New Fun From Art Beads!

Got my blogger packet from Art Beads!!!!

The 'Colors of Fall' is the theme for this go round in the blogging program.

I used the Pantone color palette as a guide for making choices from all the wonderful Art Beads products. Using this guide helped me step out of my fall comfort zone of warm greens and burgundies (that I seem to gravitate to all year) and brighten up my choices for fall.























I wanted to tie in copper with all of these colors to keep it warm. I am going to have to force myself to work these into other projects, because I could use these beads all in one sitting on one necklace!!!

















Here's what I got!

CA-2181 - TierraCast Copper Antique Celtic Weave *
BC-CL012 - Copper Simple S Clasp *
BC-CL011 - Copper Small Plain S Clasp *
BC-CL013 - Copper Rotated S Clasp *
481069 - 4x3mm Imitation TurquoiseHeishi Strand *
LTD-1574 - Dusty Purple Shell Rectangle *
FPS-PI-WHT8 - Fire-Polished Bead 8mm White Picasso * (LOVE THIS!)
FPS-PI-OTU8 - Fire-Polished Bead 8mm Opaque Turquoise * (LOVE THIS!)
CA-2304 - TierraCast Antique Copper Tree of Life Pendant * (LOVE THIS!)
BCA-CL03 - 12x6.5mm Antique Copper-Plated Trigger Clasp*



*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Blogger Program at Rings & Thing - Just got Better!

I got a Blog Partner update yesterday from Dave at Rings & Things. The information was too good to not pass along.

Rings & Things is changing the way the Blogger Partner program works. This is an awesome idea!

To quote Dave:

"We've simplified, and we think improved, the program. This is based on the kind of feedback I've gotten previously from our Blog Partners, so thank you all! Here are some of the changes:

Any one can become a Blog Partners (over 150 people have signed up already!)
The load on any individual partner is reduced: we'll send "goodie packs" to a random drawing of 10 partners a month.
Once you're in the Blog Partner pool, your name can be drawn over & over again.
All Blog Partners will get featured in our Facebook album.
We've planned these changes with the hope that they'll mean more of all the good things we've noticed happening for Blog Partners: More exposure for each partner. More cross-fertilization of ideas--and links! And more of a low-to-no pressure experience, since we want this to stay really fun for everyone. "



Hurry kids!! Sign up!! Get your name in the goodie pool and watch the fun begin!

Rings & Things Blog Parter goodie package - Memory jewelry

Got a package last nite from Rings & Things - more blog partner goodies!!! When I opened the package my jaw dropped. Let's just push Tish out of her comfort zone and watch what happens! Moreso, I think Dave has his foot out and tripped me right over the edge. These items are fantastic, great theme, Memory Jewelry - and I am clueless!!!!


These little hinged boxes made me happy. I put the Hersey's mini there to give you an idea of their size (that was breakfast)

55-700-21-1 hinged picture frame 1.5" square*
55-701-01-7 hinged shadow box 1.6" square*
55-702-11-1 hinged round glass pendant*



"These are great for decoupage or resin" as suggested by Dave in the partner letter. I may try playing with resin.


46-301-11-0 bezel cup 22mm round, 1 loop*
46-301-21-0 bezel cup 22mm round, 2 loop*
46-301-50-0 bezel cup 18x13mm oval 1 loop*
46-301-60-0 bezel cup 18x13 oval 2 loop*



This is a really sweet little bottle - one problem. the stopper fits, but the cap does not. I don't know if I am going to be able to do anything with this.


30-407-H glass jar heart*



These are awesome little jars, I already have a couple of ideas of what I want to do with these.


30-187-SM glass jar, 32x15mm*



These are fun diamond shaped bottles - how cool is that!!!


56-999-01-262 alexandrite diamond glass bottle *
56-999-01-452 blue diamond glass bottle*

I got my work cut out for me this week and I am ready to accept the challenge!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Fun with Art Beads - Cubic Zirconia

Back in November I posted about the beautiful Cubic Zirconia's I received as part of the blogging for beaders group from Art Beads.

















CZ-BOR-OV9 - 7x9mm Burnt Orange CZ Oval *
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
CZ-YEL6 - 6mm Yellow CZ Round Bead *

Over the weekend I got some time for myself and played around with an idea I have had in my head.

I made a loop out of 14 ga sterling and hammered the loop to give it texture and strength. Then I used a 28 ga. silver plated wire to wrap the portion of the loop where the ends meet to hide ends and to give it a focus. In the wrap I added one of the CZ beads to draw you eye to it.

I made wire coils and put them on the ends of a piece of leather to use as the connecting point for the design. I made wire wrapped loops and attached the hammered piece to the coil connectors and added the yellow CZ's. Next I added a bit of chain using jump rings to the wire wrapped loop and then created charms from the other CZ's and here you have it!







*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - Christmas baubles!

