Around the World: a Necklace Round Robin - the Flight continues

I am sure most of you have already read the beginning of the story of our necklace Round Robin. If not, please visit Cindy at Sweetbeadstudio for the first post and Sharon at Livewire Jewelry for the second post about this project that spanned two continents and an ocean, resulting in 5 necklaces, 5 journals and 5 hearts connected in the most incredible way.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Round Robin sisters - Cindy, Sharon, Esther and Véronique - for giving me the gift of their friendship, their talent and their time. You girls just rock!

It is not so easy to follow Cindy and Sharon - both had such wonderful words to describe this adventure. And believe me, it was an adventure. Being able to hold something one or more of these talented ladies had made was humbling. It was challenging. It was exhilarating (it was also addictive, but don't tell anyone I told you...). It pushed me out of my comfort zone every time. So - it was an adventure in the very best way.

I had decided early on that I wanted to make a journal to accompany my necklace. Not that I had ever done anything like that before. I almost didn't get finished on time. I didn't have a theme for my necklace - I put together a few things that I liked - a resin connector, an etched copper piece and linked them with copper and pearls and beads in green. I have a serious attraction to green. Just sayin'. I made a pouch to hold my necklace and sent it off to Esther, who was to work her magic on it.

As you can see - aside from the incredible beauty my sisters created for this necklace - they also fed my addiction. So much luscious green! The single components of this necklace still blow me away!

Pages in my journal - created by Esther

created by Cindy

created by Sharon

created by Véronique

Since Véronique is, unfortunately, unable to join us in blogging about this project at present - I thought I would share a bit of this second part of the adventure on her behalf, as I was the first to add to her necklace.

Her necklace piece blew me away - and challenged me greatly. She has a completely different style. I decided to focus on the colour and take it from there. Since Véro didn't make a journal to travel with her necklace - she created something like a cabinet card with the information on the back - I decided to start one for her and incorporated her card into it.

My addition to Véronique's necklace

Esther will be showing more of Véronique's necklace tomorrow - so stay tuned!

Sharon's necklace was next. Totally different again. Blown away again. Her theme was Earth and Sky.

Which brought a favorite quote from Khalil Gibran to mind.

A piece of raw Baltic amber, made into a dangle.

My addition to Sharon's necklace.

Her journal and the pouch I sewed for her necklace.

Then, Cindy's necklace arrived.  And - yes, you guessed it - I was, again, blown away. Of course, you all know I am a flea market junkie, so this piece really resonated with me. I immediately knew I would create a resin connector from a vintage rhinestone buckle I found at the flea market. It was just perfect, because I knew Cindy loved rhinestones.

My addition.

An additional page I created in her journal, to connect to her Sentimental Journey theme. 

Next up was Esther's necklace. A masterpiece. But you are going to have to wait until tomorrow to see it - when she will be posting on her blog Mes illusions baroques. Don't miss it.

As Cindy has already mentioned, we are all incredibly honoured to be in the Belle Armoire Jewelry issue this winter. I haven't seen the article yet. But I am truly honoured to be published in this magazine. And Cindy, thank you for all the work and effort you put into getting us there. You know we love you!

In order to celebrate, I will also be having a little giveaway. A couple of my resin pieces, some silver plated vintage beads and dangles and a vintage rhinestone buckle, as seen in the above photo. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. A winner will be announced on Thursday.

Thank you all for sticking with me through this long post and for your interest in a project that was truly out of this world.

Monday S word blues and more Round Robin news

This morning I had to deal with this. It is that s word again. 

And anyone that wants to tell me how lovely it is - please leave your address, so I can have it forwarded to you.

It continued to snow all day. We have had between 5-6 inches and the temps will dip down to about -8°C during the night, so there will be an ice crust underneath tomorrow. As you can imagine, driving was such a great experience today.

But - I have other news. Much more lovely than snow. Please hop over to my friend Sharon's blog to read more about the Around the World Necklace Round Robin! You can also click on the links on the right column.

Sunday flea market

It is so cold, I bet even the fleas are freezing. But although the temps will not rise above freezing today, the streets are clear and dry, so off to the flea market we went. Apparently, many of the sellers must have followed the birds south, because there wasn't a big turn out. But it was very enjoyable - with lots of interesting things to see  - and some pretty neat things to bring home.

