It's The Bead Soup Block Party 8 Reveal!

Thanks to Lori Anderson the organizer and founder of the Bead Soup Block Party. She tirelessly matches people around the world to trade beads and they make fabulous jewelry with what their assigned partner. Then we have a big reveal date and we get to hop all the blogs to see who made what and with what.

One of the things that I was the most excited about in getting my Bead Soup Partner 

Patricia Johnson from PLJGlassArt

was her love of recycling!!!! 

What Patricia sent me.

 I absolutely adore that about her.  Looking at my soup she has all these components that she pulled out of an old printer and even used some of the enamel in the printing ink to use in the lovely fused glass bowl that I now have on my jewelry desk to hold beads.

What I added to the mix. Plus a little more that I didn't get photo'd.  Just not that organized.

In the spirit of recycling and following Patricia's lead I dug in to my recycling drawer.  Looking for older beads, necklaces etc.....that I can add to the mix of what she sent.  So here is a photo of most of what I added to the mix.  Unfortunately sometimes I don't know what I am going to add until I put it together, so not all beads that I added to my Soup are shown.

I used Patricias lovely large lampwork bead as my color palate for the first set of jewelry I made.  The lampwork had a celestial feel to it, note the galaxy looking swirl in the large lampwork bead.  I took my lead from that.  I just so happen to have a old necklace in my junk drawer with a celestial feel to it.  So I dismantled that and pulled some moon and star shapes out of it.  I added some holes to some of the moon pieces so I could sandwich the large bead in between.  The Chain, Faux Cinnabar, Blue and Red Sponge Coral, Clay beads and Red Coconut Chips are all from old jewelry.  I added some Dumertierite, Kyanite and a Quartz dagger from Dakota Stones.

This necklace hangs asymmetrically and I added multiple dangles at the bottom of the lower moon to assist in its balance.

The bracelet I used her handmade clasp I believe made with aluminum from a printer her lovely lampwork and natural Coral.  I added the Red Sponge Coral, Faux Cinnabar, Metal Beads all from recycled jewelry pieces. The Kyanite I added was from Dakota Stones.

I made the following earrings with Paticia's Lampwork and some Dumortierite and Kyanite from Dakota Stones.

Now the soup got really interesting!!!!!!!  What to do with the gears and those very stiff aluminum sheets.  I just happen to be so lucky to coordinate the look of the following pieces with Stinky Dog Beads.  She happened to email me around the time as I was contemplating my next Bead Soup Pieces and I asked her what she thought of adding to my mix.  I told her what I had left to work with. So she sent me those vanilla Czech Glass Beads and some lovely Greek Mykonos Charms that I used in this piece.

I made a coordinating bracelet with Patricia's gears and at the base for the focal and her lovely lampwork at the center.  The large bead caps were from Michaels and some more of the vanilla Czech Glass from Stinky Dog Beads along with the Greek Mykonos dragonfly.

I had all these really lovely Red Coral and Natural Coral pieces and originally I thought I would use the gears.  I decided to go back to some of my roots as a jewelry designer and make a earthy chunky statement necklace with a messy layering of these beads on chain.  I added the quartz daggers from Dakota Stones and the Red Czech Glass, chunky chain were from Stinky Dog Beads.

I made a coordinating bracelet with bead caps, Coral Chain, Greek Mykonos from Stinky Dog Beads and added one of Patricias Natural Coral beads.  I added the chain and lobster claw to the mix.

I am pleased with the outcome of what I made. Not sure which are my favorites.  I suppose the biggest challenge for me was working with the recycled metal pieces but 

THAT WAS THE MOST FUN TO!

TO SEE WHAT PATRICIA MADE WITH WHAT I SENT CLICK HERE!

If you are interested in some of Patricia Johnsons Glasswork and Recycled Bits you can find her on Etsy. Just click the below link.

PLJ Glass Art

To find my jewelry for sale go to the following link on Etsy.

YaY! Jewelry

Want to Hop All The Beads Soup Blogs and see what creative genius is spread across the country.  Got to the following link below.

CLICK TO BLOG HOP HERE!!!!!

Helga Gets a Makeover

Meet Helga, my ratty old bust.  

  

She was covered with all this ugly blue fabric. 

I bought Helga a few years ago at my local thrift store for $20.00.  I have seen old busts go for $500.  I was not really loving the blue fabric on it.  I remember seeing some photographs of busts with a craypaper look....old and ratty.  They looked like mine so today I thought I would see what Helga was really made of.

Reminds me to never judge a book by its cover.  

She is a beauty...yup full of water stains, rust, missing screws, and she has a lovely pose (lopsided) but she is a highly sought after item by jewelry artists for displays and photography.

She Does Bite !!!!!!

 Good thing my Tetanus is updated.

So I thought I would try her out.  Not sure these are the best photos but a start.  Will have to figure out the best backdrop to take photos with her.

My latest creation from some of my purchases at the 

Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee.

This is a layered necklace.  Can be worn individually or together.  Choker & Long Necklace.

Made with some earthy green & brown ceramic beads that are chunky.  Some wavy chips that I bent, copper fish and Swarovski Crystals.

I Think Helga Approves!!!!

Designing Jewelry for Dakota Stones

YaY! Jewelry Designs For Dakota Stones

Jeff Elvin & Tia

Dakota Stones is one of my favorite places to buy my stones.  They have excellent quality, unique shapes, cuts, drills and finishes, They also have some interesting and hard to find stones. So when Jeff Elvin asked if I would design some jewelry with his new circular beads the answer was a no brainer.

A RESOUNDING YES

He is having a product launch with ART BEADS.  He wanted me to design some jewelry with certain beads that they were adding to their online store to give their customers some ideas of what to do with some of his new wavy circular beads.

