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Bead Soup Blog Party 8 !!

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It's time, it's time! Starting early this morning, there will be a veritable feast for the eyes from beaders and bloggers all over the world.  Bead Soup Blog Party is the brainchild of Lori Anderson and this is the 8th time she's hosted the party. I've had the pleasure of participating a few times before, and it never fails to push me into something new.  This time my partner is the lovely Christine Hansen of Intuitive Sparks.  She's a talented lampwork maker and gifted me with some beautiful beads, including one of her newest focal lampwork hearts.
My yummy bead soup
Czech rondelles, Christine's lampwork spacers, her gorgeous heart focal, a Tierra Cast toggle, and Russian serpentine beads were just waiting to be made into wonderful things. She added some Godiva chocolate and rosewater glycerin to make a thoroughly yummy soup. Green isn't a color I work with a lot, so that was a nice challenge as well.

I sent her a dragonfly toggle and ceramic clasp from my favorite local artist, Raida of Havana Beads. I love going to visit Raida and see what she's been up to. She's a talented artist and gifted beader as well! I added in some freshwater and glass pearls as well as some other goodies- can't wait to see what Christine has created using these.
Soup sent to Christine
Lori ended up having to postpone the party a week, which was a welcome delay, and gave me more time to play. The first thing I made was a bracelet made from that beautiful Russian serpentine. The clasp seemed to go with the color theme, and when I added in some Swarovski crystals, it all came together pretty quickly.
Green Goodness

I had a couple of extra beads, so it was easy to make a matching pair of earrings- love, love, love this set! I'd never even heard of this stone before, but will be on the hunt for them again. And since I really like Bolthouse Farm's Green Goodness smoothies, it seemed an oddly appropriate name.


Green Goodness set

Then it was time to tackle the focal. I'm loving Cindy Wimmer's book The Missing Link ( you may have caught on to that by now if you scroll back to previous blog entries), and that's where I went to for inspiration. I think I'll just work my way through the whole book! The name of this piece is Zeleny- it's Czech for "green"; with all the pretty Czech spacers used, it seemed to fit!

Zeleny

Here's a closeup of  Christine's focal, which I made into a tassled pendant, using some beautiful rice mother of pearl beads and some of the sari ribbon she had sent, which I've never worked with before.
Zeleny

I used twisted brass wire on the hammered rings to tie in the lovely golden tones of the Czech beads and her lampwork spacers. And then, because I still had some lovely lampwork beads left, made a matching pair of earrings.
There's TONS of other beautiful things to see- it's going to take quite a while to get through all since there's almost 500 participants. Talk about a cornucopia of inspiration and eye candy!

Without further ado, here's the list of everyone who was part of this amazing event. Again, hats off to Lori for another opportunity to be part of such an extraordinary event.

Lori Anderson, Hostess     www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Tina Bosh                                  http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Kristina Hahn Eleniak                 www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Kari Asbury                               www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Kris Binsfield                             www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Cheryl Gangle                            www.RockCandyJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Amber Dawn                             www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Michelle Wigginton                     http://adornedonadelaide.weebly.com/
Kayla Potega                              http://teejewelry.blogspot.com/
Becky Pancake                           www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Debbie Rogers                             http://debbiestreasuresandgems.wordpress.com/
Jenny Kyrlach                             www.anafiassa.blogspot.com
Genea Crivello-Knable                 www.geneabeads.blogspot.com
Deborah Read                             www.deborahreadcom.blogspot.com
Julianna Cannon                          http://julsbeads.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy                                  www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Debbie Rasmussen                      www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca
Iveth Caruso                               www.creativeatelier.net/blog
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Corrie Williams                           http://thecedarbeader.blogspot.com.au
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley                       http://blog.mirandack.com/
Andra Weber                             www.andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen                      http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com/
Penny Houghton                         www.smellynelly.blogspot.com.au
Tania Hagen                               http://pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz/
Robin Reed                                www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Laurie Vyselaar                           www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Rachel Baron                              www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Erin Guest                                   www.renlish.com
Emma Todd                                            www.apolymerpenchant.com
Kelly Schermerhorn                            http://meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey                                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com
Rebecca Ednie                                       http://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Marybeth Rich                                       http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Sherri Levinton                                      www.cuttergazette.blogspot.com
RaMona Woolson                                www.jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton                             www.Itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Audrey Belanger                                  http://esperianterra.blogspot.ca/
Candida Castleberry                            http://spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano                              https://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault                                  www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Toltec  Jewels                                        www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Diana Welte                                            http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com

Jean A. Wells                                          www.jeanawells.blogspot.com
Bev Breisinger                                       http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com/
Autumn Adams                                     www.autumndawns.blogspot.com
DiYana Alcalde                                       www.agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com
Patty Gasparino                                    www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com
Karen Mitchell                                       www.overthemoon-design.com
Regina Santerre                                    http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com/
Dhea Powers                                         http://javabead.blogspot.com/
Jayne Capps                                           https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Keri Lee Sereika                                    www.pinklemonade.typepad.com
Melissa Trudinger                                www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca                              http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Jeanne Steck                                          www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson                                     http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson                                     http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Maybeline Tay                                       http://thejewelrylarder.blogspot.sg/

Jackie Locantore                                   http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStarSanctuaryStudio
D'Arsie Manzella                                   http://thisherenowmamacita.blogspot.com
Jacqueline Marchant                          http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/
Beccy Peterson                                     www.yanasmom.blogspot.com
Katie Nielson-Nunez                           www.Vikingcraft.blogspot.com
Heidi Kingman                                       http://heidikingman.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick                                           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Rose Johnson                                        http://swtrosethorn.blogspot.com/
Nicole Demore                                      http://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad                                          http://marticsclay.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan                                  www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                                          www.needfulluxuries.com
Christa Murphy                                     www.adventuresofwonbeadywoman.blogspot.com
Alisa Siceloff                                           www.armoredmermaid.blogspot.com
Maria Rios                                               http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com/
Tracy Martin                                           www.nutkittensjewelry.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett                                           www.spiritrattles.blogspot.com
Jelveh Jafarian                                          http://jelvehdesigns.blogspot.com/
Ali McCarthy                                           www.northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com
Jennifer LaVite                                      www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com

Dolores Raml                                          www.craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Valerie Kravette                                   http://gettingabeadon.blogspot.com
Bobbie Rafferty                                    www.beadsong.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breeding                               http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Kristi Brokaw                                          www.Kristibrokawdesigns.blogspot.com
Lisa Suver                                                http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/
Natalie Moten                                       http://runningoutofthread.blogspot.com/
Jami Shipp                                               http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com/
Diana Shiraishi                                       www.JasmineTeaDesigns.blogspot.com
Heather Otto                                         http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erp                    www.kruseartllc.com
Lisa Knappenberger                            www.liraysadesigns.blogspot.com
Charlene Jacka                                      http://clay-space.com/blog

