Fabulous Giveaway!

KayzKreationz is offering a wonderful giveaway by Zinio Magazine. She gets to give away 9 digital subscriptions to a magazine for your iPad, iPhone, Android phones or tablets, laptop or Desktop computers. It is a fabulous deal! Zinio is also offering 2 years for the price of 1 on selected magazine titles. The giveaway ends March 3rd. So HURRY to comment on KayzKreationz' blog to win. Just click on her name for the link. You can also check out the magazines by Zinio by clicking on the link above.

Book Review!

Crystal Jewelry Inspiration from the Create Your Style Ambassadors

compiled by Karin Van Voorhees

published by Kalmbach

 

I just received a  fabulous book from Kalmbach to review! It has wonderful illustrations, photographs, descriptions, details, and step-by-step instructions with a front flap and a back flap for use as bookmarks, which I found particularly exciting! I just couldn't decide which designs to mark. They are all so beautiful!

This book includes unique creations from 30 very talented designers from North America who use Swarovski Crystals in a variety of media and techniques. The designs range from simple to extravagant, easy to complex, and beautiful to gorgeous. There are necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and pins; something for everyone.

The book begins with an informative and concise history of The Swarovski Tradition. It is followed by an explanation of the Ambassador Program, which now includes 49 members from 13 countries.When you see these beautiful creations, you will see why these particular designers were picked to participate in this program. Their creations are inspiring and will wet your imagination and muse!

There is really something for everyone in this book from the beginner to the most experienced because the designs include bead stitching, stringing, wire, metal, fabric, metal clay, polymer clay, wire crochet, and much, much more. Each design is followed by a photo and an interview of the designer. It was fun to read their advice, as well as, technique tidbits.

For example, the Stepping Stones bracelet on page 30 by Diane Fitzgerald is made with the African Circle Stitch which she recreated by studying a piece she found in the Russell-Coates Museum in Bournemouth, England. Her advice is "don't follow the trends, create them."

Another example, is a beautiful necklace called the Victorian Garden Party by Valeen Hirata on page 58. It is a mixture of elements with crystals, beads, chain, filigree, wire and stitching. Valeen's favorite tools are her hands and round nose pliers. Her advice is to "go with your instinct and don't be afraid to try."

 

The Pink Orbits ring on page 62 by Leslie Rogalski  is delightful. It is a woven cuff of crystals inspired by Cirque de Soleil. Leslie's favorite tools are "good task lamps, magnifier glasses, and a really good pair of scissors." The best advice she ever received was "do what you love." How true!

I just loved the necklace, Whitewashed Garden Bib, on page 106 by Renata Sanchez Ramos. It has a mixture of techniques, textures, and materials with crystals, pearls, clay, filigree, beads, mesh, ribbon, wire and chain. Renata gets inspired by " the materials themselves, but also... movies, nature, fashion, music, and architecture." This can truly been seen in this beautiful necklace. 

The book ends with a gorgeous gallery of photographs from around the world. All are truly inspiring and will wet your creative genre. This book is well worth having! Who doesn't want more BLING, BLING!!

 

Family Challenge W/ KayzKreationz!

A month ago, my daughter's mother-in-law, KayzKreationz, & myself decided to challenge ourselves to our own Blog Hop since we had so much fun with the Challenge of Color Blog Hop in November, 2012. 
Kay & I decided to use a color palette from design-seeds. Our choice is called Feathered Love. It's a beautiful palette.
 

We were suppose to get this posted by the end of January, but I'm running late with the post! I did, however, get my project done on time.

I decided to stitch seed beads, tube beads, crystals, & glass beads from the techniques I learned reviewing the book published by Kalmbach, Easy Crystal Stitching Sophisticated Jewelry by Nikia Angel.

My Project

I really like lariat style necklaces and wanted to see what I could do with stitching one. So I made the square components from the book & incorporated them into the necklace. I put my own twist on it! That was fun but a lot of stitching!

 

I used green/gray tube beads, orange flower glass beads, green glass beads & crystals, light green, dark green, gray, & light grayish/white seed beads of various sizes.

I hope you like what I created. Let me know what you think!

Kay combined this Family Challenge with another project she was working on; Vintage Lucite & Clay Blog Hop. Check out her blog and let us how we did!

BOOK REVIEW! & GIVEAWAY!

Classic Chain Mail Jewelry With A Twist by Sue Ripsch

Published by Kalmbach Books

Another successful, beautifully illustrated book by Kalmbach! It is well worth the cost!