When I asked him if I could go around and pick out some stones to go along......well lets just say, I had a tray full.  I was a little nervous showing him my tray and he said.  You obviously have something in mind, go for it.  When I got home and looked at the receipt I was a bit mortified, so I emailed him and told him that I would bring back any strands that I didn't cut into.  He simply said not to worry and to have fun.

PHEW!!!!!

Those that design jewelry know that having choices is a blessing.  My journey of jewelry design did not start that way.  I use to peruse the thrift stores for cast off jewelry and or beads.  

SSSSSSHHHHHH 
I still do that.  

ALL OF THE STONES IN THE DESIGNS BELOW ARE FROM 

DAKOTA STONES.

Simply Stated Necklace

So here is my first design I made with 14 gauge copper wire and some of his Rose Quartz Wavy Circular Beads. I simply wire wrapped 2 disk beads in and hammered and shaped the copper wire.  I added double chains to each side and a toggle clasp. Simple and sweet.

Desert Sunset Bracelet

Jeff asked me to make a clasp with these Picasso Jasper wavy circles.  I decided to make a bracelet with a copper bar that I textured.  I punched holes in the copper so that part of the disks would hang over the side of the copper bar. This is all tied with waxed linen, Yellow Jade, Citrine and Picasso Jasper wavy circles. I like the asymmetry and the off centered beads on the copper, makes the bracelet a bit unexpected.

Bubbling Brook Necklace

Etched and Patina focal made by me with Vintaj Patina's

Copper clasp made with copper and matte Amazonite beads

For the Bubbling Brook Necklace Jeff gave me some matte finished Amazonite rounds and some Black and Gold Amazonite Cubes and a lovely Rocky Butte pendant.  I made a handmade copper clasp for this design with some of his stones.  I etched and patina'd a piece of copper to set of the color of the beads.

My Minds Eye Necklace 

Clasp made with Rose Quartz & Carnelian Wavy Disks

 Stacked Carnelian and Rose Quartz Circular Disks with a lovely Fossil Coral Pendant

I am in love with organic looking jewelry.  This necklace has a lot of great quality beads.  Including Rose Quartz, Carnelian , White Lace Red Jasper, Pink Moonstone, Fossil Coral - the only thing that isn't from Dakota Stones in this design are the metal elements and the chunky coral.  This design is all tied with waxed linen and I made a handmade clasp with the Carnilian & Rose Quartz circular beads.

Handmade copper clasp 

Wink Ring - Picasso Jasper Wavy Circle Bead

My very first ring!  I made to resemble an eye called "Wink".  I took the Picasso Jasper Wavy Circles and organically wire wrapped this simple ring with 20 gauge and 26 gauge copper wire.  The copper is patina's with liver of sulfur.

Sweet Love Bracelet

Rose Quartz Wavy Circles & Pyrite

This is a triple strand randomly place Rose Quartz and Pyrite Bracelet.  I added a sweet love finding for the clasp.  Tied with waxed linen.

Some simple earrings

And last but not least.

Pick Me Some Flowers Bracelet

With this bracelet I patina'd this mesh element with Verdigris & Rust Guilders Paste. I added the Carnelian wavy circle as a flower element.  I attached these using Microfasteners.  Stones are Amazonite, Blue Green Quartz, Red Creek Jasper, Yellow Jade and a few Swarovski Crystals for some sparkle.

All of the stone used in these designs are from Dakota Stones. 

If you are shopping for some great quality beads please check out 

Art Beads 

new selection of 

Dakota Stones Beads.  

Woop There It Is

YaY! Jewelry's Necklace Featured on The Vampire Diaries

Watching vampire shows is not chore for me.  I have always love vampire shows.  When I was given the opportunity to make a necklace for the show through The Artisan Group, I jumped on the chance.  It was a long wait and I had many people watching the show along with me. 

 My necklace finally graced the neck of actress Claire Holt who plays Rebecah.  It was featured on Season 4 Episode 18 called American Gothic.

Did you miss this Episode here is the link to watch it.

http://cwtv.com/cw-video/the-vampire-diaries/american-gothic/?play=12f64179-5c11-408c-adf5-16d4e0e688ee

I was super lucky that my necklace was featured in a daytime episodes as we got many good shots of it.

Claire Holt might not like some of the shots but I think she would look beautiful wearing anything really and with any facial expression.

 

This necklace is for purchase in Kristin Oppolds Shop on Etsy.

YaY! Jewelry

Click here to buy this necklace.

Linda Hanes was the winner of my contest to win this necklace.  Congrats Linda, enjoy!!!!

I Love Me A Vampire Necklace Contest

The Vampire Diaries Television Show will soon be airing my necklace and we will be looking for it!!!!!

THE CONTEST TO WIN THIS NECKLACE IS STILL ON!!!!!

 Here is what you do to win.

1 - Comment here with the below things you have done.
2 - Follow my blog.
3 - Like my Facebook.
4 - Watch the show and have your camera handy, take the best photo of the television when you see it.
5 - Post that to my Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/YaYJewelry by March 29th 12:00 noon central time.  I will be picking the winner shortly after that.
6 - For bonus points please share this contest and my Facebook page.

If you don't want to do the contest no fretting you can own an exact replica of it as they are now on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123189958/i-love-me-a-vampire-necklace-was-made

This sexy necklace can be worn at different lengths!

Good Luck!!!!!

Get your photos of the necklace on Facebook on the 29th!!!!!  I am picking the winner on that day.

I just wanted you all to know that I will be MIA from March 30th - April 4th....note that the contest is on and I will get the winner their prize post hast when back in action.