Wings N Scales: July 2013

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Bargain of the day!

Well, its sad that our OSH is closing soon, but I am sooooo HAPPY too because I got some great deals today. I bought the last 2 huge sheets of copper for half price...YUP, you heard me right...half price. I was so excited because I wasnt sure if they still had the sheets there. The last time I went, last week, they only had stuff for 20% off, so not a big deal really. But NOW...ALL the metals are HALF price...Oh yea...I was/am very happy. I even got me a few spools for just over $2 each.... They are not quite out of things yet in the store, there are lots of things still to sell. Now if I can wait it out another week, they may have the wire even cheaper..but I bet it will be gone by the time I get back there.

Now, with all this copper, I guess I need to start playing with it... :-)

It is covered with fingerprints...hehehe...but look how huge those sheets are! 26 gauge, so a perfect weight to play play play...

Friday, July 19, 2013

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop is here!!!

Ok, its here! The awesome Bead Hoarders Blog Hop by Lori Anderson. I am so glad I am involved in these blog hops now. Not only have I met some wonderful jewelry artists, but I feel like my creativity has been challenged and I am getting more confident in my designs.

I've working hard over the past 2 days trying to figure out what I was going to make with my stash of beads. I tried to do some crochet with one of the mixes and that flopped. I'm glad it did though because I went back to my original idea and did the kumihimo technique and I liked the end results. So, below is the first necklace I made. Wish I had enough of these beads to make a bracelet..but that's ok. Maybe I can put together a pair of earrings..I think I have enough to do that...hmmm

After finished up with the kumihimo, I had 8 long strands of string left over and I liked how they had a little twist in the string. So I decided not to cut them but to use them as part of the design. I put the little black beads on the strand and at first was going to mix them in all around and that didn't look right. So I wound up doing one twist around and wire wrapped them to the ends. Well, I first made loops on the ends...then did the wire wrap. I found some left over strips of black suede and did a little macrame until I used it up and tied that off. Did a little hunting on making a clasp and found one in a digital magazine I have and made one similar to that. Fits rather nicely.

The second necklace, I have had these beautiful beads forever.

I started out using some silk thread and didn't like it. So I wound up using some annealed steel wire. The lower half of the necklace is rather stiff because of the wire but it lays really nice on the neck area. I am going to work on some earrings to match.

Today (Friday) I made another necklace. I made the clay beads a looooong time ago and I finally put them together in this necklace. I will admit that the pendent is something I put together this week and I have not had it very long. But I think all the beads tied in very well.

more pics on my flickr...

Please visit all those who participated to see their amazing creations...

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4. Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5. Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6. Leah Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
7. Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8. Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
9. Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
10. Erin Guest, Renlish

11. Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13. Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
14. Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15. Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16. Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17. Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18. Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19. Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
20. Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23. Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24. Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26. Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27. Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28. Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30. Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31. Robyn, Museiddity
32. Catherine King, Catherine's Musings
33. Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36. Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37. Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38. Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39. Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40. Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

41. Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42. Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43. Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44. Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45. Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46. Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
48. Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49. Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50. Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51. Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52. D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53. Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54. Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55. Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56. Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57. Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58. Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59. Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60. Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61. Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62. Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63. Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64. Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65. Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66. JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67. Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68. Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69. Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
70. Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72. Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73. Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
74. Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry
75. Jackie Marchant, Fiddledeedee Jewelry
76. Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry
77. Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78. Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80. Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82. Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83. Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84. Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85. Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry
86. Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87. Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88. Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog
89. Susan, Mistheword
90. MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8

91. Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92. Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94. Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95. Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96. Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads
97. Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98. Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99. Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
100. Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101. Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102. Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103. Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104. Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105. Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106. Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107. Lennis Carter, windbent
108. Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109. Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
110. Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111. Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112. Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113. Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams
114. Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115. Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116. Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117. Kim, Cianci Blue
118. Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119. Karen, Spokalulu
120. Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121. Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122. Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123. Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124. Amy Bright, LABweorc
125. Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126. Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127. Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128. Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129. Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
130. Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131. LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132. Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133. Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134. Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135. Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136. Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138. Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139. Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140. Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

141. B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142. Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143. Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145. Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146. Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales (ME)
147. Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148. Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149. Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150. Sarah Small, By Salla

151. Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152. Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153. Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154. Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155. Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe
156. Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157. Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
158. Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159. Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160. Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161. Kris Lanae Binsfield, Cherish Designs
162. Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163. Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164. Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
165. Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
166. Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167. Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

Artisan Whimsy Bead Chat...Awesome Magazine

Glossi.com - July 2013 BEAD Chat Magazine by Artisan Whimsy

Click to view July 2013 BEAD Chat Magazine by Artisan Whimsy on GLOSSI.COM

This is a beautiful Magazine and is worth checking out...

Thursday, July 18, 2013

YAY...getting our house refinanced...

