Beads 4 You Spring Challenge Results

Well, the winners are in and I am sad to say that I'm not one of them. Boo hoo. Oh well it was a lot of fun and the winners did an excellent job. Maybe next time right? Anyways here is the link to all of the wonderful entries: http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads4you/sets/72157594297832014/

There were two winners, one for using only the beads provided and the other for using the beads provided and whatever else they wanted.

The Beads Only winner is Lava Jewelry and here is a link to her peice http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads4you/501409347/in/set-72157594297832014/

The Anything Goes winner is That's Headley and her is the link to her piece http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads4you/641774343/in/set-72157594297832014/

Also here were some of my favorites that I would have chosen if I had been the judge. Hee, hee. I just love this entry by Another Country. I was actually surprised to see that she didn't win http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads4you/530521824/. I really liked this entry by Broken Teepee Designs and I was again surprised to see that it didn't win http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads4you/641774393/. I really liked the wire work on this entry too by My Friends and Me http://www.flickr.com/photos/beads4you/530538994/.

I really had a good time doing this challenge and will probably do the next one too. Congratulations to everyone that entered the contest. There are definitely a lot of talented beaders out there and it was fun to be a part of it.

Crystal Earrings

Here are some earrings that I have been making the past couple of days. I finished them today and have already sold all of them. Yippeee! So I guess I had better get some more made. I will be posting them on my Etsy site in the next few days.

Green Garnet Necklace and Earring Set

Alright I can finally post the green garnet project that I had been working on all last week. I love this piece and I really enjoyed making it as it was for my Grandma T. She received it in the mail today and was just so happy. I would have posted it earlier, but I didn't want her to see it on the blog before she saw it in person. You may remember the one that I made for Grandma B in June, if you liked that one then you will love this one. I was commissioned by my folks to do both necklaces and it was just so much fun making them. I would spend my time thinking of Grandma T as I was making this and thinking how nice it was going to look on her.

First I made all of the beaded beads and then I strung them with green garnet, freshwater pearls, potato pearls, amazonite, aquamarine, and silver bali beads. I did the first strand with the beaded beads that were longer in length and the inner strand with the beaded beads that were shorter in length. I forgot to measure the length of the necklace before I shipped it off, but I think it was about 22 inches in length. I finished the project off with the same sterling silver clasp that I did my sister Leora's necklace in. I just love this clasp it is so elegant and beautiful. It just finished the piece off perfectly.

Green Garnet Beaded Beads

Here are a few of the beaded beads that I made to go with the Green Garnet piece I am working on. Aren't they pretty? I will hopefully have the finished product posted by Tuesday if all goes well.

Green Garnet Project

Here are the beads that I will be using for my next project. I'm so excited! I have been working on getting all of the right colors together and I think that I have done it. I have been comissioned to make this next project and I just can't wait. I plan on starting on it tonight after my son goes to bed. Wish me luck!

Aunt Jill's Necklace

While visiting family in Arizona, my sister, Angie and I went bead shopping in Tuscon with our Aunt Debi and Aunt Jill. It was lots of fun. Jill picked out some beautiful pink beads and we volunteered to put something together for her. So here is the finished piece with Aunt Jill modeling it for us. I made a bracelet too, but didn't get a photo of it. She just loved it and couldn't wait to go and buy a new dress to go with it. I told her that my Uncle Buck would now have to take her out someplace nice so that she could show off her new jewelry. So Uncle Buck if you're reading this you better do it because your niece Rachel said so. Anyways, I am so glad that I could make my aunt something. We really had a great time together and it was nice getting to hang out with her and the kids.

My wonderful Aunt Debi also picked out some beads and I will be making something for her in the near future. I will be sure to post the finished product soon.

Leora's Birthday Present from Angie

Here is another beautiful piece of jewelry that Leora received for her birthday this year. This piece of jewelry was made by my younger sister Angie for my older sister Leora. It is made with turquoise beads, silver beads and some type of agate I believe. I will have to ask Angie what the other stone is. It is just stunning. Angie was in the process of making this while I was in Arizona visiting and I am so excited to see the finished necklace and earring set. I love how she did the two strands and the clasp that she chose to use it pretty cool too. I also like the earrings that she made to go with the necklace. I'm sure that they look wonderful together. Good job Ang! I'm jealous.

Leora's Birthday Present

Right before I went on vacation to my folks house in Sierra Vista, AZ I made a beautiful necklace for my sister Leora's birthday. Below are pictures of the beads and color scheme that I used to make the necklace and earring set. Unfortunately I just barely finished the night before I headed out to Arizona and was not able to get it posted beforehand.

round faceted smokey quartz beads
glass spear beads
smokey quartz discs
delica seed beads
delica seed beads

green nymo thread

After about three or four continuous nights of beading I managed to produce this necklace and earring set, which I just love. I was really tempted to just keep it for myself, but my excitement in seeing Leora's face when she received the present overcame the want to keep it. I actually got the idea of how I wanted to make this piece from a piece that Leora made me a few years back. Leora had made me a similar one a few years back using pearls instead of the smokey quartz. Knowing that Leora rarely makes jewelry for herself I decided to make her something just as wonderful as the jewelry that she made me.

Here are some photos of the necklace that Leora made me a few years back that I got my inspiration from. You can see the similarity and differences between the two.