July BJP (Bead Journal Project)

Now I am jumping back a couple of months... you with me?


Sparklers on the 4th of July

Even though this round of the Bead Journal Project officially ended at the end of August, I am still working on finishing mine. That's one thing I love about this - while I aim for the date guidelines, I don't always make them and with this project - there is no pressure.

I recently finished my July page and it's all about the fireworks! Since I moved to Indiana 5 years ago, I spend the holiday with my son. He's a pyro, er I mean a big fan of fireworks. Unlike California (where we both grew up), fireworks are legal in Indiana, so the little stands and shops pop up all over the place in the summer. My son usually teams up with a friend or a neighbor to put on a show. This year his dad, step mom, brother and sister came for a visit and the show was spectacular!


The Gonzales men

This was their first trip to Indiana, and it's now obvious to me that my son's love of fireworks is not by chance, it is certainly genetic. There was an amazing array of sparkles, lights, smoke and explosions on the ground as well as in the sky. A good time was had by all.



So, when I think of July, I think of fireworks - when I think of fireworks, I think of my boy. That is how my July BJP came in to being.



Here's the back



I have not yet started August, but it's at least on the radar. I'd like to get it done and all the pieces sewn together before the next round of the BJP starts, but am not sure if that's realistic. It's my goal though!

Use The Muse III... Transformer

Here is my entry for the latest Use the Muse contest. Since the results have now been posted, I can share full photos of my piece.

I originally made this style of bag for the last Beading for a Cure auction (that bag goes up for auction sometime next March by the way) and it is one of my very favorite pieces. I have wanted to make another ever since I finished the first one.



I love the colors in this Muse kit and thought it would be a good time to do another small bag. The deadline is a quite a bit tighter for the Use the Muse contest so I had make this bag smaller. This bag is closer to amulet size. The pattern is modified from one found in "Beaded Embellishment" by Amy C. Clarke & Robin Atkins

I incorporated leaf beads, treasured vintage sequins and fresh water pearls in addition to the kit components that were provided.



I started with a beautiful piece of fabric, matching the beads perfectly. The beading was completed on two separate pieces, each piece was then lined with gold Ultrasuede, then sandwiched together.



The 'muse' is the beautiful butterfly component which I anchored to the back of the bag.

The finished bag is slightly larger than the palm of my hand measuring just over 3 inches tall (not including the fringe) and 3 inches wide. The chain measures about 25 inches long, which is long enough to slip over my head. I named it 'Transformer' and dedicate it to a little boy experiencing profound change in his young life.

Head on over to the Use the Muse webpage to check out the winners as well as all the wonderful entries. Be prepared to stay awhile - there's a good amount of them!

Before you go - I'm having a drawing for a little orange pin - see the blog entry 2 posts down and throw your name in the hat if you are so inclined. Comments will be open until approx midnight eastern time tomorrow (or whenever I remember to turn them off ). I will draw a name sometime on Saturday.

Have fun!

Use the Muse III - the big reveal is coming soon!

As soon as it was announced that the kits were available for the third round of the Use the Muse Contest, I bought my kit. I have entered every one of the muse contests to date and it's been fun. I like kits made up by someone else and I really enjoy seeing what a group of people from all over create with the same kit.

Here is a peek at my piece for this round



I have thoroughly enjoyed the colors and components of each kit, but I have especially enjoyed the surprise of seeing the muse for the first time when the kit arrives. For me - it is what drives the design of the completed project. I do not consider myself a jewelry maker, so these contests have stretched me in that regard. Many times I might prefer to make a doll or something that can hang on a wall, neither of which is 'wearable' but is a requirement of the contest.

The big reveal will happen on Thursday, December 17 and at some point after it is revealed on the Use the Muse site, I will make a blog post with several photos of my entry.

Here are my entries from the prior Use the Muse contests
First round, the muse was a brass component, I made the brooch seen below (which I kept)

Use the Muse I


Winners for round one can be viewed HERE.

The muse for the second round was a shell pendant, below is my entry for that round and a necklace was a big stretch for me. The wonderful face was created by Jen Martin of GraphixOutpost. This piece was donated and auctioned off at a benefit dinner hosted by Candlelighters for Children with Cancer. Wish I knew how much it raised, but I can't get anyone to tell me!

Use the Muse II




Winners for round two can be viewed HERE

Check back on Thursday if you are interested in seeing complete photos of my entry for round three.