Seed Bead and Metal Blog Hop Reveal

It's here! It's here! I'm so very excited about today! My very first Co-Hosting of a Blog challenge!!!!
And with the awesome Sharyl McMillian, no less!


Sharyl is such a talented lady, and I was so thrilled to supply various beadwoven beads to complement her metal components. As an added bonus, we chose to use the colors for Artisan Whimsy's November color palette.
So, if you've read my blog posts in the past, you may have noticed ....I don't really do earrings. Now, I adore earrings, and wear them every day. I just have challenges making them. When I received Sharyl's package for me, I quickly set about creating a bracelet. My latest passion has been kumihimo, and I love how quickly they work up. I was planning on making a cellini spiral for my braid. Hmm....the Daughter quickly and ruthlessly vetoed the bracelet. "Nope, doesn't work" she said. Now this girl has some serious challenges on putting together a coordinating outfit, but she is pretty spot on when it comes to any type of art form. Here is the braid in question:

 It is pretty, but it just wasn't working with the palette. 'K, back to the drawing board.....

 I thought I could layer the discs on top...FAIL.

Yeah, I was getting a bit desperate here. Things were not coming together. And, well, no pressure or anything, but I am a CO-HOST!!! 

Deep breath, how about some cute kumihimo earrings? Yep, I can totally do that!

Here we go!

And of course, as I add this pic to the blog post, the colors totally clash! But I promise, they are NOT like that IRL. They work perfectly with Sharyl's pretty altered cones. Sigh, probably the wood box I used to hang them from, 'cause, you know, I don't DO earrings, so I don't have a cool display for them!

Now, back to the beads....

I still had to make my beaded bead, and use the flat discs from Sharyl. (No, I didn't take a before pic!)

Here are some that didn't make the cut....

I know, I know, shut up already, and show the pics! Well, believe it or not, I ended up making two more pair of EARRINGS!!!! 

See??

Just some little jump rings (I did make those, does that count?), and coordinating beads...yes, I know those green beads look like they don't match, but they do! 

 An easy, cute beaded bead, jump ring and earwire, call it done!

 Now, y'all can just call me lame if you wanna, but I am seriously proud of making THREE pair of earrings!

I can't wait to see what everyone else made!

Here's the list!

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson -- 

Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections  (*Co-Host)

   Candy Wham --  (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog) 

   Angi Mullis -- (Participant posting on Sharyl's blog)  

Shirley Moore -- Beads and Bread       (*Co-Host)     You are here!

       

                                           

Laren Dee Barton --  Laren Dee Designs     

Beti Horvath  --   Stringing Fool                 

Tanya Goodwin -- A Work in Progress       

Marybeth Rich -- Forest of Jewels                 

Amy Severino  -- AmyBeads                         

Carolyn's Creations -- Carolyn's Creations   

Toltec Jewels --  Jewel School Friends   

Blessings, Shirley

I'm having a..................................Blog Hop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ha! What did you think I was going to say???
I'm so very excited to be a featured artist for a Blog Hop with Sharyl McMillian-Nelson of Sharyl's Jewelry.
You will need to head over to her blog to sign up, and make it quick, cause there are only 10 spots!
Here are some of the details, and stuff......stolen directly from Sharyl's blog! :)

Seed Bead & Metal Blog Hop Sign-up!

Announcing the 

Seed Bead & Metal Blog Hop!

Hosted by Sharyl's Jewelry &

Featuring the beaded work of 

*Shirley Moore!*

Blog Hop Basics:

• This is a small blog hop, open to 10 participants.(Shirley and I will participate, but are not included in the 10 openings mentioned.   These are just for YOU!)   
• The reveal date is Sat., 10/19/13.  (That means we need to be ready to launch our pages by Friday, 10/18/13, 11:30pm Central time.)    
• You do NOT have to have your own blog!  Anyone wanting to participate who doesn't have a blog is welcome to send  the photos and text they want posted  2 days prior to Sharyl and she will put on her blog the day of the reveal.
• Although the packets contain pieces of seed bead work, and while we certainly welcome others who do bead embroidery, crochet, etc., it is not at all required.   Designers simply need to integrate these pieces into their jewelry designs in some way.

* * * * *

Packet Details:

• Component packets contain handmade items from bothShirley Moore and myself.   Each packet is US$18 plus S/H. (S/H within the U.S. is $2.50. Kansans must also pay sales tax.   I will ship to other countries, but postage is significantly higher and packages can be delayed. Please consider whether is it is likely you would receive the packet in time to participate if you volunteer.  Many thanks!)
• Each packet is unique, but contains 4 types of things:

#1: 1-2 beaded items handmade by Shirley

It's difficult to estimate size, but most of the pieces are approximately 1" x 1".  

This photo shows 4 examples.  

The top two items are individual pieces.  

The bottom examples are a bit smaller and 2 pieces each.

#2:   1-2 handmade metal components by Sharyl.

Round pieces shown average around 3/4 inch.  But some are larger, some smaller.  

Other pieces are larger and rectangular.

