Oct 31, 2012

October Fest Winners! Check the Prize List :)


Sorry this was just a sparse link yesterday ... I mean such a succinct post yesterday ;)

Yesterday I created a beautiful update for the List of Participants and Prizes page, with links to each winners' blog and lots of thanks and praise for each post and the AMAZING BLOG HOP WE HAD!!! Wow, your posts are so gorgeous, cool, creative, yummy, warm, beautiful, and amazing!!

Of course, you know how I've had lots of trouble with the scissors... I mean, the computer? Well, I learned  updating a page doesn't SAVE any of the changes until you actually hit the UPDATE button. So after two and a half hours -- and just as I was almost done creating a fabulous update by my 9:30 PM goal -- FireFox suddenly closed on me with no warning, and poof! .... it was all gone. Luckily, I'd emailed myself the random.org list of winners so the Halloween spirit and true winners' destiny remained intact. When I started the update again, I posted simple names above prizes and made it by about 11:30,  just before the end of the Halloween magic!


So, the prizes are now matched with the winning artists. Are you winner? Did you get a treat for Halloween?



Of course, I think you are all winners!! The best! You all rock!
Thank you for the coolest birthday in a kinda rough year, and for all your joy, beauty, and friendship.
Happy Halloween, my friends :)




www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2012/10/october-fest-blog-list-and-prizes.html

Creating Diversity: Jewelry Artists with Disabilities





Years ago, I began a journey of learning about, and then acting as an advocate with, the community of persons with disabilities. I began by choosing American Sign Language for college, and as I learned that ASL is not signed English, but a distinct language with its own syntax, I also learned the first step in living a life inclusive of differently-abled people is to take a good, long look at how I defined "being able." 

We can't begin to truly relate to people with disabilities until we understand completely our personal ideas of success, work, timeliness, contribution, and differences. The first thing to understand and then think about is the society we live in. Different societies ascribe and value success, work, contribution and timeliness in various ways. In America, success is often defined differently for men and women, but in general success is associated with the amount of money one makes, and one's social class. American society emphasizes that hard work is equal to one's class an social status, but this is almost always never the case. The class one is born into is the most powerful determining factor in the amount of money one makes. Think of it like this: we are all set up to play a game, like Monopoly. People are given piles of money and how well they trade money for goods, work at getting more money, and save money will make some winners. At the end of the game, everyone's piles are counted. Some are congratulated, others feel embarrassed they weren't more savvy. The idea of success is connected to those piles of money. 

However the game never began fairly. Some players began with twice the money, some with less then half. Those with the most, ended the game with the most. Those with the least, ended the game with the least. But without considering the game piles of money to start, we thought some were the winners. We deemed them the successful ones, and believed their personal talents, wit, and abilities made them a success.

In order to begin working at a School for the Deaf, I had to understand the societal norms about ability. I had to unlearn the idea that the amount of hard work equaled success and personal value. Once I did, I was ready to understand I wasn't at a School for the Deaf to help them because I could hear and they could not; I was at a School for the Deaf and learning American Sign Language because I understood and recognized I was working with exceptional people, exceptional learners.

As my college years progressed, so did my involvement with the community of persons with disabilities. The Americans With Disabilities Act -- an incredible, wonderful civil rights amendment of enormous proportions that President Reagan quietly passed into law --  radically changed the way we would include differently-able persons in all aspects of society. As I read books on tape for fellow students who were blind, I watched sidewalks be built and ramps installed. I watched as students with disabilities were given quiet environments for taking tests, and twice the amount of time. I watched as slowly more and more courses were offered online, to be taken entirely from home. I watched as tape recorders were given to students to record lectures, to listen again from home.

