B’Sue Boutiques Change It Up Blog Hop

September 25, 2015September 26, 2015lilisgems 28 Comments

Welcome to the Change It Up Blog Hop sponsored by Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B’Sue Boutiques. The idea of this blog hop was to use one of the following raw brass pieces from B’Sue Boutiques in a unique way or in a way we had never used it before. In addition the style of the piece should be with a “Vintage Flair”. You can read more about the background here.

Bloghopcollage

I chose to use the first one in the upper left corner(LF09727). I had used this piece before as a focal in a necklace.

With this necklace I used the lovely rose ox finish but for my blog hop piece I used the raw brass. I aged two of the raw brass pieces by soaking in a salt and vinegar solution and then baking them in the oven. This method allows for a lovely rich vintage looking patina. Here are some examples of other raw brass pieces done using this salt and vinegar method:

I of course forgot to take photos of the pieces I cut before making them into jewelry but here is an example using the same leaf focal just in the rose ox finish. I am planning on making another necklace using these in the rose ox finish as well.

What I did:

soaked my cleaned raw brass pieces in salt water and vinegar solution and baked in the oven
cut the focals apart using these shears
sanded and filed the rough edges
sealed the brass with renwax
made jewelry!!!!

Here is what I made:

Using two of the raw brass focals I made a parure. I used vintage glass faceted cabochons in a very pale lavender color. Part of my inspiration was this lovely vintage necklace:

But I was also inspired my some of the old Hollywood costume jewelry designers, especially Joseff of Hollywood. Brooches are in style right now and so are bolder necklaces and long,bold earrings. Here are some more photos for you to enjoy. You can click on the photos if you want to see an enlarged picture for more detail and then hit the back button to come back to the post!

First photo show the necklace, earrings and brooch, then the brooch and earrings together and then just the necklace.

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the others on the list below!

Brenda Sue Lansdowne

Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Mary Deis

The Rose Sword

http://theroseswordmdeis.blogspot.com/

Jann Tague

Clever Designs

https://janntague.wordpress.com/

Lori Beekman

B.Accessorized

https://baccessorized.wordpress.com/

Renee Hong

Fine and Dandy Jewelry

http://www.fineanddandyjewelry.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Wainscott

Exotic Peru Jewelry

http://exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com/

Dana Hickey

Magpie Approved

http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/

Mary Beth Quigley-Spiker

Q Settings

https://qsettings.wordpress.com/

Karen Eaton

KJewelry Creations

http://kjewelrycreations1.blogspot.com/

Shari Gardner

SLG Jewelry Designs

https://slgdesigns.wordpress.com/

Alison Huie

Ally’s Baubles

http://allysbaubles.blogspot.com/

Pamela Anger

Novegatti Designs

http://www.novegattidesigns.blogspot.com/

Carole Carlson

Beadsophisticate

https://beadsophisticate.wordpress.com/

Cindy Peterson

Howling Dog Jewelry

https://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/

Marcia Tuzzolino

Aurora Designs

http://auroradesignsjewelryblog.me/

Charlotte Smothers

Sea Horse Ranch Life

http://seahorseranch.blogspot.com/

Catherine Shattuck

Victorian Rose Boutique

https://vrbrose.wordpress.com/

Clare Wells Nemeth

Papercrafting Magic

http://papercraftingmagic.blogspot.com/

Erin Whitacre

Shattered Time

https://shatteredtimejewelry.wordpress.com/

Lynda O’Mara

Lomara Creative

http://www.lomaracreative.com/

Ginger Hammond

Lynn Leigh Designs

https://lynnleighdesigns.wordpress.com/

Ingrid Anderson **********You Are Here**********

Lilis Gems Artisan Jewelry

https://lilisgems.wordpress.com/

Deb Beechy

Beetique

http://www.beetique56.blogspot.com

Harry Wood

Oscar Crow

http://oscarcrow.blogspot.com/

Delyssa Maxwell

Past Time Fancies

https://pasttimefancies.wordpress.com/

Paula Gaskill

Lovely Layla Bugs

http://lovelylaylabugjewels.weebly.com/blog

Irene Hoffman

Heart’s Dezire by Irene

https://heartsdezirebyirene.wordpress.com/

Alexandra Sefton

Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art

http://wilywolverine.blogspot.com/

Leslie Carver

Adorn Divine Designs

http://adorndivinedesigns.blogspot.com/

Build A Line Challenge from B’sue Boutiques, Lilis Gems Artisan Jewelry, Part Three

March 20, 2015March 20, 2015lilisgems 36 Comments

Please note **you can click on the images to enlarge them if you want to see more detail!*** and then hit the back button to go back to the post.

