Clean Up Fix Up Blog Hop

I know, right? Who wants to clean, when you can design?? Well, apparently, I was a bit over the top in the messy department...
Anyway, I guess there are a lot of us out there, because when Sharyl first posted about cleaning up, a boatload of folks agreed to do it too! Ok, I'm sure y'all have more exciting things to do than see my messy space, but I do understand...
It's kinda like a train wreck, you just can't stop yourself from looking...

This is the school desk. You can see I've taken over one spot, and am inching my way towards the second seat as well.

This is the bead desk my hubs created for me from a tv armoire. That back board did have 3 shelves to hold my seed beads, but since he used nail glue, my beads overpowered them and two of the shelves fell. Cause beads have superpowers. 

 This is the 'general crafts'/grain buckets/empty shipping boxes/homeschool resource section. See why it's exhausted trying to stay clean??

Ok, so I didn't get everything cleaned, but hey, I'm rather thrilled with what I did get, so there. 

 You seein' this??!!! Not a BEAD in sight!! Totally weird, right?

This is a special corner of my desk. The bead frog and the angel were made by my daughter, and the awesome sheep is a gift from Cooky Schock. It is a special gift from The Shepherdess store, precious to me since the store is now closed.

My spools of fireline, clon, needles and glue. And basket of stones for photos. For some strange reason, that basket of stones is very calming to glance at, which is why it is on my desk.

My tool holder, wire holder, and empty tubes and boxes holder. Hey, it works, ok?

The school desk is looking better, and I've definitely stepped back to just the one spot, but I didn't get to touch the other area of the room. You know, that catchall side? Well, I'm still a happy girl over my EMPTY desk!!!!

K, go head off and see what everyone else accomplished. Blessings, Shirley

Participant List:

Host: Sharyl McMillian-Nelson … http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

Donna Millard http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/

Beda Hendrix ... https://www.facebook.com/SasijuhlsThings 

Ann Schroeder… http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com

Pamela Rachelle… http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com

Kristin L Oppold… http://www.yayjewelry.blogspot.com

Heidi Kingman ... http://heidikingman.blogspot.com

Andi ... http://strungoutjewelry.blogspot.com/

Patricia Buchanan Click “Blog” on the menu bar athttp://www.braceletstoo.artfire.com

Helen Simon… http://helensharvest.com/

Kashmira … http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/

somethingunique ... http://somethinguniquebylana.blogspot.ca/

Renetha ... http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Kathy Lindemer ... http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com

Swapna Dinesh … http://www.swardaa.com

Linda Landig ... http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/

Ann Schroeder ... http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com/

Beti Horvath ... http://stringingfool.blogspot.com/

Sam S ... http://samsbeadshopandjewelry.blogspot.com/ 

Christina Miles ... http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/

Islandgirl ... http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca/ 

macmillanmarie ... http://www.macmillanmarie.blogspot.com

Emma Todd … http://www.apolymerpenchant.com

Neena Shilvock … 
http://www.capriliciousjewellery.com/3/post/2014/02/neither-ship-shape-nor-bristol-fashion.html

Dee Clark… http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/

motidana ... http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.com/

Here Bead Dragons ... http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Carol D. ... http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Pam Sears ... http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith ... http://wirednan.blogspot.ca

AliMc ... http://northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury ... http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Shirley Moore ... http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com

PyxeeStyx ... http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/

Jayne Capps … https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com

Louann Elwell 
... https://plus.google.com/117746558861718110652/posts

Rain ... http://honeyandollie.com/

Lori Bergmann ... http://www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com

Helen Simon… http://helensharvest.blogspot.com/

Arlene Dean ... http://aglassbash.blogspot.com

Sandra... http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de/

Alicia ... http://www.allprettythings.ca

Natalie Pappas ...  http://blog.nkpdesigns.com/

Are You Ready to Bead Soup???

 My first Bead Soup Blog Party



It's getting exciting around here! Some of the participants have been matched up. I love the anticipation of waiting to hear who my partner will be, and that first email!
If you've not heard of the Bead Soup Blog Party, please check out some of my past entries, and for more info, please check out Lori Anderson's blog. Lori started this blog party several years ago, and really had no idea it would take off like it has. To my knowledge, there is not another blog hop that is quite this big in the beading world. I attribute the success of it to Lori herself. Not only is she a fantastic designer, but her caring heart shines through in absolutely everything she does. Throughout her struggles over the past year with health issues, she has continued to be present and accounted for in her blog, her facebook, and her inspiration. I know I would not do half as well handling all that she has, and still want to host this great Blog Party.

 One of my favorite pieces.

I've grown as a designer each time I've participated, and glue myself to the chair on reveal day, hopping from one blog to another. I cut and paste the list to a word document, and highlight each blog, or comment to go back later.
You will always have folks that sign up, and then don't participate. It's really a bummer, but it does happen. Then there are computer glitches, life events that overtake us, etc.
I love reading about the process of designing the pieces, sometimes more than the piece itself. Ugly? I don't really feel that way, since I don't expect everyone to like beadweaving either. What I do appreciate is their effort and commitment to the challenge.

Ok, I still have a bit of cleaning to do before my reveal tomorrow for Sharyl's Clean Up, Fix Up Blog Hop. See ya tomorrow! Blessings, Shirley

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!