July ABS: The Dragon Glances

Portrait of Olga in the Armchair, 1917, Pablo Picasso, Oil on Canvas 

(Please note this art is copyrighted and is to be used only as inspiration.)

Below is my entry in this month's Art Bead Scene challenge. *Warning: this contains whining* At the beginning of this month I saw a beautiful hand-carved stamp from India on an online forum (my first time ordering from this well-known but non-Etsy site). This shop is located here in Canada and mailing was advertised as 3-5 days. After 3 weeks I have not received my stamp, nor any response to two emails I have sent to the shop owner. Zero acknowledgement. The motif on the stamps was exactly what I had in mind for this month's painting. Too bad. I will not name the shop FOR NOW because I am still hoping this lack of communication will be straightened out soon.

The Dragon Glances

Luckily, I had this beautiful rubber stamp I purchased some time ago from British Columbia's Joan Tayler Design. I've experimented with parts of it, but this was my first time using the dragon's head (go figure). This ombre medallion is formed in polymer clay. I believe this is the first time I submit an entry which is NOT a bracelet LOL. The chain is heavy gauge rollo in antique copper, matched with silk cord from Marsha Neal and a cotton kumihimo cord woven by yours truly. 

I also love Joan's innovative polymer clay methods, which she shares on her blog, along with marketing and craft fair experiences.

Some details (sorta): I think my basic little camera is showing its age. Too bad it wouldn't just croak, so I could get a free replacement/credit on a new one (say what? Staples 12-month replacement on electronic doodads under $200). But I bought it last July 27, so I have until tomorrow to kill it.

(Insert evil laugh: Mwaaahaaahaaa...)

I was hoping to show the beauty of the two little charms attached to the clasp. They are a pair of many I received and purchased during last November's charm exchange to benefit the Beads of Courage program for sick children. The pretty green sea-glass charm was made by Carolyn Chenault,and the mustard yellow flowered ceramic circle is by Natalie McKenna (Grubbi). Toggle clasp from Rebecca Nunn's "Adorned" line (Michael's, I think), chosen for its tapestry motif. I mixed some metals, which I rarely do. Maybe a work in progress...

Hmmm, I see the flickr site is down for maintenance tonight. Hopefully I'll remember to pop over and add my necklace in the morning.  

Shaiha's Birthday Giveaway

**Click on this link if you are still hopping for the Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop** 

**Click on this link if you are looking for the AJE Earring Challenge**

I've been so caught up hopping blogs I almost forgot to tell everyone about this gorgeous bead that Shaiha Williams is offering for her Birthday Giveaway. Click to join in the fun!

This  beautiful Greenman looks like carved wood but is actually ceramic. Wouldn't he look amazing paired with some silk and matching forest-inspired beads? Okay, I haven't won him "yet" but I can dream! Not sure of the date Shai will draw for this, but I know it's still up today, so drop over and check him out...

Continents: AJE Earring Challenge Weeks 27/28

**Click on this link if you are looking for the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop 2013**

Welcome to the blog hop for Weeks 27 and 28 of the Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge. Every week jewelery designers feature one or more of their earring creations, which MUST FEATURE HANDMADE COMPONENTS. I named this post "Continents" when I realized I have components from North America, Africa, Asia and Australia in these two pair!  (Scroll to the bottom for links to the participants in this blog hop. Earrings may also be viewed on the AJE Earring Challenge Pinterest board.)

Week 27:

Featuring handmade CopperClay charms from Kristi Bowman Design and handmade lamp-work leaves in crystal green by fey glass (Faye Blennerhassett), which I converted from headpins into connectors. They are hung on antiqued copper, decorative headpins from Soul of Somanya, which I shaped into ear-wires.

Week 28:

I made these for last week's Back and White Jewelry Challenge, Indonesian dyed, hand-carved bone components from yukidesigns  on silver-filled headpins, also from Soul of Somanya, in the same decorative design as above but hung in the opposite orientation.

Clearing out the Beads!

**Click on this link if you are looking for the AJE Earring Challenge Blog Hop**

Sooo... Lori Anderson had the idea to dig out and use "special" beads we having been hoarding or saving for just the right project. I knew I could go crazy with that. I have WAAAAY too many beads for someone who only started creating such a short time ago! So I had to narrow my search or end up doing nothing at all LOL.

I decided to focus on a single colour, namely the one I started buying up last year, after hearing about a special fundraiser. Sue Kennedy's 7000 Bracelets for Hope blog hop had lots of designers making blue bracelets, in support of people suffering from rare and genetic diseases. I figure it was high time to make up another batch!

I made a couple of designs using my Czech glass collection, adding some beautiful lampwork in a variety of blues from Cherie of happyskull, and a sweet sleeping bluebird in polymer clay by Rebekah of TreeWingsStudio.

I then sewed a denim cuff for displaying my collection of handmade porcelain by Nancy of Round Rabbit. My sewing machine was not impressed by deadlines, so I had time to make only one sample. Once finished, these elastisized cuffs will be going along for the 7000 Bracelets for Hope fundraiser. And I found another TreeWingsStudio bead, this cute mosaic horse. The fairy, bee and two elephant beads are Nancy's.

Front of cuff

Back of cuff

But I still have lots more blue beads in my box, so more bracelets will follow this summer. Thank you, Lori, for making me knuckle down and sort beads!

*Please remember: anyone can donate a bracelet to this worthy cause. You don't have to be a jewellery seller, just have a pair of willing hands and a giving heart! For more information, there is a button linking to this bracelet fundraiser over on the right.*

Now check out all these reformed hoarders:

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, Renlish

11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry

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 Addict

21.  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

Alenka's First Blogoversary Celebrations

I was thrilled to receive these wonderful art beads in the mail today. These are handmade by Alenka Obid of Pepita Handmade. Alenka is celebrating her "first blogoversary" by generously sending unique components to some of her blogger friends. The twist is that everything was packaged FIRST before being randomly addressed, so not only are the recipients in for a surprise, but even the sender doesn't know what she sent until we receive it. Cool idea, no?

So, I know it wasn't planned, Alenka, but you couldn't have made a better choice for me! I love these beads with their mosaic, over-dyed, organic surfaces, which are a treat to both see and touch. (Sorry for the sub-par photography, my basic little camera had a difficult time trying to choose between the beads to focus LOL.) They have a lovely translucent aspect. They are in a colour palette I have seldom worked with as well. I love this challenge!

I can't wait to see what everyone creates with their unique components. See you all here on August 11th for the reveal!