2016 Art Charm Exchange/Challenge

This past year I have been following the newsletter by the AJE team of artists.   One of the team members, Jen Cameron of Glass Additions, has been hosting an Art Charm Exchange for a few years.

Each participant makes 11 themed charms.  1 charm is auctioned off with proceeds donated to a chosen charity.   The other 10 charms are sorted and exchanged by Jen amongst 10 other participants.
The theme for 2016 is Fairy Tales.

Well, that sounded kinda interesting.  I've never participated in a swap like this so I thought I should challenge myself and join in the fun.

The 1st thing I had to do was "dust off" the Blog I had started 4 years ago!   Must have a blog to be in an exchange like this.   That was the first challenge, "add photos" to my blog was a suggestion by Jen.
Another challenge....the photos I take of my work has been just to keep a record, nothing fancy.

It's been interesting, jumping into the blogging world....I'm still learning all the technical stuff.....like, how do I add the groups links to my page?    That kinda stuff.    So here we go........

The words "Once upon a time" stayed with me as I was working out my charm design.   I used my skills in wire work, metalsmithing and glass bead making for this charm.   The words "once upon" are stamped into the hand cut and formed brass disc that tops my glass bead.  I added a crystal rondell and a Swarofski bicone to each charm.   Copper wire is used to for the wire work.
I made all the glass beads one of a kind --a white base with different color frit for each bead and then encased in clear glass.

Stay tuned, the auction information will be announced soon.   With links to the site and info on how you can bid for a charm.

Now check out the rest of the group!

Alenka Obid

Andrea Glick

Angelique Gentry

Brooke Bock

Caroline Dewison

Cassi Paslick

Catherine van Alphen

Charlene Jacka

Helena Hatten

Jen Cameron

Jenny Davies-Reazor

Kathy Lindemer

Leona Smith

Lesley Watt

Lori Anderson

Marianne Baxter

Melissa Trudinger

Michelle McCarthy

Patty Miller

Shai Williams

Sheila Prosterman

Susan Kennedy

Terri Del Signore

Vanessa Gilkes

So we all like to look at photos of others work, right?   I do!  I'd say that's why Pinterest is so popular, lol.   I'll start off with these random pieces....

"Grounded in the Water" Synergy collaboration with Kathleen Robinson.   My wire & metal work & assemblage,  Kathleen's elctoformed glass beads & focal bead.  Lovely piece.

 Simple necklace with glass flower.

 Wire work project I taught.

 A Dallas Lovett class project!  Dallas is a great teacher, I took many of his classes.
His wire work is elegant.

Another necklace project I taught.   You learned how to make your own headpins and form heavier gauge wire & wire wrap beads & weave beads onto the pendant fram.   Good one to complete in class!

I'll add more photos of my work next post.  
It's been a beautiful day here in the Detroit area!   I must sit outside and enjoy....

I have to put together a Bio for the 2016 Charm Exchange and my Guild's Synergy Project, so here is what I have come up with:

I’ve had a love of “playing” with beads since I was a child going through my Mom’s costume jewelry drawer.  I love making making all kinds of jewelry, from stringing, seed bead weaving to metalsmithing, bending wire & flameworking glass beads.   

After retiring from 30 yrs. working in the Automotive Industry, I worked 5 years in a local Bead Store, where I began to teach classes in jewelry making.  I still teach at various venues in the Metro Detroit area.

I continue to take classes and workshops to improve my skills and learn from all the great artists who teach - I want to learn it all! 

I’m an active volunteer of two local guilds.   The Southeast Michigan Glass Beadmakers Guild (SMGBG) as elected Secretary.   Also a member of the Programming Committee for the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild (GLBG).  And the world wide guild,  International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB).

I think doing a Bio is like going to the Dentist!  but it's done!  lol

It's been quite awhile since my last post.   Journaling is something I have to work at!
 
In my post from 2014,  I talked about my daughter's wedding gown.   I've attached some photos.
This gown was a custom design, hand-made by my good friend, Karen Lukianoff for my daughter, Aliisa.   It is awesome!  

My daughter is seeing her dress put together for the first time.    Still more fittings and alterations were to come.   At this point, most of the beading on the lace was done.

 My long time hair stylist, Peggy, doing a trial hairdo with veil prior to the wedding

 The day we received the bridal veil in the mail from Spain!   The groom's aunt made this for Aliisa.  She has a bridal business in Spain.

More details of the veil.   We didn't quite know what it was going to look like, especially the length!  It is beautiful!!

 The tiara I made for Aliisa.   She gave me an idea for what she would like...more like a headband than a crown.  Crystals and pearls.   Looked great in her hair after the veil was removed at the reception.

 Karen at her kitchen table working on the dress.  The dress took over part of the living room and part of the dining room for weeks!

 Bustling the gown and figuring out where the hidden buttons would be.

at work in my "studio" on the brooch bouquet.   Mostly vintage rhinestone brooches I have been collecting for years.   Some brooches from both of Aliisa's grandmothers.   This was a surprise I made for my daughter.  My first time making one of these, but I knew that I wanted to make this for her big day!

 You can see a little of the sparkle of the beads on the dress.   Myself and a group of my Beady buddies worked on sewing 3mm crystal roundels on the lace of the dress.   Karen did the heavy beading on the top of the dress.   We had about a month to work on the beading.   Karen gave us lace panels of the skirt to work on.

 The first time, during alterations, that the veil and gown met up.

 Bridesmaid jewelry I made.   I forgot to take a picture of the Bride's jewelry I made!  I made Aliisa, crystal drop earrings and a pearl and crystal beaded bangle bracelet.

 This velveteen cape with crystal closure, was also made by the Aunt in Spain.

 The wedding was on Jan. 4th, and our church, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Livonia, MI, was still beautifully decorated from Christmas!

 The completed Brooch Bouquet, with pics of the 2 Grandmothers attached!