Regina's Writings

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Crazy Coiling Class

Last Saturday I spent six hours at the ArtCenter Manatee in Manatee County Florida with 9 other jewelry makers taking a workshop wire coiling and making a Crazy Coil Bracelet.

Our teacher was the talented Stacy Perry of Hodgepodgerie and it was a great class. We spent the day learning to use an electric drill to coil wire at lightening speed, manipulating wire every which way, add in some jump rings till it all came together this way...

This was the first time I made my own toggle and bar, and that was an added bonus.
I love it. What about you?
Stacy has some great tutorials on her website, including supplies, and tons of information on metal and wire jewelry making. She also has an Etsy shop with a nice sample of goodies.

Today I attended another workshop on forging metal, but more about that in another post.

Monday, February 18, 2013

A Gorgeous Giveaway!

Lesley of Thea too is celebrating her one year anniversary with one gorgeous giveaway of her amazingly gorgeous charms and components. Look at them, they are lip smacking, finger licking gorgeous! I purchased some of her charms from her Etsy shop for earrings for entries to the AJE challenge, have not use them yet...but I want more...

Gorgeous Giveaway from Thea too!

Happy Anniversary Lesley, wishing you many more successful years delighting us beaders!

Hop on over and enter to win!

Good luck!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

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.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Hello Spring 2013... Stringing, that is!

I know the North East is blanketed in snow and I hear there is another storm on the way... I hope everyone stays safe and makes the best of Mother Nature's winter visits. But take heed, spring is around the corner...

For me, Jewelry Stringing Spring 2013 arrived in my mail box yesterday and I can now reveal that two of my bracelets were selected to be featured as part of their Bracelet Designs on page 24 and 25.

I am thrilled!

Carved Nephrite beads,

Vintage brass beads,

Red Botswana Agate,

Red Tibetan beads,

Brass Toggle and spacer beads.

Magnesite Butterfly and Melon bead,

Czech pressed glass flowers,

Czech fire polished rounds,

Copper chain, ring and trigger clasp.

Wishing you all a Happy Spring!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Calling all Necks!

Did I get your attention? Good.

I am having a sale at Sundancegems during the month of February to find necks for my neck less necklaces!
I have been often asked about the name of my shop, it is named after the subdivision I live in, what can I say? I had to think up a name real fast when I was setting up my site. It has nothing to do with the other more famous website known by a similar name. Now back to the business at hand...

All neck less necklaces (some include ear less earrings in the set) will be discounted 15% less than the regular price. Please check it out... thank you.

Tibetan Conch beads and Red Coral

Turquoise and Wood Jasper

Have a great week!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

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.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Happy!

A tribute to colorful Czech glass beads...

I got the beads from Happy Mango Beads, how appropriate!
This set will be donated to raise money for the fight against Juvenile Diabetes.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Week 1 - AJE Earrings Challenge

This is week one of the AJE Earrings Challenge and here are my contributions...

Natural Turquoise Coins and Copper charms by Melinda Orr of Orrtec

Turquoise and Lampwork beads by Jennifer Jennings of Blue Seraphim

Venetian Glass beads with bronze hammered hearts by Candice Wakumoto

Red Coral beads with Keith O'Conner Ceramic Beads and earwires made by yours truly!

Be sure to check out all the creative and beautiful earrings submitted by some very talented artisans. This is such a wonderful way to showcase some gorgeous beads hand made by fellow artisans.

Stay tuned for week 2 and have a great week!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

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.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

In 2013 I wish you ...

New Year Wishes

Smoky Quartz to dispel all negative energy and depression, leave that behind with 2012!

Turquoise to attract prosperity and success, while enhancing your creativity and communication skills... more blog posts everyone!

Tiger Eye for good fortune and protection from 'Evil Eyes'!

May all your wishes come true this year!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

A Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a joyful year, with peace, happiness and love!

... and happy beading too!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

A Very Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas from Florida!

picture courtesy of http://beachcomber26.blogspot.com/2011/11/beach-christmas.html

Yes, I am still around! It has been such a long time since I blogged. Why? Not quite sure, many reasons, all excuses ... but once you loose the thread it is sure hard to get back in. But I promised myself that I will be a regular beader, blogger and blog hopper in 2013. So till then....

Have a Wonderful Christmas, a Happy Holiday season and I will be visiting you in 2013!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Books, Books and Books... Giveaway

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things and Bead Soup fame, is giving away some great jewelry making/technique books. She has reviewed three of these books today and will be giving them away to some lucky beaders.

So hop on over and comment to enter in this generous giveaway!

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Challenge of Travel Blog Hop

Welcome to the Challenge of Travel Blog Hop!

Please make sure your seat belts are securely fastened, your trays are in an upright position and your luggage is securely stored away under your seat or in an overhead bin.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight!

I chose the Republic of Seychelles, known as one of the most beautiful places on earth. This island nation is made up of an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 1000 miles east of the African continent and north east of Madagascar. Many of these islands are volcanic in origin and are uninhabited, while others are coral islands. The islands of Seychelles are blessed with gorgeous beaches. The travel site 'Lonely Planet' describes the beaches as "exquisite ribbons of white sand lapped by topaz waters and backed by lush hills and big glacis boulders. And nary a crowd in sight".

I was drawn to this the smallest African state by the bright colors of their flag... look at it... a beader's delight!

The flag is made of five bands of color widening from the lower left to the right. The Blue color symbolises the clear skies and seas; Yellow, the bright shining tropical sun; Red, the harmony of the multicultural populations of the Islands; White stands for justice; and Green for the lush vegetation in the land.

Seychelles

This bracelet is inspired by the flag of the Republic. The interwoven strands of luscious green freshwater Pearls; the white carved beads are of Mother-of Pearl; red Coral, and yellow Fossil Coral; and deep blue Lapis Lazuli, all meant to capture the vibrant colors of the flag.

Read all about this Island nation here and if you make travel plans, check out their official travel site.
Learn more about these exotic islands at the official website, it is a fascinating place!

Tropical Beaches

Tropical Beach!

This Tropical Beach inspired necklace is made with Turquoise and Wood Jasper with copper findings.

See all the other participants in this travel challenge and visit some exotic places this long labor day weekend. Thank you for visiting and enjoy your holiday!

Friday, August 31, 2012

The Winner of my Pink Soup is...

First a very big thank you to all of you who visited me during the 2nd blog reveal and for all your nice comments. I have yet to finish making my Bead Soup rounds. But what a wonderful blog hop it was. Great numbers, great talent and great people. Thank you Lori, for a job wonderfully done!

Now to announce the winner of this Pink Soup, in honor of our lovely host...

The winner is Lupe Meter of Gem's PC Corner. Hello Lupe, Please send me an email with your address and I will get your package of Bead Soup ingredients out to you.

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