Showing posts with label Kristi Bowman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kristi Bowman. Show all posts

Friday, October 19, 2012

The Do Over Challenge Blog Hop

Jeannie Dukic is hosting this fun challenge - she sends what she describes as "an old, tired, boring piece of her jewelry " with instructions to  "work  your magic and turn it into something beautiful and amazing".  The only requirement is to use at least 50% of the beads - and we are allowed to add beads from our own stash.

I must digress for just a moment to mention that Jeannie is truly one of the most creative and talented designers that I have come across.  She creates beautiful art beads from polymer clay, and her jewelry designs are sophisticated and down right gorgeous!  She is also a mixed-media artist...SO.MUCH.TALENT.
This is a picture from Jeannie's blog  - which features her handmade pendants and beads - a GORGEOUS braclet, indeed!!
Okay, back to the deal at hand.  Jeannie sent me a 49" (THAT'S FORTY-NINE INCHES!) strand of beautiful carnelian and golden jade beads, which she had strung into a lariat:
This is really a beautiful mix of colors and the lariat included two very nice drops that terminate the necklace.  Now, my first thought was to take the carnelian drops and make very simple earrings.  But, since attending ArtBliss last month and having a wonderful heart-to-heart conversation with the inspirational Stacie Florer - I really wanted to "step outside of my comfort zone", "follow my instincts", and do something different.

So, I punched out some copper discs, which I then textured with one of my hammers, and soldered tiny silver bezels onto the discs.  I set two tiny amber cabachons into the bezels, and then I strung some of the carnelian and golden jade to the discs.  The earrings hang from handmade, sterling earwires.
I still had 48 1/2" of beads to use up!  So, I wanted to make a multi-strand bracelet - but again - I wanted it to be a little different from what I would normally do.  I headed to my disgustingly huge stash of art beads and found two copper paisly cone endcaps handmade by the talented Kristi Bowman (her work is AMAZING!).  I also recently purchased the most awesome handmade twisted copper clasps by Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp.  Both of these woman are so multi-talented in both their jewelry and component designs, and I am so happy that I found their shops! These two handmade copper elements were meant for each other!
The bracelet was "okay" - I mean all the elements were there, but it was missing something.  So, I got out my sheet metal and chased, and folded, and formed, etc....until I came up with this nifty little piece that works amazingly well as a focal.
The bracelet spent an inordinate amount of time in my tumbler to work harden the focal - and believe me - it is work hardened!  I added a a coat of Permalac and Renaissance Wax to protect the finish.

This is truly the most comfortable multi-strand bracelet to wear!  I like it! :)
Thank you so much Jeannie for aiding me in pushing my self out of my doldrum, every-day designs!  I HAD A BLAST!

Please be sure to visit all the participans in this fun challenge!  And, I thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave comments!


Miranda Ackerley http://mirandack.com/
Patti Vanderbloemen http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/ - That's Me!

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Saturday, September 1, 2012

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


 

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Saturday, May 26, 2012

The Cocktail Hour Blog Hop!

So here's the skinny...Amy Taylor Freeland  sent each person the name of a cocktail.  Our job was to google the cocktail, and use the ingredients, image, color, season it's usually enjoyed, era it became famous, or whatever else to inspire any piece of jewelry.

My cocktail assisgnment is the  Black & Tan. 

photo courtesy of http://oneperfectbite.blogspot.com)
I was immediately thirsty!  Now, I am Dutch, German, French, and a splash of Blackfoot Indian.  Not a spot of Irish Blood in my genes.  However, my roots include Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so....how appropriate!  Of course, if you have ever been to Milwaukee, the beer is not usually this dark! :)

Through my research, I found the following description on Wikipedia:

Black and Tan is a drink made from a blend of pale ale and a dark beer such as a stout or porter, most often Guinness. Sometimes a pale lager is used instead of ale; this is usually called a half and half. Contrary to popular belief, however, Black and Tan as a mixture of two beers is not a term commonly used in Ireland[ due to the association with the Royal Irish Constabulary Reserve Force, nicknamed the Black and Tans.

Which led me to further research on the Black and Tans (plural):

The Black and Tans (Irish: Dúchrónaigh) was one of two ad hoc paramilitary units, composed largely of British World War I veterans, employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) as Temporary Constables from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland (the other body being the Auxiliaries). The unit's nickname arose from the colour of the improvised khaki uniforms initially worn by its members. Although established to target the Irish Republican Army, the Black and Tans became notorious through their numerous attacks on the Irish civilian population.

I knew the history of the Black and Tans  (the paramilitary units...not the beverage) and their atrocities on the Irish civilians...but, this is a jewelry and/or cocktail blog hop...not a history lesson!

The Recipe To prepare a Black and Tan in the American way, first fill a glass halfway with the ale, then add the Guinness Draught (from the can, bottle, or tap). The top layer is best poured slowly over an upside-down tablespoon placed over the glass to avoid splashing and mixing the layers. A specially designed black-and-tan spoon is bent in the middle so that it can balance on the edge of the pint-glass for easier pouring.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia - I love this spoon!
Well, I happened to have in my stash a GORGEOUS focal bead by Donna Millard in -- what else -- Black & Tan!  Just look at the detail in this bead - it has been sitting on my bench for months, where I stare at it daily and admire its beauty!

