IT'S REVEAL TIME!

 

http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color-reveal.html

Today is Reveal Day! Miss Erin Prais-Hintz and her color guru Miss Brandi Hussey put on this very fun and creatively challenging blog hop. Each of the 80 participants received two photos from NASA's  Earth As Art Satellite Images with an attached color scheme (palette) to work from. Wow, do I love those color palettes! These two wonderful ladies put a lot of hard work into this project. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us and allowing us to participate!

At the beginning of November, I received the highly anticipated e-mail with two photos. I was very excited to get these pictures. My father, who passed away last year, was an artist and a geological draftsman. So I grew up with a LOVE of color and rocks. In honor of him, I felt compelled to work on both projects!

Unfortunately, life got in the way of my creativity and productivity. My mother went into the hospital with heart issues. It is a little hard to haul to the hospital "the suitcase" of beads and another "suitcase" of tools. The hospital personnel would have gone bananas thinking I was moving in! And probably found me a room too, BUT in the psych ward. :)  So.... I had to wait to begin working until things "settled down". Thankfully, things went well at the hospital and for now there are no surgeries or etc.. planned. However, at this point there was only one week left to be creative & productive! Not much time.....

So let the show begin.... 

Photo #1 & Color Palette

The Meandering Mississippi holds a special place at the moment in my heart because my daughter and son-in-law live in New Orleans just a stone's throw quite literally from the Mighty Mississippi. 

The stash of beads and copper wire.

 I made my own clasp.

I loved this "rock". Look at the great colors! & it has "flaws" just like me!

The focal with a waterfall of beads on wire to mimic the "meandering Mississippi".

The finished project. 

In the next few days, I will add earrings & a bracelet (or a bracelet that attaches to a copper watch face) to complete the set. Pictures to follow when complete.

Photo #2 & Color Palette

The Brandberg Massif is an unusual geological volcanic mountain found in Namibia, Africa. It rises 8441.6 feet (2573 meters) above the flat plains below and covers an area of 403 square miles (650 square kilometers). It acts as a "rain shadow", wringing moisture from the clouds and preventing precipitation in the desert. According to the USGS, the mountain's volcano is no longer active but the granite core still glows red in the light of the setting sun.

.”

The stash of beads, ribbon, silver wire, & Kumihimo braiding disk.

I took 4 colors of ribbon: blue, brown, black and green to make a Kumihimo braid. Then I wire wrapped the ends with silver wire since I had no end caps & Hobby Lobby isn't open at midnight. For a first attempt, I was quite pleased.

I wanted to make a lariat necklace but it didn't quite work as I had imagined so that will have to be a future project. I used a brown donut (not quite sure what kind of stone it is but it has flecks of gold & black in it) as the focal & wire wrapped a silver bale then attached the chains of beads to it, like lava flowing from the rock but in the "cool" colors it isn't "active".

Then I made a rope of beads and a attached a silver chain with a few beads hanging off it. So the overall project is a trio of ropes; chain, beads, and ribbon braid.

Of course, no necklace should be without earrings. The bracelet will follow over the next week which will attach to a silver watch face. It will also include a Kumihimo braid of the same ribbon. Pictures to follow later.

 

I hope you have enjoyed my show as much as I enjoyed creating!

The list of participants:

Erin Prais-Hintz    http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color-reveal.html

