Creative Spark Summer 2015 contribution and other news

Things are finally starting to fall into place and settle down some in my corner of the world. I can see once again and things with the new house are coming together - now to actually pack for the move in a few weeks.. .and pray that our current house sells soon! I was also able to finish the e-magazine for ZnetShows.com. This Summer 2015 issue features their cultured sea glass beads and is packed with a ton of inspiration. You can totally see all the hard work the designers put into this issue. I so appreciate all their time and effort!

Creative Spark Summer 2015

I also contributed to the e-magazine's upcycled jewelry section (surprise, surprise!). I picked a simple palette of teal, clear, moonstone, and black.

The beads I picked out from ZnetShows.com

Knowing that the Summer issue focused on sea glass, this brought thoughts of the beach to mind. I instinctively pulled out my (large) selection of seashells and selected a few.

The handful of shells I decided to use in my first piece for the magazine.

I cleaned the shells and tried to make the jingle shells a little more sturdy with some nail polish. From there, I made a chain with the small sea glass beads, Chinese crystals, and silver non-tarnish wire. Using silver tone jumprings, I hung the fabulous sea glass marquise spindles and diamond-shaped pendants from the chain.

For my next piece, I was inspired by my key collection. I picked one at random and shined it up a bit. Next, I plunged into the bits and bobs of broken jewelry I have stashed and picked out a piece of filigree that matched fairly close and fit over the key well.

Found key and filigree piece

Once I had the filigree attached to the key, I wire-wrapped the 4mm moonstone opal cultured sea glass around the key with 24g dark annealed steel wire. The chain is made from more of the sea glass beads and Chinese crystal rondelles with 20g steel wire. As well, I used gunmetal headpins to create a few dangles of all of the beads to hang in front of the filigree.

It's elegant and fabulous!

Finally, I was compelled to pull out some buttons. I sorted through my button cards to find some with summery, cute character.

Aren't these adorable?

With some antiqued brass jump rings and handmade ear wires, these became great earrings with the crystal sea glass diamonds.

Beachy and unique too!

I included some tips for working with upcycled materials and more information in Creative Spark Summer 2015 that you'll have to go there to read. I'd love to know what you think of it and/or my contributions.

Hopefully, I'm back. . .but with the big move and all the renovations we have to make, I can't promise anything. Though, I'd really like to keep y'all in the loop. Stay tuned to see what happens next!

Summer Days & Nights Blog Hop and reveal of Creative Spark Summer 2014

Smack in the middle of May I showed off what my fun ingredients were for ZnetShows latest challenge. We were given the task of making at least one casual piece and one dressy piece for this Summer Days & Nights Challenge. As well, the designs were to be revealed in the newest issue of Creative Spark, the Summer 2014 issue. First, let me remind you of the luscious sea glass I received.

I'll admit right off that I had a hard time with the challenge. The additional sea glass bead colors I was sent threw me for a loop. However, I knew when I selected my colors that I would want the smoky quartz for the nighttime piece. It took some playing with the bottle-curved diamond pendants and moving them around on my desk before I came up with an idea.

I coated the 'back' (convex) sides of three of the diamonds with silver leaf and sealed them. They are a little ragged and torn, but I like the touch of rustic imperfection to them. In addition, I hung some faceted black glass beads from the same chain as in the necklace to add just a touch more sparkle and shine to the matte glass. I think they're just right for a dressy occasion.

From there it was on to the rest of the beads I was sent and the amber hues that seemed to really challenge me. Finally I just mixed all the beads together on my table and an idea began to formulate of making a long necklace on knotted waxed linen cord. I even started on the necklace, but ended up cutting the whole thing apart because it just wasn't working for me. After moving the beads and the chocolate brown waxed linen around a little more, I was struck with inspiration.

I made a kumihimo rope with the waxed linen cord for the length of the necklace. As for the pendant and clasp, I knotted a few of the cultured sea glass pieces together including the desert and turquoise bay fancy rings, the opaque blue opal thin rondelles, and the amber teardrop to make a pendant. On the other side of the rope, I attached the light sapphire hour glass bead as  a toggle. With the rings on either end of the pendant, this necklace is convertible.