Patty Miller                                             http://pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com/
Sandi James                                            www.dobedobeaddo.blogspot.com
Marianne Hurley                                  www.Readsandbeads.wordpress.com
Cris Peacock                                           http://crispart.blogspot.com/
Andrea Rivers                                        http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com/
Gloria Allen                                             http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com/
Kandice Seeber                                     http://coloraddictionblog.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas                                           http://www.esfera.me/travel/
Sandy Richardson                                 www.SandyscoloringBox.blogspot.com
Hajer Waheed                                       www.mybeadedworld.wordpress.com
Cynthia Abner                                       http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com/

Peggy Johnson                                      http://charmbarn.blogspot.com/
Tina Holden                                             www.beadcomber.ca
Julie Bowen                                            http://blog.autochthonous-evolved.com
Heather Richter                                    http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Sarah Strover                                         www.beaupepys.blogspot.com
Kimberly Idalski                                     www.kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Sandi Volpe                                            www.sandivolpe.com
Tandra Boyer                                         http://alittleinkalicious.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koon                                      http://www.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com

Michaela Pabeschitz                           http://der-lamardebonita.blogspot.co.at/
Mea-B. Uebler                                      http://schmuck-der-gut-tut.blogspot.de
Mandi Effron                                          www.craft-o-licious.blogspot.com
Evelyn Shelby                                        http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/
Shai Williams                                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Natalie Davidson                                  http://www.northshoredays.com
Evelyn Duberry                                     www.Shebamakeda.com
Eszter Czibulyas                                    http://bigyogyar.blogspot.com
Sylvia Lupberger                                   http://www.lusyls-kreativseite.blogspot.de/

Divya N                                                     www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Blanca Medina                                       www.peru-medesigns.com
Ginger Davis Allman                            http://thebluebottletree.com
Chris Eisenberg                                     http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Katja Benevol Gabrrijelcic                 http://slovoni.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                                       www.marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Margareta Saari                                    http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.fi/
Menka Gupta                                        http://menkag.blogspot.com/
Dian Hierschel                                        www.mydias.de
Kashmira Patel                                      http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Christina Miles                                       http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/
Inge von Roos                                        www.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Sam Siegel                                               http://samsbeadshopandjewelry.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett                                          http://www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Linda Newnham                                   http://earth-shinedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Enikö Fabian                                           www.perleni.blogspot.com
Dorota Żerańska                                   http://gdymamczas.blogspot.com
Shalini Austin                                         http://jewellery-by-shalini.blogspot.co.uk
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens                    www.glassbeadart.blogspot.com
Silke Groeber                                         http://just-beads.blogspot.com
Birgit Klughardt                                     www.gitesbeads-gite.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson                              www.songbeads.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers                                             http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Stefanie Teufel                                     http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com

Rosantia Petkova                                 http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Alenka Obid                                            www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Jacqueline Keller                                  www.creartelier.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn                                        http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk

Jackie Ryan                                             http://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Kumi Fisher                                             www.kumifisher.blogspot.com
Joan Williams                                         www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Stephanie Weiss                                   http://uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/
Elsbeth Fuchs                                         www.acrimbolda.blogspot.com
Johanna Nash                                        http://http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.co.uk
 Natascha Marty                                    http://www.sommerlicht.ch
Sarah Goode                                          www.pookledo.blogspot.com
Agata Grygiel                                         http://www.inaurem.pl/
Jeannine Vetsch-Bokstaller                  www.jevebo-art.blogspot.com
Rebecca Sirevaag                                 www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

Magdalena Sikora                                http://www.porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Ana Krepel                                              http://catspajamas-dogstuxedos.blogspot.com/
Saskia Letta                                             www.puenktliundanton.blogspot.com
Beth Emery                                             www.storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Lizzie Clarke                                            www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com
Evie and Beth McCord                        http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/
Marcia Dunne                                        www.thealternativefoundry.blogspot.co.uk
Agi Kiss                                                     http://moonsafaribeads.blogspot.com
Esterina Jagiella                                     http://ekleijar.blogspot.com/
Judith Johnston                                    http://www.judith-johnston.com/blog/
Jenny Vidberg                                       http://shymessmycken.blogspot.se/

Klaudia Toth                                           http://www.klaudiabizsu.hu
Merja Sundström                                 http://suntsan.blogspot.fi/
Colleen Vinthagen                               http://www.thewireworkshop.com/blog
Leah Curtis                                              http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Giorgia Rossini                                       http://joyblonde.blogspot.it/
Sandra Wollberg                                   www.city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com/‎
Annica Larsson                                      http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/
Johana Nunez                                        www.artincendi.com
Krafty Max                                              http://kraftymax.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider                                        www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars                                        www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi            http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Maddison Langford                             www.maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop                                        http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Birgitta Lejonklou                                 www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Lesley Watt                                             www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Doris Stumpf                                          www.glaszwerg.blogspot.com
Marjolein Trewavas                            http://roomforchangemeuk.blogspot.co.uk/
Silvia Sernicola                                       http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/
Roxanne Blanc                                       http://strikesmyfancy-2013.blogspot.com/
Wendy Chamberlain                           http://wendy-essentialbears.blogspot.co.uk/
Siobhán Keogh                                      www.vovsjewellery.blogspot.ie
Claire Fabian                                           www.saraccino.blogspot.com
Katrin Fenzke                                         http://perlhuehner-schokojunkie.blogspot.de/

Eva Wills                                                   http://quiltingpug.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                                    http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Bridget Torres                                        www.shears58.net
Marina Passarella                                 http://annodarte2013.blogspot.it
Christina Hickman                                http://vintagetreasuresjewelry.blogspot.com/
Tammie Everly                                       http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/
Ana Cravidao                                          http://acbeads.blogspot.com
Keren Panthaki                                     www.vasdea.wordpress.com
Jennifer VaBenschoten                     http://www.vanbeads.blogspot.com
Solange Collin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Marina Kosović                                      http://machoopko-design.blogspot.com/
Michelle Tucker                                    www.michelleannstudio.com
Sue Rennie                                             http://moonandsevenstars.blogspot.co.uk/

