Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Challenge 7-31-14

 After much thought I decided that I would use Fractal Art as my inspiration for my piece of jewelry.  Below is some information about what Fractal Art is, I gleaned some of this info from Wikipedia. I was first introduced to fractals in college and thought they were very cool! :) Hope you enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoyed creating with this idea in mind...:)
Fractal Art*
Fractal art is a form of algorithmic art created by calculating fractal objects and representing the calculation results as still images, animations, and media. Fractal art developed from the mid-1980s onwards. It is a genre of computer art and digital art which are part of new media art. The Julia set and Mandelbrot sets can be considered as icons of fractal art.
Fractals are any of various extremely irregular curves or shapes for which any suitably chosen part is similar in shape to a given larger or smaller part when magnified or reduced to the same size.
Many fractal images are admired because of their perceived harmony. This is typically achieved by the patterns which emerge from the balance of order and chaos. Similar qualities have been described in Chinese painting and miniature trees and rockeries.
A sample of a Fractal Art piece generated in Apoptosis (which is a computer program that is used to create pieces of art). 



And here is what I used to create my necklace and earring. I found these lovely dark Lapis blue glass pearls in several sizes and paired them with some gold plated textured leaves. I made sections of the different sizes of pearls using 20 gauge wire and joined them with jump rings and dangled the leaves from smaller jump rings in between the sections.

I was please with how it turned out...:)

2" earrings

The results! :)

What do you think?
Ev
















*Facts obtained from  Wikipedia

Michael's Blog Hop Revel 7-16

Thanks Heather (Humblebeads) & Lorelei Eurto of Lorelei's Blog for hosting this blog hop...it was certainly a 'challenge'! :)

This was a really a struggle for me, both in designing the piece I made and setting up the blog! Had no end of trouble with both...especially the computer...silly machines...but did finish both in the end. :)

I wasn't sure about the colors of the different beads, especially the 'blue' table cut beads, as I'm partially color blind and they just didn't look 'right' with all the other beads...but did incorporate them into the design...in a way that I thought was pleasing. Hope you all think so too! :) So without further ado...here is what I did...

The finished piece with what I had left over

Here is a close up of the earrings

Also having some trouble with getting the text and pictures where I want them...as you can see!!

A close up of how I used the brown flower beads as my focal

Humblebeads Blog: Michael's Beading Challenge Blog Hop

Humblebeads Blog: Michael's Beading Challenge Blog Hop

Pearls! Pearls! Pearls! Blog Hop Revel-June 29th

Hi All,
Oops!...goofed again...am going to have to start looking at the calendar BEFORE I do anything that has to do with Revels! Thought I was late getting this posted...turns out am a day early.  Sorry about that!!...have had technical difficulties with getting pictures to load...and was concentrating on getting that taken care of and NOT paying any attention to dates...etc...
But did finish two pieces using my very favorite type of beads this month, Pearls! :)
Was tickled pink to learn that a Pearl Blog Hop was being organized by Shel of MiShel Designs...thanks Shel!
Love pearls, so felt this was perfect...I used Bi-WA pearls and CZ Picasso Amethyst 3mm rounds with one necklace and Bi-WA and round pearls with CZ Picasso rounds in pink/gold in the other...
...here are a couple of pictures of the strands of pearls...sorry the pictures aren't very good, will try again in the morning to see if the light is better outside...the pictures just don't do them justice! 
 

 

 
...and here are pictures of the necklaces that I created...:)

            

...more pictures to follow...don't think I have enough in computer memory to upload my pictures anymore...it's getting slower and slower, so will have to be changing things as soon as I get a chance to as well!
     Finally figured out how to get the link onto my page...please see below...:)
Ev

An InLinkz Link-up

Ocean Blog Hop hosted by Lisa Lodge of A Grateful Artist-Pine Ridge Treasures-Revel June 14th

Hi,
Arrgh! Sorry all, that I'm a day late getting this post done....totally spaced on it! :(
But did create two pieces of jewelry for this Hop...have messed up with this from the get go...in my excitement of receiving the two packages of beads, one for the Ocean Blog Hop and the other for the Winter Sparkle Blog Hop, finished BOTH sets way too soon and then took pictures of the wrong one and put them on my blog...so that the ones you saw in February were the ones meant for June...and the ones for February were..., well you get the idea...so, here they are...

