Lost

I 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.

It breaks my heart that this is the last photo taken of all of us together, and it's about 15 years old.

I miss you so much baby brother.

Win 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.

http://bit.ly/16KWehD

And hey, if you win, accept Etsy gift cards in my Etsy shop ;)

Jewelry Clasp Inspiration

I saw this 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.
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.

Polymer clay adventures

Some polymer clay beads my niece and I have been working on this summer

More Butterflies

Testing the email to blog option
Sent from my LG phone

Znetshows.com Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway, the reveal

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.

Just a reminder, I've participated in a new challenge this summer. The Znetshows.com Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway was due last Saturday...yeah, last Saturday. You have no idea how disapointed I am not to have been online for the hop. 

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.

My partner is the very talented Bee Kuhlman of Mixed Mayhem Studios and you should really check out what she's put together from the photo I chose from the Znetshows.com Pinterest inspiration board. And the ZnetShows blog for the other reveals and the details of a very generous giveaway.

And so, these are the beads that I was lucky enough to work with.

The links will take you directly to the items from their shop.

 

zmx-17-01 Chinese crystal designer glass rondelle beads faceted Waterfall mix

S45-B31SFIVE cultured sea glass square nugget bead

BDS1617-18FIVE Glass pearls round beads Kahaki color 4mm 

M0314-AB vine toggle clasps

M0078-AB Base Metal Aloy charm conch shell 30x15mm

and

M0124-AB Base metal aloy coin beads spiral battern 10mm

And somehow I missed taking a photo of these, but you can see them in the designs pretty clearly

BDS1837-02 Fire agate round beads dyed blue 6mm

And these are the pieces I was able to finish by Saturday July 6th

A Midsummer circlet

Crocheted Bracelet

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.

My wrist doesn't tapper like most, so it's a little tighter than it would be on most people.

Earrings

Necklace, the original idea was beach wedding, but I kind of like the beachy casual of the crocheted design better.

I thought it would be interesting to have the clasp in the front.

The set

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.

Please visit the Znetshows.com blog for all the of the other partner reveals.

'Cause I'm a sucker for a challenge

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?

June challenge inspiration photo (I'd love to credit the photo if anyone knows where it came from, it wasn't credited on Pinterest)

The beads I received from Znetshows that Bee picked using the beach photo above for inspiration.

Don't forget to check out Bee Kuhlman's blog Mixed Mayhem Studios to see what I picked out using this photo.

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.

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.

an unfinished braided bracelet using the red Tiaria Chinese crystal rondelles from Znetshows.com 

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. Here 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.

Then I saw early this morning that the winner of the last challenge on the facebook group Bead Soup Cafe had posted her challenge and photo for the 8th Non-blogger, blogger challenge (which of course I promptly signed up for today).

You'll never guess the theme.

Seriously, you won't believe it

OMG-Renaissance!!! 

Awesome!! Due July 14th

The boys want bracelets

Monday 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 Znetshows.com. 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.

Then the boys followed.

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.

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:

The Anklet FAILS

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.

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.

 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.

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.

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. 

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.

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 pinterest board of photos to inspire us. I chose this photo as my inspiration for choosing beads for my partner Bee Kuhlman of Mixed Mayhem Studios, and she chose this one. So. Much. Fun!!! Stay tuned for details.

New additions to the Sea glass collection

I need to update my tools, you can see the tool marks on my swirls :(

but since I made them for me, I guess I won't return them, lol

Sea glass tusk stud earrings

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 cultured sea glass tusk from leaning forward at a steep angle. 

Each earring is wrapped in one solid four inch piece of 20 gauge copper colored art wire, which includes the ear wire stud. 

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.

right side view/left front view

Crocheted cuff bracelet

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 sea glass starfish buttons and sea glass bottle ring. 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 glass rice pearls 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. 

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.

Znetshows.com 30 Challenge

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:

Five designs in thirty days.

A reminder of what Bill Zhang of Znetshows.com sent me to work with.

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 these glass bottle rings. The spiral cord is dyed nylon cord in a spiral knot and wire wrapped in 24 gauge steel wire.

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 large and small. 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.

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 marquise spindle pendants 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.

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. 

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 8mm Chinese Crystal rondelle beads 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. 

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 opaque brown, clear tangerine, and silver Chinese crystal rondelles in 4mm and 8mm...and just kept adding; tusks in cherry red, a large shard pendant in cherry red, and a top drilled free form flat sea glass pendant 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

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.

Blog hops and challenges

I've found a new love in the world of jewelry making: blog hops and jewelry making challenges. No surprise really, I've always been more productive under pressure, and I know how counter productive that sounds, but it seems to work for me...

If you'd like to see the results of my latest challenges, stay tuned, I'm revealing what Bill Zhang of Znetshows.com sent me back in April, this Monday, May 13th.

A little reminder of the gorgeous beads Znetshows.com sent:

A little peek I was able to sneak in using Twitter https://twitter.com/KlaudeteKoon/status/326530682245500930/photo/1

I'm also using some of the beads from this challenge for another challenge I'm participating in from the Bead Soup Cafe Group on Facebook, and I'll reveal that on Monday too.

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, and the author of the Bead Soup Blog Party, announced yesterday that she'll have a list of the BSBP7 contest winners soon, so don't forget to have a look at all the gorgeousness from this year's reveals. You can get the blog lists here. But the contest is based on the pieces posted to the Pinterest board here. And let me tell you, there are some absolutely fabulous pieces from this challenge, soooo much inspiration. 

See you on Monday for my Znetshow.com reveal!!!