So much different from the frightening "main-streaming" of the disabled during the 1970's when exceptional learners and children with disabilities were put into mainstream classrooms where they were not seen as "different but equal" but were seen as different and less than,  pitied, not given fair accommodation. I recall with deep sorrow the sweet child who appeared one day in our 6th grade class. He had MS, and little control of his muscles and speech, especially under stress. Our teacher, Mr. Hellwege, often picked on him. One day he told our fellow student with MS to sit still and stop disturbing the class. Of course, this was impossible. When the student didn't miraculously gain control of his MS, Mr. Hellwege made him sit at his desk, in front of the class, on his lap. He told the student he was a "baby" because of how he held his arms and wiggled his body, and that "babies sit on laps." I couldn't have been the only student who cried then, along with the child sitting in humiliation on Mr. Hellwege's lap. The next day my classmate was gone, and although issues often weren't discussed openly back then as they are now, I like to think his and many other outraged parents openly confronted the school and demanded an end to this abuse. And today I ask, with all the love of justice, should it not have been the teacher, not the student, who was made never to return?  Exceptional learners were not included as a part of the class; rather, they were outcast for their presence, and discriminated against systematically and structurally. But the ADA changed all that as it defined the right to accommodation as well as inclusivity.

Accomodation. Inclusivity. What does that mean? How does one accommodate  persons with disabilities? I wanted to know. And as my university an community work as a disability advocate grew, the answers did too. I began giving college lectures and teaching courses on creating inclusivity and building a diverse community. I carried buttons and stickers that said "People with Disabilities Can Do!" and gave them out freely, along with helpful little written booklets about the ADA. Now, years later, as part of a wonderful jewelry and bead artists community, I'd like to again discuss disabilities and share some of what I've learned. As the issue of diversity and helping artists with disabilities (which include diseases) arises, two areas seem especially important to address: accommodation and support -- or essentially, in other words: fundraisers and events.

Accommodation does not mean pity. I have found a key difference in including artists with disabilities in the jewelry an bead arts community is respect vs. pity. Elenore Roosevelt said, "Pity is the deadliest thing you can give a woman" and it just as negating to give the differently-abled pity. When coming across persons who assert that I must give my pity as a means of support; or that by joining groups to see persons with disabilities as victims of circumstance, hard knocks, or terrible suffering that I can choose save or help , I quickly turn the other way. Giving direct money, focusing on limitations, feeling sorry for, and rescuing a disabled person is not in any way equal to nor as powerful as giving access, opportunity, empathy, and support. Yes, disabilities may be painful, expensive, and disempowering but the job of learning to love oneself, finding access to medical care and financial resources, and participating a support group with others who have the same disability (or disease) is the responsibility of the differently-abled themselves. A person with a disability surrounded by able-bodied  persons who are there to "help or rescue" is not accommodation. In fact, it is the same way of thinking of and seeing differently-abled people that allowed Mr. Helwege to abuse the exceptional learner of his class: seeing the disabled as "less than" and in need of help is rooted in inequality and prejudice.

Look again at the picture at the top of this post. You may be thinking, "Gee, you're kinda tough on that little girl in the wheelchair,"  but I am the little girl in the wheelchair.  As you thought of me being a disablitity advocate, teaching at the School for the Deaf, becoming an ASL interpreter, reading for the blind, teaching classes and giving university lectures on including and accommodating persons with disabilities, and then refusing to "help" persons asking for my pity, you may have imagined I was able bodied. Yet I've live my life differently-abled, often from a wheelchair, and do so very happily, even with some very intense medical challenges, chronic severe pain, and physically limitations.

So accommodation is not pitying, rescuing, nor even simply perceiving people with disabilities as down on their luck. What about fundraisers then?

Let's talk about money. In American society it is considered more rude to talk about someone's income than it is to discuss sex. The taboos about money make it challenging to discuss money, disease, and disability, but let's just jump in bravely and start right there. Supporting persons with disabilities does not mean directly giving them money out of pity. Does this mean not participating in and giving financially to "fundraisers" in the jewelry community? Yes and no. 

