The Jenny Monthly Challenge - May Reveal and Giveaway

Here it is, the end of March.

And that means that it's reveal time!

Now, the last week and a half have been a bit of a sick blur (and I'm still fighting some of it off, blah)... but, luckily for me, I actually finished my pieces near the beginning of the month. I'm glad, too, because it means that I fully got to enjoy the beads I was working with!

As a refresher, here are the lovely beads that I chose for my May Monthly Challenge:

Lampwork beads, handmade by the lovely Juls of Julsbeads!
...and this is her photo, too.
I didn't get a photo before I started using them.

And this is what I made!

A necklace!

This beauty is made with Juls' beads, as well as amethyst, dusty rose pearls, and a touch of silver and gunmetal.

And I made earrings, too!

One pair using the last two of the lampwork beads...

...And one pair using the combination of amethyst and dusty rose pearls:

...And now, for the Giveaway! As promised!

For this month's Giveaway, I'm actually offering that second pair of earrings! 

Here's another look...

To win, simply comment on this entry! And please include a way for me to contact you (be it an email, link to your blog, etc.). A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday, June 8th.

...And it's now time for me to make more tea and try to rest (yay tea, boo being sick). 

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Thanks so much for joining me for this reveal! 

Wednesday's Worktable

I'm still sick.

...Ugh.

My work table looks much the same as last week--half finished projects waiting for me to have the wherewithall to work on them.

But, after one too many horrible coughing fits, I have waved the white flag and am letting myself rest... parked on the sofa, covered in blankets, drinking chamomile tea and eating gummi bears while watching documentaries on Netflix.

My couch--the current quarantined sick zone.
...And, yes, those are angry bird plushies. And pillows shaped like books.

I do have a reveal coming on Friday--the one for my Monthly Challenge--which I am looking forward to. My pieces are done, I just need to take pictures. We'll see if I can get off the couch to do that between now and then.

Blerph.

Take care, everyone. Wishing you all good health and pleasant days!

Wednesday's Worktable

There are so, so many things that I need to be working on right now... And I'm behind on every single one.

You see, this past weekend, I apparently caught The Crud. 

My husband caught it, too, and seems to have it a bit worse than I do... he had to go to the doctor on Monday to get an inhaler, because he just couldn't breathe. Me, I'm just sniffly and sneezy and nauseous and horribly horribly dizzy.

Bleh. 

I have incredible respect for those who deal with chronic illnesses... I have a hard enough time with the flu!

So, anyway... on my worktable this week, I have medicine and fancy-schmancy tea, as I bumble my way to productivity and try not to run into walls. (In addition to making it hard to focus and making me sick to my stomach, being dizzy takes away my sense of balance.)

...Here's to hoping I don't glue my hands to my forehead while making hairsticks.

I hope everyone else is staying healthy and well this week!

Wednesday's Worktable

On today's worktable: pearls and crystals, oh my!

Pearls, coated quartz crystals, and Chinese crystals, to be precise.
And red aventurine, for those looking at the small round beads in the top center.

My husband bought me those crystals over the weekend (yes, he's a keeper). When I brought them home, I was pleased to find that their coating's sheen matches those pearls perfectly. So, now I'm experimenting with how to put them together!

But, wait, there's more!

I'm also working on making some custom hair sticks for a lovely Etsy customer...

Two different topper options!
...This is what my hairsticks look like before they are glued, if you've ever been curious.

It's been quite some time since I've worked on hairsticks; I'm trying to get back into the swing of things.

But, wait, there's more!

Because I want to show them off, this is what I worked on over the weekend (and still have strewn about my workspace)...

Pea pod necklaces!

I made these as Mother's Day gifts... I taught myself how to make them on Thursday, and then made a whole bunch of them on Friday and Saturday. I can't decide if I like the messier pods or the more stylistic ones... Either way, though, they are quite fun to make!

Erm, hi Mom!
Don't pay any attention to this.
You definitely aren't going to be getting a package with one of these in it, nosiree. :)

So, that's what my table looks like today--so many different projects! Sometimes my brain goes so fast that it's hard to keep up... And this week is definitely one of those times! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

It's Time to Announce the Giveaway Winner!

