Welcome to another Pine Ridge Treasures Blog Hop!
This challenge, participants purchased surprise gemstone and metal bead mixes.
I received simply wonderful picture jasper. Faceted rounds, faceted barrels, and daggers were my design gems, along with rich antique brass findings -- my favorite!
I've been so sick all week, with a sore throat and virus that makes me want to sleep and sleep, yet the gorgeous picture jasper has called to me and made me so excited to create soft, neutral colorways and design with long held treasures of my own: four picture jasper focals, rounds in various sizes, Czech glass in creams and tans, wood, ceramics by Naos.
My spouse even came home from work ill yesterday -- which is very rare for Lee who just does not miss work unless very ill or hurt -- and now today I have another illness: the same migraine and nausea that sent Lee home from work. It's either very bad pollen counts, chemicals a new lawn worker sprayed (unknown to us until later, to our horror as chemicals make me super ill) or another virus!I don't usually talk about being ill, but...
My apologies for posting in parts. I'm struggling but trying to hang in there online with you all.
I love our hops!
So....
My first design is a new chainmaille weave in a bracelet. It's so simple -- a combination of mobius (flowers) and beads -- but the implementation is ingenious (a Scott David Plumlee weave tutorial I tweaked with different ring sizes) and I enjoyed every moment of weaving the rings, shaping the Vintaj wire loops with my mandrel, touching and arranging the gemstones with gratitude and awe for the pretty patterns and faceting.
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| This chainmaille weave spirals -- longer, it would make a neat spiral necklace too! |
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| Love knot chainmaille bracelet in anodized aluminum with picture jasper rounds, Vintaj findings, antique brass clasp. |
And, I'm so excited to have made earrings with beadfreaky lamas that I hold dear because they remind me of my good friend (and Bead Soup 7 partner) Nan Smith who sent me this lama photo to cheer me up. Aren't they adorable?? I laugh out loud and love them!
So... here are coordinating earrings:
Naos ceramic discs & bone discs, beadfreaky ceramics, Vintaj brass wire & brass findings.
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| beadfreaky ceramic lamas, Naos ceramic discs, bone discs, Vintaj & antique brass & copper findings. |
As I write, I have several more projects of picture jasper set out on paper plates, ready to go. I have about 4 picture jasper focals in my stash, and so I'm happy to create with them finally! I enjoyed this mix immensely, and hope to make all I can with the inspiration of the lovely gems and metals Lisa so brilliantly put together.
And I'm also excited with Shai Williams' link shared on FB showing the latest jewelry trends from Jewelry Making Daily, inspiring me to try a ladder design and swag focal, two "hot" elements in design right now.
Update: I finished the ladder necklace this morning, and I'm really liking the look! I used the filigree swag Lisa sent along to create a metal focal with my own smaller picture jasper rounds, and added the faceted barrels and metal beads to Vintaj chain to create the "ladder" part of the design.
Thank you Lisa for a wonderful mix! I love being so inspired I have lots to make yet! :)
I can't wait to see the gemstone and metal mixes everyone received and all the jewelry created!
xxoo Rita
And I'm also excited with Shai Williams' link shared on FB showing the latest jewelry trends from Jewelry Making Daily, inspiring me to try a ladder design and swag focal, two "hot" elements in design right now.
Update: I finished the ladder necklace this morning, and I'm really liking the look! I used the filigree swag Lisa sent along to create a metal focal with my own smaller picture jasper rounds, and added the faceted barrels and metal beads to Vintaj chain to create the "ladder" part of the design.
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| Antique brass filigreeswag, picture jasper rounds, Czech glass, faceted picture jasper barrels ladder with Vintaj chain. |
xxoo Rita
I'm so sorry you're sick! Summer colds are the worst. I'll be sure to come back later to see what beauties you've designed :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty picture of the materials, I'm looking forward to seeing the finished piece(s). I hope you all feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteOh no I am so sorry you are sick. Feel better and I am really looking forward to seeing what you did!
ReplyDeleteHoping you feel better soon!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon, no fun being sick especially in summer.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon. I can't wait to see your finished pieces.
ReplyDeleteSo very glad you are getting better my sweet friend!!! Can't wait to see the pictures!!! Love ya! Have a Blessed Day!!!
ReplyDeleteHope everyone is better soon. Look forward to seeing all of your creations.
ReplyDeleteYum, copper! Feel better soon so that you can make more beautiful beading beauties.
ReplyDeleteLove both pieces, especially how you suspended those disc earrings
ReplyDeleteThe pieces you've created so far are wonderful --I especially love the way you wire-wrapped those faceted rounds --I have so much to learn about working with wire, and it's always inspiring to see a technique I hadn't noticed before :-) Hope you are feeling better!
ReplyDeleteI have to say that your photos are wonderful! Of course, your jewelry is also. I especially love the design of your earrings. Your blend of warm colors in the pieces really make them standouts.
ReplyDeleteI always know I'm going to be blown away b your designs when I see you in a blog hop. Love the chain maille with the jasper, and the earrings are awesome. Beautiful use of wire.
ReplyDeleteThose earrings are just darling. I am having a hurting day but they brought a smile right to my face. I also am really liking the ladder necklace. I got some great ideas from that link too. I think that I am going to try to work on some arm cuffs since I used to love to wear them. Heck might make myself a pair.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you have been ill, Rita! It certainly did not hamper your creativity - your designs are so beautiful! They make me happy just looking at them. Those Beadfreaky llamas are adorable! The ladder necklace is super awesome. Thanks for being in the hop!
ReplyDeleteBoy I hope you are feeling better I have bad allergies here in Florida I never had before God bless you and family and hope its not a chemical reaction as an allergy is bad enough I love your chain mail bracelet and the way you did the earrings so far hope to see more when you are better. Margaret Pelech
ReplyDeleteDear Rita; So sorry you and Lee have been ailing. Hope you're both better soon.
ReplyDeleteI have a serious case of bead envy when I see the gorgeous picture jasper you were sent. I've always loved it. Your chain maille bracelet is wonderful and if you keep it up you'll have me persuaded to give chain maille a try. I've always said I wouldn't do it because of my old eyes and arthritic hands but I have found it's better to never say never in this world. Nothing like a challenge to get me moving!
The llama earrings are precious. I had totally forgot that I sent you those funny guys but I'm happy to see them again!
Take care and I'll keep watching for more picture jasper in your near future.