Echo Creative Club - February

YAY!  I have so been waiting for this reveal although I did only just finish part of it yesterday.  Jeannie (this is a link directly to her website as I know you are going shoppin after you read this!)was so happy with our Club last month that she offered a set she had made for her January piece to the first responder.  Guess what?  Yep I replied nearly instantly for these gorgeous beauties!  

Minus the glass beads but as you will see I didn't need them!

Oh yes I love them.  It is so funny that you fall in love with a picture over the computer and sometimes they are no where near what you thought they were but in this case you guessed it, these beauties are beyond words.  I thought I had a plan for them but when they arrived my direction was totally changed.  I discovered something about my journey into this beading world. I can see a design in my head now.  I new exactly were to take this necklace and frankly it is not too shabby at all.

Introducing  Rockin Blossom!

I used a great tutorial I have used before by Nancy Dale of NEDbeads. I love this Trellis necklace for not only how it works up but how it wears.  The rope is so soft and also a bit bolder but this is exactly what this necklace needed.  For anyone who is not a seed beader I will tell you that it does take time but the results are mind blowing.

Now the bracelet well that was really hard for me.  I had 2 of the accent beads left and I wanted to give them a proper compliment.  I had seen these beaded beads in a magazine (I can't remember which one and since I have totally misplaced it......yeah, luckily I had made one bead before loosing it)  I thought I could make them work with the beads.  You all know I am not not not a stringer.  This scares be because of the symmetry thing.  I know what you are thinking I make the seeds work right?  Well they work for me, string and wire?  Not so much.  So I finally finished the beads Thursday night and set to "weave" them together.  Yep if I say that it works.  Let me know what you think.

Being a part of this Club is amazing for me.  Not only do I get my hands on some spectacular Art Beads which I totally covet.  I get to meld them with my style and inspiration.  Jeannie's beads are AWESOME and her great attention to detail gives each one a special personality.  

Oh hey BTW I realized the other day that my blog was created to show you pairings as well but I totally have not been sharing those as I should so.............

I plan to make sure you can see where I get some of my inspiration from.  

Now check out all the lovely members in this months challenge and send Jeannie some love for letting me be a part of this!

Cindy Cima Edwards  http://www.cindycima.com

Courtney Breul  http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com

Dagi  http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Lola Surwillo  http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com

Malin de Koning  http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Michelle Buettner  http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com

Molly Alexander  http://www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com

 Shannon Chomanczuk  http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com

Hugs and Blessings

KK

I am totally nuts!

Big surprise, I know right?  Well this time it is for those little treasures that are either called peanuts or farfalle beads.  I have had a little stash of them and when I did get them I had a plan in mind but it never quite panned out.  They are the cutest little beads but "What the heck do you do with them?"  Well here's my little story......

I recently met a friend on FB that led me to take a peak at Bead Imag.  I did find the magazine a great source of information but one thing in particular stood out.  I have been forever wanting to try my hand at Oglala stitch.  I could not find a free patten to get me started so I just kept it in the back of my mind.  Imag and Lesley to the rescue.  So this is my newest necklace.  Yes I started with a necklace.  I can't believe it either.

I love the colors of this and it matches my shirt so perfectly.  Win Win!  I used those little peanuts to give the piece more texture and a bit of bling.  Well you know what?  Since I had peanuts, melons, and seeds (sounds like a salad) leftover I thought I would take some advise from the beady goddesses and play around a bit and see where it took me...guess what happened?  I know my own little design, can you believe it?  Anyway after showing it to friends on FB it seems that a tutorial is called for.  Oh MY I am not good at that and my sweet friend Nancy ( I have totally linked you to a spectacular post about her color play ropes...you will love it!)offered to write the instructions for me if I take the pictures.  Oh what an offer!  So I was so excited I told my hubby and you know what he said?  "I want you to try to write it first, you have all the tools and you know what you like in a pattern so you need to try that first."  OMG do you know how scary a proposition this is?  I have decided to try and take it on but will keep Nancy on stand my just in case.  LOL  So here is my sweet little Leafy Trail.

