Periwinkle Surprise

AJE Component of the Month Reveal

Once a month Art Jewelry Elements hosts a component giveaway and reveal.  March’s component was made by the talented Jennifer Cameron of Jen Cameron Designs.  Members of the Art Jewelry Elements team, plus three other artists were given 2 gorgeous glass head pins that Jen made for us.

These are basically a long thin copper wire with a ball of handmade glass at the end.  I was so excited to be able to use these with a gorgeous floral pendant that I’d been hoarding for a couple of years.  My idea was to thread the head pins through the holes at the top of the pendant and make wrapped loops above the pendant, so it could be attached to a necklace.  The first head pin turned out just like I had imagined it!

I was so excited about this that I decided to show the whole process step by step, when I wired on the 2nd head pin.

So far, so good…..

I was going strong up to this point, but you see that wire that is sticking straight up?  The next step was to wrap it around the area just below the loop.  But it just wouldn’t wrap tightly or lay smoothly, no matter what I did.  So I carefully unwound it and tried again…and again…and again……..until:

Wreckage!  I just about cried.  I loved this pendant.  What followed were a few choice words that I’m not going to print here!

Here are the mangled bits of the trouble-maker head pin..  I carefully unwrapped it, but most of the wire was damaged beyond use and just broke off.  I was left with about an inch or so of useable wire; enough to make a small wrapped loop.

My next step was to cut off the nicely wrapped head pin, but I wasn’t careful enough about where I clipped the wire and I ended up accidentally clipping it in a way that cut off almost the whole head pin!  More choice words……

This is all I had left, in the end.  Sigh.  The head pin on the left had to be tossed.  I trimmed and tweaked the wire a bit on the other one and decided I could still use it as an accent dangle.  So I started over and here’s what I came up with.

Periwinkle Surprise

I named the necklace Periwinkle Surprise, because the result was not what I had planned at first.

Periwinkle Surprise

I must say that Jen’s head pin looks very pretty with this ceramic pendant by White Clover Kiln.

Periwinkle Surprise

I finished the necklace with a gorgeous Czech glass button and loop closure.

Periwinkle Surprise

The moral of the story?  I used to have a friend who told me:  ”If at first you don’t succeed….you’re about average!”

P.S.  When I told Jen about my head pin disaster, she sent me this picture, via Facebook!  Just had to share it!

Winebulance!

Want to see more gorgeous head pin jewelry?  Head on over to Art Jewelry Elements  for links to the other Component of the Month blog posts!  

I am always delighted to read your comments!   Hope to hear from you.

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry – ArtFire 

Linda Landig Jewelry – Etsy  

Minty Sweet Necklace

AJE Component of the Month Reveal

Once a month Art Jewelry Elements hosts a component giveaway and reveal.  February’s components were made by the talented Francesca Watson of Francesca Watson Designs.  Each member of the Art Jewelry Elements team, plus five other artists were given an enameled piece that Francesca had made for us.

I received a minty green enameled piece.  I love it because Francesca did multiple firings; adding several layers of color.  It adds so much interest and depth to the piece.  She also added 3 fine silver “pebbles” which are such a pretty accent.

I received the green one on the right.

You may remember that in January and the beginning of February, I was taking an online wire working class from Kerry Bogert.  She had a new project for us, every day for 30 days.  Like many of the students, I didn’t have to the time, then, to keep up with all 30 projects, but I am slowly working through the projects, as time permits, now.  So I decided that, for this necklace, I would make one of the cool bails that Kerry taught us.  I have to say that I am just tickled pink with how it turned out!  Thank you Kerry!

Minty Sweet Necklace

I discovered that Francesca’s enamel matched beautifully with some faceted free-form chrysoprase that I had.  I placed 2 of the chrysoprase beads near the pendant.  Then I added 4 etched lampwork beads by Beads and Botanicals, that also have wonderful layers of color.

