The Challenge of Color Blog Hop!

The lovely Erin Prais-Hintz of Treasures Found is hosting another fun hop: The Challenge of Color.  Erin's challenges are always SO.MUCH.FUN!
 

The Challenge goes like this: Erin tasked the participants to select their favorite palette from one of two unique palettes she sent to us. These amazing palettes were created by  Miss Brandi Hussey. The pictures are from the Earth As Art exhibit from the United States Geological Service taken from the Landsat 7 satellite.  The participants are required to make something...a piece of jewelry, or an accessory...anything that captures the colors from the assigned palette.

 

Here is the first palette:

 

(click on pictures for larger view)

 

 

The first thing I did - after gasping at the gorgeous colors - was to find out about these volcanoes.  While I knew from my long ago geography classes in high school that Chile had volcanoes, I had no idea that there were over 70 volcanoes located within this long - but not wide - country!  I am - and will always be - a lover of the Mountains.  I'll take mountains over oceans any day. 

 

The blues and greens in the palette spoke to me in volumes.  I knew I had the PERFECT beads that not only reflected the colors, but the shapes of my well-loved mountains.

 

 

The picture above is of the beads I chose, laying on top of my Color Inspiration.  The beads are by Outwest....do I really need to elaborate on her beads???  LOVE THEM.  The swirls of color throughout each bead speak to me - and again - it wasn't just the colors - it was the "mountain top" shape of the bead.  I wanted to use more than one in my piece, as in a mountain range. So I hammered out some discs from copper, and made a bail of sorts for each bead.

 

I was lucky to find the perfect blue beads in my stash from another outstanding lampwork artist - Rachel Bishop (Puffafish on etsy) - to mimic the water in the inspiration, as well as the hint of blue in the "mountain beads" from Outwest.  These blue beads have so many varying hues of blue - so pretty in person!

I made all of the copper elements - the "messy beads", the awesome clasp from a Cindy Wimmer tutorial, bead caps, - the head pins and the ear wires, too.  Love the pop of red achieved when heated copper hits the water for quenching!

 

I am so pleased with how this turned out!

 

 

 

Not good at making choices, Erin sent me a second color palette - so I rallied to this challenge, too.

 

While I knew Algeria was a desert territory, I did not know how truly large a country it is - the 10th largest in the world.  Over 90% of the country is desert - I would not survive here - the hottest recorded temperature is 123 degrees Fahrenheit.  I wilt when the thermometer approaches 70 degrees! I am still fascinated by desert terrains - hot as Hades in the day, and near frigid at night.  Quite an adjustment for those that live there.  Anyway, on with the reveal!

 

I had this most beautiful set of beads by Shelia Davis (Stone Designs by Sheila on Etsy) - see those deep, reddish brown beads in the center of the photo?  Those are the ones that caught my eye when I opened up my bead box.  Say desert to me and I instantly see a burnt red.  I found the beads, but could not think of what to do with them.  So I went through my huge shelf of books and I found a bracelet design that was perfect (again, by Cindy Wimmer in Wire Style 2).  The links of the bracelet are very free form and flowing, with the beads attached by very large jump rings to either side of each link.

 

I really love this bracelet!  I have to thank Cindy for her inspiration today in both of my pieces...thank you Cindy!

Thank you Erin for hosting this hop!  We all have times when our muse takes a vacation - and my muse came back, thanks to you! I can honestly say that your blog hops push me, creatively speaking, like no other.  For that...I am very grateful!  And Brandi, thank you for creating such beautiful inspirations!

 

Sorry my post was so long today, but thank you for hanging on!  Your comments mean the world to me!

 

If you haven't already, please visit all of the participants:

 