Added a enameled, sparkly leaf to the focal here

close up

the earrings

My second piece, which I actually like better than the first one

earrings

 

 

completed piece

Did have some trouble with the PC and uploading the pictures...these are not the best...as all of you probably know by now, taking pictures can be the hardest part of jewelery making!
Thank you to all that come by and visit and a big thank you to our hostess, Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures for supplying us with the generous packages of beads, they are the 'sparkly-est' that I've seen by far! :) Ev
Here is the link to view fellow creative participants creations!
http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/

Thank you to all the creative, talented people that have left comments about the pieces that I created for the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop! You all were most kind in the lovely comments that I have rec'd...:)
There does seem to be a misconception though...I didn't 'wrap' the cab that makes up the pendant for the one piece...my very talented partner, Ghislaine is the one who created the beautiful pendant...:)

8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop Revel!

Well, it's time for the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop Revel, sponsored by Lori Anderson of Pretty Things! So excited to see what my partner, Ghislaine has created with the bead soup that I sent to her. From what I've seen on her blog, she is one talented gal! Her blog can be found at http://www.kruseartllc.com/. I certainly enjoyed working with the beautiful bead soup that I rec'd from Ghislaine. :)
Am also anticipating visiting many blogs and seeing what has been done with all the beads that have been sent to each of the participants in the Blog Hop!
Ghislaine was most generous with the soup that she sent to me and I was able to get two necklaces with earrings and a bracelet with earrings out of all of the beads...with only a tiny bit leftover...:)
Here is what I started with...

Ghislaine made the jump rings and clasps and braided around the pendant!

...And here is what I created. Hope you enjoy seeing them. :)

The coral dangles gives the earrings that 'pop'!

Used the burgundy pearls in this piece.

The bracelet turned out better than I'd hoped, even though it was a lot of work! :)

I added some resin roses here...

Added Red Tigers Eye to some of the beads that Ghislaine sent to me, thought they complimented the pendant beautifully! 

The tiny bit of beads leftover from what was sent to me.

Below is the link to Lori's blog where you can find the list for everyone who is taking part in the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party...enjoy!
Ev Shelby

http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/

The Color of Dreams Beads Blog Hop Revel April 6th

I was pleased that I was able to join the other creative people in the Color of Dreams Beads Blog Hop. Here is the bead that was sent to me by Rita, our hostess, with Jewel School Friends.

Each participating artist was given an orphan/ooak bead created by artist Patricia Handschuh of The Color of Dreams Boutique to design with.

I thought long and hard about what might inspire me to create a piece that would do justice to such a lovely bead! :)
I finally decided that my grandchildren would be the inspiration for my 'dream', as I looked forward to having grandchildren for a long time and have four of them now.
I focused on the wonder and awe, as well as, the delight children show in discovering what beautiful things the world has to offer. Their pride in the first dandelion shared with gramma, the wonder of 'bugs' that crawl across the ground, the pleasure of that first bite of ice cream, as well as many others, too numerous to recount here. All of these and more I've been privileged to take part in with at least one of each of them. So, Hailey (11), Derrick(10), Daysha(7) and Mason(7 months), this blog is for each of you! :) Gramma Evie is so glad to have each of you in her life!  It is a joy, each time I get to see each of them...  

Now, here is what I did with that lovely bead I showed you at the beginning of the blog...:)

the designing stage...

And the finished piece...which I thought turned out rather well. :)

And a second picture, as I had some difficulty with getting a really good one with a black background.

Amazing difference the background colors can make, isn't it? :)

