[Jewelry] Carousel Necklace

Do you have fond memories of carousels?  

I remember the first time I saw how brightly lit and colorful it was... and then, i recall how tightly I held on the handle bar - scared to my guts of falling.  Oh, how they looked so huge  back then.  It was just dreamy or rather hypnotic with the music going on and on while the carousel goes round and round.

Carousel pendant

Flash forward a couple of decades later... My most recent memory is when my husband and I went to The House on the Rock - have you been there?  Oh my... the carousel was amazing, jaw dropping and spooky with all the dolls and mannequins staring at you.

Mother or pearl discs, semi precious stones and rondelle crystals

This necklace is definitely a conversation piece!  It combines the playful carousel and the elegance of mother-of-pearl discs, semi-precious stones and crystals.

Carousel Necklace

Do you have fond memories of your childhood?  Do share...

Blessings!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Focus on Life Week 5] Capture a Heart

Today is week 5 in "Focus on Life" hosted by Ms. Sally Russick and the task was to "Capture a Heart."

This photo describes what captured my heart a long time ago:  my desire to craft  - whether making handmade cards or

 finish a scrapbook page that's been sitting in my desk for 6 months or 

figuring out what beads and findings to work with or 

how to decorate a cake.  

I dream of having a room dedicated to crafting - with all my tools, beads and bins 

arranged strategically in one place.  

I dream that I continue to be inspired to design - inspired by creative people like you!

I dream that I can achieve my Year 2013 goals.  Among my goals this year are: to join more blog hops,

 to make make new friends and to be able to use most of my stash of beads and finding

Focus on Life Week 5:  "Capture a Heart"

It's February and though I am not a 100% satisfied with my progress, I am optimistic that I will achieve my goals.

Come and join me as we see what the other participants have shared.

Click on this LINK.

Have fun!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Bead Soup Blog Party 7] Let's get Cookin'!

Welcome back!

The time has come for you to sign-up if you want to join this awesome party hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.

This is my third time to join and I'm as excited as the first time.  It's fun to meet creative and talented ladies!  The party has allowed me to become friends with these ladies beyond the parties.

I joined the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party in April 2012 where I was paired with Melissa Meman.

The bead soup that she sent was awesome!  I loved everything!  She made the metal focal, enameled beads and the wire-wrapped clasp.  The enameled beads in particular made me jot it down in my "to learn" things.

I loved designing the necklace.  The unused beads will see light one of these days.  Visit Melissa's BLOG see and read about her work.

This was was I sent Melissa - I made a floral focal bead using polymer clay and brass filigree.  

I love her design.

My second BSBP was in August 2012 where I was paired with Sonya Stille.  The bead soup that she sent was gorgeous!  She sent enameled beads and a metal leaf that she did herself.  Read more about it HERE. 

The focal bead was made of polymer clay using the mica shift technique.  Sonya is very good at seed beading - don't you just love what she did?  Visit Sonya's BLOG.

So what are you waiting for?  You have until tomorrow, January 27 to sign-up.

Get those beads ready and let's parteeeee!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Michelle ♥

[Jewelry] Twisted Pearl and Crystal Bracelet

Welcome back!

Two years ago, I wrote a tutorial using these curved metal spacers, pearls, and crystal bicones. 

 Here is a new "twist" to that tutorial.

Materials to make one 7.5 inch bracelet:

1.  Flexible beading wire - you may need 12 to 15 inches depending on how much extra wire you can spare for the project ☺.

2.  Fifteen (15) curved metal spacers.  You can find it HERE.

3.   Fifteen (15) 8mm Swarowski pearls

4.  Thirty (30) 4x3 mm Red rondelle crystals

5.  Two (2) crimp beads

6.  Clasp

Procedure:

1.  Insert the flexible beading wire to one end of a crimp tube, clasp and back to the crimp tube.  Crimp.

2.  With the curved spacer bead in the "C" position, insert wire to the top part from the back.  Add a rondelle, pearl and rondelle and insert to the bottom.  Please refer to the photo below.  Make sure it is snug but not too tight.

3.  Repeat the same order 15 times.  If the flexible wire twists on itself, you can hold the piece lengthwise in order for it to untwist (such as in the large photo below).  I figured that it eases any tension on the wire brought about by excessive pulling and makes the bracelet flow smooth.

