Oh deary me. Where can I even begin ? The last few months have had it’s share of things – some of them bad, like depression rearing it’s ugly head again, but some good, like a promotion at work ! Which did shovel a lot of things on me. My muses have been absent for quite a few months, but as I pre-write this (July 1) I am ON VACATION and I am hoping to chase down those little buggers again. I do believe I have vanquished this bout of depression, too – or at least I hope so.
But that’s not what you’re here for, right ? You’re here for SHINY THINGS ! Yes, yes.
The package I received from Lisa consisted of brown, white and green ceramic beads. Immediately I thought of… mint chocolate ice cream. XD; But then I remembered I had an amazing focal that would work so well with these… What is summer without dragonflies buzzing over the lake of your cabin, after all ?
So, my season is definitively summer ! The fact that I am a summer baby certainly helps, too. 🙂
So, first of all… I made a necklace.
Isn’t it lovely ? The dragonfly stamping was hand-painted and antiqued, mixed with a mjx of amber, spectra beads, and czech glass. The second biggest round beads are from my kit, and the biggest lampwork bead was made just for this piece by my amazing friend Donna Millard <3
And I found the most darling little dragonfly clasp to match it !
Isn’t that adorable ? Like it’s bigger sister, this dragonfly was painted and antiqued by me. The copper wire is pure copper, and will darken in time.
Not content with only doing one piece and having beads from my kit left over, I made a matching bracelet.
Wait, Audrey, I hear you say. That is a bracelet ??? Why, yes it is ! I like big, chunky jewelry, and that adorable little ceramic focal (from The Classic Bead) needed some buddies to hang out with. The large pebbles are from my kit.
It is worn like so, wrapping over the wrist once and closing on the front.
And what i like to do is cross the strands and tuck the clasp under the focal neatly. The focal still has enough movement that it can be lifted for easy access to the clasp.
Thank you so much for visiting, and please give everyone else a visit and a comment, too !
19 Responses to “Seasons Blog Hop – REVEAL !”
I love dragonflies and I love your pieces and how you incorporated beads from some of my favorite artists. I love the chunky bracelet — it's a great idea.
I love the rich, earthy colors of your designs. And what a fabulous addition Donna's lampwork bead makes! I hope you're wearing both of these on vacation!
Great pieces Audrey, I love dragonflies!
Ok, that is just a totally cool idea for your bracelet! You're right, it looks awesome on your arm, and all those lovely beads play so well together. Two beautiful designs!
Love how you themed those dragonflies in. What a great concept! Lovely work.
You were lucky to have such gorgeous dragonflies to work with. Well done!
I love the dragonfly theme! Gorgeous work!! 🙂
I love bugs so that's rit up my alley. My friend just made me a wrap around bracelet and I found I could wear it like a choker too. So cute!
Thank goodness the SHINY THINGS are such a great distraction, Audrey. I am in love with the bracelet. I have a s**load of bigger pendants and I don't like making necklaces very often.
Dragonflies and chocolate mint ice cream — oh summer! I'm so impressed with the jewelry art you've created here Audrey — transforming ceramic beads into summer delight so gracefully! I tend to think of ceramic beads as fall, yet you've created perfect summer jewelry — indeed vacation jewelry — and I feel happy and content and relaxed gazing upon its beauty. The addition of your beautiful Donna Millard art bead is inspired! I love her work, and the one art bead I had by her I gave away for BSBP7. It's good to see her work in your art — a confluence of beauty!
Likewise, your bracelet is also brilliant. Natural, earthy, relaxed & fun yet sophisticated. The ceramic dragonfly and Czech turquoise beads look so good together.
Audrey, your summer jewelry ensemble is gorgeous!
Really very very beautiful "shiny things" you made, Audrey!!! I like the idea of wrapping the bracelet and I just love the bugs! I hope you had fun on your vacation! 🙂
P.S. I can see a pair of earrings with tiny dragonflies would going great with your creations.
What an awesome necklace and bracelet set, Audrey! I love dragonflys. The ceramic beads look awesome in the bracelet design. So glad you could participate in the hop!
I am loving all of the different interpretations of summer, and yours is wonderful! I love mint choc chip icecream, and I love dragonflies too. The necklace is just fabulous, and I love the bracelet too.
That's absolutely beautiful and definitely spells summer! I love your post tags (labels) too 🙂 Donna is, indeed, awesome!
Wow, love your dragonfly summery jewelry. Clever idea with your bracelet because my first thought was it looks way too big but loved how you modeled it.
Awesome job with your bead mix.
Your summery jewelry is beautiful!! I love your bracelet – very clever design!
What great pieces. Love the dragonflies in both pieces. And I really like the big, chunkiness of the bracelet and that you can wrap it around for more texture. Love it.
I like the work and thought you put into your designs. These pieces definitely say summer, but would work for early fall too!
Beautiful! I, too, have lost my muses recently and have been searching under everything to find them. Seems like you got yours back just in time!