Rings & Things blogger challenge - July *bong*

That title makes me think of Law & Order. I said it in my head with my mocking announcer voice and magically I heard the *bong* from Law & Order.

Wonder what that means???? Mebbe I should turn my head from side to side to view the piece so I get a better understanding of what it is I am trying to convey.

I looked and looked at the Gold Filled Connector. Turned it over in my fingers absent mindedly trying to think of how to use it, but not to it's full capacity. Give it new meaning and new life outside of what it is intended.

*think* *think*

Nothing.

I set it off to the side and began and clean and organize my workspace. I am the worlds worst at keeping organized. One thing I have found is when I have no inspiration, when I clean it helps. The other thing that motivates me to clean is we are going out of town for a few days this week. We are going back to NY to visit with family and friends. I am so excited I just pee'd my pants! I haven't been 'home' in over two years and I am on pins and needles wanting to get up there. I wanted to make something new and fun to wear while I was up there and thought if I cleaned up a little, I would get that inspiration to hunker down and get to work. Normally when I go thru and regroup and re categorize my things, I always stumble upon something that makes me say - "Oh wow, I forgot about you!"

As was the case this morning. As I was cleaning I found a washer. One of those little things I find while out walking that I tuck away for a rainy day. As soon as I touched it, the cleaning stopped and the work began. I dug out my wire, and a couple crystals and this was the outcome -

High Voltage





Here is what I used:
Connector, Gold Filled, Round, 34mm, 4 Loop (Closeout) (Gold Filled) - Rings & Things

Wire, ColourCraft®, 20g, 15yd (Black) - Rings & Things


5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow - Art Beads


5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal AB - Art Beads

I threw it on a ribbon and called it done.

For part two of the blogger challenge, I feel I copped out a bit with these, but I wanted something new, simple, and versatile. These are great for running around, and for going out to dinner. Jeans and Silk, know what I mean :)





Here's what I used:

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Topaz/ Aurora Borealis) Rings & Things

Filigree, Tower (Antiqued Copper Plated) Rings & Things


5301 4mm Faceted Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow - Art Beads

There is 2 down and a few more to go. Still have so many ideas knocking around, can't wait to use the pouch of beads!!! Designer Beads!! That makes me a designer!!

Ok Kids - off to do a days work!

Sparkles and Shineys!

I am such a sucker for the glint and shine of baubles, beads and findings. I am like a kid in a candy store. My eyes are bigger than my pocketbook (to put a bit of a spin on it) and I want it all!

To feed my addictions and enable my beadmania - Dave at Rings & Things sent out the Blogger Challenge packages. I got mine and as always - I squealed. "This is the BEST packet ever!!"

I dumped it out onto the counter and sifted thru all the baggies. So many this go round, I don't know what to do with myself!



That Designers Bead Assortment pk - made my heart happy. I can see so much potential in that little bag of assorted shiney wonderment. I had to dump out the contents and touch and inspect every single bead. I ooh'd and ah'd at each one - reminded me of John Woods on the Family Guy - Oh! Piece of Candy!! Oh! Piece of Candy.......



Here is a breakdown of exactly what was in the package - (and I did an extra 5 minutes on the ee-lip-tickle machine due to that pesky tootsie roll - *shakes fist*)

Designer's Bead Assortment

Connector, Gold Filled, Round, 34mm, 4 Loop (Closeout) (Gold Filled)

Bail, Tube Top for Gluing, Small (Solid Copper)

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Montana/ Aurora Borealis)

Crystal Bead, Cube, 8mm (Topaz/ Aurora Borealis)

Connector, Sterling Silver, Pointed, 39mm, 2 Loop (Limited Stock) (Sterling Silver)

Connector, Gold Filled, Star, 31mm, 7 Loop (Limited Stock) (Gold Filled)

The Montana beads are beautiful - the fact that Montana is in the name made me happy. One day I will see the land where my heart dwells, that Big Sky Country. While I am there, I will wear a beautiful piece made with Montana AB cubes!

The name "Tube Top" made me giggle - thinking of all the fashion faux pas I was a victim of in the 70's - including tube tops.

