Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Reveal

This month is the Artisan Headpin Challenge hosted by Art Jewelry Elements. This month we were asked to use anyone's headpins in a project or make our own. I recently discovered and fell in love with Head pins and have a tiny collection.
First up these Lovely Earrings from Lampwork Headpins made by Lavite of dry gulch beads. I love these bumpy Headpins and I also love my Czech glass.

Next I have these beautiful Lampwork Headpins from Pati Walton Designs

And just completed these with Pati headpins

I am so honored in being part of this hop, please join me and visit all the others.

Guests:

Alison Herrington
Renetha Stanziano
Karin Grosset Grange
Gloria Allen
Deb Fortin
Cate van Alphen
Mona Arnott
Shai Williams
Sarajo Wentling
Kathy Lindemer
Solange Collin
Brooke Bock
Melissa Meman
Patricia Handschuh
Tammy Adams
Melissa Trudinger

AJE Team Members:

Caroline Dewison
Lesley Watt
Cathy Mendola
Jenny Davies-Reazor
Susan Kennedy
Laney Mead
Diana Ptaszynski
Lindsay Starr
Niky Sayers

Welcome To Beadfest 2016

I left New York Friday morning heading to Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Beadfest!! I see people getting out of cars, and walking with Luggage on wheels, Canvas bags in their hands and totes on their backs. Blinding sun, a beautiful day as I stroll to the doors of the expo center. Inside coupon laden tables are surrounded by folks grabbing for all their favorite vendor coupons. I take one of everything and head for Parawire and Artisan Alley.  You see, I have a plan this year. I wrote a list, I know what I need, and who I want to see. A girl needs her wire, tools, gemstones and Artbeads.

My new Xuron cutters

I went to Artisan Alley and low and behold found myself at Green Girl Studios where Andrew Thornton and William Jones were residing, lol. Threw my arms in the air and hugged 'em both.

Andrew, Me, and William

Loved this lampwork hat sported by Ren Farnsworth Ren does lovelyLampwork beads of flowers and leaves of all kinds. 

AFlower Garden Necklace by Ren

I finally was able to meet and chat with Marsha Neal between her classes, all bubbly and excited.

Now this aquarium is being worn by Angela Plager., it is a purse and the parts are all removable pieces of Jewelry.

Necklace from within Aquarium Purse

I also visited Fire Fly Designs with Michelle Ann McCarthy who works in Ceramic.

I visited Golem designs purchased some lovelies,

 Ana Bronze Love their handmade clasp. These Steampunk focals were amazing.

I visited Anne over at Gardanne Handmade Enamels beautiful pieces.

Stacey Louise exhibited her award winning Necklace

My Elements by Yvonne who Hand paints beads. 

Here's Maria Richmond of Lost Marbles, She showed me gorgeous Wire wrapped zipper Jewelry

Wire wrapped Zipper Necklace

These beautiful Glass beads I have been wanting some for a couple of years now. Finally!!!, I found these at Clasp On Clasp Off. She was featuring this amazing Necklace and I want to make Me a Chunky Amazing Necklace also:

She sure knows how to decorate the components. Look at these glass horns all decked out. Luv em

Glass Tubes taken up a Notch!

I am so glad I could take you along. look for these artistisan components to make an appearence be appearing in pieces HERE   Thank you so much for stopping by.

Luna Moth Challenge

Today is the Reveal of the Luna Moth Challenge sponsored by Allegory Gallery's own Andrew Thornton. I purchased the Kit which includes a premium mix of czech glass(my fav) new and vintage, vintage Lucite, vintage acrylic, waxed linen, jade, wood, swarovski crystals, vintage seed beads, vintage glass leaf dangles, a strand of new jade chips, and a luxury bead blend. A mystery component is also enclosed which is a Polymer focal designed by Andrew.









I created a Parure of Jewelry. Earrings a short pair:

and a long pair. Love the Butterflies in the kit and the New Jade color just awesome.

I don't like matchy matchy, so a coordinating bracelet wire wrapped and brass components added: 

And to complete my set a Necklace using Andrew's focal, Jade and glass from the kit, my brass from Bsue Boutiques.

Luna Moth Parure

Thank you kindly for stopping by, and I do appreciate comments. Remember wear Vintage, It's new again. Please also Visit:
Cindy Anderson Wilson


Christina Marie Hickman


Cindy Peterson


Ann Schroeder





Blogging 101 Ear wires

Have you ever had one of those days when you muse goes off without you, yeh picture that. Well today I need some Burgundy Red earrings to match a Red plaid dress I wanted to wear. Not a clue for a design.


So I gathered some red glass pearls, burgundy red crystals, silver spacer beads, burgundy czech glass flower beads (my favorite beads) , headpins silver balls, and silver copper wire. I took the wire and made some tiny free form hoops.  My pieces are always statement size so my challenge this year (yes I said a year, everything is not learnt( i know the correct spelling learned) and aquired overnight for some of us, hmpf) is to work smaller using smaller components.



So I stacked the head pins and made a couple of dangles and realized I had no ear wires. Lightbulb, if I could photograph step by step how I make them, it might be an intresting blog post. So I took 5 1/2 inches of wire and cut it in half. Took my needle nose pliers at the thinest end and made a loop in each wire.



Then holding the loop between the pliers 
turn the loop away from you and bring the wire up and around the plier finger closet too you.

Unfortunately you now need this very pricey piece of equipment lol, called the Sharpie Pen. It makes perfect round shapes. Hold the ear wire loop against the sharpie facing you and wrap the wire around Sharpie away from you.  This can be tricky the first time


with your flat nose pliers put a little bend out at the end of wire.
the bended wire should now be filed for smoothnes and can be hammered for work hardness or if you like the textured look. The hang your stacked head pins or danggles to complete.

See you next time, Huggs and thanks for stopping by.