It's a New Day...: May 2012

I see lots and lots of posts for design groups, blog hops, and free beads...I apply I apply I apply....rarely am I ever picked...ok, I am pretty new to the jewelry scene...still working to get my name out there...

BUT....

Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads put out there that she was looking for people to participate in her enamel bead blog hop! I of course put my name in....and I have to be honest, since I am rarely picked, I actually didn't initially see that.....SHE PICKED ME!!

I was super excited!! She was going to mail out some of her enamel beads like these and we could make whatever we wanted and then blog about it today!!

At first, I thought a summer bracelet was in order...but that never came to be.

As I sat at my new workspace, I had some Marsha Neal ceramic earring sets sitting next to me...when I glanced over at them, one set jumped out at me.

They were a darker glaze but the offsetting glaze that you could see on them perfectly matched the Orchid Beads that Sue sent to me....it was destiny!!

Unfortunately, my camera did not pick up the glaze coloring as I had hoped, but I think you get the idea!! I used a Marsha Neal earring set and silk ribbon and combined Sue's Beads. The two of them go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly!! I added some Vintaj Natural Brass wire, bead caps, and earring wires to complete the look!

I will definitely be getting more enameled beads to pair with earring sets from Marsha Neal!! Now hop on over and see what everyone else made!

Kristi Harrison (you are here...PS...follow me while you are here!!)

Back in March, Cindy Wimmer, announced a button swap blog hop.....I am not sure if she could see me raising my hand over in Omaha, NE. I mean, I have to be one of the biggest button fans around!

I quickly signed up and awaited to see who my partner may be...did I get lucky!

I was paired with Jenna Meyers of Honey Bijou! I could not wait to see what she created and sent! You will definitely want to visit her etsy store here! She creates great beads and jewelry!

Here is what I received and so quick too!! She even made the card they came on!!

I sat it out where I could see it daily and stared at it...I was right in the middle of sitting up a workspace, so I knew it would be a few weeks before I could dig in...

I have been seeing lots of these bangle type bracelets being made and I wanted to make some with Jenna's buttons!

I picked up this thick wax vintage linen at a recent Junk Show that I went to so I could get started on my bracelets...

That face button just seemed so earthy to me, that picked out earth tone czech glass beads to use. Since this button was larger, I picked out some larger beads.

Then I moved onto the blue and tan button with stars and picked out some smaller denim and brown colored firepolished czech glass beads....

Last, I pulled out some thinner waxed linen and knotted together some of my medium sized mother of pearl buttons and used the vintage button she sent as the clasp. You can see that above as well.

I am super pleased at what I made, learned a new bracelet to make, and will be a new customer with Jeanna!