June BJP finished!

I said in my last BJP update, that I hoped it wouldn't take me a month to complete the next segment. Well, it did indeed take me a month, but here it is finished! This is the month of June on my Birthstone Wheel. The June Birthstone is Alexandrite. For this piece I used various colors of light purple seed beads in matte and shiny finishes, in both size 15 and size 11. I used the usual Rivoli and half moon beads as well as 6mm heart beads and 1 lonely little peacock bead. I really am happy with this color combination, and will be glad to move on to July, which is the Ruby! I am so happy to be able to find more time for working on my project with the cooler weather and more at home time. I hope the next time will take me less than a month. My goal is to finish 2 more segments before Christmas! Wish me luck. I will need it....

And the winner is....

I numbered the entries I received for the Ghostly Halloween Pin drawing. The entries are:

1. Marty S.

2. Carol

3. Robbie

4. Barbara

5. Heather

6. Robin

I had Kileigh do the drawing and she pulled out #3! Congratulations Robbie, please send me your snail mail address and I will send it right out! Thanks for entering!

Artbeads Colors of Fall

When I was contacted by Artbeads about their blogging program using the colors of Fall, I knew exactly what I wanted to make! This was unusual for me, as each time I have participated in this program, I have had a challenge to figure out not only what to make, but in choosing my supplies. For awhile now, I have been tossing around an idea in my head about using a gemstone donut as a focal piece in a necklace. That was my jumping off point in choosing this beautiful 35mm Leopard Skin Jasper Donut. I wasn't sure what the colors would be so I wanted 2 so I would be able to pick the one with the best fall coloring. I was not disappointed in either of the donuts I received. One was the one pictured here in deep hues of chocolate, rust tones and cream colors. I love it! I then made a selection of several different colors and sizes of Swarovski crystals. I chose 8mm crystals in Xillion Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow and Indian Red. If you haven't seen these colors up close, let me tell you they are gorgeous. I wasn't sure what to expect with the Indian Red, but it is one of the prettiest colors I have ever seen. I also chose several 4mm bicones in colors Indian red, Crystal Golden Shadow, Fire Opal, Sun, Crystal Copper. I was in love with each and every one of them! I want to accent with antique copper to compliment the donut, so I picked out 3mm Antiqued Copper Rounds, Antique Copper crimps and the most beautiful Antique Copper- Plated Pewter leaf clasp. I love the detail of this toggle clasp and thought it was perfect for an Autumn design. I also chose a lovely 3.5-4mm Potato Pearl mix called "Nostalgia" There were lots of cream, gold, copper, steel gray and light gray toned pearls in this mix. They are potato pearls, but each pearl was very nicely shaped and they are very uniform in size. I was very impressed by this mix. Next I bezeled the donut since it wasn't an actual bead. I glued it to some Lacy's stiff stuff and bezeled it using Delica #0015, bronze size 15 seed beads, size 11 seed beads in cream. After I cut out the pendant, I sewed on some Antique Copper split rings and attached the floating necklace I made using Beadalon stringing wire in a color called Satin Copper, as well as the swarovski crystals, potato pearls, antique copper rounds and some seed beads. I made the necklace a 22" length so I can wear it over a sweater or turtleneck this fall/winter. I found I liked the Beadalon wire, it was easy to work with and has a nice drape to it. All in all, I am thrilled with each and every component I chose in this necklace. I think it represents the theme "Colors of Fall" what do you think?

*Please note: I have received the Swarovski Crystals, Antique Copper clasp, beads, split rings, Beadalon Wire, Potato pearls and gemstone donut free of charge from Artbeads for my honest opinion of these products. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to these products.

Freebie Friday?

Lets just pretend its Friday! I had good intentions on posting this yesterday, but that is as far as it went! Anyhoo, here is what should have been posted yesterday! This is a little pin to get you in the mood for Halloween! It is my own pattern, stitched by myself. All you have to do is leave a comment to get an entry. I will pull a name out of the hat (more likely a bowl) next Friday October 15th. Thats it! Good luck....