Treasures by Louise

Hi again: As I mentioned, I am working on organizing my craft area, and I happily sorted through my findings and put them in a divided storage container. Then I pulled out some clearance components that are intended to be easy peasy snap together statement pieces. I decided to re-design and re-purpose the pieces and so I took most of them apart. Here is what I started with: The large green beads look heavy, but they are fairly lightweight, so probably acrylic resin. I added some bead strands and considered a few chain options: add in some Australian Jasper, copper beads and chain and mixed metal beads.   I picked some Australian Jasper that toned nicely with the large resin beads , and added in copper metal beads.  The design was begging for some seed beads to balance the large beads, and this seed bead mix seemed made just to tie together the copper and green tones. Check back soon to see what becomes of this collection!

B een thinking for a while that I need to get my bead table organized. But I have to do more than think about it to get it done! There are at least two ways to approach this challenge, that I am considering: 1) Sto p buying beads and work with what I have - this is an "Organic" way to work through the beads, and also a challenge to be creative : not run out to the store to get the 'right' focal, but work with what I have. I have tried this approach at times whe n making quilts, and gotten good resul ts. (Al though, I still have plenty of fabric in my stash.) 2) My alternative approach would be to stop creati ng for several days and do a "su rgical approach" and just sort and purge until I have cleared up my working space. The question is, shou ld the beads be arranged in colorways such as reds, green s, blues, etc. or should I keep all the projects and shopping sprees together ? My usual creative process often begins at the store, picking and choos...

23"  necklace with red enamel pendant: Swarovski crystals, sponge coral, seed bead mix and silver spacers. Red enamel and silver-tone pendant Here are a pair of coordinating earrings with pressed glass flower beads and silver spacers:  

Here is my entry for Lorelei's Blog Hop Challenge: Inspired by the Blue/Teal Resin Sliders from Michaels and my impression that they look so much like water bubbles. I found some beautiful glass beads the same day, and added gold tone beading wire and brass spacers, as well as some Crystazzi bicones and Bead Gallery bicones I had on my beading table. I tried to evoke the feeling of a waterfall and the spray of fine mist at the base of a waterfall.  In my mind's eye I was remembering hiking in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to view the many waterfalls last summer. What fun , and many thanks to Lorelei Eurto for challenging us! Here's the link to Lorelei's Blog Slider Blog Hop Reveal And h ere is the blog list : BeadLolaBead CabeWoman MustardBead.blog-hop-reveal. A Polyme r Penchant Pearl  and Pebble: Challenge reveal Peacock Fairy: challenge bubble Beads for Busy Gals: resin bauble Dawn's Blog Shirley Moore B Street Studios Sally Russick Pamela 7...

I am finally managing to get the most recent necklaces posted to Etsy. This one is perfect for a Summer Day at the Beach. Just looking at it you can imagine Sun and Sand and splashing in the Surf. Sand and Sea Shell Necklace with copper toggle #103 on Etsy

Here are a few items used in the waterfall necklace for Lorelei's slider challenge blog hop: Included are Crystazzi 6mm Light Green Bicone crystals, green seed beads, brass spacers, crimps, jump rings and Beadalon gold plated 4mm crimp covers .

For our blog hop, t his Friday wi ll be the big reveal, but today I'm sharing a bit of photo inspiratio n for my necklace made with the cool acrylic sliders from Michaels. Enjoy! Michigan's upper peninsula has many beautiful waterfalls to inspire artists and crafters

I was promising myself that I wouldn't buy beads for a while, but, I went to a Bead Show this past weekend, and just stopped in with a little to spend, on purpose, to limit myself. The nice people at Bella Venetian Beads provided irresistible temptation. These beads looked good enough to eat, if you know what I mean. There's a problem with the camera/computer interface right now, but I hope to share pics soon. Meanwhile I'm sharing a link, so you can check them out. My favorite are the beads called Aventurina, which have a bit of copper added, and really sparkle. bellavenetianbeads

Here are the starting materials for the Slider Challenge. The Deadline is going to be soon, so creating must begin! Yes, they're very matchy matchy, so I'm going to add some things from my stash. Beads were 50% off at Michaels this week!

I have been working with the Michaels sliders beads for the past month, and am looking forward to teaching the new Elegance classes at my local store! So when I saw a challenge to use some cool resin sliders, I ran right over to the store to pick up these. My first challenge to participate in (if I get chosen!) I admit they were something I in the past weeks hadn't been sure what to do with them; so I chose several others that were more my style. Today I found these interesting sliders and when I looked at the strung beads, I had a brainstorm! I can't wait to get started! Here's a link to the blog that started it al l, so you can check it out. Lorelei's Blog This pic, from Lorelei's blog depicts the same slider that I bought. Now to get started!

On the beginning of February, on a cold afternoon, I can't help but dream of spring... playing on Etsy, I found some beautiful bird beads from Earthbutter beads, and these are my favorite set: What beads or supplies inspire you on a cold afternoon?  

Be sure to stop by Lily and Jasmines Treasures on Etsy. Some fun vintage tins have been relisted! Update: Sold A set of four toy tin trays circa ~1960's in country blue calico.

Newly listed on Etsy: Vintage Floral Tray Vintage Two-sided Nut Dish on Etsy

The beads from this Etsy s eller a re beautiful, I love the handcrafted look. EarthButter Studio on Etsy. I visited her blog to learn the story. She employs local women to create the beads, and donates part of the proceeds to local charities. It's worth checking out her blog, for more info: earthbutterstudio.blogspot She has many beautiful bead sets, here is one of my favorites & prices and postag e to the U S are very reasonable.    

Here is a link to many hand-crafted beads: Check out the Beads of Clay blog for links to various bead makers. They all make beautiful clay beads and I love supporting hand-crafters.   Beads of Clay Sunday Sale  

Every once in a while, I like to put cut flowers in old bottles to use as casual and rustic vases.  Here are some old bottles that make easy vases for black-eyed Susans. These bottles and more yummy vintage can be found at Lily and Jasmines Treasures on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/LilyAndJasmine

Big News! I've updated my blog name to match our Etsy Store: Lily and Jasmine's Treasures. The blog will be in transition for a while, as I am launching a line of earrings and other jewelry onto our Etsy Store. We will alwa ys include some vintage, and add in jewelry, as time allows. Fall is such a creative time for me, as the weather cools, and I am inspired by the colors of fall. Here's some beautiful September color from a local garden: Lantana Wouldn't these shades make a colorful and beautiful necklace ? Or I'd love to see them used in a quilt.

Here's another work-in-progress: a whimsical approach to adding the creative touch in your projects. This is a re-purposed pepper mill that I imagine as a way to "sprinkle on" the inspiration. What colors would you fill it with? What inspires you to create? And how do you work around those creative blocks that happen on occasion?  

I am trying out some of the Tim Holtz alcohol inks and some special  Kraft resist paper, preparing to use them in collage and decoupage. These are fun and inspiring products to work with. I like the effect of the inks on the Kraft paper, and found that adding Snow cap Mixative makes the inks show up a bit more - they become more opaque. There's much more to try - I want to break out the silver and gold metallic mixatives next! Check back soon to see what I create with these!

Here are my tins, coated with gesso and ready for decoration. I also am going to use an old Home Economics textbook for an altered art journal. Altoid Tins with Gesso Sometimes the process is as much fun as the result. One of my friends has started her "Christmas Chest" by starting altered journals for gifts. I love that idea! Now to turn the unfinished objects into something special!