Sea Shell Design Challenge Reveal

I love celebrating artists who create beads! (And jewelry artists, too) I'm just not a bead maker, nor do I wish to be, but using art beads for inspiration makes my heart sing! I love how each artist's work is unique, and how one handcrafted work of art can inspire jewelry art in all kinds of techniques and styles. 

So, when I saw the ceramic scallop shells by Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio, I immediately thought "design challenge!" for one of my FB beading groups -- one Michelle is a member of, too. And so, I sent out all the lovely, OOAK shells, keeping the lovely pink & blue shell for my own design, and now, here it is, reveal day! 

I started by creating all kinds of beaded coral, thinking of making a necklace like the one at ArtBeads: "Siren's Song" 

"Siren's song" Free Beadwork & Kumihimo tutorial by ArtBeads

I made coral for a week, but upon waking early one morning, just felt it was so much better to create less of a statement necklace and more of a simple necklace, one I could easily wear. I don't wear jewelry often, but wanted something that would look Floridian & light & pretty. I went with simple chain maille that accentuated the color of the shell, with bright copper & anodized aluminum in turquoise. And I added lampwork I'd kept near the ceramic scallop shell for a couple months as they seemed to go together -- lovely perfectly sized blue opal & silvered ivory beads by Maryse of Glass Bead Art Lampwork -- from Luxembourg, Luxembourg! 

Blu Opal & Silvered Ivory Simple Yet Perfect Lampwork beads by Glass Bead Art Lampwork

 I really like my finished necklace! 

My friend Sherri Stokey of "Knot Just Macrame" is also in the group, and she created a gorgeous macrame work of art for the challenge! Although we are posting in our Facebook group, she also shared her reveal on her blog. Her design is so gorgeous! Take a look!

Knot Just Macrame Sea Shell Design Challenge Reveal

And my friend Melissa Trudinger of Bead Recipes posted on her blog, too, as well as in our group! I'm so lucky to get to know artists like Sherri & Melissa -- here is another gorgeous work of jewelry art! Take a look at Melissa's design too!

Beadrecipes Sea Shell in the Surf

  In Florida, I'll be wearing my shell necklace long into the year. I do love the necklace's elegance and soft colors and easy style. Thank you Michelle & other bead artists for your wonderful work. And thank you everyone who participated in the Sea Shell Design Challenge in our group! Your talents and all your jewelry designs are amazing and inspiring! 

Anchors Aweigh!! Blog Hop Featuring Suburban Girl Studio

Looking for my Blu Mudd Contest Entry? 

Click "LIKE" to vote here: Toltec Jewels Entry

Read Blog Post Here

Looking for my Blu Sparkle Reveal?

Click here

Come Sail Away, Come Sail Away, Come Sail Away with me

in the 

ANCHORS AWEIGH DESIGN CHALLENGE & BLOG HOP

Today we are sharing our designs created with beautiful porcelain anchors by

 DIANA PTASZYNSKI of SUBURBAN GIRL STUDIO 

Featured artist: Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio

SGS on Facebook: Suburban Girl Studio, LLC 

SGS Etsy: Suburban Girl Beads

SGS blogs: Suburban Girl Studio

                                                                           Art Jewelry Elements

20 artists were chosen to receive a PAIR of porcelain 

ceramic anchor art charms in either stormy seas or sapphire.

On Sunday, September 14th, a random.org winner will be chosen to

receive $25 gift certificate to Lima Beads! 

 

I fell in love with the stormy seas green. The color is mysterious, 

and powerful; yet gentle and awe-inspiring. 

Anchors in sapphire from Suburban Girl Beads.

Anchors in stormy seas from Suburban Girl Beads.

 The strength that anchors represent -- and the nautical theme of our design challenge, sailing, 

inspired me to create Northern Stars in chainmaille.  I love the symbol

 of the Northern Star  -- guidance, navigation & connection. 

A variation of Byzantine weave, 

you'll find a wonderful free tutorial at The Beadman's website. 

I added Maryse Fritzsch-Thillens' "Sparkling Rocks" (see Glass Bead Art Lampwork), 

Swarovski erinite AB crystals,  Czech fire polished beads, and crystal rondelles 

gifted to me  for BSBP8 by the talented Bobbie Rafferty of BeadSong Jewelry.

I love the elements of the earrings: art by Diana and Maryse,  beads from 

artists and friends I respect -- inspiring women, anchors in our community.

