Sunday, December 9, 2012

Kalmbach Bead Soup - Winners!


I participated in the Kalmbach Bead Soup Party recently.  It was a celebration of Lori Anderson's new book Bead Soup Party.  I received a bead soup from the shop Your Beading Heart in the mail back in October.  I had until November 2nd to create a necklace and send off a picture to Kalmbach Publishing.  Everyone's creations were posted on Kalmbach's facebook page.  Check out the Kalmbach Bead Soup Party Album to see all of the beautiful pieces everyone made.


The first round of winners were Lori's picks.  They win one of Lori's bead soup kits www.beadsoupkits.com- how lucky!!



The second round of winners were the Kalmbach Publishing office staff favorites.  How surprised was I to find out that I was one of the winners!
I will receive the new book, Crystal Jewelry Inspiration from the Create Your Style Ambassadors.
As you can see I was in good company:










There were also these 3 random winners These winners will receive a autographed copy of Anna Elizabeth Draeger's new book, Great Designs for Shaped Beads.
Stunning!!




After adding all the votes from facebook and those tallied from the office the final winners are selected:




Aren't they beautiful?

I am so thrilled that I was chosen as one of the office favorites.  I'm new to the world of jewelry making and this has given me the inspiration I needed to keep going.....

Monday, November 26, 2012

7000 Bracelets Blog Hop

 
 
 
Yesterday was the reveal for the 7000 Bracelets Blog Hop hosted by Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
I'm running a little late......
 
Back in October, Sue sent out an invite to participate in a blog hop to benefit the 7,000 Bracelets for Hope campaign.
 
 
  This is a bracelet program for people or families who suffer rare genetic diseases.  Here's a bit of information directly from their donation page:

"Cause bracelets have been available for breast cancer and heart disease but there has never been a unifying symbol, color or bracelet that represents the rare and genetic disease community.  That’s why we started the 7,000 Bracelets for Hope™ campaign.
Since launching the campaign in 2010, Global Genes has received thousands of unique blue themed bracelet designs made from everything from cut strips of recycled denim to vintage blue glass to turquoise stones. The creativity from our volunteers is truly inspiring!
The number 7,000 represents the 7,000 different rare diseases that impact 1 in 10 people, 30 million Americans and 350 million globally.  Each individual blue bracelet design we receive represents the uniqueness of one of the 7,000 rare diseases and many of our volunteers send in multiple copies of a single design.
Our goal is to continue to collect unique bracelets made by jewelry designers, artists, crafters, church groups, girl scout troops and other volunteers and distribute them to our families fighting rare and genetic diseases. Adults receive handcrafted bracelets made by our jewelry designers while children receive love friendship bracelets filled with hope."
I thought this was such a great cause!
Here is the bracelet I made :
 
 
 
I will be sending my donation off this week!
 
 
Take a look at what everyone else made for this cause:
 































Saturday, October 6, 2012

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Challenge of Travel Blog Hop






Today is the Day....
 
The reveal for the Challenge of Travel Blog Hop organized by Erin Prais-Hintz


The Challenge goes like this... select a region of the planet that you do not live on and choose an inspiration nation from within that region (or better yet, have one chosen for you!).

I chose Europe and decided to be surprised -
how many surprises do you really get anymore?.... :)

The inspiration nation that was chosen for me was The Netherlands - I have never been, but would love to visit especially after researching for this fun hop!


Flag of the Netherlands



Here are my inspiration photos:



Tulips, Tulips, Tulips......


Beautiful Scenery Everywhere.....




Isn't this what you picture when you think of the Netherlands?


Here is what I made:


First, I made earrings with wire wrapped seed beads. 
 I was trying to incorporate the colors I saw in all of the beautiful pictures.






Then, I made these stacking bracelets using macrame Chinese knotting cord and some pretty seed beads -
      I was going for the look of the rows and rows of tulips
                            all over the Netherlands.





 Last but not least....
 I found this button - It is a replica of a 1 cent dutch coin ... I thought it was pretty interesting.... I ordered  a bunch of these about 2 weeks ago - they just arrived Thursday.  So I made the bracelet below Friday afternoon.  I really wanted to use this button!!





