Choosy-Chicks-Choose-Chicklets Blog Hop

Hosted by the lovely Rita of Jewel School Friends.

I was completely thrilled to be one of the lucky participants for this challenge.  I am a huge fan of Sue of Suebeads.  She is not only a friend but a very talented artist.  And lets face it these chicklet beads are so fun and happy who wouldn't be excited?

Well I wanted something special to showcase this little treasure so it sat and sat until it started talking.  I know you have heard me say this before but it is so true for me.  I put so many options together but unless the bead is chatting up a storm it just doesn't fit.  So like I said it sat and sat.  In fact it sat until Friday.  I had a few other pieces to complete while I was waiting for it to get chatty.  Darn thing just wouldn't speak I tell ya.

So I had to finish up a necklace from the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month that Linda had hosted because I finally knew the right way to clasp it.

Dont you know that little chicklet began screaming at me!  I knew just what to do!  

I loved how this turned out and to be honest since I am going to BeadFest in August I am getting a whole strand to play with because I can see a bracelet full of them.

Now you all should know I have to remake this.  And this is why...

Did you see that thread!!!!!!  You should have heard the words when I found it!!!  (Well probably not cuz some of you think I am too nice to say what came out of my mouth)

I will remake it and wear it because it is just so precious!  Now I want you to go check out what everyone else made with theirs!!!  I am so excited to hop!

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

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://frugalmadougall.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

Hugs 
KK

Waxed Linen Jewelry Blog Hop.....Yep I did it.

Welcome to the Irish Waxed Linen Hop hosted by the lovely Diana of Suburban Girl Studio!

I have seen projects done with it and I thought it would be cool so I mentioned to Diana that I would love to give it a shot but getting some right now was not a possibility.  I have the best friends because we worked up a little trade and she sent me some with a couple of coordinating beads of hers (swoon).  She is always so encouraging if you want to start something new.  I had heard of Irish waxed linen but I had never worked with it.  So for those of you who are not familiar with it here is what I found out about it.

As its name implies, waxed linen thread is a thick thread made from linen fibers. The thread is coated with a thin layer of wax, which gives it strength, weight and durability. Waxed linen thread is used in a variety of crafts and sewing projects.


As per usual I did not get pictures of the little kit she sent but I have now made a promise to myself and you that I will make sure to have my phone on hand when opening packages and get pictures right then and there.  Any way I went directly to Pinterest to see what I could find.  The first thing that popped up was this awesome YouTube Tutorial.

It is an excellent way to start using waxed linen and it uses seeds so you know I was hooked!  AND I was able to use this incredible button I have been hoarding of Diana's!  I love the glaze she used on this!

I also have to tell you the color she sent me Williamsburg Blue is amazing!!!  I wanted to do a triple wrap bracelet but I did not measure correctly but that is perfectly fine because I love love this bracelet. 

The next thing I wanted to try is a necklace.  I know I was being a bit over zealous but the color of the second kit just inspired the use of yet another one of Diana's flower pendants I had.

This turned out awesome but I still need to find a way to finish the clasp part.  If not Shelby swears she will steal it and make it a choker.

I wanted to know if it was the linen or the weaving that I was enjoying so I also decided to try it with some other cord I had lying around and an awesome shank button by Lisa Peters.

While I did enjoy the process of weaving and love this bracelet I would definitely prefer to use the linen.  It is stiffer and seems to stay where you put it much better.  So where can you find some?  Well I searched for you and guess what?  I found awesome colors, price and hey she is awesome!  Go check out Mary of White Clover Kiln.  Just look at this awesome selection!

So there is my part of the hop please go check out what everyone else has done. I will be doing my hopping on Sunday as today as you are reading I am either getting ready to leave, on our way or actually riding the trails for the first time on 4 wheelers!  I am very excited.

