The Muffin Tin Challenge

Heather Powers put out the Muffin Tin Challenge to the readers of Art Bead Scene. I love a challenge and the creative energy it stirs up.
I have been in a creative slump so I decided to check it out.
On Thursday.
Night.
After a very long and trying day at the salon.
Day before I had to do a Bride and her sister's nails for a wedding.

12 muffin cups, 12 projects. No problem.
In a week. No problem.
Week 1/2 gone. Um, problem.

I figured that I wouldn't participate till a fb friend pointed out that the challenge was reduced to 6 projects. Phew, game on.

I filled my muffin tin on Friday night after I rocked those wedding nails.
By the time I was ready for bed I had 18 projects in those muffin cups!
I even grabbed our 6 tin muffin pan out of the cabinet.
I was able to make 12 pieces, 1 more is on the bead mat right now. Here they are:

Lampwork beads from HMB Studios, vintage Swarovski crystals, Sea glass, Quartz and TierraCast

Vinatge Swarovski Crystals and TierraCast

Pendant by Nancy Schindler, shell and Vinatj Chain

Handmade beads by Gaea Cannaday and leather, Vintaj clasp

Handmade pendant by MadMaggie Designs

Lampwork Glass beads by HMB Studios and heart charm by Green Girls Studio

Handmade toggle by MadMaggie Designs, Handmade Egg by Kelley Wenzel, Handmade Lampwork beads by Julsbeads

Garnets, TierraCast and I am sure dyed magnesite

Stretch bracelet 2 hole jasper and Vinatj beads

Lampwork bead by Julsbeads, abalone, Vinatj chain and charm

Handmade pendant Missficklemedia, glass and Vinatj chain

Humblebeads polymer clay beads, carnelian, magnesite, jade, Enameled bead by Sally Russick

I had a blast doing this challenge and even have 5 or 6 projects waiting to be made. I think I will keep up this challenge. I rarely cook anyway ;-) I loved that the short time frame made me have to use what was in my stash! A great way to use up those Art Beads I have been hoarding.
Thanks for stopping by, leave me a link to your post I would love to see what my frieands and readers have made for this challenge.
~Shannon

I Heart Macro

Roses from my house. I planted these rose bushes about 10 years ago when we first bought our house. I was out of work for 3 months in the Spring of 2001 and before the chaos of planning a wedding and nail school began I gardened, a lot. I have since abandoned all my plants but these tiny rose bushes keep going! The flowers are about the size of my thumb but boy are they beautiful.

Have a great day! It is finally summer here in NY so I am going to be playing outside with my 2 year old :-)
~Shannon

Last Friday In June

Where did the time go?
I feel like the last month (and the last 2 years) have flown by.
My daughter celebrated her 2nd Birthday on Wednesday with a trip to Build A Bear and Bugaboo Creek.
It was not the zoo trip we had planned, the weather in NY has been horrible, but we made the best day we could.
Onto the reveal!
This month we were able to pick the pendant we wanted to work with. I kept looking at this one thinking it looked like whiskers. I have never worked with a bead like this so I figured what the heck?! and chose the chunky square! Whew so out of my comfort zone but it was love at first site. But I had no idea what I was going to do.
Here is the necklace I made:

Necklace with Vintaj Chain and Silk Ribbon

Swarovski Crystals dangle off the bottom of the pendant

A handmade head pin captures the 2 Bead Sisters lampwork bead withing the square

Be sure to check out what everyone else made!!!
~Shannon



get the InLinkz code

Happy Father's Day

Wishing my husband, my dad, my father-in-law and all the fathers out there a very 

Happy Father's Day!

My first published piece!

Copper%20Wire%20Jewelers%20-%20Issue%205

On page 9 is my necklace Beginnings. This is the first piece of jewelry I have had published and I am so excited for you all to finally see it!

~Shannon

Hair Bow Review

I received 2 crochet hair bows from Sugar Mama's Sweet Bowtique ages ago and I have been trying to capture a picture of my daughter wearing one of her coveted bows. She loves these bows so very much. She asks to wear them almost everyday. They are large so I like to put her hair in a ponytail and put the bow back by the elastic. She looks so cute don't you think?

These bows are very well made and the owner of the shop is such a sweetheart to work with for custom orders or any questions you might have. She also does reviews of other peoples items so contact her if you would like her to do a video, yeah a video! review of something you make or sell.
She has many other items she makes like:

So if you need a unique gift or just a beautiful crochet hair bow visit her websit: http://www.sugarmamassweetbowtique.com/ or stop by and "like" her fb page http://www.facebook.com/SugarMamasSweetBowtique and tell her Shannon sent you!

Eeek!

Say hello to my little friend.

I Heart Macro

Do you see it? I think it looks like a bunch of nasty old faeries or goblins. (or owls as Kristi pointed out)

Do you know what it is?

Do you know what it is now?

This was her first pineapple ever :-)