Tackled Stash in Blues

Met another June goal!  Whoo hooo!

I wanted to do a project inspired by Operation Tackle that Bead Stash and those luscious blues.  Well, the project expanded when I saw all those blue beads on my table and realized that I could also make a few blue bracelets in support of The Global Genes Project's 7000 Bracelets campaign.  All my blog worlds collided because this month's Art Bead Scene challenge also featured blues for inspiration to generate some bracelet support, too.   Anyway, here are my tackled bead stash creations:

Pieces and parts:

~ The necklace features a glass disk from Bronwen Heilman of Ghostcow Glassworks that I picked up probably two years ago and have had it stashed since then.  I used memory wire, clear rubber tubing, deep blue suede and steel wire to highlight the big blue in a circle-y design.

~ The coordinating bracelet is tubing-covered memory wire with some little steel wire twisty beads that I made.  Then I pulled these matte blue stones out to create dangles for the ends--don't know how long they've been in my stash!

~ The matte blue beads let to another bracelet and I wanted to carry the "clear" theme and found these rough quartz nuggets in the stash and made a little focal grouping.  Those beads I've probably had for five years.  Nice.

~ Speaking of five years or more, the big quartz oval piece in the last bracelet has been in my collection for a realllyyyyyy looooong time (and I still have lots more!) so I matched it up with some of that deep blue suede and a handmade steel hook clasp.  I can see more bracelets similar to this in my future.

Here's a shot of the OTTBS palette:

June's Gonna Be Busy

I can't believe it's already June.  Where is time going?  I have lots of things I want to get done this month, so I'm hoping that energy and productivity are on my side in the next few weeks.  

- I want to work on a couple of tutorial ideas that I have floating around in my brain.  

- I want to finish a couple more lessons in my Photoshop Elements workbook so I can actually start using it for something productive. 

- I want to sell some beach-inspired pieces to one of the gift shops in my neighborhood.

- I want to leave my office by 1730 every evening.

- I want to lose five pounds.

- I want to get mentally prepared to turn 40 in July.

- I want to work on a project for Operation Tackle that Bead Stash; the color palette is gorgeous!  Plus it works into my beach-inspiration...

- I want to see if I can go two weeks without buying any beads or other crafting supplies.

- I want to get something together Marcie's Margie & Me palette this month...

See...there is lots to do so I have to get prepped with a good night sleep!  I'm taking Frankie to the dermatologist in the morning and that will take all the energy and productivity of tomorrow...a cat with allergy treatments.  haaaaaaaaaaaaa  I'll see if I can get some photos.  Will be interesting.

Tackling the Bead Stash for February...Think Chocolate

Think blue, too.

I was wandering around blog world this morning being super-productive. 

Operation Tackle that Bead Detash has the February mood board posted. 

It's yummy and pretty at the same time.

Then, instead of actually getting off the couch and making something out of the blues, turquoises and browns I have jamming my stash drawers, I kept wandering.

Ms. Brandi from brandigirlblog is hosting a second Color Palette blog walk. 

Since I didn't know much about the first one, I started clicking and clicking and found lots of tools to use to make palettes.

Thus, the last hour or so was spent at Colourlovers.com creating palettes and patterns and colors.  It's addicting.  I haven't even gotten up for more coffee.

Here's my pick for February.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday! 

I'm off to spend the day at the Bead Haven.

I'm sure I'll be thinking of chocolate now all day. 

Luckily I have several boxes of Weight Watcher ice cream bars...at only two points a piece I can eat a whole box and not feel too guilty.  haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Operation Tackle That Bead Stash - January Mood Board

I don't even know how I discovered it, but I came across a cool blog at the beginning of the month that's all about working with that you've got.  Operation Tackle That Bead Stash.  It's as simple as that!  The editors choose a "moodboard" that's used for inspiration each month and then it's time to bring it on with the beading goodness!


The inspiration was a gorgeous collage of gold and purple--think Venice and Carnivale.  I was excited by the color combination because just that afternoon I was working on an Etsy treasury that was focused on yellow and purple...not exactly the same color story, but close enough to get me motivated to create an entry based on the moodboard.

Here it is...it's called "I'm Not Sari That I Have Too Many Beads"!  haaaaaaaaaaa



I've been wanting to use this recycled sari ribbon for ages, so I pulled out a purplish-golden piece and wrapped it with some thin gold-toned wire on a coiled wire base.  It worked out just as I'd hoped!  I used some big fatty faceted golden glass rounds, some roughed up nuggest of purple agate, and some purply crystal rondelles to work the front and then finished it off with some big brass chain (that I found on clearance at Michael's ages ago and bought too much of).

I've always been a huge fan of Maire Dodd...especially her use of fiber mixed with all sorts of other media.  I'm thinking of her projects from Belle Armoire, but found some examples that are wonderfully awesome at her post here.  Those ideas are what keep driving me towards fiber and ribbon purchases, so I'm thrilled to actually use some!

Finally...here's the moodboard:

Be on the lookout for how they'll set the mood for

February over on the Operation TTBS blog!