2012 in review

Well 2013 is here and it is great to look back on 2012.

Last year I pushed myself creatively by participating in a variety of challenges. The greatest of these was the Creativ Festival Designer Style Challenge. The process for both the beadwork and paper arts projects was fun. I love both of the finished designs. It was a great thrill to be selected as a semi finalist in both categories. I was one of three finalists in the beadwork category, placing third.

Iris Twist Vase

Hexagonal Triangle Vase with Irises

I also participated in a few blog hops. The first was the Bead Soup Blog Party. I swapped a selection of beads with Jelveh Jaferia a glass artist in the US. It was fun working with her beautiful beads and assorted beads.

My creations

I also participated in two Holiday Bling Blog Hops. My first partner was Monica Urquhart from the east coast. My second partner was Sandra McGriff from Ontario.

Amazing owl tablets from Monica

Beautiful owl necklace from Sandra

The other challenge was the Cup of Bead Soup Lucite Challenge. Using some amazing lucite beads from Bead Happily Ever After my self and four other beaders created beautiful pieces.

My creation with a removable pendant

In addition to these challenges I continued to make samples for Rypan Designs.

I am looking forward to challenging myself again in 2013.

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2 - Reveal Day

Wow it is all ready the middle of December and time for the big reveal of my second round of the Holiday Bling Blog Hop. 

For this round I was match with a fellow Ontarian, Sandra McGriff.  Sandra and I decided to surprise each other. 

In preparation for a craft sale I had been making my little netted snowflakes, so I decided that I would send a small flurry of snowflakes to Sandra. 

 I sent her a dozen of these sparkly flakes. The challenge was securing them to a piece of cardboard to keep them flat during shipping. 

Here is what I received from Sandra.

Festive mailing envelope

Penquin card and shiny gift box

Necklace and earrings

Detail of Owl focal accented with pearls, quartz chips and small gold beads

Tree ornament made with buttons accented with gold

Tree ornament made with buttons accented with red

Here is a list of the amazing creative people who are part of the blog hop. Hop over to each to see the creativity that was shared.

Shirley Moore	http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille	http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Ray	http://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley	http://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Melinda Abrahamson	http://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewels	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Chandra Merod	http://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars	http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogel	http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smith	http://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.leelucreations.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Holiday Bling Blog Hop Reveal

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Sneak Peak - Holiday Bling Blog Hop

Yesterday was a great day. As I was leaving to head to a presentation for work, I was happy to see a small package in my mail box. It was from my Holiday Bling swap partner Monique Urquhart. I put it my bag and headed off to the presentation.

Working at the library allows me to be surround be one of my favourite things, books. The presentation yesterday was publisher representatives telling us about some of the great fall book releases for children and teens. We are given advance reading copies of some titles, but get to hear about many books we can share in storytimes, class visits and with our customers. I always leave these presentations with many titles added to be TBR (to be read) list.

I carried my package from Monique to the presentation, back to my branch and then home without opening it. I was very tempted but I wanted to record the opening to share here.

So here is a peak of the opening of the package. You will have to come back on October 6 to see what is inside. I can tell you it is amazing!

Holiday Bling Blog Hop

With everything completed for the Bead Soup Blog Party and the Designer Style Challenge it was time to dive into something new.

I came across the Holiday Bling Blog Hop. The setup, Marlene Cupo and Shelley Graham Turner took the idea of an ornament swap and shared it with other beading bloggers. Signup was available until August 16, partners were matched and notified August 25. We have until September 15 to create something to mail out to our partner. The big reveal date is October 6.

I have been partnered with Monique Urquhart an artisan from the east coast of Canada. I am looking forward to see what we and all the others create to celebrate the festive season. It is less that 4 months away!!

I have started on my project, but you will have to wait until October to see the finished Holiday Bling!!

Happy Beading!