Sunday, January 5, 2014

Focus on Life 2014 -Week One-- Minimalism

I've decided to join Sally Russick's Focus On Life Project this year.  You can sign up here at any time if you want to join in.  Sally posts weekly photo prompts and then all the participants post their photos on Saturday.  (yes, I'm late...story of my life)

This month we are focusing on minimalism and this week we were to post of picture of one thing.  I wanted to choose something to represent the new year, new beginnings, fresh starts.  I looked around for several days and the single candle flame kept calling me.



Friday, January 3, 2014

Welcome 2014

I'm really excited about this year.  There are so many exciting things on the horizon for me and my family.  But those things are a secret for now so you'll have to stay tuned.

But there are some things I can share.  I'm participating in a couple of projects for the year.  First is One little Word, facilitated by Ali Edwards.  I've had my word for the year for several years now.  I've participated in Ali's class a few times as well as working my word on my own.  Again this year, I've signed up for Ali's class.  She has such great prompts...really gets you thinking about your word and how it will impact your year.  She gives prompts and "assignments" each month, so it helps you keep in touch with your word and the intentions that go along with the word throughout the year.  My word for 2014 is DISCOVER.  There is so much in store for me and my word in 2014!!






Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Creating with Cabochons Blog Hop

It's finally time for the hop.   Sally Russick  of the Studio Sublime sent out the call to create something using a cabochon.   I've done cabochons with seed beads but what I've been wanting to do is to set one with tabs.  I haven't made tabs before so this was the perfect push to get me going on this.

I decided to use copper since this was my first time...didn't want to use silver just in case I made a big goof.  I measured and drew out the pattern.  Then got out my trusty saw.  It turned out really well.  I had to cut down the tabs quite a bit but didn't have to do too much filing on the backing.  YAY!!

Of course, I waited until the last minute to take the picture so the lighting isn't the best.  I'm not sure where I'll go with it now.  Chain, leather, stringing.  Decisions, decisions....


 I'm excited to see what everyone else made. 

Please visit the other participants and let them know how much you love their creations.

Your Host:  Sally Russick
D Lynne  Bowland
AliciaMarinache           
Lynn Jobber           
JennyDavies-Reazor           
Jo-Ann  Woolverton           
MardeLowe           
DawnDoucette           
Mary K McGraw           
Gloria Allen           

Cheri Reed           
Sonya Stille           
Elizabeth Owens Dwy           
Veralynne   Malone           
TaniaHagen           
Lynsey  Brooks           
Christina Miles           
Holly  Westfall           
Kathy  Lindemer           
PattiVanderbloemen           

Therese Frank           
Adrienne Berry           
Liz   E

Tanty  Sri Hartanti           
Ginger Bishop
Renetha Stanziano           
Marlene  Cupo           
SandiVolpe           
Sharyl McMillian-Nelson           
Niky  Sayers

Mischelle Fanucchi           
Tracy  Stillman           
Skylar Bre’z           
Ann Schroeder           
PaulaKramer
Jess Green           
Susan Kennedy           
Stacie  Florer           
Cathie  Carroll           
Susan F.


Michelle Caballero       
Sabine Dittrich           
Kristina Johansson           
Kimberly Sturrup-Roberts           
Melissa  Meman           
Cheryl McCloud         
Michelle  Timms           
Cindy  Pack                    
Lynda  Carson
 
Cynthia  Machata           
Julia  Harris           
Karin  Slaton
Ingrid  Anderson           
KarinGrosset Grange
Jasvanti  Patel  
Inge  von Roos
Molly Alexander





 

Friday, July 19, 2013

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

The first step of the 12 Step Program for Bead Hoarders is to sign up for Lori Anderson's Blog Hop.  Lori is the Queen of Blog Hops.  The Bead Shop Blog Party is world famous and attracts over 500 participants.  Lori's newest hop is the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop..  And yes, my name is Cheryl and I'm a Bead Hoarder.

The next step is to go through your beads...I won't show you pictures of all my beads because I don't think blogger could hold all the pics.

I have had these blue lampwork beads for years.  I made them into a simple bracelet that I wore quite often...but it was a little boring.  And I've had all the colored wire for ages as well.


Then one day as I was wearing the shirt below I thought...hey....polka dots....and polka dots.


So I made this...

I still have beads left to make earrings.  But I wanted to move on.

I got the beads below at an antique fair.  They were part of an old necklace that was falling apart.  I think they are blue coral. 


I added some smaller blue beads from my stash that are definitely blue coral and the silver beads are Bali silver that I've been "saving".  I strung these on leather.

