"Kreativ Blog Awards - Awesome Blogs, Awesome People!"

I managed to find myself in the position of receiving several pieces of very good (surprise)  news items in one day recently!    One of these was to be named a "Kreativ Blogger" by Lisa of "Pine Ridge Treasures!   (online store) and (blog)


According to Lisa's blog, 


"The Kreativ Blog award is an award given by peers and blog followers for having a special and creative blog..."  and  

"...when you receive this award, there are a few rules:

1. Post a link to the person who awarded you 

2. Share 7 well-thought out random things about yourself

3. Award to 10 other deserving bloggers and let them know"


I just included the links to Lisa's blog and online store above, so on to sharing 7 things about me....


1) I just returned from a trip to Breckenridge, Colorado for a family wedding.

2) I've been to Breckenridge one other time--over 30 years ago--when I made my first trip with friends, sans-parents!  


3) I started working with brass and copper a while back with encouragement from Lori Anderson and Melinda Orr.   I'm loving it!   I've started to use the pieces in my jewelry-making and to sell a few from my online studio as well.    

4) My kitchen has little "chemical experiments" going on in designated areas right now--all having to do with treating metal in some way or another.  Just moments ago, I realized the error in one I had been trying for weeks.   I went to retrieve it to add the additional ingredient and realized that moments before, it had been accidentally tossed down the drain.  Luckily I was able to retrieve the jagged bits of scrap metal before it went down the drain to cause potential plumbing problems.   Whew--close call!


5)  I'm not a woman of many shoes, but I love the ones I have--I live in my Merrell shoes 1/2 the year, and my men's Rockport boots the other 1/2.  I'm all about the comfort!


6)  Lisa and I share a fondness for the color "aqua."  But sitting here at my desk, I just realized that it must have been a favorite of my mother's too.  She had several long necklaces with aqua-colored beads and clothing in that shade as well.   I have one of her long chain of glass beads in aqua hanging across my window right next to me.


7) My sister has several rare autoimmune disorders.   To raise awareness of Rare Disorders and money for research,  I offer a "Hope" Collection  in my studio. 25% of the price paid for the jewelry is given to an organization pertaining to Rare Disorders.


Now, enough about ME,... on to the next 10 people to whom I bestow the Award of "Kreativ Blogger!"

Ta-Da!

In no particular order, I hold in high esteem the following blog writers:

Carole's Creative Corner 

by Carole M.
http://dragonfly47.blogspot.com/ 

This is not a jewelry site, but a beautiful photography site. I met Carole through our participation in the “I Heart Macro” group on Lori Plyler's "Studio Silverstone’s" blog. Carole does beautiful wildlife photography and often catches birds at their best—up close and personal or soaring in the sky. I’ve also seen her do gorgeous landscapes, oceanscapes, and architectural photographs. Her site is a real “spirit lifter!” My husband’s mother was from Australia, and I’ve visited twice, so I enjoy getting to see more of Australia through Carole’s photographs and travels!

Studio Waterstone 

by Lori Plyler
http://blog.studiowaterstone.com/ 

Lori’s site about art, creativity, the handbags she makes from recycled leather, and DIY projects is inspirational and a treat just to view. She also hosts “I heart macro,” a weekly photography group that pulls in photographers from beginners to professionals. People from many countries participate each week. I contribute nearly every week and check in on other’s entries. I joined to learn more about macro photography in general, hoping it would help with the photographs I take of my jewelry. I have learned a lot about macro photography, have seen so many wonderful photographs, and met some delightful people along the way. What a pleasant addition to my Sunday routine!

Brandi Girl Blog: A Life Inspired by Color 

by Brandi 

http://www.brandigirlblog.com/ 

Jewelry artist turned all-around color guru, Brandi’s work with color palettes (as well as graphic arts, photography, and more) is very well known. A lot of people refer to her as a “go-to” person. I think this indicates her wide breadth of knowledge on topics many of us just touch on. She is an inspiration when it comes to color, taking chances, and creating new futures. I always learn something new or gain a fresh perspective when I read Brandi Girl Blog!

