In the Pink for Lori Anderson

"Love yourself.  The rest comes after." -- Lori Anderson

This summer, I went pink!

I went pink to honor Lori Anderson, the amazing author, bead artist, Bead Soup Blog Party host, and jewelry designer with the cool pink hair!

Author, artist, designer Lori Anderson

Participants in Lori Anderson's "Bead Soup Blog Hop Party 6" were invited by jewelry designers Shelly Graham Turner and Sandra McGriff to a secret Facebook group celebrating Lori Anderson for all she does in the community, and to thank her for her group, the  "Bead Soup Cafe" on Facebook, and for hosting the 400 person 6th Bead Soup Party! 

Join us at Lori's Facebook group, "The Bead Soup Cafe'!

The idea: go pink for Lori by dying our hair pink for a surprise online book of participants' sentiments of appreciation and pictures of everyone's pink hair. The "in the pink" online tribute is a great way to let Lori know how dearly she is appreciated and loved for being the generous artist she is! Additionally, today is "In The Pink" day for Lori!

 

The "In The Pink" group was wonderful! Thank you for your hard work and technical savvy, Sandra McGriff, and for the online keepsake you've created. And thank you Shelly Turner for your hard work organizing and mediating the secret group and project! Likewise, special thanks to  Ambra Chicandfrog,   Lea Avroch, and Audrey Bélanger for all their hard work too! You all did such a wonderful job and gave so generously!

Lea Avroch's special in the pink goddess "Lori" bead !

 Going pink with Lori as a way to honor her courage and creativity has been a great experience. The wonderful community of jewelry and bead artists made it so much fun. 

The incredibly talented and lovely Lea Avroch of LA Jewelry designs even created a beautiful goddess bead with pink hair just for Lori! Isn't it awesome? 

 

As friends posted pictures of their pink hair in the secret "In The Pink" group, people cheered each other on and a spirit of freedom and courage and fun touched everyone. Pictures were shared as friends "went pink" -- including some adorable furry friends! My chihuahua also wanted to "go pink" so Pancho is happily playing with his pink hair puffle today :) I'm so glad that we all get to go pink and pay tribute to Lori today! 

Lori Anderson is the reason for this very blog! I created it just so Jewel School customers could know about Lori's Bead Soup Parties:) Lori is an uplifter who inspires people to create, connect, and grow. She cheers emerging jewelry artists on to try new techniques, to publish their work,  and to believe in themselves. Lori treats all artisans  with honor and respect, and she is kind and real. She is physically challenged, and makes being differently-abled Ok. Many artists, like me, with disabilities find courage from Lori; she exemplifies that persons with disabilities can do!

 Lori Anderson's blog, "Pretty Things" is the heart of the jewelry and bead artisan community! It's beautiful literature that changes life for the good. One of my favorite posts is entitled, "Evaluating What's Important." It's powerful: Lori encourages new jewelry designers to publish their work, to know that many people are amazing, to avoid cliques (who by nature will inevitably love some and reject others) and most of all, she encourages us to love ourselves.

My Pink Tribute & Reveal:

Lori,
Thank you for your creativity, for your encouragement, for giving people the courage to believe in themselves, to try, to become more than they might have imagined.                 

Thank you for sharing success, and being real. Thank you for your humor, your kindness and love. Thank you for being a writer, for interpreting heart songs onto paper, for telling your story -- in words, in art, with time, with consistency, and with grace. Thank you for being you -- special, brave, imperfect, perfect, brilliant, multi-talented, multi-cultural, caring, considerate and one of the most amazing artists of our time. Thank you for creating and sustaining an incredible community of jewelry and bead artists - with blog hops, the Bead Soup Cafe, and all the art, events, and friendships that come from them. 

Thank you for being a leader, a winner, a mother and sister -- and most of all -- a friend!

Namaste, Toltec Jewels

It's going pink everywhere for Lori! Sharing the love & appreciation are many more pink reveals for Lori! Enjoy :)

IN THE PINK Tributes & Pink Reveals

Gail Vanderster-Zwang http://angelmoose.blogspot.com

Lea Avroch http://lajewelrydesign.blogspot.com

Leslie Wayment  http://www.aabeadsonline.com/blog

Kelley Katherine Hagerty-Fogle  http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com

Sheila Davis http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com

Amanda Effron http://craft-o-licious.blogspot.com

‎Solange Collin  http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com

Jennifer Chasalow VanBenschoten   http://www.vanbeads.blogspot.com

Isolina Perez  http://IsolinaPerez.blogspot.com

Toltec Jewels www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Sherri Stokey  http://www.knotjustmacrame.com

