Ornament Thursday! “Sprout”

This month’s theme is “Sprout” and I tossed around several ideas abandoning most as I hit a time crunch  yet again…the answer really came to me last week at a show when several women commented on my “flower rings” and it took me a second to realize they meant this:

I think of them as my cluster rings, forgetting that they are usually overflowing with little Czech flowers and leaves (along with tiny pearls and crystals).

Excuse the aging hand (must remember to slather the miracle cream on the hands more regularly!) but this picture gives you a sense of proportion…these rings make a statement, don’t they! They adjust so that you can wear them on different fingers depending on your mood and how many other rings are vying for attention.

They do look a bit like a bouquet or an Easter bonnet. The base is an artisan-made lampwork disk by Lauri Copeland. She makes wonderful color combos…I’m still kicking myself (gently) that I gave my sister, Kelly, this amazing black and white one for Christmas instead of being a selfish sister and keeping it for myself! (I know, I COULD make another one, but they are so one-of-a-kind, I know I’d disappoint myself). Enjoy it Kelly!

I hope Spring is sprouting wherever  you are. We are in the midst of the end of it I think, a whole two weeks after it arrived! But that is Arizona…just means the pool water is getting more survive-able!

Be sure to check out all the other Sprout projects from the amazing ladies of Ornament Thursday!

Alexa Westerfield – a.k.a. Swelldesigner
Now that’s it’s time for spring, ideas are “sprouting” all over the place. Alexa creates this eye-catching notebook to keep them in order.

Art Bead Scene
Some good karma is sprouting up at the Art Bead Scene with Heather’s Lotus Flower Bracelet

Cindy Gimbrone
The Brooklyn National Anthem sprouts every year when Cindy’s in Spring mode. See what it inspired this year!

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie giggles and remembers a furry friend, brings back an old mold, and sprouts up a beaded LOLhammy ceramic ornament.

Helen Bradley and Michelle Zimmerman at http design
It’s spring and we’re sprouting all sorts of wonderful art at http design. Michelle is toting her art to the market and Helen revisits a fun art school assignment for her inspiration.

Humblebeads
Humblebeads celebrates spring with a Berry Good bracelet inspired by some juicy disk beads.

Jennifer Heynen of Jangles
Jennifer has come up with a cute little necklace to remind you of spring.

Katie’s Beading Blog
Create some spring flair of your own with this easy bead embroidery idea from Katie’s book, Hip to Bead.

Kriss Cramer – Spring Is In The Air
Not much of a horticulturist? Me neither! But I love flowers and I enjoy growing these ones with some paper, paint, and rhinestones.

Linda Augsburg at Make It Mine magazine
Tea decided to join the fun this month. Check out her quilt blocks and Linda’s purse.

Melissa J. Lee – Strands of Beads
What do Korean playing cards have to do with a sprouting spring? Check out Melissa’s blog to find out.

Michelle McGee – S-P-R-O-U-T
Michelle just can’t stop creating in green! A little wooden birdhouse becomes a beautiful palace!

Savvy Crafter
Candie shares some happy spring memories with a cheerful felty flower idea!

Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!
Jean tells a touching, poignant tale of some beads who help one another, and after a small amount of sturm and drang they get it together and help each other! In fact, they prettify whatever YOU choose! Go see! It’s fun!

Spring is Sprouting for Joolz by Lisa
Even without a green thumb, Lisa managed to “grow” a garden of sorts this month.

Sprouting Up with Beading Help Web
Lynn Kvigne’s used wire and a lentil bead to create a “sprouting” pendant for wire workers who want a bit of a challenge!

The Goddess ROCKS!
Inspired by a river rock shaped like an ancient goddess statue, Hali paints, melts crayons and adds glitter to create a sparkley celebration of Spring.

The Impatient Blogger
How does your garden grow? With metal mesh, Czech glass beads and vintage French images all in a row! Margot just returned from Paris where she discovered a treasure trove of vintage paper. This scanned and sized postcard image fit the theme of sprout perfectly and the necklace was in search of a new home…add some teal metal mesh bows and accents and voila…a design sprouts forth!

Vintage Girl Teams Up With Her Vintage Momma!
What does a gal do when she finds herself far from her crafting supplies? Why, she raids her mom’s basement and then puts dear old mama to work! Stop by and you’ll see why mom’s basement is fertile ground for things that sprout!