Thursday, August 18, 2011

Allegory Design Team

My excitement is brimming over and I can not describe to you how being selected to be a part of the Allegory Design Team means so much to me.  At the beginning of this year my word that I chose was growth, I wanted to grow inside, grow in my designs, grow by working on being published and stretching myself in my jewelry designs.  Well, I did try and get a piece published by Stringing but is wasn't exactly what they were looking for, so I was left with my confidence shaken a bit that maybe what I am doing may not be publish worthy, but then I left that train of thought I didn't want to get jumbled up with lack of confidence.  I need to be proud of my work and move forward and not get stuck in negativity. So I have been plugging away at my work, trying to build my Esty store, trying to reach clients that are close to home and just keep myself busy and creatively inspired.


After not being accepted by Stringing I made a conscience effort to not be discouraged, I will admit that I have not tried and submitted anything again but truthfully isn't designing something to be published most of the fun trying to find a fresh take on something use a new bead in a different way, mix colors in a new and funky fashion.  I know one of the things that has happened to me over the last year with my word GROWTH is that I have grown, that I don't just want to be a successful jewelry designer I want to make friends with my fellow designers, I want to discover new bead artists, and be apart of this wonderful community. 

So the opportunity to participate in the Allegory Design Team isn't just about being able to design with beautiful beads and make wonderful designs it is also going to give us as a team the opportunity to network with each other, get to know Andrew Thornton better and give us a bigger sense of belonging.  I want to extend and huge THANK YOU to Andrew for putting this team together and send him best wishes for the beginning of the Allegory Gallery.

Please check out the other members of the team and send them much love on this new adventure.
 

I am so excited to start!!!  What an exciting time, Lori Anderson's BEAD SOUP Blog Party, Allegory Design Team this fall is looking very exciting indeed.

Take care,
Penny

Monday, August 15, 2011

Meet My Bead Soup Partner - Sandi Volpe

I would like to introduce you to my lovely partner Sandi Volpe, this is the second round of bead soup for both Sandi and I.  Sandi is a jewelry designer but she also hand crafts soldered pendants they are divine. 


Sandi has used broken pieces of favorite family keepsakes and made them into pendants as well and they are simply gorgeous.


Sandi and I have a few things in common we both have three children, our primary job is staying at home raising our kids and our love of designing jewelry.  I sent Sandi's soup off without taking a picture so I can't even put on a teaser, but I hope she likes what I have selected for her.  I hope you enjoyed getting to know my bead soup partner and hop over and see her lovely designs.


I also want to send out a big THANK YOU to Lori Anderson for organizing this Bead Soup, Lori does an amazing job and we should all be very thankful to her for all of her hard work and dedication, because this is no small undertaking.  Let's send much love her way!!!

Can't wait for reveal day!!!

Take care,
Penny





Sunday, August 14, 2011

Total Treasures Blog Hop - Hosted by Copper Diem

I am participating in Amy's Total Treasures blog hop, the inspiration for the hop is from an Esty treasury.  Amy thought that with all of the beautiful treasury's created we would find some wonderful inspiration.  She was right the treasury that she selected for me was Mustard Greens created by Jewelry by Nala.

I apologize for the size of my treasury, I was having problems with downloading, but you will see that there are several different green colors as well as some yellow mixed in my favorite color.  In my design I really wanted to try an blend all of the colors, I also added a bit of a pale orange color that I thought fit quite nicely. For the focal bead on the bracelet I used a Beady Monkey wooden tile, some ceramic beads that I forgot where I got them from, sorry as well as a lampwork bead from Blue Seraphim, as well as some czech glass beads and flower, lucite flower and some Vintaj chain , toggle and beads.




Thank you Amy for hosting this great blog hop and don't forget to check out the other participants.  You will find links for everyone below.

Copper Diem
Fuego, metal y color
Silver Nik Nats
Beads and Bread
Copper Penny Designs
Green Shoot
Wild Sally Road
Mamas Got To Doodle
Beads for Busy Gals
EBS Jewellery
Cianci Blue
Beads for Brains
Nicki's Reef
Sweet Girl Design
Nicole Rennell

Take care,
Penny

Monday, August 8, 2011

Lovely Leanne

Custom order, with the necklace named after the special person who asked me to make it for her.  She asked me to make it for her awhile ago so I am not sure if she will still be interested but this was a fun piece to make.  This is actually a replica piece from my mom, but I wanted to put my own spin on it and make it unique and special.  I used iris blue gilders paste on the flower filigree and connector piece, then complimented it with filigree beads, in gunmetal, shiny and matte finish.  I then used freshwater pearls in a pale blue and water blue as well as silver pearls and some silver chain.


This necklace feels very vintage inspired to me, I normally am not one for the vintage look but I have been dabbling in these pieces and I can't believe how much I like them.

Happy Monday!!!

Take care,
Penny