ABS November Challenge

 the Bourchardon Mill

by Armand Guillaumin

1906 oil on Canvas.

For more details click here.

For the soft sky..I used a Gaea bead as my art 

bead for this piece.

I also used some Unicorn beads to represent the 

reflections on the water.

Went with a coin shaped focal gem stone bead

 that had the soft violet shades from the painting.

Various Czech glass beads, a geode bead

and antique copper findings 

were also used to pull it all together.

ABS October Challenge

Madame De Pompador

by Francios Boucher

1756

served as this months inspiration.

For more information please click here.

I had been hoarding a bracelet bar from 

Earthenwood Studios.

I added plenty of delicate charms to contrast the 

 bold shape of the bracelet bar.

So happy to use up so many of my beads on this.

I went with various styles and colors of

Czech glass beads.

Green aventurine and goldtone bugle beads.

and a little silk bow.

ABS July Challenge

Tiger in tropical storm 

By Henri Rousseau

 1891 oil painting

Served as this month Art Bead Scene Challenge.

For more information click 

HERE.

My art beads is this terrific link by SuzieQ beads 

and these yummy green lampwork beads 

that I won from Kerry of Celtic Craft Designs.

Additional beads are Unicorn lampwork beads 

Green jade beads, Misc. bead with Copper findings 

and Vintaj charms.

ABS June Challenge

 Profile on Red Meanders

formerly Jeanne d'Arc

Odelin  Redon

1900 Pastel

For more information about this months 

challenge and the artist.

please click Here.

working with what I had ...I

went with the patina and rustiness 

that I saw in this piece of art work.

along with the softer shade of the purples.

Artist beads - Gaea Beads, along with 

Czech beads, Lampwork beads, 

and some Nikos Greek findings. 

ABS May Challenge

Bowl of fruit, Violin and Bottle

Pablo Picasso

1914 oil on canvas

For more information on this months 

ABS challenge click here. 

Art Beads used: 

PC Pendant and PC Blue bird by Katherine Thompson,

Barn Burd Designs.

Gemstone beads, Gunmetal chain and spacer.

Recycled Script Charm.

ABS Winnings from T-Beads

I got some Happy Mail this week.

My winnings from April's ABS Challenge.

 I was randomly selected and

 this is what Tammy sent.

 I really love lampwork beads and

 I so admire Tammy's talent!

Having taken a lampwork bead class I have an

appreciation for the skills it takes to make these 

beautiful little works of Art!

Thank You ABS

and A big Thank You to 

Tammy of T-beads 

for the generous gift!

ABS ~ April Challenge

Landscape with Peacocks

by Paul Gauguin 

Oil on canvas 1892

For mare details click here

This is what I created with ...

Golem Design Studio Beads,

Nunn design toggle, 

Multi color square lampwork bead,

Tibetan coin bead with coral and turquoise, 

Turquoise (dyed) Riverstone 6mm beads.

I pulled out the Coral, Yellow and Mossy green

 from the painting.

The beads dictated the additional Teal color.

I like the mix metal of the antique brass 

and the bright silver.

If it wasn't for this Challenge I may have

never thought to use the Tibetan beads 

with the Golem beads.

I will call this a Happy accident.

Bead Soup Blog Hop ~ Hoarders Edition!

Welcome to Lori Anderson's

Bead Soup Blog party ~ Hoarders Edition.

My partner Carrie Stalcup sent me 

this lovely carved mermaid

 out of peach Aventurine.

She had been hoarding it for 15 years.

Wow!

Her true age is unknown.

I say, "Keep'em guessing."

Designing how I wanted to feature the focal 

was great fun.

In the end I went with a wire wrapped bail 

and carried 

the copper wire wrapping

 throughout the necklace.

Carrie also sent a lovely 

array of pearls to kept her company

on her journey to me.

Alas they parted and went their separate ways.  

