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7th BSBP Update: More Bead Soup!

The Bead Soup Blog Party is underway and many of the participants have received their bead soups.  I received a wonderful selection of beads from my bead soup partner Jayashree Paramesh of Nchantme .  Have I mentioned that I love her Silk Road Chandelier Drop earrings, featured on her blog?  They are just gorgeous. I mailed out my soup to Jayashree about 2 weeks ago, but it was returned for insufficient postage. Arghhhh!  Apparently, the post office didn't wait until April/May to raise prices on their Priority Mail Stamps.  Anyway, I let Jayashree know via Facebook that I will resend the package ASAP.  I even threw in a few extra beads, since I felt bad that she had to wait longer for her bead soup.  When she received the bead soup, she said that she has enough soup for 2 people.  In today's mail, I received another package from Jayashree....... She thought she didn't send me enough beads the first time.  The bag is ready to explode! She even sent me more of tho

Spiny Leaves and Paisley Curls Giveaway at Jeannie's Blog

Jeannie is giving away a few of her wonderful beading components!  Stop by her blog for details on how to win.  Link here .

AJE Earring Challenge: Week 9/10

Week 9 Week 10 Art Jewelry Elements  is hosting a wonderful earring challenge.  The challenge is to make a pair of earr ings a week. Week 9/10:  Swarovski crystal bordeaux pearls, silver findings, poppy jasper dangles and art beads by Celine, Art Glass Beads (Ebay).  These earrings match the bracelet made for Sally Russick's  Inspired by Winter Challenge .

The Gossiping Goddess: THEA too Birthday Giveaway...

Giveaway 1 - £30 Gift certificate to spend in THEA too Giveaway 2 - 25% discount on 1 Purchase in THEA too Giveaway 3 - 15% discount on 1 Purchase in THEA too The Gossiping Goddess: THEA too Birthday Giveaway... : This coming Friday it will be one year since I opened the virtual doors on my Etsy component shop THEA too and It's been a fantastic year...

My ABS Name That Jewelry Design Giveaway!

And the winner is:  Tammie! Introducing my design:  Citron Jardin (lemon garden) Tammie, I will mail your vintage beads with your HBBH package. Renetha

ABS February Challenge: Take #2, Plus Giveaway

  I liked this month's art inspiration so much, I decided to try my hand at another design.  After some thought, I pulled out my container of vintage beads and came across some wonderful light yellow baroque glass beads in various sizes and vintage metal findings.  Then using the flowers in Toshi's print as inspiration, I also pulled out a few polymer clay flowers as well as a bird from tooaquarious . Below is the result.  I am not very good at naming my designs, so I am up for suggestions.  I will offer a prize of vintage beads to the person with the most creative name for my design.  That means you have to leave comments.  I really want to know if anyone is reading my posts.  I will pick a winner on Sunday! There is still time to enter the challenge.  Visit the Art Bead Scene Blog for details. Renetha

AJE Earring Challenge: Week 7/8

Week 7 Week 8 Art Jewelry Elements  is hosting a wonderful earring challenge.  The challenge is to make a pair of earrings a week. Week 7 : I used some Vintaj patina on the bead caps in an attempt to match the beads. The bead caps almost look enameled.  I also added some Swarovski pearl dangles. I think it worked out great.   Marlene Cupo  and  Shelley Graham Turner  host a group on Facebook called MarShellSwaps.  This group is for beaders who enjoy swaps, hops, and challenges.  I missed the first Holiday Bling swap, but happily signed up for the Holiday Bling II swap and hop!  I was partnered with Dyanne Everett-Cantrell,  Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations .   N ow here is my bling from Dyanne.   As you can tell, I used her beads for the earrings. I found out later that Dyanne made the beads!  They are a beautiful cranberry red and cream and look like they are porcelain. Week 8 :  Silver findings, black Swarovski pearl drop.  The art bead was made by Kelly Sm

7th BSBP: Soup's On!

As many of you know, the 7th Bead Soup Blog Party is underway, and I just opened my package from my partner Jayashree of Nchantme !  Now that I have my soup ingredients, it's time to start cooking.  I hope Jayashree like what I sent to her.  I had ordered a few things from Etsy, but failed to read the small print.  Each item I had ordered was made to order--aahhhh!  So what I ordered hasn't arrived yet, so I sent something else.  However, I could surprise her with a second soup (but don't tell her). Here is a preview of what she sent to me. What a pretty bag.  It even has pretty dangles on the strap. Now for what's in the bag....... Over 500 beaders signed on for this event.  Stay tuned the first reveal is March 30!  See you then.