Here is a list of the participants:
Honorary Artist: Patricia Handschuh
Patricia's blog:            The Color of Dreams        
Patricias Etsy:             The Color of Dreams
Hostess: TJ                Jewel School Friends
Kay Thomerson           KayzKreationz
Audrey Belanger          Toki No Hourousha
Alicia Marinache          All the Pretty Things
Terry Carter                TappingFlamingo
Lori Schneider             Bead Addict
Jenny Kyrlach             Wonder and Whimsy
Asri Wahyuingsih         Asri's Beadwork
Dini Bruinsma              Angaza by Changes
Karla Morgan              Texas Pepper Jams
Debbie Rasmussen        A Little of This, A Little of That
Veralynne Malone          Designed by Vera
Kathy Stemke               Vintage Memories Jewelry Design
Mowse Doyle               Mowse Made This
Heather Richter             Desert Jewelry Designs
Lori Poppe                   Adventures in Creativity with LorilliJean
Jayne Capps                Mama's Got To Doodle
Andrea Glick                Zenith Jade Creations
Kathleen Breeding         99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Becky Pancake             Becky Pancake Bead Designs
Karin Martinez              Fairies Market
Miranda Ackerley          Mirandack
Penny Houghton           Smelly Nelly
Carolyn Lawson           Carolyn's Creations
Chris Eisenberg            Wanderware
Christie Murrow          Charis Designs Jewelry
Monique Urquhart        A Half-Baked Notion
Eve Shelby                  Raindrop Creations Jewelry by Evelyn
Cryss Thain                 Here Bead Dragons
Jasvanti Patel               Jewelry By Jasvanti
Nan Smith                   NanMade Handmade Jewelry
Sue Kennedy               SueBeads
Jean Yates                   Snap Out of It, Jean! There's Beading to be Done!
Debbie Rogers             Debbies Treasures
Marybeth Rich             A Few Words From Within the Pines
Shirley Moore              Beads and Bread
Shaia Williams             Shaiha's Ramblings
Kathy Lindemer           Bay Moon Design
Linda Anderson           From the Bead Board
Judy Turner               Silver Rains
Gloria Allen                Gloria Allen Designs
Regina Wood              Ginas-Design
Robin Reed                Artistry HCBD
Mary Goovars            MLH Jewelry Designs
Marlene Cupo             Amazing Designs
CJ Bauschka              4 His Glory Creations
Robin Showstack        The Crazy Bead Hoarder
Cynthia O'Toole          Sparkles and Sweets
Jael Thorp                 Jael's Art Jewels
Renetha Stanziano      Lamplight Crafts

Happy Hopping!
Ev

Ancient Civilization Challenge 2014

Here is just a little information on 'Etruscan Art' from Wikipedia; this was the ancient civilization that I chose for my inspiration for the piece of jewelery that I created.
Etruscan art was the form of figurative art produced by the Etruscan civilization in central Italy between the 9th and 2nd centuries BC. Particularly strong in this tradition were figurative sculpture in terracotta (particularly life-size on sarcophagi or temples) and cast bronze, wall-painting and metalworking (especially engraved bronze mirrors and situlae). The origins of the Etruscans, and consequently of their artistic style, dates back to the people who inhabited or were expelled from Asia Minor during the Bronze Age and Iron Age (See the Villanovan culture). Due to the proximity and/or commercial contact to Etruria, other ancient cultures influenced Etruscan art, such as Greece, Phoenicia, Egypt, Assyria and the Middle East. The apparent simple character in the Hellenistic era conceals an innovative,and unique style whose pinnacle coincided with the Greek archaic period. The Romans would later come to absorb the Etruscan culture into theirs but would also be greatly influenced by them and their art.
I was especially interested in the Etruscan bronze art work pieces that I viewed online and they were the main source of inspiration for my finished necklace.

Necklace in the designing stage...:)

The bright colors of Etruscan art inspired my choice of colors in my necklace

The finished necklace with earrings!

 Bronze Head, Tarquinia, 4th Cent BCE

Etruscan bronze bust, this lady's necklace of 'daggers' suggested the lovely shell spikes that I used in my piece.

The Ocean Blog Hop-June 14th Reveal Date

I'm signed up for the second reveal date for the Ocean Blog Hop hosted by Lisa Lodge of A Grateful Artist-Pine Ridge Treasures and am looking forward to seeing what all the other participants have created with their beads. :)

8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop-Beads Received!

Am excited to say that I've rec'd my bead soup from my partner Ghislaine Kruse-Van Erp, from Fischer, TX! Here is some info from Ghislaine's blog that tells you about her and the different mediums that she has used to create pieces of art.
"Growing up with a fiber arts teacher as a mother, I started learning the fundamentals of textile art at a very young age. I have always felt the need to push the limits of this medium. In my search for items that would translate to something that can be seen or used in everyday life, I went from making rugs and wall hangings to creating containers and baskets and finally jewelry. Every step along the way, I worked smaller and smaller while translating fiber art techniques into techniques I could use with metals and gemstones. Current favorite techniques include crochet, tapestry weaving and basket weaving."

