Orphans and Glass Bead Art

I have many, many orphans...beads that is.  Sometimes I only use 5 of 6 beads in a set and I am left with that one lonely bead.  What to do?  

I combine them to make one really cool piece of jewelry!

I have purchased MANY sets of these gorgeous beads from Maryse Fritzch-Thillens of GlassBeadArt on Etsy.  Many.  I first found her shop through one of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party Hops (thank Lori!), and she lives in Luxembourg.

Photo Source: GlassBeadArt on Etsy

These beads are absolutely fascinating!  Now I am not a lampwork artist.  So, my description of how the beads are made is cryptic at best.  But, they start out with a rustic base - like something in my mind's eye that comes from Middle Earth.  Then she wraps this layer of rock crystal color on top and BAM - instant gemstone!  Well, that's how I describe them!

I had more than a handful of orphans from pretty much most of the colors that she offers.  So I made one heck of a long necklace....37" long to be exact.

Yes - a link from Cindy Wimmer's book, the Missing Link!  In the book, Kerry Bogert used this link to make fabulous earrings (I have already done that!). This time, I used them as alternating links between the wrapped beads for the necklace. 

I oxidized the sterling silver, and I swear, it took almost as much time to hand buff this piece as it did to make it! :)

But the beauty in its length is that it can be worn long...

Or doubled up for a short, two strand look.

I am so grateful to the bead artists whose blood sweat and tears allow me to create!  Thank you Maryse!

Maryse's shop can be found by clicking here. 

On another note, it is frigid in Northern Virginia today - blustery and cold and I am happy!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

xo

Patti

The beautiful work of Jeannie Dukic

A couple of weeks ago, I was gifted some lovely polymer clay beads by artist Jeannie Dukic.  All proceeds from the sale of the jewelry made with these beads will be donated to Miracle Horse Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that is very dear to my heart.

Well, I have made a bit of progress with these lovelies!  First up, these polymer beads are from Jeannie's new line called Polarity. Look at that shine and intense color!

I went all out on these - I had only four Karen Hills Tribe handmade silver barrel beads.  These are so nifty - there is a dimple on each side of the hole of the barrel, so any beads you add snuggle up next to the silver.

Love, love, love this bracelet!

Next up, these incredible little charms.

You would really think that these are antiqued copper - but they are clay and so darn incredibly lightweight!  Though I could have easily slapped a jump ring on these babies and hung them from ear wires, they needed something different.  I wanted a mixed metal look.  So, I made a hoop of sterling silver, and wrapped it together to create a frame for those most awesome charms.

I oxidized the silver first - buffed and tumbled, and then added the charm.  I just LOVE these!  They are large enough to create a statement for your ears without the weight! Win/Win!

Last up is this set of Jeannie's Polarity Beads - again...faux lampwork!!

Purple, Pink, Green, and specs of gold - so pretty!  My eye goes right to the purple, so I paired them with some faceted Amethyst that I have been hoarding for at least 4 years now.  I have a whole strand of them - must.use.stash.!

I added sterling silver bead caps and a single Bali bead to the mix.

Thank you again, Jeannie, for your incredible generosity!

Have you visited Jeannie's shop lately???   If not - click here now!  So much awesomeness....so little time!

By the way jewelry designers - Jeannie' is having a give away on her blog - go now to enter!

I would also like to take a moment to thank all the Veteran's and their families for their service - I would not be here today without them...so Thank You and be safe!

Source: YouTheDesigner.com

Thanks for stopping by today - have a wonderful Monday!

xo
Patti

I've Got the Wedding Bell Blues...

As it relates to jewelry, of course!  My sister's daughter, Sarah, recently became engaged to a sweet guy named Kevin (Finally! They have dated for years!)  Anyhoo, Sarah showed me this picture of the jewelry she wanted to wear for her engagement photos:

Source: Tiffany.com

That is a Paloma Picasso beaded necklace folks - from Tiffany's - pricey!  But, stunning...and BLUE! All gemstones - Blue Chalcedony, Amazonite, and Gray Moonstone.  It's the Amazonite that gives that necklace its "Tiffany Blue" color.  Sarah's main color for her wedding will also be Tiffany Blue.

Tried as I may, I could not duplicate exactly those beauties you see in the picture above.  If I found Amazonite in 10mm rounds, I could not find Blue Chalcedony in the same size.  So, I just "bit the bullet" and ordered the gems.  I was a little scared at first when I opened up the package - I would never in a million years combine these stones in one piece.  But, I am not Paloma Picasso either.  I used her Tiffany necklace as a springboard, and came up with this design instead.  I bought the gems from Dakota Stones - they have never let me down!

Her wedding photographer played around with her necklace and her ring in this picture - love it!

Photo by Audra Wrisley Photography and Design

Looks even better on Sarah!  That beautiful boy in the picture is Thor - the sweetest German Shepherd you will ever meet, and one of Sarge's best friends!  Oh yeah, the handsome dude is Kevin!  Kevin is a doll - I am so happy for them both!!  Congratulations to my favorite niece named Sarah (yes...my only niece named Sarah)!

Photo by Audra Wrisley Photography and Design

And I swear - this is the song I was singing while I made that ensemble...and I still can't get it out of my head!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!  Enjoy your weekend!

xo

Patti

Winner!

The winner of this wonderful book

by Cindy Wimmer is....

Lynda Carson of Fresh Baked Designs!!

Lynda - please email me (pattivan@comcast.net) your address and I will get this book out to you via snail mail!!

Thank you everyone!

GIVEAWAY!!!

Background

Cindy Wimmer wrote the best new jewelry-design book, The Missing Link.  She held a Blog Hop Tour just a couple of weeks ago.  I was very careful NOT to leave comments, as I already have the book!  But, Christine Damm wrote the most lovely blog post about her friendship with Cindy, that I caved...left a comment...and I WON!  Thank you, Christine and Cindy!

The Book

(Source - www.cindywimmer.com)

There are 30 different link designs, categorized for every level of wire work - from simple, to more complex. I would be remiss in not mentioning the stunning designs made with those links...swoon!

Here is just a small sampling of the links that I have made.

The Giveaway

Since I already have the book, I'd like to give away the copy I won (I asked Cindy - she said it was okay with her!)

How to Enter!

Two ways 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

For each task above, you must leave a separate comment on my blog!  I am not one for long contests, so I will pick a winner by Friday - November 8th.

Thanks for stopping by...best of luck!

xo

Patti