New Rings with Swarovski Crystal Cabachons

Well, well, well.....I have been making these swirl rings for 3 years now. I opened a bead shop exactly 3 years ago. The problem in making these is that you need a large hole rondelle....well, well, well....easier said than to actually find large hole rondelle beads. I have been seeing some of these rings as of lately....then the light bulb goes off....as to why not make my own beads....so I did that about 2 weeks ago
and then last week more light bulbs went off and I decided to try making these with a little bit of a bling added to them. These are the first 3 I have made.....
I am very happy with the results. Maybe it really doesn't take a whole lot to make me happy.....which is really nice.

I WON THESE!!!

I am so excited. I won these great pieces on October 24.
The group I am member of Beads of Clay (BOC) had an open
Studio Blog Event on that day. All of the participants
were in a drawing and these are the pieces I won.
These are the artists and their items they created:
Mushroom - Summers Studio, LeAnn Weih
Leaf - Mary Harding
Dragonfly - Melinda Orr
Oval Tree - Marsha Neal Studio
Noel - Clayworks of New Hampshire, Lisa Boucher

All of these pendants are awesome!!!

YiPPPEEEE GLazed Pieces

This shows my new raised design. I like how the glazes work on the raised designs much better. I LOVE HEARTS!!!!

I have lots of hearts....some with raised and recessed designs. Some have slip that I have made designs then glazed. I am experimenting with slip. I love the look!!! It really is fun playing, experimenting and seeing how something will come out once it is fired. It can truly be a hit or miss!!!! I take lots and lots of notes in my journal whenever I am experimenting. Sometimes things get so hectic and I can be in such a hurry that I notice that I mess up my notes in that I know what I wrote is so NOT CORRECT!!!! My new thing in life is.....NO HURRY, NO WORRY!!!
Why is this so much easier to think than do!!!!

Here they are.....actually...not all of the 257 pieces. I worked Saturday and Sunday to get these items glazed.

BISQUE BEADS

Wow....I was busy last week. These photos show my bisque beads that I made last week. They are made of white earthenware clay and raku. I fired these this past Saturday. I handformed 257 beads and pendants.



This shows my Fleur de lis Beads and Pendants. I have a new raised stamp. I can't wait to see the glazes on this. I have been using mainly stamped designs that are recessed. I think I will like the new stamp with the raised design. I put a glaze firing on today....can't wait to get these out of the kiln. I am still playing with my bumble bee colors. Also, tried some new things with the glazes....anyway...let me keep on task. I also have a larger heart cutter that I have used. Went to Michael's over the weekend and found some wonderful oval cutters and a larger 2" round cutter. Found these in the Cake Decorating section.




Here are some of my BEADS. In the middle look really close and you will see my one and only snowman!!!! I do believe he will be a lonely snowman....he took way too long to make!!! Bet he is gonna be too cute when he is painted.
As I said earlier in my rambling on....I put on a glaze firing today and will get everything out in the morning. I will show some of my new pieces when I get these.

NEW EARRINGS ON ETSY

These are some new earrings I put on etsy.
They are made with my Handcrafted pottery beads.

CLOSING OF OPEN STUDIO EVENT

This concludes our live OPEN STUDIO EVENT.
I would like to thank all of you that participated in this event.
Thanks to Marsha and Mary for all of their hard work.

Please continue to shop all of our BEADS OF CLAY Artisans and
their websites for their specials. The specials will continue
long into the evening although the live Event is now closed.

I will have 30% off my etsy site. Please click on the link to
the right of this post to go to my etsy shop. ----------------------->

My winners of my 2 giveaways are: Tesori Trovati and Colleen
Congratulations to you both. Please send me your mailing address
through my email so I may ship these out to you. gerrysbeadgallery@yahoo.com

Clay Designs by glee website http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayDesignsbyglee
BOC Blog http://beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/

CAKE IN A CUP RECIPE

The winner of my 2nd giveaway is Colleen. Congratulations.
Email me your mailing address and I will get these shipped out to you.
gerrysbeadgallery@yahoo.com



Cake in a Cup

1 Angel Food Cake Mix
2 Boxes same flavor Cake Mix (ex. 2 boxes chocolate) in this recipe
(total of 3 boxes of cake mixes)
Mix these 3 boxes of dry cake mix in a gallon zip lock bag.
To make the cake: Place 1/3 cup of dry mix in a cup with 3 Tablespoons water,
mix well. Place in microwave for 1 minute. That's right.
1 minute. Take out of microwave and top with icing, ice cream,
cool whip or nothing at all. It is hot and yummy all by itself.

