CraftyHope: June 2023

Multi-Strand Design for JJBSummerBeadBlast Week 4

I have failed to mention that Jesse James Beads is having a summer-long (15-week) Jewelry Design Challenge that they're calling the Summer Bead Blast. As a Design Ambassador, I have been given several weeks to participate. But, as a lover of challenges, I will try to do them all. This is week 4 of the challenge (one that I was assigned) with the prompt Multi-strand. And, this is the bracelet I created.

It really was an easy make as two of those three strands were already made! You can see how I brought the whole thing together in the video on YouTube.

The challenge prompts are being released five weeks at a time. Here's the list of the first five weeks in case you want to catch up.

And, here's some more information about the challenge.

Since I forgot to share my first makes with you, let me do that now.

For the Week 1 Summer Vibes prompt, I made a simple, fun anklet.

There's a video of that one here:

For asymmetrical design, I did a short of making a simple pair of earrings.

And, for the week 4 Memory wire/Stretch Bracelet prompt, I made a rainbow memory wire bracelet.

Though, of all the designs thus far, this week's bracelet is by far my favorite!

For more information on the challenge, please visit the Summer Bead Blast page on the Jesse James Beads website. As well, for more inspiration, check out Jesse James Beads on Instagram and on Facebook. If you decide to play along, make sure you use that hashtag!

Reveal for the June Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge

As it's the 15th of the month, it's time to show off what I made for the Double Color Jewelry Collaboration that is the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge. This month, we were to use the color combination of Blue and Tan to make a pair of earrings. In addition, bronze/brass or silver metal was to be used. And, for an optional challenge, we could include the fun element of shell. (Spoiler: I didn't use the fun element this month.) Here's what I did make.

These earrings came together quickly once I had my beads selected. You can watch the reveal video on YouTube and learn how they were made. The video also includes a little trick I figured out in the process. (How's that for a tease?)

Remember to check out Angela's video and to click on the #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge to see more designs for this and previous months. You can also head over to the Pirate Pretties Facebook Group to see more designs for this challenge.

Mixed Media Videos from May 2023

It's well past time for another quick roundup of the mixed-media art videos I published on YouTube last month. Clicking on either the photo or the caption should take you to the video. And, don't hesitate to ask me any questions!

I'll start with the pieces created as part of my #CraftyHopePrompts project. You can learn more about this in any of the videos. But, know that it's a weekly project in which I alter a playing card and then create another project using the same prompts.