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/
Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Kris Auderer http://strandedinthecity.wordpress.com
Chrizette Bayman http://beadsoupmix.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/
Lynsey Brooks http://yellowunicorncreations.blogspot.co.uk
Stephanie Buss http://maxandlucie.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso http://www.creativeatelier.net/
Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com
Lisa Cone http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier http://thebeadingyogini.com
Lori Dorrington http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com
Dawn Doucette http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com
Jeannie Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/
Kim Dworak http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Janice Everett http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.com
Pam Farren http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Gloria Ferrer http://judetaama.blogspot.com.es/
Cherrie Fick http://designsinthelight.co
Therese Frank http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Tanya Goodwin http://pixiloo.blogspot.com
Ambra Gostoli http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com
Jess Green http://tabbiekoshka.blogspot.co.uk/
Denielle Hagerman http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Mary Harding www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Karla Hartzog http://www.karlakrafts.com
Kim Hora http://www.kimmykats.com
Brandi Hussey http://brandigirlblog.com
Emanda Johnson http://ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com
Jennifer Justman http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Ema Kilroy http://emakaye.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman http://Stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Linda Landig http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com
Kirsi Luostarinen http://kirsiluokorut.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca
Beth McCord http://www.ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com
Mary K McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Karen Mitchell http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Cheri Mitchell-Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Aimee Moisa http://threecatsdancing.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan http://www.texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Penny Neville http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Alice Peterson http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Kayla Potega http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com
Debbie Price http://greenshoot.blogspot.co.uk
Bobbie Rafferty http://beadsong.blogspot.com
Caron Reid http://caronmichelle.blogspot.com.au/
Nicole Rennell http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Cynthia Riggs http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com
Andrea Ross http://silvermapledesigns.blogspot.com/
Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com
Annie Scherz http://www.studioluma.ca
Pam Sears http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Sandra Stein http://sannipanni.wordpress.com
Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Sherri Stokey http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Lola Survillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Jo Tinley http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com
Emma Todd http://www.apolymerpenchant.com
Cory Tompkins http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Pam Traub http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle Tucker http://michellescreativemusings.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Rachel Van-Walsk http://balancedcrafts.com/blog
Patti Vanderbloemen http://www.myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com   <--You are here
Lesley Watt http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Lynn White http://lynnwhitejewelry.com/Lynn_White_Jewelry/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog.html

Joan Williams http://www.lilrubyjewelry.com

Challenge of Travel Blog Hop!

Criteria

When Erin Prais-Hintz, with the assistance of Marcie Abney Carroll, came up with this Challenge of Travel, I knew I had to join!  The outlined criteria involved choosing a region and nation outside of where you live.  We were then instructed to learn about this country, and share what inspires us – pictures of the country, its history and culture, landmarks, architecture, its flag, etc.  Once an inspiration was found, we were to create an accessory that evokes the nation. 

 

 

Chosen Country - The Netherlands

So…why did I choose The Netherlands?  Well, my last name is VANDERBLOEMEN…which is Dutch.  Loosely translated, it means “Land of the Blooming Flowers”.  Even though I have had to spell “Vanderbloemen” multiple times to everyone I have ever met -- and I mean Everyone – I am very fond of my surname and wear it proudly. 

Other reasons for choosing The Netherlands as my Destination of Choice is that my late father’s favorite flower is The Tulip, which in turn happens to be my favorite flower.  And when I think of tulips, I think of The Netherlands.

 

My favorite – and I mean FAVORITE – television show is The Golden Girls.  I know….the show is 25+ years old.  But I still laugh at the "repeats" as if I have seen it for the first time.  But, in one of the first shows, Dorothy, describing how her ex-husband Stan always gave her flowers when they fought, said that by the last year of her marriage, her house looked like “Easter at Rotterdam”.  And, well, Rotterdam is in The Netherlands.

 

The Search for Inspiration

So I began my search of inspiration photos.  First, I looked up the Coat of Arms and The Flag of The Netherlands.  Quite frankly, the Coat of Arms required explanation, or at least interpretation and I wanted the picture to "speak to me". 

While I have absolutely nothing against the colors of the flag, let's face it,  they are Red, White, and Blue and simply reminded me too much of my country’s colors (again – nothing is wrong with that!).  But, since I did not want my pieces to reflect America’s Birthday, I searched for more inspiration.

 

Photo Credit-ShareWonders.com

 

Ah, of course I had to put in an iconic picture of a windmill…I mean, who does not think of a windmill when referencing The Netherlands?  But it was actually the water that first caught my eye in this picture.  Windmills fascinate me – they have been in existence since the first century AD, and are, in my mind’s eye, a brilliant scientific experiment gone right that has remained virtually unchanged in over 2000 years, because frankly, the original version still works!  Its basic concept converts the energy of wind into rotational energy used for milling grain for food production, pumping water, and generating electricity.  A marvel I say!  But as beautiful as that picture is, I was simply not inspired to create a piece of jewelry to match the feeling.

Vincent van Gogh photo credits - Wikipedia

 

I could not let the Challenge of Travel hop go by without mentioning Vincent van Gogh, could I? No! I have one of his art books sitting on my coffee table.  I find his life story to be so very sad – excessive drinking and smoking, unsuccessful relationships – both family and otherwise, health issues, mental health issues, etc.  He died too young at age 37 - suicide, though claims he was shot by someone still exist.  There are so many famous paintings to choose – too many, such as The Starry Night, or Stilllife: Vase with 12 Sunflowers illustrated above. 

 

But if I were to choose a painting by Vincent van Gogh as inspiration, it would be The Night Café (the last photo on the right in the collage above).  Van Gogh said of this painting,  “I have tried to express the idea that the café is a place where one can ruin oneself, go mad, or commit a crime”…  Oh the possibilities of what could happen here, so perfectly depicted through his eyes!