There are important issues to look at before giving time, money, and your jewelry to such events. Firstly, find out if the fundraiser is being hosted for or by a Not-For-Profit organization or group. If it is the case of a private fundraiser, check to make certain the recipient has not received monies before. An emergency is not an emergency if it happens again and again. While someone might be faced with unexpected illness and need community support, make sure that it isn't a pattern. Persons with disabilities are responsible and capable people who are in charge of and care for their own wellness long term, and it is unlikely they would have repeated medical emergencies. While disabilities are often long term, a disability can also be temporary and short term, such as a broken leg or broken arm. Giving money to someone with chronic long term health challenges who also claim to have short term medical conditions is not at all the norm. While the jewelry arts community is known for being amazingly supportive and has helped incredible artists like Andrew Thornton survive skin cancer, repeated fundraisers for consecutive life threatening illnesses is unusual. Caring for and living with a disability in the long run means seeking out and setting up long term resources for one own self. 

Ask questions. Reputable fundraisers will welcome your questions. If you are met with defensiveness, or come across tales of others simply not liking the person with a disability, or see evidence of "us vs. them" mentality, run. Reputable fundraisers don't divide the community. There is no talk of "us vs. them" to try to manipulate participation. If you find the fundraiser has a division between those who give without question     (the "good" people) and those who ask questions (the "bad" people), run faster. Instead, share your love, money, and jewelry and bead art with organizations (or events supporting such organizations) that have tax IDs and are non-profit.

And finally, don't be mislead by ethnocentrism. Now that the internet makes our communities global, don't make the mistake of thinking resources for quality healthcare and programs for the disabled are non-existent in other countries. Do a little research. Medical specialists of fine reputation and programs for persons with disabilities do indeed exist outside of the USA.

Consider supporting and contributing to the Beads of Courage event on November 10th. There will be an art charm auction to benefit Beads of Courage.

If you organize blog hops and special events, consider trying out a sliding fee scale. If our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive community that includes persons with disabilities, one way to accommodate the differently -abled and to encourage participation is through fees. If you sell bead kits for a blog hop, for example, think of your usual fee to cover mailing costs an supplies. Sell some kits for more than that price and some for less, creating a "sliding fee scale." This way persons with a little extra to give have a great way to do so, while those on fixed income are not excluded. Don't be afraid to ask those requesting reduced fees to apply for them. While a person with a disability may be marginalized because of fixed income due to their being disabled -- something beyond their control -- you don't have to offer sliding fee scales to anyone and everyone in need, for example, someone who just paid for a great deal of dental care. It's ok to ask for proof of disability, such as a Social Security award letter with ss number and type of disability blacked out,  in exchange for a sliding participation fee.

A great way to create diverse community and to include differently-abled artists in events such as blog hops  is to give accommodations of time. For many persons with disabilities, time is an issue. Whether a blind student going to a college class or a jewelry artist with Fibro commenting on numerous posts in a blog hop, time can be the means of exclusion or the key to inclusion. According to the ADA, our job is to create access to events, shops, schools,  etc. Imagine the differences in time for an able student simply driving to class and  person walking to a bus stop, riding the bus, and then walking to a destination. Or imagine having the flu and no energy, and consider how feeling that way every day might make a blog hop challenging. Yet, norms in our society often define "being on time" as not only important, but imperative and a matter of respect. Successful persons are "timely." Yet, if we are inclusive to artists with disabilities, giving enough time to join in and making an effort to see time through their eyes can make all the difference.

Thinking differently about "being on time" is a wonderful accommodation. For example, the "Jewel School Friends" often had jewelry making challenges with themes. Because two people in the core group were differently-abled, the Jewel School Friends jewelry challenge group learned that in order to accommodate them, it was best to set a day for posting, rather than a time. That way, if an artist with an auto-immune disease needed to rest in order to prevent their body from becoming too worn down (and then causing a fibro flare) after creating and photographing jewelry, they could. It was ok to post after they rested in the evening, and they needed not explain. They simply posted any time during the day of the reveal, by midnight their time. Yet, in a typical blog hop (with midnight to 3 A.M. being a traditional post time -- or better yet, even earlier with a scheduled post ;), the differently abled artists' contribution would have been considered more than a day late!  But with our time accommodations, the artist had the experience and pride of being "on time" and successful at posting. This kind of flexible scheduling was less stressful too, another accommodation. 

With regard to commenting on posts, Jewel School Friends made the expectation to begin commenting the day after posting, and complete comments within one week. And what if someone hadn't said a word about a post within a week? Well, then it might be assumed they didn't quite care for the design ....  Participation was strong, and the number of comments was high because a generous and flexible amount of time was an inherent part of the jewelry making event. 

According to the typical norms for blog hops, I was horribly, unforgivably late to my own October Fest blog hop and failed completely at commenting. And the guilt and worry I felt about posting at 8:30 P. instead of 8:30 A.M weighed heavy on me with shame. For the sake of this article on jewelry artists with disabilities, I'm going to share about my disability and why I posted at 8:30 P.M, but in doing so, I would love to suggest that no one need explain again a late reveal if we simply make blog hops "all day postings" with comments expected to begin the next day. By doing so, we provide accommodations for artists with disabilities (there are many!) and make it possible for those artists to participate with pride.

Although I don't usually discuss in detail my disability -- not that I judge others who do feel comfortable doing so -- I made a change this year because of the Global Genes Project. I received a bracelet, and agreed to share about my disease and the project openly. I have Crohn's and Vernuil's Disease, and my Vernuil's disease autoimmune flares are abscessed lesions across my underarms, breasts, bottom, unmentionables, and groin that cause excruciating pressure and severe chronic pain, fistula (tunnels within the lesions that connect one abscess to another abscess), and exhaustion. My daughter's sudden death in July has exacerbated the diseases, and for the first time ever in my many years living with the diseases, I've been being hit by multiple flares in multiple areas at once! It is intense. Thus, posting while having flares meant sharing by 8PM -- indeed sharing at all -- was a miracle. Commenting will definitely take me a good week.

Some persons have insisted, "if you can't participate, then don't" but imagine a life without creativity? In that case, we are right back to the child with MS being removed from school.  Rather than excluding persons with disabilities, isn't it better to consciously seek out and include them, to be diverse, to share and learn from many perspectives and celebrate all kinds of jewelry and bead art and design?


I'll be participating in Sue Bead's upcoming blog hop for the Global Genes Project, and as I promised GGP, I'll be sharing more about my disability and living with rare disease. For now, I hope this article has you thinking, fosters diversity, and opens up a discussion. And please, look for my October Fest comments on your amazing blog reveals -- coming soon! ;)







Oct 28, 2012

October Fest Reveal


  Welcome to my October Fest Celebration and Reveal


A Jewelry, Craft, Bead, Home & Hearth Creative Celebration of Autumn

My reveal begins in 1966. My father forgets about Halloween after the arrival his first born. When children knock on the door smiling toothless smiles, yelling out or shyly whispering, "Trick or Treat!" he remembers the holiday. Halloween. With no time to shop for candy, he gives out money! Years later, he retells the story with laughter, motioning towards his half filled mason jar of John F. Kennedy silver dollars. It's October again. My birthday....



Since then, October -- and everything autumn --  nurtures me with rich memories. The splendor of autumnal colors, smells, and traditions is woven into my sense of identity. The fun of growing up with Halloween birthday parties, and dressing up to be anything one dreamed. The crunching of the leaves haven fallen from the trees, the wind, the cooler crisp air, and the longer nights filled with howls and hoots, met with the shorter day's violet lavender grey blue orange pink sunsets, enchant me still.




I decided to make one of my October Fest jewelry designs about owls with the awesome Artisan Whimsy Challenge, "Show Us Your Hooters"!


I created "Under A Spell" earrings.

I brought out my two Green Girl Studio brass owl components, purchased directly from the incredible Andrew Thornton during his autumn sale. Then I hammered, textured, and punched two copper blanks, adding an additional element -- an "Art Jewelry Element" -- to my spell. I decided to use juxtaposing colors and differing organic shapes to the earrings, inspired by the "Mismatched Monday"  Halloween earring challenge at Art Jewelry Elements. I mixed and matched Lisa Liddy's lovely warm Paprika and oh so cool Turquoise custom patinas (Color Me This)  with two copper splashes painted with fire: one splash a Tangerine Tango and the other a rhapsody with blues and greens. The differences were wonderful together, like the autumn sunsets that bewitch me always.