Then I went through all my lampwork beads and found this fun piece.  I still had the receipt.  I bought this bead in 1999!!  The artist is Marjorie Burr from Fireborne Beads. I just tried to find her on line but no luck.  I used suede to string this and added some copper connectors that I made to go with the freeform design of the bead.



I've really enjoyed this challenge.  I have several other pieces in progress using more of my hoarded beads. 

I can't wait to start hoping to see what everyone else has done.  Here's the list of the artists participating.  Please visit some (or all) of them and be sure and leave them a comment.  Show them all some love.  :-)

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Leah Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
9.  Sharon Palac, Sharon's Jewelry Garden
10.  Erin Guest, Renlish


11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict


21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri


31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads


41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts


51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics


61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65.  Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes


71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry
75.  Jackie Marchant, Fiddledeedee Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork


81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8


91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives


101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa


111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry


121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy


131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations


141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla


151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted


161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

Bead Hoarders Unite

Lori Anderson, the Blog Hop Queen, has come up with another great idea.  Bead Hoarders Blog Hop  Take a bead (or two or three....) that you've been hoarding--and USE IT.  What a great idea!  Ha Ha.  But seriously, I think we all have beads that we love but haven't used for various reasons.  I know I've got lots of beads that I've been hoarding.   Some of them, I'm just not sure what to do with them.





The hop is on July 20th, so check back to see what I've done.  I'll have all the other designers links here, too so you can check out all the special beads and what the designers have done with them.  I think you'll see a lot of fabulous art beads.  They are SO beautiful.  It's intimidating to design with them.  I'm afraid I'll never do them justice.


So check back tomorrow to see what I've done.

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Did I Mention I'm a Winner??

 



Yes, it's true!  I was one of the 46 winners from the 7th Bead Soup Blog Hop.  This is something new this year.  Some of the big names in the industry voted on winners in several categories--Grand Prize, Wire Work, Seed Beads, Use of Fiber, Use of Color, and Lori and her son picked a few as well.  You can read all about and see all the winning designs here

I was a winner in the Best Use of Fiber category with this design.  Thanks again to Ruth Szapa for the fabric she included in the soup she sent.  That's what sparked the design.  And of course, thanks to Lori for running these huge blog hops and coming up with all these great ideas.



Pretty darn exciting to be among all those talented designers.  Who wants an autograph?

Saturday, March 30, 2013

2013 Bead Soup Blog Hop Reveal #1

It's finally time for the big reveal.  Group 1 of the Bead Soup Blog Hop is showing their designs today.  This huge event is put on by the fabulous Lori Anderson from prettythingsblog.com.  This event has grown to over 500 people.  It's so big that there are 3 separate reveals to make it more manageable.  BTW...yesterday was Lori's birthday so please be sure to hop over to her site and wish her a happy birthday.  It is amazing the amount of work this event takes.  She is wonderful!!

My bead soup was sent to me by Ruth Szapa from Wisconsin.  The beads she sent were wonderful and very thoughtful.

The beads came in a box with Bead Soup hand painted on the top.


And each group of beads was separated by squares of beautiful, colorful fabric.




I finished most of the jewelry pieces but really wanted to do something with the fabric, so I decided to make some bangle bracelets.  I made the bracelets from 10 gauge copper wire and covered them with 3 of the 4 different fabrics and then wrapped the fabric with some 22 gauge wire.  The leaf component on one bracelet came from the bead soup as well as all the beads used as dangles on all the bracelets.   I tied some of the fabric on two of the bracelets so the design could be seen more clearly.  I really like these. 



 
 
 
My favorite beads are these little "cherry" beads.  Many of the beads Ruth sent were representative of Wisconsin.  Some of the beads in the bracelets above are glass and rocks from Lake Superior.  These little cherry beads represent Door County cherries. 


 
These little cherries begged to become dangle earrings.  I put them on some chain so they would looks like they were hanging from the tree...ready to pick.  Yum!   Yum!! 
 
 

The necklace below uses  the lovely red and cream beads (pictured with the cherries above) from the soup as well as one of the tin disk focals.  I added the hook from the soup to the tin piece so it doubles as a focal and a clasp.   I added some mother of pearl beads from my stash and some red glass beads.  I added some leather to one side and some copper connectors I made to the other side.  I added some of my favorite chain to the back.  The necklace can be worn long or as a choker.
 

