Winner of the Wild Wire Pyrite Necklace

by Staci L. Smith

Thank you to everyone for the positive feedback on my wire necklaces!  I am really happy to be able to share one with you all.  There were a lot of entries, and since some comments got entered twice, or other people commented more then once, I went through and wrote each name one time in order, and used random number generator to pick.  

The lucky winner is

Deb Fortin!!!!!!

Congrats to you Deb!  Please contact me with your shipping information as soon as possible at staci.louise@hotmail.com

I also just want to mention that I have lots of sugar skulls and winged skulls still available in my shop!  It's probably the last batch of the year......so if you want to have some rocking Sugar Skull necklaces for Halloween or Dia de los Muertos, then snag them up while they last.  I had sort of a bum show at my last one, but the only necklace I sold was one of them!  So, tis the season!

http://www.stacilouiseoriginals.com/catalog/sugar-skulls

Playing with Pantone's Spring 2015 Color Palette + GIVEAWAY!

Carol Dekle-Foss

Pantone's recent en plein air color palette tries to arouse our feelings of calmness and provide us an escape from our hectic and fast-paced lives. The colors, inspired by nature, are soft and cool but have pops of warmth.

What do you think of the palettes cooler hues with warmer tones? A bit drab maybe? They are not my favorite colors, and honestly I just create with what colors I feel like, but sometimes it's fun to play with the latest palette.

Last week, I was grateful for a custom order request for a sandblasted necklace because I hadn't sandblasted in quite awhile. It gave me an opportunity to sandblast and paint some stones using Pantone's new color palette. I have yet to make them into jewelry because of..well..life, but I plan to have them done and listed soon.

I go to my happy place when I create these pendants. Choosing what patterns will go on each stone and selecting the paint colors is very therapeutic for me. Each stone is unique and it's fun to see how the final design turns out. 

I'm fascinated by how stones are formed and what their contents are. They each have their own set of characteristics, and are unique and beautiful in their own way. I've recently started a Pinterest board with my favorites. Also, Here is a great resource if you are interested in knowing more about stones and their characteristics.

I wouldn't dare sandblast on these beauties, it would be blasphemy or something. Mother nature has created her own exquisite pattern and color palette. Someday I will be brave and try to make something amazing with them.

 Christmas Agate

Prudent Mans Agate

Ok, now for the giveaway!

It's been six months now that I have been a contributor! Yay! I feel so blessed to be a part of the LMAJ team, and it's wonderful to be part of a community that shares the same love for creativity.

 So for you, dear readers, I am giving away this latest pendant creation.

It's a purple crazy lace agate stone (possibly color enhanced) and top-drilled from the side.

All you have to do is leave a comment here or on Facebook for your chance to win! I will announce the winner on my next post, which is scheduled for February 4th.

Thank you for reading!

We Have a Winner!

The winner of these gorgeous ceramic beads is Nicole Beadwright!

Congratulations!

And.... as always.....

Thank-you for supporting those who create handmade with handmade.

MaryAnn

First Sunday LMAJ Giveaway.....

These wonderful lampwork podlets were donated by Libby Leuchtman. If chosen (random), you will be the new proud owner of a set of five. To see more of Libby's work, check out her Etsy Shop.

  
Here is a little of what Libby has to say about these.

These are one of my favorite styles of beads.They are about 5/8 to about 6/8 inch in size. I love these beads. They are killer and so beautiful. Great for that eclectic look, very earthy. They are all handmade by me and kiln annealed. These are made on a 1/16 mandrel and would great added to the Classic Copper Pods.

So........ How can you win a set of five (up to three entries)?

Check out Libby's blog..... Join the blog if you have not already. If you have, browse through some past posts and share one that you like. I think you will find that Libby's work is amazing!

For another chance to win, check out Libby's shop and come back to share what you liked there.

Lastly, share this post on your blog and let us know that you did.

If you do not have a blog, feel free to share on Facebook or any other social sites that you have (be creative).

There can be up to three entries and I will need a contact for you. Please leave a way to contact you.

As always, thank-you for supporting those who create handmade with handmade,

MaryAnn

*The winner will be announced mid February. Please check back as it will be posted on the side bar.*

SALE.... How many ways can you say it?

Well......  So far......  38 different ways!

And how many ways can you say GIVEAWAY.....  

So far 13 donations have been made for 1 lucky winner!!!

All sellers and shoppers are eligible to participate in the giveaway.

