But for the rest of you please check out what all the other Ladies made. You will not be disappointed.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Sand and Sea Blog Hop
But for the rest of you please check out what all the other Ladies made. You will not be disappointed.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Birthday Surprise Challenge Reveal
One day I received a wonderful surprise in the mail from Therese of Therese's Treasures. I opened it up to see some wonderful handmade beads and a cabochon along with an invitation to join Therese and a few others for Therese's Birthday Surprise Challenge. Therese sent this to all of the women that she has been able to meet in person in the beading community. I was lucky enough to get to meet her earlier this year, it was a fantastic trip and Therese is as nice in person as she is on her Blog.
Therese was actually one of the first Blogs that I started to follow and I love seeing her lovely work and reading about her life. She is always so helpful and inspiring to me. This Hop, in fact, is a wonderful example of that. You see, today is Therese's birthday, and she sent all of us these wonderful Bead sets from Golem Studios. Personally I cannot say I know many people that would send someone else a present on their birthday, that is how awesome and kind she is. She is always there with an encouraging word or gesture when you need it and often times when you don't. She truly has a heart of gold! I <3 you Therese! I wish you many blessings, not only for your birthday, but for every day that you have!
Here is what I made:
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| I had to have a photo with the infamous chair! |
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| Closeup |
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| Back |
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| With Ribbon Closure |
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| It just ties on! |
I have to admit that I really had no idea what I wanted to do right up to the last minute. I started this piece on Wednesday at about lunch and finished it just in time to take a photo of it at dusk on Thursday. The beaded beads I used in the band were designed by Kelly Dale. I am a big fan of Kelly and for all the she does for the beading community. Kelly runs a YouTube channel called "Off The Beaded Path" where every week she uploads a new video tutorial. I have to admit I would have never been able to pick up beadweaving like I have without Kellys wonderful video tutorials. Kelly last month uploaded a video called "Meridian Earrings" that was made using these beaded beads and joining them together with Crystal Montees. These beaded beads remind me of little pillows and they are really simple to weave up. That is when inspiration hit! Right at the very last minute! Yay! I did not use the large round beads that matched the cabochon because I had planned to try to make some earrings with them. However I just ran out of time. I am so sorry Therese! I do promise to use them sometime in the near future and share that design as well as soon as it is finished.
Thank you all so much for visiting us for this wonderful blog hop in Therese's honor! Be sure to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and please wish Therese a Happy Birthday! She is truly deserving of it! Don't forget to check out what the others made in her honor as well!
Amy Severino
http://amybeads.blogspot.com
http://amybeads.blogspot.com
Christine Altmiller
http://onekisscreations.
http://onekisscreations.
Kristen Stevens
http://kristen-beadjourney.
http://kristen-beadjourney.
Lola Surwillo
http://beadlolabead.blogspot.
http://beadlolabead.blogspot.
Marla Gibson <----You are here
http://spiceboxdesigns.
http://spiceboxdesigns.
Maryanne Gross
http://zingalasworkshop.
http://zingalasworkshop.
Peace and <3
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Window Shop Holiday Hop
Welcome to the Window Shop Holiday Blog Hop! This wonderful idea came from the lovely Rita of Jewel School Friends. She challenged us to create a "Holiday Window" for our shop -- share our handcrafted shop information, product line, and links to our online stores for the Holiday season shoppers. Sounds pretty simple right? Unless you are like me and my shop is still closed. /sigh. I had surgery on Halloween and it has pretty much put me out of comission on getting my shop back up and running again. That being said I have been busy creating stuff to stock the shop with. So since I do not have a shop I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite handmade shops. So grab a cup of hot chocolate and if you just happen to find something perfect for you or a friend, tell them I sent you lol!
The first shop I would like to introduce you to is RoEnchantedDesigns on Artfire. Rose makes really lovely jewelry and I just happen to own several of her pieces. In fact I recently bought a necklace from her to send to my mother for Christmas. RoEnchanted Designs is truly enchanted and I love the bits of whimsy and romance in each piece. Oh and did I mention how affordable her work is? Her handmade art pieces are a steal!
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Navy Blue Jeweled Flower w/Antiqued Lacy Silver filigree Bracelet $10.00
RoEnchanted Designs
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Blue Azure Leaf Pattern Pottery Cuff Bracelet w Brass & Agate Charms $20.00
RoEnchanted Designs
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Vintaj Brass Dragonfly Necklace w/ Leaf Charms & Chunky Front Clasp $20.00
RoEnchanted Designs
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Next up is Janet of Pink Poppy Studio. I just love love love her jewelry. Her work is understated pieces of art that often feature gemstones and other fine materials that is inspired by nature. I do not own any of her work yet, but I have several of her pieces on my wishlist. (hint hint ha!). I am going to let her wonderful handmade jewelry speak for itself.
