MY BEAD SOUP REVEAL!

At last the great day is here when I can reveal my bead soup to you, I seem to have been waiting such a long time! When the soup arrived from my swap partner Cathy Jakicic I unpacked it and spread it out and looked at it for a couple of weeks with no idea what I would make with it, I just kept going back to look and slowly ideas started to come together. 

The first necklace I made was with the blue nuggets (they look like Lapis but not sure) I added some large vintage brass beads and chain from my stash and the focal is the blue stone from my soup. I made a bracelet to go with the necklace but used one of my hand made beads as the focal point.

I had been looking at the pretty Cameo which is quite heavy and decided to go with a hand dyed silk ribbon as I felt it might be too heavy with a chain or pearl necklace so a ordered ribbon from Diane at http://www.sowzeredesigns.com she also has an Etsy shop  SowZerE 

For the next necklace I had great fun with my hammer, hammering the shapes I made and then putting it all together. As I was constructing it the beautiful Jasper leaf I added from my stash, a tiny tip from the top broke away it was so small I was unable to do anything about it, I don't think it detracts from the necklace hopefully. I named this one Floating Away, simply because the beads remind me of streams and leaves do float away on them.

The lovely green glass navette shape beads inspired a completely different design I really love it! I used the lovely lampwork clasp Cathy sent, the small white rice pearls came from my stash, as did the pink lampwork rose buds and deep green rondelles, I think it turned out very pretty!

My daughter had spotted the white opal glass spike beads of course she wanted those, just her sort of thing...!!!! so of course I said I would make her a necklace with them, I found a strand of pinky, purple vintage fire polished beads added some silver beads and now she has her spikey necklace.

This necklace , gave me quite a challenge because of the odd shaped squarish nugget beads, tricky! The colour looked like pieces of blue sky with pink blossoms perhaps from a cherry or almond tree so I designed a pendant with an old weeping cherry tree and Blossom Time was born! I used the pink pearls and silver from the bead soup and added a hand dyed silk string from Diane it is soft shades of blue and pink and a little silver hook clasp, I think it worked well, and I love it.

This is a last minute idea I had for the leaf and tiny heart Cathy sent in the soup, I found a tiny bird and a couple of 4mm Swarovski crystals and popped them onto a long headpin and added them to the leaf, the leaf is on a hand dyed silk ribbon I had in my stash and that folks is it! I do have a few things left over and I am sure I will use them in time.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit and hope you will take a look at the other participants of the bead soup. 

This is a link to the list for the second reveal http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/preview-of-2nd-reveal-blog-list-for-7th.html 

I do hope it works

~Jackie~ 

NEW DATE FOR SECOND BEAD SOUP REVEAL!

Lori has put the date back for the second and third reveal so of course I didn't post the items I have made on the 6th but will now be posting them on Saturday 13th April instead so I thought it might be nice to post a few pictures of some necklaces I have made either as gifts or commissions.

Amethyst & freshwater Pearls with a silver Agate & Amethyst pendant

South Sea Shell Pearls with Amethyst leaf and silver beads

Gemstone necklace Imperial & white Topaz with Citrine

BEAD SOUP I SENT AND RECEIVED!

Well as it is getting closer to the reveals I thought I would post a couple of pictures of the soup I sent to my partner Cathy Jakicic, Cathy is the editor of Bead Style Magazine and she sent me an amazing soup full of all sorts of things, she had picked the spring colour of greens and blues and I have had such fun making several lovely items from it as I said in my previous post can't show you till the April 6th but here is what Cathy sent me!

Cathys Soup to me

Soup I sent Cathy

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY ETC...

It will soon be that time again when we reveal our bead soup to the blogging world, the first reveal will start on 30th April. I am part of the second reveal so my turn will come on 6th April, I have already nmade several items but I mustn't give anything away till the day.

I have been making other things as well and as it has been too cold and damp in the garden to start out there. Although I do have some flowers in bloom Narcissi and my early Camellia Haru Gasumi and lots of Hellebors, I notice the beautiful double flowered Magnolia Vulcan has shed some of the furry jackets from its buds, I do wish it had waited a bit as the weather is unseasonably cold with strong winds and I so look forward to seeing the wonderful display this magnificent little tree puts forth, so I hope the flowers won't all be ruined!

I have been sewing, for Easter I have made my sister a scarf from a piece of beautiful vintage kimono silk it is so pretty full of spring flowers and soft as a butterfly wing!  I shall be making more scarves and some ascots/cravats to sell later on hopefully.

vintage silk scarf  for my sister, much prettier colour than the picture

Imperial Jasper with five Amethyst Cabochons I made this before Christmas
~Jackie 

KYDO JEWELLERY !

