"Sand and Sea Blog Hop" Reveal!

Lisa Lodge, from the blog,  "A Grateful Artist"  and store, "Pine Ridge Treasures" on Zibbet, is hosting:

 My Bead Table II: 

  Sand and Sea Blog Hop!  

I'm so excited to be a part of it!

For this event, Lisa sent me a bag full of interesting beads in "sand shades," (brown, copper, and tan tones).  Even though the event was several months away at the time, I couldn't resist dumping them out on the table as soon as they arrived to see what was there!   I planned to put them right back into the bag for a bit, but couldn't wait 5 minutes to begin sorting them and planning what I would do!

These were the ones I first sorted from the larger bag
as inspiration for my design.
I used a good portion of the other beads too,
but these were the ones I designed around.

As recommended in the guidelines,
I did not purchase anything new for my creation.

I only added a few beads I already had:
A handmade-button the color of sand 
with a wonderful wavy pattern from
 Linda Belinda on Etsy.
Mykonos Greek beads from
 Linden Avenue Designs on Etsy.

These, a sprinkling of pale blue glass beads, 
and a few hardware store washers I had on hand,
were the only items I added from my collection.  I made my own clasp from copper wire.



Even though my color was "sand," I couldn't resist adding a tiny bit of blue for water.   (I got the idea from a couple of the crystals Lisa included in my bag that were brown with a bluish finish.)  

As we all know, sand can come in many shades, and you can see some of the variety in the beads Lisa sent and in the button I added.  



I just loved the rectangular coral-color bead.  The white swirl beads and long slender bead reminded me of both waves and the most beautiful white sandy beaches!

This irregular shaped bead I found in the bag
was a real favorite too.
It looks like stone to me,
but I suppose it could be some type of clay bead.

I've never been able to wrap a briolette to my satisfaction,
but was determined to use this one from Lisa
as part of the focal dangle!
Luckily, the wire work on this piece
is not "fussy" or "perfect." 
It's "relaxed beach style!" 

Lisa also sent some thin wire sort of a
 burnt orange color.  
 I couldn't imagine what I would do with it
until I was nearly finished.  
 I ended up twisting it around some lose beading wire
in several areas, and I really liked 
the bit of color it added in those spots!  
The wire took me from "goof" to "accent" in no time at all!  
I think I'll need to buy some of this for future designs!

Thank you for visiting my page! 

Please take a look at the others who are participating:

ELEANOR BURIAN-MOHR, THE CHARMED LIFE

MARY GOVAARS, MLH JEWELRY DESIGNS

TANYA GOODWIN, A WORK IN PROGRESS

KATHY LINDEMER, BAY MOON DESIGN

TOLTEC JEWELS, JEWEL SCHOOL FRIENDS

SHARYL MCMILLIAN-NELSON, SHARYL'S JEWELRY     <---YOu are here!

MARLA GIBSON, SPICE BOX DESIGNS

MELISSA TRUDINGER, BEAD RECIPES

DOT LEWALLEN, SPEEDIE BEADIE

EMA KILROY, EMA K DESIGNS

KIM BOOTH, THE PINK MARTINI BOUTIQUE

JAMI SHIPP, CELEBRATING LIFE

LEAH TEES, MY BEADY LITTLEEYES

CHRISTIE MURROW, CHARIS DESIGNS JEWELRY

MONIQUE URQUHART, A HALF BAKED NOTION

GLORIA ALLEN, GLORIA ALLEN DESIGNS

CINDY ANDERSON WILSON, IT'S MY SEA OF DREAMS

SUZI CAMPBELL, SUZI CAMPBELL CREATIONS

SHAIHA WILLIAMS, SHAIHA'S RAMBLINGS

ANNETTE RIVERS, MAMA OWL'S MESS

A special thanks to Lisa for organizing

and hosting this event! 

If you have any trouble linking to the participant sites,

please go to Lisa's blog for the full list.

~Sharyl

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Exciting News to Share!

I'm so honored and excited, and must share some news!

