PAY IT FORWARD: HANDMADE ....

So, quite a while ago there was this idea for the makers of handmade products to make some thing with their own two hands and pay it forward to folks who also appreciate handmade objects.  In this case the products were handmade jewelry items.  I wanted to join in, but every time I saw the notice on someones blog, I was too late.  Then, I heard about someone who was waiting for people to comment on her invitation to join in this gathering of like-minded folks.  I commented, and became an official member of the Pay It Forward: Handmade clan.


Cassi, from Beads: Rolling Downhill, was good enough to allow me to play along, and I knew that at some point in the next 365 days, I would receive a surprise in the mail.  A few days ago I did go to my mailbox and found said surprise waiting for me.  How fun to receive something special out of the blue.  Cassi sent me two pair of lovely earrings that are so up my alley.  Please forgive the pictures, I just couldn't get the colors to come out right.

The bottom pair have the word Laugh stamped on them and are made of polymer clay, as are the little yellow hearts.  The top pair are Czech glass flowers in a beautiful red.  I love both pair. 

This was so much fun.  One of the things that I promised to do is to Pay It forward, myself.  I have yet to do my post asking for comments, because everyone seemed to already be on the bandwagon, so I figured I would give it a little time to calm down and then make the offer and see it I could get any takers.

Here is the jist of how this works:  For the first three commenter's that leave their email address, I will promise to make something handmade and mail it to you at some point in the next 365 days.  It will be totally random and a nice gift from me to you.  I will get your regular mailing address and ask a few questions to be used as guidelines.  You, as the recipient, will create a blog post inviting three people to play along, in essence Paying it forward.  How about it, any takers????

Cassi, thank you so much for the beautiful gift.  I will enjoy these earrings, and every time someone asks where I got them, I can say they are a handmade surprise gift from a nice person that I have never met.  But, she is someone with a kind and generous heart.

HAPPY CREATING.....

MY FIRST TIME EVER...

to fold form metal.  I love the ideal of manipulating sheets of metal into forms that create beautiful jewelry.  I've watched others who seem to effortlessly fold metal into three dimensional shapes and wished that I could do that.  It always seemed to me that it would take the skill and strength of a seasoned blacksmith to be able to heat and pound metal into shapes and forms that come alive with fluidity.  In one sense I was right, but in a  bigger sense I was so wrong.

A while ago I received my issue of STEP BY STEP WIRE JEWELRY, (Aug-Sept issue).  In it are instructions for a Battered Heart bracelet by Abbi Berta, using basic fold forming techniques.  I thought about it and read the article several times, and then I pulled out the torch and hammer and gave it a try.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  My product isn't going to win any awards, but we all have to start somewhere...

These are basic, first tries, BUT I DID IT.  I cut, heated, folded, pounded and shaped my way through my first metal fold forming attempt and I did okay.  Now, I want to run out and take a blacksmithing class.  It was so much fun turning a flat, shinny piece of copper into something with character and soul.  Jewelry is always satisfying to me because, no matter how a piece turns out, someone, somewhere will love it.  You, as the designer, just have to get the piece into the hands of the person that it calls to.  Fold formed jewelry has always called to me, and now, I can make it.  How great is that?

Onward and upward, who knows what I can create with lots more practice and inspiration.

HAPPY CREATING, Y'ALL

MISMATCHED ART BEAD EARRING SWAP...

and an apology.  I didn't realize how long it had been since I had posted, and I'm sorry for that.  Now, on to the swap.  The lovely Diana, from Suburban Girl Studio, has issued a fun challenge to create mismatched art bead earrings and then swap them with a partner.  I was paired with Kashmira.  I was really looking forward to this swap because it gave each of us an opportunity to create something really unique for each other.  When Kashmira's package arrived in the mail I was not disappointed.  Just look at what I received...

Aren't they lovely.  I'm a big fan of the green, so these earrings are right up my alley.  They are very light, and comfortable to wear, and I have received many compliments on them.  To the point that I had to stop my own mother from swiping them.  I'm so glad that I joined this swap, and that I was paired with such a thoughtful partner.  Go on and visit Kashmira, and all the other participants, you won't be disappointed. Here's a list of everyone playing:

Diana Ptaszynski  http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Lisa Liddy http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Kari Asbury  http://www.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Jayne Capps  http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Anderson  http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com

Lesley Watt  http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Lori Bowring Michaud  http://www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com

Renetha Stanziano  http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Holly Westfall   http://www.silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Theresa Fosdick  http://www.thoughtful-notions.blogspot.com/

Ali McCarthy  http://www.northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com

Shai Williams  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Iveth Caruso  http://www.CreativeAtelier.net