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| biwa freshwater pearl, london blue topaz, and sterling silver
starfish gemstone necklace. OOAK charm necklace. $38.00 Pink Poppy Studio |
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| buddha pendant, london blue topaz gemstone, and sterling silver necklace. $68.00 Pink Poppy Studio |
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| gemstone and porcelain sterling silver dangle earrings with keishi pearl and crystal quartz. OOAK. $37.00 Pink Poppy Studio |
And last but not least I would like to introduce you to TangleWood Thicket. by Kasey Sorsby. TangleWood Thicket is home to most things winged, magical and whimsical. Here you'll find OOAK (One of a kind) Needle Felted Soft Sculptures. This is another shop that is on my wishlist. I just love the bright colors and sweet faces that her pieces has. Once again I am going to let the pictures speak for themself.
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| OOAK Pinkberry Neddle Felted Dragon Fantasy Soft Sculpture Plus Wool Art Doll $175.00 TangleWood Thicket |
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| OOAK Custom Made Needle Felt Goblin Fantasy Fiber Wool Soft Sculpture Art Doll $150.00 TangleWood Thicket |
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| OOAK Labyrinth Inspired Black Fiery Goblin Needle Felted Wool Fiber Fantasy Soft Sculpture Plush Art Doll TangleWood Thicket |
See what I mean? Ah-maz-ing! I would love love love to own one of these wonderful custom made pieces of art. I love the vibrant colors, all the details, and the fantasy theme (I love dragons)! One day I will have one of these babies sitting on my bed waiting to greet me when I go to bed. You can see more of her custom work by clicking HERE.
I could go on and on sharing all the wonderful shops that are out there that make amazing handmade pieces of art. Handmade artisans put so much love and time into their work. By buying handmade you can buy with confidence. No more worrying about sweat shops and child labor. And while I cannot speak for every handmade artist, I feel pretty confident that most of them will stand behind their craftsmanship 100%. So this Holiday Season, spread the love by buying handmade!
Be sure to check out the other blogs that also joined along @
Jewel School Friends (host)
www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Fabric of My Life
http://shelleygrahamturner.
A Grateful Artist
http://gratefulartist.
Libellula Jewelry
http://libellulajewelry.
Knot Just Macrame
http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Amazing Designs by Marlene
http://amazingdesigns-marlene.
Antiquity Travelers
http://antiquitytravelers.
Spice Box Designs
http://spiceboxdesigns.
Freestyle Elements
http://freestyleelements.
Alankarshilpa
http://www.alankarshilpa.
Pretty Things
http://www.prettythingsblog.
Lindy's Designs
http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.
The Adventures of Belle West
http://bellewest925.blogspot.
www.JewelSchoolFriends.com
Fabric of My Life
http://shelleygrahamturner.
A Grateful Artist
http://gratefulartist.
Libellula Jewelry
http://libellulajewelry.
Knot Just Macrame
http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Amazing Designs by Marlene
http://amazingdesigns-marlene.
Antiquity Travelers
http://antiquitytravelers.
Spice Box Designs
http://spiceboxdesigns.
Freestyle Elements
http://freestyleelements.
Alankarshilpa
http://www.alankarshilpa.
Pretty Things
http://www.prettythingsblog.
Lindy's Designs
http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.
The Adventures of Belle West
http://bellewest925.blogspot.
P.S. All photos belong to the original photographers!
Peace and <3
Thursday, October 25, 2012
A Time To Stitch 2 Blog Hop Reveal
Therese and Christine have done it again! This time they paired up to continue on their "A Time To Stitch" Blog hop series. The first time these lovely ladies hosted this hop was back in June. The last time the challenge was to make something using Herringbone or Peyote or both. If you would like to take a trip back in time to see what I made you can click HERE.
The challenge this time was to create something using Right Angle Weave (RAW) and/or St. Petersburg Stitch. I wanted to do something simple this time. Something that I could wear everyday. My first piece was made using St. Petersburg Stitch. I love how this turned out. There was a pattern published a while back in Beadwork Magazine, which I just loved! I have a copy of it somewhere I just did not want to go and try to find it lol. I thought I would make my own version. So here it is:
The next two pieces are made using RAW, which I happen to love by the way! This bracelet was made following a patten by Ella from http://ellad2.com. Ella's patterns actually taught me RAW and she makes/writes such fantastic tutorials that even a newbie can follow. I made this bracelet using 4mm Jasper Rounds and 11/0 seed beads with a natural wood button. I just love the way it turned out!
And last of all is this Hollow Core Beaded Bead I made that also uses RAW. I found the tutorial for this @ Beadaholique's YouTube Channel. If you would like to learn how to make this bead you can click HERE. It is a great tutorial and you should totally check it out!
Thanks again so much for visiting with me and be sure to visit what the other participants came up with @
Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller Your Wonderful Hostesses! Thank You! <3
Kristen Stevens
Shirley Moore
Nikki Byers
Peace and <3 Ya'll!
p.s. sorry for the crappy photos! I have had these made for a while now, but I just photographed them and I am a bit under the weather.