I will admit that this was indeed a challenge for me because of the mix of colors I received. However, I always enjoy this type of learning opportunity as it allows me to think outside my own little creative box. As well, I think the necklaces I made are pretty cool. The sea glass from ZnetShows definitely lends itself to summer designs and is a lot of fun to use in designs. As well, there is such a huge variety of colors and shapes that there's a little something for everyone!

Anyway, both of the pieces I made appear in Creative Spark Summer 2014. 

Make sure you check out this newest issue as well as the blog hop going on over at the ZnetShows blog to celebrate this reveal.

Amy Severino of AmyBeads

Andrea Trank of Heaven Lane Creations

Becky Pancake of Becky Pancake Bead Designs

BobbieRafferty of BeadSong

BR Kuhlman of Mixed Mayhem Studios

Charlie Jacka of Clay-Space

Christie Murrow of Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles of Wings N Scales

Christine Stonefield of Sweet Girl Design

Cynthia Machata of Antiquity Travelers

Cynthia Riggs of Cynth's Blog

Donetta Farrington of Simply Gorgeous

Hope Smitherman of CraftyHope

Kashmira Patel of Sadafulee

Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Design

Kay Thomerson of Kayz Kreationz

Kelly Patterson of Travelling Sideshow

Klaudete Koon of Only Road

Lee Koopman of Strega Jewellry

Lisa Lodge of Grateful Artist/Pine Ridge Treasures

Renetha Stanziano of Lamplight Crafts

Sandra Washington of To the Moon and Stars and Back

Shaiha Williams of Shaiha's Ramblings

Sheryl Stephens of Babble Bead

Stephanie Haussler of Pixybug Designs

Tammie Everly of TTE Designs

Thanks so much for swinging by! Now that this issue is out, I'm hoping to get back to regular life and posting. We'll see how that works out for me. 

ZnetShows' Creative Spark Glossi for Winter 13-14

The last few weeks I've been preoccupied with creating another issue of Creative Spark for ZnetShows. It was a ton of work, but getting to feature the fabulous designers of the ZnetShows Team is definitely worth it. Inside Creative Spark is all kinds of beautiful pearl inspiration, some tutorials, peeks into creative spaces (including my own), and so much more. You should definitely go take a look.

Click to view Creative Spark Winter 13-14 on GLOSSI.COM

ZnetShows is also having a giveaway for simply sharing the Glossi. Information about the giveaway is on the ZnetShows Blog.

Focusing on Life Week 23: Typography

I didn't think I was going to get a chance to post for this week's prompt, but here I am. When I saw the prompt, Typography, I was immediately excited because I've got a thing for words and fonts and whatnot. You should see me scroll through the list of fonts in Word or PhotoShop anytime I've got a chance to make something a little different. It's always a task to pick one that conveys just the right feeling.

However, as the week wore on, I just wasn't struck by the lettering on any print or sign in my environment, so I was resigned to let another week slip by. As we are currently enjoying a slow Saturday morning; me sitting in front of my laptop while the hubby tinkers with his new metal lathe in the garage, it occured to me that I could be blogging. So I pondered what words have made the most impact on me this week and it became quite clear what my photo subject should be.

Yup, one of my designs was accepted into Jewelry Stringing magazine again, and I'm pleased as punch. Like last time, you'll find it in the bracelet gallery section.

I think that's as short and sweet as I need to make today's post. You can see more examples of Typography for this week's Focusing on Life series on Sally's blog, The Studio Sublime.

I was Published

Somehow I've absolutely failed to mention that I have a design in the current issue of Jewelry Stringing Magazine (Spring 2013).

If you've got a copy, just flip to page 24 and you'll see one of the below designs featured. If you don't have a copy. . .why not? Ha!

The above are all the designs that I actually submitted for consideration for the Spring issue. Two of them are going to be taken apart/reworked while the other two will hopefully get photographed today for the Etsy shop.

This was my first time getting published and I've been so beyond thrilled that I think I didn't want to over-do my excitement so I let the magazine coming out simply slip by without mention. I had to rectify that! Copies of Jewelry Stringing Spring 2013 are still on news stands.