Minty Sweet Necklace

I sprinkled in 2 smoky brown and 10 transparent green Czech faceted glass beads and some copper spacers.  The necklace finishes with patinated solid brass chain and a lobster claw style clasp.  I’ll be adding the Minty Sweet Necklace to my shop later this afternoon.

Minty Sweet Necklace

Hop on over to  Art Jewelry Elements and discover what everyone else has created with their gorgeous enameled focal beads!

I am always delighted to read your comments!   Hope to hear from you.

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry

Labyrinth Necklace

AJE Component of the Month Reveal

The participants in the Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month Challenge are revealing their designs today. We each received a labyrinth pendant from Jenny Davies-Reazor.

Ceramic Labyrinth Pendants by Jenny Davies-Reazor

I received a violet colored 2-hole pendant.  I love the color and it goes quite nicely with this labyrinth found on Pinterest.  The labyrinth is made of blooming lavender.  How cool is that?  The scent must be so heavenly!

Source: google.com via Linda on Pinterest

Labyrinth Pendant

When I started on my necklace I intended to use patina’ed copper wire, with a subtle color palette of violet, lilac and sage green.  I wired the little flower dangle on copper and added two copper jump rings to the pendant, but it just seemed to be calling out for silver.  So silver it is, even though sterling is so dang expensive right now.  I tried to contain costs a bit by using silver filled wire and just used sterling silver for the clasp and chain. 

Labyrinth Necklace

 Despite switching to silver, I did stick with my original color choice of purple, lavender and sage green.  Just above the flower dangle is a purple, lampwork glass ring by Beads and Botanicals. The two beads above that are commercial glass. The square pillow shaped bead has touches of sage green in it, which are also echoed in the two small fire polished beads below it.

Labyrinth Necklace

On the other side I wired a Chinese Charoite stone.  The three beads above the gemstone are more handmade lampwork glass by Beads and Botanicals.

Labyrinth Necklace

I would like to try walking a labyrinth someday.  I think it would be very calming and medative.  Just for fun, I Googled “labyrinth Washington State”.   According to The World-Wide Labyrinth Locator there are over 100 labyrinths just in the state of Washington.  I’m amazed!  The World-Wide Labyrinth Locator will help you find labyrinths in your state or country too.

Labyrinths are found in many cultures and religious traditions, dating as far back as 3,500 years.  Walking a labyrinth can be used for prayer, meditation, contemplation or personal growth.  According to the reading I did, there are many ways to walk a labyrinth. 

Labyrinth Necklace

Often the walk toward the center is used to quiet the mind and to become more centered and peaceful. The time at the center can be an experience of openness to insight, learning or to simply receive what the moment has to offer.  As one moves outward again, there can be  a time of reflection on what was received at the center how it applies to one’s life. 

One can also use the walk as a time to reflect on a specific concern or issue.  The labyrinth can be used as a walking prayer too, or it can be a meditative walk, in which one focuses on a specific word or phrase, such as “May peace prevail on earth.”

Labyrinth Necklace

The labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in France is one of the most famous.  As you can see in this brief YouTube video, the labyrinth maybe covered with chairs in the church.  But when the chairs are removed many people come to walk, meditate and pray.  http://youtu.be/QXfJNrrcgiI  If this a piqued your interest you can find a lot  more information on labyrinths here.

I learned a lot by doing this month’s Component of the Month Challenge and that made it extra enjoyable for me.  Thanks Jenny!

You can see what others have designed with their labyrinth pendants by following these links.

This months guests of honor:

Emma Todd

Lee Koopman

Jess Green

 

And participating AJE team members:

Jen Cameron

Kristi Bowman

Diana Ptaszynski

Kristen Stevens

Lesley Watt

Melissa Meman

Jo Tinley

Linda Landig

Sue Kennedy

Jenny Davies-Reazor, your hostess

 

 

Kaz Baildon Bead Giveaway Blog Hop

Kaz Baildon Bead Giveaway Blog Hop

My online friend, Lesley Watt of THEAtoo is hosting today’s blog hop.  Lesley’s friend, Kaz Baildon, gave Lesley a generous bunch of her lampwork glass beads.  In turn Lesley shared this gift with a randomly chosen group of designers.  I received the bead shown below and today we are revealing what we created with the beads we were given. 

