Saturday, November 16, 2013

Two for One Reveal-Lampwork Blog Hop

Yeah, I did. I signed up for TWO hops, with reveals on the same day. I know, what was I thinking?
Obviously, my brain wasn't working at that moment.
You can go here to see what I created for Therese Franks' Birthday Challenge.

Y'all know Lisa Lodge's Blog Hops are always fun, right? Well, if you've never participated in one, you owe it to yourself to sign right up! She has a couple that are open right now, you can check them out on her blog.
I did sign up a lot later than everyone else on this one. I was really, really trying to resist....we see how well that worked, huh? Anyhoo....have you ever been a bit starstruck when you get beads in the mail?
Of course you have, what a dumb question. That is exactly how I feel every time I see JulsBeads. That woman has some serious mojo magic with lampwork. I was thrilled when I got my package from Lisa, and opened it to find these babies!  Beady Alert! Juls is having a MEGA Sale on her entire shop! You're welcome. 
 And you just need to take my word for it if you've never held any of her beads, the pics really, really don't do them justice.
The deep blues offset by the swirls of no-clouds-in-the-sky-blue are just....yeah. Let me just head off to Dictionary dot com and see if I can find a good adjective.











Nope. Couldn't find one. So, let's just carry on, shall we? Now, of course, I wanted these babies to be front and center, and I wen through several different ideas on my way to the solution. I made a sample piece of netted rope that picked up that deep blue perfectly, but it was feeling a bit too delicate for me, so it got tossed in the 'I'll do something with that later' pile.
This pattern is from  Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving. I've used it several times, I love how fast it works up, and looks so very different depending on the bead choices.


This is why I love this pattern. Depending on the beads used between the pearls, it has a totally different feel. I used some Czech crystal lined, that have an irregular profile, which translates to a more organic overall look.

Well, this one was to help you see the entire length. Not lovin' this pic so much, but hopefully it gives the idea...

 Those matte raku beads are mainly a dusty brown, but they have lovely hints of blue randomly popping up. The other 11's are a silver lined crystal, and a shiny topaz with black diamond inside color. The pearls on the rope are a deep blue, almost indigo. I really, really heart this necklace. It has a surprisingly vintage feel, and the soft, rather neutral colors mean I can wear it with a TON of stuff! Happy Me!!!!
As always, a HUGE Thank you to Lisa for a great Blog Hop!
Here is the list of participants, have fun!!! Blessings, Shirley

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess
Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life
Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera
Linda Aspenson Bergstrom, TBD
Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Judy Turner, Silver Rains
Gloria Allen, Gloria Allen Designs
Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's
Connie Tipton, TBD
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
Michele Dotson, Star Jewels
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Jennifer Clifford, TBD
Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations
Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread   ----------------------- You are Here
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems
Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles


Two for One Reveals-Therese Frank's Birthday Reveal

Today is going to be exciting, for sure! How did I manage to sign up for two challenges due on the same day? Nut job, that's me!
Please go here for the post on Lisa Lodge's Hop.

I am so very pleased and honored to be included in Therese Frank's Birthday Reveal. I remember drooling over all the beautiful designs last year that everyone created for her birthday. So I was super thrilled when she included me in the list of folks to receive a very special piece she created.
She played with fusing dichroic glass, and made gorgeous focals that she mailed out to everyone.



Now, you're waiting to see the focal, aren't you? Well, I could have sworn I took a pic when I got it.....but couldn't find it on the computer amongst the MASSES of photos in there. Seriously, I thought I was going to drown in all those pictures! I need a secretary! Oh, wait, I'm a stay at home mom...hmm, ok, well, guess I'll have to train one of the kids to file and organize...as soon as I learn how...
Anyway, back to the beauty! There are so many gorgeous colors in my focal, mainly in the blues and purples area of life. Yep. Yummm!!!
Sooo, I decided to try something new. What? It'll be fine...really. How hard can it be to bead embroider?
Lots of people do it....
Well, it actually went pretty well. And you would think I would have NO PROBLEM at all coming up with a rope for it, right? Sigh, no, I was overcome with indecision, and, I purchased beads, and I liked them, but not with the focal, and I started a rope, and I really like it, but not with the focal...yeah.

I do love these dichroic beads, the faceting and shape are very interesting, but I felt like they were competing with Therese's focal, and that was not the point!






I sooo love how this rope is looking, but I did not think I was going to get this much of a curve on it. Not sure if you can see the random reds in the carry beads. They show up very well in person. Just like the small red spot in the focal, they catch your eye unexpectedly. I do think I will end up using the black matte beads, and maybe some silver lined crystal to make a rope for it. Suggestions are definitely welcome!







See the little random red beads? I love how they picked up the red in the focal.




Yes, there is a string hanging off there....





I don't think I'm quite finished with the bezel, but I'm not sure...and I do need to add a backing, but I don't have anything suitable at the moment. 


 Therese, I had so much fun learning bead embroidery with your beautiful focal, and I've got the perfect outfit to wear with it! Thank you so much for including me in your birthday challenge!
Now, head on off to see what the other very talented ladies have created! Blessings, Shirley