Card Club October, 2012

Anniversary Card

We made the card and envelope -

Too cute Halloween card too.  the ghosts were "corn" cutouts with a little tweeking around the edges.

Monthly card club projects  -  fun, easy and all Stampin Up materials.  Card club hostess Kim provides all.  Open to new card club enthusiasts. 

The Christmas Rush?

I just ordered all the part to make these cuties.  These were last year earrings - I'm re-creating for this year too.  Too fun, colorful and cheery.  No matter what you celebrate in December, these will fit right in.

Check out my stores for more:  I have one tree being featured.

www.thejoyfulgem.artfire.com
www.joycebecker.etsy.com

More angel colors coming this year - in green, purple and pink... stay tuned.

thejoyfulgem

Bead Soup 2012 reveal #3 August 25th

This has been a fun soup.  I've given myself lots of time and really like what I came up with.  Here are the results. Since I had such fabulous pieces to choose from I made a set, necklace, bracelet and earrings.  Marianne Baxter sent copper wire, which I used to wire wrap the bracelet.  I also used silver toned craft wire in the focal piece - a challenge.  Without making everything match exactly, I was able to use the pieces given to me and add some of my own to make a nice "matchy-matchy" set.  Enjoy...and thanks so much for my wonderful goodies, Marianne.  I used both of her clasps (one I added patina paint and the other I wire wrapped).  I used all of her pearls and wire, I used her copper spacers and her creativity to spark mine.  Thanks so much Marianne!  Now on to the 2nd group of beautiful things she gave me - lucky me, 2 to choose from!

I said I didn't do intricate seed bead work - and I don't but these were the perfect mix for the gorgeous hand made focal so Ijust had to use them.  I used her clasp in this piece - painted it with Vintaj patina, and come copper flower caps.  Too pretty.  Tried to carry the silver/coppery theme throughout.

Closeup of my wire wraping - mix of silver and copper.

Bracelet clasp detail - I wirewrapped her clasp to carry the silver/copper theme. Used her pearls, copper bali beads and some gorgeous lampwork that went so well with the bracelet.

Toggle wire wrap detail.  Love these little seed beads.

A very fun 3 strand bracelet carrying the necklace theme.

 Necklace focal top down view, claps detail, and bracelet.

Bead Soup bracelet and necklace - 2012 :-)

Last but not really last...., and certainly not least....Earrings, my favorite thing to make.

The details - the big copper bead (one) was cut into 2 pieces.  Edges were pretty rough so lots of smoothing with the right tools.  I tried to flatten it totally but one area separated and split.  Rather than give up, like I used to do, I revamped the design.  I had to break the other one too, but added a copper open ring (of course going the wrong direction for the ear wire).  No problem, I just twisted the earwire 1/2 way around and it works great.  Like the springs?  I made them from the wire I got from Marianne - one long spring was cut into segments for use here.  The Swarovski crystals fit inside perfectly.  I just happened to have a few copper headpins that worked great for all 6 drops.  These finished up as a really lightweight pair of earrings. 

You know how it is when you buy something, then either don't like it, it doesn't work for your idea, or for whatever reason you can't/don't use it?  Well, try re-creating the wheel - I was shocked when I learned this from a friend.  Couldn't believe you could actually cut/paste/bend/hammer/drill/dap/flatten/ and the list goes on all metal pieces.  No limits to creativity.  Now if I just had fire......

Enjoy your Bead Soup Journey and  I'll enjoy wearing these for sure - one of my favorite colors too!  Thank you Marianne.  I have another project to challenge.  The 2nd focal has no hole for wirewrapping, like this first pendant did.  So, I need to learn how to encase this with wire or seed beads.  This is a chunky focal so will take a class to learn the technique needed to showcase Marianne's beautiful work of art.  I have a few leftover beads that will work well with this focal - can't wait to get started.

To view the remainder of the BEAD SOUP REVEAL #3 names, read on.

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs


Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

Try something new....this year

Jewelry, how much of it can you make/wear?  This year one of my goals was to try new things, in jewelry and in art.  Lucky me, being in the company of experts (Bead Soup Chefs and otherwise).  Stampin' Up expert Kim, offers us a once-a-month opportunity to play (and order stuff).  We gather to create the card of the month, using a pre-made kit, skillfully chosen by Kim, and create these beautiful works of art.  The most fun for me is playing,  but also giving them away.  I CPR my cards, Create, Photo and Release them from my home to yours.  Too fun.... Life is short - declutter (my other goal this year).  Click on pic for a bigger view.

My Bead Soup Partner...