Participating Artists

Featured & Honored Artist:        Diana Ptaszynski

Diana's Shop:                           Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's Blogs:                          Suburban Girl Studio
                                                 Art Jewelry Elements

Hostess: TJ                               Jewel School Friends

Bobbie Rafferty                         Beadsong Jewelry

Chris Eisenberg                         Wanderware

Heather Richter                         Desert Jewelry Designs

Michelle McCarthy                    Firefly Design Studio

Kathy Lindemer                         Bay Moon Design

Dini Bruinsma                            Angaza by Changes

Cynthia Machata                       Antiquity Travelers

Kathleen Breeding                     99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Linda Younkman                       Lindy's Designs

Robin Reed                                  Artistry HCBD

Marla Gibson                              Spice Box Designs

Gina Hockett                               Freestyle Elements

Renetha Stanziano                      Lamplight Crafts

Marianne Baxter                          Simply Seablime Jewelry      

Christina Miles                             Wings N Scales

Marybeth Rich                            A Few Words from Within the Pines

Shai Williams                              Shaiha's Ramblings

Cheri Reed                                  Creative Designs by Cheri

Monique Urquhart                      A Half-Baked Notion

Jennifer Reno                             Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Shirley Moore                             Beads and Bread

Tammy Adams                           Paisley Lizard

Melissa Trudinger                       Bead Recipes

Be sure to check back next Sunday, Sept. 14th.  I'll be sharing our Anchors Aweigh!! Glossi  magazine with all the designs from the blog hop, and will announce the winner of a $25.00 gift certificate to Lima Beads.

Thank you Diana for making beautiful beads! It's an honor to feature your work today, and an honor to create with all the artists of Anchors Aweigh!! Namaste & Great appreciation -- Rita

Blu Mudd Acorns & Leaves Contest

Looking for my Blue Sparkle post ? 

Click here :) 

BLU MUDD DESIGN TEAM CONTEST

I love Blu Mudd ceramics, and I've entered the Blu Mudd Design Contest.

We each were given an "acorns & leaves" set, and could create one piece with all the beads,

 or several. Here are the amber & burgundy beads I received:

I decided to create a jewelry ensemble! Here is my entry --- if you like it, 

vote by clicking "LIKE" : Toltec Jewels Acorns & Leaves Entry.

I made stackable bracelets -- first, a chainmaille & beaded acorn design, 

 and second a beadwork berry vine with Russian leaves. I also created earrings. 

 The chainmaille bracelet  is made of Celtic rings and anodized aluminum rings in sage & bronze, with Blu Mudd ceramic oak leaf, fairy ribbon, Czech beaded "acorns" made by me, and a handcrafted clasp.

The beaded bracelet is RAW made of picture jasper, red onyx, and red agate, with Russian leaves

 made by me, the Blu Mudd acorn connector, and Sweet Birch polymer beads with Vintaj acorn caps.

The earrings include Blu Mudd ceramic tubes, Nic Nac lampwork, Leather Feathers by Tree Wings Studio,  Czech rondelles, mystic topaz gems, Vintaj chain, copper spacers, & Swarovski bicones in volcano.

If you like my ensemble, vote by clicking "LIKE" : Toltec Jewels Acorns & Leaves Entry. 

Gracias! Happy Autumn! 

To join the design team and participate in the next challenge, "Victorian Black & White" purchase
 challenge #6 bead set now at Blu Mudd. Orders/Sign ups are open until October 1st. Kits will be mailed out by Oct. 14th. Entries will be due by November 30th, 10 PM Eastern Standard.

Pine Ridge Treasures Blue Fantasy Blog Hop Reveal

The blue sparkle mix I received is so beautiful!

I decided to create a ring -- something different for a change. 

I wire wrapped the pearls and crystals in brass and Argentium silver.

I also planned a fairy necklace, but ironically, a frog interfered! 

It visited my bead room, and in order to find it & take it outside, 

all my beads were moved to bins. I can't get to my fantasy mix right

 now, but will post as soon as I have my bead room back together! 

Enjoy the Sparkling Blue Jewelry & Designs of the Fantasy Hop Artists!

Our hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue

Karen Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Shaiha Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Gloria Allen, Wings and Beads

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Lisa Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Raissa de Guzman, Abloro

Jill Bradley, Jilly Beads

Jasmine from my garden 

And the Winners of the "Twice as Nice Holiday" BNB 14th Design Challenge are...

TWO CHALLENGES. Woodland Friends and Holiday Sparkle

Artists could enter one or both.

And the winners are...

FIRST PLACE ARTISTS

FIRST PLACE FOR HOLIDAY SPARKLE:

Dini Bruinsma

SPARKLE

"Fulla" 

33 votes

FIRST PLACE FOR WOODLAND:

Kathy Lindemer

WOODLAND

30 votes

Congratulations Dini and Kathy! You have won $25 gift certificates to Happy Mango Beads. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with the email you would like your gift certificate sent to. 