Mary Howell Govaars http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com

Bee Kuhlman  http://mixedmayhemstudios.blogspot.com

   Lynnea Perry Bennett   http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache  http://www.allprettythings.ca

Heather Otto http://www.thecrafthopper.com

Kimberly Flood  http://www.goddessesandbeads.blogspot.com

Courtney White Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/

Lisa Liddy  http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Marianne Baxter  http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com

Marlene Cupo http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

Mária Horváth   http://horimarikabeads.blogspot.hu

 Andrea Beth Trank  www.heavenlanecreations.com

Heidi Mansfield Kingman http://www.mybeadtherapy.blogspot.com/

Emoke Schmidt  http://emoke1.blogspot.com 

Sandra MrtzDiaz www.petaloazuljewelry.blogspot.com

Lupe Meter  gesmpccorner.blogspot.com

Tanya Boden  http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com

Ambra Chicandfrog http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com

Malie Kai http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com

Sandra Young  http://blog.gypsyroadbeads.ca

Sandi Marinaro Volpe  http://www.sandivolpe.com

Gretchen Nation  http://www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com

Mimi Gardner  http://www.othercuriosities.blogspot.com

Sonya Ingersoll-Stille http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com

Marian Hertzog http://mhertzog-msplace.blogspot.com

Terry Matuszyk   http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com

 Audrey Belangér  http://esperianterra.blogspot.com

Sandra McGriff http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com

                     Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Big Hugs, TJ

Handcrafted with Love: Beading it Forward

Thanks to Kelli of Creative Moon Jewelry and Things for sharing her beautiful picture!

There is a fun event going through the handcrafted community: paying it forward with handcrafted! The energy of giving is contagious, and all around Facebook and blogs, people are sharing the love ... of handcrafted. I've jumped in to bead it forward to you because I love the idea that a few small acts of kindness become many acts of kindness and the kindness continues moving forward to more and more people! This event is sure to brighten many people's days. As Stephanie Stamper from "Rainy Day Designs" says, "I love getting something in the mail other than monthy bills. And I am sure you will too!" 

Here is how it works:

I will send a surprise handcrafted gift to three people sometime during the next 365 days for each one "pay it forward' handcrafted treasure I signed up to receive. Since I signed up to pay it forward on three different blogs, I've got a total of 9 handcrafted treasures to send out! Here are the 3 blogs that are paying it forward with me and sharing the love. They are great blogs! Check them out:

Rainy Day Designs

-- a beautiful blog by artist Stephanie Stamper that is just perfect to cozy up with and read on rainy days and more! You'll find gorgeous jewelry, blog hops, gentle water color art, butterflies and a wonderful vantage point of the world through an artist's and lovely mother's eyes. An endearing and uplifting blog! You will also find Rainy Day Designs on Etsy and Facebook.

Creative Moon Jewelry and Things

-- a beautiful blog by artist Kelli Jacobson that includes her very own live internet radio station called "Moods of the Moon" (I enjoy the beautiful moon music whenever I'm online now :) and lots of gorgeous handcrafted jewelry, art beads, blog hops, and relaxing, healing energy. A nurturing, magical blog! You will also find Creative Moon Jewelry and Things on Facebook.  

Pine Ridge Treasures 

 --  a beautiful blog with a wonderful motto, "living life with gratitude and sharing the joy of artistic creation' and an abundance of lovely,  distinctive handcrafted jewelry by Lisa Lodge, a featured designer for the Global genes project and a Bead Trends contributing artist. In addition to Lisa's gorgeous jewelry, you'll also find popular blog hops hosted by Lisa, such as "My Bead Table" upcoming on October 13 and the "Floral Holiday Hop" taking place December 1st. An empowering and sophisticated blog! You will also find Pine Ridge Treasures on Zibbet and Facebook.

Lisa has already payed it forward with handcrafted and sent me a wonderful gift. She surprised me with beautiful fossil bead earrings made just for me! I'm wearing them with love & appreciation right now, and they mean so much -- handcrafted with love is special.  This gift from Lisa will become 3 gifts from me.... Thank you Lisa! Aren't they beautiful?

Gracias Lisa, I love my beautiful new earrings!

