A Stack of Bracelets---Bead Soup Simmering!!!

I was down in my work area in the basement today.  It is a bit chilly down there, especially when the morning temperature was 12 degrees. BBRRRRRR!!!   Today I made this stack of bracelets.  I love this color combination.  I used memory wire as the base and added two lobster clasps at the back.  Usually, these are made as bangles but I have big paws.  So, a bangle doesn't go over the palm area of my hand.  In making these, I left the back open and using the memory wire, they hold their shape and are sturdy. 

Don't forget to check out Cheri Mitchell-Reeds blog:  CreativeDesignsbyCheri.blogspot.com.  She is my Bead Soup Blog Party partner.  She has challenged my creative juices, because I haven't used any kind of fibers before in any of my designs.  We will see what happens!!! 

 

I was going to patina with liver of sulfur...I probably will...more of an antique look.  I like that look.

 

 

I hope everyone stays warm tonight, especially here in Northeast Ohio!

See y'all tomorrow,

Until then,

Cheryl

I received my Bead Soup today!!!

I received my ingredients for my first Bead Soup!  Cheri , from Creative Designs by Cheri, is my partner.  We live really close to each other-probably 20 miles or so. 

She has sent me something that I never have worked with before...Sari Silk.  Also in the ingredients are a silver clasp, silver chain, a glass heart pendant, vintage clear, purple, turquoise and emerald glass beads.  I will have to think about what to create with these pieces...definitely a challenge!  Thanks for taking me out of my comfort zone, Cheri!

Have a great evening, all.  See you soon,
Until then,
Cheryl

Back in the saddle again...

 It has been a while since I made any jewelry of any type.  I made a set of necklaces to wear to a wedding last October.  That same night, I tripped over my own foot and broke my femur.  It snapped right above my knee.  I should mention that I have had a knee replacement in 2007.  So, I have been in the healing process ever since then.  (Not since 2007, but, since last October!)  I am still using crutches, but maneuvering better.  (It took me twice as long as it should have to clean my workspace.  But, its done.)  So, getting back to jewelry making...the necklace with the ukanite is an older piece that I found in a bin of odds and ends.  The filigree necklace is something that I made today.  It is made with a lot of the components that I got from B'Sue Boutique in East Palestine, Ohio.  It has a woodland motif to it.  I like it...it's not my style, though.  The triple strand is the necklace that I made for the wedding.  It proved not to be good luck for me!  I like the color palette, though.

 

Found in odds and ends container-made a long time ago.

Made for wedding-not good luck!



 



Made this today...not my style.

I will talk to everyone later-

 

Until then,

 

Cheryl

Bead Soup Blog Party Update!

Hello everyone!

Cheri, my Bead Soup Blog Party partner received her package today. I hope that she likes it! So here it is...I sent her some of my lampwork beads and a focal that I made.  There are some Czech beads, citrine, Greek beads, swarovski pearls and multiple strands of smaller beads.  The silver is sterling-most of it is Bali silver.  There are a few Hill Tribes pieces.  I included a regular silver toggle and a multi-strand clasp.  I can't wait to see what Cheri makes!

                                                          

Since this is my first Bead Soup Blog Party I had a hard time selecting what I thought someone else would like.  Every ones taste is so different.  I like the idea of venturing out of your comfort zone.  Thanks to Lori Anderson and her very inventive and creative mind!

Talk to y'all soon.
Until then-
Cheryl

Bead Soup Blog Party! & New Work Space!

Hi everyone!

It has been way too long since my last post.  I have been cleaning and resetting my work space.  More of that to come a little later...

Bead Soup Blog Party!  Yay!  This is my first Bead Soup Blog Party.  I spent a few days trying to make my soup...different beads...different ingredients.  Silver, Copper or Gold.  Maybe Bronze?  Should it be antiqued?  Polished?  I way over thought the whole process...but I think, in a good way.  I kinda put together my favorite color combination and chose a metal that I don't use very often.
My Bead Soup partner is Cheri Reed. Her blog is http://CreativeDesignsbyCheri.blogspot.com. Cheri is a very talented jewelry artist. Oddly enough, we live just a short distance from each other-maybe 20 or so miles! I look forward to a yummy Bead Soup! Check out Cheri's blog and enjoy!  I gave her the opportunity to create a couple different options-multi strand is a possibility...maybe.  We'll see what beautiful creation Cheri makes!

Here are the Bead Soup ingredients.

This is the metal soup ingredients.

Getting ready for the Post Office...on the way to Canton, Ohio.

OK, so I mentioned something about my work space.  I wish that I would have taken before pictures, because it looked like a snow globe.  You know, one of those things that you pick up and shake and the snow comes fluttering down.  That WAS my work space-shook up and fluttered.  The major reason I restructured my space is because my boys bought my a Craftsman work bench for Christmas.  It is so neat, and big.  It is 6 big feet of workspace with a back board and built in light.  Totally awesome!  So, everything had to be relocated and in the process, cleaned and straightened up.  I'm still not done, but, it is close.  My space is in my basement.  Our house was built in 1926 and its not the warmest place in the house.  I usually turn the space heaters for about 30 minutes before I do anything.  I am fortunate to have a large basement and for whatever the reason was, the ceilings are very high.  (when they built houses back then, the basement ceilings were typically low) On the middle table area, I have my torch for lampworking.  Then you can see my glass rod supply and then my bead stash---OK, maybe I'm a bit of a hoarder.  Here are some pictures of the space...

Here is the new work bench.  Love it!

 The bead stash, findings and mixed metal stuff. To the left is a picture of glass rods for lampworking.  There is also my small stash of dichroic for fusing.  I love dichroic!

 

 

So, I will see you all soon.  Here is to a really awesome Bead Soup Blog Party!

 

Until then,

 

Cheryl