Mining the Motherlode

    Welcome to the 3rd annual Bead Peeps Swap-n-Hop!

    My partner, Inge Von Roos, sent me the absolute motherlode of lampwork glass beads! I'm in heaven! I love lampwork glass, but it's usually beyond my budget. 

    Within an hour of opening the box, my table look like this.

    I had 17 different projects laid out before evening's end! The hardest part, not touching them until I could photograph them the next day! 

    Needless to say I barely made a dent in the stash, but I did manage to get quite a few pieces done! 

A few of her beads fit perfectly into projects I already had planned, that we're just missing that special something to complete them. This was the first pair. 

"Steel Magnolias"

The "Steel Magnolias" and my "Pirouette" earrings were initially one pair of earrings, with the large dark amoeba lampwork glass beads right on top of B Marie's ruffles on the Pirouettes. They were quite spectacular! But ridiculously heavy, to the point that no one would ever be able to wear them. I knew that I needed to split them into two different pairs of earrings, but I didn't have the right components in my stash. 

    The violet check glass flower blossoms that Inge sent turned out to be to be the perfect thing I had been looking for. With violet pearl drops, and topped with bronze stick pearls. I had fun playing with the double balled headpins, for a finishing touch. 

"Giverny"

"I am following nature without being able to grasp her, I perhaps owe becoming a painter to flowers."   - Claude Monet

This was another set I had partially compiled, and Inge's lampwork glass floral beads turned out to be the perfect fit.
    Matched with a pair of my own rustic enameled charms, and Venetian blown glass beads.
    A Lepidolite gemstone bead, and some colorful decorative trim balances it all out. 

Inspired by Claude Monet's paintings of his beloved garden estate in Giverny. The founder of the impressionist style, it's rumored that his cataracts may have been the root of this style and that he painted the grounds as he actually saw them.

"Star Spangled" 

"Why dost thou gaze upon the sky? O that I were yon spangled sphere! Then every star should be an eye, to wander over thy beauties here " - Thomas Moore 

Next I paired up a mismatched set of Inge's lampwork beads with polymer clay stars by Tracy Lockhart to dazzle the night skies. Topped with swirly lampwork glass space beads, and accented with rainbow fairy ribbon and metallic seed beads these gals really shine!  

"Lazidaisical" 

    My "Lazidaisical" earrings were inspired by warm summer days and picnics in the park. Mismatch sets of Inge's lampwork glass beads were paired with Joanne Louvaine Bell's dazzling gold polymer clay blossoms, and rough cut citrine nuggets. 

"Both Sides Now" - Joni Mitchell

"Love Is All You Need"

"Like the tiny spark of fire that consumes the forest, the spark of love is all that you need to experience love and it's full power and glory, in all it's aspects, earthly and divine." - Deepak Chopra

Inge's fun orange lamp work glass beads paired perfect with the swirly polymer clay heart by Staci Louis Smith. I corset laced a pair of Joanne Louvaine Bell's fabulous butterfly wings. Strung on waxed linen and sari silk in a rich palette of saffron and spice tones. It also contains lampwork glass beads by Leza Harary, B Marie Washington, and yet a fourth Artist I can't recall. The bronze flower medallion is stamped "love is all you need", and it closes with an ornate hand forged carnival style scrolled hammered brass hook and loop clasp.

"Linger"

"Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things" - Okakura Kakuzo

Last but not least.....

"You know I'm such a fool for you, you've got me wrapped around your finger." .....or your wrist anyway.

I paired Inge's cranberry glass beads with sterling silver Chinese lanterns, and vintage hot pink rhinestones. A bit of intricately embroidered hot pink sari silk, and some metallic raspberry pink eyelash add a little bit of texture and bling. 

    I used the hammered silver toggle clasp that Inge sent me in this bracelet as well. Finished with miniature Sterling silver lantern charms, with faceted Ruby Jade, and a tumbled Ruby nugget. 

