Monday, November 24, 2014

2014 Art Charm Exchange



I am happy to be participating again in the art charm exchange and auction to benefit
Beads of Courage.  This year the theme was "SOAR" and that we did!  I love the element
 of surprise when the box holding the charms arrives in the mail.  I made a double batch of
 charms so I would receive even more charms in return!
 
 
This is what I received!  Aren't they great?  My art charms were made by
Toltec Jewels, Susan Delphine Delaney, Cassi Paslick, Nan Smith, Monique Urquhart,
 Cianci Blue,  Caroline at Blue Berri Beads, Terri Del Signore, Culturezine, Jami Shipp,
Sue Beads, Windbent, Lesley Watt, Silver Niknats, Nancy Dale, Melissa
 Trudinger and Jenny Davies-Reazor.
 
I designed a blue ceramic bird charm with a heart wing, the word "SOAR", with it
flying high above the clouds.  I made this necklace with it:
 
To raise money for Beads of Courage, our wonderful hostess, Jennifer Cameron,
photographs and lists art charms on ebay to be auctioned off.  Please visit the listings at http://www.ebay.com/sch/glassaddictions/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=
 
Please hop around all the participating artist blogs to see and learn more about the wonderful art charms created...all for a great cause!
 
2014 Art Charm Exchange Participants


 
Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net




 
 
 



Sunday, October 26, 2014

Octoberfest 2014 Blog Hop




Living in sunny Southwest Florida, it barely seems like fall.  But go into any store, and you are reminded by all the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise!  I grew up near Buffalo, New York, so the change in seasons is something that made my childhood special.  But with that comes snow....and that's a whole different blog post!
 
I have been playing with a new clay.  I call it chocolate clay, because that's what it reminds me of after being fired at cone 5.  Most of my beads are made from low fire white clay.  I like the bright colors I can achieve with that.  Normally my style is very whimsical.  But with this new clay, my work has taken on a more earthy and natural look.
 
 
 
For my autumn pair of earrings, I textured the chocolate clay with a floral design and cut 2 small squares.  I hand rolled two 10mm spacer balls for accents.  I chose an earthy brown glaze that highlights the texture.  I added 4 antique bronze saucers and 20mm wire to pull my design together.  I can't wait to wear them!
 
Visit my etsy shop at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com to see more of my ceramic beads.  Thank you to our blog hop hostess, Rita from Toltec Jewels!!  And please visit all the other blogs to see lots more lovely autumn jewelry designs!
 
 
Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/


Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/


Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/


Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com


Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr


Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/


Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com


Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co


Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com


Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/


Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/


Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/


Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/


Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca


Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/


Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com 


Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/


Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/


Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com


Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/


Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com


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


Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com


Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/


Debbie Rasmussen                  www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca


Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/


Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/


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


Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com


Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com


Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk


Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com


Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com


Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com


Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com


Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com


Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com 


Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com


Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com


Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com


Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com


Gloria Allen                              http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com


Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com


Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com


Monique Urquhart                    http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com


Jill Bradley                                http://chat2jill.blogspot.com


Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28


Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda


RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com


Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com


Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com


Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com


Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com


Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com


Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com


Inge von Roos                          http://ingetraud.wordpress.com


Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com


Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign


Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com


Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com


RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com


Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com


Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                            http://http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

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

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


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Anchors Aweigh Design Challenge

I had a lot of fun brain storming on what to design with the 2 ceramic anchor charms
created by Diana P. of Suburban Girl Studio.  Of course having 2 charms and having 2 ears,
should I make a pair of earrings?  Nooooo.....let's get creative with the challenge.  So I
started digging though my sea life themed bead drawer and I happened to have 2 more sets
 of Diana's charms.  A pair of sail boats and a pair of scallop shells.  I designed a few
charms of my own to coordinate with the colors of Diana's.  I made a ceramic nautilus
 shell, octopus, crab and a seahorse.  This fun sea life charm bracelet started coming to life!
 
 
I cut 7" of open link antique copper chain and attached a toggle clasp to each end.  I
wanted plenty of bling, so I chose matching antique copper crystals and 4mm round spacer
balls.  I spaced the charm components out every 3 links and made smaller dangles on
headpins to fill in the open links. I love my new bracelet and I hope you do, too!
 
 A big THANK YOU to Rita from Toltec Jewels for being our
blog hop challenge hostess.  Please visit the following jewelry designers blogs
to see what they created with their anchor charms!

