Buried Treasure Challenge

One of my very favorite blogs is Art Jewelry Elements.

I love that several of my favorite artists are gathered in one place and share things regularly that inspire me.

Recently Jenny Davies-Reazor challenged everyone to use some of our art bead stash.

This is right up my alley.

2016 is the year I dig into all the things I have been "saving".

This is why...

I have decided this little quote says it all.

So I dug into some beautiful components that Melinda Barnett sent me.

You can find her blog, Bees On Pie here.

I was saving them because they were so pretty.

She had sent these lovely clay disk components so I incorporated them into this necklace that has my hopes for the year.

Each disk is hand-stamped with a quality or characteristic like honesty, courage, peace, faith, health.

Things we might want or aspire to have or be.

I made a chain of my own wire heart links and added her components.

The two red bar pieces are from Melinda as well.

And then I finished it off with some silk.

I love silk.

I actually increased my stash of silk recently with a big order of luscious colors.

So this necklace will definitely be one of my favorite pieces this year.

I used components made by a dear friend.

I love the overall design.

It has my hopes for the year.

And it is a reminder to use the things you love.

I also made one more piece for the challenge.

This bracelet also uses a focal from Melinda Barnett.

I believe this one is made from paper clay. 

 It is very light and wearable.

I added my wire links and some silk that I hand dyed.

So that is a great beginning for a new year.

I hope you make something gorgeous with pieces you love as well.

Thanks for stopping by....

Belle Armoire Jewelry Giveaway

The Winter 2016 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry is one of the best ones yet.

I never fail to find inspiration in each issue.

This one is just as inspiring.

I want to share some of my favorites from this issue.

This wire piece from  Angela Gruenke speaks volumes to me.

Absolutely gorgeous!

The pieces from Carol Dekle-Foss are inspiring.

This is a technique on my to do list for sure.

Cat Kerr is talented and versatile.

She is constantly creating and sharing beautiful new techniques and pieces.

These bangles are something I want to try...

I love the organic look of this necklace from Elizabeth Hodges.

It really draws me in and makes me want to touch this piece...

And these earrings from Andrea Chebeleu?

Gorgeous and inspiring!

And then there are some color drenched pieces that inspire me to break out of my neutrals mode.

These pieces from Cherie FitzSimons-Orr are riveting and bright.

I love them!

Also full of color and possibilities are these pieces from Carol Ognibene Kornievsky.

I adore how they incorporate bright doodles...

 Melinda Barnett is featured in this issue as well.

Her wrapped links are always so beautiful.

Melinda incorporates polymer clay in such an inspiring way in these pieces.

And then there are these wine cork necklaces.

When I read there were going to be wine cork necklaces in this issue, I never pictured anything as fantastic as these creations from Jamie Larson.

These pieces leave me speechless...

Wow!

I am especially proud of this issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry as it features a few of my pieces as well.

Every time I see my pieces in a magazine, I am transported back to when it was made or I photographed it.

The pieces in the Love Nests article were created this summer.

In the article, I walk you through how to make your own clay stamps.

I made the nest stamp used for these pieces.

The three eggs are symbolic for my family.

The Forest Floor collection is one of my favorites I have made to date.

I love the twisted wire and silk incorporated with all the primitive polymer clay pieces.

The article shares how to do several finishes on the clay pieces as well as how to achieve the very distinct look of the metal shotgun shells and rhinestones.

The faux bone look for Sculpey clay is one of my favorites to produce and then create with.

Back in the gallery are a necklace and bracelet created with silicone molds I made with lavender from my garden this summer.

I love how Stampington and Company photographed these pieces.

So, I think after taking a peek inside with me, you have to agree this issue is worth owning.

You can pick up Belle Armoire Jewelry at many craft retailers and bookstores.

You can also get it directly from Stampington here.

Or if you would like to win a copy of your own, you can right here.

Just leave a comment about which pieces caught your eye and imagination.

I will choose a winner December 26th and announce the winner December 27th here on the blog.

This giveaway is open to continental U.S. residents.

Stampington will send the issue right to your home.

How great is that?

Thanks for stopping by....

Jewelry Affaire magazine Giveaway

Do you ever look at back at your journey and pinpoint moments that changed your path?

I do.

As an artist, I have always created but through the years, the materials, mediums and styles have changed.

Jewelry making is relatively new to me.

I have been doing it for about 8 years or so.

It started with a necklace I bought and dissected for weeks.

And then, into the journey, I discovered Jewelry Affaire magazine.

It was a game changer.

I am very visually stimulated.  

Their pieces and attention to detail caught my imagination and set it on fire.

I can change my whole way of thinking with one new little detail: a knot, bead, clasp, headpin, focal...

