Thrift Store Blog Hop

I've signed up for a thrift store blog hop being hosted by Pookledo which you can read about on her blog here.

This blog hop appeals to my love of thrift/charity shops. We had to buy something for £1.00 which could be used to make a piece of jewellery.
Here's what I bought, I think it used to be attached to something else but it will be fun to use, so many possibilities! Not sure if it is silver because it is not stamped but it's more shiny after I've been cleaning it with my silver polishing cloth.

Be sure to check back for an "in progress" photo and then the full reveal and hop on the 4th of August.

Bead Soup Blog Party Six

I'm so excited about this bead soup blog party! This is the biggest one yet with 399 participants from all over the world spread across three separate reveal dates.

I'm going to the party on 28th July and my partner is the lovely, talented Dana from Tumblestone Handmakery, what a fabulous name!

Dana specialises in quirky and I love her jewellery designs. Here is a necklace she made recently, the mother of pearl button is gorgeous.

Please drop by Dana's blog and visit her Facebook page and Pinterest.

If you would like to read more about the Bead Soup Party then please visit Lori's blog here

Make sure you hop back to see the bead soup creations on the 28th July!

Cocktail blog hop

Apologies because I am a little late in posting my cocktail inspired jewellery. I loved the theme of this blog challenge devised by Amy of Copper Diem blog.

Each participant was given a cocktail and I was really pleased to get a martini!

I had the perfect beads for martini inspired jewellery - a beautiful vintage crystal necklace which I was saving for a special occasion and this is it!

I created a bracelet with these gorgeous beads mixed with olive green crystals.

And these earrings included red and green crystals for olives and cherries.

I really enjoyed the theme of this challenge, for the full list of participants go to Amy's blog here.

Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Challenge

It's time to reveal the bracelets I've made for Tracy Statler's Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Challenge, you can read more about this on Tracy's blog http://makebraceletsblog.com/2012/03/15/wrapped-stacked-layered-challenge/.

I have made a mixture of bracelets and have been wearing them all whilst on holiday this week. Two of the bracelets have been upcycled, I covered two plain metal bangles with recycled sari ribbon and then used antique brass wire to wrap fire polished Czech beads, Venetian glass beads and small crystals on to them. I'm especially proud of these!

I also used antique brass wire with a variety of rose quartz and moonstone shapes and chips to make one of the bracelets. I've cheated with the last one because I made it a while ago but it fits perfectly with the colours I've used for the challenge, it has amethyst chips and round beads together with a bling metallic clasp.

Here's the list of participants...a fabulous turnout!

http://makebraceletsblog.com/
http://ahteesblog.blogspot.com/
http://songbeads.blogspot.com/
http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/
http://beadlolabead.blogspot.com/
http://stringsattachedcindi.blogspot.com/
http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/
http://cathiecarroll.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/chrisdeweerd
http://beatnheart.blogspot.com/

http://storiestheytell.blogspot.com/
http://tellyourgirlfriends.com/
http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/
http://copperdiem.blogspot.com/
http://copperpennydesigns.blogspot.com/
http://greenshoot.blogspot.com/ <<<<<
http://twentytwelve-mmxii.blogspot.com/
http://delle56.blogspot.com/
http://elizabeth-marengoalhajas.blogspot.com/
http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/

http://erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/
http://ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com/
http://facebook.com/handcraftedserenity
http://PaisleyDesignStudios.com/
http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/
http://hintjewelry.blogspot.com/
http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com/
http://jazzierich.blogspot.com/
http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

http://jeanetteblix.com/
http://glassaddictions.com/
http://jerrisjems.com/
http://howienjoylife7997.blogspot.com/
http://overthemoon-design.com/
http://katerichbourg.com/
http://pinterest.com/kk0725/stack-it-up-bracelets/
http://kimmykats.com/
http://kymhunterdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/

http://lelamccracken.blogspot.com/
http://etsy.com/shop/goingtribal
http://inspiredadonments.blogspot.com/
http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com/
http://freshbakeddesigns.wordpress.com/
http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/
http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/
http://maureenmeanswell.blogspot.com/
http://maybejustperhaps.blogspot.com/
http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

http://tekaandzoe.blogspot.com/
http://miri100.blogspot.com/
http://melissameman.blogspot.com/
http://kenshostudio.com/
http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com/
http://havanabeads.blogspot.com/
http://eclecticteaenshrinements.blogspot.com/
http://roxidesigns.blogspot.com/
http://stefaniessammelsurium.blogspot.com/
http://thestudiosublime.com/

http://sandivolpe.com/
http://sharondriscoll.blogspot.com/
http://sedillohillstudio.blogspot.com/
http://sunshinebliss.com/
http://sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com/
http://MiShelDesigns.com/
http://aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com/
http://blueberrycrazy.deviantart.com/gallery
http://uniqueboutique-creativetouch.blogspot.com/
http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com/

http://terrabeadworks.com/
http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/
http://sweetbeadstudio.com/
http://missyrappaport.blogspot.com/
http://mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com/
http://fredbeansnook.com/blog

It will take some time to get round all these - enjoy!

Guest You have to make whatever I draw!

Today I'm presenting a guest design by Zoe!

Here's her design...

And here's the finished article, I hope she thinks it is as good as her design!

A big thank you to Zoe for creating a guest design, I'm thinking this concept could go far!

Happy Easter everyone!

Candy coated earrings challenge....Reveal!

It's the day of the reveal, so without further ado, here are my candy coated earrings...

I managed to use three colours from the palette as directed and the beads are strung on antique brass wire. I'm loving the contrast of these red opaque Swarovski crystals with the sparkly clear crystals. I'm thinking of mixing sparkly and opaque beads in a few more designs, I really like the effect.

Loving these so much, I'm wearing them today!

To check out the other participants go to Serena's blog and check out the comments left on her post here

Have a great day!

You have to make whatever I draw...Part 2

So here we are again with another pair of earrings designed by my little girl!

And here's the finished article...I was allowed to use silver wire instead of black this time!

I'm really enjoying her challenges, who cares about spelling when you're being creative!