Wow has the last three months flown by! Not sure where the time went but I sure have acquired some fantastic and useful information during this challenge. The challenge was to create a cohesive and recognizable line of jewelry incorporating the lovely high quality findings from B’Sue Boutiques.

The final reveal is here! I have learned so many things that I had not thought about in depth or instituted prior to this class. Starting with what entails a cohesive line, pricing pyramid, branding and packaging, supply and product inventory and of course marketing. I have worked a bit on each of these before (except perhaps the cohesive line part!) but the discussions and information received really made sense to me. So now to implement! The items I really need to work on are marketing and branding. Here is an example of a box that I would package the jewelry in:

I would like to work on this a bit more.

I will continue creating this line and see where it goes. Here are some of the pieces that will be at the bottom of the pricing pyramid, your impulse buy price points of $20-$50

(Remember you can click on the photos to enlarge!)

Some of the pieces will be one of a kind pieces at a mid price range. They will of course fit in with the other lower level price range/impulse buy range. Here are a few examples of the mid level range about $50-$125.

Here is an example of one of the necklaces and how it works with the other pieces.

(Remember you can click on the photos to enlarge!)

I have shown you most of what I have created for the line. Even if it never goes past this I have enjoyed the experience and have learned a great deal. My goals now are to market, market and market! I don’t have a name for the line and I am not sure if that really matters but something else to contemplate.

I would like to thank Brenda Sue Lansdowne of B’Sue Boutiques for providing me with this wonderful learning experience. I also want to thank all of my class mates for the wonderful ideas, inspirations and support!

One final piece that I finished today March 19! One day before the reveal

Thanks for taking the time to look and be sure to check out the rest of the participants.

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques

Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Marcia Tuzzolino

Aurora Designs

Jann Tague

Clever Designs by Jann

Judy King

Apt to Wander Studio

Linzi Alford

Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales

Cynthia Wainscott

Carole Carlson

Lynn Stinten

Marica Zammit

Catherine Shattuck

Michaele Collie

Mary Craig

Lee Koopman

Erin Whitacre

Shattered Time Jewelry

Monica Casady

MJCasady Copper Works

Leila West

Leila Nicole Designs

Cindy Peterson

https://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/

Leila Belcher

Gloria Allen

Pamela Anger

Tammy Adams

Lynda O’Mara

Elizabeth Hildreth

Dana Hickey

Janet Calardo

Maria Clark

Lori Beekman

Jennifer Kroeger

Amy Jorgensen

Robin Reed

Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs

Ingrid Anderson

Lilis Gems

Louise O’Shields

Desire Divine Jewels

Susan Killam

Killam Creative

Mary Katherine Deis

The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry

Nike Bottalico

Susan Bowerman

Woodside Wireworks

Kristy Le

Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs

Jan Peters

Stylized Vintage

Mitzie Crider

Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog

Gina Hockett

Freestyle Elements

Linda Anderson

From the Bead Board

Alexandra Sefton

Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art

Melida Boman

The Journey of Pens and Things

Teresa Shurter

TreeZ’s Treasurs

Melissa Latimer

Smithed Up

Renee Hong

Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art

Nadine Edris

Moondance Jewelry

Lori Meyer

Parisienne Girl

Jennifer Merrill Williams

Artists of All Stripes

Denise Lussier Poirier

Renee Allen

Autumn Adams

Elizabeth Owens

Kat BarronMiller

Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry

Sandra Ballard

Mama San’s Mojo

Coral Law

ab:coraldesign

Build A Line Challenge from B’sue Boutiques, Lilis Gems Artisan Jewelry, Part One

January 23, 2015February 4, 2015lilisgems 42 Comments

Hi! I am Ingrid Anderson of Lilis Gems Artisan Jewelry. This is the first of three blog hop posts for the Create A Line Challenge from B’Sue Boutiques. The challenge is to create a cohesive and recognizable line of jewelry incorporating the lovely high quality findings from B’Sue Boutiques. The class will last three months! The photo above is what gave me the idea for this new line I am creating. I had made the earrings and ring a few months ago and received many compliments. I love the colors!