Claire Lockwood                                   www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com
Barb Solem                                             www.ViviMagooPresents.com
Caroline Dewison                                 http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk
Noemi Baena Roman                          http://blog.noemibaena.com/
Marsela Schroth                                   www.marselita.de
Amy Severino                                        http://www.amybeads.blogspot.com/
Vonna Maslanka                                   http://justvonna.blogspot.com/
Andra Marasteanu                              http://bijouxdemonange.blogspot.com
Cherrie Warzocha                                www.colorsofshae.blogspot.com
Amanda Wacasey                                www.Mandyinmystic.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson                                www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnson                                           http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Gail Vanderster-Zwang                      www.Angelmoose.blogspot.com

Laurie Keefe-Cecere                           http://cecerelyyours.blogspot.com
Asri Wahyuningsih                               http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
ChristineMurrow  (You're Here)         www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Laurie Ament                                         http://isinglassdesign.blogspot.com/
Lilik Kristiani                                            http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Haussler                             www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Deb Fortin                                               www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Kelly Hosford Patterson                    www.travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Katy Heider                                             www.onthepondcreations.blogspot.com
Christine Stonefield                            www.sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com

Dagmar Liebisch                                    http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.de
Sandra McGriff                                      http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Sheila Daniels                                         http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Rossana De Gaspari                             www.Rdegas.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins                                      Www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille                                             www.dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs                                                www.rigglettes.blogspot.com
Lora Bright                                               www.labweorc.wordpress.com
Tina Noonan                                           www.wingedimp.blogspot.com
Shawn Price                                            http://silkyshaven.blogspot.com

April Grinaway                                       http://brooklynbeadgoddess.blogspot.com
Cheryl Roe                                              www.beadroe.blogspot.com
Pam Hurst                                               http://pamhurst.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore                                        www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Emmanuelle Roué                               www.ashentara.blogspot.fr
Tammy Adams                                      http://paisleylizard.com/blog.html
Kristin Oppold                                        http://www.yayjewelry.blogspot.com
Catie Doman                                          http://drcatie.blogspot.com/
Sheila Prosterman                               www.catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Cheryl Foiles                                           http://cherylsartisticendeavors.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Perry                                    www.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Barbara Fernald                                    www.BarbaraSFernald.com
Debi Dufrene                                         http://debideauxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathy Stemke                                        http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com/
Anne Betenson                                     www.crystalriverbeads.blogspot.com
Chris Haussler                                        http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Catherine King                                       www.Catherines-Musings.blogspot.com
Andria Poole                                          www.jewelleryartiste.blogspot.co.uk
Sherri Stokey                                         www.knotjustmacrame.com
Sharyl King                                              http://catchenthesun.wordpress.com

Donna Millard                                        http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/
Gayle Dyck                                              www.dragonflydreamweaver.wordpress.com
Gen Smith                                               http://www.gennysworld.blogspot.com
Deanna Cox                                            http://deannaaki.wordpress.com/
Beti Horvath                                           www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke                                 www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Arlene Dean                                           http://aglassbash.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrow                            www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Deborah Apodaca                                www.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com

Veralynne Malone                               www.veradesigns.blogspot.com
Stacy Alderson                                      http://iridalsattic.blogspot.co.uk
Eva Sherman                                          http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Cassi Paslick                                            http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cindy Boissonneault                              www.dziar.com
Linda Sadler                                            www.idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com
Louise Glazier                                        http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/
Susan McClelland                                 http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/
Kathrin Lembke                                    http://allesperle.blogspot.de/
Susanne Stelljes                                    www.Pearlify.blogspot.com
Terry Jeanette Carter                            www.tappingflamingo.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                                              http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Kim Paige                                                 http://www.redtree-studio.com/blog/
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell                   www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Annita Wilson                                        http://awjewelryandbeadwork.blogspot.com/
Tracey Leeder                                        http://abeadifulmess.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunn                                      http://elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Allison Fitzpatrick                                 alspolkadotsandpaisley.blogspot.com
Tania Spivey                                           www.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Ilenia Ruzza                                             http://ile1974.blogspot.it/
Lauren Potts                                           www.lpsjewelry.blogspot.com
Lynn Jobber                                            http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Lee Koopman                                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Carol Wilson                                           http://jetadorn.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Woodford                            www.Elizabethcreates.blogspot.com
Deb McKinnis                                         www.willowbridgebeads.wordpress.com
Rochelle Brisson                                   http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Shari Replogle                                        www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Janeen Sorensen                                 www.wildvanilladesigns.com
Kat Barron Miller                                  http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
Elaine Robitaille                                     http:/www.tooaquarius.com
Darlene Fortier                                      www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Leslie Schenkel                                      http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/
Kym Hunter                                            http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Leslie Wayment                                    http://www.aabeadsonline.com/blog/
Beckie Robison                                      http://spiralfirestudios.blogspot.com
Hannah Trost                                         www.pzdesigns.blogspot.com
Kim Hutchinson                                     www.jumbledhutch.wordpress.com

Liz Engriser                                              www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Diah Anggreni                                        https://mymaniks.wordpress.com
Monique Urquhart                              http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Kim Williams                                           www.kimmwilliams.blogspot.com
Theresa Buchle                                     http://www.bead-mused.blogspot.com
Susan Bowie                                           http://susanbowie.wordpress.com
Pam DeBoer                                           http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Skylar Bre'z                                             http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Janet Loomis                                          www.anvilartifacts.blogspot.com
Tari Kahrs                                                 http://brush.typepad.com/my-blog/
Nancy Smith                                           www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Erin Grant                                                www.ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com

Barbara Mason                                      www.Adorninglyyours.com
Karin King                                                www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca
Mary K. McGraw                                  www.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Mandi Ainsworth                                 www.beadcircle.com
Jasvanti Patel                                         http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Donna Conklin                                       www.PrimaDonnaBeads.com
Karen Jones                                            http://offthetopcreations.blogspot.ca/
Lori Finney                                              www.lori-finney.blogspot.ca
Sheila Davis                                             http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/

Sabine Dittrich                                       www.perlendschungel.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmer                  www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Marge Beebe                                         www.rockcreekcreations.blogspot.com
Michelle McCarthy                              Www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Chandra Merod                                    www.Junipergoods.blogspot.com
Nancy Olliver                                          http://nancyolliver.com/blog/
Alison Sachs                                            http://beadsbyearthtones.blogspot.com/
Kay Mallery                                             www.kaymreflections.blogspot.com
Beth Petricoin                                        http://createmyworlddesigns.blogspot.com/
Marta Grabalowska                             http://galeriakota.blogspot.com/
Clare Etheridge                                     http://www.catseatdogs.com

