Pretty Filigree and Bead Bracelet

I really enjoy participating in the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge each month as it encourages me to use materials and combinations I wouldn't have previously considered. This challenge comes from Angela, and this is the second year I've participated. While the monthly theme last year was birthstones, this year we're using color combos that Angela has set. In addition, she has a choice of metals, a project type, and an optional fun element that should be included each month. This month, the color combo is Peach and Pearl White, the metal choice is copper or silver, the project is a bracelet, and the fun element is filigree. These are the materials I gathered for the challenge. 

Now, I haven't done much work with filigree as a setting for anything, but really wanted to try - especially once I found the glass cabochon. I let the camera roll as I experimented with the design of my bracelet, and am thrilled with the results.

You can watch all my experimentation in my DIY Copper Filigree Bracelet video on YouTube. 

I cannot believe how beautifully this bracelet came together, and that's evident in my reaction when you watch the video. 

You can find more participants and makes from this challenge by searching #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge on YouTube. That's also one of the options in how to participate. Also, Angela has a Facebook Group where she sells beads but also encourages you to share your monthly makes in a comment on her reveal.

If you have any questions about the making of this bracelet or Angela's challenge, please ask away!

May Art Challenges and Inspirations

It's time again for me to share some of the challenges and inspirations that will help me create over the course of the month. I hope you'll join me in a few of these!

• I would be remiss if I didn't mention my own challenge #CraftyHopePrompts. This is a weekly mixed media challenge in which each Monday, I pull three prompts and create a prompt card from an old playing card. Then, each Saturday, I make another project with those same prompts. The videos explain how you can play along, but I welcome any questions you have about this project.
• The reveal that's coming up the next soonest is the monthly Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge from Angela. The reveal date is the 15th. This year, the theme of the challenge is "Double Color." You can learn more about the challenge in Angela's video. This month, the two colors are Peach and Pearl White. We are to make a bracelet using copper or silver and the optional fun element of filigree. You can upload a video with the hashtag #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge and/or share your make in the Pirate Pretties Facebook Group. 
• The Honey Do List is another jewelry-making challenge. It comes from Sarajo and Eric of SJ Designs Jewelry. Each month, Eric gives Sarajo a photo that he's taken. The photo is to be used as inspiration for one or more jewelry designs. Sarajo shares this photo on her blog so we can all be inspired too. The reveal date this month is May 29th. 
• My friend, Nina Ficket, has a Clean Slate journal series in which you simply work in a junk journal sometime during the month and film it. With all the other prompts and inspirations, this is a bit of a palette cleanser for me and often just what I need. 
• Lastly, I'm not promising anything, but Index Card a Day (ICAD) often begins on June 1st. This is a 61-day challenge from Tammy of Daisy Yellow that usually has daily prompts and weekly themes (all optional). If you're curious you can watch my ICAD creations from last year in my ICAD 2022 playlist on YouTube. Or, just do a search for ICAD. Or, ask me any questions you may have. Though, this ICAD page on the Daisy Yellow blog probably answers most your questions. This is a fun daily challenge. And, it will probably start the same day the 100-Day project ends. How about that!?

That's all I've got right now. And, that's probably plenty!

But, definitely let me know if you've got any fun inspiration to share.

I know I could always use as much as I can get. 

Honey Do List Reveal April 2023

Every month for the past several years, Sarajo (from SJ Designs Jewelry) shares a photo from her husband as inspiration for jewelry-making. This month, the photo is this bright beauty.

But, I've let the month slip away, and the official reveal was yesterday. I have no need to fret, though, because Sarajo leaves the linky tool open for almost a month for anyone who needs a little extra time (THANK YOU!)

The bright colors are what stand out the most to me in this photo, so that's what I ran with to make this super fun pair of earrings. 

