July Holiday Earring Give-away!

I had a sunrise/sunset scene in mind as I created these brass components,...then as I designed the earrings, I drew my inspiration from a rainbow.

But today, I'm thinking all these colors could also be spectacular fireworks,..   (yes, very quiet ones)!  

Then, finally, I got inspired to celebrate the July 4th holiday by giving these away!   (In the spirit of World Peace, I will send these internationally too, so please join in  the fun if you like!) 

If you would like to signup for this Give-away,...

•  Please leave me a note on the blog in the Comments section.  
• If you are on Facebook, just let me know where to look.  
• If not, please leave me an email address where I can contact you.  
• You may enter 2 messages if you like and I'll keep private the one with your email.  I just need some way to contact the winner.

You can get a 2nd change to win if you share the news with others and tell me where you posted it!


The give-away will be open for your entries through end of day Sunday, 7/5/15.  A  winner will be announced Monday, and will have until Friday, 7/10/15 to reply.  

SALE REMINDER:

Get 20% off at my Metapolies™ store on Etsy through Fri, 7/10/15 by using coupon code:   INDEPENDENCE

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Photos by Sharyl
Other graphics from wpclipart.com

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Looking back on blogging, looking forward...

Looking back at blogging...

My very first blog entry was June 16, 2011:  "Jewelry Design - My "Unique" Philosophy."  

When I look back at that entry, every bit of what I wrote was true then, and true now.   So much has changed, but my vision of what I wanted to accomplish with jewelry design is exactly the same as when I started.   I find that rather remarkable. 


Not all my early blog posts were something I'd still be proud of.   I was very "green" and feel a bit horrified about how I spoke with authority about things I didn't know enough about.   My photographs were terrible. (It took me 6 months to take a remotely decent photo!  I blogged about that on Jan. 14 and Jan. 18, 2012. Many of my blog posts in the first year focused on photography practice!)  


But to back up a bit, as I recall, I had no followers at all until I had blogged for about 6 weeks.   I just kept writing, hoping someone would appear.  And finally, it happened, one day, someone finally made the choice to "follow" my blog.  And about a week later, another, this time a young man from Russia.  I never forgot about him.   I was so thrilled to have these 2 pay attention to what I wrote!   And eventually more came, and when I hit 10, I felt I had finally "arrived!"  ha!  

In the early days, I greeted each new member with a welcome paragraph!   Eventually, it became impossible.   Blog hops would bring new members in larger numbers all at once, I couldn't keep up.  What a shame about that.  My blog membership numbers are still not stunning, but they've been "hard-won" and I've always deeply valued each person following and sharing  your comments.  I always intended this to be a very interactive space.  


I must admit that in the first few years of blogging,  I was more creative in my writing, more engaging, and certainly more frequent.    The heavy use of Facebook to share ideas and new items, and the ever-increasing use of mobile technology to read messages seems to have shrunk blog participation and comments.   Posting messages and getting no response was disheartening, and I got to where I mostly posted about sales in my stores.   (Boring, and a self-fulfilling cycle which left little incentive to want to read my blog!)

Blogging today...

Recently, I announced that the blog had it's 175th member, and we celebrated that with a gift to the participant and a give-away winner.   I decided to briefly highlight those involved in that event on my blog today!

Val of Miss Val's Creations was the 175th member.  I wanted to show you these classy earrings I found in her store.   The ear wires are such a fantastic shape!

hematite sterling silver dangle earrings

Catherine of Shadow Dog Designs won the random drawing.  Catherine's store is on  Artfire.  I think these pearls and the amazing pendant go perfectly together!

Handmade Tree Pendant Necklace Rustic Green Pearls Bali Beaded Jewelry

Since then, we've gained one more member.   And so, in the original spirit of this blog, I'd like to welcome our most recent follower, Meridy Migchelbrink of Two Trees Studio.   Among her always-impressive designing techniques, Meridy creates many of her earthy looking pieces using waxed Irish linen thread.  Take a peak:

The Word for World Is Forest: Petite, lightweight artisan ceramic earrings, with an earthy, rustic, foresty vibe

Now that I've given you a small sample of each of these artist's work, I hope you'll go look at the rest of their collections!   I'm so honored to have these three jewelry artists, as well as all the rest of you talented people, following my blog!

Looking forward...

I hope you'll come around again!  I'm planning more features, focus sessions on other bead and jewelry designers, discussions on techniques, business matters, and more!   I'll be here, writing away, just like in the beginning, hoping someone drops in and leaves me a note!  

Wishing a very Happy New Year 2015 to all!  

Sharyl

P.S.  Just as I'm about to post this entry, I've received 2 pieces of good news to share today!  I'll hold it until next time.  Expect another post soon!  

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Image Credits:

All jewelry photos taken by the jewelry artists are copyrighted and used here by permission.

