Taking The Artsy Fartsy Path - Adding Beans To My Soup

I am working on my Bead Soup and it has been a challenge for me and the main reason is

.....I DONT DO PASTELS EVER......

that being said.  How can I do Julies lovely beads justice.

The lampwork beads that Julie Bowen sent are gorgeous.

So I am thinking if I don't do pastels how can I possibly have a vision.  

I can't think of wearing it myself......I have to think of it in terms of ART. I can wear ART.  I can do 

"OUt oF ThE bOX"

So I am taking the Artsy Fartsy Path and adding some beans to my SOUP!  One of the ways I have always gotten my creative juices flowing was by recycling.

So as a little tease I am showing you this cut up old leather coat that I purchased at a thrift store. 

You are now wondering what in the world??????  

Yes it is going in one of my pieces and I am loving it.!!!!!!!

You will have to check back on Bead Soup Reveal Number 2.

Muhahahahahahaha

My Bead Soup Has Arrived!

I have already introduced you to my talented Bead Soup Partner

Julie Bowen

Now for the surprise.......this is what she sent me!  

1

2

A talented lamp worker!  I think everything she sent me but a few things were made by her with tender loving care!!!

3

I hope I can do her beautiful lampwork justice!!!!!!!  Pastels are a challenge for me but I am really going to find a way to add my earthy influence here.

In fact I went to a thrift store today and found an old necklace that I may incorporate into this or maybe I will completely all surprise you and totally go colorful and whimsical.

It's clicking!!!!!!!!

Love Me Up Some Soup - Meet Julie Bowen my Talented Bead Soup Partner

BEAD SOUP BLOCK PARTY 7

My Partner is 

Julie Bowen - Autochthonous Evolved

I am so excited to be apart of the Bead Soup Block Party!!!!  

This is my first one.

I have to tell you it was great fun putting this bead soup together for Julie Bowen.  I was thinking about what I was going to put together even before I knew who she was.  Julie is a very talented Lampwork Artist and Educator.  She teaches eons of classes in her home studio in St. Paul Minnesota....I was so impressed with her credits and knowledge.  I was thinking to myself I could pick 10 classes that I would want to go to in her list.

She has a great website that hooks you up to all her blog, shop and classes.

http://autochthonous-evolved.com

When I first saw her business name I was like.....I don't even know how to say that.  

autochthonous 
Main Entry: au·toch·tho·nous 
Pronunciation: \o?-'täk-th?-n?s\  
Function: adjective 
Date: 1805 
1 : indigenous, native [an autochthonous people] 
2 : formed or originating in the place where found [autochthonous rock] [an autochthonous infection] 
— au·toch·tho·nous·ly adverb 

"Julie Says"

She likes to take inspiration from everything, use natural materials and transform them into something beautiful. So they compliment a wearers natural beauty. Autochthonous means found in the place where formed. I think that its meaning is significant, not only because it stands for the things to make jewelry, but it also reminds us that we are beautiful in the way we were made, but that doesn't mean that we can't tweak our natural assets once in awhile.

I thought that was very poetic and I think I can see this depth of person in her jewelry.

It was great fun to send and to put together my soup for her.....I cant wait to see what Julie loves up!!!!!

Here are Julie's Websites below.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/autevdesigns

http://blog.autochthonous-evolved.com

https://www.facebook.com/AutEvDesigns

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.

There is NO BOX - Beastly Ball Fundraiser

Minnesota Zoo - Beastly Ball Fundraiser

I was very excited when my friend Carol the auction chair for the Beastly Ball  asked me to contribute a necklace again this year to the 
Minnesota Zoo's Beastly Ball 2013 Event.

 I love jewelry design because not only does it give me the opportunity to give back to the community using my talents but I get to think out of the box.

I started with this piece of driftwood from the shores of Lake Superior here in Minnesota.

I knew that I wanted to do something very organic and talisman like.  This also gave me an excuse to use my brand new dremel drill press on driftwood. 

