Collective Creative Canape Reveal Day

Reveal day is finally here for the Collective Creative Canape blog hop, and I can't wait to see what everyone made.  This has been such a wonderful experience on many fronts.  First and foremost, I've made some new friends and found a wonderful group of jewelry artists.  Thanks so much to Lori Anderson for running the Bead Soup Blog Party and to Keri Sereika for organizing this swap.

I also got the opportunity to work with different materials, including a great polymer focal and clasp made by my swap partner Beth Emery.   And finally, I had my first opportunity to take a concept and design jewelry around that idea. 

Hope

When I received my beads, Beth sent me an inspirational note about how she chose the beads for me with Spring in mind.  You see, Beth lives in Alaska and unlike most of us in the lower 48, Beth will not be enjoying spring weather for awhile.  With Spring as my inspiration, I set about making a necklace that would represent the season.  I used the seed beads Beth sent to make beaded leaves and hung them on the chain with her pretty focal.  I did take the liberty of adding some color to the birds and also added the birds nest and ceramic leaf dangles that were in my bead soup.  The clasp had to go on the front of the necklace, which I've named Hope.

Beth, I "hope" I've done justice to your beautiful polymer focal and clasp.



Beth also included pearls, crystals and some red coral beads that she said reminded her of cardinals hopping around in the snow.  With that in mind, I put together a bracelet that represents snow (pearls), ice (crystals), and cardinals (coral).  I dubbed this piece Snow and Ice.

Snow and Ice

WOW!! I made it through my first swap and can't wait to do another one.  Until next time........

I hope you'll take a few minutes to visit the other blogs that participated in this swap.  Comments are always welcome.


Keri Lee Sereika www.pinklemonade.typepad.com 
Beth Emery www.storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com
Niki Meiners www.nikimeiners.wordpress.com
Karan Parker www.karanskrafts.blogspot.com
Liz DeLuca www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com
Lynne Bowland www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com
Judy Turner www.silver-rains.blogspot.com
Erin Grant www.Erinsjewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Bryna Lumb www.brynasbeadbox.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Linda Youkman www.lindysdesigns.blogspot.com
Carmen Lau www.littlemake.blogspot.com
Cheryl Foiles www.getyourbeadon.com
Kelli Jacobson www.CreativeMoonJewelryAndThings.com
Elena Gianni www.ilmondodipucci.blogspot.com
Tania Hagen www.pelimadesign.blogspot.co.nz
Cindy Muse www.cindyshandworkcrafts.blogspot.com
Stephanie Woods www.skwds.blogspot.com
Lisa Lodge www.pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com