This was my first adventure with chain mail but definitely not my last. I have been wanting to give it a try for a long time. It is heaps of fun! No wonder it is so popular right now. However, it is NOT as easy as it looks. Good vision (a magnifying glass would be helpful), steady hands, and great dexterity are a must! But wow is it fun!

The Author - Sue Ripsch

Sue has been involved in the jewelry-making industry for several years. Her focus is on chain mail designs, primarily with precious metals. Her husband, Steve, makes her jump rings. Her daughter is now involved in the business with her. Sue & Steve travel together, sharing their knowledge and love of chain mail jewelry while teaching across the country.

THE BOOK

I found the book to be very informative, well written, and easy to use. It has very beautiful illustrations, photographs and easy step-by-step directions.  Although it is written with the use of precious metals in mind; sterling silver and gold filled; I was able to work with metal jump rings with no problem because the wire gauge is given in the materials list.

It begins with The Basics; information about jump rings, how to make them, and how to polish them. Then comes information about Aspect Ratio to help one learn how to calculate the wire diameter size needed to make the appropriate size jump rings for a specific weave. This is not for faint at heart but it really isn't that hard either. It just seems intimidating! I played around with the Aspect Ratio & it truly does work. I used jump rings that were too small & the weave came out too tight. Then I reconfigured the Aspect Ratio, changed the size of jump rings to fit the wire diameter better and the weave turned out beautiful!

There are 28 projects divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced weaves. I like the way many of the beginner weaves are also used in the intermediate weaves, so one is able to improve and build skills. In each section of projects, a variety of weaves are used; such as Byzantine, Celtic, Full-Persian, and Dragonscale.

I also like the way Sue gives tidbits, advice, or recommendations on the title page of each project. For example, on page 18, the Cleopatra Bracelet can be made "with metal balls or - my favorite- crystal rondelles. "This increases the possibility of the imagination and creativity. For the more advanced weaver, on page 89, the Half-Persian Bracelet "can be made in two different scales that result in a very nice pair of his-and-her bracelets."

Another highlight is the use of multi-color jump rings. The possibility for variety now becomes endless. I made two Criss-Cross Bracelets on page 23 with silver and gold jump rings. I added wired agate beads between the criss-cross components. I also made a pair of earrings to match each set.

 Still have to put the ear wires on these earrings.

This was a fun book to work out of and I highly recommend it to everyone! It is definitely worth the cost!

I'm offering these earrings and the matching bracelet as a giveaway to one fortunate commenter on my blog. The more you share and let me know, the more chances to win. The winner will be picked randomly on Sunday, February 10th. Happy reading and sharing! Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

Don't Be Afraid of Habanero's!

The habanero pepper originally came from the Amazon, then it migrated to Mexico. Now it is found in the United States. In fact, it grows well here in our area of  Texas because it likes the hot, dry weather.

The habanero comes in a variety of colors. Green habaneros are the mildest because they haven't ripened yet. The most common colors are orange and red. Although, occasionally they are found in other colors; brown, white, and pink.

Healthy Benefits

1. Significantly slows the growth and reproduction of human prostrate cancer cells.
2. Inhibits the amount of cholesterol absorbed in the intestines.
3. Raises metabolism which burns fat cells increasing the body's ability to lose weight.
4. Lowers blood pressure.
5. Clears mucous from nasal and bronchial passages.
6. Helps diabetes by encouraging production of new cells that produce insulin.
7. Has anti-inflammatory properties.
8. Has an anti-ulcerative effect on stomachs infected with H-pylori.
9. High in magnesium, potassium, and iron. 
10. A good source of Vitamins A, B, and C.

The Scoville scale measures the pungency of heat strength or capsaicin levels in peppers. Most habanero peppers measure between 200,000 and 300,000 heat units; however, some measure as hot as 580,000 units. The habanero is typically 60 times hotter than a jalepeno.

Cautions:

There are several cautions that should be taken when handling, preparing, or eating habaneros.

1. Wear rubber or plastic gloves when handling these peppers to prevent burning or irritation of the skin.
2. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching face, eyes, or other parts of the body.
3. The heat of the pepper can stay in the mouth or on the tongue for up to 20 minutes or so. Bread or tortillas are best eaten for reducing the heat in the mouth. DO NOT DRINK WATER. Water will only spread the heat.
4. The heat of the pepper can cause stomach and intestinal discomfort.
5. Milk can be used to dilute the capsaicin oils from the skin. Soak the affected area for at least 20-30 minutes.

AND THE WINNER IS ........ 

Monique of Half-baked Notions.

Thanks to all who read, blogged, & entered the giveaway! I hope you enjoyed the blog. 

REMINDER!