Dawno at Dawno's Beaded Badge Lanyards and Jewelry has got a jump on everyone and has already started working with her goodies. She created a beautiful necklace using the gold round connector as a frame for the pearl focal.

Lisa at A Bead A Day is already churning out the lovelies using the gold star connector on this really creative and beautiful new jade bracelet!

Want to get in on all the fun? Want to review products and have a chance to challenge your creative side once a month with fantastic Rings & Things products? If this sounds like something that you would want to be part of be sure to visit Rings & Things blog page.

My Matisse

A couple of days ago I posted about the pendant I had received as part of the blogger group outreach from ArtBeads. I had been given several jewelry supply categories to choose from, and when I saw this bead, I knew what I had to do. The bead I had chosen was the 30x40mm Rectangle Black Onyx Matisse - Blue Nude from the Artist Masterpiece Pendants - Russian Pendant collection. When I got home from work last nite I sat down and got to work.

I already had the design in my head, all I needed to do was put it together.

Here is what I used.

30x40mm Rectangle Black Onyx Matisse - Blue Nude - ArtBeads
White jade roundells - Sedona Stones
Faceted black crystal roundells - Firemountain Gems
Lapis roundells - O'Mega Gems
6mm blackstone - Firemountain Gems
Silver plated Oval Link Chain - ArtBeads
Silver plated 3 Strand + 3 Link Chain - ArtBeads

The pendant is stunning, I can't stress enough how wonderful it is.

The 3 strand +3 Link chain however beautiful it is, will work your patience. The three small strands between the triple links has a tendency to bunch up and knot. I have now dubbed it the diva chain. It is beautiful and knows it, and will make you work for it.

The oval link chain, I have to admit, I am a bit disappointed in. It doesn't have that beautiful finish like on the diva chain. It is not as smooth and shiney as I had hoped. It almost has an 'orange peel' appearance to it. Will it stop me from buying it again? I doubt it.

And here she is kids - My Matisse!

I love working with multi-strands. I love the busy look. I think I captured a fun multilayer look w/o taking away from the focal.




I changed up the 3 link + 3 strand chain a bit at the focal. I snipped out the middle link and added a triple stack of the faceted crystals on a hand wound link.







I do love her!

Trying something new

I don't know which retail chain I was in when I saw the necklace, all I know is it made me stop in my tracks. It wasn't the most beautiful but it was very interesting. It was earthy and chunky, very casual, but at the same time, I know me, I would wear it to black tie event just cuz I could :) It was beautiful gemstones of greens and browns with tiny copper charms worked in. Glorious!

The cord was knotted between each bead, I am guessing mebbe a silk cord, that looked like tiny rope, that is the best way I can describe it. it looked like it has a nice flow to it, not stiff at all.

So I decided to play around with this look. I really like it. It does justice to summer I think. I didn't have any soft cord, but I did have some hemp.

The hemp although was great to learn with - is scratchy!! OMG! I took it for a test drive, no no no no no, not on bare skin, just saying kids. Am looking for something softer. Also - I have to find new beads. Beads with bigger holes. But that is not a bad thing - new beads :)

Here is the first try - my daughter has laid claim to this one, naturally. It is a heat treated agate focal, with tiger eye, faceted carnelian, copper, and big rutilated quartz puffed ovals. I put tiny heishi cut turquoise in there for a splash of color and a bit of flirt.





I stopped by the LampworkDiva's blog and she has been playing with the bronze metal clay - the PERFECT material for this necklace. Her little charms are awesome!

This next one, I wanted something crazy busy and over the top. I had a box of mixed lampwork beads from Michaels, so I picked out all the beads that had the biggest holes and went to town. I took 6 different lengths of the hemp and knotted the beads randomly on each strand. I can honestly say, I wish I had used 12 strands. I need more. I wore this to work and got several compliments on it, which surpised me. It just goes to show, just cuz I am not happy with it, don't mean that it will not please someone else.



Now off to poke around for some interesting beads and see if I can find that silky cord stuff.

Do you already have some of these items in your inventory? Did you buy them from Rings & Things? From now till the end of July, they are having a contest for Product Review! It's easy, just go to www.rings-things.com and post a review of your favorite product.


Oh, and if I squint I can see the weekend! I am ready!