Painted Pachyderms - Elephants on Parade

    I have been a lover of elephants ever since I was a little girl.

    I'm not even sure where or how it started.

    I have a collection of elephant trinkets that's been amassing since before I can even remember.
    When I was a little, my aunt and uncle would travel the world and bring me back elephants from many of their exotic vacations.

    I have an elephant formed out of a starfish with seashell ears from Hawaii. Beaded and mirrored elephant Christmas ornaments from India. Hand carved Mahogany wood elephants from Africa. A milk glass elephant perfume bottle. A giant paper mache circus elephant. More stuffed elephants than I can count. And the list goes on and on and on.

    As an artist, I am all about color and texture. Bright bold beautiful colors is my standard palette. I make my own handmade textiles. And I almost always weave some form of textile into my jewelry. Whether it be recycled sari silk ribbon, felted beads, or hand spun art yarn.
    I've been known to refer to my creations as "Rainbow Colored Sugar", much like the candy straws from which PyxeeStyx derives it's namesake.
   You've heard the term minimalist? I often refer to myself as a maximalist. More is almost always better in my book. I love to layer elements to create interest.
    So the first time I ever saw an elephant painted and decorated and bejeweled, I fell head over heels in love. What could be better than several of my favorite things all rolled into one.
    I have always found elephants to be such beautiful and majestic creatures. To see them adorned in all their glorious splendor of paint, textiles and jewels feels like they are elevated to the status of royalty and respect that they so very much deserve.

    The reason I chose this as the theme for the 18th round of the Blogger/ Non-Blogger challenge, was to inspire me to complete a project I've had brewing on the back burner for a while. I just hadn't found the time to do it.
    I collect East Indian hand carved wooden textile blocks. Most of my textile blocks are very large scale motifs, but I have 2 smaller ones I've been wanting to use for etching. An elephant and a paisley.
    I was hoping to stamp directly on my copper sheet to etch, but discovered that the block was so worn that it wouldn't imprint clearly. I was however able to get a decent print on paper. I cut that out to use as a template for the shape and then had to draw the details in by hand.

    I etched with Ferric chloride, for a very long time to get a deep etch. About 4 hours. This is risky because it's possible to etch all the way through and leave holes, so it's pertinent to check on it often.

   You also risk getting flaws like the crawling effect left on his legs and trunk. It did however work out well for my piece because it just looks like the texture of elephant skin.
    I then patinaed and buffed with steel wool to create the highlights and shadows. I drilled holes to add jewels.

    Originally I had flame painted him, and he had beautiful hot pink, orange, and purple iridescence, to go with my beaded palette. But of course the age old question of how to seal that color in still stands. I tried sealing it with Renaissance wax, but the colors just buffed out.
    So I flame painted again, and left it unsealed. Unfortunately my fingers managed to buff out all the color while wiring on all his jewels. :(
    I considered trying again, but didn't dare for risk of destroying the glass beads and gemstones.
    Fortunately he still looks pretty spectacular with out the extra color.
   Embellished with brilliant orange faceted Padparadscha Sapphire briolette tassels that swing freely, glass seed beads in hot pink and lilac, and a beaded and fiber tassel tail.

    Strung on a mix of beaded and wire wrapped paisleys, Glass pearls (the large knobby orange ones are vintage), vintage hollow brass beads with a distressed silver coating and seed bead embellishments, and an array of brilliantly colored sari silk ribbons. It closes with a hammered copper hook with a swirling cut glass cane bead, and a sari silk wrapped and beaded loop.

    Of course being the hostess, my entry was not eligible for voting, so this was purely to motivate me to complete this project.
    If anyone is interested, this sweet little baby will be going up for auction this week on the Jewelry Designers Open Market. My show runs from Monday night, until Wednesday night. Come check it out.


    Now, onto the beautiful entries.....

    I'm really quite impressed with the array of different styles that were entered. I love to see everyone's unique spin and how they interpret the images.
    Thank you to everyone who participated. You all did an amazing job!
    Here they are in the order they were received.

"Lita" necklace by Divya Narasimhan

    "Inspired by the splendor of embellished forehead ornaments worn by elephants during temple processions, Lita is an exotic combination of metal components, braided yarn, crystals, and is edged with painted embellishments. The black portions showcase the hairy head of  elephants that is visiblebelow the cutwork and the painted druzy is reminiscent of the velvet fabric that is often used as the base of the ornament."