BTW: Productive

I've been crazy-productive today and am so proud of it. The craft room even got picked up. I just couldn't take it anymore. There's still a few spots that need some attention, but I can actually walk through the room right now. I told you. . .CRAZY!

I even got some other tasks accomplished

I sorted and stacked my jewelry magazines, pulling out my most recent copies (see above). From there, I proceeded to gather, record, and file information on submitting to each of them. I guess after jumping yesterday's hurdle, I'm ready for more. What happened yesterday you ask. Well. . . yesterday I sent in two pairs of earrings and two bracelets for consideration in one of those magazines. I'm totally not expecting to get in my first try, but wouldn't that be awesome?!

After marking my calendar of other magazine deadlines, I started on a custom order for a friend.

She asked for green. . .and green is what she's getting!

What's been on your craft desk today? Share it in the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group.

Bead Table Wednesday

I also took the time this morning to list these earrings.

Mini Owl Earrings

And now I've gotten a blog post written. BAM! It's just mind-boggling how much I can get done in a day when I really try. Wait until tomorrow, I'll probably be singing a different song then. That's always the way isn't it?

Link-a-palooza

Today's post will be short and sweet. . .I hope. Sometimes these blog posts just spin out of my control. I don't know how that happens.

For you, it's

• Over at How about Orange is a recommendation for a site that has Free fonts and web design resources. I just love fonts, don't you? And free ones are the best!! Well. . .economically speaking.
• After my mention of wanting to get published the other day I swapped e-mails with several of you who commented. I got lots of support and I THANK YOU for that. One person who I went back and forth with was Kashmira from Sudafulee...always in bloom. I was reminded that she recently wrote a post on how SHE found her way into Jewelry Stringing Magazine. Her encouragement, a link from her, and her post about how nice the Stringing staff are have me prepping to send out a few items next week. It's a big step and I'm nervous, but still so very excited! Thanks to all of you!
• Mill Lane Studio wrote a tutorial on how to make Triangle Jump Rings.  What a really cool idea! 

  

  Just one of the steps to make triangle jump rings

This post has already taken my quite enough time. The internet at my house is still being a pain and I've already had to rewrite half of this once. It looks like we'll be getting a new router over the weekend. Blarg.

I did get these awesome earrings listed this morning.

Electricity Earrings

And. . .my post for the Sequintastic September reveal is just about ready for tomorrow's blog hop. Make sure to check back by!

BTW: Freedom to Create

I FINALLY reached the end of my to do list. . .mostly. Everything is made. I still have to write my post for Saturday's blog hop but that shouldn't be too rough.

NOW. . .now I get to create!

With so much freedom and so many options I decided to leave it in fate's hands and started by reaching into a zip baggie of pendants on my desk. I pulled out the first item I touched. It happened to be a polymer clay pendant from Davinia at Deez News. I took the black and white theme of the pendant and ran with it. With just two bead caps left on my desk and some matching beads, I made a pair of earrings as well.

After that, I decided to pick up where I had left off. . .before the challenges and hops and stuff. Where was I? Oh yeah. . .Shabby pendants!

This is not the greatest picture of the ones I made, but it's the best I could do this morning. I apologize!

Now, I've got aspirations of possibly working on some of my own goals and creating a few things to send in to a magazine. . .WHAT WHAT!!?? Yeah, I need to do this before my own conscience begins to drive me crazy with it's constant chirping of "get published, get published, get published. . ." So, that's what's going on my bead table next.

There's more Bead Table Wednesday in the Flickr Group.

Oh and in addition to getting more made, I'm trying to re-stock the shop. Not because anything selling, but because stuff keeps expiring. Today, I listed this blue beauty from the One Crayon Challenge.

Washed Ashore Necklace

I'm off to brainstorm. Here's hoping I don't get distracted!!

Finally Friday and Some Links

I awoke this morning with a rather bland outlook on the day. It's supposed to rain for the next week and the sun is being rather modest as it hides behind the clouds. Lack of sunshine always puts me in a subdued mood. Nevertheless, I pushed forward with my morning. Not long after logging into the computer did I remember that Shannon at For My Sweet Daughter had offered up a beautiful palette for Finally Friday. Her palettes come from Design Seeds and are full of all kinds of eye-opening and kick-you-in-the-pants inspiration.