Unfortunately I left this task till the last minute and as it turned out, I became sick at the last minute.  I nevertheless designed the necklace and I quite like how it turned out.   I placed the button on the side and used a pendant by Marsha Neal.  Small cube beads and purple seed beads weave in and out of larger lilac colored beads.

 

Perfect Purple Necklace

 

Perfect Purple Necklace

Now you can have some fun hoping through the blogs of the other participants.  Everyone received different beads, so it will be fun to see all the different designs that everyone created.  Have fun.  I’ll be lying on the couch, under some blankets, with a mug of hot tea, and decongestants while perusing all this creativity!

Lesley Watt – www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins – http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
Rebecca Anderson – http://songbeads.blogspot.com
Marie Cramp – http://skyejewels.blogspot.com
Claire Braunbarth – http://smittenbeads.blogspot.com
Heidi Post – http://http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com
Tiffany Smith – http://southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Sharyl Macmillan-Nelson – http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com
Ailsa Cordner – http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/
Linda Landig – http://lindalandig.wordpress.com
Caroline Dewison – http://blueberribeads.com
Renetha – http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Kari Asbury – http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Niky Sayers - http://silverniknats.blogspot.com
Purple Cobwebs – http://www.purplecobwebs.blogspot.com
Cilla Watkins – http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com/
Therese Frank – www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
Claire Ennis – http://clairescrystalclassics.blogspot.com
Emma – http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer – http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com
Alicia – http://www.allprettythings.ca
Sandy Huntress – http://keepsakecrafts.net/blog/
Lori Bowring Michaud – http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Amy – http://copperdiem.blogspot.com
Katherine Gale – http://terrabeadworks.blogspot.com

Snowflake Earrings and a Cold

News Day Tuesday

Welcome to Tuesday News Day; the day for jewelry updates and other relevant or possibly irrelevant news.

New Snowflake Earrings

I’m in bed with a miserable head cold, so today’s post will be brief.  I’d just like to share these new earrings, made with lampwork glass by Beads and Botanicals and ceramic snowflake charms by Bo Hulley Beads.

“Let It Snow” Earrings

I love how the lampwork beads have so many soft colors in them.  The colors are not only beautiful, but they makes these earrings so versatile.  They will look great paired with blues, green, lilac and all neutrals.

“Let It Snow” Earrings

I came across a link to beautiful, macro photos of snowflakes that I wanted to share with you.  These really are amazing!  http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/andrew-osokin-macro-snowflake-ice-photographs

 

I’ve got a blog hop coming up soon and other bits of news, but I’m going to sign off here and just work on getting well for a day or two.  Take care.

-Linda

 

 

Where Do I Start?

(Find the AJE  Component of the Month blog hop here & the Challenge Of Color blog hop here!)

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News Day Tuesday

Welcome to Tuesday News Day; the day for jewelry updates and other relevant or possibly irrelevant news.

Where do I start?  There is always so much going on at this time of the year, especially for people running a small business!  I added two items to my Etsy shop today and I’ve also been adding new work to the Catwalk Gallery in Tacoma.

Did you notice that it’s snowing on my blog? Move your cursor and watch the snowflakes change directions!

 

Lunch with Joan Tucker

Ceramic artist, Joan Tucker, of Off Center Productions, lives near me, and last week we got together for lunch.  It was the first time we’ve met, but I’m sure it won’t be the last.  When we finally left the restaurant, I glanced at my watch and we’d been chatting for 3 hours!  Don’t you love it when that happens?  When we were all done eating, we took turns spreading a bunch of our work all over the table for the other to look at, ask questions about and admire.  What fun!

