[Project] Hello, October!

Hello, October!  What?  Where did the time go?  It was this day last year when my parents and sister came to the US, yes, on the day of the government shutdown.  The memories are so fresh in my mind.

Well, I wanted to start the month making jewelry hence I made earrings!  I saw this article by one of my Bead soup blog party partners, Melissa Meman, in the April -May 2011 issue of Step by Step Wire Jewelry.  How cool is that?  I used peridot teardrop glass beads and copper wire.  It is not quite finished yet but it's a good start.

Melissa Meman's Article

I wanted to share with you this pair of Faux Stone Earrings that I made during my Integrated Earring Design Class with Ms. Kathleen Dustin.  These were made several months ago from polymer clay beads but I didn't know how to design and make use of them.  I added sterling silver wire that I oxidized and wow, I love how it turned out.  I'm planning to make more of these.

Faux Turquoise Stone made from Polymer Clay
Sterling silver earwire

I hope you enjoyed your first day of October.  Take care and see you soon!
♥ michelle  ♥

[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

[Challenge] CF Originals Mica, Chalk Powder and Glitter

CF Originals Booty Call

Ms. Christi Friesen challenged the followers of CF Originals to a contest from 3/18 to 3/31/2014.  She wanted us to create works of art using chalk powder, glitter and/or mica powder.  This brooch/pendant was my entry that I submitted yesterday... oh yes, the day before the deadline.  I used a beautiful texture plate and added shades of red, blue and green mica powder.   The geometric lines, curves and wiring makes the piece visually interesting and sexy (in my opinion).

Can you believe that it's the last day of March?  More to projects come next month!

Happy crafting!

♥ michelle

[Jewelry] Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise Necklace

Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise

I.  Am.  Back!  How are you?

One of our dear friends celebrated her 50th birthday and we gave her a surprise celebration!  Whew!  The 3 weeks of preparation, secret meetings and close encounters was fun and we're glad it turned out to be a wonderful celebration.  The theme of the party was "High Heels" since she loved wearing them and we used the colors:  black, gold and white.  

This was the necklace that I made for her.  The pendant is faux turquoise made from polymer clay.  To complete the necklace, I added mother of pearl square spacers, red and black crystals and ceramic beads all wired and attached to a chain.  It drapes the neck nicely and is very elegant.

So, how are you?  Have you been doing a lot of projects lately?

Have a blessed day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Flashback] February 2013: Firsts of Many

February 2013 brought many "Firsts" for us.  

♥  My dear husband was chosen to be one of the godfathers of this cute little baby.  ♥

♥  Tried out Joe's Crab Shack on Valentine's Day.   Yummy to the tummy.  ♥

♥  I won 1st Place in our Department's Chili Cook-off.  Yay!  ♥

♥  Well, I made a several cards for family and friends this month (which is also a first).  ♥

♥  I also tried making an Origami heart card for my husband for Valentine's day.  ♥

♥  My necklace was featured in Art Bead Scene's monthly Challenge tour.  ♥

ArtBeadScene

Hmmmm.... I'd like to join more challenges in 2014.  That would be another "First" for me.  LOL.

[Challenge with Cabochon] Serenity Statement Necklace: Faux Stone Polymer Clay Pendant

The Studio Sublime

Hello friends and welcome to the reveal date of The Studio Sublime's 

"Creating with Cabochons" 

hosted by Ms. Sally Russick.

"Serenity Statement Necklace"

by Michelle Escaño-Caballero

se·ren·i·ty

"the state of being calm, peaceful, untroubled"
"an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city"

Serenity Statement Necklace
Faux Stone Polymer Clay

      There is a feeling of peace and calm whenever I do something that is far beyond what my day at the office is.  I like spending time at home and being creative.  This challenge was a long process that took about 3 weeks of my free time to finish.  

I love making cabochons from polymer clay so I made 3 teardrops using the Rocky Path technique that I have shared in this blog a couple of times.  Doesn't it look like stones?

Serenity Statement Necklace
Polymer clay cabochon:   Rocky Path Technique
Faux Stone

The embroidery took about 4 nights to finish and that includes sewing and unsewing the beads. LOL.  I am happy with how it turned out but I think I will add a picot beads on the border... perhaps I will write a post blog article on that.