Clipart is from wpclipart.com

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ABS Monthly Challenge: Dec. 2014 Cathedral Arches in Polymer

It may be hard to imagine how a painting of a nearly empty building could inspire in so many ways.   But when I first saw the latest piece of art for the monthly Art Bead Scene challenge, I was immediately drawn in!   It's no ordinary "empty hallway."  It's a painting of an amazing piece of architecture, full of history, with interesting shapes, and many variations on the color gray!

Some of you know, I used to frequently participate in the ABS monthly challenges, but have taken a self-imposed break from blog hops for a while.  Then I saw this, and couldn't stay away!

Choir of Sint-Bavokerk, Haarlem" 1635
by Pieter Jansz Saenedam
Read more about this painting on the ABS page.

Once I saw the photo, I couldn't get it out of my head!  It reminded me of some of the  architecture we saw this Spring in Europe! 

Notably terrible photography on this one,
but look at the similarities!

So I immediately went to work on a design!

I'd like to claim that I made each of these beads just for this challenge, but it's not true.   I've been into a "gray" mood lately and making lots of polymer clay beads in shades of gray and a granite-like glittery gray.   Some I leave as is, some I paint with metallic acrylic paints, then seal.    I made this batch and more just before seeing this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge photo.

I had intended them for pairs of earring charms, but looked at them all spread out on my counter and started picking the ones that reminded me of the curves in the architecture, the arches, the round pillars, and the multiple shades of gray.

 

I strung the beads on gray Irish waxed linen thread (from WhiteCloverKiln, Mary Hubbard), some with antiqued brass jump rings. There are dark metallic seed beads used as spacers.  Then I added a bit of antiqued brass chain in the front.    

A lovely soft bit of gray Sari ribbon for the back.   (The ribbon crosses through another handmade polymer bead in granite working as a tube bead so that the length is adjustable, and can be tied to keep in place.)  This lovely soft Sari ribbon comes from TheJewelleryQuarter (Anne Betenson, Cardiff, Wales, UK). 

I used Wooly Wire by Eleanor Thomas on the pendant and at the rings where the ribbon loops through the large jump rings. Wooly Wire is also in shades of gray and serves a practical as well as ornamental purpose.   

I just loved this month's challenge and also that's it's now posted on Pinterest too!   It's inspiring and so much easier now to share our creations!  Thanks to all involved with ABS!   

I made this pair of earrings too,
using many of the same beads and materials.
It doesn't have the "sleek lines" of the painting,
but could be worn with the necklace!

I am proud to say that I think this is the first challenge where
I've made all the beads myself!

Listed in my Metapolies™ store on Etsy!

UPDATE 12/31/14:
Challenge recap and video now on
ABS page!

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Beads, jewelry design, and photos by Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Metapolies™, Dec. 2014.

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Toltec Jewels Design Challenge (Featuring SueBeads)--Reveal!

It all started with a "Chicklet" shaped bead.

I saw it on the Toltec Jewels Facebook page.

Not this exact one, I think, but one similar.

It was love at first site.

And I wondered to myself,...

how had I missed it before?

Bead by Susan Kennedy of SueBeads

Turns out, it had been getting a lot of press during the previous weeks,

and I had been gone....

Gone from town, gone from the country, 

gone from internet connections,...

and nearly missed my destiny with this bead.

But, when Rita of Toltec Jewels 

(our host today's big event)

heard of my disappointment,

she quickly resolved the matter,

let me in to her "Choosy.... Design Challenge," 

and sent me this sweet bead in a glorious tangerine/orange shade.  

Ah me!

All was well with the world again!

It was still June, but immediately, my mind jumped to a Fall, almost Halloween type design.  I pulled together orange beads (some clashed and had to go, but I found a nice strand that seemed a great match), some large black Czech beads had just arrived and I grabbed them from my desk top before even contemplating putting them away, some art beads I found I had saved for a couple of years, and some pieces of my own!   Like a soup or brew, they all went in together, 

...and out came... this:

Ceramic Donut bead:  Captured Moments (Etsy);

Copper handmade clasp by me;

Irish Waxed Linen thread
from pottery bead maker, WhiteCloverKiln (Etsy)

....and this:

Upper left:
Peachy pottery beads by Jenny Gholson-Morris
of Eclectic Prairie (Etsy).
White and beige Funky Flat Poly Beads
sell in my Sharyl's Jewelry (Artfire) store.Right side:
Black and white Czech glass beads sold by MayaHoney (Etsy).
Orange Chicklet by SueBeads (Etsy)
Dotted lampwork spacers (CrazyLadyGlass)

(Take a moment now 

and prepare your minds 

for the upcoming mayhem!)...

Finally, this:

At the bottom of the donut pendant
is an embossed and patinated copper disk I made
and a striped cone-shaped bead
from Petra at Scorched Earth (Etsy).

