AJE November Component of the Month

I was happy to get a chance to play with Kristen Steven's darling beaded beads as part of the Art Jewelry Component of the month for November.

When the beads arrived in the mail I was so excited that I forgot to snap a photo of them, but I'll bet you can guess which ones they are.

I wanted to do a bracelet or necklace with them instead of the obvious earrings. I tried several designs, none of which turned out the image I had in my head.

It seems these beads were destined to be earrings after all.

 

'Shenandoah's Daughter'

Kristen's beaded beads, polymer beads from Heather Powers (which I've been hoarding for some time) Vintaj curved tubes and brass earwires.

 

My inspiration came from two places. When I was young we would visit my grandparents on my mother's side every Sunday evening. We chowed down on salty popcorn while watching the Lawrence Welk Show and I remember them singing a lovely song 'Oh Shenandoah'.  And recently I heard it again on TV as they were showing re-runs. I don't think that kind of talent is around anymore.

Wait, I just realized I'm showing my age with that bit of information!

 

The second inspiration was our trip to on the Blue Ridge Parkway this summer. We had intended to get all the way up to the Shenandoah Park but were unable to due to heavy fog.  But the beautiful green trees and rugged trails and lovely waterfalls along the Blue Ridge Parkway were awe inspiring and I wanted to incorporate that beauty in these earrings.

 

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

 

Please check out the Art Jewelry Elements Blog to see what everyone else made.

 



AJE Component of the Month Reveal

My name was drawn for the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month.  Jennifer Cameron generously gave us some lovely glass headpins.  When mine arrived I was so excited that I forgot to snap a photo of them, so I snatched the photo from the AJE post, though mine is a bit darker blue

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I've got a habit of making long earrings...can't help myself because I just want to jam all the wonderful beads in the that I can.  But this time I forced myself to make shorter ones.

'The Ocean's Daughter' made with Jennifer's beautiful glass headpins, vintage rhinestone spacers, tiny lampwork beads and Vintaj earwires.

Thank you for stopping by.  Please visit the AJE Blog to see what the others made with their headpins. 

A big thanks to Jennifer for hosting and providing the headpins!

Art Jewely Elements Earring Challenge

  It's weeks 15 and 16 of the year-long earring challenge at the Art Jewelry Elements Blog.    

'Edge of the Woods' made with sweet polymer beads from Heather Powers and Vintaj components.

'Dream Catcher' made with polymer beads from Heather Powers and gold-filled chain and earwires.   Check out all the other wonderful earrings at the AJE Blog.   Thank you for stopping by!! I hope you enjoy your Sunday.  

Art Jewelry Earring Challenge

  It's weeks 13 & 14 for the Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge.  I missed several weeks due to illness and I'm so glad the team let us keep playing along even after our 13 weeks were up.  

'Cinnamon Girl' made with wood beads, lampwork discs from PD Lampwork, Swarovski Crystals and Vintaj components

'Coming Up Green', made with gorgeous green lampwork beads from Something New 4 You, Czech deep cut nuggets, tiny Czech 'meander' beads from arte bella surplus and Vintaj components.

Unfortunately I can't locate either of the lampwork artists. 

Thanks for stopping by. Please check the AJE blog to see what everyone else made this week. Also, check out their pinterest board for earring inspiration.

And if you're looking for my post on Sally's 52 Weeks Focusing On Life Photo just scroll down.

 

If you're looking for my Focusing on Life 52 Photos Week Three post click here.     I'm so excited for the first reveal date of Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge!  Our goal is to make a pair of earrings each week for thirteen weeks.  Each pair must include at least one artisan-made component. I love making earrings (instant gratification) and actually have to force myself to make something else. The reveal dates are every two weeks, so there will be two pair of earrings at each reveal.     My first pair includes 'spicy mustard' lampwork beads by PD Lampwork. I purchased these many years ago and unfortunately I have lost track of this artist. Also included are earwires from Fire Mountain Gems, plated spacers form Rio Grande, and silver filled wire from Artbeads.  I love this stuff! 

'Grindstone'

My second pair includes lovely polymer beads from Heather Powers, wonderful Czech beads from
Arte Bella Surplus, and Vintaj brass branch dangles and earwires. 

'Meandering'

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Please visit the Art Jewelry Elements Blog to see what the other participants have created.

Art Jewelry Elements June Challenge

This lovely photo is our inspiration for the month of June at Art Jewelry Elements. It was taken by Jennifer Cameron on her recent trip to Florida.

As a kid, my family took a vacation every summer, and my husband and I have continue the tradition with our own family. We love picking up shells, rocks, and driftwood along the shore. Each year when summer approaches, I'm eager to plan our next trip. We travel by car so we can see the sights as we go from state to state, and by the time we are heading home, we are already planning for the next year.



The different colors here work so well together in nature, but not necessarily in a piece of jewelry. I had a difficult time finding just the right beads. Some were too pastel, some were too dark. But after several times of stringing and restringing it finally worked.



I started with an etched, patinated copper 'Athena'link from Melinda Orr. Also included is a Czech nautilus shell, red lava beads, aqua faceted glass beads, a couple pale pink lampwork beads from Jane Perla, a dark brown lampwork spacer from That Bead Girl, a little stone bead, and some little freshwater pearl dangles which helped fill the space between the beads and the etched link. The beads are set off with sterling beads and clasp.


'Pocketful of Sea Shells'

Be sure to visit the Art Jewelry Elements blog on the 18th to see what others have made.