Valentine Heart Beads

I am continuing to make the Cindy Lietz "Jupiter Beads" for our challenge, but this time I put a different spin on a few of them.  One large Jupiter bead I cut part way down the middle and shaped it into a heart.  This brings a whole new pattern to the bead.  A surprise that forms by cutting into the center.  I also did this with the smaller hearts that will be earrings.

I then flattened a pair of jupiter beads and will make earrings out of these.  The rest of the round beads will be made into a bracelet.  As you can tell, I am enjoy this project.

Cindy Lietz Torn Watercolor Method

I'm on my second "lesson" for beads to make in the Cindy Lietz Bead Giveaway challenge.  This method is the Torn Watercolor method and the video tutorial can be purchased when you sign up for Cindy's polymer clay video instruction at http://beadsandbeading.com/blog.   I have used black & white premo and avocado Studio by Sculpey clay for a more matte look.  You can see the beginning pieces and the torn pieces that are added to a base bead, and also some of the finished beads. They are not baked yet, and  I don't know what I am going to make with these beads, but I will have fun thinking about it.

Happy Musings by Sally Huss

One thing I enjoy doing each morning is reading Happy Musings by Sally Huss in my newspaper.  Here is today's Musing.  "A thought can change your life.....find a good one."

Kenya Mission Trip

Even though I love posting about polymer clay, jewelry, beads and knitting, I also feel that sharing about good things done to help people all over the world is important.  Especially now when there is so much need in Haiti.  The picture below shows my son, Dr. Mark McConnell, and a local Kenyan man.  Mark went with a group of people from his church and another doctor last year on a mission to provide medical care to the people of Kenya.  They went from village to village and aided as many people as they could.  He said it was a very rewarding experience and he hopes to be able to go again soon.  As you can imagine, this makes a Mother very proud.

 

Cindy Lietz Jupiter Beads

As I recently posted, I am participating in a challenge from Cindy Lietz to actually complete some polymer clay beads that were featured in one of her recent online video tutorials.  Below is my take on putting together the "Jupiter Bead".  A fun project and surprises each time you do it.  Beautiful patterns come together with not much effort.   Check out Cindy's blog at www.beadsandbeading.com/blog.  My next challenge is the "Torn Water Color bead".  Watch for more pictures.

Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange

An update on my post of the Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange.  You can now go to Flickr at this site
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1290276@N25/pool/show/ and view the bead exchange going on.  Lori has over 80 Jewelry and Bead Artists participating in the Bead Soup Exchange, and you can take a look at the beads and findings submitted, and then come back on February 10th to see all the finished pieces.

The Artists have sent their beads loving made out of Polymer Clay, Ceramic and blown glass.  Then paired these creations with complimentary beads, spacers and clasps.   Quite a fun challenge for all of us.  Hope you enjoy the slideshow.

Cindy Lietz Bead Giveaway

Cindy Lietz, the Polymer Clay Tutor, has encouraged all of her Clay students to make some beads from the classes she has featured and post them on her blog.  Some lucky person will have the opportunity to win a stash of beads from Cindy.

The lessons we can pick from are the Jupiter beads, made from scrap clay.  The Torn Water Color Bead, or maybe the smooth Raku or the crackle Raku.  This will encourage us to actually try her methods, and not just watch the video and do nothing.  I think this will be fun, and will make me learn the project.  The picture is an example of the bead stash she is offering.   You can find Cindy's blog at http://www.beadsandbeading.com/blog/

Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange

Oooh, the Bead Soup Exchange package from Patty Lakinsmith is here, and she sent some fun things.  Now I have to put my thinking cap on to put together my design.  We will  reveal our designs on February 10th, and all participants of the Lori Anderson Bead Soup Exchange will visit each others blog looking at the creations.  I can't wait.

  Patty sent some beautiful glass beads that she made herself, and a clasp she made out of pmc.  She added some amber, red adventurine and olive jade to the mix.  Oh my, what will I do with this?

You can see some of Patty's creations for sale on her Etsy website at http://www.pattylakinsmith.etsy.com/.

Correction

I made an error in Patty's blog address.  It is http://pattylakinsmith.blogspot.com/.