Its Polymer Clay month at The Beading Arts Blog and Cyndi Lavin invited me to take part, today 14th February is the day I am featured on Cyndi's blog.
Thank you Cyndi for giving me the opportunity to display some of my work.

~Jackie~

VINTAGE KIMONO SILK

I love vintage and antique fabrics especially the exquisite silk kimono panels and kimono and jackets (Haori) I collect. I have only been a collector of these beautiful fabrics for a relatively short time just a few  years and learning all the time.
My daughter has caught the collecting bug to a lesser extent and has several lovely silk Haori's and a pretty cotton Yukata she wears in the summer. It has been fun wearing these to the theatre and they are always admired and we enjoy telling people about them and how well they were looked after which is why they are still in such wonderful condition and perfectly wearable, I often wonder who owned them and what stories they could tell...!!!

From some of the silk and one of the wool panels I have made scarves for my daughter, sister and friends I think I should start doing something with some of the panels again this year as it is a shame for such beautiful fabric to lie unseen on a cupboard shelf when it could be worn and admired.

The Orchid kimono below is rather unusual and pretty and the haori is gorgeous the embroidery is silver and gold roses and foliage. The three silk panels I think are very beautiful.

                           

SPECIAL OFFERS AT KYDO JEWELLERY

I have decided to keep the sale going a little longer at the web site http://www.kydojewellery.co.uk so please do take a look many iterms are deeply discounted some at half price!

It has not been a good start to 2013 for our family, I have not seen my sister or her husband since before Christmas as they were both ill then no sooner had that started to go than they both picked up the dreaded Noro Virus with all it entails, that got better, then last Thursday I phoned my sister and her husband was in bed in agony with back and stomach pains and vomiting violently. I phoned yesterday and he had felt better Saturday then Sunday back to square one! My sister phoned this morning to let me know last night he was taken to hospital now the doctors think he has possible kidney disfunction...!!!

Its a lot to take in and I had hoped so much for the New Year  that things would pick up and maybe even a few sales to cheer me. This was to be a year of trying new things and putting the old behind me if that meant giving up the jewellery so be it; although I will always be making things just for the sake of it, as I can't imagine giving up art in some form it has been a part of my life since I was a small child.

I would love it if you left me a comment or two, I don't often feel so low but right now lots of things seem to be piling up, I expect you know how it is we all get those times! I will leave this post with a picture of a bracelet and earrings I worked on for a wedding.

I hope your New Year has got off to a flying start and I wish you only good things for 2013.

~Jackie~

GIFT GUIDE

Today I am in Cyndi Lavin's December Gift Guide, so the web site is well stocked with lots of specially priced items everything from necklaces, pendants, bracelets and earrings, I also make ribbon bookmarks these are adjustable to fit large or small books and won't mark the pages.
The sale will run till New Years Eve to finish the old year with a flourish prices are in £ & US$!
If you see something you would like just email me the details and I will get right back to you.

On another note I have been thinking of putting some things in my Etsy shop it is such a popular place I buy all sorts of things there throughout the year, I do love to buy handmade it has a uniqueness about it that is so special.

SATURDAY 24th NOVEMBER ONLINE CRAFT FAIR

I am having an online Craft Fair tomorrow 24th November at http://www.kydojewellery.co.uk  Many necklaces, bracelets, earrings etc have been deeply discounted, it is quite exciting Lara and I have been working hard adding things to the web site for two days now and there are still more things I would like to add. So I have decided not to run this just for Saturday but roll it along to New Years eve to see out the old year, I will be adding even more and different things too throughout the rest of November and December!

Everything on our web site is handmade with great care. I also take commissions for bridal jewellery, our bookmarks are very popular as they don't mark or damage books and Lara's Pet Portraits or Fantasy Art make a lovely gift any time of year.

So drop by and make yourself comfy with a nice cuppa and browse the galleries drop us an email with your choice or any questions and we will get back to you in a timely fashion, we accept Paypal and send to most countries. Looking forward to your visit tomorrow!

I will be featured on Sarah's blog at Saturday Sequins where you will find more online craft shows to visit.   http://www.saturdaysequins.com/

~Jacqui and Lara

Autumn and winter necklace

I have just finished making a necklace for myself, I decided most of my necklaces are too short to wear with my autumn and winter wardrobe, I wanted something a bit longer 20 to 24 inches to go with sweaters and my high neck tees and fleeces.

