Stuff I got in the mail!

I have been meaning to blog about this fabulous giveaway I won recently, and had the photos set up in the post, but forgot to come along and add text! 

A month or so ago, Artisan Whimsy, a fun, informative forum had it's grand opening and there was all kinds of stuff happening.  I was totally surprised when I got a note saying that I had won a huge giveaway...$150 in merchandise credit from the totally sweet and gracious Melinda Orr!  Man, did I have a hard time choosing, I was like a kid in a candy store...or a jewelry designer in a tool store!

When I opened my box, I decided to document....

Ooh, what can it be!!!

The main things I was going for...tools!  New wrap and tap pliers, hole punch in a size I didn't have....love that small size ball pein, a riveting hammer and a cool texturing one!

Other stuff I wanted to try included the Vintaj patinas!

I told Melinda to surprise me with a bunch of copper blanks and what ever she wanted with the rest, and boy did she!  Lots of very cool items, including the fun, colorful cording and a braided leather piece.  Thanks, Melinda! I've played with all the tools, but haven't had a chance to do much else!  I am looking forward to creating with everything you sent!

If you haven't checked out Artisan Whimsy, you definitely should...loads of information, tutorials, eye candy, beady chat, and more!  Happy Monday!!

Playing with Enamel Pens...Hooty Hoo!

Go see my trial and error introduction into the use of enameling pens over at Art Jewelry Elements!

Wordless Wednesday...My 2 Loves!

Bead Soup Blog Party #6, Reveal Day...TaDa!

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party #6!  Hostess with the mostest is Lori Anderson!  She works so hard on these parties and deserves a round of applause, a hug, a shot of Scotch, and perhaps a piece of pie (not necessarily in that order!)

When I found out I was going to be part of Reveal Day #2, I thought "woo-hoo! I'll have extra time and won't wait until the last minute to get going!"  Not!  I think I have to accept the fact that I do my best work when I know I only have a few hours to get it going.  Case in point...my original vision for the wonderful soup I received from my partner Ema Kilroy was in a total different direction.  The necklace was going to incorporate pretty much all the components she sent...very full and heavy!

I just couldn't get my head around the lovely focal bead, though.  I mean, it is absolutely gorgeous, but big!  I finally decided it had to stand on its own.  I made all the bead caps from copper using a brass design plate (thanks Keirsten Giles!), and originally was just going to hang it from this gorgeous sari silk I got from Barbara Lewis, then decided that it still needed something else...not more beads, but maybe a cool bail or structure for it to hang from. Sooo, I annealed 3 pieces of  12g copper wire and embossed them with the same brass design plate I used on the bead caps, then wove them together with 26g copper wire.

The earrings were actually the last design I did...I separated these 2 beads from the rest because of the cool greenish pattern that showed up.  As with the focal, I decided they could stand on their own, so I capped them, and used enameled headpins in mint to bring out that flash.

Since I decided not to use Ema's clasp in the necklace, I thought a bracelet would be fun, so I chose 3 of her lampwork beads...these have a lot of metallic sheen going on, and capped them with more of my copper bead caps, threw in a couple of torch-fired enamel beads I had hanging around, and a couple of the rose quartz barrel beads Ema sent.  I wire-wrapped all the components, as I am want to do and attached the toggle.  Ema added a 2nd connecting hole, I assume for attaching a focal, but since I didn't use it that way, I attached an enameled headpin, again with the help of a tute from Keirsten Giles, wrapped it around in a rosette.



Original soup from Ema (clasp not shown)

I didn't get a chance to incorporate the tiny glass beads or even the wonderful jump rings and headpins Ema sent, but I do have an idea in mind for some of them...I'll save that for another day!

There you have it!  Make sure to go see what Ema did with the stash I sent her...I am anxious to see it myself, then go and visit the other participants for this go-round.

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 ( My partner!!)

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.  (you are here!!)

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

Bead Soup 6, Round 2...What I got from my partner

My Bead Soup reveal is Saturday, August 11.   Just a few more days!  In my normal modus operandi, I have procrastinated until this week...would you expect anything less?

I realized today that I had not shown the spectacular goods that I received from my partner, Ema Kilroy.  So, take a look...

fabulous lampwork by Ema, rose quartz barrels, tiny iridescent glass beads,  copper jumprings

gorgeous copper toggle clasp, created by Ema

A closeup of the amazing lampwork focal bead Ema created!

My photo skills do not do this focal justice...the colors are amazing...orange, purple, pink, yellow, all swirled and dotted!  It is hard to see in the 1st photo, but the other lampwork beads are more of the same...some with more of a metallic sheen as well.

Not pictured are some copper headpins Ema torched and included!

