tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69187005285313001212024-03-14T00:54:24.695-04:00Only RoadA blog of art, photography, and observations.Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-91668429233872377822017-03-25T18:12:00.000-04:002017-03-25T18:13:29.672-04:00Bead Soup Blog Party!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry for the short, delayed post, I'm having some technical difficulties, just the perfect end to the perfect week. I stepped into the twilight zone on Sunday...and I'm not too certain I ever left. Long story short, I finally got photo uploads to work, but no links as of yet.</div>
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Anywhoo....who wants to party?</div>
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Bead Soup Blog Party! Hosted by Lori Anderson of www.prettythingsblog.com decided it was time for another BSBP, and I couldn't pass it up.</div>
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What I received from Cheri Reed of www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com:</div>
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Based on the signature on the back, I believe the ceramic pendant and beads are from Gaea of www.Gaea.cc, also included were some blue Czech crystals.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhFtPHvZ4Ec/WNbgL2WNmAI/AAAAAAAABvA/YIY06OclWSIBkzyEl74wmZ6-_gCteiHUQCLcB/s1600/20170223_121547_Burst01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhFtPHvZ4Ec/WNbgL2WNmAI/AAAAAAAABvA/YIY06OclWSIBkzyEl74wmZ6-_gCteiHUQCLcB/s320/20170223_121547_Burst01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What I made:</div>
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What it looks like on me...'cause I'm keeping it, thanks Cheri.</div>
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I really don't string much, mostly because I have a tendency to hurt myself with jeweler's tools, for me needle and thread are much safer. However, I made several attempts at other designs but kept coming back to this:</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NIEunvFnWE/WNbgZEunWAI/AAAAAAAABvM/a-77rHs01a0lMuGRJZC-aIyvK5f2Y1o5gCLcB/s1600/20170325_162032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3NIEunvFnWE/WNbgZEunWAI/AAAAAAAABvM/a-77rHs01a0lMuGRJZC-aIyvK5f2Y1o5gCLcB/s320/20170325_162032.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I added glass pearls, Tiaria crystals, and Cultured Sea Glass from www.znetshows.com. After looking at it here, I think it needs some mermaid's treasures...</div>
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This is what I sent Cheri:</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzH6x3_Nyj0/WNbgdFFH__I/AAAAAAAABvQ/3IKSgTzh3N8lleLhlbC6t_oH9aB9avGBACLcB/s1600/20170221_130752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MzH6x3_Nyj0/WNbgdFFH__I/AAAAAAAABvQ/3IKSgTzh3N8lleLhlbC6t_oH9aB9avGBACLcB/s320/20170221_130752.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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I can't post the list, and my links don't spear to work currently, so I'll have to update this post later using another device. If you'd like to hop along with us, Lori has the list up on her blog that I mentioned at the top, which you can copy and paste to your browser.</div>
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Happy hopping!</div>
<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-83859964427913749572016-01-14T16:15:00.000-05:002016-01-14T16:15:27.016-05:00It's not all in my headWell, Monday it was finally confirmed, I'm not a hypocondriac, I've just been living with a slow gas leak for a while. Honestly, I'm not even sure how long "a while" is, and the gas company didn't really quantify what they meant by "a pretty good flow", but I first smelled it two and a half years ago and acclimated to the smell after the landlords moved two heavy smokers into the other two apartments. I thought it had been fixed two years ago when I talked the maintenance man into checking it for me between tenants downstairs. But as I've found out the hard way, men are less sensitive to the additive in natural gas meant to make it detectable. I'm angry, I'm disappointed, I'm glad it's fixed...but I no longer trust my landlords. I'm hoping to move soon, so say a little prayer, wish me luck, send some positive vibes, cross your fingers and toes that I can get a good house and a reasonable and responsible landlord.Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-72434235567794465922016-01-02T11:35:00.001-05:002016-01-02T11:35:29.628-05:00Don't miss the famous Bead Soup Blog Party! <div>
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-42944589666975727182015-10-11T18:07:00.003-04:002015-10-11T18:07:51.965-04:00Soooo LATE!!!....but better than never? My apologies, I've been having some technical difficulties and the lovely people at the electronics store I bought my laptop from suggested that I wait for Windows 10 and see if that solved any of them...geek speak: "You didn't renew your warranty, so now I don't have to help you." I did download it, I'm still getting used to it, it's not bad, it's not great, I don't love it, but I don't hate it...and still having issues. Microsoft said try our handy FAQ...yeaaah. However, when my internet was spotty and would connect but wouldn't load pages properly, and most of the time not at all (and I'm on a metered internet, it's the first thing I checked) I went back to the store. Of course I got the "I see you didn't renew your warranty" speech again...um, no, I've never broken a computer, I don't need an extended warranty...I don't want to leave it with you, so you can break it and tell me that the only thing you can offer me is a like brand new, wiped clean, start from scratch, refurbished piece of crap that someone else broke. They suggested that I call my ISP. Yeah, I didn't think of that, thanks.<br />
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Soooo anyhoo, my mother needed a babysitter for my niece last night, so I took it to her house where she has a proper wi-fi connection...mine is a mobile hot spot and apparently strong enough to download Win 10, but not enough for the updates that came out almost immediately after the initial download. That half hour just about killed my 10 year old niece while I made her wait to play a game online...ok kid, try three months.</div>
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And now, after weeks and weeks of telling myself to be calm and patient, I'll figure this one out...it's running just as fast as it did when I first bought it; thanks anyway Microsoft/Best Buy/Sprint, I got this. </div>
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That's certainly not the worst thing that's happened in the last several months. As I was finishing my projects and getting ready to share the photos with Hope, we got a call that my mother's youngest brother wasn't doing well, and if we wanted to see him before he passed away from a year long battle with lung cancer, we needed to make the trip soon. We were in Arkansas for a long weekend and came back in good spirits, he'd been up walking around, talking, and joking and we thought maybe family was the boost he needed to fight a little harder, the dr's weren't giving up, so we didn't. My mother got a call the day after we got home to let us know that he'd had a stroke, he wouldn't be going through with the new chemo treatment, and he probably wouldn't be able to walk or talk again. He passed away on June 27th in his sleep. He was laid to rest July 1st, next to my grandmother, who also passed away from cancer five years ago...and now that damned cup song is playing and I'm remembering my brother and a bawling heap was not how I wanted this post to go. I miss them, but that's not how any of them lived and not how they'd want for anyone else...so something terrible but funny.<br />
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Work...lady, you and your bf might share things as a couple, but single stall public toilets (that really aren't public, we're just nice like that) shouldn't be one of them, and bf, I don't know who you're fooling, but that door wasn't broken when you went in there, thanks for ruining my day, but you're not using me as an excuse to get out of work. Yeah, hun, I'm a little frustrated, I didn't really have time to take the hinges off the door and wait for a repair man today, but I'm sorry it shows, thanks for noticing, now go on back to your work-site...yeah, I heard why you wanted to use my cell phone, but I've got tall co-workers with hammers...we got this. Oh, and thanks, we got about a weeks worth of jokes out of the whole thing too, almost makes up for the lost half a day.<br />
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Nor the most painful...did you know eczema could wrap all the way around your hand, I do now. But that wasn't the part that really hurt, I haven't been able to make much of anything for nearly four weeks because instead of an intense itch, it burns like a sunburn. all. the. time. and hurts like a fresh callus when I try to grip anything, and has made my joints swell and my fingers go completely numb. Just on one hand, my right hand, my dominate hand...grrrr.<br />
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Everything on the mend now though, finger's crossed.</div>
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Man, I had no idea how much I depended on my computer. I love you Asus.</div>
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And now I can finally check out the <a href="https://www.joomag.com/magazine/creative-spark-summer-2015/0475079001435699601" target="_blank">Summer Creative Spark</a>...not available on mobile :( , and share with those of you who are still here even though I haven't posted in eons. And then I will post my projects in more detail in a separate post, hopefully tomorrow night. The above link is directly to the e-mag, but you can also check out <a href="http://znetshows.blogspot.com/">Znetshows.blogspot.com</a> for all the latest involving the Znetshows news and design team projects, including past and present editions of Creative Spark, an e-mag sponsored by <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a> that primarily features their exclusive and lovely <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/sea_glass_beads.asp" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass Beads</a> and put together by the multi talented Hope Smitherman of <a href="http://craftyhope.blogspot.com/">Craftyhope.blogspot.com</a>. If you haven't checked them out yet, you have to. Like, right after you check out the e-magazine.</div>