My Final Inspiration

But, as inspiring as van Gogh’s paintings and drawings are, I went back to my initial inspiration – tulips.   Did I mention my name means Land of the Blooming Flowers???? After perusing what felt like hundreds of pictures of field upon field of flowers, I selected the very first picture I clicked on, because it simply spoke to me.  To me, the tulip evokes strength and beauty – it stands tall and sturdy, regal, and its color possibilities are endless.  Daddy would approve of my picture choice, for sure.    

Now, I tried to create a piece of jewelry with leaves, petals, etc….  I even purchased gorgeous lampwork flower bud beads, but I just could not come up with a pleasing design.  So I focused on the colors of the beautiful tulips. 

 

Click on the pictures for a larger view

Tulip Photo Credit: http://national-flowers.info/2011/03/07/holland-national-flower-tulips-pictures/

I was gifted this most beautiful, handmade clasp by Mary Harding – she was one of my partners in the Art Bead Earring Hop, hosted by Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Beads.  The toggle is awash with different tones of green and deep red-oranges. I knew I wanted to use this clasp, and this clasp was too beautiful to hide in the back of the neck, unless I made a necklace where the toggle was the focal.  But, I have been on a bracelet-making kick this summer, so my efforts to make a necklace proved futile.  So, a bracelet was in the making.

Once I decided on the clasp, I moved on to my shamefully overflowing bead stash and found two deep orange – almost red - barrel-shaped beads by Marti Conrad.  I hammered out some copper bead caps to top Marti’s beads.   I then found a large, orange-red porcelain bead by Miss Diana P. and three green stoneware beads by Tina Francis.  I wanted the bracelet to feel substantial, so I used 14 gauge solid-copper wire.  The bracelet took a bath in liver of sulfur, suffered through my endless buffing, and then rattled around in my tumbler for a good two hours.  I finished it off with a coat of Renaissance Wax to preserve its warm patina.  I’m pleased with how it turned out!

  

In going through my bead stash to find beads to match Mary’s toggle, I came across these copper charms made by the talented Kristi Bowman (love her components…love!) and was now in the mood to make earrings.  I wrapped these sweet red lampwork beads (Radiant Mind) with copper wire to Kristi’s copper components.  I have been playing around with my torch and copper lately, and I love the red color the copper wire takes on when the ends have been balled and then quickly quenched in water.  So I balled both ends of a piece of heavy gauge copper wire.  I was trying to figure out how to use these “double-balled head pins” to mimic a flower stamen, but that idea went straight out the window.  So, instead I twisted and wrapped this “headpin of sorts” around the lampwork beads.  I added a pair of hand forged sterling silver ear wires to complete the earrings.  Certainly not “flower earrings”…but the colors are right!

 

Thank you, Erin for hosting this adventure!  I have always wanted to travel to my “homeland” and have now pushed this destination up a few notches on my bucket list!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  Please be sure to visit all of the blog participants, listed below.

 

Monique Urquhart, http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/

Niky Sayers, http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/

Therese Frank, http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Raychelle Heath, http://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/

Joan Williams, www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com

Sherri Stokey, http://www.KnotJustMacrame.com

Regina Santerre, http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com

Raida Disbrow, http://havanabeads.blogspot.com

Kristi Wodek, http://livedinlife.blogspot.com

Sally Russick, http://www.thestudiosublime.com

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

Tracy Stillman, http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com

Tanya Goodwin, http://pixiloo.blogspot.com

Susan Kennedy, http://suebeads.blogspot.com

Beth Emery, http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com

Lisa Cone, http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/

Tanya Boden, http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/

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

Erin Prais-Hintz, http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

Dee Elgie, http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson, http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Lisa Stukel, http://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com

Elly Snare, http://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.com

Shelley Graham Turner, http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Mallory Hoffman, http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

Paige Maxim, http://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor, http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

Evelyn Shelby, http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Holly Westfall, http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Siervaag, http://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

Toltec Jewels, http://toltecjewels.blogspot.com

Lee Koopman, http://StregaJewellry.wordpress.com

Laren Dee Barton, http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com

Cindy Wilson, http://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com

Kathleen Lange Klik, http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com

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

Jennifer Justman, http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/

Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com

Lola Surwillo, http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com

Kim Hora, http://www.kimmykats.com

Leanne Loftus, http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com

Patti Vanderbloemen, http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com <-You are here!

