tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65668950637152399612024-03-13T07:52:07.796-07:00As I Bead ItHere I share the pieces I create, as I bead them. I hope enjoy looking at what comes out of my imagination.bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-70230533698982346772013-06-09T22:44:00.000-07:002013-06-09T22:44:30.922-07:00Designer Quest 26 - Eureka BeadsDon't you hate it when you leave things to the last minute? I tend to do that more often than I should. For the 26th Designer Quest, organised through the <a href="http://www.beadingforum.com.au/forums/" target="_blank">Beading Forum</a> and sponsored by <a href="http://eurekabeads.com.au/" target="_blank">Eureka Beads</a>, I had my design in mind for some time. I collected a few extra supplies, as you do whenever a new project presents itself. But when I pulled the lovely kit together with my supplies and idea, well, it just didn't work. The big ceramic beads were simply too big for me to pull it off.<br />
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I lumped all the kit beads on the centre of my working area and played and moved and tried to think. Finally I came up with one design, but realised I had no matching crimps. Another visit to the bead shop was required. I sat down on Friday night to make up the first necklace and force my hand to design something with the remaining beads, but the crimps had been left out of my bead shopping bag and weren't even on the receipt.<br />
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Saturday meant another visit to the bead shop, where I actually only purchased the brass toned crimps. I was amazed, too. After lunch I kind of fiddled and faddled and came up with the second design. It doesn't actually sit quite right, but hubby and son didn't notice, so it was good enough. I snapped photos on top of the washing machine and got them posted to the competition thread. Big sigh of relief.<br />
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So, here they are:<br />
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Wilma's Favourite<br />
<span id="goog_1587157994"></span><span id="goog_1587157995"></span><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bwheather/media/necklace1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Wilma's Favourite photo necklace1.jpg" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/necklace1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Tribe Eureka<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/bwheather/media/necklace2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Tribe Eureka photo necklace2.jpg" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/necklace2.jpg" /></a><br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-82789879920239668922012-12-09T06:36:00.001-08:002012-12-09T06:36:46.540-08:00Beading Babes Project 7 RevealI've been busy beading away at several projects for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/383705698317459/" target="_blank">Beading Babes</a> Facebook group. There were four choices this time. I worked on three of them. First I made the Enchanted Rivoli Earrings by <a href="http://shila-bead.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Csilla Csirmaz</a>. I went with these colours because of the choice of size 9 seed beads I could get my hands on and the possible matching rivoli crystals I already had in my stash. I spent the least on these earrings simply because I have loads of purple beads in said stash. Below is my version of the pattern. I loved making these and am considering making a pair without the rivoli, perhaps dangling a drop and letting the herringbone weave rope hang in more of an oval. These were super quick to make, too. I've worn them almost every day since finishing them.<br />
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The next project I tackled was the Scalloped Pearl bracelet by Angelle Procopio. This was fun and easy to make, so much so I made two, although I didn't end up finding any suitable clasps in my stash. The bracelets are pictured below. I have clasps on the way, so I'll share the bracelets again once they're complete. So, yes. those are the threads I haven't sewn in yet you can see in the photo. </div>
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I loved the look of the roller Beads necklace by <a href="http://cathysbeadwork.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Cathy Lampole</a>, but with summer on the horizon here in Australia decided to go with a fresher look. The Swarovski crystals and pearls were on special at <a href="http://www.fusionbeads.com/" target="_blank">Fusion Beads</a>, so I managed to get a good deal. The roller beads are really easy to make, so a beginner would really enjoy making them. I ran out of seed beads for the rope necklace, but managed to get more from <a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/" target="_blank">Cranberry</a>. But with some family problems having to take top billing around here I didn't manage to complete the necklace, either. But it's not far off finished. This will also need a clasp. I'm planning on a silver one already in my stash. The unfinished necklace is pictured below.</div>
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I hope you enjoy checking out what I did with the given projects. I'm keen to see what the others in the group have created on their blogs. I'm also looking forward to the next round of beading coming up in project 8. Perhaps you could join in, too. </div>
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-29204902330698095382012-11-12T01:16:00.000-08:002012-11-12T01:16:20.828-08:00Designer Quest #25While I haven't been blogging much I have been beading much. Ok, bad grammar, I know, but I have been keeping busy with one thing and another. One of my favourite beading challenges is the <a href="http://www.beadingforum.com.au/forums/" target="_blank">Australian Beading Forum's</a> Designer Quest. This most recent one was sponsored by <a href="http://chickybabesbeads.com.au/" target="_blank">Chicky Babes</a>, with two gorgeous packs to choose from. Of course, I chose the tanzanite and gunmetal one. Here's what I made, in the photos below. I only added a little and used everything, but about half of the seed beads. I love the vintage flavour this has.<br />
