Blu Mudd Bracelet Bar Design Challenge

Go HERE to vote for your favorite.  But first please read about my design and journey.
Yipee, I got to play again with one of Moriah Betterly's Ceramic Bracelet Bars in her current Design Challenge for Blu Mudd Design Group on Facebook.  This one was a butterfly and is so cool.  Here is the bracelet bar I received.

I decided I wanted to do a stretchy bracelet with it and just needed to figure out what beads to use.  I love Carnelian and decided it would go great with this. So I picked out some Carnelian chips, some Hematite ovals and some Heishi White Shell discs to finish it out. The Heishi is a little whiter than I would have liked, but I couldn't find anything with that off-white look. I think with the other colors around them, they work. Then I went in to another bead shop closer to where I live and found these great orange-brown glass faceted squares that went great with the rest of the beads. I also wanted more than one strand so finally settled on a 5 strand stretch bracelet. I had some Dark annealed Steel wire that was great to make my own jump rings to attach the strands and decided that I wanted the 2nd jump ring to be something other than round, so used my new Triangle Wubber pliers to make the 2nd jump ring on each side. I love the look, although this is only the 2nd time I've ever worked with the stretch cord, but I don't think it turned out too bad. What do you think?  I love comments and suggestions so be sure to tell me what you think.
My friend, Karla of Texas Pepper Jams (they make the best pepper jams and fudge on Etsy) had come up for a couple of days to play so we used each other as sounding boards for our designs. And then of course decided that I needed earrings and a simple necklace to match.  So out came the toggle bar clasps and chain for the earrings. My Daughter in Law showed me how to make these a couple of years ago and I love the look. (By the way, Karla is her mother. LOL)  So I made some dangles out of the beads for the bracelet, attached them to 3 pieces of chain and hung them from the toggle bar which was attached to black earwires. I love them.  Then I wanted just a simple necklace to go with the set, so strung the Carnelian, Black Hematite, White Heishi shell discs and the Glass beads on some beading wire, making it long enough to just slip over my head.  I also added 3 more dangles just like the earrings for a focal for the necklace. I love the way the set turned out.  I'm still trying to decide whether to keep it for myself or put it up for sale.  How do you like my Blu Mudd Bracelet Bar Design set?  There is a contest on the Facebook group for the best design, so be sure to go there and vote for your favorite Bracelet design.  Plus let each of us know what you think of our designs.

And if you're looking for some Stained Glass, Mosaics or Fused Glass Kreationz for your home or garden or more of my Jewelry check out my shop, KayzKreationz.  Thanks for looking. 

ZNETshows Design Team-Round 2-Diamonds in the Rough

UPDATE:  Voting has started and 2 of my designs got picked for their contest. the 2 on the bottom left. my Herringbone wrap bracelet and earring set and my Shel/Pink Rhodonite necklace from my BSBP reveal! please go to their page and click 'like' on the pictures to vote.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151568712344523.1073741840.87744049522&type=1

Well, they must have liked my designs for Round one with their Cultured Sea glass, because about a month ago, Bill Zhang of ZNETshows e-mailed asking if I'd be interested in participating in Round 2 of their designing.  They were asking us to pick up to 10 different beads/stones/focals from their supplies that often times get overlooked in designing and jewelry making.  They would add a few extra things to go along with our picks and mail them out for us to start designing with.  He knew a lot of us were involved with Lori Anderson's BSBP party with our reveal this month (mine is on the 27th) so we were to get him our designs after that and in time for their May newsletter.  Unfortunately, I got so excited when I got my box and wanted to start designing right away and forgot to take a picture of the stash before I started. But as I go through my designs I'll let you know what I used from ZNETshows and then have a picture at the end of what's left that I didn't get used, YET.  But my goal is to use everything they sent me.  So here goes.  I actually was able to use some of their stones and focals with my Bead Soup Blog Party designs, so this was great.  My first piece used this fantastic Square Shell MOP focal (code PDG257-05)  along with the Pink Rhodonite puff beads (code BDG44-16)  hey sent me. I also used some pink and white freshwater pearls and the clasp my BSBP partner sent me to finish off my Sweet Sixteen necklace.

