Saturday, December 17, 2011

Ornament Swap Hop!!

The fabulously talented and sweet Sally Russick organized a Holiday Ornament Swap/Blog Hop!  She paired all of us happy participants up and the ornament making commenced.  The only requirement was that the handmade ornament include an art bead of some sort. 

After much internal debate on the direction I would take, I decided to make a Stephanie Lee "PipeDreams" inspired piece. I embedded some metal filigree medallions on each side and then stared at it for a few days before the inspiration decided to hit me! I punched some holes in the bottom and wove some copper wire in a fishnet/lace pattern and attached some pretty red crystals. I took a big metal filigree bead and halved it, somewhat flattened it, then enameled it a Christmas tree green shade, and wired it onto the top with more copper wire and a red crystal.



With the other end of the wire on the top component, I hung several lengths of copper chain that I embellished with a whole load of stuff...czech glass flowers and other beads, a couple of red birds I enameled.  I added some strips of pretty sari ribbon that I got from lovely Barbara Lewis.  I then fashioned a swirly hook out of some steel wire and added a bow of more sari ribbon.



I was totally ready to stop when I remembered the enameled/resined cardinal component I made last year and hadn't known what to use it with!  I had to add it...I know it sent it over the top, but I just had to.




My creative partner is Crafty Hope Smitherman!  We hit it off immediately!  She is a fellow 'Bama girl!  Rooooooollllllllllll, Tide! Roll!  She sent me the sweetest package of goodies, including candy! That is my kind of girl!  A very cool Christmas tree of resin, complete with a gorgeous polymer clay star and pretty green enameled bead is very happily hanging on my tree!  Oh, and the handmade pom-pom garland?  Very clever and Christmasy!  Thanks again Hope!  Here is a sneak peak at what she sent....I loved it!!  To hear more about her creative process, go check out her post!


Go visit the other pairs and check out the lovely ornaments that they made and swapped!  Wow, this really puts me in the Christmas spirit now!  Thank you, Sally, for hosting such a fun, inspirational blog hop!!

21 comments:

  1. Over the top in the best way! The cardinal is great in the dangles! Melissa - you have made a beautiful piece here! I am sure it will be treasured!Happy Holidays!

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  2. Oh this is vintage Christmas fabulousness at it's best - awesome ornament!

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  3. Melissa, upon first seeing your ornament, I thought the whole theme was based around the cardinal!!! And it all works so well, not over the top at all :-) I love what you made and the textures and components all came together so beautifully!

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  4. Anonymous10:23 AM

    AMAZING ornament, Melissa!!!! I love every part of this ornament! The enameled elements, the "pipe dream" inspired piece, the cardinal and all of the lovely dangles!!! So very clever and BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Melissa, thank you so much for participating in the swap/hop! I'm so glad that you and Hope hit it off and had a good time with the Hop!!! Have a very Happy Holiday!!

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  5. An amazing ornament! It looks like something from an exotic place far away. This is sure to be one to be treasured for many years to come!

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  6. Melissa, I had such a great time swapping with you and getting to know you. I will definitely be keeping up with your blog from here on out. Thank you SO MUCH for the beautiful ornament and for all the help when my brain just wasn't working. ;)
    Roll Tide Roll!!

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  7. AMAZING! Seriously...you come up with something new every time I visit! I love it! And you guys are perfectly paired. :) Hope you and your boys are having a great holiday season!
    Jen

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  8. your ornament is stunning, love the details and colours....just beautiful

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  9. Both ornaments are wonderful!
    The ornament you created is really amazing. So many fun aspects and details to it. I love the little charms. I would keep it on display all year long!

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  10. Your ornament is so festive. I really love all of the way all of the little parts come together.

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  11. OMG!!! Incredible Melissa! I mean jaw dropping gorgeous! Loooove!!
    Can you tell I looooove it! Ha!

    BTW, my husband, whom I have been married to for 27 years, ans have known for 32 years, has been an Alabama fan since day 1!! Why, I have no idea, but he loved Bear Bryant as a kid and that was it!
    Roooooolll Tide Roll!

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  12. Absolutely incredible and creative piece you made :) The cardinal was a perfect touch!! And I love the sari silk! And the piece she made you is just so sweet!

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  13. Your ornament is GORGEOUS!!!!

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  14. Melissa, I love your ornament you created for Hope. This is definitely an ornament create by Melissa Meman. The metal, the enameling, the soldering..amazing!

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  15. Oh goodness! That is the most awesome ornament ever! I love the enamel bead cap at the top and the way you made the pipe dreams come to life. I love cardinals. Around here that is the only pop of color on some winter days, and that is the mascot from my h.s. So wonderful! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
    Enjoy the day!
    Erin

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  16. Melissa, I always enjoy seeing your beautiful pieces and you've really outdone yourself with this ornament! You've taken the pipe dreams to a new level, with all of those amazing details and additions. I think this would make a great necklace on a long chain!
    Looks like Hope sent some wonderful ornaments too - will be visiting her blog next!

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  17. Melissa, I love the ornament that you sent to Hope it is so very beautiful, I love all of the little details you so lovingly put into the design and the Cardnal was the perfect touch and not over the top. Hope is a wonderful loving, caring and creative person that put a lot of thought into the beautiful ornament that she sent to you. I just love her shabby shiek beads that she creates.
    Hope that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Oh and by the way from one Bama girl to the other Roll Tide and let's kick some LSU butt!!!
    Therese

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  18. Woow Melissa what a fantastic ornament love all the pieces you made to put it together:-) Merry Christmas!!

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  19. I LOVE the way you rocked this technique! I took Stephanie's class too and haven't figured out how to make it "mine" yet. You are amazin'!

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  20. Hey Melissa, what an awesome ornament you made - wow! And Hope's is so awesome too!

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  21. this is just SO gorgeous. I wanted to ask you if you added the little metal dots at the top..sitting just under the enamelled bead cap? the whole thing is just stunning...silk and cardinal, too.
    Jenni

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