Hint: Use cake mixes with lots of flavor. Vanilla and butter flavors are
not as good. Use spice, carrot cake, chocolate, strawberry, etc.
I also tend to add a little more mix and more water. The more water you add
the moister it is and sometimes downright gooey!!!
This recipe was given to me by a friend, Nancy Grandaw, in Wisconsin. Thanks Nancy!!!

BOC Blog http://beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/
Clay Designs by glee Etsy Site http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayDesignsbyglee
30% off on my etsy site until midnight today, Sunday, October 24

2nd Giveaway

The winner of my 2nd giveaway is Colleen. Please
send me your mailing address...it is on its way to you.
gerrysbeadgallery@yahoo.com



We're having fun NOW!!!!
This is my 2nd giveaway. A cross pendant and 2 coordinating beads. This pendant
is made from a mold that I created. The glaze is in a green/blue/brown.
Please leave a comment about this set for a chance to win.

Be sure to go to the participating artists to win their pieces as well.
Beads of Clay blog has the participants http://beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/

Please visit my site until midnight tonight for 30% off on all items
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayDesignsbyglee

Don't miss my next post. YYUUUMMMMYYY Cake in a cup Recipe!!!!

Welcome to My Studio

Wellllll, Actuallllyyy my studio is just about anywhere in
my house. I converted a bedroom into a workshop for my pottery and
jewelry making. Now you ask, "How is that working for me?"
HAHAHA!!! I do use it sometimes. I work alot in front of the TV
in the evenings so I may visit with my husband. During the day
I work at the Breakfast table to glaze the pottery. There are times
I will work in the Bedroom/Workshop on rare occasions!!!
This photo does show the Breakfast table. My husband wants to know
why do I not put it away everyday??? He just doesn't understand!!!!
TOOOO MUCH WORK TO GET IT ALL OUT!!!!

Check out BOC Blog and see all participating artisans.

BOC Website: http://beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/
Clay Designs by glee etsy site http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayDesignsbyglee

1st Giveaway

The winner of my first giveaway is Tesori Trovati. Congratulations!!!
My husband pulled your name!!! Please send me your Mailing address.



This is my first Giveaway for today.
I have a Pendant with glass in terracotta and 8 beads.
Leave a comment on my blog and you might just win this.
Be sure to visit the BOC blog http://www.beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/ to see all participating artisans.
Go to my website to get 30% off all items. Link is to the right of this message.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayDesignsbyglee

Welcome to the BOC Blog Event

Welcome to BOC Blog Event. This should be a fun event for everyone.
Here is a schedule of what is happening on my blog and the BOC Blog.

1:00 Artist Introductions Live Open Studio Event Starts
1:45 1st Giveaway is open....leave a comment to win beads and pendant
2:00 Winner announced of 1st Giveaway
2:45 Welcome to My Studio...or part of it!!!
3:00 2nd Giveaway....leave a comment to win beads and pendant
3:30 Cake in a Cup Recipe...YYYUUUMMMMYYY!!!
3:45 Winner announced of 2nd Giveaway
4:00 Closing of Open Studio Event.
Please continue to shop our websites all evening for our shop
specials.

Please go to the BOC Blog for a list of all participating artisans
http://www.beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/">

Please be sure to go to my website http://www.etsy.com/shop/ClayDesignsbyglee ---> link to the right ---->
where I am offering 30% off all of my items listed here. Prices do reflect 30% off. If you are local and want your items picked up at June Bugs I will refund your shipping fees.

SNEAK PEEK FOR BEADS OF CLAY OPEN BLOG EVENT

Here is your chance on Sunday, October 24th, to join myself and the BEADS OF CLAY (BOC) members inside our studios via our Blogs. All members will be having giveaways on their blogs. You will have the opportunity to leave a message on our Blogs and win great pendants or beads.

Also, every member participating will have specials on their own personal website.
I have not decided on what discount I will offer....but you won't want to miss it.

This event will be Sunday, OCTOBER 24, from 1:00-4:00pm CST
For more information on this event go to http://www.beads-of-clay.blogspot.com/



This photo shows one of my 2 giveaways during this event.
One is a pendant with 8 coordinating beads for you to create your own jewelry.

BUBBA LIKES BEADS

This is our cat "BUBBA". He loves Beads!!!! Actually this is what happens
when he is around and I get ready to work. He has to be in mine or my husband's lap. Today I am taking photos of beads to upload on my etsy site. Well, he can't resist....jumps on the table and wants to play with the beads. He is ONE SPOILED ROTTEN CAT.