Pagoda-inspired red artisan lampwork and enamel earrings

Available for sale at Sharyl's Jewelry

#1  

 Earlier today I was named  "Featured Designer of the Week" on the Art Bead Scene blog!    This is a "first" for me so I'm just thrilled!   Never saw that coming!   Thank you so much, Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp for selecting me and the earrings shown above!   

If you would like to see more about this month's challenge, closeup photos on the earrings and inspiration, the bead artists involved, and more, please visit the previous entry on my blog, Feb ABS 2013 Challenge Reveal and Ideas for You!

To view the many delightful entries in this month's challenge, visit the ABS Flickr page.  More will be added as the month continues, so be sure to check back!

#2 

You may have seen on my Facebook page, but I've learned from Denise Peck (Editor) that they are just finishing the Apr/May issue of "Step by Step Wire Jewelry" and some of my components will be featured in the artisan showcase!   

#3 

I'd like to offer my congratulations to all the winners and participants  in the Artisan Whimsy Valentine Challenge!      Barbara Hanselman won a $15 gift certificate from Sharyl's Jewelry, and Dee (Duane) Clark won a pair of earrings.       Hope both will enjoy their gifts!   (Barbara, if you see this, please send another message to me at the store or on Facebook!  Thanks!)


Please drop a line in the comment section and let us know what is exciting in YOUR life!   We'll be happy to hear your news and share your joy!   

Have a good week!

Sharyl

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Holiday Greetings and Winners!

Happy Holidays to all!   

I have so much I'd like to say to you, but I'll try to keep it simple and short so you can get back to your holiday fun, whatever you may be doing!

We have several winners to announce!

1) The winner of the Tumblestone Studios / Sharyl's Jewelry drawing is...  Anne Watson!

Anne wins this charming, Victorian, go-with-everything necklace (left photo) by Dana Lang and an assortment of handmade and hand-altered components by me (right photo).

The drawing was held on Dana's  "Tumblestone Handmakery" blog 

in connection my feature on Dana.

2)  In conjunction with the feature on Marti Conrad, bead artisan and owner of "Marti's Buttons-n-Beads," there was a drawing to win a sampling of Marti's beads.   

  

So many of you tried so hard, I wish I could have shared with all of you!   But the winner is ...  Shaiha Williams.  

3)   Finally, the winner of the redrawing for the  Artisan Whimsy holiday event  is...Tammie Tusher Everly from TTE Designs!

The gifts are the Art Deco-inspired necklace and earrings I designed for a recent jewelry History Challenge.  

 (The red stained glass pendants are from the Etsy shop, Very Pretty Things.   

And a little plug for Tracy Matthews, owner of that shop.  

She's having a 40% off sale Dec. 24-27!  

She has also opened a new store just for her

 glass cabochons called "I have Glass Stones.")

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As for the rest, well, it can wait for later.  We'll be wrapping up this year.  Planning for next  year.  And trying to catch up in between!    

The most important thing is that you each have a very happy, safe, and peaceful holiday!   Thanks for your support.   Joyful wishes sent to you!    ~Sharyl

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And from Sharyl's Jewelry a reminder:

LAST SALE OF THE YEAR! EVERYTHING IS 10% OFF! That includes sale and clearance items previously marked down 30-50%! Selling at or below cost! Don't miss out! Hope you find that special something you've been waiting for! Sale ends SOON! (No coupon needed for this sale. Prices are already marked down!)
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Winner Announced... A tale of good luck and bad!

I promised you a story and a winner, and you'll get one of each here today.   In case you would like the "short version,"  I'll go straight to the winner!

I appreciate all of you who participated so enthusiastically in the drawing for the Artisan Whimsy Holiday event and drawing.   

This necklace and earring set, inspired by the Art Deco period for a History Challenge....

goes to:

New Moon Scents!

Please send me a comment here with your mailing address.  (I won't publish it.)   I'll get your winnings off to you!  Hopefully this brings the best of luck your way!

For the rest of you, please stay tuned in the coming weeks.  I'm planning more giveaways and announcement of sales (mine and others) that might be of interest!   

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Now for the story...

