Multicolor Madness!

Four and a half feet of glass beads in all shapes and colors were strung on gunmetal wire, crocheted and then twisted together to create this multicolor necklace and bracelet!  I think it has kind of a vintage look, maybe it's the gunmetal wire.

February is drawing to a close and putting us that much closer to spring!  I think we're all ready for that!  I'll leave you with this lovely word art that I ran across the other day...

Free download found at http://www.youpublish.com/files/36179/Sparkle--Shine-Quote-Word-Art

"Mermaid" Wire Crochet Necklace

It was fun to work with these bright colors!  The shell pendant and ocean colors make me think of a mermaid and the green wire seaweed.

There are six strands of peridot wire with tiny seed beads in green and blue with an iridescent finish and some 6/0 gold lined green beads.  Each strand is a little different. 

The weather has been beautiful this week!  I'm sure there is more winter to come but this has been such a nice break!  And look at the gorgeous sunset we had the other night...

"Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal.” 

~Elbert Hubbard

"Winter Enchantment" with Artbeads

Artbeads asked their blog partners to create a ‘Winter Enchantment’ design that represents what you find beautiful or inspirational about the winter season.  Well, this one stumped me because, quite honestly, there’s not much that I find enchanting about winter!

The definition of enchantment is “a magical spell, charm or bewitchment, in traditional fairy tales or fantasy” so I decided to use the literal definition and create a winter fantasy!

"Enchanted Garden"

I cast a magical spell and created an “Enchanted Garden” where roses bloom in the wintertime.  Take the key, unlock the gate and step into my garden...

Roses are climbing everything in sight, a vision of pink against a solid backdrop of ice and snow.  The sun is shining brightly, making everything to sparkle as if it's been sprinkled with glitter.  The sun is warm on your shoulders allowing you to linger and enjoy the beautiful sight just a little while longer....

For my design, I chose Crystal and White Porphyr Czech Fire Polished beads (ice and snow), 10mm Round Silver Foil beads with Pink Roses, and Rose Swarovski Crystals from their glass beads.  I used a sweet little sterling silver skeleton key charm and I also chose a large silver-plated pewter twist ring to hang the key from as if it was a key ring. 

And last but not least I added the silver-plated Leaves Toggle clasp.  I thought it fit with the garden theme and looked like it belonged in a fairy tale.

Thank you, Artbeads, for letting me escape the reality of winter for just a little while!

Disclosure: I am a Blogging for Beaders partner with Artbeads. The above noted items were provided to me free of charge, to be used for design purposes, or for my honest review of them. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Blizzard of 2011

Like a third of the country, we here in Southeast Kansas were hit by the Blizzard of 2011.  This was Tuesday and so far there hasn't been much change. 

The temperature yesterday morning was -18.  It's supposed to be barely above freezing this weekend which I'm hoping will cause some melting, but there's more snow in the forcast for Sunday and Monday. 

I've got quite an ice sculpture going on my windchimes and a dangerous looking overhang on the roof which just happens to be over the back door.  Yikes!  Hope my husband doesn't slam the door too hard!

I'm working on my Artbeads "Winter Enchantment" design and hope to post it tomorrow.

Wishing you a warm nose and toasty toes!