So that is my story for today and I am totally stickin to it!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Ella, Juls, Rebecca, Rhiannon, Heather, Dawn and me.

Confusing title to be sure!  Well this is how it all went.  Remember when I did the review for Ellad2, and I posted the bracelet that I was dying to do next?  Well she liked my review so much that she sent me the tutorial.  Oh how I love turquoise and brown together BUT....yep I now lack a supply of size 8/0's (I will have to work on that when I win the lottery)  So what to do?  What to do?  Ohhhhhh I think white and chocolate would be beautiful (hunt through stash here)  I knew I had a stash of the most gorgeous brown textured beads and well I have a thing for creams and whites so that was no problem either.

TaDa!

My Cookies and Cream Ojo!  (my hubby named it)  I really love this.  It has beautiful support and strength and what a great and easy to follow tutorial.  One of the other things I like about her creations is that she uses readily available beads so you no special purchases are necessary.  Yay!  Stash busting is awesome!.  The only problem was the clasp.  None of the toggles I had would match that antique dark brass and I didn't want to make a simple loop because well when do I do anything easy?  I am really pleased with what I chose.  I know it looks familiar to some of you because yes it is half a sparkly wheel.  Ella is celebrating a milestone so make sure to visit her to see what surprises she has in store for us.  Thanks so much Ella!

Okay so how do Juls, Rebecca, Rhiannon and Heather Kingsley Heath come into this?  Well I had decided to try Heather's Master Class pattern in the most recent issue of Beadwork.  Oh Boy a master I am not!  I have to tell you I had alot of trouble with this one.  I found the way she has you stitch the components very fiddly for me and the first three parts of it literally gave me fits.  (yes stomping was involved as well as the urge to toss the bead tray across the room BUT I wasn't going to actually do that!)  So on a recent trip up north which is a 4 hour drive I played and found that if I complete each portion of the component and it's embellishment then work the next row it was so much easier.  Okay but now how to make it me?  Just then my sweet muse who I call Rhiannon took a vacation.  Isn't that always the way.  Well I was typing my dilemma in FB and my friend Rebecca said that she had made a sheep for her boyfriend and he had named it Rhiannon, maybe she should send me a picture and it might help.  Yeah I don't think a picture of a sheep could help.......

WRONG!!!!!!

You know what happened?  Just like a smack in the back of the head a beautiful set of beads that Juli of the fabulishous Julsbeads sent me for my birthday last year popped into my head.  No joke I ran upstairs and put all three pieces together and they were an absolute perfect match!

Paying with a light box of sorts

This is what it looks like on.

This is my Spice Latte.  I am totally in love with this necklace for all the reasons listed above and more.  I have been trying since my last birthday to make these beads into something and all I needed was a picture of a sheep.  Huh go figure.  Oh and I also have to thank my cheerleader Dawn.  Every time I have an idea I bounce it off her and I swear the girl has some sort of connection into my head or something because she sees what I am describing and I see her suggestions.  Spooky!

So I guess that's my story and I;m stickin to it!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Oh Oh OH I totally wanted to tell you that I WON something!!!!!  Yes I am totally blessed to have been the first name drawn in BeadsForever giveaway!  Yep the first name so I get that outstandingly funky cab that she made! and The Art of Bead Embroidery!    I nearly fell off my chair when I got Linda's message!  She is so sweet and makes art that will knock your socks off!

Beading Babes with Carole Ohl and links

Hey has it really been a week?  I have to tell you all that I have been a bad blog friend these past few weeks just lurking around and not posting much of anything as well as having trouble replying to the awesome comments you have sent.  I have either just been coming off the high drama of all that happened with Shelby, sad because I never seem to have enough time with my family up north, and well my muse I call Rhiannon had also decided to venture out without even a whisper of why.  I have been so off that I even messaged Karyn (our founder of this awesome group) on Friday because I looked at the calender and it said the 16th but I totally knew she had mentioned Sunday in her post.  DUH it totally would have helped to change the calender from September to October before making myself sound like a total moron.  Okay I know I can do that just fine so maybe not.  Anyway I want you all to know that all is good at the moment so I hope to get back into the swing of things.  You are all so sweet to still follow this crazy girl!