Carolyn Collins  http://www.sparklingwaterstudio.com

Elaine Ray  http://www.elaineray.blogspot.com

Kristen Stevens  http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/

Charlene Jacka  http://www.clay-space.com

Jan Onipenco  http://www.MoltenMayhem.typepad.com

Stephanie Woods  http://www.rainydaysdesigns.com

Eleanor Burian-Mohr  http://www.cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com

Shelby Foxwell  http://www.sundownbeaddesigns.blogspot.com

Lisa Johnson  http://www.Whimsyswonders.blogspot.com

Kashmira Patel  http://www.sadafulee.blogspot.com

Penny Neville  http://www.copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com

Dee Elgie  http://www.cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk

Sarah Small  http://www.bysalla.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson  http://www.Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Karin Slaton  http://www.backstorybeads.blogspot.com

Ashleigh Becker  http://www.seladesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Kay Hand  http://www.creativetangent.blogspot.com

Rana L. Wilson  http://definitivedesignsbyrwilson.blogspot.com

Sandra McGriff  http://www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com

Dawn Pierro  http://www.turtlemoondesigns.me

Shelley Graham Turner  http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Karen Mitchell  http://www.overthemoon-design.com

Melissa Trudinger  http://www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com

PS... I know that I'm a little early, but if I wait to do this tomorrow it won't get done. And, I can't figure out why this post is so freaky looking, but I'm too tired to chase down the problem.

PPS...Kashmira left a comment telling everyone where she got those great enameled beads.  Be sure and check it out.

HAPPY CREATING TO YOU ALL....

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya, Tomorrow...

Howdy, Howdy All,

Just incase you don't know, because maybe you sleep under a rock and didn't hear, but tomorrow is the last reveal of the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party.  So, tomorrow on the 25th go visit Lori Anderson, and she will have the whole list of participants that are having their big reveal.  Again, it's tomorrow, people.  Be there or be square.

Lisa

There's a Celebration in the Land

Hey All,

Head on over and visit Leslie, at the The Gossiping Goddess, and celebrate her great fortune in having a successful shop after only six months in business.  What an inspiring business woman she is.  Of course, it helps that she makes beautiful components and jewelry.  So, scurry on over and view the loveliness, and while you are there, she's having a give-away.  You might win a prize.....


Lisa

LET'S BE STALKERS ...

I was just cruising around the WWW, when I landed on the blog of my favorite stalkee.  And, guess what???  She's having another give-away.  Of course, I'm talking about Lori Anderson.  Go on over and find out the info on a great jewelry retreat, and try your luck at winning a terrific gift certificate.  I did it, and you won't be sorry if you give it a try yourself.  Promise.

Happy Creating today,

Lisa

!!! BURPPPP !!!

(It really is 12:10am on Aug.11. My computer time is correct, I can't figure out how to change blogger from Pacific time to Eastern time.)

Excuuuuse me...that is some tasty soup. Welcome all to the 2nd reveal of the 6th BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY.

Our wonderful hostess, Lori Anderson, paired us up and sent us on an incredible journey that challenged us all.  Thank you, Lori, for being the hostess with the mostess!  You can find all of the participants here. Scroll down to the second reveal date, grab a comfy chair and something to snack on, you're going to be here a while.

Without further ado....here is a reminder of what my marvy partner, Rochelle, sent to me.

And this is what I did with some, most especially the focal beads and the clasp, that she sent.  Please excuse the picture quality, poor woman + phone camera = not so great pictures.

This necklace I am calling Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil.  It is immediately what I thought of when I opened the package from Rochelle.  I love the pendant and the little midnight blue seed beads.  The clasp was just what I wanted, as I like to work in copper. I offset the clasp so that it is on the side like a flower in a garden, then added one of the copper flowers on the other side for a little bit of balance. I used scarlet and jet rondells for the Evil element. I then paired them with the midnight blue of the seed beads, a blue rondelle and white opals to give me the Good of a midnight sky with moonlight shining down.  I LOVE this necklace!

This necklace I'm calling Under the Sea.  I used the second focal that Rochelle sent and added a couple of Puffer fish that I had in my stash from Green Girl Studios.  I also raided my stash for the water like seed beads and the green glass rings that matched perfectly with the focal.  The necklace is totally adjustable as the glass rings slide on the cord.

Well, there it is.  I hope that you visit all the other participants, most especially my partner, Rochelle.   I am still being challenged by what she sent.  I did intend to use everything she gifted me with, but time got away from me, so I hope to use the rest of her gift in other projects.

I need to send out a big THANK YOU, to Monique.  She knows who she is and what she did, which was save my bacon.  Thanks, girl, I owe ya.

Happy Blog Party, all.  Hugs and Kisses to Lori, and remember to hydrate and rest those fingers every once in a while.

LISA