 First, I found a couple more of these little amber pieces. And a tiny carved bone rose.

Then I found this leaf shaped brooch with this gorgeous patina. 

More rhinestone buckles.

 Some huge crystal chandelier prisms - these are about 4 inches long!

 Some bundles of fine silver coloured chain, which was probably intended for sale by meter; and some strings of beads. I thought they were mother of pearl, the seller said they were glass. I am not quite sure, will have to give them a good looking over.

This neat little machine is a rivet/eyelet press from the workshop of a shoemaker. Still in working condition, just needs some clean up. Tools are amongst my favorite finds at the flea market.

After two hours, I was frozen through and ready to head for home. I hope everyone is having a cozy Sunday.
Oh and if you have time, please head over to Cindy's blog today - for some news about our Around the World Necklace Round Robin.

The dreaded S-word

This is what greeted me when darkness lifted this morning. Winter is here, seriously.

It kept snowing all morning. It won't last, but they are predicting a drop in the temperature. Meaning we will be looking at a high of 1-2° C (thats 33° for you Fahrenheit people). I won't even tell you what they are predicting as a low temperature. 

I sewed this heart pouch to use as a "gift wrap" for a necklace. It was fun to do some sewing for a change of pace. Now I have to get back to the jewelry - I have to finish some commission work. 

Hope you are all enjoying your long weekend.

November Challenge Art Bead Scene

I have wanted to get involved in more of the challenges that are being issued in the blog world. When I saw the inspiration for the November Art Bead Scene challenge, I knew I had to get to work.

 Tree of Life, Stoclet Frieze, 1909

Gustav Klimt 1862-1918

I apologize for the poor quality of these photos, but it is cold and rainy, 

there just wasn't any light today. Seems we spent the whole day in twilight.

Sunday flea market and other things

This weekend the weather is just glorious. The sun is shining and it is very mild for this time of year (I seem to recall there were days this summer, that were colder...). They are predicting a real drop in the temperature this coming week, so it was doubly enjoyable to wander over a couple of flea markets today.

This little photocopied catalogue is full of interesting drawings.

Some inexpensive tools to use for texturing my metal.

A vintage carved horn rose.

Some more colourful thread for my stash.

Beautiful antique buttons of metal and glass. A really good find!

Max gave me this wonderful patchwork embroidered jacket yesterday.

A sneak peak of something I am working on at the moment.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday!

This time I did it myself

Okay, I just put together my first treasury on Etsy. The last time I tried, back when I was new to Etsy, treasuries were limited and you had to try and jump in when one expired. Which was usually exactly when you had no time or no business being on the computer. Now, the treasuries are no longer limited and everybody can make one. So - I thought I would give it a try. This is it.

For a closer view, just click on it.

Front Page!

This treasury made the front page of Etsy yesterday!!!!
Congratulations, Julie! I am so thrilled!!!

Sunday - without a flea market, but in a treasury

It is raining and there is not an interesting flea market scheduled for today. Besides that, two of my cats are ill and I have been seeing the vet quite often...

I have been so lucky as to have been included in a couple of new treasuries.
A pair of my earrings were included by Julie of Mermaiden Creations in the Otherworld. Thanks so much, Julie!
One of my dragonfly wings necklaces was included by Idounik. Thanks so much!
And thanks to Keirsten of the Cerebral Dilettante, I can even show you. Thanks for the how to, Keirsten!

And here are the treasuries:

Hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday.

Autumn

It is a grey blustery autumn day. The wind seems determined to tear the last of the leaves from the trees. I thought I would share a couple of photos I took in the garden and just down the road.

Can you see how the wind is blowing through the hasel?

Tried to get a good photo of these rose hips, but the wind just kept moving them around.

Just autumn goodness.

The pear tree is already bare, save for a few stray hasel leaves, caught in the branches.

No words needed.

The birch is still clinging to the last leaves.

The woods look dark and somber, the hops gardens are empty.

 This really looks like November, doesn't it?

Kiki joined me down at the field.

The last rose.