MJM Jewelry Designs

Saturday, August 25, 2012

And the crowd cheers...

Well, I guess the crowd in my head cheered because it's that time of the year again!

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!
The kids are heading back this coming week and I couldn't be more thrilled.

The kids, however, not so much.

But it's been a long summer, they have done SO many things. We've spent endless time outside and they all have lots of memories and stories to tell all their friends when school begins again.

In honor of this most festive occasion, I am having a sale in my Etsy shop!

20% off everything in the store!

The coupon code is BACKTOSCHOOL2012

Some of my favorite pieces are in there just waiting for new homes. I'd like to make room for some new things that I've been creating. And I'm on an earring kick. So more earrings should be posted throughout the week next week.

So take a few minutes and stop by the shop, have a look around. I don't have these sales often, so if you see something you like, I'd grab it fast. Remember, most of my pieces are One of a Kind, so you probably wont see it again.

Back to school means more time for designing! I always say that, but I'm really trying to take advantage of the time that the house is quiet and it's just me... and the beads. :)

Friday, August 10, 2012

Bead Soup Reveal!

Well the day has finally arrived! It's my turn to reveal my bead soup!

My partner this time around was Martha Aleo, and she sent me some very cool beads to work with.

I thought for a while on what I should do with these beads and I wanted to try something that I am not all that accustomed to making. It ended up being a multi strand bracelet with different beads...no symmetry. Which is not like me all! I generally like things all neat and tidy and the SAME, but as I grow as an artist, I have found that things can be just as beautiful in an asymmetrical way.

Here is what I came up with:

I wanted to use a little bit of everything she sent me. I used the beautiful lampwork glass beads on one strand, found some black Swarovski Pearls that matched the circles, and put Swarovski Crystals inside each one, and used some of the green tube beads. The third strand is actually a piece of black chain that I had left over from my last beads soup with Pam Ferarri! It was perfect and completed this multi strand bracelet exactly as I wanted it to. I used her handmade clasp as well, and I'm really happy with how it turned out!

I also made a matching pair of earrings:

Using the rest of the lampwork beads and some of the black clay disks that she made, I love how these came out! I love my dangles, and these are great!

I have a ton of materials left over, and had all intentions of creating more, but kind of ran into a snag this past week. I had some water damage on the roof of the back room on my house and unfortunately when I started tearing into it, it turned out to be so much worse than I could have ever imagined. I've been in rebuild mode all week and have had to devote all my time to that and keeping my house together! I'm so glad I got an early start and was able to get what I wanted made for the reveal! Now I have a great stash to continue to creating with for some time to come!

Can't wait to see what Martha designed with what I sent her! Let's go check it out together now...

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to visit the rest of the participants on this reveal date, they are listed below!

Thanks Lori for another fun event!!

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Adlinah Kamsir, Dream Struck Designs

Adrienn Lukacs, Raszputyin Designs

Agata Grygiel, Cytherea Bijoux

Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade

Amy Dickerson, Damyjo Designs

Amy Schmidt, Amy's Treasure

Amy Severino, Amy Beads

Ana Krepel, Cat's Pajamas, Dog's Tuxedos

Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey

Andrea Trank, Heaven Lane Creations

Anke Humpert, Anart Island Studios

Ann Rishell, My Critical Eye

April Grinaway, Brooklyn Bead Goddess

Ashley Bunting, Miss Ashely Kate

Astrid Boyce, Astrid Boyce Beads

B.R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem Studios

Barb Fernald, Barbara S. Fernald Jewelry

Barbe Saint John, Saints and Sinners

Beata Benkone Meggyesi, Beahobbi

Brandy McNair, Bella Vita Handmade Jewelry

Bryna Lumb, Bryna's Bead Box

Carmen Lau, Little Maketto

Cate van Alphen, Fulgorine

Cathie Carroll, Cathie Carroll's Studio

Cathy Khoury, Touch Jewelry

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads

Collette Collins, Fire Fly Myst Artisan Jewelry

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons

Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures

Deana Hager, Just Deez'Art & Life

Debbie Davis, Natural Treasures by Deb

Debbie Phenes, Deb Joy Sing

Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That

Dhea Powers, Java Bead

Diana Welte, Lilyweeds

Dita Basu, alankarshilpa

Dorota Zeranska, gdymamczas

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eleanor Snare, The Magic Square Foundation

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Ema Kilroy, Ema K Designs

Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant

Eva Sherman, Eva Sherman Designs

Evie and Beth McCord, EB Bead and Metal Works

Francy Inman, Francy's Studio

Ginger Bishop, lilmummy likes...

