Flower Motif

This is another pattern I tried this week. It was a pleasure to see it come together. I went to a couple of bead stores in Wilmington, NC, a couple of times, and I was going to go to a beading get together on Sunday but I missed my hubby & each one of you, so I came home two days early, to him & to my computer access!

The "Floral Motif" pattern was in a book I purchased but I can not find the name of the author. (I am so sorry but when I find my book, in this mess, I will let you know the designer's name.) Anyway, I wanted to share this gorgeous necklace & ear rings with you. It is extremely comfortable & very light on the neck.

I also made the same pattern out of copper & bronze. It is certainly a different necklace all together. I used up all of my copper metallic delicas, (which I was so sad about. Now I have to go find a source for those lovely beads. I can not remember where I got them but will be out looking on the morrow.) There was not even enough to make a matching set of ear rings. The center of the flower motif is a cluster of bronze crystals to carry through the same bead as the ones that attach each "leaf" together. I closed this necklace with a beautiful hook & eye copper clasp.

See, I have been busy working while relaxing at the beach. Let me know what you think of this design.

Your sweet comments are what keeps me creating and I appreciate each one of you for taking the time to let me know what you like & what colors you appreciate. Thank you, dear friends, for all of your encouragement & kindnesses towards me.

Bless you,

Sharon

Twisted Nest

I have missed you all so much! Isn't that weird? I "personally" know a very few of you but I feel like I have made some really nice friends in this blog land of ours. My email would not work at the beach and I felt lost. I thought of each one who has touched my heart & I spent time in prayer for each one who has expressed a need.

I heard you when you said that you wanted to see more of my jewelry. Well, my much needed vacation was of a huge benefit, emotionally & spiritually. I went to the beach in the mornings and beaded all night long. My sweet hubby called me each morning to wake me & then I was on a roll.

Well, the bird nests are back in a quite different form this time. I used a stronger wire and then began to weave around this sweet nest. This style is called "free form". I enjoy the process so much because you have to make it up as you go along. Do you remember the "Leafy Inspiration" bracelet that I posted a while back? (If you would right click on the picture, it will bring it up in a larger form so you can see the details.) This process takes a very long time but the side benefits are so relaxing. I love designing and this creative process pleases my soul. I have several other things to post but will do each one on a separate post so as to not confuse you with my rattlings. So stop back by and let me know what you think of my latest jewelry designs...

Sharon

DEBBIE KEADY you are wanted!!!

I had a wonderful wonderful time beading & sunning but I am so tired from the 8 hour trip home. I have made several new treasures that i am anxious to show you BUT my eyes are begging to be closed! I will write tomorrow about my new creations...Night night/good morning...1:20AM...

P.S. I am still waiting for DEBBIE KEADY to contact me with her address so that I can send her the prize winning gift!!!

I am for the birds...

I have told you numerous times that I am busy this week. I know you are probably saying soooo..... I have work piled up. My art room is a total mess, let alone the rest of the house. I have company coming. yada, yada, yada... So what am I doing you say? Making bird nests. Little itty bitty baby bird nests.

I went to my favorite second hand store today, Value Village. (I get jewelry pieces & beads to take apart & re-bead) Well, today I found this gorgeous necklace that had blue robins egg fresh water pearls in between the most stunning handblown glass beads. I had visions of taking it apart to make a freeform cuff. The colors are robin egg blue with a soft teals, greens and purple accent beads. (I should have taken a picture of it, rats!)
Now this had to be fate! When I got home I thought I would, real quick, check out Dawns' blog (The Feathered Nest, as if you don't already know who she is.) At that time she was posting about Just Something I Made's tutorial post on making birds nests. I made the big mistake and went to the post without even thinking that it would effect the rest of my evening. A huge light bulb off in my head! I have the eggs! (I have added a few "flowers" & leaves to mine out of chips of rock. I am having toooo much fun!

Bye, for now I have get back to the eggs before they hatch out...Be sure to check out Just Something I Made's tutorial! But be sure you have alot of time to get hooked on these treasures...

Thanks for coming my way. We all know how much your comments keep us creating?

P.S. Several of you have said I need to get back to showing you some of the jewelry pieces I have been working on. That is exactly why I am going on my extended vacation, away from all of the minor/major things that distract me away from beading, (like birds nests). I will come back with alot of goodies finished and ready to show you. Thank you for your encouragements.

Packages are wrapped & on their way???

