Monday, January 20, 2014

Echo Creative Club January 2014 Beads


When there was a call out for jewelry designers to participate in the Echo Creative Club - I jumped at the chance! I have always been in awe of the amazing beads and the designs that the creative jewelry designers have made with them - I'm so excited for this opportunity!!


Jeannie Dukic of JKD Studio made the beautiful Acanthus pendant and Polarity beads that I received. They came in a lovely handmade envelope that was wrapped in pretty paper - such fun to open!


I love the detail and rich colors in the Acanthus pendant and the Polarity beads have just a hint of gold - gorgeous!


Reveal date is January 25 - please check back to see what I create!


Monday, January 13, 2014

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Into the Forest Blog Hop Reveal

The lovely, Lisa Lodge, of Pine Ridge Treasures had a sign-up for another of her fun blog hops - this one with the "Forest" theme.  We were sent a bead kit and were asked to use beads from our own stash and asked not to go out and buy additional beads.


                                                                           I received the Tiger Eye kit


When I decided to sit down and get to work on my kit, I remembered that I had recently bought a pendant that would go perfectly with my beads. It's a dark brown metal puff bead that has a great texture and is very light-weight.


I strung most of the bigger beads with the metal pendant and added some of my beautiful green recycled sari silk.


The toggle I used has a texture that reminds me of bark.


This morning, I thought I'd make the earrings I had in mind - I love how they turned out! The teardrop and gold beads are from my kit and I added the silver disc from my stash.


Thank you for stopping by! Please hop over to all of the other jewelry designers to see their beautiful creations!


Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Janine Lucas, Esfera Travel Blog
Jasvanti Patel, Jewelry by Jasvanti
Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera
Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
Janet Bocciardi, Honey from the Bee
Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes
Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs
Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Elizabeth Engriser, Bead Contagion
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
Kay Mallery,TBD
Catherine Yvonne King, Catherine's Musings
Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles
Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs



Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Spicy Jalapeno Cranberry Sauce

This is a delicious addition to any holiday dinner. The recipe makes 3/4 cup - it will go fast, so you may want to double or triple the recipe!


1/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fresh cranberries
1/2 jalapeno, seeded and minced

- Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan - bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Stir in cranberries - reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, 10-15 minutes
- Remove from heat - stir in jalapenos.
- Cool to room temperature.


                                                                               ENJOY

* If you like it a little spicier, add a few of the jalapeno seeds.
* Once cooled, you can put it in the refrigerator - personally, I think it's best cold.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Saturday, December 7, 2013

I Love Clay Blog Hop

When Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures put out the call for sign-ups for the 'I Love Clay Blog Hop', I didn't realize life would be as busy as it is right now!! But, I always love joining Lisa's blog hops because they are always fun and make me stretch my design abilities.


I received some adorable clay beads made by Tori Sophia Designs.



I decided to use some of my beautiful seaglass beads from ZnetShows and went to work! I wire wrapped the seaglass beads with copper wire and attached them to antique copper double spiral links. I attached the cute fish pendant with Irish waxed linen, added copper chain and a little "fish-hook" toggle.



Please check out all of the lovely designers and their designs. I will be going through the hop on Monday since I'm meeting my sisters in NYC this weekend! Enjoy the hop!!

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations
Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems
Dolores Raml, Crafty D's Creations
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Mowse Doyle, Mowse Made This

Janine Lucas, Esfera Travel Blog
Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Kelli Nelson, Zenith Jade Creations
Ann Schroeder, Bead Love
Jasvanti Patel, Jewelry by Jasvanti
Candida Castleberry, Sugar Spun Beadworks
Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
Katrina Taylor, I Wanna Go Out