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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Winter Enchantment!

This month Artbeads.com presented a challenge to its design partners and the theme was Winter Enchantment. Living in Florida, I used my imagination to conjure up a picture just like the one below of Maria Grimes' backyard after a snowfall in California! Did you know that this winter, Florida was the only state in the union that did not have snow on the ground? 

I guess I could have worked with a Florida winter theme, but no, I had to have snow... 

Photo Courtesy of Maria Grimes

So picture a white landscape, 
snow on the ground, 
misty morning and black tree trunks... 
and here is my idea of Winter Enchantment!




I consider these challenges as great opportunities to play with materials and supplies that I do not usually work with, in this case Organza Ribbon and the Resin Pendant by Taina Hartman. Artbeads.com carries a wide selection of her whimsical and colorful charms and pendants. 

The necklace is made of three strands, one of gunmetal chain, one of white Keshi Pearls, and one of white Organza Ribbon. I must admit that I had a difficult time with the Organza Ribbon, you can see the results of my rough handling with some thread separation in the ribbon. I need to be more gentle and need more practice...


Along one side the gun metal chain, some Swarovski Crystallized Elements hang, as icicles on a tree branch...brrr! I used Xilion Bicones in Crystal Ab, Crystal Silver Shade and Black Diamond colors. To hang the pendant on the ribbon, I chose a fan-shaped gunmetal-plated Pewter bail and for closure the clasp was a star-shaped gunmetal-plated toggle. With the rising price of precious metal, these base metal clasps make the perfect alternative, both stylish and inexpensive.

I also got myself a length of Silver Organza Ribbon, but decided to save it for another project.. it is a beautiful silver with a hint of pink. I also picked up a strand of some Crystal yarn, but failed miserably in trying to use it in my design. So if anyone has some hints on how I can use this yarn, or tell me of how they have used it, I could certainly use the help.

Silver Organza Ribbon and Cotton Crystal Yarn

Disclosure: Some of the beads described above I have received free of charge from Artbeads.com.
I have been asked to review these beads/supplies and give my honest opinion of them.  I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my endorsement of any of the products received and reviewed in my blog postings.




Monday, February 21, 2011

Boundless!

Andrew Thornton's word of the week is BOUNDLESS

To me boundless means unending, without boundaries and without limits. 

It reminded me of this unending necklace of cultured freshwater Pearls that I had made some time ago. These pearls were of a unique shape - little cylinders - and I thought they would give a new meaning to the traditional string of pearls.

Boundless Pearls

Andrew invites you to create a piece of jewelry, a work of art, or take a photograph that best captures what this word 'boundless' means to you.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Giveaways Galore!

Here are some great giveaways happening this weekend, so take some time to visit these blogs for some fabulous prizes.

First stop, say Hi to Andrew, back from Tucson and giving away some of his famous family's newly unveiled beads. These goodies are from Green Girl Studios, and my favorites are the peacock toggle and the little elephant charm. What a wonderful collection!

Picture courtesy of Andrew Thornton


Second stop, say Hi to Carol, she is giving away one of her gorgeous signature bracelets. I have not quite got the hang of making these wire beads, so to win such a bracelet would be awesome.

Picture courtesy of Carol Bradley

Third stop, say Hi to Julie, who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring and giving away this unique and charming bracelet, made using the flattened bowl of a vintage silver spoon.


Happy weekend everyone, I get three days off! Bankers, what can I say! But I got to get working on my taxes, so it will not be much of a holiday.


Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has had or is having a great day today!

Last week I posted about my entry to the Happy Mango Beads Valentine's Day contest 'Bead My Valentine".

Today the winners were announced...

And the best in show award goes to none other than Dawn Marie Douchette for her intricate and romantic necklace. So beautiful, so delicate. Congratulations, Dawn! Now I can say, I knew her before she got famous!

I, too won in the gemstone category for my ' A dozen Roses for my Sweetheart' bracelet. So exciting, I am thrilled, I won a $25 gift certificate to Happy Mango Beads!

You can see all the winning entries in the different categories, and all the entries are posted on FaceBook by Happy Mango Beads, they even have all the entries in a cool video.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Be(ad) My Valentine! - My Entry

Not too long ago I posted about the Be My Valentine contest being sponsored by Happy Mango Beads.

Today I would like to show you the piece I entered...


I call it a dozen red roses for my sweetheart!


What do you think? 

What do you get for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day? 




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