Toltec Jewels

Oct 14, 2014

Sparkling Rocks Rescheduled for November 11, 2014

Our Sparkling Rocks Blog Hop is delayed :(

A wild & radical change has occurred in my life.

Unfortunately, in September, due to a neglectful landlady, overgrown trees,

a week of storms & intense flooding, our roof shifted & ceilings in our home fell in!

Long story short, my entire life is changed: new home.

My apologies for the inconvenience!!

Sparkling Rocks

NEW REVEAL DATE:

November 10

From our new home, across the street is a pond. The

deer drink there each morning & ducks play in the afternoon :)

Sep 13, 2014

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!

Sep 7, 2014

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

Sep 6, 2014

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.