Got the good news today.....and I am so happy and had to share. Today we got the call that our loan on our house has been approved. Its so weird because a few years ago, when the housing prices were up, our house was worth over $400k. Today, its worth $225k, what does that tell ya! But the good thing about it, is we still have some equity. We have lived in the money pit of a house for just over 21 years now. We were young and stupid when we decided to buy this house...but that is life. Seems weird to refinance now, but we put it on a shorter loan and the monthly payment is still less than what we currently are paying... So that really is some great news! We need to redo our front and back yard so desperately. They are both not pretty at all. I can not wait to have my yard back. We used to have these ugly trees in our yard but we had to get rid of them...roots were nasty! So after that, we had no trees , no shade and so the yard went south and turned into a weed factory. It didnt matter what we did to keep it looking good because the weeds moved in and being that it gets so hot here in the summer, you cant really do much in the way of yard work. Spring time is lots of rain, soggy muddy yard...then it dries up some and POOF...weeds! Our neighbor across from us and behind us have the same problem...I think we just share the wealth of weeds...

So now you know all about our weed infestation...lol...but its going to look great once we get all the work done on it. I might just show the before and after... hmmm...

Ok, off to creating again. My summer is running out of time fast then back to work I go..so I need to take advantage of every minute I have..

Have a great day!!!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Mermaid Pin Doll Swap

I was so excited the other day when I received my package in the mail. I knew my mermaids would be inside waiting for me to get them out and enjoy their freedom! Ok, so maybe they wont enjoy it as much as me. I need to find a little spot for them to reside so that I can check up on them from time to time to make sure they are behaving...hehehe So, here they are cute as can be.

I would like to thank my fantastic doll buddies over at Doll Street Dreamers and to thank Gloria for putting the swap together..

A special thanks to the mermaid creators... Evoyne and Ruth Ann Parker and Gloria

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Earrings to match my Ooh La La necklace

It took me a little bit of time to put these earrings together. The wire pieces are much smaller and it took some finagling to get the wire in its right place...but I like the overall look of the finished earrings. These are not oxidized yet, and I may not even oxidize them and let them darken naturally. I think it needs a bracelet now...what do you think??? Hmmm...

Cultured Sea Glass Nugget - Opaque Oval

Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle Beads faceted 3x2mm 116-Heliotrope Purple

Saturday, July 06, 2013

“Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway” Reveal is here!

Wow.. I have been going crazy trying to create something from the amazing beads I received from my partner, Karla.

But before I got into my craziness, I thought I would share a little about my partner. Not only does she love to bead and love earthy tones (like me), she also owns a business making her TEXAS PEPPER JAMS. You must check out her blog and see all of what she does and makes. I tried one of her recipes already and it disappeared rather quickly. Raspberry Crumb Cake is the bomb! You MUST to try it. You can find her tasty jams on her website and on her Etsy shop.

I thought I have plenty of time to work on my creations but life has had its ups and downs for the past 2 weeks. Good news, all is well. So, I did a little sketching here and there. Liked one of the drawings I came up with and started to get to work. I made a quick pit stop at our local bead store and picked up some seed beads. Matched them up nicely with the bead mix I got. Its been awhile since I have done some seed bead work so I started one little strip... Didn't like it. Tried again. Everything was lookin pretty good, the bead fit nicely in the little casing I made for it. I was tightening the beads down, and next thing I knew the large bead slipped right out and it went flying on the floor. I picked it up, tucked it back in the casing...took a little maneuvering but I got it to fit. Again, the dumb thing popped out. The bead is sooo smooth that no matter what I did, it kept popping out of the beaded casing. I was frustrated to say the least.

See how the thread broke! Broke my heart, all that work...UGH

Dang slippery bead!!

Running out of time, my idea wasnt working, and I wanted something different. Sooo, back to looking at bead magazines and looking online for inspiration. Nothing...its amazing how many different designs are out there and I couldnt find anything that I thought would work. 2 or so days goes by and still no idea what i was going to make. Then the stars must have lined up cuz I got my new magazine of Bead Works in the mail and there it was! My inspiration, a design that I just knew had to work. So...back to the bead store because I can never do anything the easy way. I had 15 minutes to go in and out...cuz I parked in a 15 minute zone. I knew what I wanted, went in and out in less than 30...phew, no ticket! By now, its Friday.

So, I get to work...stitching away. I was on a role... Then it came time to see if the bead would slip out or not. I held my breath and slid the bead into the casing, it fit perfect! Very little slipping, step one was now successful. Next I stitched the back side. It went so much smoother than the first time. The bead fit perfectly. Even though there are a few flaws...I hid most of them..shhhh...LOL I had to make changes to the design to make it work for this particular bead. The problem I had was the bead has a slight twist, so the casing needed to bend with the bead, and that I exactly what it did.

