Nov 25, 2014

Fly Well into the Holiday Season: Soar with the Beads of Courage Art Charm Charity Auction and Blog Hop!




Welcome to the Art Charm Swap, Reveal, Hop & Auction benefiting Beads of Courage.

Hosted by the generous and inspiring Jennifer Cameron (Glass Addictions and Art Jewelry Elements), the Annual ART CHARM EXCHANGE & AUCTION brings together bead and jewelry artists FOR THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING ART CHARMS to benefit Beads of Courage.  







What are Beads of Courage?
Beads of Courage is a non-profit organization caring for children with serious illness, their families, and clinicians. BOC supports children with serious illnesses by helping them tell, record, and honor their story of courage with beads. Each overnight stay in the hospital is signified by certain color beads. A procedure is another. Handcrafted lampwork beads are given for great courage. Every bead tells a story of strength, honor, and hope.






See the 2012 charms: "LAUGH"


See the 2013 charms: "LOVE"








For this year's auction, we were challenged to create art charms for the theme: SOAR.


Art by Josephine Wall
 Soar to the Art Charms for auction on EBAY


Art Charms Revealed!

The BOC Art Charm Exchange & Auction is always popular, and this year over 40 artists created art charms for auction. BIDDING TAKES PLACE ALL WEEK LONG, ENDING ON CYBER MONDAY. TAKE A LOOK! 100% of your bid goes to Beads of Courage, and what better way to start the Season of Joy?

My art charms revealed:

Shooting Star on the Wings of Love

Shooting Star on the Wings of Love
"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein


Handcrafted Clay Birds by Jennifer Reno 
Czech Soaring Birds Pressed Glass in Evergreen & Amethyst
Anodized Niobium & Bronze Chainmaille Stars (Niobium is hypoallergenic, rings byThe Ring Lord)
Vintaj Brass & Copper Findings


I decided to create a set of charms again this year. The first charm is made with Jennifer Reno's beautiful clay birds as inspiration. The charms have either evergreen or amethyst Czech soaring birds, and chainmaille stars made with anodized niobium rings special ordered from Canada -- the one place the very special & beautiful "color-changing" rings are made! I wanted the rings to reflect the watercolor and silvery look of Jennifer's birds. 

Handcrafted Clay Birds by Jennifer Reno 
Czech Soaring Birds Pressed Glass in Evergreen & Amethyst
Anodized Niobium & Brass Chainmaille Stars (Niobium is hypoallergenic, rings byThe Ring Lord)
Vintaj Brass & Copper Findings



We are made of star-stuff, and share the magic of the Universe! Cherished and appreciated always, we are cared for & loved unconditionally. We bravely come forth to transform & confront; to create & love; to live & laugh. Every experience creates change as our wishes & hopes soar; our desires are rockets of desire that are answered by that which creates & sustains Universes. We ask & it's given. Always. No exceptions. We are cherished children of God -- and with our compassion, our hope, our knowledge, our empowerment, our happiness, our strength, our appreciation, our wonder, our courage, and our love --  we open the door to receiving all that is asked for, and create, in essence, Heaven on Earth. 


"Fly Well"



"Fly Well"
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."  - Margaret Mead


Teal or Turquoise Spiral Lampwork by Jodie Marshall 
Handcrafted Tree of Life Copper Charms in Sapphire and/or Turquoise (using custom blend patinas by Metal Me This)
Copper Fairies
Handcrafted Copper & Blu Buddha Boutique Anodized Aluminum Findings


While butterflies most often represent children who have passed on, I felt moved to choose fairies. (I think my daughter really wanted them in our charms!) Dedicated to my daughter who had suffered from MS & who has now returned to the Non-Physical, this charm reminds us to fly well, knowing that we are always connected to those we love. When we allow ourselves to celebrate & honor & include those who have died, when we find ways to feel good, we are instantly in the same place they are. In happiness, we meet again & again. As infinite beings, in joy & gratitude, separation from those we love is not possible. A family is a group of like-minded beings who travel life-times together. And so, The Spiral Dance, The Tree of Life & The Fairies of the Universe come together to to share our journey. Let's celebrate our interconnections, our infinite & ever-expanding spirits, and our strength! Make a wish & watch the Fairies of the Universes go to work creating wonderful ways to make it come true. Feel your spirit soar! We are a circle within a circle, and together, anything is possible! 




(upcoming:  photos of all the gorgeous charms I received! ) 

Fly well,
Rita

Nov 22, 2014

The Annual Beads of Courage Art Charm Auction, Sparkling Rocks, & Moon Over Cedars Challenges are Coming!


In case you thought you missed the auction benefiting Beads of Courage or my Sparkling Rocks Challenge, good news: both have been rescheduled & are upcoming :) And, more good news: our Moon Over the Cedars Design Challenge is on, too! 



Originally scheduled for Nov. 14th, the BOC Charity Auction begins November 24th, with a blog hop revealing all the art charms on November 25th. The art charm exchange and auction is hosted annually by Jen Cameron of Art Jewelry Elements & Glass Addictions - and it is a wonderful way to start the Season of Giving & Joy! Hope you join us. 


Happiness continues to abound as our Moon Over the Cedars Design Challenge is on for December 21st, the Winter Solstice. Focals for the challenge will be mailed out with sparkling rocks & art beads prizes for Octoberfest & BNB. 