Now, I have never used a focal bead of this size before. But, thanks to a Kristi Bowman, I found the PERFECT bail! Kristi's components - whether handmade in copper or silver - just breathtaking!  She works that copper with fire to create the most beautiful colors!
Photo courtesy of Kristi Bowman


Forgive the multiple shots, but I am playing with taking my photos outside in natural light versus inside with my photo lights. This is proving to be an ongoing learning process!

I used Czech glass seed beads - in Black, Tan, Ivory, and Copper, for my chain, and copper toggle.

I actually purchased some Guinness (er,,, for the pictures, of course), but I must confess, I have not yet opened the bottle (I stress the word YET)!


Thanks for providing me this inspiration for this creation, Amy! And thank you to Donna Millard and Kristi Bowman for their creativity, as well! I had a blast! 

Please be sure to visit all of the participants, and as always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Hostess: Copper Diem

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Friday, May 18, 2012

Kristi Bowman's End Cap Blog Hop!


It's time for the reveal of our creation using the handmade copper end caps made by Kristi Bowman!  Each component is handmade, individually molded, shaped, carved and fired.  All of her components - whether made in copper or silver - beautiful!  I love each and every one!  You can visit her esty shop here.  

She recently selected a group of designer's to receive a set of her newest components - the end cap.  I was not lucky enough for "Random Org" to choose my name, but I had to have them anyway!  I was so excited to receive mine in the mail - I knew exactly what I was going to design and completed it the same day!  Without further ado....

I made a multi-strand bracelet in the Pantone colors!  These dreamy tango-tangerine and turquoise lampwork beads are made by GlassBeadArt - you can find her shop here.  These beads came all the way from Lithuania!   I actually won some of her beads and am now a now a fan of hers forever! 

I combined the lampwork with turquoise seed beads, a mix of tangerine seed beads, and a pure copper bead.   Look at the gorgeous colors on those end caps - they are absolutely PERFECT for a multi-strand bracelet or necklace! 

I used heavy gauge pure copper wire for the eye-pins, and made a simple clasp.  I torched the wire first, to try to mimic the colors of the bead caps, then coated the wire with Renaissance Wax to protect the finish.  I love these end caps so much that I just ordered and received a second set!

My niece - who just got married on May 12 - is on her honeymoon in Jamaica, as I write this post.  One of Rachel's evening dresses is a gorgeous tangerine color, so naturally, I gave this bracelet to her.  But, I went ahead and made a matching necklace and a pair of earrings, as well...because, well, that is what Aunt's are for.....


Thanks for letting me join in the fun, Kristi!  Please be sure to visit all of the participants! 

Patti Vanderbloemen <-You are here!
Thank you for stopping by!
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Friday, May 11, 2012

Blog Hops!

So many blog hops...so little time!

Next Saturday, May 19, I am participating in Kristi Bowman's "Copper End Cap Blog Hop" .  I bought a pair of her handmade, copper end caps (photo below taken by Kristi Bowman).


I was so inspired by these caps that I made my entry for this challenge the day I received her package!  It is probably one of my most favorite pieces of jewelry I have ever made! Kristi makes some of the most beautiful copper and silver pieces imaginable! You can find her shop by clicking here.   I love the caps so much, I bought a second set!

The next challenge I joined was the Cocktail Hour Blog Party, hosted by Amy Taylor Freeland at Copper Diem.  She assigns a cocktail, you do a little research on the cocktail, and then you design a piece around that theme.  I was very excited when she assigned me my cocktail - a drink I did partake of long ago - and I am happy to say that I have completed by piece already!  The reveal date is May 26. 

The next challenge is the Art Bead Earring Hop, hosted by Diana Ptzszynski of Suburban Girls Studio.   Diana makes GORGEOUS beads from clay - stoneware, porcelain, raku - all little works of art!  I am particularly in love with anything starfish, and have made several bracelets and necklaces from her pieces!  You can visit her shop here.  I made this bracelet this morning with her beads that I recently received:


Back to the challenge - Diana picks 3 designers who will swap earrings made with Art Beads.  I was paired with two of the most awesome designers: Erin Prais-Hintz and Mary Harding. 

Erin - who writes a beautiful blog, Treasures Found,  not only makes the most inspiring and creative jewelry, but she is also the guru behind some gorgeous, handmade pendants and charms known as Simple Truths.  I recently purchased a "Happily Ever After" pendant, which I used to make a  necklace for my niece Rachel, who is getting married tomorrow!


Mary Harding is a ceramic bead artist and jewelry designer - her designs are incomparable!  I mean, just look at this toggle clasp (photo by Mary Harding)!!!

Her creations are awe-inspiring and contain so many elements within nature! The reveal date for the Art Bead Earring Hop is June 7.  I am quite nervous to trade earrings with these accomplished artisans and hope that my designs are up to their standards!

So that is what I have been up to lately.....thank you so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon!!
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