Diana Ptaszynski  http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com 

Kelsy Vincent  http://jillofalltradescraft.blogspot.com

Susan Kennedy http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Linda Landig http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Kashmira Patel http://sadafulee.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Vanessa Gilkes http://www.culturezine.com

Sandy Huntress http://keepsakecrafts.net

Kay Thomerson  http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com

Sarajo Wentling  http://sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Kari Asbury  http://www.Hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Rebecca Anderson  http://www.songbeads.blogspot.com

Melissa Trudinger  http://www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Ann Schroeder  http://www.beadlove.wordpress.com

Shai Williams  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Blanca Medina  http://www.peru-medesigns.com

Cheryl Brown  http://www.dragonflybeads.ca

Johana Nunez Rivera  http://www.artincendi.com

Lori Bowring Michaud  http://www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com

Kelly Morgan http://www.silverparrotdesigns.blogspot.com

Barbara Bechtel  http://secondsurf.com

Heather Boardman  http://www.heatherboardman.blogspot.com

Janet Bocciardi  http://www.honeyfromthebee.com

Kathy Lindemer  http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com

Lesley Watt  http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Susan Kolovson  http://www.beadinspired.blogspot.com

Jayne Capps  http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com

Michelle McCarthy  http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

Cynthia Deis  http://shinylittlethings.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan  http://www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Erin Siegel  http://www.erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com

Becky Pancake  http://www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com

Kelly Hosford Patterson  http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson http://www.sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

Inge von Roos http://www.ingetraud.wordpress.com

Carolyn Lawson http://www.Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Linda Younkman http://www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com

Sandi Volpe  http://www.sandivolpe.com

Toltec Jewels  http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Michelle Mach  http://www.michellemach.com/blog

Jen Cameron  http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

Dorothy Winchell  http://www.winchell-clayworks.com/myblog

Darlene Mansue  http://www.d7studioblog.blogspot.com

Have fun!!
KK

Spring Fever Blog Hop

Welcome to.....

Hosted by the amazing Lesley of TheaElements, Caroline of BlueberriBeads because frankly we have all had enough of this long winter and needed some color!! Here is what they put together.

Lesley made all these and I would have loved all any of these sets.

Caroline rocked these bird sets in fact she and I may have to chat because I have always wanted to make an necklace with the theme of Bob Marley's 3 Little birds.

They also got together with Claire of Smitten Beads who added sari silks.

I have never worked with fiber and I was more than a bit nervous but look at the colors!!!

So you know I needed some color and since I am a stalker fan of both Lesley and Caroline I through my name in and crossed all fingers and toes and waited.  Obviously we would not be here if I didn't get picked to play but I had to show you my excitement. Then there was the waiting......which is a bit longer coming from the UK but well worth the wait!!!!!

Here is what I received.

I was more than happy!!!  But where to start? Actually I did have an idea before the beads actually came.  If you know me you know I try to incorporate twins in everything.  Those little beads and I are very happy to play together I was just hoping I had the right color and when this pendant arrived I new I did.  Now I will also tell you this color scheme scared the hell out of me.  I have never thought of yellow and purple together but Lesley, Caroline and Claire did it so I gave it a go.

Now I should remember to take pictures of the beads when I first pair them but I always seem to be in the creative mode when inspired like this so I forget.  I knew I wanted to bead around the fiber so that it would show because frankly it is gorgeous!!!!  I have never ever purchased fiber and always always turned away from anywhere it was displayed but that had changed.  Someday I want all of the gorgeous colors in Claire's shop!!!

So what did I do?  Well I concocted a netting with the twins that worked perfectly with the fiber peeking through.

 

I was going to have just the chain and pendant and make something different for the birds but they all wanted to play so I had fun putting one of Caroline's bird's on Lesley's bead that kinda looked like a nest.  On the other side it looks like a bird sitting on an egg (let's not think that she actually laid it okay because that would really have hurt)  

How to finish it?  I sort of ran out of the twins ( I hate when that happens I should have an unlimited supply of all of the twins ya know) so it was kind of decided for me that I would need to have some of the fiber sticking out but I really love it.  I love the softness.

Thank you does not even cover how happy I am that I was able to play along. 

LADIES YOU ALL ROCK!!!

Now lets all go see what everyone else created shall we?

