Source: The following artists are part of the Change it up Blog Hop hosted by B’Sue Boutiques
brass jewelry vintage jewelry
The following artists are part of the Change it up Blog Hop hosted by B’Sue Boutiques
Blog Hop in itself has been a challenge for me this time. I have been dealing with a lot of medical issues. first my ankle injury when moving the jewelry work area to the garage. I love it now and I have more room. But I am still healing from that injury. Then the issues with my 16 yr old daughter these past couple of weeks as been a shock and overwhelming to Duane and I. We are not sure how to help a depressed, stressed out teenager. She is a over achiever and wants to do it all. We are seeking help for her. So I have been distracted at times during the preparation for this HOP.
I have been able to work on a few pieces for the HOP and the piece I chose in itself has always been a challenge for me as to what I am going to with it.
I chose the Cuff has I had several of them. I had changed this cuff in the past and had forgotten until I was looking through pictures . Here are some oldies I have done with this piece. Blast from the past a year ago!
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For awhile I was known as the Tie Lady. I loved making necklaces using the Tie. I had made several and used the blank to color with ice resins, paint, and made mini collages. Here is one of the last ones I made from a year ago.
I used one of B’Sue Boutiques flower stampings and birds for this spring time necklace. I did not pick this one as I have made about 10 ties in the past. I still Love this stamping as it has so many possibilities for transformation into all kinds of looks.
Back to this large cuff. I used the Silverware version and the raw brass version for the cuffs. I am making them into cuffs. The raw brass cuffs have been painted using the INCA GOLD and MIca powders as taught to us in one of B’Sue Boutique videos. Love the look. I used Silver Inca Gold with elements mica powders in pink and green. I know it is Fall but I still love these colors. The silverware plated cuff I did not corlize but did had somethings to it that are colorized and layered using B’Sue Boutiques stampings and filigrees.
Made three different cuffs using B’Sue Boutiques supplies, except for the Polymer clay Pink Rose. I made that, LOL!
I still think I can add something to the Vintage Butterfly stamping, just haven’t found the right thing yet. Thought maybe stringing some pearls through the filigree. They all still need a chain and I will be using the book chain from B’Sue Boutiques.
My friend and co designer with Howling Dog Jewelry Marie Roozen is helping design a satin matte gold line. Here is her bracelet completed and my necklace I am still working on using the leaf stamping.
Well like always with B’Sue Creative group I keep learning new techniques and pushing myself to improve on my jewelry designs. You will be amazed as you go visit all the artists in this Change it up Blog Hop. The use of these 4 stampings is awesome and so creative. These artists have really worked hard at changing the looks into to something wonderful and fashionable.
Blog Hop Artists
Take a look and make sure you read their story and make a comment
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
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/
Working on New Focals for Necklaces and earrings
Mentoring 5 girls in Handmade Jewelry, Merchandising, and selling at a local Market for the Summer
The girls are my daughters friends for the past 10 yrs. They love coming over to my house and visit. For the past 5 yrs they have watched my jewelry line evolve into what it is today. These girls are a great group of kids who are taking pride in what they are doing. I have always had a soft opening heart when it comes to kids. I think they feel they have another home and feel apart of my family. I started out just doing Intel holiday shows where my husband worked. Then about 3 yr ago I started with B’Sue and Cindy Lietz making jewelry. Some of the girls have made jewelry with me. I would have to say they are my biggest fans.
Even when they are not selling they are always asking how we did as they take part ownership because they are the setup crew. I have been using these teens for this outdoor market going on 4yrs. And this year I literally do not have to setup or take down. So this is why I am adding a new element, The girls get to design the layout, pick out the jewelry they like and now two of them are selling. Layla who designed the booth this week was so pumped that her displays were helping sales. Elizabeth and Ashley were pumped that they worked together making sales.
The girls are learning so much and are having fun. It comes them a sense of purpose and something to look forward to in the summer. My crew even gives me feed back on how the booth looks. But they are really excited about having more input with the displays.