I thought I was making these in the same pattern as the umbrellas in the photo, but I see now that I have mine running in the wrong direction (the red should be at the top and the orange at the bottom 🤦‍♀️😳). In any case, that was the thought as I hunted through my seed beads for similar shades. 

I shaped 16 gauge wire around a large glue stick (use what you have!) to make the frames. Then, I hammered, darkened, and sealed the wire before stringing the beads within the frame on 24 gauge antiqued copper wire. 

I think these are pretty perfect for the warmer months ahead. 

As always, thank you to Sarajo and Eric for the inspiration. I encourage you to play along and/or head over to Sarajo's reveal to see what she and any other artists have made from the inspiration photo. 

April Art Challenges and Inspirations

 I'm posting this in hopes of spurring both you AND me to get inspired. Last month, this list fell by the wayside entirely as did most of the challenges on it. I hope to remedy that this month. The 100-Day Project (and my decision to take on TWO projects for it) has been kicking my butt. Yet, I'd like to get something else made too. So, here's what else I might use to encourage some creativity.

• Sarajo's Honey Do List challenge from her husband, Eric, is bright and full of color. This is a jewelry-making challenge you can learn more about on her SJ Designs Jewelry blog. The reveal date is set for April 24th, but that's just the beginning of when you can share your creation(s) and when Sarajo will share hers.
• The Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge is also a jewelry one from Angela of Pirate Pretties Jewelry. The reveal date is the 15th. This year, the theme of the challenge is "Double Color." You can learn more about the challenge in Angela's video, but I will let you know that the two colors this month are black and grey, the metal choices are silver or gunmetal, the project type is a necklace, and the optional fun element is chain. Your reveal can be either a YouTube video with the #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge hashtag and/or a photo comment in the Pirate Pretties Facebook group. 
• Of course, there's the #100DayProject that began at the end of February. We're about halfway through it now, but you can start your own at any time.
• I have my own weekly my own #CraftyHopePrompts mixed media prompt challenge. This is something I created for myself to build up a prompt deck. Each Monday, I pull three prompts and alter a playing card with those prompts, adding them to the card to be used later. On Saturday, I create another project that uses those same prompts. If this sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to watch any of my CraftyHopePrompts videos and play along!
• Lastly, my friend, Nina Ficket, has a Clean Slate journal series in which you simply work in a junk journal sometime during the month and film it. With all the prompts and inspirations, this is a bit of a palette cleanser for me.

And, I think that's everything. Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments.

Reveal for the Honey Do List - February 2023

Each month at SJ Designs Jewelry, Sarajo shares a photo that her husband, Eric, has given her as inspiration for jewelry designs. They call it the Honey Do List, and it's a lot of fun to play along. This month, the photo is a trio of textural images. 

While all three call out to me, and I have another idea for the one on the top right; it's the large one on the left that really got my juices flowing. You see, I have a thing for crackle. 

So, I painted a piece of paper with a couple shades of green paint before pushing the color back a little with some walnut ink. Then, I spread a crackle paste over the green and gave it time to work its magic. I accented the cracks with a little more ink before cutting a circle out that would fit in a bezel.

A thin layer of UV resin was added to the top of the crackled paper and cured. Then, I sealed a rusty washer in the bezel with another layer of resin. Yes, I know this isn't a completed piece, but I can't wait to add it to a chain to this beauty of a pendant.

And, while I worked on the pendant, I remembered a couple pairs I had altered with crackle pastes a few weeks ago. They were quickly turned into earrings. 

Clear crackle was used over copies of old photos for this pair. I think the bead selection also echoes the aged feel of the charms.

More white crackle was used in these connectors. A bit of rust dust was sprinkled on top and sealed with resin. I had a hard time deciding what kind of beads would accent these best, but when the idea of crackled beads hit, I had to search my stash to find these because I knew they'd be perfect. 

I want to thank Sarajo and Eric for another fun challenge. And, I encourage you to join the Honey Do List and create something beautiful. Sarajo will have the linky tool on her blog open for several weeks so you can add your contribution(s) to the challenge for a while yet. Don't forget to check out the other artists who participate too. 

Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge - Feb 2023

 The Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge this year is a monthly "double-color" collaborative challenge from Angela of Pirate Pretties Jewelry. Each month, Angela assigns two colors for you to use to make a jewelry piece with a reveal date of the 15th. In addition, there is a choice of two metal types, a project type, and optional fun elements each month. This month, Angela asked us to use Kelly/true green AND Clear/white to make a pair of earrings using either silver or gold. We could also include clovers or another lucky charm. Here's what I created.

I actually wouldn't usually have clover charms in my stash but had recently taken apart an old bracelet that was in a bag of other old jewelry that someone gave me. I had even put the charms in with my assemblage elements rather than jewelry ones and had to go fish them out for this project. Ha! But, they worked out beautifully in these earrings. 

These are so simple but were a tad fiddly to put together the way I wanted. You see, I wanted to make sure they would hang nicely and not slide all over the place. I chose to go with the silver since it matched the charms. For the green, I found some pretty seed beads. And, I just used clear crystal rondelles on an eye pin to attach the hoops to the ear wires. 

If you're interested in watching how these came together, I do have a video.

And, I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about this challenge or the earrings I made. Ask away!

The 100 Day Project 2023

This year marks 10 years since the inception of The 100-Day Project. 

And, it will be my Seventh year participating. 

The 2023 project begins in just over a week - on February 22nd. Now seems like the right time to reveal what I'll be doing for the project this year, reasons for participating, and tips for picking a project. 

Let's start with reasons I'm participating and why you might consider it too.

-Doing something repetitively, day after day will help you learn more about it and search for other ways to expand and grow with it. A hundred days lets you explore all the intricacies of a medium or practice. This is my MAIN reason for participating. It's what drives me to do the project each year - to get better at what I'm doing. 

-Building community - you can find others online who are also participating in the project and/or doing similar challenges as you.

-After 100 days you learn if you really enjoy doing something and if you want to pursue it.

-It really does increase your creativity.

-Gives you daily content for your social channels (great for those days when you're grasping at straws)

And, there are so many more reasons, these are just my main ones. 

Now, what about picking a project? Here are some things to consider. 

First, I encourage you to read over this post from @DoThe100DayProject on Instagram. She makes some really great points on ways to narrow down the focus of your project. 

I also want you to remember that

-Your project doesn’t have to be something huge that has to be finished every day. You only need to do one little thing to work toward your goal each day. 

-It doesn’t have to be physical art - maybe work on your yoga poses or clear out some of the physical clutter in your creative space or meditate each day.

-Think of something you know will be easy to fit into your days or will make your days easier. You can always make it last longer on the days you have more time.

-Don’t choose something that will add stress to your life. Will 100 completed pieces of art piled up in your space inspire you or weigh you down?

Here are the projects I've done for each of the last six years.

2017 - #Make100Earrings on Instagram and Make100Earrings here on the blog

2018 - #Altering100 on Instagram in which I altered a variety of materials for use in either jewelry or mixed media

2019 - #SilverloxFinds on Instagram. This is a tag I use to this day to reveal the wild and wonderful things I find here on our property. 

2020 - #MakeArtDontFakeArt on Instagram. This was a project in which I worked on using many of my supplies. It's actually something similar to my #CraftyHopePrompts.

2021 - #100DaysOfMakingJewelry on Instagram.

2022 - #Assemblage100 on Instagram.

And for year seven....I'm going to attempt TWO PROJECTS!!

(Yes, I might be a little crazy.)

First, #Making100Faces

I decided on this project over a month ago when the subject of the 100-day project came up. It was my first idea and one I can’t shake. Drawing faces as a project has been done by MANY people, MANY times. But, I know it’s something I enjoy, want to work on, can do with limited materials, and can pick  up and do quickly just about anywhere or take my time with it. However, this isn’t something I expect to see showing up in my art or becoming something more than a way to keep my hands busy. 