I have been designing and creating jewelry on and off since the fall of 2008. At the time I was a high school Biology instructor and would work on the jewelry in my free time. In Jan of 2009 I found out I was pregnant and took a break from creating. I was 41 when my daughter was born in Sept 2009. (yes a late bloomer!) My husband and I decided that I would stay home with her thus I became a stay at home mom! I have loved and still love every minute of being home. So in my free time I still create jewelry and run a small business.Next year she will be in school full time so we shall see what that brings for me.

I tend to do one of a kind vintage assemblage pieces. I then discovered Ice Resin and stamped solder and metal work. So my “line” became quite eclectic and varied. Which again is fine for some but not for everyone. Plus it can be a bit difficult to decide which medium to use when coming up with new creations!

Some examples of my eclectic style:

So you can see one of the reasons why I wanted to join this class/challenge! My jewelry tends to be eclectic and one of a kind. I love using vintage pieces in my designs. I love each and everyone of these pieces but many like to wear jewelry that “matches” or coordinate with other pieces. This is why I decided to join the challenge. I will probably still include a few one of a kind pieces but they will coordinate with the other pieces in the line.

As already stated the inspiration for the line was the ring and earrings shown above in the first picture. I then created a few collage pieces expanding on the color palette but keeping with the white, pink, blue and metallic gold coloring. These were my first collage pieces I ever created so it was a learning experience but fun. I wore them out and each time received several compliments.

Around the same time I completed these collage pieces B’Sue started talking about this three month build a line challenge and I thought to myself hmmm. perfect theme/color scheme! I am an avid gardener and nature lover which is why I have chosen to use birds, flowers, leaves, insects etc.

Here are a few pieces I have completed thus far. I am sure I will make changes and perhaps even rethink some of what I have done so far. I may go back an incorporate more of my vintage components as well! I am sure I will learn quite a bit over the next months on how to make this a cohesive and interesting line of jewelry.

I started with some earrings that I felt would coordinate with the collage pieces and then made a few simple necklaces.

In the photos I have tried to show how the earrings would coordinate with the other pieces.

Here are some of the earrings with a mini collage necklace.

So many ideas swirling around in my head that I have been having dreams about new design ideas! Perhaps the small collage pendant can be a brooch? Only time will tell so stay tuned!

Thanks for stopping by and please go check out all of the other amazingly talented designers that have joined this challenge!

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques

Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Marcia Tuzzolino

Aurora Designs

Jann Tague

Clever Designs by Jann

Judy King

Apt to Wander Studio

Linzi Alford

Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales

Cynthia Wainscott

Carole Carlson

Lynn Stinten

Marica Zammit

Catherine Shattuck

Michaele Collie

Mary Craig

Lee Koopman

Erin Whitacre

Shattered Time Jewelry

Monica Casady

MJCasady Copper Works

Leila West

Leila Nicole Designs

Cindy Peterson

https://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/

Leila Belcher

Gloria Allen

Pamela Anger

Tammy Adams

Lynda O’Mara

Elizabeth Hildreth

Dana Hickey

Janet Calardo

Maria Clark

Lori Beekman

Jennifer Kroeger

Amy Jorgensen

Robin Reed

Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs

Ingrid Anderson

Lilis Gems

Louise O’Shields

Desire Divine Jewels

Susan Killam

Killam Creative

Mary Katherine Deis

The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry

Nike Bottalico

Susan Bowerman

Woodside Wireworks

Kristy Le

Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs

Jan Peters

Stylized Vintage

Mitzie Crider

Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog

Gina Hockett

Freestyle Elements

Linda Anderson

From the Bead Board

Alexandra Sefton

Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art

Melida Boman

The Journey of Pens and Things

Teresa Shurter

TreeZ’s Treasurs

Melissa Latimer

Smithed Up

Renee Hong

Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art

Nadine Edris

Moondance Jewelry

Lori Meyer

Parisienne Girl

Jennifer Merrill Williams

Artists of All Stripes

Denise Lussier Poirier

Renee Allen

Autumn Adams

Elizabeth Owens

Kat BarronMiller

Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry

Sandra Ballard

Mama San’s Mojo

Coral Law

ab:coraldesign

Creating With Cabochons Blog Hop

September 18, 2013 18 Comments

When I came upon this challenge from Sally Russick of studiosublime.com I immediately knew it was for me. The challenge was to create a piece of jewelry using a cabochon: basically a piece that has a flat back, no holes. I have already been creating jewelry using cabochons by wrapping them in filigree or using them in already made bezels. So the challenge for me was to try something new. I have these wonderful vintage reverse painted intaglios of Arachne and Athena .

