Bracelet from Brandel

Forgive me for boasting, but I won this beautiful Beachside Bracelet from Christine Brandel at A Hot Piece of Glass.  You can check out her blog at this link.  The real bragging rights go to Christine as she is a multi-talented lady who makes lampwork beads, does wirework and also sews and knits.  She is also a fellow Virginian.

Christine used 4 of her own lampwork beads and made a section of Viking knit to complement them.  She added her sterling silver clasp to complete.  It is easy to put on, is really comfortable to wear and it really draws the compliments.  (I have already worn it twice.)  Please check out her blog and more of her work.

Carol

Spring has Sprung! And New Jewelry!

While out walking in the yard on the first day of spring, here is what I discovered showing off their pretty colors.  Just seeing all the flowers blooming can really give your spirits a boost.  Hope spring has arrived for you, too.

In the studio, I am working on earrings with my own wirewrapped lampwork beads set off with sterling silver hammered dangles. 

I have also been playing with a simple necklace design - leather cording with a toggle clasp that hooks just above the lampwork bead dangle.  I etched the first set of beads trying to make the beads look like stones.  And then a set in spring blues.

Thanks for stopping in to visit.
Carol  

Design Challenge

Rings and Things is hosting a design challenge.  On Thursday, March 24th, they will do a drawing & pick 15 lucky participants from the comments on their blog.  Those 15 people will be sent a packet of these satin-finish copper beads and then have one month to provide photos of the jewelry they make with these beads.  Out of all those entries, Rings & Things will pick a Design Challenge winner to receive a surprise pack of their jewelry supplies!  Click on this link to check it out.
http://www.rings-things.com/blog/2011/03/17/take-our-design-challenge/comment-page-4/#comment-1500




 So what could you do with these copper beauties?  I am already dreaming of new possibilities.  I've never been in a design challenge before but why not?

Carol

Are you feeling lucky?

The very talented mother/daughter team at EB Bead and Metal Works is hosting a great giveaway in celebration of their birthdays. They are giving away an enameled copper heart bowl, an enameled copper eagle pendant, and some of their lampwork "Spring" beads.  To participate and wish them a happy birthday, use this link http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/2011/03/birthday-giveaway.html.
 

Hope you are getting ready for a great weekend.  The weather is supposed to be sunny and warm here.  Might be time to get in the flower beds.

Carol

Back to Basics

Sometimes you just need that bracelet that will go with everything...

So why not go with a simple black and white accented with sterling silver ...

or a classic black and tan combo.  And the nice thing about these colors are that they look good in every season.

What do you consider to be your basic color combinations that go with everything?

Carol

Signs of Spring

Just a couple of pictures to prove that spring is indeed coming.  These crocuses popped up with all the warm weather this past week.  Now the weather has cooled down a little and brought some rain.  All the better to turn the grass green. 

To help usher in the warmer weather, I have brought out the spring glass colors.  Some turquoise and lime green on a background of chocolate brown tied together with sterling silver will provide some cheer after the long winter.

Have a cheerful day!

Carol

St. Patty's Day Parade

Saturday was our St. Patrick's Day parade.  My DH owns an '82 DeLorean that we drive in the parade.  Ours is the one in the front.  Since we don't drive the car for most of the winter or in bad weather, this parade is usually our first time to get the car out in the spring.  And we did have a beautiful, sunny 65 degree day.

I don't really enjoy being the center of attention but it is fun to ride down the street and see the excitement on the children's faces.  Even the adults ooh and aah and clap for each entry which includes everything from antique firetrucks to clowns to floats.  Sometimes we have the best show looking at the crowd, many who come in costumes.

Often when we open the gulwing doors, the crowd breaks out in applause and cheers.  You can't help but smile back at all the happy faces and give them a wave back.  (DH calls it the queen wave. lol)

This handsome guy was resting before the parade.  Getting all fancied up just wears a guy out!  Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you and hope you wear a little green on Thursday.

Carol

Giveaway of Ceramic Beads

So glad you have stopped in.  Today I get to tell you about a giveaway on Andrew Thornton's blog,

http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/2011/03/thursday-giveaway.html ,

   for a chance to win these great ceramic beads from Golem Beads, http://golemstudio.com/.  Excited?!  

Well, to make things even better, the winner of the ceramic pieces from Golem Studio will also take home a Soft Flex Company's Extreme Trios set!

So what are you waiting on?  Hurry on over and get entered to win.  And see you back here soon.

Carol

More Photo Attempts

Here are some new efforts in the photography department - three pairs of earrings.  Still working on the lighting and focus, will it ever happen? 

 

Seems like such an easy thing till you try it.  And just because you get a good picture one day doesn't mean similar conditions will work the next day.  Having fun with it anyway and definitely learning something new each time.

Tomorrow looks like good conditions for pictures outside.  If I have any luck, I will post them here.

Carol