Sneak Peak Collaboration with Calico Collage!

About a week ago my lovely friend, Ella from Calico Collage offered me the opportunity to have a sneak peak of a new collage sheet she was preparing. I was even more honored when she asked if I'd like to make a few items before it was listed in her shop. This sheet is extra special since it features artwork from Ella's personal creations. Now that I've had a few days to create with it, she will be listing it in her shop sometime this week.

The images are fantastic! The tiles above will be listed in my supply shop, Asbury Avenue Designs. I only have a limited selection of these beautiful images so if you see something you like grab it before someone else does!

 

 

 I also made a few pendants to use in my own designs. I loved this image, so reminiscent of my inner flower child. I kept the design simple with Lucite flowers clustered into dangles and Vintaj brass chain.

I like the striking colors in this image...hot pink meets rocker chick! I really love how well the ribbon colors matched the image and again wanted to keep overall style simple so the image remains the center of attention. Hand dyed silk ribbon and wire wraps seemed perfect. I finished it all off with one of my handmade clasps. The wire used for the wraps and clasp are from Fallen Angel Brass, it's a beautiful darkened, almost black brass again perfect with this image.

 

Now for the sexy red baby doll image... Something about this image just says create with me! I had some boro beads from Firelily that matched the shades of red and the holes were big enough to go over the bronze chain. Originally I wanted to do a wire wrap or coil around the chain to hold the bead in place but that proved to be too much of a challenge...in the end I decided on a trio of red stone dangles to create a "stopper" so the bead will slide up the chain but stop at the bead cluster. I think it works :)

And the beautiful fan lady...this was actually the first piece I finished. I think this one is a favorite for several reasons...most of all because I'm not really a pink person but I love the way all these shades of pink came together to show off this gorgeous image. I also don't make a lot of symmetrical designs, so this one was out of my design comfort in several ways. I used a hand dyed silk ribbon called "sweet tart", along with ceramic beads from Gaea and some pink enamel flowered bead caps I've been hoarding from Sue Beads. The chain, filigree and wire are darkened brass from Fallen Angel Brass.

Last but not least...these are the creations I am still working on. I am thinking to branch out on my wire working skills but feel I still have a ways to go...

Gaea Ceramic Bead and Art Studio Blog: New @ Lima Beads Giveaway!!!

Gaea Ceramic Bead and Art Studio Blog: New @ Lima Beads Giveaway!!!: Spring is here and summer is on its way! With the change of season comes new colors and styles. I have to say, being involved with Lima Bead...

I would so love to win these goodies!

Bead Soup Reveal Time!

I received a ton of beautiful beads from my partner, Inge. Click here if you want to check out my original post showing all the beady goodness! Now let's get started...there's lots to reveal!

 

 

I love this flower bead...the copper wire and bookmark are gorgeous accents to bring out the rich pinks and oranges from the lampwork beads. I took this bookmark to a recent wholesale show as an example of my available work and it was a big hit!

 

 

I am completely in love with the way this necklace came together. The 4 bumpy beads are wonderful but they seemed to be "odd men out" since the rest of my soup was shades of blue and pink...then I discovered how fabulous they looked with this white rabbit ephemera pendant. This image is one of my favorites. Similar tiles are available for purchase in my supply shop, Asbury Avenue Designs.

 

Here is one of many focals included in my soup. I love the 60's retro feel of this necklace! I've worn it a couple of times and received many compliments on the fantastic colors and simple style.

I must confess...when I first saw all of the wonderful blue beads 7000 Bracelets of Hope came to mind. If you've followed my previous posts you know I have contributed twice now to this wonderful organization and I currently have designs in the works for a future donation. So how great is it that my partner sent me blue beads! This bracelet is one of my first attempts at liver of sulfur and a handmade clasp...I love how it turned out! This bracelet will be donated to 7000 Bracelets...check back later to see all the designs.

Another organization I have been wanting to contribute to is Ears to You...so how great to have a few small beads in my soup to make a selection of earrings!

A collage of several items from my soup. The bracelets will go to 7000 Bracelets. The silver chain necklace includes another great focal and rose quartz from my soup. The copper and purple dragonfly has a lampwork bead from my soup...a bit hard to see the detail but it has lovely purple and pink flowers on it.

Another great pair of beads for earrings, I just added some salmon pink Czech glass for dangles. These will also be donated to Ears to You.

I wanted to make the clasp and focal bead center stage on this design so I kept it simple with chain and created a tassel with crystals and Czech glass. The clasp, focal and pink crystals are from my soup.

One last pair of earrings! I know you'll be shocked but yes they are going to Ears to You along with the rest! Thanks for sticking with me through the very long post. I feel like a accomplished a lot and I still have a TON of beady goodness left! Thank you to Inge for being such a generous soup partner!Many, many thanks to Lori for hosting all this fun!

Be sure to visit Lori's blog for a complete list of participants. Enjoy the hop!