Rebecca Anderson    http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Kris Auderer    http://strandedinthecity.wordpress.com
Chrizette Bayman    http://beadsoupmix.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud    http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Courtney Breul    http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/
Lynsey Brooks    http://yellowunicorncreations.blogspot.co.uk
Stephanie Buss    http://maxandlucie.blogspot.com
Iveth Caruso    http://www.creativeatelier.net/
Shannon Chomanczuk    http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com
Lisa Cone    http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier    http://thebeadingyogini.com
Lori Dorrington    http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com
Dawn Doucette    http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com
Jeannie Dukic    http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog/
Kim Dworak    http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Beth Emery    http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Janice Everett    http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.com
Pam Farren    http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Donetta Farrington    http://simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Gloria Ferrer    http://judetaama.blogspot.com.es/
Cherrie Fick    http://designsinthelight.co
Therese Frank    http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Patty Gasparino    http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com
Tanya Goodwin    http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color.html
Ambra Gostoli    http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/3rd-challenge-of-color
Jess Green    http://tabbiekoshka.blogspot.co.uk/
Denielle Hagerman    http://somebeadsandotherthings.com
Mary Harding    www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Karla Hartzog    http://www.karlakrafts.com
Kim Hora    http://www.kimmykats.com
Brandi Hussey    http://brandigirlblog.com
Emanda Johnson    http://ArtemisiaStudio.blogspot.com
Jennifer Justman    http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/
Sue Kennedy    http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Ema Kilroy    http://emakaye.blogspot.com
Lee Koopman    http://Stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Linda Landig    http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com
Kirsi Luostarinen    http://kirsiluokorut.blogspot.com
Cynthia Machata    http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache    http://www.allprettythings.ca
Beth McCord    http://www.ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com
Mary K McGraw    http://mkaymac.blogspot.com/
Karen Mitchell    http://www.overthemoon-design.com
Cheri Mitchell-Reed    http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Aimee Moisa    http://threecatsdancing.blogspot.com
Karla Morgan    http://www.texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Penny Neville    http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake    http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Kashmira Patel    http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Alice Peterson    http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com
Kayla Potega    http://www.teejewelry.blogspot.com
Debbie Price    http://greenshoot.blogspot.co.uk
Bobbie Rafferty    http://beadsong.blogspot.com
Caron Reid    http://caronmichelle.blogspot.com.au/
Nicole Rennell    http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Cynthia Riggs    http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/3rd-annual-challenge-of-color.html
Andrea Ross    http://silvermapledesigns.blogspot.com/
Sally Russick    http://thestudiosublime.com
Annie Scherz    http://www.studioluma.ca
Pam Sears    http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Sandra Stein    http://sannipanni.wordpress.com
Kristen Stevens    http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman    http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Sherri Stokey    http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/2012/11/challenge-of-color-reveal.html
Lola Survillo    http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson    http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Jo Tinley    http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com
Emma Todd    http://www.apolymerpenchant.com
Cory Tompkins    http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Pam Traub    http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger    http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle Tucker    http://michellescreativemusings.blogspot.com/
Shelley Graham Turner    http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart    http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Rachel Van-Walsk    http://balancedcrafts.com/blog
Patti Vanderbloemen    http://www.myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com
Lesley Watt    http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Lynn White    http://lynnwhitejewelry.com/Lynn_White_Jewelry/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog/Lynns_Jewelry_Blog.html
Joan Williams    http://www.lilrubyjewelry.com

!Crazy Hot Nuts!

A nut isn't just a nut anymore! There are 53 varieties of nuts. Can you name them all? Some nuts we love to eat are: almonds, pecans, walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts and cashews.

 

Nuts are Nutritious

1. Some nuts promote good cardiovascular health, help fight the affects of Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's.
2. Many nuts help lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol) when eaten in the proper balance. 
3. Most nuts contain similar nutrients and are packed with vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, antioxidants, and energy.
4. A few nut oils are used as great skin emollients.
5. Many nuts, when eaten on a regular basis and in the proper quantity, help keep bones strong.
6. Some nuts contain high levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that enhances mood and fights depression and migraines.
7. Lastly, many nuts help with weight loss and raise metabolism.

When nuts are combined with chile peppers; such as cayenne, habanero, jalapeno, and ghost pepper; nutritional health benefits increase. Chile peppers also promote heart health, enhance mood, help raise metabolism, encourage weight loss, and are packed with vitamins and minerals. Not to mention; they make mouths smile and faces shine!

So, a nut doesn't have to be a nut anymore!  Think of nuts in a whole new light!  Be healthy by becoming friendly with NUTS!

We have added a new line to our products: TEXAS SPICED NUTS!  Each month we will feature a new spiced nut flavor.

In the month of November, we are featuring Texas Spiced Almonds. The ingredients include: Almonds, Butter, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Chili Powder, Paprika, Garlic and Cayenne Pepper.