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So glad I'm back online properly, I missed you.<br />
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Damn it, now they're playing See You Again, I'm turning the radio off.</div>
Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-70243349124798967962015-02-22T19:49:00.001-05:002015-02-22T19:49:26.985-05:00New Creative Spark Here's a link to the new edition of Creative Spark from <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a> and the design team. I'll have a more in depth post about my beads and what I worked on soon. I've lost a friend and coworker this weekend and honestly, I just don't have the energy to go in depth.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="272px" hspace="0" name="Joomag_embed_c60c2bb6-c92e-4c62-bf13-c32fbab72116" src="http://www.joomag.com/magazine/creative-spark-fall-2014-winter-2015/0004939001423672452?p=1&e=1&embedInfo=;image,%2F%2Fd25ow0ysq5ykrj.cloudfront.net%2Fponch%2Fflash%2Fgui%2Fthemes%2Fbackgrounds%2Fwood2.png,fill" style="height: 272px; width: 420px;" vspace="0" width="420px"></iframe>Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-62452082646531069302014-11-12T01:19:00.001-05:002014-11-12T01:19:44.235-05:00Strange goings on...Well, it seems I was signed up for a challenge hosted by Rita of Jewel School friends...<a href="http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2014/08/falling-on-edge-of-october-design.html" target="_blank">this one</a>...originally scheduled for October. I did send an email stating that I wanted to participate, but I thought I was too late because I never received a reply. I don't know exactly what's going on with the hop, but I did read that <a href="http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2014/10/sparkling-rocks-rescheduled-for.html" target="_blank">this happened</a> to poor Rita, and the hop was rescheduled to take place today, but I was still under the impression that I'd missed the cut...didn't even look at the list, just assumed I wasn't on it. I don't have a bead to work with or a post to share. This afternoon I noticed a increase in traffic sources coming from blogs rather than pins, facebook, twitter, google images, very un-random, and not normal for my stats. Soooo...I followed some of them...and it led me back to the delayed hop post...and Rita has me listed for this Falling on the Edge of October Blog Hop featuring Maryse Fritzsch's Sparkling Rocks beads. Which I could have ordered on my own, but did not :( ...you know, still thinking I was sitting on the sidelines I just figured I'd look at what the participants did with them.<br />
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I did think I was part of the Octoberfest hop, but then my name wasn't on <b><i>that</i></b> list...soooo maybe that's where the mix-up happened...and maybe the tree that landed on Rita's house...which made her have to move house...I think we can cut her some slack.<br />
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I do have some things to share, not really related, but fall inspired. My mother is a quilter, she pulls out and sets up a free standing quilting frame in her living room at the first sign of cold weather. This year she decided to make all 9 of her grandkids a quilt...by hand. She lost her leather thimble, and I just happened to have some leather scraps sitting around from my failed attempt this summer to make leather sandals with sea glass,..that's a whole 'nuther post.<br />
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Three design fails later and...voila!<br />
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As you can see here I reversed the lacing, I don't know why I thought I could do it the other way, and you really need to do both sides at the same time in order to be able to see the holes properly.<br />
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I called my mother and told her I was a genius...I just hope it fits, lol, I measured my own thumb, not hers, lol.</div>
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Also, this happened today....</div>
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Fifty standing earring card displays...only took me two attempts to get this one right after seeing a similar one on Pinterest this afternoon...too bad the Holiday Baazar I was hoping to sell the nearly one hundred pairs of earrings I've been working on since July is taking place a month earlier than usual and I can't attend because I was already scheduled to work :(</div>
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Fifty pairs of earrings ready to go...just in case.</div>
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<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-51950456516547245242014-07-05T13:00:00.001-04:002014-07-05T13:00:15.947-04:00Creative Spark 2014 Summer Challenge and Blog HopI woke up this morning feeling like the Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, but I couldn't remember why. Then it hit me! It's time to check out all the beautiful work the <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/">www.znetshows.com</a> designers did with their Cultured Sea Glass beads and pendants for the <a href="http://joom.ag/55Cb" target="_blank">2014 Creative Spark</a> E-zine challenge! I'm running a bit late, I tried to get this to post last night, but blogger wouldn't load any of my pictures.<br />
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As you may remember, the challenge was to pick two colors from the <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/sea_glass_beads.asp" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass collection</a> from <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/">www.znetshows.com</a>, then create a day/casual piece or set, and a evening/dressy piece or set.<br />
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These were my color choices:<br />
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#37-Medium Amethyst<br />
I received:<br />
S79-B161 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=436&productLine=1&style=0&color=0&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%20Barrel%20Nugget%20Beads&PageNum=1&TotalPages=1&PerPage=20&ItemID=S79-B161" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass barrel beads in opaque purple</a><br />
P23-B37 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=405&productLine=2&style=0&color=0&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%20Bottle-curved%20Diamond%20Square%20Pendants&PageNum=1&TotalPages=2&PerPage=20&ItemID=P23-B37" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass bottle curved diamond square pendants in medium amethyst</a><br />
S62-B37S <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=30&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2037-medium%20Amethyst&PageNum=1&TotalPages=2&PerPage=20&ItemID=S62-B37S" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass oval ring beads in medium amethyst</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpPkPK-ph58/U3JUchHCOqI/AAAAAAAABQs/TCbbTJB-TN0/s1600/DSCF0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpPkPK-ph58/U3JUchHCOqI/AAAAAAAABQs/TCbbTJB-TN0/s1600/DSCF0231.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpPkPK-ph58/U3JUchHCOqI/AAAAAAAABQs/TCbbTJB-TN0/s1600/DSCF0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
#16-Desert Gold<br />
I received:<br />
P23-B16 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=12&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2016-desert%20Gold&PageNum=1&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=P23-B16" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass bottle curved diamond square pendants</a><br />
PMX7-B16 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=12&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2016-desert%20Gold&PageNum=1&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=PMX7-B16" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass fancy ring Pendants free form large hole</a><br />
P51-B16 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=12&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2016-desert%20Gold&PageNum=2&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=P51-B16" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass fish Pendants in desert Gold</a><br />
P49-B16S <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=12&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2016-desert%20Gold&PageNum=3&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=P49-B16S" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass sand dollar pendants in desert gold</a><br />
S77-B17 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=13&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2017-amber&PageNum=1&TotalPages=1&PerPage=20&ItemID=S77-B17" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass teardrop round beads in amber</a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UikPIb0pZ1g/U3JUjbaeI7I/AAAAAAAABQ0/OUWGcM7stfw/s1600/DSCF0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UikPIb0pZ1g/U3JUjbaeI7I/AAAAAAAABQ0/OUWGcM7stfw/s1600/DSCF0229.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
And this was my challenge color: #82 Teal<br />
What I received:<br />
PMX7-B82 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=113&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2082-teal&PageNum=1&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=PMX7-B82" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass fancy ring pendants free form in teal</a><br />
PMX5-B82 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=113&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2082-teal&PageNum=1&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=PMX7-B82" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass free form flat pendants in teal</a><br />
S76-B82 <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itemdetail.asp?ref=itembrowser.asp?StoneType=0&StoneSubType=686&shape=0&productLine=0&style=0&color=113&Keywords=&etc=2501&vendor=0&format=0&extra1=0&extra2=0&extra3=0&PTitle=Sea%20Glass%2082-teal&PageNum=2&TotalPages=3&PerPage=20&ItemID=S76-B82" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass hour glass beads in teal</a><br />
<a href="http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=P48&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">Cultured Sea Glass 37x8mm Teardrop Round Tip Drilled Pendants</a>--these unfortunately have been out of stock since the first time I spied them, but I keep checking, because I really like them.<br />
