Playing with Clay: 2014

Monday, November 24, 2014

2014 Art Charm Exchange

I am happy to be participating again in the art charm exchange and auction to benefit

Beads of Courage. This year the theme was "SOAR" and that we did! I love the element

of surprise when the box holding the charms arrives in the mail. I made a double batch of

charms so I would receive even more charms in return!

This is what I received! Aren't they great? My art charms were made by

Toltec Jewels, Susan Delphine Delaney, Cassi Paslick, Nan Smith, Monique Urquhart,

Cianci Blue, Caroline at Blue Berri Beads, Terri Del Signore, Culturezine, Jami Shipp,

Sue Beads, Windbent, Lesley Watt, Silver Niknats, Nancy Dale, Melissa

Trudinger and Jenny Davies-Reazor.

I designed a blue ceramic bird charm with a heart wing, the word "SOAR", with it

flying high above the clouds. I made this necklace with it:

To raise money for Beads of Courage, our wonderful hostess, Jennifer Cameron,

photographs and lists art charms on ebay to be auctioned off. Please visit the listings at http://www.ebay.com/sch/glassaddictions/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=

Please hop around all the participating artist blogs to see and learn more about the wonderful art charms created...all for a great cause!

2014 Art Charm Exchange Participants

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

Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca

Andrea Glick: http://zenithjade.blogspot.com

Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk

Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/

Cate van Alphen: http://fulgorine.wordpress.com

Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com

Genevieve Gabbert: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog

Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com

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

Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com

Kim Dworak: http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com

Lee Koopman: http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com

Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net

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

Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com

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

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

Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/

Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com

Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com

Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca

Niky Sayers: http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk

Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/

Renetha Stanziano: http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Shai Williams: http://www.shaihasramblings.com/2014/11/art-charm-exchange-auction.html

Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com

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

Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com

Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com

Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Octoberfest 2014 Blog Hop

Living in sunny Southwest Florida, it barely seems like fall. But go into any store, and you are reminded by all the Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise! I grew up near Buffalo, New York, so the change in seasons is something that made my childhood special. But with that comes snow....and that's a whole different blog post!

I have been playing with a new clay. I call it chocolate clay, because that's what it reminds me of after being fired at cone 5. Most of my beads are made from low fire white clay. I like the bright colors I can achieve with that. Normally my style is very whimsical. But with this new clay, my work has taken on a more earthy and natural look.

For my autumn pair of earrings, I textured the chocolate clay with a floral design and cut 2 small squares. I hand rolled two 10mm spacer balls for accents. I chose an earthy brown glaze that highlights the texture. I added 4 antique bronze saucers and 20mm wire to pull my design together. I can't wait to wear them!

Visit my etsy shop at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com to see more of my ceramic beads. Thank you to our blog hop hostess, Rita from Toltec Jewels!! And please visit all the other blogs to see lots more lovely autumn jewelry designs!

Toltec Jewels Jewel School Friends (hostess)

Dini Bruinsma   http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/

Marybeth Rich http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi   http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Karin Grosset Grange   http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr

Andrea Zenith Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith http://wirednan.blogspot.com

Linda Anderson http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co

Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com

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

Lennis Carrier http://windbent.wordpress.com/

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

Kim Dworak http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/

Jo-Ann Woolverton http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca

Jennifer Reno http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/

Veralynne Malone http://veradesigns.blogspot.com

Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/

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

Alisa Siceloff http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com

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

Cryss Thain http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/

Maria Lourdes Rios http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com

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

Carolyn Lawson http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

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

Debbie Rasmussen www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca

Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

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

Carol Dillman http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Chris Eisenberg www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Rebecca Sirevaag www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

Sam Waghorn http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk

Sherri Stokey www.KnotJustMacrame.com

Gina Hockett www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com

Michelle McCarthy http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

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

Dana Hickey http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com

Claire Fabian http://saraccino.blogspot.com

Cynthia Abner http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com

Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Jami Shipp http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com

Charlie http://505indiechic.blogspot.com

Gloria Allen http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com

Lisa Johnson http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com

Marde Lowe http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com

Monique Urquhart http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com

Jill Bradley http://chat2jill.blogspot.com

Toni Gifford https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28

Shawnda D'Arcy https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda

RaMona Woolson http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com

Esterina Jagiella http://ekleijar.blogspot.com

Sandra McGriff http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com

Mary McGraw http://mkaymac.blogspot.com

Alenka Obid http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Marianne Baxter http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com