Second, #MiniAssemblage100

Reading that post from @DoThe100DayProject and seeing a few other people reveal their projects made me realize that while face drawing would be kinda fun and so very, very  easy, it doesn’t really help me grow much toward my vision as an artist. It doesn't make my heart beat a little faster (the way the assemblage project did last year.) What does make me excited (right now) is the idea of building small assemblages for both framing and for jewelry. But, I want to keep it small. So, by mini, I mean assemblages or collages that are smaller than a dollar bill (this size idea comes from @Ricki_Ticki_Tavy as she sorts her scraps in a similar fashion) I hope that by keeping these small, it can also make them quick and easy. But, we’ll see. 

So, are you in?

What are you going to do for 100 days?

February Challenges and Inspirations

I hope your January was as productive as mine was. February is shaping up to be a good one too. I pushed myself to put in a request for space in a local cooperative gallery when I saw that they were looking for new artists there. I almost didn't. But, a reminder about working on my Word of the Year came into my feed at the same time. My word is BRAVE. As I was considering approaching this gallery later in the year, I decided to step up to the plate and go for it. I've met with the owner, and she is interested in my jewelry and art. So, it sounds like my bravery is paying off already. While I wait to finalize all of that, I'm keeping busy with creating. 

One of the greatest motivators and inspirations for me is participating in a variety of challenges. Each month, I like to share a list of the ones I'm planning on working on as well as any others I've found. This is that list!

• First, I have to mention my own #CraftyHopePrompts mixed media prompt challenge. This is something I created for myself to build up a prompt deck. Each Monday, I pull three prompts and alter a playing card with those prompts, adding them to the card to be used later. On Saturday, I create another project that uses those same prompts. If this sounds interesting to you, I encourage you to watch any of my CraftyHopePrompts videos. Or, just pick up with the most recent (Week 19) Mixed Media Prompt.
• Another prompted mixed media challenge is Seek Gather Create. The hostesses call it a Mixed Media Scavenger Hunt Challenge because you need to seek out the materials to use. This challenge is also weekly, but only for a month. The list of four prompts will be released each Sunday. The first ones were just announced this past Sunday and they are Tissue Paper, Denim, Something folded, and Something rusty or rust-colored. I've already got a video of what I created with these prompts. I encourage you to follow the four hostesses on Instagram where they will be announcing the prompts each week. They are Lisa Goddard, Tina Hois, Laura Denison, and Melanie Theriault. 
• If you're more interested in Jewelry challenges, there's the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge from Angela of Pirate Pretties Jewelry. This is a monthly challenge with some different parameters each month. First, know that each month, there are two colors for you to combine into your piece(s). This month, the colors are Kelly/True Green and White/Clear. In addition, you are to use silver or gold to create earrings and optionally include clovers or some other good luck charm. You can find more about this challenge in Angela's video. The reveal is set for the 15th and you can either share your creation(s) in a YouTube video using the hashtag #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge and/or a picture in the Pirate Pretties Facebook group. 
• Sarajo of SJ Designs Jewelry has shared the February inspiration photo for her Honey Do List Challenge. This month, it's actually two textural photos from her husband, Eric. Sarajo will have a linky tool up on the 27th for you to share your creation. She leaves this open for several weeks in case you're running a bit behind (like I usually am!)
• The 100-Day Project will begin on February 22nd. I've participated in this project for the last several years and really love how versatile, easy, and inspiring it can be. Really, just pick something creative you want to do for 100 days. You don't have to share it or end up with a completed project or anything like that. You can work on one thing for one minute or really however you want to roll with it. The point is really just to be creative for 100 days. I'm pretty sure I've got my project picked for this year, but need to settle on a hashtag. Also, since I've done it several times before, I thought I might even do a whole other post next week on benefits and ideas and other information about it. For now, please go check out the site and consider joining in the creative fun!

