Focus On : Lucite

I wanted to share with you my love for beading with Lucite flowers and leaves.  When the idea came to me, I sat down at the computer and went through my jewelry design photos to find the ones with Lucite.  I purchase my Lucite from The Hole Bead Shoppe.  This post will likely sound a bit like a commercial for their shop, but that is ok!  Kelli and Michael Burns are the owners and I have been a huge fan since I came across their designs in magazines and fell in love with the Lucite.  Lucite is a lightweight but durable and comes in a vast amount of colors and styles. I can't honestly say I remember what set me off down the "garden" path, but it is wonderful to have a product that incorporates well into so many designs.  I love flowers and nature is a continuing inspiration to my designs.  Here are some of the designs I have made using Lucite flowers and leaves.

Clockwise from largest box:
Garden of Skulls~award winning design in a contest sponsored by The Hole Bead Shoppe
Round Robin Bracelet project
Vineyard Fall bracelet
Autumn Hoot (lampwork owl bead by Keiara Wells)
Ladder stitch rings with Lucite embellishment
Christmas Holly (tiny red Lucite flowers in the fringe work)
Wienie Dog Garden Necklace for my niece, Creighton
Vintage Garden birds (with galvanized leaves and black Lucite flowers)
Autumn Splendor fringe bracelet
Fairy sets (made from Swarovski crystals and Lucite butterflies)

Clockwise from top right:
My first Bead Soup Blog Hop bead mix sent to my partner Shea (has Lucite leaves in the mix)
Tatterpillar Garden necklace (lampwork caterpillars by Chris)
Lucite purchase from Tucson trip (Plus I got to meet Kelli & Michael in person!)
Buzzy's Dream Garden (soldered charms from Brown Dog Studio)

And even with all those designs, I know I didn't find all the pictures or we didn't take pictures of everything.  Plus here is a brand new design using one of Chris's Beaky Birds (a new tropical version) and LOADS of Lucite flowers and leaves.

Isn't it adorable?  I love this bird!  The design actually came to Chris in a dream and we worked together to get the feet and legs right.

Also on the Hole Bead Shoppe, they are  now selling some of their famous design patterns.  I really love these!

English Picket Fence

Lucie's Daisy Patch

I actually bought the kit for the Daisy Patch, but have never had time to finish it!  I also have always wanted to make the Picket Fence, though I am sure the time issue would prevent it from happening too!

Since I have already done a commercial here, I will mention in closing that The Hole Bead Shoppe also sells seed beads, kits, Czech Glass (they have terrific prices on Spikes and Twins), and sequins.  I recently purchase some of their lovely sequins for embellishing all sorts of bead work! 

Stop by and shop for some Lucite and YOU won't be able to stop!
(By the way, I received no compensation for my promotion of The Hole Bead Shoppe, I just love their products and you will too!)

Autumn Designs

Asymmetrical Autumn - Fall Challenge project

Chris's Shy Witch pendant (the necklace is so CUTE)

Fall Flourish fringe bracelet (Lucite from The Hole Bead Shoppe)

Mish Mash Necklace

New post earrings on display at Exeter

necklaces/bracelets/beads/earrings

above and below: chalcedony hearts made by Chris and wired by me

another photo of the Mish Mash necklace and my favorite earrings, coffee and toffee

burst of bubbles necklace

autumn mish mash bracelet (polymer beads by Fanceethat)

time well spent with a new brass and grape necklace

Heirloom Rose Garden Pendant made to match my bracelet

Heirloom Rose Garden Bracelet (kit, design, and photo from Beads by C on Etsy)

Chris and I have been busy beaders!  These are all very recent designs.  Love the Mish Mash designs.  I took a bunch of neglected beads and dumped them in a BIG pile and started stringing.  On the necklace I used copper colored Soft Flex wire and at varying intervals, added crimps and left room for a few beads in the crimped space to have free movement.  Love the way that it turned out and the bracelet is the same way, but I used the pile of beads to make charms instead.  Gals have been asking for post earrings at shows, so I am trying my hand at them.  Design kinks need to be worked out yet, like what type of epoxy to use and ideas for things to put on the posts, and what size posts to get.  Most of what is on the rack for posts that are non-dangle style will be reworked in the near future.  Chris's chalcedony hearts are GORGEOUS and we had lots of compliments on them, but still have both.  The fall flourish bracelets turned out so well, and thought they would have sold during our two weekend shows, but they didn't.  I can never guess at what customers will buy!  I really love the coffee cup earrings, they are hanging with Czech glass coffee beads, toffee colored crystals and tiny miniature coffee cups from the doll house furniture department!  Fun!  The burst of bubbles necklace is made from double ended Christmas ornaments from Hobby Lobby!  The strands had two bubbles with a wire connecting them, so I cut them in half and used them like fancy head pins.  I believe I used the whole package on the necklace!  Carla's Heirloom Rose bracelet was so fun to put together, I made a pendant and earrings to match!  I love kits because with all the beading I do, it is like a bead vacation when I get to make something pretty, quick, and designed for me!  I did adapt it a bit, adding a few extra dangles.  The pendant also has a brass hummingbird tucked into it!

Bead Soup Blog Party Project Reveal Day!!!

 Welcome to the Fall Edition of the Bead Soup Blog Party!  A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Lori Anderson for hosting the event and for being the brilliant woman who began the Bead Soup Party!  

This is my third round of Party participation.  My first was the Spring 2011 when I created this:

My partner for that round was Shea Zukowski.

Then came the Fairytale Mini Swap this summer.   My partner for that round was Sandra Richardson.

For this Fall round, my partner is Valerie Norton.  These are the goodies she sent me to work with!

And this is what Chris and I sent to Valerie.