"Under a Spell" Green Girl Studio Brass owl components (Andrew Thornton), Copper splashes on copper discs (custom patinas by Color Me This). They have been updated with my own handcrafted French earwires.

Creating the earrings was great fun. Working outside, sharing with my family as we all designed and decorated together for October Fest was very special. Living in Florida, autumn means that families of birds  return home to the garden for the winter,  flowers are still in bloom.


 As the tropical weather now cools, soft winds from the Atlantic ocean bring the cleanest air and gentlest breezes across the peninsula. The days and nights are lovely. While my family and I enjoyed decorating and designing yesterday, we talked about autumn celebrations, laughing that my grandson was really "Fall in Florida" just looking at him! -- with all the right colors in his (handcrafted) hat and clothing. Indeed, we realized, he was THE representation for Autumn in Orlando -- summer shorts worn with cozy hats and warm clothing is quintessential Florida style! And with a cool Halloween costume's paper sword thrown in, he was a party! 




We set up our big black inflatable cat. When his head begins to move side to side, visitors and trick o' treaters alike, all not expecting an inflatable to actually move, are super surprised!  Meow!  Our sweet dogs, catching glimpses of his tail through the window, are alarmed by him: "There's a huge cat in the yard! Quick, come bark!"



At night the big black cat glows, and next to purple lit "haunted trees" throughout our yard and strands of "candy corn lights" so fine they would easily be any camper's delight, our autumn day takes on an excitement and then a peacefulness as dusk descends, falling on the edge of October.




My other October Fest design is inspired by Marcy Lamberson's stunning red leaf pendant.

Beautiful Red Glass Handmade Leaf Pendant by StudioMarcy

 When I saw the "Beautiful Red Glass Handmade Leaf Pendant" a few weeks ago (StudioMarcy) I was  completely transformed and effortlessly moved through time and space, taken on an autumn walk, sunlight warm on my back,  newly divorced and happily enjoying the woods with my children 25 years ago. Our little family.

Chrissy hugs baby sister Colene while Sarah is silly. Ages 3, 2, 1 :)




Seeing the glass art work, I recalled the intense beauty of fiery red maple trees accenting the fall orange and yellow and brown landscape. How the red trees are astonishing!


I decided to create a red leaf necklace with "dragonberry" red sari silk from Painting with Fire and soft orange sari silk gifted by Lori Anderson for our Pantone Fall bead exchange. I strung rich red pearls and created a loose braid of silk. 



I had received the most unusual and lovely red leaves from Heidi Mansfield Kingman of My Bead Therapy. They were perfect accents to the red leaf focal, and although I had wire wrapped about 60 leaves, I added a few in clusters here and there, and kept it simple to balance the striking color and strong focal-based design.


"Fire to the Rain" sari silk, lampwork glass, and resin necklace.


The bold crimson reds are softened by the orange and dragonberry shades and texture of the sari ribbon. The necklace is soft both visually and physically, and the braided ribbons have an almost quilt like feel: full, yet subtle and flexible. I'm just not good at using sari silk as are so many of you, but it is nice to wear. It's a lovely technique for the cooler days of Autumn, and brings a layer of fashion and a sense of warmth, much like a scarf.


The shapes of the beads and the colorway are like flames, reminding me of warm beautiful fires shared with friends and all our children as we spent time camping together, and bring to mind a beautiful song I hear today entitled, "Set Fire to the Rain" (Adele). I've named the dancing flames necklace after the song, in memory of my daughter Christina (Nov. 1983- July 2012).




Are you a winner? Click here for prize info.


 The Participants
Reveals are on blogs and on Facebook.
You'll find reveals at the Facebook group listed below, and on artists' individual Facebook pages. 

 Fly Well and Share the Love!

