Grow Your Blog Party & Giveaway

Welcome to the Grow Your Blog Party! Someone had posted about this on a beading Facebook page, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Thank you to Vicki for being a wonderful hostess. If you look at the amazing list on her blog, you'll find it's grouped according to the number of followers so be sure to visit and follow the ones that pique your interest.

My name is Christie. I'm a wife of 26 years, a mom to three beautiful daughters and experiencing my first year as an empty nester. I'm finding it has its pros and cons for sure! I've always loved to do crafts and was into scrapbooking for awhile until I was introduced to beading through a friend of my sister. I was hooked! After making gifts for family and friends, this hobby segued into a small business and keeps on going. A couple of years ago I had the privilege of teaching jewelry lessons at a large craft store and that was a wonderful experience. Now I teach private lessons in the small town I live near, and my regulars have become family. They continue to want to learn new things and push me to keep expanding my repertoire- it's a win/win situation!

I'm an avid pinner and have lots of great boards- especially jewelry related things. You can check them out here on Pinterest. I'm also on Instagram where my user name is CharisDesigns. Twiiter is something I'm still trying to figure out but you can follow me as @CharisDJewelry.  I have a shop on Etsy as well as a Facebook business page, Charis Designs

Here's some pictures of  some favorite jewelry I've made:

Merry Mermain

Consider the Lilies

Autumn Splendor

Floral Fantasy

Smokey Mountains

and my absolute favorite....

Orchid Beauty

 Several of these were pieces that I made for blog hops, which I love participating in. Autumn Splendor and Orchid Beauty are still for sale- please contact me if you're interested.

With Valentines' Day around the corner, how about a giveaway of some Valentine earrings? Just leave a comment below ( with a valid email) and tell me something special you'll do for your valentine this year (family friendly please!).  Of course, I'm always looking for new followers too ;) I'll pick a random winner on February 1st.

Lots of other blogs to visit, so off I go- hoping your day is filled with splashes of grace and dashes of joy

Christie

Second Annual Octoberfest Blog Hop

How can it be the end of October already? That means *gulp* that December and the end of the year is much closer than it should be. On a personal note, I actually finished my very first 5K yesterday!! Woohoo! I still have a LONG ways to go because running the whole thing wasn't an option, but it was a fundraiser for a former teacher of my girls who is battling breast cancer. So I used the times I had to walk to pray for her and reminded myself of how blessed I am. I finished, but it wasn't pretty! lol.

My November is going to be very busy with three big jewelry events including (hurray, hurray) a trip to my sister's!! This will be my fourth annual jewelry show there and I love seeing repeat customers who've become friends along the way.

Autumn in Florida means that hopefully we're almost done with hurricane season. Our leaves don't change and we're expecting temperatures to drop to the high 70s this week. However, it also means that Pumpkin Pie Blizzards have arrived at Dairy Queen and there's Pumpkin Pie Spice creamer available at the grocery store :) If you're a pumpkin lover like I am, I have a Pumpkin Goodness board on (you guessed it) Pinterest! I love making pumpkin bread and muffins but may have to try the recipe for this pumpkin buckle sometime soon-

Pumpkin Buckle

                                                  

If you read my last blog post, you'll know that I recently had a chance to meet Raida of Havana Beads and see/buy some of her lovely beads and focals. While I was there looking for some beads for the 6th Do Over Challenge, I decided to indulge in more for today's blog hop. She had a gorgeous focal ceramic leaf that shouted "Fall";  it became mine :) and soon morphed into this...

Autumn Splendor

Those funky brown spacers were so much fun to wire wrap onto beaten copper circles. I added just a touch of green crystal to bring out the green in the amazing pendant. I haven't decided if I want to add another bigger green crystal at the bottom of the leaf- for right now I like it as it is.

Here's a closer look at the earrings

The fact that they're not perfectly matched adds to the appeal for me- definitely handmade and unique!
And one more look at the necklace by itself.

Autumn Splendor

so here's to fall and all the changes it brings. If you're in or around the Okeechobee area, I'll have a booth at the Craft Fair in the Woods on November 9th and would love for you to stop by and say hello! They don't have a website but here's a link to their Facebook page.

There's a whole lot of other people participating in the Octoberfest Blog Hop so make sure you check out what they've posted too. Thanks again to Rita of Toltec Jewels for hosting this, and may your October end with splashes and dashes of grace and joy!
Christie

Caroline                                       http:// Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Andrea Glick-Zenith                     http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Dolores Raml                               http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                               http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Susie Harris                                 http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Susan                                          http://libellulajewelry.com

Mischelle                                      http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Billi                                               http://billi-rs-rothove.blogspot.com/

Kay Thomerson                           http://kayzkreationz.blogspot.com/

Jean Yates                                  http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

Kelly Hosford Patterson               http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com

Kathy Lindemer                           http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com

Liz E                                            http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com

Jasvanti Patel                              http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Christie Murrow  (you're here)   www.charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Jodie Marshall                             http://marshalljodie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Trank                              http://heavenlanecreations.com/