Needless to say, I have my work cut out for me.  I hope you will stop back by on Saturday to see what I have created with this wonderful stash.  Find out more about Bead Soup 6 and who is participating by visiting Lori Anderson's blog post.

Woohoo! ArtBLISS Registration is Open!!

Cindy Wimmer and Jeanette Blix have done it again!  Oh, my...so many great classes and teachers!  How do I decide?  I am still jumping up and down about getting to take 2 of these classes from Richard Salley in a month, then ArtBLISS goes and announces...

3 full days of workshops and activities.

Dates and Location:

Sept. 21-23, 2012

Sterling, VA

Classes offered by:

Diane Cook

Stacie Florer

Kerry Bogert

Christine Damm

Erin Seigel

Beth Taylor

April Bowles-Olin

For more information, go to the ArtBLISS site and read all about it!

What about you?  Are you signing up for ArtBLISS?  If so, what classes?  Decisions,  decisions!

Edited to add...there is a giveaway involved on Cindy's and Jeanette's blogs!!!

Wrapped, Stacked & Layered Challenge and Blog Hop...Finally!

Well, better late than never!  I apologize for posting so late on this challenge...things just got away from me as I had some family obligations and appointments that had to take priority.  It is still officially blog hop day, however!

Tracy Statler of MakeBracelets came up with this challenge...make a collection of bracelets..stacked, wrapped and layered!  You could incorporate existing bracelets that you did or did not make, but were required to come up with at least 2 new bracelets for a minimum of 3 in a stack.

This was a fun challenge..I like making bracelets!

Here are mine...

and individually...


Hammered copper bangle with a solder, brass and copper daisy focal that has been riveted on.

Hammered copper bangle with a swirly focal point embellished with more Czech glass. I made this bracelet last year as sort of an experiment and liked it.  I wear it all the time.

Hammered copper with Czech glass beads...sort of bracelet-bangle or "brangle"!

Last but not least, and sort of a departure from the other 3, a monochromatic bracelet featuring my torch-fired enamel pieces, Czech glass, lots of copper and a cute magnetic clasp.

I also made this heavy copper rolo chain bracelet with one of my torch-fired enamel beads, but for some reason I didn't like it with the bangles...but it sort of works it looks okay with the red bracelet as a 2-piece stack.

The 3 bangles work as a group...

One last photo of everything!

Thanks Tracy, for coming up with this fun challenge/blog hop!  If you haven't already, go and see what beauties other participants created!

makebraceletsblog.com
ahteesblog.blogspot.com
songbeads.blogspot.com
sadafulee.blogspot.com
beadlolabead.blogspot.com
stringsattachedcindi.blogspot.com
carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
cathiecarroll.blogspot.com
pinterest.com/chrisdeweerd
beatnheart.blogspot.com

storiestheytell.blogspot.com
tellyourgirlfriends.com
mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
copperdiem.blogspot.com
copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com
greenshoot.blogspot.com
twentytwelve-mmxii.blogspot.com
delle56.blogspot.com
elizabeth-marengoalhajas.blogspot.com
treasures-found.blogspot.com

erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com
ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com
facebook.com/handcraftedserenity
PaisleyDesignStudios.com
pixiloo.blogspot.com
hintjewelry.blogspot.com
silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com
daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com
jazzierich.blogspot.com
site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

jeanetteblix.com
glassaddictions.com
jerrisjems.com
howienjoylife7997.blogspot.com
overthemoon-design.com
katerichbourg.com
pinterest.com/kk0725/stack-it-up-bracelets/
kimmykats.com
kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com
lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

lelamccracken.blogspot.com
etsy.com/shop/goingtribal
inspiredadonments.blogspot.com
lorelei1141.blogspot.com
freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com
lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
maureenmeanswell.blogspot.com
maybejustperhaps.blogspot.com
beadrecipes.wordpress.com

tekaandzoe.blogspot.com
miri100.blogspot.com
melissameman.blogspot.com
kenshostudio.com
beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com
havanabeads.blogspot.com
eclecticteaenshrinements.blogspot.com
roxidesigns.blogspot.com
stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com
thestudiosublime.com

sandivolpe.com
sharondriscoll.blogspot.com
sedillohillstudio.blogspot.com
sunshinebliss.com
sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com
MiShelDesigns.com
aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com
blueberrycrazy.deviantart.com/gallery
uniqueboutique-creativetouch.blogspot.com
starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com

terrabeadworks.com
theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
sweetbeadstudio.com (you are here!)
missyrappaport.blogspot.com
mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com
fredbeansnook.com/blog

1st 2012 Sledding....

Just a few shots of the boys having fun on a bit of snow/ice on the hill up the street.  I think B got about 20-30 runs as J and I walked up and down the hill for exercise!  It was cold, crisp and beautiful! Then home to dinner and a movie!

