August SJ DESIGNS JEWELRY

our inspiation

from Sara jo

                   

This year, my husband Eric has decided to issue me a design challenge each month to get me out of my comfort zone and to help clear out my bead stash... we're calling it the Honey Do List.  I know that I'm not the only one who loves a good design challenge, so I'm inviting folks to play along!  

Here is this month's inspiration and what Eric had to say about it

:  This month I chose a picture from our recent trip out to Ligonier, PA for the Allegory Gallery's Creative Camp.  Andrew Thornton directed us out to a nearby bog where the carnivorous plants were in full bloom.  An entire field of these pitcher plants and much smaller sundews stretched around us--beauty and savagery all wrapped up in one tiny leafy package.  The strange shape, as well as the striated deep red patterns against green really jumped out at me and I wanted to see what a bunch of jewelry designers could pull off with this inspiration.

'Autumn'

Polymer drops from Heather Powers

tiny spacers from grubbi

'Grand Canyon'

torched sticks from Shimmer beads Design

Spacers by Marshall Jodie

to see more go to the SJ DESIGNS JEWELRY blog

On the 29th

Thanks for stopping by

Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower.

Day 15 of Short earrings

I love making long earrings

but the shop that carries my jewelry

wants me to make more short earrings

so I will keep making them until I run out of ideas

'sunshine and blue pools'

drops from Linsay Drake Beads

tiny beads fromHumble beads

Day 14 of short earrings

I love making long earrings

but the shop that carries my jewelry

wants me to make more short earrings

you can see the first pair at

http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com/2016/06/volcano.html

and every day  forward until I run out of  ideas.

'Little Green  Apples

polymer drops from HumbleBeads

Spacers from MarshalJodie

Vintaj earwires

MarshalJodie

Thanks for stopping by

Day 7 of short earrings

I love making long earrings

but the shop that carries my jewelry

wants me to make more short earrings

you can see the first pair at

http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com/2016/06/volcano.html

and forward until I run out of ideas

'Tiny Garden'

Beaded beads from Kristen Stevens 

tiny polymer spacers from Heather Powers

tiny purple spacers from the Dancing Frog

vintaj earwires

thanks for stopping by

We're All Ears

I chose  this photo for my inspiration

'Antelope Island'

 Rustic Ceramic Copper Drops from ARETO beads jewellery

Polymer beads from Heather Powers

I saw a bit of purple in the inspiration photo but I'm not sure it works for me.

Be sure to check The Earrings Every Day on Friday the 21st  to see more.

We're All Ears September Challenge

This is our inspiration

I was inspired by the texture which reminded me of the forest floor on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

'Forest Floor'

Rust patina charms from Grubbi,tiny Czech beads,Polymer beads from Heather Powers and Vintaj ear wires

Check out more earrings at Earrings Everyday

Jewelry Making Mojo Challenge

Heather Powers is hosting a weekly Jewelry Mojo Challenge.

Our assignment this week is to make a piece of jewelry inspired by a favorite poem, quote or song.

Since our family loves to travel, take walks in the woods and do Sunday drives in the county, I chose a quote from John Muir In honor of Earth Day.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” —John Muir

'A Walk With Nature'

A long necklace made with a beautiful Lampwork pendant from Something New For You, a tiny lampwork spacer  and Vintaj Components.

Here is a closeup of the focal.

Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together … all things connect.” —Chief Seattle

Check Heather's blog to see what inspired others.

And get out and enjoy nature.

Jewely Making Mojo Challenge Back To School

Our challenge this week is to learn something new. I mostly do stringing in my jewelry designs but have been wanting to try other things like making metal shapes.

Last week Hope and I were chatting about how we didn't really like the heart shape as it has been overused and a bit saccharine, though we both agreed we like the rusty crusty hearts.

But this is supposed to be a challenge so I decided to make a heart.
I've also been wanting to do more in the way of texture and purchased this texture hammer with my Christmas money. I have to confess I haven't used it until now. Sometimes when I get a new tool I let it sit for a while, kind of like I need some time to get acquainted with it before I use it. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that!

So I cut out a heart shape on brass sheet and filed, and filed, and filed and finished of the rough edges with sand paper.

Next I use the texture hammer-this is the front side

This is the back side which I like much better.

My Rusty Heart

I used the Ranger Cinnabar Patina and then the Clay Patina from the'Rusted Hardware' kit and sanded with a Vintaj Reliefing Block.

I'm not sure I like the color and might fiddle around a bit more, but I had a lot of fun experimenting.

Thanks for stopping by.

Please visit Heather's blog to see what the other artists have made.

And if you are in a slump and need a kick start join Heather's Challenge.

Heather's Jewelry Making Mojo Challenge

I don't know about you but I seem to do better at getting to the bead table when I have a little nudge.

Heather Powers is hosting a Jewelry Making Mojo Challenge on her blog.

Every Monday she posts a suggestion to get the creative juices flowing.

This week we are to create our own 'bead soup' from our stash and hopefully make something with it.

So here are the beads I chose from my stash.

You might notice the bright colors, and that's because I am so ready to leave winter behind and  for spring to take it's place.

