Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge: March 2015

Art Bead Scene Monthly Challenge:  March 2015

Haida Totems, 1912

By Emily Carr

Watercolor on Paper

76mm x 55mm

BC Archives, Canada

For more information on this piece and the artist, please visit ABS.

A while back, I created this polymer clay pendant using a rubber stamp design and layering with metallic acrylic paints.   

If I say so myself, it's one of my favorite pieces I've made with polymer clay.    It immediately came to mind when I saw this month's Art Bead Scene (ABS) challenge.

 I would love to try it again in colors more closely matching the watercolor painting, but not sure time will permit me this month.   So I'll offer this piece, and if I can get another art bead entry finished by the end of the month, I'll add to this!

Or, perhaps I'll attempt to create something using this piece.  Time is running out!  We'll see!   

I encourage you all to join in the monthly Art Bead Scene challenges.  There are 2 now, one for handmade jewelry using one or more art beads, and one for bead artists.   Take a look at this month's entries:

Jewelry Entries for March 2015

Bead Entries for March 2015

Happy Creating!

Sharyl

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"Pine Ridge Treasure's Clay and Metal Blog Hop" Reveal! - Update!

Update: To Lisa and Participants-- I THINK I've been around to all the blogs now, and I'm SO touched by your kind words and impressed by all the designs! I'll be making the rounds again once more, so if I missed one, I'll catch it next time. I'll be posting your designs on my Pinterest page showing the work of designers using my components. If anyone would prefer I not do this, please contact me. I'll post this note in several places, in hopes you all will see it. 

My sincere thanks to Lisa and to all of you! I feel I've been given a lovely gift!  -Sharyl

 * * * * * *

Hurray!

Lisa Lodge's 

Pine Ridge Treasure's 

Clay and Metal Blog Hop 

is now underway!  

Please hop around the participant blogs and see all the interesting creations:

**Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist     (Hostess)

**Be sure to leave a comment on Lisa's blog to register for one of the two free prizes (one from Lisa and one from me)!

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Marybeth Rich, 

   A Few Words from within the Pines

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Ann Schroeder, Bead Love

Lisa Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs

Carol Briody, A Beads Life

Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck

Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design

Susan Anderson, La Main Tresor

LeAnne Loftus, First Impression Design

Leithleach Seodra, Alainn Jewelry

My thanks again to Lisa for hosting this event, for her kind words, and her support of me through the years.     Please visit Lisa in the following places:

Lisa's blog,  A Grateful Artist
Pine Ridge Treasures on Facebook
Pine Ridge Treasures Jewelry on Zibbet


And thank you to all the participants!   I'm so excited, I'm going to go begin "hopping!" 

With joy and gratitude for this honor,

Sharyl

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Graphic Credits:
Event graphic by Lisa Lodge.

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Join my blog or FB page to keep current on sales and events!



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What's New at Metapolies™?

Wondering what's new at Metapolies (ACM/Etsy) and Sharyl's Jewelry (Artfire)?  
Plenty!  



1)   Last Sat. was the Grand Opening Event of the Artisan Component Marketplace.  Thanks to all of you who visited, shopped, and participated in all sorts of ways!   And thanks to Marla James for organizing ACM and the event!

The winner of the random prize drawing from Metapolies was....

Marybeth Rich!

Marybeth is the owner and designer at Forest of Jewels on Etsy.

You can find her store's page on Facebook too!

* * * * *

2)  Marybeth and many others (click here for list) will be participating in the Pine Ridge Treasure's Clay and Metal Blog Hop this Saturday organized and sponsored by Lisa Lodge!   While the designers are using packets featuring polymer clay and metal components from my stores, this is all Lisa's doing, and I'm so honored by it!   Over the past year, Lisa has collected the components for her unique designer packets.   (I don't even know what the packets look like!)

The fun part is that I just get to sit back and admire the designers' work.  I'm so looking forward to it!   

My sincere gratitude to Lisa for hosting this event and her support of me through the years.   Lisa is well-known for her blog hops, but be sure to look her up if you haven't already!

Where you can find Lisa online:

Lisa's blog,  A Grateful Artist
Pine Ridge Treasures on Facebook
Pine Ridge Treasures Jewelry on Zibbet

* * * * * 

3) A couple of weeks back, a few of us Kansas City area artisans hosted booths at the Holiday Treasures Craft Festival in Shawnee, KS.

