7,000 Bracelets for Hope...One At a Time

Tonight I'm working on my bracelet contribution for 7,000 bracelets for hope.  Global Genes Project, a children's rare disease campaign is rallying volunteer support from the arts community and anyone crafty enough to contribute, to help raise awareness for children with rare diseases.  There are over 7,000 rare diseases that have been identified, all with issues of their own. They are collecting bracelets that will be sent to families living with rare diseases this Christmas (2011).

I've joined up with Lori Anderson again in another blog hop to help support this great cause. Visit me on Saturday, April 16th, when I will reveal my contribution along with 112 other bloggers before mailing them off.  I'll also be offering visitors to my blog on Saturday an opportunity to win another special bracelet, so don't miss it!

If you want to learn more about the Global Genes Project and Bracelets for Hope, and how you can contribute, visit their website here.   Then make sure you drop by on Saturday to learn more about this great campaign and see all the beautiful "blue" projects!

Unveiling and making Positive Changes,

All Fired Up..I Just Can't Seem to Get Enough!!

Ever get a itch to do something again and again?  Ever can't seem to get enough of something fun? Well,  I think I have the glass bug you guys, because I headed back to All Fired Up two weeks ago and made two more fused glass pendants...and this time, I used a friend as my excuse!

A good friend of mine had a birthday last month and I wanted to do something fun, other than your typical out to lunch work gift..boring!  We had decided on dinner and a movie, which would have been great, if I hadn't gotten my first pendant back a week before our planned outing.  I had an ah ha moment and she was all for it!  I originally introduced her to jewelry making years ago and she was on board for learning something new and fun...a little hesitate at the idea at first, I might add, but it turned into an evening of laughter and fun, and this time I didn't forget my camera! Follow us on our journey..........

"ooooooooh..this is how they draw you in (minus that special friend to persuade you if you don't have one)"

"Then we spent 30 minutes or more trying to decide on colors"

"Then we got busy picking out pieces to work with"

"Then the creating began"

"we measured, we swapped, we moved things around..."



"we snipped and clipped...."

"and glued...."

"and finished...then I started a second one!!"

"we waited two weeks and taadaaa!!! 



Yeahh me!! 

I've heard that the first step to recovery is recognizing that you have a problem..."WELL,  I HAVE A PROBLEM!!!" ...coz I just can't seem to get enough of fused glass, but I keep reminding myself that I HAVE to get my new camera first!! But there's a little angel on my shoulder that keeps whispering, get a kiln next!    

Tell me what you think of my new found love, then let me know what you're working on that's new and fun.



Unveiling and still having fun,

Fused Glass - My First Pendant and More!!

After ten days of waiting, (what seemed like months) I finally picked up my pendant that I made a couple of weeks ago at All Fired Up. I'm now realizing it's been too long since my last post, but to see my previous post on my fused glass adventure click here.   I would have never guessed that I would be on such pins and needles to see the final results, but I was like a kid waiting for Christmas today, waiting to pick it up this evening after soccer practice; however, I was pleasantly surprised and pleased at my first attempt with fused glass.   

 All the way home I kept hearing this tiny little voice saying..."DO IT AGAIN, DO IT AGAIN!!...And  guess what?......I will!

And...... I have more eye candy for you tonight!  I was the lucky winner of two give-a-ways during the Bead Soup Party..can you see me doing a happy dance?

I won these Pretty Things ...(you'll get it in a second) from Sandi Volpe.  Sandy had the "bestest" idea of going to meet Lori Anderson (Bead Soup Originator) at a show, and purchased these earrings from her to give away..well, I love the idea because look where they ended up!  The irony of it is I also met Lori for the first time at a show in Virginia and purchased a pair of her earrings as a gift for someone else!  So, yep, I'm the lucky recipient of a pair of Lori's earrings this time...Since I don't make much jewelry for myself to wear, I'm tickled pink by these! Visit Sandi's blog, she also makes beautiful jewelry. 

The other items I won, came from Heather Pyle of Aquariart.  I love all the different techniques and design elements that Heather used in this necklace.  You have to see it in person to know what I mean, but since I won't be paying these pieces forward, the picture will have to do.  She was very creative in designing this piece and I'm thrilled to have it!  Again, another piece, just for me and I didn't have to make it!

Unveiling and dancing a happy jig,

I'm At It Again.....

For those of you who really know me, you know that I can't keep still for long before I'm trying something new.  I'll try anything once, doesn't mean I have to like it or stick with it, but I'm adventurous and I will give it my best shot!

This weekend, I was in Carytown on a special mission (I'll be posting about that later) a popular area here in town.  Carytown is home to many interesting things, such as our Annual Watermelon Festival, antique shops, ecclectic boutiques, one of a kind shops, vintage shops, jewelry stores, consignment shops, pet stores, restaurants, bead stores and so much more.  It's the one place I always visit during Christmas, to find one of a kind unique gifts.