Dini Bruinsma                              http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl

Elsie Deliz Fonseca                     http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/

Pepita                                         www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                              http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/

Kathleen                                     http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/

Vera Lynn                                   http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/

Rana Wilson                               http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/

Catherine King                           http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/

Lily Vincent                                 http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk/

Janice Hidey (Janimar)               http://drawingthelinesomewhere.com/

Cory Tompkins                           http://TealwaterDesigns.blogspot.com

Candida Castleberry                  www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com

Cynthia Kent Machata                http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache                         http://www.allprettythings.ca

Linda Anderson                          http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com

Leah Curtis                                 http://beadyeyedbunny.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno (JenRen)              http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Robin Reed                                 http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti                        www.tjewellicious.blogspot.com

Lisa Lodge                                  http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/

Ingrid A.                                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Judy Turner                                www.silver-rains.blogspot.com

Gina Hockett                               http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Nelly May                                    www.smellynelly.blogspot.com

Tanya McGuire                           http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Ahowin                                        http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com

Sonya Stille                                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com

Pam                                            http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com

Carol D.                                      http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Asri Wahyuningsih                      http://asribeadwork.blogspot.com/

Ginger Bishop                             http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

Janine                                         http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Shaiha Williams                          http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Toltec Jewels (Rita, your hostess)  www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

6th Do Over Challenge

Some time ago I signed up for the 6th Do Over Challenge with Jeannie K. Ducik for the first time, and was delighted when I found out I would part of this. The guidelines were as follows: Each of the participants would receive a piece of jewelry that Jeannie made earlier in her career, and must use at least 50% of the Do Over piece in the new design.

Here's the necklace set that I was sent:

 All those little seed beads were a little overwhelming because I am not a seed beader.At All. So it was off to my favorite inspiration place, Pinterest. After searching through my boards and some new pins, I came across this:
                                               

I couldn't find the original site for this pin, because I would love to give credit to the designer. I love this design and the vibrant use of color. Isn't it beautiful? This became my jumping off point. I knew I wanted to use some original beads and recently discovered that Raina of Havana Beads didn't live all that far from me. I messaged her and was delighted to find that I could go meet her and see her gorgeous beads in person. Her studio is located in the colorful Fish House Art Center. Next time I'm definitely going to set aside more time to explore!
                                       

               


I had a lovely time talking to her and seeing not only her beads/focals/creations, but her workspace and some of the projects she was working on. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of her beads by themselves but you'll see them in in the design below and in the blog entry tomorrow. After playing with this design several times, here is the final project.

African Leaf

Don't Raina's round ceramic beads pick up the color of the leaf focal nicely? I added a few wood and shell beads in with the seed beads on the right side and found some great horn beads that blended the colors in. I tried repeatedly to make the twist tighter on the one side, but with four strands of wire going through one crimp bead this is where it ended up. If you have any tips on how to keep strands tighter, I'm all ears!

Here's another look:

Thanks, Jeannie for letting me part of this very fun Do Over challenge. Now it's time to head on over and see what the other participants did with their jewelry!
Jeannie K Dukic 
 Penny Houghton
Susan Delaney
Becky Pancake
Therese Frank
Donetta Farrington
Molly Alexander
Mowse Doyle
Renetha Stanziano
Ginger Davis Allman
Kathy Richardson
Christie Murrow   (You're Here)
Veralynne Malone
Shai Williams
Beti Horvath
Linda Britt
Miranda Ackerley
Mischelle Andrade
Tracy Stillman
Charlene Bausinger
Deana Hager

Come back tomorrow to see what I made for the Autumn challenge- until then, may your day be filled with splashes and dashes of grace and joy. I'm off to try and finish my first 5K!

Seasons Blog Hop

Several months ago, I signed up for Lisa Lodge's Season's Blog Hop. The guidelines were to use the beads we were sent to create jewelry that either represented one of the four seasons, or that represented a season in our life. She also asked us NOT to buy anything extra, but to use beads and findings from our stash. The beads and charms that I received are pictured below:

 Being that I love Christmas and Christmas earrings, the snowflake charms were the inspiration I used for holiday jewelry.

 While the amethyst iridescent beads don't scream Christmas, I thought of a Christmas party and rich, dark colors. I used the spacers on some wire and wrapped them into a simple focal paired with gold toned chain and the antique brass toggle clasp. Definitely going to repeat this idea with other beads.

 Next up were the snowflake charms that  were calling to be a  pair of  holiday earrings.

While looking at the round glass beads, I thought of some little angel charms that were tucked away, and voila! Christmas earrings times two!

The enameled bead caps from Sharyl's Jewelry were the most perplexing. I loved the color and the whimsy,  but no matter what beads I tried to pair them with, they simply wouldn't work. I looked through my Pinterest boards to no avail, and then did a search, found an aha! and went to work. I was all out of antique brass chain, but  found a necklace and cut it to pieces and added some brass round spacers and purply crystals. Here is the end result

Here's another look:

While they aren't very Christmas-y, they are fun little earrings and something new I hadn't done before. The purples aren't exactly the same shade, but they blend fairly well and I'm leaving them be for right now.