Check out the right side of the blog.  If you would still like to donate for Sunday's giveaway, please send an email to lovemyartjewelry@gmail.com with your name, the name of your shop and a picture of the donation.  In return, you will receive one month on our blog with a link to your shop that will be included with the group on the right.

There's something unique with our sponsors this time.  Just hover over the buttons of individual shops to get an idea about what each artist designs.

Don't miss out...... Sunday, October 2nd!  Yes, that is in just 2 days.....  all of the shops that you see below and maybe more will be added by Sunday will be part of our first LMAJ Cyber Sale that will be an all day event!

There are still 2 days left to link up if you are a shop owner.  Please click HERE, HERE and HERE to see all of the past posts in the order that they were published.  If you create ALL handmade or are just beginning to create handmade with handmade, please join in.  If your shop includes other types of items, I would ask that you either have a section in your shop that is dedicated to handmade with handmade or you renew listings that meet the criteria the day of the sale.  If this is you, please mention that in your shop announcements.  Thanks!

Also.....  if you have a shop such as Etsy who offers coupon codes, please use a code that begins with LMAJ.  I will be offering 20% off so my shop coupon code will be LMAJ20.  Thanks for helping with consistency.

and.......

~Thank-you for creating handmade with handmade~

MaryAnn Carroll


Special Note:  There seems to be a little mix up with today's post.  Looks like Kelli and I are both taking this day.  A bit ironic considering what a surprise it was for me to read what she wrote about me.  It made me tear up.......  Thanks so much Kelli....  I LOVE it and will LOVE wearing it.

PS  Sorry for stomping on top of your post with mine....

Double the Fun.... Double the Giveaway.....

by MaryAnn Carroll

Double the winners....  This time you have TWO chances to win..... Yes, TWO!!!

We have these lovely earrings created by our own Mary Jane Dodd.

This is what Maire says about these copper beauties....

small simple om earrings - measuring 1" or 25mm

I love them!!!

 And.... I just LOVE these, too!  Look at all of the handmade with handmade!!!

Jean, whose Etsy shop is jeanawells, created these and donated them to Love My Art Jewelry

for our bi-weekly giveaway.  Thanks Jean!

Ohhhhh....and there is the question....  hmmmmmm.....

The question:

What handmade materials are your favorite when it comes to buying components for jewelry or creating your own?  Why?  If you do not create jewelry, what are your favorite styles of handmade jewelry?  (example: combination of silver with lampwork)

Here's how this will work:

Everyone has up to three chances to enter.

For those of you who have other social network sites:

1. One chance to win by leaving an answer to the question.

2.  Post it your blog, facebook, twitter, etc. and come back letting us know (each time) that you did.  Please leave the link to that post.  Please pick no more than two addtional social networks to post on.

For those of you who don't have a social network site:

1.  One chance to win by leaving an answer to the question.

2.  Visit our website http://lovemyartjewelry.com and sign our guestbook letting us know that you are doing so because of this double earrings giveaway and come back to our blog and tell us that you did that.

3.  If you have not already, join one of our members blogs (they can be found at our website by clicking on the members name) and come back to let us know that you did.  If you follow all of our members blogs, then leave a comment on one of any member's most recent blog post related to their post and come back and tell us about it.

I hope I'm not writing too much and making it confusing.  Ultimately, whether you are a social networker or you are not, you have up to 3 chance to enter to be one of two winners for the earrings pictured.

~Thanks so much for reading~

MaryAnn

LMAJ Giveaway....

by MaryAnn Carroll

This is a little clip from Izzy's post on August 3rd.....

This first patina was done with saw dust (which I had plenty of with our deck build) and vinegar. I mixed in enough vinegar to moisten the saw dust and put the concoction in a plastic container. I then buried the earrings in the saw dust, covered the container and let it sit for a few days. It looks a bit like cork, doesn't it? Notice the tiny black specks? I LOVE this patina. (One of these might, just maybe, could be in an upcoming giveaway...)

Well....Izzy was NOT kidding.....

The gorgeous set of earrings below can be yours by answering the question at the end of this post....

 If you don't want to wait to see if you might be the lucky winner...or even if you do want to join in the giveaway fun and possibly own two pairs, check out Izzy's shop Under A Copper Sky for similar earrings and/or other matching jewelry.  I can assure you.... what you get from Izzy will be a quality buy...  I know...  I own a fabulous necklace that I'm in love with!!!!

