Saturday 6 December 2014

2nd Annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

“How often do you take a look at your bead stash and realize you have a LOT of artist beads, or a ton of pearls, or every crystal color known to man, but you haven't made a thing with any of them yet?  (Raises hand).  Sometimes I'll collect beads knowing full well I'll never make a thing with them but set them out on display instead, yet after a while, it can get ridiculous and dusting becomes impossible (ha ha... as if I dust...)”

This is how Lori Anderson described her idea of a blog hop based on beads from your stash…use what you’ve had on hand for a long time and show us what you made. (It's 10:45pm and I've filled in some of the back story of each piece since posting the blog entry this morning.) Without further delay here’s what I made:


Reign Bracelet (Sold)
Button Drop Beads with Brass Charm and Clasp

The glass button beads for this bracelet have been hanging around since March…ish time. There were grand visions dancing in my head when I acquired them. This is nothing like those visions but I really like it. When I was digging out the button beads I started matching colours, putting the bright fuchsia and dark purple together, then lay the gold beads beside them. They worked but needed a calming influence. That’s when I added the matte silver grey ones, picked all the strands up and wrapped them around one another and there it was, a perfect balance. The combination reminded me of royalty, thus sprang the name, Reign. Amethyst coloured beading wire was used to string everything, finished with a gold plated star toggle that I’ve had for 2+ years. The antiqued gold heart lock, in my stash for a year and a half, was the perfect touch.


Spring Fields Bracelet (Sold)
Malachite and Moonstone with
Handmade Copper chain and Clasp


Spring Fields Necklace (Sold)
Malachite and Moonstone with
Handmade Copper chain and Clasp


Spring Fields Earrings (Sold)
Malachite and Moonstone with
Handmade Copper Ear Wires

These moonstone beads are some of the first beads I ever purchased. To this day I love how they seem to have an inner glow. The malachite was a recent acquisition, from 2 and a half years ago. I’ve had the copper, used for the handmade clasps and links, for quite a while. It is all upcycled copper from old wiring, a little harder to work with as there is a lot of straightening required, but well worth the effort. The beautiful colour combination reminded me of meadows in the spring, when everything is coming back to life, before the riot of flowers take over.

I will be at a private party next week, for my bill paying job, which is fundraising for local charitable organizations. The above pieces are being donated as draw prizes. I like this type of fundraising because the tickets are being sold now and none of the participants know what the prizes are or what they will win. It’s all by chance and good fun.

Here are some more pieces that will go in my store over the weekend:



Gift from the Heart Pendant (Sold)
Polymer Clay and Sterling Silver
This polymer clay plumeria flower was purchased in the summer of 2013 along with a bunch in different colours and sizes. I did make some pieces with the stash last year but kept saving this one. I love the purity of the colours and would take it out and admire it and others like it, then proceed to put them away. I finally decided that this challenge was a good way to start with my favourite. Now to keep the momentum going…


Vivacious Necklace (Sold)
Freshwater Pearls dyed Fuchsia and
Lavender, Sterling Silver
These pretty and bright freshwater pearls just bring youthful adventure to mind.  I could see the young woman they would be perfect on. I guess I could see her too well in my mind’s eye because every time I pictured her that was enough, and I put the pearls away again. Well now when she comes by my booth at a show, or shops online, she’ll be able to buy and wear them.

For more pretty things, check out what everyone else did here

Lori Andersonwww.PrettyThingsBlog.com  (Hostess)

Audrey Belanger
esperianterra.blogspot.com
Jenny Kyrlachhttp://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemerhttp://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneiderhttp://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Dee Elgiehttp://cherryobsidia.blogspot.co.uk
Dolores Ramlhttp://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Rebecca EdnieHttp://eclecticendeavours.blogspot.com
Lili Kristhttp://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Richhttp://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosnerhttp://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com/blog/
Nicole Princehttp://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Deana Hagerhttp://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Jackie Ryanhttp://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doylehttp://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnsonhttp://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Terri Gauthierhttp://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Patti Pruhshttp://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com
Shai Williamshttp://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Andrea Glickhttp://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
K Hutchinsonhttps://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci Brookshttps://thatnothingbewasted.wordpress.com/
Jo-Ann Woolvertonitsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Jasvanti PatelJewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie VyselaarLefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa KnappenbergerLIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindellmarylindell.com
Niky Sayerssilverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Sandra McGriffskyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Patricia Handschuhthecolorofdreams.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintztreasures-found.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrowwillowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breedingwww.99bobotw.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhartwww.ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Jackie Locantorewww.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl Stephenswww.babblebead.blogspot.com
Becky Pancakewww.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Mona Arnottwww.bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Michelle Escanowww.cabbycraft.com
Denise McCabewww.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawsonwww.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Sheila Prosewww.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworakwww.cianciblue.blogspot.com
Iveth Carusowww.CreativeAtelier.net/blog
Deborah Apodacawww.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunnwww.elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Janine Lucaswww.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Kari Asburywww.hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com
Inge von Rooswww.ingetraud.wordpress.com
Divya Nwww.jewelsofsayuri.com
Debbie Rasmussenwww.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
KJwww.kjsbeadaciousbeads.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koonwww.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erpwww.kruseartllc.com
Ginger Bishopwww.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Kelly Schermerhornwww.meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andradewww.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com 
Sue Kellywww.midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com
Rachel Malliswww.mintmonarch.com/#!Blog/c1jlz
Susan McClellandwww.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGrawwww.mkaymac.blogspot.com
Tania Spiveywww.moobiegracedesigns.blogspot.com
Stephanie Perrywww.mustardbeadbystephanieperry.blogspot.com
Mitzie Criderwww.NeedfulLuxuries.Blogspot.com
Nicole RennellWww.nicolerennell.com/blog
Nicole Valentinewww.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchellwww.overthemoon-design.com
Tammy Adamswww.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Patty Millerwww.pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Blanca Medinawww.peru-medesigns.com
Stephanie Hausslerwww.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendozawww.roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Claire Fabianwww.saraccino.blogspot.com
Bridget Torreswww.shears58.net
Donetta Farringtonwww.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Lee Koopmanwww.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortinwww.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan WallsWww.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormierwww.thebeadingyogini.com
Heather Ottowww.thecrafthopper.com
Lizzie Clarkewww.theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Elizabeth Hodgeswww.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfendenwww.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Pattersonwww.TravelingSideShow.blogspot.com
Nan Smithwww.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Jayne Cappswwwww.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com
Robin Kae Reed                                          http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger                                      https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood                                                  http://gina-design.blogspot.com/

20 comments:

  1. Lovely designs! I particularly like the button drop bead bracelet! I haven't seen that shape of bead before!

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    1. Thanks Hannah

      I got them at BeadFX up here in Toronto Canada (beadfx.com)

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  2. Lovely feminine designs. Whoever wins the donated pieces at the auction will be thrilled.

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  3. I love the treasures you created ! Now everyone can admire those hoarded beads !

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  4. All of your pieces are great. Well done!

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  5. Beautiful and brilliant designs! Love the color palates too. Hard to pick a favorite! way to go de-stashing!

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  6. Someone will love their prize. That is a double push to use some of that hoard.

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  7. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your work with us.

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  8. You certainly made some beautiful pieces. I have to admit that Reign is my absolute favorite. I love the jewel tones with the grey. It's terrific.

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  9. Lovely work. But I have to say that the richness in color of those drop beads and the finished bracelet you made with them is gorgeous!

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  10. Hi Mona, Your designs are beautiful. The malachite and moonstone are my favorite. They do say spring. I have some of the button drops but I never knew what to call them, thanks for the info.

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  11. Lovely pieces. My favorite (if I have to pick one) would be the first bracelet. I love those button beads.

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  12. All your pieces are gorgeous, absolutely adore the malachite and moonstone set, so so pretty!

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  13. It happens to me ALL THE TIME! Every time I open a bead box, I find treasures I'd forgotten about. I LOVE what you made...it's all so beautiful! And I particularly love that they are going to a good cause (wish I had a ticket!).

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  14. All very pretty pieces. I especially like your Reign bracelet. I have some beads kind of shaped like that and didn't really know how to use them. You made great use of them.

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  15. I LOVE Button Drops, and you did a marvelous job with them! Your other pieces are elegant and I hope you get a lot of joy from them, and this blog hop inspires you to do even more with your hoarded beads.



    Thank you so much for participating, and don't forget to post your pieces in the special Pinterest board, http://www.pinterest.com/limamike/bead-hoarders-blog-hop/

    Plus, join the Facebook group (also welcome to your friends) www.BeadSoupCafe.com -- hope to see you at other hops!

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    1. Hi Lori

      Thanks for the kind comments and invitations. The encouragement and help you give to everyone is fantastic and inspirational!

      I would like to add my pins to the group board but it seems like I need to be invited first (?) Is there a different way to do so?

      Thanks
      Mona

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  16. Like that button drop bracelet. I have some of those sitting on my desk (in my hoard pile).

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  17. Hi! How lovely that you got to use one of your first ever bead purchases in your designs. I love moonstone and I love what you've made with it !

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