AJE: Earrings Challenge - Reveal 7 - Weeks 13 and 14

It is Reveal 7 of weeks 13 and 14 of the AJE Earrings challange and as usual I am behind schedule in posting for this blog hop. Have I told you how much fun it has been exploring the world of Art Jewelry Artisans and the Elements they create? Such lovely beads and components to bead with out there and it has been wonderful exploring them...

For this reveal I showcase Paper Beads made by Gillian McMurray. These are the two pairs I made from her beads...

Vintage Paris paper beads, each one individually coated with ultra thick embossing enamel and tipped in gold embossing powder. I used natural greek leather to hang them from and dangle two very lighweight Metallite gold-colored bicones from the two ends. 

The second pair is made with her Ocean Wave paper beads, paired with some light blue Swarovski pearls and sterling silver findings. The beads are in shades of Turquoise, with silver and gold microbeads, coated with embossing enamel and tipped in silver powder. 

Stop and check the wonderful selection of Paper beads made by Gillian, they make great earrings, they are so lightweight, unique and beautiful!

Please stop by and check out all the other earrings made with very creative AJEs on Pinterest.

And enjoy your weekend! 

And do not forget to stop by tomorrow to check my Bead Soup reveal.

AJE Earrings Challenge - Reveal 6 - Week 11 and 12

It is week 11 and 12 of the AJE Earrings challange and I am behind schedule in blogging my post for the blog hop. It has been a fun three months exploring the world of Art Jewelry Elements, and I have got to know of many artisans and sampled many of their creations. I have a stash of some very wonderful AJEs that I hope to showcase in the next quarter... yes, I plan to keep making more earrings... 

These are the two pairs I posted for weeks 11 and 12.

Lovely Sun Moon Copper charms made by Kristi of Kristi Bowman Designs, are the focus of my first pair, along with sunny nuggets of Lemon Quartz and midnight blue rounds of Lapis Lazuli. All wired up with copper wire and dangling from hypoallergenic Niobium ear wires.

My next pair was made some time ago as part of a Bead Soup Party challenge, but this was a good time to show it off again. A pair of wooden dragonfly batik beads with a pair of black Onyx rondelles on either end and dangling from it a turquoise Kristal Wick batik ribbon bead wrapped in hot pink silk. I love it, what about you?

Please stop by and check out all the other earrings made with very creative AJEs on Pinterest.

And enjoy your weekend!

Reveal 5 - AJE Earrings Challenge - Week 9 and 10

It is week 9 and 10 of the AJE Earrings challange and I am behind schedule in blogging my post for the blog hop. It has been a crazy month, sick with the flu, end of the quarter so busy at work, clean house get ready for company here for spring break, bead soup to cook... but inspite of it all the AJE earrings challenge has been a delight. I love that we reveal every two weeks, and it earrings, not too complicated, so many beautiful beads and art jewelry elements what's not to love. It's good for the body and soul... making earrings!

These are the two pairs I posted this fortnight.

I used a pair of lampwork lentils beads hand made by Joyce of Joycelo with an opal periwinkle background, green leaves and variegated yellow flowers on both sides. The beads are so beautiful, that they did not need much more in the way of adornment, just 14K gold fill levelbacks, some chain, and a Hyacinth Swarovski crystal.

The second pair was made using a pair of enamelled butterflies from Gardanne Beads. The orange butterflies are paired with white center Sapphire Venetian glass beads, its almost as if the butterflies are flying against a light blue spring sky!

Please stop by and check out all the other earrings made with very creative AJEs on Pinterest.

And enjoy your weekend!

Week 3 - AJE Earrings Challenge

Week 3 of the AJE Earrings Challange being the week of Valentine's Day, my theme was hearts and earrings featuring handmade hearts by two very talented artisans.

