Znet Shows Partner Picks Summer Challenge

Today we reveal our designs for the 

 ZnetShows “Partner Picks Summer Challenge” it's the latest challenge for the ZnetShows Design team. The design team was split up into pairs, and each partner was asked to choose the beads for the other partner to create with. My partner is  Andrea Trank We submitted our picks to Znet and they sent all these beads to me. Follow this little post and see what I created. 

Chinese Crystal Meridian Blue RS101-123

Glass Pearls 4 mm Khaki BDS1617-38 Five

Fire Agate dyed green BDS1591-14

Aqua Terra Jasper 6mm BDS1886-01 
Aqua Terra Jasper 10 mm BDS1885-03

Brass base metal coin bead M0205-AB

Cultured  Sea Glass marquise spindle pendants P09-B28S

I designed a collection using beads from each category and added art beads, fiber, and glass from my stash to create a beach collection in my style. I really enjoyed this challenge and designed quite a few individual pieces and a couple sets. I have more ideas with the balance of the beads and plan to keep designing for this collection. 

Jamaica Blue.......This necklace features the Chinese crystal, Aqua Terra Jasper in 6 and 10 mm and the sea glass pendants. 
I added a large boro bead from Sea Shore Glass Sea Shore Glass and a pillow square lamp work from Sea of Glass. Sea of Glass
I also added the beach sea glass in the dark blue from my purchase when I first joined the Znet team. Copper chain, a large copper sand dollar, Czech glass, copper spacers and I made a hand forged wire wrapped link and S clasp with jasper. 

Sunny Sea Horse....I hand tied this chunky boho beach necklace with linen cording that looks like leather and combined the fire agate and glass pearls with handcrafted art beads from artists including a Boro Glass bead by Sea Shore Glass, Ceramic by Gaea, a Sea Horse focal from Tesori Trovati, Recycled African Glass, an African Brass bead, wooly wire, bronze wire, brass chain, a brass toggle and brass  beach charms by Vintaj Brass. 

The reverse side of this sea horse focal from Tesori Trovati is has this message
"The waves caress my soul"

By the Sea........This necklace started out a bit simpler and it just kept evolving. I used two of the 

Fire Agate beads and everything else came from my stash. I started with beautiful focal and stoneware beads by Clayworks NHClayworks NH, Miss Fickle Media,  patina chain and toggle link, Wooly Wire, Irish Waxed Linen, Sari Silk, Czech glass, Copper rings, Copper wire.

Sun Shine.......I love the colors in this bracelet. I hand tied with 2 colors of Irish waxed linen the Fire Agate, hand crafted ceramic beads by Gaea, lamp work by Bubby and McGurk, a gorgeous toggle by  Starry Road Studios, A stoneware bead by Clayworks NH, wavy copper disks, a brass fan bead, brass chain  and Czech glass tied on the ends of the waxed linen. 

Bali..... This necklace is using a hand tied silk cording in a light aqua and sand color. I loved using the glass pearls in this design. They gave it beautiful light, I also used sea glass from my earlier purchase from Znet and the jasper beads in both sizes. Czech glass seed beads and brass beads with a bronze toggle. 

Champagne Silk Set ......

in this necklace I hand tied baby blue and sand colored silk cording. I used the glass pearls, brass coins, Czech glass, and bronze toggle. 

I got the idea to make earrings for go with 

this and ended up with a charm bracelet and earrings using the glass pearls. 

The charm bracelet has two of the brass coins, and glass pearls, and Chinese crystal which really added light. Along with Czech glass, rutilated quartz, a very cool double link brass chain connected with a large lobster, and beach charms from Vintaj Brass. 

 The earrings include glass pearls, rutilated quartz and Czech glass on the same color of delicate brass chain as the bracelet. 

 

The Reef ......I looked at the beads left on my tray and decided to make another set. These gorgeous stoneware focal, beads and buttons by Clayworks NH has been in my stash for too long just waiting for my inspiration. I hand tied it with two colors of Irish waxed linen and included  ceramic beads by Gaea, the 

Aqua Terra Jasper and brass coin bead. 

 The bracelet has a stoneware button bead by Clayworks NH and the Aqua Terra Jasper and Gaea ceramics with Czech glass and a Vintaj chain, lobster and Vintaj Brass starfish. The earrings feature stoneware beads from Clayworks NH and a mat colored crystal, along with the glass pearls and Czech glass on copper chain with a Vintaj Brass sea horse. 

As you can see I had a bit of fun with these beads. I love the challenge of seeing how many ways I can take a bead into a beautiful design. Please check my etsy shop En La Lumiere to find these listings and many more beach designs including sea glass from Znet shows. 

Thank you to Bill at Znet and Hope Smitheran of Crafty Hope for organizing this project. 
Be sure to check out Znet Shows at Znet Shows

I love hearing what you think of my designs. Have a wonderful July. 

July is finally here. 

This is my birthday month, and not only my birthday, but the 4th of July. A very important day for our country. I remember on the nations bi-centennial birthday back in 1976. I was 25 and  the nation turned 200 years old. My birthday has always been about fireworks for me and my family and a celebration for the country.

The time just flies and I have lived a very interesting life since then. I watched my sons both get married and give us 5 grandchildren. We received news that another baby is coming to our family in Oregon in December. Those of you who know me, know how much we love our family.

We have lived in CA, Oregon and Tennessee. During my life I have worked several interesting jobs including sales rep and manager in the gift industry for years and sales coordinator and marketing in our family business. A total of nearly 38 years in the work force.

Several years ago I started beading. This year I took my jewelry business to new places by opening an Etsy shop, becoming active on facebook and now blogging.  This has opened new doors for me and Mike and I have met some wonderful new friends. Some I will never meet in person and some I have been fortunate to spend time with.

This month I not only celebrate my birthday but I was chosen to be featured as the Designer Highlight for Bead Trends. I remember the day I received the email in January. I was so completely honored.  I immediately began my process of choosing materials for my designs. My dear friend Amanda sent me a box of her handmade boro lampwork glass beads to choose from. I was so excited, I immediately took it to my favorite bead shop,  Beads on Main here in Vacaville to choose very special beads and components to go with my own stash. I spent the next month designing the pieces for this issue. The hardest part was to keep this a secret.

What a birthday gift! I want to thank Mike, Amanda, Dave and Jessica for the support in this project. I want to thank Tatia and Bead Trends for their interest in my designs.

To celebrate I am posting a special sale in my shop. Code BT420 for 20% off all of my designs. July 1 through July 7.  I am also hosting a special designer bracelet giveaway. See details and help me build my followers on this blog.

Happy July 4th to all my friends.