Countdown…ArtXtravaganza

Didn’t take long for me to get off track, did it?

I’m in show prep mode for my departure next Thursday to Knoxville, TN. My second year participating in ArtXtravaganza at the Webb School. Three full days this year, so Shawn and I are hoping for big crowds of shoppers. And snow-free weather! If you are in the area, stop by sometime. The show will be Friday-Sunday, March 12-14.

I’ve been working on lower price point items…lots of earrings, bookmarks, interchangeable earrings, re-engineered bracelets, corded pendants…since the show is a fundraiser, I want to have plenty of items that encourage buying!

Here’s a quick shot of the Interchangeable earrings I’ve been working on. I display each pair of charm/drops on one sterling silver hoop…pick out two drops and you have a set of hoops, plus two sets of charms: interchange them for two different earring looks.

Back to the salt mines for me…between lists for the show, ongoing book projects, and life in general, it’s going to be a hectic couple of weeks! I’m looking forward to both the show and to a few days of R&R with Angie and Vern in Crossville.

 

We have a winner—One World One Heart!

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine’s Day.

The One World One Heart giveaway is over and I was thrilled to have almost 300 people sign up for my prize.

The lucky winner of these Hill Tribe silver earrings is Diana!

Thanks to everyone who participated! I hope you’ll continue to visit my blog from time to time.

 

Mardi Gras in the Desert

I am headed to North Scottsdale for Mardi Gras & Casino Night to benefit The Melonhead Foundation. I’m one of a handful of vendors who will be selling items and donating a portion of sales to the foundation.

It should be a great event and the weather is cooperating very nicely. We’ll be on the patio under cover, but just outside. Supposed to be in the mid-70s today, so the evening will be mild.

Through the years, I’ve supported the Melonhead Foundation by donating a portion of sales from my Joolz (especially the Melonhead themed Joolz) to help their mission of providing financial assistance for familes going through pediatric cancer treatments. I’m also a trustee on the Melonhead Foundation Board and the founder, Deb Leone, is a dear friend.

Here are a few pics of available and previously sold Melonhead Joolz. Be sure to check  the foundation’s newly updated website too!

 

“Soup’s On!” Come in and have a taste!

It’s Bead Soup Reveal day!

Back in January, a cyber buddy, Lori Anderson proposed an online exchange with other jewelry designers. It sounded like great fun and over 80 designers signed up! Lori paired us up and away we went! I was paired with Linda Lawrence, Bella Bead Jewelry. Linda sent me these gorgeous hollow lampwork beads, some resin beads, an amazing lampwork heart, and a huge hammered silver toggle.

What is bead soup?

~ A focal
~ Some coordinating spacers or beads
~ A special clasp (not just a lobster claw)

I added freshwater pearls and a couple pieces of Hill Tribe silver and laid everything out, moved stuff around, started over at least once, restrung pearls twice, and generally worried that I’d get done in time.

I showed the sneak peak yesterday…time for the big reveal! Ta Da!

The colors in Linda’s lampwork beads are so vivid and bright. I love the lime green with the fuschia and deep maroon. The round glass beads are hollow and the transparent green one asked to be a container. I obliged and filled it with several very fine strands of sterling silver chain. The toggle Linda sent was such a show piece that I couldn’t see putting it toward the back of a necklace. So I worked it in as part of a large center dangle including the toggle, the now-filled green hollow bead, and the winged heart.

That centerpiece measures 4″ long and 2″ at its widest.

I pushed myself to go really asymmetrical with this piece and I’m pleased with the results. The “wow” side includes wire-wrapped sections alternating resin beads and lampwork beads with a few Hill Tribe beads for good measure.

The more “subtle” side started with the pearl strands doubled through the toggle ring, but I didn’t have enough of the two colors for that (restring #1), so I went with the two strands of pink and lime freshwater pearls. The pearl side seemed unbalanced so I added one of the hollows (restring #2) and held it up in the mirror…better, but the hollow on the pearl side was up too high for my liking (yep, restring #3).