Bronze heart charms by Candice Wakumoto (purchased from Andrew Thorton's shop)

Lapis Lazuli coins

Golden pyrite rondelles

Earwires by Mishel Designs

 Sterling Silver Lone Star heart charms by Cathy Dailey

Sponge Coral nuggets

Sterling Silver earwires

Make sure you stop by and check out all the other earrings made with very creative AJEs on Pinterest.

Week 2 - AJE Earrings Challenge

This was a very busy two weeks for me being the end on the month at the bank when work gets crazy. I have also been fighting off some sort of runny nose, sneezing and teary eyed bug. It was nice staying around the house today doing not much of anything but checking out the glorious earrings made by others taking part in the AJE challenge.

My week 2 contributions were two pairs, take a look...

This pair uses a pair of lovely long leaves made by Kristi Bowman,
with carved red Coral flowers and Swarovski cooper crystal elements. All dangling from hypoallergenic Niobium ear wires.

The second pair was one I made some time ago using a pair of blue enamelled butterflies made by Anne of Gardanne Beads.  This pair was inspired by the kinetic sculptures of Alexander Calder.














Don't forget to check out the other creative earrings using Art Jewelry Elements at Pinterest.

AJE Earring Challenge

I was so looking to jump start my creativity in 2013 and I found it.

The Art Jewelry Element Earring Challenge!

This challenge has me searching through my hoard of beads for AJEs made by various artisans, and I have more on order as well.. making their way to me. The challenge also has me trying to figure out Pinterest! Not quite sure I got that quite right yet, but I am working on it. 

Stop by on January 20 as the first round of AJE earrings and check out some great earrings posted by fellow beaders at AJE on Pinterest.

Ear Earrings for your Ears

Does that sound like a tongue-twister? But is is more than that.
Check out the earrings made by artisan Percy Lau of London, England.

She specializes in miniature body part jewelry.

A little third ear?

Can you imagine freaking people out by wearing something so realistic?

An earring for your little third ear?

My husband read about this 'genetic disorder' on gizmodo and brought it to my attention.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Summer Grilling, with gemstones?

Shish Kebabs make a perfect Summer meal, satisfying both meat lovers, just keep the veggies out; and the veggie lovers, just skewer more veggies, alike. For some history about the dish and for delicious variations check out Kathy Master's How to Shish Kebabs on Startcooking.com. 

pic courtesy of startcooking.com

But I am thinking of Shish Kebabs of a different kind.
What about us gemstone lovers? So this is my receipe for ...

Gemstone Shish Kebabs

• A pair of metal headpins, 2 " or longer, choice of metal depending on your personal preference.
• Select suitably sized gemstone beads, again there is plenty of other types of beads to choose from as well... pearls, crystals, and so on. Sizing is important to keep the kebab lightweight. You can use a single variety of bead, or mix it up to suit your palate. 
• Metal spacers increase the flavor, again you have a choice of metals. Mix a variety of metals on the same kebab, sure why not? That could be quite a treat.
• Skewer the beads one by one, alternate with metal spacers as desired.
• Top it off with a round bead, metal or even a crystal for some sparkle.
• Hang on an ear wire of your choice, again style and metal of your choice.

As you can see there are endless combinations... So enjoy your Summer with some delicious gemstone Shish Kebabs. 

Here is a look at some I made...

Turquoise Shish Kebabs

Aquamarine Shish Kebabs

Carnelian Shish Kebabs

Enjoy your Summer!

Turquoise and Copper, A great combination.

Pairing Turquoise with Copper never fails, the warm glow of copper and the cool embrace of blue is always a winning combination.
Take a look at this pair of earrings... natural Turquoise coins, with a pair of Copper charms from Melinda Orr of Orrtec, love them! They are light-weight, playful and eye-catching, a perfect pair of earrings for Summer!

Here's What's New at Sundancegems!

Sundancegems is the name of my jewelry shop/brand.
And it has nothing to do with the other more famous Sundance.
I remember working on setting up my website in November of 2004 and coming up with a name while sitting at the computer. Why Sundancegems? It's the name of the subdivision I live in and I love working with gemstones. It's that simple.

