Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Bali & Athena






Today I finished these pieces. I am hoping they sale at the show this weekend.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Crafting is sanity!!!


Today I went out again to get more supplies. My work area is a mess! But how fun is the insanity of creativity!?

Sunday, June 21, 2009

A free tutorial



I am not sure who this person is. The blog is written in (Hungarian? perhaps). However, the photos are pretty straight forward and the result is so cute! It is for a wire wrapped beaded loop flower. I plan on making one of these myself! Here is the link http://kricsar.blogspot.com/2009/06/tutorial-3.html

12:16 PM- Ok after 3 tries, I finally got it for my purposes. I love this!!!! These are copper 4mm around Red Tiger Eye. The hooks are pure copper as well.


I so have like 4 ideas of how to use these running through my head right now!!!!!

Specs: I used about 3-4 inches of 18 gauge copper wire core, 25 inches of 26 copper wire to wrap, 4mm copper beads.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Praise for Gini!

HI!. Gini is awesome. I met her over on Jewelrygeeks a while back. She is now featured on Etsy Military Brats. Here is the link. Check her out!
Congrats Gini!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Copper Rain

Silver Water & Witch Doctor

Silver Water:
silver-toned art wire, silver plated beads, nickel free beads




Witch Doctor:
Dark wood, red wood, Red agate, glass "faces"

Fairy Tale Plum


Friday, June 12, 2009

Summer Block #2

Here are some more photos of pieces that I have complete the last couple of days. I've been on a stringing mood although I did wire wrap the Pagoda Sister and Sister Goddess pieces based off my Dainty Sister Pendent tutorial.


New blog for photos challenge


I started a new blog here in Blogger for the 365 photo challenge. Feel free to stop by! http://jldenman365challenge.blogspot.com/

I also just bought my ticket to St. Croix!!! SO EXCITED!!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Mastering Beadwork -book review


Seed beads, Czech fire polish, druks, teardrops!- I'm a huge fan of them all. Like many jewelry artists, I started off bead weaving. I've learned several stitches. But even though you know a stitch, sometimes you just don't know all of the ends and outs. Other times you simply want to expand your skill set. Mastering Beadwork: A Comprehensive Guide to Off-loom Techniques by Carol Huber Cypher delivers on both accounts!

For the beginner, the first section of the book reviews and defines bead types, materials, and tools. Cypher also offers a brief “beadwork glossary. Here she includes info for types of knots,skittling thread, and error correction techniques ( getting rid of those wabber jawed beads without ripping everythign out!).

Cypher delivers in-depth, yet easy to follow instructions and tips for 13 different stitches. Each stitch comes with helpful tips, stylish suggestions and alternatives. Her 34-page section on Peyote stitch, alone is worth reading! She includes side by side comparisons and offers alternate uses for each stitch. The beaded bead section is clear. The latter portion of the book Cypher discusses several African stitches and ropes. Her triangular rope bracelet and "octogonish" bracelet are upbeat and well done.

Whether you are a beginner or more advanced, Mastering Beadwork is an excellent resource to have on your bookshelf. Not only is it full of information, the construction lends itself to the needs of active beaders. It has a hardback cover. The pages are spiral bound instead of glued in like many other craft books. This leaves hands free to stitch while reading without having to wrangle pages with minds of their own! Additionally each section is color coded. Various notes refer to needed skills in other chapters when needed.

Mastering Beadwork by Carol Huber Cypher- check it out!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

One Lovely Blog Award!


I just received the One Lovely Blog award from Mary Anne Gruen at her Starlight blog. Thank you very much Mary for your kind words and the lovely "Lovely" award :) . I am going to copy and paste the rules as she has written them:
"Here are the rules for the “One Lovely Blog Award”:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award."

I'm still looking around on here so I do not have 15 blogs yet, however, I will list the ones I have!

http://alettedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
http://janinestoneindulgence.blogspot.com/
http://younglaosilkpaintings.blogspot.com/
http://shaystone.blogspot.com/
http://fleurviolettejewelry.blogspot.com/
http://perfectlytwistedjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://www.starlightblog.com/


Thank you for the recognition Mary!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Antoni Gaudi- challenge



I had never heard of this man before. However, over in FSOJ 2009 one of the themed challenges is his work. So, I googled him. He is/was (?) an architect. I looked at only a few of his buildings and feel immediately in love with them! They have this carved bone, fairytale, old world, organic look to them. I know that is a lot to heap together, but that is what it reminds me of. The pictures that I saw remind me of vampire tales but as if they were in day light. Strange- maybe I'm just obsessed with them from playing Vampire Wars on Facebook (it's a sickness LOL).
I can't wait to get started on a jewelry piece or two that is inspired by his work! I'm going to have to go ahead and add Antoni Gaudi to my every growing research for fun list!


Click on the picture to go to the website.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Summer Block #1

Here are the snaps of new pieces that I have made within the last few days (except Jaded Circle- made that a few months back, but wanted a new pic of it!).


Sunday, June 7, 2009

Memory Wire


I think I am in the mood for simple techniques with stunning results. I have been making so many intricate wire pieces. I still love wire. Copper is the queen of all metals in my opinion! However, I think I am having a flash back to earlier beading times. I keep seeing all of these wonderful pieces made with memory wire, simple bead stitches and even simple wire techniques. They just keep calling me back! I don't know why, the allure is just too overwhelming to ignore. By the end of today or tomorrow I paln on havign several new, yet simple pieces completed. I may even have to make a trip out to the craft store to stock up on more wire!!!

Pictures to follow soon!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Playing with beads!

After working out this morning and getting washed and dressed, I headed out to Kim's, my favorite bead store!! Otherwise known as my happy Zen place. It's funny how everybody talks about Zen, including me, yet, I've never read the whole "Zen" info. Anyway,
I had a great time. We ordered pizza (yeah not the best thing for weight loss but wonderful for comradarie). Then we called in another lady who wanted to buy one of the large orange turquoise pieces I had to make a necklace with. So we ended up with about 4 steady people sitting around the bead table yacking, munching, and making. I finished a bracelet, made a necklace, and showed another lady how to make a tree of life. All so very fun and relaxing!!! If my days could be liek this, I'd love to be a free spirited "house wife". I photo the pieces I made once I finish putting the crimp beads and clasp on the necklace. I'm going to make a pair of earrings to match as well. Maybe a bracelet. We shall see!

Thank GOD!- the years is over! I feel my creativity and energy coming back!!