Then the playing begins....I pull out all my beads and this is just a small amount than what is actually on the table and a dirty table it is.....DONT LOOK!  TeeeHeee. I put this here and this there, you walk away, look and think again.  You might be surprised, but I spent a whole day just putting together the pendant you see in the top picture.

I have been teasing my Facebook friends with this project for a day showing them little bits and pieces of what I was making.  

I LOVE TO TEASE!

Lots of goodies are in this necklace.....Driftwood from Lake Superior - Apatite - Greek Mykonos - Fossil Shell - Fair Trade Recycled Glass - Natural Bamboo - Swarovski ( yes a touch of bling ) - Lampwork by Jeff Plath from Taylors Falls Bead Store here in MN - Sari Silk Ribbon - Seeds - Basalt Stone from Lake Superior and Fire Agate.

I hope it is Beastly enough for the Minnesota Zoo!

I made a fun little wrapped clasp with sari silk and wire.  I drilled a hole in the long copper bead to use it as part of the clasp....
USING MY NEW DREMEL!
YEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I hope this makes the zoo some beastly good money for the auction!!!!!  

Want to contribute to the Minnesota Zoo....click here.

Minnesota Zoo also has a lovely blog you can follow to to keep up with activities at the zoo!

Spot My Necklace Contest on Vampire Diaries

Well What Episode & Who Is Going to Wear It

I Don't Know - Darn!  So Help Me Out!

I was updating some things on my blog and I just realized that I forgot to tell you that my necklace was chosen to be on the Vampire Diaries TV show on the CW.  I was being juried and not sure if I would be chosen as I think only 13 out of 80 items were picked through the Artisan Group Artists.

So I was hoping to hear who and what episode I would be on but I have not gotten that email......Might be that my old email was hacked and had to change ....what a mess!

HERE IS THE DEAL!!!!!!!!

I made 3 of these necklaces.  I am running a contest and giving away the 3rd one that I made for the show.

To date the necklace has not been on yet.  So dont worry about past episodes.

Have your camera handy and if you spot my necklace take a photo of the TV and post it to my Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/YaYJewelry

I do believe you have to "LIKE" me to post a photo.

Once the necklace has been spotted I will pick the best photo and send the winner a replica of the necklace.  This is necklace number 3.  I mailed the show 2.

If you see it on their website you can post that but I will be judging by a camera shot of the TV.

Good Luck and make sure to drool over Ian Somerhalder.......I certainly DO!!!

YUMMY

You can find Kristin Oppold's Earthy Urban Chic Jewelry on Etsy under

 YaY! Jewelry

She is quite active on Facebook and would love to have you as a friend!!!

YaY! Jewelry Facebook

Why I Love Red Creek Jasper

I absolutely adore Red Creek Jasper!!!!!  

It is simply one of the most varied stone you can buy.  I am amazed at all the various colorations and variegations it comes in. It simply looks like a painting.

Sometimes I am a little confused about what this stone is actually called.  I have seen it called Red Creek, Cherry Creek and Succor Creek Jasper.  Maybe they are different Jaspers but they do have some similarities in the vibrancy in their coloration.

Here is a post by Jewelry Making Daily on Red Creek Jasper.

http://www.jewelrymakingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2011/06/07/smokin-stones-the-great-jasper-gemstone-riddle.aspx

I most like to use this stone as a pendant.  I think the variety of stones, wood, lampwork, glass, ceramic and art beads you can use with this stone is endless.

I love to find interesting shapes in pendants as I think this can really make a distinctive piece of jewelry.  I do sell some of these rectangle shaped pendants in my shop.  See the link below.

http://www.YaYJewelry.etsy.com

If you haven't used Red Creek Jasper in your Jewelry Designs yet........I am sure when you do you will find that you have a new favorite stone to work with.

Kristin Oppold is a published jewelry artist whose jewelry has been featured in Bead Trends Magazine.  She has designed jewelry for actress Denise Richards and for the television show The Vampire Diaries.  You can find her creations at

http://www.YaYJewelry.etsy.com

You can also follow her creativity on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/YaYJewelry