Lesley Watt - http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk

Caroline Dewison - http://www.blueberribeads.co.uk 

Emma Quinn - http://patinafinishes.blogspot.co.uk/

Kathy Lindemer - http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.co.uk 

Vicky Roberts - http://thebeadshopliverpool.blogspot.co.uk

Lori Bowring Michaud - http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com/

Leigh Thow - http://jewellrleigh.blogspot.co.uk

Ailsa Jackson - http://katzjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/

Steph L - http://stringaholic.blogspot.co.uk/

Kristi Harrison - http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.co.uk/

Merja - http://helmiriippuvuus.blogspot.fi

Lucy Haslam - http://faerystone.blogspot.co.uk/

Penny Neville - http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Linda - http://earth-shinedesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Erin Prais – Hintz – http://treasures-found.blogspot.co.uk/

Klassy Joolz - http://klassyjoolz.blogspot.co.uk/

Jenny Argyle - http://keithagnestutorialsdesigns.blogspot.co.uk

Shaiha - http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com

Claire Lockwood - http://www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com/

Patti Gasparino - http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/

Suhana Hart - http://www.buttonedupbeads.blogspot.co.uk

Toltec Jewels - JewelSchoolFriends.com

Hugs 
KK

Halloween/Day of the Dead Blog Hop

Welcome to my part in the Day of the Dead/Halloween Blog Hop!

I have always wanted to celebrate Day of the Dead and in a way I have.  I believe we should celebrate the lives that have passed and give them gifts of our heart.  So I was so excited to squeeze this hop onto my bead tray.  I even have a Sugar Skull from Jenny to play with!!!

I had all the beads picked out and was really ready for the plan to come together.  HA!  You all know me right?  One of the things you should also know is I love it when someone asks me to make something for them.  It gives me those warm fuzzies and I can not say no.  A friend asked if I would make her something if she sent me beads!!  Yay.  As I was waiting for the package to arrive and planning my very first sugar skull creation the creative ideas were flowing.  Her package arrived!!!  Needless to say I totally had to shift gears.  I didn't get a picture because I had to start on it right way and so would you!

Yep Halloween is now what I was making and I have to tell you I was thrilled to play with this Witchy Poo!  It was made by Palm Tree Queen (I am sorry I couldn't find the link because my puter was not talking to the Internet)  But WOW I fell in love!!!  And since Halloween is one of my favorite celebrations and witches are my collections of choice it was easy to shift gears and work on this piece!!!

I was playing with black background and frankly it doesn't work well with me and I shipped it before I realized that.....And she is sooooooo lucky I did because I could have kept Witchy Poo all to myself I loved her so much!!!  I hope my sweet friend likes it too!!!

Hop around and I am sure inspiration and fun is in each one of these talented artists!!!

Diana Ptaszynski  http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Staci Smith  http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/

Kathleen Breeding  http://99bobotw.blogspot.com

Sue Kennedy  http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Dianne Miller  http://www.artbydianne.blogspot.com

Lisa Liddy  http://www.lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Toltec Jewels  http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Linda Landig  http://www.LindasBeadBlog.com

Laura Medeiros  http://Www.zoeowyn.blogspot.com

Veralynne Malone  http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com

Lynn Jobber  http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk

Michelle McCarthy  http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

Karen Totten  http://www.starryroadstudio.blogspot.com

Jayne Capps  https://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor  http://jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Joan Miller  http://metalmudandsand.blogspot.com/

Melissa Meman  http://melissameman.blogspot.com

Melissa Trudinger  http://www.beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Kari Asbury  http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Inge von Roos  http://www.ingetraud.wordpress.com

Andrea Glick  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com 

Stephanie LaRosa  http://Www.stringaholic.blogspot.com

Lola Surwillo  http://www.beadlolabead.com

Jennifer Cameron  http://glassaddictions.com/blog

Diane Hawkey  http://dianehawkey.blogspot.com

Kristi Harrison  http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com

Nicole Valentine Rimmer  http://www.nvalentine.blogspot.com

Tanya Goodwin  http://www.Pixiloo.blogspot.com

Shai Williams  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Sandra McGriff  http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com

Sarajo Wentling  http://www.sjdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com

Marie Covert  http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com

Lisa Stukel  http://www.carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com

Laurie Vyselaar  http://www.Lefthandjewelry.wordpress.com

Sherri Stokey  http://www.knotjustmacrame.com

Pam Traub  http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com

Lori Dorrington  http://lorisglassworks.blogspot.com

Eleanor Burian-Mohr  http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com

Sally Russick  http://thestudiosublime.com

 Christine Damm   http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com

Dawn M. Gallop  http://www.flipflopsandpoptarts.com

Hugs

Kristen