In the meantime, let's head over to The Studio Sublime and see more beautiful pieces.  

Our Host:  Sally Russick

D Lynne  Bowland

Alicia Marinache           

Lynn  Jobber           

Jenny Davies-Reazor           

Jen  Judd           

Jo-Ann  Woolverton           

Marde Lowe           

Dawn Doucette           

Mary K McGraw           

Gloria Allen           

Cheri  Reed           

Sonye Stille           

Elizabeth Owens Dwy           

Veralynne   Malone           

Tania Hagen           

Lynsey  Brooks           

Christina Miles           

Holly  Westfall           

Kathy  Lindemer           

Patti Vanderbloemen           

Therese Frank           

Adrienne Berry           

Liz   E  

Tanty  Sri Hartanti           

Ginger Bishop

Renetha Stanziano           

Marlene  Cupo           

Sandi Volpe           

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson           

Niky  Sayers

Mischelle Fanucchi           

Tracy  Stillman           

Skylar Bre'z           

Ann Schroeder           

Paula Kramer

Jess Green           

Susan Kennedy           

Stacie  Florer           

Cathie  Carroll           

Susan F.   

Michelle Caballero  -  You are Here  ☺     

Sabine Dittrich           

Kristina Johansson           

Kimberly Sturrup-Roberts           

Melissa  Meman           

Cheryl McCloud         

Michelle  Timms           

Cindy  Pack           

Ailsa  Cordner           

Lynda  Carson

Cynthia  Machata           

Julia  Harris           

Karin  Slaton

Ingrid  Anderson           

Karin Grosset Grange

Jasvanti  Patel   

Inge  von Roos

Molly Alexander

Toltec Jewels  

Have a wonderful day!  

♥  michelle  ♥

[Blog Hop] 2013 Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

Hello there!  

Today is the day for the 2013 Bead Hoarders Blog Hop hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson of Pretty Things Blog.

I have confessed that I am a bead hoarder (among others) and whereas other women go crazy when shopping for shoes and bags, I go crazy in craft and online stores shopping for beads and what nots.

I've had these oval pendants for 3 years and never knew what to do with them... until recently.
A few years ago, I took the beginner and advanced jewelry making class with Mr. Em Mariano, one of the Philippines' jewelry designers.  One of the things that he taught us was how to wire wrap beads.  

I haven't practiced wire wrapping for a long time but after playing with several feet of wire, I was able to complete the piece.  The accent in the center is made of ceramic, agate, pearl and crystal beads.  The handmade bail hangs on a leather cord.

Thanks for stopping by the blog.
♥ ☺Time to check out the rest of the hoarders ☺ ♥

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads

3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs

4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes

5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs

6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends

8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board

  10.  Erin Guest, Renlish

11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry

12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey

13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads

15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments

16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design

17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers

18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity

19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings

20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini

23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats

24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft

25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul

26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads

27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo

28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion

29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31.  Robyn, Museiddity

32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings

33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy

34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods

35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations

36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti

37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley

38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly

40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool

42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs

43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design

44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art

45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes

46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo

48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations

49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan

50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest

52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita

53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design

55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design

56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising

62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another

63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper

64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes

68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design

69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit

72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini

73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle

74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry

76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 

77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame

78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs

79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry

80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations

83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie

84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills

85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry

86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog

87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner

88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog

89.  Susan, Mistheword

90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky

92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog

93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman

94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor

95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads

97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse

98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations

100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs

102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea

104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter - YOU ARE HERE ☺

105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures

106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios

107.  Lennis Carter, windbent

108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads

109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution

110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories

112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands

113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams

114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful

115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings

117.  Kim, Cianci Blue

118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry

119.  Karen, Spokalulu

120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market

123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD

124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc

125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti

126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread

129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections

130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK

132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space

133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads

136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie

137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs

139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder

140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem

142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads

143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things

145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead

146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales

147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams

148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar

149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations

150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs

152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz

154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio

155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe

156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations

157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show

159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs

160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs

162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead

163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads

164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog

165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place

166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs

167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

Have a wonderful day!

♥  michelle  ♥