Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Color of Dreams Blog Hop

Sometime ago, Rita of Toltec Jewels posted a blog challenge in the Bead Soup Cafe on Facebook ( great group if you're a beader) asking who would be interested in using a single bead by artist Patricia Handschoh of The Color of Dreams Boutique. She also has a blog.  I wasn't familiar with her work, but the colors... oh my. Beautiful. I signed on very quickly and was delighted to be chosen.

Then my bead arrived in the mail....

and I was smitten.  Love, love. love the butterfly.  Here's a closer look.


The pondering began. I like to try new things when I participate in a blog like this and decided to do something with wire.  I doodled a couple of things which didn't work and so decided to devote the beginning of the week to spend time just working on this project. But the best laid plans of mice and men...

A dear friend had asked me to be with her during her labor and delivery with her first baby. As a former L/D nurse, I was delighted to say yes. She called me Monday and said they were going to be inducing her that evening and could I be there. Yes, ma'am. Absolutely. Long story short, Miss Annie  decided not to make her debut until Tuesday evening. Being back in the labor room reminded me of everything I loved about being an L/D nurse (being a support person and helping a woman believe in what she and her body were created to do) and everything I didn't (watching her RN and CNM having to split their time between rooms and oh, that time consuming charting over and over). When she arrived, her daddy and mommy were elated and exhausted. I got back to thinking about pursuing a certification as a doula. But that's another story. Had to work the next couple of days and then it was Friday :)

Got out my go to wire of late ( annealed steel wire from Ace Hardware) and started playing. And re-doing. And again. And then?

Birth of a Butterfly

It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and my hat is off to wireworkers extraordinaire, because this was attempt #4? and I finally just had to commit to finishing something in time. It's still lacking a chain but overall, I'm pleased with the end result. Getting those loops somewhat equal was the biggest challenge - I need a hands on class somewhere in the future. Like the process of this pendant, births aren't always pretty and don't always go as planned, but in the end if you have a sweet little healthy person in the world, there's cause for rejoicing and celebration. Hence, the name.

Here's another look.
Don't forget to stop by and see what the other participants created using their beads. A big shout out to Rita for being a generous and wonderful hostess.  As for me? I'm wishing you splashes of joy and dashes of grace in whatever your day holds.

Honorary Artist: Patricia Handschuh
Patricia's blog:            The Color of Dreams        
Patricias Etsy:             The Color of Dreams
Hostess: TJ                Jewel School Friends
Kay Thomerson           KayzKreationz
Audrey Belanger          Toki No Hourousha

Alicia Marinache          All the Pretty Things
Terry Carter                TappingFlamingo
Lori Schneider             Bead Addict
Jenny Kyrlach             Wonder and Whimsy
Asri Wahyuingsih         Asri's Beadwork
Dini Bruinsma              Angaza by Changes
Karla Morgan              Texas Pepper Jams
Debbie Rasmussen        A Little of This, A Little of That
Veralynne Malone          Designed by Vera
Kathy Stemke               Vintage Memories Jewelry Design
Mowse Doyle               Mowse Made This
Heather Richter             Desert Jewelry Designs
Lori Poppe                   Adventures in Creativity with LorilliJean

Jayne Capps                Mama's Got To Doodle
Andrea Glick                Zenith Jade Creations
Kathleen Breeding         99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Becky Pancake             Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Karin Martinez              Fairies Market
Miranda Ackerley          Mirandack

Penny Houghton           Smelly Nelly
Carolyn Lawson           Carolyn's Creations
Chris Eisenberg            Wanderware
Christie Murrow           Charis Designs Jewelry   (You're here)

Monique Urquhart        A Half-Baked Notion
Eve Shelby                  Raindrop Creations Jewelry by Evelyn
Cryss Thain                 Here Bead Dragons
Jasvanti Patel               Jewelry By Jasvanti
Nan Smith                   NanMade Handmade Jewelry
Sue Kennedy               SueBeads
Jean Yates                   Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Debbie Rogers             Debbies Treasures
Marybeth Rich             A Few Words From Within the Pines
Shirley Moore              Beads and Bread
Shaia Williams             Shaiha's Ramblings
Kathy Lindemer           Bay Moon Design
Linda Anderson           From the Bead Board
Judy Turner               Silver Rains
Gloria Allen                Gloria Allen Designs
Regina Wood              Ginas-Design
Robin Reed                Artistry HCBD
Mary Goovars            MLH Jewelry Designs
Marlene Cupo             Amazing Designs
CJ Bauschka              4 His Glory Creations
Robin Showstack        The Crazy Bead Hoarder
Cynthia O'Toole          Sparkles and Sweets

Jael Thorp                 Jael's Art Jewels
Renetha Stanziano      Lamplight Crafts

25 comments:

  1. I love it! I see the butterfly fluttering because of the swirls in your wire! It;s wonderful! jean :)

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  2. What a memorable week, and a charming way to christen YOUR latest creation, Christie! Your design is lovely, and the beauty of handmade, as opposed to mass-produced, is its unique character and individuality. Don't rush to lose that!

