Winding down the 100DayProject

I awoke the other day with many thoughts about the 100 Day project and decided to jot them down here to share with you.

Some of the bits I gathered/curated at the start of this year's project

As this is my eighth year participating and my ninth project* (because I crazily did TWO projects last year 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤣), you may wonder why I keep doing it. Honestly, I sometimes wonder too. 

But, there's something about the commitment of knowing what you're going to be doing for 100 days. And, there's the excitement and build-up of it at the start. Often, there's the relief in knowing that I'll have more art pieces completed at the end and the personal expectancy to show up EVERY SINGLE DAY. But, it is probably the days that lag and when inspiration just isn't there that are the real reasons I do this project year after year. It helps me see that even at those times, I can create something. It likely won't be the best thing ever, but I did it. I got through the lag and drag.

And, there's something about coming out the other side of the project. Of having that release, the FREEDOM to do something else, anything else. That you are no longer held to your commitment to do whatever you've been doing for 100 days - that you now have time to explore another project. 

Here, at the end of this #NotPreciousProject, I'm seeing that light at the end of the tunnel and am feeling inspired by what comes next. And, I'm doing it with a sense that I can use those "precious" items. I'm excited to put away some of the things I've pulled out (see picture above) and finally clean up my spaces and move forward.

I mean...ICAD starts on June 1st!


*If you're interested in learning more about my previous projects or this year's please see my announcement post for the 100 Day Project 2024.

Bead Box 18 - Reveal

 Hey y'all! I'm popping in to share the completed jewelry pieces that came out of Bead Box 18. I've actually already stocked and started on 19, so you should expect that post soon too. 


If you're unsure what I'm talking about, let me quickly explain. I try to keep a basic, divided organizer stocked with the elements I need to make 17 jewelry pieces. This organizer goes with me when I travel, am uninspired, or just need to keep my hands busy. I shared a glimpse of this 18th iteration of it about a month ago, and now it's time for you to see what I made!

This necklace came together pretty quickly and is newly available on Etsy. Teal is probably my most favorite color, so I love this one so much. 

These were a tad experimental as I wasn't sure if I could get the balled headpin to stabilize on the tin as well as form a loop for the leaf. It worked! And, I love them. They'll be headed to the Etsy shop soon.

The tin mushrooms came together accidently when two pieces of tin landed on top of each other on my bead mat. As soon as I saw them as mushrooms, there was no stopping me from riveting them together. Of course, that all happened before these wound up in my bead box. Aaaaanyway...I wrapped beads onto a couple of golden rings and these earrings were done. They're available at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope. 

The pendant of this necklace was originally made for and in another necklace that I eventually took apart. (It happens!) As has become my latest and favorite way to make the chain for a necklace, I added matching beads to the front and finished it with chain. Oh, and that face part of the pendant - it's from Gaea Handmade from AGES ago!! 

There's a lot going on in these earrings. They started with the soldered crystal drops but called for so much more. The darkened solder had me turning to some hardware store internal snap rings. But, I wanted to up the bling factor. So, gold and crystal bead fringe was added. These fun earrings can be found at Hello Gallery.

Can you tell that I had a few soldered bits that I wanted to use in this box? The pendant in this necklace is a soldered stack of a chandelier crystal, a turquoise chunk, and a glass pebble backed with altered, crackled paper. I simply added turquoise chips and round, clear glass beads aong with antiqued silver chain to finish this necklace. I plan to list it in the CraftyHope Etsy shop

This necklace speaks for itself doesn't it? I created the shield pendant with the happy pebble several months back. But was stumped with what to do with it. I created a rosary chain of small beads. And, look closely...do you see it? The pattern is off. I meant for the black beads to be first on both chains. So, I've since swapped it and added a closure. Alas, when I went to take the necklace to Southern Antiques and Accents, I dropped it and the flower bead broke in half. Sigh. I could easily add another one of those beads, but I'm afraid they may be flawed as there was one broken the same way when I received the order of them. So, I'm thinking on it. Let me know if you have any ideas of what could hang from this happy pendant. 

I JUST realized that the tin pieces in these earrings may be the exact same shape as the tin in the necklace before it. How funny. In any case, these earrings came together so very quickly and are available at Southern Antiques and Accents (SAA). 

Yup, more soldered beads. I played with the translucent nature of these cultured sea glass diamond charms and hung some Chain Reaction from Jesse James Beads behind it. First, I had to change the bead on the chain to that it ended with a headpin and not a loop (it's a personal preference thing.) Like the earrings above, these can be found at SAA.

