REVEAL: Whimsical Monkey Earring Swap

Oh Lord, I can not believe I am LATE for this reveal, AND being late or not showing for a blog hop is one of my pet peeves too!
I apologize! I TOTALLY forgot about this! [Technically my post isnt late as I got it up on reveal day but mailing was �� ]


A while back I signed up to take part in the Whimsical Monkey Earring Swap hosted by Jessica Murray. 

My very patient partner for this swap was Laura Medeiros. We went back and forth via e-mails and agreed we'd swap three pairs of earrings. I asked a few questions to try and figure out her style. She told me she liked dangles, but not too long (me either); she liked all colors but wasn't into pastels (me either); and she didn't like anything with a "manufactured look" (me either!)

I also took a look at her Facebook photos and saw that she has a unique style, seems into steampunk and she ALSO belly dances!, or so it appears from her photos - YOU GO GIRL! Overall I'd say she seems like a fun-loving person!


So here is what I created for her -

Pair #1  
I used my brass coils and some silver and brass findings - mixed metallics are some of my favs.

Pair #2
I've had these pretty lampworks for a while - think they give these little swirlies a real sassy look!

Pair #3
I paired up some of my polymer clay roses with some brass findings to which I wired a few beads, just for a different look. 

I hope she likes them. They probably aren't steampunk exactly but I think they are unique.Because I forgot the date I haven't mailed them out but will get them in the mail TONIGHT!

If you want to see what she created for me (very yummy copper creations!!) check them out by CLICKING HERE.

You can also visit all the other participants below.   
                            Jessica Murray (Hostess): http://whimsicalweavings.blogspot.com

Inge von Roos: http://ingetraud.wordpress.com 

 Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca
Marianne Baxter: http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com/
Leah Tees: http://mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca
Andrea Trank: www.heavenlanecreations.com
Miranda Ackerley: http://blog.mirandack.com/
Cheri Mitchell-Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Susan Kennedy: www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Michele Dotson: http://star-jewels.blogspot.com/

Mischelle Fanucchi : http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Deanna Cox: www.deannaaki.WordPress.com
Shelley Graham Turner: YOU ARE HERE!
Ingrid McCue: www.wrappedinsilver.com
Lennis Carrier: http://windbent.wordpress.com
Ginger Davis Allman: http://thebluebottletree.com/
Mary Anne Flesch: www.handcraftedserenity.blogspot.com
Nicole Valentine Rimmer: www.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Stephanie Weiss: uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/
Silvia Sernicola: http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/
Karla Morgan: www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com
Kay Thomerson: http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com
Paula Hisel: http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Carol Dillman: http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Spun Sugar Beadworks: Spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Tara Plote: http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/
Rachel Baron: http://rbarondesigns.blogspot.com/
Laurie Keefe: http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/
Kashmira Patel: http://sadafulee.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett: http://www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Shellie Grindy: http://www.creativeeclectica.com/
Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell: http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Mimi Gardner: www.OtherCuriosities.blogspot.com
Jessica McMullen: http://pheonixgatedesigns.blogspot.com/
Jennifer LaVite: www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Laura Medeiros: http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com/
Alenka Obid: www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Elsie Fonseca: http://www.ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Dunham: www.renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com
Sandra McGriff: http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tania Spivey: http://moobiegrace.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doyle:  http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com

REVEAL: HBBH 3 1/2 - A Very Merry UnBirthday Party

Yup, it's another blog hop hosted by myself and my partner in crime - MARLENE CUPO. Here's how we introduced this blog hop...

It’s time to have a VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY PARTY via our extra special HBBH 3 ½ Blog Event! Yes, we are at it again. Just like the "March Hare", the "White Rabbit", and the "Mad Hatter" invited "Alice" to their party, we are inviting you to ours!

We will assign partners, and send out e-mail notifications so you can contact one another and find out what month you each celebrate your birthday. 

So now its FINALLY party time! Time to tear open our gifts!

YEAH, right, did you really think I would wait to open my gift? I ripped that sucker open as soon as it arrived! Heeheehee...

My party partner is Janeen Burlingame. What a sweetie she is! Before we get to the gift she sent let me tell you about the wrapping. She had it wrapped so-o-o beautifully. It came in a very pretty floral bag with ruby-colored organza ribbon. Inside with the gift was a bar of CHOCOLATE, yummy Dagoba Roseberry Dark Chocolate with raspberries and rosehips! (tore that open in a New York second! - munch, munch, munch!) - wasn't sure what "rosehips" was but I ate it! 

She also enclosed a gorgeous card made from handmade paper with pressed flowers..LOVE! The message inside was sweet as well.



OKAY so now I have made all the nice comments that are expected...let's get to the goodies!
INSIDE WAS....

THIS beautiful necklace! Nice, right? The focal flowers are made from carved wood. I'm not sure if she knew, but my favorite style is nature-inspired boho so this was perfect! Turquoise and ruby colored beads (my birthstone!) ALL wrapped in antique silver findings. I LOVE IT. I love the color palette, the texture, the style, and even the weight of it! PERFECT!

Thank you Janeen, I love it, absolutely LOVE it!






So now.
What. did. I. send. Janeen?

Well,  I like to think of myself as a bit of a detective (aka nosey person). Yeah, well ANYWHO I scoped out her online presence, specifically her Pinterest. I found out she likes a certain chocolate. Dagoba's Organic Chocolate, CHAI flavored. Chocolate CHeCk!

Purchased at Abe's Market

And she seems to like Buddhas...well I found some pretty soap and since her birthstone's  Emerald- she was born in May -  I got her the GREEN tea scented ones.  Buddha, CHeCk!

Purchased at Aroma Creek on Etsy

And I also made her a little something- something. In GREEN, CHeCk!

