Oh Mama Mia...where has the time flown?

Hi everybody...hope your New Year has started with a blast! All is going well on my end, but it just seems like the time has flown so dang fast and I am trying to play catch up!

A couple months ago, the design team for Znetshows was asked to make NON Jewelry creations and we had a few categories to choose from.  I chose ornaments...heck...who doesnt like a good pretty ornament, whether its on a tree, window, plant, or even hanging from your car rear view window?

So, I chose my pieces and a couple of weeks went by before I received my lovely beads... As always, they are so generous at Znetshows so I got a pretty bundle of joy!.  While I was waiting, I did some doodling and trying to decided on what I was going to create... 

I made one painting of a goddess on watercolor paper.  It turned out really nice but it didnt have that punch in the colors I wanted...so I photo-shopped the image and wow...I just think she is far better looking..

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You can see the photo of the original and the finished piece here...big difference.

Here is a better look at the finished piece.  What I did here was lots of fun... I copied my painting onto nice paper, adhered it to clay...sealed it and did some bead work around the piece. Its a little on the big side.3 inches round...but I think its a good fit for this design.

Cultured Sea Glass starfish large Beads top front drilled 32mm 16-Desert Gold

Cultured Sea Glass starfish large Beads 32mm 01-Crystal

Cultured Sea Glass round Beads 4mm 01-Crystal -clear 

For my next piece was a little more challenging for me to make.  I used heavy gauge copper and a bit of smaller gauged wire to create it..  

This was the drawing I made and I think I came pretty darn close to this idea.

Here is the finished piece... Cant you see something like this hanging in your window, or on a plant to bring it the sun?

Cultured Sea Glass double-hole flat free form mix Pendants two hole varies 84-Lemon 

For my 3rd piece, it was a bit simpler.  I had been making some fun little wired hooks for ornaments and the idea came to me for what I wanted to add to one of the hooks as I was making it.  I thought...hmm..why not use the starfish as a star and hang some chains with some beads...and make it like a shooting star!

Simple yet elegant shooting star... This was a hit for my son...LOL he had me make him like 3 of these babies to give to his friends for Christmas... :-)

Cultured Sea Glass tube Beads about 9x4mm 28-Turquoise Bay

Cultured Sea Glass tube Beads about 9x4mm 86-Moonstone Opal

Cultured Sea Glass round Beads 4mm 01-Crystal -clear 

Cultured Sea Glass round Beads 4mm 28-Turquoise Bay -light aqua

Cultured Sea Glass starfish large Beads 32mm 01-Crystal

Thanks again for stopping by...  I hope you enjoyed this little blurp...if you have any questions please feel free to send me a little note..

My Creations for ZnetShows Summer Magazine

Well, I had this awesome write up about this challenge for the Summer Issue of Creative Spark magazine from Znetshows.com.  And I managed to delete the entire page..  Don't ask, cuz really I dont know how I lost the whole thing.  Once I realized I made the mistake, I did the control Z, normal response to undoing a mistake right...NOT.. It would not work.  SOoooo, I am going to have to delay writing up the entire post again.  But for now... You can enjoy the pictures ...and the magazine.  Isn't that the most important part anyway...LOL

Summer Issue Create Spark 2015 magazine is here...

You can find me on page 87.  There is so much awesomeness with this issue, you dont want to miss out.  I am more impressed with each issue of all the beautiful creations.

Here is the yummy bundle of cultured sea glass beads I received.. I was to make NON jewelry pieces...

S03-37   http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=0&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=0&Keywords=s03-37&etc=&vendor=0&format=2&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Item%20Browser&PageNum=1&TotalPages=1&PerPage=20&ItemID=S03-37-ONE

PMX5-B22  http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=PMX5&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1

S14-B37  http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=S14&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1

P30-B37  http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=P30&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1

S04-B22  http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=S04&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1

Here is what I made...

FAN PULLS...LOVE THESE...but the charms need to be on both sides..other than that, they fit quite nicely on my kitchen and dining room fan pulls

These are lanyards... I call these BLT..LOL These are the first things that came across my mind when asked to make something different.  I wear lanyards at work and the students I work with make these to raise moola for the class to buy food and other stuff!

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Stitch markers...these are perfect for those who crochet or knit. I have been making stitch markers for some time now but never really made them like these.. They turned out really pretty.  I just love this color combination.

These are the extra beads I received with my bundle of joy.  The more I work with the sea glass beads, the more I really do like them.  I have liked them all along, but wow..they are so cool!

This is one of my extra pieces of sea glass beads. The bracelet is quite yummy I might add.  It fits so nicely.  I will post more pics later today.

I am not really a ring person, but I do like to make them and how awesome is this???.  This is my prototype, I think it needs a little more work but I do like it..and its actually fun to wear..  :-)  The challenge is that is has two holes...so bending the wire is a tad of a challenge and the glass chipped just a tiny tiny bit..not enough to really make a difference in the ring, you cant really tell it got chipped, but I know its there... I think I will need to use a lighter gauge wire,

:-)   Chris

Znetshow's Summer Issue is in the makings...YAY

I received my fun stash of sea glass bead from ZNETSHOWS last week and I already have my pieces made. smile emoticon

But I am going to keep it a secret for now...sorry no peeking yet! LOL The things I made are NON jewelry pieces...that is my only hint... The reveal date is set for July so be on the look out! Here is a picture of my beads of choice...

