Today is Michelle Mach’s Fall Challenge, “Very Vintage Challenge”.  I was lucky enough to snag a kit, and participate. Of  course I forgot to take a photo of my specific kit, but here is a photo of the general kit Michelle sent:

Photo courtesy of Michelle Mach.

And here is what I made; a necklace and an assymmetrical earrings:

And here is the list of all other participating artists:

Andrew
The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

Cat
Boo Beads

Chris
beadjewelry.net

Cilla
Tell Your Girlfriends

Cyndi
Beading Arts

Cynthia
Cynth’s Blog

Dawn
Morning Glory Beading

Donetta
Simply Gorgeous

Heather
As I Bead It

Holly
SilverRose Designs

Kate
We Can Make That at Home

Kristina
Wild Roses and Blackberries

Lauren
Laurel Moon Jewelry & Beads

Linda
Lutka & Co

Lisa
Lucid Mood Studio

Lola
Bead Lola Bead

Mary
MLH Jewelry

Melinda
Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs

Michelle H.
Firefly Visions

Michelle M.
Beads & Books

Salla
Blog by Salla

Shannon
Falling into the Sky

Shay
Shaiha’s Ramblings

Shel
MiShel Designs

Shirley
Beads and Bread

Stephanie
Pixybug Designs

Tari
Pearl and Pebbles

Terry
Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Tracy
The Bead Junkie

Thank you Michelle for another fun challenge!

Today is the reveal of the “Mostly Metal” Challenge hosted by Michelle Mach of Beads And Books.  Michelle is a jewelry designer and writer, and hosts several challengs throughout the year.  I was fortunate enough to grab a kit for the challenge,  and my category was “Gunmetal Love”.  It was indeed a challenge for me since I rarely use gunmetal.  Here is the kit that was sent to me:

Since I couldn’t think of what to make incorporating everything, I chose to make several pieces:

It’s amazing how we retain things we learned in childhood – I made the red cords into a keychain by using the macrame techniques that I learned long long ago.  I also used hematite beads to make heart earrings.  The swarovski crystals were made into dangle earrings, and the red ribbon roses (unique to my kit) were made into a hair barette.  Now, I just loved the pink pearlized vintage glass cabochon, so I got some Vintaj brass components and made it into a necklace:

And here is the list of participating artists to visit:

Antique Brass Romantic

• Donetta (via <a href=”Michelle’s blog)
• Michelle
• Pam
• Shannon
• Stephanie
• Terry

Filigree Fun

• Andrew
• Cassie
• Cyndi
• Jeannie
• Ruth
• Vina “Jane” (via <a href=”Michelle’s blog)

Gunmetal Love

• Erin
• Heather
• Jean
• Kelli (via <a href=”Michelle’s blog)
• Linda
• Lola

Oh, Michelle is hosting a giveaway to those who leave comments at her blog as well as all the other participating artist blogs.

Today is the Button Swap reveal!  Michelle Mach of Beads & Books is hosting this fun swap.  I have been fortunate to be paired with the talented and very sweet Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio.  Here is what Cindy sent me for the swap:

The main button is a beautiful Victorian brass with steel-cut detail, and the two other sets are also brass with ornate detailing.   Cindy sent me two, so I could choose the set I liked.  Well, I ended up using them all, and here is what I made:

I wanted to frame the buttons to enhance their beauty.  So I decided to use donut beads.  Well, I have several stone donuts, but they weren’t the right size, and even then, I would have had to glue the buttons on or quite possibly cut the shanks.  I didn’t want to do either, so I made my own donuts.  Since, I had paper clay around from my Izannah Walker doll ( yes, I am still working on that), I fashioned the beads from that.  After sculpting, applying gesso, painting, and collaging, I had what I wanted.  The collage is actually an Egyptian motif – it’s so small it can’t be seen.  Anyway, the process was fun and I like the results :-).

Cindy also sent me extra buttons & beads – so sweet:

I knew right away what I wanted to do with them.  And here it is:

I had so much fun making a vessel for the German Bead Babes Go Challenge, I made another one.  This time, I used Bullseye opaque glass to match the pretty mother of pearl buttons & beads.  I added a few of my vintage clear glass buttons as accents.  There was even enough to make a pretty matching earring set.

And finally, I thought, what could I make out of the big mother of pearl button?  Well, Cindy had packaged the buttons in a pretty brown box topped with a very nicely tied bow:

A couple of jeweled sterling branches plus a barrette = a very pretty hair accessory!  I know who will claim this one :-).