Marianne Baxter - has been..." making jewelry forever. I love working in all kinds of materials but lately I have been working in glass. I have been making fused glass and have started working also in Lampworking. I also do a lot of beading and belong to a local beading group as well as the International Society of Glass Beadmakers. ".... this copied from her blog.  She is also the coordinator for http://www.studio-tours.com/
North Coast Artists Guild 20th Annual Studio Discovery Tour (see details on above link.)  Gee, makes me want to go to California and check it out!  DH says that country is beautiful.  Still coming up - there't time to plan your Summer Art Tour!!!

Check out the beautiful handmade glass dichroic beads she sent me.  I love them, used both clasps too.  One glass piece has a groove, or channel for wire wrapping.  I've always wanted to learn how to wire wrap that type of focal - so after Summer will learn to do it. 

Please check out Mariannes blog:  http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com/

.... and watch for our reveal goodies on August 25th!  

inspiration....

What's all this about?  I spent the morning looking at Bead Soup Reval #1.  I always get inspired by others' work, and today was no exception.  Such great artists, presenters, writers, teachers - and I'm humbled to be among them.  Glad I gave myself lots of time to prepare for the last reveal.

In the meantime, I sewed around the ring in first picture and made a pretty cool looking bail. I'm pleased with the result.  I forgot to mention that I painted this little Vintaj pendant this week - have really had fun playing with color.  I used the Patina inks and some Alcohol ink,a bit with my dabbers,  and some other goodies.  Also finished with a nice Vintaj Glaze to keep everything intact.  Yummy colors, huh?

the anticipation is growing...Bead Soup

This weekend is the first of 3 reveal dates.  Are you excited too?  This year I really got on it and got-er-done.  Wish I would have chosen the first reveal date as I'm ready with time to spare.  No worries, will give me time to peruse all of the other wonderful designs.  tic-tic-tic... looking forward to it.

These gems make me joyful... NO THIS IS NOT MY bowl of BEADSOUP  - just  some EYE CANDY, on a styrofoam plate.  :-)  snicker....

Not one but TWO lovely groups to choose from

My partner, Marianne Baxter, really read me well!  She provided so much inspiration with her fabulous handmade dichro beads.  This is a real stunner.  There is a groove around the outside edge - and she provided me with copper wire too.  I have always wanted to wire wrap in the "ditch" so now is my chance.  Both of these glass pieces are works of art in themselves and I don't want to busy them up.  This will be a fun challenge to work up something beautiful. Good thing there is lots of time.

Our reveal dates are:  August 25th.  Come on back and check on the progress.  TWO pictures listed here, one of the detail of the focal.  Amazing colors.

My FIRST Soup - what I got from my fabulous partner

Enjoy drueling at my wonderful stash.  A GORGEOUS hand made dicroic pendant and lot of lovely companion beads.  I hope to try something new with this first set - we shall see.  I got 2 sets so have much to choose from.  She read me well (looking at blogs really helps) and caught that I really love to wire wrap, love bright colors and she provided lots of excitement to create.   I'm already thinking.....

ssssshhhhh, it's a secret.....

Can't tell you what, can't tell, when, can tell the who.....

BEAD SOUP update... Previous post mentioned my 2012 partner is Marianne Baxter.  She will soon receive her mystery package from me.  Lots of different goodies in there to challenge her creative spirit.  As I'm putting everything together I'm thinking... how would I mix and match these beauties and what would I make?.... Will be fun to see what she comes up with.  I like to include things I make, and did make a couple of things for her especially.

Have a great Summer Marianne - enjoy your package. 

it's official... I have a partner (BeadSoup... that is..)

Greetings, and welcome to BEADSOUP 2012.  I have an official partner.

Everyone, please meet Marianne Baxter.  She is an accomplished Dichroic glass artisan.  I'm really excited to share our soup bowls of goodies and to see what we both come up with.  This will be fun - stay tuned.

reminder - the rules.  We both put together a mystery package of:
1. focal bead that must be used in an object de art (jewelry or otherwise)
2. clasp that must also be used
3. a few coordinating beads that don't have to be used

We photo the goodies we received and post here. 
We make something with our goodies and post for the world to view - our reveal date is: August 25th.

Stay tuned....

My photo tips and (not so) secrets.....

(she asks herself...)  So, you think you are a photographer?  NOT - my work has been trial and error.  However I have found that I love the process and try and learn from my mistakes.  As a fellow customer/purchaser of gems and components I know what I look for in a good photograph, which better helps me make that all important purchasing decision...

The link below is of this pendant made and listed in  my Artfire store.  I have a blog in Artfire also where I described the who-what-when-where-why - and what angles work best.  This is listed there with all the photos of each angle.  If you are interested in more info - check it out - click the link below.  Thanks for looking.  Hey, I'm always wanting to learn so if you have suggestions for improvement - let me know...

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/TheJoyfulGem/4798644/Vintaj_Brass_Wire_Wrapped_Bird_Nest_with_3_blue_pearls/Jewelry/Pendants/Wire_Wrapped

Summer Road Trip Challenge - and who doesn't love Vintaj?