"Analetta" earrings by Divya Narasimhan

"Patterned glass cabochon set on a hand cut painted brass tab with hand formed ear hooks. Long long ago, there was a gypsy Ana, who had traveled as a singer in a music troupe. There she met a royal parade elephant mahout and his gorgeous elephant Latha and fell in love with both of them. The mahout and the gypsy fell in love and lived happily ever after, painting the elephant in myraid colors for special processions."

Divya Naraimhan and her Jewels of Sayuri can be found on facebook and on her blog Jewels of Sayuri.

"Hano" by Betony Lee Maiden

   "Inspired by the actual events of Hano the elephant (circa 1514). This challenge was extremely inspirational for me. The amazing array of colors, fabrics, and paint, the elephants themselves are incredibly beautiful animals. I wanted to actually challenge myself as an artist and incorporate items that I have never worked with. And thus I was on a mission. Hano is a gorgeously made polymer clay pendant, made by the talented Staci Louise of Staci Louise Originals. This is the first time I have ever worked with polymer clay in my designs. I fell in love with Hano at Bead Fest, he called to me, and so Hano was born. I didn't want to do my normal style of wire work, so I thought long and hard of materials that were new to me. Then I met Marsha Neal of Marsh Neal Studios, also at Bead Fest. What caught my eye right away were the silk ribbons, and I knew I wanted a bright color. The gorgeous orange popped right out at me and Hano agreed. He said it wouldn't make his but look big. With the orange silk I also chose a smaller cadet blue silk to add an extra pop and pull in the gentle blue tones in Hano. Added to that was one of Marsha Neal's Ceramic discs, another element I've never worked with, and attempted to wire wrap several times. Hano also has a patina brass elephant stamping for company, and ceramic beads by Gaea Canody. I did manage to incorporate my copper wire work throughout the design, finishing off with a hook and eye clasp that each hold a brightly yellow bead by Kim Quigley Nunn. Hano also carries some glorious trinkets, such as an orangeish lampwork bead and copper component (artist unknown), and a vintage painted heart tag.
    It has been an absolute pleasure to meet Hano. He has been a huge inspiration and has taught me some things I never knew, and has inspired me as an artist to try new things. (Artists also become addicted to new things.) Hano measures a very light and comfortable 18" long."

Betony Lee Maiden and her Fair Maiden Jewelry can be found on facebook and on her blog The Beadwenches Blog.    

by Robin Kae Reed

   "Luscious colors of sari silk and round glass beads combine with a bronzy bangle as a foundation for keys and saying tag and silver toned drops. I was going for the colors but more for the opulence and vivid brightness."

Robin Kae Reed can be found on her website Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs.

by Rachel Mallis

    "Here is my piece! I chose the one that was a straight on shot of the elephants face. I knew I wanted to use my Lucite flowers from the moment I set eyes on it. I knew that that is kind of going for the obvious, but I knew I could put a new spin on it. I hammered out each copper bar out of wire, and then I wrapped each one with wire and white seed beads. To connect them, I used copper jump rings. How to finish it on the bottom was a huge challenge for me. but I finally decided to use a gorgeous chunk of Kyanite. It reminds me of the rustic elephant juxtaposed next to the colorful, man painted flowers. To finish off the necklace, it is meant to be worn with a white suede cord. This necklace was cheerful and fun to create! Thank you so much for providing a great inspiration."

Rachel Mallis can be found on facebook and on her blog Mint.


    And the winner is.................

with a grand total of 43 Likes, 
              Betony Lee Maiden with Hano!

    Clearly her challenging herself and working outside her comfort zone has been a very good thing.
           Congratulations Betony! 

   Can't wait to see what you'll come up with to challenge us for the 19th round of the Blogger/NonBlogger challenge.

    Thank you all for stopping by. I hope you have enjoyed this little adventure. Leave us a comment and tell us what you think.
    Have a brilliant day!
        Until next time, Peace, Love, & PyxeeDust! 

It Ain't Over 'til the Fat Lady Sings

    Welcome to the Summer Lovin' Jewelry Design Challenge. Hosted by Shawna Barnes, of JSB Arts, & Healing Arts of Maine. 
    A lot of folks are heading back to school, and starting up their fall activities, but summer has a few surprises up it's sleeve yet.
    We've got a feast for the eyes lined up for you today.
    Shawna was incredibly kind and generous to gift a lucky few of us with some of her fantastic ceramic art beads to play with. We've had a few weeks to brainstorm on these beauties and come up with some fantastically unique designs.
    So grab yourself a tall refreshing glass of iced tea, kick your feet up, and enjoy the view.