    I'm quite smitten with how this turned out! I'm usually not a pink person, and it's a bit more blingy than I normally do, but I managed to take the style and make it my own nonetheless! 

"Linger" - The Cranberries

    Next stop, Inge's Blog! Go see what she made with that amazing Raku Barnacles cabochon by Wonderous Strange. 

    Then don't forget to check back next weekend when I will reveal my own design with a Raku Barnacles Cabochon, and compare the designs interpretations of 3 different artists made with the same bead swap kit! Should be interesting! 

A huge thank you to our hostess Linda Anderson for all of her hard work! You can find the list of all of the swap participants here on her blog, Cherry on Top Design. Make sure you thank her while you're there. 

    Thanks to all of you for stopping by. Leave a comment and let us know what you think. 

Until next time, Peace, Love, & PyxeeDust! 😊💗

Exotic Bead Swap - Meet my Peep!

Welcome to the 2nd annual Bead Peeps Swap & Hop!

   My partner is Divya Narasimhan of Jewels of Sayuri.

    She lives a very colorful and culturally rich life in Chennai, India, where she teaches design at the University.

    Her work has the appeal of classical tradition with a bit of a contemporary twist.
    She's influenced by her own culture, as well as others around the world.
(a kindred roving spirit!)

    She's quite the multi faceted talent, making everything from hand molded leather flowers and soap sculptures, to drawing, as well as designing jewelry and fashion.

Sayuri is a OWB (One woman brand) that believes in creating contemporary and fashionable pieces by incorporating recycling and reusing.                The tagline says it all - "Designed to please your soul".



    So here's the kit I sent Divya to work with.

    A little bit of everything really.
    When we had initially talked, I had the idea to send each other regional items, that the other might not have easy access to.
    I suggested sending her things like sea glass and seashells, because I live near a beach. and that she might send me things like sari silks and the kind of beads and findings she could get locally.
    Divya pointed out that most of those items are export from the country and not easily accessible to her. She also said she couldn't get ceramic and stoneware components.
    I never got a chance to go scour the beach for sea glass, but did stick with my original beach theme.

    She did request some of my "metal bits", so I made her a sea urchin. Hand formed from copper sheet using repousse technique. I gave it a lovely verdigris patina to blend with the color palette, and then buffed with steel wool to highlight the copper.
    I also forged her a copper hook clasp using a vintage brass button. The original inlay was missing from the button, so I set the crown of a sea urchin into the bezel, and sealed it in lacquer.
    I included several focals, besides the sea urchin.
    A siren face ceramic art bead pendant by Michelle Ann McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio.
    An Italian silver glass lampwork seahorse pendant (artist unknown).
    Also an artisan ceramic bracelet bar embossed with a beautiful lace pattern. Originally bisque, I did the patina work with Verdigris Rub-n-Buff and African Bronze Gilder's paste, leaving them with a soft Mediterranean sun kissed sheen. 
    I never got a chance to collect sea glass from the beach, so I included a selection of cultured sea glass from ZnetShows collection, in a sea of marine jewel tones.

Also included:
-a selection of Turquoise, Howlite, and Magnesite coins
-Prehnite Nuggets
-Lampwork glass lentils
-a pair of large Italian siver glass lentils
-a pair of rare Green Coral wheels
-Venetian blown glass baubles
-Sponge Coral, hand dyed Navy blue
-a pair of long faceted teal blue variegated Chalcedony drops
-deep teal blue ceramic art beads by Natalie Pappas of NKP Designs
-bright lime green flower shaped fresh water pearls
-a sea urchin spine
-a few glittery seashell buttons
-a pair of sea urchins
-a mini faux enamel seahorse
-sea shells
-fisherman's netting
-hand painted silk
-sari silk
-hand spun seaweed art yarn
-a pair of Chysocolla gemstone rounds

    I wrapped it up real pretty, sticking with the beach theme. Using shimmery water blue paper, and some of the fibers as the wrap itself.
    I also included some extras for fun!
    A lavender mint creme filled dark chocolate bar. I picked this one not just because I thought the lavender was interesting, but because this series of chocolate bars support endangered species. This one happens to support conservation of the sea otter.
    A package of my favorite Auroshika brand, orange blossom scent incense. One of my favorite Indian exports. Thought it would be fun to send some of those hard to come by exports back to her. ;)
    Last, but certainly not least, I included a soundtrack! 3 compilation CD's, each fitting a different mood, designed to inspire her creativity.

    Divya sent me 2 kits to work with. She presented me with a color challenge. To use a combination she couldn't find on my page, blue and silver.
    I actually had an entire blue an silver jewelry collection called "Blue Jean Blues", but most of it sold fairly quickly.

    The second challenge was to use green. Yet another color void in my collection, as I routinely sell out. ;)

    She also included some sari pieces.

 

    So the colors weren't really a challenge for me, but some of the components were.



    I started with the blue and silver kit, using her region of the world for inspiration.

    I have a vintage hand carved wooden stamp from India with a Paisley motif. Originally used for indigo block dying textiles, but I've been wanting to translate it into a jewelry design.
    I chose to make a molten solder stamping to create a medallion for part of my focal. The solder color matches quite well with the large lacey bead cap earring finding Divya sent me to work with.

    I actually did the solder stamping as a Tutorial Tuesdays feature in the Lampwork Bead Addicts Talk-Learn-Share group. If you've missed those, they're always accessible in the photo album for future reference.

    I drilled lots of holes and wire wrapped my solder stamping, embellishing it with lustrous blue crystals to frame the paisley medallion.

    I bought a batch of gypsy bells.
    The bells came a very bright shiny silver and didn't really match the paisley medallion and the bead cap. I dipped them all into a black patina to antique them. Then brushed with steel wool to highlight, giving them the perfect "aged" look.

    I also bought some Irish waxed linen in a deep slate blue.
    I went with a 2 ply so it was fine enough to string crystals and pearls. I did have to bore out the holes a bit more on the pearls with a reamer, but I made it work.
    I pulled all I could find in this color palette from my own stash and got to work.

    Going with a knotted cord beaded rosary style chain, I started from the medallion, working my way up.

"Namaste"

    I tried to use the beads Divya sent, front and center.
    Using the trapezoid shaped crystals close together right in the front, turned on their sides, they form almost a winged breastplate.
    Spaced with the large mercury glass finish beads, and framed with the frosted gray glass rounds.
    I continued working my way up, randomly placing beads as they felt right, but matching the two sides symmetrically.
    I ended up using a mix of small smokey blue crystals, vintage Chinese silk knot buttons, Hand dyed navy blue sponge coral, iridescent gray fresh water pearls, Titanium coated Quarts crystal nuggets, and pewter flower medallions.

    Next I embellished the bead cap, adding lots of individual lustrous smokey blue crystal dangles.

    Gathering all the ribbons, yarns, sari silks, and fibers I could find in this color palette, I made a fabulously textural tassel.
    Originally I had intended to stick the tassel right into the bead cap, but when I did, it stunt the movement of all the crystal dangles. All that shimmer and dazzle I made the effort to create, was completely lost.
    Plan B! I needed to figure out how to elevate that bead cap above the tassel.

    I made 2 felted wool pom poms, in consecutive sizes, and dyed them deep blue. One fit perfectly inside the bead cap, giving all those dangles room to dance. The larger one fitting just below, I embellished it with pewter flower and crystal medallions to blend with the overall look. Then attached the tassel to the bottom.

    Finishing it off by attaching all those jingly gypsy bells to the tassel threads.

    "Namaste" was the only piece I managed to finish in time for the reveal, but I have big plans for those greens too.
    I was really stumped by that black and green polymer clay focal. I tend to do a lot of layering, but it was too large to add much more to it. Yet it didn't have a whole lot of interest to stand on it's own in one of my designs.
    I really had to think outside the box for this one!
    It reminded me a bit of a pod. So I made it one!

    Just a little sneak peak of where this project is headed. You'll have to check back for the results in my next post though. If this one gets any longer I'll have to publish this novel! ;)



    Thank you all for coming and visiting. Please make sure your next stop is my partner's blog, Jewels of Sayuri, to see what Divya did with her stash. Then you'll find the links to all the other participants below.

   A huge thank you to our very gracious hostess, Linda Anderson of Cherry on Top Designs, who organized and coordinated all the participants from around the world. Please give her a huge round of applause! and a little love for her blog wouldn't hurt either.


Linda Anderson
Natalie Davidson

Marcy Lamberson
Kathy Lindemer

Dita Basu
Andrea Glick

Kristina Peck
Shaiha Williams

Catherina LaVite
Christina Hickman

Gloria Allen
Teresa Schurter

Maria Rosa Sharrow
Susan Kelly

Jenny Kyrlach
Michelle McCarthy

Terry Jeanet Carter
Lee Koopman

Laurie Vyselaar
Marianne Baxter

Divya Narasimhan
Kelly Hosford Patterson           <--- you are here

Johana Nunez
Kari Asbury

Robin Kae Reed
Kristina Hahn Eleniak

Robin Showstack
Rosantia Petkova

Claire Fabian
Inge von Roos

Rachel Mallis
Sam Waghorn

Lori Schneider
Fay Wolfenden



Seed Beaders

Suse Stelljes
Ginger Bishop

Nelly May
Rebecca White


Sheila Prosterman
Marianne Baxter

Pallavi Asher
Krafty Max

Renetha Sanziano
Becky Pancake

Katy Heider
Deborah Apodaca

Heather Richter
Tami Norris

Brandy Scozzari
Catherine King

Kathleen Breeding
Veralynne Malone

Bobbie Rafferty
Lori Blanchard

Ride Like The Wind

    I finally got the bead stash and handmade focal I created for my Bead Peeps Swap & Hop partner Lori Alainn Blanchard out in the mail. 

    The stash she sent for me had been patiently waiting to be opened while I finished hers. I wanted to be fair since I was making her wait. I also didn't want what she sent me to influence me in any way. 

   I was just barely able to take a few quick pics before leaving town on vacation. 

    I had intended to take the beads with me while I was gone for some busy work if I had any down time. After seeing what she sent and formulating a plan I decided that there where things I needed to do with it that couldn't happen while traveling, so it got left behind. 

    I am enjoying my vacation, but creating is never far from my mind. 

    Here is the fabulous stash Lori sent me that I am dreaming of at night. I'll be home this weekend and anxious to start on my designs first thing monday morning. 

    It includes a large Coral focal, a pair of bone wheels, Unakite rounds, a strand of Mookaite, Marble and Jasper oval beads, yellow crystals, peach satin beading cord, cinnabar patina, some fun textured yarns, a neat rock, and a very cool handmade artisan ceramic toggle clasp. I can't remember off hand who made the artisan clasp, but I will definitely credit them in my reveal post.

    And here is the stash I sent to Lori.

1.  Sari silk
2.  Periwinkle eyelash yarn
3.  Metallic purple Quartz crystal points
4.  Heliotrope Quartz crystal points
5.  Color shift lampwork glass rectangles with murrini (artist unknown)
6.  Purple Zebra Jasper rondelles
7.  Pink/purple/peach Agate coins
8.  Opaque purple cultured sea glass barrel beads from ZnetShows.com (S79-B167S)
9.  Charcoal gray fresh water pearls with peacock luster
10. Light Sapphire cultured sea glass square spacers from ZnetShows.com (S61-B31)
11. Opaque sky blue Tiara glass crystal rondelles from ZnerShows.com (RT101-47)
12. Opaque periwinkle color shift Tiara glass crystal rondelles from ZnerShows.com (RT101-85)
13. Transparent periwinkle color shift Tiara glass crystal rondelles from ZnerShows.com (RT136-39)
14. Transparent lemon yellow Tiara glass crystal rondelles from ZnerShows.com (RS152-84)
15. texture copper rectangle beads
16. Hammered copper washers
17. lampwork glass satellites (artist unknown)
18. Upcycled tin Iris petals
19. Handmade copper hook closures
20. "Raven" hand stamped copper bracelet bar with Labradorite, Amethyst & copper wing dangles
21. "Ride like the wind" hand stamped etched copper motorcycle focal

