Daisychain Flower Bangle Challenge Hop

Today's the day! I was lucky enough to be one of five winners for the super talented Jo Tinley's Flower Bangle Challenge. I was so happy to get the poppy, because even though they're all wonderful - I like the poppy the best. Be sure to check out Jo's blog and etsy to see her gorgeous components and get your own bangle blank!

It took me awhile to figure out what I was going to do with my bracelet. I'm generally not much of a bracelet maker, so it was really a challenge for me. I experimented with sari fabric, and held up my other leathers and fibers, but I ultimately decided I was just going to break out my 24g oxidized copper wire and just start doing something. I started with a coil, threw on a pearl stick, coiled the other side and decided I liked that. Then I remembered some vintage pearl drops I'd received in a past Bead Soup that was sitting on my desk somewhere. I slid that on and made another coil. I was onto something! So then it was just a (multi-day) search of just the right beads to use and more & more coiling. There's an adorable vintage silver bell that I'd been saving for just the right thing, so I had to add that. It's just a mix of old and new, various metals, stones, pearls, and crystals. The coils slide around a bit, but that just adds to the fun and movement of the bracelet.

Make sure to see what everyone else has done!

Jo Tinley -  Daisychain Designs

Sherri Stokey - Knot Just Macrame

Shannon Chomanczuk - For My Sweet Daughter

Jenny - Shyme Design

Keri Lee Sereika - Pink Lemonade

Heidi Post - Ex Post Facto Jewelry

Recently

Just a quick entry, as it's Father's Day and I should be getting ready to go over to my sister's house for the big Father's Day lunch!

Round Rabbit heart pendant, agate, carved bone, Czech glass, wood beads. And while the clasp on this piece is fun enough, it just reinforces my need to get more pretty clasps from you talented makers out there. I finally did buy two pretty ones recently, but they didn't go with this necklace, so. 

Oh my god I made a bracelet! It's so rare, and I usually am never pleased when I do, but this one's pretty cute, I think. Another Round Rabbit bead (the star), and assorted new and old lampwork, lucite, sea glass, tagua nut, crystal, ceramic - I forget the name of the clasp nut.

Dimestore Emporium patina shells, freshwater pearls. When I brought these to the salon, 

Jeanne snatched them up right away as her commission!

Daisychain Extra bangle blank I was lucky enough to win for her blog challenge! See the link on the right side of my page to read about it. The styles were randomly selected from two textures of daisy or the poppy. And the whole time I was opening the package, I kept saying "please be the poppy!" And it was! Not that the daisies aren't totally adorable - they are, but I just LOVE her poppies. Yay! I can't wait to play around with it and see what I come up with. Be sure to check back on June 30th to see what everyone's created.

And because winning is apparently in my stars lately, I was very lucky to win these beauties from Libelulla Jewelry. Be sure to check out her blog and her etsy. She makes the most beautiful jewelry and components! She just reinforces my desire to work with metal. Some day I will.

I Need to Buy a Lottery Ticket

Yesterday I was chosen to be one of the lucky 5 for Joanne Tinley's Flower Bangle Challenge. How very exciting! Also a bit nerve wracking, as I'm terrified of not being able to do it justice. But I'm sure I'll come up with something fabulous and surprise myself. Bracelets have just continually been a weak point for me. But that's what a challenge is all about. Her bangle blanks are beautiful enough to be worn unadorned. If you're unfamiliar with her work, do yourself a favor and explore her etsy shop.

And on Monday, I was honored to be chosen as Art Bead Scene's Designer of the Week for my May Challenge entry.

Yesterday, Jeanne informed me that she'd unearthed her velvet displays from her old salon and she redid my jewelry display at her current salon. She sent me a photo, and it looks a lot better than it used to. She said it seems to be increasing my sales, so I certainly can't complain about that! She hasn't figured out where to put the earrings yet, but I'm going over there this evening and I'm sure we'll come up with something.

I made this last night, and it will be joining the above display tonight:

Golem Studio pendant, Czech glass flowers w/ little rubies, dyed jade, serpentine chips, copper wire & chain.