Alice Dreaming: Simple Truths Celebration Blog Hop

I was so excited when Erin started her Simple Truths Sampler Club and I was able to snag six wonderful charms as a result. Every month was like Christmas with a package arriving in the mail. Tucked inside was one a little piece of art lovingly made by Erin. And making it even more fun was that we never knew what it was going to be until we opened the package.

I have a confession, one that you can probably relate to; I'm a hoarder. I've held on to these lovely charms until now. I have Erin to thank for giving me a kick in the pants to use these. They are just too beautiful to be stuck in a plastic tackle box! The photo below are the four I didn't use.

For a long while now, I've been making asymmetrical pieces, but these Simple Truths charms just deserved their own spotlight, and I didn't want to make elaborate designs for fear of the charms being swallowed up. I have to say it kind of felt good to make symmetrical designs. So here are the two pieces I made.

When I was young I looked forward to summer. Since we lived outside of town we didn't go to the pool or library often. Instead we spent our summers riding our old pony, slopping the hogs, watching the ducks and geese swim in the pond, taking walks 'up north' in our pasture, and wading in the creek. To us, summer was carefree--well except for sweeping up duck and geese droppings from the sidewalk and pumping water from the cistern, lugging bucketfulls to the trees.

This necklace is very simple and sweet, just like the summers of my youth. Liquid Silver and mix of Swarovski Crystals called 'Heartthrob' from Fusion Beads is all it needs.

'Carefree Summer'

Erin's sweet bicycle charm. On the back it reads 'I have no time to be in a hurry'

Erin made the sweetest dandelion charm reminding us to set our wishes free so they can be made known to the universe. This necklace includes wasabi czech nugget beads, tiny turqouise jasper beads, pineapple jasper beads, and Vintaj components.

'Dandelion Wishes'

21 comments:

Unknown said...: Alice, I love both pieces but the Dandelion Wishes is my favorite. I love the colors and the mix of beads. Beautiful!
Shelley Graham Turner
www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com; July 13, 2012 at 5:30 AM
cw whitedogjewelry said...: ' love the simplicity of Carefree Summer, and the great colors in Dandelion Wishes. Nicely done!; July 13, 2012 at 5:43 AM
Unknown said...: In my mind Erin's pendants beg simplicity, and you have captured that prefectly!; July 13, 2012 at 6:00 AM
Tanya said...: Those are both wonderful. I love the colors on the bicycle necklace, but the dandelion just blows me away. (no pun intended.).; July 13, 2012 at 6:14 AM
TesoriTrovati said...: So beautiful! I am a hoarder of the 1st degree as well and I know that if someone doesn't kick me in the behind I might never use all that I have. I am so happy that this has been an inspiration to you! You have always been such a kind supporter of my work, and hearing what you say about receiving the packages each month truly makes me happy. That is exactly the feeling that I would hope you would have! Thank you for participating and showing your Simple Truths to the world! Enjoy the day, Miss Alice. Erin; July 13, 2012 at 6:41 AM
Mary Harding said...: Alice your pieces are so to the point and elegant. I love the bicycle piece and how nostalgic you made it. I always love reading your posts. They are so full of lovely thoughts.; July 13, 2012 at 6:41 AM
Anonymous said...: I think the simplicity of these pieces adds to the beauty of the pendants, Alice. Now, what are you going to make with the other four?!; July 13, 2012 at 7:09 AM
Michelle said...: Both are beautiful! I especially love the combination of the blue and lime colored beads.; July 13, 2012 at 7:49 AM
Michael and Cherrie Fick said...: It is so much fun to see the interpretation and the simplicity is elegant. The bicycle takes you on a path and it works well. The make a wish has sweet blend of colors. Hoarding must be an issue for us beaders. I have so may beautiful treasures in my studio and never enough time. It is fun to have a goal to get to them.; July 13, 2012 at 8:22 AM
Lori Bowring Michaud said...: Oh Alice, they're both lovely! I know what you mean about the asymetry vs symetry. Most all of my pieces over the last year have been asymetrical and a bit more complicated than I used to. I swore with today's necklace I was going with simple and symetrical (I didn't do it and now I need to revise it).; July 13, 2012 at 8:37 AM
Off the Beadin' Path said...: Yes, once you stat making asymmetrical pieces, it's hard to return to symmetrical! You managed it so well, very original, putting the crystals and liquid silver with the bicycle, just the right balance! the colors and beads you chose for the dandelion are just as lovely, both are a delight to see!; July 13, 2012 at 5:56 PM
Patti Vanderbloemen said...: The problem I have with hoarding is I will use up a particular bead stsh or type, and then become worried that I used it and order more! It is a sickness! I LOVE your first necklace...the liquid silver is perfect with the pendant and the crystals! Nice job!; July 13, 2012 at 7:31 PM
Unknown said...: So many pretty pendants!!! i love the burst of yellow you used in the dandelion necklace, and the pops of pink in the bicycle necklace. Both designs are so happy.; July 13, 2012 at 7:47 PM
Anonymous said...: Love your pieces but Dandelion Wishes is my favorite! It resonates that childhood innocence and belief!; July 14, 2012 at 3:48 AM
Lola said...: You showcased Erin's charms so beautifully Alice! I love the simplicity of the bicycle necklace and how for the dandelion necklace you took that little bit of green in the pendant and punched up the color! So very pretty!; July 14, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Pretty Things said...: Very sweet! You're exactly right about asymmetry not working for some things.

Hope you're doing well! Thinking of you.; July 14, 2012 at 7:28 PM
A Polymer Penchant said...: I love the idea of simpler summer designs, so nice to wear in the heat and these definately feel like summer too. I guess you are a partially reformed bead hoarder now, way at go!; July 15, 2012 at 5:19 PM
CraftyHope said...: I really like the simplicity and fun of these two necklaces. Erin's pendants get to be the star of the show, but your design draws attention to them. Beautifully done!!; July 19, 2012 at 8:15 AM
Shai Williams said...: Simplicity is the key and you hit it right on the nose with both necklaces!; July 20, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Sieraden Parels said...: Alice your pieces are so amazing.you have created a wow design with both necklaces! and Dandelion Wishes is my favorite.; July 25, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Unknown said...: You have such a lovely blog.
Pljewels.blogspot.com; July 28, 2012 at 6:56 AM

Friday, July 13, 2012

Simple Truths Celebration Blog Hop

21 comments: