3rd Annual Handcrafted Ornament Blog Swap and Hop

I'm sorry for posting late.  I had this post scheduled for the 15th for some reason.  :(

For the past few years, Sally Russick has hosted a handmade ornament swap.  I wasn't quick enough to get in on the swapping last year, but I had a good time hopping around and seeing the gorgeous ornaments.

This year, I jumped when I saw Sally's post.  I was paired with the lovely Sandi Volpe.  I have admired Sandi's work for some time and was lucky enough to win this necklace she made.  It has become a staple in my jewelry rotation.

It's it gorgeous?  Sandi made this for the Bead Soup Blog Party last summer.  You can see this and the other pieces Sandi made with her soup in her post.

Sandi is also an awesome metal worker.  You can see the pieces below and a few others in this blog post.

And check out this post to see an awesome pair of earrings.

Okay, on to the ornament.  I absolutely adore it.

Isn't the little penguin the cutest?

Sandi hand soldered the charm and it is double sided.

She completed the ornament with a vintage red bead and black sugar bead made by Raida from Havana Beads.

When I opened the package, I almost had to fight the kiddo.  She loved it so much she ran to hang it on the tree.  I wanted to look at it just a bit more.  :)

Sandi mentioned that she wanted to make something that the kiddo would like also.  I think she rocked it.  :)

Did I mention that Sandi also makes lampwork beads and enameled beads?  She was gracious enough to send a few along with her ornament.  She also included a pendant from Karen Totten of Starry Road Studios.

Sandi, thank you so much!  I love the ornament and cannot wait to use the beads you sent.

Sallly, thank you for hosting.  I am so glad I was able to take part.

If you would like to see the ornaments I sent to Sandi, please visit her blog.

Also, please take some time to visit the participants and see the ornaments they received.

Sally Russick (our host) and Beth and Evie McCord

Erin Prais-Hintz and Melissa Trudinger

Karen Williams and Shirley Moore

Lori Finney and Alicia Marinache

D Lynne Bowland and Paula Kramer

Kim Bender Hora and Jenny Davies Reazor

Becky Pancake and Lori Anderson

Veralynne Malone and Therese Frank

Tanya Goodwin (you are here) and Sandi Volpe

Jeanette Ryan and Rochelle Brisson

Patti Vanderbloemen and Susan Kennedy

Snowman ornament

Last year, I saw this snowman ornament pattern at threadabead and made a mental not to try it.  Believe it or not, I actually remembered!

I really like the way it turned out.  The beads fit snugly over the ornament.  There is no danger of the beadwork "slipping" a bit.   The pattern was easy to follow and fun to do.

I love the attention to detail:  the buttons, eyes, carrot nose (I used a bicone) and the hat.

 This Santa ornament is a similar ornament (and my next project).  Here's hoping I finish him before the real Santa makes an appearance.

Christmas earrings

These earrings get a ton of "wear" during December and January.  They are very inexpensive to make (about $1 a pair) and are just plain cute.  :)  Several years ago (more years than I care to count), I made about 10 pairs and gave them to my aunts and cousins.

I have seen similar designs, like this one and this one, both from Fusion Beads.  I like my snowmen a bit better, though, because the scarf seems to be blowing in the wind.

While browsing, I saw this design and couldn't resist.

(My version used bordeaux  and white pearls instead of the red coral and ivory pearls the design calls for.)

I can't decide if these remind me more of a dancer from the "Nutcracker" or of Santa.  Either way, they are adorable.

Speaking of nutcrackers, Fusion Beads has nutcracker earrings here.

I posted about these earrings last year, but wanted to show them to you again.

These earrings combine this hanging Santa pattern from threadabead with a Christmas tree made from Swarovski margarita beads (like this one).

These earrings are a bit big, but I enjoy wearing them.  As I mentioned in my previous post, they would make a great ornament.

Santa, Baby

Sometime in October, I saw a pair of Santa earrings in my local bead shop:  a brick stitch Santa climbing up to a swarovski margarita bead Christmas tree.  I remember thinking, "I'll definitely try that after Thanksgiving."  Well, in the first part of December, I went back to the shop to get a closer look.  To my dismay, the earrings were gone.  The lady at the shop had no idea what I was talking about.  Now, either I'm confused (very likely), dreaming (somewhat likely), or in a parallel universe (not so likely).

Of course, these earrings became somewhat of a mission.  After a bit of searching, I found this pattern on threadabead.    This site has a ton of peyote and brick stitch patterns for almost any occasion.  (There is even a brick stitch karate student.)

While searching for the hanging Santa pattern, I found several other awesome patterns.  Who wouldn't want this snowman on her tree?

Speaking of trees, I needed to make some for my earrings.

Trees + Santa + ring = the cutest Santa earrings

They are a little big, but I like wearing them.  I think they are also a perfect size for an ornament.

My plan is to take these into the bead stores I frequent and ask around.  If I find the name of the person who made the pair I originally saw, I'll update this post.

If any of you remember seeing them in a magazine or other publication, please let me know and I will give credit where credit is due.