On my bead table this week are two, well, really three, well no... actually, four wonderful projects! But I'll focus on two: next week's blog hop and an art charm exchange.
SPRING FEVER DESIGN CHALLENGE
I am very honored and excited to have been one of the 23 lucky artists chosen to participate in the Spring Fever Challenge, co-hosted by Lesley Watt of The Gossiping Goddess, Caroline Dewey of BlueberriBeads, and Claire Braunbarth of Smitten Beads. The blog hop is next Wednesday, April 16th.
The challenge is to create with bead mixes made with art jewelry elements from each hostess. Participants each received beautiful ceramic layered flowers and coordinating beads by Lesley Watt (THEA Elements), lovely sari ribbon from Claire Braunbarth (Smitten Beads), and beads by Carolyn Dewey (BlueBerriBeads) featuring her beloved, quintessential ceramic birds.
The bead mix I received is full of retro summer color!
The combination of sunshine yellow, pool blue and true blue, and soft creams reminds me of walking along the ocean in a soft white cotton shirt, with pretty yellow sandals and sun-hat, with light blue capri shorts or a soft silk skirt.
The colorway also reminds me of my kitchen in the summer growing up in the 1970's: checkered white and yellow curtains are lit by sunshine pouring into the cool air conditioned room as my sister and I share snacks together after swimming the afternoon away in our pretty backyard pool. Happiness and simple love. Bliss.
Looking through my own bead stash, I gathered gemstones and additional art beads to match: blue chalcedony, moonstone and citrine, a ceramic bird clasp by Pajago Art House gifted to me by sweet Lori Anderson, and a pretty ceramic button that matches the soft blues. I'm looking forward to going where the beads take me.
ART CHARM EXCHANGE
After next week's fabulous art jewelry challenge and blog hop, there is an art charm exchange at Bead Swap USA. I really love this group! We share monthly challenges in jewelry making and bead swaps, and fun events on Facebook. (And a quick mention: the group is open to all bead lovers and jewelry makers world-wide; not just those in the USA.)
Twenty seven artists are exchanging art charms. Last year, I created chainmaille stars. This year, I created beaded mandalas (with hidden stars for wishes) made with each person's favorite colors.
I enjoyed the beadwork immensely, finding the task of creating unique mandala rondelles wonderfully relaxing, grounding. I loved going through my seed beads, playing with color and style of beads. I had so much fun! If I show the group, I won't spoil who gets what. I'll share photos of the mandalas in greater detail after our swap.
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| Want to make mandalas? You'll find the pattern at Datz Katz |
After these two events, I have cleared my schedule of major events to completely enjoy and totally devote myself to Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party 8. And I am so excited to reveal all the amazing BSBP8 beads I have been showered with by the amazing Bobbie Rafferty of Beadsong, whom I am very honored to be paired with this year! I can't wait to introduce Bobbie Rafferty and show you the awesome beads she sent me! Oh, you're gonna like this! :)
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| What's on your bead table? Share your work on BTW. |
the mandalas are beautiful, I love beadweaving
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely goodies! I've to come back on April, 16th to see, what you've made. Thanks for stop by on my blog, Rita! :0)
ReplyDeleteCu, Michi
Hi Rita, thanks for mentioning Beadswap USA, I guess I didn't realize it was open to non-US members. I have applied to join :)
ReplyDeleteI am anxious to see what you made for all these challenges. I felt I was running to catch up since January, but now that many of my challenges are complete, it will be more relaxing to work on projects :)