May 24, 2013

Pen & Twinchie Swap

  In April at the International Polymer Clay Swap FB group took place the fifth swap already, this time the swap items were polymer clay covered pens and twinchies. If you don't know what a twinchie is, here's an explanation I have summarized from our FB group invite: "a 2 inchies square tile (about 1/4 inch thick) and can be used like an actual ceramic tile in wall art, you can group them and also mount them on a canvas".

  My partner for this swap was Donna Ingram from Anniston (Alabama, USA). She says she's a Southern girl that lives a very simple life, she's married with 5 children and 11 grandchildren. Wow, 5 children! I have only two and it seems they are at least 10, sometimes.

  
Let's first see what I have made for her .
  
  Donna likes the light colors of spring, loves sports and animals, specially dogs. 

  That's why I've decided to use a combination of yellow, light green and orange with a little of white to cover the pen. First I was thinking about a chevron pattern, but I was not sure I can make it perfect, so I've decided for stripes. Well, there is a small part of chevron pattern indeed. For a more dimensional look I've added an additional stripe and a swarovski chrystal.

  For the twinchie I wanted to highlight her love for animals. She said her favorites are dogs, so I've made a cat, LOL. Well, let me explain. When our dog Tobi was still alive, he used to lie just near the cat when nobody was looking at him. In the same moment he noticed a human looking at him, he started to chase the cat. So, what's a dog without a cat!       

  I guess you want to see the picture of my pen & twinchie for Donna, right?


  The cat is black and white, but the background is coordinated with the pen. Do you see the shining of the cat's eyes? I've used the same swarovski as for the pen. 
 


And now let me show you what Donna made for me:
 



The pen is like a rainbow in the moonlight (I know this is not possible in the real life, but if it would be, I think it would look like that). And the twinchie is so colorful and happy! Thank you, Donna!

~~~~~~

  There are already the sign ups for our sixth swap in the FB group - Fantasy Vessels and Twinchies. No need to say I'm not gonna miss this one :-)



  The sign ups and the deadline for sending out will be extended, so you're still welcome to join if you would like to. 


  Be happy!
  Alenka
 
 

May 20, 2013

Earring Swap Blog Hop Reveal

Welcome to the Earring Swap blog hop, wanted by Jessica Wensell of Whimsical Monkey.

Well, earrings are the piece of jewelry I prefer to wear and I mostly make, so I picked the invite for this swap immediately.
 
My partner was Susan Kennedy from Suebeads, a talented lampworker. Just look at these gorgeous beads she makes

 




I've asked Sue to take a look at my Flickr gallery and tell me which style of earrings she prefers. I already knew she loves turquoise, silver and green, so I've chosen some peppermint and turquoise Fimo and made a pair of both sides textured rings with a texture plate made by me; then just a little touch of silver Inka gold. I've added filigree silver beads and seed beads and this is what I have sent to Sue:





  ... packed in my Pepita red box:



  I've added a lucky charm - one of my clowny beads, but forgot to take a picture of it.


I still haven't received the package Susan sent, even if she sent it three weeks ago!!! But I'm sure it will arrive soon!! If you would like to know what has she sent to me, just take a look at her blog here


UPDATE - 23 March 
Yesterday I have finally received my package from Sue. Just look at these gorgeous earrings and she even included some of her beautiful lampwork beads!!!   [happydance]   How lucky I am!!!


No need to say I had to wear them today at work :-D 
Thank you Sue for being my partner in this swap!!!


And here's the list of the other participants (you get the direct links on the blog posts by clicking on the names):

Jessica Wensell
Marianne Baxter
Leah Tees
Andrea Trank
Miranda Ackerley
Cheri Mitchell-Reed
Susan Kennedy     <-- My partner
Michele Dotson
Deanna Cox
Shelley Graham Turner
Ingrid McCue
Lennis Carrier
Ginger Davis Allman
Mary Anne Flesch
Nicole Valentine Rimmer
Stephanie Weiss
Silvia Sernicola
Karla Morgan
Kay Thomerson
Paula Hisel
Carol Dillman
Spun Sugar Beadworks
Tara Plote
Rachel Baron
Laurie Keefe
Kashmira Patel
Gina Hockett
Shellie Grindy
Shai Williams
Dyanne Cantrell
Mimi Gardner
Jessica McMullen
Jennifer LaVite
Laura Medeiros
Alenka Obid    <-- You are here
Elsie Fonseca
Cheryl Dunham
Sandra McGriff
Tania Spivey
Mowse Doyle
Mischelle Fanucchi

Facebook:
Beccy Peterson: Beccy's Baubles

Marde Lowe: FanciMar Designs


Be happy,
Alenka



May 19, 2013

A Time to Stitch 3 - Update 1 (After Reveal)

If you are looking for the reveal of the Bead Soup Blog Party, please go here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  The reveal for this challenge organized by Christine Altmiller and Therese Frank was a few days ago, but at that time I've had two still unfinished pieces, the Cellini spiral and the Russian spiral - as you can see here.

  Today I have finally finished the necklace with the Cellini spiral:



  The flower and the clasp are made from polymer clay - with a technique I've learned from the tutorial Cosmic Ceramic by Iris Mishly and Hila Bushari.  

   
The bead caps (for both ends of the Cellini spiral) and brown oval beads are also made from polymer clay.



  I'm quite proud of my first Cellini and these are the colors I wear very often, so I'll keep it for me :-D     However, I'll be more than happy to read your comments! 

  If you want to see the finished Russian spiral necklace, come back in a few days as I'm waiting for the seed beads to arrive...

  Be happy,
  Alenka