Blogging with Artbeads ~ What's Old is New Again!

"Who will hold the key?"

Artbeads' blogging challenge this time was "What's Old is New Again".  For this theme we were asked to "seek inspiration from the past by incorporating old, vintage or antique items into your designs and combine them with modern elements."  I love this theme and you would think with all the junk good stuff I've got around here I would have thought of something right away.  I thought and thought and couldn't come up with anything that I wanted to use.  On a flea market trip with a friend, I found these chandelier prisms.  The design fell into place when Artbeads featured the little heart and key charms on their blog.
I ♥ them!

I was able to make a matching necklace, bracelet and earrings from the supplies I received.  I used Vintaj bronze wire and antique brass findings.

The necklace is long, about 28".  The shorter strand is crocheted with a small hook and the 5mm crystals, then pulled tight to resemble an old chain.  I added the smaller prism from the chandelier crystals and dangled the charms from it.  The longer strand is spool knitted with the 6mm crystals so it would be a little heavier for the large prism which is connected with an "intricate scroll" bail.  The "round glass box clasp" has a sparkly glass center and is a perfectly "antique" finish! 

For the bracelet, I used the 5mm and 6mm crystals and added a crocheted loop closure.  It fastens around another of the small prisms.

For the earrings, I used "curly triangle" chandeliers and added simple crystal drops.

These next two pictures show a little more of the details including the clasp, the bail, and the words on the charm.

You can find all of these components at Artbeads in the following sections:

Swarovski crystal beads:  5mm & 6mm Swarovski crystals

 Charms:  Heart Quote Charm and Key

Findings:  box clasp, bail, chandelier earring findings, earwires, jump rings

I give a big "thumbs up" to all of the things I received! 

Thank you, Artbeads!

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.

"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.

Chance to win an iPad from Artbeads but you've gotta hurry!

I know I said my last post would be the last post of the year but this is too good not to share!

Artbeads is having a giveaway for a new Apple iPad!  It even has 3G capability so you can get online just about anywhere.  Everyone who places an order between now and the end of the year will get an automatic entry for a chance to win. There is an alternate way to enter for those who don't want to place an order.   Click here for more information and to enter!

Sweepstakes ends 12/31/10.  Good luck!  

I'm heading over to Artbeads to do a little shopping!  Be sure to sign up for their newsletter to receive information on the lastest products, sales, coupon codes & more!

Thank you, Artbeads,  for allowing me to be one of your design partners this year.  I look forward to working with you in 2011!

"Colors of Fall" with Artbeads!

As an Artbeads design partner, we're celebrating the gorgeous colors of fall!

For the beginning of my design I chose this beautiful Copper Heart Shaped Leaf Pendant.  The selection of pendants is huge, so this wasn't an easy task!  But I fell in love with this one.  I dangled it from the top but it also has a piece on the back for stringing it horizontally.  I used copper wire to compliment the copper on the pendant.

I chose the rest of the beads from their glass beads.  I chose rust picasso roundelles, carnelain opal, chestnut coral and siam from the Czech fire-polished beads for most of the design.  I was not disappointed in the colors!  I love them!  I also added a second strand of 3/0 Dark Copper TOHO beads and finished it off with a 12mm copper-plated curled toggle clasp from their selection of clasps.  I liked that the curled design of the toggle clasp matched the swirls on the pendant. 

I liked the colors together so much that I decided to use the leftover beads and copper wire to crochet this pendant.  I really like the look of it on a leather cord!

Thank you, Artbeads, for allowing me to work with these beautiful beads and to celebrate the glorious colors of fall! 

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.

~Today's Quote~

Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Howard Thurman

Enter Artbead's "Bead IQ Trivia Sweepstakes"

Artbeads has launched a new contest called the "Bead IQ Trivia Sweepstakes"!  You can test your bead knowledge by taking the short quiz and then enter the sweepstakes for a chance at winning a $250 ‘Bead Genius’ Prize Package, which includes a $100 Artbeads.com Gift Card and $150 worth of beading and jewelry supplies.   What a great prize package!  Count me in!   The sweepstakes is open to US and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) 18 years of age and older and ends on September 16, 2010. 

I took the quiz and got 7 out of 10, but I admit I guessed on a few of them!  To take the quiz and enter the sweepstakes, click here. 