4.To finish the bracelet, insert wire to a crimp tube, clasp and back to the crimp tube. 

5.  Trim the excess flexible beading wire.

Try combining pearls with other beads or use a different clasp.

 Now, it's time to iron my white or maybe red dress.

See you again soon!

Blessings!

Michelle 

[Recipe] Zuppa Toscana

Happy New Year!  

Husband and I ushered in 2013 with much thanksgiving and excitement as we look forward to this year.  We have faith that the Lord will continue to be faithful to us, 

no matter what circumstance we are in.

We had a simple New Years Eve dinner at home.  It rained the whole day and it was cool in the evening - very timely to  prepare the warm and delicious soup that we always order and eat at Olive Garden and at our friends house:  

Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients:

Russet potatoes - sliced thinly (1/8 inch)

Garlic, onions

Italian sausage

Chicken broth

Kale - sliced in bite-sized pieces

Heavy whipped cream

Salt and pepper

Chili powder

Zuppa Toscana

I sauteed the whole package of Italian sausage until it was brown, drained the excess oil and set aside.  You must think that we are voracious sausage lovers.. haha.  We used 1/3 of the pack for one  recipe and saved the rest.  Notice that I didn't put the amounts in the list of ingredients - it depends on you.

Saute' garlic and onion.  Add the sausage.

Pour 1 can of chicken stock.  I used Swanson chicken broth and though the label says not to dilute it, I did, 1 can broth:1cup water.  You may add more water if you want it more "soupy."  Bring to a boil.

Add potatoes and cook for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the slice.  You wouldn't want it to be too soft as it would crumble apart.. unless that's what you prefer.

Once the potatoes are cooked, add in the Kale. Do you know that eating kale is healthy?  Sources say that it has cholesterol lowering properties, risk lowering benefits for cancer and aids in detoxification.

Finally, add 2 Tablespoons of heavy whipped cream.

Serve hot and with a smile.

Zuppa Toscana

 Bon appetit!

We would like to wish you a wonderful Year 2013:  love, joy, peace and good health for you and your family.

Know that you are blessed!

Michelle

[Card Ideas] Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, YA'LL!

Hello, friends!  This is our first Christmas in our apartment and we had fun decorating.  A good friend of ours gave us an IKEA Pendant light which came in very handy since I made a wreath instead of a putting up a tree.  It worked out pretty well with the lights - I loved that it could be hung or used as a wall or table decor... cool!

We received several thoughtful cards this year - it was nice to keep in touch and read updates from friends and family.  I arranged the cards on our living room table so we would see them every time we walked by.

Tablescape of Christmas Cards

These black framed canvasses were painted by my husband a couple of months ago and hangs above our TV system.  It used to be plain but I decided to showcase some of the cards that we received.  It's pretty simple.... I bought the framed canvas from Michaels, painted them with black acrylic paint and added strips of ribbon on the back.  The cards were attached using masking tape.

Wall-mounted cards

I was also able to display my handmade Christmas manger ornament made using polymer clay.  These blank canvasses can be used to showcase both everyday and seasonal cards.  It's just a nice way to be reminded of friends and loved ones.  Try it!  

Christmas ornaments may be
displayed too.

Finally, I found this adorable couple from Walgreens.  They're so cute and cheerful!

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas, my friend!

Let us remember the birthday of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Know that you are blessed!

Michelle

[Ornaments] Christmas Manger

Hello there!

At the start of the year, I told myself that I'd make handmade cards and gifts for Christmas.  Time seemed to fly so fast... I wasn't able to make 1/8 of what I planned to do.  Not good!

I made these Ornaments using Premo polymer clay, stamps, alcohol inks and acrylic paint.  Christmas is my favorite season of all because it's a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Reason for the Season.

John 3:16 says:  "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

This manger stamp is from a clear stamp Christmas set from Inkadinkado.  Ranger's alcohol inks and acrylic paint were used to add color.

I used renaissance wax in some of the pieces and LP's UV gloss in a couple.

The piece measures 3 inches in height.  I drilled a hole in the middle and attached a ribbon so it could be hung in the tree.

Christmas Manger Scene

Did you make a lot of handmade crafts this year?

Know that you are blessed!

Michelle