Crazy, Crazy, Crazy!!!

I had really intended to post a bit sooner but to say life has been hectic would be an understatement! I am in the middle of preparations for my first Wholesale show...exciting, scary and of course very last minute! I am also working on creations for the 7th Bead Soup Blog Hop...my reveal is April 13 and I will have LOTS of creations to reveal.

I am also working on donation projects for 7000 Bracelets of Hope and Ears to You...details coming on these soon...I've had some wonderful beads donated for the 7000 Bracelets so I'll be featuring those artists in upcoming blog posts along with lots of pictures.

And a huge thank you to all my new visitors and followers. I am so pleased to have you join me along this crazy journey! Be back soon with lots of pictures and fun creations to share!

~Kari

7th Bead Soup Blog Hop...Soup's Arrived!

 

So the fun begins! I borrowed Lori's header to start off my post since it included the reveal dates for the hop...also here's a link to Lori's blog showing all the participants...500 I believe was the final number! Thanks so much Lori for all your hard work on this so far!

 

My partner, Inge, was schedule to leave on a trip just as partners were being revealed but she sent my soup on her way out of country. I hope she is having a wonderful trip! I held her soup and will priority mail it a few days before she is due back...I knew it wouldn't arrive before she left and didn't want it 'misplaced' by the post office while she was away. Now on to her amazing generosity!

 

 

The focal...so many to choose from...I love all the flowers and dots, so hippie! The red and white one on the right reminds me of peppermint candies so I'm stashing that one for a christmas project! lol

 

 



Here is the clasp and an assorment of glass beads...everything coordinates great with all the focals!

 

 

and...yes there's more!

 

 

 

 

So much delicious beady goodness! Other then the strands of glass, crystal and a few rose quartz nuggets, all the beads I received are beautiful lampwork made by my partner, Inge. You can visit her blog here to find out more about her and her wonderful beads.

 

This is what I'll be sending to Inge...you'll have to wait until she shares to see all the details! I hope she enjoys her soup as much as I am enjoying mine! :) Stay tuned there's lots more fun coming soon!

 

 



Free Bead Challenge Reveal...

At the beginning of November Lesley Watt of Thea Too posted a giveaway for a free bead. She also included the opportunity for additional participants to pay shipping only and receive a free bead. It could be any of the beads pictured above or one of several others. Of course I am unable to pass up any opportunities to challenge myself these days so I of course signed up and was delighted to be selected to participate. I sent my payment for shipping and waited for my bead to arrive.

My wonderful bead arrived...while I was sick, preparing for a show and trying to finish my 7000 bracelets donation. Completely out of character for me, I set the bead aside and told myself to wait...there's plenty of creating time, don't push. My show ended December 2...the next day I realized I had just over a week and nothing created...not even a hint of design idea!

At that point I began rummaging my stash. As you can see the bead I received is very colorful which was perfect for me...it is a bit larger than I usually work with but I decided it would be great with just a few beads in just the right coordinating colors. After looking at silver, copper and brass I decided on brass since it gave the orange a warm tone.

A couple of bead dangles along the chain and a tassel under the bead gives the necklace movement while keeping the design simple. I am really pleased with the way it all came together.

Thanks so much to Lesley for offering this bead challenge. Be sure to visit the other participants below and check out all their great creations too!

Lesley Watt - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins - http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Rebecca Anderson - http://songbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Marie Cramp - http://skyejewels.blogspot.co.uk/
Claire Braunbarth - http://smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk/
Heidi Post - http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.co.uk/
Tiffany Smith - http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.co.uk/
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson - http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.co.uk/
Ailsa Cordner - http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/
Linda Landig - http://lindalandig.wordpress.com/
Caroline Dewison - http://blueberribeads.co.uk/
Renetha - http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.co.uk
Kari Asbury - http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.co.uk/

Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com
Purple Cobwebs - http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.co.uk/
Cilla Watkins - http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/
Therese Frank - www.theresestreasures.blogspot.com
Claire Ennis - http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.co.uk/
Emma - http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.co.uk/
Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk/
Alicia - http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Sandy Sewin - http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/
Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.co.uk/
Amy - http://copperdiem.blogspot.co.uk/

Katherine Gale - http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.co.uk/

New Creations...

I've been working on lots of new projects the last few days...hoping to have a shop update this weekend. During my show I wrapped alot of beads to prepare them for designs in the works. I've always found it's a great way to get things done and grab the attention of passers by and shoppers, excellent way to start a conversation!

This is one of my favorites...I am really starting to get the hang of working with sari silk. It adds a really beautiful element to my designs.

This is one of my favorites...I am really starting to get the hand of working with sari silk. It adds a really beautiful element to my designs.

 

And earrings... now I just have to get some listings done...and I have so many more designs planned out and in the works...  So I'm off for now to work on my growing to do list. I hope you enjoyed a little sneak peak of things to come!