Sue Beads

I have been participating in Sally Russick's Ornament Swap/Blog Hop for years, and it's so much fun every year!  Sally partners us with someone and we make a holiday ornament for them!  Today is the reveal!

My partner was Alicia Marinache from Canada! She makes awesome jewelry which you can find here in her ArtFire store!

This is what Alicia made me:

Isn't it wonderful?  Her wirework on this piece is really awesome!  It can be worn as a pendant OR used as an ornament!  I'm thrilled with it!  Thank you so much Alicia!

And here's what I sent Alicia!  I always stress over what I'm going to make, and it takes me a little bit of time, but I'm really happy with what I came up with this year!

This year I made a red lentil shaped bead (it's large, 1 1/4 inches) and wrapped it in pure 22k gold leaf with a swirl imprint.  I strung it on beading wire with rhinestones, gold saucer beads and a swirl star charm!

Please visit everyone else to see what they made and re…

Every year for 3 years now, Sally Russick has hosted an ornament swap.  I have participated each year and it's always so thrilling to get a work of art from someone else to put on your tree.  This year was no exception.  In fact, I received TWO works of art from Patti Vanderbloemen.  I had the pleasure of finally meeting Patti in person at ArtBLISS this year, and she's as wonderful in person as she is on-line!

 This first ornament features Patti's wirework, meant to look like an actual round ornament, and I'd say she did an amazing job!  She used a focal from Donna Millard, who makes the most wonderful lampwork beads!
 If I wasn't lucky enough, she made me another ornament using a set of clay beads from Gaea.  She made this one to fill that "empty" part of the tree you always see after you're done decorating!

I did want to specifically show you her wirework in these ornaments because it's amazing.  Her work always looks so rich and perfect to me i…