What's Old is New Again! - Artbeads Blogging Project

I think turning old jewelry into new jewelry is a wonderful thing but I had not taken the time to try it myself.  The Artbeads blogging theme this month - "What's Old is New Again!" - was the perfect opportunity to do just that.

First I went down memory lane, hauling out boxes and containers of old jewelry from various nooks and crannies.  I've received most of my "saving to recycle stash" from my mother, my grandmother and my sister.  I had great fun getting reaquainted with all my oldies but goodies, but nothing seemed to fit with the beads I had selected from Artbeads.  That is until I opened up a small bag containing a broken metal linked necklace that had belonged to my mother.  Since Mom is 98 years young and I don't remember her wearing it in the past 30-40 years, I'm assuming it's at least 30 years old.   Nothing of great value - it may be gold plated, but then again it might not.  It doesn't matter to me - I think it goes perfectly with my Artbeads selections and I will treasure it always.

I was attracted to the "retro" looking puffed porcelain "I Spy" pendant and beads in black, gold, silver and white which are found in the Steampunk category on Artbeads.

The Swarovski faceted roundelles in Jet and Black Diamond AB were a perfect match to the porcelain beads and I wish I would have gotten more of the 3.2 bright gold filled roundels.  They were wonderful accents for the crystals.

Everything went together very smoothly and the only mishaps were my fingernails since I was opening and closing jump rings and manipulating metal wire.

The necklace is just a tad over 20" (51.5cm) and won't be going to any new home.  This one will be living here with me.

I'm so happy with my new necklace and give thanks to Artbeads for their active participation in inspiring jewelry artists to create new designs.  I do not receive any compensation from Artbeads for being their blogging partner.

Winter Enchantment Beading Fun from Artbeads

I'm not a winter loving gal!  Give me the same old sunny dry days every day and I'm a happy camper.  But I must admit it was so much fun to design this Winter Enchantment necklace using these awesome beads and findings from Artbeads.com.

Artbeads offers Swarovski Crystal Pearls in many different sizes, shapes and delicious colors.  But for the winter theme, I chose cream colored Swarovski crystal round and asymmetrical pearls and some sterling silver Mirage S cut beads along with a sterling silver toggle clasp.

I decided to create a freeform necklace using silver and cream colored seed beads and Czech firepolished glass beads to combine all of the pearl and sterling silver beads.  I also ordered an awesome Swarovski crystal pearl baroque drop from Artbeads to use as the focal of the necklace.  I am officially in love with Swarovski pearls!

I think all the components knew just what part they were supposed to play in this Winter Enchantment necklace.  They played so nicely together and the necklace was a joy to create.

I think the necklace would be perfect for a bride on her lovely, enchanted wedding day.

I will be selling my Enchantment Wedding Necklace in my BeadsForever Etsy shop.  Stop by and check out all the details and to see more pictures.

Much appreciation to Artbeads.com for supplying many of the beautiful components used in this necklace.  I am a part of the Artbeads blogging group, and I receive no compensation from them for writing about their products.

Artbeads Tucson Sweepstakes

Artbeads just launched their ‘Road to Tucson’ Sweepstakes. The grand prize is a trip for two to Tucson, Arizona to attend the 2012 Gem, Mineral and Fossil Showcase! This fantastic prize package includes round-trip airfare for two to Tucson, Arizona and 3 nights accommodation. The winner will also attend classes with well-known beading instructors and have access to the biggest shows.
This sweepstakes is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) age 18 and up. Entry deadline is March 16, 2011 at 11:59pm PT. For more information: http://www.artbeads.com/road-to-tucson-sweepstakes.html

I'll be headed to this year'sTucson show for a few days at the beginning of February.  I'm sure it will just whet my appetite for another trip next year.  I'm headed over to enter the contest now.

What Inspires You?

Artbeads.com provided a beading contest entitled "What Inspires You?"  Voting opened today, November 23 and ends Wednesday, December 8. Winners will be announced Thursday, December 16, 2010.

There are two categories - a Necklace Category and a General Category and you can vote for your favorite in each one.  Click on the first name in the group and it will show you the original inspiration and the creation it inspired.  From there you can click on the "next" tab and see all of the beautiful entries in each category.

Congratulations to everyone who entered and good luck!  The prizes are fabulous!

Artbeads has Cool Beads

For my Artbeads Summer Project, I chose this fun ceramic bead to incorporate into my beadwork.  Artbeads has lots of stoneware pendants from which to choose.  Even the back of the pendant bead is cool.

To go with this "Cool Bubbles" ceramic bead, I chose several matching colors of size 11 Delica beads in a wonderful Matte AB finish like these Miyuki Transparent Matte AB turquoise Delicas (DB0862) or these Miyuki Transparent AB Matte Tropical Teal Delicas (DB1283).  Artbeads has a wonderful selection of seed beads from which to choose.