Those lime drops were the ignightor for these earrings. I thought the pinky-purple would be fun with them. I was right! You can find these in my booth at SAA while they last!

I've got a small jar of these bullet casings that I picked dup at a yard sale a year or so ago. I had my husband help me drill holes in the end of several of them so I could use them in jewelry (like in the Soldier's Necklace on Etsy). These tassel earrings are pretty long, but I think they're super neat. I've taken them up to Hello Gallery.

Yeah, that's another Gaea-made pendant. And, it's another that I had worked into something else that just didn't work out. I really like this version with the leather loops, glass beads, and brass chain. I'll be listing it in the etsy shop before too long. 

This might be my favorite thing from the whole box (maybe). It's a simple knotted bracelet with four strands of beads and a cool star button as the closure. Other than the green cord, it's neutral and could easily go with anything. You can find it downtown Fairhope at Hello Gallery. 

I try to include several bracelets in each box, though I do struggle with them. This one...I like it. I like the colors and the copper. But, I think I need to rework it. The section where the charm hangs is too long and clunky. They can't all be winners. 

Look at that! Another bracelet! This one gave me fits and was reworked several times after this picture was taken. I was feeling unsure about the beading cord and decided to wear this one for a while. And, I did. I wore it until some of the color started to come off the reconstituted stone beads. Drat. So, I do love this bright, fun bracelet. But, it has some issues. So, it's mine. 

These are much bigger than they look! The golden bases are from Michaels, and it was pretty simple to add the beads and tin. I think they're perfect for summer. I've got them up at Hello Gallery in case you want to snap them up. 

This last necklace is a type that I've been making for years. It's a bit of a bead (and button) soup necklace with copper wire. It took me a while to get it finished, and I'm not yet sure where it will end up. 

Like I said above, Box 19 is already packed and started. If you're interested in seeing any of my previous boxes, here is the full list. (I really should just make a page with a link to these. That's a task for another day.)

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about the bead box, these jewelry pieces, or anything else. I'd be delighted to help!

The 100 Day Project 2024

Yesterday, the 100 Day Project for 2024 started (it's not too late to join in!!) I mentioned last week that I would give you a heads-up about what my project is going to be. So here it is - I'm doing a #NotPreciousProject. Basically, I've got too much stuff. 


And, I've made it all "too precious" to use. That's just plain silly. So, I'm going to work on breaking through that mindset and USE some of it because most of it is not really precious. I'm just afraid of messing up. 


So that I don't get overwhelmed by ALL the things in my stash I've curated a small collection (above) to start me off on this year's 100-day journey. I plan to restock it as I use items and find more to try to use. 

I'm not limiting my use of these Precious items to any particular medium. I just want to use them, to give them purpose again! 

My goal is not to use 100 items or to make 100 things…it’s simply to spend 100 days consciously using those “precious” items in projects. And, the precious items may include anything I’ve deemed too precious to use: found objects, paints, papers, thrifted materials, new/purchased materials, whatever! 



This is my eighth year participating in #the100dayproject, and I love how it challenges me to keep thinking outside the box and moving forward. My previous projects have been

2017 - #Make100Earrings

2018 - #Altering100

2019 - #SilverloxFinds

2020 - #MakeArtDontFakeArt

2021 - #100DaysofMakingJewelry

2022 - #Assemblage100

2023 - #Making100Faces AND #MiniAssemblage100


If you want to see a quick video of some of my stash, you can check out this reel on Instagram.


So, are you participating in the project!? Let me know what you'll be doing for the next 100 days.



Bead Box 18 - Stocked

I think I mentioned in my last post that I had a new Bead Box packed up for an event that ended up not happening. Since I've already worked most of my way through it, I thought I ought to give you the peek I promised (before I need to stock it again for the March First Friday event!)


As you can see, this is a super basic, plastic organizer. Into each of the 17 compartments, I put the components I need to create a single design. This "bead box" comes in handy when I travel, have to sit in a waiting room, or just don't have the inspiration to design something new.

While I was rushing to get this box stocked, I didn't get individual pictures of the contents of each compartment. However, I can give you a better look and some idea of what I have planned to create. 

1 - A fancy soldered pendant, matching beads, and gunmetal chain will become a long necklace. 

2 - Tin discs, glass flower beads, brass leaves, and ball-end headpins are destined to become a neat pair of earrings. 

3 - Riveted tin pieces that look a bit like mushrooms are planned to hang from golden rings that need to be wrapped with small similarly-colored beads. These will be earrings.


4 - Yikes, you can't really see anything there can you? There's a pendant that I made and used in another necklace (that didn't work out) along with beads and chain that will become another long necklace. 