And the lucky winner of my April Reveal Giveaway is...

Nobody!

Yep. Nobody. No-one entered April's giveaway, so no-one was able to win the pair of pearl earrings that I was offering. I guess the giveaway information must have gotten lost in the flurry of reveal posts that I made around that time. 

The earrings in question.

Ah well, no matter! Now I just get to decide what to do with them. (Sell them? Keep them? Give them to someone I know? Offer them as part of a giveaway for my May Challenge Reveal? Oh, the possibilities!)

In any case, I just wanted to follow up with it--since I did say that today would be when a winner would be announced.

And now, it's time for me to go finish up some presents that I'm making. (Pictures may come next week, if I remember to take/post them.)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wednesday's Worktable

Just a quick little post for today's worktable!

I'm actually in between projects at the moment... I haven't started work on this month's challenge yet, and I'm still resting from last month's flurry of activity.

Still, I started playing around with these components today...

Chinese crystals and leaf charms--a happy combination!

Will I make earrings? Hairstick dangles? A necklace?

Ah, the possibilities!

...And now to go do some cleaning around the house. These lovelies will be waiting for me when I'm done, as a reward for being productive.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday!

The Jenny Monthly Challenge - May Edition

So, I've been thinking... 

Recently, my monthly challenges have involved making lots and lots of things. I've used pearls and boxes of beads, I've made bracelets... Simply put, I've been super productive. 

And, while I really enjoy making lots and lots of things, I think I need a bit of a break.

For May's challenge, then, I'm going to do something simpler--but no less awesome. You see, I recently joined a Facebook group where you can bid and buy handmade lampwork beads... And I was able to buy a set made by Julsbeads, one of my favorite artists ever.

Just look at these!

This is not my photo!
Instead, this is courtesy of Juls herself, taken from the online listing.
...I forgot to take a picture before I started creating with them. *grin*

Aren't they gorgeous?!

My May challenge, then, is simply going to be to make something with them... because they are awesome and lovely, and need my full attention. (And because they are mine, all mine, my precious! Er, ahem, because I like them. *grin*)

So, if you want to see what I make with this lovely set, come back on Friday, May 29th! 

...I hear that there might even be a giveaway on that day, too! It will likely not one of these beads (because I will be loathe to part with any of them), but it will be awesome nonetheless!

---

And, speaking of giveaways, there are a few more days to enter my most recent one! Go here for details!

Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop - Reveal

Hurray!

It's reveal time for the Bead Peeps Swap N' Hop! I've been working hard on my pieces, and I'm thrilled to be able to share them with everyone.

As a refresher, my wonderful partner is Colleen Foley (her blog is here). She completely spoiled me, because this is what she sent to me...

Handmade lampwork beads! A ceramic focal made by Suburban Girl Studios! Pearls! (Yes, she was the catalyst for my recent pearl obsession. *grin*) African trade beads, vintage lucite, sea urchin spines! 

...And I used all of it but the large vintage brass bead. 

I actually ended up making three sets for this reveal. Due to the nature of the pieces she sent me (beads in the colors of sand and tropical flowers, along with a sea shell pendant), I decided to go with a beachy/ocean/water type theme for each one.

So, without further ado, here are the pieces that I made!


Tropical Waters

This set is made with the pearls, the vintage moonglow lucite, the vintage sea urchin spines, and the awesome swirly lampwork beads. It makes me think of golden sands and tropical flowers and the sounds of the gently rolling ocean. 

Speaking of sounds--I love the sound that the sea urchin spines when they clink against each other. It's like a sea shell wind chime. I was very happy to come up with a necklace design that makes that sound when it's worn!

Alaskan Waters

This second set is cooler and more earthy... Instead of the tropics, it made me think of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest--where there is thick forest and pebbled shores. 

For this design, I used the Suburban Girl Studios focal that my partner sent me, and added some things from my own stash--spruce colored pearls paired with ceramic, glass, crystal, and copper. 

I have to say, I really love this color combination!

