SURPRISE, I WON!

Thank you Bill Zhang & ZnetShows!

I received notice from Hope Smitherman that I actually won in the ZnetShows Partner Challenge! 

Wow! So cool!

Can't wait to get the surprises in the mail!   :)

Cabo Here We Come!

Well the big day has finally arrived! 

We leave for our first vacation together; my husband & I without children, parents, in-laws, etc... in 32 years. Tomorrow at 11:30 the flight takes off for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. A week of fun in the sun; swimming, snorkeling, diving, shopping, and sleeping! Can't wait!

We bought an underwater camera for pictures while diving. Time will tell if it's a good one! Pictures to follow when we get home in a week. Stay tuned! :)

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

Howdy everyone! I guess "better late than never" is unfortunately my motto these past two weeks!

This blog should have been posted on Saturday, July 20th, but "life" & computer issues have gotten in my way. I'm so very sorry Lori!!!! Please forgive me, I'm posting a few days late.

When Lori Anderson put out the invitation in June for this Blog Hop, it was the impetus I needed to get on the projects that have needed doing &/or completing. I am a great HOARDER! & and a great PROCRASTINATOR! Between the button & the bead projects that I have wanted to do but never could get to, the list is very long. I actually have sorted some projects into "baggies" to keep what I wanted to do together as the beads were purchased, the antique beads & buttons in my mother's and grandmother's stashes were collected (i.e. hoarded), & buttons from the traveling button box were taken. Then there are the bins of goodies collected "just in case they might work for this or that"!  Does anyone else relate to this "thinking process"?   

My first thought was a necklace/earring set I promised to do for my mother-in-law probably over a year ago. She had a black wire lace pair of earrings with crystals she loved wearing that broke. "Since, you make jewelry. Could you please do something with them?"  At that time, I purchased & collected black Czech, Chinese, & antique crystals to recreate them into something. However, never could seem to get around to it.  :(

THANK YOU LORI!   You gave me the PUSH to "get it done"!   So...... the musing began......

The Participants - Please Enjoy  HOPPING !!!!

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things  Our HOSTESS! :)
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
  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
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
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
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
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  ME
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

Seasons Blog Hop -- Reveal!

In February, Lisa Lodge with Pine Ridge Treasure put out the word for a blog hop revolving around a "season".  Each participant (35 in all) received a package containing a combination of beads, a pendant, findings, and an art bead or two from Lisa's beading table. The idea was to create a piece of jewelry representing one of the four seasons of the year that had an impact on our life; i.e. college years, motherhood, first love, etc....  For me, the impact is present day ....

Spring Sprung For Me This Year

For the first time in several years, the rains came in our area during Spring. We have been in drought for quite a few years now.  The animals, plants, rivers, and lakes have all suffered! Many people's wells have gone dry. But this year, the rains came!!!!! Woohoo!!! We will not have to worry about our wells this year!

While we would have loved for the rain to come as gentle cleansing rains, it didn't. We had monsoons, high winds, hail, and tornadoes. However, the important thing is --- the rains came. So we aren't complaining. Everything was green during Spring and so far continues to be green. The burn ban we have been under for the past few years is OFF!  This year at 4th of July, we did not have to worry that anything will catch on fire or a stray cigarette thrown out someone's car window will cause one either.  

Therefore, when I received Lisa's package, it was exciting to find she had sent me ---- GREEN!!! It was so fitting for this past Spring & the color is perfect.  

And the finished products -------

 

 

 

Now it's time to go blog hopping

 

 

 

Your Hostess: Lisa Lodge, Grateful Artist

 
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Cassi Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Stephanie Sanner Haussler, PixyBug Designs

Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes

Karin Slaton, BackStory Beads

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams  ME

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Alicia Marinache,  All the Pretty Things

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Toltec Jewels, Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Erin Kenny, Beadifultherapy

Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Renetha Williams Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Sierra Barrett, Giraffe Can Has

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shirley Jones Moore, Beads and Bread

Dawn Horner, Northern Adornments

Charlene Bausinger Jacka, Clay Space

Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Miranda Ackerley, Daze and Days

ZnetShows Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway!

At the beginning of June, Bill Zhang with ZnetShows asked his Design Team to "partner up" for a Summer Beach-theme Challenge. To sweeten the deal, he's added a Giveaway into the mix!!!

 INSPIRATION:  THE BEACH

 

Instructions: Each person picked 7 different items from Znetshows.com's showroom of beads for their corresponding partner.

 

These are the items my partner, Christina Miles, picked for me based on beach pictures like the ones above.










This wonderful stash of surprises arrived the second week in June. The creating fun began ------

Pendant made from Cultured Sea Glass shield triangle pendants (P46-B39) with Glass Wine Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06).

These are matching earrings made from Cultured Sea Glass triangle pendants (P46-B39) and Glass Wine Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06). 

I forgot to attach the ear wires before I took the picture :(

An anklet with Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03) and Base Metal Flat beads (MO259-AS) 

A loose choker necklace of Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03), Black Cable style faceted Chinese Crystal Glass Rondelle beads (RS114-02AB), Flat Base Metal beads (M0044-AS), Red Bamboo Coral beads (CB157-01), Wine Glass Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06).

Cuff bracelet with Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03).

These earrings can be worn separately or with any of the above pieces. The turtles originally had a hoop at the end of the face where the mouth would be. I felt it detracted from the turtle, which is one of my favorite animals, so I removed it or rather my husband helped me. Then I sanded off the remainder. Now, the turtle stands out! Next, I punched holes in the shell & on one foot. So much better! I used the Base Metal Turtle Charms (M0044-AS), Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03), the Red Bamboo Coral beads (CB157-01), and the Wine Glass Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06).

Beautiful Peacock Chinese Crystals Glass Rondelle earrings. (RS114-106)









Check out the rest of the Design Team's creations -- Go to ZnetShows.blogspot.com