Jasper Intrigue Blog Hop

     Another opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and design pieces from a kit called "Jasper Intrigue" by Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures presented itself to me a few months ago and I decided to accept the challenge.  Normally, I am a bead weaver.  I love working with those little tiny seed beads and metal findings, trying different patterns by the amazing artists out there and sometimes designing and teaching my own.
     I honestly had never tried working with any large stones, sea glass or unusual pieces until I took on my first challenge with a Bead Soup blog hop that I did.  That challenge in itself led me to look for other challenges and groups to get involved in to learn and be inspired by others.
     Although, I have not met a majority of the beaders in person, I feel like I have gained friends and mentors over the past year or so...It has been wonderful to see all the talent that is out there...Anyway, before I get all mushy...
     I too, like many of the others participating in the challenge, forgot to get 'before' photos of the kit.  The day the kit came, my husband sent me a text message at work and said, 'you got something from Pine Ridge Treasures" Can I open it?'  I said, "not til I get home"...he loves beads too and is like a kid at Christmas when a package comes-mainly because he does Kumihimo and is always scouting my bead supplies for size 8/o and 6/o's that he can snag from my stash...When I got home and opened the package....WOWZA...A beautiful selection of Jasper in various shapes and sizes...
    I played with the nuggets and tried different things but just didn't have my muse so decided to put them away for a bit and finish up some bead weaving pieces...then life got in the way and I didn't get back to the Jasper for awhile...Now it is time for the reveal and I only have one piece done so I will post it now....This is a lariat that can be worn several ways around the neck as well as worn as a belt.  I also have very long hair and think it would look great wrapped around a high bun and left to 'dangle'.  The design was inspired by a piece from Tamara Scott designs.

     When the other piece is done, I will WOW you with that one...It is a work in progress of bead embroidery which I have only done 3 other pieces before and that was from  a class that I took at Bead Blast KC 2013 working with Raku pieces by Marianne Kasparian of Maku Design Studio.  So this is my first time using gemstone in bead embroidery so another challenge, but a Welcome one at that.
     Thank you so much Lisa Lodge for all your work that you put into these challenges and kits for us.  You have helped me to really step out of my comfort zone in so many ways and try new things.  Everyone in the group has been an inspiration to me in one way or another...YOU ALL ROCK!!!
     Thank you for stopping and and Please leave a comment!!!  Don't forget to check out the other participants!!!

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Susan Anderson, La Main Tresor

Karin Grosset Grange (France), Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings

Sheila Prose, Cheap Charms

Terri Wlaschin, Baking Beads in the Keys

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera