Saturday, August 24, 2013

Summer Color Surprise Blog Hop

                                                     

Several weeks ago I signed up for Lisa's Summer Color Surprise hop in the attempt to get more motivated to blog more frequently and spread my little wings.  One of the things I like about these is that you have to work with what you're given and that takes me out of the box.  This is a picture of the gorgeous beads I was sent:
                                           
Out of my comfort zone? Definitely! Orange is something that I don't gravitate to at all!! But it got the creative juices going and those crystals are sparkling inspiration in themselves. So, without further ado,
here is what I came up with.


Tribal Elegance

I decided to use bronze Artistic wire in all the pieces I made to kind of tie it together. Several years ago, my DH made a trip to visit some of our staff who were serving in South Africa at the time and he brought me back these colorful little plates- the colors seemed like the perfect backdrop for the next few pictures.
Bronze Beauties

Not much to say about these- the beads caps remind me of the African women with a slightly organic feel.

Flames of Sunset





When I first saw these leaf shaped beads, wasn't sure what direction to go. But after wirewrapping the orange flowers into the antique brass earrings frames, the rest just fell into place!
Not the greatest picture, I know, but I've been in the midst of getting ready for a big baby shower for a dear friend and went to bed last night after getting last minute details done and MUCH to my horror remembered I had forgotten to take pictures, so...   These were a trial run for the final set of pictures and the one type of bead in the assortment that hadn't been used yet. 'Nuff said.

Sunrise Delight
These are, by far and away, my favorites from the whole thing.  The coppery crystals just begged for some wire wrapping and while I was looking for inspiration on my favorite time killer source of inspiration, Pinterest, I came across this pin that gave me my aha! moment.

Thanks so much for stopping by to see all my goodies. If you were one of the five that commented on my Christmas in August post, send me an email with your address so I can get your earrings out to you. Stop on by the rest of the participants for some splashes and dashes of color, creativity and joy!


Chris Eisenberg, Wander Ware
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
Charlene Bausinger Jacka, Clay Space
Renetha Williams Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts
Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life
Julie Lockhart, Copar Aingeal
Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Mowse Doyle, Mowse Made This
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera
Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry   <--------You Are Here!!
Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations


27 comments:

  1. Beautiful designs Christie! You have restored my faith in orange!

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  2. Christie, I have a new appreciation of all things orange, and lately it seems to be everywhere! So you are right in style with your lovely designs!

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    1. I'm very ready for fall, aren't I, Monique? Thanks!

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  3. All I can say is Wowsa! These pieces are some of my favorites in the hop so far. Love them all! Excellent job, Christie. Thanks for being in the hop!

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    1. You always challenge me ;) Thanks for letting me play, Lisa- it was fun!

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  4. gorgeous! your final design and earrings are especially dreamy!

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  5. Those long cylindrical beads would have been a big challenge for me/ Great use of them! And the crystal necklace is sooooo cool!

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  6. What great pieces! I am totally in love with the first pair of earrings.

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    1. Thank you, Shaiha- they kind of had a mind of their own :) Not at all my usual style, but they're growing on me

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  7. Beautiful designs - I have to admit the last set is my favorite! Your wire wrapping is fantastic - beautiful job! :)

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  8. You did a great job with orange! Love the earrings with the leaves!

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  9. Beautiful use of your beads! I especially like the flames of sunset earrings. Love all those orange dangly leaves and the wire wrapped frames.

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  10. I love orange! All your pieces are fabulous!!!!

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    1. There's a lot of orange lovers out there :) Thanks for the sweet words, Alice!

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  11. I love all of your pieces. They are beautiful and creative.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kathy! These hops always challenge me, but they're ever so much fun.

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  12. I love your creations!! You are very talented! Excellent job!! :)

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  13. Love all of your pretty earrings especially the earring and necklace set. That's my favorite.

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  14. Beautiful jewelry!! Each design is outstanding and so good! I'm amazed with each and every piece. Your work is gorgeous, and full of creative brilliance! I'm impressed and inspired. Love your wirework and details. Wonderful!

    Happy Hopping,
    Rita

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