April AJE Component of the Month

The very sweet and talented Lesley Watt of Thea Elements and Thea Jewellery is this month's component host and designer and she did not disappoint!  Lesley created some very cool ceramic button clasps!

I asked for a surprise and received a fun organic stoneware one with pretty green glaze.  I decided early on that I was going to make a bracelet.  A couple of weeks ago, I made my first viking knit and decided to use it in my design.

I had some brass caps that I torch-fire enameled with sapphire enamel...my new favorite color!  

I cut a copper oval and textured it by running it through my Sizzix Big Kick...I really like the result! And, surprise, surprise, I added some Czech glass flowers!

Thanks, Lesley!  I had fun creating with your cool button!

Here is the list of other participants...go and show them some button love ;)

Guests
Johana Nunez
Leah Curtis
Perri Jackson

AJE Team
Lesley Watt
Keirsten GIles
Caroline Dewison
Rebekah Payne
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Jen Cameron
Diana Ptaszynski
Kristen Stevens
Francesca Watson
Melissa Meman - me!
Linda Landig
Sue Kennedy

AJE February Component of the Month - Fluttering Hearts

I am so honored to be part of the group of talented, kind and generous jewelry artists at Art Jewelry Elements!  One of my favorite things about being part of that team is participating in these Component of the Month challenges...it is so much fun to receive such gorgeous, unique pieces from these wonderful artists.  I have to say it is sort of humbling when it comes your turn to be on the 'component provider' end!

For February, I decided to offer hearts that I hand-cut from copper, shaped, then torch-fire enameled. The finishing touch was the addition of colorful glass frit.

I was trying hard to think outside the box this month and had something on my mind that I wanted to do...

I wanted to create a sort of  "milagro" type of sacred heart and did a search on Pinterest.  Wow, lots of inspiration there!  So I set to work.  I did some sketches, decided on one, then sawed it from copper.

I was going to leave it bare, with perhaps some texture, but changed my mind, and covered it with molten solder and embedded little brass flowers in.  I riveted the heart onto piece using balled copper headpins which also create a pin clasp in the back.  Not showing the back this time as I am not especially happy with it right now and am going to work on it some more with some other ideas I have for future pieces.

I chipped the heart as well when I was attaching it, but I just filed it down and patina'ed it with some liver of sulfur and left it...I think it adds to the "vintage" feel of the piece!

Below is our team of designers for this month.  I can't wait to see what everyone created!  How about you!

Guests...
Lori Bowring Michaud 
Kathy Lindemer
Kim Bender 

AJE Team...
Melissa Meman
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Rebekah Payne
Caroline Dewison
Kristen Stevens
Keirsten Giles
Sue Kennedy

What I've been playing with lately!

Hi all - Raise your hand if you are so tired of winter ice and snow that you could just cry!  Both mine are up!  It looks like those of us in the Mid Atlantic area are due for some more this weekend, so maybe I will get some new jewelry made.

I know I haven't been blogging here regularly, so I thought I would stop by and show you some photos of things I am working on!  Have been bitten by the polymer clay bug after taking a class with Christine Damm at ArtBliss last year.  Hubby got me some materials for Christmas and I have been slowly but surely making my way through a few designs.  There is definitely a learning curve, but have been making molds like crazy!

Here are a few completed ones...the skull is for my boy!

This next batch are some that need to be finished...yes, a few got a bit dark, but they will be painted!

Here are the hearts I finally finished, but not in time for Valentine's Day.  They will be going in my shop soon, though along with most of this stuff, and hopefully a bit more!  Those tiny flowers are being placed on some cute little birdies.

Speaking of hearts, the AJE Design team, along with a few special guests will be showing their creations made from my enameled fluttery hearts for the February Component of the Month challenge...Be sure to stop back by on Monday, March 3 to take a gander at what we created.  I am so excited to see how everyone used them!  I hope to get a few more of  these made soon as well!

Thanks for stopping by!  I promise not to stay so long between posts!

Playing Catch-up with the AJE Earring Challenge...Reveal 17

I am so behind on this challenge, I have decided to do double duty.  Hopefully, if I create an extra pair every 2 weeks I will be able to!

Here are 3 pair I created during the last couple of weeks:

Torch-fired enamel on copper, Czech glass and sterling silver

Some of my most favorite lampwork by Sue Kennedy, torch-fired enamel caps, Czech glass, copper and sterling.

Repurposed brass leaves, torch-fire enameled by me, Czech glass leaves, flowers and berrries; copper and sterling.

Go on over to the AJE Blog for the reveal to see a few I featured today, and be sure to click on the links of everyone else that participated!

Red, White and Blue!

Happy Independence Day!

Flag on my back deck a couple years back!

Star on my backyard fence!

Read more about them on Earrings Everyday!

June Component of the Month Reveal - Summer Blossoms

Art Jewelry Elements' Component of the Month for June was sweet, little organic ceramic charms by Jenny Davies-Reazor.  Aren't these pretty?