I decided to choose a focal from my box of gemstone leaves and settled on a gorgeous rich coloured carnelian piece I embellished it with gold wire and gave it a bale, I had a box of fire agate and crab fire agate, I liked the crab fire agate with it best as it didn't detract from the strong colour of the carnelian but harmonised but I did chose just two nuggets of the fire agate, I also used some feldspa for its soft neutral beige and brown.  I love the warm colours with the gold vermeil rondels and shepherds hook clasp, this necklace will work so well with lots of things in my wardrobe.
I shall certainly be making some more to go with other outfits!

    

THE STORM!

I don't know if any of my journal followers across the pond will read this but I do hope you have all come through the storm safely and your families and friends as well, I belong to several online groups and thank goodness everyone has come through ok, some with damage to property but otherwise safe.

There is a lot of clearing up to do, getting everything going again, hopefully it won't take too long before it gets sorted out, good wishes to everyone.

Jackie

www.kydojewellery.co.uk

NEW FIR TREE PENDANTS

I have been working on some fun pendants & earrings for the winter which can be worn for the holidays too! I made a template for a fir tree one of those lovely forest trees you see in parks sometimes with branches spreading right down to the ground not the poor things in plantations with not enough room to breath lol. I embellished them with some silvery sparkles for frost or snow and added a star to top them off, as it seemed to be the right place where a star might be seen in the night sky! 

The ones in the first photo are flat with moonstone stars, the three in the centre photo I gave some leaves/needles stars are moonstone, yellow stone and pink glass. The two in the last photo have white freshwater pearl stars

Anyway I thought this was an appropriate moment to put up photographs, they were made for my daughter, sister and myself but I do have some spares for sale if you feel in need of a seasonal fir tree or two, please email me.

EARRING GIVEAWAY WINNER IS....

The winner of my earring giveaway is Birgit!
Please do take a look at her blog  http://swappinghowdies.blogspot.co.uk/ for those of you that don't know her she has a fantastic blog full of gorgeous photographs, especially the ones she took of Munich's Special Carnival, what a wonderful festival that must be wish I had been there! 

NEW EARRINGS!

I have been making some more simple earrings and a set, something quite new for me as I tend to enjoy making more elaborate necklaces and pendants. I am not sure if they are interesting enough what do you think?

SECOND GIVE AWAY FROM MY BEAD SOUP!

I have chosen these earrings for my second giveaway, these glass  beads look just like the toffee swirl sweets I used to have as a child, the same rule applies as last time leave a comment on my post and just make sure I have your email address, please do blog about the giveaway, thank you. 

NEW GIVE AWAY FROM MY BEAD SOUP!

As promised I have the first giveaway from my Bead Soup, to be eligible please leave a comment on this post and blog about the giveaway and I will be delighted to add you to the "hat". Below is the picture of the first giveaway an Agate? pendant I have slipped it on some knotted sari silk cord, in toning colours. This giveaway will be drawn on 1st September, don't forget you must have a visible email address for me to contact you if you are the winner!

BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY VISITED

Last evening I visited the last of the names on the Blog Soup reveal list, I visited everyone that had posted photos of their jewellery and my goodness there were some gorgeous pieces to see, what a great party I am so glad I joined in, this was my third time and I enjoyed it all immensly thanks to my partner Jó  Giorgia Rossini I hope you all took a look at her pretty designs with some of the soup I sent her.

It just remains for me to thank Lori Anderson for making this such a wonderful and fun blog party, I know it is a lot of work for her and she is a very special person! "So thanks Lori till next time"!

MY BLOG SOUP REVEAL TODAY!

Today is the day I can show you all that I made with the soup I was sent by my partner Jó Giorgia Rossini who comes from Italy.
I decided to see how many pieces of jewellery I could make from this soup useing just a few bits from my own stash, I ended up with eight WOW I just kept seeing more things I could use to make pendants, earrings etc.

To start with I took the clasp Jó sent me which has a piece of picture Jasper in a bezel it was a three strand clasp which did not suit what I had intended to make, an asymetrical necklace, useing a strand of Crazy Lace Agate from my stash the colour went so well! I had to use strand reducers again from my stash and blackberry beads ( my name for them ) Jó had sent some light green open work ceramic beads which I felt went just right to add a splash of colour and a sweet little butterfly, the necklace reminds me of the sandy burrows near us which sweep down to the sea it is a nature reserve, full of orchids and other flora in season and many wild creatures live there.