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Necklace<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuDFzAyLmCoRjK2kCsWahOltBMulKd-FtxOluvM374OYuUcIsCn5vzgC866TbwnRAlpPsRbVwQEMmVOP_qN2fea9PRgl_UGsmeniRaM21HmmjghTkgNx_xt8e_Q1y1AZ1F61VtlyxQOM/s1600/dq25necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuDFzAyLmCoRjK2kCsWahOltBMulKd-FtxOluvM374OYuUcIsCn5vzgC866TbwnRAlpPsRbVwQEMmVOP_qN2fea9PRgl_UGsmeniRaM21HmmjghTkgNx_xt8e_Q1y1AZ1F61VtlyxQOM/s320/dq25necklace.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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Necklace with earrings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreeI-VUNVbIA2uBJoAplDumcDj2dJCKb_hy92jOnbs920jZrzmiOOpN77zVEHIbNoFzOHy6xTcbmTpXS31ExWycZhiagRbOqInN3C-nhvCGhmb8Gjb2queh874UOyS2vLG90AfxgOkjo/s1600/dq25necklaceearrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreeI-VUNVbIA2uBJoAplDumcDj2dJCKb_hy92jOnbs920jZrzmiOOpN77zVEHIbNoFzOHy6xTcbmTpXS31ExWycZhiagRbOqInN3C-nhvCGhmb8Gjb2queh874UOyS2vLG90AfxgOkjo/s320/dq25necklaceearrings.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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And a not so great shot of me wearing the design.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Xu5G-AzCrDZ-pJocO1cqXYNsokTl5iP9xwYCoB6vRxi0WAKzjNX6aAao2WrqoCt0vgFqUungYHSxmXY1gu89NMyaqLUS3Cc8y-87vVxmSg5iEXzaMPereP9ay6lGivZY5_4LGFoJbI/s1600/mewearing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4Xu5G-AzCrDZ-pJocO1cqXYNsokTl5iP9xwYCoB6vRxi0WAKzjNX6aAao2WrqoCt0vgFqUungYHSxmXY1gu89NMyaqLUS3Cc8y-87vVxmSg5iEXzaMPereP9ay6lGivZY5_4LGFoJbI/s320/mewearing.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-54002091504077950092012-09-16T00:05:00.001-07:002012-09-16T00:05:20.879-07:00Beading Babes Project 6Since joining the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/383705698317459/" target="_blank">Beading Babes group</a> I've participated in two of the group projects. This time I selected the Josephine Collar by <a href="http://www.jilldevon.com/index.html" target="_blank">Jill Devon</a> and the soutache earrings by <a href="http://www.ameerunswithscissors.com/" target="_blank">Amee McNamara</a>. I've shown them both below. I couldn't find any ribbon I liked for the necklace, so went with the chain. I am going to use a chunkier chain when I've found or made a bigger toggle or clasp. Otherwise, it looks pretty good. I used fuchsia and gunmetal. I also omitted the dangles as they didn't appeal to me. I adored the little taste of the soutache technique with the earrings, so will be making more with this idea at some point.<br />
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Josephine Collar<br />
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Soutache Earrings<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-33565444246365884472012-09-15T04:41:00.001-07:002012-09-15T04:41:40.439-07:00Embracing the FireI've been meaning to share this piece since I was able to reveal it, but life has conspired to keep me too busy. Anyway, I created this piece for the Fire & Ice challenge on the <a href="http://www.beadingforum.com.au/forums/" target="_blank">Australian Beading Forum</a>. Although, my design was not a winner in the challenge I'm still totally thrilled with how it turned out. I hope you enjoy seeing it, too.<br />
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Embracing the Fire<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=embracingthefire1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Embracing the Fire" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/embracingthefire1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Close up of removable cuff<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=closeupcuff1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Close up Cuff" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/closeupcuff1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Ice side of cuff<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=closeupwhite1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Close up Cuff White Side" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/closeupwhite1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Fire side of cuff<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=closeuporange1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Close Up Cuff Orange Side" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/closeuporange1.jpg" /></a><br />
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How it looks on me<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=embracingthefireonme1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Embracing the Fire On Me" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/embracingthefireonme1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-7492126404092499702012-08-25T00:08:00.001-07:002012-08-25T07:43:07.805-07:00Bead Soup 6 Reveal Third GroupThe reveal day is finally here. My bead soup has been transformed into a necklace and an unfinished pair of earrings. The only reason the earrings aren't finished is simply that I used up all my jumprings and haven't been able to get to the bead shop. I'm not 100% certain I won't add more beads or some copper balls to them, anyway, or even a dangle, perhaps. I was left with only one of the gorgeous roses, a 4mm Czech bead and two of the darker glass pearls. I still have the other two clasps, because my generous bead soup swap partner sent me a choice of three to use in my design.<br />
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Don't forget to take a look at what <a href="http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/" style="color: #7629d4; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" target="_blank">Éva Kovács</a> made. Wow, I just went and visited <a href="http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/2012/08/bead-soup-blog-party.html" target="_blank">her blog</a> and am totally impressed.<br />
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Join in the blog party by visiting the other blogs and get some eye candy into you. Hostess Lori Anderson has <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/08/the-3rd-reveal-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html" target="_blank">the list here</a>. Be sure to scroll down to the third list of participants.<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-4808029963735399562012-07-14T02:04:00.000-07:002012-07-14T02:04:45.002-07:00My Bead Soup From HungaryI felt so spoilt when the package arrived the other day containing the bead soup from my lovely <a href="http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/" target="_blank">partner</a> in Hungary. I adore the colour combination and haven't been able to stop thinking about what I want to do with these beads. Anyway, below there is also the unedited version of what I sent to Eva, but you can also view it at her <a href="http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/" target="_blank">World of Pearls</a>.