In each case, the items sent could be used in a variety of design functions. (Examples: you may have 2 of something and could use them as earrings, in a necklace, or a bracelet design. You may have a piece you could use as a pendant or a clasp or a bracelet focal! The items sent are not clearly defined in their function. All the more fun for you!)

#3:  There will also be an additional metal item(s)

 made by Sharyl...

...that may be 1 or more handmade metal components, altered metal components, or wire components or findings. (For example:   That might be bead caps or components I've purchased pre-shaped then added patina, a necklace or bracelet clasp I've made from wire, handmade ear wires, a bail, an item that could be used as a dangle or pendant, etc.)  All these items have a hand-made touch to them though!

#4:   Small surprise packet...

...with additional items, just in case you would like a little more inspiration to get you started!

* * * * *

Design Guidelines:

IMPORTANT STUFF!

You are only required to use one of the seed bead pieces from our featured artist, Shirley Moore, for the reveal.   If you can also use some of the metal pieces in the same or other jewelry designs, that would be highly encouraged!    All the rest is totally up to you.   It is not necessary to use everything or to use items in the surprise packet.   I would just as soon see your own inspired designs!    The packet is just a "thank you" and in case you like any inspiration it sends your way!  

* * * * *

Sign-ups:

(MORE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF!)

We're taking the first 10 who sign up this time, so don't delay!   

--To sign up, please leave a comment on this blog post indicating you want to be a part of the challenge. 

--Leave Sharyl your  name, your blog name, your blog address (or an indication you want to appear on my blog instead).      Having a way to contact you always comes in handy too--whatever works best for you (a Facebook name, email address, store URL, etc.) 

--This will be considered a commitment that you plan to purchase the packet and be a part of the reveal.

**Once we have 10 volunteer participants, Sharyl will announce them on her blog.   (Keep watching!  She will make an announcement by Sept. 16th at the latest, even if we don't have 10.) At the time she makes the announcement, she will also put the packets for sale in her store, reserved in your name.   A link and instructions will follow at that time.    (Participants will have one week to purchase.   Any packet left unsold after one week will be offered to the next person waiting in line.)

Each set is one-of-a-kind.  The packages are already boxed.  Each contestant will purchase their package but the precise contents will be a surprise.  I've put them together in ways that I would love to get anyone of them...and hope you feel the same!  Boxes will be randomly assigned to participants, including myself!  :-)

  

* * * * *

BONUS!  An Extra Opportunity:

We believe there will be an opportunity for participants to submit your designs to the online magazine Bead Chat published monthly in connection with Artisan Whimsy, edited by Melinda Orr.   The deadline for entries is Oct. 22 to be considered for the November 2013 issue.   We'll confirm that and share more details in the near future.   Participation is not required, but it's a great opportunity!  

My thanks to my co-host for this Challenge and Blog-Hop, Sharyl McMillian-Nelson!   And my thanks to all of you!   

Please help us spread the word by sharing on your blogs and/or Facebook!   

Artisan Whimsy Test Group Guest Reveal

Well, that was a mouthful, wasn't it? And what is it all about? Well, each month on Artisan Whimsy, a test group is selected to work with 5 separate items from the participating sponsor. And if you've never heard of Artisan Whimsy, it's a wonderful marketplace to showcase your jewelry and creativity, interact with other designers, and a fountain of useful information. Signing up is easy at : www.artisanwhimsy.com 
The sponsor for this month is the wonderful ZNet Shows. The really exciting part for me is that not only did they choose 5 participants, of which I was not chosen, but they very generously sent a package to everyone who stated they would like to participate! Which means ME!!! And some other very talented designers.
And what did we get to work with? Why, some incredible cultured beach glass beads. You would be hard pressed to tell it from genuine sea glass, except for the fact that it is incredibly silky and soft to work with. I know, those are kinda strange words to use for glass, but really, that's how they feel.
Here is the sample image from Artisan Whimsy, showing what we would receive:



The only difference for me is that my string of beads is a soft blue, and the rectangle pendant is the matte white like the smaller ones.

 Just couldn't resist creating a bezel around this cutie.

 Still trying to decide on the rope for it, I think either a St. Petersburg, or a Russian Spiral.

Doesn't this look like a bowtie? I had the best fun making this one, even though it took me way to long, which is why I didn't get to finish all my ideas. There are a boatload of new ideas (for me) in this little cutie.

 The clasp bar itself is CRAW, but the tab attaching it to the band is two sections of RAW, stitched together, like a sandwich.

 The two sea beads with the RAW unit connector sits beautifully on top of your wrist.

 This was my first time creating this kind of toggle circle with twin beads. Had to try twice before I got my dimensions correct, but I really, really love it.

 The middle bracelet is a macrame, with a polymer clay button for clasp.I love the contrast of the rasberry cord with the soft matte blue.

My other pics of the chips bracelet have gone missing, and it is now on it's way to a new home. It was my first make, and I love how it turned out. The chips sit on top of a RAW base, and look like little boats floating on the water.

I love where these beads took me. I love the ideas that sprang up, the creativity that flowed, and the final products. This was truly an enjoyable challenge for me. Thank you to Artisan Whimsy, and ZNET for letting me have such a fun time!
Blessings, Shirley