Radiant Orchid Challenge Blog Hop

Andrew Thornton has done it again!

“What?” you ask.

He’s organized another fun blog hop...

This time, he put together a great kit using Pantone’s color of the year – radiant orchid. 

photo from Andrew's blog

The kit contained "a selection of handmade polymer clay beads, Czech glass, Swarovski crystal, gemstones, a lampwork glass bead and a Luxury Bead Blend."

The Luxury Bead Blend has Japanese Miyuki seed beads, Toho seed beads, freshwater pearls, amethyst, Czech glass, African recycled glass, Chinese Crytal, Swarovski crystal, vintage sequins, German glass, flourite and Javanese lampwork glass."

I dumped everything out on my worktable and stared at the glittering mess; my mind a total blank. And yes, I did stare blankly into space. Or so it seemed to my husband. In reality I was visualizing. 

But first I had to sort everything. 

I was excited to find some of my favorite gems in the mix- amethyst, garnet and tourmaline. 

I knew I wouldn't use the tiniest seed beads, so it didn't matter when I dropped them on the floor. 

I love Andrew's challenges because they always inspire me to stretch myself. 

His "mystery component", 2 fire enameled
filigree beads screamed EARRINGS at me. So that's what I made. 

There were just four rice shaped freshwater pearls and 6 Swarovski 6mm bicones.

Perfect for my dangles. My cheap silver chain broke as I was attaching pearl and crystal units so I used 5mm sterling silver jump rings and finished them off with my handcrafted earwires. 

Stephanie Dixon of ParaWire inspired me to crochet something.  (I had a lot of fun hanging out at their  booth at the To Bead True Blue show in Tucson) I’ve crocheted wire bracelets before, but never a necklace. Out came the 26 gauge “smokey quartz” copper wire I purchased in Tucson. 

It was my first time using ParaWire and I love it! 



I crocheted 3 chains of randomly spaced beads which I loosely braided.  I tried to make these really cool end caps from a Wig Jig "tut", but didn't love the way they turned out.

photo from Wig Jig

Instead, I finished off the ends with Vintaj Natural Brass Magnolia Leaf  Bead Caps from Lima Beads and a handcrafted hook. 

Of course I have tons of materials left over to play with. I definitely see a bracelet or two in my future and several pairs of earrings.

Thank you, Andrew, for inspiring me once again!

There were just 20 kits! 
I can't wait to see what the other designers did with the same raw materials!

Check them out...
Rebecca Anderson
Jeanne Steck - ME - you're here!
Carol Carlson
Leah Tees
Andrew Thornton, Alison Herrington, Laurel Ross, Joanne Goldberg, Julie Katz, Irene Leniham, Linda Starosciak

What was I thinking?

A few months ago, someone posed the question, "how do you get over a creative slump?"

Yes, I'm anal! I had to sort everything.

I responded that a challenge always helps.
With that in mind, I joined a few, including...
Andrew Thornton's Radiant Orchid Challenge -
I got a ton of "pink" and "purple" beads... 
And have till Thursday 2/27 to create something (or things) and blog about it. 
Yep - just 3 days away.

What was I thinking?

This is after going to Tucson. 
In addition to the Inspired By Reading Book Club, 3 custom orders and preparing my soup for the Bead Soup Blog Party.


Don't you worry!
I can do it - just you wait and see.  
Here's a sneak peak just to wet your appetite...

Check back Thursday to see where the creative juices have taken me.

Tucson Discoveries

One of the best things about trade shows is discovering new suppliers.

It's even more fun at the Tucson Gem Shows because you get to discover ARTISTS!

I met many talented artists and purchased a few items for myself!

It was so much fun to discover Marianne Kasparian of MAKU Studio! In her own words, from her website, Mak creates...

Funky, eclectic raku fired ceramic artisan pendants, beads, cabochons, buttons, jewelry and decor.

I love, love, love the pieces I acquired! I'm keeping one of the birds for myself!
I had to go back for a second bird, which has already been gifted.

 

                                                                                             
And I couldn't resist this heart!
I plan to make an oxidized silver bail. I found gorgeous silver green fresh water pearls at Pearl Concepts. It's going to be so much fun to play around with my glass , crystals and other beads to create an amazing necklace.











It was so much fun to meet Julie L Walls at my soldering class. She and her mom own Pagosa Peak Fiberworks. They design handpainted, one-of-a-kind beads, pendants and earrings. 



Aren't these earrings fun?!

Sorry these are mine! 

They go so well with the tunic and leggings I was wearing that day!


I'm thinking next year's strategy just might be to search out indie artists for unique focals and components!

Tucson!

I have returned from Tucson!
I could discuss the horrible experience travelling ~ Let's just say do not fly from the northeast before or after a snowstorm.

sneak peek 

Once in Tucson, it was 10 days in Gem Heaven. I met so many wonderful people, learned new skills and bought tons of gems. I plan to blog about specifics in other posts.