My head swam for weeks and then my hands started to create.

Looking back I have to laugh.

Anyone that knows me knows how much I make now and in how many styles....

So I am always amazed and thrilled when I see an issue that actually features some of my work...

But more of that later.

Today I want to give you a chance to win your own copy of the newest issue.

But first I want to show you a few pieces that have grabbed my attention and imagination in this issue.

Sarah Donawerth captured my admiration and the cover with her whimsical bangles.

And I learned something about fairy tales...

Fiber is one of my favorite things to incorporate into a piece to soften it and Mayumi Schuster does it beautifully in her pieces.

The featured artist in this issue is Connie Poirier Trikoulis.

With good reason, too.

Her work is lovely and inspiring...

Ahhh...Melinda Barnett...

Her work is always a breath of fresh air.

I am so fortunate to call her my friend...

I especially love her inspiration story for this piece...

I am totally obsessed by little bottles and vials so this one by Kris Auderer definitely caught my attention...

In every issue, there is a piece that makes me say, "now THAT is genious!"

In this issue, it was these feather earrings by Emily Deister.

She totally reinvented feather earrings.

Love them!

Here is another favorite from Melinda Barnett.

I love the focal and the chain...

And now I can finally get to those pieces I made...

It never fails to amaze me when I see something that sprang to life in my hands on the pages of a magazine...

This turquoise bracelet is a keeper...

My faux bone earrings are made from Sculpey polymer clay.

I love them.

That finish is one of my very favorites to date.

These beads are from Sculpey as well with the shimmery finish created with DecoArt paints.

The beads remind me of the years my husband tilled the whole length of our lot in the back to plant a row of sunflowers...

Boy, was it hot.

And the skunks ate more than half the seeds...

Little buggers.

But the ones that grew brought me such joy.

Did you see anything that made your mind catch gear?

This is only a very small sampling of what is in the issue.

  You can pick it up at newsstands, or from Stampington.

Or, if you live in the continental US, you could possibly win it.

Just leave a comment below telling your favorite material to use for making jewelry and you will be entered for a chance to win....

I always seem to go with one week for the giveaway but this time we will try two weeks...  

I will choose a winner on November 17th and post it on the 18th here on the blog.

I always love hearing what inspires you...

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs...

Belle Armoire Jewelry magazine Giveaway

As you know, I am a fan of the magazines from Stampington.

I believe they are the best on the market for quality and innovation.

If you have ever held one of them in your hands, you know they are printed on lovely heavy paper and the photography is exquisite.

I used to think that the price tag was high, but anymore, so many magazines cost around the same price and are not printed on the same quality paper.

And I mentioned before, the number of pieces and projects in one of their magazines compared to a book actually makes them a bargain.

It is true again for Belle Armoire Jewelry Autumn 2015 issue.

Stick around for a chance to win a copy sent right to your doorstep...

First let's peek inside...

Monica Johnson creates these lovely necklaces with my favorite medium, polymer clay.

One of my favorite artists, Cat Kerr, is at it again...

Her designs are genious and never-ending.

She tries so many mediums and styles.

She never gets stale.

I love that about her...

These necklaces are awesome and make me plug in the soldering iron...

Marlene Quigley has these fantastic earrings in this issue.

Justine Brooks' earrings are inspiring...

This ring from Roxy Lentz makes me want to play with metal...

Melinda Barnett is a dear friend and I am thrilled for her every time I see one of her pieces in print. 

Her ceramic pieces in this one call to me...

so much so that I am researching getting a kiln.... 

And those metal leaves....

Don't get me started....

Gorgeous!

Staci Louise Smith first inspired my deep passion for clay.

She also does some fantastic wire and metalworking as seen in this article.

When I was pregnant with my daughter many years ago I made dream catchers.

Mine were huge and made for hanging over your bed.

These tiny pendant size ones are inspiring from Ebru Kapsal.

Sometimes I look at a project and swear it is something I made...

It just looks so like me.

That is what happened when I saw these cuffs from Rochelle Gaukel.

They are so me....

And then there are these cuffs which also look like me...

Because THESE are mine...

They were a project that actually made me grin while I was making them.

I used DecoArt's Metallic Lustres on these.

I love the feeling of rubbing the colors in with my fingers.

I like to get messy when I create...

So, that is such a small sampling of what is in this issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry.

And I would encourage you to run out and buy a copy right away....

Or...

Leave a comment telling a little about your favorite piece of jewelry that you own and why it is so special for a chance to win.

I will select a winner next Friday and post the name here on the blog.

Stampington sends the copy right to you.

It is that easy.

So what are you waiting for?

Good luck!

And thanks for stopping by...