[Bead Soup] Its the 8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014 Reveal Day!!!

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2014/05/welcome-to-8th-bead-soup-blog-party.html

Welcome to the 2014 Bead Soup Blog Party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.  

This is my 4th party and this year, I was paired with Peggy of Charm Barn.  I love the assortment of bright and interesting beads and findings.  She gave so much beads that I was able to make 3 pieces and have leftover beads for another project.

One of the focal bead that she sent is a "nest."  I've always wanted to have one and finally, I got it! This necklace is called "Nestled" and is a combination of the red creek jasper, pink stones and beads and wire.  The wire nest houses a stone and since it's Mother's Day, let me share my story.  My 2 siblings and I live in different countries and my parents are on their own.  The stone inside the nest signifies that no matter where we are, the 3 of us are safe and secure in our mom's heart.

"Nestled"
8th Bead Soup Blog Party 2014

One of the clasps she sent had crystals on it.  Very nice!  I like the combination of the pink beads against the stone.

"Nestled"
8th Bead Soup Blog Party

Take a look at these cute silver spacer beads.  Is it a bird, a whale or a fish?  LOL.  I wanted to do something fun and colorful with it and since I had light blue and purple hemp cord available, I made a macrame bracelet with a sliding knot closure.  The ends were finished with a silver bead.  Fun!  Fun!  Fun!

Macrame Bracelet
8th Bead Soup Blog Party 

And finally, I made this statement bracelet.  It started out with making a wire base using a thick gauge wire and then adding the rest of the beads.  I formed the base flower using Vintaj copper wire and filled it up with crystals and pearls.  Then the finished flower is placed and wired on top of the frame.  It sits on the wrist nicely and the pop of color shouts "Spring!"

Wire-Wrapped Floral Bracelet

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Please head over to my partner, Peggy of Bead Charm to see what she's made.  Click on this LINK to see the rest of the participants.  

I would like to thank Ms. Lori for all her hard work in making this party possible.  

Have fun!

♥ michelle

[Focus on Life Week 17 and 7th BSBP] Color and Bead Soup Blog Party

Hello friends!  Oh, it's a busy day over at The Cabby Crafter.

Today is Week 17 of Focus on Life with Ms. Sally Russick and the theme is COLOR.  Wow, I love color especially primary colors because it makes me feel happy and very festive.  This is a photo of the mini buntings that I made for the luncheon that we will be hosting tomorrow.  The width measures 1 inch and was securely hung on a yarn.  Oh, I love how colorful they are! 

Today is also the 3rd Reveal day for Ms. Lori Anderson's 7th Bead Soup Blog Party.  As I mentioned HERE and HERE, I was paired with Rebecca.  She gave me a beautiful assortment of beads along with a polymer clay pendant.and a couple of nice clasps. 

I love being challenged!  Have you stared at your beads and components, doodling on your sketchbook and wondering what to do with them?  The antique bronze clasp was adorable and I wanted to work around it.  I wanted it to be one of the focal points of the necklace.  This was the first time I've made this design and I think it works well - it draws the eyes to the heart pendant.
The clasp was for a 3-strand necklace:  I used one for the chain, 1 for the leather and last for the dangling chain.  I worked the wire wrapped beads around it.  I like the pop of green leaves - it complements the shades of blue beads.

"Lock and Key Necklace"

Next, I made a bracelet.  I did wire work on the rectangular glass bead as well as the round beads.  The upper half of the bracelet is like a bangle and the bottom part is hinged to allow ease of wearing. The earth tones of the bracelet makes it so rich!

Thanks for stopping by.

See the Colors of what other participants took notice of HERE and/or

Join the party over at BSBP HERE.

Have a great weekend!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Jewelry] The Challenge of Music 2013

It is the 2nd Annual Challenge of Music blog hop by Erin of Treasures Found and I am so excited to be part of it again.  
Read about my entry last year HERE.

This year, Erin asked us to "find a piece of instrumental music that speaks to your soul."  That means, plain music - no choral accompaniment.  Oh, what a challenge with all the beautiful music around us.

The first challenge for me was to find "my music" that would allow me to interpret it in my artpiece.

The second challenge was:  How to share the music in my blog.  I wanted to try something else besides YouTube so I explored what's new in the web and came across Soundcloud.  I wanted to share a Traditional Filipino folk song/dance called "Tinikling." 

Click LISTEN to hear the song.

The music was composed by Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002)   Celerio was a prolific songwriter, with over 4,000 songs to his credit. He is perhaps best known for being a leaf-player, a feat for which he was put into the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1997, he was namedNational Artist of the Philippines for Music. Read more about him HERE.  You must have seen this being danced during one of the cultural shows in your City that feature the Philippines.  The tinikling dance is one of the most popular and well-known of traditional Philippine dances.  Can you hear the clanking and banging sound?  The dance is comprised of 2 people who tap bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in a rhythmic manner while 1 or more dancers step in and out of the poles.

Tinikling
Photo grabbed from Parangal 2006
www.likha.org

Here's a complicated version of the dance with several pairs of bamboo.

