75 Donated Bracelets - Check!

If you have read any of my past blog posts, you'll remember that I committed to creating 75 bracelets to be donated at the annual Rare Project Organizations Gala, to be held on September 27th.  (If you would like to read my original post, click here).  

I made each bracelet adjustable by attaching a length of chain to one end of the bracelet.  Each bracelet also contains an inspirational charm, ("hope", "faith", or "believe").  It is my hope that the wearer of the bracelet is prompted to remember that they are not alone, and someone out there (me!) is sending prayers to help them get through their roughest days.

 

Picture taking, well, actually, it's the editing, is not my favorite thing to do.  So, I will use this space to show you a few bracelets at a time. 

 

(Click on the images for a larger view)

 

 

Lampwork Beads by Susan Kennedy and Bronze Bracelet Connector by Lesley Watt 

Lampwork nuggets by Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens - the colors of these beads are amazing

 



Lampwork beads by Susan Kennedy I love the veining she created in the beads!

Two sets of lampwork beads (LOVE!) by Susan Kennedy

Turquoise rounds and Inspirational Bronze Bracelet Connector - by Lesley Watt

Gold filled findings, chain, etc. and Peeled Paint Polymer beads by Jeannie Dukic

One of just a few bracelets with Swarovski Crystals

Lampwork Beads by Susan Kennedy (these are gorgeous in person!)

The majority of the artisan beads were made by Sue - 50 sets of lampwork beads!  I HAD A BLAST each time I went to my mail box to find more beads!!  At first I thought I would be limited by the design (adjustable, which meant no toggle clasps or other cool clasps), but I made many of the clasps myself, or used a lobster clasp.  BUT THE BEADS...the gorgeous beads....they kept me going and I was NEVER BORED!  Every time I would finish a bracelet, it would become my new favorite!

 

Donations to the 7000 Bracelets for Hope Campaign are ALWAYS appreciated and welcomed.  If you would like to learn more about the organization, or donate a bracelet of your own, please clink on the link below.

 

 

I will be posting more pictures in the weeks to follow.  Thank you so much for stopping by!

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!