The second thing I made was a bracelet, there were some interesting red beads which I picked out and other smaller beads in more neutral colours also a couple of large gold colour beads and a gold leaf, the lobster clasp I added so that was my bracelet!

A large greenish bead was next I took some silver colour wire and just went a bit loopy I embellished it with some little circles of green Mother of Pearl and a peach colour star, now its all ready for a chain or cord

The open copper heart was next! Among the things Jó sent were a pair of pretty brass hearts I added some chain and a copper freshwater pearl heart from my stash and ended up with this sweet Chained Hearts pendant

Next came a pair of earrings these glass beads reminded me of toffee whirls I used to get given as a child so I had to use them as earrings, I think they are fun!
                                                                     

Another necklace was a must from Jó's pretty green beads, I added the gold spacers and most of a strand of raspberry pearls and the clasp a rope wrapped S hook, the raspberry pearls match the little pink spots/flowers on the three long green beads, I think it turned out rather pretty!
                                                                 

Nearly there now only two more to go, the next thing I used was an unusual filigree Jó had sent me I call it Bambi, looking at the picture you will see why! So I got out my clay and voilá, I think it worked quite well.

                                                                        I thought I was finished until I spied this piece of stripy Agate? Well I had to use it, there was a red glass bead left with a flower on it and one red drop so I reached for the wire and made a little pendant, I think I will just hang it from some lovely silk sari cord doubled up and knotted.

If you like any of these items please get in touch as I will be selling them, there will also be a surprise giveaway or maybe more.  If you would like to follow my blog it will all be revealed on the 25th August....!!!

Please go here to visit all the other participans in the 11th August Blog Soup Reveal

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html

HUMMINGBIRDS ART NECKLACE

Just thought I would post this really elaborate art necklace that I designed for someone and then they disappeared! It took me a while to make the tiny hummingbirds but I do enjoy the challenge it has been posted on Pinterest by a friend so thought I would add it to my blog it is for sale, not for the faint hearted to wear as it is quite big or it could be framed as a piece of art!

And This is What I sent my Bead Soup Blog Partner

I think It is always a bit hit and miss sending things which while being a challenge, will also make the process enjoyable, I had a good look at the sort of things my partner jó was useing and decided to send a pallette of pinks which is maybe a bit different to the colours she usually works with and I am hopeing she will enjoy useing them.
So I sent a strand of freshwater pearls pink of course a large faceted Rose Quartz briolette and a pair of smaller ones, a pair of lampwork beads, a pair of faceted black Jasper briolettes, some of my precious vintage jet Czech cathederal beads ( I love those ) a hand made Polymer clay pendant, two clasps and a length of vintage brass chain.
I am looking forward to seeing what Jó will make with these things, the light was dreadful when I took the picture as the weather here has been aweful so it is not as clear as I would like. I am really looking forward to visiting as many blogs as I can....... See you at the big reveal.

6th BEAD SOUP BLOG PARTY

This will be my third Bead Soup with Lori Anderson. My partner is from Italy 
Giorgia Rossini, I received my soup from her on the 6th so I thought I would show it on my blog for everyone to see, it came in colourful little bags and a gift of some earrings for me from Jó. Thank you Jó.

This is the reveal date for our soup, I already have some ideas and luckily I have plenty of time to put them into practice!

NECKLACE INSPIRED BY LA PERIGRINA

The necklace I am showing today has no clay in it and is from the other side of my jewellery designing. It was created earlier this year inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery that was auctioned at the end of last year, more precisely that wonderful pearl drop La Perigrina given to her by Richard Burton on Valentines day 1969. It is said the pearl was discovered off the coast of Panama in the 1500's and once belonged to King PhillipII of Spain. I am afraid my pearl does not have such illustrious provenance but it is a beautiful high class AAA pearl. So I thought it aught to hang from a suitable necklace too.

The necklace is strung with three sizes of freshwater pearls, rubies and green onyx as my little emeralds had such tiny holes I couldn't string them! The strands of pearls are seperated by beautiful silver flowers links. The circular centre piece is silver it was hand made by a silversmith and set with three rubies and three emeralds with a freshwater pearl in the centre. The pearl drop which is half drilled hangs below a strand of tiny pearls and rubies it is capped with silver. The clasp is lovely it is pearl and one of only two vintage ones I was able to buy a while back. I found it quite difficult to get a good picture but it is quite beautiful and special much nicer than the photos, as these thing usually are.

It is for sale just contact me if you are interested!

Diamond Jubilee Necklace

I thought today as the Diamond Jubilee weekend is all over I would post my Jubilee necklace.

