LamplightCrafts

Ever so often I like to make art dolls.  Recently, GoddessDolls (YahooGroups), held a bottle doll swap.  Here is the doll I made for Morgayne.  These are the dolls I received from Ann B.

First, I managed to finally visit/comment on all of the Art Jewelry Element Headpin Challenge participant blogs (except for one, Typepad had issues).  But I can say that each participant came through with beautiful designs.  So if you want to see some beady eye candy or your creative side needs an inspirational boost, get to clicking.  The list is on the post below this one. Second, I was picked by the Beadwork magazine team to design something for the Reader's Challenge!  This happened back in July.  I couldn't let anyone know what I made, and that was the hard part of the whole challenge.  Here is my design as published in the Oct/Nov issue of Beadwork magazine. Third:  The  Jean Power Secret Bead-Along Challenge for National Beading Week in November.  This was something I haven't done before.  Bead something from instructions and not know what I am going to end up with.  This was so much fun.  I managed to comple...

The AJE team is hosting a headpin challenge.  I am always up for a challenge.  Since I am slowly recovering from outpatient surgery, I almost forgot about the challenge.  However, minutes before midnight (USA time), I raided my stash for headpins and some small lampwork beads to work up a pair of earrings. The headpins are made by Julie Bowen of AutEvDesigns (Etsy).  The lampwork rondelles were made by Ansuya530 (Ebay). CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS Alison Herrington Renetha Stanziano Karin Grosset Grange Gloria Allen Deb Fortin Cate van Alphen Mona Arnott Shai Williams Sarajo Wentling Kathy Lindemer Solange Collin Brooke Bock Melissa Meman Patricia Handschuh Tammy Adams Melissa Trudinger AJE Team Members: Caroline Dewison Lesley Watt Cathy Mendola Jenny Davies-Reazor Susan Kennedy Laney Mead Diana Ptaszynski Lindsay Starr Niky Sayers I can't wait to check out what everyone made for this challenge! ...

This issue of Creative Spark! features designs made with cultured sea glass and tiny crystal rondells from ZnetShows .  Be sure to read the articles about the many ways beaders store their stash.   Thank you Hope Smitherman (Editor) for putting this issue together and keeping all of us on track!  Thanks go out to ZnetShows for providing beautiful beads to work with.

Finally a few pics to load! Lovely bead selection from Becky Pancake.  Thank you Becky, I had a lot of fun once I figured out what to work with first.😊 Son #2, AJ graduated from Carroll High School! Here's what I made with the purple and topaz? beads using the lampwork rondell as a focal for the bracelet. I put the blue batch of beads to the side for now, unless inspiration hits me sometime soon. The Bead Peeps group has bead swap and hop each year.  This year my swap partner is Becky Pancake.  We both share a love of dolls and beads!  Our color choices were even similar.  I would love to post pictures, but for some reason my camera/computer is having a problem loading pictures.  I think I need a new cord, or even better...a new camera.  I hope to have the issue resolved sometime tomorrow morning. So, keep on hopping!  One challenge down, and several more to attend too. Renetha ‪#‎ BeadPeepsSwap‬ PARTIC...

My Czech Beads Contest, sponsored by Preciosa-Ornela, has contests throughout the year.  The themes for April/May are spring, flora/fauna, Easter, or nature.  The catch, create a beaded design using brick stitch.  I am currently juggling several bead projects, but here is my entry. Stop by the Preciosa-Ornela Facebook page and check out what other designers put together. Upcoming projects: Beadwork Reader Challenge! Bead Peeps Swap/Blog Hop Creative Spark!  Maybe something for the My Lovely Beads (Pantone) Contest

Each month team AJE picks an artist's jewelry component, and then randomly selects a few individuals to design jewelry with the component.  This month I was one of the chosen.  The February component was an aluminum and crystal rivoli chain maille Phaedra design.  The Phaedra design was created by Karen Snyder, and Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio made a few for this month's challenge.  Read more by clicking HERE . Component..... I usually make earrings when I am short on time, bt since I only had one Phaedra bead, I went with a bracelet design.  I used 8mm silver plated rounds, 4mm silver plated rounds, 5mm silver plated split jump rings, 15/0 silver seed beads, and an AlaCarte clasp. A little right angle weave and I present Phaedra Boom! Have I said that I love challenges?  Well I do.  Be sure to check out what the other participants made with the Phaedra component.  Links below. Guests Shaiha ...

Introducing Joto.  The themes for January/February are winter, dancing balls, and fancy-dress, and you must use bead embroidery for the technique.  I never realized just how many Czech beads I have in my stash.   Joto means heat in Swahili. We are facing yet another round of cold temperatures and....possible snow storm.  So stay warm. Stay warm and bead on! Enter the  PRECIOSA My Czech Beads 2016  competition where you can take inspiration from the designs of internationally renowned artists and you can win 1 kg of beads and seed beads from the PRECIOSA Traditional Czech Beads brand!