Oak Leaf Challenge

Remember these sweet little oak leaf clasps that Jo Tinley of Daisychain Designs challenged a few of us with?  Well, today is the reveal day! Yes, I am late to the game...I should have had my photos taken and post all written, ready to pop up for you at dawn's early light, but you know me :)

Jo shipped all the way from the UK, so I got my leaf right before the Thanksgiving break.  I pretty much had the bracelet already made, ready to add the pretty leaf clasp and tweak it a bit.  I stuck with a sort of autumnal color scheme, which seemed to make sense to me with the leaf.

The big orange enameled bead is by me, as well as the little "blest" enamel/resin charm. The matte orange lampwork bead is by Sue Kennedy of SueBeads, and the borosilicate ones are from Julie Delaney.  I used a mixed metals approach and included copper, sterling and even a bit of bronze!  I have fallen in love with this sort of monochromatic bracelet style.  Watch for a few more that I have been working on!

Thanks, Jo, for the clasp, and the opportunity to participate in this fun little challenge!  The clasp works like a dream!  Now, go see what the other participants created with their sweet oak leaves!

Jo Tinley
Niky Sayers         

Amber Boorman             
Kimberley Roberts      
Rebecca Anderson         

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Um, I mean earrings! Yay!  No chickens were harmed in the making of these earrings :)

Random Integer chose #3... Shirley! From Beads and Bread ...you are the winner!  Send me an email with your address and I will get them out to you.

Thanks to everyone for your fabulously sweet comments, and thank you, Barbara Lewis for imparting all this cool enameling knowledge, and for honoring me by including me in this fantastic, fun event.  I've said it before, and will undoubtedly say it a few hundred more times, "You Rock"!!

Remember, the Virtual Book Tour goes through 10/24, so there is more enameled eye candy to be had...and more giveaways.

Today's blogger is Lisa Crone...go see what she created!

Torch-Fired Enamel Fun and Frivolity, Coming Soon!

My sweet friend, Barbara Lewis, just released a terrific book - "Torch-Fired Enamel Jewelry - a workshop in Painting with Fire". 

To celebrate and promote this wondrous book, she is hosting a Virtual Book Tour! 

From October 6 through October 24, 16 artists will be blogging about it!  Look at this crazy line up of folks...I am honored and amazed to have been invited by Barbara to participate in this group!  Not only will you get to see torch-fired enamel from these artists' perspectives, but there will be giveaways....lots of them! and a GRAND PRIZE at the end!!

Here's the schedule:

October 6, Mary Jane Dodd

October 7, Gaea Cannaday

October 8, Linda Larsen

October 10, Andrew Thornton

October 11, Lori Plyler

October 12, Diane Cook

October 13, Lori Anderson

October 14, LeAnn Weih

October 15, Jen Judd Velasquez

October 17, Melissa Meman (that's me! yay!)

October 18, Lisa Crone

October 19, Shannon LeVart

October 20, Cindy Wimmer

October 21, Laura Twiford

October 22, Erin Prais-Hintz

October 24, Jennifer Cameron

For more information on the virtual tour events, go visit Barbara's blog, and make sure to stay tuned for some torch-fired enamel love from me on the 17th!

I'm suffering from PBS!

No, I am not addicted to public television!  P.B.S....Post. Bliss. Syndrome. ArtBliss, that is! 

Symptoms include, but are not limited to:

• complete lack of motivation to accomplish anything unless it involves metal, fire, a hammer, ferric chloride, solder and wire...
• daily thoughts of "calling-in sick" just so you can try that elusive technique just one more time...
• dizzy, headachy stupor from breathing too much flux smoke...
• black, grimy residue underneath fingernails...
• financial difficulty can arise suddenly, due to a seemingly "life or death" need for new tools, stone cabochons of all sizes, sheet metal, hammers
• hearing voices...usually these are just your family members begging you to make them dinner or wash their clothes

There is no known cure for PBS, but there is hope...those who suffer with this rampant, fictitious condition can find solace and comfort by blogging about their experiences, throwing themselves into new activities like an impending show they are not ready for, and daydreaming of future ArtBliss workshops and learning more new, fun stuff.


Carol and Robbie look on as Deryn starts our "Wax On" class



Sandi, Sally, Carol and Deryn



Me, experimenting with texture!



almost finished!



The Man - Richard Salley!



My "Lasting Impressions" pieces

 I had such a wonderful experience....it is always so fun to see and hang out with online friends in person, and make new friends!  Thanks to Cindy and Jeanette for organizing and hosting another successful, fabulous workshop!  Every aspect was a blast, even having to evacuate the building when the smoke alarm went off!

Cindy has lots more photos on her blog...go check them out!