Wednesday, 12 September 2012

History Hop Participants - still time to join!

A few of you were worried you weren't in the History Hop, so I've updated the list again to show all of the participants so far. This list was made at 7:20am EST today, so if you joined before then and aren't on the list, I haven't received your info, for some reason.

There's still time to join in. I haven't put a deadline for joining, yet. So long as let me know your choice with enough time to add you to my list, and you give yourself enough time to create, I'm happy!
History Hop participants so far:

Ahowin - Art Nouveau www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com

Alicia Marinache – Victorian http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Becca's Place – Renaissance www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Beti Horvath – Ancient Egypt and Art Deco www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Cherry Obsidia – Ancient Mecynae Greece www.cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Cooky – Renaissance www.shepherdessbeads.com
Jennifer Davies-Reazor – Medieval www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Kathleen Douglas – Indus Valley www.washoekat.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel – Etruscan www.sadafulee.blogspot.com
Lady Grey – Victorian www.beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com
Laney Mead – Pre-Columbian www.laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk
Leah Curtis – Ancient Roman www.beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk
LiliKrist - Persia www.lilikrist.com
Melissa – Mesopotamian www.design.kcjewelbox.com
Melissa Trudinger – Art Nouveau www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Micheladas Musings – Ancient Romans www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sandra Wollberg – Art Nouveau www.city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson – Art Deco www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman – Victorian www.tracystillmandesigns.com


And again, thank you all so much for joining in! I didn't think this would be nearly as popular as it's become. I'll update this list as more people join in the fun. If you'd like to join, leave a comment here with your details. See you on reveal day, October 13th!
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Sunday, 9 September 2012

History Hop Update

Thought I would post a little update for the History Hop. So far, we have over 12 participants! I've listed everyone who up to this point has joined. I used the names and blog links I found on your profiles. Please let me know if they're wrong or any other info I've left out (that means I couldn't find it!). Also let me know if your blog links are not working.

Otherwise, you're in!

History Hop participants so far:

Ahowin - Art Nouveau www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Alicia Marinache – Victorian http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Becca's Place – Renaissance www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Beti Horvath – Ancient Egypt and Art Deco www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Cherry Obsidia – Ancient Mecynae Greece www.cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Cooky – Renaissance www.shepherdessbeads.com/Blog.html
Jennifer Davies-Reazor – Medieval www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Kathleen Douglas – Indus Valley www.washoekat.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel – Etruscan www.sadafulee.blogspot.com
Lady Grey – Victorian www.beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com
Laney Mead – Pre-Columbian www.laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk
Leah Curtis – Ancient Roman www.beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk
LiliKrist - Persia www.lilikrist.com
Melissa – Mesopotamian www.design.kcjewelbox.com
Melissa Trudinger – Art Nouveau www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Micheladas Musings – Ancient Romans www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sandra Wollberg – Art Nouveau www.city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson – Art Deco www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman – Victorian www.tracystillmandesigns.com

Thank you all for joining! This should be so much fun. I can't wait to see what you create! I will periodically update the participant list. Any questions, just email me!




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Wednesday, 5 September 2012

History Hop - join in!

Are you inspired by history? If you said yes, then this could be the blog hop for you! The History Hop is a chance to immerse yourself in a period in history and create jewelry with that inspiration.

Your challenge is to select a period from the timeline below (or I can choose one at random for you!), research it, and create something to reflect that period. I'm hoping you'll not only be inspired by the style of the period, but also the materials that would have been used.

Ready?

How it works: 

Choose one or more time periods. If you'd rather it be a surprise, I can choose a period for you. Remember, you only have to choose one!

Post a comment here or email me with your chosen time period. I'll put all the info together for an easy to use blog hop list, so we know where we're going!

Create at least one piece of jewelry for your period. You can make as many as you like, but one finished piece for each time period you choose is all that's required.

Reveal on Saturday, October 13th.

Hop the blogs - I know there are going to be some amazing creations, so enjoy the hop!

Info I need from you: your chosen time period and your blog address, if you're not commenting with a Blogger account. Otherwise it's hard to find you!

There are 14 time periods to choose from. Click on the names for a great site with descriptions, history, and photos for each time period.




  












Found one you liked? Email (click on my profile to contact me) or comment here with your choice(s) and that you'd like to participate. All you have to do from there is create and wait for the reveal day! I hope there's enough info in the links above, but if you need help finding any other resources, just ask!

Let's get creating!


History Hop participants so far:

Ahowin - Art Nouveau www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com
Alicia Marinache – Victorian http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Becca's Place – Renaissance www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Beti Horvath – Ancient Egypt and Art Deco www.stringingfool.blogspot.com
Cherry Obsidia – Ancient Mecynae Greece www.cherryobsidia.blogspot.com
Cooky – Renaissance www.shepherdessbeads.com/Blog.html
Jennifer Davies-Reazor – Medieval www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Kathleen Douglas – Indus Valley www.washoekat.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel – Etruscan www.sadafulee.blogspot.com
Lady Grey – Victorian www.beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com
Laney Mead – Pre-Columbian www.laney-izzybeads.blogspot.co.uk
Leah Curtis – Ancient Roman www.beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk
LiliKrist - Persia www.lilikrist.com
Melissa – Mesopotamian www.design.kcjewelbox.com
Melissa Trudinger – Art Nouveau www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Micheladas Musings – Ancient Romans www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Sandra Wollberg – Art Nouveau www.city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.com
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson – Art Deco www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman – Victorian www.tracystillmandesigns.com



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Saturday, 25 August 2012

Tribal Steampunk

I recently entered a challenge on a forum I go to. The theme was Steampunk, and after a lot of deliberating and switching plans, I came up with this.