I asked for a surprise, and got some pretty yellow ones.  I must admit, I didn't decide what I was going to make with these for quite a while.  After posting yesterday on AJE about my affinity towards complementary colors purple and yellow, I had an idea.

I layered some enameled flowers onto oval filigree components, then dangled the charms beneath! Pretty summery blossoms for your ears!

Thanks, Jenny, for contributing such fun components! Now go and visit all the other wonderful creations!


Guest artists: 

Leah - http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com

Elisabeth - http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com

Jean - http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com

Sarajo - http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

The AJE Team
Jennifer Cameron -  http://glassaddictions.com/
Jenny Davies-Reazor  -  http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog 
Susan Kennedy  -  http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/
Linda Landig -   http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/
Melissa Meman   -  http://melissameman.blogspot.com/ (you are here!)
Rebekah Payne  -  http://www.treewingsstudio.com/
Jo Tinley  -   http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/
Lesley Watt  -   http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/
Francesca Watson  - http://www.francescawatson.com
Diana Ptaszinski   - http://www.vintagebluestudio.typepad.com/
Kristi Bowman -  http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com
Kristen Stevens  - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

AJE Component of the Month Blog Hop - April Edition!

Hello out there!!  Today's post showcases lovely lampwork headpins, created by our fearless leader over at Art Jewelry Elements...Jennifer  Cameron of Glass Addictions.

I was thrilled to receive 2 pale blue transparent headpins with swirled copper wire inside!  You know me and swirls!  She indicated that we didn't have to use both headpins, but how could I resist?

I have been holding onto some special brass flowers to add to my enamel arsenal, and I decided they would be the perfect component to pair with the headpins.  I enameled them in a base of robin's egg blue, then dusted some orchid into the folds and torched.  Then, for good measure, added a bit of transparent raspberry!  I totally love how these turned out and have a few more sets of these that I will be playing with and offering for sale.

I decided to make some tiny caps for the headpins in the same orchid/raspberry hue.

Finished with some of my hand-wrought sterling and copper earwires, and embellished with Czech glass flowers, these awesome earrings measure about 2.25 inches.

Thanks for stopping by to see my creation!  Go see what everyone else came up with...you'll be glad you did!

Guest Designers:

Erin Prais-Hintz

Kathy Lindemer

Alice Peterson

AJE Team:

Susan Kennedy

Francesca Watson

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Lesley Watt

Melissa Meman...you are here!

Linda Landig

Jen Cameron

February AJE Component of the Month...

This month's gorgeous component is by the fabulous jewelry designer, Francesca Watson!

I received a lovely  pink one!  Being addicted to torch-fired enamelling myself, I really appreciate the work Francesca put into these...those little fine silver pebbles are such a sweet element!

My inspiration was a necklace I made for my sister recently (no photo, of course) that has a front toggle closure with the focal hanging from the loop, and extra chain attached to the toggle to hang down behind the focal with more embellishments.  I had hoped to do something similar, adding additional enameled components...alas, it is still a work in progress.

I created a sterling toggle clasp and attached the component.  I cut some copper discs in 2 different sizes, dapped and curled the edges, then enameled them in pretty pastels to complement the pink...Easter colors!  Using sterling balled headpins, I attached them to copper chain

It looks great lying down for picture taking, but the discs don't hang correctly when on.  I am going to exchange the sterling wrapped link holding the toggle to the chain with a small copper jump ring, so that it will be closer to the chain and not so wiggly, and adjust the discs so they hang better.  I have already started taking it apart and realized it was not going to be done by today, but wanted to show you my concept...which will probably be completely different when it is done!

Go and see what others created out of these lovely enameled discs...

Participating AJE Contributors

Kristi Bowman-Gruel - http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/02/aje-february-component-of-month-reveal.html

Jenny Cameron - http://glassaddictions.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor - http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Susan Kennedy - www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Linda Landig -  www.LindasBeadBlog.com

Melissa Meman - http://melissameman.blogspot.com

Kristen Stevens - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

Francesca Watson - http://www.francescawatson.com

Guest Designers

Dawn Horner - http://www.northernadornments.com/

Kym Hunter - http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/

Kay Thomerson - http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/

Shelley Graham Turner - http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/

Sandi Volpe - http://sandivolpe.com/

2nd Annual Ornament Swap Blog Hop

Sally Russick organized this little swap for the 2nd year in a row, and it such a fun one!

My partner this year was Rebecca Anderson of SongBeads. She is a fabulous jewelry artist who lives in the UK. Unfortunately, her package to me hasn't made it yet, but I will post pictures as soon as it arrives!  We decided not to ruin my surprise by her sending me photos!

Here is what I sent her, though!  My dear friend Carol Myers, fellow torch-fired enamel enthusiast had been making beautiful ornaments of enameled filigree beads, and I told her I was going to steal her idea!

In fact, I made a bunch and sold a few at my 2 holiday shows!  I hung the rest on this tiny tree in my kitchen!

Sorry for the short post, but am feeling a bit under the weather today...remember to go see what the other participants made/received.