Heather Marston                                 http://cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com
Ann Rishell                                              Http://mycriticaleye.com
Cece Cormier                                         http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/
Shannon German                                 www.Missficklemediacom.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan                           http://www.maryellenbeads.com
Cheryl Brown                                         www.dragonflybeads.ca
Mary Hicks                                              http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Judy Robinson                                       http://judyrobinsondesigns.com
Danielle Kelley                                       http://imbuethemuse.blogspot.com/
Cate van Alphen                                   http://fulgorine.wordpress.com/
Patricia Buchanan                                 www.braceletstoo.artfire.com
Billi R.S. Rothove                                   http://www.billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com
Laura Blanck                                           www.laurablanck.blogspot.com
Pam Traub                                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com

Fay Wolfenden                                     www.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kristi Harrison                                        http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com/
Karen Martinez                                     http://fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/
Sarah Singer                                           http://singingsongsofsixpence.blogspot.co.uk
Megan Tillery                                         http://cherryonion.wordpress.com/
Dana James                                            www.danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Rachel Stewart                                      www.bluefinchjewelry.blogspot.com
Valerie Cook                                           www.kimisjewelryandgifts.blogspot.com
Debra Gibson                                         http://debrasheart.blogspot.com/
Pat Haight                                                http://wigglebuttblog.blogspot.com/

Rachel Stanley                                       www.2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Sandra Pendragon                               www.SandraPendragon.blogspot.com
Anja Schultz                                            www.Anjas-perlenwelt.blogspot.de
Sharon Driscoll                                       www.sharondriscoll.blogspot.com
Lecia Woessner                                     https://www.copperroses.blogspot.com
Kitty Durmaj                                           www.perlesandlife.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington                              http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/
Bonnie Coursolle                                  http://jaspersgems.blogspot.ca/
Laurie Wirth                                            www.mermaidtreasuresart.blogspot.com
Lori Callahan                                           http://dancingwireandbeads.blogspot.com/
B.R. Kuhlman                                         www.mixedmayhemstudios.com

Karin Grosset Grange                         http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr
Rebekah Payne                                     http://www.treewingsstudio.com/
Lori Bowring Michaud                         http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/
Patty Woodland                                    http://brokenteepee.com
Eleanor Burian-Mohr                          http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Susanna Lehto                                       www.othellehto.blogspot.fi
June Butt                                                 http://www.onewhiteswan.blogspot.co.nz/
Melissa Muir                                          www.Melissamuir.com/blog
Laney Mead                                           http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Tamera Norris                                        http://bytameraleah.com/

Andrea Trank                                         www.heavenlanecreations.com
Marie Covert                                          http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Valerie Tilghman                                   www.Artjewelzdimensions.blogspot.com
Jean Baldridge Yates                           http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Sierra Barrett                                         www.Giraffecanhas.wordpress.com
Patricia Robitaille                                  http://www.banglesandbrew.blogspot.com/
Leanne Loftus                                        www.firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Sally Russick                                            http://thestudiosublime.com
Mallory Hoffman                                  http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Dini Bruinsma                                         www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Marde Lowe                                           www.fancimar.com
Hannah Annear                                     www.quirkyhannah.wordpress.com

Patty Johnson                                        http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com/
Valerie Norton                                      www.hot-fused-glass.com
Ann Sherwood                                      http://ann-sherwood.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith                                              www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Jen Purple                                               www.purplefishstudio.blogspot.com
Ruth Szapa                                              www.trulytrudi.blogspot.com
CJ Bauschka                                            www.Fool4Jewels.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                                         www.texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Suz Hamel                                               http://cardandjewelrycorner.blogspot.com/
Laura Guenther                                    www.Blueantiquities.blogspot.com
Elisabeth Auld                                        www.beadsforbusygals.com

Martha Aleo                                           www.ornamento.wordpress.com
Shiraz Biggie                                           www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Brendalee Astells                                    www.silverbee.ca
Heather d'Entremont                             http://frugalmacdougall.wordpress.com
Kelly Morgan                                          www.silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Blanchard                                        www.alainnjewelry.wordpress.com
Susan Kennedy                                     www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah                                           http://honeyandollie.com
Janice Warden Bergeron                   http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca/
Melissa Packer                                      www.melissascheapfrills.com

Jana Haverty                                          http://handlcreations.blogspot.com/
Cindy Ritchie                                          http://mooseriverglass.blogspot.com/
Marianne Baxter                                  www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Denise McCabe                                     www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Sharon Palac                                           www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
Cathy Buckley                                        www.cathybuckleycatsmeow.blogspot.com
Jennifer Van Horn                                http://jennifersjewelsandjunk.blogspot.com/
Crystal Rector                                        Www.autumnskyadornments.com/blog
Susan Walls                                             http://susansartcircus.com/blog
Penny Neville                                        http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com

Lisa Cone                                                 http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Heather Davis                                        www.heatherdavisdesigns.com
Michelle Escano                                    www.cabbycaft.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau                                            http://littlemake.blogspot.com
Janet Borzecki                                       www.jaybeejewelry.blogspot.com
Rhonda Hagerman                               http://mustardseedbeads.blogspot.com/
Katrina Taylor                                         www.iwannagoout.wordpress.com
Molly Alexander                                   http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nicole Rennell                                       www.nicolerennell.com/blog
Chris McGilvery                                     www.mmmomentos.blogspot.com

Erin Prais-Hintz                                      http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Dawn Williams                                       www.sadiejewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Kate Dufour                                            https://mixfolios.wordpress.com/
Robin Lynne Showstack                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Hodges                                  www.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Adlinah Kamsir                                      http://dreamstruckdesigns.blogspot.sg/
Carol Dillman                                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Christine Hansen                                  http://intuitivesparks.blogspot.com/
Andrea Frank                                         http://andreajewelry.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman                                         www.beadtrilogy.com

Denise Petersen                                   www.reinventedobjects.blogspot.com
Veronica Campos-Hallstrom                 www.clubcreativestudio.com/blog
Madonna Liza Cruz-Comia                http://crazy-notions.blogspot.com
Suzann Sladcik Wilson                        www.Beadphoria.wordpress.com
Terri Gauthier                                        http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache                                   http://www.allprettythings.ca
Barbara Bechtel                                    http://secondsurf.com
Hannah Rosner                                     http://goodrivergallery.blogspot.com
Keren von Hoeren                                www.creativeideen.de
Lea Avroch                                              http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/

Maire Dodd                                            http://mairedodd.blogspot.com/



Ocean Blog Hop

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I must apologize to our hostess, Lisa Lodge of A Grateful Artist, for posting late.  There were some major difficulties this past week with all sorts of technology at my house this past week. However, most issues have been resolved and here I am!  (If you're looking for my BSBP post, it's here.)

Once again I forgot to take pictures of the beads in their original state, so I'll point out the goodies in the pictures below and keep this short and sweet.