With that done let me tell you what this post is really about!  

Beading Babes!

Karyn at Releases by Rufydoof came up with this concept that we pick a pattern, generally from a magazine, and each one of us makes it and then shows it.  Well hay that is why we blog anyway but what is so cool is that she gathered beaders of all skill types together as a way of encouraging each other to learn and have fun.  Ain't she just too sweet?

So the pattern that was chosen was one that I have set aside for that "I so want to do this someday" pile.  You know the one we forget about til we come across it again.  I was so happy because it did jump out at me when I first saw it and this was the perfect excuse to make it.  Well you know me and oh yeah the deadline thing.  I tend to wait until the last minute and I was beading that awesome bracelet of Jaycee's in my last post as well as working on a piece that I have been wanting to finish, and then I was sweetly gifted another great pattern by a designer Nancy hooked me up with.  Thanks girl because I am truly loving it.  Well again I am a terrible judge of bead quantities so I have once again run out of a couple of things so the last two projects had to be put aside.  You know what I had to go to a baby shower up north and I needed a new bracelet!  Camelot Cross to the rescue!  I also had an awesome find at Walmart that was just the ticket to make this project sparkle!  Yay!

Here is my version (and once again I as still working on perfecting my picture taking but I still think you will get the gist of it)

I changed two elements in the pattern.  First is the clasp.  I did not care for or have a button that would match and I am no longer a fan of a simple beaded loop to hold oh and neither of them really gave me that finished look I like.  So I beaded another square without the crystals and let me tell you I love it!!!! A simple little toggle and oh yeah baby it works!  Also as you can see my crystals (walmart score) alternated color in each of the squares.  It made for a simple little twist to make it unique to me.  I know that others had found a flaw in the pattern but because I had been just looking at the diagram I think I missed it.  This pattern not only worked up fabulous it wears awesome!  

Thanks so much Karyn for doing this I had a great time making it.

Two quick things to let you know about.  First I am loving the Book Tour of Barbara Lewis', Painting with Fire Artwear Goddess!  Yes I have been trying to visit each one and the tips, tricks, and artwork are totally amazing.  I would love to get into this art medium but that my just be a long time in the future,  In the mean time you should check everyone out it is so pretty amazing stuff!

And

Shannon's (Missficklemedia) husband is having a sale for "Mike's Ladies" as a way of saying thanks.  Go read that awesome post. 

I guess I have made this post long enough huh?

Hugs and Blessings,

KK

Pattern Review - NEDbeads

You know what I have learned?  First not to start a beading project with emotional stress, Second make sure when you print a pattern you are not running low on ink so that you are unable to see the pictures clearly, Third there is a difference in beads and cheap is not good!  When I got past those three things I truly loved this pattern so much that I have made a second (for a contest no less) and have plans for a third.  

NEDbeads is the home of Nancy Dale and all her awesomeness.  She is the most amazing beader and once again I have been lucky enough to stumble upon not only a women with the kindest heart but a budding friendship.  Her Trellis Pattern is truly phenomenal!  It is a large pattern but with that I can assure you that every little detail is covered and the only way you won't succeed is if you are in the earlier state I mentioned.  It is extremely adaptable too.  Here is the first project I started not only using her pattern but a grouping of beads she sent me for a pick me up.

See those gorgeous netting beads...Yeah they are AWFUL!!!!!  Totally uneven and have really sent me into a tizzy!  BUT they are the perfect color for this chain so as you can see I have trudged on.  I had to eliminate some of the steps in the tutorial because of it but I think it is looking gorgeous.  AND yes those are Juli's of Julsbeads.  I love them!!!!  I will be working on this one for the next few nights if I don't throw them tiny little evil beads across the room!