But don't be sad, 

she made new friends with my

Czech glass beads, Greek copper patina 

beads and Greek fish hook link.

My peach jade beads seemed 

to play well with others and 

nicely complimented the focal.

As did the Amazonite beads

which reminded me of water.

I'm hoping her new friends make 

her happy.

Then this bracelet and earrings
 appeared with some of the pearls

Carrie sent.

Ocean Jasper, Czech Crystal,
silver plated findings.

Why not check out the other designers creations

Click HERE 

for the full list and links.

Thank You Carrie
for being a fantastic swap partner

and for all of the wonderful hoarded 

beads that you shared with me!

Thank You Lori for another amazing BSBH event!

And a Thank You
to your helpers,
Arlene Dean and Ann Sherwood!

You Did It!

One more piece got assembled today, March 21st.
Hand knotted with
Irish waxed linen thread.
White Shell items were also a gift from
 my Mom's friend in Florida, Kay.

Carrie, can  you see this as a fun 

Summer piece

with a classic white shirt or tank top?

ABS - March Challenge

Armed Bird's Nest in Acacia Chile

Marianne North

1870

Oil on paper

Served as this Months Inspiration.

 Artist Bead - Gaea, Faceted Czech glass, 

Yellow Calcite, Yellow Jade,

Beads, with Copper finding accents.

What I Sent My Swap Partner

I sent Carrie Stalcup

this  Earthenwood Studios 

Heart pendant.

I had been saving this pendant 

for some time. 

I selected beads that went with 

the colors as a supporting cast.

Red Maylay Jade, Czech Beads 

and a few Charms.

I also sent some bonus items. I hope she'll like.

Some of which she can put to good use 

with seed bead flora and fauna she makes.

At the last minute, I added a

 Earthenwood Studio Key Link. 

Now I look forward to the reveal date!

Carrei's photo of her goodies

Beads Received for the Swap

I received my beads that Carrie sent in

yesterday's mail,

for the BSBP Hoarders edition.

Packaged up so sweetly.

and with a cleverly written note 

which I will echo here...

 A little story of the focal bead is that it has

 been in her collection for 15 years.

Yep, that is some definite hoarding.

Treasured all those years and she chose to part 

with it for this bead hoarders swap.

It is a beautifully

carved peach aventurine mermaid.

She sent her along with some pearls 

to keep her company.

But feels this shy little lady will make 

friends with my beads 

in no time at all.

I did pull out some peach jade 6mm beads

 that seem to 

compliment her quite nicely.

We'll see.

She should be getting what I sent today 

and I will do another post 

about what I sent soon.

Thank You So Much Carrie!

BSBP ~ Hoarders Edition~ Sneak Peak

This is a pixelated image of the pendant 

I have been hoarding along with the

 beads I am sending to my swap partner.

Enjoy your sneak peak Carrie Stalcup.

You can check her bead work out on

 Pinterest.

MFT Color Challenge #62

BB Penguins in Paradise stamp, Friend die,

Triple peek a boo and edge die set, 

Martha Stewart Snow glitter, 

rhinestone embellishments.

Copic Marker coloring.

ABS Monthly Challenge ~ January

Fields of Flower

Egon Shiele

1910

Chalk on paper

For more  information about his months

Challenge click the link here.

I chose to do a bracelet for this Challenge
using one of
 Suzi Q Beads...Leaf link.

I also fashioned my own copper S hook for the clasp
pairing it with a pre-made closed double jump-ring .
I also used various
Czech glass beads, Copper chain and findings,
Carved bone beads and Gemstones.
And just a touch of green silk ribbon.

MFT Sketch Challenge 316

Some Bunny Loves you.

I just love this Stamp set!

I cut the top layer a bit to reveal the Teal

strip of paper on the inside of the card

for this Sketch lay out.

Since I don't have the die to match this set,

I did loosely fussy cut around the images.

I popped them up.

Used one of the MFT banner dies.