Pirate Waters

This last set was a whim, because I really wanted to use the African trade beads and the last of the pearls. 

And so, I thought of pirates and sunken treasure, and this set was born!

Strung on black leather, I also added some crystals and an Aztec-flavored glass focal to achieve the look of old treasure. (I had used the large vintage brass bead from my partner in the original version of this design as well, but it wasn't quite what I was going for).

I am really happy with this set--it has a wonderful weight to it, and looks positively opulent when worn. 

So, there you go! Those are the pieces that I made for this blog hop!

Please stop by my partner's blog... As a refresher, this is what I sent to her, and I can't wait to see what she made with it!

And do check out the rest of these awesome artists who are participating in this blog hop... With so much talent in one place, there are sure to be some lovely creations!

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2015  Partner List    Our Hostess: Linda Anderson from http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Marica	Zammit	http://www.beadlovelies.com
Linda	Anderson	http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com
Jessica	Hocutt	https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com
Kristina	Hahn Eleniak	http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Debbie	Jeffries	http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com
Rosantia	Petkova	http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Shalini	Austin	http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/
Catherine	La Vite	http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Annica	Larsson	http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/
Lori	Schneider	http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Divya	N	http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com
Mowse	Doyle	http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com
Fay	Wolfenden	http://torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kathy	Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Claire	Fabian	http://saraccino.blogspot.de/
Janice	Warden Bergeron	http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca
Natalie	Davidson	http://www.northshoredays.com
Deb	Fortin	http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Inge	von Roos	http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Karen	Mitchell	http://overthemoon-design.com
Robin	Reed	http://willowdragon.blogspot.com
Marie	Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Alicia	Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Nan	Smith	http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Johana	Nunez	http://artincendi.com
Kelly	Hosford Patterson	http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Lori	Blanchard	http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com
Sue	Kennedy	http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Shai	Williams	http://shaihasramblings.com
Niky	Sayers	http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Melissa	Trudinger	http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Candida	Castleberry	http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Erin	Guest	http://www.renlish.com
Nicole	Rennell	http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Ien	Temaluru	http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com
Robin	Showstack	http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Sam	Waghorn	http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Marianne	Baxter	http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Elsie	Deliz-Fonseca	http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com
Shai	Williams	http://shaihasramblings.com
Lee	Koopman	http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Jayne	Capps	http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Marti	Conrad	http://marticsclay.blogspot.com
Tina	Bosh	http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/
Eleanor	Thomas	http://woolywireetc.blogspot.com
Jeanne	Steck	http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Gloria	Allen	http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com
Rachel	Mallis	http://www.mintmonarch.com/#!blog/c1jlz
Andrea	Glick	http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Stephanie	Stamper	http://skwds.blogspot.com
Chris	Haussler	http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Betony	Maiden	http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/
Kari	Asbury	http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/
You are here:
Jenny	Kyrlach	http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Colleen	Foley	http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com
Marybeth	Rich	http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Marcy	Lamberson	http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Dyanne	Everett-Cantrell	http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Ginny	Lones	http://www.Skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa	Sharrow	http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Loretta	Carstensen	http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Dolores	Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Michelle	McCarthy	http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Louise	McCormick-Glazier	http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/
Heather	Richter	http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Tammy	Adams	http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Shirley	Moore	http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Seed Beaders
Susanne	Stelljes	http://pearlify.blogspot.de
Sheila	Prosterman	http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Pallavi	Asher	http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/
Jami	Shipp	http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Peggy	Kosier	http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/
Andra	Weber	http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com
Catherine	King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Krafty	Max	http://kraftymax.com
Sierra	Barrett	http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com
Lois	Sherwood	http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com
Katy	Heider	http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com
Rebecca	Robertson   (White)	http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/
Heather	Richter	http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Brandy	Collier	http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com
Stephanie	Haussler	http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori	Blanchard	http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com
Kathleen	Breeding	http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Becky	Pancake	http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Renetha	Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Tami	Norris	https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/
Ginger	Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Peggy	Johnson	http://charmbarn.blogspot.com