Aren't these just a lovely bundle of eye candy?

Creative Spark Fall 2014 is now available!

Creative Spark Fall is here...come check out all the amazing creations by the designers from ZnetShows..me included!  A handful of designers were asked to make something fun using Fall colors.  Here is a picture of the bead mix I chose.

 I created this fun bracelet from memory wire (found on page 27)...  I am currently working on the tutorial for making the matching necklace (VIDEO), but for now, here is the picture.. If you would like to be notified when I have the tutorial up and running, either become a fan of my FB page, subscribe to my blog, or bloglovin, or you can send me an email and I can add you to my email group.

ZNETSHOW “Summer Days & Nights”..Magazine reveral

Another bundle of pure beachy joy by Znetshows was sent to me along with many other designers to see what we could come up with for the "Summer Days & Night" challenge.  I will tell you this, you will be quite excited to see all the creations in this magazine. We were also asked what our "PERFECT SUMMER" would be like...  Well, you see how I write sometimes...like a NOVEL sized blurp.    So believe me when I say...mine was a bit wordy and really there was no room for it in the magazine..so I am going to tell you what my perfect summer is to me here on my blog.....lots more room to write and probably bore you to death!!LOL

"My idea of a perfect summer would be sitting on the beach with my toes in the sand and enjoying the cool breeze on a hot day. Of course I would have a hat on and some sunscreen slathered all over my body and a huge pair of sunglasses on.  I would be sitting next to my hubby while he reads. Then also, I would have to have my handy dandy camera with me so I can take millions of pictures only to pick out 10 of my favorite ones later. As for night time, sitting at an outside restaurant eating my favorite fish and chips and having a nice glass of wine or ice cold beer with my hubby...yea, he has to tag along just about everywhere I go, he can be fun!"

Now for the more exciting part of this post...the Magazine.. 
 You can find me on page 74-76.

Summer Days and Nights Magazine by ZnetShows

 To see all the participants visit Znetshows Blog

So, with all the yummy beads, here are some pictures which are not posted in the magazine.. Remember this picture below, this is what I started out with.

This is what I made for my evening wear...its beautiful.  I am quite happy with the finished piece

 See the yummy Swarovski ravolis?

 I bought these great pewter beads at Beads On Main when they had their big sale, its so pretty and is double sided

 And the fun beaded rope..  I watched a quick video on You Tube and got to work..once I got started it was pretty easy to make...but is a very loose stitch so I put the sari silk in the middle for added strength and stability of the beads.

I added a metal filigree backing to the Swarovski rivoli which gave the beads better support and it made it so much prettier I think.

This red design was just an added piece I had to do.  I made the polymer beads, was lots of fun to see this piece fall into place.  I had no idea what I was going to do with all the red hour glass sea glass beads other than the dangle part.  

 I made the dangle part first and beaded a loop on the top not really knowing what I was going to attach it to.

 I made the large beads first...which I think turned out really well..Then I had all this scrap clay I didnt want to waste, so I ended up making the ring you see here.  Little by little this piece came together and I am in love with it!

 I had this clasp for another creation I was going to make, but then decided it looked really good on this necklace...

 Here are the beads, they are quite big for me, but I am getting used to the larger beads.

This is my day time piece.  Now this one, I am going to keep.  It is amazing and very summery and beachy.  I had these beads sitting on my table for some time...not knowing what I was going to do and the deadline was getting closer and closer.....and closer.

It fits me perfectly..LOL

Here is a close up of the starfish pendent I made with polymer clay

 I actually made the bracelet first.  I love this bracelet too...all the dangly beads...

I kept the cording ends long so I could keep them as part of the design element...

Love this clasp...its rather large, but look how fun it is...and its easy to handle for those with larger fingers

I just love this color combination. Sunny, beachy and bold...

I thought the earrings would look best with the same dangling strands of cord with all the same beads tied on.  

And for a fun pair of earrings for my almost final piece.

I have a perfect top that will go well with these earrings..

This is my final piece.  I made these last but did not put them in the challenge.  I had run out of time.  

Now for the real fun part!  Yup, I am going to do a "GIVE AWAY" with this pair of earrings. I have never done one before and have seen lots of other designers do this and I have actually participated in a few.  If you are interested in my GIVE AWAY, please make sure you leave a comment.  Once I get my rules squared away, I will send you a little message and post it on my blog.

Thanks sooooo much for stopping by and checking out the new magazine!

