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.

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.

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.

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

BSBP6 Reveal!

Today is the long awaited Bead Soup Blog Party®. This is the 6th BSBP held by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things. And it's my first. I'm excited, nervous, and a little bit surprised it's finally here.

There are 400 participants this year, and I was paired with the very talented glass artist Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens. Maryse sent me a wonderful soup with her own 23ct gold foiled lampwork, gold vermeil beads and clasp, and two gorgeous lampwork focals.  She also sent some beautiful sari silk, vintage components, and leather cord. Here's a reminder of the soup I received.

I went to work straight away. In total, I made 5 pieces for the reveal. For my first piece, I used the gold vermeil toggle clasp. I chose to do a simple design, incorporating the leather cord. I used Maryse's lampwork, some of the gold vermeil, and crystal quartz gemstones I already had.




My inspiration for this piece was the beautiful, varied colours of the lampwork. They had a Moroccan feel, and I tried to keep this rich palette mixed with gold. It was actually harder to design than I thought. This bracelet was a refreshing new style for me. Here's a closer look at the brushed gold vermeil clasp I used in my Moroccan Bracelet.

For my second piece, Sea Princess, I used some of the extra beads and silk Maryse sent me. I wrapped more of Maryse's lampwork beads with 14ct gold filled wire and made up the remaining length with the pink silk she sent me. I made my own clasp for this bracelet with the same gold wire and used an old coin from the Third Hellenic Republic as a focal piece. That coin was hard to wrap!

There are also tiny lampwork beads from Tania Grey called Little Wishes. I couldn't resist including them since they matched Maryse's bead so perfectly. I think this picture shows how special Maryse's beads are. Look at that flash of color...

Here are some closer shots of the focal coin. I added some faceted gems for an extra touch of sparkle.

 

And here's a final shot of the front of the coin (the back of the bracelet).

 

My next piece features some lovely little gems from Tanya of FusionMuse. It seems like fate that I received her free Beads for Blogging and was inspired to use them with the vermeil beads and leather Maryse sent me. I added some matching magnesite stones and created my very first lariat - Boho Chic.

   

The focal area has a vintage rhinestone ball and a vermeil bead Maryse sent me. This necklace is fresh and simple. There's no need for a clasp, as it's the perfect length to slide over your head.

Are you tired yet? I promise there are only two more! As everyone hopping probably knows, the challenge of the BSBP is to use the clasp and focal your partner sends you. Maryse very generously sent me not one but two focals. I'm glad to say I was inspired and challenged by both of them.

The first one I used was this gorgeous vessel style bead. The flash of yellow matched a strip of sari silk she sent me beautifully. I knew what I was going to do straight away and decided on an asymmetrical design.

One side features the vibrant yellow and purple silk. I mirrored these colours with deep purple amethyst and lemon quartz gemstones.

   

For an added touch of detail, I wrapped one of the tiny, faceted lemon quartz at the bottom of the focal. It added a bit of extra sparkle and draws the eye down Maryse's lampwork. Can you see the flecks of purple on the focal?

   

To finish this necklace off, I forged my own copper clasp. It fastens to a chunky copper link meeting the sari silk.

And now to share my final piece for the sixth Bead Soup Blog Party®. It's something very different for me. The second focal Maryse made for me was filled with whimsy. I wasn't sure what to do at first. I loved the lacy black pattern - the pool of blue and the chunky shape.

The earthy colors made me think of gardens, and I soon came up with my grand plan. I know this cuff is a bit crazy, but I'm happy. I'm happy because I was pushed out of my usual styles and created something very different. Faerie Garden cuff took about 5 hours to make.

 

This garden green velvet cuff features vintage beads and chatons, Czech glass flowers (never used those before!), and that magical focal. I wrapped the vintage chatons I received from the Old Bicycle Shop in Vintaj bead caps.

Maryse's lampwork is surrounded by Czech glass flowers and beads that sprawl along the soft velvet. Tiny dew drop beads sparkle amongst the flowers. A border of vintage speckled drops were hand sewn with fine copper wire onto the velvet.

