My Addictions...Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Friday, March 9, 2012

Mom's New Sewing Room!

I know this is not jewelry or bead related, but, exciting to me just the same! My mom - my mentor and the creative genius of the family - FINALLY decided it was time to upgrade her sewing room furniture. She is an EXCELLENT seamstress, and I am not just saying this because she is my mother!

Mom has been sewing FOREVER....she used to make matching outfits for my sister and I, though at Catholic school, uniforms were the norm during the week. No...my sister is not my twin, but Mom did it anyway. In fact, she used to have our hair cut the same way, too...ugh! Anyway, I digress. Her favorite form of sewing is decorative...quilts, curtains, valences, re-upholstery...you get the drift. She had been using this TINY LITTLE SEWING CABINET. I'm not quite sure how she did it all these years. It was decided that a larger sewing cabinet was in order, especially for quilting. I bought a sewing machine and serger years ago, from Sew Vac Direct, and we started our search. Due to the fact that her sewing room is located on the second floor of my home, it was necessary to buy the cabinet un-assembled, so that I could carry it up the stairs! No such thing as "White Glove" delivery for pre-assembled units. She settled on the Kangaroo Aussie Suite! I assured her that I could assemble it. 10 LARGE BOXES AND 3 DAYS LATER, I did! And without further ado, here it is! (Pics were taken at night....probably should have waited for daylight, but I was so excited it was done and could not wait)!

This cabinet is awesome! There is an additional leaf on the back of the cabinet that opens up to hold the fabric (i.e., quilt) while sewing, providing TONS OF ROOM to hold heavy quilts, etc., instead of the fabric spilling on the floor! The machine itself easily retracts into the cabinet...it just happens to be sitting in its uppermost position right now. Lots of cool nooks and crannies to hold the essentials! Her serger is located on the bottom of the left hand side of the cabinet. She can pull it out to use it anytime. Even her quilting rulers are located in the back of the cabinet...right under her chair, providing easy access!

My uber-sweet niece's boyfriend was kind enough to re-locate shelves for her - I can put anything together but I CANNOT HANG THINGS ON THE WALL!! Thank you, Kevin!

This awesome cabinet has nine drawers inside - the back leaf also folds up to become a cutting table, as seen in this picture. The whole thing is on wheels and easily slides out from the wall to have it in "cutting mode".

Nine drawers! She has an additional chest, not pictured and not part of this cool set, also filled with notions, interfacing, etc.

The coolest thing we did was move her little corner computer desk and file cabinet from my guest room into the sewing room. Now, all of her "stuff" is in one place! She loves it!

I have to tell you...the customer service departments at SewVacDirect, and the manufacturer, Kangaroo/Arrow Cabinets, are awesome! Out of the gazillion pieces received, one of the tops was damaged - I called and received a replacement piece in 2 DAYS!!! I am very pleased with their service!

A HUGE thank you to my sister - the Queen of Organization! She helped me arrange the room last Saturday, which was a feat! Thank, Lori! I could NOT have done this without your help!

Well, thank you so much for stopping by my little world! Have a great day!

Friday, March 2, 2012

It's Finally Here! Bead Soup Blog Party Time!

First of all, I can't believe it is March already...I mean, what happened to January and February? Anyway, the moon and stars must have aligned when Lori Anderson's randomizer picked me as one of the lucky participants in her Bead Soup Blog Party - her fifth and largest party to date! This is my first time participating, and I was matched with the talented Natasha Lutes of N's Whims. Here is a recap of what Natasha sent me:

Gorgeous semi-precious gemstones, including turquoise (my personal all-time favorite!)

A beautiful dichroic glass focal, which is quite large, with gorgeous hues of blues, yellows, and brown. The mix also included a few extra glass beads that coordinated with the colors of the focal.

Pearls and glass rondelles.

And last....but not least...a huge mix of Vintaj components! Look at that star! Focal perhaps?

The Vintaj mix also included 2 clasp choices.

I have never used Vintaj components, or dichroic glass. This is not to say that I don't have any Vintaj in my stash....I just have never used it before! This was a challenge ... the whole point of this soup! I was so excited to receive this very generous soup from Natasha....thank you!

I mulled over my design for days. I was stumped on how to use the dichroic glass. I had other brass filigrees and tried to wrap it, making the focal into a pendant. That failed (in my mind). I happened to have a large filigree that I thought would make a good back drop for the focal. So, I combined the two...