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  3. Cure wirework! The shape nicely accents this bead!
    MirandAck.com

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  4. Christie your pendant is wonderful. Kudos to you for trying new techniques and keeping at it when it didn't turn out as you expected. Your naming it The Birth of a Butterfly is a wonderful tribute to the birth Annie. I am sure each time you wear it you will hold on to a great memory. Hopefully when Annie grows up you will share this story with her.

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  5. I love this! I love wirework, too. The use of blue wire really brings out the lovely bead.
    Kathy
    http://vintagememoriesjewelry.blogspot.com/

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  6. What a beautiful story of life! The way your gift of support and experience and medical knowledge unfolded along with your art is extraordinary. I am intrigued by the spark you feel to pursue certification as a doula and your GORGEOUS wirework butterfly focal! "The Birth of a Butterfly" is simply beautiful and deeply inspiring. Attempt #4 was certainly the one! :) Your loops are graceful and balanced, and the design is brilliant! I'm so impressed.

    I'm touched and honored by your post, Christie, and as always, honored to have you and your lovely art in our hop!

    Thank you & Happy Hopping,
    Rita

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  7. What a great start. That frame really brings to mind the delicacy of a butterfly's flight. Please be sure to share the finished necklace with us.

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  8. Awesome piece!!! Isn't it amazing how sometimes working in last minute crunch gives us the greatest creative juices!!!! Great job and know it will be a hit when you wear it! Thanks for posting.

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  9. Hats off to you for the wirework. Wire doesn't like playing with me. I think the design is just lovely, and I adore your story of being there for you friend. Please give her congratulations!

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  10. Great wire work. Yes, I love playing with wire as well, sometimes it takes many tries to get the result that you feel comfortable with. There are times I'm all thumbs too.

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  11. Nice focal and the way you did the wirework makes it stand out.
    ~cryssT

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  12. I love your creation. It's probably unconscious but the shape resembles a very pregnant belly! Think there's a theme here? You sure "delivered" on this challenge(LOL)

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  13. Ah, you got the butterfly! I was wondering who has it :) Your idea is gorgeous, and works perfectly with your blue beautiful butterfly! Oh - congratulations to your friend, I can't imagine a better reason for being time-strapped :)

    P.S. For having equal loops (if that's what you are for, although most of the time I prefer them completely asymmetrical) you have 2 options: (1) mark your round pliers on 2 levels, and use the marks to make perfectly identical loops or (2) use one of those 3-step looping pliers (my preferred option).

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  14. Beautiful butterfly bead, the wire wrapping is a perfect showcase for your bead. Gorgeous, gorgeous!

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  15. what a pretty bead and a wonderful job with the wire! so, so pretty!

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  16. Chairs-I love the bead that you got. I think what you did with it is stunning. Great job!

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  17. Oooh I love your wirework! Showcases the beautiful bead to perfection. Good job!

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  18. I absolutely love your bead and the way you choose to showcase it. Wonderful!!!

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  19. Great wire work. I love your title also and your inspiration for it.

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  20. What a great story to go with your design. I love the wire focal for the bead. None of us are perfect, so I think it is 'perfect' in that sense. And congrats on your friends lovely, healthy little one.

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  21. I really love the design and think it looks great!!! You did a really great job!!! Have a Blessed Day!

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  22. I was wondering where this pretty bead was....looks like it made its way to the right home. So pretty and what a great project and a wonderful share.

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  23. A beautiful inspiring story tells 'us' the 'birth of the butterfly , it's really ♥nice to read about the 'whole process'. It has a happy ending! Enjoy finishing the pendant / necklace, such a special souvenir of the birth of little miss Annie

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  24. Your bead was the one I fell in love with when I saw the preview image, and you definitively did it justice ! I love how your wirework seems to be an extention of that butterfly and has wings as well ! Sorry this comment took so long, this week has been a little heretic.

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