Why am I so behind, you may wonder?  Why so long to announce a winner?   Well, have you ever heard of "bad luck coming in threes?"    I'm not a superstitious person, truly, but here is my story (and bad luck list)....

Prefatory Notes:

-- Over Thanksgiving I got a new workbench.  (That wasn't bad luck, that was GREAT luck!)   Not together yet, but it's waiting for me to prepare a space for it!   Of course it did cost a bit of money, which is why I mention it here at all.

-- For my birthday, a few weeks before, my family gave me an IOU for a new camera too, as the lens on mine kept sticking.   It was clearly time for a newer model!

Now here is where we start counting:

1) One day last week, the modem died.   Luckily, I could get a new one free from my internet provider.  Just had to go get it.  (While I was out, I decided to shop for that new camera. Found one and bought it.   Good thing, just more money out.)

2) I took photos with my new camera the next day and as I went to load them on my laptop, the laptop died.   (Dang!)

3) I went and bought a new laptop.  Ka-ching!  

4) Two days later, it's the weekend and my husband is doing laundry.  (Love that husband of mine!)   Washing machine won't agitate.   Full load with water that won't drain.  Not good.  Ka-ching, ka-ching!

5)  While husband goes to buy a new washing machine, I get the only large bucket I can find and a small plastic bowl, and begin dumping the water from the machine into the bucket.  When I would get the bucket about 1/2 full, I would take it to the bathroom just around the corner and dump it in the toilet.  (Too much info?  Sorry... but this is vital.)   About the 2nd or 3rd trip, I notice water running all over the floor.  Must have been messy in my pouring.   I cleaned that mess up and filled another bucket.   Wow!  More water on the floor.  Cleaned that up.  By bucket 6, I stopped.  Water was running on all sides of the toilet, under baseboards, all over the bathroom floor.  Could I be that messy in pouring water from a bucket?!   I think there must be a leak in the toilet.  I call my husband while he's still on the road to the store to look for machines.  

He calls the plummer.   

I call my sister.

My sister is very familiar with all things lucky and unlucky, so I had to ask her if I hit 3 rounds of bad luck and kept going to 4 and 5, does that mean more bad luck is to come or I am just being an over-achiever?   We're realists in our family, so even considering my prior history of over-achieving status, she bets there is more bad luck to come.  (Gotta love her!)

6)  Monday, first thing in the morning, I realized that little decorative flag on my front step needed changing from fall to winter.  I stepped out on the front step and the door which had been open about 2 feet, slammed shut with the force of the wind.  Locked.   Locked out.   ...Did I mention I was barefoot?  (I'm NEVER barefoot, even in the house!)   Called that dear husband of mine who drove home 30 minutes from work to let me back in.   

Then I called my sister to let her know she had been right and how thankful I was to  hit a multiple of three again!  Whew!   So glad that was over!

7)  Monday night the plummer finally made it over to our house.   He looked everything over.  Yep, the washer was shot--good thing we were having a new one delivered.   Couldn't figure out the bathroom leak though.  Decided to reenact it.   Turns out there was a $40 leak in that bucket....

8 and 9)  Yet to come...

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Image Credits:

Jewelry and jewelry photo by Sharyl

Story:  http://www.wpclipart.com/education/reading/reading_3/contemplation.jpg

Camera:  http://www.wpclipart.com/camera/.cache/old_camera_2.png

Laptop:  http://www.wpclipart.com/computer/laptop/laptop_2/.cache/notebook_smiling.png

Washing machine: http://www.wpclipart.com/smiley/assorted_smiley/assorted_3/.cache/smiley_in_washing_machine.png

Call to sister:  http://www.wpclipart.com/holiday/halloween/assorted/assorted_2/.cache/scared_phone_call.png

House:  http://www.wpclipart.com/buildings/homes/house/.cache/house_symbol_round_1.png

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Artisan Whimsy 2012 Holiday Sale!

Artisan Cyber Sale ~ The biggest EVER!

Get in on the holiday sales for Cyber week!

The largest Artisan Jewelry Sale ever!