Update:  This little bit of magic is available for sale now!
CLICK HERE!

In all honesty, I'm not sure how Sue's chicklet, so kindly bestowed upon me by Rita, became this wild creation!  But no matter how odd it might be, I'm really glad it turned out the way it did!   My complete thanks to Sue and to Rita!

Now, I feel ready for Fall...

...and ready to visit the blogs to see what the other participants made from their beads!  

Please pay a visit to the participating artists below:

Permalink for Artists: 

http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/2014/06/Choosy-Chicks-Choose-Chicklets-participating-artists.html

ARTISTS:

Guest of Honor & Featured Artist:  Susan Kennedy

Sue Kennedy's blogs:                               SueBeads...A Beady Girl's blog

                                                                Art Jewelry Elements

Sue Kennedy's website                            SueBeads

SueBeads Art Beads                                SueBeads

Hostess:

Toltec Jewels                                           http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Artists:

Linda Anderson                                       http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Reno                                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Shirley Moore                                          http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/

Kristen Stevens                                        http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Marybeth Rich                                         http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com

Jael Thorp                                                http://jaelsjewels.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger                                     http://Beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick                                            http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina                                         www.peru-medesigns.com

Shai Williams                                            http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson                                       http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Rana Wilson                                             http://Ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Robin Reed                                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Robin Showstack                                     http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Sheila Prosterman                                     http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan                                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury                                             http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Kelly Rodgers                                          https://www.facebook.com/BeadinBlackBlue

Jayne Capps                                            https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Andrade Fanucchi                    https://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Heather Richter                                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg                                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Kathleen Breeding                                   http://www.zibbet.com/99BottlesofBeadsontheWall

Linda Landig                                           http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Crystal Thain                                           http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed                                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Heather d-Entremont                               http://frugalmadougall.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                                          http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Lori Schneider                                         http://www.beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

Tammy Adams                                        http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Melinda Orr                                            http://bandanagirl.indiemade.com/blog

Lennis Carrier                                         http://windbent.wordpress.com/

Cynthia Machata                                     http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Hodges                                    http://thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen                                  http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/

Tanya McGuire                                       http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com/

Charlie Jacka                                          http://clay-space.com/blog/

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

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

Jasvanti Patel                                        http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Thanks for visiting us today!  Hope you enjoy the blog hop!

~Sharyl

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Diana Ptaszynski's "Waxed Linen Blog Hop!"

When Diana Ptaszynski of Suburban Girl Studio and Suburban Girl Beads announced she was hosting a "Waxed Linen Blog Hop" I jumped at the chance to join in!  I had been thinking about waxed linen, how I had used it a couple of times last  year, then rather forgotten about it.  

Pair from last summer.
"Jelly Fish Teal Glass Earrings"
(They sold right away!)
Lampwork beads by Russ Powers of JavaBead.com
Double layer of recycled glass beads from Ghana, West Africa.

I had been thinking I should try designing with it again, and Diana's blog hop fit right in with my plans!  

The only problem was the the reveal date of Saturday, May 24 was during a family event, but I decided to join in the fun and post a little early. Hope you will visit the other participants listed on Diana's blog on May 24th or after!  

So, here is what I created for the blog hop:

My first attempt for the blog hop.
I hardly ever design using pink, but wanted to give it a try.Terra Jasper stone beads.
Brass earwires.

Second item I made for the blog hop!
Czech beads.
My handmade copper earwires.

After a couple of goes with earrings, I decided I should try a bracelet.  I got this far, but when I attached a ceramic bracelet bar I had planned to use, I realized I had made it too large.  Unable to untie these knots to reduce the size... I assure you I untied many a knot working with the thread... I decided for a different design, and removed the focal bead for another piece.  I'm thinking a button or bead as a clasp might work, but not sure yet.  

A bracelet, in progress.
Light blue lampwork by LampworkByAmy.
Turquoise matte lampwork by PowersArtStudio.

Finally, it was time to tackle a necklace! I wanted something long and elegant. This necklace wraps and wraps!

It makes 2-3 long really strands or 4 medium length ones.

Close-up of some of the beads used in the necklace:

Ivory lampwork spacers by Blue Seraphim, 

Blue-gray pottery tab beads by NKP Designs, and

Powder blue altered brass component by me. 

And finally, back for more earring fun with these two pair:

Lampwork from GraceBeads.
 Orange beads are Czech glass.
Sterling silver earwires.

Stones, copper, glass!
My handmade copper earwires.

I enjoyed this so much, you can look forward to finding these items and more in my Sharyl's Jewelry store soon!  

Thank you to Diana for hosting this event and bringing me back to Irish waxed linen thread!  

And a shout-out to Mary Hubbard at WhiteCloverKiln!  I've purchased several batches of the thread from her with another order coming soon! 

Please visit Diana's blog to find the list of other participants beginning May 24!

~Sharyl

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