 

Kalmbach Jewelry Books News

On the October 30th News Day Tuesday blog post, I wrote about the Kalmbach Bead Soup Challenge.  Kalmbach posted everyone’s finished jewelry on their Facebook page and let their readers vote for their favorites.  I didn’t win that contest and so I turned my attention to other things.  I was surprised, then, to learn last week, that Kalmbach Jewelry Books had let their office staff vote on their favorite submissions and my jewelry was one of 6 winners!  The office staff favorite winners will all receive the new book, Crystal Jewelry Inspiration from the Create Your Style Ambassadors.

Kalmbach Office Vote Winners

 

Artisan Whimsy Holiday Shopping

Looking for jewelry for yourself or for holiday gifts?  I hope you’ll visit my shops, but I want to share another great resource with you.  Artisan Whimsy has added a handmade jewelry shopping page.  Just think – 100′s of pieces of handmade jewelry at your fingertips!  There is a category for items under $20 and another category of jewelry that is $20 and above.  Check it out!

 

Sweet Lilac Earrings

I added these earrings to my Etsy shop on Monday.  They are made with authentic, contemporary Venetian glass.  Have any parties coming up?  They are quite elegant.  The color reminds me of a giant bush of sweet-smelling lilacs that we had at our last house.  The bush was right next to the deck and when we sat out on the deck in the summer, the scent was quite intoxicating.  mmmm!  So I named these the “Sweet Lilac” earrings.

Sweet Lilac Earrings

Sweet Lilac Earrings

AJE Component Of The Month Challenge

(Find the Challenge Of Color blog hop here!)

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Every month the Art Jewelry Elements team hosts a component of the month challenge.  For the November challenge, Lesley Watt of  THEAtoo provided an absolutely gorgeous snowflake focal, which she created with bronze metal clay. 

I received the snowflake on the top left.  I’d imagined these as being button sized, but they are actually quite large.  Once I saw the actual size, I had a pretty clear idea of what I wanted to do.  So I started playing with beads in my stash that might work with the design I pictured in my head.  Here’s my snowflake, sitting on the coffee table with some loose beads.  I tried out several different arrangements before I was satisfied.

One of my current jewelry goals is to improve my wire working skills, so I decided to wire all the components, instead of stringing them.  There are 3 different methods of wire wrapping in the finished necklace.

And here’s how it turned out.  I’m really pleased with it!  The colors are quite unusual, especially for a snowflake necklace, which usually ends up being blue.  Blue is OK, but I really like these colors with the bronze and I like that the colors introduce an element of surprise to the winter theme.  Winter can get really bleak in western Washington and I need bursts of color to keep myself energized!

In addition to Lesley’s snowflake, I used turquoise clay beads by Summers Studio, a greenish-brown bead by Artisan Beads and a pale blue bead by Gaea.  In addition to the handmade components, I added turquoise, pressed glass and a glass chevron bead.

The AJE team members who are part of this blog hop are listed below as well as the 2 lucky readers who won a snowflake component.  Check out their fantastic designs.  You will be amazed at all the creative talent in this group! 

Additionally, I encourage you to check out the Challenge of Color blog hop which is  going on today also (and was mentioned at the start of today’s post).

Jennifer Cameron

Kristi Bowman-Gruel

Diana Ptaszynski

Kristen Stevens

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Lesley Watt

Francesca Watson

Melissa Meman

Joanne TInley

Linda landig

Sue Kennedy

Jean Wells

Marie- Noel Voyer-Cramp

Therese Frank

Winter Snowflake Necklace

 

News Day Tuesday

Welcome to Tuesday News Day; the day for jewelry updates and other relevant or possibly irrelevant news.

Thank You!

First off I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped make this Thanksgiving weekend a success.  This includes shoppers, people who shared my promotions in their social media and the jewelry groups I belong to!  Thank you so much!