Ann Schroeder www.beadlove.wordpress.com

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

Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Suzanne Berk https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign

Mowse Doyle http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com

Diana Miglionico Shiraishi http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com

RanaLea http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com

Andrea Rivers http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com

Janine Lucas http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories

Tanya McGuire http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com

Anindita Basu http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Mitzie Crider http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Deb Fortin http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Cynthia Kent Machata http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Laurel Hanson http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog

Ingrid Anderson http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Karla Morgan http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson www.PrettyThings.com

Louise Mccormick-Glazier   http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Susan Kelly http://http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/

Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Carol Briody http://cbriody.blogspot.com/

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

Renetha Stanziano    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Anchors Aweigh Design Challenge

I had a lot of fun brain storming on what to design with the 2 ceramic anchor charms

created by Diana P. of Suburban Girl Studio. Of course having 2 charms and having 2 ears,

should I make a pair of earrings? Nooooo.....let's get creative with the challenge. So I
started digging though my sea life themed bead drawer and I happened to have 2 more sets
of Diana's charms. A pair of sail boats and a pair of scallop shells. I designed a few
charms of my own to coordinate with the colors of Diana's. I made a ceramic nautilus
shell, octopus, crab and a seahorse. This fun sea life charm bracelet started coming to life!

I cut 7" of open link antique copper chain and attached a toggle clasp to each end. I

wanted plenty of bling, so I chose matching antique copper crystals and 4mm round spacer

balls. I spaced the charm components out every 3 links and made smaller dangles on

headpins to fill in the open links. I love my new bracelet and I hope you do, too!

A big THANK YOU to Rita from Toltec Jewels for being our

blog hop challenge hostess. Please visit the following jewelry designers blogs

to see what they created with their anchor charms!

Diana's Shop: Suburban Girl Beads

Diana's Blogs: Suburban Girl Studio

Art Jewelry Elements

Hostess: TJ Jewel School Friends

Bobbie Rafferty Beadsong Jewelry

Chris Eisenberg Wanderware

Heather Richter Desert Jewelry Designs

Kathy Lindemer Bay Moon Design

Dini Bruinsma Angaza by Changes

Cynthia Machata Antiquity Travelers

Kathleen Breeding 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Linda Younkman Lindy's Designs

Robin Reed Artistry HCBD

Marla Gibson Spice Box Designs

Gina Hockett Freestyle Elements

Renetha Stanziano Lamplight Crafts

Marianne Baxter Simply Seablime Jewelry

Christina Miles Wings N Scales

Marybeth Rich A Few Words from Within the Pines

Shai Williams Shaiha's Ramblings

Cheri Reed Creative Designs by Cheri

Monique Urquhart A Half-Baked Notion

Jennifer Reno Musings of a Crafty Jenny

Shirley Moore Beads and Bread

Tammy Adams Paisley Lizard

Melissa Trudinger Bead Recipes

If you'd like to see more of my ceramic bead creations, please visit my etsy store

at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Haberdashery Blog Hop

What exactly does Haberdashery mean?

In this blog hop, the participants are to design a piece of jewelry inspired by sewing.

Sewing notions include cloth, thread, yarn, trims, button, zippers, etc. I found a fun fiber

pack from my scrapbooking days that I used for my necklace inspiration.

The 10 separate fibers were separated into a group of 8 and I used my Kumihimo disc

to make a 12" rope. I am a ceramic bead artist, so with clay I made 2 cones to hide

the ends of the rope. I also made the focal hibiscus pendant.

I thought it looked neat to leave the loose fiber ends overflowing the top of the

ceramic cones. I used a piece of 20g antique copper wire to attach the rope to the

chain pieces that end with a chunky toggle. In the middle of the rope, I used thread

and sewed the pendant onto the rope. I put a piece of wire on the back of the pendant like

a button shank so it would lay flat. It took me 2 tries to get it in the middle!