    We each got a unique set of Shawna's ceramic art beads to work with. I got really excited when I received mine and dove right it, and kind of forgot to take a picture of the set I received. Fortunately Shawna did snap a shot, so I borrowed one from her.

    This picture does not do that glaze justice. The focal is a gorgeous lustrous gunmetal, that flashes in every turn of the light. It's incredible elegant looking. And that's exactly where I went running with it the minute I opened the package.
    May I present
                         "Opera" 

    Wrapped with faceted Iolite gemstones, plum Tiara glass crystals, silver seed pearls, and copper glass seed beads. Embellished with a lampwork glass and enamel florette by Kim Snider of Mandrel Beads, set off center, and livened with a bit of dancing eyelash yarn radiating around it. A purple stick pearl, a titanium Quarts crystal point, and a large Baroque Pearl, staircase up the side, like the grand staircase in the Paris Opera House, on chains of dazzling gemstones and crystals.

    Strung on a mix of violet Tiara crystals, Pyrite nuggets, deep plum Aqua Terra Jasper ovals, silver pearls, plum stick pearls, indigo druzy rounds, a pair of lampwork glass beads by Kim Snider, and a rich purple luster titanium coated druzy agate slice for a little pizzazz.
    It closes with a small hammered copper hook in the back. The focal pendant drips 4 inches in very dramatic style. The chain is 23 inches long, but could easily be worn shorter by fastening the hook to any point along the chain.

    I had initially planned on using liver of sulpher on the chain to darken it and blend with the beads, but decided I liked the little bit of extra flash that the shiny copper offered.

    Then I took Shawna's little gunmetal ceramic wheels and made a pair of earrings to match. Sandwiched between indigo druzy rounds and violet Tiara crystals. A pair of Kim Snider's lampwork glass florets, embellished with dancing eyelash yarn, cap a pair of Baroque pearls. They hang 2 3/4 inches long on crystal accented handmade copper ear wires.

    So now I have 4 ceramic art beads left. Two purple rounds, and a pair of  knobby textured beads in a slightly darker color. The textured beads reminded me of cocoons, so I went with a transformation theme.
    I etched a pair of butterflies in copper, hand drawn to look as if they are just emerging from their cocoon. I used a Vintag patina in Cinnabar. Coated them to get it in all the grooves and then thoroughly buffed with steel wool to shine the raised portions and leave just the perfect amount in the recesses.
    I wrapped the textured beads in sari silk to make them appear as if the butterflies are just emerging from their chrysalis.Accented with Coral seed beads, they hang 4 inches long on handmade copper ear wires.
    I've never paired red and purple together before. I really like this new color combination.

                   "Metamorphosis"  

    So, if any of you are smitten, and wondering how you might get your hands on these pieces you are in luck! I'm having a show on the Lampwork Bead Addicts Artist Spotlight today and these pieces will all be going up for auction this afternoon.
    I'm teaming up with another amazing artist for this show, the very talented Jean Wells. Here's an example of some of her amazing work, to give you an idea of what kinds of things you might see there.

                 I hope to see you all there.


    Now, go check out all the other challenge participants ans see what amazing things they made.

Linda Anderson - From the Bead Board
Kelly Hosford Patterson - Traveling SideShow 
Wendy Southin - Dragonfly Dreamers
Lori Schneider  - Bead Addict
Shaiha Williams - Shaiha's Ramblings
Carolyn Lawson - Carolyn's Creations
Debbie Eggleston- Designs by Debbie

    A huge thank you to our wonderful and gracious hostess Shawna Barnes. Please go check out all of her links and show her lots of love.
 http://www.jsbmaine.com/
https://www.facebook.com/JSBArts
http://jsbarts.blogspot.com/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JSBArts

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!

Artisan Components Galore Oh My!

    Welcome to the Artisan Component Marketplace Blog Hop.
    I was a very lucky girl to be picked as one of the winners of this awesome design kit, and have been happily creating away.
 