Copper, Glass, and Recycled Trash 

by “Beadbug” (Tracy Bell)
 http://copperglassandrecycledtrash.blogspot.com/ 

This is the blog of Tracy Bell who has a shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/TracyBell. Tracy does some of the most creative jewelry I’ve seen using copper and other items previously used. She constantly keeps her designs fresh and always seems to be a step ahead. She makes her jewelry, creating each component by hand (copper, lampwork, and whatever else suits her fancy).  The really nice thing is she discusses and shows her marvelous pieces regularly on her blog. I always enjoy what I find there!

Beads for Busy Gals 

by Elisabeth
http://beadsforbusygals.blogspot.com/ 

I enjoy Elisabeth’s blog because she’s always eager to learn and share new things…enameling, lampwork, and jewelry design techniques, to name a few. There are also some “real life” stories involving family, military work, and her photography. I really enjoyed recent entries on creating a new workspace in her home for making lampwork beads and other jewelry! She typically has photographs to go with her entries, adding even more interest! Elisabeth also has a shop on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadsforbusygals


Sadafulee ... always in bloom! 

by Kashmira Patel

http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/ 

I enjoy following Kashmira Patel on Facebook, her new jewelry store http://www.luulla.com/store/sadafulee, and her blog http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/ . Her banners read, “Sadafulee …always in bloom.” As she notes on her Luulla store page, “It is a happy-go-lucky small shrub. It cares not for the world. It rejoices in sun or rain, or the seaside, in good or indifferent soil and often grows wild.” As well as the ongoing cheerful atmosphere, and her openness and desire to learn more, I’m impressed by what drives Kashmira’s efforts: “This venture comes from my passion for art and for helping underprivileged children. I plan to donate most of the proceeds from this store to a charity working with slum children in India. I am hoping the universe will help me grow this store to help the children to ‘always bloom’!”


Linda’s Bead Blog and Meanderings 

 by Linda Landig 
 http://lindasbeadblog.com/  

Like Linda, I have a shop on ArtFire. http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/LindaLandigJewelry  In truth, I have a shop on ArtFire because of Linda! Last year when I was desperately trying to decide between going with Etsy, selling through my website using PayPal, or selling through E-bay, Linda told me there were other options, including ArtFire. I looked into it, and immediately felt it was right for me! So every once in a while, Linda gets an extra question regarding ArtFire from me, which she graciously takes time to answer. I appreciate that very much. In the meantime though, I continue to learn a lot about good design (jewelry and web) by keeping up with her blog on Word Press. 

Silver Parrot – Fine Artisan Jewelry 

by KJ
http://silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com/

I’m not sure how I first found this blog, but it’s one of a few I’ve been reading almost as long as I’ve been blogging myself. It’s a joy to view her jewelry designs and read about the thought process that went into each one. She creates and photographs some of the loveliest jewelry around! And for another treat, be sure to watch for special issues of her blog featuring “Bead Porn,” some of the best, most beautiful hoard-worthy beads around! There is also talk of resin products and an opportunity to see her resin art beads before they hit her “BeResinable” shop on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeResinable


Pretty Things Blog 

by Lori Anderson
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

I’ve been struggling all day and ½ the night to find 10 blogs not already awarded this honor. So many have been. I just bet that the author of the ebook “Follow the Path: Ideas and Inspiration for the Creative Blogger” has been listed several times. If she has, she deserves it. And I don’t see the badge on her website yet, so I’m including Lori Anderson. She’s witty, funny, experienced in the world of jewelry design and the business. She struggles like the rest of us, but is willing to share those struggles so everyone knows she’s human too. I’ve learned so much from her. And many learn from reading her blog. It’s one I try hard not to miss!


NKP Designs 

by Natalie Pappas 
http://blog.nkpdesigns.com 

She’s talked about tools (one of my favorite topics), she’s talked about pottery mugs and jewelry (which she sells and I love), and she’s discussed everything from sheet metal to gardening. Heck, she’s even interviewed me! What’s not to love about Natalie Pappas! Her blog is entertaining, insightful, and instructional. And I love shopping at her store! http://www.etsy.com/shop/NKPbeads


Congratulations to these 10 “Kreative Bloggers!” Thank you for providing us with informative and delightful material to read!  I hope you will grab this badge and each go forth to award 10 others this honor! 