 To join in and share the love of handcrafted, leave a comment below and include your email (if it isn't connected to your blog or google). I will send you a handcrafted gift, and in return you agree to send 3 more people a handcrafted gift sometime during the next 365 days. Since I am receiving 3 gifts from the blogs above, I am paying it forward by three times: a total of 9 people. So let's bead it forward and together we'll share the love :)

namaste,
TJ

Creative Bead Chat Appreciation Day

  Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures came up with a terrific event: Creative Bead Chat administrator appreciation day! It's no surprise Lisa came up with the idea. As her blog says, she lives life with gratitude. And sharing appreciation, art, and beauty is a huge quality of Lisa. I'm honored and proud Lisa Lodge is my friend! :) 


If you are an international artist, or new to the handcrafted jewelry arts community, you may be unfamiliar with the Creative Bead Chat. Please, let me introduce you! 

The Creative Bead Chat is an open Facebook group with over 1,000 members providing:

"A home for creative component and jewelry designers 

to share new creations, tool tips and help build 

our creativity and sales ! A home for new designers 

as well experienced to share your experiences 

and ask questions. Ultimately we are a team 

and work together towards the goal of being proud 

of our accomplishments and accomplishing our dreams...

welcome to Creative Bead Chat!
Only rule...Treat others as you would like to be treated :-)

Also, to keep heavy advertising controlled...

I'm asking that manufactured supplies and/or second hand reselling 

of products be limited to two posts per week. 

 Please feel free to message me if you have questions....

Thanks and welcome! " 

                                                         --Melinda Orr

Each month the Creative Bead Chat features several artists on a first come, first serve basis. Information about your shop, blog, pinterest, and Facebook page is featured, and your shop icon is featured on the group page banner. It's a neat way to get to get your work out into the community and a great way to meet fellow artisans!

Recently, CBC hosted a "de-stash" sale: an all-day event offering the chance to post and sell stash goodies to other artists. It was a huge success, and it looks like a monthly de-stash day is in the works. I love the terrific treasures I purchased during the CBC de-stash. A couple items that arrived today in the mail this week are my Frida Kahlo style hand charms with infinity symbols from My Bead Therapy:

And, festive red holly leaves for Christmas designs from Baking Monster:

Creative Bead chat is supportive and fun, and there is a lot to appreciate. Today members of the group are blogging about the creative powers behind the CBC, and giving the administrators a shout out. Please check out the awesome, creative talents of the CBC administration:

Marla James:

Marla James's blog is "Marla's Mud Mess" and her shop, "Marla's Mud," is on Etsy. 

Melinda Orr:

Melinda Orr's blog is entitled "Melinda Orr Designs" as is her shop on Etsy: "Melinda Orr Designs."  

Karen Totten:

 Karen Totten's blog is "Starry Road Studio" and so is her Etsy shop, "Starry Road Studio."

Marla Gibson:

 Marla Gibson's blog is "Spice Box Designs" as is her shop, "Spice Box Designs" -- yet it is currently closed due to health issues. 

Keirsten Giles:

Keirsten Giles blog is "The Cerebral Dilettante" and her shop is "Lune Designs" on Etsy.

Cheers to Marla James, Melinda Orr, Karen Totten, Marla Gibson, and Keirsten Giles, five gifted and inspiring artists who make CBC an excellent group for the handcrafted community of jewelry & design artisans! For all you do, give, create, support and make possible: Muchas Gracias!!


Big Hugs, TJ 



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 making handcrafted jewelry with her family. 

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other and Jewel School.  Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook for features on jewelry designers and bead artists,  support of independent artist entrepreneurship, fundraisers, contests and give-a-ways, and of course, beautiful jewelry!

Bead Table Wednesday: Chain Maille

Chainmaille components created for the Summer Pantone Bead Swap

It's bead table Wednesday, and happily I've got chain maille on my table this week. It's my favorite jewelry making technique, and I include chain maille in jewelry designs as often as I can. 

I can't get enough of it. I love the feel and look of jewelry made with intricately woven metals. It feels so similar to fine jewelry, and adds a strength and elegance. Most of all, I like how I can make everything myself -- right down to the jump rings! Jewel School's chain maille mandrel set designed by "The Chain Maille Lady" herself Lauren Andersen makes it easy to round up jump rings at any time.

It's amazing to me that simple rings can become this: 

Swarovski rivoli with Japanese Flower bezel (step by step wire)

 Swarovski rivoli with Japanese flower bezel and double bubble/ Half-Persian 3-1chain

 I am making chain maille for my blue rosary, for Celtic jewelry, and for fun. And I'm considering creating some kind of chain maille charms for the Art Jewelry Elements  Beads of Courage Charm Swap.