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And of the pieces I chose for my entries for the Creative Spark E-Zine:<br />
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For casual/day pieces I decided a pair of barefoot sandals were in order, I love walking through the grass or digging my toes in the sand, and my niece absolutely loved these. I asked her to model them for some photos and she refused to take them off after, they do look pretty awesome on her. She's only nine, the same height as me, yet wears a shoe size three sizes larger than me, so I was really checking to see if they'd work for her as well as they did for me. I put all of the weight of the beads at the front and used a lightweight material and clasp, so while it was loose on me, it was still very comfortable and stayed in place at my ankle.<br />
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And these earrings are part of my evening set, I wanted to keep the sea glass as my focal, but give it a little bling treatment. The Chinese tiaria crystal rondelles are from www.znetshows.com also.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkO4DVJnOxQ/U7gblIdRkWI/AAAAAAAABUA/cjzLUHrcMA0/s1600/DSCF0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pkO4DVJnOxQ/U7gblIdRkWI/AAAAAAAABUA/cjzLUHrcMA0/s1600/DSCF0259.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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And more to come, a preview of the pieces I worked on, but weren't what I considered up to Creative Spark standard:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dIfkfwNmvQ/U7gbXee4YVI/AAAAAAAABT4/axgVFhWWXqk/s1600/DSCF0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4dIfkfwNmvQ/U7gbXee4YVI/AAAAAAAABT4/axgVFhWWXqk/s1600/DSCF0531.JPG" height="238" width="320" /> </a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9PvrbsmL4kw/U7gbVEbiHFI/AAAAAAAABTw/wgH9gN_67nQ/s1600/DSCF0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9PvrbsmL4kw/U7gbVEbiHFI/AAAAAAAABTw/wgH9gN_67nQ/s1600/DSCF0527.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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The hourglass beads are wrapped in a hemp cord, and glued in place. I thought I'd like them strung with some of the opaque purple barrel beads, but I didn't much. I do like the long teardrop earrings, and I like the chain on it, but I can't seem to get the placement right, the fine sterling silver chain just doesn't move the way I wanted it to.</div>
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To see better pictures of my pieces please check out the <a href="http://www.joomag.com/magazine/creative-spark-summer-2014/0075497001403105728" target="_blank">Summer 2014 edition of Creative Spark</a>, the <a href="http://znetshows.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Znetshows.com blog</a>, or the link that will be on the right hand side of my blog shortly. </div>
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Also, this is a blog hop, so please check out what all the other designers received and what beautiful pieces they imagined with the always delightfully challenging Cultured Sea Glass from <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/">www.znetshows.com</a>.</div>
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Amy Severino <a href="http://amybeads.blogspot.com/">http://amybeads.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Andrea Trank <a href="http://heavenlanecreations.com/">http://heavenlanecreations.com/</a></div>
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Becky Pancake <a href="http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/">http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Bobbie Rafferty <a href="http://beadsong.blogspot.com/">http://beadsong.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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BR Kuhlman <a href="http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com/">http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Charlie Jacka <a href="http://clay-space.com/blog/">http://clay-space.com/blog/</a></div>
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Christie Murrow <a href="http://www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/">http://www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Christina Miles <a href="http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/">http://wingsnscales.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Christine Stonefield <a href="http://sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com/">http://sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Cynthia Machata <a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/">http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Cynthia Riggs <a href="http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/">http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Donetta Farrington <a href="http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/">http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Hope Smitherman <a href="http://www.craftyhope.com/">http://www.craftyhope.com/</a></div>
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Kashmira Patel <a href="http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/">http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Kathy Lindemer <a href="http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/">http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Kay Thomerson <a href="http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/">http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Kelly Patterson <a href="http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/">http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Lee Koopman <a href="http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/">http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/</a></div>
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Lisa Lodge <a href="http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/">http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Renetha Stanziano <a href="http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/">http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Sandra Washington <a href="http://tothemoonandstarsandback.wordpress.com/">http://tothemoonandstarsandback.wordpress.com/</a></div>
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Shaiha Williams <a href="http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/">http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Sheryl Stephens <a href="http://www.babblebead.blogspot.com/">http://www.babblebead.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Stephanie Haussler <a href="http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/">http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Tammie Everly <a href="http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/">http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/</a></div>
Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-21025633012026860942014-05-28T23:56:00.000-04:002014-05-28T23:56:07.974-04:00Got'em!!!...and not with my fancy shmancy 16 MP Fuji digital camera with all the bells and whistles either. This picture was taken with my four year old 3 MP Android v2.5 (yep, you read that right) LG Optimus smartphone.<br />
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Thanks for pollinating the black raspberries little dude.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L38Y2lEQsmI/U4auiUEv40I/AAAAAAAABSk/4ckCijXiwMo/s1600/IMG_20140520_142003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L38Y2lEQsmI/U4auiUEv40I/AAAAAAAABSk/4ckCijXiwMo/s1600/IMG_20140520_142003.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-15676540954572884732014-05-13T13:28:00.001-04:002014-05-13T13:28:27.095-04:00Znetshows Summer challengeWith the BSBP still under way I forgot to let you know about the new <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a> project, a new summer E-zine featuring their line of colorful sea glass. The theme is Summer Days and Nights, and we're asked to make two to four pieces/sets, one or two for each aspect of the theme, casual days and glamorous nights. We were allowed to choose two colors, and were warned that we may receive another color with the ones we chose.<br />
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I chose Medium Amethyst and Dark Amber, I'll break down the pieces for you in another post, but I couldn't decide which was my day and which was my night, but I knew I had to have these.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNQXsC-RqN0/U3JUUXkujmI/AAAAAAAABQg/Qo2yhRhorhc/s1600/DSCF0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNQXsC-RqN0/U3JUUXkujmI/AAAAAAAABQg/Qo2yhRhorhc/s1600/DSCF0230.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was the curve ball, the funny thing is, I had tried to order those top drilled long teardrops about a week before I got these and they were completely out of every color...but the aqua is what I wanted, lol.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UikPIb0pZ1g/U3JUjbaeI7I/AAAAAAAABQw/8ELRlcF04RM/s1600/DSCF0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UikPIb0pZ1g/U3JUjbaeI7I/AAAAAAAABQw/8ELRlcF04RM/s1600/DSCF0229.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've already started working on my pieces, look at just how cool they look together, and so summery, I can't wait to show you what I'm doing with them.<br />
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<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-54233531907121970852014-05-10T14:14:00.000-04:002014-05-10T14:14:01.536-04:00Bead Soup Blog Party 8: It's reveal time!As I've posted before, I'm participating in Lori Anderson's BSBP again. This year's group is again almost 400 participants, the amazing thing about this is that we only had one day to sign up! The most astounding part about this party, though, is that Lori managed to continue it in spite of the fact that she's still fighting for her health. Honestly, being sick most of the time myself, I don't know how she does it. I'll admit, I struggled with this one myself and barely got it done...just under the wire. I've been so exhausted lately staying up till midnight was just out of the question. I haven't had more than 30 hits to my blog so far so I'm encouraged that maybe I'm not the only one that didn't stay up for the midnight blog post/read/comment blitzkrieg this year.<div>
