Aug 31, 2012

Blue Moon Rosary Reveal


The Sun, Moon and Stars are there to guide us.
Dennis Banks

 Welcome to our Blue Moon Rosary Reveal! Today is the second full moon of August, a rare "blue moon." The last blue moon was in December of 2009, and the next blue moon won't occur until 2015.

 The expression "once in a blue moon" comes from these Blue Moon years when the 13 moon cycles create two full moons in one month. Folklore of the full moon says it is a time for boons, or wishes, and a time to think of increase and abundance. It's a time of fullness,  reverence and appreciation. The blue moon reminds us of our double blessings, our specialness, and rarity. It's a time to cherish each other, our little blue planet, and celestial beauty. 


For the Blue Moon Rosary Reveal, I used beads gifted to me by Margareta Saari of Finland: mystic and blue quartz. I created a cross by Iza Malczyk of Warsaw, Poland -- in fact, I created it twice -- the second time with the help of a wonderful basics tutorial by Perri Jackson.




Iza Malczyk cross design

Along with the wire woven cross, I added mystic hematine beads, labradorite rondelles, gunmetal crystal rondelles, and grey pearls to the mystic beads from Margareta. I began with rosary links, but decided to hand-knot the rosary on silk. In honor of the blue moon and my friendships with the wonderful artists who create such beautiful rosaries, I decided upon a tree of life with a full moon at the center



The beads I received for my rosary included a beautiful shade of blue quartz. I created a second rosary in blue, however pictures will have to wait after spending a day getting stitches instead of photos! Here is a peek at the heavenly blues in the rosary. The colors remind me of Mother Mary's traditional blue gown.


 As you stargaze upon the blue moon, and gaze upon the beautiful rosaries from Finland, Germany, and the U.S., celebrate our pretty blue home earth, make boons, and appreciate the great celestial beauty -- and know as Sojouner Truth said, "those are the same stars, and that is the same moon, that look down upon your brothers and sisters, and which they see as they look up to them, though they are ever so far away from us, and each other." 

  See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence;
 see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... 
We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

Here are the participants' rosary reveals. May you enjoy your blue moon journey of rosaries!


Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens, Luxembourg

Margareta Saari, Finland

Anna-Marie Stewart, U.S.

Toltec Jewels, U.S. 
blue moon rosary reveal <--- you are here
gem bead shop


Big hugs,
TJ 

Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, she makes handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. Her store offers small gemstone bead mixes for complimenting art bead jewelry.

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture. Jewel School Friends features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans, and hosts community events, challenges, and fundraisers. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook artist features, youtube tutorials, networking, sales & coupons, blog hops, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!  

Aug 30, 2012

Check out Polymer Clay Bytes! - Tina Holden's Beadcomber: Good to the last drop

Check out Tina Holden's brilliant idea and free tutorial on creating cool headpins! 

Polymer Clay Bytes! - Tina Holden's Beadcomber: Good to the last drop: We usually say that about coffee, but here I actually mean that about resin. Not the UV resin you’ve heard me talk about so many times before...

Aug 29, 2012

Bead Table Wednesday: Rosaries, Ireland, & Facebook Shopping Finds


It's Bead Table Wednesday, and here is a look at what's on my bead table this week: rosaries and green beads (with some really cool green wire for an ombre viking knit I so hope to complete before the due date Saturday!) galore in honor of Ireland.

Preparing for Two Blog Hops

First on my bead table are rosaries. Margareta Saari of Mags-koru (my BSBP6 partner from Jyväskylä, Finland) and I are hosting a Blue Moon Rosary Challenge on August 31. Two more artists have joined us, and everyone but me has experience creating exquisite rosaries. This will be my first handcrafted rosary ever, and I'm excited. On my bead table are the rosary beads Margareta sent me: beautiful mystic topaz beads and blue quartz beads. Doesn't the soft blue remind you of the Heavenly blue of the Madonna's gown? 

