Digital Bead Magazine - Edition 4

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort"  ... Franklin D. Roosevelt

This quote couldn't be more apt for where I am in my creative process and the goals and challenges I had set out for myself this year.  I am blessed to have been given some fabulous opportunities and to have wonderful creative and passionate people who share my life and give me the support and encouragement to enjoy the simple things such as embarking with an online seller (Etsy) salivating over new bead releases and of course creatnig new designs for publication.

This leads to the subject of this post - I am thrilled that I am now a part of the Digital Bead Magazine's community and will also be a regular contributor to this awesome magazine.  It is a relatively new magazine and already has featured some of the world's best designers. 

For this edition I designed the "Solace" loomed cuff project.  The design evolved whilst someone close to me was hospitalized due to illness and then passed away.  The designing process gave me so much comfort and my  colour choices reflected the beautiful person he was.  Click on the link to get a sampling of what Digital Bead Magazine  has to offer - you will quickly be as hooked as I am!

Wedding Collection - Part 2

Last week I featured a recent commission for three bridesmaid cuffs.  I thought I would share with you the brides cuff as well as the earrings I made to compliment the ensemble.

The bride is wearing a comb/headpiece in her hair with oval shapped diamontees and pearls, so I sourced out some vintage montees complimented with Swarovski pearls to loom as the central point of the brides cuff. 

The earrings I designed for the bridesmaid is an Ellad2 design. 

The wedding is later this month, so I look forward to sharing pictures with you of the wedding party wearing my designs.

Design:  Caron Michelle
Technique:  Erin Simonetti Warp Management
Materials:  Swarovski Crystals, Swarovski Pearls, Miyuki Delicas, Miyuki Round

YOJ - Week 6: Embrace

"Manifest plainness, embrace simplicity, reduce selfishness, have few desires. ..." ~ Lao Tzu

The Year of the Jewelry (YOJ) challenge for week 6 is Embrace which has been defined as

"... something can mean to hug it, or to receive or accept it willingly, as in embracing a new idea or an opportunity, to adopt or to take in with the eye or the mind, to encircle, surround, or enclose, or to include or contain. (dictionary.com)"

My interpretation of this weeks challenge is to embrace a new idea or opportunity - I bought some Czech Spikes late last year and have been waiting for an opportunity to incorporate them in a loomed design. It is a design idea I have been playing with and was happy to see it come to fruition.

This is the result - what do you think?

The Year of Jewelry Project - Week 1 - Renewal

True to my word, my first challenge I have set myself for 2013 is to complete as many weeks as I can of The Year of Jewelry Project.  I had entered previously but failed miserably.  There is so much talent amongst this years participants, I look forward to personally challenging myself to meet the challenge of the week.

For week 1 the challenge was renewal.  My Phoenix cuff is the epitome of renewal - rising from the ashes to obtain new life.  The pendant on the cuff was my inspiration and has gained new life to be enjoyed once again.

On the loom ...

Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love ...

Welcome to 2013!  This is the year of the challenge ... I have so many new things I want to try - off loom/free form projects - looming projects, earrings, pendants, metal clay projects, resin, tatting - the list goes on.  I have signed up for a few bead challenges that are taking place within some of the wonderful bead groups that I am a member.  But most importantly - I am challenging myself to come up with some new designs on the loom.


So what are your challenges this year - love to hear your thoughts - add what you will be doing to the comments section  :)

To start the year - here is a teaser of a cuff that is currently underway ...

Emerald Isle

"We will watch the sun set again many times - and perhaps we'll see the Emerald drop, the green flash that brings good fortune ..."  ~ -Jean pseudonym of  Ellen Gwendolen Rees Williams Rhys (Wide Sargasso Sea pt 2)

A few weeks ago, I showed you a colour swatch containing vintage emerald montees.  The cuff is now complete (including unique detail on the reverse side to compliment the overall design).  The vintage beads are spectacular - the colours of this cuff just shimmy on your wrist! This is ready for that special occasion or with Christmas coming up - stand out in the crowd! 

Design:  Caron Reid of Caron Michelle
Materials:  Vintage Emerald Baguette Montees. Swarovski Crystals, Miyuki Delica and Toho Seed Beads.
 Technique: Erin Simonetti

Black Magic

"That old black magic has me in its spell ... that old black magic that you weave to well ... "  Johnny Mercer

Keeping with the theme of the day - this is my latest cuff using a combination of matt beads, the texture is raw but still keeps the slinky feel of my other loomed cuffs. To complete the piece an ivory pendant was attached.

Design:  Caron Reid of Caron Michelle
Materials:  Miyuki round beads, Miyuki Delicas, Tila, Swarovski Crystal
Technique:  Erin Simonetti Warp Management technique