I think it is time for a giveaway!

Last week, I posted that I would be having a fundraiser, of sorts, to both raise funds and garner attention for Miracle Horse Rescue (MHR). (You can read that post here) To date, I have sold over 25 pieces of jewelry! Many of my "online friends" have been kind enough to share my many posts to Facebook - THANK YOU! And, many of the jewelry purchases have been from fellow jewelry designers - I am so humbled and grateful for your purchases!!  THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!  Funds have already been sent to MHR....but I want to send more!

I also mentioned that there would be Giveaway's...so here is the first one!  

Information about Miracle Horse Rescue

MHR is a federally-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization which is dedicated to the preservation and welfare of abused, neglected, and unwanted domesticated horses of all types and conditions.  Some of the stories they have shared are simply heartbreaking.  As MHR is a very small organization - run by only 2 people who have literally dedicated their entire lives to helping these horses- I want to help as much as I can. For more information, please view their FaceBook page. 

My Fundraising Activities

So, from September 13, 2013 through October 31, 2013, I will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of my Etsy shop to MHR.  To further entice you to start your Holiday shopping or buy something for yourself, I am offering huge discounts!  My sale prices will be already be reflected for each item.  Here is the low down I am offering:

9/13/2013 - 9/20/2013    - SAVE 30%

9/21/2013 - 9/27/2013    - SAVE 25%

9/28/2013 - 10/11/2013  - SAVE 20%

10/12/2013 - 10/18/2013 - SAVE 15%

10/19/2013 - 10/31/2013 - SAVE 10%

Again - 100% of all proceeds will be donated to this wonderful organization!  Please help me to help these gorgeous furbabies!  

The Goods

Mary Jane Dodd posted an awesome tutorial on the Love My Art Jewelry Blog for making hoops without solder.  I tried it...and I LOVE IT!  These are the earrings I will be giving away:

click on the picture for a larger view!

These earrings are made from sterling silver wire, Argentium sterling silver ear wires, and a lovely pair of lampwork beads from one of my favorite lampwork artists - Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads.The earrings measure 1 7/8" from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the earring.

How to Enter

1.  Leave a comment on this blog post -  equals 1 entry

2.  Post a link to this blogpost on Facebook - equals 1 entry

3. Go to my shop on Etsy Shop (link here and PIN an item to your Pinterest Board - equals 1 entry

For each task above, you must leave a separate  comment on my blog to let me know!  I will choose a winner via Random Organizer sometime on Sunday.  Lastly, make sure your contact email is "turned on" or leave me your email address so that I can contact the winner!

My whole reason for this giveaway and my measly attempt at fundraising is to spread the word about this wonderful organization!

More giveaway's to follow! (I'm thinking bracelet for the next one....)

Thank you so much for stopping by today - Enjoy the Weekend!

Patti

Creating with Cabochons

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is hosting yet another creative challenge - Creating with Cabochons. Any medium.

I have admired the fantastic bead weaving techniques of so many talented designers.  Sally was most kind and provided several video tutorials on bezel setting a cabochon...with my arch enemy...seed beads.  I have not finished this technique yet, as it apparently requires one to have excellent vision, which even with bifocals, magnifying glasses, and 4 ott-lights pointed directly at my work...do not.  However, after several broken needles, lots of choice words, and breaks between each seed bead row, here is where I stand so far:

I WILL finish this and post a pic when hell freezes over that day comes.

I did manage to complete a few more cabochons, using some silver sheet.  This cab is a beautiful Peacock Mine Turquoise.

The next cabochon is a Labradorite - small, but beautiful colors in this stone.

A couple of months ago, I purchased some heavy, 8 gauge silver to make bracelet bangles.  I had a couple of inches left over - not enough for a bracelet - and played around, added a couple of tiny Lapis Lazuli cabochons, and make the funkiest ring...I have ever had on my hand!

This was probably the hardest project (not including the beaded bezel of course)! 8 gauge silver, wrapped around a ring mandrel, requires annealing after each bang of the hammer! 

(Note to self - apply hand lotion and get a manicure before you use the macro setting while taking a picture of your own hand..ugh).

My last project is my favorite.  I purchased a most lovely set of lampwork beads and coordinating lampwork cabochon from Sheila Davis (Stone Designs by Shiela on Etsy).  The bicone lampwork beads are quite large...and oh so pretty!

Of course I made a bracelet, and earrings, too.

Thank you so much for pushing me - yet again - Sally!  Your hops always challenge me!

Now - let's see what everyone else has made!!!  Thank you for stopping by!