I had been thinking of something pretty to make as I don't have the diamonds I am afraid Swarovski crystals have had to do duty in this flower necklace.
I sketched the piece first as I usually do. It is fashioned on an armature of bronze and each leaf, petal and flower is hand sculpted. As Roses are some of the Queens favourite flowers along with Lily of the Valley I decided on pink wild Roses I sculpted these in clay and also some tiny Forget Me Nots in blue. For the Lilies I used some lovely vintage white glass with 14kgf as the stems, the centres of all the flowers are the crystals and even the Lilies are tipped with tiny crystals, oh my poor eyes!

I really enjoyed designing this as it is so lovely for the summer we are still waiting for!

We have a winner!

The winner of the green sari ribbon necklace is Shaiha, I am sorry there can be only one but good news! There will be a new give away later this month.

In the meantime I would love to show you a picture of one of my favourite old roses. Very large and many petaled Mme Issac Periere's scent is absolutely delicious and one of the strongest perfumed roses I have, I just picked these two this evening as the rain we had yesterday was set to ruin them, the fragrance fills the room.

Wedding Pearls

I thought you might like to see a commission I have just finished and sent off three necklaces to a lady in NY for her wedding they are being given to her flower girls to wear on the day. The youngest is only 6years old. The pearls are a pale silky blue with Indicolite Swarovski crystals as the sashes on the little girls dresses are that teal colour, the silver blossoms are off set and small lobster clasps can hook anywhere on the extender chains, which is brilliant as the necklaces will grow with the girls! 

The Ganoksin Online Exhibition

I have four necklaces in the new Ganoksin Exhibition the links are below if anyone would like to see them.
Page 26.
http://www.ganoksin.com/exhibition/v/duu/Humming-Bird-_amp_-Nest-02-resize.jpg.html

Page 35.
http://www.ganoksin.com/exhibition/v/duu/Pandora-01-resize.jpg.html

Page 53.
http://www.ganoksin.com/exhibition/v/duu/Wild-Rose-01resize.jpg.html

Page 55.
http://www.ganoksin.com/exhibition/v/duu/York-Amonite-01-resize.jpg.html

 The exhibition showcases 330 images chosen from entries from over 111 artists representing 26 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Serbia, Spain, Trinidad, Turkey, UK, USA, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands
Artists were free to interpret the theme in any way they chose. Each artist could submit up to six pieces. Interpretations include uniting different materials into one cohesive form; intellectual and emotional "unitings", where the meaning of the piece unites multiple concepts; the uniting of time - past, present and future; and a number that focus on the harmony created when uniting multiple materials and/or concepts.
The work submitted involved a wide range of jewelry techniques, from very traditional to very cutting edge, as well as using materials from traditional precious metals and gemstones to "re-purposedThe online exhibition titled "Differences Unite Us" is now open to the public!

NEW GIVE AWAY!

The second of my three give aways is another necklace. Made with sari ribbon for one of Lori Andersons Bead Soup Partys last year, the pale gold large beads are actually seeds I don't know what tree they are from but I thought they looked quite nice with the ribbon which is a very dark green and can be tied in place easily.
The rules are as before to be entered to win please leave a comment on the blog, you will get an extra chance if you blog about it or mention it on your Facebook, please leave the link and don't forget to make sure I have your email address or I won't know where to send if  you are the winner. The drawing will take place on Saturday 2nd June. Good luck everyone!

Give Away has been drawn!

Well my first give away has gone quite well considering and the winner is Cyndi Lavin of http://www.beading-arts.com/ so congratulations Cyndi.
Thank you to everyone who participated all is not lost as the second give away will go up early next week another sari ribbon necklace but quite different the date for the drawing has not been decided yet.
So there you are folks I do hope you will try again everyone is welcome please do tell your friends about it.

All the best
Jackie

FIRST OF THREE GIVEAWAYS!!

I have three items I would like to give away over the next few weeks the first is a sari ribbon necklace/bracelet I made with the items I was sent by my partner for a bead soup I did with Lori Anderson. The leaf is ceramic and the beads are lampwork.
The drawing will be made on the May 12th.

To be entered in the draw with a chance to win, please leave a comment on my blog and you can either blog about it on your own blog or mention it on your Facebook and let me know you have done so for an extra go. Oh yes don't forget to let me know your email address or I won't be able to contact you if you win!
That's all you need to do. You can see a picture of the first give away above. 

HOW ABOUT A GIVEAWAY!

Just thought I would pop in and post I have been wanting to do some giveaways for the longest time but I am not sure how to get the word out there never haveing done one before. Can anyone help?