So, you are wondering what the question is....  I know you are ;o)

Not without a little sharing first....

Persistence....

I DEFINITELY was born with my share of it....

When things don't come easy to me, I usually find some sort of challenge in it.  I want to improve....  I want to learn.....  I want to make it better....  I want it to be the best ...

Izzy inspired me to package up some jewelry that I made a few years ago. I wrote about that in last week's post.

Since I have a personal connection with the domestic violence organization near me, I thought that maybe I could do something to show my appreciation for all that I received from the various services that they offer.  Many people think of organizations like this as "shelters" for women that are in abusive situations.  It's true that shelters are a part of these organizations, but so much more is offered beyond that.  Many women involved with organizations like Vera House never see the inside of a shelter because it never got to that point.  I was so fortunate to have a wonderful contact person there that I still stay connected with and decided that I wanted to give back in a different way as well.  I thought, "maybe I can make some purple ribbons from the enamels that I purchased from Barbara Lewis and create earrings."  They can sell them in their office and keep the money from each sale. I don't always have the money to donate, but I could do something like this in its place.

So..... Did I mention I've got a little of the impulse bug too?   I grabbed my wire, cut, hammered and put it under the torch, dipped it in the enamel, put in under the torch, dipped, torched, dipped again....until I felt I was done...

Here are a few of the first ones that I finished....  I know....

not good.....

maybe I will try again, wrap some wire around the centers and add some ear wire.....

still not working......

I give up....

I'll go to the local chain store and buy some purple colored wire.... 

Maybe that will be the answer...

Nope..... too cheesy....

I think I'll give it some time....

or maybe.....

I'll email Barbara and ask for her advice... DUH!

Why didn't I think about that in the first place?

Thanks Barbara!!!  The color choice fox glove was perfect!

Then, another brilliant thought popped in my head....

Yes.....I was on a roll......

...I have a sheet of copper in my studio.... 

maybe that will be more "ribbon-like" and I can avoid destroying my 51 year old elbows and ears hammering.....

 

A little wide, but much better.....

I think I'll cut that width in half..... 

Maybe then it will work with a matching ceramic bead.....

And there you have it.....

PERSISTENCE.....

I'm still going to work on perfecting this process more.....but I'm well on my way.....

Now, for the question that you have been waiting for to win these beauties...

"What do you do when at first you fail at something that you really have your heart set on doing?"

In addition to answering the question above, if you want to be entered more than once, share this post on facebook, twitter, yahoo groups, your blog, etc. and come back EACH time and tell us that you did.  Your answer to the question will count once each time you let us know where you posted.  Please include a link to that post.  If you add all of those places in one comment, then that will only count one time.  The more times you enter.....

.....well....

.....you know the rest....

So, be persistent and perhaps those fab earrings by Izzy will be yours.

As always....

~Thanks for reading~

MaryAnn

A Winner, A Lesson Learned and My Family....

by MaryAnn Carroll

Not exactly in that order........

Let's start with my lesson that I learned.   Like many, my beading began with buying LOTS of commercial beads.... some at a small local bead shop (which I still support by purchasing many supplies, etc.), online shopping, and some local chain stores.  Well.... I decided that I LOVED Izzy's idea about taking that jewelry that I won't be selling and donating it to Vera House which is a local domestic violence organization in my area.  They are going to use them for part of a "graduation" gift when women make it through certain programs by attending regularly,  contributing, etc.  Since some of that jewely goes back to 2007, I decided to give them a good bath.  I made up my water, vinegar and baking soda solution which cleaned up all, but one, beautifully.  At the time, I used to use all sterling silver and it definitely needed some shining up.

 It was no surprise another necklace surfaced once I had these all packed and ready to go.  I mixed up the same solution and put it in.  This one had coral, or so I thought, on it.  As a matter of fact, it was mainly "coral."  I know that because I had labeled it when I bought it and put a price per bead on the section of the container. What else could it be?  This necklace also contained "faux" coral which I KNOW was "faux" because it was also labeled in the same manner.  The coral was not cheap!!!

Since I know very little about actual gemstones, etc., like many others, I bought them for their beauty.

Hmmm.....  what might be another reason to buy handmade?  You know who made it.  You know what it was made with and you more than likely know that it is genuine.

Here's the results following the red "coral" cleaning....