The dance originated in Leyte among the Visayan islands in the central Philippines as an imitation of the tikling bird dodging bamboo traps set by rice farmers. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling birds as they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles. I chose this music because it reminds me of home - the festivities, the delicious sweet mangoes and other fruits, the beautiful and colorful floral arrangements and costumes.  This statement/bib necklace was made using wired mother of pearl diamonds that were wired to form flowers and accented by crystal beads and round pearls.

Mother of Pearl Statement Necklace

To complete the necklace, I added yoyo fabric.  What is that you ask?  It's the ruffled circles fabric - learn how to do it HERE.  It's pretty simple, just do running stitch all around your chosen fabric and gather the edges to create the ruffles and add a button or pearl to seal the open part.

A big thanks to Erin for hosting this challenge once again.  It was nice to learn new things every time.  Now its time to hop to other blogs, listen, read and admire the beautiful work of these brave ones.  Enjoy!

The Challenge of Music 2013

Erin Prais-Hintz Alenka Obid Ali McCarthy Alicia Marinache Amy Severino Amy Grass Carolyn Lawson Cece Cormier Cynthia Riggs Ema Kilroy Emanda Johnson Emma Todd Erin Kenny Evelyn Shelby Evie and Beth McCord Gerd Andersson Holly Westfall Jennifer Justman Jenny Davies-Reazor Jess Green Judy Campbell Karla Morgan Kay Thomerson Kristina Johansson Lola Surwillo Lynn White Malin de Koning Mallory Hoffman Mary K McGraw Melissa Meman  Melissa Trudinger

YOU ARE HERE:

Michelle Escano  

Michelle Bourbonniere

Michelle Heim

Michelle Mach

Molly Alexander

Molly Schaller

Monique Urquhart

Niky Sayers

Pam Farren

Rebecca Anderson

Sally Russick

Sharon Palac

Sharon Driscoll

Susan Kennedy

Tari Kahrs

Tracy Stillman

Veralynne Malone

Blessings!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Challenge] ABS Feb 2013

Oh... I have always dreamed of seeing cherry blossoms... lots of them!  

Don't you just love this photo?  This is the inspiration for this months' Art Bead Scene challenge.

Heijinja, 1941

Tōshi Yoshida
Woodblock Print

This was printed from a woodblock carved by Toshi Yoshida.  Look at all the detail!  It must have taken the artist a long time carving the minute details.  Check out the carving on the entry way.. awesome!

Pendant made using Vintaj antique copper wire

I wanted to make a piece that would have many "organic components" such as wood and pearls.  The red orange color of the building stands out in the art hence i used it as my main color palette - these ceramic beads were just shouting to be used.  

 I made a wired pendant with pearls and crystals to depict cherry blossom flowers hanging on the branches.  I used Vintaj copper wire in 18g and 24g.

Vintaj antique copper wire, pearls and rondelle crystals hanging like cherry blossoms

In designing the piece, I was debating whether to use copper chain or something else.  In the end, I decided to use suede which I secured by wrapping copper wire around the ends.  It turned out pretty good I think - it completed the organic feel of the necklace.

Cherry blossom garden Decoemboss die

I added a 1 inch Vintaj antique brass blank that I embossed using their cherry blossom garden die.  Then, I used Vintaj patina in moss and ruby and sanded it to emphasize the design.

Just when I thought spring is almost here, it's been so cold and windy this past few days.  No matter the weather, I will keep on dreaming of cherry blossoms.

Be blessed!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Bead Soup] 6th Bead Soup Blog Party 3rd Reveal

Welcome to The Cabby Crafter!  I am so glad you stopped by.

Today is the big reveal of Ms. Lori Anderson's 6th Bead Soup Blog Party - the 3rd and last for this year.Whew!  Have you seen the beautiful creations that the participants made?

This was my 2nd BSBP and I was paired with Ms. Sonya Stille.  Read more about her HERE.  The assortment of beads and findings that she sent me was delicious!  I love the everything particularly the copper leaf that she made.  I hardly word with copper, in fact, this was the most copper that I've worked with.

The BSBP guru, aka, Ms. Lori asked us to give a focal bead and a clasp.  The copper leaf that Sonya did was gorgeous and I wanted it to be the centerpiece of this necklace!  I used copper wire, hammered the end, added green beads and wrapped it with wire...lots of wire to make a bail! 

This was an asymmetrical necklace that drapes very nicely on the neck.

I love the color palette - browns and greens, very earthy, "organic" as they call it.

This lariat necklace made use of the nuggets, crystals, copper chain and enameled round beads.  

More wire wrapping but fun!

This was the pot of soup that Sonya sent me.  Isn't it lovely?   Visit Sonya's BLOG and see what she did to the bead soup that I sent her.  Check out her Pinterest and FB page too.

Here's the List of the 3rd BSBP Reveal.  Grab your comfy seat and hop on!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

 

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space

Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging
Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs
Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home
Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show
Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities
Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN
Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio
Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter - THIS IS ME!
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi
Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry
Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo
Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila
Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads - MY AWESOME PARTNER!!!
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design
Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Enjoy the weekend!  

Happy hopping!

♥  Michelle  ♥