Artisan Whimsy has a tutorial for upcycling Christmas Lights

Great tutorial on upcycling Christmas lights as earrings over at Artisan Whimsy posted by Carolyn Collin. Go take a look - these would make lovely gifts at anytime of the year.  Thank you Carolyn for the clear directions and great pictures.

Leave a link if you make any of your own - Thanks!

Ways you can help

Copper Diem just posted some wonderfully helpful information about donating handmade jewelry. Here is a link to here article:  http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/2012/12/so-how-can-i-help.html.  If you have a spot of time, look through her past posts for more ideas and info about spreading the love around.

Thanks!

- Elaine

Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2

Heather Rats sent me this lovely wind chime.  As you can see, it is centered around her handmade tree of life – perfect for this time of year when I am reminded of how much I have to be grateful for in my life.  We are busy getting ready to travel 1100 miles to see family members in Illinois, working round many work and school schedules.  At times, all this planning can seem overwhelming and a bit irritating, but then in the distance I hear the Tree of Life’s chime.  That graceful sound directs my spirit to put my brain back into the right place and all is well again.  I have no idea how Heather choose such a perfect gift for me, but she did.  Thank You Heather!  

Notice how the sun shines through the stone - beautiful!

You can see more of Heather’s creations here in her web site.  After you tour around Heather’s beautiful place, settle in for a bit and go on a gift exchange tour.

Thanks for stopping by - Elaine

PS - Guess who didn't read the instructions very closely.  As it turns out, I was supposed to post a picture of  the gift I created for Heather - opps!  Anyway, here is my update and picture.  The tray is made with a buff clay and greenish glaze.  "May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near, and all your heart desires."  This was the first item I have made in years other than beads and pendants.  It was a joy to make and a prompt for me to make more.  Thanks again for stopping by.

Shirley Moore	http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille	http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Ray	http://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley	http://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Melinda Abrahamson	http://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewels	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Chandra Merod	http://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars	http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogel	http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smith	http://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.leelucreations.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Art Bead Love Tour

The Art Bead Love Tour is moving along again.  It is currently leaving the hands of Mimi Gardner of baubles, beads and other curiosities.   I'm always excited to see this chain and love seeing what people choose to keep for themselves and what they choose to add to the chain.  This time Mimi choose to keep a bezel pendant and bead I made.  (#4 and #8 below).  Woot!

If you'd like a chance to be part of the tour, click here for all the info:  Art Bead Love Tour - baubles, beads and other curiosities.  Read the instructions carefully and good luck!

Snowflake bezel ornament restock

I did a quick snowflake bezel ornament restock to squeeze in before Christmas.  A few new colors this time.  My favorite is the blue glaze on the dark clay.  I'm really, really hoping to see some pictures from people once they have filled the bezel part.  Enjoy!

Snowflake Ornament bezel

Snowflake Ornament

I no longer have any teenagers and it seems my three kids are getting more and more independent by the hour.  This is a really good thing.  I have always had so many new bead and pendant ideas rolling around in my head it was hard not to trip on them, but my time was limited.  Now I have much more time (as some more space at home) to let my creative energies out to play.  Just taking the time to lay these snowflake ornaments out in such a precise pattern felt like a luxury.

These Snowflake Ornaments are 3.5 inches tip to tip and have a bezel are in the middle for you to fill with your own special thoughts   You could put a picture there or load it up with tiny objects and seal with Diamond Glaze.  I'd love it if you'd send me a picture of your finished projects.

If you'd like a smaller snowflake, here is another option:

Snowflake Pendant

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back soon - I've got more ideas brewing even now.

- Elaine

acorns

A bit blurry, but I wanted to share these acorns I made. I don't typically do shapes like this, so it was a challenge for me, but I'm really liking them. The process of making these was a reminder for me to test and retest. The attempt was just one acorn - a glazed 9 mm round with a glazed bead cap on top, set in the kiln on a spike. It turned out perfect. So, being in a hurry, I made about 30 more the same way. Not so perfect - most of the caps slid off sideways as the glaze began to flow. Ugh! So with these I attached the caps before glazing. Almost 100% success. Yay!