I was there, of course, taking the photos!

Tanya Goodwin, my lovely friend from
A Work in Progress,
brought fun new chain maille necklaces,

bracelets,...

....as well as some of her lovely,
intricate bead work!

I love sharing a booth with Tanya!  

(This was our 3rd year of doing this event together!)

She's helpful, friendly, and really makes the day pass in such a pleasant way!

Thank you, Tanya!

Next to us this year, for the first time ever, was the Bagomag.com team of Mike and Carol.

Mike Flint is a lampwork
and stained glass artist.
And to support his efforts,
Carol made jewelry
to help show off some of his great holiday beads!

Friend, Patti B (not shown), even brought some of her handmade paper bead
jewelry pieces
and demonstrated her skills
in making paper beads for intrigued passers-by!

The stained glass fronts Mike makes for instruments drew much attention too!

Fisherman Banjo

Abstract Violin

TY, Jenna & Kevin!

We had a great day and enjoyed seeing our family and friends who came out to see us and lend a helping hand.  We were glad to meet lots of new folks too!  


Our thanks to all who support us, in so many ways!  Best wishes until we meet again!  ~Sharyl

* * * * *

Image Credits:

Pine Ridge Blog Hop Event Logo by Lisa Lodge

All other photos by  Sharyl, Oct/Nov. 2014

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Toltec Jewels Design Challenge (Featuring SueBeads)--Reveal!

It all started with a "Chicklet" shaped bead.

I saw it on the Toltec Jewels Facebook page.

Not this exact one, I think, but one similar.

It was love at first site.

And I wondered to myself,...

how had I missed it before?

Bead by Susan Kennedy of SueBeads

Turns out, it had been getting a lot of press during the previous weeks,

and I had been gone....

Gone from town, gone from the country, 

gone from internet connections,...

and nearly missed my destiny with this bead.

But, when Rita of Toltec Jewels 

(our host today's big event)

heard of my disappointment,

she quickly resolved the matter,

let me in to her "Choosy.... Design Challenge," 

and sent me this sweet bead in a glorious tangerine/orange shade.  

Ah me!

All was well with the world again!

It was still June, but immediately, my mind jumped to a Fall, almost Halloween type design.  I pulled together orange beads (some clashed and had to go, but I found a nice strand that seemed a great match), some large black Czech beads had just arrived and I grabbed them from my desk top before even contemplating putting them away, some art beads I found I had saved for a couple of years, and some pieces of my own!   Like a soup or brew, they all went in together, 

...and out came... this:

Ceramic Donut bead:  Captured Moments (Etsy);

Copper handmade clasp by me;

Irish Waxed Linen thread
from pottery bead maker, WhiteCloverKiln (Etsy)

....and this:

Upper left:
Peachy pottery beads by Jenny Gholson-Morris
of Eclectic Prairie (Etsy).
White and beige Funky Flat Poly Beads
sell in my Sharyl's Jewelry (Artfire) store.Right side:
Black and white Czech glass beads sold by MayaHoney (Etsy).
Orange Chicklet by SueBeads (Etsy)
Dotted lampwork spacers (CrazyLadyGlass)

(Take a moment now 

and prepare your minds 

for the upcoming mayhem!)...

Finally, this:

At the bottom of the donut pendant
is an embossed and patinated copper disk I made
and a striped cone-shaped bead
from Petra at Scorched Earth (Etsy).

Update:  This little bit of magic is available for sale now!
CLICK HERE!

In all honesty, I'm not sure how Sue's chicklet, so kindly bestowed upon me by Rita, became this wild creation!  But no matter how odd it might be, I'm really glad it turned out the way it did!   My complete thanks to Sue and to Rita!

Now, I feel ready for Fall...

...and ready to visit the blogs to see what the other participants made from their beads!  

Please pay a visit to the participating artists below:

Permalink for Artists: 

http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2014/06/Choosy-Chicks-Choose-Chicklets-participating-artists.html

ARTISTS:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog

                                                                Art Jewelry Elements

Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads

SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams                                        http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

Ev Shelby                                               http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson                        http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Thanks for visiting us today!  Hope you enjoy the blog hop!