I decided to create a spiral herringbone rope using needle and thread and adding two beads at a time.  The colors of the seed beads matched perfectly with the colors of the pendant.  I'm very happy with the finished necklace and have placed it for sale in my Etsy shop.  I call it Cool Spots because we all need a cool spot to relax now that the summer heat has arrived.

I hope you'll check out Artbeads.com.  I'm sure you'll find some more "cool" things there.  I am delighted to be a part of Artbeads blogging group.  I do not receive any compensation from them for blogging about their products.

Artbeads Valentines Day Creation

A few weeks ago, I gave a little preview of my Artbeads Blogging Partner creation which was supposed to be in honor of Valentines Day.  I had ordered these beautiful ceramic hearts as well as several types of beads that I thought would look good with the ceramic hearts - some cute mother of pearl hearts,  sterling silver roundels, 1.8mm square cut beads, and 4mm Druk cherry red beads.  Artbeads has a great selection  of Valentine's Day components which you can find HERE.  (Good to know for next year!!)

 

I had originally intended to make a bead embroidered cuff but when I started beading around the large heart I discovered some problems.  The larger ceramic heart bead is about 5mm thick and I was having a hard time figuring out what size beads looked good next to it.  I was also perplexed about what to do with the inner cutout part.  After several attempts I decided my idea wasn't going to work and I had to come up with plan B which came together much easier.

First I created two different pendants with the ceramic hearts.

Both pendants can be hung from the same beaded necklace "chain."

I plan on listing this necklace in my Etsy shop and will donate all proceeds to the relief efforts in Haiti.

I am delighted to be a part of Artbeads blogging group and I receive no compensation from them for blogging about their products.

Did I Miss Valentine's Day?

I don't know how it happened, but I'm pretty sure February 14th passed me by and I didn't finish my Valentine piece or blog about it yet.  And yes, I'm feeling guilty!  So just to show I have good intentions and really am working on it, here's a little preview.

 
This will be part of the pendant for a beaded necklace which I hope to have finished soon and I will post pictured of the completed piece - hopefully before next Valentine's Day.

I am privileged to be a member of the Artbeads blogging team and for January we were given the theme of Valentine's Day.  "No problem," I said to myself and I ordered these beautiful ceramic hearts to use in a bead embroidered cuff.

 

I also ordered several types of beads that I thought would look good with the ceramic hearts - some cute mother of pearl hearts,  sterling silver roundels, 1.8mm square cut beads, and 4mm Druk cherry red beads. 

 

Artbeads has a great selection  of Valentine's Day components which you can find HERE.

I have no pictures to prove I actually started on the cuff, but I did.  I even made a special trip into San Diego to find some other beady goodness to go on the cuff.  I cut out the Lacy's stiff stuff and glued the components onto it with E6000 glue.  Then I started beading around the large heart and found it harder than I expected.  The heart bead is about 5mm thick and I was having a hard time getting the inner "cut out" part of the heart to look good.   After several attempts I decided my idea wasn't going to work and I had to come up with plan B which is working out much better.

I receive no compensation from Artbeads for blogging about their products.  I am delighted to be a part of their blogging group and hope they will forgive me for this late posting.

Artbeads Sweepstakes

Artbeads.com has just launched their biggest Sweepstakes ever on facebook.com. Enter to win a $1,000 Shopping Spree at Artbeads.com. This contest is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) age 18 or older. http://apps.facebook.com/sweepstakeshq/contests/16554

The Sweepstakes started January 06, 2010 and ends March 4, 2010.



I was given no compensation for posting this. I'm just excited about the possibility of winning and if I'm not the winner, then why not you?

Gorgeous CZ Faceted Components from Artbeads.com

Have you ever looked at some special beads and thought "I'd sure love to have some of those!" Well, my fantasy was fulfilled yesterday when these beauties arrived in the mail. These CZ faceted flat teardrops and CZ faceted round beads are from Artbeads.com and boy do they sparkle!

Artbeads.com has hundreds of different Cubic Zirconia items including beads, pendants, drops, clasps, links and earrings in many different colors and shapes. I chose the orange, yellow and peridot flat teardrops because I love those shapes and I also love those colors together. The thing I like most about CZ components is the sparkle created by the facets.

Can you guess what I'm going to make with them? Stay tuned for the finished creation. I won't be finished too quickly as I have to make some beadweaving components to match the CZ beads, but hopefully I'll be done in a week or so.

Thank you, Artbeads, for getting my creative juices flowing with these lovely beads. As part of Artbeads.com blog group, I received these products free of charge and am giving my honest critique of the products received. I have not been paid for providing this review of their products.