LamplightCrafts

There were almost 400 participants signed up for this challenge, so Lori Anderson, Pretty Things, created 3 reveal dates.  The first party starts today, 28 July 2012!  I am so excited.  New blogs to visit and not enough hours to get to them all.  Be sure to stop by the blog of my Bead Soup Blog Party partner, Stacy Alderson .  I can't wait to see what she made with the bead soup I sent to her. Here is what I made with some of the ingredients from the bead soup I received from Stacy: The focal bead is so beautiful, that almost any color would work with it, so I used the jet picasso seed beads from the soup and some of my own seed beads in a champagne color. This was also my first attempt at making a spiral rope.  Here is a list of participants in today's reveal: Hostess, Lori Anderson, PrettyThingsBlog.com Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles Alicia Marinache, All The Pretty Things Amanda Tibbetts, Amanda Made Amber Dawn Gold...

I just added to more bracelets to the Art Bead Scene July Challenge.  See previous post for addition details. I used art beads from Carolyn Harmon, Dayton Ohio.  She is regular visitor to the Dayton Art Doll Group as well as my most favorite bead shop in the world, Stash!.  Her bead is the multi-colored bead in cream, brown, blue.  The bracelet (using Carolyn's bead) was done using window rectangle window pane cathedral beads, crystals, and seed beads.  The second art bead was made by BC Lampwork, and the bracelet was made with lime green lentils and sodalite cut rondelles.  Oh, the pink button clasp is handmade porcelain by Pat Antonick of Heliotrope (Studio) Beads. The next bracelet was me playing with all of the beads I took out for the challenge!  Fun with memory wire.

Don't you just love challenges.  I would have tried the Christmas in July Challenge, but I was already knee-deep in bead soup for the BSBP.  Although the Christmas in July challenge didn't go so well, AJE is trying something else.  How about Life at the lake?  Take a look at the inspiration pic and see what you can come up with! Art Jewelry Elements: Inspired by Design Challenge: Life at the Lake : Christmas in July was NOT popular at all...haha! Ok, I get it. It's difficult to be inspired by Christmas when it's record breaking high tem...

The Art Bead Scene July challenge painting is Picasso's  Two Acrobats with a Dog, was painted right in the middle of his Rose Period . This was the time when Picasso was slowly coming out of the severe depression that marked his Blue Period , and the colors Picasso used here signify that recovery.  The first thing that caught my attention was the harlequin pattern on the leotard of the man.  The colors I see are varying shades of blue, and some yellow.  For my design, I made a few harlequin beads and only ended up using two.  I also used a handmade porcelain button made by Pat Atonick of Heliotrope Studio and Beads.  If you are ever in the Dayton Ohio area, visit her shop.  I also used a handmade clay bead from Yolanda's Clay (Etsy).  The rest is just Swarovski crystals, filament beads, and a few Czech beads.  The bracelet design was totally inspired by Lesley Watt's tutorial using jump rings and beads.  Here are some pict...

Stash: Inspiration on the Loose! : It all started when Renetha Stanziano told us about a tutorial she found on a wonderful blog by Lesley Watt . (check out and like Lesley's ... The day is good when you get a mention in another blog.  A blog belonging to my most favorite bead shop ever.  Here is one I did for the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash July Challenge.  This months colors were inspired by ice cream!  Lesley Watt of the Gossiping Goddess , we thank you for the wonderful tutorial!

Beads of Clay Blog: Beads of Clay Giveaway : July Beads Of Clay Giveaway Time! Once a month we give you stuff  Just look at these Awesome Beads and Pendant... Just what I need....more beads!  Stop by the Beads of Clay blog for details on this giveaway. Renetha

My bead soup has arrived! My Bead Soup Blog Party partner is Stacy Alderson, and her bead soup package arrived in today's mail.  I made a quick visit to Stacy's blog, Iridal's Attic and discovered she likes beadweaving, knitting and is now making polymer clay beads.  She is a little nervous about participating in the party, but I don't think she has anything to worry about.  Her beaded hair combs are beautiful.  If I had more hair, I would definitely get one.  Goodies! Seed bead and Czech glass mixes Freshwater Pearls Jet picasso Rondelles Jet Picasso 8/0 Seed Beads Frosted Teal 6/0 Seed Beads Polymer Clay Beads, Stacy Alderson And a gorgeous lampwork focal with spacers and a sterling silver clasp.  The lampwork was done by Rob Johnson, Etsy . Wow, this is great soup!  I already invision fringe of picasso and pearls, and possibly a rope chain.  The blue p/c beads might end up being used in the Art Bead Scene...

I am so excited about participating in the Bead Soup Blog Party that Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting. While the party was being organized, participants asked to "Tell us how/why you became a jewelry designer, and what you like best about it."  I considered this for a while and these are my thoughts.  I started crafting early in life under the tutelage of my mother.  If there was something to do with yarn, paint, fabric, clay, wire, etc, I probably did it all through the 70's.  I started quilting when I became pregnant with my first son.  Quilting was fine, but it was a long process, until I discovered art quilts.  Then quilting evolved into dollmaking.  But it wasn't until I saw my first beaded art doll that it clicked...I can do this!  I stumbled upon group of ladies in Dayton that call themselves The Dayton Art Doll Group, via an internet search.  Here was a group of women that loved dolls and beads.  The funn...

Beadwright: NICOLE'S BEADBACKING GIVEAWAY!!!! : Hi Everyone! For the next week I am giving away sample packs of Nicole's BeadBacking. Hey I love giving things away and this is a double up....

Knot Just Macrame: Dragon Bracelet Giveaway : Yep, you read it right!  I'm thinking it's time for a little giveaway, and a little not-so-formal poll of folks on my Facebook page says ...

I looked at pics of my challenge piece, and wasn't totally happy with the copper chain going through the copper focal.  So I chopped off a length of chain and added a section of crystal copper pearls, shell beads, and ammonite.  Now I am happy with the piece now titled Ocean Treasures. A list of challenge participants is listed in the post below.  Happy blogging!