Lisa sent me those amazing seaglass cobalt blue rounds and heishi spacers from ZNet Shows.  The color is so deep and rich, and when I realized it would pair perfectly with some flowered spacers and a pendant I had purchased from Glasswork by Susan in Tallahassee, it all came together very quickly.



Cobalt Delight

Next to be used were these sweet little blue glass beads. They wanted to play with some bigger beads in the same color and some matching crystals, which were left over from an earlier ZNet project. When a pendant from long ago joined the party, the set was complete.

Wildflower Blues

There were a couple of adorable starfish charms, and those quickly became earrings. Lisa also sent the green  crystal beads in the first pair of earrings.
Starfish dangles
Crystal Tropicale
 I found these right angle weave crystal balls hanging around my desk, and added just a little bit of sparkle and shine to these antique brass starfish.

And then there was this amazing focal from Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studios. I wasn't familiar with her work, but will definitely be browsing her goodies from now on! She's also a Florida gal, and has some great ceramic beads and pendants.

Digging through my stash I found these beautiful navy blue pearls that complimented the pendant perfectly and decided to pair them all with some antique brass chains to make something a little different. Double strand necklaces aren't something I usually do, but this seemed to work out. The third strand is a separate piece that can be work with or without the focal piece- you can see all three in the first picture.

Nautical Navy
Here's a look at the third strand by itself- gotta love wire wrapping. I also used the toggle clasp that Lisa sent.


There are a few green crystals that will be paired with an antique brass pendant, and some more light blue seaglass beads that hid until after I was all done.

Thanks, Lisa, for another fun blog hop.  Hope you'll stop by and visit the other participants. Hope your day is filled with splashes and dashes of grace and joy!

Ocean Blog Hop May 31st Reveal:
Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry (you are here)
Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue
Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera
Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out
Mary Ann Macri Jacobs, Trucksville Crafts
Jeanne Steck, Gems by Jeanne Marie
Ann Schroeder, Bead Love
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog
Margaret Pelech, Margaret Pelech's Ocean Blog
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations



Just a teaser...

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I love being part of the ZNet Show design team! Their products are not only pretty, but so much fun to play with. A while back we were given the opportunity to be part of the ZNet Summer Days and Nights challenge Blog hop, and while I can't show you the finished products yet,  here's a look at what they sent for me to work with.
A whole tray of cultured sea glass in a variety of colors just begging to be made into summer pretties. You'd like a closer look? Yes, that can be arranged:)
Opaque Purple sea glass barrel nugget beads
Blossom Pink cultured sea glass freeform pendant and drops
Cherry Red sea glass beads

Turquoise Bay sea glass beads and pendants
As soon as Crafty Hope has the Creative Spark magazine ready to go, we'll be all blogging about our creations, so stay tuned!

Until then, may your summer days be filled with dashes of grace and splashes of joy!

Christie

Summer Days and Nights with Znet Shows

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It's reveal day! As I've mentioned before, I love, love, love being part of the Znet Shows Design team. Their products are not only beautiful, but a great value as well. Here's a quick look at what I was sent as part of the Summer Days and Nights challenge:

You can find a more detailed description here, but let's get to the finished products.

For my daytime set, I chose those lovely opaque purple barrel nugget cultured sea glass beads.

Purple Haze
With the addition of some some purple stone beads and a few sparkly metallic crystal beads, this set came together very quickly.

I wanted to do something a little more dramatic for the nighttime set, and those Blossom Pink cultured sea glass free form flat pendants kept calling my name. While at a local bead store, I found some  light pink agate dagger beads, some light pink crystals and voila!

Pink Delight
Here's another look at this set:

 
But there were more beads waiting to be played with, and because I'm having SO much fun making wire bangles ( you can see some of the goodies on my Facebook page) these cultured sea glass rondelle beads in Cherry Red were just right to make this splash of color bangle.
Cherry Red Bangle

You can see all the lovelies in the Summer Edition of the Creative Spark Magazine here.

You can also visit the blogs of all those who participated:






Hope your July 4th was filled with celebration, family and many dashes of joy and splashes of grace!

Christie

Znet Shows Creative Spark

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I've been remiss in blogging. Life changed lanes a few months ago and I was blessed with a new opportunity, which I am loving. However, being part of this new thing meant letting go of others, and I am no longer teaching jewelry classes or doing as much jewelry making. I'm also working an extra day a week, again, a blessing, but life got really busy very quickly. So, I'm sorting through beads and commitments to figure out what exactly needs to stay and what can be let go of. I've also discovered bangles, which are ever so much fun. I grew up in India, and bangles were a staple from the time that I was little. I love making them, I love wearing them and I love sharing them!

Znet Shows  is a great company to be part of. Their products are beautiful and their prices are amazing. For the fall issue of Creative Spark,  they came up with something different for us designers. Some would make fall themed jewelry, some would write tutorials and some would play with found object jewelry. I was fortunate enough to be part of the fall themed jewelry group.  Look at the gorgeous beads that came my way!



I went looking for some inspiration and found it on Instagram with my friend @DenesiaChristine. You'll see one of her stunning pictures inside the magazine, but please take a peak at her other breathtaking pictures.  They're a treat for the eyes. (And while you're there, I'm @CharisDesigns.)

I mentioned earlier that bangles are my new plaything, and so I got to playing. These were the first things that got made? Don't they just embody all the colors of fall?


There's a lot more beautiful things waiting to be seen inside. I hope you'll click on the link and take a peek at all the jewelry my fellow design team members have created. And, oh look!, I'm on the cover!!! How's that for a splash and dash of grace and joy?

   

        
Creative Spark Fall 2014 Fall 2014

Pretty Pallettes December Challenge

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It's been way too long since I've blogged. With the changes that I mentioned in the last post, I've had a lot less time to do blog challenges and play with new jewelry endeavors. I've been busy with filling orders for bangles ( you can always find the latest offerings on my Instagram account) which has been a blessing, and then a Facebook friend (Heidi) posted that she was going to be the partner for the Pretty Palletes December challenge, and encouraged me to join in and play. With an invite like that, would could resist? The colors and inspiration picture that Erin Prais-Hintz had chosen were so pretty and perfect for a New Year's Eve party.

I loved the combination of colors and shapes. She challenged us to mix metals and to use either her choice of Halcraft USA beads ( found at Michaels) or use our own. Next time I was in the store, I found these beauties. Aren't they pretty? Those gorgeous black roundels were my starting point- I love the geometric shapes within the bead, as well as the mix of colors.