<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-30967104291016913902012-07-02T23:25:00.003-07:002012-07-02T23:25:52.135-07:00Bead Soup Sent<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, after one of those series of days where everything that could go wrong went wrong, I finally got my bead soup sent off to my swap partner yesterday. I've been mucking around with my photo editing software to disguise the look of the soup I've sent so I could give a tease of what my soup looks like. There was one that let you swirl the image, but I couldn't find that. Instead I went with this and hope it's tease enough without revealing too much to my lovely swap partner <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/" target="_blank">Éva Kovács</a>. </span></span><br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-52255933693466719372012-06-25T10:24:00.003-07:002012-06-25T10:24:53.383-07:006th Bead Soup Blog Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V5fPEGbQxA3sXfQRWNX-lvaM6lHomiNxkUg4LulEKYH-l1KoqaoobGNeyKUjs6wKb4z2E8dt0Jkclih2YgEdeS0TBoLlaPh4Q6vesf6VxMc5etOF4hZOzyntvcd1X4romzTuBoWJmLg/s1600/BSBP6-Lori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3V5fPEGbQxA3sXfQRWNX-lvaM6lHomiNxkUg4LulEKYH-l1KoqaoobGNeyKUjs6wKb4z2E8dt0Jkclih2YgEdeS0TBoLlaPh4Q6vesf6VxMc5etOF4hZOzyntvcd1X4romzTuBoWJmLg/s320/BSBP6-Lori.jpg" width="137" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yeah, I've decided to join in the 6th <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html/" target="_blank">Bead Soup Blog Party</a>. I had so much fun last time, I simply wanted to play again. The exciting part is my partner<span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="white-space: nowrap;"><u> </u></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Éva Kovács. Check out her blog <a href="http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/" target="_blank">EWA World of Pearls</a>, at least that's how it translates as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Éva lives in Hungary. I'm looking forward to gathering some soup for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Éva to create something fun with. I'm looking forward to what she sends me, too. I'm especially interested to see how long it will take our packages to arrive. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Heather</span>bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-75193958345573120592012-06-23T23:41:00.002-07:002012-06-23T23:41:42.067-07:00Beading Babes Project 5<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been quiet as far as my blog goes, but I have been busy beading. I recently joined the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/383705698317459/" target="_blank">Beading Babes</a>, and online beading group. I've made the two projects for this round. Both are by designer <a href="http://www.manek-manek.com/" target="_blank">Helena Tang-Lim</a> and both incredibly easy to make. </div>
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As always the most time consuming part of any project is locating the necessary pieces and choosing the colours. I found some coin shaped beads at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/yashmacreations/" target="_blank">Yashmacreations</a>.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; white-space: nowrap;">My first choice were perhaps a tad smaller than the pattern suggested, but turned out to </span></div>
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<span class="shopname wrap " style="display: inline-block; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="color: black;">be a little more difficult to find tila beads I was happy to pair them with. So they're sitting awaiting another</span></span></div>
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<span class="shopname wrap " style="display: inline-block; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="color: black;">project for now. Anyway, I've really happy with how my necklace turned out - below.</span></span><span class="shopname wrap " style="display: inline-block; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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The other piece was an easy and fast project to make up. I love how satisfying that was. It really does tempt me to make it in many other colours. Here's the image of my version of the Four Leaf Clover Cuff - below.</div>
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I hope you enjoy viewing these pieces. Please take the time to look at the other pieces created by the other <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/383705698317459/" target="_blank">Beading Babes</a>.</div>
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Heather</div>bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-18263670599193486382012-05-21T07:17:00.000-07:002012-05-21T07:17:27.349-07:00Designer Quest #24When the pack of beads for the <a href="http://www.beadingforum.com.au/forums/" target="_blank">Australian Beading Forum's</a> Designer Quest arrived I swooned at the beauty of the gorgeous Czech beads with a slight twist. I had several weeks to come up with a design, but some of my ideas just weren't working. I let the beads sit on the bead mat and just glanced at them every day for a couple of weeks. Eventually, I design idea gelled and I sat and worked the first of the purple Czech beads. I had to play with the right combination of colours, but struck on the final choice as a winner.<br />
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I made all eight components and thought about how to achieve what I had in my mind, but that was also a trial and error process of different ideas that worked, but not for this design. I finally settled on the firepolish Czech beads in between each of the components and made the already decided St Petersburg chain for the rest of the necklace.<br />
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I'm really pleased with this design. I wore it on Sunday and had several great comments on the piece. Anyway, here it is. I hope you enjoy viewing the finished product. The beads are all from <a href="http://www.cranberry.net.au/" target="_blank">Cranberry</a>.<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-65282194905441163972012-03-12T16:33:00.003-07:002012-03-12T16:36:47.545-07:00Michelle Mach's Suddenly Spring Blog HopIt's always so much fun to push yourself with challenges. This one, another by <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/406-Join-the-Suddenly-Spring-Challenge.html/" target="_blank">Michelle Mach</a>, was a reasonably simple challenge. Take this bracelet (pictured below):<br />