 I hope you've enjoyed my seasonal offerings. Don't forget to stop by and see what the other participants created!  Come back in a couple of weeks for a giveaway related to this blog hop.

Your Hostess: Lisa Lodge, Grateful Artist
 
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Cassi Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Stephanie Sanner Haussler, PixyBug Designs

Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes

Karin Slaton, BackStory Beads

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Alicia Marinache,  All the Pretty Things

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Toltec Jewels, Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Erin Kenny, Beadifultherapy

Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Renetha Williams Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

***Christie Searle Murrow****You're here, Charis Designs Jewelry  

Sierra Barrett, Giraffe Can Has

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shirley Jones Moore, Beads and Bread

Dawn Horner, Northern Adornments

Charlene Bausinger Jacka, Clay Space

Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Miranda Ackerley, Daze and Days

May the seasons of your life be sprinkled with splashes and dashes of grace and joy!

Loving My Soup

I've been paired with the lovely Clare from CatsEatDogs as my partner for Lori Anderson's  7th Bead Soup Blog Party. She's originally from across the pond but now lives in St. Louis with her family. I'm intrigued by the name of her blog ( note to self: find out why she choose that name).  We're in the second reveal so you'll have to wait until April 6th to see what we create out of the goodies.

My lovely soup!

 I loove these colors! The ideas started swirling around when I opened the package. The rules for the BSBP are that I have to use the focal ( and who wouldn't want to?) and the clasp. No problem there. They do not have to be used in the same design, however so who knows what will transpire! Thank you, Clare, for a delightful soup.

Here's what I sent her

Clare's soup

 

She's a lover of vintage style jewelry so with that in mind, I put together a lot of antique brass findings, a key pendant and a heart toggle with pearls, along with a couple of different color arrangements. I make it a policy not to open my soup ( yes, she was on time, I was not) until mine has been mailed,so had to look at the package for a couple of days before ripping it open. Can't wait to see what you come up with, Clare!


I've been playing with my Vintaj Big Kick machine (more about that in a upcoming post) so added this pendant at the last minute. I'm having so much fun with this new toy!

Vintaj Big Kick pendant

So, there it is. Don't forget to head over to Clare's blog and tell her hello. If you want to see more amazing soup, Lori Anderson has created a whole board on Pinterest for participants to post on.  After the reveal, creations will be posted there as well. Lot's of inspiration awaits looking at all the lovely collections.


Here's to splashes of joy and unexpected dashes of grace--Christie

BSBP Reveal #3

It's finally time! Reveal #3. I've oohed and aahed through the last two reveals, and now it's our turn. I was paired with Arlene Dean and these were the goodies she gifted me with.

Since Lori Anderson challenged us to step out of  our comfort zone, I've tried to do that. Wire wrapping is NOT my forte- at all. As I kept looking at all these pretties, wondering how do the focal justice, I kept going back to the idea of wire wrapping. Sigh. Did I mention I'm just not very good at this? Since I'm an avid fan of Pinterest and love to pin merrily away, I took a deep breath and turned to one of my boards for a little inspiration-and found it!

Without further ado, here is my Merry Mermaid.

Isn't she fun? I used brightly colored aluminum wire to do messy wrapped beads, links and swirls. This focal is bright and happy and  these colors accented the beautiful colors in the mermaid. Arlene sent me a variety of beads (thank you!) and the glass pillows, green crystals, as well as the little purple crystals just cried out to be used. I added a couple of glass pearls because the hole in the freshwater pearls wouldn't work with the thicker gauge wire. The green flourite beads snuggled in nicely between the messy wrapped aluminum beads and the silver jumps made connections easy, as well as tying in with the silver on the mermaid. She now has a little wreath of purple seed beads for a touch of whimsy. I even made the clasp out of the turquoise wire. It's a long necklace but so colorful. Now to find the right home for her.

But there were more beads...

so continuing with the bright wire theme, here's a pair of coordinating earrings. While the stones aren't identical, it gave it a more organic look. I'm usually pretty matchy matchy, but I like these.

And then there was time for one more project:

Again, this was an idea courtesy of Pinterest.  This was my first try, and I probably will redo it, but the clasp seemed to go nicely with the beads, and I adore bracelets. The spacing needs some work, but you get the general idea!

These are my three offerings. There were a couple of things I didn't use (see the cute little fishes in the first picture and an adorable strawberry glass bead) so will do a giveaway in the next couple of weeks- be sure to check back if you were NOT part of the  6th Bead Soup Blog Party for your chance to get a bag of goodies.

Don't forget to visit the other participants in this 3rd and final reveal. I'm sure you'll find creations that bring you splashes of grace and a dash of joy!

Here's the rest of the party:

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry  **You're Here**

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs