Jul20

No Need For An Intervention!

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No Need For An Intervention!

Just when my loved ones were starting to worry about me, I joined the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop, hosted by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog. When Lori first came up with the idea, I thought how brilliant it was to motivate us all to start using pieces we had been hoarding for weeks, months and ahem.. years! Besides beads, ,my stash includes several (TONS) of cabochons: larger focal pieces that do not have a hole drilled through them. Technically, I suppose, they aren’t “beads”, but they are a jewelry component that I am hoarding! Leading up to this blog hop, I started forcing myself to start using them-and many beads I had been hoarding saving, with happy results. Some I have shared already with fellow jewelry artists, such as this necklace I  made, using dyed bamboo coral and copper beads, sodalite disks and a large focal bead I enameled myself, all hung from a hand forged U shape and strung into super soft leather lacing:

CoralCopperEnamelDanglesSince I LOVE LOVE the bamboo coral, I have been terribly stingy with it!! I suppose I still am, considering how little I used it, but the point is, I DID use it! I have a LOT of solid copper beads, spacers and jump rings, and since I got such a fantastic deal on them, I have been terrified of wasting them using them all up-and therefore have been avoiding using them at all. The same can be said for the sodalite rondelles-a great deal on the single strand, they are great quality, and therefore, if I use them, I won’t have any more like them-makes sense, right??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another necklace I made was one of my first soldered bezel settings. Again, I started by choosing my focal, in this case, a cabochon I have been holding onto for awhile now, and found coordinating beads in my stash. AGAIN, these beads are some that I “got a great deal on” and therefore reluctant to “use them up”. RockyButteThe cabochon is a sweet Rocky Butte picture jasper, and I accented the necklace with sesame jasper beads I have had for YEARS. I didn’t need to use many, since I wanted the focal to stand out-nature is an amazing artist!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, it’s hard to get over a ”creative block”. Writers have long claimed ownership of such blocks by dubbing them “writer’s block”. However, being on both sides of that argument since I write AND craft, I am officially changing the diagnosis to “creativity block”. I suffered this affliction in the midst of trying to force my way through my hoard treasure, and decided I would look for inspiration from some of my favorite jewelry artists, Szarka. I had always been intrigued by her style and design, and her “Kaos” wraps just boggled my mind. I selected a large cabochon-a Burro Creek agate that I LOVE the shape and color of, and sat down one day to make my way through my block. I sketched out an idea, selected my wire, and set off. After getting 80% of the wrapping done, I realized I had used wire that was too thick of a gauge to accomplish the look I wanted. With a heavy sigh, I wielded my flush cutters and with a curse, cut all the work off that I had done. I was now back to square one. I had only spent about two hours working on it so far, so no big deal, right? -_-
It was all good though, because I already had the design in mind, and that was just a practice run. I was able to use one gauge smaller, and it was just what I needed. I had it 90% done in just about an hour this time around. But then, the unthinkable happened. I asked for constructive criticism. It sat on my bench for over a week after that while I pondered what steps to take next with it. I had been so excited about it, but now I knew there was something “wrong” with it, that I was trying to NOT see until it was pointed out to me. If others could see it, then it’s real, right?? Finally, I was ready to tackle this once again. I was extremely happy with the end result. I used more leather lace, this time in black, and wrapped some sweet agate beads (yes, you guessed it, that I had been SAVING because I got a GREAT deal on them!) to use in the necklace, and my end result is my Swirly Whirly Burro Creek necklace. SwirlyWhirlyBurroCreek2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the piece that I saved for my Blog Hop reveal. This cabochon is a sweet Serpentine that I snapped up in a Great Deal. To accent the cabochon, I chose little copper beads I’ve been *ahem* saving. For the necklace, out came the Great Deals once again! I selected some beads that I really haven’t had *that* long, and some I….. have. Mookaite, New Jade (aka serpentine), more copper beads and copper spacers. I am thrilled with the result!
serpentineinvk9 serpentineinvkC serpentineinvkB serpentineinvk8
First I created a viking knit bezel to hold the stone. I wanted more wire work around it, so I decided I needed to add some woven wire work. As I did that, I incorporated the little copper beads around the outer edge. I strung the necklace onto beading wire, but decided I didn’t want to add more weight, so finished it in a double strand of chain on either side. I created my own “French wire” using tiny copper coils over the beading wire where it attached to the hand made copper jump rings attaching the chains.  (If you click on the pictures, you will see them larger!) I finished it off with a hand made clasp. The yellow beads in the necklace match the base color of the cabochon perfectly, but for some reason, on the tile I used for a backdrop, it gives them a green tinge. They are actually soft yellow.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this Blog Hop! Many thanks to our hostess, Lori Anderson, and please stop by my fellow hoarders’ blogs and check out what they’ve come up with during this very therapeutic exercise:

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
10.  Erin Guest, Renlish11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It’s a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda’s Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine’s Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre’z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D’Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper <<<<<<<<<<<<YOU ARE HERE!
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie’s Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama’s Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia’s Unique Beaded Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka’s Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda’s Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou’s time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 – For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD’s Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine’s Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl’s Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn’s Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings ‘n’ Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi’s Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra’s Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge’s Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca’s Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena’s Beady Blog

52 Responses

  3. I had to laugh about your blog. “great deal so afraid to use them”. Gosh, that’s the story of my beading life. It happens to me all the time as well. Love the pieces you made with it, they are all gorgeous. Love the green one especially. I hope one day I will be able to do such lovely wire work

  7. Fantabulous makes – your wirework is stunning. I love the way you put your colours together to. Really subtle and calming.

  8. Wow, all of these pieces are gorgeous. Honestly, I can’t pick a favorite. What beautiful, exquisite work… You are very talented! 🙂

  9. They are all lovely…but my fav is the first necklace. I used some blue coral I’ve been saving in my design, too, but the piece you have is awesome!

  10. Wow! amazing pieces. Your wirework is outstanding and your color selections fabulous. Your enameled bead is great. I want to try enameling soon.

  12. I love the way you describe the making of… and the result: your jewellery! The third necklace is my favourite, it speaks for itself♥ great great colours! Have a great summer!

  13. Wow! Gorgeous, gorgeous pieces. And I totally snorted when I saw your comment about using them and then not having them – SOOOOOO true! So it’s a sickness. I’m good with that.

    • Thank you, Sherri! As long as we have a diagnosis, nobody can blame us, right?? 🙂

  14. Heather, you are so right that “nature is an amazing artist”, but even so she needs a little help to make her creations wearable. Thanks for sharing your wonderful designs and helping Mother Nature to really glow!

  17. Wow – such beautiful wire work! I am a big copper wire & bead fan, and I just love how you incorporated both of those things into your intricate pieces. Absolutely stunning designs! 🙂

  18. These ROCK! And are you joined up to Sally Russick’s Cabachon Challenge? I signed up and am terrified. I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m going to try!

    I love all the variety here!

    Thanks SO much for participating so enthusiastically!

    • Thank you, Lori!! I am NOT signed up! I had not heard of it til I read your comment, so I looked it up and alas, I am too late to sign up. Maybe next time!
      I always have a good time with your hops. Thank you SO much for dreaming up this one-it has been so fun and I plan to continue wading through my hoard! 🙂

  19. Absolutely love the added weaving on the last piece the copper beads are used to great effect! I thought you had used a soldered bezel until I read your description 🙂 Just beautifully done!

    • Thank you, Hannah! The yellow-ness of the color scheme is quite out of my element, even though I LOVED the cabochon when I bought it, and love the beads that went with it. I am very happy with how it turned out. 🙂

  22. What extraordinarily beautiful pieces!! I love them!! The middle one with the black lacing is my personal favorite, but each one is uniquely lovely. I also really liked how you talked about saving the best deals and the special beads the way you did – I do the same thing and use the same words!!! 😉

  27. Your creations are outstanding. So glad you decided to share those amazing cabs with us in such wonderful designs.

  28. I love all of your designs, but the last one is my favorite!!! Amazing wire work ,design, color every little thing is wonderful!!! Love it! Have a Blessed Day!!!

    • Thank you, Marci! It’s funny, my husband doesn’t even bat an eye, because he’s just as bad about the things he “stashes” as well. It’s good to know there are people like us out in the world 😉