 Here are the SKU numbers that I used (from left to right)
81004 Mixed metal gears
94004  14mm Glass Faceted Crystal Rainbow bicones
91688 Multi acrylic pave roundel
93970 Glass black luster faceted roundel
80287 Amethyst drop small faceted

Here's the finished result. 
Gearing Up for New Things

Here's another peek. The gear components made me think of the clock and how time waits for no one. As another New Year awaits, so do new possibilities! Here's another peek
Gearing Up set


Before you leave, make sure you head over to Heidi Parviainen's blog, Heidi P Says, to see what she created.  She's an incredibly talented lady, who also writes tutorials for Wubbers University. Thanks, Heidi, for your encouragement!

I hope that your New Year is filled with dashes of grace and many, many splashes of joy!
Christie

January Pretty Palettes Challenge

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I'm officially hooked on this challenge! I am so enjoying seeing the inspiration picture and the beads that Erin Prais-Hintz posts on the Halcraft Pretty Palettes site. For January, Erin chose this picture featuring the Pantone color of the year, Marsala.
These colors are gorgeous together, and so, off to Michaels I went, in search of that lovely rich color. However, the selection at our local M's was very limited and I was hard pressed to find anything in the right color family. From the beginning, that beautiful purple gray succulent in the bouquet had caught my eye and when I found these beads below in that color range, I went off on a tangent.
Here are the beads that were used:
94760 Amethyst Glass Mix
91560 Amethyst Czech glass 6mm rondelles
80286 Amethyst stone Nugget Lustre

I added some 26 gauge Artistic Wire, threw in a little wire crochet, and here's the result:



Purple Mountain Majesty

    
                               
   


 I'm a February baby, so amethyst is my birthstone. Maybe that's why it called my name? At any rate I love the end result.

Hop on over to the January Reveal post to see what Erin and her guest, Sarah Ostriyznick, created, and links to the other contributors as well.

Hope your day is filled with just a little more joy and grace after seeing all the pretties!

Christie



Creative Spark Winter 2015 Reveal

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I do love being a part of the Znet Design team. We get to play with beautiful beads, and this challenge was no exception.

When I need inspiration for a certain season, I love to look at my friend Deni's pictures on Instagram ( @Denesiachristine) and once again, she didn't disappoint. The theme for this challenge was ice, something in short supply here in Florida, unless you look in my freezer! I was a little stumped when I received my beads.

 They were beautiful, but how on earth did I translate them into icy pieces? So, after picking out a couple of lovely pictures from Instagram, I went with a Tropical Ice inspiration.

Tahitian Ice was my first venture.  I used cultured sea glass beads in that beautiful Sea Foam Green,
added a strand of freshwater pearls and a strand of crystal rondelles, and wire crocheted 4 different strands with some silver colored non tarnish wire, then twisted them all together for a set that I call Tahitian Ice.
                                 
 
The next project was a pair of earrings using Cultured Sea Glass sand dollar pendants, and keeping with the Tropical Ice theme,  I used some crystal teardrops and sterling plated beads, ending up with Snowy Shells. I love Deni's picture of this bird sitting in the midst of a snowy backdrop, and used that sprig of icy leaves as my inspiration.

Next up was Frozen Flowers. I wanted to use the lovely cultured sea glass rondelle beads in Peridot. This design went through a couple of versions before I found this pendant in my stash from a stained glass store in Tallahassee. It's a piece of English china that Susan of Glasswork by Susan  repurposed into a pendant. Paired with copper chain ,copper spaces. and some antique bronze wire it blossomed
into a complete set.

This picture was my inspiration
 
The final offering is a pair of earrings using cultured sea glass diamond pendants in Periwinkle Changes.

  Hope had suggested the black ice idea, and so armed with some annealed steel wire from my friendly Ace Hardware store, Periwinkle Points were born. As you can see from the picture of all the beads I received, there were plenty of gorgeous options to choose from, but most will have to wait for another day.  

Here's the link to the Winter Edition of Creative Spark- there's lots of gorgeous beads and designs waiting to be seen inside, so I hope you'll take a moment and look

Grateful Living

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I'm so excited to announce that yours truly is now a regular contributor to Molly Alexander's
Grateful Living blog.





There are several different contributors, but Molly's mission for these posts is simply this

Friends sharing together, doing our best to define grateful living as:

Seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Finding the small blessings in the big storms.

Waking up, breathing in, and recognizing that each day is a gift.

Seeing the glass as half-full.

Stepping off the treadmill of life and standing still for a moment to stop and smell the roses.

Looking beyond faults and recognizing the good in others.

Being thankful for what you have and not worrying away all your time wishing for what you don't.


This,
and so much more,
 is what grateful living is all about.


Please join us as we share pieces and parts of our personal experiences with you as we do our best to walk on the sunny side of the street.

I hope you'll become a regular reader and find those splashes of grace and dashes of joy!
Christie

.ABS Ornament Blog Hop: It's a Narnia Kind of Thing..

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This is my second year participating in the ABS Ornament Blog Hop hosted by Heather Powers of Humble Beads.  When pondering the possibilities, I fell in love  Heather's Woodland Evergreen holiday pendant, and immediately thought of one of my favorite books, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C.S. Lewis is a favorite author of mine, and I've read the series ( as well as many other books of his) numerous times. While it's an entertaining read, he weaves all sorts of wonderful truths into the story and it becomes a lovely allegory. With that in mind, and loving the annealed steel wire that others have recommended, here's what I came up with:
Into Narnia


If you're a Narnia kind of person, there's a few little things built into this. The dark wire reminded immediately of the lamppost that Lucy sees upon entering. Wrapped inside the first bundle is a crystal to emulate said lamppost. There are four beads- two lava blue ones for Edmund and Peter in the main body of the ornament, and two crystal ones for Lucy and Susan. If you've read through the series ( I won't spoil it for you) you could see also where the wrapped crystal bead represents Susan, and the big, clear crystal symbolizes Lucy. It needed a little texture, and I couldn't find anything that seemed to go with it, until  spotting the raffia.  It was an aha! moment when I knew it would represent Aslan's mane.

Here's another view:
This isn't the greatest picture, but it's hanging on my new topiary ( gotta love Pinterest) that I've been dying to make and finally got done yesterday :) By now you know that I also love Rhonna Designs, so a shout out to her wonderful picture app.

One final peek:
Here's a couple of favorite quotes about Aslan:

"Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”


“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”
C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Here's wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, the wonder of Narnia, an encounter with the Son of the Emperor,and a season filled with joy and grace.

Christie

Stop on by the rest of the participants...

6th Do Over Challenge

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Some time ago I signed up for the 6th Do Over Challenge with Jeannie K. Ducik for the first time, and was delighted when I found out I would part of this. The guidelines were as follows: Each of the participants would receive a piece of jewelry that Jeannie made earlier in her career, and must use at least 50% of the Do Over piece in the new design.