Don't you just love the Beaky Bird Chris made especially for Valerie?!  We can't wait to see what she makes with it!  So with out further ado, here is my first piece (I created two very different designs to compliment Valerie's two very different dichroic focals).

This focal SCREAMED at me 80's Retro!  So I went very FUNKY with it, using fun items to compliment the bright, beautiful colors in the dichroic glass.  I visited one of my favorite Etsy shops, MyElements, and picked out some of her fun gizmos and flexible tubing to add to the piece.  When I thought of funky, retro, and color-the only place I thought of was MyElements.  I love her stuff!  So anyway (got distracted, bead, oooh shiny!), on one side I made my own chain links using colored wire run through the hollow tubing to be able to shape it as I wanted to.  On the other side I used round gunmetal chain and wire wrapped all the goodies to it.  On the side with the rubber links, I took apart some of the chain links to use as jump rings for connecting the pieces of tubing.  As much as I LOVE mixed metals and all the varied finishes on the chain, it can be a challenge to find the right findings to go with the finishes.  Also by using the pieces of chain it tied the two sides of the necklace together without have them be identical.  When I got to the finishing part, I used a mix of hand dyed silk strings and ribbon, and black satin rattail cord.  I did loose braids with them so that you could see all the colors in play without the cords running around willy nilly on the ends of the necklace.  I used bead cones to attach the lovely sterling silver clasp Valerie sent in my soup mix. I don't know that I am crazy about this aspect of the piece, and I may yet rip it apart and redo that issue.  What do you think?  I would love your input!
For the second piece, I went more Antique Autumn.

I used a bunch of the beads and the focal Valerie sent me in this piece.  There were two strands of tiny Druk beads with a clear/antique bronze color that I used in my wire crocheted strands, there are freshwater pearl, Chinese and Czech crystals, mother of pearl rings, and Czech glass pressed leaves with some gorgeous metallic finishes.  ***Please let me apologize for the quality of the photos above.  I had to finish the pieces quickly enough to get in on the natural light before it ended for the day.  At the point of the photos, the necklace was actually TAPED to my neck with a strip of blue painter's tape.  Consequently, it doesn't hang as gracefully in the photos as I would have liked.  I did complete the piece around 10:30 and promptly whipped up a pair of earrings for a giveaway using more of the leaves and beads and some lovely twisted copper spacers Valerie sent in my soup mix.***  In the necklace I made wired dangles for the beads using 26g Vintage Bronze colored Parawire and hand twisting each bead on the wire.  When I connected the beads to the wire I used the twists like a head pin and twisted them on to attach them.  I counted and there are 58 dangles on the necklace.  I happened to add 29 to each side!  Gosh, I am good!  The crocheted ropes gave me a bit of a dilemma in how to attach them and have the piece flow together.  Chris suggested I use some coordinating jump rings to connect throughout the rope, and then I wrapped the wire tails to the chain links near the back of the piece.  I finished it with a floral textured antique silver toggle clasp.

Now for the Antique Autumn Earring giveaway!

If you leave me a comment on the Bead Soup Blog Party post, you will be entered to win these lovely earrings!  I will put all the names through a random generator on September 30th and choose the winner.  Please be sure to leave a way for me to contact you or stop back on October 1st to see who the winner is! 

Please visit the other Bead Soup Partiers, there are 362 of us!  Here is the list with links to all their blogs!

These are the partner pairs.

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York

2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson

3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino

4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner

5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier

6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins

7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor

8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen

9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller

10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare

11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman

12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps

13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka

14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson

15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy

16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price

17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland

18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John

19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel

19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel

20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou

21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase

22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb

23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign

24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall

25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll

26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley

27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala

28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman

29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz

30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle

31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen

32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards

33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson

34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier

 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander

 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye

37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock

38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone

39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf

40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi

41. Cherrie Fick and Cathie Carroll

41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick

42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg

43. Chris White and Norma Turvey

44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer

45. Christie Murrow and Dana James

46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins

47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford

48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis

49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering

50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith

51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes

52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher

53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya

54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk

55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young

56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent

57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj

58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman

59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald

60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick

61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner

62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert

63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez

64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris

65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith

66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday

67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman

68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore

69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones

70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz

71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim

72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable

73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag

74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post

75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton

76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter

77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride

78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller

79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley

80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson

81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor

82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen

83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman

84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy

85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora

86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg

87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann

88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay

89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh

90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski

91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan

92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean

93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis

94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt

95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski

96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio

97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts

98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker

99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford

100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck

101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto

102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark

103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika

104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen

105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec

106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson

107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long

108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson

109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney

110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson

111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger

112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy

113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw

114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher

115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca

116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser

117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse

118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington

119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton

119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter

120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson

121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir

122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank

123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks

124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron

125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe

126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon

127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore

128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller

129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke

130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson

131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum

132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr

133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara

135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James

136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz

137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi

138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman

139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper

140. Mary McGraw and Laurel Steven

141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner

142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners

143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy

144. Missy Rappaport and Mags Sarri

145. Molly Alexander and Poranna

146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell

147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry

148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson

149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna

150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers

151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari

152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan

153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag

154. Pat Haight and Mary Shannon Hicks

155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka

156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe

157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain

158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins

159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub

160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya

161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs

162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett

163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell

164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams

165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin

166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small

167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner

168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk

169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley

170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley

171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman

172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin

173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor

174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa

175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton

176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin

177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones

178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser

179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk

180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager

181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad