Saturday, 6 December 2014

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop is here!



I am so excited to be participating in the Bead Hoarder’s Blog Hop and yes like all of you I am a hoarder.  I never started out to be one but it is pretty much impossible not to become one…there are just so many beautiful little pieces of art out there.  I am particularly excited about this hop because it is a party hosted by Lori Anderson and I am so glad she is back. There is excitement in the air and it’s because the wonderful Bead Soup Cafe is open once again…I never realized how much I would miss it until I didn’t have it. I know Lori has a long road to recovery ahead of her but this is such a positive step and we will all be there in her corner cheering her on.

I love the Bead Hoarder’s Blog Hop…it makes one visit tucked away treasures and remember design ideas and then come up with new design ideas.  And let’s face it I just love bead blog hops…such positive reinforcement for creative minds.

A dear friend gifted me with her mother’s little treasure box of jewellery, knowing I love beading she thought that perhaps I could use some of the beads in the necklaces for my projects. I tucked away these treasures for another day and now that day is here. Isobel’s treasure box was filled with many pieces but most noticeably there were several strands of pearls. Some were obviously favorites because there were old and well worn, some were newer but all suggested Isobel’s love of the finishing touch.   “Isobel’s Pearls” combines all the pearls from these necklaces in one piece. Gold lace became the backdrop to showcase the precious pearls enhanced with tiny gold seed beads and a crystal drop as the final touch.  It is old world charm reinvented, a vision of love, age and wisdom.

Isobel's Pearls
I had in my stash several Raku beads that were crying to be seen but I had no idea what to do with them. I love Raku, the deep earthy richness and the obvious love put into creating them. When creating a Raku piece one never knows the outcome, hence the meaning “happiness in the accident” … so unpredictable and unique.  I also had some beautiful shibori silk ribbon…what a wonderful combination of two very natural elements coming together. I had never used a brass collar insert but had one on hand and the design process began…by this I mean I had a dream.  I needle felted a piece of lacy stiff stuff with some gorgeous silk hankie and then added the shibori ribbon, Raku beads, crystals and seed beads; encased the brass insert by adding crystals along the edge for a wonderful earthy neck collar… “Elemental”

Elemental


Thanks Lori, you are the best and now for the fun…let the hopping begin!

Lori Anderson

Audrey Belanger
Jenny Kyrlach
Kathy Lindemer
Lori Schneider
Dee Elgie
Dolores Raml
Rebecca Ednie
Lili Krist
Marybeth Rich
Hannah Rosner
Nicole Prince
Deana Hager
Jackie Ryan
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca
Mowse Doyle
Evelyn Shelby
Lisa Johnson
Terri Gauthier
Patti Pruhs
Shai Williams
Andrea Glick
K Hutchinson
Marci Brooks
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Jasvanti Patel
Laurie Vyselaar
Lisa Knappenberger
Mary Lindell
Niky Sayers
Sandra McGriff
Patricia Handschuh
Erin Prais-Hintz
Maria Rosa Sharrow
Kathleen Breeding
Monique Urquhart
Jackie Locantore
Sheryl Stephens
Becky Pancake
Mona Arnott
Michelle Escano
Denise McCabe
Carolyn Lawson
Sheila Prose
Kim Dworak
Iveth Caruso
Deborah Apodaca
Elizabeth Bunn
Janine Lucas
Kari Asbury
Inge von Roos
Divya N
Debbie Rasmussen
KJ
Klaudete Koon
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp
Ginger Bishop
Kelly Schermerhorn
Mischelle Andrade
Sue Kelly
Rachel Mallis
Susan McClelland
Mary K McGraw
Tania Spivey
Stephanie Perry
Mitzie Crider
Nicole Rennell
Nicole Valentine
Karen Mitchell
Tammy Adams
Patty Miller
Blanca Medina
Stephanie Haussler
Roxanne Mendoza
Claire Fabian
Bridget Torres
Donetta Farrington
Lee Koopman
Deb Fortin
Susan Walls
Cece Cormier
Heather Otto
Lizzie Clarke
Elizabeth Hodges
Fay Wolfenden
Kelly Hosford Patterson
Nan Smith
Jayne Capps
Robin Kae Reed                                       http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                   https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Friday, 14 November 2014

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Falling off the edge.....

Today is the Sparkling Rocks reveal.....sort of.

 
Our wonderful hostess Rita was met with disaster recently and had a most devastating event occur in her life. Can you belief her roof fell in, I am so sorry Rita. As Rita called it a "wild and radical change". I know Rita has moved and it sounds like her new place is just lovely, but we all know what a big job moving is and then getting settled. My little sparkling rock never arrived but I am not one to show up to the party empty handed. When I realized what happened to Rita it was to late for me to order some sparkling rocks and have them arrive in time, so I improvised. I am still excited to get some sparkling rocks (they are so gorgeous) and when I do something wonderful will be posted but for now please enjoy my version of "sparkling rocks".