On this piece, I used the cute little owl focal piece with the leaf connectors from my soup.  Can you see how the leaf connectors match the leaf designs in the owl?  To keep with a forest theme, I used some wood, seed and nut beads from my stash.   I’ve had some of these beads for YEARS….it was great to use them.  I strung this on some cord I’ve had (again…for years) doing some knotting in between some of the designs.  The toggle clasp came from the bead soup as well.

 

These earrings use the blue czech glass beads Ruth sent me.  I made the earwires from 18 gauge sterling with patina.
 

I still have lots of beads left over.  I've already started a bracelet using the Green Bay Packers beads she sent me.  Fortunately, I have a friend that is from Wisconsin and her birthday was yesterday so I can give the bracelet to her.  Being a 49er fan, I certainly can't wear it.  LOL!!


One last picture of all the beads Ruth sent.  And then you can move on to visit all the other artists.
 
 
Please visit as many of the other participants as you can.  They are all so talented. 
 
First and Last Name
Blog URL
Alicia Marinache
Amber Dawn Goldish
Barb Solem
Bev Breisinger
Birgitta Lejonklou
Breana Fry


Brenda Sue Lansdowne


Bridget Torres


Carol Dee Myers


Carolyn Chenault


Cassi Paslick


Cece Cormier
Http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud

www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com  **you are here**
Cindy Wilson


Crystal Thain



Cynthia Riggs


Dana Hickey


Dana James


Darlene Fortier


Deana Hager


Deanna Cox


Deb Brooks


Debra Behrends


Denielle Hagerman


Denise McCabe



Diana Frey


Diana Welte


Dini Bruinsma


DiYana Alcalde


Dolores Raml


Donna Millard


Dot Lewallwn


Duane Clark


Dyanne Cantrell



Eleanor Burian-Mohr


Elisabeth Auld


Elizabeth Owens Dwy


Emily Greer


Enikö Fabian


Erin Grant


Eva Kovacs


Eva Sherman



Gina Hockett


Grace Rotenberg


Gretchen Nation


Hannah Rosner


Heather Davis


Heather Marston


Heather Powers


Ingrid McCue



Jacqueline Marchant


Jan Petek


Janeen Sorensen


Jane-Michael Stallings


Jasvanti Patel


Jayashree Paramesh


Jayne Capps


Jean Yates


Jennifer Cameron


Jennifer LaVite



Joan Williams


Jodie Marshall


Judy Riggs


Julie Anne Leggett


Kat Barron Miller


Kathy Lindemer


Kim Hora



Kim Houston


Kim Sparks


Krafty Max


Kris Lanae Binsfeld


Krista French


Kristen Stevens


Kristi Harrison


Kumi Fisher



Laren Dee Barton


Laura Bracken


Laura Demoya


Laurie Hanna


Laurie Keefe-Cecere


Lea Avroch


Leanne Loftus



Lee Anne Messerschmidt


Leslie Schenkel


Linda Anderson


Linda Djokic


Linda Murphy


Linda Sadler


Lisa Liddy


Lisa Suver



Liz DeLuca


Liz Engriser


Lola Surwillo


Loretta Carstensen


Lori Anderson


Lori Bergmann


Lori Bowring Michaud


Lori Poppe


Lori Schneider



Lyn Foley


Maddison Langford


Magdalena Sikora


Mallory Hoffman


Marcella Austenfeld


Marcy Lamberson


Maria Clark


Maria Rosa Sharrow


Marianna Boylan



Marie Covert


Marti Conrad


Mary Ellen Merrigan


Mary Harding


Molly Alexander


Nan Emmett


Niky Sayers


Pam Chesbro



Pam Farren


Pam Sandy


Pam Traub


Pamela Gangler


Patricia Buchanan


Patricia Johnson


Patty Miller


Paula Hisel


Peggy Gabrielson



Perri Jackson


Rachel Baron


Rachel Stanley


Rain Hannah


Rana Wilson


Renetha Stanziano


Robin Reed


Rochelle Brisson


Rose Rushbrooke



Ruth Szapa

www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com   **My partner**

Sally Russick


Sandi Volpe


Sandra Pendragon


Sandy Richardson


Sarah Small


Shannon Hicks



Shari Replogle


Sheila Daniels


Sheila Davis


Shiraz Biggie


Shirley Moore


Skylar Bre'z

Staci Smith


Stacie Florer



Stacy Pomerleau


Stephanie Weiss


Sumi Rani


Susan Sheehan


Suzette Bentley


Tamera Norris


Tracy Choy


Tracy Stillman


Valerie Norton


Vicki Holliday