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I want to thank <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lori</a>; our fearless hostess, <a href="http://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kim Hutchinson</a>, my beady exchange partner, please visit her blog to see what I sent her and what lovely things she made with them; and all of you, my fellow BSBP'ers.</div>
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But without further ado: What I did with Kim's generous helping of bead soup.</div>
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I just fell in love with these silk ribbons, I think I focused too much on them, but I just couldn't help it, they're gorgeous.</div>
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This anklet was the first piece I made, I just loved the texture and the color, and so I changed the chain on the clasp so I didn't have to cut any of the ribbon.</div>
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This piece though, was the first piece I planned and the only one that looks nothing like I intended. I knew right from the start that the loop on my clasp was going to be my bail, but figuring out how to do that drove me to distraction. I don't I've ever spent so much time on a piece that turned out so simple. And then, we were given another week, instead of finishing the earrings I wanted to do with those awesome grey matte beads in the beaded bead on the right....I took this one apart. Yep, I spent nearly a month trying to knot and tie and sew that beautiful pendant to that "bail" and then took it off in the 11th hour....and then lost it. I found it late last night, sighed with relief, and went straight to bed, lol. </div>
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So there you have it, I had fun, and I hope you did too. Now go check out what Kim did with my soup. After Kim's, I'm going to go around to all your blogs and see what you sent, what you got, and what you did with it. Happy hopping my beady peeps!</div>
Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-41556629167726941032014-04-30T18:24:00.000-04:002014-04-30T18:24:09.261-04:00A delayOh yea! I get another week to come up with a piece or two for the BSBP 8. I already have four pieces done, but Kim (my bead soup partner this year) sent me so much, I'll be using these beads for a long while. I wish I could give you a teaser...but I don't have any...so you'll just have to wait...like the rest of us, lol. <div>
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I was going to post a picture of the adorable bumble bees pollinating my mother's bush, but they wouldn't stay still...buggers. I only got pictures of they're backsides or blurry images of them hovering while they were moving from bloom to bloom.</div>
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But here's a pretty successful image of the weird cloud formations at the tail end of some storms that blew over us at 45 MPH with hardly so much as a drizzle.</div>
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I'll be back on the 10th of May for my reveal, and please keep Lori in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to fight for her heath and well being.</div>
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-11734273035258726932014-03-26T02:23:00.001-04:002014-03-26T02:23:40.665-04:008th Bead Soup Blog PartySo the 8th edition of <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank">Lori Anderson</a>'s <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bead Soup Blog Party</a> is officially underway. We've all received our partners (and hopefully our beads).<br />
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My bead swap partner for this round is Kim Hutchinson, a very talented mixed media artist. Please check out her blog at <a href="http://www.jumbledhutch.wordpress.com/">www.jumbledhutch.wordpress.com</a><br />
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These are the beads and extra goodies that Kim so graciously sent to me for our swap.<br />
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I've already dug into the cinnamon bears, I had no idea Jelly belly even made those, yummm.<br />
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This was what I found inside the tin, I love how the beads are all subdued colors and the sari silk is vibrant and bold.<br />
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The required elements; as per BSBP rules, there must be a focal and a clasp in each soup, and those are the only two pieces we receive from our partners that absolutely must be used. Kim made the focal in my soup, isn't it lovely?<br />
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The hand dyed sari silk ribbon is, I think, the only thing that might give me pause...I know it's expensive, and I know it's fragile, and I know I'm going to have to do some research on how to treat it properly....but aren't those colors fabulous!<br />
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And these are the complementing beads, I already know what I want to do with the matte grey hexi seed beads in the upper right corner, but if I can pull it off, those dark metalic purple match a leaf in the focal and one of the silk ribbons.<br />
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I'm going to go ahead and post what I sent Kim, she's gotten them, just not posted photos as of yet, I'm hoping her's come out better than mine did. I didn't do a great job of getting them lined up and focused.<br />
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This is most of it, though not all. There was another strip of black leather cord, about 6ft at least. And I forgot to add the 4 mm matte white sea glass rondelles to the pile before I started snapping pictures.<br />
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I sent her one focal really, but also two minor focals instead of my usual two clasps, you'll see why in the next photo. These were handmade by me using white polymer clay, homemade alcohol ink, and then coated in Ice Resin. I used a stamp for the image, in fact the same stamp was used for all three pieces, just turned this way and that to get different impressions.<br />
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The clasp is also handmade by me, using 20 and 34 gauge bright copper wire and 2 mm tourmaline. I really wanted to be sure that she used this clasp, so I only sent her the one...not that I thought she might not like it, but it is kind of weird looking if you stare at it too long.<br />
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I sent some 4 mm tourmaline to go with the clasp, and the greens and pinks go well with the dark purple of the focals.<br />
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These are some of my favorite beads from <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a>, Chinese Tiaria crystal rondelles. I barely had any sunlight that day and yet just look at how much they sparkle!<br />
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These are just some garnet chips to tie in the color on the focal with the rest of the beads, you couldn't tell it in the light I had to work with, but the color on the focals are that deep purple/brown color of these gemstones.<br />
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I sent her some findings as well, the brown in most of these photos is actually a scrap of suede leather. There is also an unfinished 16 inch cord necklace hand wrapped in bright copper; two 3 inch lengths of bright copper chain; bright copper cord crimps to go with the two pieces of black leather cord; and two pairs of handmade petite french earwires.<br />
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Please come back to see what I come up with using Kim's bead soup. And check out <a href="http://www.jumbledhutch.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kim's blog</a> for more about her art and jewelry, and to see what she makes with the bead soup I sent her. For a list of all the participants, and more about the BSBP, please visit Lori's blogs <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Things</a>, and <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pretty Things-Bead Soup Blog Party</a>. Also you can check out what a lot of what the participants have swapped by browsing the Pinterest page set up just for the <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/8th-bead-soup-blog-party/" target="_blank">BSBP8</a>.<br />
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The reveal and blog hop is on May 3rd, don't miss it!<br />
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-91430377796994959302014-02-15T13:13:00.002-05:002014-02-15T13:13:54.272-05:00An open letter to Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was the first major snowfall we had this year, January 5th.</div>
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Isn't it just beautiful? I stayed with my mother because we knew this was coming, and she lives less than a block from where I work. It was completely clear when I went into work, but this was my walk back to her house at around 3:45 that afternoon.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h5YL6UGv_1s/Uv-hCdtNkOI/AAAAAAAABKQ/Q2m_MKv192I/s1600/IMG_20140105_154009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h5YL6UGv_1s/Uv-hCdtNkOI/AAAAAAAABKQ/Q2m_MKv192I/s1600/IMG_20140105_154009.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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The temperature dropped into negative double digits and we ended up in a deep freeze.<br />
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...and this never melted...</div>
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...and we've gotten several more inches on top of this...<br />
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...with black ice...</div>
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...and pot holes...</div>
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...cars that don't want to start...</div>
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...trashcans frozen in place...</div>
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...and $300 heat bills...</div>
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ATTENTION: </div>
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AN OPEN LETTER TO WINTER</div>
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I'm done with you.</div>