The Final Blog Hop Part Three. B’Sue Boutiques Build a Line Challenge…………….The Love Beetle Rocks Jewelry Line
HELLO,
What can I say. I joined and I DID IT! My Jewelry line is very whimsical, not serious, colorful, and in various styles. I have to say this has been fun and educational. I did make 5 pieces plus. If you haven’t noticed through out my Blog I really enjoy making jewelry and playing with polymer clay.
I added ring dishes to the line. This was one way to use scrap clay and make an accessory for jewelry to my line. The ring dishes are evolving into my own look. The only challenge with these is centering them upon the form and making sure they are even. So with artistic creative licence I am making Whimsical ring dishes. This way I don’t stress over having it perfect. With vision issues it is not possible. LOL! Check out the ring dishes at the end of the blog.
Well we started out this challenge with beetle’s running all over my worktable, This is the final Blog Hop of B’Sue Boutiques Challenge of creating a 5 piece jewelry line or more. I have found my artistic voice in this challenge all my jewelry pieces look like they go together, made by the same artist. I never knew how to make a line make it cohesive through this process with Brenda Sue, my mentor and group interactions I have been able to make my own jewelry line. Part of my line maybe a limited edition I am not sure yet. Still mulling over that part of my jewelry line. I would like to thank Brenda for teaching us and thank the rest of the group for all their support in this venture. I now even more ideas then ever on making further lines.
Walking you through my creative process in my decisions on making what I did and how I ended up with branches or off shoots of other lines. I started out with my beetles in two sizes. The small charm beetles would be accents to my earrings, smaller pendants or brooches. Giving a hint of the beetles with a more subtle look. The larger beetle needed a body added. As I like to mix Polymer clay with my jewelry the addition of imitation simulated agates and turquoise did the trick.
So with this beetle designed decided I needed to figure out how or what to put the beetles on. Rings where an easy decision. Take a look below ….. 
They have imitation agates and turquoise along with polymer clay patterned canes beetle rings mounted on quality brass . Then I made some with copper ring blanks and the imitation turquoise. Flower rings are part of another line that ties back to the beetle line. As I have added flowers in both lines. You will also find a very high quality silver rings Every Ring is unique with their own personality.
Next are earrings and I created several styles in the Love Beetle Rocks line and the other part of the line I used flowers and spoon earrings.
Beetle earrings different styles. But I can see more designs in the future.This is how I started incorporating the flowers into my other line.
The flowers led to a sub-line with beetles and flowers.
Here it goes with my SUB-LINES FIRST AND THE THE BEETLE ROCKS LINE AT THE END
My Love Beetle Flower sub-line consists of:
- Spoon Necklace beetles
- Spoon Flower earrings
- Flower beetle brooch
- Small flower beetle necklace
- Charm dangle Necklace
- Flower Spoon Necklace
Flower Rings and Flower earrings
So the next part of the line was making flower jewelry with Pink and Copper. I felt this was another addition as to I had used copper in my The Beetle Rocks line and Flowers.
Pink Copper sub-line is so pretty. I love the combination of the two colors. This consists so far of.
- Larger Focal Necklaces
- Medium size Focal flower Necklace
- 2 5/8″ Spoon earrings with flowers and brooches
The second part of my line The Love Beetle Rocks is my imitation simulated turquoise an d copper. This is a big hit as the turquoise made by me with polymer clay looks very real.
The copper Turquoise jewelry pieces consist of….
- Cameo Pendants in Black with copper highlights and in a copper setting.
- Copper bracelets with imitation simulated turquoise cameo
- Copper bracelets with imitation simulated turquoise beetles
- Copper rings with nugget imitation simulated turquoise
aqua copper brooches , earrings to come
Now for the LOVE BEETLE ROCKS New Jewelry Line
I made the imitation simulated agates with polymer clay. I made them into various sizes of cameos. The Line consists of:
- bracelets
- cameo in 2 sizes necklaces with beetle accent charms Necklaces are in Silver and antique brass
- rings are silver and antique brass beetles.