This is the second necklace I have made for the Maven Meld.  Yes I have sent the picture to them and although I have kept it simple I truly love this piece!  That's all that matters right?

See how it matches Guinevere?  I love love love this pairing!!!

Please also take a peek at the gorgeous Lila earring tutorial of Nancys which I would have been able to show you if I had bought the right chatons!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Official Review - Dream Weavers Studio

This review has been in the works for almost 2 months.  Not Not Not because of the pattern but solely on the shoulders of this beader!  I know that's a surprise Huh?

Let me tell you I am in love with Heather Collin's skillz!  She was so sweet when this pattern first came out to let me give it a try. (well I think it's more because she wanted me to stop drooling all over the computer)  I started chatting with her on FB before this pattern came out and you know what she told me?  She has only been doing this for 4 years.  4 YEARS!  Her talent is amazing! And I know this won' come as a surprise but she is also a Bead Maven.  Gotta love them all!

So which pattern had me cleaning my keyboard again?  Guinevere!

Isn't it gorgeous!!!  I asked her what beads were needed and she was so sweet to provide me the list and then sent this gorgeous tutorial.  OMG Really?  (that part is still amazing to me)  And let me tell you (although I know that is why you are reading) This artist can write a tutorial amazingly!  Each stitch is explained and diagrams provided a bit of tension information is also in there and you all know I so need that!  I love the way she made the beads go in different directions and the beads well OH MY!  This is a truly awesome pattern.  You know me so I did try to make my stash work for me when making it and I did sub bead sizes and types in my first attempt in making it and it totally works but.....

It makes one honkin bead so putting 3 strands together would probably make this cover up to my elbow..LOL.  It totally works as a single strand and I am making the other one into a necklace.

So this posed a super dilemma.  How to I give her the props she deserves if I haven't made the actual pattern.  Hummm  "Oh Hunny, sweet hubby of mine I need to go to the bead shop!"  When I got there these beads spoke to me (really they yelled out loud  "Make me Guinevere!") well you know they came home with me for sure!  Fast forward a month or so (hey when you can only bead a couple hours a night if your lucky it takes a bit ) and proudly ready to finish the final strand.  No Way I ran out of beads.  Why oh why did I start a craft that not only is expensive it still makes me buy less than I actually need!  Believe it or not He took me to the shop again and I bought enough to finish and while I was there got a bit extra as inspiration and friendship bipped me in the back of the head!  But you will all have to wait awhile for that reveal.  K?  All strands finished time to zip up and guess what?  It went together perfectly!

Thank you so much Heather!  This was truly a pleasure to make and review and has so many possibilities that I am sure I will be incorporating it many many times!  You have to go check out her store I know you will not be disappointed in anything you purchase!

Here are some other patterns of hers that I also love!

Stunning Right?

Hugs and Blessings 

KK

Hue Me?

Amy at Amybeads has started a cool new challenge called "What's it to Hue".  

I have been keeping an eye on this for a while but have been so busy I hadn't had a chance to give it a go. But this time around I thought I just might have a shot at having enough in my stash to really take this one on.  Does any one remember what my favorite color is?

I know what you are thinking.  Does she really have the colors that meet this challenge?  Well this what the challenge pallet...

Do I have what it takes?  Hummmmm I don't know for sure!

I thought I would have a jump on this one because of those gorgeous little sparkly wheels but alas I did not have enough of those "limited edition" druk beads!  That will teach me never buy just one of anything labeled "limited edition"  So what to do?

Hey duh what is the theme of your blog goofy girl?  I need to check my closet.  I did and guess what?  I had a perfect match for another small set of rounds that Juls had sent me (by the way she is having a sale and a giveaway but wait til after this post to go there K?) when she saw them there sparklies and knew I didn't have enough to finish.  So okay well this combo can be a bit on the overwhelming side if not done right but I totally think I done right cuz I wore this baby to a party (for kids and moms) and it totally rocked the place!

So without further ado (which I kinda really like to ado) here is my "Hue Me?"