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I've loved you for 37 years, but now it's over. My hair is so dry it's breaking off in places, and my skin is so dry it's cracking...literally. My knuckles look and feel like I've been in a fist fight, red and swollen and caked in blood. I draw the line at violence.</div>
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Please pack your bags and leave.</div>
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<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-29475735054284521672013-11-10T02:17:00.001-05:002014-01-26T00:23:20.792-05:007000 Bracelets for Hope with Znetshows.comAs I mentioned in a blog post last week, I was invited to take part in the latest <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshow.com</a> lightening round challenge. <br />
The challenge for this particular lightening round was to choose just two blue beads from Znetshows catalog, and with those selections, design and donate bracelets for <a href="http://http//globalgenes.org/">The Global Genes Project</a>'s <a href="http://http//globalgenes.org/7000-bracelets-for-hope/">7000 Bracelets for Hope</a> campagn. <br />
Please click on the links, I tried to summarize their mission, but I think it's best if you read for yourself. I'd heard about them about a year ago and with my own family's connection to rare and genetic diseases I felt a need to contribute. Before I was invited to this challenge, I'd ordered several Chinese Tiaria crystal rondelles in blue and white from <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a>, whith the intention of donating to the campaign. So I've added a picture of what I've done with some of those beads too. My choices for this lightening round are the teal blue coin beads and the smokey blue 3mm rondelle beads. Which I paired with denim strips, with snap closures, to represent the Global Genes awareness ribbon. There are a total of 16 bracelets so far, five teal coin, two white coin, one butterfly, and eight stretch bracelets. I want to make a few more (I have enough smokey blue beads to make just one more butterfly, but I still have nine teal coin beads left) before I send them off. <br />
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-5174362197134105862013-11-05T00:41:00.000-05:002013-11-05T00:41:29.844-05:00Creative Spark Glossie Fall Edition pre-post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
First I'd like to thank everyone for the kind replies to my last post, it's going to take time, I know that, and I'm grateful to know so many who understand. I miss my brother, I always will, a part of me will always want to scream and yell, and cry out loud at the whole world as if it were someone's fault. I have questions. I have regrets. And I have hope. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. </div>
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Jeff lived life the the fullest, and I plan to follow his example. He was a creator too, that's our connection. Occasionally he would ask me about my jewelry work, he worked with hemp and beads, knot work, micro macrame. I'll never have the physical strength to finish the pieces he left behind. But my mother insisted I take them anyway. To try. </div>
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First, I'm trying to pull myself back into the creative mindset. I've followed the last two challenges from Znetshows.com, but without participating. This summer, the <a href="http://znetshows.blogspot.com/2013/09/introducing-creative-spark.html" target="_blank">Znetshows Design team put together a Glossi, called Creative Spark</a>, an online magazine featuring the products from Znetshows.com, using a theme, "Rings and Bling" and a select group of Znetshows design team members. The next edition of Creative Spark, the fall/winter edition, for which the theme is Pearls, I've been asked to participate. </div>
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These are my bead choices. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZhQ7pr5OYA/Um9HosEtC9I/AAAAAAAABHc/T7ywZjG761o/s1600/IMG_20131019_142028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FZhQ7pr5OYA/Um9HosEtC9I/AAAAAAAABHc/T7ywZjG761o/s400/IMG_20131019_142028.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=BDS1894&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">BDS1894-21 Glass pearls round beads O -Black K0808 (16mm)</a></div>
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These big black pearls are enormous, heavy, and solid. Like tiny bowling balls. I love them!!</div>
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This picture is a bit deceiving, these pearls are quite small, and very slate gray sky cold...or are they glittering frozen dew? Melt from an icicle hanging from the boughs? <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KlTvXozQ-g/Um9JxexT-eI/AAAAAAAABH0/cvG3YMOUB6w/s1600/IMG_20131019_142316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KlTvXozQ-g/Um9JxexT-eI/AAAAAAAABH0/cvG3YMOUB6w/s640/IMG_20131019_142316.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=BDS1795&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">BDS1795-37 Glass pearls round beads O -Hemitite K0958 (3mm)</a></div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=BDS1867&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">BDS1867-08 Glass pearls teardrop round beads O -Grey K0357 (7x5mm)</a></div>
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My non pearl choices: to compliment and accentuate the pearls.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ifTACoXy-M/Um9Hbbc1GxI/AAAAAAAABHY/y2ftafhPacg/s1600/IMG_20131019_141803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ifTACoXy-M/Um9Hbbc1GxI/AAAAAAAABHY/y2ftafhPacg/s640/IMG_20131019_141803.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=Chain01&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">MO529-AS Base metal alloy necklace antique silvertone</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=RS135&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">RS202-123 Designer glass nugget beads faceted varies Meridian Blue semi-transparent blue coating</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtnXqOI4QiU/Um9G69oex3I/AAAAAAAABHI/D13j-tPvFpY/s1600/IMG_20131019_141641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QtnXqOI4QiU/Um9G69oex3I/AAAAAAAABHI/D13j-tPvFpY/s640/IMG_20131019_141641.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And for the next post, Hope has put together 'lightning rounds', challenges with a quick turnaround. I've started a post with my choices and pieces, but I'd like to post it as one post and I'm still working on a couple of pieces. The aim of this lightning round is to make bracelets for the organization Global Genes Project and thier <a href="http://globalgenes.org/7000-bracelets-for-hope/" target="_blank">7000 Bracelets For Hope</a> campagn, who offer hope, encouragement, and blue bracelets to patients and families who suffer from rare and genetic diseases. I'd already planned a donation, and ordered several blue beads from Znetshows.com before I was invited to this challenge and so I have a lot to work with. I'll have that post up soon.</div>
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-5445058767239197252013-10-04T03:05:00.000-04:002013-10-04T03:05:21.637-04:00LostI apologize for my absence, it's not that I haven't been creating, I have. In fact, it's the only thing that brings me peace right now. It's now the only connection I have to my youngest brother, who passed away suddenly on August 20th at the age of 33. I have no words to express how much this hurts. I know, logically, that everyone suffers the loss of loved ones, that dying is a part of living. And because I was able to accept this fact when my grandfather, father, and grandmother each passed away, I believed I had a solid grasp of this concept. Even when my junior high friend died from a thoughtless gang related game, I knew that the grief would pass, and life would move forward as it's meant to. But there are days now when I just can't wrap my mind around how the world continues as if there's nothing missing.<br />
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It breaks my heart that this is the last photo taken of all of us together, and it's about 15 years old.</div>
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I miss you so much baby brother.</div>
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-79812426357419616722013-08-12T10:45:00.001-04:002013-08-12T10:45:21.460-04:00Win a $250.00 Etsy Gift Card!!!Who couldn't use $250 just to spend on handcrafted goodies, right? Click the link to enter (via Facebook). Then share so that all your friends can enter too.<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/16KWehD">http://bit.ly/16KWehD</a><br />
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And hey, if you win, accept Etsy gift cards in my Etsy shop ;)Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-50100440809987721612013-08-03T14:18:00.000-04:002013-08-03T14:18:00.740-04:00Jewelry Clasp InspirationI saw <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/266275396691558595/" target="_blank">this</a> clasp on Pinterest and couldn't resist an inspiration version, of course, inspiration pieces are never quite as good as the original, but I like it none the less.<br />
The base is 20 gauge copper wire, with 32 gauge copper wire wrapped around and woven through with 2 mm multi-hued pink and green tourmaline beads.<br />
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<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-78044866663041770662013-08-02T14:13:00.000-04:002013-08-02T14:13:17.553-04:00Polymer clay adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some polymer clay beads my niece and I have been working on this summer</div>