I thought I would show you some of my latest additions to the shop.

Turquoise Kebabs

A Grizzly Bear in the Forest

Mookaite Bangle

So, what do you think? 

Happy Wednesday!

Regina

Celebrating the Arrival of Summer!

It's the beginning of Summer!
It's is hot down here in Florida!
There are some 400 wild fires raging in the State, but nothing like the ones out west in Arizona.
Where are the hurricanes when you need them?
But its a case of being careful what you wish for...

So I am thinking some cool thoughts, light and breezey thoughts, pretty pink thoughts...

Pushing Up Daisies

Some Fun Earrings for Some Summer Fun!

I call these my 'Pushing Up Daisies' earrings! Love the carved magnesite skulls, they come is such happy colors.

Have a great weekend with all the Dads in your family!

Let me Introduce you to the winner...

Tonight I used the random number generator from Random.org to obtain a number between 1 and 106 to choose the winner of my 'Sunshine on my Shoulder' earrings and the number was 24.... Esme.

I would also like to thank all 106 of you who stopped by to comment on my necklace and earrings. Your visit and your comments mean so much to me. Thank you!

Now, I would like to introduce you all to Esme of Chocolate & Croissants. I have got to know Esme for a few months now, she is not a beader! She loves to cook, she loves to read, she loves to travel, she loves cats and she loves everything French. I have got some great tips on cooking and books to read from her, so I am glad I am able to give her something in return.

Her review lead me to read this book by Beth Hoffman and what a delight it was! My copy is still making the rounds at my workplace. I urge you to check out Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt. If you love to read or cook, she regularly reviews books, and yes, cook books too. So pay her a visit, and feed the cats.

Esme, I will be in touch with you for an address to send you the earrings you won. I hope you will like and enjoy them.

Lori's Wonderful Giveaway!

I am sure by now you have heard about Lori's wonderful giveaway! 

She is giving away the one thing you really need to make such great earrings!

An ImpressArt Letter Stamp Set from P.J. Tool & Supply.

Mixed-up Love Earrings by Lori

If you are like me and had a very busy weekend and are now sitting down to catch up, then you better hurry on over to Lori's blog - Pretty Things, and follow her instructions to get your name in the hat to win this wonderful letter stamp set. While you are at it, check out the other cool things that P.J. Tool & Supply have to offer us jewelry designers. I will certainly visit them soon.

The King of Petrified Mud!

Did you know that Jasper was petrified mud? Petrification is the term used when organic material turns to stone. Mud is just an organic soup (I like the way the word soup has been used in 2 of my 3 posting this year, got bead soup in the brain! can't wait!) that turns to stone, a process that takes over 100 years...

I love Jasper!

I love the variety of colors and markings found in Jaspers from different locations around the world. The wide range of colors and markings are caused by different combinations of various elements, such as Iron, Copper, Manganese, etc.

So what better topic to write about than to introduce you to the many lovely Jaspers available to beaders and some of the jewelry I made with these beautiful gemstones.

I start with the King!

Owyhee Jasper

Owyhee Jasper Necklace with Champagne Freshwater Pearls

Owyhee Jasper comes from the privately owned Owyhee Gem Mine in Southern Idaho close to the Oregon border, and obviously derives its name from the Owyhee River. The Jasper looks much like the desert landscape it comes from, and pieces with the 'blue sky' are valued higher than those without. You can see why it is known as the 'King' of Jaspers.

The blue and brown Owyhee Jasper looks great with Copper

Owyhee Jasper Earrings with brass filigree leaves

These earwires are from Shels Jewelry Supplies handmade by Michelle. I love them!

Gifts from Andrew!

This week Andrew Thorton, known for his great Thursday Giveaways is giving away six, yes, I said six colorful spools of Soft Flex Craft Wire from the generous folks at the Soft Flex Company.

Hurry on over to his blog and read all about it and enter to win by leaving a comment. The deadline for this great giveaway is Tuesday, December 7th.