- small dangle beetle earrings
- different styles of leaf beetle necklaces in several color choices
- Some of the beetle bodies also consist of Natasha style bead bodies.
- brooches
- earrings
MY BROOCHES
MY BRACELETS
BLUES IMITATION AGATE SMALL FREE FORM NECKLACES
I really hope you have enjoyed my new jewelry lines. I have really enjoyed making each and everyone. I especially love making these imitated stones.
The beetles with the flowers look like they crawled under the flower to hide. But you can still see them. So this is a more subtle look along with the small charm beetles.
I really feel I got this line and cohesive look thing down. I have some sub-lines which can go further and end up to be their own line. I have tried to give choices in styles, colors, sizes, and finishes.
THE ACCESSORY ITEM ARE HAND MADE 3″ RING DISHES ,,,
Thank you for visiting my blog and supporting me in this new venture of creating a jewelry line. I am very excited to grow my jewelry business. Will be posting these new jewelry pieces. Price ranges will be $15.oo to $55.00. They will also make great gift ideas for graduation,s birthdays, anniversary, Mother’s Day and more…. Please visit my Etsy shop : at
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HowlingDogJewelry?ref=hdr_shop_menu
My Fellow artists and Jewelry Designers
Please check out their Blogs
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
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
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson You are here – Thank you
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
Louise O’Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
My beginning process of making a line of jewelry………
First of all I needed a theme to get started. As I mentioned in my first Blog Hop it would be for the love of beetles and rocks which brought back childhood memories. This is what happened next…….
Making of the Beetle Bodies…….
I needed to make the beetle bodies for my new line. I was making imitation agates and turquoise from polymer clay. A technique I learned from Tory Hughes.
This was the most time consuming part of the whole line. I love these two technique and I have been given permission from Tory Hughes to teach the turquoise technique at B’Sue Boutiques Weekend Workshop Retreat May 15th – 18th. It will be lots of fun!
Decision Time…….
As each beetle is unique, I needed to make a decision as to which body went with which colored beetle and leaf. Here are some samples ,,,,,
This was my process and no they did not all stay this way. Beetles were changed and moved several times before I was happy with the look and style. My line consists of Necklace, ring, brooch, bracelet, and earrings. I went through this thought process with each design.
On March 20th there is a BIG REVEAL of my whole New Jewelry Line
THE LOVE BEETLE ROCKS!
Part 2 : Blog Hop with B’Sue Boutiques build a line challenge
In the past 3 weeks I have been very busy building my new jewelry line. I am excited to say it is the cutest line I have ever made. It flows with the pastel colors of the season; Spring and Summer. These are my favorite colors. I have a fun time making this line as it is pretty, adorable, gorgeous, whimsical. and lovely. Take a look at some of the latest pictures of my new line.
The making of the faux agates that I used in my bug bodies. It takes several steps to make these bodies. The pictures show below one of the first stages is making the layers of the agates, then turning them into layered canes . Now I can make the cabochons.
I sand and buff each cabochon to bring out a shine resembling tumbled rocks. 
I love making these as no two are a like. When I start to buff them I get so excited on how you can look through and see the layers like a real stone. Then I decide which one will make a cool bug body.
Just look at the shine and the depth. It is so cool.! This was my new year challenge to get a great shine on my polymer, and I DID IT!
My first Love Beetle Rocks turned out great in pink. I decided to use leaves in my design to depict the wings of the beetles. So through out my line you will see leaves, pearls and flowers.
I made green, blue, pink in two shades, marsala, purple, turquoise, and scrap beetle bodies.
Picture below show how I decide on how I want the necklaces to look. Deciding which bug looks good in their body and with their leaf and flower is serious Beetle business.
Of course, this is not the final look for these beetles.
This is how five new necklaces look like for my new line.
Then decided on another look using the leaves a different direction. Below are 4 necklaces with a different twist.