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and create something with it. The idea is that it could be anything. I had the urge to put copper with the aqua coloured beads and decided to keep things classic after letting go a few of my wilder ideas. The photo below shows the finished necklace and matching earrings. I used herringbone weave in graduating seed beads, some hex ones thrown in for a bit of texture and feel the finished product is pleasing on the eye. The design can be worn with the toggle at front or back, for a different look.<br />
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And the other blog participants are listed below. Please visit them and leave comments to join in the fun.<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Michelle - </span><a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Beads and Books</a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> [Hostess]</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Andrew - </span><a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Christa - </span><a href="http://adventuresofwonebeadywoman.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Adventures of One Beady Woman</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dita - </span><a href="http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Alankarshilpa</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Donetta - </span><a href="http://www.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Simply Gorgeous</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Erin - </span><a href="http://erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Erin Siegel Jewelry</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Heather - </span><a href="http://asibeadit.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">As I Bead It</a> (You are here)<br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jean - </span><a href="http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Snap Out of It Jean - There's Beading to Be Done!</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Karen - </span><a href="http://www.overthemoon-design.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Over the Moon Design</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kate - </span><a href="http://katerichbourg.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">We Can Make That At Home</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kay - </span><a href="http://palmcoastart.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Palm Coast Art</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kim - </span><a href="http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">CianciBlue</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Kristina - </span><a href="http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Wild Roses and Blackberries</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Linda - </span><a href="http://www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Lindy's Designs</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Lisa - </span><a href="http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Pine Ridge Treasures</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Marlene - </span><a href="http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Amazing Designs by Marlene</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Michelle - </span><a href="http://reverieandrevival.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Reverie & Revival</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pam - </span><a href="http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">The Crazy Creative Corner</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Renetha - </span><a href="http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Lamplight Crafts</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sharyl - </span><a href="http://catchenthesun.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Catchenthesun</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Terry - </span><a href="http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Therese - </span><a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Therese's Treasures</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Pamela - </span><a href="http://somedaybeads.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Someday Beads</a> <br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-38752037361469997052012-01-30T22:11:00.000-08:002012-01-30T22:11:18.905-08:00December/January Andrew Thornton Reader ChallengeI've been terribly busy over this last month. Having mum spring a surprise trip for my family to come over and stay for almost two weeks kind of threw any creative plans I had for challenges and jewellery making. Not that I minded. I think I really needed a holiday. But when I realised <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com.au/">Andrew Thornton</a> was going to do his reveal soon I pulled out my jonquil kit and worked like a mad thing. I couldn't do any on it last night, but took photos of what I had done, in three nights of work, mind you, and I think it's come together pretty well. I'm not currently on his list of bloggers, but will contact him to add me, or just leave a message in the comments for those who want to see this piece, too. I'm eager to go see what everyone else did with their kit, too.<br />
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I hope you can envisage what this piece will be. I've yet to add the beads to the other side and sew in the loose ends. I'm going to attach the chain with jump rings on one side and a toggle to the other. I am not a huge fan of this colour, yet I love the earthy feel the beads gave, so felt a free form peyote base was what they needed. I hope you agree.<br />
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The unfinished necklace:<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1489.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1489.jpg" /></a><br />
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Close up detail:<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1490.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1490.jpg" /></a><br />
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And here are the other bloggers:<br />