And here it is as a pairing....

Brutal honesty is required in all comments (although I know I don't accept anonymous so I am pretty safe there)

Hugs and Blessings

KK loves ya!

Arianne's Creamsicle - Pattern Review - Mikki Ferrugiaro

This is actually a twofer if you read far enough. Frankly once again I am a bit on the nervous side still on posting reviews.  I have mostly worked with patterns from magazines and with that there hasn't been much to review about.  With the magazines you have small instructional pages so you have to take a few minutes when you stumble to work them out.  I was lucky enough to splurge on this pattern "Arianne Bangle" by Mikki Ferrugiaro. Oh I should mention right now that all of Mikki's patterns are priced so that you can sell them if you wish, giving her credit of course but if you want to make them just for yourself she will adjust the price when you return a signed copy of  a personal use contract that she has created.  Either way this pattern is well worth the price.

I fell in love with this when I saw it posted on Facebook before she created the pattern.  I waited (and waited...you know I am a bit on the impatient side right?)  Begged the hubby and then finally got it.  Yippie!  It seemed simple enough but once again being a not so experienced beader with tension issues made it a bit more difficult for me.  I have learned 2 things in the process of making this.  First delicas are totally awesome to work with and feel like butter on the wrist as long as you don't try to pull them through each other.  LOL  Tension is a big deal.  Second that not all 3mm beads are created equal.  I once again attempted to make my stash work for me so I used firepolished 3 mm instead of 3mm crystals and you know what the firepolished are a bit longer.  DUH!  Anyway I forgot there is one other thing. You really should read all the way through a pattern before you freak out and e-mail the designer with a stupid question that is right on the next page.  Thanks Mikki for not bipping me in the back of the head with a big "DUH".  She was so sweet to answer plainly and NOT make me feel like an idiot.  I do just fine on my own with that!   There was only one thing I would change in the instructions.  I think (and remember this is my opinion and I could be wrong) when I make the next one I will add the embellishment round before completing the bands even if it is just the pearls because going through them at the end was to say the least difficult for me.

With all that said you can imagine me working on this and wondering "Why doesn't it look right?"  Hey I just realized another lesson.  Keep going because with all those awesome tips and instructions included the end result is AWESOME.  Now before I show you a picture of my version of "Arianne Bangle" I need you all to remember what I said about tension issues.  I am still working on that so my version is a bit more angular than Mikki's but Shelby wants it badly so I know it is still well made. 

And did you see the necklace?  Course you did because it is in the picture.  (insert collective DUH KK here) Well that was a little freebie that Mikki posted on the Bead Maven blog called Beaded Bead Chain and you know what?  I HAD all the beads with a bit of a switch up. I needed a sweet necklace for a field trip we were going on and this works up FAST and FABULOUS! I love this pairing set! 

So can a beginner do this? 

Yes!  With a little patience and a medium tension.

Oh yeah I also forgot to mention that she gives awesome sizing instructions too!

Can you use what you have on hand?

I would make sure you have the delicas because the feel of this on is amazing.  I did like my firepolished rounds but I am going to use the crystals on my next one.

Are the instructions easy to follow?

Oh yeah and I love her diagrams too!

Should I buy this?

Yes Yes and a resounding Yes!

I hope everyone is still enjoying my reviews because frankly life is getting busy and otherwise you would be hearing the rantings of a crazy woman

Oh Oh OH and guess WHO is having a Destash over at Big Cartel.  My sweet Juls!  Oh yeah and they are stupid cheap prices!  Go go go visit Studio Juls right now!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Artbeads, Martinis, and a year? (good thing I actually wrote this yesterday)

ARTBEADS FUN!

Artbeads has once again set a challenge for me and I am stoked to say the least.  I am trying my hand with my new love of delicas and my continuing love of czech glass to bezel some unique coins that my father in law brought back from Brazil in the 70's.  The challenge this time is to "Make something old new"  I have a few ideas and love the colors and beads I was able to pick out.  Thanks again Artbeads!