Am at home sick today with a bad head cold and sore throat. I am coming out of my self induced medicated coma and watching it rain outside. There is only so many hours a person can sleep a day. I am at that restless state. I sat at my work table trying to find something to do to keep me busy and to take my mind off of being sick.

I began to clean and organize, yet again. During my cleaning I saw the Christmassy lampwork beads from Rings & Things Blog Partner package. I have two more shows before Christmas so why not make something with these.

These little guys put me way out of my comfort zone. I am not a 'themed' creator. It is really difficult for me to use an item in a piece that is so limited in its use - season wise. I almost feel like a sell out creating what I have. Sometimes I guess you just have to go with what is obvious.















Here is what I used.

40-099-24-7 - Chain, Footage, Oval Curb, 10.5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated) *
28-333-59 - Christmas Tree Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Green/Red/White)*
28-333-72 - Christmas Teddy Bear Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Brown)*
28-333-73 - Christmas Penguin Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Black/White)*
28-333-69 - Christmas Stocking Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Green/Red)*
Random plastic beads from my inventory

I used head pins and created charms out of each of the beads. I added copper spacers to some and seed beads to others to keep the head of the pin from going thru the large hole. It adds a bit to the bead as well. I attached each with a jump ring to the chain. Using the jump ring as opposed to wrapping them directly to the chain links gives the charms more motion, and isn't that what you want with a charm bracelet?













Here's what I used.

28-333-67-211 - Gingerbread Man Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Red)*
Leather
Lampwork bead from a repurposed bracelet
metal clip

The holes in these beads are big, making them very versatile with what you can string them on. This would be a cute zipper pull or back pack decoration for the holiday season.

These little lampwork cuties come on a strand of approx 15 - 17 beads and cost approx .50 each. How can you not use these for all of your holiday needs. Not only can you use them in jewelry/accessory designs as I have, but with the large hole, you can use them to decorate nearly everything. Try running ribbon through the hole and tying them to the packages!














This I made for myself. I love this little bottle. It is the cutest. I wanted to do something with it that would keep it with me all the time. Keychain! I filled the bottle with orange seed beads. Orange being the color of creativity. Then paired it up with magnesite, carnelian and citrine to round out the purpose I need this keychain for.

56-999-05-042 - Octagon Glass Bottle (Clear)*
Magnesite, 15x20mm Nugget Bead *

Magnesite brings a deep peace to meditation and relaxation. Magnesite can be very helpful in the practice of unconditional love in situations where relationships with other people are difficult because of their behavior or addictions. It helps you to feel centered, standing by, allowing the other person to be who they are without requiring them to change or be affected in anyway by their difficulties.

Carnelian is a stone of creativity, individuality and courage. It also brings a relief from anger, jealousy and fear. In addition it can help with manifestation of one’s desires, and brings good luck.

Citrine is known as a “success” stone because it is said in folklore to promote success and abundance, especially in business and commerce. Its lore also says that it enhances mental clarity, confidence, happiness and will power. Citrine is purported to bring good fortune, sometimes in very unexpected ways.

There is still time to order these little gems for your holiday needs. What would you do with them?

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Cubic Zirconias from ArtBeads

I got a beautiful selection of cubic zirconia beads from Art Beads over the weekend. Rich and warm in color, these are truly amazing.













CZ-BOR-OV9 - 7x9mm Burnt Orange CZ Oval *
CZ-BOR-REC10 - 8x10mm Burnt Orange CZ Rectangle *
CZ-CRY-CN6 - 6mm Crystal CZ Coin *
CZ-YEL6 - 6mm Yellow CZ Round Bead *



I had never worked with CZ's before and did a bit of research on them to share with you.

What is a cubic zirconia? Cubic zirconia is a man-made, synthetic stone used as an inexpensive alternative to a diamond or other colored gemstone.

Is a CZ the same as Zircon? No. Zircon is not to be confused with cubic zirconia. Zircon is a natural occurring gem, not man made. It is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) and cubic zirconia (or CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2).

Cubic zirconia beads are delicate, and it is advise the utmost care be taken when working with them. To keep their polish at an optimum, it is best to treat them gently taking care of possible wear and tear when a piece is being worn by teaming it with non abrasive beads to prevent scratching. I did notice there are a few small nicks on the beads that I have, and I am guessing it is from rolling about with the other beads in the packaging. A nice soft cotton cloth for polishing finished designs is a good way to bring up their shine and when possible the use of cotton gloves when working with them will also prevent dulling their finish.

When I think of a CZ, I immediately think of a diamond. I did not know they came in so many different colors. Metal oxides are added to the CZ manufacturing process to create the different colors. Here are a few examples of what metals are used to create different colors.

Cerium: yellow, orange. red
Chromium: green
Neodymium: purple
Erbium: pink
Titanium: golden brown

These beads are heavier than Swarovski or Czech glass beads, and more expensive. Depending on what you are wanting to make, you can use the CZ's as an accent or have an exquisite piece of just CZ's, the choices are endless!

Thank you Art Beads for giving me the chance to work with such beautiful beads!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.