Chris

Blog Hop Participants:

Amy Severino

Andrea Trank

BeckyPancake

BobbieRafferty

BR Kuhlman

CharlieJacka

ChristieMurrow

ChristinaMiles <-----me----->

ChristineStonefield

CynthiaMachata

CynthiaRiggs

DonettaFarrington

HopeSmitherman

KashmiraPatel

KathyLindemer

Kay Thomerson

KellyPatterson

KlaudeteKoon

Lee Koopman

Lisa Lodge

RenethaStanziano

SandraWashington

Shaiha Williams

SherylStephens

StephanieHaussler

TammieEverly

ZnetShows Summer Bling

As a design partner, I am often asked to create designs for ZnetShows.  They will send me a little bundle of beads to play with.  Summer is almost hear and so this new challenge is for creating summer jewelry.  We got to pick out 2 colors, I chose pink and yellow.  So on Thursday I received my bundle and this is what I received.

I am quite excited about this challenge because we were asked to make a piece that is for everyday wear and a formal evening piece.  I have a couple of ideas, but I need to get to the drawing board and start drawing up my ideas.  Im thinking that sterling silver will be for the evening wear and copper for the everyday wear...  check back soon and see the progress of my creations.  You can also just follow me and get the updates..

Thanks for stopping by...  ENjoy your weekend.

Creative Spark Winter 2013 is here!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this issue. Hope did an amazing job putting all the pieces together.  You MUST check this out!  There is so much information in this issue, lots of tutorials, lots of amazing jewelry designers and many beautiful pictures and inspiration!
I have a tutorial in this issue you will not want to miss...its fun and simple to add more spice to your sea glass beads...  I also have my pearl necklaces, a bracelet and a couple pairs of earrings..

THANKS again for the wonderful ZNETSHOWS for putting my designs in this digital magazine!  And a SPECIAL THANKS to HOPE for all her hard work!

ENJOY!!!

Click to view Creative Spark Winter 13-14 on GLOSSI.COM

7000 Bracelets of HOPE

Znetshows has invited all of their designers to join them in supporting THE GLOBAL GENES PROJECT in creating bracelets in support for all those who are affected with rare and unusual genes. We were given a choice of two different beads, pearls and crystals, all in blue.  Once we chose our beads, they were quickly sent to us.  We had less than 2 weeks to create our bracelets. Today I shipped mine off.  I chose to use the magic stretch so my bracelets would be a little more flexible for different sized wrists. I used a variety of  metal components to add a little more bling to the bracelets.

This is the front view of the bracelets.  After I finished making the bracelets, I still thought they were a little plain.  I went through a box of my fabric and found this awesome piece of blue jean material.  I tore strips and tied them around on one end of the clasp.

This is the backside.  It looks really busy here but they really are much prettier with the fabric strips tied on.

Now you can see each bracelet here.  The theme used by the Global Genes Project is jeans.  So I needed to make sure that not only the blue was used in the bracelets but a hint of jean material...

I made some cards to go along with the bracelets.  I used one of the support badges and I found this beautiful saying and added it to the card.

"Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all."

~Emily Dickinson 

I attached the cards with the same strips of jean material onto the bracelets and packed them into a box and off the went today.

If you are interested in participating, please check out the GLOBAL GENES PROJECT

If you just want to learn more, go to their website and read some of the amazing stories.. they will put tears in your eyes of sadness and happiness and hope!

Winter is coming...

Yes, before we know it, winter will be knocking at our door.  I know in some states its already there...but for CA..it takes some time to bring it on!  Today though...the wind sure picked up.  64 degrees is not that cold, but man when that wind rips through it can sure go to the bones!  So, today I stayed inside for the most of it, but I did make a quick run to the bead store.

We have 2 awesome bead stores here and one is usually closed on Sundays but the other is usually open everyday!  I like them both, they seem to carry different beads and all the fun elements to create with.  I bought me some cute scissor charms for a special order I have and a few extra beads for the Winter Challenge from ZnetShows.  So I thought I would give you a little peak at the colors I have going.  The challenge is all about the beautiful pearl.  Who can pass those up?  I actually have a necklace all finished but I am not ready to share that just yet...soon though I promise!  It will be worth the wait trust me.  I am learning more about making metal links...I bought the book.. The Missing Link, a book well worth every penny!  Cindy Wimmer has an amazing book packed with nothing but good stuff.  I will write up a little review on it later.  Anyway, here is my little bundle of joy!

Yes, I believe this is a beautiful mix.  You can see those yummy crystals?  Trust me, they make the necklace soooo amazing!  I still have a lot to make for this challenge, earrings, perhaps a bracelet or two, or even another necklace.  The deadline is Novermber 18th, then it goes into publication for the Creative Spark Glossi...  I cant wait to see what the other designers have created...  I will be back with a few more teasers this week!  :-)

Whoooo hooo... I am published in the Beadwork Magazine!

I have been waiting such a long time to announce this..  I had to wait for the magazine to come out first...so here it is... You will find my earrings on page 82 of the BeadWork Quick and Easy Special addition...Oh yeah!  My first submission to a magazine.  I am soooo excited.  Would love to get your feedback on the design.  As you see, most of the beads are from ZnetShows...

THANKS BILL for the beautiful beads...  I hope I made you proud!  :-)