They are also having a cool sale so check it out!

Not Wine-ing, Now I'm on to the hard stuff!

Shannon Inspired Me! I am pretty sure you all know how I feel about this necklace but if you are not sure go here to re read my feelings!  I love this so much that I spent that weekend making a bracelet to match.  The funny thing about this bracelet is I let the beads lead me with no real pattern in mind and since I kept asking my sweet hubby which one he liked best he said "just make them all different it will be pretty" (ain't he awesome!) so this is what I made!  I love it and I have to say that I am very fond of the feel of it too! Introducing Dirty Martini!  (Thanks Dawn ya know for someone who doesn't drink very often I seem to be obsessed with it...Hmph)

Babbling, announcement and pairings...oh my

Okay first I need to tell you all that once again my computer woes have struck.  We gave Shelby a new laptop for Christmas so I had her old one.  Well........it died.  Yep dead with no recovery in site.  I didn't loose much for me because hey all my pics are here in blog land but I am back to using the persnickety desktop that has a tendency to limit my access or ability to comment on blogs (especially in the Hive if my Hive friends are still here after not hearing from me for so long) also this computer has a habit of not sending e-mails even though I think they have been sent ( I have been e-mailing you Nicole and Lori but I don't think you are getting them)  I am pretty sure that my hubby is thinking of getting me a net book sometime but I know we don't have the cash for that right now.

I have also been busy as Shelby's Senior year is ramping up and we have had 3 field trips with Derek's class this month.  I am on a Parent committee to give the senior class a pre graduation night bash (you know safe, fun and drug free) and now I have to bring back my telemarketing skills to cold call local companies to see if we can get donations.  This will keep me busy while Derek is at school for the next couple of weeks.

Ok so here is my little announcement.  I have signed up for a few PIF's and I do love and look forward to everything but I wanted to change my version up a bit.  I have been so lucky since I joined this blog world of beaders and friends that I want to pass that along to others but I need your help to do so.  I have been thinking of not only creating something handmade for people but also "stashing it forward" to a few others.  I have other craft supplies that I haven't touched since I was bit by the beady bug and I know some crafters that will put these to good use.  What I am asking you to do first is if I contact you for your address that means I want to send you something and I need nothing in return it is because you have welcomed me and befriended me when I needed it most.  Second I am asking you to pay it forward yet again in any way you can.  Send a card to someone, leave an inspiring comment, give a free coffee, send one of your creations to someone you know covets them, give advice on a new technique they are trying.  I have been on the receiving end of all of this and I cherish each one of you for that reason.  You are not obligated to do it but I know you will because you have done it for me.  No sign up necessary and no time limit is put on this, this is the way I wanted to follow through with my part of PIF.  

Ok so you have read this far and I know how busy we all are so here are my pairing pics I promised.

I will tell you more about them another time!

Hugs and Blessings My Friends!

KK

Me and my 3 heads!

First I would like to once again thank you all!  It has been crazy around here and I haven't had time to visit my favorite blogs or answer your so supportive and humbling comments.  I am so lucky to have you all here and to enjoy my creations because on a general basis when I wear them in my neck of the woods I am looked at like I have 3 heads.  Comments like "Why to you make these, oh that is a lot of work I wouldn't do it, (or my favorite of all time) I do appreciate the work involved but I wouldn't wear it.  I so wish I had someone near me to enjoy this craft with, but like I said I always have all of you to give me that boost I need.  I also went to my cousins Jenelle's baby shower up north this weekend and as always my family were overwhelming in their supportive comments and "hey can you make something for me?" questions.  But like I said they are way up north so I don't get to see them as often as I would like.  It was a great time even though Shelby and I were only able to spend the night.  We stayed with my cousin Jessica and I was able to meet her new Man!  I will let you in on a little bit of info (like I always do) my aunt and I are only 6 years apart so my cousins and I seem to act more like I am the aunt and they are my nieces. In fact we even refer to each other that way at times. I also got to see my gram, great aunts, my sweet aunt Jeannie and other cousins.  Don't get me wrong there are a select few here that want me to make them something but it is not quite as fun as it would be to share the fun of shopping for beads and creating with a friend would be.

