Lucid Moon Studio

Monday, November 28, 2011

Jade Scott Flower Challenge

I was one of the 7 lucky winners of Lorelei's giveaway for a Jade Scott flower headpin! All I had to do was create something with it and share it in a blog hop...not a bad deal at all! I used the awesome turquoise enameled flower headpin that I received to make a simple, but cute necklace.

I attached the flower headpin to a brass filigree flower shape, then wire wrapped an enameled filigree bead by yours truly! I attached it to copper chain and added a copper clasp. Simple, but easy to wear!

I enameled the robin's egg blue bead using Barbara Lewis' Torch Fired Enamel kit...not bad for a first time attempt! I practiced the technique with Barbara Bechtel and Shannon LeVart...if it weren't for them, I might not have ever mustered up the courage!

I have a few enameled flower headpins from Jade Scott that I have been hoarding, so I decided to use one to also make a ring. Lorelei made a ring with one, and I think they are ideal for a ring. I simply wired the flower headpin to a ring blank.

Check out the rest of the participants in the Jade Scott Flower Challenge blog hop!

1. Lorelei Eurto

2. Serena Trent

3. Susan Raber

4. Shawna Tobias

5. Lucid Moon Studio

6. K Hutchinson

7. Gigi- Gigi's pics will be on Lorelei's blog post because she doesn't have a blog.

8. Lois Moon

Three more people have joined in on the fun:

http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

http://mariagrimes.blogspot.com/

http://peacockfairy.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!

http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone got lots of treats and no tricks! I have been lurking in the blog world while I try to settle into my new living space. We sold our house, and we are living temporarily in our inlaw's house while we continue our house hunting. They are not here right now, but will be spending Christmas here. I must say, it was quite an adventure moving out of our house. We are storing about half of our things in a pod while the rest is in the 3-car garage. I definitely don't have room for all my beads and supplies in the house, but they are being stored in the garage so I can still access them. I will probably set up a crafting area in the garage or on the screened porch since the weather in FL is starting to cool off nicely.

I am healed from my running injury and back out running races again. It feels so great to be back! This past Sunday I did the Daytona Beach half marathon. I came in 1st in my age group. The week before that, I ran a Halloween 5K race (placing 1st in my age group as well) dressed in costume, and Mark and Cooper joined in on the fun by volunteering on the course. Here we are before the race:

We ended up winning the costume contest that was held afterwards! Lots of fun :) I hope to be back making jewelry in time for the holidays and will also share my running adventures with you.

*NOTE: I did not mean to add the same photo so many times...I kept trying to add it and nothing would show up, so I kept trying. It only showed one on my end. Stupid Blogger.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Kiln Advice Needed

I need some help from my crafty friends out there! I want to get a basic kiln to try my hand at firing ceramics (I'm thinking beads, pendants and maybe small dishes). I took pottery classes in HS and college and would love to get into it again. However, I have no idea what kind of kiln to get. I found a used one for sale, but I don't know if it is a good one for what I want it for. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to get a used one or not, but it seems like a good deal. Here is what I know about it:

Like new Evenheat model PF 1413 kiln with furniture and full and half shelves. 13" x 13". 230v, 3600w. Internet price for new one and accessories is over $1000. $500 obo. Must go. No reasonable offer refused.

Also, it was bought about 5 years ago and never used. It has been kept in storage and looks new.

I couldn't find a "PF" 1413 model, but there is a model that looks just like this one that is a "HF" 1413 model. Any suggestions for questions I should ask? Your opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Art Bead Earring Swap

Diana of Suburban Girl Studio had the fun idea of putting on an Art Bead Earring Swap, so I jumped at the chance to participate. I was very excited to be paired up with Staci of Staci Louise Originals. She sells her amazing jewelry (LOVE her salvaged sea glass bezel necklaces!) on Etsy here and her jewelry components here, where she sells stuff made with PMC, bronze clay, polymer, etc. I was lucky enough to win one of her giveaways for her butterfly cuff component, and I plan to use it in a bracelet just for me...mwa ha ha!

Isn't the blue patina amazing?

My earrings arrived in this pretty, creative packaging! I love the sewn pouch and pretty ribbons (which I've stashed to use in a future jewelry design!).

Below are the lovely earrings I received from Staci. I forgot to ask her what the charms are made of, but I'm pretty sure it is bronze clay. They are so cool! I love that these earrings are something I can wear every day, and they are the perfect length and very light.