Very best wishes! 

Sharyl ~ Sharyl’s Jewelry

i heart macro: Rocky Mountain High!

I went to Breckenridge, Colorado...

... for the wedding of a nephew and a short family vacation last week.   

Of course there were photos of the wedding: 

Honestly, I didn't take or edit this particular photo...  

but it is from the wedding.

Someone has a bad aim, a sense of humor, 

and/or a marvelous future in stock photography...  :-)

Of course there were photos of family and food and fun times: 

My niece worked hard on this Pringle food art!

And I can't tell you how many times this bowl was refilled 
with cherries and blackberries!

And of course there were photos of flowers anytime I could get MY hands on the camera!   (I had to "share nice" with other members of my family this week!)   I can't begin to name these flowers.  Perhaps others can!

I've named it...    #16:  CO Seussian Plant

I'll have more for you next week!   Until then, thanks for traveling with me!   Let's see what the others are showing at: 

"i heart macro!"

Sharyl ~ Sharyl's Jewelry


P.S. Best wishes to the bride and groom, family and friends.
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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

ABS June 2012: Nighthawks' Missing Necklace

The Art Bead Scene Challenge for June 2012 features the work:

"Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper.

Hopper completed the painting in 1942. As noted on the ABS page,

"Nighthawks portrays people sitting in a downtown diner late at night. It is Hopper's most famous work and is one of the most recognizable paintings in American art."

* * * * * * * * * *

In designing my piece, 

I started from the notion that the woman in the painting was missing something.

She should be wearing a choker-style necklace 

with oversized beads

of a carnelian red color, ...

...but I also wanted to pick up the colors 

found throughout the painting, 

the dark greens and ivory-white in particular.

So I started with the red and worked my way from there!

Next to the red beads on each side are 2 creamy-white ones.

The first on each side is a large white with red specs, 

ceramic beads handmade by

Natalie Pappas

of NKP Designs.

Closer to the middle are fossil beads of a very similar color and look, but smaller.

Separating each bead are copper accent beads, 

and in the middle, 

a copper bail.

Next, is the pendant part of the necklace,...

comprised of another of Natalie's beads on top

and a brass sunflower focal on the bottom.  

I left the center of the sunflower the light green color 

that matched Natalie's bead,

but the outside edges were turning brown, 

so I sanded the outside part, 

applied a darker green Gilder's paste,

then sanded when dry 

to let the brass shine through again and sealed.  

I did the same with the back of the piece.

The remaining part of the necklace is textile.   

Two types of cotton fabric, 

one with a raku pattern, one plain, 

and another piece of sage green silk ribbon,  

all 3 wound and knotted together.   

The end pieces are contained with brass clamps.

The pieces uses snap clasps in 3 locations.   

This enables the necklace to be worn as a choker, 

as originally intended 

with the fabric wrapping twice around the back of neck 

and snapped in place)...

or worn extended with its own snap for a longer look.

The final creation.

The missing necklace

from Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks."

Presumptuous?  Yes, but I hope you enjoyed my interaction with the painting as I created this necklace!   

Sharyl ~ Sharyl's Jewelry

I heart macro: Fresh from the Garden

Here's what's blooming this week!

#18:  Orange--Summer "In" Color

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm anxious to see what's blooming and happening elsewhere, so I'm heading over to Lori Plyer's page at Studio Waterstone for "i heart macro!" 


Please join me there for a look at the other photos!   ~Sharyl

"i heart macro"

* * * * * * * * * *

4th of July sale at "Sharyl's Jewelry."

Look for "sale" tags on red/white/blue

jewelry items!

Wedding & special event jewelry still on sale too.

Both sales end July 8th!