NEW FLEUR DE LIS POTTERY RINGS

These are my new Fleur de lis Pendants in a variety of colors.
The rings are made of antique brass. They are adjustable and will
fit sizes 5-9. I can make these in any glaze color you see on my etsy
site. Just let me know.

BEADS OF CLAY OPEN BLOG EVENT

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS EVENT. MORE INFORMATION TO COME.

HEIRLOOM THUMBPRINT NECKLACE

I AM EXCITED TO INTRODUCE TO YOU A NEW NECKLACE I CREATED WITH THE HELP OF A CUSTOMER OF MINE.....KOURTNEY HERRING. SHE WANTED A METAL NECKLACE WITH HER HUSBAND AND SONS NAME STAMPED ON IT AND THEN WANTED BOTH OF THEIR THUMBPRINTS. WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA!!!!
SO HERE IS THE FINISHED NECKLACE!!!! WILL BE LISTING IT ON MY ETSY SITE SOON. PLEASE CONTACT FOR ORDERING INFORMATION.

Jeweled Orb Pendant

Believe it or not......I made these 2 Jeweled Orb Pendants in a workshop on Saturday.
Actually I only made the one on the left in the workshop. Then I couldn't contain
myself so I went home and made another one...the one on the right...that nite.
These are so wonderful to make.
We could not have done this without our wonderful instructor Gretchen Grammar
of Ocean Springs. She specializes in seed bead beading. You may go to her
website and order any of the patterns for all of her wonderful creations.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/silverperchdesigns

Unfortunately, Gretchen's grandfather passed away this past week.
So please keep her in your prayers.

JUST ARRIVED!!!! NEW POTTERY BEADS

Just pulled these out of the kiln yesterday.
Tons of new pottery beads and pendants. I am
getting ready for a gem and jewelry show this
coming weekend in Pass Christian, MS.

New Pottery Bluebird Pendants

I have just recently made these fat little birds.
They are handformed with white earthenware clay.

Jeweled Orb Pendant Workshop

Our next workshop is sceduled for
August 7, Saturday.
Cost: $30 plus supplies
Instructor: Gretchen Grammer of Ocean Springs, MS
Time: 9am class 1pm class
The 9am class has only 2 seats available.

Serpentine Bracelet Workshop

Wow!!! What a wonderful workshop and instructor.
Sat., July 17, Gretchen Grammer of Ocean Springs
came and taught 7 ladies including myself how to
make the Serpentine bracelet. After lots of hard
work, patience (on Gretchen's part) and some
kind words and not so kind words (on our part)
some of us have managed to complete the bracelet.
The bracelet in the photo is one that I completed.
It is made with Mauve pearls, swarovski padparadasche
crystals, and silver galvanized seed beads.

Honeycomb Bracelet Completed

Barbara Carrubba completed this bracelet
in a workshop taught by Gretchen Grammer of
Silver Perch Designs. http://www.etsy.com/shop/silverperchdesigns
Gretchen is from Ocean Springs Mississippi.
She is a self taught bead artist. She
specializes in seed bead work. We will be
having her once a month at my Bead Shop located
in June Bug's Checkered Cupboard on West Canal St.,
Picayune, MS. Check the prior post for more
information on Gretchen's July Workshop.

Serpentine Bracelet Workshop

Date:
July 17, 2010 - Saturday
Location:
June Bugs Checkered Cupboard
120 W Canal St, #B
39466- 4508 Picayune, MS
(601) 798-2226
Time: 10-2pm
Cost: $30 plus supplies*

Taught by Gretchen Grammer of Ocean Springs, Mississippi

New Larger Trinket Trays

Just made some larger trinket trays. The green one is truly one of a kind. I broke the butterfly stamp when I was stamping it!!!! Sometimes it is 1 step forward and 3 back.

Wire Work Earrings

Here are some metal earrings I have been making in the last couple of days.

The Top and Bottom image is Amazonite briolettes, Center is labradorite. All 3 have first been

wire wrapped. Then I have soldered fine silver to make a ring. The left and center images have both been hammered flat then stamped, then patinaed in liver of sulfur to give them a more rustic look. The bottom one has not been stamped or patinaed. It was tumbled to bring it to a brilliant shiney finish.

New Pottery Pendants

These just came out the kiln. An assortment of pendants. Some are my first experiments with glass. I love working with the glass and the color combinations. It adds a little pizzazz to the pieces.