And, that's the list of what I plan to work on this month. Do you have any challenges or inspirations that are keeping you creative and moving forward right now? 

January Honey Do List Reveal

Almost every month, Sarajo of SJ Designs Jewelry shares a photo that her husband, Eric, has offered up as inspiration for her to design jewelry. She shares this with us and calls it the Honey Do List. I've made more jewelry than I even know using this inspiration from the two of them. Some months I struggle more than others, but this month, I kinda knew what I wanted to make as soon as I saw Eric's photo. 

As usual, it took me almost all month to get around to it, but these earrings were made pretty quickly.

In fact, I got started on them before I realized that they would make a great tutorial on YouTube. So, while they were already in progress, I popped on the camera and shared some of my thought process and how easy these are to create. 

While you don't quite get the optical-illusion-like sensation of looking up into the treetops, I think these earrings still come across quite well as tress. 

And, with the method I used to create them, I can see loads of options with other beads and color palettes. What do you think?

Big thanks go out to Eric and Sarajo for the inspiration this month. Make sure you head over to Sarajo's reveal so you can see what she made, click on the links to the other artists, and/or add your own creation from the inspiration. The linky tool will likely be open most of February so you have plenty of time!

January Challenges and Inspiration

With the start of the new year comes a new slew of challenges. And, I don't mean the day-to-day challenges of just making it in the world. I mean, ART CHALLENGES! There always seems to be a plethora of them in January. I can't keep up with them all. So, to keep it simple, I'll share the ones that I'm either participating in or have shared about in the past. If you know of any others, I encourage you to leave information about them in the comments.

• For my own sake, I should mention my #CraftyHopePrompts challenge in which I am building a prompt deck by pulling three prompts a week, altering a playing card with them, and later creating another project with those prompts. You can watch this week's Prompt Card or go through the whole playlist of videos to learn more. This week, the prompts are Red, Handwritten Letter, and Cheesecloth. 
• Sarajo is back with a new inspirational photo from her husband, Eric. They call this jewelry challenge the Honey Do List. I think I may already have an idea for this month. But, the reveal isn't until Jan. 30th. And, the linky tool will be open for several weeks after that, if you need a bit more time!
• Another jewelry challenge is the #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge from Angela. This year, it's a "Double Color" challenge in which we are to work with two colors in each design. You can learn more about the challenge in Angela's video. This month, the colors are red and pink, the metal choices are silver or rose gold, the project is a purse or bookbag charm, and the optional fun elements are charms or dangles. The reveal date is the 15th (SOON!) and can be done either in a video on YouTube or on the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Facebook Page. 
• I completely missed that this next jewelry challenge was going on and am kicking myself for it. Allegory Gallery has a whole calendar of daily jewelry prompts for their Bead in the New Year 2023. They've done this MANY years before and it's a load of fun. The calendar is on their Facebook page and could be a great inspiration any time of the year. I might even take it on for a February project....we'll see!
• My art journaling friend, Nina is doing a Clean Slate Journal Challenge this year that involves simply using a junk journal. I just put up my video for it this morning. It was a great incentive to jump into a journal and play.
• Here's a quick reminder to begin thinking about The 100-Day Project. It's apparently going to begin sometime toward the end of February. Though, an exact date hasn't been announced. I've participated several times before with quite a few different projects and have found that it's a fabulous way to explore something that I'm interested in doing. Last year, it was assemblage art, and I have been loving it ever since. Remember that your project doesn't have to be huge. It can be something small - just a little something you can do every day to be a little creative. Think on it!

And, that's my list for now. Like I said, let me know in the comments if you know of any others. I'd love to at least see the results of the challenges. 

Honey Do List November Reveal

I really love this month's inspiration photo from Sarajo and Eric of SJ Designs Jewelry for their Honey Do List challenge. It's moody and dark and mysterious.