So, what do you think? I love it! And the next best part is that all the participants get to hop around to all the Party Blogs to see what’s been made! Join us by clicking on any of the links below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Lori’s pieces can be seen by clicking here.

Other Party Participants

1. Lori, An Artists Year Off
2. Mallory, For the Love of Beads
3. Terri, Blooming Ideas
4. Cindy, Sweet Bead Studio
5. Lorelei, Lorelei’s Blog: Inside the Studio
6. Kerry, Kab’s Creative Concepts
7. Erin, Treasures Found
8. Jeannette, Jeannette Blix Wire and Metal Jewelry
9. Adrienne, Adrienne Designs
10. Nan, Spirit Rattles
11. Laurel, Rue’s Daftique
12. Nancy, Beading From the Heart
13. Mary, MK’s Creative Musings
14. Cassie, The Glass Beadle
15. Dot, Winchell Clayworks
16. Sharon, Sharon’s Jewelry Garden
17. Lisa, Lo and Behold
18. Norma, Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas
19. Judith, Judith B.
20. Debbie, Prairie Emporium
21. Maria, Garden Path Beads
22. Susan, Kaplan Creations Jewelry and Glass Design
23. Melissa, Melissa Meman: Art, Love, Life
24. Marianna, Pretty Shiny Things
25. Lisa, Joolz by Lisa
26. Cristi, 2 If By Sea
27. Sandra, Marbella Jewelry Design
28. Maria, Greene Earth Originals
29. Barbara, Jewelry of Distinction
30. Leslie, Bei Mondi
31. Loretta, Designs by Loretta
32. Linda, Bella Bead Jewelry
33. Kathie, The Bead Cult
34. Patty, Plays With Fire
35. Nicki, Nicki’s Reef
36. Anne Marie, Heart’s Desire
37. Mary, Mary Harding Jewelry
38. Jayne, Mama’s Got to Doodle
39. Emanda, Artemesia’s Studio
40. Whitney, Whitney Lassini
41. Marcie, La Bella Joya
42. Suzann, Beadphoria
43. Jen, Jen Judd Rocks
44. Julie, Credit River Art Glass
45. Janiece, J Birds Garden
46. Kate, Organic Odysseys
47. Laurie, The Mermaid Tale
48. Michelle, My Crazy Crafty Adventure
49. Sue, Sue Beads
50. Janeen, Wild Vanilla Designs
51. Nancy, The Rabbit Muse
52. Kristie, Artisan Clay
53. Regina, Regina’s Writings
54. Tari, Pearl and Pebble
55. Lyn, Lyn Foley
56. Beth, Sunshine Daydreamz
57. Cathryn, Chile Cats
58. Emma, Fred Bean’s Nook
59. Connie, Cetta Cheese Chatter
60. Juli, Jul’s Beads
61. Julie, RockerJewlz
62. Libby, LibbyLeu and Glass Too
63. Melanie, Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
64. Katie, My Life and My Beads
65. Zuleykha, Zuleykha’s Polymer Clay
66. Rekella, Me But a Little More in Depth
67. Ricki, What’s New at Ricki Voges Design
68. Lisa, Lucid Moon Studio
69. Jo, Daisychain Jewellery
70. Lynette, Rock Hill Designs
71. Lynne, Island Girl’s Insights
72. Chas, One Woman’s Haven
73. Ruthie, Rose Works Jewelry
74. Elizabeth, Turquoise Sky
75. Maire, Maire Dodd
76. Janet, Singing Woods
77. Eileen, Dorset Hill Beads
78. Julie, Miss Kitten’s Jewels
79. Joann, Jo’s Jewels
80. Patti, PJ Clark Designs
81. Mel, Kookie Designs
82. Erin, Every Heart Crafts
83. Dale, Flights of Fancy
84. Dee, Runako Designs

 

“Soup’s On” (Almost)…

It’s just about time to let everyone “taste” the finished “soup”…but not until Feb. 10th.

For now, you’ll have to live with this tiny peek:

See you back here on Wednesday!