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

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

Better Late than Never... Summer Elements Blog Hop

Even though this is five days late, I think it's appropriate that this be posted on the first day of summer! Summer is all about easy for me. A more relaxed schedule, soaking in the sun,beach trips, colorful and cool outfits for our steamy hot Florida summers, and cute little earrings. One of my favorite toys to play with is my Vintaj machine and when I thought about the Summer Elements Blog Hop,hosted by Toltec Jewels, the combination seemed like a winner.  Thank you, Rita, for being such a gracious hostess. The guidelines for the hop were to focus on an element of summer that we loved and how the jewelry reflected that.

I indulged in my Vintaj Big Kick machine at Christmas time, and love it. It was on clearance at Michael's but I've seen it at Hobby Lobby ( and yes, you can use their wonderful weekly 40% off coupon). It's a great machine to emboss designs on metal blanks. You buy the dies separately and then go to town. I've used both the Vintaj blanks as well as blanks from both Hobby Lobby and other suppliers. The main thing to remember is not to use anything thicker than a 24 gauge metal. Knowing my love for Pinterest, I'm sure you won't be surprised to know that yes, there's a board for that! Can't wait to put it to use for Christmas ornaments this year- but that's another season.

This was my inspiration picture ( courtesy of Photobucket)

The colors are amazing- the beach is gorgeous and there's nothing I'm ready for more than soaking in the sun!
So, without further ado, here are some summer inspired earrings using the Vintaj Big Kick:

These are the antiqued brass round blanks by Vintaj embossed with the Wildflower Vines pattern. I used a royal blue crystal and then buffed them so the raised part would stand out.

These lovelies were done on copper and then combined with lucite flower caps and orange crystals with the Wildflower Vines die but on another section. Because the copper was shiny, there was no need to buff it- in fact, I should have antiqued them but it's summer!

I've had these flower beads for ages. A friend who's an airline stewardess, picked up an assortment of beads in Turkey for me and they've been waiting for the perfect partner!  The embossing on the hearts is actually the top part of the butterfly from the Butterfly Swirls pattern. When you use the dies, there's so much versatility depending on where you place the blanks.

And last, but not least, are these little guys. I used an etching die for these- it doesn't make quite as deep of an impression and while I like the pattern, I prefer the embossing dies to the etching ones. These were little strips of butterflies done on small antiqued brass strips.

Here are a couple of other things I've previously made:

 This illustrates one of the major drawbacks of the Big Kick. I cut out the star from copper sheeting but because the dies are only about 2x2 I wasn't able to get the middle of the star covered completely.It does do a great job of showing you the entire Butterfly Swirls plate though. This is a project that still needs some work, but I'm intrigued by the possibilities- especially for Christmas ornaments.

Consider the Lilies

This is a set I made using the Wildflower Vines once again. Paired with antique brass and green crystals, it's my favorite project using the Big Kick to date. Vintaj keeps adding wonderful new designs- Beadaholique is a great place to see all the wonderful choices.

So, here's to summer and all the wonderful memories and things that await. Here's hoping your summer is filled with many splashes of grace and dashes of joy~

Christie

P.S. Before you go, stop on by the other bloggers to see their creations:

Summer Elements Blog Hop Participants: 

Toltec Jewels (Hostess)     http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                        http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Ailsa Cordner                    http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Nan Smith                         http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/

Sherri Stokey                     http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/

Christie (Charis Designs)    http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Lawson                 http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/

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

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

Nelly May                          http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger               http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                     http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

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

Cory Tompkins                  http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/

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

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

Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/

Liz                                    http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/

Solange Collin                    http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/

Gerda                                http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/

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

Anindita Basu                     http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Fanucchi             http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti               http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/

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

Mary Govaars                    http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Becca Sirevaag                  http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier                    http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Regina Wood                     http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy                     http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Kathleen Breeding             https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW

My apologies...

Today was supposed to be the reveal for the Summer Elements Blog Hop and I am going to be very late to the party. Not only has it been a couple of very busy weeks with our youngest daughter's end of year awards, graduation (postponed by Tropical Storm Andrea for 24 hours), and company, but this year was also Preview/Orientation at her college. I got the email reminder while gone and did a little shriek inside, because I had totally forgotten. Upon arriving home, I now have major computer problems- as in won't. turn. on. at. all and this is round two in four months of dealing with said issues.

So, please make sure you stop by the other participants, and I hope to have something up here by the end of the week, because it's going to be another busy one. My apologies to our gracious hostess- Toltec Jewels.
Here's a picture of what summer is all about to me, until I get my act together (c/o of Photobucket)