The challenge this time was to create something using Right Angle Weave (RAW) and/or St. Petersburg Stitch. I wanted to do something simple this time. Something that I could wear everyday. My first piece was made using St. Petersburg Stitch. I love how this turned out. There was a pattern published a while back in Beadwork Magazine, which I just loved! I have a copy of it somewhere I just did not want to go and try to find it lol. I thought I would make my own version. So here it is:
The next two pieces are made using RAW, which I happen to love by the way! This bracelet was made following a patten by Ella from http://ellad2.com. Ella's patterns actually taught me RAW and she makes/writes such fantastic tutorials that even a newbie can follow. I made this bracelet using 4mm Jasper Rounds and 11/0 seed beads with a natural wood button. I just love the way it turned out!
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| Close Up |
And last of all is this Hollow Core Beaded Bead I made that also uses RAW. I found the tutorial for this @ Beadaholique's YouTube Channel. If you would like to learn how to make this bead you can click HERE. It is a great tutorial and you should totally check it out!
Thanks again so much for visiting with me and be sure to visit what the other participants came up with @
Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller Your Wonderful Hostesses! Thank You! <3
Kristen Stevens
Shirley Moore
Marla Gibson <----- You Are Here!
Kim Hora (who I recently got to meet! Love her!)
Karen WilliamsNikki Byers
Peace and <3 Ya'll!
p.s. sorry for the crappy photos! I have had these made for a while now, but I just photographed them and I am a bit under the weather.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Please Help!
My daughter, Trinity goes to Saltillo Elementry School. Her school recently submitted this video:
for a contest that Glidden Paint is doing called the Colorful Classrooms Contest! Glidden® Paint will donate up to
200 gallons to transform one lucky elementary school into a brighter,
more colorful place to learn and grow.
This is a fantastic school! My daughter is dyslexic and they have really helped her with it and she now reads at her age level! They have been fantastic in helping us with any concerns that we might have. Saltillo School District is also a Mississippi Arts Commission, Whole Arts School. What that means is that they teach through strengthening education in and through the arts by promoting sequential, comprehensive arts education in grades K–12. I will be honest and say we bought our house in this town because of this school district! My daughter takes Drama in the area they show on the video in fact.
You can learn more about the school by clicking here. So please help Saltillo Elementry School win by voting one time HERE! One single click of a mouse button can make a world of difference in 800 childrens' lives!
Thanks you so very very much! <3
This is a fantastic school! My daughter is dyslexic and they have really helped her with it and she now reads at her age level! They have been fantastic in helping us with any concerns that we might have. Saltillo School District is also a Mississippi Arts Commission, Whole Arts School. What that means is that they teach through strengthening education in and through the arts by promoting sequential, comprehensive arts education in grades K–12. I will be honest and say we bought our house in this town because of this school district! My daughter takes Drama in the area they show on the video in fact.
You can learn more about the school by clicking here. So please help Saltillo Elementry School win by voting one time HERE! One single click of a mouse button can make a world of difference in 800 childrens' lives!
Thanks you so very very much! <3
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Holiday Bling Blog Hop Reveal
One of my favorite designers is Cristie Prince of Glassy Jewels. She recently had a design published in a special edition of Beadwork and as soon as I saw it I just knew I had to make it. So off to her website I went and purchased her kit for her "Princess Kate Bracelet". I went with the silver color scheme because it reminds me so much of the sparkling lights of the season and sparkling melting ice. We do not get much snow here in Mississippi, but every so often we have some pretty severe Ice Storms. I just loved this bracelet, it is so pretty and sparkling! So without further ado...
She totally nailed me with this one. I love Christmas! Here is her beautiful bracelet...
Growing up we really did not celebrate or decorate for Christmas so now that I am an adult in my own household I tend to go overboard. And there is no telling how much time she spent putting each bell and light on, one by one. I just love it! Thank you so much Dyanne!
Be sure to check out what the other participants exchanged with each other!
Peace and <3
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Photography
I apologize for being away for so long. I have been super busy! Last weekend I photographed a Wedding for one of my employees as she could not afford a professional photographer. The ones she called were going to charge her $1500 to spend all day with her, which seemed really outrageous to me. I have done a wedding or two before so I told her I would do it and not charge her anything as a Wedding present to her. I did not supply her with any prints, I just burned DVD of almost 300 photos. I wanted to share a few of my favorites here with you. I hope you like them!
These are just a few of my favorites. Overall I am really pleased with how they turned out. I finally ordered some beads so I hope to have some new work soon. I am finished with my Holiday Bling Blog Hop piece and it has been sent off. She should have received it by now but I have not heard anything back from her about it yet. I hope she likes it!
Peace and <3
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| After Makeup was complete |
These are just a few of my favorites. Overall I am really pleased with how they turned out. I finally ordered some beads so I hope to have some new work soon. I am finished with my Holiday Bling Blog Hop piece and it has been sent off. She should have received it by now but I have not heard anything back from her about it yet. I hope she likes it!
Peace and <3
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