Please note: Mary Shannon Hicks is unable to participate today due to the health of her eyes. She looks forward to beading with everyone again next year. Please, keep her in your thoughts, hearts, and prayers -- or stop by her blog to share words of encouragement anyway -- as she must undergo intense medical care for the return of her vision. Let's support her and stay connected with her this Fall :)






Facebook:

Check the OctoberFest Facebook Group for reveals          
And on the Jewel School Friends Facebook page
  Blogs:
Host Toltec Jewels            http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com  (you are here .... beware! ;)  
Heather Otto                     http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Mischelle Fanucchi   
            http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shaiha Williams                http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
Shelly Graham Turner          http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
Shelly Joyce                         http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com/
Charlie Jacka
                    http://clay-space.com/blog/
Pam Sears                        http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Margareta Saari                  http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.com/
Marita Suominen                 http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Lisa Posthumus                   https://www.facebook.com/lisa.posthumusharper
Jeannie Dukic                     
http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog
Cheri Reed                          http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean                        http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Susan Kennedy                   http://suebeads.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu                           http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Sonya Ann Stille                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/
Audrey Allen                      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrapped-Up-In-Magic/145456948869148
Kashmira Patel                   http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kris Mattingly                    https://www.facebook.com/kris.h.mattingly
Lennis Carrier                    http://www.windbent.net/
Shannon Hicks                   http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel                        
http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Karin Slaton                       http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com/
Shirley Moore                    http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Valeria G. Rome               
http://fancysphynxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lo                                     http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.com/
Zoe Marcin                       http://beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com/
Carolyn
Lawson                http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Kimberly Booth                 http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com/
Sherri Stokey                    http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Tanya McGuire                  http://www.tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/ 
Debbie Rasmussen             http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/
Christine Stonefield             http://sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartani                http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff                  http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/
Renetha
Stanziano              http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelby                     http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Colene Waltermire              https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts
Lee Nova                          
https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts


Check the OctoberFest Facebook Group for reveals          



 




Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!

Oct 26, 2012

October Fest Blog List and Prizes

                     
Celebrating the Splendor of Autumn
Home*Hearth*Food*Arts*Decor*Beads*Jewelry 
 
                      
The Treats
I tried to buy all prizes myself to show respect & support for all the amazing artists of community.
The following wonderful persons gifted extras into my orders & I thank them for their generosity!!

Jeannie Dukic of Jewelry by Jeannie
Apostles Gem Stones (Buy Direct on Facebook)
Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens of  Glass Bead Art

What did you get for Halloween?



To Celebrate Your Boo-tiful Creations!
Participants HAVE WON the following giveaways:


Charlie Jacka:
Ceramic Button by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky


Sandra McGriff:
Polymer Clay Focal by Tina Holden of BeadComber

Pam Sears:

$10 Fire Mountain Beads & Gems Gift Certificate


Marlene Cupo:
Lampwork "Fairy Bead" by Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens of Glass Bead Art Lampwork Studio


Kris Mattingly :
Banded Agate Fancy Cut Gemstone Beads by Apostles Gemstones



Shaiha Williams:



 Kathy Lindemer:


Shirley Moore:
                                            "I Got a Rock" Christmas Chalcedony Mix by Toltec Jewels                                                                 (Crystals, Rhinestone Spacers, Panda Beads)



Sherri Stokey:
$10 Gift Certificate to Clay Works


Karin Slaton:
Ceramic Button by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky


Audrey Allen:



Christine Stonefield:
Polymer Clay and Japanese Washi Paper Beads by Jewelry by Jeannie


Margareta Saari:
Polymer Clay Lotus Focal by Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf
 

Marita Suominen :
$10 Fire Mountain Beads & Gems Gift Certificate


Zoe Marcin:
Ceramic Button by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky


Shelly Graham Turner:
                                                        Winter White Crystal Quartz Mix by Toltec Jewels                                                      (Fantasy Faceted Crystal Quartz, rhinestone spacers, crystals & Czech glass)



Shelly Joyce: 
Ceramic Focal by Marsha Neal Studio



Cheri Reed:
Ceramic Button by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky



Carolyn Lawson:
$10 Gift Certificate to Pine Ridge Treasures


Debbie Rasmussen:
Polymer Flowers by Tina Holden of Beadcmber



                                                          Tanty Sri Hartani:
Polymer Clay and Japanese Washi Paper Beads by Jewelry by Jeannie