    Most of you probably already know that the awesome starburst diamond shaped copper component is by Kristi Bowman. Her work is quite recognizable.
    The beautifully colored and textured ceramic flower donut is by Marla's Mud, whom I'm also familiar with.

    The very cool printed wood toggle clasp is by Kari Asbury Avenue Designs, who's work is new to me. I know her name from the Artisan Component Marketplace and Creative Bead Chat forums on facebook, but I was unfamiliar with her work. I love adding new and different things to my work, so I was really excited about working with this one. 

    Oh, who am I kidding, I was very excited about all of them!

    The kit also includes some juicy hot pink sari silk, as well as some vintage blue.

                 "Cottage Rose"

"Cottage Rose" earrings

    So the first design I worked on contains an item from the kit that very few of you will recognize.

    I actually cut up the beautiful artwork on Kari Asbury's business card and decoupaged snippets onto mismatched hammered copper cuttings to create my own artisan components. Accented them with an array of miscellaneous seed beads, Hot pink Snakeskin Jasper pumpkin beads, and a fuchsia Agate nugget on a stamped copper blossom. The "Cottage Rose" earrings hang 3 inches long on handmade copper ear wires.

                      "Morning Glory"

"Morning Glory" earrings

    Next I worked with the juicy hot pink sari silk. I wrapped a pair of large rings with the sari silk, and embellished them with an array of miscellaneous seed beads. They hang 2 1/2 inches long on handmade copper scroll ear wires.

Morning Glories

    An Amethyst nugget hangs from one ear wire, and a beautiful crackled heather Magnesite nugget hangs from the other. A pair of darling little lilac lampwork glass bird headpins dangle from the bottom of the hoops. I wish I could credit the lampwork artist, but I bought these birds several years ago, and for the life of me I can't remember where or find that info now.

"Morning Glory" bracelet

    My first thought when I received the kit was that Kristi Bowman's diamond shaped starburst copper component should be a bracelet bar focal. However, it wasn't quite large enough to make the impact I would like.
    I set out to frame it, by tracing the diamond and cutting it out of copper sheet. I hammered and worked the metal until it spread out enough to form a frame around Kristi's component. I sandwiched a snippet of the sari silk between the two pieces of copper to add a little texture and make Kristi's component pop.
    Strung between a heather Magnesite nugget, a copper cage bead, a fuchsia Agate nugget, and a lilac lampwork glass spacer bead on one side, and an Amethyst nugget, and a floral etched copper heart component that I just made on the other side.
    I wrapped another large ring with the hot pink sari silk and seed bead accents, and made a copper scrolled toggle bar to latch it with.
    I added a few lavender glass leaves, Magenta fresh water pearl berry dangles, and finished it up with the last of those darling little lampwork glass bird headpins.

"Morning Glory" bracelet

           "Raspberry Parfait" 

"Raspberry Parfait" necklace

   I used the pretty pink ceramic flower donut from Marla's Mud as the focal for my necklace.
   The dragonfly that dangles from it came from Kari Asbury's hangtag which I cut out and decoupaged on hammered copper. The dragonfly hangs from a London Blue Mystic Topaz cube, and a lilac lampwork glass spacer bead.
    Next to that a plum colored ceramic pansy pendant by Grubbi hangs on a chain of magenta fresh water pearls.
     The last dangle is an etched copper heart, stamped with my signature PS, that hangs from a hot pink fresh water coin pearl, with a fuchsia Agate nugget dangle.

Raspberry Parfait Hydrangeas

    The two raspberry spotted and swirled lampwork glass beads, strung on plum colored sari silk, just above the flower donut focal were made by my mother, Carol Rowe.
    The pink ceramic Frangipani blossom on the right is by Scorched Earth.
    Unfortunately I can't recall the artist who made the speckled lampwork donut just above the blossom. It was a gift with another purchase, so I have no record of where it came from.
    Just above that, I place Kari Asbury's toggle with the beautiful floral lace design front and center.
    Above that, a stack of purple Quartz crystal points on the left. Hot pink coin pearl, Aqua Terra Jasper oval, copper cage bead on the right.
    A pair of soft pink ceramic sprig beads by Natalie Pappas of NKP designs meet in the middle.
    Topped by more ceramic art beads by Grubbi, lampwork glass beads by my mother, Quartz crystal points, hot pink fresh water pearls, and a large Agate coin.
    Finished off with sari silk across the back of the neck for a comfortable fit. The beaded chain is 28 inches long and the pendant hangs 5 inches.

