks ago, I got an email from a soldier oversees that his wife's birthday and their anniversary was coming up and could I make something for her.  So, I had my mission, I asked a few questions and was off planning, creating and more.  The more was I wrapped the gift and hand delivered it to her at her job.  I got to shed a few happy tears with her. This experience and hoping that I have made a small difference in someone's day, is priceless.

And this, is what I mean by life inspired, getting to be a part of these special moments in peoples lives, getting to be just a small piece of joy in a gift for a special day, event, time, etc..  If my jewelry or I can make someone's day a bit brighter, happier, or even more tolerable (in the case of sad life events), that is what it is all about for me.

Recently, I made lots of fingerprint charms for Mother's Day gifts, I am currently working on some wedding jewelry and a gift for a new mother, so this is where the line, life inspired jewelry comes from.

A new gift on it's way to Rachael Ray

I was lucky enough to be included in a special gifting to Rachael Ray.  She loves handmade and loves jewelry, a great fit for me.  I will be sending this necklace on to her next week!

I am really loving working with the bronze metal clay, the warm color for spring and summer is just delightful and the colored beads and pearls just look so pretty with it!

Have a great week and Happy Spring!

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY REVEAL

It is finally here, the Bead Soup Blog Party, 200 people were paired up and exchanged a bead soup.  Thank you Lori Anderson for hosting this wonderful event.  Each of us mixed our soup to cook up some unique items to show off today!  My partner was Rebekah Payne, Tree Wing Studio,  and she sent me some of her incredible polymer clay beads and some others.

These beads are so far out of my comfort zone.  I work mostly with silver and gemstones, so I really had to get a feel for the beads.  I can say, after a few minutes, I was totally in love.  They are so fun and colorful and playful, I was having a blast!  I started with this wonderful focal, and designed around it. Little did she know that a daisy reminds me of my mom, so this focal was speaking to me the minute I got it!

Rebekah was very generous with the beads so I was able to make a long necklace, bracelet and earrings. I still have a few beads left, but I have this incredible set now!

 

I hope you enjoy the pictures, please make sure to leave a comment, as I will be doing a giveaway of a special piece of jewelry on March 15th, the drawing will be from all comments left on this post!

Now I am off to see everyone else's bead soup!  If you would like to join the Bead Soup Blog Party, just follow this list, click on the names, enjoy the party!  

Hostess, Lori Anderson


Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1.  Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3.  Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4.  Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5.  Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6.  Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7.  Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8.  Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9.  Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10.  Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery 
11.  Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12.  Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13.  Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14.  Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15.  Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16.  Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)

17.  Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18.  Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19.  Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20.  Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21.  Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22.  Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23.  Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24.  Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25.  Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26.  Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27.  Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28.  Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29.  Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30.  Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31.  Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32.  Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33.  Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)

34.  Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35.  Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36.  Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37.  Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)

38.  Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39.  Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40.  Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41.  Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42.  Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43.  Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44.  Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45.  Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46.  Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47.  Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48.  Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49.  Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50.  Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian
51.  Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52.  Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53.  Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54.  Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55.  Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)

56.  Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57.  Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58.  Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59.  Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60.  Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan
61.  Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62.  Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63.  Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64.  Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65.  Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66.  Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67.  Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68.  Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69.  Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70.  Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71.  Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

 72.  Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73.  Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74.  Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75.  Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76.  Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77.  Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78.  Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)

79.  Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80.  Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry
81.  Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander

82.  Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83.  Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84.  Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)

85.  Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86.  Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen

87.  Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88.  Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89.  Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson
90.  Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91.  Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92.  Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93.  Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94.  Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95.  Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96.  Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97.  Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98.  Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

99.  Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100.  Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum