AJE Earring Challenge Reveal 5 (weeks 9 &10/52)

Please click the photo below and follow it to my blog to see the AJE Earring Challenge Reveal 5.

Lampwork Bead Destash Sale has begun

Today is the day, The HUGE sale over at my Facebook Fan Page. I invite you all to stop by and have a look at all the beads I have up for sale. It is time to let go of some oldies but goodies to make room in my studio for new ideas to grow. There is nothing I want more than to send some beads from my studio to yours.

Here is a brief sampling of the some the beads on sale.

 

I set up a photo album, Lampwork Bead Destash Sale by Ema K which has all the information you need on the how sale will work. 

 See you there, at the Destash Sale.

Artisan Whimsy Holiday Sale

                                                                                               

Kumihimo Jewelry designs now 15% OFF

Shop the finest Jewelry Designers For the 2012 Holiday Season

Many of our artists have published work & sell their beautiful pieces nationally and internationally.

See something you like?
Please click on the picture to browse their giveaway and view all their 
Fabulous Handmade Jewelry Pieces.

The largest Artisan shopping event 
for Cyber Week...Ever!! 
It starts this Friday, Nov. 23rd thru Friday Nov 30th.

All participating jewelry designers will be offering a discount on their stores &

will be promoting a giveaway.  
Winners will be chosen individually by the blog owners.

For event wide discount code use: AWHOLIDAY

We will be hiding
Three Exciting Giveaways 
throughout our participants blogs.  
When you find them, follow the directions to be entered! 

AND! Bookmark ArtisanWhimsy.com for Future Artisan Jewelry Shopping Opportunities!

Lampwork beads 15% OFF

Copper Jewelry Components 15% OFF

In my Etsy shop, Ema K designs, I am offering 15% OFF all jewelry and jewelry components when you use coupon code AWHOLIDAY at checkout.

What am I giving away? I will be giving away a pair of earrings. It is a new design I have just worked up. The design is so new I haven't had a chance to photgraph them. I will snap a photo and add it later.
Leave a comment to enter the giveaway. Make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you.
The earring giveaway will be similar to one of these designs.
Drawing will take place on December 1.

Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!

To view a listing of all participating artists visit my blog page, Holiday 2012 Great Deals.

Bead Soup Blog Party August Reveal 2012

Today is the big day. The day I get to show you all the wonderful pieces I created with the Bead Soup I received from Melissa Meman. I am thrilled with all the pieces I received from Melissa. I have already decided I am going to keep the necklace and earrings for myself. I apologize to Melissa because I don't think my before photos do her work justice. Here is a quick reminder of the Soup Melissa sent my way.

So off we go...Taaa Daaaa......
Let's start with the necklace

Focal pendant created by Melissa Meman

I decided very quickly in the design process that I had to include the Czech glass beads with the focal Melissa sent me. The shape of the Czech glass beads had the same shape of the focal piece. Carrying this shape into the design of the necklace was a definite. The only slight dilemma was that these cute little glass beads had double holes. I worked out that dilemma fairly quickly and I am very happy with the end result.

My new love is patina'd copper. The patina color is just scrumptious! So I patina'd the rondelles Melissa included. I patina'd my own jump rings and the copper wire I used. I thought Melissa's handmade toggle clasp was too pretty to use on the necklace. I have a lot of hair and the clasp is simply not going to be seen so I used one of my own handmade, less ornate toggle clasps.

Patina'd rondelles and jump rings. Enameled metal beads created by Melissa Meman.

Patina'd copper wire and jump rings. A jump ring bead surrounded by amethyst stones.

Enameled metal bead created by Melissa with an amethyst stone.

My own handmade toggle clasp. Textured and patina'd.

 My new necklace! I LOVE it!

Melissa sent along some other Czech glass beads that I couldn't figure out how to work into the necklace. The colors just weren't working with the rest of the pieces in my eyes. What to do? I think my solution was rather amusing because I ended up creating a bracelet by adding a couple of lampwork beads very similar to the beads I sent to Melissa in her bead soup. After I had sent Melissa's soup to her I realized that I loved those beads, so I made a couple of more beads for myself. I had intended to make a pair of earrings with them. Now they live in this bracelet. The beads work so well with the red Czech glass beads. I added some of my own work, more jump rings, viking knit and this is where I decided to use Melissa's lovely toggle clasp, which I did add patina too.

The beautiful toggle clasp created by Melissa Meman

Lampwork beads by Ema Kilroy. Patina'd rondelles and jump rings.

Viking knit by Ema Kilroy. Czech glass beads received in my Bead Soup.

The completed bracelet

I still had some pieces from Melissa's soup left over. I decided a pair of earrings to match my new necklace would be perfect. I went with a very simple design using the enameled beads and a couple of amethyst stones Melissa sent. The enameled beads are mismatched, different colors and slightly different sizes but I was feeling a little risque. I think they work. And I'm willing to bet no one will ever realize the difference. After all there is a good 5 or 6 inches separating that pair of earrings (otherwise known as my head).  ;)

Lastly, with a few bits left over (a few amethyst stones and one large enameled bead), it didn't take long for me to figure out what to do with them. I added some of my new metal work as a focal for a bracelet, more lampwork beads and jump rings to create another bracelet. I am amazed at how perfectly the colors from all the different pieces just fell together.  

It has a been a very creative day and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a pleasure pulling these designs together by combining my own work with Melissa's soup. Working with Melissa's pieces was so easy! Melissa was so generous, she also sent a package of enameled metal beads as a gift to me. I will be creating another blog post to show what I am going to do with these. I already have design ideas.

Now I'm off to see what Melissa created with all the components I sent to her. You can find out too, just stop by Melissa's blog. Before I begin hopping please allow me to say thank you to Melissa for sending along such a wonderful Bead Soup.

Many, many thanks to Lori Anderson for hosting this wonderful event. This the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party Lori has hosted and it is no small task to take on.

Here is a list of all the other artisans participating in this round of Bead Soup and the August 11th reveal. Stop by their blogs and give them kudos for all their beautiful work.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux 

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade 

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs 

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure 

Amy Severino, Amy Beads 

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess 

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate 

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads 

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios 

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry 

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry 

 Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry 

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads 

 Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul 

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas 

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine 

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier 

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations 

 Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element 

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

 Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8 

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

 Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends 

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

Inspiration is Everywhere

I have been inspired by Romana at Create with Joy to write this blog. Romana writes an " inspirational blog that celebrates creativity" and she  invites us "to inspire others and nurture your creative spirit" by linking to her Inspire Me Monday postings.

Today I share my new love...Kumihimo braiding. I have been completely smitten since I took a class back in October 2011. Recently on a shopping adventure, in search of ribbon I could use to create some Kumihimo bracelets, I stumbled on some yarn that was off white and white. It was actually a combination of different types of yarns and ribbons that, when all together, got me to thinking of flowy, fairies, romance, victorian and bohemian styles. This yarn was GORGEOUS! I had to have it! I swear I had heart palpitations when I saw it. The cost was out of my league at over $50.00 for a small skein. So I walked out of the store with my "reasonably" priced purchases and headed home to create my bracelets.

The tools I use to make Kumihimo braided jewelry.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this small skein of yarn. It has been haunting me ... before I fall asleep, when I wake up in the morning, as I showered, waiting to pick my son up from school ... every quiet moment I had I envisioned the finished piece I would be creating with it. The beads I would be making to accompany it. Seriously I couldn't stop thinking about it. 

Then along came a challenge from Erin Prais-Hintz at Treasures Found, The Challenge of Music.  I have always felt certain songs reflect on my life and I didn't hesitate to sign up for Erin's Challenge. Now I knew I had to have this yarn!!! I knew exactly what I would create and which song my creation would represent. Here began my frantic internet search to find an affordable alternative to the much coveted yarn I had to have. I found something I could afford and anxiously awaited its arrival. I had a couple of false starts and needed to make a couple of additions in materials to get the look I was going after but when I had it I knew I was right on track with my vision. Now I just have to get into my studio to create the beads I need. Here is a sneak peak of what I was able to put together using Kumihimo braiding techniques and my fantastic, whimsical yarns. 

Stay tuned for the reveal of the finished piece. The reveal date is February 29th!

You can find more info on Erin"s blog post on the Challenge of Music. 

As always, you can visit my Etsy shop to find unique lampwork beads and jewelry.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting with me.