5 - Soldered glass teardrop beads and a mix of clear and golden beads are going to make a fun pair of earrings. 

6 - An interesting soldered pendant that features a soldered bubble, a piece of turquoise, and a chandelier crystal will be the focal of long necklace that includes turquoise chips, round glass beads, and antiqued silver chain. 


7 - For this one, I'll be using a fun focal that's made using tin and a glass bubble along with a bunch of small glass beads in black, light blue, and dark blue to create a short necklace. I'll use a bunch of eye pins to make the chain, rather than wire.

8 - Dome-shaped tin pieces and beads will be used to make a fun pair of earrings.

9 - The elements in this one are simple - soldered cultured sea glass pendant and some Chain Reaction from Jesse James Beads. These earrings will come together quickly.


10 - Those bright seed beads mean that these earrings will not be coming together as quickly. They're planned to be wrapped around a couple of large links of gunmetal-colored chain with a bright green teardrop bead hanging from the center.

11 - Again, this is hard to see. But, in that baggie are two brass bullet casings, a bunch of little bits of chain, beads, headpins, and golden earwires. These will be some fun, fringy earrings!


12 - That Gaea pendant will hopefully be connected to a short length of beaded chain, then brass chain via some leather loops. We'll see how this necklace works out. 

13 - Finally, a bracelet idea. I've got a button, waxed linen cord in green, and a mix of four different types of beads. I'm hoping this all turns into a multi-strand bracelet.

14 - Here, I've got a copper-colored charm along with pinky peach and clear beads. Again, I'm hoping for a bracelet.


15 - There's a Tim Holtz bar in there that will be the focal (hopefully) of a colorful bracelet on beading wire.

16 - Large metal components, tin, and stone beads are in this compartment. They should make a pair of large earrings.

17 - Finally, a mix of beads and a few buttons are all that are in here. I plan to use darkened copper wire to make a long necklace with them.

I know, this is a pretty awful post. But, what a surprise the reveal is going to be for you!

If you're interested in seeing some of my previous boxes and their reveals, here's the full list!


And, if you have any questions beyond the obvious (what the heck was she thinking!?), please don't hesitate to ask.


Latest News

My focus lately has been a bit all over the place. And, with any luck, it's not slowing down. But, I need to remember to keep y'all updated over here too! So...let's quickly recap some of the latest highlights (in no particular order).

  • I did an interview with CanvasRebel recently and the article just came out. You can read it by following the link.
  • I also got my name out there even more as I did a demo of some of my mixed media card-making at Hello Gallery in Fairhope during the February First Friday Artwalk (after-hours) event. 

     I'll admit that I was pretty nervous, but enjoyed myself plenty and got in the creative flow better than I expected. I do have jewelry, assemblage art, mixed media cards, and a variety of other pretties available for sale in the gallery.
  • I've been very active on my CraftyHope YouTube channel. Since my last blog post, I released several vlog series as well as art journaling and thrift haul videos. Oh, and there are a couple of jewelry-related ones too! (The earrings below are one of them!)
    DIY Easy Toggle Ring Dangle Earrings

  • I'm desperately trying to decide what I'll be working on for The 100-Day Project this year. It starts February 18th, so I best decide SOOOOOON! I've floated the idea of several different projects but am leaning more and more toward yet another assemblage project. I'd love to hear if you're joining the project and what you're going to do. 
  • There's new jewelry in the CraftyHope Etsy shop for you to peruse. Here's just a peek.
Red Dagger Earrings

  • If you watch my "What's in My Art Bag: Jewelry Edition" Video, you'll notice that I mentioned a new Bead Box. Hopefully, I'll have a new "stocked" post soon. But, because of the rush I was in to get packed up, I didn't get a ton of photos. So....we'll see how that goes. 
Whew, I think that's plenty for now. If there's something you're missing from me, just let me know!


New Vlog Series on YouTube

Admittedly, I haven't been very active here on the blog as I've been devoting more and more time to video creation. (Once again, I encourage you to follow my CraftyHope YouTube Channel.) This month, I actually even started vlogging over there. 

CraftyHope Vlog on YouTube

These videos are reminiscent of the Peek at My Week posts I used to do here. WOW - It's been about 2 years since I did one of those! I am totally failing as a blogger. In any case, if you enjoyed and/or are missing those posts, you can check out the vlog playlist! I've already published four weeks of videos that you can start enjoying now! Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for content you'd like to see either here or there. 

