Whats Old is New Again Artbeads Challenge

When Duchess of Artbeads contacted me about the latest blogging challenge, I was perplexed! I looked through my stash and just didn't find anything that inspired me. Then I remembered a tin of goodies I inherited from my Grandmother. I searched through it and found a little pin. The pin back was broken, and the bezel was dented, but in my eyes, it was perfect! I remember this pin from when I was a little girl. I have no history for it. I don't really know anything about it, except its really sweet and I like it! So here it is, I have entitled my piece "Something Blue".

In this piece, I used Swarovski White Pearls in both 3mm and 4mm sizes, 2mm and 4mm Swarovski Round crystals in the color Indigo, Antique Brass chain, bronze size 15 seed beads, an Antique brass trigger clasp, Antique brass Headppin, and an Antique Brass Pearl Swarovski Pear shaped bead. I love Swarovski pearls and find myself using them quite frequently in my designs. I loved the Antique brass chain, but I thought it needed something extra, so I stitched the pearls and swarovski rounds to it. I love the combination of crystal and pearls. The Indigo color is a deep rich blue. It is almost black it is so dark. I love it. I used a large antique brass trigger clasp to finish the necklace off. I am so happy with the end result. As always, Artbeads is my favorite place to shop!

*I received the above mentioned items free of charge from Artbeads for my honest opinion of them. I have not been compensated in any other way for my review.

The Call...

On Friday, May 20th, we got the call that everyone dreads. My Mothers health had deteriorated and we needed to get there. When my daughter Jess and I arrived, she was at home in her bed. She was unresponsive, but looked comfortable. Hospice had been called in just the night before. The Hospice nurses thought she would come around with some medications. It was not to be. Jess and I had arrived at my parents house at 3:30pm. At 7:30 pm, Mom drew her last breath, surrounded by much of her family. She had been in frail health for several years. There were no serious problems, just a lot of non life threatening problems. We are all still in shock. She would have been 72 on May 24th. Rest in Peace Mom. We all love you and will miss you terribly until the day we all are together again.