 

For closure, I made a chunky, whimsical copper clasp.  And one of those vintage chatons sparkles at the end of the cuff.

And those are my 5 creations for the Sixth Bead Soup Blog Party®. This has been a wonderful experience for me. And I hope the rest of you hopping will enjoy my creations! The fun's not over yet, though. There are hundreds of blogs to hop to.

Here are all of the participants revealing today, July 28th.

 Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com

Alice Craddick,  Alice's Beads and Baubles

Alicia Marinache,  All The Pretty Things

Amanda Tibbetts,  Amanda Made

Amber Dawn Goldish, Inventive Soul

Annita Wilson,  AW Jewelry

Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

Birgitta Lejonklou,  Create With Spirit   

Candida Castleberry,    Spinning Spun Sugar

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Cassie Donlen, Glass Beadle

Cheri Reed,  Creative Designs by Cheri

Cheryl McCloud,  One Thing Leads to Another

Cheryl Roe, BeadRoe

Christina Hickman, Vintage Treasures Jewelry

Christine Hendrickson,  Clamworks

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Cindy Wilson, Mommy's Dream

Cindy Wimmer, Sweet Bead Studio

Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie

Cory Tompkins, Tealwater Designs

Cris Peacock, Cris' Page

Cynthia Deis, Shiny Little Things

Cynthia Machata, Antiquity Travelers

Cynthia Wainscott, Exotic Peru

Dana Hickey, Magpie Approved

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Designs

Dana Lang, Tumblestone Handmakery

Debbie Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs

Denielle Hagerman, Some Beads and Other Things

Diane Valasek, Dragonfly Close

Doris Stumpf, Glaszwerg

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

Elaine Robitaille, Too Aquarius

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Enikö Fabian, Perl-eni

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

Heidi Post, Ex Post Facto Jewelry

Hilary Frye, FryeStyle

Ilenia Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded and Painted Jewelry

Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

Jami Shipp, Celebrating Life

Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

Jean A. Well, Jean A. Wells Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry

Jean Yates, Snap Out of It Jean! There's Beading to Do!

Jennifer Cameron, Glass Addictions

Jennifer Pottner, Rock Candy Beads

Jennifer VanBenschoten,  Jewelry, Art and Life

Jenny Davies-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design

Jessica Dickens, My Jewelry, My Life, Me

Jessica Klaaren, Beadful-Things by Jessica

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Joan Williams, Lilruby Jewelry

Judith Johnston, Judith Johnston

Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Julie Anne Leggett, The Peaceful Bead

K Hutchinson, Jumbled Hutch

Karen Meador, Dreamcatcher Ranch

Karyn Bonfiglio, Plus Size Bangles

Katherine Gale, Terra Beadworks
Kathleen Lange Klik, Modern Nature Studio

Katja Benevol Gabrijelcic, Slovonske Technobe

Kelli Jacobson, Creative Moon

Kelly Ramstack, Adventures with Kelly

Keri Lee Sereika, Pink Lemonade

Kim Ballor, Vitamin C... A Daily Dose of Creativity

Kim Bender-Hora, KimmyKat

Kirsi Luostarinen, Kirsi Luo Korut

Kitty Bozzini, Kitty Lampwork

Laura Demoya, The Bead Therapist

Laurie Hanna, Laurie's Jewelbox

Leah Curtis, Beady Eyed Bunny

Lesley Watt, The Gossiping Goddess

Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog & Meanderings

Lisa Liddy, Metal Me This

Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land

Lori Poppe, Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads

Marge Beebe, Rock Creek Creations

Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

Marion Simmons, Shade Tree Studio

Marla Gibson, Spice Box Design

Marta Weaver, Marta Weaver Jewelry

Marti Conrad, Marti C's Clay Blog

Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, GlassBeadArt, Lampwork Beads