Coupon Code: AWHOLIDAY & Giveaway

The coupon code AWHOLIDAY is still valid in my Etsy shop and my ArtFire shop through the end of the month!  Soooo, if you missed out on the shopping frenzy this weekend, brew yourself a nice cup of tea and shop without frenzy, through November 30th.  Enter AWHOLIDAY in the coupon code box at checkout and receive 20% off your order.  Sweet, huh?

My earring giveaway runs through Nov. 30th also.  You can enter to win here.

Snow Day Necklace

Snow Day Necklace

I added the Snow Day necklace to my Etsy shop a day or two ago.  This is perfect for the holidays!  Here’s what I  especially like about this necklace:  It looks awesome for Christmas, but because there are no Santas or other Christmas-y stuff on it, it is perfect for the whole winter season.  Go ahead and wear it with green for Christmas, but it looks smashing on blue, black, neutrals and non-Christmas-y greens too.  I sized it longer (26.5 inches) so it can fit with a collar or over a sweater.

Snow Day Necklace

News Day Tuesday: Fall Leaf Jewelry

 Welcome to News Day Tuesday;  the day for updates on my shops and other relevant or possibly irrelevant  news.

Shop Updates:

I thought I’d pull together a collection of my fall jewelry for you.  I’m going to keep this short and sweet and make it an eye candy post.  If you’d like more information on  the earrings in this post, just click its title.

Flaming Autumn Earrings

Flaming Autumn Earrings

Dappled Leaf Earrings

Dappled Leaf Earrings

Actually when I first planned out today’s blog post, I also intended to share a brand new fall necklace I’d made this week.  I posted a link to it on my Facebook Jewelry Page and it sold in just a few hours.  I  always post my newest jewelry designs on my Facebook Jewelry Page first, before I blog about them, so it is a good idea to follow me there, too.

I’ll share the new necklace, just for eye candy, but it is no longer available.

Fallen Leaf Necklace

Fallen Leaves Necklace

In addition to these, I have two other pairs of leaf earring.  I blogged about them on Friday’s Art Jewelry Elements blog. I hope you’ll hop over there and check out that post, too.

Thanks for reading.  I love to hear you comments!

-Linda

News Day – Tuesday: Artisan Whimsy Challenge

I recently joined an online group called Artisan Whimsy.  In fact I played a minor role in doing some of the behind the scenes work of organizing this site. If you create beads or work with them, you should check out this inspiring and informative site.

I contributed this necklace for a giveaway that was held to celebrate the launch of Artisan Whimsy, on Oct. 1st.  The lovely and talented Jen Cameron of  Glass Addictions was the lucky winner.

Giveaway necklace for Artisan Whimsy

At the moment Artisan Whimsy is running a jewelry challenge called “Show Us Your Hooters”!  People may enter a picture of their jewelry or jewelry components that feature owls.  Have you noticed how popular owls are these days?  I see them not only in jewelry, but also on backpacks, shirts, notepads etc.

We have owls in the woods near our house and I love them!  I entered this bracelet in the challenge. The adorable owl connector piece was made by Marti’s Buttons and Beads.  Isn’t he the cutest little owl you’ve ever seen?  On the right side of the owl, I’ve placed a small lampwork glass bead and an amethyst.  The dangles near the clasp are composed of another amethyst, a blue lace agate and some Czech glass beads.  The beads around the back as also Czech glass.

Blue Owl Bracelet

Artisan Whimsy members will be voting on their favorite entries and there are prizes for the winners!  I’d encourage you to hop over and sign up for Artisan Whimsy.  Then go to the forums and vote on your favorite hooters!

Edited to add:  The voting has started over at Artisan Whimsy.   Please join Artisan Whimsy, if you haven’t yet, and then vote for your favs!  There are 2 categories and you get to vote for 3 in each category.  Here’s the link:
http://artisanwhimsy.ning.com/page/hooters