LamplightCrafts

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime loves challenges and put out a call to Create with Cabochons!  I and others responded to the challenge.  I've done a little bead embroidery and thought this challenge would be fun.  Not only was it fun, but it is also addicting.   I started out with a piece of Succor Creek Jasper that looks like a beautiful desert landscape, and inspired by my friend Cathy Helmers (an expert in bead embroidery), I made the focal below.  It is truly a one of a kind piece.  I used a lot of the hybrid seed beads surrounding the cab and fringe.  Sadly, the hybrid seed beads are not being made anymore, so you better get them before they are gone. And this piece too. The focal is a lampwork bead made by Carolyn Harman, MVLBA . Thank you Sally for hosting this challenge, and for providing those links about beading cabochons.  I had great fun with these! I will get to hopping sometime after the weekend.  M...

In between all of the beading challenges and family life, I like to sew.  My latest project was a collaboration between Carole Ohl and myself.  She wanted something smaller and less intimidating than an art doll form as a teaching aid.  Carole came across the cousin of the Snootie, called Schmoos.  Schmoos are crocheted creatures that were then beaded, and live in Schmooville .  And now we have STASH Snooties...totally fabricated! These were a lot of fun to put together.  They are bright, colorful, barely 3 inches high, and no two are exactly the same. They are available at STASH, the best bead shop ever.  This proves that beaders will bead just about anything.  I will post more pics of  STASH Snooties soon.

Life is good in the Stanziano household!   Now, a bout the earring challenge!   Art Jewelry Elements  is hosting a wonderful earring challenge.  The challenge is to make a pair of earr ings a week, totalling 52 pairs for the year.  Playing catch up as usual....... Featuring Art Beads by Donna Millard Week 27/52 Wire Mesh and Orphan Art Beads by Canterbury Keep, Ebay Week 28/52 Featuring Art Beads by Carolyn Harman, MVLBA Week 29/52 Flying Saucer Art Beads by B. VandeCreek, MVLBA  and Wing Dings made by Genea Week 30/52 Featuring Art Beads by T. McGill, Rabbit Hutch Beads Week 31/52 Featuring Art Beads from the Misty Manor Mercers Week 32/52 Featuring Art Beads from Bluff Road Glass Week 33/52 Thank you for stopping by.  

Oh, I had the most wonderful time catching up with old friends, and making new friends too.  The rooms were great, the food was spectacular, the grounds were filled with wild turkeys, deer, lizards, and birds of all kinds.  The staff were friendly as well, and stopped by the "beading room" to see all of our wonderful creations. Here is what I made while on the retreat. The retreat took place at The Wooded Glen in Henryville, Indiana.  A nice long 3.5 hour drive from where I live, but it was so worth it.