In addition, Sparkling Rocks Design Challenge is rescheduled for December 12th. After many packages were ruined in our housing disaster of ceilings falling in and after our emergency move, I have not had monies to replace postage for the ruined packages. But finally,beads are going out finally! Hurrah! :) If you can cover mailing costs (a dollar or two), please let me know & I'll give you my Paypal. It is greatly appreciated as we rebuild our home and lives.  Thank you! (toltecjewels@aol.com)  




More good news! I've now purchased both Suburban Girl Studio & Tealwater Designs art beads & the Octoberfest prizes will be mailed with your challenge beads. Look for links to our blog hop electronic magazines soon & the winner of the Vintaj Bigkick soon.  


Namaste, Rita

Oct 26, 2014

Welcome to the Third Annual Octoberfest Blog Hop


Welcome to my Third Annual
Octoberfest Celebration! 

Autumn is my favorite time of year -- the crisp air, cozy fall decor, Halloween, and time of thanks all come together to create magic! 

For Octoberfest this year, I had purchased a fabulous owl kit and tutorial by my friend, the talented Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame. But BOOM-VOOM! Like a fire or disaster, our home attic fell in and our roof fell apart. We had an emergency move.
 My sweet owl waits for me, but I know it will be a hoot to make. This owl is a photo of the kit I purchased in coral. Although I've never made macrame, I can't wait to learn :) 

OWLS from Knot Just Macrame -- purchase the bead kits & instructions at Etsy

Besides tutorials and kits at Etsy, you can also take classes with Sherri online at CraftArtEDU

Enjoy a FREE macrame course & create gorgeous jewelry from the BEST teacher

So, my post is simple this autumn: 
Let's Trick or Treat for Unicef! :) 

Celebrating the splendor of autumn is a joy, and sharing "trick or treat" prizes for all in our Octoberfest blog hop is always blast for me! I love the magic of Halloween, and the magic of being what we wish, and the wonder of dreams coming true.



This year, I created a Unicef Trick or Treat page! I may make it a tradition each October. It was easy to make a donation page. And so, if you can, please take a moment to check it out and  trick or treat for Unicef online at our Octoberfest fundraiser page:)

Click here to trick or treat for Unicef for Octoberfest! :)
 


I have it all set up through the Unicef official website, where you can donate a little to make children's wishes come true. Look at all the good we could do! $1 will give a child clean drinking water for 40 days. $10 provides vaccinations for 280 children! Amazing.





   
 Or, if you like, you can also visit the Unicef page to set up your own fundraising page or download a printable Unicef label for your kids and grandkids to use while they are trick or treating. 

Get printableUnicef  labels for Halloween

Thank you for making the lives of children around the world better, and thank you for joining in Octoberfest! 




Please check back on Halloween for treats and giveaways!



Octoberfest ARTISTS

Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/


Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/


Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/


Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com


Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr


Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/


Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com


Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co


Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com


Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/


Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/


Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/


Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/


Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca


Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/


Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com 


Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/


Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/


Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com


Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/


Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com


Kathy Lindemer                       http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/


Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com


Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/


Debbie Rasmussen                  www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca


Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/


Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/


Carol Dillman                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/


Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com


Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com


Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk


Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com


Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com


Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com


Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com


Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com


Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com 


Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com


Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com


Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com


Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com


Gloria Allen                             http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/


Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com


Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com


Jill Bradley                                http://chat2jill.blogspot.com


Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28


Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda


RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com


Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com


Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com


Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com


Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com


Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com


Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com


Inge von Roos                          http://ingetraud.wordpress.com


Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com


Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign


Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com


Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com


RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com


Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com


Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                            http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer                    http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Renetha Stanziano                http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Divya N                               http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/


Oct 24, 2014

The Third Annual Octoberfest is Coming! Here are the Participating Artists...



Participating Artists



Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/


Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/


Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/


Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com


Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr


Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/


Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com


Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co


Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com


Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/


Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/


Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/


Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/


Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca


Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/


Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com 


Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/


Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/


Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com


Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/


Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/


Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com


Kathy Lindemer                       http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/


Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com


Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/


Debbie Rasmussen                  www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca


Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/


Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/


Carol Dillman                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/


Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com


Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com


Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk


Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com


Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com


Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com


Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com


Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com


Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com 


Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com


Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com


Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com


Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com


Gloria Allen                             http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/


Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com


Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com


Jill Bradley                                http://chat2jill.blogspot.com


Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28


Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda


RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com


Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com


Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com


Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com


Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com


Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com


Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com


Inge von Roos                          http://ingetraud.wordpress.com


Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com


Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign


Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com


Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com


RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com


Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com


Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly                            http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer                    http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Renetha Stanziano                http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Divya N                               http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/








Trick or treating prizes and the drawing for a Vintage Bigkick will all be awarded on Halloween! This year, all participating artists will get ghostly goodies and tricky trick or treat prizes from ...











 We will also have a drawing for a Vintaj Bigkick!








For complete details about the Octoberfest challenge, just re-visit the sign-ups post, "Third Annual Octoberfest" for ideas, themes, and inspirations for your autumn celebrations.


If you signed and up and don't see your name -- or if you'd like to join us -- I'm happy to add you to the participating artists. Please email me with the subject line "Octoberfest 2014" at: toltecjewels (at) aol.com






Thank you everyone for signing up for Octoberfest! It means so much to me, and I'm honored and excited each one of you joined in to be a part of the Third Annual Octoberfest blog hop. I look forward to our wonderful autumn celebration!

Rita :) 










Toltec Jewels is an author by day, jewelry maker by night. Her literary work is housed by the San Francisco MOMA 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 arts. She is happiest making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family, snuggling with her Chihuahua Pancho,  Aussie Lila, Malamute Holly, and her grandkids, sewing, singing, reading, and learning more jewelry techniques. She is the hostess of JSF, a diverse community of expert and emerging artisans taking inspiration from each other and jewelry arts. Join her for networking, fundraising for Beads of Courage, jewelry making challenges, blog hops, contests, give-a-ways and of course, cool beads and jewelry!