NEXT HOSTESS: Kathy

Out of our two first place winners, the next hostess for the 15th Blogger Non-Blogger Design Challenge was chosen by random.org: Congratulations, Kathy Lindemer! You are hostess for the 15th BNB Challenge.

HOSTESS CHOICE ARTISTS

HOSTESS CHOICE FOR WOODLAND:

Lee Koopman

Woodland

HOSTESS CHOICE FOR WOODLAND:
Sheila Prose
Woodland

HOSTESS CHOICE FOR SPARKLE:

Kelly Hosford Patterson

HOSTESS CHOICE FOR SPARKLE:

Shalini Austin

Sparkle

Congratulations Lee and Shalini! You've won $10 gift certificates to ArtBeads. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with the email you would like your gift certificate sent to. 

SECOND PLACE ARTISTS

SECOND PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE:

Dini Bruinsma

"blomma" 

30 votes

SECOND PLACE WOODLAND: 

Chris Eisenberg

woodland

23 votes

Congratulations Dini and Chris! You have won $10 gift certificates to ArtBeads. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with the email you would like your gift certificate sent to. 

THIRD PLACE ARTISTS

THIRD PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE:

Divya Narasimhan

sparkle

26 votes

THIRD PLACE WOODLAND:

Divya Narasimhan

woodland

21 votes

Congratulations Divya! You have won art beads by Beadfreaky. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with your mailing address to send your beads. 

FOURTH PLACE ARTISTS

FOURTH PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE: TIE

FOURTH PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE

Tammy Adams

sparkle 

24 votes

~~TIED~~

FOURTH PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE

Robin Kae Reed

sparkle

24 votes 

FOURTH PLACE WOODLAND: 

Tammy Adams

woodland 

19 votes

Congratulations Tammy and Robin! You have won art beads by Beadfreaky. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with your mailing address to send your beads. 

FIFTH PLACE ARTISTS

FIFTH PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE:

FIFTH PLACE HOLIDAY SPARKLE:

Natalie Davidson

sparkle

23 votes

FIFTH PLACE WOODLAND: TIE

FIFTH PLACE WOODLAND:

Renetha Williams Stanziano

Woodland

17 votes

~~TIED~~

FIFTH PLACE WOODLAND:

Medina Medibeads

woodland

17 votes

FIFTH PLACE WOODLAND:
Tammy Adams
woodland
17 votes



Congratulations Natalie, Renetha, Tammy, and Medina! You have won art beads by Beadfreaky. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with your mailing address to send your beads. 

HONORABLE MENTION

HONORABLE MENTION HOLIDAY SPARKLE:

HONORABLE MENTION:

Gloria Allen

Sparkle

HONORABLE MENTION:

Veralynne Malone

Sparkle

HONORABLE MENTION:

Debra Herps-Tipton

Sparkle

HONORABLE MENTION WOODLAND:

HONORABLE MENTION:

Lili Krist

Woodland

HONORABLE MENTION:

Robin Showstack

Woodland

Congratulations Gloria, Veralynne, Debra, Lili, and Robin! You have won art beads by Beadfreaky. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with your mailing address to send your beads.

RANDOM Winning ARTIST

For every design created & entered for the challenge, artists' names were put in for the random prize (for example, two designs earned 2 entries; 4 designs earned 4 entries). Here is the random winner: 

Congratulations Kathleen Breeding! You have won $10 gift certificates to ArtBeads. Please

email me (toltecjewels at aol dot com) with the email you would like your gift certificate sent to. 

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING YOUR ART!
Congratulations winning artists!

May your Holiday Season be the best ever & full of love.

Namaste,
Rita

I'm sorry to have to add this, BUT please, if you do not follow the instructions for claiming your prize within one week of the end of the challenge -- other than the First Place Prize Hostesses always GIFT -- I am not going to knock myself out trying to tag you on Facebook, reach you, find your mailing address for art beads, find your email for gift certificates but will assume the prize just isn't your cup of tea & you let go of your item. There just isn't time for me to chase after people regarding prizes, and please understand, I'm buying all the gift certificates & art beads from my own pocket. No company has donated items nor beads. It's just my gift to all participants :) So, please, enjoy your prizes but when I have folks turn around & complain they have no gift certificate to the group admin -- when they didn't even win one nor have they emailed me an address for an art bead, it really sours the pot for all. I don't want to not be generous. It feels good to be generous and give prizes to all because I appreciate you all sharing your talents. But please, give courtesy in return. Thank you! :)