Good luck!

Now you can save even more money shopping at Artbeads with their new "Instant Savings" .  With Instant Savings, all you have to do is meet certain total order values, and the discount will automatically be applied at checkout.  You can even combine coupons with Instant Savings for even greater discounts!  

~Today's Quote~

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything,

they just make the best of everything they have."

"Summertime" with Artbeads Necklace

Artbeads and Summertime Blogging Fun

As a design partner with Artbeads I got to choose items from their huge selection of pendants, charms and glass beads for the theme, "Summertime".  It was such a hard decision because they have so much to choose from.  I looked and looked but just kept coming back to this stoneware peace sign pendant.  I just love the bright flowers and little lady bug (and the peace sign!).  This is such a fun pendant!  The colors are so bright and it has a nice glossy finish. 

I wanted to incorporate all the bright colors in the pendant, so to complete the necklace I chose the following from their selection of glass beads:

Stoneware Small Cube Bead - Red

Stoneware Small Cube Bead - Yellow

6/0 TOHO Seed Beads Orange/Blue/White Stripes

8/0 TOHO Seed Beads in Opaque Cherry

8/0 TOHO Seed Beads in Opaque Shamrock

8/0 TOHO Seed Beads in Dark Yellow

8/0 TOHO Seed Beads in Sunset Orange

8/0 TOHO Seed Beads in Opaque White

Thank you, Artbeads!

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.

Checkout Artbeads' "The World Greatest Bead" Sweepstakes.  Click here for details!

~Today's Quote~

How do we change the world?

One single act of random kindness at a time.

~from the movie, Evan Almighty

"Jewel"

Finally, some time to create! I received these beads as a Blogging for Beaders gift from Artbeads before Christmas and I've been so anxious to get started! I was allowed to choose from their selection of Sterling Silver and Glass beads. When I saw this Black, Pink and White Pillow bead I knew that's what I wanted to use as the starting point for my design! It reflects the theme I have chosen for "Be~Jeweled by jana":  Black,White, Hot Pink & Swirls .

I used the following items from Artbeads selection of Glass Beads: Black, White, & Pink Pillow Bead, Black 5 x 4 mm Jet Roundelles, 8mm Glass Druk Beads White/Black (these are very cute, 1/2 white & half black), Jet 4mm Czech Fire Polished Beads, White 4mm Czech Fire Polished Beads & Toho 6/0 Beads in Gilt-Lines Hot Pink Opal.  I used black wire and added some small 3cut black seed beads that I had on hand.

It is finished with the cutest Bali Cones with a swirl pattern & a Sterling Spiral Toggle Clasp.

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.

~My Wish for you in 2010~

May peace break into your home

and may thieves come to steal your debts,

May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.

May love stick to your face like Vaseline

and may laughter assault your lips!

May happiness slap you across the face

and may your tears be that of joy.

May the problems you had forget your home address!

Swarovski Crystal Volcano Teardrop

Is this GORGEOUS or what!

Crystal Volcano is a perfect name because it's an explosion of colors! 

This was taken in indirect light.  It's even more vibrant in direct sun!

 My thanks to Artbeads for allowing me to choose this pendant as a part of their blogging program.  It's a 24 x 12mm Faceted Teardrop Pendant in Crystal Volcano from their beautiful selection of Swarovski Crystal.  Take advantage of 10% off  your purchase through 12/31/09 with the "Share the Savings" discount!

Use Coupon Code SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424.

It may work it's way into a piece of wire crochet one day, but for the time being it's simply strung on a black velvet cord.  This really allows it to shine!

~Today's Quote~

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

~Marcel Proust

"Simplicity" Wire Crochet Necklace

This necklace is sparkling "Simplicity".  I can just visualize this on a bride, with the bridesmaids wearing the same design in the wedding color! 

These beads are from Artbeads beautiful selection of Swarovski crystal.  It's a single strand crocheted on non-tarnish silver color wire with a 4mm Crystal Silver Shade Swarovski crystal  in each stitch.  A Swarovski Galactic Pendant in Crystal Silver Shade is attached with a silver bail.  The matching earrings are simple long dangles.

~Today's Quote~

There will always be stones in your path...

It's up to you whether you build a bridge or a wall.