...stay tuned for pictures...waiting for the battery on my phone to finish charging! :)
Here are the promised pictures! Ghislaine tells me that the reddish tube beads and the red round beads are coral and that the other beads are Picasso beads, which she says are one of her favorite types of beads...found that most interesting, as I, too love them!! The pendant is 'agate', wire-braided in copper and is just sooo beautiful, I just love it too!

the other half, plus...!

a lovely, lovely pendant...that Ghislaine wrapped herself...isn't she talented? :)

one half of the beads I received...

The Color of Dreams Blog Hop

Am looking forward to the challenge that The Color of Dreams Blog Hop will be for me! The reveal date is April 6th, so stay tuned for pictures and such...:)

Winter Sparkle Blog Hop 2014

I am fortunate to have a beading friend who was thoughtful enough to purchase a kit for the Winter Sparkle Blog Hop for me as a Christmas gift! ...Isn't that a good idea for the next time a friend of yours has a birthday...or you need to think of something for a Christmas gift for someone? :) This Blog Hop takes place on Saturday, the 22nd of February and our hostess is: Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist.

As a result, I received some wonderful beads to create three different pieces of jewelery.
Here is a picture of the beads that I rec'd in my kit.

Because there was such a generous portion of beads to choose from, I was able to create not one, but three complete sets of necklaces with earrings! :)
Here are pictures of them.

One of the first pieces I created, this one became a wedding shower gift for a "Seahawks" bride! Didn't even realize until it was pointed out to me that I was using their colors. :)

Thought that the cute dolphin charm would make a good focal on this one...if my daughter ever sees it, she'll be hinting that it would make a good birthday gift! ...She loves dolphins!

close up

Second piece, added a blue, green ceramic bead as a focal for this one.

Third piece...had to get more creative with this one, as was running out of beads from the package given me. Used a vintage connector, bronze colored glass pearls and a large, faceted glass bead from my stash to finish this one. Thought it turned out rather well.

close up of focal

This is what I still have to work with for another piece if I want to! Was amazed at the amount of pieces I was able to create, using but a very few of my own... :)  

Here is the 'widget' picture and link to get to Lisa's blog:

http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/
Please visit these other blogs to see their creations
Your hostess: Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry
Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs
Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
Dolores Raml, CraftyD's Creations
Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue
Cassi Renee Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill
Annette Rivers, Mama Owl's Mess
Tammie Tusher Everly, TTE Designs
Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
Marybeth Rich, A Few Words from within the Pines
Norbel Marolla, She Flies Again Jewelry
Karen Burg, KEB Designs
Karin Grosset Grange, Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti

Winter Sparkle Blog Hop ...delay...

Hi,
So that everyone that comes to visit my blog knows, I won't be posting early in the day, as I have a memorial service to attend out of town.
I will post tomorrow, the 22nd, it will just be late in the day. I was not thinking, and suddenly realized that I can't be in two places at once.
My apologies.
I hope those that come to visit will return to see my results...won't give away any more than that!
Later,
Ev

The New Year and new jewelry pieces

Well, the dust has settled from the holiday season and I'm ready for spring...soon it will be time for the annual bead soup blog hop...and I'm ready for that too! :)
Have kept busy beading; each Sunday my friend and I bead. We also have personal 'beading challenges' once a month or so, where we each take turns at buying bead assortment packages and then seeing what we can create with them! :) This time around I created a purple and white piece with the package for our February challenge.

I was lucky enough to win a lovely birdhouse w/birds from The Bead Shop Liverpool challenge in November of last year and have just finished creating a piece with the bigger bird and the birdhouse. I think it turned out rather well.
Opps! Am having some trouble with uploading pictures...there is supposed to be several here!! :) Will try again...here is the birdhouse and birds I rec'd as a prize from participating in a challenge through Bead Shop Liverpool.

My lovely prize!

The Bead Shop/Liverpool Bead Challenge

the earrings

The finished piece