On my bead table: the Beads of Courage "Laugh" bead :)

If you are new to chainmaille, there are many excellent free tutorials to get you started. Jewelry Making Daily offers a free instant download e-book with three projects: love knot or rosette earrings by Denise Peck, and a foxtail chain (the Full Persian -- see above my Half Persian) and Vinyard bracelet by Sara Graham Richardson. You can get the free pdf file here.

Brass byzantine links waiting to become jewelry.

 You'll also find free chain maille tutorials on the full Persian, byzantine chain, rosettes and more at Jewel School's project videos page. The chain maille video tutorials are taught by  Lauren Andersen and Christiane Ross. Here are two simple earrings made from the same beginning level chain maille weave (see "Christiane's chainmaille" video for instructions). I used various components to create completely different styles of the same earrings, my first chain maille jewelry ever.

Mystic hematite and pearls on burgundy handcrafted ear wires and chain maille.

Gold-tone crescent moons and discs on gold-filled leverbacks and gold plated copper wire.

In addition to Jewel School videos on demand, you'll also find excellent free pdf tutorials with clear images and step by step instructions at Blue Buddha Boutique.  Blue Buddha was created by artist Rebeca Mojica when she saw the need within the chain maille community for quality rings in various metals and the correct sizes. Blue Buddha offers a variety of jump rings, information on aspect ratio, and ideas for using specific size rings and materials in addition to their tutorials.

Frida Kahlo lucite, copper, Swarovski crystal and bone chainmaille earrings.

  You'll also find excellent instruction at Fusion Beads, who offers a technique section on almost everything. It's the largest, most varied collection of free technique tutorials I've ever found. Check it out! Go to "beading techniques" at Fusion Beads and explore all the terrific information on creating jewelry. The Fusion Beads chain maille technique section even teaches the most advanced and infamous weave of all: dragonscale!!

Likewise, the PBS series "Beads, Baubles and Jewels" has an amazing online collection of free tutorials featuring guest artists' projects, including many chain maille designs. Simply "join" their website for free, and start exploring. I'm currently in love with Andersen's "Sedona" sunset necklace, and after finding the most perfect orange and green agate beads, I'm so ready to create my version for Fall! You'll find the tutorial with projects for show 1502, "Semi-Precious Gems."

In this season of BBJ, Jewel School's Christian Ross presents Half-Persian 3-1 bezels, and I am proud to say I helped with the online BBJ tutorial! This special bezel can be used in many ways: attach discs or charms or beads to the links, create dangles and chains, or attach several cabs in a row for bracelets or necklaces.

The Half-Persian 3-1 Bezel I created as "beta tester" for Ross' BBJ tutorial

Half-Persian 3-1 Bezel. I turned it "inside out" for a cool look.

 Here is an excerpt of the the Beads, Baubles, and Jewels episode that features Ross and her chainmaille bezel. On the BBJ website, you'll find the pdf tutorial.

  

Additionally, check out the chain maille artists organizations. If you are inspired to try a variety of weaves, or ready to try your own variations of weaves, you will also want to explore the M.A.I.L. - Maille Artisans International League - Weave Index and CGMaille Tutorials. Both artistic organizations have a wealth of information and offer instruction as well as aspect ratios and variations on traditional weaves. 

One last item on my bead table: the Holiday Bling Blog hop. My partner is gifted artist and co-host of the hop, Shelly Graham Turner, who said "the ball is in your court." What to create? Traditional Christmas jewelry, a theme of light for the Solstice, wreaths, wind chimes? After coming across friend Tina Holden's amazing "Window Ornament Exchange" blog hop from her Facebook group, I'm calling window ornaments! Check out the designs and creations -- they are all unique and gorgeous!

So, there you have it. My mid week bead table. What's on your bead table this week? 

Big Hugs, TJ







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 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 and Jewel School. JSF features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook  for coupons, community, fundraisers, contests give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!  

Challenge of Travel Blog Hop: Take Me Away to Ireland!

May good luck be with you Wherever you go ,
And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow. 

   -- An Irish Blessing

Today is the Olympic inspired Challenge of Travel Blog Hop hosted by TesoriTrovati of Treasures Found.  Participants were asked to choose a continent and country they'd enjoy traveling to, research the area, and share jewelry representing their dream travel location.

 

Treasures Found created a world wide adventure, and a cool way to explore new places from the comfort of one's home. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea and treat yourself to beautiful jewelry, uplifting photography, vast geography and dreams! Let the Challenge of Travel blog Hop take you away! Here we go: Ireland!

Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. Photo courtesy of seminarianvoitus, Flickr

Ireland -- at our fingertips! Literally. Ireland has organized a year long celebration called "The Gathering" welcoming all persons of the world to the Emerald Isle in 2013. special events and festivals are planned, and you can plan your entire trip by way of the world wide web. The  "Discover Ireland" campaign makes it easy to discover Ireland with interactive maps, festival listings, and a confluence of vacation get-a-ways that you can plan right on the website. Whether exploring castles, enjoying the rich Irish culture of music and dance, or experiencing the magic of the breathtaking land & seascapes, your trip will be as unique and special as you, and the memories will give you joy for a life-time. After visiting Ireland, the luck of the Irish will surely be with you where ever you go! 

   

 Kiss Me, I'm Irish 

  There are approximately 80 million people who claim Irish ancestry. Now, the Irish government will provide official recognition of your Irish ancestry with a Certificate of Irish Heritage. Anyone of Irish descent born outside of Ireland can be issues the official document. You need only some information about one ancestor, and a unique certificate just for you will be issued. You can preview your certificate and explore certificate designs here.  

 

I chose to travel to Ireland in honor of my mother, a true Irish Rose! That's even her name -- Rose! She is a lovely, rare Red Rose: a fair, beautiful red head who fell in love with my Mexican American father, Juan :) They were a progressive and diverse couple a head of their time, and I'm so proud of them! 

My trip to Ireland is a celebration of my family and a huge thank you to my mom. I love having an Irish wit and laughing all the time. The family streak of Irish humor is strong. Even my grandkids have it! (Example, my daughter was recently gifted a "have a bright birthday" card from her ten year old son -- with Justin Berber wearing crazy sunglasses on the front of it! They laughed all day long -- my silly grandson, now there's a leprechaun for you!)

 

Visiting Ireland, expect to encounter that same witty mischief.  In the city of Dublin, for example, is a statue gifted by the Queen of England entitled "Anna Livia Plurabelle." The statues more common name, however, is "the floozy in the jacuzzi" ! And according to "Irish Expressions" online, the Irish themselves explain:

 

"We enjoy the sense of humor in many sayings from Ireland,
in particular Irish jokes and limericks, proverbs, toasts and blessings."

 Landscapes and Seascapes

 

 

 

The beauty of Ireland is immense,  with every shade of green in the landscape.

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Astrogator, Flickr Ireland Photostream

 

 

 

 

 

And seascapes that make legends.

Photo courtesy of Astrogator, Flickr Ireland Photostream

Old world charm and rustic countryside.

 
 

 

Photo courtesy of Astrogator, Flickr Ireland Photostream

 

 

 

 

Castles, magic, and lore.

Photo courtesy of Astrogator, Flickr Ireland Photostream

Ireland dates back to 6,000 B.C. and is rich in history and culture. It's no surprise that the Folklore Department at University College Dublin has over 100,000 tales, myths and legends on record -- the largest collection in the world! Ireland's people, land, and roots in Celtic culture fill the world and have inspired so many of the world's traditions. 

 

  Treasures, Treats & Lucky Charms 

"GemFairy in Ireland" wire work bracelet with green mosaic turquoise and copper coated wire.

 

For the jewelry making part of the Challenge of Travel Blog Hop, I enjoyed creating more of my "GemFairy Jewelry" and loved "going green" with gorgeous shades of green wire for Viking knit and gems and beads in every shade of green. I even learned to make a Celtic cage from a new tutorial. And then a week ago my sweet little doggy had a rare allergic reaction to medication our vet prescribed, and just as I so proudly thought myself as ahead of time on this challenge, I put my ombre green viking knit project down and spent days rushing back to the vet, going in the night to the animal hospital, and loving him back to complete and bouncing happy health! Sigh, my apologies dear travelers as you'll have to imagine how beautiful the ombre green colorway (using my beloved Css drive and all) of the viking weave necklace is!

 

In the meantime, my GemFairy wire work bracelet is complete, and based on a design by my dear friend Lilian Chen (step by step wire artist of the year). I love the abstract representation here: the magical sparkle on the wire is like light dancing on the the seascape of Ireland, and represents the landscape of fairies; the rich greens of the mosaic turquoise and shapes of wire form the intricacy of culture and the landscape of Ireland. A modern jewelry representation of the Emerald Isle!