Thank you Cindy for all the wonderful buttons & beads!  And thank you Michelle for hosting this very fun swap!  Now, here is the list of other artists to visit:

*** Oh, and be sure to leave a comment – every comment left here and at other participating artists blogs gets you an entry for a giveaway at Michelle’s blog!!!***

1. Cat – Boo Beads

2. Cindy – Sweet Bead Studio   ***MY SWAP PARTNER***

3. Cory – Art with Moxie

4. Cyndi – Beading Arts

5. Dita – Alankarshilpa

6. Donna, Marti, and Michelle – Beads & Books   ***BUTTON SWAP HOST***

7. Erin – Treasures Found

8. Hope – Crafty Hope

9. Inca – Zerenity Design

10. Katrine – Army of Sock Monsters

11. Krista – French Elegant Jewelry

12. Kristie – Artisan Clay

13. Linda D. – Lutka and Co.     ***ME :-)***

14. Linda L. – Linda’s Bead Blog

15. Lody – Lody’s Beadworks

16. Lori – Pretty Things

17. Loretta – Loretta’s Boutique

18. Malin – Beading by Malin de Koning

19. Mary – MK’s Creative Musings

20. Maryanne – Zingala’s Workshop

21. Melinda – Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs

22. Saskia – Perlendistel

23. Shannon – For My Sweet Daughter

24. Shirley – Beads and Bread

25. Stephanie – Confessions of a Bead Hoader

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, also known as the Queen of Bead Soup Blog Party :-), is hosting a 7000 Bracelets For Hope blog hop.  I have made one bracelet already, but I am always game for a fun blog hop – especially one with such a worthy cause.  I made a lampwork bracelet last time, so I decided to do something different.  The Button Swap is soon approaching, and with that in mind, I hit my button stash, and came up with this:

I combined some contemporary buttons with some vintage glass ones and added swarovski crystals &  pearls.  The main buttons are a very pretty soft blue with recessed ivory flowers.   This is really one of the very first bracelets that I made that have glued on components – I hope the E-6000 glue has staying power…

If you would like to donate, click on the 7000 Bracelets For Hope Button on my sidebar.  They are accepting bracelets throughout the year.

And here is the list of participating artists to visit:

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2.  Jayne Capps, Mama’s Got To Doodle
3.  Kym Hunter, Creatively Kym
4.  Mandy Duffy, Beads for Brains: 365
5.  Charlene Sevier, The Bead Dreamer
6.  Lisa Boucher, Lisa’s Clay Happenings
7.  Mary Harding, Mary Harding Jewelry
8.  Barbara Lewis, Painting With Fire
9.  Amy Severino, Amy’s Beads
10.  Jennifer Pride, Jewelry by Jennifer Pride

11.  Jenny Cameron, Glass Addictions
12.  Susan Ferguson, Windrock Studio
13.  Mortira vanPelt, Inspirational Beading
14.   Brandi Hussey, Brandi Girl
15.  Jenny Vidberg, Shyme Design
16.  Angela Barribou, Re: Angela Rae
17.  Stefanie Teufel, Stefanie’s Sammelsurium
18.  Sue Hodgkinson, Hello Gorgeous
19.  Jean Yates, Snap Out of it Jean, There’s Beading To Be Done!
20.  Nicki Keller, Nicki’s Reef

21.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
22. Stacey Curry, Star Hitched Wagon
23.  Carrie Tahquechi,  Carrie T
24.  Deci Worland, Gem Trails
25.  Debbie Goering, Prairie Emporium 
26.  Staci Smith, Staci Louise Originals
27.  Francy Inman, 8 Second Studio 
28.  Linda Landig, Linda’s Bead Blog and Meanderings
29.  Cherin Poovey, Lanyard Lady 
30.  Deb Price, Green Shoot Jewellery Designs 

31.  Suzette Bentley, Ellies Bijoux  
32. Mallory Hoffman, For the Love of Beads 
33.  Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread 
34.  Kate Gardenghi, The Tropical Blonde 
35.  Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre 
36.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me 
37.  Linda Djokic, Lutka and Co.   ***YOU ARE HERE***
38.  Cory Celaya, Art With Moxie 
39.  CJ Baushka, 4 His Glory Creations 
40.  Tracy Bell, Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash 

41.  Sandra Richardson, Sandy’s Coloring Box 
42.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe Designs 
43.  Kim Roberts, Bahama Dawn 
44. Hilary Frye, FryeStyle 
45.  Emanda Johnson, Artemisia’s Studio 
46.  Lisa Kavanaugh, Beading Bliss
47.  Sue Kennedy, Sue Beads
48.  Raquel Amaral, Raquel Amaral
49.  Robyn Hawk, Daily Jewel
50.  Linda Inhelder, Must-Haves Jewelry

