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What Was I Thinking!!

 I have been at this a long time! 20 years in fact. I have had a lot of fun over the years and had my share of recognition when this medium ...

Struggling with an idea - Attempt 1

Before I get into today's post, I wanted to make an update to yesterday's beading contests for 2010 entry. I got an email from Diann Gilbertson of Firemountain Gems letting me know that their contests have expanded to six times a year!! Diann says, "We just closed the CRYSTALLIZED- Swarovski ElementsContest and received some beautiful designs. Our next contest is Art Clay,Wire Work, Metal Beads and Chains- deadline January 12, 2010."

So get your thinkin' caps on kids and get those creatives juices flowing!

_________________________








Here is my collection I got at ArtBeads.com. I based this selection on the picture of this gore-juss flower. I used the picture as a guide for the colors, and I also wanted the necklace to have a floral feel, and I wanted it to flow. Now let's mix it up some, I wanted it bulky, and I wanted it to move. Like when breezes blow, and the whole plant, leaves and bloom sway and dance.

It is in my head, I can see it, but my fingers can't feel it. Yesterday was attempt 1. I am not happy with the way it turned out, and I will most likely re purpose it this weekend. Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean that I shouldn't share it. To grow as an artist, you need feedback - good or bad from your peers and mentors. That being sed - here is what I did:



I played around with a couple different ideas for the way I wanted it to look.



Added some of my findings from my supplies to try for yet again a different look.



Then I thought, "flowers" - I should add wooden beads as well.



First I used copper wire and did a basic wire wrapped loop connecting one bead to the copper loop and the other bead to the copper loop and to the filigree. I did this first so I would have an anchor as I built my strands.



I added a fun and 'sloppy' wrap to the Donut Rust Ripple pendant out of copper wire, to give it a bit of texture.



When I made the wire wrapped loops, I made them larger, because I am attaching three strands to it. I need the room.



Three strands of Green Spider Jasper Cubes later, attached to a brass toggle and 'braided', they are all attached to the filigree link.



Both sides done



I attached the rainbow carnelian squares to the outside links of the filgree and strung the pendant as a center focal.



On the inside links of the filgree I used the 8mm Topaz Druk beads alternating with wood.



It is nice, and long, it may even be pretty, but I see something else in my head.


I am welcome to any suggestions!

Looking Ahead - Beading Contest 2010

Welp, here it is nearing the end of September, and I am already thinking about next year!

I rounded up some of the beading contests for next year so you would have plenty of time to come up with a winning creation.

I got my fingers crossed!

Bead Dreams 2010
8 categories from jewelry to beaded items

8th Annual The Ugly Necklace Contest, 2010
Shopping spree's for first and second place.

Seed Beads Beading Contest
Firemountain Gems has six categories of great beading ideas. Win a shopping spree!

Your Designs Rock!
Rings & Things contest consists of five categories, with two chances to be entered into a raffel!

Not into contests?
These publications are always looking for submissions.

Beadwork's W.O.R.D ("What Our Readers Did")
Send photos of your projects to beadwork@interweave.com. Work inspired by projects published in previous issues of Beadwork magazine are especially welcome. Selected submissions may be published in Beadwork magazine on the "Letters" page.

Jewelry Artist Monthly Design Challenge
Each month Jewelry Arist challenges artists to sketch a specific design challenge. A selection of sketches are published in the "Your Turn" section of the magazine. Complete rules and entry information in every issue of Jewelry Artist. Deadline varies (generally the 30th of the month).

Step by Step Beads "Gallery of Reader Work"
Step by Step Beads editor Leslie Rogalski periodically calls for reader submissions on a certain theme. Selected submissions may be published in the magazine or on the website. Submission details inside Step by Step Beads magazine.

Step by Step Wire Jewelry "Wire Works" Reader Gallery
Please send images of your original wire designs to dpeck@interweave.com. Selected submissions may be published in Step by Step Wire Jewelry.

Bead Trends Magazine
Bead Trends is an international publication offering new categories each month for you to enter. Submissions accepted will be published.

Want a chance to be a designer?

Apply to become a 2010 Creative Artist Team member
EK Success Brands is looking for a potential 2010 Creative Artist Team member.

Good luck to you all!!!

Commissioned piece - Sugilite


My friend Vanessa gave me two donuts - one for me, one for her.

She had seen my Green Man necklace and wanted something similar but with a donut. She called these Pink Sugilite. I have never heard of it and was thrilled. I have done days of searching to find out more information and wanted to share it with you.

While searching for sugilite I only found the classic purples that we all know and love, it wasn't till I did a search for lavulite, another name for sugilite, did I find examples like the donuts pictured.

Sugilite or Lavulite is a beautiful stone and a fairly recent find in the gemstone world. Named after Ken-ichi Sugi, the discoverer of the gem, sugilite was introduced in 1944. Found on Iwagi Islet in Japan, it has since been found in Canada, Africa, Australia, Italy and India.


Most of us know it like this with it's beautiful opaque waxy luster and hues that range from a pale grayish lavender to a deep dark purple. I myself perfer the darker shades, which is probably why when I was first introduced to sugilite, I got it confused with charoite all the time. Has that ever happened to you?

I had to get the researching out of my way so I could concentrate on her necklace design. Here is how it turned out.














I added the silver bells I got from Rings & Things to give it a whimsical feel, along with garnet heishi cut beads and black crystals.

It is a fun and simple design so not to draw away from that beautiful focal.

Fall color trends 2009

Happy Fall!! It got here so quick!! If anyone finds where my time went, could you let me know???



I wanted to give you a taste of the fall colors for this year, as found at FashionTrendSetter.com. The colors are so warm and delicious - like a berry pie. They really are very appetizing!

I see lapis and mookite, amethyst and citrine, carnelian and rhodinite!! They are all here.

Rings & Things has a perfect fit:


Pendant, Gemstone, Tip-Drilled Teardrop, 65x45mm (Rhodonite)
I LOVE this pendant!!!




Bead, Gemstone, 12mm Faceted Rondelle (Carnelian)





Art Beads has some great selections!






8mm Lapis Lazuli Faceted Coins












Mookaite 6x3mm Disc

so many colors for this years trend are right here in this strand!!!






Bead In Path offers great accents to these gemstones



Vintage Lucite Clear w/Purple Specks hoop w/Top Hole 35mm 8pc.


















Vintage German Glass 10mm Topaz Triangular 15pc.









So many beautiful choices for your next creations! What will you make??
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