Giorgia Rossini, Jo in Wonderland

Ine Vande Cappelle, Jewels by Ine

Iveth Caruso, Creative Atelier

JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions

Jackie Ryan, Kydo Jewellery

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Jelveh Jaferian, Jelveh Designs

Jenna Tomalka, Twin Birch Studio

Jenni Connolly, Jenni's Beads

Jennifer Van Horn, Jennifers Jewels and Junk

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Johanna Rhodes-Nash, Fire Phoenix Creations

Joyce Blair, Bent Wire West Coast

JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin

Karen Vincent, Swallow Tail Jewellery

Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads

Kayla Potega, The Eclectic Element

Kim Dworak, CianciBlue

Krafty Max, Krafty Max Originals

Kris Lanae Binsfeld, Cherish Designs by Kris Lanae

Kristen Latimer, MJM Jewelry Designs

Kumi Fisher, Malie Kai Designs

Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Leslie Wayment, AA Beads & More

Linda Florian, Lilys of the Valley Jewelry Creations

Linda Murphy, Bonita Bead

Lisa Johnson, Whimsey Wonders

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Lisa Sittniewski, Love, Yesterdays

Lois Moon, Que Onda, Q'Town?

Lola Surwillo, Bead Lola Bead

Lorelei Eurto, Lorelei's Blog

Lori Bowring Michaud, Artfully Ornamental

Lori Callahan, Dancing Wire and Beads by Lori

Lori Finney, Using My Beads

Marcia Dunne, The Alternative Foundry

Margareta Saari, Mags-koruja

Maria Horvath, Horimarika Beads

Marian Hertzog, M's Place

Mary Ellen Parker, BeeTree by m.e.

Mary K McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

MaryLou Holvenstot, time2cre8

Martha Aleo, Ornamento

Maybeline Tay, The Jewelry Larder

Megan Collins, Churchy & Her Sailor

Melissa Meman, Art. Life. Love.

Melissa Mesara, One-Eared Pig Beads

Melissa Muir, Kelsi's Closet Jewelbox

Paige Maxim, Paige Maxim Designs

Pam DeBoer, Purple Notes from the Studio

Pam Farren, re-maker

Pam Hurst, Pam Hurst Designs

Patricia Handschuh, The Color of Dreams

Patty Miller, CabariBeads

Penney Klapoth, Faerie Acres

Regina Santerre, Regina's Writings

Rhea Freitag, starrgazer creates

Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle

Sabine Dittrich, PerlenDschungel

Sandra McGriff, Creative Chaos

Sandra Neights, Petalo Azul

Sandra Young, It's a Bead Life!

Sara Oehler, SoftFlex Girl

Saturday Sequins, Saturday Sequins

Shanti Johnson, Sunshine Bliss

Shari Replogle, Plays With Paper

Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads

Stefanie Teufel, Stefanies Sammelsurium

Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Tania Spivey, Moobie Grace Designs

Tanya Wiles, Tenebrous Hollow Studio

Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures

Tina Holden, Polymer Clay Bytes!

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Tracey Nanstad, A Beadiful Mess

Tracy Choy, BumbleBeads Designs

Valerie Norton, Hot Art

Saturday, July 21, 2012

My soup went from simmer to sizzle!

My last photo of my bead soup beads was horrible, I admit it. But I took it quick and rushed. This one is better, although still inside as we've had rain for the past two days and it's dreary out.