Diana's Shop:                           Suburban Girl Beads
Diana's Blogs:                          Suburban Girl Studio
                                                 Art Jewelry Elements
Hostess: TJ                               Jewel School Friends
Bobbie Rafferty                         Beadsong Jewelry
Chris Eisenberg                         Wanderware
Heather Richter                         Desert Jewelry Designs
Kathy Lindemer                         Bay Moon Design
Dini Bruinsma                            Angaza by Changes
Cynthia Machata                       Antiquity Travelers
Kathleen Breeding                     99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Linda Younkman                       Lindy's Designs
Robin Reed                                  Artistry HCBD
Marla Gibson                              Spice Box Designs
Gina Hockett                               Freestyle Elements
Renetha Stanziano                      Lamplight Crafts
Marianne Baxter                          Simply Seablime Jewelry        
Christina Miles                             Wings N Scales
Marybeth Rich                            A Few Words from Within the Pines
Shai Williams                              Shaiha's Ramblings
Cheri Reed                                  Creative Designs by Cheri
Monique Urquhart                      A Half-Baked Notion
Jennifer Reno                             Musings of a Crafty Jenny
Shirley Moore                             Beads and Bread
Tammy Adams                           Paisley Lizard
Melissa Trudinger                       Bead Recipes
 
 
If you'd like to see more of my ceramic bead creations, please visit my etsy store


Saturday, August 2, 2014

Haberdashery Blog Hop

What exactly does Haberdashery mean?
 
 
In this blog hop, the participants are to design a piece of jewelry inspired by sewing. 
Sewing notions include cloth, thread, yarn, trims, button, zippers, etc.  I found a fun fiber
 pack from my scrapbooking days that I used for my necklace inspiration.
 
The 10 separate fibers were separated into a group of 8 and I used my Kumihimo disc
to make a 12" rope.  I am a ceramic bead artist, so with clay I made 2 cones to hide
the ends of the rope.  I also made the focal hibiscus pendant.
 
I thought it looked neat to leave the loose fiber ends overflowing the top of the
ceramic cones.  I used a piece of 20g antique copper wire to attach the rope to the
chain pieces that end with a chunky toggle.  In the middle of the rope, I used thread
and sewed the pendant onto the rope.  I put a piece of wire on the back of the pendant like
a button shank so it would lay flat.  It took me 2 tries to get it in the middle!
 


 
Thank you to our blog hostess, Melissa Trudinger, for coming up with this unique
and fun hop!  Please check out what all the participants have come up with!  If you'd
like to see more of my ceramic beads, please visit www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com
 
Melissa Trudinger                                           http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com



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

Tammy Adams                                                http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Amanda Wacasey                                           http://mandyinmystic.blogspot.com

Dolores Raml                                                   http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com 

Divya N                                                             http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com

Michelle McCarthy                                         http://www.fireflydesignstudio.BlogSpot.com
 
DiYana Brooks                                                 http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Robin Kae Reed                                               http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Andrea Glick                                                    http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Karin Grosset Grange                                     http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr

Mitzie Crider                                                    http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Janine Lucas                                                    http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories  <-- font="" on="" post="" sunday="" will="">

Rosantia Petkova                                           http://bairozan.blogspot.com/

Susan Kennedy                                                http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Leithleach Alainn Seodra                http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/

Kathleen Breeding                                          http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/

Shiraz Biggie                                                    http://secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                               http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
 
Heather Richter                                              http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier                                                  http://www.windbent.net/

Rebecca Anderson                                         http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com

Jenny Kyrlach                                                   http://anafiassa.blogspot.com

Rita Toltec Jewels                                          http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Mischelle Fanucci                                           http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Karen Mitchell                                                 http://overthemoon-design.com

Carol Briody                                                     http://Cbriody.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                                  http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                              http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                                                  http://www.prettythingsblog.com/
 
Jami Shipp                                                        http://www.celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com

Lili Krist                                                             http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/

Evelyn Shelby                                                   http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Raissa de Guzman                                          http://www.abloro.com

Niky Sayers                                                      http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk

Keren Panthaki                                                http://vasdea.wordpress.com



Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Michael's Beading Challenge

 
I always love a good challenge!  Especially when it comes to jewelry design.
Do you ever feel like your jewelry looks the same, but with maybe a different pendant?
I do....my rut is designing with blue.  It's my go to color.  And sea life....what's not to love?
 