Okay now that I have gotten that out I will tell you that this will also be a crazy week as I will be helping at Derek's school, going on another field trip, a meeting for the Senior Bash committee (to set up a really fun night for the seniors before graduation) and calling college to make sure Shelby has all the required tests and paperwork for the fall.  I have today to get to visit as many bloggy friends as I can.  I went through total withdrawal while I was busy getting ready for the trip up north and school stuff last week.  Isn't it funny that we are so connected through these little monitors that we miss each other when life gets too busy? 

I did make a quick pairing to match the blouse I wanted to wear for the shower. It is from the February/March issue of Beadwork.  Tic Tac Pearl by Pam Morrison is a sweet and quick pattern and has so many embellishment possibilities that I took (you know me) a little liberty with the pattern.  I think it turned out pretty cool ( and Nancy if you are reading see I made another peyote clasp, they are so much fun I am thanking you once again for the push to make them!)

Hey I tried a pretty prop this time what do you think?

Hugs and Blessing to all of you!

KK

A bit quiet but real busy!

I know I have been quiet lately and I am getting a better handle on the managing my time thing but I have been very busy.

I finished my grommet necklace and let me tell you I love it.  It is such a soft necklace to wear and the compliments I get when wearing it are so blush worthy.  So here it is.....

I used 15's and 11's for the chain.  I know most of you think I am nuts using such small beads but I was lucky in the fact that I took it with me on our trip to Ohio so most of it was done while riding so it didn't drive me too crazy.  Isn't it awesome?  I have also been working on picture taking.  No cool backgrounds yet just a focus on getting good pictures of the pieces.

I am also back to my wine themes again.  I started this one in January but I was having so much trouble trying to put it together the way I like it and OMG I am having even more trouble getting clasps I like and that enhance the designs.  Here is Cabernet.

I feel really terrible that I have lost the pattern to this as I found it while searching through blogs.  I had it printed but it seems to have vanished.  It was in a different language but the diagrams were awesome.  If anyone does stumble across it please let me know so I can give her props, she so deserves them.

I also fell in love with the Honeycomb Bangle by Cynthia Rutledge that I had to make it.  I will tell you that I did not have the faceted roundels that it called for or the 3mm pearls so I used 11/0 rounds and 4mm pearls and smooth roundels.  It came out sweet.

I think I will call this one Strawberry Wine just because I am in that kinda mood.

I am also participating in Pay it Forward but I will be posting a revised version as soon as I am clear on what I want to do with it.  You know I couldn't just plain follow the rules didn't cha.

One more somber note.  My heart aches for the Japanese people and the.....well let's be honest...the Hell they are going through.  Please keep them all in your prayers, blessings or thoughts.  They need all the positive energy we can send.

Hugs and Blessings

KK

I have a lot to say (isn't that a surprise!)

First I have to say WHAT A PARTY!  I decided to see if I could get a taste of what Lori Anderson does when she puts Bead Soup all together and I didn't even scratch the surface!  I viewed each of the 210 blogs that were listed.  Some didn't post due to things like having a baby (I can't wait to congratulate her!) and being in the hospital, a couple soupers mixes got lost in the mail and Lori with throw them a party later and the small list does go on.  I read each of the posted and commented on each one and there was a whole lot of helpings to enjoy in fact I was a pig!  Not only does Lori try to do this on reveal day but she has visited each of their blogs sometimes 3 times and answered (I have no idea how many) emails of panic.  On top of all the normal everyday things she does.  Honestly I have no idea how she did it.  It was awesome to be a fan and visit without the pressure of contributing so I think I will have to make myself up a t-shirt for this one.

Okay I need to let you all know that this bracelet that I submitted to a magazine was rejected.  I did dread opening the package they sent it back in and I will say my heart went to my feet (oh and when my sweet hubby got home there were more than a few tears but.........

