Where Have I Been??????

I really have not posted much lately - I have been incredibly busy!  I finally finished creating my 75 Bracelets for the Rare Organization!  Most of the bracelets feature lampwork beads from the extremely talented Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads, though I have used a multitude of artisan beads and components that I have hoarded over the years!  I have only photographed 45 of the 75 bracelets today (my camera battery went low, so must continue photographing in the day or so!)

I took my Mom (who has lived with me since November 2010) to Florida this past week for a quick, 5 day visit with one of my brother's and his wife, who live in Clearwater/St. Petersburg, and to visit with her old friends whom she has not seen in a long, long time.  No disrespect to my brother, sister-in-law, or my Mom's friends, but the highlight of my trip was meeting this little guy:

This is Elliot - OMG the cutest, sweetest, most adorable little fella I have ever laid my eyes on!!!  My brother and his wife lost their Jack Russel Terrier - named Biggie Smalls (I did not name him!) to cancer this past June.  They adopted Elliot - an approximately 2 year old rescue about a month later.  This little guy had an unhappy first 2 years - fostered, the pound, etc. The tide has certainly turned for him...for the better!!!  I miss him so very much! 

It was nice catching up with family and friends - and to put faces to names of my mother's friends- most of which she has been talking about for years!

In between, I have managed to make a few pieces of jewelry:

click on any of the images for a larger view

Raku Beads - Elements Pottery - these beads are gorgeous!

Bracelet made using Lesley Watt's Tutorial - I felt it was befitting to use her gorgeous bronze button, too!

Clay! - Marla's Mud, Marsha Neal, Lesley Watt Toggle

Another bracelet using Lesley Watt's tutorial - and her button, of course!

Okay...I am addicted to this bracelet design!  This time, I used a handmade lampwork button by Unicorne, which perfectly matched these Czech Glass beads.

Gorgeous lampwork beads by Donna Millard, Bead Caps by Metal Me This, and Bronze Headpin by....you guessed it...Lesley Watt!

I banged on some heavy gauge copper and attached these absolutely gorgeous lampwork beads by Radiant Mind.  The texture on these beads (nuggets) is amazing!

I also banged on some silver, too!

Had these silver disks FOR.EVER....I like them with the tiny lampwork beads by Radiant Mind.

I would like to thank all of the artisans for creating these beautiful handmade components - without their creativity....where would I be now?  I shudder to even think about that!

I have actually made TONS more jewelry...but that will have to wait for another post!

Thank you so much for stopping by my little world!  Have a great day!