i heart macro Sunday

For my entry in the Toast of the Town necklace blog hop, click here.

The kiddo loves to keep me company while I take jewelry photos.  She chases the dogs in the yard, gathers flowers and is always willing to stand in "just the right spot" to cast an even shadow over my subject.

While I photographed my version of Erin Prais-Hintz's Toast of the Town necklace, the kiddo roamed the yard and collected stray leaves and flowers.

The kiddo is amazingly resourceful.  As I was busy snapping pictures, she entered the house and came out with a shot glass.

Carefully, she arranged her treasures.

She made sure each and every branch was in the exact right spot.

She is extremely proud of her bouquet.  She checks the water every day and, so far, it is still doing well.

For more macro goodness, check out Studio Waterstone

Michaels Toast of the Town necklace hop

About a month ago, Erin Prais-Hintz of Treasure Found showed us her Toast of the Town necklace.  Erin made the necklace for Michaels as part of Michael's Made by Me, Inspired by Life promotion.

Erin's necklace is not only stunning, but is an amazingly versatile piece that can be worn several different ways.  I was immediately "wow"ed and started plotting my own version.  As it turned out, I didn't have to plot very long.

Erin, that wonderful challenge master, partnered with Michaels for a quick fire challenge.  Erin bought several strands of beads from Michaels and created three different color palettes.  She sent those sets of beads to a lucky few of us asking that we create our own version of her Toast of the Town necklace.

Erin sent each of us a random set of beads and I was excited to see I had received the brown and copper set -- I am totally an earthtones girl!

As luck would have it, I had a strand of bronze metal beads that worked perfectly with the beads Erin selected.  I started stringing .. and stringing .. and stringing.  Okay, it didn't take that long, but this necklace does take a ton of beads.

Two long (40 inch) strands of beads comprise Erin's necklace.  I was able to complete one strand using the beads Erin sent and even had a few left over.

I really wanted to incorporate bead weaving into this challenge.  Erin wanted to show how versatile her necklace pattern can be and I wanted to help her do that.

I looked through my stash and found a strand of 3mm bronze pearls.  A quick trip to the bead store yielded a strand of yellow/brown 3mm Chinese crystals.  What's a girl to do with those?  Make a spiral rope, of course.

I used the few beads I had left to break up sections of the spiral rope.

The spiral ropes compliment Erin's beads.

Erin was also kind enough to send a clasp.  It was a bit shiny for these beads, but a bit of gilder's paste helped toned it down.

I made my necklace a bit shorter than Erin's.  Even so, I was able to wear it twisted.

I think I prefer it hanging freely.  I love how you can adjust the strands to different lengths.

This necklace was so easy to make -- and fun also!  If you would like to make your own, you can find the instructions here on the Michaels website.

Erin, thank you for such a great design and a wonderful challenge.  I had a blast with these beads!

If you would like to see more awesome variations on the Toast of the Town necklace, please visit Erin's blog or take a look below:

Tanya - A Work In Progress - you are here

Lee - Strega Jewellery

Elisabeth - Beads for Busy Gals
Molly - Crafting A Life in Indiana

Pam - Re-Maker

Beth - EB Bead & Metal Works

Emma - A Polymer Penchant

Michelada - Micheladas Musings

Penny - Copper Penny Designs

Kay - Kayz Kreationz  (Note: Kay had to go out of town. Do check back for her reveal!)

Mallory - For the Love of Beads

i heart macro Sunday

For my entry in the second Time to Stitch Challenge, click here.

For my entry in the Beadwork beaded bead contest, click here.

We visited the arboretum last weekend.  Surprisingly, we had an 80 degree day last weekend, so it seemed a perfect time.

On the way out, we saw a tiny pumpkin growing on what looked like a tomato plant.

When we got home, I did a bit of research.  These turned out to be pumpkin tomatoes.  I had no idea there was such a thing, but now I want to try one!

For more macro goodness, check out Studio Waterstone.

Beadwork Magazine's beaded bead contest

For my entry in the second Time to Stitch Challenge, click here.

You may have noticed here, there, back and again that I have a bit of an obsession with beaded beads.

For the past several months, in celebration of its 15th anniversary, Beadwork Magazine published patterns for a series of beaded beads.

Many of us have been making those beads and waiting for the time we could use those beads to create something for Beadwork's Beaded Bead Contest.

When I started with the first beaded beads, I knew it would be a challenge to make them all play nicely together.  I figured I would just wait for an idea to come to me.

And an idea did come to me, in the form of the kiddo.  When I showed her my first few beads, she asked if they were supposed to be stars or planets.  *lightbulb*  (Have I mentioned that my daughter is awesome?)

The kiddo and I spent the afternoon researching planets.  We took notes on color and size.

The first pattern published was "Seeing Stars," designed by Melinda Barta.  I used this pattern for Mercury and Pluto.

The second design was the "Cube Cluster Beaded Bead," designed by Gwen Fisher.  This wonderful bead became Jupiter.  My Jupiter even has the red spot.

I used Florence Turnour's "Stargazer Beaded Bead" for Earth and Uranus.

These two beaded beads are just a sampling of what Gwen and Florence have in their store, Bead Infinitum.   Gwen and Florence are mathematicians and their beaded cubes, rings, prisms and spheres are well thought out, fun to bead and amazing when completed.

