Happy Thanksgiving

I probably won't do much blogging this week as my son, Mark, and daughter-in-law, Maria, will be visiting for a few days, and then we are headed to Phoenix, Arizona for Thanksgiving with our daughter, Michele.

I just wanted to take a minute to give Thanks and say a prayer for our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.  And, I wanted to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all my family, friends and followers on this blog.  Enjoy the Moment!

Loretta's Boutique is at ArtFire now

I recently opened an "ArtFire" shop online and invite you to take a look at what I have listed for sale.  My polymer clay bracelets, earrings and necklaces are available there, and now is the time to get started with your Holiday shopping.  One of a kind pieces and very affordable.  Click here to view my inventory and or purchase that special gift.  I am happy to do custom orders if possible so send me an email if you are  looking for something that you would like made.

I still have my Etsy store and have different items listed there.  Click on the link at the top of the page to access that shop.  Thanks for looking!

Leopard Print Heart Earrings

I've been having fun playing with wire lately, and came up with what I thought was a great design.  Someone else thought that too because I sold them today.  Smile!

Bead Soup Time Again

It's time for another Lori Anderson Bead Soup Blog Party.  Here is the information if you would like to join the group.  Lots of fun receiving mystery beads from your swap partner and then making something wonderful to share.  Check out Lori's Blog for details.

Bead Soup Blog Party

Lori Anderson Jewelry Swap

I am posting this a little early because I have an all day show at my Curves tomorrow and won't have time to do any posting.  It's almost the 15th on the East Coast, so here we go.

I received this gorgeous necklace from my swap partner, Laurel Steven.  I love the design of it and was hesitant to change it, but that's the name of this game, so see what I did with it below.














I removed the pink beads and selected some Goldstone beads because I thought it went well with the color of the Ladies dress on the pendant.  I also shortened it a little and then reused the brass chain.  Here is my redo.

Here are the Artists that participated in the swap.  Please check out their blogs to see what they did with their jewelry pieces.

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com
Jen Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com
Johanna Rhodes http://firephoenixcreations.blogspot.com
Laurel Steven http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen http://www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com

Marianna Boylan http://www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Norma Turvey http://www.bead dreams and moonlitfantaseas
Sharon Misuraco http://goinoffthebeadinpath.blogspot.com
Stacey Curry http://starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com
Tyne Bodenburg http://www. tynebodennecklaces.blogspot.com

Polymer Clay Faux Coral, Turquoise, Jade and Amber Bangle Bracelets

I have two craft shows coming up this weekend, and I have been really busy cooking my polymer clay pieces.  These are my new bangle bracelets that I made to look like coral, turquoise, jade and amber.   I really had fun making them.  I used Carol Blackburn's book, Making Polymer Clay Beads,  for my inspiration.

Giraffe Print Necklace

I have quite a few pieces of  my jewelry that I have made in the polymer clay giraffe print cane.  Animal prints are in vogue right now, and I really enjoy designing with the pattern.  Here is a fun necklace strung on a buna cord.  I used a Barbara McGuire mold for my design.  I'm sure someone at the craft fair will enjoying getting this one.

Faux Ivory Necklace

Getting ready for craft shows are fun, and encourage me to try new designs.  This is my polymer clay faux ivory necklace strung on a buna cord.  It also has a polymer clay clasp closure.  I really like that it has an old feel to it.  What do you think?

Jewelry Swap with Lori Anderson

Lori Anderson always comes up with such good ideas for interacting with fellow beaders and jewelry designers by holding fun "bead swaps".  This time we are swapping a piece of jewelry that someone created but is either tired of or they haven't sold it within a certain timeframe.  I am exchanging with Laurel Stevens and she sent me a wonderful necklace that I really like, and can't imagine how I can change it.  But, I need to try.  Here is the before picture, and when we all reveal our changes I will post the new design.

Coffee Anyone?

If you wonder why I am so chatty on my blog today it's because I am housebound for a week or so because of a case of the shingles.  Fortunately it is a light case, but am told to avoid crowds for a week or so.  So, luckily I can make pretty polymer clay pieces and blog along.

A friend of mine has a granddaughter that works at a coffee house and she asked if I could make her some earrings having to do with coffee.  Soooo, thanks to Jessica and Susan Partain and their Polymer Clay Cookbook, I found some coffee cup earrings including the beans.  Here is my finished project.

Lemon Slice earrings of Polymer Clay

I live in a warm desert climate, as I mentioned before, and the citrus trees love this area.  We have beautiful grapefruit, orange, and yummy lemon trees brimming with fruit.  Thinking about citrus,  I decided to add to my polymer clay "food pieces" by making some cute "lemon slice" earrings.  While doing this my mouth started watering for Lemonade.  I know, it's not Summer right now, but in our warm desert sun Lemonade is always refreshing.  My friend, Vicki Bensinger, has a recipe for "homemade" lemonade that you can find at her website.  In the meantime, here are my "Lemon Slice" earrings.  By the way, I found this design in the 

"Polymer Clay Cookbook" by Jessica and Susan Partain.

A Little Chuckle For The Day