 

Now, I know it's not totally Steampunk, but it's definitely getting there. I couldn't help but add a bit of the faerie, tribal style I've been playing with.

In all, Tribal Steampunk took about 4-5 hours to make. That was the work alone - I can't bare to think about the design process. There were so many beads a textiles that I'd pick up and would match...others wouldn't, no matter how much I wanted them to. You know how it is.

For this necklace, I started with the tiny, copper book. I made the cover out of copper sheet and cut out 12 tiny pages from sketch book paper. I antiqued the pages with a tea patina, and bound it all with copper wire. On the front cover of the book, I added an old, Irish coin with a beautiful bird, a vintage Swarovski crystal, and a wire wrapped LED.


From the bottom of the book hangs my very first wirework key. I'm really pleased with how it came out. And for a bit of extra detail, I wrapped two faceted emeralds onto it.

Next, I added some repurposed green velvet, amethyst drops, and more copper wirework reminiscent of feathers to carry the bird theme. The focal area hangs from a piece of sea glass I found in the River Thames in London, England. The chain features vintage glass beads from Old Bicycle Shop, lampwork by Tan Grey, silk, and frayed, feathery fibers. The fabrics were dyed with tea to match the antiqued pages.

And the really cool thing? You can open the book - you can write in it.


I used an old brass clasp I recycled from a vintage necklace to close the book. Just an extra touch to keep your secret notes safe.



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Friday, 17 August 2012

A giveaway and a challenge...

A few days ago, I received a beautiful pair of  Sterling Silver swan earwires from La Vidalerie. They're hosting a number of giveaways, and for this one, everyone who wins a pair of these earwires will create a pair of earrings. Each one will then be voted on, and the winner will receive a £25 gift certificate. La Vidalerie has beautiful gemstones and findings, so I hope I have a chance!

La Vidalerie is doing other giveaways - check them out here! And keep an eye on their Facebook page for all of the great entries and voting.
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Saturday, 4 August 2012

Curtis the Teddy Cat

There is a special glass artist who lives in the Netherlands. Her name is Christina, and one day, she made something amazing. From fire and glass she formed the most beautiful teddy bear. He had a sweet face, cute little ears, and his little arms and legs moved like a doll's.

Someone saw this teddy and loved him. She thought he was beautiful and how wonderful it would be if Christina could make a cat. On that alone, Christina went to work with her flame. And created Curtis the Teddy Cat. A Teddy Cat? You ask. He looks like a cat, but with no tail, still like his teddy friend.

Christina sent Curtis on a long journey by air and by land. And finally, he was taken in his cozy box to his new home.


 

Curtis started to wake and looked a little bit sad. (I think he missed Christina.) 



But I called for him. "Curtis" I said. With his little lilac cheeks and his pink nose, he looked up at me.


Curtis began to play and forgot his long journey. He knew he was safe in his new home.


 

But Curtis will never forget that artist in the Netherlands. Nor how lovingly she made him, or how carefully she packed him, or what a wonderful person she is.




Thank you SO much to Christina for not only sending me this adorable work of art, but also naming him after me. I am truly touched!

And if you want to see more whimsy and charm, visit Christina here.



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Thrift Store Blog hop - Reveal!

With everything going on - the BSBP, the Olympics, the fleeting summer, life in general - it seemed like I joined this hop ages ago. And in case you've forgotten, here's a little reminder.

Sarah Goode of Pookledo started a great little challenge. We were meant to buy an item for £1 ($1.50) or less from a thrift shop and use it in a piece of jewelry. I found this sweet copper ring.




After fiddling around with it a bit, I decided on what other components to use. I chose some ceramics in pale purples, blues, and pinks by Tania Grey. I wrapped, strung, and tied them to some sage green silk I hand frayed.

Once I decided how, but not where to use the ring, I made a copper clasp to match.




The closure works surprisingly smoothly, but finishing off the bracelet took a bit of effort. I had to make everything just the right length, or else it would be too loose and flop on the wrist.

Even though I'm not big on hearts, I made a copper heart link to keep the theme going. The pastel colors are gentle on the eye, the hearts add a touch of sweetness, and the style is refreshingly bohemian. And that silk is SO soft.


 

Don't forget to check out what everyone else has made. The full list of participants is below. Happy hopping!

Sarah - www.pookledo.blogspot.co.uk
Deb - http://greenshoot.blogspot.co.uk/
Kimberley - http://goddessesandbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Skye - http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.co.uk/
Ambra - http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com/
Beti - http://stringingfool.blogspot.com/
Emma - www.apolymerpenchant.com
Shelley - www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Tammie -  http://ttedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Leah - http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.co.uk/
Denielle - www.somebeadsandotherthings.com
Keri Lee - http://www.pinklemonade.typepad.com
Rochelle - acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Pam - http://pamelas-studio.blogspot.com/
Ingetraud - http://ingetraud.wordpress.com/
Audrey - http://esperianterra.blogspot.com/
Julie Anne - www.thepeacefulbead.com
Sharyl - http://www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Micheladas - http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com 
Lo -   http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/
Kala - http://maybejustperhaps.blogspot.co.uk
Dee - http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.co.uk
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