52.  Krista French, French Elegant Jewelry
53.  Andrea Robinson,  Madame Magpie’s Shiny Things
54.  John Rasmussen, Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry
55.  Breana Fry, Vault 31
56.  Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found
57.  Cyndi Lavin, Beading Arts
58. Dot Lewallen, Speedie Beadie
59.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
60.  Heather Pyle, Aquariart

61.  Adrienne Campbell, Adrienne Designs
62.  Dee Gordon, Runako Designs
63.  Judy Glende, Judith B. Designs
64.  Susie Hibdon, Vintage Susie & Wings
65.  Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs
66.  Norma Agron, Norma’s Clay
67.  Ana Novak, Cat’s Pajamas, Dog’s Tuxedos
68.  Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations
69.  Raida Disbrow, Havana Beads
70.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

71.  Holly Westfall, Silver Rose Designs
72.  Catherine Pruitt, Boo Beads
73.  Deana Hager, Just Deez’ Art & Life
74.  Lupe Meter, Gem’s PC Corner
75.  Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass
76.  Janet Bocciardi, Honey From the Bee
77.  Kitty Durmaj, Perles and Life
78.  Rose Noble, Lady Noble Design
79.  Sally Russick, WireWorked
80.  Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter 

81.  KJ, KJ’s Beadacious Beads
82.  Lana Kinney, Something Unique by Lana
83.  Melissa Meman, Melissa Meman … Art, Life, Love 
84.  Karen Bien, Everyday Gypsy 
85.  Rebecca Anderson, Songbeads
86.  Cyn Gagen, Creative Edventures
87.  Niky Sayer, Silver Nik Nats
88.  Deb Beechy, Beetique
89.  Marian Hertzog, M’s Place
90.  Kerry Bogert, Kab’s Creative Concepts

91.  Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
92.  Charlene Gray, Gray Girl Studio
 93.  Erin Fickert-Rowland, Elysian Fields
94.  Sharon Palac, Sharon’s Jewelry Garden
95.  Maryse Thillens, Glass Bead Art
96.  Christine Altmiller, One Kiss Creations
97.  Eileen Bergen, The Artful Crafter
98.  Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
99.  Rebekah Payne, Tree Wings Studio
100.  Mari Aparicio, Mis Amores 

101.  Tracy Statler, Make Bracelets 
102.  Marcy Lamberson, Studio Marcy
103.  Kim Stevens, Picking Poppies
104.  Karyn White, Releases by Rufydoof
105.  Elisabeth Auld, Beads for Busy Gals
106.  Lisa Hamilton, Simply Irresistible Jewelry
107.  Serena Trent, All Things Made Jewelry
108.  Sharon Driscoll, Right Turn Artwerks
109.  Debbie La Rue, For the Love of Beading
110.  Maggie Towne, Maggie’s Bead Towne

111.  Cassandra Watsham, Designs by Cassandra
112.  Mary Ellen Parker,  BeeTree by m.e.

Thank you Lori for another fun blog hop :-)!

Today is the German Bead Babes Go Challenge:   Blissed out by… your favorite song!  The hosts of this challenge are Stefanie of Stefanies Sammelsurium,  Janna of Palimpa Lim, and Nicki of Nicki’s Reef.

We were to pick our favorite song, and create  jewelry with this song in mind, then have a blog hop of all the participating artists.  I have many songs I like, and for this challenge, I chose “Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by the Fifth Dimension.  I am not of that generation (just a bit younger :-)), but for some reason, I like it, and it gives me a good feeling.  If you want to listen, click on the album photo below to open a Youtube video of this song :

It makes me smile to think that these crazy hippie kids in the video are now law abiding Seniors in their 60’s  looking towards retirement :-).

I have always thought about making lampwork vessels (aquarius – the water bearer), but never got around to it. So, this challenge spurred me to do it, and here is the vessel pendant I made:

I basically made a hollow bead at the end of my mandrel to fashion the vessel. I guess it will take some practice. With a tiny hole, it caves in on itself, and if I get it too close to the flame, it gets all wonky. So, I kept it as simple as possible for now. And I used the wire wrapping technique that Jodi of Beadworx kindly shares on her tutorial.  It can be filled with essential oils or perfumes. And here is the list of participating artists to visit:
1. Janna Harttgen – Palimpa-Lim

Thank you Nicki, Janna, & Stefanie for this fun challenge!