Typically, parking is a bear on a Saturday afternoon, but luck would have it, I found a spot directly in front of a little shop - "All Fired Up".  Well, curiosity got the best of me of course, because all I could see was color peeking out the little shop window at me, calling my name..."Dee, come see".  Naturally, I went in, what else was a girl to do? 

Inside was wall to wall ceramic EVERYTHING! It was a paint your own ceramic studio, with dishes, cups, coasters, animals, houses, fish, ornaments, you name it, they had it. I didn't know where to start looking, my eyes were shifting every which way they could.  But, then something said "stop...hold up...wait one minute"!  There was a little angel that had dropped by to remind me of all the decluttering I had just done! (we all remember this post, don't we?)  It was just as I was about to turn around and walk out, that something caught my eye....

 Directly in front of me was a bookstand full of not ceramic, but glass.  And over to the far right of that little bookstand was a little cubbie, holding something near and dear to my heart...a pendant (I say with a smile), not clutter, not something without a match, but a pendant..and now I was ready to ask tons of questions before my twelve o'clock appointment! After ten minutes of me firing questions and the shop attendant, happily answering, I was prepared to return in a couple of hours to make my first Fused Glass Pendant!

Two hours later I was back with sleeves rolled up and ready to go. Mind you..I had a camera in my purse that I was all worked up about taking pictures with for this post, BUT I got so caught up in the moment, I totally forgot to take my own photos.  The photos you see here are from the All Fired Up website, but I will be returning and I will take my own pictures next time. 

After arming me with all the essentials such as my base glass, my selected color glass (which I changed three times), a bucket of left over glass, glass powder, glass noodles,glass tubes, liquid glass, glue, cutting tools, marker, tray, table, chair and instructions, I was left alone to do some major damage.

(obviously, this is not me working on a pendant, but gives you an idea of the set up and the glass)

 Just a note to anyone thinking about giving this a shot..powdered glass, may look like powder, but it's still glass. My fingers can attest to that after my little sprinking ordeal. 

After an hour of glass flying on the floor, crocked cuts, and several design changes, my project was complete and ready to be fired. It is at this point that the nice ladies, come take your pice, label it, ring up your craft, and give you a return date to pick up.  If I know best, I'm certain they'll perform some magic behind the scenes to it (like straighten it up) , fire it up in the kiln and make it look really pretty!

So now I wait...10 DAYS!!!  But oh no, I won't just wait.  In the meantime, I've already been researching on line, perfecting the cuts in my mind, watching videos and reading, I'll be drawing up a design and planning my colors, because when I go back...I'm doing it all over again, but this time in style!!

This is a really cool glass pendant from Into The Lights Studio from Etsy, just to give you an idea of the possibilities if you aren't familiar with fused glass.  Mine will in no way turn out like this in 10 days, but I have a feeling I won't be giving up so easily on this project.

Unveiling something different,

Easy Pendant Tutorial...It's Sharing Time...

Note:  If you're here for Saturday's  Bead Soup Party, scroll down to Saturday's post and thanks for stopping by! 

 How many of you grew up watching Mr. Rogers in the evening?  I did, FAITHFULLY!!  I really can't remember a "sharing time" on his show, but for some strange reason that phrase just reminded me of him, guess cause he's such a nice guy..."waaait for it"  (smile) ..which leads me to this post...

Several visitors left comments or even emailed me asking for photos or a better description  of how I attached my focal for the Bead Soup reveal this past Saturday.   Having taught jewelry making classes for several years, I truly enjoy sharing with others in any way that I can,  because there have been many who have shared with me along the way and I honestly believe that in time, I'm blessed for it in so many other ways. So, of course I'll show you what I did!

Without taking my necklace apart, the best I could do was draw it out for you.  But I bet if you sat there long enough you would have figured it out on your own...it really was that easy!  Soo..here goes:

How to attach a button and a coin bead with wire

to create a focal pendant

The secret to this particular focal was the beautiful Yellow and Red Retro coin bead sent to me from Erin Siegel  my soup partner.  The coin was a rather flat bead with a hole up the center.  And guess what???  Artbeads.com has it by the strand in their Tuscan limited finds selection this week...how cool is that? (click the link above to buy bead) 

The second secret is that the button had a hoop on the back like this:  (okay, it's obvious I won't ever be a Disney artist)

Instructions: 



1.  Take approximately 6 inches of 20ga round wire and straighten. (this is my best guess, remember, I did not take mine apart to get these measurements)

2.  Slide the wire up the back of the button through the center of the loop.  Holding the wire in the center of the loop, begin wrapping the wire twice to the right, then bring it back under and wrap it twice on the left side of where you started ending with  the remaining wire in the middle, straight up the back of the button, so that it looks like this...

3.  Slide the straight wire through the coin bead hole like so...

    4.  Create your choice of hoop, loop or spiral  with the remaining wire at the top.  Whatever your choice of closure, make sure you wrap it tight enough, so that the two pieces don't wiggle. Your finished focal should like like this in the back...

Like I said...easy peasy!! 

Unveiling easy secrets,

Creating with Soup....