Here's the necklace set that I was sent:
 All those little seed beads were a little overwhelming because I am not a seed beader.At All. So it was off to my favorite inspiration place, Pinterest. After searching through my boards and some new pins, I came across this:
                                                Bead Cap cones

I couldn't find the original site for this pin, because I would love to give credit to the designer. I love this design and the vibrant use of color. Isn't it beautiful? This became my jumping off point. I knew I wanted to use some original beads and recently discovered that Raina of Havana Beads didn't live all that far from me. I messaged her and was delighted to find that I could go meet her and see her gorgeous beads in person. Her studio is located in the colorful Fish House Art Center. Next time I'm definitely going to set aside more time to explore!
                                       

                Picture


I had a lovely time talking to her and seeing not only her beads/focals/creations, but her workspace and some of the projects she was working on. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of her beads by themselves but you'll see them in in the design below and in the blog entry tomorrow. After playing with this design several times, here is the final project.



African Leaf
Don't Raina's round ceramic beads pick up the color of the leaf focal nicely? I added a few wood and shell beads in with the seed beads on the right side and found some great horn beads that blended the colors in. I tried repeatedly to make the twist tighter on the one side, but with four strands of wire going through one crimp bead this is where it ended up. If you have any tips on how to keep strands tighter, I'm all ears!

Here's another look:
Thanks, Jeannie for letting me part of this very fun Do Over challenge. Now it's time to head on over and see what the other participants did with their jewelry!
Jeannie K Dukic 
 Penny Houghton
Susan Delaney
Becky Pancake
Therese Frank
Donetta Farrington
Molly Alexander
Mowse Doyle
Renetha Stanziano
Ginger Davis Allman
Kathy Richardson
Christie Murrow   (You're Here)
Veralynne Malone
Shai Williams
Beti Horvath
Linda Britt
Miranda Ackerley
Mischelle Andrade
Tracy Stillman
Charlene Bausinger
Deana Hager

Come back tomorrow to see what I made for the Autumn challenge- until then, may your day be filled with splashes and dashes of grace and joy. I'm off to try and finish my first 5K!

Second Annual Octoberfest Blog Hop

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How can it be the end of October already? That means *gulp* that December and the end of the year is much closer than it should be. On a personal note, I actually finished my very first 5K yesterday!! Woohoo! I still have a LONG ways to go because running the whole thing wasn't an option, but it was a fundraiser for a former teacher of my girls who is battling breast cancer. So I used the times I had to walk to pray for her and reminded myself of how blessed I am. I finished, but it wasn't pretty! lol.

My November is going to be very busy with three big jewelry events including (hurray, hurray) a trip to my sister's!! This will be my fourth annual jewelry show there and I love seeing repeat customers who've become friends along the way.

Autumn in Florida means that hopefully we're almost done with hurricane season. Our leaves don't change and we're expecting temperatures to drop to the high 70s this week. However, it also means that Pumpkin Pie Blizzards have arrived at Dairy Queen and there's Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer available at the grocery store :) If you're a pumpkin lover like I am, I have a Pumpkin Goodness board on (you guessed it) Pinterest! I love making pumpkin bread and muffins but may have to try the recipe for this pumpkin buckle sometime soon-
Pumpkin Buckle. The crust rises through the top during baking.
Pumpkin Buckle
                                                  

If you read my last blog post, you'll know that I recently had a chance to meet Raida of Havana Beads and see/buy some of her lovely beads and focals. While I was there looking for some beads for the 6th Do Over Challenge, I decided to indulge in more for today's blog hop. She had a gorgeous focal ceramic leaf that shouted "Fall";  it became mine :) and soon morphed into this...
Autumn Splendor

Those funky brown spacers were so much fun to wire wrap onto beaten copper circles. I added just a touch of green crystal to bring out the green in the amazing pendant. I haven't decided if I want to add another bigger green crystal at the bottom of the leaf- for right now I like it as it is.

Here's a closer look at the earrings
The fact that they're not perfectly matched adds to the appeal for me- definitely handmade and unique!
And one more look at the necklace by itself.

Autumn Splendor

so here's to fall and all the changes it brings. If you're in or around the Okeechobee area, I'll have a booth at the Craft Fair in the Woods on November 9th and would love for you to stop by and say hello! They don't have a website but here's a link to their Facebook page.

There's a whole lot of other people participating in the Octoberfest Blog Hop so make sure you check out what they've posted too. Thanks again to Rita of Toltec Jewels for hosting this, and may your October end with splashes and dashes of grace and joy!
Christie

Caroline                                       http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Andrea Glick-Zenith                     http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml                               http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan                               http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Susie Harris                                 http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Susan                                          http://libellulajewelry.com
Mischelle                                      http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Billi                                               http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/
Kay Thomerson                           http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/
Jean Yates                                  http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Kelly Hosford Patterson               http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                           http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Liz E                                            http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel                              http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Christie Murrow  (you're here)   www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com
Jodie Marshall                             http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Trank                              http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dini Bruinsma                              http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
Elsie Deliz Fonseca                     http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Pepita                                         www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan                              http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Kathleen                                     http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Vera Lynn                                   http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/
Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Catherine King                           http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/
Lily Vincent                                 http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Janice Hidey (Janimar)               http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/
Cory Tompkins                           http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com
Candida Castleberry                  www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Cynthia Kent Machata                http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                         http://www.allprettythings.ca
Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Leah Curtis                                 http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Reno (JenRen)              http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed                                 http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti                        www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge                                  http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Ingrid A.                                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Judy Turner                                www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett                               http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                                    www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
Tanya McGuire                           http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/
Ahowin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Sonya Stille                                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Pam                                            http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Carol D.                                      http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Asri Wahyuningsih                      http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/
Ginger Bishop                             http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Janine                                         http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Shaiha Williams                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Toltec Jewels (Rita, your hostess)  www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Jewelry for a Good Cause: Ears to You and 7000 Bracelets of Hope

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It's easy to get caught up in our day to day stuff and focus on the necessary and the busy things of life. However, every once in a while it's nice to take some time to be creative on someone else's behalf. I've had two such opportunities in the past couple of weeks and it's nice to be part of something bigger than yourself.

The first took place in October. Three of my wonderful jewelry students joined me for a couple of hours and we made 50 pairs of earrings for a wonderful organization called Ears to You. This great cause supplies earrings to women who are fighting cancer. The founder, Ruth Crane, is a cancer survivor herself, and wanted to give back to women by brightening up their day with pretties for their ears. There are many ways to support  Ears To You, and you can send in new earrings as well as money. Take a peek at the results:



The next opportunity I had was through the Znet Design Team. If you take a glance to the right of the blog, under Design Team members you'll see my name. How exciting is THAT??  This was my first time participating in a lightning round challenge for 7000 Bracelets for Hope.  The number 7000 represents the amount of rare genetic diseases that affect 1 in 10 people. The bracelets are distributed to the families that are fighting these rare, genetic disesases.

