Bead Hoarders Blog Hop Reveal

Once again it is time to use some of the beads the I have in my hoard collection. Lori Anderson is once again hosting the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop, challenging artisans to create something wonderful with beads from our stash. I did this challenge last summer with four different sets of lampwork beads.

This year I decided to start with some beautiful urchin beads by Kathi Mohlman. I purchased them last summer from her etsy shop Earth and Elements Pottery. I used the turquoise & brown urchin beads with the Beaded Bead Sea Urchin I made from Marcia DeCoster's Bead Opulence book.

 I still had the beautiful blue set of urchin beads and decided to use them for this challenge.

I combined these beautiful blue beads with some matte black cultured sea glass barrel beads and some rondelles. Here is the finished necklace.

Keeping with the blue theme I found some blue and white beads that I have had for a number of years. I don't even remember where them came from.

 I added some clear blue & white opaque discs and silver tone bead caps. Here is the finished necklace.

Take some time to hop around and see what amazing creations other artisans have created. Here is the list of fellow partipants.

Thanks to Lori for hosting this hop!

Happy Beading!

Blue Fantasy Reveal Day

Update - Giveaway winner is Heather Richter!

Once again another reveal day has arrived. It started back in June when I signed up for the challenge on Lisa's Pine Ridge Treasures Facebook Page.

Here is the wonderful selection of beads that I received from Lisa. It included sea glass, rondelles, gemstones and brass beads and findings.

I posted last month about using some of the lampwork beads that I had in my stash as focals for two of my creations.

For this first one I used the gemstones (not sure what they are), rondelles and large white pearls I had purchased during a recent destash event.

For this second one I used the wavy blue sea glass, brass beads and white barrel sea glass I also got during another of Lisa's destash events. I also used the toggle for the challenge kit.

The last item that I created from the kit used the three large holed freeform beads. I really wanted to do something different with these. I played with making a beaded bail but could not get it to work the way I would like. Next I played with connecting them with some brass chain that I had in my stash. Again I did not like the way it was working, the chain was too chunky.

I used the design idea from connecting with the chain but with a finer chain. Here is used a silver tone chain to create a Y-shaped necklace with all three of the beads.

I still have beads left which will be added to my stash, but that is all for now.

Please take some time to hop around to the other participants of this challenge.

 Our hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera 
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Gloria Allen, Wings and Beads

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Lisa Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Raissa de Guzman, Abloro

Jill Bradley, Jilly Beads

 
Thanks once again to Lisa Lodge for hosting this challenge.

I have decided to do a giveaway as part of my reveal. To enter just comment on this post by 12 pm EDT September 20, 2014. The winner will receive the Blue Fantasy necklace of their choice. Winner will be announced on September 21, 2014.

Happy Beading!

Ocean Blog Hop Sneak Preview

Back in the depth of what seemed like to longest winter in many years, I signed up for another of Lisa Lodge's blog hop. This one started with a kit from Lisa that included cultured sea glass, clay fish by Shaterra and clay beads by Gaea.

We are challenged to create jewelry that has an "Ocean" theme, using as many beads from the kit as possible.

I was able to adapt a planned project to work with the kit. With that completed I needed to use the amazing fish. My first plan didn't proceed as I had hoped. Found a great pattern by Debbie von Tonder.

I just need to get pictures taken of the everything. So, stop back on June 14 to see both of these projects and two other projects that use the rest of the beads in the kit.  

Update - I have been moved to May 31st reveal date! I have everything ready. Stop back on Saturday!

Thanks for the challenge Lisa!

Happy beading!