Instead of just joining the chain to the focal, which just was not interesting to me, I wire wrapped the vintaj star component, some of the beads, and the vintaj filigree bead to the chain. The toggle clasps on the side....not the back of the necklace.

I was happy with this design, as the eye travels around the necklace - instead of just focusing on the pendant. I used extra beads and the small, vintaj star charm and made a dangle that sits on top of the dichroic and filigree focal.

Since I don't like soup leftovers, I also made a bracelet and two pair of earrings.

I love multi-strand bracelets - and I wanted to use this clasp!

Here is a picture of everything I made -

My niece has already claimed everything I made...thank you Rachel!

Thank you for stopping by, and your comments mean so much to me!

Please visit all of the participants by following the links below.

Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8. Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10. Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery

11. Andra Weber and Christine Murrow

12. Ann Sherwood and Diane Welte

13. Barbara Bechtel and Kerry Bogert

14. Barbara Lewis and Cat Pruitt

15. Bonnie Coursolle (Canada) and Fay Wolfenden (Canada)

16. Carmel McGinley (Australia) and Tracy Stillman (Australia)

17. Cassie Donlen and Deryn Mentock

18. Cathie Carroll and Janel Dudley

19. Cece Cormier and Morwyn Mullins

20. Charlene Jacka and Christina Hickman

21. Cheryl Brown (Canada) and Diana Ptaszynski

22. Christina Stofmeel (the Netherlands) and Eva Kovacs (Hungary)

23. Christine Damm and Deb Brooks

24. Cilla Watkins (Canada) and Elaine Robitaille (Canada)

25. Sabrina Straub (Switzerland) and Kathy Combs

26. Cindy Cima Edwards and Eleanor Burian-Mohr

27. Cory Celaya and Rhea Freitieg

28. Courtney Breul and Dana Hickey

29. Cynthia Abner and Jennifer Boreck

30. Cynthia Tucker and Jean Peter

31. Debbie Goering and Heidi Post

32. Dee Elgie (UK) and Joanne Lockwood (UK)

33. Dian Hierschel (Germany) and Eniko Fabian (Austria)

34. Diane Cook and Lyn Foley

35. Donna Bohler and Lisa Lodge

36. Donna Millard and Kiersten Giles

37. Doris Stumpf (Germany) and Eszter Czibulyas (Hungary)

38. Elisabeth Auld and Eva Sherman

39. Elke Leonhardt-Rath (Germany) and Marjolein Trewavas (UK)

40. Ema Kilroy and Laurie Keefe-Cecere

41. Erika Nooteboom (the Netherlands) and Giorgia Rossini (Italy)

42. Erin Grant and Jean Wells

43. Evelyn Duberry (Canada) and Gaea Cannaday

44. Genea Crivello-Knable and Heather Powers

45. Ginger Bishop (military, Okinawa) and Martina Nagele (Germany)

46. Heidi Kingman and Lori Greenberg

47. Helen Kemp and Lisa Wangeman

48. Helene Goldberg (Australia) and Karen Vincent

49. Jamie Hogsett and Jeannie Dukic

50. Jeanette Ryan and Jelveh Jaferian

51. Jennifer Cameron and Tania Spivey

52. Jennifer Justman and Kari Carrigan

53. Jennifer Tough and Lorelei Eurto

54. Joanna Matuszczyk (Poland) and Julianna Kis (Hungary)

55. Joanne Tinley (UK) and Michaela Pabeschitz (Austria)

56. Julie Anne Leggett and Kelley Fogle

57. Karen Hess and Linda Landig

58. Karyn Bonfiglio and Kathleen Lange Klik

59. Kashmira Patel and Kat White

60. Kat Barron Miller and Kelly Morgan

61. Kathy Lindemer and Rose Binoya

62. Krafty Max and Sandra Miller

63. Kristen Latimer and Pam Ferrari

64. Kristie Roeder and Lea Avroch

65. Kristina Johansson (Sweden) and Penny Neville (Canada)

66. Krisztina Erlaki-Toth (Hungary) and Nicole Keller (Germany)

67. Lara Lutrick and Lisa Suver

68. Laura DeMoya and Lisa Hanna

69. Libby Leuchtman and Melanie Brooks

70. Linda Koch and Rosemarie Cowit

71. Lisa Chapman and Menka Gupta

72. Lisa Liddy and Marion Simmons

73. Lori Anderson and Marcie Abney

74. Lori Bowring-Michaud and Mary Govaars

75. Lori Dorrington and Maria Rosa Sharrow

76. Lori Finney (Canada) and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp (Canada)

77. Lynn Bennett and Mandi Ainsworth

78. Marta Kaczerowska (Poland) and Milla Starchik (Canada)

79. Mary Harding and Shannon LeVart

80. Mary Jane Dodd and Stacey Curry