I used distressed greek leather and round fluorite purple and green gemstones - I took the colors from 
the tulip picture above....


Check out everyone else who participated in this blog! 
I can't wait to see what everyone else made!


NameBlogRegion ChosenInspiration Nation
Monique Urquharthttp://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/AfricaBurkina Faso
Niky Sayershttp://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/AfricaEgypt
Therese Frankhttp://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.comAfricaKenya
Raychelle Heathhttp://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/AfricaLesotho
Joan Williamswww.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.comAfricaMauritania
Sherri Stokeyhttp://www.KnotJustMacrame.comAfricaSenegal
Regina Santerrehttp://reginaswritings.blogspot.comAfricaSeychelles
Raida Disbrowhttp://havanabeads.blogspot.comAfricaTanzania
Kristi Wodekhttp://livedinlife.blogspot.comAfricaZimbabwe
Sally Russickhttp://www.thestudiosublime.comAmericasBrazil
Melissa Trudingerhttp://beadrecipes.wordpress.comAmericasMexico
Tracy Stillmanhttp://www.tracystillmandesigns.comAmericasUSA
Sandra Wolberghttp://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.deAsiaIndia
Tanya Goodwinhttp://pixiloo.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Susan Kennedyhttp://suebeads.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Beth Emeryhttp://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.comAsiaJapan
Lisa Conehttp://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Tanya Bodenhttp://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/AsiaJapan
Inge von Rooshttp://ingetraud.wordpress.comAsiaLaos
Erin Prais-Hintzhttp://treasures-found.blogspot.comAsiaNepal
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.comAsiaPhillipines
Carolyn Lawsonhttp://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.comAsiaSouth Korea
Lisa Stukelhttp://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.comAsiaSri Lanka
Elly Snarehttp://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.comAsiaThailand
Shelley Graham Turnerhttp://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.comEuropeAustria

Mallory Hoffmanhttp://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/EuropeBosnia Herzegovina
Paige Maximhttp://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.comEuropeFrance
Jenny Davies-Reazorhttp://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blogEuropeGermany
Sharyl McMillian-Nelsonhttp://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.comEuropeGreece
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/EuropeIceland
Holly Westfallhttp://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeIreland
Rebecca Siervaaghttp://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Toltec Jewelshttp://toltecjewels.blogspot.comEuropeIreland
Lee Koopmanhttp://StregaJewellry.wordpress.comEuropeIreland
Laren Dee Bartonhttp://larendeedesigns.blogspot.comEuropeItaly
Cindy Wilsonhttp://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.comEuropeNorway
Kathleen Lange Klikhttp://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.comEuropePoland
Shaiha Williamshttp://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/EuropePortugal
Jennifer Justmanhttp://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/EuropeRomania
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.comEuropeSpain
Lola Surwillohttp://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.comEuropeSweden
Kim Horahttp://www.kimmykats.comEuropeSwitzerland
Leanne Loftushttp://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Patti Vanderbloemenhttp://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.comEuropeThe Netherlands
Marcie Carrollhttp://labellajoya.blogspot.comEuropeTurkey
Marlene Cupohttp://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.comOceaniaFederated States of Micronesia
Ine Vande Cappellehttp://jewelsbyine.blogspot.comOceaniaFiji
Tammie Everlyhttp://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/OceaniaGuam
Alice Petersonhttp://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.comOceaniaKiribati
Elisabeth Auldhttp://www.beadsforbusygals.comOceaniaNauru
Susan McClellandhttp://mistheword12.wordpress.com/OceaniaNew Zealand
D Lynne Bowlandhttp://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.comOceaniaNew Zealand
Denielle Hagermanhttp://somebeadsandotherthings.comOceaniaNew Zeland
Rebecca Andersonhttp://songbeads.blogspot.comOceaniaPapua New Guinea
Mischelle Fanucchihttp://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/OceaniaSamoa
Kari Asburyhttp://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.comOceaniaSolomon Islands
Cece Cormierhttp://www.thebeadingyogini.com/OceaniaTonga
Emma Toddhttp://www.apolymerpenchant.comOceaniaTuvalu
Debbie Pricehttp://greenshoot.blogspot.comOceaniaVanuatu