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<div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.katerichbourg.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kate Richbourg</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.queenbeedesignsny.com/?page_id=62/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Christina Porter</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kim Dworak</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.taralinda.wordpress.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tara Linda</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://stilettospirituality.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jessie Nelson</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.grayclouds.net/dg/blog/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dawn from Morning Glory Beading</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://reverieandrevival.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michelle Burnett</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pine Ridge Treasures</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rebecca Anderson</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Karin Slaton</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cynthia Riggs</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Therese Frank</span></a></div><div style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alice Bavaud will have pieces on <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank">Andrew Thornton's blog</a></span></div><br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-66317743839124685722011-12-18T21:38:00.000-08:002011-12-18T21:38:44.609-08:00Christmas JewellerySorry I've been so very quiet. Things are ok with hubby. He had a bit of a scare, but is a lot better now. I've had my hands full with caring for him, rehearsals for our church Christmas choir, which was part of the Christmas play the kids put on. Last night we finally had our performance and all went very well.<br />
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Here's a photo of the jewellery I made for the night and a photo of me wearing it, with my youngest son, who was an angel in the play, though he's not in costume in the photo. Made using Swarovski crystal elements and beads, and sterling silver findings. If I don't get a chance to say so before Christmas I hope you all have a lovely time with family and friends.<br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1281.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1281.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1280.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1280.jpg" /></a><br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-37862511464020524862011-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:002011-10-13T09:00:12.757-07:00Better Late ...I have to apologise for posting this so late. On Monday I took hubby to the emergency department of the hospital. They took him in immediately, no waiting around. It was serious stuff. So, with my gorgeous pack of beads arriving only that day, sometime while I was sitting waiting for them to work out what to do with my man, it was quite an effort to work up something in such a short time and with so much to distract me. I've spent every day since in the hospital for some part if not all of it. They still don't know what is exactly up with him. They use the word <i>investigating </i>a lot.<br />
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So, last night I literately threw this necklace together. I'm not happy with it, but it will do for the sake of the challenge, though I'm certain I will pull this apart at some other time when my frame of mind is more together and come up with something I just love. The components are totally gorgeous. Loved this long awaited pack. I did begin a pair of earrings with the Swarovski crystals, but only one of those is complete. The mix of seedies and Czech beads, yum, is totally delicious and will at some time become a freeform peyote stitch bracelet. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the simple necklace I created with the pieces after only two nights to ponder. Please remember to check out the other participants in the <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2011/10/september-readers-challenge-reveal-part.html/">September Reader's Challenge</a> on <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/">The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1213-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1213-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1214.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1214.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1215.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1215.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1216.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1216.jpg" /></a><br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-76879139343337861122011-10-04T01:30:00.000-07:002011-10-04T01:32:15.489-07:00Very Vintage Challenge Necklace<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1204.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1204.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1200.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1200.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/?action=view&current=DSCF1198.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1198.jpg" /></a><br />
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As usual I've had a lot going on around here, so I ended up pulling another all nighter to get this piece finished. I'll probably make a pair of earrings with what's leftover, but my bed beckoned and by two this morning it was just about yelling at me. The ideas for this necklace went through several idea stages. One failed completely. I'd intended tying beads onto cord, but all the cord I had was too thick for several of the beads. I had a mad, messy idea, but that couldn't happen, in particular because of the cord thickness problem and no shops open in the middle of the night.<br />
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Anyway, this finished piece is completely wearable and chinks and tinkles as you walk. I kind of like that. I'm thinking just some cluster style earrings with the remaining beads and filigree pieces. I hope you enjoy my completed piece. Don't forget to take a look at the other entries below:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;">Andrew<br />
<a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton</a><br />
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Cat<br />
<a href="http://www.boobeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Boo Beads</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Chris<br />
<a href="http://beadjewelry.net/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">beadjewelry.net</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Cilla<br />
<a href="http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Tell Your Girlfriends</a><br />
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Cyndi<br />