Thank you everyone for responding so quickly in getting your names and addresses to me!!! I still, however, have two friends who have not emailed me their addresses:
Debbie Keady: "My Sparrows Nest" / Victorian Photo Album
Vinette: "emailed " / Runner Up gift!
If anyone knows these ladies, please let them know I would like to get their packages out to them before I go on vacation.

This has been an enjoyable experience! I have really liked making the items but the best part is they will have wonderful homes. (Sorry but I did not make the gift for Sheila E. I found this lovely item and thought she would enjoy it, even though it was not designed by me.)
The packages are all different, as are the gifts. It will be interesting to go to the post office tomorrow. I am wondering what they will think of the Victorian influence of the packaging??
I just pray no one takes them. I had a package stolen by a UPS driver one Christmas and have not been able to send UPS since. It was a signed NASCAR picture of twelve drivers & I paid alot of money for it to give to my son. When the package came it was in a damaged tube. Inside were the collectors car & the expensive poster. Emphasis on were. It had been opened and my hubby asked the driver where the car was that came with the poster that was inside. The UPS driver said "Oh, I must report this, I will be right back" SURE! He went to his truck to make out the report so my hubby said he would take the poster & they could find the car . The driver said he must take it back to the headquarters and would return the poster later in the day. SURE! After we waited all day we called the headquarters and they said there was NO poster or car in the tube. Well, we knew better & argued the point but they never got back with us. UPS paid the original owner for the collectibles & they returned our money but it ruined our Christmas surprise for my son. So you can see why I am always leery of sending anything through the post. Ya' never know.
I will be sending the packages that I can tomorrow by snail mail but it will get there because I will have my angels guiding the way.
Have a great Tuesday! I have so much to do. I gotta' go.....
I am thanking the Lord for each one of you..
Sharon

Dru-u-u-m Roll! Please! The Winners Are....

Thank each and every single one of you for wishing me a Happy Birthday & Congrats on my 100Th post! Your comments brought me to tears, quite often. I have had a marvelous year of making new friends/reading posts/learning the ropes of blogland/and being inspired by your creative spirits. Women are so clever, aren't we? Now for the "REAL" news....
Congratulations all.........

Debbie Keady of "My Sparrows Nest.blogspot.com" wins the Victorian photo album!

Gerri of "Hopelessly Romantic.blogspot.com" wins the Lady in Red Victorian box !
Candice of "The Jeweled Postcard" wins the Rose colored Victorian ledger.
AND......
I have made a few goodies to send to these lovely ladies. The Runners up are......
Anonymous (Vinett@sbcglobal.net)
Sherry Goodloe: "Got Art.blogspot.com"
Sheila: "Halo Hill.blogspot.com" (Thank you, Sheila for the great laugh tonight. Check it out, girls!)
Marcie: "The Rustic Victorian.blogspot.com"
Kathi: "Vintage Inspired Jewelry.blogspot.com"
Please send me your address via my email address (saf47@yahoo.com) so that I can get your goodies to you ASAP. (I am "out of pocket" until the last of June unless I receive your information by Wednesday, June 10th!
(Sorry for the haste but things are piling up here in Georgia.)
Again, I want to thank each and every one for their support and for coming to my posts. I wish I could send each one a lovely gift. In the meantime, Please come back again, soon. You are truly appreciated & touch my heart deeply when you leave a comment.
What did I do before Dawn encouraged me to set up my own blog? I can not honestly remember...Thanks,Dawn...love, sharon

Okay, girls, I am getting nervous about these giveaways!

I am in totally "VIRGIN" territory here! I have never done a giveaway on my blog & I am getting concerned that I "haven't got a clue" what I have gotten myself in for!!! The thing that makes me most nervous is that you won't like what I have created? There are so many wonderful, talented, beautiful, gorgeous creators out there. I feel like the little girl who brings an apple that has a worm in it, to the teacher. I guess you may realize that I have an identity crisis going on. I have made these three things with so much love and class that I could muster up. I want you ALL to just love them! There have been soooo many lovely, yet humbling, sweet comments about my work. For each comment I have received, I want you to know that they are each heartfelt...thank you so much. Do you realize that the devil sets upon my shoulder and whispers awful things in my ear? "who do you think you are?" "there are so many people out there that are SO much more talented than you" "you can never ever compete with those other professional people". Well, tonight I am having a heart to heart talk with that awful voice! I am going to graciously and sincerely send the winners their gifts with the same love that I made them! They may not be perfect but they are made with the talents that the Lord has so graciously given me so who am I to find fault with HIS work in me? Now, I don't want to be too "spiritual" or freak you out with my religion but I sincerely have prayed over each piece and for the person who is receiving them. I pray that the Lord will bless you in your life and talents as you receive the gifts from me. So in anticipation of the winners, I am excited for those who will be just three of the first of many giveaways that I will be hosting!