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<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-36183666202615467052013-07-28T02:14:00.001-04:002013-07-28T02:14:52.493-04:00More Butterflies<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwaBZre4bUU/UfS23eMWCLI/AAAAAAAABCg/Dx2t4D-3XRo/s1600/IMG_20130728_021216-792494.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CwaBZre4bUU/UfS23eMWCLI/AAAAAAAABCg/Dx2t4D-3XRo/s320/IMG_20130728_021216-792494.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5905546075503462578" /></a></p>Testing the email to blog option<br>Sent from my LG phoneKlaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-59148731521575862002013-07-13T02:45:00.001-04:002013-07-13T02:45:21.855-04:00Znetshows.com Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway, the reveal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">OMG!!! What a disappointing week. I've only been able to get online just now (litterally, got off the phone with a tech in India at 12:01 AM this morning) since a power outage knocked out the power to my computer (my entire living room to be precise) last Thursday. My luck since has been along the same vien. But without my computer or TV, I've managed to read six books since messing up my left shoulder, making it impossible to at least finish the pieces I had only half begun before the due date.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Just a reminder, I've participated in a new challenge this summer. The <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a> Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway was due last Saturday...yeah, <i>last</i> Saturday. You have no idea how disapointed I am not to have been online for the hop. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">So here's how it worked: Hope Smitherman sent out emails asking those of us who've been part of the Znetshows.com design team if we'd like to take part in a partner's challenge. We were asked to pick out seven items from a list to be sent to our partners using an inspiration photo of the beach. When we received our beads, we would then design pieces inspired by the beach.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">My partner is the very talented Bee Kuhlman of <a href="http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mixed Mayhem Studios</a> and you should really check out what she's put together from the photo I chose from the <a href="http://pinterest.com/znetshows/" target="_blank">Znetshows.com Pinterest</a> inspiration board. And the <a href="http://znetshows.blogspot.com/2013/07/partner-picks-summer-challenge-and.html" target="_blank">ZnetShows blog</a> for the other reveals and the details of a very generous giveaway.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">And so, these are the beads that I was lucky enough to work with.</span></div>
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The links will take you directly to the items from their shop.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlS3uUhbnp8/UdeEwNaz9RI/AAAAAAAAA9M/rC_58f6eXd8/s1600/IMG_20130702_202444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vlS3uUhbnp8/UdeEwNaz9RI/AAAAAAAAA9M/rC_58f6eXd8/s400/IMG_20130702_202444.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=TiariaMixes&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">zmx-17-01</a> Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle beads faceted Waterfall mix</div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=S45&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">S45-B31SFIVE</a> cultured sea glass square nugget bead</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orA8IeIK3Wg/UdeFSF1Tz5I/AAAAAAAAA9U/vDOYIKz0ndw/s1600/IMG_20130702_202335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orA8IeIK3Wg/UdeFSF1Tz5I/AAAAAAAAA9U/vDOYIKz0ndw/s400/IMG_20130702_202335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=BDS1617&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">BDS1617-18FIVE</a> Glass pearls round beads Kahaki color 4mm </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQ5XJcordK8/UdeEQVHofEI/AAAAAAAAA9E/zvEcwxjXSps/s1600/IMG_20130702_202157-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQ5XJcordK8/UdeEQVHofEI/AAAAAAAAA9E/zvEcwxjXSps/s400/IMG_20130702_202157-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/itembrowser.asp?Format=2&Keywords=M0314-AB" target="_blank">M0314-AB</a> vine toggle clasps</div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/itembrowser.asp?Format=2&Keywords=M0078-AB" target="_blank">M0078-AB</a> Base Metal Aloy charm conch shell 30x15mm</div>
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and</div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/itembrowser.asp?Format=2&Keywords=M0124-AB" target="_blank">M0124-AB</a> Base metal aloy coin beads spiral battern 10mm</div>
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And somehow I missed taking a photo of these, but you can see them in the designs pretty clearly</div>
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<a href="http://znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=BDS1837&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">BDS1837-02</a> Fire agate round beads dyed blue 6mm</div>
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And these are the pieces I was able to finish by Saturday July 6th</div>
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A Midsummer circlet</div>
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Crocheted Bracelet</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGSUyOvTkmQ/UeDujyKFC_I/AAAAAAAAA-E/SJgLk5TcqZg/s1600/IMG_20130708_194815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGSUyOvTkmQ/UeDujyKFC_I/AAAAAAAAA-E/SJgLk5TcqZg/s400/IMG_20130708_194815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was actually the last piece I did. I was getting annoyed by the 'permanently colored' wire I was using flaking off as I manipulated it, I plan to redo the following pieces with actual brass wire when I get it. they'll look so much better with the brass chain.</div>
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My wrist doesn't tapper like most, so it's a little tighter than it would be on most people.</div>
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Earrings</div>
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Necklace, the original idea was beach wedding, but I kind of like the beachy casual of the crocheted design better.</div>
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I thought it would be interesting to have the clasp in the front.</div>
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The set</div>
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Since I gave up on the wire, I'd started on a pair of crocheted barefoot sandals to match the bracelet, but just typing is killing me and I keep having to take breaks, so I have to finish it later and post it after a short break from jewelry making.</div>
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Please visit the <a href="http://znetshows.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Znetshows.com blog</a> for all the of the other partner reveals. Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-55135330238213153382013-06-11T13:15:00.001-04:002013-06-11T13:15:07.223-04:00'Cause I'm a sucker for a challenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Still working on those bracelets for the boys...and I've got my beads for the Znetshows June challenge...but why not a few more, right?</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyt5UhrTRHo/UbdEWHV2_YI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/G0_GCmlGr7w/s1600/Inspiration+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyt5UhrTRHo/UbdEWHV2_YI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/G0_GCmlGr7w/s400/Inspiration+photo+2.jpg" width="262" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">June challenge inspiration photo (I'd love to credit the photo if anyone knows where it came from, it wasn't credited on Pinterest)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GV7IfiYMOqw/UbdE7Qg8gVI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ary4EGzKfGY/s1600/IMG_20130610_124628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GV7IfiYMOqw/UbdE7Qg8gVI/AAAAAAAAA4g/ary4EGzKfGY/s400/IMG_20130610_124628.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The beads I received from Znetshows that Bee picked using the beach photo above for inspiration.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1otARGc-xk/UbdaEQzfUFI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/95aWysK8JIs/s1600/Inspiration+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1otARGc-xk/UbdaEQzfUFI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/95aWysK8JIs/s1600/Inspiration+photo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't forget to check out Bee Kuhlman's blog <a href="http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mixed Mayhem Studios</a> to see what I picked out using this photo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This challenge is to be paired with another beader from the Znetshows.com design team; choose from a list of hundreds of their beautiful beads seven items to be sent to our partner: one stone, one glass pearl, one sea glass, one crystal, one base metal, and two of our own choice; and then create beach themed pieces with what we are sent, and post on our blogs by July 6th.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then...yesterday I was asked by a friend if I could create a circlet by June 21st for a Midsummer event she's participating in.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLAXTX4AQXI/UbdMghZB0nI/AAAAAAAAA4w/7GjUipN5Zxg/s1600/IMG_20130611_000944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLAXTX4AQXI/UbdMghZB0nI/AAAAAAAAA4w/7GjUipN5Zxg/s400/IMG_20130611_000944.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">an unfinished braided bracelet using the red Tiaria Chinese crystal rondelles from Znetshows.com </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'd already been working on more of those braided bracelets, only with a double strand of wire, which I believe is called a Celtic braid, which I sent her photos of, and she loved. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=circlet&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=rlC3UZqnH8TdyAGz_IDABQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=653#imgrc=_" target="_blank">Here</a> are some ideas of what kind of circlet she needs. As soon as she asked, ideas were running through my mind, but I looked it up anyway, just to be sure I was on the right track...and that I wasn't getting myself in over my head. And I thought maybe I could do both as a combined challenge with my Znetshows design challenge. I asked for her color preferences and sent her a photo of my beads, and she agreed that the blues were good. It was so awesome and exciting, and I couldn't get to sleep till after 4 AM.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then I saw early this morning that the winner of the last challenge on the facebook group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeadSoupCafe/" target="_blank">Bead Soup Cafe</a> had posted her challenge and photo for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeadSoupCafe/doc/606582189366625/" target="_blank">8th Non-blogger, blogger challenge</a> (which of course I promptly signed up for today).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You'll never guess the theme.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Seriously, you won't believe it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">OMG-</span>Renaissance!!!<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmty9FIUhfk/UbdO9nEMEUI/AAAAAAAAA5A/66ZEKcbWhzM/s1600/fb+bead+soup+cafe+inspiration+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmty9FIUhfk/UbdO9nEMEUI/AAAAAAAAA5A/66ZEKcbWhzM/s640/fb+bead+soup+cafe+inspiration+photo.jpg" width="251" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Awesome!! Due July 14th</span></div>
