Anchors Aweigh Blog Hop

an·chor

ˈaNGkər/

noun

1. 1.

   a heavy object attached to a rope or chain and used to moor a vessel to the sea bottom, typically one having a metal shank with a ring at one end for the rope and a pair of curved and/or barbed flukes at the other.

I was one of the lucky people chosen to participate in this wonderful blog hop hosted by Rita of Toltec Jewels. We were given two charms made by Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Beads to use to create a jewelry piece. I was so excited that I was chosen.  Now that you have read the definition and the background on this blog hop I am going to let the pictures speak for themselves.  

This wonderful Cabochon was made by Sandy Spivey

Another View

And Finally The Charms! (and my little chair)

My Best Friend Redah Modeling the Necklace

How the anchors tie into the piece.

I really found using charms a huge challenge in bead embroidery.  So I focused instead on what an anchor means to me.  To me an anchor is the piece that while may not be a focal point, it is probably one of the most important parts because it is what holds everything together.  The Strength of the piece so to speak.

This is probably my most ambitious bead embroidery piece that I have ever made.  I like it, but I don't love it.  It really feels to me that I was trying to hard to make an amazing piece and it fell a little flat.  The great thing about an experience like this is that I can look at it and see what I would do differently next time, as I continue to grow in this medium.  Regardless, I am glad that I joined as I learned about not only what I don't like, but more of what I do.  I have always wanted to be Sue Horine when I grow up.  Now, I really think I want to come up with pieces of bead embroidery that you can wear everyday, not just for special occasions.  

Be sure to check out all the other lovely creations that were made using these wonderful anchor charms.  I have to work till this afternoon but I will be checking all the blogs once I get home.  A special thank you to Rita for hosting this wonderful hop!

Featured & Honored Artist:        Diana Ptaszynski

Diana's Shop:                           Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's Blogs:                          Suburban Girl Studio

                                                 Art Jewelry Elements

Hostess: TJ                               Jewel School Friends

Bobbie Rafferty                         Beadsong Jewelry

Chris Eisenberg                         Wanderware

Heather Richter                         Desert Jewelry Designs

Michelle McCarthy                    Firefly Design Studio

Kathy Lindemer                         Bay Moon Design

Dini Bruinsma                            Angaza by Changes

Cynthia Machata                       Antiquity Travelers

Kathleen Breeding                     99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Linda Younkman                       Lindy's Designs

Robin Reed                                  Artistry HCBD

Marla Gibson  (you are here)     Spice Box Designs

Gina Hockett                               Freestyle Elements

Renetha Stanziano                      Lamplight Crafts

Marianne Baxter                          Simply Seablime Jewelry        

Christina Miles                             Wings N Scales

Marybeth Rich                            A Few Words from Within the Pines

Shai Williams                              Shaiha's Ramblings

Cheri Reed                                  Creative Designs by Cheri

Monique Urquhart                      A Half-Baked Notion

Jennifer Reno                             Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Shirley Moore                             Beads and Bread

Tammy Adams                           Paisley Lizard

Melissa Trudinger                       Bead Recipes

Peace and Love <3