"Raspberry Parfait" necklace

    I had a really great time creating all my goodies for the blog hop with these fabulous components. The colors just made me really happy, and it was really easy to design with such beautiful inspiration.
    A huge thank you to Kari Asbury, Marla James, and Kristi Bowman for contributing their beautiful components, and giving me this opportunity.

    If you haven't yet, make sure you head on over to the Artisan component Marketplace and check out all the fabulous handmade components that are being offered by all the amazing artists over there.  Or come on over to the ACM facebook group and get to know the artists a bit. I promise you won't be sorry.

    Now it's time to go check out all the other amazing designs created for this challenge. Here is the list of participants:

Brandy Haag - BHjewelry

Carolyn - Carolyn's Creations

Jenny Kyrlach - Wonder and Whimsy

Kelly Hosford Patterson - Traveling SideShow       <---- you are here

Lori Poppe - Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Rachel Mallis - Mint

Robin Kae Reed - Artistry

Terri Arcas - Drift N Blue

Gloria Allen - Wings and Beads

                   
                Peace, Love & PyxeeDust!

Let the Games Begin

    Welcome to the Game of Thrones Jewelry Challenge, hosted by Heather Powers of Humble Beads.
    With the highly anticipated season 5 premier almost upon us,  Heather Powers dreamed up this challenge to help those suffering from withdrawal pass the time. The idea was to create something inspired in some way by the series of prized books, now turned into an award winning television series.
    I must admit that I've never actually read the books, or seen the TV show. I stopped watching TV all together about 5 years ago.
    However, I never need much of an excuse to rise to a challenge......and then, well, there's dragons!

"Mother of Dragons" 

    For anyone who is a fan, or even aware of the series, it's probably pretty obvious who my inspiration was.
    For those who are not, this is Daenerys. Last surviving members of the House of Targaryn, and rightful heir to it's throne. She was also the wife of Khal Drogo, a Dothraki warlord, leaving her to rule his people upon his death. Lastly, and most important, she is the mother of 3 dragon hatchlings!

"When my dragons are grown, we will make waste of armies and burn cities to the ground."

 -Daenerys 

    All I know about Daenerys I have learned from google search, but here's my impression of her:

    Daenerys started out as a very frail and vulnerable girl, who was heavily taken advantage of. She has been through hell and back, and has come out the other side a strong and powerful, take no prisoners, total badass of a woman. A genuine force to be reckoned with.
    She is definitely NOT your stereotypical princess!

    I created the "Mother of Dragons" necklace to encompass the enigma that is Daenerys.  A delicate image of etherial beauty, combined with a pillar of strength, and unrelenting determination. 

    The center ceramic art bead focal was made by Birgitta Lejonklou of Angel Whisperer. It was gifted to me as a prize for winning the Blogger/Non-Blogger challenge last year, and has been patiently waiting in my bead box for the perfect inspiration. 

The dragon's wings were form folded and synclasted from copper sheet metal. I had initially intended to polish them to a shiny copper finish, but then decided that the charred and oxidized look of the metal was perfect for dragon wings. 

    I made a beaded chain of an organic mix of gemstones. Etched eye dot Agates, rough Carnelian gemstones, Picture Jasper, Howlite, a ceramic art bead by Grubbi, and terra cotta dragon hatchlings. 

    The dragon focal itself is adorned with gemstone tassels of Mookaite, Tigers Eye, Czech glass blossoms, Red Jasper,  and a titanium coated Quartz crystal point. 

   

     I had not actually seen this picture of Daenerys and her dragon before creating my piece. I was quite impressed with the similarity of my vision. 

    As an additional element of the series, I wire worked a link in the shape of the O from the logo and worked into my beaded chain. 

    I finished the back off with a leather strap and a copper hook through a terra cotta wheel. I was not real pleased with the leather strap. It seemed to polish of an application for the organic look I was going for. I ended up reworking the back with a much softer piece of leather tonight, and feel it flows much better now. I will add an additional photo of the rework when I have some daylight. 

Please make sure you head on over to Heather Power's blog to see the beautiful jewelry she created, as well as the list of blog posts links for all the other participants. 

    I hope you have enjoyed this tour of Westeros and Essos, 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Peace, Love, and PyxeeDust! 

    As promised, here is the updated photo with the more organic leather strap. 

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