Next, I used the Green African Silver Leaf puff beads (code BDS1517-09) along with their Pineapple Glass Quartz Oval puff beads (code BDG46-52) and a great Fan Shell pendant/focal (code PDG78-03).  I added some Bronze colored chain I had and wound some green leather and pink rattail cord through it for a pop of color. Then I attached an adorable Bronze dragonfly toggle clasp I had to finish it off. I also used the African Silver Leaf beads and Pineapple Quartz with a piece of the chain for a pair of earrings and a bracelet to match and finished off the lobster claw clasp on the bracelet with a bronze key.  I haven't decided what to call this set. Any ideas?

After that I tried a new technique and did a herringbone wrap with silver wire on the Purple Dyed Mexican Zebra Jasper oval puffed beads (code BDS1577-17) for a bracelet.  I don't think it turned out too bad for the first time.  I added some purple/white onyx beads I had as links in between the wire wrapped Zebra jasper and added a silver colored toggle clasp.  Then I wrapped a pair of the Zebra jasper beads for a set of earrings and added more Onyx beads and some purple glass daggers I had as drops.  Don't have a name for this set yet either.  Do we see a trend here? LOL

After that I used some more of the African Silver Leaf beads, this time they were round (code BDS1517-14) and some more Pineapple glass, also round (code BDG58-45) and made a 3 strand graduated bracelet and pair of earrings.

And finally my favorite and my husband's.  This necklace used their Agate Oval Focal (code BDS1216-07) and some Heat treated Carnelian free form beads (code BDG98-12).  I wire wrapped the beads with copper wire, trying to make the copper wire match a line in the Agate.  Then I made my own Copper wire wrapped beads to go in between each of the Carnelian and the Agate.  I also made all my own jump rings and added a little pop of color with some gold seed beads on the jump rings on either side of the Agate Focal.  Then I made my own Copper Spiral links and clasp to finish off the necklace. I'm still working on some earrings to match and probably a bracelet, but I ran out of time.  Although this one was a lot of work, I love the way it turned out.  Not sure if I'll sell this one or not.  The others will be available in either my Etsy shop, KayzKreation, here on my blog, or my facebook page, KayzKreationzGlassKreationz.  So watch there if you're interested in any of the pieces.

If you're interested in any of the beads shown here that ZNETshows sent me, be sure to check out their site, ZNETshows.  They sell mostly 'wholesale beads', but you can get a retail account.  Don't forget to check out their znetshowsblog on Friday with all the participants and links to their blogs/posts. And after that they'll have a contest on their znetshows facebook page. You can vote for your favorite and the winners get a prize! Yay!

And finally, here's what I had left, that I haven't gotten to use yet, but I have plans for it all. I love that shell flower focal and the fire agate beads. I have ideas for them, just need to implement them.

Earth As Art Color Challenge From Treasures Found

It's here! The first of November I signed up for the Color Challenge that Erin Prais-Hintz, of Treasures Found, always has in November. I did it last November for the first time. If you're really wanting to challenge yourself or just get new inspiration, you should really check out her Color Challenges. Just as the name implies, they will challenge you.  She has a different theme every time and selects one or two color palettes for you to use to make a piece of jewelry.  This time around, Brandi Hussey from BrandiGirl blog picked out 40 of the 120 NASA pictures from their Earth As Art photographs and made color palettes from those. They are truly inspiring.  Then Erin picked out the 2 color palettes for each of the 80 participants and e-mailed them to us, letting us pick which palette we would work with.  These are the 2 palettes I received.  The first is the Great Sandy Scars from Australia.  I love these colors and picked this one to be the main one to work with.  Description: In a small corner of the vast Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia, large sand dunes—the only sand in this desert of scrub and rock—appear as lines stretching from left to right. The light-colored fan shapes are scars from wildfires. Isn't that cool?

This is what I came up with from my Color Palette.  I used some Glass Beads from Hobby Lobby, some Purple Potato Pearls and Green Daggers (can't remember the name of the bead on these) I had on hand, some Light Green/Yellow sari ribbon I had and the cutest little blue/gray owl I received from Natalie Pappas along with a brass colored Leaf toggle clasp to make it appear the owl was in the leaves of a tree high overhead the Great Sandy Scars. (I know, he probably wouldn't be in that part of the world, but I liked the idea.)  I added some dark brass colored chain I had to wrap around the Green and Purple strand.  Did I catch the essence of the Great Sandy Scars?