I have to admit that it took me a little while to get to this challenge even though I saw the photo at the start of the month and adored it then. As soon as I took a second peek, I got to gathering and making. The first thing that struck me was the darkness of it, so I knew I needed black. Then it was the...pointiness of it - the beak, the feathers. So, I dove into my stash of chandelier crystals for a dagger crystal to use as a pendant. 

I found this plastic variation that had apparently been an earring. It wasn't quite "dark" enough for me. So, I altered it with black alcohol ink. 

 It's kinda hard to see, but I just dripped some of the ink down sections of the "crystal" so that the black only covers some of it.

From there, I collected beads that went with the dark, goth look I wanted.

I kept to a simple palette of black crystals and pearls along with clear crystals. I also added a real chandelier crystal connector that would be used to help complete the pendant and give it a little more weight. Then, I began making the chain.

I used some cleaned and sealed annealed black steel wire to connect the beads via wrapped loops.  This made up the front part of the chain for the necklace. I finished the back of it with gunmetal chain. 

I have to admit, it's exactly what I wanted. 

I'm actually kinda relieved that I found the plastic "crystal" so I didn't have to try the alcohol ink technique on one of my real crystals. And, getting to upcycle a salvaged earring is great also!!

Thanks as always to Sarajo and Eric for the inspiration for this necklace. I'm anxious to see what Sarajo and any other participants made. Check out her SJ Designs Jewelry blog. If you're inspired by the photo, make something and make sure to share it on Sarajo's reveal with the linky tool. She'll have it open for several weeks. 

November Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge Reveal

The fifteenth of each month is the reveal day for the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge. This is a birthstone challenge from Angela of Pirate Pretties Jewelry. She sets several criteria that include the month's birthstone color(s), metal type options, a project type, and optional fun elements. For November, the colors are citrine or yellow topaz, the metal types are gold or bronze, the project type is earrings, and the fun elements are sun, moon, and/or stars. This is what I created with these prompts.

I was totally surprised at how quickly these came together once I discovered the citrine drops in my stash. I went straight for the sun connectors that I knew I had and found the rings nearby in the same drawer. Both of those elements are from Patina Queen. 

I am well aware that I would have NEVER combined these elements without this challenge. The colors are too...matchy-matchy for my usual tastes. But, they work wonderfully in these earrings. That's the beauty of challenges like these. They help you think beyond what you would usually do. 

Of course, I created a video of the quick process of making these earrings. 

What would you or did you make for this challenge? 

November Challenges & Inspirations

 Can you even believe that it's November? Where has the year gone? Let's not ponder that too long as there's still so much to do. Right now, I'm talking about the challenges that I enjoy participating in each month. It's time for me to round them up and encourage you to join in with some of this inspiration.

• The first thing that comes to mind is my own mixed media prompt challenge - #CraftyHopePrompts. It's a weekly opportunity for me to create using some of the supplies in my stash. You can get a better idea about it in my latest video: Mixed Media Prompt Card Week 6. There are a variety of different ways to play with this challenge. I hope you'll ask me if you have any questions.
• Now, the challenge with the soonest reveal date is the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge from Angela of Pirate Pretties Jewelry. This is a birthstone jewelry challenge with four guidelines: use the birthstone color of either citrine or yellow topaz, include gold or bronze metal, make earrings, and (optionally) incorporate the fun elements of sun, moon, or stars. The reveal date is the 15th on YouTube and/or in the Pirate Pretties Facebook group. 
• Another jewelry challenge is the Honey Do List from Srajo and Eric of SJ Designs Jewelry. Eric shares a photo he's taken to inspire Sarajo, and she shares it with us. The November inspiration is moody and mysterious. I love it! She's set the reveal date as Nov. 21st. However, the link tool is usually open for several weeks after that, if you're running behind. 
• I love the #4Core challenge from Ina Solsbery. She offers up the challenge of using four core ingredients in a mixed media piece. This month, those are 1-remake, redo, reinvent something (she explains this in depth in her video), 2- add something that flies or represents flight, 3- triangles, and 4- submit before & after photos to her email (in the video description).
• There's also Mixed Media Menagerie from Laura, Nicole, and Erin. This is an art journal challenge in which you incorporate their three prompts into your work. This month, the prompts are earth tones, gouache, and toothbrush. You can share your results using the hashtag #MMMNov22 on social media. 