 

Photo by "Charms Addict

 

Traveling to Ireland has been a complete inspiration! Thank you Erin, TesoriTrovati, for hosting this awesome blog hop and honoring our world. I'm so pleased the Olympics inspired you and color expert  Marcie Abney Carroll to create this challenge. When a blog hop keeps me creating jewelry even after the event, it's a good one. I shall complete my viking knit necklace too!Today, I count my lucky stars, envision the awe of the Cliffs of Moher in person, think of really feeling the moss under my feet and breathing deeply the Island air, stretching and reaching arms to the Irish moon, sun, and sky.

 

 

 

 

In closing, I'd like to leave you with a few fun Irish boons (gifts):

 

 "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" cookies.

 Kiss Me, I'm Irish cookies -- yummy, smooch! xxoo

And a "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" Pinterest board by Tamara Sobczak, 

complete with Leprechaun Floats and Shamrock Chips.

Kiss Me I'm Irish Pinterest

 And an awesome Free Tutorial by Jewel School's Christiane Ross, "St. Patrick's Snakes Necklace Project" based on the legend that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. (give the link a look -- her tutorial uses silver clay, cool wire work, and it's a good one! ;)

St. Patrick photo courtesy of "Our Lady of Mercy"

 

And best of all, an Irish blessing for your travels today:

"May your days be many and your troubles be few. 

May all God's blessings descend upon you. 

May peace be within you may your heart be strong. 

May you find what you're seeking wherever you roam. "

 

The Journeys:

Monique Urquhart   http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/

   Niky Sayers  http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/

            Therese Frank http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com  

      Raychelle Heath   http://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/

             Joan Williams  www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com

       Sherri Stoke  http://www.KnotJustMacrame.com

              Regina Santerre  http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com

          Raida Disbrow  http://havanabeads.blogspot.com

        Kristi Wodek  http://livedinlife.blogspot.com

       Sally Russick  http://www.thestudiosublime.com

       Melissa Trudinger  http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

          Tracy Stillman  http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com

       Sandra Wolberg  http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de

       Tanya Goodwin  http://pixiloo.blogspot.com

         Susan Kennedy  http://suebeads.blogspot.com

         Beth Emery  http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com

       Lisa Cone  http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/

     Tanya Boden  http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/

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

       Erin Prais-Hintz  http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

       Dee Elgie  http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com

       Carolyn Lawson  http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

       Lisa Stukel  http://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com

  Elly Snare  http://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.com

       Shelley Graham Turner http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

       Mallory Hoffman  http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

              Paige Maxim  http://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com

       Jenny Davies-Reazor  http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

          Sharyl McMillian-Nelson  http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

              Evelyn Shelby  http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

       Holly Westfall  http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

       Rebecca Siervaag  http://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

    Toltec Jewels  http://toltecjewels.blogspot.com <<< YOU ARE HERE

              Lee Koopman  http://StregaJewellry.wordpress.com 

       Laren Dee Barton  http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com

              Cindy Wilson  http://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com

       Kathleen Lange Klik  http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com

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

       Jennifer Justman  http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/

       Elsie Deliz-Fonseca  http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com

            Lola Surwillo  http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com

      Kim Hora  http://www.kimmykats.com

       Leanne Loftus  http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com

       Patti Vanderbloemen  http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com

       Marcie Carroll  http://labellajoya.blogspot.com

        Marlene Cupo  http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

       Ine Vande Cappelle  http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com

            Tammie Everly  http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/

            Alice Peterson  http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com

       Elisabeth Auld  http://www.beadsforbusygals.com

  Susan McClelland  http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/

      D Lynne Bowland  http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com

       Denielle Hagerman  http://somebeadsandotherthings.com

        Rebecca Anderson  http://songbeads.blogspot.com

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

       Kari Asbury  http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

       Cece Cormier  http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/

       Emma Todd  http://www.apolymerpenchant.com

       Debbie Price  http://greenshoot.blogspot.com

Big Hugs, TJ

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 makes handcrafted jewelry with her entire family. Her store offers small gemstone bead mixes for complimenting art bead jewelry.

She is also the creator of Jewel School Friends, a community of expert and new jewelry artisans taking inspiration from each other, Jewel School, and jewelry art culture. Jewel School Friends features jewelry designers and bead artists, supports entrepreneurship for independent artisans, and hosts community events, challenges, and fundraisers. Join her at Jewel School Friends on Facebook artist features, youtube tutorials, networking, sales & coupons, blog hops, give-a-ways and of course, beautiful jewelry!