Sally Russick - Our lovely hostess!

D Lynne  Bowland

Alicia Marinache           

Lynn  Jobber           

Jenny Davies-Reazor           

Jo-Ann  Woolverton           

Marde Lowe           

Dawn Doucette           

Mary K McGraw           

Gloria Allen           

Cheri  Reed           

Sonya Stille           

Elizabeth Owens Dwy           

Veralynne   Malone           

Tania Hagen           

Lynsey  Brooks           

Christina Miles           

Holly  Westfall           

Kathy  Lindemer           

Patti Vanderbloemen   - That's me!        

Therese Frank           

Adrienne Berry           

Liz   E  

Tanty  Sri Hartanti           

Ginger Bishop

Renetha Stanziano           

Marlene  Cupo           

Sandi Volpe           

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson           

Niky  Sayers

Mischelle Fanucchi           

Tracy  Stillman           

Skylar Bre'z           

Ann Schroeder           

Paula Kramer

Jess Green           

Susan Kennedy           

Stacie  Florer           

Cathie  Carroll           

Susan F.   

Michelle Caballero       

Sabine Dittrich           

Kristina Johansson           

Kimberly Sturrup-Roberts           

Melissa  Meman           

Cheryl McCloud         

Michelle  Timms           

Cindy  Pack             

Lynda  Carson

Cynthia  Machata           

Julia  Harris           

Karin  Slaton

Ingrid  Anderson           

Karin Grosset Grange

Jasvanti  Patel  

Inge  von Roos

Molly Alexander

Toltec Jewels 

Hay for the Horses

Back in May of this year, I wrote a post about a rescue organization that is very near and dear to my heart - Miracle Horse Rescue (MHR).  The sanctuary - run by the nicest and most compassionate people you ever want to meet, Stephanie and Rob Pierce - is located in Pahrump, Nevada, outside of Las Vegas.   After supporting MHR for a decade, I finally had the pleasure of visiting last February.  

Some of the lucky residents of MHR - photos courtesy of MHR

MHR is a federally-recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization which is dedicated to the preservation and welfare of abused, neglected, and unwanted domesticated horses of all types and conditions.  Some of the stories they have shared are simply heartbreaking.  As MHR is a very small organization - run by only 2 people who have literally dedicated their entire lives to helping these horses- I want to help as much as I can.

So, from September 13, 2013 through October 31, 2013, I will be donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale of my Etsy shop to MHR.  To further entice you to start your Holiday shopping or buy something for yourself, I am offering huge discounts!  My sale prices will be already be reflected for each item.  Here is the low down I am offering:

9/13/2013 - 9/20/2013    - SAVE 30%

9/21/2013 - 9/27/2013    - SAVE 25%

9/28/2013 - 10/11/2013  - SAVE 20%

10/12/2013 - 10/18/2013 - SAVE 15%

10/19/2013 - 10/31/2013 - SAVE 10%

Again - 100% of all proceeds will be donated to this wonderful organization!  Please help me to help these gorgeous furbabies!  

I will be having giveaways (plural!) during this time frame...I want to garner as much attention to this cause that I can, so stay tuned!

Feel free to visit Miracle Horse Rescue on their Facebook page (link here) or their website (link here).

Thank you!

Patti

Barbie...or Lolita...and some New Work

I have been on a quest to find a mannequin.  I FINALLY found one that did not cost a fortune. I need said mannequin to assist me in taking a photo of my necklaces "when worn".  I am not into self portraits...ergo, I needed a mannequin.

Here she is in all of her naked glory!  She is a perfect size 8...I just need to find some proper clothes for her ... they will NOT be found in my closet, as I am not a perfect size 8!

I tend to name inanimate objects - my car is named "The Beast" because I am 5'0" tall and the length of my car feels like four times my height.  Anyway, since my mannequin was labeled "a perfect size 8" by the manufacturer, I feel that the name I give her must suit her perfect figure.  I am toying between Barbie and Lolita.

My next problem is where to put Barbie/Lolita. My "studio" is in my unfinished basement, which also happens to house my photography setup.  IT'S DARK DOWN THERE.  I work with 4 Ott lamps all concentrated on the same place of my table.  I repeat - it's dark down there!  I do use two photography lights for images of my jewelry.  I played around today for a bit - the lighting (or the backdrop) is still not right.  I got frustrated and quit for the day! But, at least I have the tools necessary to get a good picture of necklace when worn...eventually! 