I know there are a few other challenges I'm leaving out - Halcraft's pretty palettes and a few others, I'm sure. But the ones above are the ones I'm most likely to participate in. What about you? Is there anything that will spark your creativity, in particular, this month?

October 4Core Challenge Project Reveal

I've mentioned the 4Core Challenge from Ina Solsbery several times in my monthly challenge list. It's one that I really love. Each month, Ina issues a mixed media art challenge that must include four core (4core) ingredients. Your medium can be anything, 2D or 3D.  This month, I went for a necklace.

 Ina's four prompts were: 

1. Aware Beware Danger
2. Crackles, Rips, Broken, or Damaged
3. Crescent or half-moon shape
4. Spider

I began by recognizing that the spider prompt was going to be tough for me as I'm arachnophobic. So, I let that slide, figuring I could come up with something later. In the meantime, the crescent shape occupied my mind. I realized that I still had a few golden brass crescent connectors from Patina Queen in my stash. With that, it was easy to recognize that I needed to make jewelry. 

So, I stuffed some dandelion fluff into a small glass jar that I altered with alcohol ink. The fluff kinda looks like spider webbing, and I made a label using rub-ons with the word beware on it. I soldered the jar closed and added an arc of wire to help connect it to the crescent. The label was altered with inks and crackle paste to complete all the prompts.

The chain of the necklace is a simple metal chain to which I added a few gold beads on gunmetal wire - to get the mixed metal look of the pendant. 

It's a darling necklace, just perfect for spooky season! To get a better idea of how the pendant came together, you can watch my Beware Spider Webs Necklace video on YouTube. 

And, don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions!

So, how would you have handled these four prompts?

Honey Do List October Reveal

I've missed out on a few more of the Honey Do List challenges lately from Sarajo and Eric of SJ Designs Jewelry than I would like. So, I made sure to give myself a little time this past week to look at and create from the photograph taken by Eric. If you're unfamiliar with this challenge, let me quickly explain. Sarajo's husband, Eric, gives her a photo each month as inspiration. She shares it on her blog for anyone else looking for a creative spark for jewelry-making. I've loved this challenge for years as it has often pushed me to think outside the box. This was one of those times!

The above bracelet is what I created after studying the below photo from Eric (and Sarajo).

It was the bold pink, bright yellow, and subtle brown of the photo that stood out immediately to me. And, for some reason, I wanted all that on a bracelet (not my usual jam). I decided that some of the brown would best be represented in antiqued brass. Then, it struck me that I could emboss a Vintaj blank and color it with Vintaj Patinas* in Ruby and Citrine so that it would include all three colors. I even found a Vintaj embossing folder that had pinecones on it. 

Alas, this uncolored back side showed the impression more than the colored front. So, I played with beads I had gathered and found that a wood coin bead worked well to accent and distort the image on the front just enough. Some meticulous (for me) wirework attached the bead to the focal.

From there, it was just a matter of attaching the beads to one another with eye pins. Actually, I only had to do that on one side. The yellow and brass filigree portion was simply a length of chain that I cut down to size. 

As always, I encourage you to head over to SJ Designs Jewelry to see what Sarajo created from the inspiration. As well, you may find links to other artists and what they created. If the image inspires you as well, the linky tool should be open for several weeks so that you can contribute to the challenge also! 

Thanks to Sarajo and Eric for another inspiring challenge. It definitely pushed me a little creatively. What's not to love about that?