The one I used was pink with gold but the same design. Recently I have started to delve into some metal work so decided that is what I would do for this challenge. I cut two hearts out of copper sheeting and then torched them. Out of the center of one heart I cut out a jagged opening into which I set the cabochon. The two hearts were then riveted together. I added some vintage chain and here it is:

Not perfect but I am pleased with how it turned out. Thanks for taking the time to read! If you would like to see what other participants of the challenge created you can check out the list at Sally’s Blog.

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

July 20, 2013lilisgems 42 Comments

This is my first blog hop and I must say I am excited yet intimated. I have been following many but never had the courage to join. When I came across the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop on Lori Anderson’s Pretty Things blog I decided this was the one for me. I am a bead hoarder! My true love is vintage beads. At times I purchase wonderful vintage beads and then am stumped as to what to do with them so this was the perfect challenge for me.

I immediately knew which beads I would use.

My favorite color is red and I love the contrast with black. I purchased the red, white and black lampwork beads along with the plain red beads and the larger focal beads many years ago. I have been stumped on how to incorporate them into a jewelry design. The black “propeller” beads are wonderful vintage beads and due to their shape I would just gloss over them when looking for black beads for a project. Well now I forced myself to use these beads and here is the result.

I did not used the large focal because the red was too much of an orange red and did not fit well with the other beads. I added some vintage rhinestone spacers, vintage bead caps and two silvery gray imitation pearls. Nothing too fancy or complicated but I am pleased with the final result.

I will share one other piece that I made using just plain alabaster white beads. I just don’t do white. Not sure why…. so I figured this was the perfect challenge to use those simple beads. I also used vintage beads caps and vintage purple acrylic beads.

I colorized the butterfly a while ago and felt it would be perfect for the white alabaster beads. Thank you for looking! I enjoyed the entire process of my first blog hop. Now to check out the other wonderful participants in the bead hoarders blog hop. Or see the list below!

Ingrid

1. Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4. Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5. Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6. Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
7. Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8. Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
10. Erin Guest, Renlish

11. Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13. Jo-Ann Woolverton, It’s a Beadiful Creation
14. Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15. Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16. Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17. Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18. Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19. Linda Landig, Linda’s Bead Blog and Meanderings
20. Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23. Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24. Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26. Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27. Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28. Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30. Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31. Robyn, Museiddity
32. Catherine King, Catherine’s Musings
33. Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36. Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37. Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38. Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39. Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40. Skylar Bre’z, Brising Beads

41. Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42. Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43. Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44. Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45. Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46. Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
48. Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49. Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50. Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51. Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52. D’Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53. Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54. Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55. Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56. Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57. Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58. Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59. Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60. Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61. Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62. Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63. Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64. Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65. Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66. JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67. Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68. Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69. Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie’s Blog
70. Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72. Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73. Jayne Capps, Mama’s Got to Doodle
74. Ile Ruzza, Ilenia’s Unique Beaded Jewelry
76. Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry
77. Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78. Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80. Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82. Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83. Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84. Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85. Menka Gupta, Menka’s Jewelry
86. Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87. Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88. Gerda Jurimae, Gerda’s Crafts Blog
89. Susan, Mistheword
90. MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou’s time2cre8

91. Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92. Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94. Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95. Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96. Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 – For the Love of Beads
97. Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98. Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99. Dolores Rami, CraftyD’s Creations
100. Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101. Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102. Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103. Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104. Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105. Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106. Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107. Lennis Carter, windbent
108. Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109. Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
110. Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111. Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112. Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113. Kathy Engstrom, Catherine’s Dreams
114. Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115. Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116. Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117. Kim, Cianci Blue
118. Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119. Karen, Spokalulu
120. Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121. Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122. Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123. Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124. Amy Bright, LABweorc
125. Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126. Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127. Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128. Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129. Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl’s Jewelry & Reflections
130. Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131. LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132. Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133. Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134. Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135. Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136. Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138. Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139. Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140. Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn’s Creations

141. B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142. Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143. Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145. Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146. Christina Miles, Wings ‘n’ Scales
147. Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148. Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149. Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150. Sarah Small, By Salla

151. Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152. Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153. Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154. Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155. Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi’s Work Shoppe
156. Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157. Andra Weber, Andra’s Joyful Journey
158. Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159. Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160. Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161. Kris Lanae Binsfield, Cherish Designs
162. Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163. Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164. Inge von Roos, Inge’s Blog
165. Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca’s Place
166. Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167. Elena Adams, Lena’s Beady Blog