List of Participants

Sally Russick

Lesley Watt

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Therese Frank

Andrew Thorton

Jeanette Blix Ryan

Maryanne Gross

Rebecca Anderson

Melissa Meman

Veralynne Malone

Miranda Ackerley

Jen Cameron

Sandi Volpe

Susan Kennedy

Kristen Stevens

Shirley Moore

Cooky Schock

D. Lynne Bowland

Tiffany Smith

Patti Vanderbloemen

Pam Ferrari

Kim Hora

Christine Altmiller

Alice Peterson

Bette Brody

Julie Anne Leggett

Lola Surwillo

Kathleen Lange Klik

Erin Prais Hintz

Mowse Doyle

Kristi Jaro

Art Charm Swap Blog Hop!

I happily participated in an Art Charm Swap hosted by Jen Cameron.  I had seen posts about it from last year and was excited to get to play this time!

Besides getting to receive cool, inspirational charms from fabulous jewelry artists, the swap benefits an organization called Beads of Courage, a wonderful charity that provides supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the health care providers who care for them. Please go and read about this generous organization and see how much they do for sick kids.  Each participant was required to create an extra charm to be auctioned off for this great charity.  

 

Jen chose the theme "Laugh" for this year's swap.  At first I had a hard time coming up with something, but as I was playing with ideas, I decided to create something that always makes me smile...flowers!  What else makes me happy?  Torch-fired enameling!  So, here are my enameled, layered flower charms!

I received my set of enameling pens right after getting these ready to put together and decided to go a step further and put some happy polka dots around the edges.  Some colors worked out better than others...but these definitely make me smile when I see them.  I hope the recipients feel the same way!

Here is a close up!

Jen will be listing the auctions up on eBay around 3pm EST today.  Please go and check them out and bid!  Here is a link to the Auction Site: http://myworld.ebay.com/glassaddictions.

A wonderful group of artists participated this year...so many that Jen had to divide us up into groups!  I received some gorgeous charms...I will feature them in a post later this week.  In the meantime, you can go see what every one created by hopping to the other blogs on the list!  Here they are....

Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchage-reveal.html

Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-auction.html

Babette Cox: http://babettecox.com/blog.htm

Carol Watson: http://www.carolwatsonartglass.blogspot.com

Carolyn Chenault: http://carolynchenault.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage-auction/

Cassi Paslick: http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal.html

Charlene Jacka: http://clay-space.com/2012/11/early-christmas/

Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/2012/11/to-participate-in-charm-swap-you-must.html

Cheryl McCloud: http://cherylmccloud.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-blog-hop-and-beads-of.html

Deb Kauzlarich: http://debkauzlarich.blogspot.com

Denielle Hagerman: http://somebeadsandotherthings.com/beads-make-me-laugh/

Emma Todd: http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-in-aid-of-boc.html

Erin Prais-Hintz: http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap-laugh.html

Ginger Bishop: http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-2012.html

Inge vonRoos: http://ingetraud.wordpress.com

Jean Peter: http://jeanpdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-charm-swap.html

Jeannie K Dukic: http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/2012/11/12/beads-of-courage/

Jennifer Cameron: http://wp.me/p1xIa0-wn  

Kia Dallons: http://kiadallonsstudio.blogspot.jp/2012/11/laughter-is-best-medicine.html

Kimberly Roberts: http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-swap.html

Kristi Bowman: http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal-hop.html

Lea Avroch: http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/2012-beads-of-courage-art-charm-swap.html

Leslie Schenkel: http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/?p=171

Linda Florian: http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewelry.blogspot.com/

Lori Greenberg: http://lorigreenberg.com/blog

Lynnea Bennett: http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com

Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-time-has-come-art-charm-blog-reveal.html

Marcy Lamberson: http://studiomarcy.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-by-minions-im-sure.html

Marsha Neal Studio: http://marshanealstudio.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-exchange-and-beads-of-courage.html

Maureen Connolly: http://mrsbeadsley.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-reveal.html

Melissa Meman: You are here!!

Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/2012/11/charmed-im-sure.html

Natalie McKenna: http://www.grubbi.co.uk/

Perri Jackson: http://shaktipajdesigns.com/11/blog/reveal-the-laughter-art-charms/

Renetha Stanziano: http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-exchange-auction-and-reveal.html

Robin Koza: http://www.robinkoza.com

Shaiha Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/2012/11/art-charm-hop.html

Shannon Hicks: http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Shelby Foxwell: http://sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/charm-swap-reveal.html

Shelley Graham Turner: http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/2012/11/reveal-2012-charm-swap.html

Shirley Moore:  http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-art-charm-reveal.html

Stephanie Haussler: http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/laughter-art-bead-charm-swap-auction.html

Susan Kennedy:  http://suebeads.blogspot.com/2012/11/beads-of-courage-charm-swap-reveal-and.html

Toltec Jewels:http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2012/11/BOCArtCharmRevealBlogHop.html

Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Monday!  Happy Veteran's Day!  Remember to check out the eBay auctions and remember what a great cause they support!