Sue Beads

I'm getting this up really late because I'm just really over-extended right now, but I was part of a challenge with Andrew Thornton - he sold kids with gorgeous beads called Amethyst Aether.  He did send along a wonderful polymer clay super-secret pendant he made for everyone, but I didn't get a chance to use it yet.  But here's the beads, and what I made! The beads are all so gorgeous, I wanted to use them all.  I do have plans for the rest, but here's what I got accomplished. First, these earrings.  These beads all just wanted to be together, so I let them!  Next, I knew I wanted to use these totally gorgeous stick beads in a necklace, and so I made a multi-strand necklace using all the beads I possibly could from the luxury mix.  I do like how it turned out! Now, if I ever get around to making more things, I will let you know!  Thanks for sponsoring this challenge Andrew!  Sorry I'm late with the post! Alison Her...

It's yet the end of another month, and that means it's the reveal day for the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month. For April, Rebekah Payne of Tree Wings Studio provided us with these cute little polymer hearts! If you love them, she has them available in her shop! I asked Rebekah to send me a surprise, and I received a copper one! As usual, I stared at the bead, stumped, for the better part of the month.  Feeling under the gun with many blog and personal and work deadlines, I was finally able to come up with what I wanted to make after looking at another piece I had made quite a long time ago! These stone beads caught my eye on my dresser, and that was it.  I knew what I was going to make!  They match perfectly with the heart!  I added some pretty copper accent beads, and a copper clasp. I'm really happy with the way this came out!  I will happily be wearing it!  Thank you so much Rebekah for another month of inspiration! Check o...

It's hard when I write for another blog to keep up with this one.  I published this tutorial a couple days ago on the AJE blog and thought you might want to see it here! Waaaay back in the beginning of 2009, I saw a photo of a jasper called aqua terra!  I loved it.  I had to make it into lampwork beads!  This is a photo of the first set of Silvered Aqua Terra beads I sold on etsy in January 2009! My first Aqua Terra beads on Etsy, Jan. 2009 I thought today I'd give you a tutorial of how to make your own, if you're a lampworker! Materials Needed: Rod of Light Ivory (Effetre) Rod of Light Teal (Effetre) Sheet of Silver Foil Marver of your choice Bead Press of your choice First, cut your silver foil.  I cut the sheet in eighths.  This gives a nice portion of silver foil for an 18mm size bead. Cut your silver sheet into eighths. Next, get your bead press ready.  In this example, I am using a Zoozii's straight-sided lentil press,...

I thought I'd share this post with you here on my personal blog, in case you didn't get to see it on the AJE blog. It's just been too cold to make beads in my basement, so I have been concentrating on making beaded ropes with spiral stitch.  In addition, I've been exploring texture within the spiral stitch rope and using different clasps.  I thought I'd show you some of my experimentation today! The very first spiral stitch rope I worked on is in the larger photo - I used an awesome cab by Diana Ptaszynski, and the colors I used were perfect!  I then made spiral stitch ropes to go with my own ammonite cab, my own lampwork heart bead, and ceramic pendants by Diana and Lesley Watt. I love how they all turned out. They were all made using only size 11 beads in two colors, with the exception of the one I made with my lampwork heart - I used one single color on that rope, and although it's hard to see, the beads have a really great rainbow effect. ...

Just so it's not ALL business, I thought I'd share some photos with you from my trip to Sint Maarten (Dutch side) with Jason.  We went over Valentine's Day to celebrate our 50th birthdays - his was in December, and mine's in May!  My new favorite drink, a Guavaberry Colada, made with Guavaberry rum!  You can bet we picked some up in Phillipsburg to bring home!  This was the view on the beach everyday!  We snorkeled in Anguilla, BWI and while I have snorkeled better areas, it still was fun!  Had the best Painkiller ever in a bar on Anguilla!  The infinity pool view at our resort.  The pool was actually a little cold for me!  In "downtown" Phillipsburg on our last full day there!  Had to do the tourist photo!  How could your day be bad when it starts out like this????  A gorgeous sunset at Maho Beach!  We visited Fort Louis, on the French side - a long walk up a hill but a great view!  Super...