   

Please buy handmade for your gifts 
this year! 

 25% off 
regularly priced jewelry & components at Sharyl's Jewelry!

(Does not apply to "Clearance Sale" items already marked down around 50%)

Use coupon code: AWHOLIDAY

Link to -->  Sharyl's Jewelry on Artfire

In addition to the sale,

I'll have a drawing for this 
Art Deco-inspired necklace and earring set!

Design by Sharyl.   Red stained glass pendants by Very Pretty Things

$40 value

All you need to do is 
leave a comment on my blog 
and I'll enter your name in the drawing.   The winner will be announced here Saturday, Dec. 1st!

All other participants will be offering a giveaway on their blogs and discounts in their online stores.

~Sale and giveaways start on Thanksgiving Day & end on Friday, Nov 30th~

There will be 3 exciting "special giveaways" hidden throughout the participants blog posts...so be sure to visit them all and find them!

...Oh, dear!...
I'm having trouble linking 
to the other participants
...who have many great discounts & give-away items!  
Until I can fix that, please... 
CLICK HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!   

Enjoy a Happy and safe Thanksgiving, 

and have fun shopping 

the Artisan Whimsy holiday event!   

~Sharyl

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Extended July 4th Sale!

The 4th of July Sale continues

at Sharyl's Jewelry. 

I'm taking the holiday off for a change,

but leaving the key to the shop 

under the door mat.  (shh...)

You can visit, look around, 

even make purchases!

I'll ship when I return to work

by Mon, July 9th if not sooner.

Most items red, white, and/or blue 

(and wedding items too) 

are on sale!  

Here are a few samples!

Cobalt and white Swirl Earrings - Normally $19- SALE $16.50

Lampwork by CrazyLadyGlass

Cherries and Whipped Cream Earrings - Was $19 - SALE $16.50

Tradebead Bracelet - Was $18 - SALE $16

Tibetan bead necklace with Lapis Pendant -Was $40 - SALE $35

Midnight Sky Earrings --Normally $20--SALE $18 - New!

Lampwork by Susan Kennedy of Sue's Beads

Have a save, peaceful, and happy holiday!

Sharyl

Banner:  http://www.wpclipart.com/holiday/4th_July/independence_day/Independence_Day_banner.jpg

i heart macro: blooms, glass, and color

<If you are doing the bloghop & looking my entries in the "7000 Bracelets for Hope" project, please click here.>

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"i heart macro"

I've been "missing" for a couple of weeks--missing getting my posts out and missing being a part of "i heart macro!"    I tried to visit as many of the sites as I could each Sunday, just wasn't able to pull my own together.   Well, this week I'm back with a conglomeration of photo subjects--but each has something to do with blooms, glass, or color...    

A left-over flower from Valentine's Day.  

These don't really require water, 

they just dry as they are and keep the same colors.   

I love these!

#14:   Glass and Color 

I was remarking the other day, 

many people begin making jewelry 

by making memory-wire bracelets.

I've been making jewelry for years, 

and just made my first bracelet with memory wire!  

This is it!

I selected these class beads out 

of a huge jar of  misfits at a bead shop.   

Seldom was it possible to find 2 alike, 

but it didn't matter for this project!  

 I just went for the colors and glass I liked best!

I know I've said it many times before,  

I love colored glass.  

 I have collections of blue glass 

as well as glass bottles in a variety of colors.   

I enjoy setting them out 

where the sun will shine through them 

or reflect light from them.

It's so peaceful.

A light "sea glass" color bottle 

in front of a rounded green glass flower vase.

A textured glass vinaigrette bottle is used as a vase.

That's it for me this week!   Please visit the other great closeups at:

"i heart macro"

at Studio Waterstone

Have a great week!

Sharyl

Sharyl's Jewelry   (All bracelets on sale this week!)

Sharyl's Jewelry on Facebook

P.S.  This isn't really a macro shot, 

and I don't participate in the shadow photography group, 

but always enjoyed seeing them on T.'s blog.  

So saw this out my front window and thought I'd snap it.