 
I found out about this challenge on Facebook.  I really enjoy Lorelei's and
Heather's designs,  our challenge hostesses.  I took a picture of the chosen beads, wrote
 down the SKU numbers and went shopping to the Michael's store in Port Charlotte,
Florida.   I found the first couple of strands no problem.  I can't say that for all of them! 
I found "similar" styles and colors, so I threw them into my shopping basket.  The strand
 that is the most unique  to the challenge is the hot pink beads.  They are a little bigger...
but they are pretty!

 
 
We could add 2 more bead styles to our design.  I was inspired by the wood beads and the
flower beads, so I went with a nature theme.  My owl face, swirl bead and faceted bead are
my ceramic components.  For those of you first meeting me, I am a ceramic bead artist,
 so it's a must  that my design is centered around my handmade beads!  The second
 component I chose was gold metal chain, clasp and spacer beads.  I went with the gold
accent  on the blue glass beads.    I usually reach for silver accents with blue.
 
 
The last blog hop I participated in was all about waxed linen.  I have fallen in love
with the stuff!  I used a turquoise waxed linen to string the beads onto.  After tying
an overhand knot onto my owl face, I had 4 strands on each side.  I strung different
beads on each strand, twisted them, added the ceramic accent and tied them to the chain. 
 I also put my oversized lobster claw clasp on the side instead of the back....just because
 I thought it was cool and didn't want to hide it.
 
 
 
I hope you like my design!  I had fun with this challenge.  If you'd like to see more
of my beads, please visit my etsy shop at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com
 
 


Saturday, May 24, 2014

Waxed Linen Design Blog Hop

Ceramic Paisley Waxed Linen Necklace and Earring Set
 
 
I am excited to be experimenting more with new jewelry making supplies, and waxed linen is one that I am really enjoying.  It takes away the worry that your wire crimps won't hold up.  I also sell my jewelry in many gift shops and galleries, and every now and then, a customer will break a necklace by attempting to pull apart your toggle closure.  Not cool!
 
I am a ceramic bead artist, so my first step was deciding which pendant and glaze I wanted to design with.  I love my new paisley and I am a blue fan, so I chose Blue Lotus glaze by Mayco.  It has a fun brown crystal burst which gave me my second color inspiration.  Plus, I like the way wood looks with the ceramic, so that's what I used as my accents, along with some 8mm hand rolled ceramic spacer beads glazed to match the pendant.  My favorite metal color is antique copper, so I reached for some chain and a lobster claw clasp to finish the necklace.  I also wanted a pair of earrings to match.  Here is my tray of beady goodness before I sat down to create the finished designs.
 
 
While designing the necklace, I though it would look nice to have some vertical drops, so I did add 4 more ceramic spacer beads glazed in Caribbean Blue to the mix.  Here's what I came up with....and I love it!  I hope you do, too.
 
 
Thank you to Diana P. from Suburban Girl Studios for being our blog hop hostess!  She also makes gorgeous ceramic beads.  I am the proud owner of quite a few of them!  Please hop around to visit the other participants blogs and see what they designed.  If you'd like to design with my ceramic paisley pendant, they can be found in my etsy shop at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com
 
Diana Ptaszynski  

Kelsy Vincent
http://jillofalltradescraft.blogspot.com


Susan Kennedy

Linda Landig

Kashmira Patel
 
 
Jenny Davies-Reazor

Vanessa Gilkes

Sandy Huntress
 
Kay Thomerson

Sarajo Wentling

Kari Asbury

Rebecca Anderson

Melissa Trudinger

Ann Schroeder

Shai Williams

Blanca Medina

Cheryl Brown

Johana Nunez Rivera
http://www.artincendi.com


Lori Bowring Michaud
 
Kelly Morgan
Barbara Bechtel
 
Kristen Stevens
 
Heather Boardman

Janet Bocciardi

Kathy Lindemer

Lesley Watt

Susan Kolovson
http://www.beadinspired.blogspot.com


Jayne Capps

Cynthia Deis
 
Erin Siegel
 
Becky Pancake
Kelly Hosford Patterson
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson
 
Inge von Roos
 
 
Linda Younkman
 
Sandi Volpe

Toltec Jewels

Michelle Mach

Jen Cameron

Dorothy Winchell

Darlene Mansue