As I post this entry, I realize it's been almost exactly one (1) year since I participated in one Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party's.  I'm happy to announce that I'm doing it again with over 200 other artists this month!  I've just found out who my partner is this year and I can't wait to put together a soup recipe for her.  

If you don't know what a soup party is, here is the recipe.  I've been partnered with another jewelry artist to create a piece of jewelry from a mystery mix of beads that will be exchanged through mail.  We'll have almost a month to create something to share with the blog community.  Lori Anderson has been hosting this event for a year now and it has consistently grown to an astounding number of participants. It's too late to particpate in this party, but you can visit Lori's blog to find out more about participating in this next great event!

I'm also excited to share that my partner is Erin Siegel.  Erin makes beautiful jewelry and is a mom to a new baby girl!  Visit Erin to see more of her beautiful work, as featured above, on her blog .

Unveiling in recipes,
Dee

Stroll Down Memory Lane - Part II

Earlier this week I posted some of my favorite necklaces from the past, today I share bracelets and earrings...enjoy the eye candy!

"Colored Rain Drops"

These Kazuri boats have to be one of my favorite artisan made beads. They come in the many different colors of  Africa, they are unique and beautiful. 

I never got around to naming these, once again I was rushing to prepare for a show.  These artisan glass beads are made by one of my favorite artists.  I usually eye a specific set for a while, then I just have to have them...like now..bout to purchase a set this weekend!! 

"Amy"

This awareness bracelet was made for a co-worker who was diagnosed with Breat Cancer last December.  I am happy to report that she is celebrating life cancer free and she looks great!!

This was a Mothers Day gift for my mom! It was the first watch I had ever made.  Thanks to a fellow artists and her tutoring, it came out perfect!!

"Lemon Meringue" Another bead set that I absolutely adored!!  They came in red, green, yellow and orange, I had so much fun with these artisan made beads. I made several pretty pairs and of course kept a unique pair for myself in three colors!

Ashamed to say..but these are MINE too!!  If you look at them long enough, you will find yourself getting very sleepy.  I never got around to naming them..so lets just call them

"Hypnotized" 

"Tasha"

These were a special order request for someones daughter, who was stationed in Iraq. I was given basic instructions for hoops and this is what I came up with, the Peridot crystal is her birthstone the hoops were handmade and hammered for texture.   

No name... holiday rush!  I was in the mood for some mixed metals last year and I made several wonderful pieces.  They sold pretty quickly, so I guess they represented a niche I had not tapped into. If I tried to make these this year, I would price myself out of the market..metal has GONE UP!!

"Kaleidescope of Life"

This is one I'll never forget! I had to finish the hole in most of these beads by hand. This bracelet was made to raise money for "Bead for Life". I made 12 bracelets and donated 50% of the proceeds back to Bead for Life. These things sold like hotcakes! They are beautiful in color and you can wear it with anything.  The beads are handmade in Uganda and are made of paper...And yes I have one for MYSELF!   

Other than long a design process and color coordination, none of the pieces I've posted this week are of aN intricate nature. Most of those items, didn't even make my favorites list! I think the few I've posted this week are my favorite because they have a story behind them that I remember, I can remember the process or the why behind them, they made someone especially happy, they were made for a special purpose, they are made of unique materials by a favorite artist or group and most of all, the finished product I'm certain, made me smile.  

Can you remember making something that made you smile, or that you have a lasting memory of?  Please share, I'd love to hear about it.  

 

A Stroll Down Memory Lane....

Not a lot of words today, just some reflections on a few of my favorite pieces from the past...hope you enjoy!

"Chasing Dot"

I absolutely loved this necklace, probably should have kept it for myself!

"Arizona Summer"

This was actually a personal Challenge to create a Summer Sun, more like sunset is what came out of it, but I love it..it's actually 4 necklaces in 1!!

I never got around to naming this one, I made it so quickly for a show one weekend..how about...

"Unpredictable"

"Goddess"

This was a total accident and it belongs to me...I get soo many compliments on this piece

"Midnight Kazuri"

Another one I should have kept dangit!

"Blue Nile II"

This was a remake challenge it went from drab to fab in one weekend.

"Summer Sun"

I finally nailed the Summer Sun challenge

"Rachelle"

I loved how the gold pearls popped in this necklace!

"Chili Peppers"

This was my very first necklace made with Kazuri beads!

"Menat Dancing"

Menat is an egyptian word, I think a friend/customer gave me this name idea..doesn't the pendant look like an egyptian dancer?

"The Giving Necklace"

This little necklace is responsible for me being able to sponsor all my Kiva Loans!!

These are some of my favorite necklaces, check back for a stroll down bracelet and earring memory lane later this week. 

Unveiling in favorites,

Dee

To see more of my Runako Designs visit my website

Watch Me Create...Giving that Goes Beyond...

I enjoy receiving ANY gifts anytime and of any kind, but my most favored are the practical ones that can be used all year long. Check out my latest post on Watch Me Create to see how Christmas inspires me to create gifts that last beyond one season. Click here to go straight to post.

Unveiling,
Dee