The picture above shows a necklace on a my naked Barbie/Lolita.  I must find clothes for her, or a least a drape of fabric from my mother's fabric stash!

Here are a few pictures of the same necklace taken in my makeshift photo booth, in collage format.

I combined several sets of beads I recently purchased from Julie of Outwest - 23 beads to be exact.  I soldered a few rings as connectors, swirled some wire and some handmade "ladder chain", and came up with a 2 strand necklace.  I love this style! 

I recently purchased some beads from GlassBeadArt and made 2 bracelets.  Her beads are truly gorgeous, aren't they?!  I cannot get enough of these beads...I believe I have had every single color...if not, that will be my mission! :)

I made the toggle from 10 gauge silver soldered and formed into an off-center circle shape -- kind of like a belt buckle.  I added a cocoon bead made of silver, which I learned from a tutorial from Kay Sommers.  I have not made these in a while - so pretty!

The next bracelet also features more stunning "Sparkling Rock" beads from GlassBeadArt.  I call this bracelet Silver and Gold.

See that hand?  I bought a mannequin arm, too!  Anyway, I have made a few of this style of bracelet - it is so much fun to make, and the focal stays right on top of the wrist - where it is supposed to!

The next bracelet is in the same style, with all beads made by Kerry Bogert.  I have had these beads since I bought them at ArtBliss last year!  It was finally time to bring them out to play!

Kerry is the Queen of Color - and these rainbow stripes on her beads look fabulous! Even the back of the focal has a cool textured design - love it!

One more bracelet was made - again, with gorgeous beads by Julie of Outwest.  I call this one Night Sky - although in my neck of the woods, the night sky does not look this good! 

I added a "messy" wrapped bead in sterling.

I suppose I need to come up with a name for this mannequin arm, too...hmmmm

Last up are two pair of earrings - both made with beads made by Julie (Outwest).  Her disc beads are simply awesome - both in color and shape!

I have had a heck of a time with computer issues in both listing my items on Etsy and writing this blog post today. Phew!  I made it!

I hope everyone has a SAFE Labor Day Weekend!  Thank you so much for stopping by!

Patti

Monday

It has been a lovely weekend!  The weather in Northern Virginia has been nothing short of fantastic, which means low humidity!  I won't even begin to describe the puffiness(more like frizz) my hair achieves in the hot, humid Virginia summer!

Friday, Great Grandma (aka my Mom) and I drove down to Fredericksburg to meet the new babies!  I must remind you that I have no children, so the awesomeness of the new lives was nothing short of breath taking!  Jen and Jason, though very tired, were beaming with joy!  Mom was the first person in the family, outside of Jen and Jason of course, to hold the little munchkins.

You can just see the instant love in Mom's face while holding Evelyn!  My flash was going nuts - so this was the only picture I took.  Mom, Dad, and new babes are doing wonderful! :)

I had not even gone to my bench in over a week.  This does not mean I have not been buying beads, though!  I have a hoardful (is that a word?) of beads from one of my favorite artisans - Donna Millard.  There is just something so very special about her beads - I buy them and leave them on my bench to stare at - each bead is truly a work of art!

With my last purchase, I promised Donna I would take her beads out for play - and I did just that on Sunday.

First I made this bracelet.  I wrapped the focal in heavy gauge wire - coiled the ends and made a hand forged toggle.  The rustic treatment Donna put on these beads really softens the orange and makes it "wearable".  

The beads have a base of orange, green or black - the frit gives it a wonderful element of texture and brings the cohesiveness of the focal into play.

Next up was the "matching" necklace.  I made the extra large infinity hoops from heavy, 14 gauge wire.  I hammered the heck out of them and then wrapped them with 20 gauge wire in the center - they remind me of bow!

Rustic - earthy - boho - love this necklace!

This last necklace was a labor of love!  I wanted to accentuate the gorgeous rounds - transparent glass with her signature scroll, leaf and hand-applied murrine work - also treated with the rustic finish.  So, I got some sheet copper, textured it, and hand cut some bead caps.

I wanted the bead caps to have a touch of "bumpiness" to them.

Just look at these beads - can you understand why I keep her beads on bench to stare at all day long?!

This transparent, icy blue has fast become my favorite shade.

I added just a few links of handmade what I call "ladder chain" to the ends - again, I used 14 gauge wire.  I made these links larger than usual - I am happy with how they turned out!

My hands were tired by day's end! 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!  Hot nasty weather will return for a couple of days here - and then we hit Labor Day Weekend!  So excited for the return of Fall!

Thanks so much stopping by!

Patti