Big Hole Blog Hop

Here it is my friends.  I am so ecstatic, elated and amazed to announce to you that I am now a contributing member of the Art Jewelry Elements blog team!  When they contacted me to ask me if I was interested in contributing my first thought was "Heck Yeah" because you all know I jump in feet first to everything before really thinking it out.  Then it hit me.   What do I have to offer?  Well as you will see I have every intention of offering a new approach when looking at Art Elements.  You guessed it.  Art beads and components using seed beads.  I think too many times they are either overlooked because many feel they should make them on their own if they were to include them in strung jewelry and lets face facts some of you just can't work with seeds while others like me are not allowed to play with fire, hammers or are at a loss to make wire work for them.  Yay!  I think I can do this.

So this is my first hop with these amazing, talented and sweet artists.  Starting with Kristi Bowman-Gruel.  I have to tell you that I have drooled so many times over Kristi's work.  I love copper and metal!  If you don't know her please check out her etsy shop Kristi Bowman Designs and you can also check out her blog!

I came a bit late to this hop as I just recieved my copper donut on Saturday.  Oh my goodness you should have been there when I opened it.  My hands were shaking and look at the gorgeous way she packaged it.  

I ever so carefully opened it to find the most stunning piece of copper I have ever held in my hands.  So beautiful and the colors in the sun......yes I knew why I kept looking and waiting for the opportunity to own one of these for my very own.  

So now how to come up with a pendant that showcases her artistry with my special twist ( by special you know I totally mean what seeds will let me attempt to make it pretty without taking away from her beauty)  Here is the pendant I have come up with so far.

I think you all have noticed that I frankly love these little twin beads and with the creamy golden highlights in her donut they just fit.  I played for a bit and the beads just took on a life of their own.  It did need something though so I had my sweet friend Nancy look at it and she said a copper leaf would look awesome.  Oh yeah it would but alas the one I had was toooo dark for the pendant.  I was looking through my magazines for some inspiration and came across "Shimmering Fans" by Csilla Csirmaz in the July issue of Beadwork.  Off to the stash and there they were a mix of delica's I had to have but just didn't know what to do with.  They pulled in all the colors that the sun brings out in the donut and I hope they don't over power it.  I am still not sure if what I think yet.  I need to come up with a chain for it but any advice is welcome.

Thank you so much Kristi for letting me come in late!

Please check out who else has been lucky enough to work with them.

KristiBowmanDesign

Dragonfly Close

Karen Williams

Staci Louise

Teathered Cat

Pine Ridge Treasures

Jennifer Cameron

GeneaBeads

Linda Larsen

SueBeads

The Crafthopper

LamplightCrafts

Spice Box Designs

All the Pretty Things

Jean A Wells

I may be in and out today but I promise to get hoppin when I get a few minutes.

Hugs and Blessings

KK