Muffin Tin Challenge

 

I have used muffin tins to design jewelry with before.  I have tins in all sizes - mini for earrings up to jumbo for statement necklaces.  It works great!  When I saw Heather Powers from Humblebeads was challenging us for the New Year, I was definitely up for it!

 

Here are my muffin tins stuffed with all the goodies - earrings, bracelets and necklace designs:

I almost got them all done.  I have a jewelry show at an art center next weekend, so what a great way to get some jewelry made for that!  So I will finish a few more necklaces before then.  OK here goes:

I am really loving the Czech seahorse beads for earrings and the pet charms are made from sawdust.  Priscilla Beads sells them.  The others have ceramic charms as the focal.

These are the bracelets I made.  I love knotting with waxed linen and I have a slight Czech bead addiction, and I doubly love them together!  I am introducing a line of ceramic buttons next month in Tucson, so here is a sneak peak of them in action!

These are the only 2 necklaces I have finished so far.  The top one features my elegant ceramic seahorse paired with a chunky gemstone and chan.  The other one has a glass starfish from Nikki Thornburg that I have been hoarding for 5 years!  I paired it with seafoam glass, pearls and ceramic accent beads.  I love this one!

 

Thank you so much, Heather for the challenge.  It really felt great starting the new year off by sitting down and designing some fun jewelry! To see more muffin tin challenge results, go to www.humblebeads.blogspot.com.  If you'd like to check out my ceramic beads, go to

www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

 

 

 

 



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

 

Jennifer Cameron: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

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

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

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

Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk

Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/

Cate van Alphen: http://fulgorine.wordpress.com

Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com

Genevieve Gabbert: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com

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

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

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

Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com

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

Michelle McCarthy: http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/

Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com

Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com

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

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

Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/

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

Shai Williams: http://www.shaihasramblings.com/2014/11/art-charm-exchange-auction.html

Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com

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

Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com

Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com

Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/

 

 

 





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/
 



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

at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com



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



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