* * * * * * * * * *

Chatting with Natalie Pappas

Do you recall this necklace from the March 2012 Art Bead Scene Challenge? If not, you can go to my blog entry for the March ABS Challenge to see a photo of the inspirational art piece, "Street Scene in Montmartre: Le Moulin a Poivre"by Vincent Van Gogh, read about the design process, and get a close-up look at the art beads created by Natalie Pappas.

I tell you this not to brag on my great necklace (ha!) but to brag on my great taste in beads!  :-)   Because the truth is.... 

...one of the bead styles I used in that necklace, made by Natalie, has just been published in a book released today, June 19th, called "Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry," by  Lorelei Hill Eurto and Erin Siegel!    

I'm sure the book will be selling elsewhere,  perhaps at jewelry stores near you, but it is on sale at Amazon starting today if you are looking for a copy to buy ASAP.   (Remember that many local libraries will it carry too.  If not, you can request they purchase a copy for their collections!)   

You can buy more of these fabulous (now famous) beads at Natalie's store, NKP Designs.

And while you are checking out "all things Natalie,"  if you drop by her blog, you'll find her interview with me!   It was great fun and a great honor to appear on her blog.  Hope you enjoy it too!   

Many thanks to Natalie for the interview and for continuing to deliver wonderfully creative beads for us all to use!   Continued best wishes!

Sharyl ~ Sharyl's Jewelry  

Tracy Bell's 40 Dots

I have an interesting story to share with you.  It's not mine, but comes from a friend of this blog, Tracy Bell.   Tracy has been featured here on a number of occasions, but I admit, it's been too long since the last time.   


Tracy is one of the most talented jewelry artists I know.  It seems that when she makes jewelry, every scrap of it is made by her own hands.  (I can actually say "scrap" because often what she begins with are scraps of copper that she turns into beautiful, unusual jewelry!)   


So lately, I've been following a story that she has been telling on her blog, "Copper, Glass and Recycled Trash," as it unfolds.    I found it so interesting, I wanted to share it with all of you!


Now, in singing the praises of Tracy's work with metals, I failed to mention that she makes lampwork beads for her creations too.   If you've never seen her work before, take a quick peak into her "TracyBell" shop on Etsy before we begin.  


Part I:  The 40 Dots Challenge


This particular story centers around a "40 Dots Only Bead Challenge" hosted by Heather Trimlett.  The basic idea was to chose 2 colors and make 40 different beads using only dots.

I'm thinking this sounds impossible already, but Tracy reports that she didn't think it would be that hard in the beginning, "but after the first 20 it got tough."   I'd like you to read Tracy's blog entry (Monday, April 23, 2012) to see how she managed to come up with 40 of these beauties!

It seems like these 40 beautiful beads finished would be the end of the story, but it's really only the beginning! Having finished, she learns that according to the rules of the challenge, the dots were to be melted in rather than raised! 

"Honestly I don't have any problems making all melted in dots. My problem lies with leaving all the dots up and the same size not half melted in and half still standing." So the challenge was still a valuable learning experience AND she ended up with this great string of beads! What to do next?...


Part II:

"What to do with 40 different dot beads?"  

"Once I had all my beads done I knew they could never be parted and I started to think of things I could incorporate them into that would keep them as a set that could be worn." In her blog entry  (Wed, June 6, 2012), she contemplates her choices. I hope you'll read the entry for the full story!

She makes 2 attempts at a necklace, both gorgeous, but this is the final design:

Made into three sections to accommodate all the beads and distribute the weight comfortably and in such a lovely way!   

Oh golly, if only I could ever misread project directions and end up with results like this!  I would be so very pleased with myself!   

As it is, I'm pleased as can be for Tracy and her beautiful beads and necklace!  And I thank her for letting me share her story and photos with you all today!   

Best wishes with all YOUR creations!

Sharyl

P.S.  I've been adding new items 

to the Studio in the last few days!   

Visit Sharyl's Jewelry 

to see the latest!    

I've also restocked the 

"On Sale Now" section.

The "Wedding and Special Events" jewelry 

continues to be on sale 

through the end of June!

* * * * * * * * * *

All photos used by permission of Tracy Bell.