81. Melinda Orr and Molly Alexander

82. Melissa Meman and Michelle Escano-Caballaro

83. Michelle Jensen and Sandra Young (Canada)

84. Nan Emmett and Nicole Valentine-Rimmer (Canada)

85. Nancy Boylan and Suzette Bentley

86. Natasha Lutes and Patti Vanderbloemen You are here!

87. Pam Hurst and Rebekah Payne

88. Patty Miller and Sara Rhoades

89. Rebecca Anderson (UK) and Lori Anderson

90. Rebecca Sirevaag and Sharon Driscoll

91. Rochelle Brisson and Shannon Chomanczuk

92. Rosa Maria Cuevas (Mexico) and Tejae Floyde

93. Sabine Dittrich (Germany) and Sally Russick

94. Sandi Volpe and Sarah/Saturday Sequins

95. Shanti Johnson and Tracy Mok (Canada)

96. Skylar Brez and Theresa Buchle

97. Sonya Stille and Traci Zeller (Canada)

98. Stefanie Teufel (Germany) and Tania Hagen (New Zealand)

99. Stephanie LaRosa and Vonna Maslanka

100. Terri Wlaschin and Wendy Blum

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Andrew Thorntons Feburary 2012 Design Challenge

I participated in 2 blog hops today! My 7000 Bracelets for Hope blog post can be found by directly below this post!

This is what Andrew Thornton offered as his last Design Challenge Kit....The only hints given were the colors "pink and fuchsia". I said to myself, "what the heck...I like those colors"..and so I challenged myself and bought the kit.

Days later, he posted a picture of the contents (not including the Mystery Components). In his words "The Design Kit, which I think is extremely challenging (I don't work too much with pinks or fuchsia) consists of a Simple Truths piece from Erin Prais-Hintz, a ceramic bead from Keith O'Connor, a polymer clay round from Pam Wynn, lots of dyed jade, vintage plastic, pink opal, rosewater opal glass, fuchsia Swarovski crystals, vintage glass, organza ribbon, irradiated shell, Czech glass, and the Luxury Bead Blend."

This is what I received in the mail - pardon the plastic, but I did not want tiny little beads rolling around my bead table into other piles of beads that will someday become completed projects.

I have to say, I was honestly scared when I opened up the envelope! I had NO CLUE WHATSOEVER what to do with all this pink and fuchsia! Not to mention...lots of tiny beads! My go-to colors are blues....or greens....or browns...never pink and absolutely never fuchsia!

After mulling it around FOR DAYS, I rallied to this challenge, sat down, and made the coolest, multi-strand bracelet that I have ever made!

Erin's Simple Truth's pendant is the obvious focal. I used the Luxury Bead mix, and bits and pieces of the other beads, including the Swarovski crystals, and wrapped them together with sterling silver cones. My 24 year-old niece has already claimed this bracelet as hers!

The Mystery Components were two beautiful enamel beads, made by Andrew I assume, that were begging to become earrings.

I wrapped sterling silver bead caps and connectors, and two small pink opal beads from the challenge kit to make these sweet earrings, which hang from hand formed sterling silver ear wires.

Lastly, I used the polymer clay bead from Pam, to make a focal for the necklace.

I have never used organza ribbon before (I have never used fiber at all, for goodness sakes!), but I had some sterling silver crimp beads with a hook in my stash, and made a loop closure from silver as well.

The focal includes more fuchsia Swarovski crystals, a pewter bead frame, and a sterling silver bead cap.

I am sad that Andrew has decided to end this monthly challenge .... my first! But, I am so glad that I had the chance to participate! Thank you, Andrew!

Please visit the other participants blogs to see their works of art! As always, thank you for stopping by!

Shannon Chomanczuk For My Sweet Daughter

Kari Asburty Hippie Chick Design

Suzette Bentley Ellie's Bijioux

Peg Gyldenege Wild Hair Studio

Therese Frank Therese's Treasures

Patti Vanderbloemen My Addictions Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti You are here!
Kari Wilson Creations by Kari

7000 Bracelets for Hope Blog Hop

What is The Global Genes Project and what are 7000 Bracelets of Hope for?