~Sharyl

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This-n-That, 6/17/14

I brought back a nasty little bug (virus-type, not as cute as one in image) from Europe but I'm slowly improving.   While I continue to catch up on things, thought I'd share a few bits of "This-n-That" with you today!

1)  For fun, let's start with flowers currently blooming in my yard!  :-)

Large hosta in bloom in the front yard.

As many of you will know,
hydrangeas are one of my favorites each year
and keep their blooms much of the summer!
These grow on the North side of the house
and provide me with color inspiration!

2) I've been working on metal components for the store recently.   I did a custom order for altered metals last week and made some extras for the store.  These and more are already listed.

Samples of newly added altered metals.

Items in this section are typically raw brass pieces

I purchase and treat with layers of color patinas & sealants

for a unique look.

Now I'm at work on handmade metals and hope to get those sealed, photographed, and added to Sharyl's Jewelry this week.   Below is a "sneak-peak!"

Items in the Handmade Metal Components section
start with metal disks or sheet metal I cut,
then emboss, punch, shape, colorize, and seal.

If you would like to see how other designers have used my components in their own handmade jewelry, please visit my Pinterest page!  

Here is a sample of what you'll find there--a recent pair of elegant earrings made by Catherine of ShadowDogDesigns:

Turquoise Brass Fans Handmade Earrings Czech Glass Swarovski Jewelry

3) Finally, for those who can't get enough fix-up ideas for workrooms, visit the Art Bead Scene post on storage from 6/16/14.   There are some wonderful, artistic storage ideas there!

(If you missed our own "Clean-up/Fix-up" Challenge, 3/1/14, click here to see the results! Thanks again to all who participated!)


I'm hoping to post more vacation photos soon! In the meantime, have a great day!

~Sharyl

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Images:

Bug: http://www.wpclipart.com/animals/bugs/a_bug_icon.jpg

Photographs by Sharyl, 2014

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Diana Ptaszynski's "Waxed Linen Blog Hop!"

When Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio and Suburban Girl Beads announced she was hosting a "Waxed Linen Blog Hop" I jumped at the chance to join in!  I had been thinking about waxed linen, how I had used it a couple of times last  year, then rather forgotten about it.  

Pair from last summer.
"Jelly Fish Teal Glass Earrings"
(They sold right away!)
Lampwork beads by Russ Powers of JavaBead.com
Double layer of recycled glass beads from Ghana, West Africa.

I had been thinking I should try designing with it again, and Diana's blog hop fit right in with my plans!  

The only problem was the the reveal date of Saturday, May 24 was during a family event, but I decided to join in the fun and post a little early. Hope you will visit the other participants listed on Diana's blog on May 24th or after!  

So, here is what I created for the blog hop:

My first attempt for the blog hop.
I hardly ever design using pink, but wanted to give it a try.Terra Jasper stone beads.
Brass earwires.

Second item I made for the blog hop!
Czech beads.
My handmade copper earwires.

After a couple of goes with earrings, I decided I should try a bracelet.  I got this far, but when I attached a ceramic bracelet bar I had planned to use, I realized I had made it too large.  Unable to untie these knots to reduce the size... I assure you I untied many a knot working with the thread... I decided for a different design, and removed the focal bead for another piece.  I'm thinking a button or bead as a clasp might work, but not sure yet.  

A bracelet, in progress.
Light blue lampwork by LampworkByAmy.
Turquoise matte lampwork by PowersArtStudio.

Finally, it was time to tackle a necklace! I wanted something long and elegant. This necklace wraps and wraps!

It makes 2-3 long really strands or 4 medium length ones.

Close-up of some of the beads used in the necklace:

Ivory lampwork spacers by Blue Seraphim, 

Blue-gray pottery tab beads by NKP Designs, and

Powder blue altered brass component by me. 

And finally, back for more earring fun with these two pair:

Lampwork from GraceBeads.
 Orange beads are Czech glass.
Sterling silver earwires.

Stones, copper, glass!
My handmade copper earwires.

I enjoyed this so much, you can look forward to finding these items and more in my Sharyl's Jewelry store soon!  

Thank you to Diana for hosting this event and bringing me back to Irish waxed linen thread!  

And a shout-out to Mary Hubbard at WhiteCloverKiln!  I've purchased several batches of the thread from her with another order coming soon! 

Please visit Diana's blog to find the list of other participants beginning May 24!

~Sharyl

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