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....

Can you believe it?

A post finally! I have been busy, been sick, Maddux has been sick, and my Son Aaron and his girlfriend came for a visit from Texas. All in all, its been a super busy time for me. Unfortunately, my beadwork had to wait until I had time to do it! I am hoping things will settle down now. I have lots of catching up to do, not only on my Bead Journaling, but on blog hopping too. I must say, I miss everyone!

At long last, here is my completed May BJP. Yikes! I did say May. That only puts me almost 4 behind. I have a little bit done on June too, so maybe that one wont take me almost 2 months to complete. For my May piece, Emerald is the Birthstone color. I used my usual half moon beads in both matte and shiny emerald. Size 15 transparent emerald color, gold size 15's, 6mm emerald hearts, an emerald 14mm Swarovski rivoli, emerald AB size 11's, as well as 2 un-marked shades of emerald size 11's. If anyone remembers, I will be using the half-moon and 6mm heart beads in each piece. I like the colors for this month. I think the deep green color added some life to my piece. Next month is Alexandrite! I like that I am being forced to work out of my color comfort zone and also that I dont even have to think what colors to use since it is all dictated by the Swarovski Birthstone chart! I hope it wont be another 6 weeks before I can post again. I am planning on doing a Freebie Friday in the near future, so please watch for that! Sorry I have neglected both my blog, and my blogging friends!

Giveaway!

Nancy Peterson is doing a beautiful Giveaway to celebrate one of her designs being published in Beadwork Magazine. She is giving away a gorgeous cranberry necklace which is one of the designs featured in the magazine article! You can see the Giveaway HERE!

No Updates yet!

It has been a difficult couple of weeks here at home. As many of my older followers know, my furbaby Maddux has had some severe health issues. We thought we had them figured out, but in the last 4 weeks he has relapsed. He had been running quite high fevers(106+) and having complications with his fevers over a year ago. It was suggested to me that I put him on a low dose antibiotic, which I did. This prevented him from having any more fevers for 18 months! Well, about a month ago, the fevers started up again and he has since fevered at least once a week. I don't know why, but the antibiotics have stopped working. Now what? I don't know but I am trying to figure out. I will do anything to try to save this beautiful boy. Meantime, I haven't had much time to bead, since I am either doing research, cooking for Maddy or taking care of him. He is worth it though! Stay tuned....