    This was my first crack at etching. I've had the Ferric Chloride for a year and it's taken me that long to get over my fear of working with the chemicals. I really wanted to make something personal for Lori though. So this was my chance to suck it up and be brave.
    This was also the first time in my life I've ever drawn a motorcycle as well. The whole project was a bit of a stretch for me, but it didn't turn out half bad.
    I was very pleased to hear that Lori loves her stash and is having a great time creating with it. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. Not quite three weeks left to go before the big reveal date.
    Until then, I hope the beading gods are treating you well.

               Peace, Love, & PyxeeDust!

Beader, Biker, BadAss!

    This is my partner for the very first Bead Peeps Swap & Hop challenge, Lori Alainn Blanchard.

    And this is my partner on wheels! 

Lori is 29 years old, and lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband of 7 years, and her 5 furbabies (2 cats and 3 dogs). 

    She's originally from a very small town in Connecticut called Harwinton, in Litchfeld county. 

    Incidentally, I'm actually somewhat familiar with the area, as my parents lived about an hour away from there for many years. My dad and I once took a leisurely afternoon drive throughout most of the New England states, and drove right through there, stopping at quite a few of the antique / junk shops along the side of the highway. 

   In yet another coincidence, my parents left Connecticut, moving to Ohio as well. I never did get to Columbus when I was there though. They lived up near Solon, in Amish country, which is actually much closer to Cleveland than Columbus. 

   Lori is not my original partner for the Swap & Hop. Unfortunately, my original partner had to bow out due to both a personal, and family health crisis. Can hardly blame her while trying to deal with the double whammy. I do wish her well and hope that all turns out positive for her. 

    Lori is actually the angel that stepped in to take over. Which means she's now juggling two partners. 

    Her other partner is Stephanie Haussler of Pixybug designs. What a coincidence that she would end up with 2 pixies!

    Stephanie already did an intro on Lori that touches on her softer domestic side. So I thought it would be fun to share her "Bad Girl" persona with you. 

     The first thing about Lori that really stood out to me is that she rides a motorcycle. How cool is that!

    I've never even been on a bike in my life, but my best friend's dad rode a motorcycle when we were kids, and that sparked a lifetime love affair with a Harley Davidson fantasy. 

    Now Lori doesn't ride a Harley. It's actually a vintage 1984 Honda Magna 1100. (Boy does that make me feel old to call something from my high school days vintage.) But it is a real motorcycle, not one of those "crotch rockets" the kids like to race around on.

    Check out this totally awesome black leather vest that she wears when she rides.

       Raven is her biker name, and she did all that amazing bead work on the back of her vest. 

    Which brings me to the second thing about Lori that really stands out to me, her incredible patience. Although she claims she's not, you really have to be to do this kind of incredibly detailed bead work. 

 Is this just mind blowing, or what?

   We're a little behind schedule getting the beads out, as I've just met my new partner a week ago. She was actually really quick and I've already received my beads. I'm waiting to open my package though so that it doesn't influence the stash I'm sending to her. I'm working on something special for her that's almost finished and should be shipping out very soon. I'll post stash pictures as soon as she receives them.

        You can read more about Lori's design work on her blog, and you'll find a few of her beautifully detailed bead work pieces of jewelry for sale in her etsy shop. 

Until then....

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride! ~Hunter S. Thompson