TORI SOPHIA Designs

So that's my story. Go, mingle, meet the rest of our guests. Me? I'm going to see if I can find out what the hell ROSEHIP is! 

Ali McCarthy www.northwoodscreativestudio.blogspot.com Alicia Marinache www.allprettythings.ca Anzia Parks www.anzipanzisworkshoppe.blogspot.com Audrey Belanger www.esperianterra.blogspot.ca Cheri Reed www.creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com Cheryl Dunham www.renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com Chris Eisenberg www.wanderware.blogspot.com Christine Schlicht http://www.marshellswaps.blogspot.com/p/visiting-bloggers-reveal-day.html Cynthia Machata www.antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com D Lynne Bowland www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.ca Dyanne Everett-Cantrell www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com Gina Hockett www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com Ginger Bishop www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com Gloria Allen www.gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com Janeen Burlingame http://www.marshellswaps.blogspot.com/p/visiting-bloggers-reveal-day.html Joana Perez Stribel www.facebook.com/lasjoyasdejana Lori Schneider www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com Mary Govaars www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com Mischelle Fanucchi www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com Paula Gaskill www.lovelylaylabugsjewelry.blogspot.com Renetha Stanziano www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com Robin Reed www.willowdragon.blogspot.com Sherry Baun www.unicornsjewels.blogspot.com Shirley Moore www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com Sierra Barrett www.giraffecanhas.wordpress.com Susan Bowie www.susanbowie.wordpress.com Susie Harris www.jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com Mowse Doyle www.mowsemadethis.blogspot.com Cindy Muse www.facebook.com/mritech813 Ellie Grossman http://www.marshellswaps.blogspot.com/p/visiting-bloggers-reveal-day.html Marlene Cupo www.amazingdesigns-Marlene.blogspot.com Shelley Graham Turner YOU ARE HERE!

Quiet here...but NOT REALLY!!

 

 

I know it might seem like things are quiet around here but NO, not really!!

I have a new project for those who haven't heard.

JILLY's BEAD POSSE!

 

 

Its a fundraising group of fellow jewelry designers, artists and women who just love BEADS!

 

Long story short I received donations of LOADS of purple beads to make earrings for the "Walk to End Alzheimer's". (see links at the bottom if you DO need filling in!)

 

I then asked friends and family to get on board to assist me in my efforts. TO DATE, we have 70 members, 136 donated jewelry items (valued at over $1800) and a new website, http://www.jillysbeadposse.com. (and we aren't even a month old yet!)

 

 

All this has me on my toes, working 10+ a day on the project, but loving every minute of it!

 

So now YOU know...things have NOT been quiet around here!

 

 

Here's some more information :

http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com/2013/02/sneak-attack.html

http://torisophia.blogspot.com/2013/03/help-wanted-calling-all-purple-people.html

http://torisophia.blogspot.com/2012/10/2012-walk-to-end-alzheimers.html

 

 

 

REVEAL: Holiday Bling Blog Hop 3 - Feb/March 2013

Its here, REVEAL DAY for our third round of Holiday Bling Blog Hop (or HBBH3) which I am hosting along with my partner in crime, Marlene Cupo of Amazing Designs. 

Here's how it worked:  Those who signed up to participate were partnered up. Partners then decided what they'd exchange – could be handmade ornaments, jewelry, decor, whatever – it just had to be Holiday themed. We provided a list of holidays for the months of February/March.

My partner this round was Catherine King of Catherine's Musings. Together we chose Easter as our holiday.  Catherine sent me a beautiful gift, so pretty, so much work! I will ALWAYS cherish it.  (see link at bottom)

For these exchanges I like to sometimes go outside the box. This time I went back to my old love, mosaics.  I made this Easter frame for Catherine - 

I put my kiln to use and made the individual tiles I used to create Catherine's gift. 

While waiting for the tiles to fire I gesso'd a frame I purchased from Michael's, then painted it creamy yellow. 

Unfortunately I rushed and fired the tiles before they were completely bone dry, here's what happened...

 

Yeah, BOOM!, some pieces exploded! 

 I played with the what was left and came up with a plan -

I painted  each piece with acrylic paint in Easter colors, dry brushed with a little white paint and then sealed them -

Here is a closer look at some of the tiles -

LASTLY,  I glued them to the painted frame. No grout this time. 

 It really is an easy process.  You should give it a try!

Oh, did you want to see what Catherine created? If  you want to see, you will have to visit her blog!  CLICK HERE!

 
And let's also continue on in the blog hop and see what everyone else created!!

Alicia   Marinache           All the Pretty Things

 

Catherine King                Catherine's Musings 

 

Chris Schlicht                  Non-Blogger Visitor to Marshellswaps

 

Cynthia Machata              Antiquity Travelers

 

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell  Deeliteful Jewelry Creations

 

Gina Hockett                    Freestyle Eelements

 

Jennifer Reno                   Musings of a Crafty Jenny  

 

Laura Reed                       Non-Blogger Visitor to Marshellswaps

 

Leanne Loftus                  First Impression Design
 

Lennis Carrier                  Windbent

 

Lori Bowring Michaud    Artfully Ornamental

 

Marti Conrad                    Marti C's Clay

 

Mary Govaars                   MLH Jewelry Designs

 

Renetha Stanziano           Lamplight Crafts

 

Rita/ Toltec Jewels           Jewel School Friends

 

Sandra McGriff                  Creative Chaos!

 

Sarah Goode                       Pookledo

 

Sherri Stokey                      Knot Just Macrame   

 

Sonya Stille                         Dreaming of Beads/ SAS Jewelry Designs

 

Tammie Everly                   TTE Designs

 

Therese Frank                     Therese's Treasures

 

Tiffany Goff Smith              Southern Gals Design

 

Marlene Cupo                      Amazing Designs by Marlene