These little beauties have streaks of vibrant sparkly colors running through them and though you  can't see - the edges are a deep shiny purple. I paired them with small garnet (my birth stone) beads and gold findings.

Please enjoy the hop. I wish Rita well and hopefully things will settle down for her.

Featured Artist: Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens
Maryse's blog: Glass Bead Art
Maryse's shop: Glass Bead Art Lampwork
Toltec Jewels  (hostess)            Jewel School Friends
Sherri Stokey                          Knot Just Macrame
Lindsay Starr                           Phantasm Creations
Kelly Rogers                           Beadin' Black & Blue
Jennifer Reno                          Musings of a Crafty Jenny 
Melissa Trudinger                    Beadrecipes
Marybeth Rich                        A Few Words from Within the Pines
Andrea Frank                         Andrea Creates Jewelry & More
Sondra Jackson                      Sondra Jackson
Robin Reed                             Artistry HCBD
Kathleen Breeding                   99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Heather Richter                       Desert Jewelry Designs
Gina Hockett                           Freestyle Elements
Mindy Shell                             Kitty's Cache Beading Blog
Tammy Adams                        Paisley Lizard
Carolyn Lawson                      Carolyn's Creations
Nan Smith                               Nanmade Handmade Jewelry
Evelyn Shelby                          Raindrop Creations Jewelry by Evelyn
Jasvanti Patel                           Jewelry by Jasvanti
Linda Anderson                       From the Bead Board
Dini Bruinsma                          Angaza by Changes
Margareta Saari                       Mags~koruja
Lori Schneider                         Bead Addict
Robin Showstack                    The Crazy Bead Hoarder
Karin Grosset Grange             Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Chris Eisenberg                       Wanderware
Heather d-Entremont              Frugal MacDougall
Linda Younkman                     Lindy's Designs
Janine Lucas                            Esfera Jewelry
Sheila Prosterman                    Cheap Charms
Veralynne Malone                    Designed by Vera
Kelly Hosford Patterson           The Traveling Side Show
Divya N                                    Jewels of Sayuri
Deb Fortin                                Studio 24
Klaudete Koon                         Only Road
Carol Briody                            A Bead's Life
Shaiha Williams                        Shaiha's Ramblings

Sunday, 26 October 2014

Octoberfest

The lovely Rita of Toltec Jewels is hosting her 3rd Annual Octoberfest and I was thrilled to sign up. Fall is my favorite time of year, I love the the glorious colors, the warm winds, and the feelings that this time of year evokes. Although it heralds the end of bare toes and tanned arms...it is the beginning of warm cozy quilts, simmering soups and new feelings of creativity.

I have been busy lately...behind the camera, trying new things and of course beading. I am blessed to have a such an understanding husband who takes me for long rides in the country so I can take as many pictures as I want of the glorious fall scenery, I can never get enough!

Fall in Edmonton

A beautiful park in Edmonton

Another gorgeous park in Edmonton
I have rediscovered my love of knitting (thank goodness as I have a grand baby on the way), and I am also trying my hand at needle felting...it is amazing what a person can make out of bits of wool! I am just a beginner but really like the creativity involved.

My little felted pumpkin patch
And then of course there is beading. I took a chance and ordered some agates from eBay, it can be hit and miss...but I was pleasantly surprised when my little parcel arrived with these beautiful orange with hints of green agates. They were crying to be used in a bead embroidery piece and the result turned out so well. I used the agates, smaller orange agate beads, a beautiful green iridescent crystal rivoli and complimenting green and orange seed beads.  In my travels I had been fortunate to find the enameled leaves that just tied everything into one very pretty piece with matching earrings.
Fall Splendor


Thank you thank you Rita for giving us all the chance to showcase a little of ourselves.
And now please check out the other Octoberfest goers!

Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/


Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/


Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/


Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com


Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr


Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/


Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com


Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co


Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com


Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/


Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/


Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/


Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/


Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca


Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/


Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com 


Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/


Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/


Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com


Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/


Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com


Kathy Lindemer                       http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/


Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com


Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/


Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/


Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/


Carol Dillman                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/


Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com


Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com


Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk


Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com


Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com


Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com


Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com


Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com


Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com 


Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com


Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com


Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com


Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com


Gloria Allen                             http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/


Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com


Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com


Jill Bradley                                http://chat2jill.blogspot.com


Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28


Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda


RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com


Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com


Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com


Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com


Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com


Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com


Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com


Inge von Roos                          http://ingetraud.wordpress.com


Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com


Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign


Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com


Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com


RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com


Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com


Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                            http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer                    http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Renetha Stanziano                http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Divya N                               http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/