Back side, nothing is gonna slip out of this baby!!...LOL its not perfect, but it worked!

I had these old seed beads that matched perfectly with the colors on the large bead. Now, once I perfected the casing, I needed to figure how I wanted to hang it around the neck. I made two beaded loops on the sides of the bead. Ok, got those done, now what? I knew I wanted to make stitched beads. So here I go again, hunting for the right style of bead. It was starting to get late, but I didnt care. I was on a mission...LOL I found a simple beaded bead pattern online through Pinterest.

I saved the image and put it up on my computer in my work room. I set up my station and got to work. Well, you know what happens when you dont wearing the right glasses, you dont always see things the right way! So, my first bead was a flop! I had to rip it out and do it again. I was getting so tired by now that all I wanted to do was to get one bead made up. 11pm sneaks up rather quickly when you are having fun! I made half of the bead and told myself that this is not looking quite the same as the picture. I knew it wouldnt because they ask for bicone beads when I used large seed beads instead. And I really should have used a different thread but I didnt care, I was going to make this work... Then, I kept looking back at the pendent and really didnt like the loops I made on the sides. Then, it happened again! That AH HA moment! I put the thread with beads and Sari Silk ribbon through the loop and through the half beaded bead I just made and it looked great! So, midnight comes around and my eyes and brain were fairly fried by then and I called it a night.

I just love those fun colors of these large seed beads.

Saturday morning I crawl out of bead...I wont tell you what time it was, but breakfast could have been considered lunch...hehehe But I slept so well, and my brain was awake with my large cup of coffee...bacon and pancakes.

I finished the necklace, made a few pairs of earrings, and made another necklace by 7pm. I feel good. I am very pleased with my little creations.

I was afraid I was going to miss the deadline which I thought was last Saturday. Lucky me it is this Saturday...

Here it is....the challenge necklace. I had to go back and tighten the larger seed beads on the front. They did a little too much dangling around. LOL

Glass Pearls - Autumn Green

Sardonyx Twisted Oval Beads - Green

Cultured Sea Glass Nugget - Opaque Oval

Kyanite Tube Beads

Base Metal Alloy Beads - fish

This pair of earrings was fun to make. I made the enameled rings about 3 weeks ago for fun. The colors matched perfectly with the mix I had so I decided to use them for these earrings.

Base Metal Alloy Beads - fish

I really like how other jewelry artists include string, twine, silk and other types of string in their creations. I really like how these turned out too.

Kyanite Tube Beads

Cultured Sea Glass Beads - Oval - Medium Amethyst

Base Metal Alloy Beads - fish

Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle Beads faceted 107-Metallic Purple -metallic purple color

I know its a very simple bracelet, but sometimes that is all you need!

Cultured Sea Glass Nugget - Opaque Oval

Kyanite Tube Beads

Base Metal Alloy Beads - fish

Chinese Crystals Kidney Beads

Cultured Sea Glass Beads - Oval - Medium Amethyst

Base Metal Alloy Beads antique silver tone pyramid bead caps (12-pc-bag)

Glass Pearls - Autumn Green

Chinese Crystals Kidney Beads

I actually made another necklace with this bead, but I didnt like how it was turning out. So I decided to do a little wire wrapping. My sister told me that she has seen lots of women wearing necklaces with just one little piece dangling, so this is my version of just one simple pendent. I like how it feels when wearing it too. Soft...LOL This is Sari silk which I bought from Divinity Fibers on Etsy.

Finally my last piece. Now this was a bit of a challenge for me because you know its hard for me to work with big beads...LOL So, I thought that if I used the big beads, I somehow needed to still make the necklace not so heavy. If I used lots of wire or metal components, it would be too heavy. Lately I have been in love with the kumihimo, but again, its a little bulky. I wanted slim and light weight and pretty. So, I did a drawing on Thursday evening while I was doing some brain storming and came up with this design. I think it came close enough to the drawing what do you think??? I used silk thread in a nice dark gray. The thread fit perfectly in the holes of the big beads, did you know the holes are actually pretty small?

I don't have a name for this piece, but it will happen someday soon I promise...Hehehe...

I made these head pins with enamel and copper. Wrapped them around a hammered piece of copper.

Ohhh la la... This almost looks like my hair...seriously! I have natural curly hair and when I get up in the morning...this is it!

I added some of that eyelash yarn, just a few strands to add a little more fun!

So, instead of using a clasp, I decided to do a little macrame clasp, the strands loosen enough to put the necklace over your head. The pretty pearls dangle on the ends