Thank you to our blog hostess, Melissa Trudinger, for coming up with this unique

and fun hop! Please check out what all the participants have come up with! If you'd

like to see more of my ceramic beads, please visit www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

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

Tammy Adams http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog.html

Amanda Wacasey http://mandyinmystic.blogspot.com

Dolores Raml http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com

Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com

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

DiYana Brooks http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Robin Kae Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Karin Grosset Grange http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr

Mitzie Crider http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com

Janine Lucas http://www.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories <-- font="" on="" post="" sunday="" will="">

Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/

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

Leithleach Alainn Seodra http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/

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

Shiraz Biggie http://secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com

Chris Eisenberg http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com

Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier http://www.windbent.net/

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

Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com

Rita Toltec Jewels http://www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

Mischelle Fanucci http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Karen Mitchell http://overthemoon-design.com

Carol Briody http://Cbriody.blogspot.com

Karla Morgan http://TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Carolyn Lawson http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Jami Shipp http://www.celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com

Lili Krist http://pcbylik.blogspot.com/

Evelyn Shelby http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Raissa de Guzman http://www.abloro.com

Niky Sayers http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk

Keren Panthaki http://vasdea.wordpress.com

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Michael's Beading Challenge

I always love a good challenge! Especially when it comes to jewelry design.

Do you ever feel like your jewelry looks the same, but with maybe a different pendant?

I do....my rut is designing with blue. It's my go to color. And sea life....what's not to love?

I found out about this challenge on Facebook. I really enjoy Lorelei's and

Heather's designs, our challenge hostesses. I took a picture of the chosen beads, wrote

down the SKU numbers and went shopping to the Michael's store in Port Charlotte,

Florida. I found the first couple of strands no problem. I can't say that for all of them!

I found "similar" styles and colors, so I threw them into my shopping basket. The strand

that is the most unique to the challenge is the hot pink beads. They are a little bigger...

but they are pretty!

We could add 2 more bead styles to our design. I was inspired by the wood beads and the

flower beads, so I went with a nature theme. My owl face, swirl bead and faceted bead are

my ceramic components. For those of you first meeting me, I am a ceramic bead artist,

so it's a must that my design is centered around my handmade beads! The second

component I chose was gold metal chain, clasp and spacer beads. I went with the gold

accent on the blue glass beads. I usually reach for silver accents with blue.

The last blog hop I participated in was all about waxed linen. I have fallen in love

with the stuff! I used a turquoise waxed linen to string the beads onto. After tying

an overhand knot onto my owl face, I had 4 strands on each side. I strung different

beads on each strand, twisted them, added the ceramic accent and tied them to the chain.

I also put my oversized lobster claw clasp on the side instead of the back....just because

I thought it was cool and didn't want to hide it.

I hope you like my design! I had fun with this challenge. If you'd like to see more

of my beads, please visit my etsy shop at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Waxed Linen Design Blog Hop

Ceramic Paisley Waxed Linen Necklace and Earring Set

I am excited to be experimenting more with new jewelry making supplies, and waxed linen is one that I am really enjoying. It takes away the worry that your wire crimps won't hold up. I also sell my jewelry in many gift shops and galleries, and every now and then, a customer will break a necklace by attempting to pull apart your toggle closure. Not cool!

I am a ceramic bead artist, so my first step was deciding which pendant and glaze I wanted to design with. I love my new paisley and I am a blue fan, so I chose Blue Lotus glaze by Mayco. It has a fun brown crystal burst which gave me my second color inspiration. Plus, I like the way wood looks with the ceramic, so that's what I used as my accents, along with some 8mm hand rolled ceramic spacer beads glazed to match the pendant. My favorite metal color is antique copper, so I reached for some chain and a lobster claw clasp to finish the necklace. I also wanted a pair of earrings to match. Here is my tray of beady goodness before I sat down to create the finished designs.

While designing the necklace, I though it would look nice to have some vertical drops, so I did add 4 more ceramic spacer beads glazed in Caribbean Blue to the mix. Here's what I came up with....and I love it! I hope you do, too.

Thank you to Diana P. from Suburban Girl Studios for being our blog hop hostess! She also makes gorgeous ceramic beads. I am the proud owner of quite a few of them! Please hop around to visit the other participants blogs and see what they designed. If you'd like to design with my ceramic paisley pendant, they can be found in my etsy shop at www.fireflydesignstudio.etsy.com

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