Here's the second palette I received. This one was really a challenge for me. I'm not a fan of blue and these are not colors I usually or ever work with.  I'm still trying to get my Kumihimo braid finished off for this necklace, so not sure I'll get it done in time to post.  But I took Dyed Imperial Jasper Sapphire, Natural Shell rice, and Carnelian dyed nuggets from Michael's along with some Yellow Round hole beads from Hobby Lobby and some Copper Filigree beads I had received as a gift and strung them to hang with the Salsa yarn and Gold and Orange ribbon to make my Kumihimo braid. Finished off the braid with brass/copper bead caps and attached all 3 strands to copper jump rings and chain. Then I finished it off with a Copper Square Toggle clasp to match the square Filigree beads.  It is from the Color palette Lake Eyre, also in Australia. Description: Do you see a scary face looking back at you? The hollow-appearing eyes, narrow nose, and slash of a mouth are inundated patches of shallow Lake Eyre (pronounced "air"). Deep in the desert country of northern South Australia, Lake Eyre is an ephemeral feature of this flat, parched landscape. When seasonal rains are abundant, water fills the lakebed to some degree. During the last 150 years, Lake Eyre has filled completely only three times. When brimming, it is Australia's largest lake.

Unfortunately, I've run out of time, between company, appointments, cooking for some volunteers that are coming this weekend to help us and other things, so I don't quite have this piece done, but here it is so far. I still have to finish off my Kumihimo braid, then attach all three strings to the copper chain and the copper toggle clasp, which is in the picture. Hopefully I'll get it done and post the finished project Monday or Tuesday. So if you'd like to see it finished, check back then and let me know what you think.

I thought it was interesting to read about each of these spots, too, so I included the description of each from USGS/EROS Image gallery. To see more great Earth as Art pictures click the name.  So what do you think?  Did I capture the essence of Lake Eyre in this necklace?  Did I meet the challenge of using colors I never work with and make something you would wear? Keep checking my blog or Etsy shop as this one at least will be listed for sale soon. If you like either one and want it sooner, you can e-mail me or convo me from my Etsy shop, KayzKreationz and let me know.  And be sure to check out Treasures Found for the other 79 participants in this Color Challenge.  And if you're looking for more Stained Glass, Mosaic, Fused Glass Kreationz for your Home or Garden, or more Beaded, Wire-wrapped jewelry for yourself or as gifts, check out my shop for those, too, KayzKreationz.

Featured on Fabulous Handmade Finds-Mini Pyramid Sandscape

Today I got an e-mail that my Etsy shop KayzKreationz had been featured in a blog post on Fabulous Handmade Finds. They featured my Mini Pyramid Sandscape. This 4" triangular work of art can also be personalized either with your choice of shells, rocks, etc. or by adding a small sentiment etched on one of the bevels. If interested in that you can convo me. They also featured my Artfire shop.

Another great shop was featured also. STRINGandSTONES was featured along with her fabulous Carnelian necklace. Check her out if you're looking for some great gifts for your loved one in the near future.

Red is such a Cheery color-Jewelry and Glass

I love Red. It is such a cheery color. It always makes me feel better. But it also brings out passion in people. Whether it is passion for someone or something. It can brighten our day and cheer us up, especially if it's the color of something someone has given us. If you're looking to cheer yourself or someone else up, or just make someone's day, check out this great Red coral and pearl necklace and earring set. It's certain to do just that. And you can also help make STRINGandSTONES day by giving her that 1st sale! And if coral and pearls aren't quite your thing, but you still love red and that chunky look, take a peek at this gorgeous Carnelian necklace. It's great.

But if jewelry isn't what you're after, then I've got some great glass items that are either red or have red in them. Things for your home and garden, like a cute ladybug plant stake for your potted plants or flower bed, or this pretty little Mosaic birdfeeder with 3 little birdhouses in it. Or even this great red Poinsettia glass panel. You can find them at KayzKreationz.

Romantic--Carnelian necklace and Blue Tealight Candle holders

Today I'm featuring http://stringandstones.etsy.com/ This carnelian necklace is gorgeous. And it's got red swarovski crystals with it too. There's that red again. :)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16598235

And for something romantic:
http://kayzkreationz.etsy.com/
these are really nice: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15964611