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DIY Infinity Necklace - October Birthstone Challenge Reveal

Angela of Pirate Pretties Jewelry challenged us to use the October birthstones of either Opal or Pink Tourmaline to create a necklace in silver or rose gold and optionally include links or chains. While October is my birth month, I don't have any opals and don't really care for pink, so I worked with the closest beads in my stash, opalescent/moonstone-like glass beads, to create a simple infinity necklace.

This was a straightforward project that just needed a length of chain, some beads, and wire. As well, the only skills used were opening jump rings and making wrapped loops. To finish the piece, I connected one end to the other to make this an infinity necklace. 

I think it's a great necklace for everyday wear that adds just a little something without much distraction. You can watch me make this DIY Infinity Necklace on YouTube.

It really is just that simple. And, think of all the variations you can make by just connecting any type of bead to various links of chain. 

Though it may be easy for me, I'm open to answering any questions you may have. Don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything clarified or explained better.

October Challenges and Inspiration

Each month, I like to do a quick roundup of some of the challenges and inspirations I've found for that month. It helps me keep it all in one place, and allows me to share these with you in hopes that you will join me in some of them!

• I would be remiss if I didn't mention my own challenge that began this week. I'm calling it #CraftyHopePrompts. The basic idea is that I am building a prompt deck for mixed media art by altering a playing card each week. Each Monday, I'll share the prompts I draw and the card I made. Then, on each Saturday, I'll share another project I create using those prompts. You can watch my Week 1 Mixed Media Prompt Card on YouTube to get a better idea of the challenge. And, please use the hashtag if you play along! You can either use my prompts or draw your own. (I have a complete list of prompts in the description area of the video linked above.)
• Sarajo of SJ Designs Jewelry is back with the October Honey Do List Inspiration. This is a jewelry-making challenge that comes from her husband, Eric. He shares a photo inspiration to prompt some jewelry designs. The reveal date is October 24 (MY BIRTHDAY!!) and the linky tool will be open for several weeks after that if you're running behind.
• Halcraft Collection has revealed their Pretty Palette for October. Again, this is a jewelry challenge. You'll find all the information in their post. I do encourage you to explore their past palettes too as they have some beautifully inspiring designs and tutorials. 
• The Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge reveal is on the 15th of each month. This is a birthstone challenge. This month, the challenge colors are Pink Tourmaline or Opal. In addition, the other prompts are to use rose gold or silver metal, create a necklace, and (optionally) use chain or links. You can learn more about this challenge from Angela's video on YouTube. And, you can check out her Facebook Page. The reveal can be a video and/or a picture on the Facebook page. 
• The #4Core challenge from Ina Solsbery was announced in her video. This is a mixed media art challenge that can be entered by emailing a picture to Ina. You can also share a video of your own contribution. For October, we are to use the theme of Aware, Beware, Danger. In addition, include something crackled, ripped, broken, or damaged; a crescent shape; and at least one spider (eek!)

And, that's it for the time being. October always feels like the beginning of the holiday season and all the busyness that entails. Taking some time to create is a great break from those stressors. Whether you participate in any of these challenges or not, I do hope you find some time to create. 

DIY Bracelet Stack

The Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge from Angela was to make a bracelet stack using sapphire with silver or gunmetal and (optionally) include steampunk elements. I waited until the last possible minute to work on this one, but came up with a little stack that I'm pretty happy with. 

Each of the five bracelets in my stack is fairly each to make. And, I found that this challenge was a great stash-buster for some of the random beads, charms, and other materials in my collection. 

Of course, I recorded a video sharing how I made several of the bracelets, but if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know!

I like that this challenge gave me the opportunity to use several different techniques for "one" completed project. And, I would have made a few more bracelets (maybe a friendship bracelet, a wrap bracelet, or a sari-wrapped bangle) if I had more time. But, I think this little stack is probably plenty for now.

What do you think? Is it missing something?