Welcome to my Holiday Bling Blog Hop Reveal!
Ready to get into the Holiday Spirit?
Happy Holidays ...
Happy Holi-days...
May Your Holidays Be Merry...
Happy Holidays to You!
The Holiday Bling Blog Hop is hosted by Shelly Graham Turner of "Fabric of My Life" and Marlene Cupo of "Amazing Designs." My holiday bling blog partner is the fabulous Shelly Graham Turner!
We decided on creating crafts rather than our usual jewelry design for our Holiday Bling Blog Hop swap projects to get outside the box. The craft we decided on was window ornaments, inspired by the Polymer Clay Swap Facebook group's blog hop and craft exchange hosted by Tina Holden.
I created a special Christmas windchime for Shelly, one that could be hung inside near a window for sparkle and Christmas fun.
I used the hoop from a set of summer windchimes, and went from there. I spruced up the design by focusing on red and green colors for Christmas. I added birds, gemstones, sparkling holiday ornament beads, and lots of red and green crystals. Then I created wire wrapped loops, and added silver plated steel chain at the top for added strength and bling.
I really got into the holiday spirit creating the window ornament windchimes for Shelly, and found myself singing Christmas carols out loud as I worked!
I decided to add a little Christmas gift to the window ornament exchange, and created a Christmas tree chain maille pendant for Shelly, which I tucked into a Christmas card.
I purchased new, pretty red and green poinsettia wrapping paper (it's at the stores already!) to wrap the windchimes, and added pretty sari ribbon to Shelly's gift, delighted to give the first Christmas present of the year to my friend Shelly!
As Shelly and I discussed the Holiday Bling Blog Hop, I told Shelly all the ways I was a Christmas nut! I shared how each year my family and I decorate the outside of our home and have a tradition of lighting it all up on Thanksgiving night to begin our Holiday Season.
I shared how I decorate each room, even creating Holiday themes for bedrooms. I told her all about how I decorate and celebrate, but I didn't mention one thing: my Christmas Tiffany-style lamp and night light collection.
Without knowing it, Shelly created the perfect addition to my Christmas collection! A gorgeous Tiffany-style Christmas suncatcher, made from polymer clay. It's beautiful, and the light comes right through to accent and light up the holiday ribbon candy cane and Christmas tree bulbs.
I am amazed that clay can be translucent, and can't wait for Shelly's reveal to learn how she created my cool gift! Shelly's suncatcher is very special, and completely adds to my cherished Christmas Tiffany light collection! Doesn't it look great in the window, all lit up with my Christmas bell and ribbon lamp? I LOVE it!
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The Holiday Bling Blog Hop was so much fun, you all inspired me to host a "Window Shop Blog Hop" for everyone's handcrafted shops -- nothing to make, simply blog about your shop for the holiday shoppers and win cool giveaways.
Happy Holidays & Felix Navidad!
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 is happiest when making handcrafted jewelry with her entire family.
She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for tutorials, networking, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!
I'd have never thought of a holiday wind chime. That is brilliant. SO glad you enjoyed this kick start to the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming idea to make a bling wind chime, Rita, it is so lovely! And I am amazed that Shelley had the hunch to create sun-catcher art which matches your current collection. Isn't that design wonderfully playful? I feel inspired to give that a try. Happy Holidays to you and yours, Rita!
ReplyDeleteI love that you and Shelly decided to by so crafty.
ReplyDeleteOh wow how cool is that windchime! And the suncatcher is awesome! Happy Holidays to you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful holiday bling. I love the wind chime and pendant and I love the sun catcher.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun chime! I would be smiling every time I walked by it! I love Christmas, and decorate each room as well.
ReplyDeleteOh RITA your writing! It made me look so good, haahaa. I love what you created for me, both the windchime and the chainmaille tree...both are so beautiful. AND I love you my friend. Hoping to see you soon (maybe next month!!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating in our blog hop and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! xxoOh! ~ Shelley
Wow, your post seemed like driving around neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. It is a tour of holidays' best things, lovely!
ReplyDeleteWhat unique pieces you both created. I would never have thought to do either one. They are both gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat is one awesome windchime--and one that no one else owns, love it!!! What a great swap for both of you!
ReplyDeleteGina
Lovely pieces - very inventive to go with a holiday windchime =)
ReplyDeleteYour windchime is spectacular, and it is so true that you had an amazing partner. Both of you are certainly perfect examples of the Holiday season of giving. Thank you for being in our HBBH!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you guys are getting me excited about Christmas already!
ReplyDeleteLove love love the windchime. and the ornament too. great gifts.
ReplyDeleteHi Rita,
ReplyDeleteI love the wind chime you made for Shelley and the sun catcher that Shelley made for you. You two are so creative and talented. I love that you get into the Christmas spirit and decorate your whole house.
Therese
I am blown away by the stained 'clay' sun catcher. I have never seen anything like it. And I love the idea of a christmas wind chime.
ReplyDeleteThose chimes are the bee's knees! COOL!! And the sun catcher - well - let's just say... WOW! WTG Shelley!
ReplyDeleteRita - both the gifts you made and the one you received are precious! I love Shelley's take on Tiffany in polymer clay, her ornament is simply delicious.
ReplyDeleteYour windchime is lovely - I am sure it makes the most wonderful sound.
Happy Holidays!!
Alicia