Gems By Jeanne Marie: July 2013

I was excited about the July selection for several reasons. For the first time ever, I finished the book and project on time!

And… I had decided to take a road trip. Yes, I traveled 7+ hours to join the group at Allegory Gallery in Ligonier, PA. It was so great to meet Andrew, Laurel, Amy, Terri and Connie. We enjoyed Andrew’s hospitality, including the yummy peach cobbler and interesting chocolate “wedding cake”. Thanks to Amy and Laurel for running down to the ice cream shop.

For the month of July Andrew chose the book, The Cookbook Collector, by Allegra Goodman. It is the story of two sisters who are very different from each other. Emily is the corporate CEO during the rapid growth of technology, while Jess, the philosophy major is the perennial scholar/environmentalist. As Goodman introduces her many characters, you wonder what their connection will be. The free-spirited Jess spoke to me early on. I went in search of the “Green Girl” pendant I purchased a few years ago, but could figure out how to use. It’s a rather large, heavy rectangle, with 2 holes on top and 3 on the bottom. When I reread the quote on the back I knew it was perfect for Jess!

My goal this month was to work out of my stash. The conch shell on the front of the pendant steered me toward a ‘beachy’ theme. Out came the larimar I purchased in the Dominican Republic. I challenged myself to work “outside the box”, or should I say “outside my box”. The finished piece is asymmetrical or unbalanced.

I also wanted to to showcase some wirework and be a little more creative this time. I've included wirewrapped sections of beads, handcrafted links and connectors.

Finally, I created a simple pair of earrings with my handcrafted earwires.

Check Andrew Thornton's blog for more information and links to the other members of the group.
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Lori Anderson has done it again. This time it's the Bead Hoarders Bog Hop.We all have those beads that have been hanging around for ages - just waiting to be loved.

For me it was a strand of brown tourmaline I found at my local bead store.

I fell in love with them the minute I saw them...
square cut, sparkling facets, slightly graduated.
But the retail price was a bit out of my reach. (To be honest, a lot out of my reach.)

Then a year and a half ago, the owner called to let me know that she had decided to close the shop. I coveted that golden goodness at 30% and 50% off. Finally, when the discount dropped to 65% off retail, those babies were mine.

Teaching full time and building inventory for shows didn't leave me much time to create for me.

I decided to keep the necklace unadorned.
The stones really do speak for themselves.

Just two gold filled beads at the ends with a simple lobster claw clasp.

The earrings presented more of problem. I also purchased 2 gorgeous pear shaped citrine briolets at the same time. I had intended to wire wrap and have some dangling tourmaline, but I found my supplies lacking. I have all sorts of sterling wire, but no 28ga gold-filled. I strung the earrings on beading wire, crimped together, then finished with a crimp cover.
I might redo them when if the price of wire goes down again.

For now, I plan to keep this set.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out the other 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

18. Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity

19. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

20. Lori Schneider, Bead Addict