<a href="http://www.beading-arts.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Beading Arts</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Cynthia<br />
<a href="http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cynth's Blog</a><br />
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Dawn<br />
<a href="http://grayclouds.net/dg/blog/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Morning Glory Beading</a><br />
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Donetta<br />
<a href="http://www.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Simply Gorgeous</a><br />
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Heather<br />
<a href="http://asibeadit.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">As I Bead It</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Holly<br />
<a href="http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">SilverRose Designs</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Kate<br />
<a href="http://katerichbourg.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">We Can Make That at Home</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Kristina<br />
<a href="http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Wild Roses and Blackberries</a><br />
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Lauren<br />
<a href="http://laurelmoon.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Laurel Moon Jewelry & Beads</a><br />
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Linda<br />
<a href="http://lutkaandco.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lutka & Co</a><br />
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Lisa<br />
<a href="http://lucidmoonstudio.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lucid Mood Studio</a><br />
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Lola<br />
<a href="http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Bead Lola Bead</a><br />
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Mary<br />
<a href="http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">MLH Jewelry</a><br />
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Melinda<br />
<a href="http://orrtec.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Michelle H.<br />
<a href="http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Firefly Visions</a></div><div style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 0px;"><br />
Michelle M.<br />
<a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Beads & Books</a><br />
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Salla<br />
<a href="http://bysalla.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Blog by Salla</a><br />
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Shannon<br />
<a href="http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Falling into the Sky</a><br />
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Shay<br />
<a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/%20http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Shaiha's Ramblings</a><br />
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Shel<br />
<a href="http://www.misheldesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">MiShel Designs</a><br />
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Shirley<br />
<a href="http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Beads and Bread</a><br />
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Stephanie<br />
<a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/%20http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Pixybug Designs</a><br />
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Tari<br />
<a href="http://www.pearlandpebble.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Pearl and Pebbles</a><br />
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Terry<br />
<a href="http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry</a><br />
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Tracy<br />
<a href="http://www.thebeadjunkie.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1010c0; text-decoration: none;">The Bead Junkie</a></div><br />
Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-81376922719795067072011-09-16T22:17:00.000-07:002011-09-16T22:17:41.386-07:00The Bead Soup Blog Party - The Big Reveal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1192.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1185.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1187.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/DSCF1191.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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I've been having such a great time with my bead soup and checking out all the other blogs. Really, it's been a blast. Now has come the day when we reveal our finished pieces. I've been really looking forward to this day, so much that I made my blog post early and am publishing it now. Cool. This way I can work on the post and edit it over the next few days.<br />
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My piece is complete, except for a last minute edition, which I added a couple of nights ago. Here is my swap partner's blog to see what she created with the soup I sent her: <a href="http://doralilabeads.blogspot.com/">Doralila Beads</a><br />
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There is a list of all the other blogs on Lori Anderson's <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/">Pretty Things blog</a> so please visit them and join in the party:<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com60tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-57290658953767463442011-09-08T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-08T08:33:48.221-07:00Beading Books I'm Reading<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596684089/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=asilikeit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1596684089"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&Format=_SL110_&ASIN=1596684089&MarketPlace=US&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&tag=asilikeit-20&ServiceVersion=20070822" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1596684089&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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I already mentioned one of the books I've been reading lately when I shared the earrings I made from <a href="http://sharilynmiller.blogspot.com/">Sharilyn Miller's</a> book, pictured above. But I've also been devouring the images