Source: The following artists are part of the Change it up Blog Hop hosted by B’Sue Boutiques
B’Sue Boutique
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/
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
For the Love of Rocks!
My love for rocks began as a child while camping with my family. My dad would take me to the creek beds to look for rocks. I always looked for the ones that sparkled. Mostly quartz and granite rocks. I had a Little Rock book that we would check to see what kind of rocks we found.
My dad always wanted to see what the inside of the rock looked like.. He used a rock hammer to crack open the rocks. Sometimes we would be surprised and other times it looked just like the outside of the rock. 
As I got older whenever I went camping I always wantanded to look for rocks. One camping trip in Montana and Wyoming I collected several rocks of: granite, slate, quartz, some unknown rocks that were just pretty. However these were not small tiny rocks, these were if I could lift it I could take it home. The only problem is it weighed down the pickup truck and used up a lot more gas to where we rolled in on fumes when we got home.
Two years ago we took another family trip to Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming and guess what? I brought home more rocks. Only this time I bought them from a rock shop because they were glistening in the sun and so beautiful. Last summer I tried using them as jewelry displays, that didn’t work too well as the customers wanted to buy the rocks and I was trying to sell jewelry. So I have the rocks here at home and sometimes use them for photographs.
So from my love of insects and my love of rocks the jewelry line came to be “The Love Beetle Rocks!”
Sneak Peak into my new Jewelry Line ” The Love Beetle Rocks!”
The new part of my line is three inch ring bowls. There are several steps to this process to make bowls. The first part is to condition the clay and make your three layers of clay in the design of your choice. I chose to make these first seven bowls with my scrap clay.
The next step, is to bake the bowls on their mold for half an hour. Now I can sand and buff the bowls. Once this step is done then I can think about the feet. That will be the next surprise as to what I make
B’Sue Boutiques Blog Hop Group – Stay tuned for Feb. 2oth
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
My new Blog Site
What’s new … How about Copper and Turquoise…………..
I just finished some copper bracelets with aqua faux opal cabs set on Rosy Copper bracelet blanks.
Each bracelet has a different look based on the chain and style I used for the chain.
I really enjoyed making these bracelets will go on my Etsy shop.
The bracelets are 7″ in length but can be adjusted to fit your measurement. I start with 7″ as it is the standard size for bracelets.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/howlingdogjewelry
I have added to my Aqua copper line with some faux turquoise I made with polymer. It looks like the real thing too. The next look to my line are Brooches. I have only made a few, but in my research of fashion is brooches are on the come back. First one, a cute butterfly and the second, has charms, leaf branch, owl, a square design all in Aqua Copper finishes. The STAR of each brooch is the Handmade Faux Turquoise I made.
