Hardware Can Be Beautiful

So, I was in Lowe's a few days ago, looking for copper wire and copper tubing (don't ask, I'll show you when it's done!) and I found these sweet little brass mirror holders.  My immediate thought was "HEY! I can make these into jewelry somehow!"  (y'all have been a really baaaaaaad influence on me!)  Anyway, I'm still contemplating what I'm going to do. Any ideas from you?

 

hard to tell the silver color from the brass
color in this shot, eh?

And, don't forget, my March Contest will be over this Saturday and I'll be drawing two winners shortly thereafter.  Go here if you still want a chance to get in on the contest.

Remaking A Card

Michelle Mach over at Beads And Books asked us to repurpose a card she had created for Valentine. I didn't get it done in time to enter her drawing (congratulations Cat!) but I was able to get it to her in time to be part of her show.  The other ladies did lovely jobs so jump on over to Michelle's post for today to see their work. Here's mine:

Michelle embossed the leaves, I colored them in
then added the dragonflies free hand... yes, it's
been a while since I've drawn (snrk)



....AAAAAND CUT!

Whelp!  That's the end of the First Annual Virtual Craft Show.  I hope everyone had as much fun as I did.  I know winner announcements are up-coming so, as soon as Lori lets me know who has won my giveaway, we'll be contacting each other for all the info exchange necessary.

On another note, the discount at my Etsy store is currently closed but stick around.  When we get closer to the holiday, there may be another one!



Autumn Sunset

 Now, on to the private drawing I was having for my Etsy store... I only had six people who ended up entered in my private (not part of the Virtual Craft Show) drawing but I'm still not going to tell you who the winner is until tomorrow.  Once I've got the name, and if you left a way for me to contact you, I will let you know and contact you for your mailing address.

Good luck!

CHALLENGE. ACCEPTED!

OOoohhhh!  I am either OUT of my MIND!  Or getting brave.  I haven't decided which, yet.  On top of the Virtual Craft Show I'm taking part in (see ad to right) I've decided to be part of a design challenge for the Art Bead Scene November Challenge.  I actually have some beads the colors of this months' challenge and thought I'd be brave.  Now... to come up with a design.

Necklace?

Bracelet?

Earrings?
Then, a friend of mine asked if I had thought of making and selling lanyards for those who have to have a company ID badge on/with them at all times.  I actually had and was planning to make that one of the things I sell in my Etsy shop (not that she was aware of this! HA!).  So, I decided that I would attempt my design around a lanyard!  I can make more than one item, it appears, so the first will be a lanyard.  If that makes me happy, then maybe some glasses holders or earrings.  I love these colors for the challenge, but, then, I love Autumn and her many colors as well.  So, as soon as the design is complete and put together, I will be sure to post the pics... well, I have to.  That's part of the rules to enter the contest. 

I may not survive this, but at least I've gotten out of my comfort zone and tried something new!  We all should.  Otherwise our minds atrophy.

CRAFT SHOWS GALORE!

No, I'm not actually participating in this one (i.e., not selling) but I do have plans to hop around to all the blogs that are.  These are some terrific artists who either create jewelry or create the findings the rest of us use in our jewelry creations.  It's amazing what and who you can find.  Please, go take a look at the host site, Melinda Orr Metal & Clay Jewelry Designs, enter all the participating sites to win the give-aways and enjoy! :)

~IT'S ALL ADDICTIVE~

~UPDATE~
Okay, who broke my winning streak? Huh? Huh!?
Oh, well, I guess this means I shouldn't play the lottery any time soon. Congrats to Amy from Copper Diem!
~END UPDATE~


Yes, folks, it IS all addictive.  Whether it's writing, sewing, knitting, or beading/jewelry making it's as addicting as... well... gambling.

Okay, I'm reaching a bit, (okay, maybe a lot) but I now understand the gambler's urge (to a VERY small degree).  My last post, I showed you the great sets of earrings I won and, now, I'm entering blog contests all over the place!  For one thing, I'd really like a chance to win Barbara Lewis's Grand Prize over at Painting With Fire so I'm entering by making comments on as many of her Book Tour hosting sites as I can (sites like Pretty Things by Lori... she's got an especially interesting article with tips on getting into the beading magazines which actually scares me, but we all need to get out of our comfort zones, eh?) (oh, and, no particular preference on prizes from Painting With Fire, unless you ask, in which case I'd say the torch-fire kit... but, hey, I'm flexible! ~hee~) However, through all that blog-hopping, I'm coming upon other blogs with give aways going on and, yes, I'm entering them, too.  You never know, I might actually be on a roll, here! (okay, one win, but still a roll! right? hello? *crickets*)

Anyhoo... one of those sites promises to enter me in their contest if I mention (and link them) on my blog, but I have to get it done by... oh, look, today! So, I am mentioning Yolanda's Clay Bead Talk blog as of right now.  And, yes, there's a link attached to that name.  See the color change? Click it! Please, click it.  You don't want to be the cause of my winning streak breaking, do you?  And, these are the beads she's giving away; cute, eh?    Now all I need to do is "like" her on FB and add her to my "follow" blog list for two more chances.

Cross your fingers.  Go, winning streak, go!

IT PAYS TO BE CRAZY!



My soon-to-be-received earrings
Cool, eh? Thanks, Linda!

 Several of the art sites I'm following are having contests to promote the new book of fellow artist Barbara Lewis of the blog Painting With Fire Artwear. And I was the winner of one contest (yay me!). I won a pair of handmade earrings and some copper shapes to play with from Linda at Objects and Elements. SO excited!! Anyway, below is a list of the rest of the virtual book tour (blog to blog) for those who'd like to tour some other wonderful and inspirational sites:


October 10, Andrew Thornton, http://www.andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/
October 11, Lori Plyler, http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/
October 12, Diane Cook, http://www.rosa-josies.blogspot.com/
October 13, Lori Anderson, http://www.prettythingsblog.com/
October 14, LeAnn Weih, http://www.summersstudio.blogspot.com/
October 15, Jen Judd Velasquez, http://www.jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com/
October 17, Melissa Meman, http://www.melissameman.blogspot.com/
October 18, Lisa Crone, http://www.abeadaday.blogspot.com/
October 19, Shannon LeVart, http://www.missficklemediacom.blogspot.com/
October 20, Cindy Wimmer, http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/
October 21, Laura Twiford, http://www.souvenirsfromlife.blogspot.com/
October 22, Erin Prais-Hintz, http://www.treasures-found.blogspot.com/
October 24, Jennifer Cameron,  http://www.glassaddictions.com/

Take a tour, enter any contests and enjoy!