The Global Genes Project exists to raise awareness and support for the more than 30 million people affected by rare diseases. There are currently over 7,000 rare diseases identified, and 75% of those affected are children. With the 7000 Bracelets Campaign, the Children's Rare Disease Network gives artists and crafters an opportunity to lovingly share their creative gifts with families who have a child suffering with a rare disease.

Erin from Elysian Studios and Christine of One Kiss Creations Beaded Jewelry are hosting this Blog Hop for the 7000 Bracelets of Hope this year. 7000 Bracelets of Hope is run through the Global Genes Project . The bracelets are donated to the mothers and caretakers of these children, as a way to give them a little support and lift their spirits.

The theme is to make a bracelet with hues of blue, and to try to make the bracelet adjustable. I am a bead whore - it is terrible! Because of this self-imposed illness, I made not one, but four bracelets - all blue, and all adjustable.

The first bracelet above features deep blue freshwater pearls, wire wrapped with tiny white freshwater pearls to a bold silver chain. The clasp was hand formed from heavy gauge, sterling silver wire.

The second bracelet features ceramic rounds, which have been wire wrapped with heavy gauge, silver plated wire. The bracelet can be fastened into any of the large, wire wraps, making it adjustable. I placed a small, "believe" pewter charm in the last ring.

The third bracelet features a focal bead by Unicorne Beads - it has beautiful shades of blue throughout, including little dots of dichroic glass. This has been wire wrapped, with heavy gauge sterling silver wire and sweet, powder blue ceramic rounds, and a hand formed clasp. The bracelet terminates with a lovely headpin made by Kelley's Bead Studio.

The last bracelet features varying shapes of turquoise beads and antique brass beads, wire wrapped to a heavy duty, brass chain. I placed a lovely dragonfly charm by LeAnn of Summers Studio on the last link.

It is my hope that whoever ends up with one of these bracelets (ANY of the bracelets in this blog hop as well) gains comfort and a little bit of hope in knowing there are people "out there" who are praying for a cure for their little ones.

Please be sure to visit all of the blog hop participants, and thank you for stopping by my little world!

Elysian Studios and One Kiss Creations

The Studio Sublime Crafty Hope
The Gossiping Goddess
SilverRose Designs
Firefly Visions
Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Michelle Mach
Pine Ridge Treasures
Backstory Beads
Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean
Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

Sue Beads

MiShel Designs

Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Wedding of the Century - or at least May 2012

My dear sweet godchild/niece Rachel is getting married to a wonderful man ...Jon....in May! She has been engaged since January 2011, but picked May 2012 as her wedding date. I was both honored and scared to death last fall when she asked me to make necklaces and earrings for her attendants.

Rachel & Jon's official engagement photo (so cute together!)

Rachel's favorite color, to quote another Pretty Woman who shall remain nameless, is pink. So, she needed to have the bridesmaids choose their dresses first. She is having a late afternoon wedding, and the bridesmaids (8 of them, including 2 junior bridesmaids!) chose a sleek, strapless black dress (falls just above the knee) with a watermelon-toned sash around the waist. These dresses are really beautiful!

Since weddings are by nature a dressy affair, the jewelry needed to be either pearls or crystals, at least in my opinion. Crystals won! The first thing I did was obtain several different Swarovski crystals in various shapes and sizes of pink...so I could find the right color! Luckily, she gave me a swatch from the watermelon-toned sash, 'cause there are lots of pinks to choose from! I also used sterling silver, exclusively.....it's a wedding!

I also added some black diamond Swarovski crystals...just because they are so pretty and I think snazz up the finished look, as well. Once I was done with the necklaces and earrings, I thought...their arms will be naked! So, I threw in some bracelets, as well!

Some of the design techniques were inspired by Denise Peck's Wire Style 2 - particularly Cindy Wimmer, Jodi Bombardier, and Kerry Bogert. These women are absolute magicians with wire! Since none of the jewelry was sold (after all, it was a gift from Aunt Patti!), I felt it was okay to use some of their awesome techniques when creating the jewelry.

Rachel is giving the bridesmaids the jewelry at her bridal shower on April 1 - I sure hope they like what I created!

I also JUST finished a pair of earrings to give to Rachel for her wedding day - not sure if she will wear them or not - they are made with LOTS of cubic zirconium and sterling and are stunning! If not for the wedding day, I am sure she will find a suitable occasion!

I want to thank Rachel for trusting me with this challenge on one of the most important days of her life! Rachel has been my "guinea pig" for all my jewelry - she is a true cheerleader! Thanks, Rach!

And thank you for stopping by my little world!