Giveaway in December

We will be hosting a giveaway in December for one of our products. Check our Facebook page (http://facebook.com/TexasPepperJam) or here on our blog post for details on how to enter!

3rd Annual Challenge of Color Blog Hop

Miss Eris Prais-Hintz of http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/ and her lovely friend Miss Brandi Hussey of http://www.brandigirlblog.com/ are putting on the 3rd Annual Challenge Color Blog Hop. This is a unique challenge that comes from the Earth As Art image gallery of NASA. This gallery is made up of 120 pictures taken from the Landsat series of Earth observation satellites.

There are 80 creative participants in the Color Blog Hop. Each person is assigned 2 pictures to choose to do a project. We can choose to work from one or both pictures. The reveal is November 30th!

I have chosen to do a project from each picture. My palettes are from the Brandberg Massif and Meandering Mississippi photographs. 

Michael's Toast of the Town Blog Hop - The Finale

If you've read the previous two posts on the Michael's Toast of the Town Blog Hop put on by Erin Prais-Hintz of http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/, you'll see I had a wonderful time working on this project! Thank you Miss Erin for putting this together! I'm just sorry I couldn't complete it in the allotted time. Maybe I'll do better next time!

The finished necklace! Woohoo!









When it comes to jewelry, I like sets. So I have added a bracelet & earrings!

Toast of the Town - Michael's Blog Hop - Step 2

As you can probably guess, I was able to start the process of the project but ran into glitches. Glitches are the story of my life lately!

Anyway, glitches aside, here is the picture of the beads I intended to use.

The beads I finally settled on are: the square & rectangular brown/beige glass, the vintage pearls (about 75 or 80 years old), the ceramic green/blue/brown triangles with black ceramic beads, the shell, and on the plate, I used the tiger's eye tear drops, the tiny 1mm bicone dark brown Czech crystals, and the bicone light brown Czech crystals. All these are in the picture. The rest I put back in my stash for other projects.

In addition, I added faceted Czech crystals that are blue/brown to tie in the blue from the ceramic beads and copper beads. I forgot to take a picture of these beads but you can see them in the pictures below.

This is my necklace finished with the vintage brass pin that I took apart to use as a toggle. Unfortunately, that wonderful idea wasn't so wonderful! It didn't work. The glue I was using wouldn't hold the adapted pin to the toggle. It really needs to be soldered, but it was too late at night to get those tools out. Besides my eyes were too tired! So I have saved that soldering pin project for another bead/wire project. No sweat, back into the soup it goes until another time!

Step 2 - Plan B #3

When I'm working on a project, I always have at least 2 or 3 Plan B's!

I decided to try my hand making my my own toggle and clasp out of 20 gauge bronze copper wire I have in my stash. It worked! Unfortunately, I don't think this wire is really heavy enough to handle the weight of the beads, so I might have to remake the toggle & clasp. However, I first want to wear it & see what happens!

I think the toggle & clasp turned out pretty good! I was surprised at how easy it was to make. I took the ideas out of a Wire Book I have from two different projects. I doubled the wire on the clasp & made my own "set". Now if it will only hold the weight. For kicks I will probably remake the toggle & clasp just in case the lighter gauge wire doesn't hold up. First I need to buy 16 gauge wire.

                      






 Finished necklace! I love it!

Toast of the Town - Michael's Blog Hop - Step 1

Recently I thought I'd entered into Erin Prais-Hintz' challenge in connection to the Michael's Blog Hop she was putting on. But either I forgot to enter or she forgot to e-mail me. No worries! I'm doing it anyway! KayzKreationz was kind enough to send me the instructions from Michael's and the info on the Blog Hop. Although, I'm too late to participate, I really thought this was a cool necklace!

Since Michael's is too far away. I will have to use beads I already own. My toggles are too small so I will have to be creative. Here is a picture of all the beads I hope to use but still need to refine somewhat! I have vintage pearls & crystals, Chech crystals, porcelain, silver, shell, glass, and stone. I might throw in some copper beads as well. It depends on how the colors look together. Anyway I have quite an assortment! I also have two items to use as toggles that aren't really toggles. Both were originally vintage pins that no longer have the pin. I'm going to use one of them.

See Step 2 tomorrow!