This point system leaves a lot to be desired. I have gone back and visited all of your blogs. (Not to check but to find out "who" you are individually) I have visited a lot of beautiful and creative posts. I love each one of you, the familiar as well as the newbies to me. I have added several new blogs to my list and look forward to getting to know each one of you better.

I have also decided to add a couple of runner ups to the mix. So be SURE to respond ASAP if your name is drawn! (I want to get your packages out EARLY this week before all of my family comes to town and I go on vacation.)
Good luck to each one that has entered and God richly bless you! I must get to bed so that I can go to church in the morning as I will be out for the rest of the month after June 12th. Goodnight, ya' all...Sharon

P.S. Heads up!!! The next giveaway will be coming very soon!! I have a china doll that was given to me in 1980 when I had a hysterectomy. The baby doll had a raggy dress that I made for her back then. (Goodness gracious she is 29 years old already!) Lynn of Lynn's Lovelies felt very sorry for her and is making her a new dress!!! Maybe a hat! The dress is about done. I am very very excited to have my baby home. I love her so much & she has been a lot with me. Now, you say, IF you love her so much "why doesn't she have a "real" name"? I have always just called her "baby" but with her new look I thought she should have a real name. Well, that is your job! Yep! I will post about her homecoming then I will let someone out there give her her first "real" name. I will then make the winner a very very special piece of jewelry! I will even let you pick the colors! So put your thinking caps on and think of a name for "baby"!!! Then drop me a note with your name choices! (then baby will be legitimate for the first time in her 29 years!) It is about time!!

TWO MORE DAYS BEFORE THE DRAWING!!

I wanted to take a minute to thank each and every single one of you that has left a kind comment on my birthday/100th post/first giveaway!!! (It means so much to me)
All of a sudden, tonight, it dawned upon me that I should get around to thinking more about this giveaway! How time flies when you are busy. I have been doing yard work, beading, & more boxes, plus a gift or so. We are coming down to the wire here and I actually am excited to get this under way. I do enjoy giving my things to people who enjoy handmade art. (I wish I could sell more but when I give it away & it is appreciated, it is so much more fun!!)

(This is just one of the three items that I am going to be mailing out on Monday.) I will end the drawing on June 7th at midnight. I am a "night owl" and this Sunday I will have a real reason to stay up. Check down a couple of posts ago to see what else will be coming your way and be sure to check back on Monday, June 8th to see if your name has been drawn!

One of the things that I finally got around to was making a "calling card" for the June 26th's event. What do you think? I am not too sure about it yet but it is a work in progress.

Have I told you that the nursing home in Lawrenceville, GA (home of Ms. Frances Harrell/2009 GA Nursing Home Queen) has asked me to bring some of my jewelry & paper items for an art open house they are featuring? I, however, will be on vacation so I have arranged to leave my things with the coordinator. (I am so sorry but I can not remember her name) I wrote it down but now I can't even find that. Would you say I am disorganized? Not really, there are just so many things going on at our house. You know how it is sometimes. Life happens then we have an upcoming family wedding/family in town early/packing for vacation & thank the Lord for Blessings...VACATION for two weeks at the beach!!!! (Boy, do I ever need it!) I love each and every thing that is upcoming and ask you all to be praying that all our family gets here okay/has a wonderful family reunion/gets home safely.

Be sure to enter my drawing & keep your fingers crossed!!

Blessings, Sharon

P.S. I have decided to also have a "couple" of runner up small gifts to add to the pot!! Now you know why I am so "busy" all the time.

Gorgeous Giveaways Everywhere!

K.C. Willis at the Lipstick Ranch (K.C. Willis.blogspot.com) is having a $300.00 shopping spree giveaway and now has added the most gorgeous flag! She made this lovely piece of artwork with "women" as the stars. (How appropriate!) She is so very talented and I have followed her from "afar" for several months (leaving comments along the way). She makes the most beautiful fabric art pieces. I am not at all talented in that area but I appreciate all of the work it takes to make any of her artwork. Be sure to go by her post and see every single piece. So much talent, so little time.

Be sure to check back two posts to see the three pieces that I am giving away for my first birthday! I am getting excited about it all...Sharon