 I should have taken the slogan, "buyer beware" a little more seriously.  Who, however, has the time to research all of this kind of stuff?  I took some more from my stash (the same beads from the original batch  that I still have) to do a little experiment.  The ones on the left are from the section labeled "coral" and the one on the right is also from a section labeled "coral".  I didn't take pictures of the one on the right when it was in the "experimental" solution, but by looking at the picture, the color didn't change.  Maybe it was just processed better.  I don't know.  The ones on the left were labeled for 20 cents each and the large one 1 dollar each.  Based on size, it made sense, right?

I did find a website that I "think" is the real deal.....  If you want to know a little more about coral, this might be some helpful reading.  As a matter of fact, you might want to read up on many commercial gemstones and such that you purchase prior to the purchase.  I remember learning why there was such a wide variety of prices when it came to turquoise too!  Click HERE for a link that might help you make some more informed dicisions before making a purchase.

And..... what makes me HAPPY?  My family makes me VERY happy.  I love them so much.  We've had our trials and tribulations and still do, but when I think of them, that makes me happy.  Check out our

Art Spark challenge

 for August and share with us what makes you HAPPY!!!  There is a link to how to go about that on the left side bar.

Finally, Mr. Tibbs and his dog Gadget would like to announce the winner of the wood-fired beads giveaway.....

Erin S...... 

You are the winner!! 

Please email me at artisanbeadsplus@gmail.com with your address and

I will get them right out to you :o)

Congrats!

Are there any lessons that you have learned that you would like to share?

Thanks for

~creating handmade with handmade~

MaryAnn

For those of you who are confused about my POST regarding dates.....  This should confirm that I'm still confused!

The Man Behind the Mask GIVEAWAY...

by MaryAnn Carroll

Well...

.....every time Bill fires, I seem to find myself a favorite.....  Sometimes, I just like to display them on the shelf over the sink until they sell, other times, I don't want to give them up.   This is a keeper.  I just fell in love with the little guy as soon as I saw him.  The story behind him is that one day, months back, Bill and I went to a house "sale" where they were selling ceramic molds from the 60's.  Not quite sure how I felt about the guy who was selling his father's molds from years ago since he was trying to get top dollar for something that they would have to pay to dispose of since there is a VERY limited market out there of people wanting anything like this.

Well...  Bill did buy some molds and I did take home some greenware that the guy gave to me for free since it was also 40 years old and it was pretty iffy as to whether or not is would make the ride home.  His Dad had been a high school ceramics teacher and died about 40 years ago and his Mom had recently passed.  The greenware had been there all these years.  I took them since I thought I could fire them and have my grandchildren and nieces glaze them for entertainment.

Anyhow.... Bill took some of these molds and made some crazy little creatures from combining various rabbits, ducks, people, etc. This guy is one of those. And since I'm puzzled as to what to name him I am asking for your help. If you would like to win this sampling of wood-fired beads, how about offering a name to help me decide. I will pick my 10 favorites and then randomly draw from that.

These just came out of the wood-fire kiln yesterday.  Wood-firing is not the same as raku.  If you would like to learn more about Bill's wood-firing click HERE to keep updated on his blog.  For more work by Bill.... (there will be some new listings soon), click HERE to be taken to his Etsy shop.

And.... now for what I had in the wood-firing..... I'll be listing some and keeping some. I am so behind on listing these days and I still have another glaze firing coming up this weekend. My mind is getting a tad bit overloaded. When I reach that point, I just don't know where to begin.  With that said and with an overloaded brain that is incapable of coming up with anything catchy to say, here are some gorgeous beads that the pictures are not giving complete justice to.

Thanks for reading......

MaryAnn

Winner of the Gorgeous Ring.....

by MaryAnn Carroll

created by Lu from CiaoLucia on Etsy.....

is....

Lori from Pretty Things!!!!  Congratulations Lori! 

Please contact Lu through her Etsy shop with your address.

~thank-you for creating handmade with handmade~

MaryAnn

hOlY MoLy..... This post is loaded.....

by MaryAnn Carroll

I say that because we have a winner for the fabulous earrings that were so generously donated by Jen Vanbenschoten (vanbeads), a special interview with a special artist Lucia Tremont and to make that complete, a special giveaway donated by Lucia herself.  To win, you will have to answer a question at the end of this interview.

What is so cool about this interview is that I met this talented woman by checking out Barbara Lewis's enameling support site.  You can find that on side bar of Barbara's website by clicking HERE.  Yes, a site designed for those of who who cannot shake the enameling addiciton ;o)

What I soon discovered was that Lucia and I are pratically neighbors.  Not only that, one of her best friends is also a friend of my husband Bill.  They work together in the Syracuse City School District.  How cool is that?  I get used to meeting people who are usually a significant distance away, not one who went to high school right next to the neighborhood I grew up in. 