It had to be taken now because an idea needed to be played with. I had been thinking about what I wanted to do with these beads. The colors are pretty, right up my alley. I was having trouble with the clasp, as it's a full two inches in length. So I've been playing...

And although my reveal date isn't until August 11th, I've finished my designs!

They have been photographed as well and now you'll all just have to wait!

Can't wait to see what Martha is doing with what I sent to her, and of course what everyone else is doing.

This is such a fun challenge!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Time to get creative...

I received my Bead Soup from my partner, Martha Aleo of Ornamento.

She has a much better picture of these on her blog, but I took these quick in an effort to get them posted! She has handmade the majority of these beads herself including the clasp. And if you recall, my two favorite colors are green and purple! I already have lots of ideas swirling around in my brain on what I'm going to design with these!

Speaking of swirling...

I love this photoshop filter! This is a swirl of what I sent Martha to design with! I gave her a little bit of some of my favorites so I can't wait to see what she comes up with!!

Going to enjoy the rest of this beautiful weather this weekend! More new things coming this week! I have some new lariat necklaces heading to Salon Odette in Middlebury. Photo's below. And I'm working on some more memory wire bracelets. Love those!

More new things coming!! Stay tuned!!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Soup ideas!

I received my bead soup from Martha Aleo the other day and I'm excited to show you what I received! Photos coming in a bit, taking them now!!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Getting ready...

I'm getting ready already for the Bead Soup swap, I have several different things that I'm pulling together. I just have to wait and see who my partner will be! It's always so much fun to participate in this and I get to meet so many new beady friends.

School is winding down here and soon the kids will become a full time job again for me over the summer. I have lots of activities planned for them and beading time scheduled for me so it will hopefully be good for all of us. I'm looking forward to staying in my PJ's a little longer each morning for sure! :)

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Can't Wait!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Mothers Day SALE!

I've just listed a ton of new jewelry in the shop, just in time to select something special for Mothers Day! Take 10% off everything up to $50 and take 20% off everything over $50. Plus FREE Shipping and Handling.

From now until May 4th.

Click the link below to be brought right to Etsy!

MJM JEWELRY DESIGNS

I know my mother would like almost all of the new items I've just listed. :)

Happy Shopping!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Loving the Sunshine!

It's been a creative week even though the kids are on school vacation. The sun has been out and so have we. But I still found time to make a few more pretties!

This bracelet is fantastic. I love it! The beads have been hiding in my secret stash box just waiting for the right accents, which I have found and now it's ready to be shared with you.

"Magnolia"

"Bay Breeze" Earrings. Love these beads and the color combination!

And here are a couple cute little memory wire rings. Summery! I have two of the blue seashell in stock, one of the dragonfly.

More to come! I love being inspired. And it feels really good to be back on track. :)

Friday, April 13, 2012

Friday fun!

Thank goodness it's Friday. The weekend is just about here and the weather is supposed to be nicer so I'm very much looking forward to that! I sat and made a necklace today, and am so pleased with how it turned out! I was looking online to see if I could come up with a name for it, because the colors remind me of Creme Brulee, but there's a beautiful purple in these beads too. So I searched "Lavender Creme Brulee" and I was shocked to see recipe's come up. There is such a thing, and I had no idea! So, that's what I've named this piece!

And there are a pair of matching earrings.

Going to get these tagged and added to Etsy hopefully over the weekend!

On a side note, there was a lot of talk about cows today. No idea why. This morning, there was discussion about how part of this necklace reminded someone of cows and Matt had a field trip today to a local farm and he told me when he came back, as he was eating a cookie, that he got to milk a cow! I immediately thought about how gross that sounded as he was eating a cookie, and asked him if he washed his hands. He said yes, because it was DISGUSTING! I'm not sure I would have been a fan of that either, but I'm so proud of my little man for giving it a shot! And for remembering to clean up his hands before he ate! This is not something he always does without 18 reminders! He makes me laugh, and that's always a good way to start the weekend!

Hope you enjoy yours!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Bitten by a creative bug!