Art Bead Scene February Challenge: Toshi Yoshida

Heijinja, 1941, Toshi Yoshida Every month the folks at the Art Bead Scene Blog host a challenge using art as inspiration.  This months woodblock print is by Toshi Yoshida.  Apparently he started very young and was very gifted in his use of the woodblock for his artwork.  For more details, visit ABS .  Also check out the other challenge entries on the ABS Flicker page . I was immediately drawn to the red and yellow as seen in the above pallet.  I chose light gold swarovski pearls (which look slightly yellow), gold findings, and a red lampwork bead.  The art bead was made by Kelly DiLoreto of Holy Frit Beads .  Another influence/inspiration for this design is Marion Haskell.  She was a designer during the 1930's.  Her jewelry, although considered vintage now, is still in demand by collectors. NOTE:  I was suprised by this announcement :  ABS Studio Saturday, Jan 29:  This week's winner is Renetha of  Lamplight Crafts ! Congratulations, Renetha! You ha

7th Bead Soup Blog Party is Now Underway!

Every year, Lori Anderson of Pretty Things hosts a huge, world-wide, bead soup swap with a twist.  Once you receive your bead soup, you have to make something with it, and then blog about it!  This year I have been partnered with Jayashree Paramesh of Nchantme . Jayashree says that she saw a necklace on a cover of Bead & Button , bought the magazine and materials to make the necklace, and a beader was born.  Jayashree now makes beautiful beaded jewelry and has been published in B&B too.  Stop by her blog to see some of her creations.  I fell in love with her Silk Road Chandelier Drop Earrings. Now onto the really fun stuff--a sneak peak of what I just mailed today! Ta-da!  Bead Soup for Jayashree. Just kidding.  Here is what I actually sent out in today's mail. Gotcha again.  Sorry I can't let you see anything until the Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal on  March 30, 2013!

Inspired by Winter Challenge

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is definitely one for challenges and put out a call for people to participate in her Inspired by Winter challenge.  The goal is to keep you motivated so  your creativity keeps flowing.  I know exactly how hard that can be, especially when depression winter blues hit.  And those winter blues hit me hard, and it didn't take much to bring tears to my eyes.   What inspiration does winter invoke for me?  Lots of things like--wool, cold, pine trees, fire places, blankets, hot chocolate, large warm sweaters, snow days, colorful scarfs and shawls, boots, leather, snow, slush, salt covered cars, winter dawns, slippery walkways, icy power lines, blowing snow, little bursts of sunlight, warm cozy socks, gray, foggy, hazy skies, spots of red among the trees, candle light in windows, the UP and Alaskan winters. Remembering Alaska:  The most vivid memory--Layers of clothing from thermal underwear, wool socks, school clothes, topped by snow

AJE Earring Challenge: Week 6

Art Jewelry Elements  is hosting a wonderful earring challenge.  The challenge is to make a pair of earrings a week.  This pair was made with gold plated findings and lampwork beads by Lezlie Belanger, Canterbury Keepsakes .  I love the petal beads and these are so tiny.  I hope you will stop by next Tuesday for another earring design. Also, stop by the  AJE Earring Challenge  Printrest board to see more earrings!

2013 Year of Jewelry: Week 5, Deja Vu

For this challenge we were to find a piece of jewelry and give it a makeover.  Here are my before and after pics.  I think I am going to enter my After! design into the Artisan Whimsy Bead Lovers Valentines Challenge. The next Year of Jewelry challenge theme:  Week 6, Embrace Renetha

A Polymer Penchant: Wellness words jewelry challenge reveal & GIVEAWAY...

A Polymer Penchant: Wellness words jewelry challenge reveal & GIVEAWAY... : Today is a three post day! Find the focusing on life post here ** Find the lucite and clay post here   Hello and Welcome! Today is a... Visit Polymer Penchant for details on the Giveaway!

Artisan Whimsy: Bead Lovers Valentines Challenge

This is my polymer clay bead set that I made up for  Lorelei's Handmade Christmas Gift exchange and blog hop.  I made several, but had 2 left over.  At the time, I dubbed them Christmas Uglies.   Artisan Whimsy is hosting the Bead Lovers Valentines Challenge where you have the option of making a piece of jewelry or a component.  So now the Christmas Ugly will be called a Crazy Valentine Ugly Heart who is passionate about love and has his eye on you! Still several challenges to work on in the upcoming weeks so please stop by again!  I would love to hear from you. Renetha