My bead soup has some wonderful enameled beads and clasp from Bead Swede Studios, and the cutest little lampwork spacers from the Spacer Bead Shop plus a lovely charm from Gaea

And here is what I made: I switched out the round clasp for a longer one from Bead Swede.

'Hurry Up Spring"

Join the fun and link up on Heather's blog.

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 Earring Challenge

So Sunday is week 29 and 30 of the Art Jewelry Elements year long earring challenge. I'm posting early as I won't be able to show up this weekend and I can't rely on the blogger schedule tool anymore. Today I'm featuring beads from Heather Powers. She makes wonderful polymer pieces but my favorite are the smaller round beads which are so versatile.

'Soon Autumn Comes' made with Heather's brick red polymer beads, Czech beads from ArteBella Surplus, and Vintaj components.

'Persian Tea House' made with patina-ted sticks, and patina-ted metal beads from MissFicklemedia, Heather's gold patterned beads along with Vintaj components. Please visit the Art Jewelry Elements blog to see more goodies. And don't forget to check Art Jewelry Elements Pinterest board for even more goodies!

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.  

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.

I Fell Off The Wagon

First, I want to thank everyone who commented on my Bead Soup Reveal and The Challenge of Travel Reveal. I had so much fun with both and met a few new jewelry and bead designers.

And now for the confession. At the end of last year I decided I needed to use up the beads in my stash before buying more. I allowed myself to purchase the necessary components and findings like clasps, spacers, wire, crimps etc, and beads that were required for a customer request, and once for a bead challenge.

I'm surprised that I lasted so long because it sure isn't easy when every blog I visit had some awesome beads they made or purchased themselves. And finally I caved. It was just about a month ago, and once I started, I just kept going. So here are the offenders; the beads that I just couldn't live without:


These are the cutest little lampwork beads I've ever seen. From Pebble Dreams



And Too Aquarius makes these wonderful polymer beads. I've purchased them before and just had to have more for my Challenge of Travel.



Also from Too Aquarius



From Penny at Fagins Daughter
I considered these findings....don't you agree?



More from Fagins Daughter; mostly vintage, and yes, there are definitely beads in here.



I purchased some wire from Fusion Beads, and they just happened to have a great coupon. But I needed to spend just a bit more in order to make the limit. These Jade beads are gorgeous, and of course I love anything Vintaj. If you haven't signed up for Fusion Beads emails you are missing out on some great discounts from time to time, plus free shipping over $25.00.



I purchased a little surprise from Erin for my daughter's Christmas present. I can't show it here just in case she reads this post. But when it arrived there was a sweet coupon that I just had to take advantage of. I purchased one of her Motley Owls, and a beautiful polymer shell pendant.
On the back the pendant reads 'You can't cross the sea merely standing on the shore'. Erin has the most beautiful packaging.



And I just had to share what I won from Heather Power's Bead Fest Pity Party (the prize was a coupon to her site). The little squirrel, fox, and bird house are just adorable!


I'm going to hop back on the wagon and see how long I can continue this self-imposed 'bead diet'. If you want to join me I could use the company.

Andrew Thornton's Spring Challenge

Yes, three posts in two days. Unusual for me, I know. I was starting to think I had bit off more than I could chew by signing up for two challenges and Shannon’s weekly 'Finally Fridays' challenges. On the other hand I need this kind of push to keep me at the bead table.


From Andrew's Blog

Andrew collaborated with Lima Beads and came up with a lovely spring inspired kit for this challenge. I just clicked ‘add to cart’, and soon the kit was traveling to my mail box. The kit includes the sweetest bunny toggle from Green Girls, a tiny pewter bunny charm from Tierra Cast, a darling ceramic bird charm from Earthenwood Studio, a little tagua nut large hole bead, a pair of Lucite leaf charms, a hammered chain, two tubes of seed beads, and a variety of Czech beads.

I like to get some mileage out of kits like this and spread the goodness around to several pieces. The first piece I made was this bracelet made with four of the faceted fire polished Czech beads from the kit, some vintage green beads, wasabi deep cut Czech beads, green Druk glass beads, a dyed howlite tube bead, Vintaj chain and components, and some sweet lampwork spacer beads.


'Lime-A-Rita'

The second piece, another bracelet (which I’ve been making a lot of lately) includes the apple green Czech beads, a large turquoise dyed howlite bead, lampwork beads from Twinstar and Lynda’s Bead Dreams, a polymer bead from Heather Powers, a Bali bead and sterling silver spacers and clasp.


'A Gentle Breeze'

These earrings include the Lucite leaves and a couple of the Czech beads from the kit, plus triangle wood beads and a variety of Vintaj chain.


'Jungle Fever'

The inspiration for this last piece came when I saw a little bird on our porch with a wad of fiber in her beak ready to use it to build her nest. This necklace is made with the sweet ceramic bird, a peach colored ‘sugared’ lampwork bead from Fire & Fibers, Vintaj components, and a silk dangle from a destash over at Objects and Elements. I’m thinking I need something more on the chain, so I might take it apart and redo just the chain part. Also, I don’t have a name for this one. Any ideas?



I didn’t get a chance to use the chain, the bunny charm, tagua nut bead, the tiny green glass beads, the seed beads or the bunny clasp. But I hope to make something with these soon. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit Andrew’s blog for the list of participants.