in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596681764/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=asilikeit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1596681764">The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1596681764&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.Felt inspired by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596682000/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=asilikeit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1596682000">Weave, Wrap, Coil: Creating Artisan Wire Jewelry</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1596682000&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />.And finally got my hands on my own copy of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/160059672X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=asilikeit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=160059672X">Sherry Serafini's Sensational Bead Embroidery: 25 Inspiring Jewelry Projects (Beadweaving Master Class Series)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=160059672X&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Another more practical book, which has finally pushed me to begin stocking the <a href="http://etsy.com/">etsy.com</a> store I made ages ago now, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/theartisans/">The Artisans</a>, is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603424776/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=asilikeit-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=1603424776">The Handmade Marketplace: How to Sell Your Crafts Locally, Globally, and On-Line</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=1603424776&camp=217145&creative=399369" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. I fully recommend these books as great resources and loaded with information and eye candy for any beader or wire worker. The Artisans so far only has a painting by my husband, but look for more shortly.<br />
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</div>Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-21490817722722294852011-09-06T01:22:00.000-07:002011-09-06T01:22:40.840-07:00Sharilyn Miller EarringsI sat down last night to make a pair of earrings for a birthday for a friend. I'd been invited and told that Maria's birthday was today, so I made this pair of earrings with her in mind. Wire Art jewelry by <a href="http://sharilynmiller.blogspot.com/">Sharilyn Miller</a> is just a gorgeous book to look at. I love how the first half is just how to make the various components. The next half is specific projects using those components. These are directly out of that book. I picked up a requested copy from my local library just yesterday. But, when I got there it turns out the birthday girl was unwell and couldn't make it. Also, that I had the wrong Maria. I had to laugh. What gave it away was when I showed these earrings to the other girls. I described them as "really Maria." They all laughed and realised I had the wrong end of the stick. So, these earrings are called Maria, but I may still give them to the Maria in mind. I'll have to see how difficult it is to give them away.<br />
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I made the other pair just for fun.<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-84887408578784166912011-09-02T06:31:00.000-07:002011-09-02T06:31:15.081-07:00Very Vintage & Other Challenges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/fall-challenge-button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/fall-challenge-button.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I've been keeping busy buying up kits for challenges just the last few days. Last week I purchased the <a href="http://www.beadsofambrosia.com/index.php/cName/designer-quest/osCsid/6867e384c610b5d01f4033b3abd96809/">23rd Designer Quest</a> kit from <a href="http://www.beadsofambrosia.com/">Beads of Ambrosia</a> through my membership in <a href="http://www.beadingforum.com.au/forums/">Aussie Beading forum</a>. I somehow managed to snaffle a <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2011/08/september-readers-challenge.html/">September Reader's Challenge</a> kit from <a href="http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/">Andrew Thornton</a>. Also, I scored a <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/333-Join-the-Very-Vintage-Challenge.html/">Very Vintage</a> kit from <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/">Michelle Mach's</a> latest challenge. I'm going to be one busy girl. But I just love the challenge on my creativity. Forcing myself to make something out of a collection of beads someone else put together is just plain fun. I've completed my <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/">Bead Soup</a> piece with some leftover beads. I'm thinking of squeezing a bracelet out of those last few. I hope you're keeping yourself inspired to be creative, too.<br />
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Heather<br />
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bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-27899328528654142162011-08-24T01:20:00.000-07:002011-08-24T01:20:30.420-07:00My Bead Soup Arrives from GermanyWow, I feel so blessed. This morning on my way out to work I checked the letter box and sitting there was a little box. Inside were these gorgeous beads. I am stunned at their beauty. I've yet to have a really good play with them, but plan on seeing what my mind comes up with tonight. Check out <a href="http://doralilabeads.blogspot.com/">Doris</a>, who these fabulous beads came from. And here is the entry where she shares <a href="http://doralilabeads.blogspot.com/2011/08/meine-perlensuppe-ist-angekommen.html/">the soup I sent her</a>.<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-69680543029330393372011-08-17T08:06:00.000-07:002011-08-17T08:06:58.670-07:00Bead Tease for Doris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCYe-t_zZMb1a8MC08Q25HlntBf8mMEaQKeWJEXvnG6uwh0JrPX1bx5lOIETAh9lSzAySWhkp3gN9PNRGqvmFtTcWFnUJMjy2OeeO489C_M4fR4M5v75fU9Z_eacKq-1GRn7nWGwcDDc/s1600/distorted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCYe-t_zZMb1a8MC08Q25HlntBf8mMEaQKeWJEXvnG6uwh0JrPX1bx5lOIETAh9lSzAySWhkp3gN9PNRGqvmFtTcWFnUJMjy2OeeO489C_M4fR4M5v75fU9Z_eacKq-1GRn7nWGwcDDc/s320/distorted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Here is a teaser of the beads I sent off to my swap partner <a href="http://doralilabeads.blogspot.com/">Doris</a> for the <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/">Bead Soup Blog Hop</a>. With the international postage the two of us might be waiting a little longer than some of the other bead soupers. Should be fun, though. I'm really looking forward to playing.<br />