Take your interpretation of “Summer Road Trip” and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass, Arte Metal and/or Artisan Copper! Submissions are due by NOON (CST) Friday, June 29. Voting will be open from July 2 – midnight July 6, with the Challenge Winner & Editor’s Pick posted on Monday, July 9.

BEADSOUP - 2012.... OH THE ANTICIPATION....

Wow, soon and very soon... we will be meeting our partners - I'm so excited...I should be finding out who my partner is for this year on June 24th. woo hoo - can't wait...

Why did I start making jewelry?

My mother and step mother passed 10 years ago.  Some of their jewelry items were interesting enough to be remade into other pieces of wearable art and it was a way for me to keep them in my memory.  Quickly I got the bug and started learning lots of different techniques - spreading myself way to thin, and buying way too much stuff.  It was fun and still is - this is the only hobby I've really stuck with.  As I look back at the photos of some older designs I am pleased to see how far I've come.  

Why do I love it ?  It's amazing that one pile of beads can be interpreted so many different ways, depending on the eye of the artist.   I also love it when someone else loves it enough to offer to buy it from me.  That is a great compliment.

Artfire has afforded me a reasonably priced place to show my work - just for fun.

Bead Soup 2011 - partner and jewelry made

BEAD SOUP # 6.

<center><a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Bead Soup Blog Party" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/limamikealpha/BSBP6-followers2.jpg%22/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/center> <br>

I just signed up for this year's bead soup (Lori Anderson).  It will be a blast again this year I am sure. 
What is bead soup?  Sign up, 2 persons are partnered, each send a clasp, focal bead and some coordinating beads.  Mandatory clasp and focal are used in some kind of art (usually jewelry), pictures are taken of the creation and posted on blogs all over the world, then we all go blog-hopping, to see what everyone created. Too fun - Check back often....

Just for fun - PICMONKEY

I'm not too computer literate... but have had some fun with PICMONKEY, a program where you can edit photos.  This is my cat, Fred.  He is as funny as he looks - looks pretty good for 14 or so.  I'm doing a bit of pet sitting and decided to use him as my model - cute huh?

Lovely Leather Wrap in Passionate Purples

Wanna buy this lovely bracelet?  I sell my work from ARTFIRE and this may be found there at this link.

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/product_view/TheJoyfulGem/4710665/Leather_Wrap_two_wrap_bracelet/Jewelry/Bracelets/ShellPearl

Abalone shell button clasp, 6mm rondells with cats eyes (in purple and pink) spaced throughout.  Sized for a perfect 6 1/4- 6 1/2" wrist, very comfy and sparkly.  Enjoy this gem from the joyfulgem. 

Giving Back

It's better to give than to receive.

So many wonderful people have given me so much; love, advice, care, beads, instruction, mentoring, beads, time, sharing, gifting, beads.... so, you get my drift.  Sales don't come my way but the desire to continue to create does - so rather than try to wear everything I make I'm deciding to gift goodies to organizations for their profit.  Sounds fun - The Lord gives to those who bless others.  I'm hoping all of those people who have blessed me (as stated above) will continue to receive their blessings, and I hope my donations will be a blessing too.  Peace -

Kay's Turquoise - Happy Mothers Day

These stones have been around for years, old Turquoise, my birthstone.  I just love them.  Mom died 2/22/02 so I kept a lot of her "junk" jewelry, which is what got me started in jewelry making in the first place.  Anyway, These stones have been in my stash for at least that long, and today I made them into wearable art for me.  Photographed in morning sunlight, I love the shadows, while wondering about the history of these stones.  I'll wear these in honor of mom.  Honor your mom while you have the opportunity.

In case you want details, the rocks are about 1" long, all sterling silver, reused old leverbacks and 1" end of a Bali headpin.  I'm not much for throwing things away.  Finished length from top of wire to bottom tip is 2 3/4" long. These aren't for sale - but will be my personal JOY to wear them.

lost my blog - starting over

for the computer challenged.... sigh.  I'm beginning a new blog - calling it Joycesjoyfulgems.

I posted this one earlier - new necklace, catchy colors, fantastic foto, skillfully knotted on silk.  Lots of wonderful southwest colors (sold for $40.00).  Total length is 40" long and can be worn several different ways.  I just added this to Artfire, and while this one has sold, I would be happy to build another to your custom specs.  Some of the stones in this beauty are:  Czech. glass, Picasso rondells and rounds, lime glass, African reds, Turquoise, blue and red millifori, Chrysocolla Jasper, silvertoned  beadies, 3 cute little birdies, all  hand knotted (and more) on heavy Griffin pearl silk.  Click on this picture to enlarge for more detail.

Want to see more? http://www.thejoyfulgem.artfire.com/