I also wanted my line to have different size beetles so I expanded my line to include a smaller beetle stamping. I am still using my faux stones, leaves, pearls, and flowers. Still striving to keep my new line cohesive. I believe I have accomplished this with my line.
Made from my faux agates on the luscious silverware finish, which is of the highest quality and simply gorgeous. Notice the little silver beetles. Just a hint of Whimsy in these necklaces.
I hope you can tell that I have been seriously thinking about this new line and having fun with the whole design.
NEXT UP …… BRACELETS AS A PART OF “THE LOVE BEETLE ROCKS!”
I am using faux turquoise with Rosy Copper finishes. WOWSER! These bracelets ROCK with faux agates and scrap polymer.
The green and pink agates are with a brass ox finish.
Now you have seen 2 parts of my line of 5
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME MORE
Bring on the earrings. They are still in the making but I wanted to show a sneak peak
I am also working on Brooches and Rings which will conclude my new line. But you will have to wait till March 20th when I reveal my complete new jewelry line. But I will tell you this has been a blast and I even have extended my line out into two more lines that all tie into this line. Will share those pieces between now and March 2oth. So stay tuned….. Thank you for your comments and visiting my blog.
What I have Learned about me…..
This challenge has opened up my creativity to the point that I have my own style that can be recognized by others as my look. I have been able to combine my love of polymer and vintage inspired jewelry. Keeping my flowers and adding the whimsy of the beetles helped me take my line into sub-lines. Something I have been able to accomplish and will share my thoughts and process of these lines before the final blog hop. Interesting that my beetle line has another focus which is my faux polymer stones. The turquoise looks very real and love the technique I learned from a class with Tory Hughes. Tory also taught me the technique for faux agates. The technique has opened up all kinds of possibilities to use with my jewelry line. So I am including the faux stones as much as possible. I included the flower beetles for the women that just wants a little beetle showing. They look like they are in the garden of flowers and are not the focus but adds to the whimsy of the line.
I feel the women who wears my jewelry loves color and are confident to wear whimsical jewelry. They want to make their own statement which will invoke conversation. They love artisan jewelry because it is something you don’t see everywhere.
Finally, I want to thank B’Sue Boutiques for the master class. I am learning more and more everyday from Brenda and the others in the group. This has been a great thought provoking class. I feel like I have already won and will take this experience to the next level. I am more focused and have a direction. Learning the history of jewelry designs and famous designers makes me more knowledgeable and I can educate others. Learning that the finishes I use are important and are high quality US made finishes making my jewelry more desirable shows that I care about my customers.
I
My Fellow artists and Jewelry Designers
Please check out their Blogs
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
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
Monica Casady
Leila West
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
Louise O’Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
Talented artists ….. and My creative thinking
I must say there are a lot of talented people in this group. Some of the jewelry focal’s that I’ve been seeing just lately are just beautiful. The designs the flowers the other bugs and the colors are awesome. I feel very honored to be in this group working with all of you and thank you Brenda for your leadership.
I want to see more pictures, I love pictures. My dad said I couldn’t read a book elicit had pictures. I guess that means I’m a visual learner. And right now I am thrilled with how my a get some my turquoise and my faux stones are turning out.
In part of my creativity with my bugs is finding the right body for each bug. You would think that any old faux stone would look good, that’s not the case. I am actually looking at each stoned in trying to find the right body for each bug. So know when you see my bugs there was a lot of thought put into how I wanted them to look. I feel like I am dressing my bugs.
So today I went through all my boxes and looked for all the leaves that I could find in all of my bezels and now they’re all grouped together in little containers so I can find them easier.
I just want to share a little bit of what I’m doing today and admiring all of your work and how you inspire me with my bugs. Some of the newer bugs are going to have cane work is bodies and that’s can create a whole new challenge because I’ll have to decide again what body with which bug.
I’m sorry I talk more when I use my Dragon speak software I can say more, take care and have a great weekend.
- And remember the “LOVE BEETLE ROCKS!”