I started organizing my office the other day. It was mass chaos in there. What I found was that I have a ton of great beads that are just waiting to fulfill their destiny! So I sat today, and a little bit yesterday, and started designing. Oh how I've missed it. It is true what they say about absence making the heart grow fonder. Well, I couldn't help myself and I came up with some really stunning pieces! I got outside in the sunshine about 15 minutes before a passing rain shower came and put a damper on things. Although, my pretty pansies that I just planted could use a drink. So, here is what I came up with today. Still trying to name some but I'll get that nailed down soon enough.

"Turning Tides" is a bracelet that was inspired by a good friend of mine.

"Turning Tides" Earrings

"Whispering Waterfall" Bangle Bracelet

Struggling with a name for this next one. The colors are like those found in a cantaloup, but I can't call it that! LOL! Anyway, suggestions? I'm open.

These earrings are similar in color, and I love the sparkle!

And this last pair was a custom order, and they are sold. But they are stunning!!

Going to get these tagged and ready to go either to some local shops to restock or on Etsy, I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I'll be back in my office tonight or tomorrow making more. Stay tuned!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Give away on Lori's Blog!

I have to post about this give away, because it really IS worth it! I've been interested in stamping for a while now, but have not made the plunge to purchase supplies to try it out. But WINNING supplies would be fantastic!

For your chance to win, visit Lori's blog by clicking below!

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2012/04/win-set-of-impress-art-letter-stamps.html

Saturday, March 3, 2012

It's Bead Soup Reveal Day!!

I have been so excited to show off the designs I made with the awesome beads that Pam Ferrari sent me!

Here's a reminder of what I received:

There were so many possibilities that ran through my mind when I opened the package! I knew that there would be enough to make several pieces.

The beads are definitely darker than I'm used to designing with but the colors are out of this world! They remind me of outer space. My sister and I have been coming up with names for the finished pieces and I hope you can all appreciate where I went with the names. They are kind of funny, but fitting for what I saw in the beads and what they reminded me of.

Here we go!

The first piece I made was with the focal bead. It's a LONG necklace made with chain and the beautiful pearls that were sent that coordinated with the colors in the focal bead. This necklace fits right over my head, no clasp necessary. I named it

"To Infinity And Beyond"

I couldn't WAIT to design this next bracelet. As soon as I saw the beads, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. The shape reminded me of the teardrop glass beads that I use in my Chainmaille fringe bracelets. So I just had to make one of those to show off these awesome shaped beads. I accented them with some beautiful Czech glass rondelles and Swarovski Crystals. I called this one

"Defying Gravity"

And last but not least, is the gorgeous bead set and toggle clasp that Pam sent. These beads reminded me of little planets! I incorporated them along with the silver beads into this awesome charm bracelet. I couldn't resist. The colors inside these beads that just pop off the black base are so pretty! I hope you can tell that from the photographs! I named this bracelet "Intergalactic" and for those of you who like the Beastie Boys, you'll now have that song stuck in your head for hours...I did! LOL!

I still have some items left from the great package she sent me, and when I have some more time, I'll try to get creative with those as well. But I hope you like what I have come up with! This was so much fun! I can't wait to see what Pam has designed with the beads I sent her! You should go check out her blog right now!! I know I am!

And for a list of the rest of the Bead Soup Participants, you can click below!

Hostess, Lori Anderson

Special Book Sneak Peeks, Cindy Wimmer

1. Adlinah Kamsir (Singapore) and Hajer Waheed (Kingdom of Bahrain)

2. Adrienn Lukacs (Hungary) and Agata Grygiel (Poland)

3. Agi Kiss (Hungary) and Carolien Muller-Genger (the Netherlands)

4. Agnes Asztalos (Hungary) and B.R. Kuhlman

5. Alesha Conklin and Becki Mendivil

6. Alice Peterson and Carol Dillman

7. Alicia Marinache (Canada) and Dita Basu

8. Amanda Dittloff and Brandy Thomason McNair

9. Amanda Tibbetts and Andrea Trank

10. Amy Freeland and Kay Mallery