September Mixed Media Video Roundup

Before I completely forget that I have a blog, it's best that I go ahead and share something new over here. Well, it's not completely new...or even different. But, something. Here's a quick roundup of some of the mixed media and art journaling videos I shared on YouTube over the course of September. 

First up are the last of the #CraftyHopePrompts Cards and Projects.
Card 49: Paint pen, Ledger, Dictionary

Project 49: Art Journal Spread


Card 50: Pencil, Rust, Masking tape

Project 50: Assemblage Canvas Art

Card 51: Wire, Tape removal, Distress oxide

Project 51: Easy Art Charm

Card 52: Sewing pattern, Tear, White pen

Project 52: Junk Journal Spread

Outside of my personal prompt project, the only other mixed media projects I filmed were my junk journal spread for the Clean Slate Journal series.
Clean Slate Journal September

And, then there are the several projects I completed within a single video for the 10 Arty Questions Hop. 
10 Art Questions YouTube Hop

Yeah, that month went by quickly, and this one is following close behind. Make sure you're following me on YouTube so you don't miss a thing!


Bead Box 17 - Reveal

It's well past time that I share the jewelry designs that came from the 17th version of my Bead Box. Let me explain my box first. It's a simple 17-compartment, plastic organizer that I use to hold the pieces for seventeen jewelry designs. I turn to the box when I travel or need something already designed to do with my hands. It has honestly come in handy MANY times. 
Above you can get a glimpse of what the box looked like before I started pulling the pieces together. Let me tell you that for this box, I included sketches and instructions for what I had planned for the elements in each compartment. And, to stock this box, I turned to many artisan-made components - things I have been hoarding for some time. Now, it's time to show you how it all worked out. 

This first necklace came together just as planned. You can find it already in the Etsy shop, listed as Soldier's Necklace

Here's where I began pulling in artisan elements that weren't made by me. These super fun earrings flew out of the Etsy shop pretty quickly!

I expected this one to come together without a hitch, and I was right. It's now available at Hello Gallery Art & Things in downtown Fairhope. 

Oh, I really love how well the colors in this long necklace blend together. And, working with the copper wire was so lovely too. Anyway...this one is also at Hello Gallery. 

Simplicity was the key to allowing this Golem Studio focal to be the star of this necklace. I've got it up at the antique store. 

So very many artist-made elements went into this beauty of a necklace. Since it is a work of art, it's available at Hello Gallery

I can't get over how beautifully these turned out. These Patina and Pearls Earrings are currently listed in the Etsy shop.

It was important to me to keep the other colors in this necklace as neutral as possible so that the many colors of the lampwork bead would show through. I think it worked. You can find this Lampwork Tassel Necklace in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. 

Also in the Etsy shop is this Grow Necklace. It was a wonderful reminder of how I started in jewelry-making - stringing necklaces on beading wire. 

This Filigree Sparkle Necklace was so wonderfully methodical to make with just one bead type (for the most part). Click the link to see some other pictures of it in the Etsy shop. 

In every bead box, there are a few designs that I'm just not sure about. As well, bracelets are a bit of a stumbling block for me. I was so excited about seeing how this one worked out. Alas, I just don't think it works. 

Containing some of my favorite things, this Crackle and Rust Necklace is available on Etsy. Don't you just love that shade of green, and the crackle, and the rust!?!? Yum!

I really hate that this pendant ended up breaking while I was trying to wrap beads around it. It was totally my fault as I simply put too much pressure on the wood with the wire. 

These beautifully bright earrings are destined for the Etsy shop. But, I had to fix them first. Somehow I cut through one of the wires and didn't even notice until I started editing these photos. Do you see the break in the wire? Whew. I'm so glad I did!!

Okay, so I really do love this bracelet. But, I haven't decided what to do with it yet. I feel like it needs a little something else - maybe some fun dangles before I try to sell it. I will admit that it came together so quickly and easily on the beading wire. It made me question why I don't use the stuff nearly as much as I used to. 

This is one of those necklaces that will go with everything!! And, it is available for sale - at Hello Gallery in Fairhope! 

I love it when the last item in the box comes together super quickly. That was the case with these earrings. They are also at Hello Gallery with so many of these other pieces. 

If you're interested in seeing other versions of my bead box, here's the full list of posts. 


Usually, when I get one of these posts up, I've already stocked the next box. However, that just hasn't happened this time. Hopefully, I can remedy that soon and share Box 18 with before too long. In the meantime, let me know if these turned out the way you expected.


Winding down the 100DayProject

I awoke the other day with many thoughts about the 100 Day project and decided to jot them down here to share with you. Some of the bits I g...