I was lucky enough to stay with my sister, Nancy and her partner, Kate. I attended many family gatherings with them ~ Super Bowl party, Korean New Year, 2 birthday parties and a few of Kate's brother-in-law's "gigs". If you're looking for some great 70's rock in Tucson check out these two groups - Five Way Street (a five piece band - great for dancing) and C S & M (Coy, Serres and Murphy) (a folk/rock acoustic trio). Mike Serres is in both groups. Coincidentally, I taught 2nd grade with Mike's aunt over 20 years ago.

C S & M

Five Way Street

Kate lent me her car for the duration of the trip! Family is wonderful.
Tucson sunsets are amazing! And I enjoyed an afternoon of hiking in the Catalina Foothills.

Finger Rock Trail

I don't know why I waited so long to go.
But, I do know that I will be back next year!

Excited to sign up for this year's Bead Soup Blog Party!

In just a few short hours it will be time to sign up for this year's Blog Hop!
I  can't wait to see who my partner is.

Reflections

Here it is ~ 9-ish on New Year's Eve and I am sitting in front of my computer.
Perfect time for a little reflection -

It's truly been an amazing year.


So...
It's no longer New Year's Eve.
But I am still (again) in front of my computer. And any time is a good time for reflection and goal setting.

At this time I am forced to admit that I am a terrible blogger. All my posts relate to challenges and blog hops. Maybe it's good I participate in these events or I might never blog at all.

As I said on New Year's Eve ~ It really has been an amazing year.

After a stressful and emotional spring, I retired from teaching in June. It definitely was time. I definitely do not miss rushing out every morning. I do miss the kids and the special activities we did. And most of all, I miss the people I spent so much time with for 20 years. 

Retirement gave me the opportunity to become a full time jewelry artist.
I learned new skills, bought new tools and entered more markets. And met many new friends!

The first gamble was committing to the Southampton Village Farmer's Market. This was a big commitment as it involved every Sunday from Memorial Day till Columbus Day. That is every Sunday I wasn't at one of the weekend shows I've participated in for several years. The Farmer's Market turned out to be a good gamble and I plan to do it again this year.

I learned how to knot pearls! And I love it!
I even had a commission to knot 10 pearl bracelets for a bridal party.   










Another gamble was to participate in the East End Arts Council's Holiday boutique. My jewelry was on display from the middle of November till just before Christmas. It was a great experience to meet other artisans. I learned what might sell best and was pleased with my sales. Definitely an event to plan on for next year.






I participated in a few Blog Hops and have a few more planned - 
Stay tuned for the Radiant Orchid Challenge at the end of February and the Ocean Blog Hop late May.  And don't forget the "Inspired by Reading Book Club" the first week of each month! 
btw - It's been great getting to know Andrew Thornton and the other book club participants. 

As I move into 2014, I'm looking forward to heading to the Tucson Gem Shows for the first time and amping up my wire and metal skills.

I want to resolve to blog more during 2014. The best I can do is try!
Stay tuned to see what's next!

Inspired By Reading ~ January Edition

It's hard to believe 2 months have sped by. And along with them, the holidays. Thankfully, it was decided to postpone the December meet-up and Blog Hop. I'm happy to say the local holiday markets kept me very busy creating and selling!

For December, we were to read Bridge of Birds, by Barry Hughart. January's pick is The Journey To The East, by Herman Hesse. Because of the aforementioned holiday markets, I did not find time to read Bridge of Birds before Christmas and chose not to bring the rather large library book with me on vacation. Instead, I slogged through the much shorter book by Hesse.

The narrator of The Journey To The East tells the secret story of belonging to and travelling with a secret society. It appears that this society is on a journey to the east in search of spiritual enlightenment (or something). Amazon.com says Hesse used "mesmerizing prose". Personally, I had a difficult time getting through the short 118 pages. While the narrator was trying to find meaning in his life, I was trying to find meaning in the book. As I look back on my bookmarked pages, a few kernels of life lessons are starting to pop out. Maybe, The Journey To The East is one of those books that you have to read over and over again. Each time, you find something the missed.  I'm not sure about that and doubt I will read it again.

At one point in the narrative, the narrator, HH, recalls holding "a bundle of a thousand knotted threads" As I reread that passage, I'm still not sure if he actually held the knotted threads or there is some deeper meaning to it. At any rate, the image stayed with me and I knew I wanted to do something with knotted threads. I wasn't sure what materials or how and still had a week or so before returning home. I also got an idea of color towards the end of the book when HH describes the entrance of the President of the League as he awaited judgement. He wore a "festive robe", "sparkled with gold".

I dug the last of my gold silk cord out of my stash, found some lapis, blue glass beads (I think african trade beads) and lovely gold and blue enameled beads from the now extinct local bead shop and went at it.  It seems I was headed more for regal than festive.

The result was this long two-strand knotted necklace!

Once again, Andrew's choice of books inspired me to try a new technique.
Although, I can see the flaws, I am pretty exited about how this turned out. I'm looking forward to trying it again!





Don't forget to check in with the other participants!

Andrew Thornton (our fearless leader)
Laurel Ross

Mary K McGraw

Mary Harding

Sarajo Wentling





I'll add more as they post. Andrew usually will have the full list!
Also, I hope you will think about joining us next month!