Jeannie Dukic:



Alicia Marinache:
Lampwork Focal by Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens of Glass Bead Art Lampwork Studio


Heather Otto: 
Ceramic Button by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky



Kashmira Patel:
Vintage Lucite (Lori Anderson) and Lucite (Lisa Lodge and Toltec Jewels) Flower Mix

Renetha Stanziano:
$10 Fire Mountain Beads & Gems Gift Certificate



Sonya Ann Stille:
Polymer Clay Buttons by Shelly Graham Turner of Tori Sophia



Evelyn Shelby:
Polymer Clay and Japanese Washi Paper Beads by Jewelry by Jeannie



Zoe Marcin:
                                                         "I Got a Rock" Silver & Gold Nights Gemstone Mix by Toltec Jewels                                             (Carved & Cushion Cut Bluestone, Crystal Rondelles, Jasper with Bronze Matrix)


Lo:



Tanya McGuire:
Ceramic Focal by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky


Mischelle Fanucchi:
$10 Fire Mountain Beads & Gems Gift Certificate


Susan Kennedy:
Polymer Clay Beads by Barbara Bechtel of Second Surf


Lennis Carrier:
Ceramic Button by Christine Hoffer of BeadFreaky



 Jeannie Vitanza:
"Art of Making Bracelets" DVD by Margot Potter



 Colene Waltermire:
Surprise from Second Surf 



 Lee Nova: 
 Another 20 years of marriage




Toltec Jewels:
The Very BEST BIRTHDAY & FALL BLOG HOP EVER!

The Great Pumpkin:
New Sears Kenmore Refrigerator !


Thank you Everyone!! :) 
MMMMhhhhwwwwaaaa!



 The Participants

 Fly Well and Share the Love!




Host Toltec Jewels            http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com  (you are here .... beware! ;)  

Heather Otto                     http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Mischelle Fanucchi   
         http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shaiha Williams                  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
Shelly Graham Turner        http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/
Shelly Joyce                       http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com/
Charlie Jacka
                     http://clay-space.com/blog/
Pam Sears                         http://crazycreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Margareta Saari                 http://magsinhelmet.blogspot.com/
Marita Suominen                http://momentofjewelry.blogspot.fi/
Lisa Posthumus                  https://www.facebook.com/lisa.posthumusharper
Jeannie Dukic                    
http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog
Cheri Reed                         http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Arlene Dean                       http://aglassbash.blogspot.com/
Duffy Blevins                      http://bubbasjewels1.blogspot.com/
Susan Kennedy                  http://suebeads.blogspot.com/
Dita Basu                           http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Sonya Ann Stille                 http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/
Audrey Allen                      https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wrapped-Up-In-Magic/145456948869148
Kashmira Patel                   http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kris Mattingly                    https://www.facebook.com/kris.h.mattingly
Lennis Carrier                    http://www.windbent.net/
Shannon Hicks                   http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel                        
http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Karin Slaton                       http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com/
Shirley Moore                    http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Valeria G. Rome               
http://fancysphynxdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lo                                     http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.com/
Zoe Marcin                       http://beadsteaandsweets.blogspot.com/
Carolyn
Lawson                http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Kimberly Booth                 http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com/
Sherri Stokey                    http://www.knotjustmacrame.com
Tanya McGuire                  http://www.tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/ 
Debbie Rasmussen             http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/
Christine Stonefield             http://sweetgirldesign.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartani                http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/
Sandra McGriff                  http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/
Renetha
Stanziano              http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelby                     http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Colene Waltermire              https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts
Lee Nova                          
https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts


Facebook Group Posts          
https://www.facebook.com/groups/426147797447039/?fref=ts



 




Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Fransisco MOMA and is published internationally in popular magazines, literary quarterlies, and university publications. She has won a number of awards for literary and jewelry arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her doggies and grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning jewelry techniques. She is the host of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School. Join her on Facebook for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!