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

"Be Thankful" Blog Hop

November 22, 2014

This is the first year that I have participated in the "Be Thankful" Blog Hop Hosted by Marybeth Rich of Forest of Jewels.  I am so glad that I decided to do it because the beads are Beautiful.

I received an assortment of Czech glass leaves, carved ovals, rondelles, drop beads, cruller shaped beads and a Czech lampwork glass barrel bead.  The Clasp is a handmade Copper clasp made by Cova Cobalt of Cobalt and Copper.

Before I go any further with my beading I first want to list just a few things that I am Thankful for.  First of all, My Hubby of nearly 25 years, Ray.  He has always been a supporter of my dreams and aspirations and has believed in me when no one else did.  I am very Thankful that he is still with me as it was just 2 years ago this month that I nearly lost him when he went into complete respiratory failure and was on a ventilator for 6 days.  The doctors didn't expect him to pull through, but he surprised them all.  He is disabled now, on oxygen 24/7, but the important thing is that he is still here with me and able to join me in my beading endeavors.

I am also Thankful for my talented and hardworking son Stephen.  He works for Ford Motor Company and is the bass player for the band ElectroPossum. (check their video's out on YouTube.com).  He is always there to help Mom and Dad when we need him.  We are very proud of the young man he has become.

I am Thankful that I have a roof over my head, food on the table and a God that provides for me and my family.  I am also Thankful for my ability to take a pile of beads or a bag of beads and create a piece of wearable art.  I use my beading as my 'therapy'.  When I am not doing 'Bead Therapy', I am doing 'Wind Therapy' on my 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 motorcycle, which I have named "Dr. Breeze", another one of the things I am Thankful for.  There are so many other things that I am Thankful for but this blog would go on forever and I want to show you my pretties...So now back to the beads:

Here is a photo of the beads I received to work with:

I started off with a bracelet.  I stood at my kitchen window this morning drinking my coffee and noticed the leaves falling from the trees and covering my yard.  That was my inspiration to make something with 'dangling' leaves, so that is how I came to design the bracelet.  

Of course, every bracelet deserves a pair of matching earrings so I played with my beads until I had a pair that was just right for the look I wanted.

I now have a large selection of beads left from the challenge so I need to get started on a Necklace.  I must however, get a few special order projects done before I start it...Afterall, I think I will make enough from the special orders that I can buy a new outfit to wear with my "Be Thankful" designs on Thanksgiving day....Sounds like GREAT motivation to me.

Thanks for taking a look at my pieces.  Please leave a comment letting me know what you think of my designs.

Please take the time to look at the other designers that are participating in the blog hop also.  They are listed below:

Featured Artist:  Cova Cobalt of Cobalt and Copper

Your Hostess:  Marybeth Rich of Forest of Jewels

Participants:  

Gina Hockett of Freestyle Elements

Carolyn Lawson of Carolyn's Creations 

Shaiha Williams of Shaiha's Ramblings

Lisa Knappenberger of LiRaysa Designs

Bianca Medina of Medibeads

Lee Koopman of Strega Jewellry's Blog

Mowse Doyle of Mowse Made This

Linda Anderson of From the Bead Board