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Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-59731833286876879382013-06-07T13:22:00.001-04:002013-06-07T13:22:55.555-04:00The boys want braceletsMonday I was at my Mother's for Memorial day, we'd decided on a cookout, even though it was rainy all day, it came out OK though. After everyone had eaten, I'd cleaned up and done the dishes while everyone moved to the living room to chat and catch up. I started getting kinda bored (and as my brother get's older, he gets louder, lol) so I moved to the dining room and pulled out my bag of sea glass from <a href="http://znetshows.com/">Znetshows.com</a>. First, my brother's daughter started watching me wrap some wire around a tusk, then quietly asked if they were going to be earrings...she collects earrings like my sister's daughter collects shoes, the more the better.<br />
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Then the boys followed.<br />
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All three started going through the beads, picking them up, turning them around between their fingers, holding them up to the light. Asking how I did it, where'd I learn to make jewelry, how did I know what to do with the beads and the wire. Josh and Danny were facinated by the viking knit anklet I was working on. I had no idea they'd be so interested, their parents had to pry them away when they were ready to go...but not before they picked out the beads they liked and asked for their own jewelry. I tried to talk them out of bracelets, but they want viking knit bracelets with pendants...but not Kadyn he's been tramatized by a too small wire bracelet, so he just wants a plain one with only the small blue starfish button bead.<br />
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In other developments, I forgot that I'd finished an anklet with some of the beads that I got recently from Bill at Znetshows.com. I think it slipped my mind because it didn't really work out so well...then I attempted another that still didn't work out so well...and then another...I was on a roll, I guess I wasn't meant to do anklets this season apparently. Here are those:<br />
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The Anklet FAILS</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCz21GBqueI/UbIK_U6_lQI/AAAAAAAAA3w/2mTpekfz6Fc/s1600/IMG_20130520_184953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCz21GBqueI/UbIK_U6_lQI/AAAAAAAAA3w/2mTpekfz6Fc/s400/IMG_20130520_184953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was actually the first piece I made, it fits, it's comfy, but it's so fuzzy you can't see the blue crystal beads very well, and the bottle shard twits till it comes out of the knotted loop.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4X7tNGIShmE/UbIKz0Fr2yI/AAAAAAAAA3s/XLgdXEPEmjg/s1600/IMG_20130528_032024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4X7tNGIShmE/UbIKz0Fr2yI/AAAAAAAAA3s/XLgdXEPEmjg/s400/IMG_20130528_032024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The viking knit I made for BSBP7, but it didn't work...and neither do those dangles, wayyy too long, they touch the floor when I put it on, lol. I think their new mini conch shell beads would work though, I'll have to let you know when I order some.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRbfxIW7XMI/UbIPP8VTfEI/AAAAAAAAA4A/_wEJzO9YrsI/s1600/IMG_20130607_124159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRbfxIW7XMI/UbIPP8VTfEI/AAAAAAAAA4A/_wEJzO9YrsI/s400/IMG_20130607_124159.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I think this one needs jump rings or something between the links, because it keeps twisting on me when I try to add wire wrapped sea glass, and it ends up laying the wrong way. And, I can't seem to figure out how to add them to the double link chain without it kinking up on me.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t6dJbP3vJ0/UbIPRhqs0vI/AAAAAAAAA4I/FYDKRbKyy9Q/s1600/IMG_20130607_124353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1t6dJbP3vJ0/UbIPRhqs0vI/AAAAAAAAA4I/FYDKRbKyy9Q/s400/IMG_20130607_124353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one isn't exactly a failure, it just didn't end up long enough to be an anklet. I didn't cut enough wire to make the clasp at the end of the wire and still have enough length for an ankle, but it works as a bangle bracelet.</div>
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I think if I can redo the knot in the first one, it's salvageable. The middle two are going to be do overs, the last one I'll just keep playing around with. </div>
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All of the beads in these pieces came from Znetshows.com. The sea glass I've highlighted before, but the last one is made using 3mm glass pearls, which they have tons of, in several sizes and colors at great prices.</div>
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Oh, yeah!!...and I've been asked if I'd like to participate in the Znetshows June challenge. We're being partnered for this one, and instead of choosing from our own stash, we were given a file from which to choose beads from their stock to be sent to our partners, and a <a href="http://pinterest.com/znetshows/design-inspiration/" target="_blank">pinterest board</a> of photos to inspire us. I chose <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/418905202810061097/" target="_blank">this</a> photo as my inspiration for choosing beads for my partner Bee Kuhlman of <a href="http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mixed Mayhem Studios</a>, and she chose <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_2027920671"></span>this<span id="goog_2027920672"></span></a> one. So. Much. Fun!!! Stay tuned for details.</div>
Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-24095536772879624232013-05-17T01:44:00.000-04:002013-05-17T01:44:20.832-04:00New additions to the Sea glass collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I need to update my tools, you can see the tool marks on my swirls :(</div>
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but since I made them for me, I guess I won't return them, lol</div>
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Sea glass tusk stud earrings</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0ugecRvvdk/UZW2XVA9FPI/AAAAAAAAA24/lq3UFD_RWsU/s1600/IMG_20130516_125526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0ugecRvvdk/UZW2XVA9FPI/AAAAAAAAA24/lq3UFD_RWsU/s400/IMG_20130516_125526.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The studs are at an upward angle on purpose. I tried a straight out 90 degree stud, curved ear wire, french style ear wire, and straight slanting down stud, and this slightly upward angle was the only way to keep the top heavy <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=123&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=1&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20tusk%20Beads" target="_blank">cultured sea glass tusk</a> from leaning forward at a steep angle. </div>
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Each earring is wrapped in one solid four inch piece of 20 gauge copper colored art wire, which includes the ear wire stud. </div>
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I'm going to do a few in sterling silver as soon as I replace my stash of 22 gauge, 20 gauge is just a bit big. And these tusks come in different lengths and shapes and some have holes that run along the longer side of the tusk, so that the flatter side would be in the front, making it possible to play with the wire placement.</div>
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right side view/left front view</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn2IXnhL4sA/UZW2ZgxLtEI/AAAAAAAAA3I/ZFTHQHY4PJM/s1600/IMG_20130516_125546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jn2IXnhL4sA/UZW2ZgxLtEI/AAAAAAAAA3I/ZFTHQHY4PJM/s400/IMG_20130516_125546.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Crocheted cuff bracelet</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBTNRpMi5XA/UZW2YeQmXTI/AAAAAAAAA3A/cH7H9xASp44/s1600/IMG_20130516_141915-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBTNRpMi5XA/UZW2YeQmXTI/AAAAAAAAA3A/cH7H9xASp44/s400/IMG_20130516_141915-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's weird, but I like it. you might recognize the technique, I used to do this with wire wrapped rings and 34 guage wire. I thought the white crochet thread was much more nautical looking with the <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=415&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=1&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20starfish%20small%20Beads" target="_blank">sea glass starfish buttons</a> and <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=395&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=1&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20ring%20Beads" target="_blank">sea glass bottle ring</a>. If I could read or write a crochet pattern I'd share this. I'm working on another with an orange sea glass bottle ring with the same blue <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/Retail/group5.asp?ProductCode=BDS1923&vendorkey=4&NavbarFlag=1" target="_blank">glass rice pearls</a> in this bracelet. The reason I didn't share this on Monday is because of all the strings...it was done...except for the strings sticking out all over. I love to crochet, but I hate tucking in the strings, it's stupid, I know. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GMQYJUBq1c/UZW2ZzUWrmI/AAAAAAAAA3M/I_mmOdh6n7Y/s1600/IMG_20130516_141943-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9GMQYJUBq1c/UZW2ZzUWrmI/AAAAAAAAA3M/I_mmOdh6n7Y/s400/IMG_20130516_141943-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It closes with tiny little buttons on the back. I'm going to have to get more of these rings, i have sooo many ideas...seriously, there are endless possibilities with these beautiful beads.</div>
Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6918700528531300121.post-23998171568587137602013-05-14T00:18:00.001-04:002013-05-14T00:18:32.783-04:00Znetshows.com 30 Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in April I was working on my main BSBP7 piece and decided I wanted to take it apart and start new, and use some links that I had made a few months ago to go with links I was making specifically for the piece. They were in a box my sister had given me to keep and carry my finished pieces...an old matchbox car box my nephew never used. I went looking for the box and over the course of two days went from bewilderment to complete insanity. I called everyone who might have seen it. Then made an album on Facebook (which I then shared ALL over facebook) of the pieces that were in the box. I was heart broken. I seriously believed someone had come into my apartment and stolen just my finished pieces of jewelry. I shared the album on the Bead soup cafe group page and Bill Zhang of Znetshows.com, among a few others, offered to send me beads to help me rebuild my collection. I told them I was ok in beads, just really upset at losing my collection, I received the beads a few days later anyway, and I think two or three days later I found my collection...under a chair I recall looking under at least twice. Weird. I felt terrible though, so I offered to pay for them, and he suggested a challenge instead:<br />
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Five designs in thirty days.</div>
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A reminder of what Bill Zhang of Znetshows.com sent me to work with.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_QRDqiJpmg/UZFtZSIDX0I/AAAAAAAAA1A/H_nctFQzM3I/s1600/IMG_20130405_130819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L_QRDqiJpmg/UZFtZSIDX0I/AAAAAAAAA1A/H_nctFQzM3I/s400/IMG_20130405_130819.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj9pHd7TAa4/UZGY-GJBXXI/AAAAAAAAA2I/4eshzgecw_U/s1600/earring+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sj9pHd7TAa4/UZGY-GJBXXI/AAAAAAAAA2I/4eshzgecw_U/s640/earring+1.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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This one was supposed to have all kinds of dangles off the bottom of the bottle top ring, the blue shell and some shards, but when I did that, it just wasn't what I was picturing, so I took it all off and decided to see what it would look like wrapped in shells...I like it. There's so many things you can do with <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=395&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=1&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20ring%20Beads" target="_blank">these glass bottle rings</a>. The spiral cord is dyed nylon cord in a spiral knot and wire wrapped in 24 gauge steel wire.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q72cecGthKE/UZGY8akcr4I/AAAAAAAAA2A/eZ6IaFapxYU/s1600/bottle+ring+shells+choker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q72cecGthKE/UZGY8akcr4I/AAAAAAAAA2A/eZ6IaFapxYU/s400/bottle+ring+shells+choker.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I LOVE the large holes in these square concave pendant beads, you can string all kinds of cords and even ribbons and fabric strips into them, and they're available in <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=406&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=2&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20concaved%20large%20square%20Pendants" target="_blank">large</a> and <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=432&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=2&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20concave%20small%20square%20Pendants" target="_blank">small</a>. I had orginally came up with this on Earth Day, but then set it aside when I realized my upcycled strips of rayon fabric weren't long enough. I used square knots to hold the beads in place, and that got a little tricky since I started in the middle and worked my way out on each side. I kept getting myself turned around and one side the beads were turned backwards because the cord had to be folded in half and not pulled all the way through bead, but instead the cord through the loop you create. I found if I lay the cord and all the beads face down, and then feed it through the bead from the front, it was easier to keep them all going the right direction. I was going for minimalist art deco, but I also wanted it to be more casual than dress, so I used a natural cotton twine. Then I wire wrapped the ends and made a hook and eye clasp out of 20 gauge copper wire.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAekqTHL178/UZGZRqDMqSI/AAAAAAAAA2g/SlRMJrQmirI/s1600/squares+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nAekqTHL178/UZGZRqDMqSI/AAAAAAAAA2g/SlRMJrQmirI/s400/squares+necklace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This set I did Sunday night, I had sat down to finish another piece, which is still unfinished, while watching Firefly on DVD (why did I never see this show?) So, those are bead caps. Aren't they pretty? I've had them for a while and couldn't find anything I liked them for because if you put them on the ends of beads, you only see the outer edges, I didn't like that. And these <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=99&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=2&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20marquise%20spindle%20Pendants" target="_blank">marquise spindle pendants</a> are just beautiful in the light, you can't see it as well here, but these have a little bit of a yellow swirl in them too. I made bead links out of the opaque tangerine Tiaria Chinese crystal rondelles, I loooove how bright they are! The pendant moves freely on the middle length of chain. The earwires are my first attempt at this kind of earwire.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiqBp7HpTbo/UZGZQrGD_vI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/uYcXJFK3PPg/s1600/tangerine+set+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xiqBp7HpTbo/UZGZQrGD_vI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/uYcXJFK3PPg/s640/tangerine+set+2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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I had to add some bead weaving, though I actually should have had several. I abandoned two pieces, one halfway, the other nearly complete (don't ask me, I have no idea). I'll finish them though, and make another post, this one's already late. </div>
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This bracelet is my version of the ombre craze going around right now. It's done in a right angle weave, but I had to add some seed beads to hide the thread, because the <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/GemShow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Format=2&shape=95&size=8x5mm&Keywords=rondelle%20crystal%20designer%20glass%20beads%208x5mm" target="_blank">8mm Chinese Crystal rondelle beads</a> were actually a little too big for this stitch, it worked out, though in retro I might have used a like color seed bead with each section, instead of clear all the way through. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzcaDWO3mmA/UZGZUmIzsLI/AAAAAAAAA2o/602-q4K-g7g/s1600/Ombre+Crystal+bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fzcaDWO3mmA/UZGZUmIzsLI/AAAAAAAAA2o/602-q4K-g7g/s400/Ombre+Crystal+bracelet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This piece is why I don't have more pieces done...I started it on Earth Day, and just couldn't put it down. I kept adding and subtracting from it. It's made from an upcycled skirt that I loved and wore two or three times before someone said..."Klaudete, you look ridiculous in that skirt." So, I packed it away with other scrap materials and clothes made from fabric that I loved but wouldn't be caught dead in...I think it was in my craft bin for at least 20 years, lol. I just took one small section off and got tons of 'ribbons' from it. this is six strips, tied about eight inches from the end, knoted in a square to flatten and even out the fringe and then braided for the necklace end. I wire wrapped the end of each fringe and added <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=95&style=24&stonesubtype=688&etc=2501&ptitle=Chinese%20Crystal%20rondelle" target="_blank">opaque brown, clear tangerine, and silver Chinese crystal rondelles in 4mm and 8mm</a>...and just kept adding; <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=123&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=1&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20tusk%20Beads" target="_blank">tusks</a> in cherry red, <span id="goog_602600934"></span>a <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=420&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=2&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20top-drilled%20flat%20freeform%20mix%20Pendants" target="_blank">large shard pendant</a> in cherry red<span id="goog_602600935"></span>, and a <a href="http://www.znetshows.com/gemshow/retail/itembrowser.asp?Shape=420&stonesubtype=686&etc=2501&productline=2&ptitle=Sea%20Glass%20top-drilled%20flat%20freeform%20mix%20Pendants" target="_blank">top drilled free form flat sea glass pendant</a> in tangerine. By the time I was done, the fringe section alone was six inches. I wire wrapped the ends of the braided section, and originally only had the 4mm silver tiaria chinese links at the top, making it a twenty inch necklace with a six inch beaded fringe. So then on Sunday night I was just looking at all the finished pieces and, I don't know, I guess I thought it wasn't done...so I added five inches of beaded links and five inches of chain. This crazy thing is 21 inches from clasp to the bottom most bead, doesn't even need the clasp to be honest</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_NMPsG-XSI/UZGZFblnVgI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/y2NerNvaqlE/s1600/Earth+Day+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_NMPsG-XSI/UZGZFblnVgI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/y2NerNvaqlE/s400/Earth+Day+necklace.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, that's it so far. I do have two more finished...sort of, so I'll take photos of those tomorrow and post again when I can.</div>
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<br />Klaudetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02429786586719275300noreply@blogger.com1