AJE Component of the Month Reveal Time...Crimson Huntress

So once again I was lucky enough to be selected as a guest participant in the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Giveaway. If you are not familiar with the giveaway click here for information. It's extra special to me to participate this month because it's my birthday month! Our hostess for this month's component is Kristi Bowman. She makes many lovely components in copper, white copper and polymer clay...you can find her amazing work here.

Kristi made something new for this...she calls them Goddess Vessels. Mine immediately started talking to me...unfortunately I had a trade show going on when it arrived so it had to wait for a few days before I could answer it's call. I also must say as soon as I started putting my design together the name Crimson Huntress came to mind...did I mention this one practically made itself?

I have to say I love it when all my art bead friends play so well together...it makes for wonderful designs and finished pieces! The spiral headpins and clasp are handmade by me. The rest of the line up includes an awesome lampwork headpin by Genea Beads, lampwork beads by Bubby and McGurk and of course the beautiful goddess vessel by Kristi. Sari ribbon, Irish waxed linen, crystals, copper chain and red coral complete the design.

I will say when I bought this stunning headpin I had no clue how I would ever use it! I don't use a lot of red in my designs but it was just too stunning to pass up. So I bought it and figured it would be part of my ever growing "collection". This was the first element I chose when I received the goddess vessel...I knew it would be perfect!

Here's a closer shot of the lampwork beads and the crystal/coral fringe. The lampwork beads have red, cream, brownish red colors...a perfect compliment to bright red in the headpin and the rich brown/red of the copper.

I found a piece of sari ribbon in my "collection" that was a perfect dark chocolatey red with a bit of a sheen to it. I love using ribbon at the back of necklaces, very soft on the neck and adds a beautiful element instead of hiding beautiful beads back there. Plus I love the gypsy, bohemian feel it gives my designs.

One more close up so you can have a better look at those gorgeous lampwork beads :)

In case I didn't mention it...I'm keeping this one for myself! I've worn it once already and I LOVE IT! Happy birthday to me! Thank you Kristi for the opportunity to join in the fun! I always enjoy working with your components and this time was no exception!



This is a blog hop so I hope you will visit the links below to see everyone's beautiful creations!~Kari

Monthly Winners

SJ Designs Jewelry

Kari Asbury

Shirley Moore

AJE Team Members

Caroline Dewison

Diana Ptaszynski

Lesley Watt

Melissa Meman

Linda Landig

Kristen Stevens

Jenny Davies-Reazor
Sue Kennedy

Choosy Chicks Choose Chicklets...REVEAL TIME!

So when the lovely Rita of Toltec Jewels tempted us with a chicklet bead and a blog hop I could not pass up the opportunity. I love Sue Kennedy's beads and her chicklets are simply divine! So many wonderful colors, when she first started offering them I had to add them to my collection...a lot of them! ;) But enough about that...

Rita offered sign ups and I believe was limiting to 20 sign ups...at final count I think she let just over 40 of us in on the fun! Thank you for being such a generous hostess! After sign ups I patiently...well mostly...waited for the arrival of my chicklet... 

Here it is fresh out of the envelope...colors selected at random but how perfect is it that I got a lilac, purplish one? If you don't know me, I'll just say it's PERFECT! Now in the meantime I had managed to snag a couple of Shine On Collaboration Kits from Staci Louise Originals and Genea Beads. These two lovely ladies have created some awesome collaborations and the Shine On kits were no exception. I rarely make jewelry for myself but I specifically purchased the kit to design something for me...but rebel that I am...I wasn't going to just follow the kit design/instructions. Anyway, I tell you all this because the kit was on my table when the chicklet arrived and as they say...the rest is history!

I decided on a charm style design and selected several special personal charms to add. So the picture above was a sneak peak in progress I shared on Facebook a while ago...

Aren't Genea's beads delicious? Deep, gorgeous colors!

and a close up of the charms which include a sterling silver pentacle, a goddess offering, blackened brass wing...yes from Fallen Angel Brass...and a lampwork headpin from the kit. The small dangles on the pentacle are faceted moonstone and crystals. Also, a peek of the beautiful coloring in polymer clay star focal made by Staci.

and of course my gorgeous chicklet...so perfect with this palette :)

one more up close of the charms, focal and beads all together...and finally...

Here is the entire necklace. I've worn it several times...both my daughter and mother have tried to steal it right off my neck! But this beauty is all MINE! 

THANK YOU again to Rita for her generosity! Thank you Sue, your beautiful beads have brought me much joy and inspiration!

This is a blog hop so I hope you will visit the links below to see what other choosy chicks made with their chicklets! Have a great week! ~Kari

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  you are here :)

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://frugalmacdougall.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