Melanie Brooks, Earthenwood Studio

Michelle Hardy, Firefly Visions

Mikala Coates, Maybe Just Perhaps

Mowse Doyle, HoCArt

Nan Emmett, Spirit Rattles - Spirited Earth

Nancy Boylan, Snazzy Doodle Designs

Nancy Peterson, Beading From the Heart

Nicole Rennell, Nicole Rennell Designs

Niki Meiners, 365 Days of Craft

Niky Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas
Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs
Pamela Gangler, She Always Loved Pink

Patricia Johnson, Patricia L. Johnson Glass Art

Patti Vanderbloemen, My Addictions ... Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads

Renetha Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Shannon Hicks, Falling Into the Sky

Shannon LeVart, Miss Fickle Media

Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Art Werks

Shelby Foxwell, Sundown Bead Designs Rhetoric

Shelley Graham Turner, Fabric of My Life

Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

Stacie Florer, Soul to Substance

Stacie Stamper, Park Avenue

Stacy Alderson, Iridal's Attic

Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Stephanie Stamper, Rainy Day Designs

Sue Hamel, The Bottle Cork and Crystal

Suzette Bentley, Ellie's Bijoux

Szarka, Magpie Gemstones

Tammy Jones, Jewelry Making Daily

Tania Tebbit, Glass, Craft, & Artful Goodness

Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

Terry Matuszyk, Pink Chapeau

Tina Bosh, Every Good and Perfect Gift

Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash

Vonna Maslanka, Just Vonna

For the full list of participants in the 3 reveal dates, go to Lori's blog here. And while I send you in her direction. I want to thank you, Lori, for doing this! This has been a wonderful experience, and the fun's not over yet.

Thanks to Maryse, my wonderful partner for sending me a beautiful soup and sharing your talent. And to Tanya of FusionMuse for keeping us on our toes and working hard on the much awaited reveal website. We'll find out more about that as the day goes on.

Now...I'm off to hop! First stop, Maryse's blog.

A Special Giveaway

I like sharing about giveaways and freebies I come across with all of you. But this one is different.

It's a special chance to win a beautiful, handmade sterling earring and necklace set by Tanya of FusionMuse. The set is made of hand wrapped sterling silver, rubies, and pearls. Tanya is giving away this set, valued at $1400, to raise awareness for a friend and his wife who recently lost two of their triplets.

Tanya's friend owns Sinarin Silver, and by visiting his site and commenting on Tanya's blog, you'll be entered in the giveaway. Spread the word on your blog or Facebook, and you'll gain extra entries.

If you want to go the next step and make this giveaway even more meaningful, making a purchase at Sinarin Silver will give you another entry. And your purchase will help this family during a painful time.

All you have to do is spread the word, but every little bit extra will mean so much to Tanya and her friend. Visit Tanya's blog for more photos and full list of rules.

Beads for Blogging - Nearly finished

Here's my third piece for Beads for Blogging. I used the faux amber (acrylic) and gemstone pendant Tanya sent me. I had originally wanted to do a multistrand bracelet, but decided on a lariat.

I used black cotton cord for contrast between the beautiful amber, red, and orange tones of the beads. The beads are bound with lark's head knots and simple overhand knots. I also added a pair of lampwork glass beads by Tania Grey.

The focal teardrop has an attractive medley of orange and red tones.  For me, using the gemstone focal came easily. But the acrylic beads were more of a challenge. I usually think 'ick, acrylic,' but I have to say these little beads have opened my eyes. They have a crackle effect that catches the sun just as beautifully as any other bead, and the colour is gorgeous against the black cord.

Out of all the jewellery I made for the Beads for Blogging challenge, I have to say this is my favorite. Not using metal is a strange first for me. I love how different this piece is. I was challenged by Tanya's beads and was able to create something earthy and simply peaceful.

You can see my previous pieces using Tanya's beads here and here. There's another one I haven't shared with you yet, but that will have to wait until the Bead Soup Blog Party® reveal this Saturday.

If you want to challenge yourself with free beads from Tanya's shop, check out her blog here for details on how to enter. All you have to do is create and share your work!