 I decided to make a cross for my rosary, and it's been a big learning experience. I'm creating a cross by Iza Malcyk of Warsaw, Poland, and my wire weaving just wasn't what I envisioned. Much like crochet or sewing, I wanted uniform, lovely weaves, but couldn't get them right. Expert artist Perri Jackson of Shaktipaj Designs appeared like the coolest angel on earth with her amazing tutorial, "Wire Weaving Basics" -- she has graciously taught me the techniques I was longing to understand. Even if you have some experience, I recommend reading her basics. I also found a tutorial of the 3 main weaves (under-over and more ;) from Instructables. I'm making another cross, but here is my first attempt at the Iza Malcyk cross, missed "stitches" and all:



 I'm also participating in the Challenge of Travel blog hop on  Saturday, September 1st, and my bead table is covered in every shade of green beads, including Connemara marble, just like Ireland. I like the color green! I'm trying two new tutorials for my Irish jewelry: a Celtic cage and an ombre form of Viking knit. Going green is lots of fun.

Now, my big adventure: Facebook Shopping!
Last week I shopped Facebook and to my delight, not only found rare and special beads, but did so at bargain prices for top quality and beautiful products while supporting artists. Shopping Facebook was a treat in Indie shopping: I'm glad I gave it a try!

My first try at Facebook shopping was a beautiful experience of unique drusy quartz shopping! I received many incredible drusy stones, including a star cut drusy and drusy moons, my dreams. Here the two beautiful crescent moons the shop keeper, friend Julez Jewelz  held just for me, remembering I'd asked her about celestial shaped drusy in the spring. Now that is customer service! Here, I've added them to my round drusy that is the same beautiful navy blue (much richer blue in person). They make a gorgeous triple "Blue Moon" symbol, don't they? Julez Jewelz is a rock star!

 
 In addition to shopping Julez' page, I also shopped with "Cooper Rocks" on Facebook for her infamous copper splashes. Although I wish I had a command over fire, I don't, and so I leave painting with fire to artists aligned with the torch. I'm in awe of them, and it's easy to see why: check out the array of colorful copper splashes! 



I also shopped a Facebook friend-of-a-friend's de-stash sale! Syke of "Creative Chaos" shared the super sale at "Yours, Mine & Ours" -- and man oh man was it awesome! I received two huge bags of great bead motifs: wings (shown above with my cross) and the totally cool Aztec beads I've been wanting for ages. I'm simply shocked by the amount of beautiful beads I received, and very grateful! Thank you, Skye and Debbie :)

  
I was also inspired by Margareta's gem collection, and purchased my first ever Turritella agate focal from "Apostles Gemstone" on Facebook. The shop not only had rare green Czech dagger beads and the coolest  Slovakian pumpkin beads (I'll share next week :) but fine gem beads as well. This is a 40 x30 focal. And I was surprised to see when photographing, it's even top drilled! The fossilized jewel will make awesome, spirit empowering jewelry. Buying from "Apostles" is a gift!


 Etsy Treasures

I have fabulous Etsy finds on my bead table this week. First, I have Lisa Libby of "Metal Me This" custom blended patinas!! They are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous, and I'm dedicating an entire blog post to them later. Lisa gave me permission to share a picture from her "Metal Me This" Facebook page , so I'll give you a sneak peek here. These are the etched bangles Lisa makes and the colors of her patinas she custom mixes. Aren't the flower bangles exquisite and beautiful? And aren't her custom blended patina colors amazing?

Metal Me This Flower Bangles

In addition to handcrafted patinas, I have the most colorful polymer clay buttons on my bead table by Shelly Graham Turner of Tori Sophia (lucky me, she is also my blog hop partner in the upcoming Holiday Bling Blog Hop :). 
  
My beloved new buttons!


And my first ever sari silk -- recycled and fair trade from Painting with Fire. More on these treasures as I think about what I'll be creating, but here's a look. The sari silk is called "Dragonfruit"!


 And a Quick Tidbit from Zibbet:

I enjoy shopping the new Zibbet (taken from the word exhibit). Pine Ridge Treasures has the most beautiful bead mixes she shares as a de-stash from her bead table. I love it when Lisa has a new kit for sale. They always rock! My latest treat is lucite flowers, and Lisa made the kit special for me, with purple flowers! Heavenly, isn't it?

Well, there's my bead table this Wednesday. Hope you enjoyed sharing in my stash and Facebook shopping with me. What's on your bead table? 
 

Big Hugs, TJ

Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, she makes handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. Her store offers small gemstone bead mixes for complimenting art bead jewelry.

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture. Jewel School Friends features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans, and hosts community events, challenges, and fundraisers. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook artist features, youtube tutorials, networking, sales & coupons, blog hops, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!   

Aug 27, 2012

Andrew Thornton Presents A Weekend Intensive with Gail Crosman Moore


Gifts. Giving. A.Way.

Gail Crosman Moore. Andrew Thornton. Weekend Intensive.

To commemorate this extraordinary event, Andrew is offering vintage sequins & Swarovski, filigree, twilight fibers, milagros.  

The Allegory Gallery welcomes you and award winning, multi-gifted artist extraordinaire and instructor Gail Crosman Moore to peaceful Pennsylvania for a weekend intensive.

enameling.
Saturday, September 8th, 9AM to 12Noon


riveting.
Saturday, September 8th, 2PM to 5PM
 
mold-making. paper-casting.
Sunday, September 9th, 9AM to 12Noon
 
autobiographical collage/assemblage.
Sunday, September 9th, 2PM to 5PM



 The weekend intensive takes place September 8th and 9th. In addition to instruction, students will have the opportunity to exhibit collage work in the Allegory Gallery and meet Saul Bell recipient Gail Crosman Moore in an open galley event:

pod infatuation trunk show.
Saturday, September 8th, 6PM to 8PM

The weekend pass gives you everything. The Allegory gives you the best. Andrew Thornton gives you knowledge and milagros for your journey.




Big Hugs,
TJ

Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, she makes handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. Her store offers small gemstone bead mixes for complimenting art bead jewelry.

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture. Jewel School Friends features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans, and hosts community events, challenges, and fundraisers. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook artist features, youtube tutorials, networking, sales & coupons, blog hops, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!  

Aug 25, 2012

BSBP6™ Reveal #3 -- See the Jewelry and Enter to Win Soups from Kalmbach Books' Artists!

*looking for my BSBP6 Jewelry Reveal? See it here!


The third and final reveal of Lori Anderson's annual Bead Soup Blog Party jewelry is here. Today, be inspired by the best handcrafted jewelry artists as you browse the final third of the 400 participants' finest work! You'll find seedbeading arts, modern macrame, wire wrapping, stringing, and jewelry of every technique imaginable. You'll discover beautiful art beads, delicious eye candy and bead soups, and artisans who will amaze. There are hundreds of new and beautiful jewelry designs, and many ways to enjoy the party:

You'll find the links to all three Bead Soup Party Reveals at the JSF special blog addition TJ in BSBP6.

Or, browse the BSBP6 website created by generous and talented FusionMuse, Bangkok. Her special site features one BSBP6 reveal photo from each artist, with links to their blogs and stores. It's a great way to see everything created for each reveal quickly and easily, all in one place. And I promise you'll be impressed with the level of design skill the BSBP6 artists have when seeing everyone's work together! It's a beautiful website to visit featuring truly amazing jewelry. Don't miss it; simply click here.

And finally, enter to win a bead soup to create your own jewelry design, compliments of Kalmbach Books! The special bead soups celebrate BSBP6 and the release of Lori Anderson's book, "Bead Soup: 32 Projects Show What Happens When 26 Beaders Swap Their Stash" -- click here to buy your copy now with free shipping and three free project tutorials included in the price!



The bead soups offered by Kalmbach Books are being gifted by top of the line bead shops and the finest jewelry artists, such as this soup by Jewel School expert artist instructor Patti Bullard! To see the bead soups you could win as they are posted daily, visit Kalmbach's Facebook page.

You could win a chance to create with Patti Bullard's bead soup for Kalmbach Books!

The next Bead Soup Blog Party™ will take place in Jan/Feb of next year and after that, annually. To learn more about the Bead Soup Blog Parties, please visit our incredible host, Lori Anderson, and her wonderful blog, "Pretty Things."  Also, Lori plans to host a few more events this year, such as the popular "Cup of Bead Soup" in September (open to international artists), a vintage-style swap in November, and a Holiday Swap. You can keep up with all the fun by joining Lori's group,  the "Bead Soup Cafe' on Facebook." Meet you there! 