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Heatherbwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-56928730713544916842011-08-16T11:14:00.000-07:002011-08-17T01:15:05.938-07:00My Steampunk Metal Necklace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mAzPtpY0fyS7lpnkrcaMrMTrzPHErS7xO8P6ectTubVX3uanK04lPSgem7Ev7V8Q0_v9d9v57v1Y_7JkQdWv3J_IyZtmPf2E5p20UxONvYJPG9L38lvXQo4XAmml78aUzTeqARs0L0E/s1600/entry5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mAzPtpY0fyS7lpnkrcaMrMTrzPHErS7xO8P6ectTubVX3uanK04lPSgem7Ev7V8Q0_v9d9v57v1Y_7JkQdWv3J_IyZtmPf2E5p20UxONvYJPG9L38lvXQo4XAmml78aUzTeqARs0L0E/s320/entry5.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Well, these aren't great photos of my necklace, but I'll update with a better photo once the sun is out. The main thing is that I'm done. I created something out of the kit sent to me for the <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/310-Join-the-Mostly-Metal-Design-Challenge.html/">Mostly Metal Challenge</a>. The fun began when I somehow stumbled on the call to enter <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/bio.htm/">Michelle Mach's</a> challenge. Something I always love is a challenge.<br />
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This time proved even more so as mum was here. The rough idea formed for this the moment I pulled everything out of the pack and began to push the pieces around my bead tray. But I didn't get to it until late Saturday night. I really wanted to use the ribbon, but time didn't permit me to do all I'd imagined. Instead I kept with the steampunk theme and used some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62400402/phileas-fogg-5-foot-steampunk-rustic?ga_search_query=PHileas%2BFogg&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_5725377/">Phileas Fogg </a> chain I had from an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">etsy</a> purchase sometime last year. I wasn't struck on using the main focal, either, so I left that out. Instead I made my unique portion of the pack into part of the focal and I kind of like the funky streampunk look I created. I hope you do, too.<br />
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Make sure you check out the other entries in the <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/323-Mostly-Metal-Blog-Hop-.-.-.-and-a-Giveaway!.html/">Mostly Metal Blog Hop . . . and a Giveaway!</a><br />
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Heather<br />
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<h4 class="entry-title serendipity_title" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(144, 160, 176); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: floralwhite; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px; width: 924px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 19px;">Mostly Metal Blog Hop . . . and a Giveaway!</span></h4>bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-4536844130721137562011-08-15T00:08:00.000-07:002011-08-15T00:08:31.672-07:00Bead Soup Blog Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW8bdrumm4JCK3_kmV4HGYGiU3MQQqyiB02RkJ5t2UEmlY-Ga6JLXuiUH-PHEhy398jEoI1XKN0C-Yu0d4OR8o2FVfySEe5AnojRrwrlL0dl24LeTNhDBurOK1C2SI_5PgydGGLOAVVY/s1600/washday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW8bdrumm4JCK3_kmV4HGYGiU3MQQqyiB02RkJ5t2UEmlY-Ga6JLXuiUH-PHEhy398jEoI1XKN0C-Yu0d4OR8o2FVfySEe5AnojRrwrlL0dl24LeTNhDBurOK1C2SI_5PgydGGLOAVVY/s1600/washday.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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So, it's been pretty crazy around here. I had my mother visiting, which was wonderful, but nothing much got done as far as beading goes. But, my part in the <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/p/bead-soup-blog-party.html/">Bead Soup Blog Party</a> was completed today in a bit of a rush. The wind is high outside, but I braved it for the 30 minute walk to the post office. My car is the workshop today. The little sprinkle of rain didn't bother me, but the wind pushed me along and made my trip much quicker I think.<br />
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I've packaged up my little offering and have sent it off to Germany. I sure hope my swap partner is happy and inspired by her little package of beads. I'm eager to see what is heading my way, too. My partner, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/02268979532909289974/">Doris</a>, has a cool blog <a href="http://doralilabeads.blogspot.com/">Doralila Beads</a> that I had to use the translate option to read. But even if you can't translate her blog the pictures tell you enough. Doris creates gorgeous lampwork beads, definitely worth drooling over. So make sure you check out what she's up to over there. I'll post a teaser later of the beads & pieces I've sent to Doris.<br />
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Heather<br />
Photo used with permission from <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1234387/?forcedownload=1">http://www.sxc.hu/</a>bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6566895063715239961.post-11323127233684147962011-07-18T00:21:00.000-07:002011-07-18T00:21:12.539-07:00Mostly Metal Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeVCxgJHvZSnrrVEUVeU3uAmgK5IBkC05NNnBwUDwTR3xCKernoBWGqsx-0sKJ6-bzfbaayqoXlum0XvskiEgCJ9naVLu_U0xTQIxSwJOj_ejRhGyPfTtQFbSy3ERBIdCvGExQvWKfrE/s1600/mostlymetalchallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxeVCxgJHvZSnrrVEUVeU3uAmgK5IBkC05NNnBwUDwTR3xCKernoBWGqsx-0sKJ6-bzfbaayqoXlum0XvskiEgCJ9naVLu_U0xTQIxSwJOj_ejRhGyPfTtQFbSy3ERBIdCvGExQvWKfrE/s320/mostlymetalchallenge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Well, I signed up with many others for the <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/blog/index.php?/archives/310-Join-the-Mostly-Metal-Design-Challenge.html/">Mostly Metal Challenge</a> by <a href="http://www.michellemach.com/bio.htm/">Michelle Mach</a>. My lovely little kit arrived today. The photo above shows how it looks. I'm allowed to add anything from my own stash, but cannot show you my completed piece until the date of the big reveal, which is August 16 this year. Anyway, I've got some ideas forming. Maybe some seed beads, or wirework? I will have to have a play with the pack tonight and see what I can come up with. I hope you're joining in the challenge, too.<br />
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Heather <a href="http://www.rings-things.com/"> <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v470/bwheather/logo_blog_partner.jpg" /></a>bwheatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15685245682393719487noreply@blogger.com1