So, now it is your turn to meet Lucia Tremont.  She is a wife and mom of two boys 21 and 20, and a 17 year old daughter.  When not creating, she works full-time in a primary school.

Please tell us a little about your journey with jewelry creating.

I can remember the first piece of jewelry I made. I was 10 and glued stones onto a bracelet. Through the years I have tried many different mediums. I had a piece of enamel a friend had given me years ago and that sparked my interest in getting a kiln. That was three years ago and I've been making jewelry since.

I have read in your Etsy profile that you have always been involved in some sort of art, how did you first get interested in creating jewelry?


I am always making something.  When my daughter was younger, we decided to make bracelets at her birthday party that were on wire and crimped.  I enjoyed doing that and then began making necklaces for myself.  People would compliment me on the pieces, and I would make jewelry gifts for friends and family.

Enameling seems to be your art of choice.  Are there other materials that you like to combine with your enameled pieces?

Yes, I love patinaed metal, adding fiber and since I knit I've thought about adding knitted wire, natural fibers and felted wool.

How did you first decide to sell online?  Have you enjoyed your online experience?

It really was an evolving process.  I enjoyed searching through Etsy and the fact that everything I made could be just a little different.  Etsy is a very user friendly and it seemed like a great choice to get my pieces "out there".  I have asked many questions to shop owners and they have been very kind in replying and trying to help, so it's been good so far.

In terms of enameling, are you self-taught or have you taken classes to learn this skill?

I am self taught in enameling.  I decided to buy a kiln so that I could make pottery, glass beads and enamel. I did do a good amount of research before hand, I love the research part.  I did not intend to sell, it was for my own knowledge and enjoyment.  When my kiln arrived I was so excited, but the 2500 degree temperature scared me and with no one to walk me through the process,  I waited one month before turning it on.  I finally got the nerve to do a trial run, not even actually enameling, just turning it on.  I set it up in my family room and as the temperature climbed I began to relax and feel pretty good about it, but suddenly at 500 degrees my television and computer went out and the kiln shut down. I was afraid I had ruined the everything.  Luckily for me, all was fine and what I needed was a dedicated line for the kiln.  Once that was in, it was all trial and error. I did take out many library books but no enameling classes and that was 3 years ago.   Recently, I was fortunate enough to have a private lesson with Babara Lewis, who teaches her torch firing technique.

Have you explored other options to promote your online selling such as blogs, facebook, etc.?

I am only on Etsy and plan to explore social networks and blogs.

Have you set goals for your future creating and selling?

If so, what are those goals?

My heart's desire is to be known and respected as an artist. I would like my Etsy shop, Ciaolucia, to be successful, have work published and continue to grow and experiment with different techniques and mediums.  Enameling has so many possibilities, the layering of enamel powders produce such surprising results, always different.  But really, if I wasn't enameling, I would be making something.  I always have to be making something. I am a visual person, so when I see something that intrigues me, I can't wait to try it myself.

Would you offer some advice to those who may be reluctant to create jewelry using an approach that might feel out of their comfort zone?

If you have passion, you will find a way.  Research, read as much as you can, take a class and if there are no available classes, trial and error are the best teachers. Don't set limits on your ideas.

And there you have it, Lucia Tremont.....

Thanks, Lucia!

So.....

why did I leave the picture of these fab rings for the end of this post.  Yes, there is a method to my madness reason for that....a little teasing.... a little taste of what's to come....a little surprise....

 Lu has GENEROUSLY donated this gorgeous ring!!! 

 It could be yours if you just do a little window shopping and

head on over to Lu's shop by clicking HERE.

Come on back and let us know what your favorite piece is

and what you like about it.

As always, if you want to be entered multiple times, post this interview/giveway on your own blogs, facebook pages, etc. and come back and let us know each that you did (Each comment is counted once).  Please provide a link to the post.  A winner will be chosen next Sunday, July 24th so be sure to stop back (I hope you are reading daily ;o) to see if you are the lucky winner!

And while on the subject of lucky winner......

Island Girl

These are now yours!  Congrats!!  Just email Jen.  You can find her contact by clicking her name on the side bar of this blog.  She will need your address so she can get these shipped out to you.