Meet you there!


Big hugs,
TJ

Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, she makes handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. Her store offers small gemstone bead mixes for complimenting art bead jewelry.

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture. Jewel School Friends features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans, and hosts community events, challenges, and fundraisers. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook artist features, youtube tutorials, networking, sales & coupons, blog hops, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!  


Aug 23, 2012

Blue Moon Rosary Challenge

*looking for the Annual Bead Soup Party™  Jewelry Reveals? Just click here!

August 31 is a rare blue moon. Please join Margareta Saari and I on that day for a Handcrafted Rosary Challenge. What began as an extra bead exchange and challenge between two Bead Soup Blog Party partners is growing to include other rosary artists! I will share links to all the artists blogs soon, and if you too would like to participate, please comment below and join us.

Big hugs,
TJ

Aug 20, 2012

October Fest: A Jewelry, Craft, Bead, Home and Hearth Blog & Facebook Challenge & Celebration

*looking for the Annual Bead Soup Party™  Jewelry Reveals? Just click here!
Welcome to October Fest !!
A Jewelry, Craft, Bead, Home & Hearth Creative
Challenge for Blogs, Facebook Pages, and the JSF page :)
Let's celebrate autumn! 


October Autumn magic. Glowing embers fill the sky.

 Color abounds. 


Harvest, bounty, gratitude.

  
Traditions. Treats. Candy Apples.

Carved Pumpkins


My pumpkins ;)

Family and Friends' Pumpkins.


Purr-fect Pumpkins

Home Sweet Home


A Festive Home
 
October Fest!
Participate, post and share
 WIN GIFTS for the upcoming HOLIDAY HOOPLA

*Post to your blog 
and/or

*Upload a pic or post to your Facebook Page
and/or

*Share a pic or post to the Jewel School Friends Fb Page

(If you don't have a blog, that's OK! 
We'll celebrate Fall on Facebook too!)

 Here's How to Join in October Fest:
 
1) Leave a comment below that you're in.

2) Grab the October Fest button 
(see bottom of page) and link back to this post.

 3) Create an Autumn Inspired Treat!
* Make a Fall craft
* create a cool bead  
*design Halloween jewelry
*design Autumnal jewelry
*decorate your home or yard 
 *write a poem, dance or sing


* share a recipe, share baking tricks or treats; 
celebrate and brew up something fantastic!

3) Share your Autumn inspired jewelry, beads, recipes,
treats, poems, pictures, crafts and boo-ti-ful creations
on October 28th (my birthday)

4) Fly by everyone's creations to comment & share the love
 5) Check back on Halloween, October 31, 2012 
to see if you've won in the random drawings!
You could win any of the following:
 
 $10 Fire Mountain Gift Certificate


 or
"The Art of Making Bracelets" Margot Potter DVD

 or
"I Got a Rock" Gemstone Bead Soup from Toltec Jewels
 
or
Beadcomber Hibiscus Flowers by Tina Holden

or
   

A Sears Kenmore Refrigerator...Not!
 Just tricking ... lol, but really ...
 
  
or
Lovely Lucite Mix 
from Pine Ridge Treasures and Lori Anderson

and

 Handcrafted Ceramic, lampwork, & Polymer Beads
 ... T.B.A. soon!


Grab the October Fest button!
 Post on your blog, or upload to your Facebook page.
You can Twitter, pinterest, or re-blog for more chances to win too!
Be sure to link to this blog entry, please.
(each post earns you more entries into the Halloween drawing)
If you create multiple posts, please leave a message with the number of posts in comments, so I can count you in... again! 
(and again! and again! and again ... lol)
Button for October Fest:

Just For FUN:
The following "if the broom fits" buttons are compliments of "Crafts and Sutch" !

 






Big Hugs, TJ

Toltec Jewels is an author by day and jewelry artist by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA in a permanent collection of mixed media art and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for both her literary and jewelry art. A gemstone collector and jewelry lover, she makes handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. Her store offers small gemstone bead mixes for complimenting art bead jewelry.

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture. Jewel School Friends features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans, and hosts community events, challenges, and fundraisers. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook artist features, youtube tutorials, networking, sales & coupons, blog hops, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!