A really treasured friend sent me this and a great group of women on facebook talked me through overcoming this ( I know I am such a baby...you don't have to tell me) I actually have the courage to tell you all this and say I may (repeat may) have taken a step further out of my box already but that is for another blog.  So with that said I will show you what you have been waiting for!

But.....Before I do I need to tell you that I have paired this shirt 2 other times and once the bracelet broke and the other disappeared into Shelby's jewelry stash ( I told you she does that) so here are the first two...

But this is the one that is all MINE!!! I have even made a pendant and I am working on the chain for it.  I love love love this one and I need to thank those awesome Bead Mavens, Nancy, Mikki, and Cindy who are always there to offer advice and support! So LOOK! I even made my very first beaded clasp!

I have probably blurred your eyes with all my rambling so I will stop for now.  Again I will thank all of you in my cheezy way that without the friendships I have made with all of you I would not me so willing to learn and GROW without fear.  HUGGSSSSS!

Hugs and Blessings to all of you

KK

Artbeads Rocks!!!!!

First I want to thank all of you for your kind words and sweet e-mails.  I have come into a wonderful world of support and friendship and you all mean so much to me.  I have been able to finally sit for a bit and bead and let me tell you it is great therapy for me.

As I have told you before I am very lucky to be a part of the Artbeads Blogger Program and I received my first challenge and review opportunity and once again I can honestly tell you that I LOVE Artbeads.  I showed you a few posts ago what I was able to choose for their Winter Theme.  Here they are again.....

I am probably repeating myself but I was in 2 very different moods when choosing these palettes.  First was inspired by the impending winter storm that was supposed to have finally come our way and how I was feeling mentally.  I had also recently purchased a pattern from Sabine Lippert called "Bundle of Bling" and so I choose very carefully and worked on this bracelet.  First I will tell you again (because it is worth it) that Sabine's pattern was AWESOME!!!! It was easy to follow and the diagrams (which I need) were perfectly shown.  It was so neat and fun to see each section take shape and at the same time it added sparkle to my mood.  I have a new love of 3mm firepolished beads and Artbeads has a great selection of them.  So let me introduce you to my Winter Bling....

And LOOK LOOK LOOK it is a Pairing too.  My first of the year!  It was such a blast to make with such a great grouping of beads.  At first for me when I started buying beads online I was worried about if the colors would actually be what I expected them to be and oh boy they are.  Artbeads has done such a good job on their site that when I received my beads they were as pretty as I thought they would be.  I was going to use this for Margie and Me but I just couldn't wait.  (I does match this months palette though)

Okay on to my second piece.  I have to tell you I fell in love with these Rose/Gold luster rounds!  I don't really care for fru fru stuff but I do love pink.  These were the perfect compliment.  I decided I wanted to use my rivolis (I can buy em, I can spell em, but I still say ravoli sometimes) with these and I also picked up the perfect metallic bronze seeds to go with it.  One thing I have to say is I love TOHO seed beads.  They are so uniform that I don't worry about sizing when I am beading and that is a huge plus for me.  Anyway this is my Vintage Valentine bracelet and it is my own version of Sparkly Wheels by Melinda Barta.  The picture does not do the blend of colors justice though (I really need to get better at that) The rivolis pick up the color of the rounds making this really pop without fru fru.

Thank you so much Duchess and Artbeads for this great opportunity and challenge.

I suppose this post is long enough for now but I have just a couple of quick things left I promise.

First this is my 98th post and I am actually thinking of giving something more than my gratitude away.  I have some beads and spacers that I have made and while I love them I can't get them to work for me.  Would anyone be interested in them is my only quandary.

Second don't forget to stop by Second Surf for Monday Militia to get this weeks assignment.  It is really gratifying to try this and the rewards can be addicting.

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Disclaimer

I am a reviewer of products for Artbeads.com. I received the beads above free of charge. I have used and reviewed this product and my statements are an honest description. I receive no compensation from Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the product above.