The "Treasure Trove Beaded Bead," designed by Cynthia Newcomer Daniel, was perfect for Venus and Neptune.

Cynthia has other wonderful designs in her etsy shop.  Cynthia's patterns are a joy to bead and the end result is always stunning.

The last design was the "Dewdrop  Beaded Bead," designed by Cindy Holsclaw.  I was excited to use this pattern for Saturn and Mars.

If you like the "Dewdrop Beaded Bead," you should visit Cindy's store, Bead Origami.  Cindy designs amazing beaded beads and pendants.

Once I finished my beads, I realized I had given no thought on *how* to make these beads work together.  The different colors and various shapes made it difficult for me to create cohesive design.

Then I remembered a set of beads made by Donna Millard.  The colors worked amazingly well with my beaded beads.

You can find more of Donna's work in her etsy store.  I have yet to see a bead from Donna that isn't absolutely breath taking.  I highly recommend taking a peek at her store.

I put Jupiter in the middle and laid the rest of the beads out in order.  (Who else remembers "my very eager mother just served us nine pickles?")

I even found the perfect clasp.  Do you see how great it looks next to Donna's beads?

I could not be happier with the result.

I love how Donna's beads pull everything together and make my beaded beads work together in a way I didn't think they could.

You can find my entry here.  If you have time, though, take a look through the gallery.  There are some fantastic designs and you can vote for all of your favorites.  The winning piece will be published in an upcoming issue of Beadwork!

A Time to Stitch 2

Welcome to the second Time to Stitch Challenge reveal.

In June, Therese Frank of Therese's Treasures and Christine Altmiller of One Kiss Creations hosted the first of a series of challenges designed to tickle the fancy for new and experienced beadweavers:  create something (anything) using a specific beadweaving stitch.

The turnout was awesome and everyone involved had a blast.  (You can see my entry here.)

This time around, Therese and Christine chose right angle weave and St. Petersburg stitch.

For me, right angle weave is synonymous with Marcia DeCoster.  Her projects were the first right angle weave projects I really attempted (and finished).  Marcia's book, Beaded Opulence, is a great source for right angle weave projects.

When my husband suggested that I attend the Bead and Button convention last summer, I immediately signed up for Marcia's Rising Sun class.  I really enjoyed the class and it was fun to meet Marcia -- I felt like I was meeting a celebrity.

I was able to finish the focal in class and got a start on the band ... and then it sat on my bead table.  This challenge was the perfect motivation to get me beading!

The focal consists of a right angle weave bezel around a Czech button.  The bezel uses different sized beads to create a little "pocket" for the button.

The bracelet is made by embellishing right angle weave stitches.  I took apart the band I had and started from scratch.  The bumps were fun to do and beaded quickly.

The end result is stunning.

I can't believe it took me so long to finish this.

Therese and Christine, thank you for hosting another fun challenge and making me get to work on something that *deserved* to be finished.

Please check out the beady goodness offered by the rest of the participants.  I promise, you are in for a treat!

Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller

Nikki Byers

Kristen Stevens

Shirley Moore

Cynthia Machata

Lola Surwillo

Maryanne Gross

Alenka

Karin Slaton

Katherine Gale

Sally Russick

Amy Severino 

Alicia Marinache

Sonya Stille

Tanya Goodwin - you are here

Lisa Stukel

Marla Gibson

Sarah Sequins

Mandy 

Andra Weber

Kim Hora

Karen Williams

A BIG "Thank You"

The first week in October was an 8 day celebration of Lori Anderson's new book, Bead Soup.

All of the book contributors got in on the fun and the week was full of beady goodness, awesome eye candy and giveaways.

I was lucky enough to win the grand prize.  Lori must know someone at the post office because the box arrived lightning fast.

Opening the box was like my very own Christmas in October.  What did I find?

This gorgeous faux sea glass from Z-net Shows and a string of pearls:

An awesome brass toggle:

Sandi Volpe's gorgeous necklace, made for the Bead Soup Blog Party 6:

You can read more about the necklace in her Bead Soup 6 post.  Check out Sandi's etsy shop for more beautiful creations.

A fabulous "Bead Souper" apron:

Did you know that you can get your very own "Bead Souper" apron here?  If aprons are not your style, you can also find t-shirts, tote bags, mugs and more!

Two amazing color pallettes by Brandi Hussey:

Brandi has more palettes available here.

A gorgeous pendant by Erin Prais-Hintz:

Erin has more pendants available in her etsy shop.

A beautiful beaded bead by Malin de Koning:

If you want your own (and you know you do), you can find more in Malin's etsy shop.

Tacky glue, a Fiskars mandrel and nail files:

A handmade notebook and recipe cards:

A wooden bangle Bead Soup Kit: 

Several metal blanks:

Lori even threw in some lotion and a mini soap from Moon Dance Soaps.

Lori, thank you so much for organizing such a great week for us.  Thank you, too, to everyone who donated these awesome prizes!  I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your generosity.

Now, I need to get creating with all of these beautiful things.  :)

i heart macro Sunday

For my entry in the My Bead Table Blog Hop, click here.

I only have one picture today.

I must  be in an odd mood.  When I saw it, my first thought was, "he loves me, he loves me not."

For more macro goodness, check out Studio Waterstone.