Shaiha's Ramblings: May 2014

May 31, 2014

Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Blog Hop

I am a blog addict. Not only do I write my own blog but I follow a bunch that tend to focus on jewelry. One of my favorites, Art Jewelry Elements, happens to focus on Art Beads. They have a monthly blog hop where the contributors will make some jewelry based on a component they are sent by one of the other contributors. They also have a drawing where the readers can enter to get a shot with designing with said component. Okay now that I have confused everyone, let me show you what I am talking about.

Yep, those beads were up for grabs and by one of my favorite artisan bead makers, Sue Beads. Sue has come out with a new style bead that she calls Chicklets. Aren't they just darling. And such great fun to work with. Yep. I was one of the readers chosen to participate this month.

I admit to fondling the set I was given a few times and then I set them on the shelf where I could see them while I was working. Well it just happened that I also put a set of country style roses on that same shelf because I wanted to make them into something. And as they say, history was made or something like that.

I wanted to make myself a necklace that I could toss on with all the varied blues that I tend to wear during the summer so out came the copper wire and chain. I am not sure that I did them justice but I will say that this is a fun necklace to wear and it is long enough that I can just toss it on when I am heading out the door.

I did want to give you a close up of one of these beads. Aren't they just darling? I know that I am going to be picking up some more because I want to use some in a couple bracelets.

Now that you have seen what I made, be sure to check out how everyone else used these delightful beads. And be sure to follow Art Jewelry Elements because I would love to what you have made in one of their future hops.

Guests

AJE Members

May 30, 2014

Year Of Jewelry Kinda

I am finally admitting defeat. Not to the Year of Jewelry Project idea which is to make one piece of jewerly a week. I have NO problem doing that but with the idea of having a pic taken to put up here every week. I am finding all to often that the design that I have made through the week is one that you will be seeing later in a blog hop so that I can't show it to on Fridays. Or as in this case, the sun didn't cooperate and I have a bunch of jewelry made and haven't been able to get some good pics of it.

So instead I will be posting a random bag on Fridays. Today it is going to be some pictures of my favorite flower, the lilac. This flower always reminds me of my Gram's house in Portland Oregon when I was a kid. Good memories.

I hope that you enjoy. What is your favorite flower? Is it because of the aroma or does it bring back good memories?

**Pics are from Graphic Stock where you can get a free seven day trial.

May 28, 2014

Summer Seas

If you are looking for the Bead Soup Blog Party, click here.

As everyone knows, I just love participating in blog hops. For some reason having a restriction, a theme, receiving beads to work with, really makes my muse happy. Now I will admit that there have been some hops where she has gone on strike but there are others such as the upcoming Ocean Blog Hop hosted by Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures where the ideas just keep coming.

I mean just look at the gorgeous beads and finding that I get to work with. As soon as I saw them, one design sprang to mind and demanded that I make it right then and there. I can't wait to share with everyone so be sure to come back on June 14th and let me know what you think.

Oh and to sweeten the pot, I will be giving away a piece of jewelry. I haven't decided which one yet but will something made with those wonderful beads above.

**Graphics are from Graphic Stock and don't forget that they are offered seven days free to check out their services!

May 26, 2014

Thank you!

For a lot of us, this weekend starts out the summer season. Don't forget however the meaning behind today is to thank all of those that have served in the Armed Forces. I have friends that have served in the past and right now I have two nephews that are serving in the Army. So thank you for stepping up to do a job that a lot of time is thankless. Today is your day!

May 23, 2014

Waxed Linen Blog Hop.

It's no secret that I prefer to knot or wire wrap my jewelry so when Diana of Suburban Girl Studio suggested a hop featuring Waxed Linen, I was all for it. I haven't worked with this wonderful material as much as I would have liked since I had more colors in the C-Lon but it was really time to change that. Just look at all those beautiful colors that I have to play with. Too bad they arrived after I had already made the majority of the pieces for this hop.

To say that I had fun with this hop is an understatement. I had a blast playing with the waxed ,linen and made up a few bracelets. This first one was for a girlfriend's birthday. The focal is from Blu Mudd and the delightful ceramic bead next to it is from TinasBeadMind. And of course, it is strung on waxed linen.

For this next bracelet, I followed a tutorial from Bead Style Magazine by Lorelei Eurto. It really opened up my eyes as far as new ways to make bracelets. The larger focal beads were made by Mama Staub and I was gifted with them many years ago in a bead swap. The other bead I used as a focal is a wooden. The remainder are Czech and seed beads with some pewter mixed in.

This last bracelet was happy accident. I was actually working a necklace and ended up cutting the waxed linen too short. Really no way to just add more so I needed up cutting all the beads loose/ Not wanting to start from scratch on the same design, I decided to complete out my trifecta with another bracelet. The focals in this case are from Modern Trails and the other beads are some MOP that I picked up along the way. (I would love to share a link to Modern Trail but it looks like they have closed up shop. I am going to have to start hoarding the goodies I got from them).

Now this is a hop so be sure to check out what all the other designers have made with their Waxes Linen. I have heard that there is even going to be a contest on one of the sites.

Diana Ptaszynski **Hostess**

KelsyVincent

Susan Kennedy

Linda Landig

Kashmira Patel

Jenny Davies-Reazor