Just take a look at this week's palette!

It's called Beaded Brights and can be found at Design Seeds.

Sure enough, one look at this palette and I was waking up to these brights. The hardest part for me was that pinky, peachy, coraly color below the blue. I had NO beads in that shade. I did find some buttons that came close though.

This was the closest I could get to the colors in the palette.

As I looked at my collection of beads and buttons in the above teacup, they seemed so very sweet, not to mention how tiny the beads were. So I knew I wanted to make just a sweet little bracelet.

I used gold-tone wire to give it that classic look.

Shannon's palette prompt was a great motivator for me this morning. Thank you Shannon!!


While I'm here, I finally decided on a name for my Link dump posts. Introducing. . . .

Yup! Link-a-palooza.

I'm still working on my goal to get in a publication and found that I saved a bunch of helpful links on the subject.

• Lorelei offered up a few tips as well as links to popular beading magazines' submission guidelines.
• Heather at Humblebeads wrote a similar blog post with tips and links. She also has a link to Lorelei's post and one from the illustrious Lori Anderson of Pretty Things.
• Lastly, Cyndi at Beading Arts offered up her own (longer) list of links to magazine submission guidelines.

Now I just need to eke out some time to click through all those helpful links!

Since those links are all business and no fun, let me add a tutorial to this list.

•  Malin at Beading by Malin de Koning posted a great tutorial on how to make a paper box. I've made similar ones but they're always been too tall and not wide enough. This short, wide one is perfect. Thanks Malin!!

Lastly, here's a new and a sale item in the shop.

Blue Penny Bracelet

Garden Enchantment Necklace - SALE

So that's all the news for this Friday. Now I'm off to see what other trouble I can get myself into! What are your plans for the weekend?

BTW and Finding Direction

The funk has passed. I'm pretty sure it was hormone related. (Oh the joys of being a woman!)

This morning, I decided to just ignore all the little doubts and questions that were plaguing my mind and causing the mental clutter yesterday. I simply got to work. 

Since it is Bead Table Wednesday, I'll share what I worked on!

I started by pulling out the small, but fun selection of beads I picked up at Michael's yesterday with this 20% off your entire purchase coupon.

Then, two of the big jars of buttons came out.

I dug through them to try to find just the right button to use as a closure on a bracelet.

Can you guess which one I ended up using?? Well. . .can you?

Check out more over at the Bead Table Wednesday Flickr Group.

As far as the moodiness of yesterday. Well, I think it was simply caused by my want to succeed in this jewelry game, but not really having a sense of direction. I'm aware of several paths I can take as well as some other alternative routes and resources I can use, but how to find the additional time to cram in those pursuits?

For now, I think the main path I'll start down is trying to get into a magazine. Of course, there's a ton of info I want to gather and compile for that first so. . .GAH! Fortunately, as I was going through my feed reader yesterday I came across a post by Shannon over at For My Sweet Daughter and then a post by Erin at Treasure's Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere that really gave me a more positive outlook and a bit more confidence to trudge my way forward.

EESH!!! No promises, but I have pulled out this stack of my favorite jewelry magazines and am going to take some notes.

I've also already found many of their submission guidelines and realize that I need to get to work IN A HURRY!

Enough with the stressing. I'm going to take some deep calming breaths while you  take a look at the newest necklace in the shop.

Subtle Southern Fall Necklace

Now, don't we all feel better? ;)

Working It

How was your Memorial Day yesterday?
Did you get to enjoy a long weekend?

Since Pat was off, we took the opportunity to head to the beach.

Of course, in reality I was still working as I dog-earred magazine pages with jewelry design aspects I really liked.

Today, I went through those pages with my trusty Sharpie pen and wrote in more specific notes about what it was I liked about the designs.

Well, I did that AND caught up on some chores, some picture taking, and some jewelry making.
Today became my Monday and what a Monday it was!
How did you survive the long holiday weekend and the catching up it created?