 If we chose to participate we got to pick 2 items from the Znet Shows website from the Tiara Chinese crystals, cultured sea glass or glass pearls. I picked the light Sapphire AB crystal rondelles and Light Sapphire 10 mm cultured sea glass rounds which you can see pictured below.. I thought I'd receive one strand of each since we were asked to make one bracelet and mail it in. To my delight, Znet sent me three strands of each. Aren't they pretty?
                       
And here's what I came up with...
7000 Bracelets for Hope
 In her email, Hope, who oversees the Znet social media, encouraged us to use designs that were a one fit all, so I did two on memory wire and two as stretchy bracelets. My mom had sent me the big chunky beads and they were perfect for the last bracelet. I used other beads from my stash and had a ball making these. Hope had also encouraged us to write a note with the bracelets and I was a little apprehensive. After all, what do you write to someone you've never met dealing with something you've no clue about? But after taking a deep breath and saying a prayer or two, I found something unique to say with each bracelet. I hope that it encourages and brings joy to each of the recipients.


One more look:
After these were in the mail, I realized I needed to make one more. My nephew, Josiah, has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and is wheelchair bound. He's an adorable, funny, bright, articulate kid who I've only had the pleasure to meet a couple of times since they live on the opposite side of the country. My brother and sister in law are his caretakers and I cannot begin to imagine the energy, time, and sacrifice it takes on their part- especially with two other children, including a very active toddler. So, when I get back from Texas ( more about that in another post) I'll be using more of these gorgeous beads to make one for my sister in law- or maybe two, for my oldest niece too!

Thanks, Hope and the Znet team for letting me be part of this opportunity. Two great causes- two great ways to get involved in spreading a little splash of joy and a dash of hope....
Christie

Lampwork and Clay Blog Hop

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Time for another blog hop. I love participating in these because a) it keeps me busy, b) it keeps me challenged and c) it's just plain fun! This one is hosted by Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures. We signed up some time ago and had our choice of either lampwork or clay beads to play with. I chose lampwork and was sent beautiful little beads by Lisa Anderson, in purple no less, which is always a delight to play with. I've been so busy getting ready for craft shows and jewelry parties ( I'm in Texas with my sister right now for an annual one) that I forgot about this until last week and went into panic mode.

**Deep breath** Then I came across a tutorial that I'd purchased off the Bead Style site some time ago that used coiling, and since I like to tackle new things with a blog hop, decided to give it a whirl ( pardon the pun). The tutorial, Razzle-dazzle Bracelet, is by Carolyn Conley, and while she used her own large lampwork beads in hers, I just decided to scale it down some and see how it worked.  I've done a little bit of coiling before but hers called for long pieces and while I love my Coiling Gizmo, it really only works well for coils up to about 7 inches. So, grabbing a thin knitting needle, I transferred the coil onto it and completed it there. It's not nearly as tight and looks slightly wonky, but at least it worked! I then fed it onto 18 gauge copper wire and recoiled it before adding a wrapped loop on each end and adding Swarovski lovelies for sparkle and shine.
Here's a look at the final product:


I need to oxidize it so the copper isn't so shiny but since my plane leaves in a couple of hours that will have to wait. Isn't it pretty? Love how the copper makes the purple lampwork the star of the show. I have two more beads left and am figuring out how to use the left over coils for earrings. If you're an Instagram person, I'd love for you to follow me on there. My user name is CharisDesigns. I've also joined the interesting world of Twitter, and am trying to figure out the ins and outs of that. I don't tweet very often, but enjoy following people and seeing things they're posting. Over there you can find me @CharisDJewelry.

Here's the list for the other blog hop peeps. Thanks again, Lisa, for hosting another hop. I'm off to play with my sister- that will fill my day with dashes, splashes and buckets of grace and joy!

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess
Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life
Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera
Linda Aspenson Bergstrom, TBD
Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Judy Turner, Silver Rains
Gloria Allen, Gloria Allen Designs
Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's
Connie Tipton, TBD
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry   (you are here)
Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
Michele Dotson, Star Jewels
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Jennifer Clifford, TBD
Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations
Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems
Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles (reveal will be delayed a few days)

ZNet Summer Challenge 2015

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Summer is my favorite time of year- beaches, sun, a slightly more relaxed schedule and hopefully lots
 and lots of time around water. So, when offered a chance to be part of a sea inspired challenge,
 I was delighted!  The cultured seaglass that ZNet Shows offers is truly a pleasure to work with.
 Because I'm craving some beach time, I chose to use gorgeous beaches from around the world 
as my inspiration. If you want to see more of the fabulous sea glass beads that ZNet has to offer, just
click on the link.
First up are some bangles inspired by Malibu Beach in Barbados- the orange and blues make for 
a beautiful combination. The products used in these two bangles are Cultured SeaGlass shell beads
in Saffron Yellow (S72-B57) and  Cultured Sea Glass puffed 20mm coin beads in Opaque 
Blue Opal (S15-B460. 
Here's a picture of Malibu Beach...
and here's the bangles I made.
I recently discovered Summer Wind Art by Ashley  Bonney ( www.etsy.com/SummerWindArt) and knew that her Sand Dollar Bracelet connector would be perfect to pair with the Cultured SeaGlass pebble beads in aquamarine (BDS1926-03).  Menorca Beach in Spain has the same lovely color pallette as this bracelet, don't you think?

Next up were these 32 mm Cultured SeaGlass starfish in Light Aqua Coke Bottle Seafoam ( S27-B88P). I wanted to keep it simple but with a bit of sparkle and shine so added some Chinese crystal and antique brass spacers from a local bead store, and voila! The Abaco set with the antique brass chain and earrings would be perfect for dinner out after spending the day on this gorgeous beach.

Abaco Beach


Finally, I used 20 mm starfish in  Aqua Coke Bottle Seafoam (S27-B882XST) and some Chinese crystal Aquamarine rondelle dangles (RS101-27) to create a sweet little  necklace and earring set  titled the Bora Bora set.
 

  I hope you've enjoyed this little tour of sea inspired jewelry and the breathtaking beaches that inspired them!

There's lots more to see in the Summer 2015 edition of Creative Spark, so be sure to take a peek

Hope your summer was fabulous!  Thanks to Crafty Hope for her great work, and to Znet Shows for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful design team.



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