Spring Dragonfly Necklace, Artbeads and BOC

Well, Spring is here and I'm pregnant! New beginnings all around! Life is just starting anew outside my window. The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, the grass is green and small buds are starting to appear, all while I have a new little life growing inside me, as well. The meaning of Spring seems so much more significant to me now than ever before! What better way to celebrate than to make some pretty jewelry, eh! I've designed the above necklace with my all-time favorite dragonfly pendant.

 I've always admired the dragonfly for their grace and beauty. There's something about them that just draws me in. The clean lines of their body and wings, their vibrant colors, the way they flitter by and their wings shimmer in the sun. Whatever it is, I just love them and as you've seen, they appear in my work frequently.  I've heard the dragonfly represents change and transformation. I thought, this is the perfect symbol for Spring and also for all the changes going on in my life right now.

I created this colorful, Spring-inspired necklace piece with my own handmade porcelain dragonfly pendant and supplies I recently recieved from Artbeads.com. I love the selection that Artbeads carries. I consider myself some what of a 'bead sob' and finicky bead shopper. I always find something I want to work with at Artbeads! Here are the elements from Artbeads.com that I used in the  necklace above:

6x9mm Olvine Jade Faceted Ovals from the Gemstone Section
8mm Turquoise Druk Glass Rounds from the Glass Bead Section
5mm Red-Glazed Porcelain Roundels from the Ceramic and Porcelain Section
3mm Seamed Copper Rounds from the Copper Bead Section
Med. Hammered Copper Toggle Clasp from the Copper Clasp Section
No.6 Silk Bead Cord in Carnelian from the Fibers Section

Also, if you are interested in my Dragonfly Go-Go Pendant, I have a few listed in my shop. In addition to that, if you would like a chance to WIN one of these pendants, you can enter the Beads-Of-Clay Color Scheme Challenge going on right now!!! I have donated one of my dragonfly pendants as a prize for the current Neutral Color Scheme Section of the challenge. There are also some great prizes by other BOC artists as well! The Neutral Color Scheme Challenge ends April 16th. You don't what to miss it! Go to the BOC blog by clicking on my links above for full details on how to enter the challenges! Good Luck! Happy Spring, everyone!



Disclaimer: Artbeads.com has sent me the above mentioned beads and/or findings to create with as apart of their design partner blog program. I have not been paid by Artbeads.com to participate. Thank you.

More Publication News

www.stringingmagazine.com 

A few of my ceramic leaves can be seen in the current Spring issue of Stringing Magazine. Pretty porcelain leaves are main components in another fabulous Andrew Thornton design called Spring Awakening!

Also, I recently found out that some of my porcelain jewelry components have been selected to be featured in the annual special issue of Beads 2010 coming out this Spring! More on that soon, so stay tuned!

Featured Designer: Lorelei Eurto

Happy Spring! I'm starting to feel the spring fever kicking in and these flower bracelets by Lorelei are really getting me going! It brings me so much joy to see my handmade pieces in the work of talented people like, Lorelei. I truly appreciate that she and others choose to use handmade elements in their own creations. Her and other artists like her, is what keeps me going and keeps me motivated to create!

Lorelei Eurto is an accomplished jewelry designer, who's designs can be seen in some of the top beading magazines, such as Bead Style and Stringing to name just a few. These flower bracelets are a very popular design in Lorelei's line of jewelry. I can see why, this bracelet is one of my favorites! These bracelets feature my own handmade ceramic leaf charms. I love how my leaf dangles down, accenting the beautiful daisy connector focal by fellow ceramic artist, Mellisa of Chinook Jewelry. This bracelet design is earthy, fun and perfect for Spring!

Lorelei is offering a chance to win one of her signature flower bracelets on her blog. In return, she asks that you pass along the word of her giveaway in a manner of your choosing, of course! You will definitely want to check out this opportunity! Go directly to her post here! While you are visiting her blog, click over and check out her online shop too. Or go directly to her shop here. She adds new jewelry designs daily. She has some great jewelry currently listed and quite a few pieces are on Spring Clearance! Thanks for looking and thank you for supporting handmade!