Lookie...

Lookie what I won:
This three loop art piece is from Artisan Clay

 

 

and this beauty from Mary Harding Jewelry, plus a $25 GC to her etsy shop!

 

 

What a fun event the Beads of Clay Open House was I had a great time and the artists gave discounts at their shops so I picked up a couple of beads too!

Copy Me Results

I was thrilled to find out that I was one of the chosen ones to participate in the Copy Me challenge over at Gaea's blog Gaea Ceramic Bead and Art Studio Blog.
I was sent 3 of her amazing mermaid beads and a photo of this bracelet to be inspired by:

 I used this as an opportunity to challenge myself and to try a few new techniques.
I knew I wanted to create my own focal and that I wanted to create my own clasp.
I wanted to showcase the beads font and center too. I went back and forth between bracelet designs and necklace designs but in the end I made a necklace. -I love necklaces-

I made the etched copper chandelier focal and stamped the word shine on it. It will serve as a reminder to shine in any situation because I a shiny, sparkly person who deserves wonderful people around me.

Then I soldered copper jump rings that I made to resemble the ones in the inspiration bracelet. I made the clasp, a hook echoing Gaea's clasp, I wire wrapping it for a different look.
Then I made "dog" bones from copper wire that I heated with a torch and placed them in between the mermaid beads .

I finished up with faceted rainbow moonstone rondelles, they have flashes of blue, purple and pink in the light that I though complimented the beads really well without overpowering them.

I had a ton of fun with this challenge and was super excited that my name was picked to participate. Thanks so much for looking and I hope you like it.
Here are the other winners so you can check out their results:
 Michelle
Erin
For My Sweet Daughter-that's me!
SueBeads
Spirited Earth
Lorelei Eurto
A big thank you to Gaea for sending me these beads, they are beautiful!

First Home Party

So yesterday was my first home party ever. I was pretty nervous about it. I have been making jewelry specifically for this party for months not putting any of it on display at the salon.

I got to the house (it was across the street from my old house) at 2 and the party was set to start at 2:30 so right there big mistake #1-let hostess know I will be more than 30 min early. Guests were arriving as I was still setting up.
I made another big mistake- I had way too much jewelry. I think it overwhelmed people.
Mistake #3- I put all the jewelry in baggies so it wouldn't get tangled, boy do I need a better system. Got any suggestions? (just saw Lori's post about the tin foil, great idea)

I think the thing I was most nervous about was where and how to display things. I think my type "A" personality likes to have that under my control. I take hours setting up my displays at the salon and then resetting them. So when I arrived at the house I had no clue what was best and ended up using her piano, sideboard and the coffee table, lol.

It was super fun, a beautiful day and I met some really nice ladies. I took a few custom orders which I don't usually do anymore but it was things like make this longer/shorter and finish a bracelet I brought to demo.
You may be asking why I am not doing custom and the answer is my daughter. Having a 16 month old has made time scarce and I cannot commit to having someone's idea come to life during one of my 5 free minutes.
I am looking forward to doing more home parties in the future and craft fairs are on my list too!

Michael's Challenge Results

Today is the day of the big reveal for the Michael's blog challenge. It all started over at Lorelei's Blog. Lorelei went to Michael's  and bought these beads and we are all going to create a necklace using these beads and our own focal bead, clasp and 2 of any other bead we would like.



Here is the necklace I created, I love how it came out. What do you think? I love the colors Lorelei chose and all I added was the shell focal, stick pearls and my own handmade clasp.

Below are the links to all the other participants. Be sure to visit all the participants, there are some really talented artists participating.
I know I cannot wait to see what everyone has come up with.

Mary Harding
Hilary of Fryestyle
My Life Under the Bus
Kristie of DreamSomeDesigns
Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings
Copper Diem

Andrew Thornton
TyneBodenNecklaces
Raida of HavanaBeads (I need a correct link for this blog!)
Erin of Treasuresfound
Molly of BeautifullyBrokenMe
Beading by Malin de Koning



AuntieAnnie
Gr8Findings
Deborah M Purdy
Spirited Earth

Erin Siegel Jewelry
beads by breul
Beads for Busy Gals
Cynths Blog
Nayas Organized Chaos
Crafty Hope

Rosebud For the Love of Beads
Jamberry Song
Peacock Fairy
Elysian Studio Art
Designs by Debi
sweet girl design

Update- here is a photo of my necklace on my mannequin.I may have to go buy something to wear with it...

Helpless

I  am not even sure what to write right now but I feel I need to put pen to paper.
I just got a phone call from my husband that he caught his finger (pinkie) in a saw at work. He is a carpenter/cabinet maker. I am feeling so helpless because they (friends) are taking him to the hospital about an hour away for treatment. I am a very independent person so before the baby I would have jumped in the car and met him there. I can't be there for him because of the baby (it is lunch then nap time) and I am feeling very helpless. I am not sure what exactly happened and what  is going to happen but all I can do now is pray and clean.

Wednesday Mail

What a beautiful day it was today. I was able to go to my salon late, I left home at 10:30am. The weather was cool, crisp and sunny. The best part was what was waiting for me when I got home.

Isn't she cute?! Okay, on a serious note look what came in the mail for me today:

Beads from Nancy Schindler of Round Rabbit and my order of Vintaj and Green Girls from Lima Beads.
I am preparing for my 1st ever home jewelry party on Oct 17th and I am excited and nervous. I wish I knew someone who has done this before to give me some pointers but I guess I will have to learn while I go. I am hoping it goes well and that everyone has a nice time.

Michael's Challenge

Head over to Lorelei's Blog to get all the details of this beading challenge.
We are all buying the same beads at Michael's and making a necklace from them. By October 17th we are to post on our blog or e-mail Lorelei a photo of our necklace. You can use up to  2 other types of beads your own focal bead and your own clasp handmade or not.
Would you like to play along?
Head over to Lorelei's blog and let her know.
If not just stay tuned to see what I come up with from these beads.