Talking about Andrew, in his shop he carries some of my favorite heart charms from Candice Wakumoto. Some months ago, I purchased some bronze heart charms made by Candice and made this cute pair of earrings with them, do you like it?

After I sold this pair I wanted get more of these charms and, he was all sold out!! I searched the www and found out that Andrew's shop is one of the few places, maybe the only place that you can buy her beads.

Then around Thanksgiving I found out that Andrew had got them back in stock and I got more... and as I write I am playing with these charms and planning more earrings. Thank you Andrew, and thank you for the wonderful little Green Girl Studio clasp that you sent along, just love it. You know I will be back for more.

Shibuichi Rose Flower Clasp! So beautiful!

Happy Sunday!

On this beautiful Sunday morning, I wanted to share with you a pair of earrings I made with lampwork beads from Blue Seraphim. Jennifer makes some beautiful beads, the ones I purchased were Turquoise colored with Ivory dots. I added some genuine Turquoise rondelles and they are oh so beautiful!

They are currently on sale at Sundancegems! You can also take advantage of a September Sale now going on for some great savings. Enjoy!

And do not forget my necklace giveaway!

It is still Summer Time!

As a Summer Time Design Partner of Artbeads.com, I was asked to make a few fun summer designs from their bountiful selection of beads. This summer has gone by so fast and it will soon be all over, I am only now able to blog about the jewelry I made from the beads I chose (what with family, vacations and issues with my photographic equipment!). But it's better late than never...

Well, who could resist the sparkle in these amazingly bright and shiny Yellow Cubic Zirconia Fan Bead? Artbeads.com sells them under their Pendant section, but I used a pair as earrings. They are not too heavy and I added no other beads. Really, no other bead is needed!

The shape and cut of this bead is amazing, no matter from which side you look at it, it is the triangular fan shape that you see. And they sparkle, my do they sparkle? See for yourself.

I have added a short length of gold-plated Pewter leaf chain, that have so much movement with a pair of leaves on each link and a nice drape over the top of the fan bead. All of it is topped with a gold-filled Fleur de Lis lever back earring. I think they look great, what do you think?

What I like best about them is that they are a great pair of earrings for the hot summer season and also the cool fall.


Disclosure: Some of the beads described above I have received free of charge from Artbeads.com.

I have been asked to review these beads/supplies and give my honest opinion of them.  I am not being paid by Artbeads.com for my endorsement of any of the products received and reviewed in my blog postings.

Christmas in July

The Child Abuse Council of Hillsborough County, FL is holding their fund raising event 'Christmas in July' tomorrow Friday July, 23 from 6 - 9 pm at the Child Abuse Council's Baby Bungalow at 3106 W Azeele St. in Tampa. The event includes a Silent Auction and Taste of Tampa Bay. It is for a worthy cause, I have heard the testimonies from the children they help, it is heart breaking! The organization is a private, non-profit agency that provides programs to prevent, educate and treat children and strengthen families.

This is the second year that I have participated in this event with a donation of a piece of jewelry for their Silent Auction. I wanted to show you the piece I donated this year.

The necklace is made of lime green chalk turquoise smooth nuggets, one larger asymmetrically placed red coral nugget and all the beads are separated by tiny red coral round beads. I finished it with some sterling silver chain and trigger clasp and a pair of matching earrings. I think this necklace is so summery and christmassy at the same time and so Florida! 

I hope they get some good bids and raise lots of money.

You can check the Child Abuse Council out on Facebook if you want to know more about the work they do.

A Gift from the SuperNicePeople

The SuperNicePeople at HipChickBeads.com sent me an email and asked that I share it with my friends, so here it is... a coupon for free shipping ... for a limited time!

How can you go wrong with a group that call themselves SuperNicePeople!

Happy Shopping!

Use the Code

NOSHIPPINGFEE

when you shop at www.HipChickBeads.com on the checkout page

Hurry, this offer ends midnight Tuesday, July 20, 2010.