Marcie Carroll, http://labellajoya.blogspot.com

Marlene Cupo, http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

Ine Vande Cappelle, http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com

Tammie Everly, http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/

Alice Peterson, http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com

Elisabeth Auld, http://www.beadsforbusygals.com

Susan McClelland, http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/

D Lynne Bowland, http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com

Denielle Hagerman, http://somebeadsandotherthings.com

Rebecca Anderson, http://songbeads.blogspot.com

Mischelle Fanucchi, http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Kari Asbury, http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Cece Cormier, http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/

Emma Todd, http://www.apolymerpenchant.com

Debbie Price, http://greenshoot.blogspot.com

 

Art Bead Earring Swap - The Reveal

Diana Ptaszynski - who not only makes incredible jewelry components from clay (her shop link)  - but also finished jewelry - is hosting this very cool blog hop today!  Participants were placed into groups of 3 and created 1 pair of earrings for each partner. Each earring must contain at least 1 art bead, and the ear wires were to be made of sterling silver - unless your partner had no preference (I did not!)

When Diana emailed me the names of my partners, I was truly petrified (that is a little hint about my lack of self confidence!)  My first partner is  Mary Harding - an extremely talented artist who makes ceramic beads from clay.  Just look at the details of this pendant - I have a hard enough time "staying in the lines" using a crayon and coloring book!  I could stare at this artwork all day! 

Photo courtesy of Mary Harding on Etsy

First of all, Mary's packaging was like Christmas and Birthday rolled into one:

I should have snapped a picture before I opened the package, but my excitement got the best of me!  On the gorgeous ribbon securing the box is a tiny handmade charm in the shape of a heart.  When I opened the box, my goodies were surrounded by orange tissue paper, which totally matched the orange of the handmade charms and Swarovski crystals on the fabulous earrings! 

These are the most perfect earrings - and she even made the ear wires!  Not only do I have these fabulous earrings and a charm, but she also included this gorgeous handmade toggle clasp:

Each piece received from Mary was tied with this silky smooth ribbon and attached to her cards, with a description of the item.  These little touches did not go unnoticed - and I felt so very special!!!  Thank you, Mary!

My second partner left me feeling equally petrified - Ms. Erin Prais-Hintz!  I have been reading her on-line journal (let's face it - she is not a run-of-the-mill blogger - she is a writer!) for some time now.  In addition to her own blog, she is also a contributor to the Art Bead Scene and Earrings Everyday - both of which I read daily.  The pictures she shares of jewelry designs are descriptive in and of themselves.  However, she always includes the story behind each piece, which makes the design even more spectacular and special.  In addition to her jewelry, Erin creates her Simple Truths pendants and charms.  I recently purchased one for my niece to wear on her honeymoon - Happily Ever After (you can read about that here). The pendants themselves are gorgeous....I want one of each!  Anyway, here is what Erin sent me:

Of course it has been re-wrapped as I tore open the package as soon as I got it, so my awful picture does not include details of the ribbon, which includes her signature "key". Even the box identifies the goodies contained inside - truly a "Treasure Found"!  She also included a lovely note!

Gorgeous tiles made by Marsha Neal and vintage (1948!!!!!!) lampwork beads!  I absolutely love these!  She wrote the "ingredients" for the earrings on the back of her unique earrings cards- love these!  She recently wrote a post about her packaging on one of her blogposts and it was so cool to see them in person!

I cannot thank Mary and Erin enough for these gifts - I am humbled!   And thank you, Diana, for hosting this swap!  I not only enjoyed making my earrings for these special artists, but received something special in return!  And now, I need to rethink my packaging for my own jewelry!!!

Please be sure to visit all of the participants and have fun hopping!  Thanks for stopping by!

Diana Ptaszynski http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Jan Onipenco http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/

Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/ <- You are here!

Mary Harding http://www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Diane Hawkey http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com/

Lesley Watt http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Melinda Orr http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com

Cilla Watkins http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com

Stephanie Haussler http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com

Sally Russick http://www.thestudiosublime.com

Susan Kennedy http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Amy Freeland http://www.copperdiem.blogspot.com/

Marla James http://marlasmudmoments.blogspot.com/

Pam Sears http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Tania Spivey http://www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Lange Klick http://www.modernnaturestudio.blogspot.com/

Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com/

Erin Prais-Hintz http://www.treasures-found.blogspot.com/

Gail Barnett http://www.atlastanewyearsresolution.blogspot.com/

Linda Landig http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/

Sharleen Newland http://www.shaterraclaystudio.blogspot.com/

Dee Elgie http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk/

Mary Shannon Hicks http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Lisa Johnson http://whimsyswonders.blogspot.com/

Shelby Foxwell http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/

Keri Lee Sereika http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com/

Cheryl Brown www.dragonflybeads.ca

Linda Younkman http://www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

Kari Asbury http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com/

Fay Wolfenden http://www.torchfairy.blogspot.com/