My Bracelet For Hope

The Global Genes Project is campaigning to  collect blue jean/denim inspired bracelets to support families living with rare diseases, disorders, or conditions.  To help raise awareness, 7,000 volunteers, including jewelry designers, and artists, make a bracelet within the denim color scheme to show support for children living with these conditions.  Go to the Global Genes Project to learn more!

I used Swarovski crystals in Crystal Cal, Crystal, Crystal Metallic Blue 2x, and Sapphire.  The white and blue beads are polymer clay, and the lentil and round beads are Kazuri beads.  The Kazuri beads are some of my favorites because of where and by whom they are made.  They are gorgeous, too. 

This Blog Hop caught my eye because of what the GGP Campaign represents.  We have dear friends in Colorado whose son had Retinoblastoma, which is a rare cancer of the retina/eye.  So, this bracelet is made in honor of Zee and his family.

What a great opportunity to show support of children with 7,000 identified rare diseases!  I hope my bracelet brings a smile to a parent, friend, or relative of those affected.





Peace, Love, and Sunshine,

Kel

7000 Bracelets For Hope is underway!

The 7,000 Bracelets For Hope Blog-hop starts today! Please take the time to enjoy each beautiful creation by some very talented artists! Here's the most current list of participants.

  

Elysian Studios  and  One Kiss Creations

  

The Studio Sublime

Crafty Hope

The Gossiping Goddess

SilverRose Designs

Firefly Visions

Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry

Michelle Mach

Pine Ridge Treasures

Backstory Beads

Adventures in Creativity with Lorillijean

Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

Sue Beads

MiShel Designs

Created Treasures

Taralinda Muses

My Life Under The Bus

Elizabeth Creates

SilverNikNats

Erin Siegel Jewelry

Carolyn’s Creations

My Life…one bead at a time

Fresh Baked Designs

Songbeads

Sunshine Bliss

Lori Anderson

Rainy Days Designs

Pat Barden Jewelry

Tell Your Girlfriends

Therese's Treasures

Windrock Studio

Bead Lola Bead

Spice Box Designs

Antiquity Travelers

Vitamin C...A Daily Dose of Creativity

Beads and Bread

Sharyl's Jewelry and Reflections

Ahtee's Blog

Thoughtful-Notions

Beads for Brains:365

Wild Sally Road

All The Pretty Things

Skye's Creative Chaos

My Addictions...Handcrafted Jewelry by Patti

Lindy's Designs

Falling Into The Sky

Star Hitched Wagon

Mama's Got to Doodle

10KDgroup

Peace, Love, and Sunshine,

Kel

Soup from my BSBP Partner

I'm so excited to be participating in the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party! It's an amazing opportunity to grow as an artist and, for me, push my creativity. What a beautiful assortment of beads to work with! These beauties arrived in an adorable handmade envelope, too, with a printed sheet labeling each bead type.  Julie Anne Leggett is my partner for the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party.  They are, clockwise from left, a Seaglass focal pendant, fire polished Czech glass, freshwater pearls, lampwork spacers from Blue Seraphim, wood chip beads, lampwork lentils, quartz teardrops, and, my favorite, an exquisite handmade clasp by Julie, made with a bead by HMB Studios.
There are, of course, tons of ideas running through my head!  I can't wait to get started and look forward to seeing everyone's magnificent handiwork on reveal day!

Peace, Love, and Sunshine,
Kel















You can find Julie Anne Leggett at The Peaceful Bead.
For a list of all participants and partners, http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/
Please visit Lori Anderson's Blog at http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Ahh, Fall

Walking with Dad to the bus stop is always a treat since he leaves way before she's even up. This morning is gray, breezy, & the leaves are blowing all around, & the coolness & smell of Autumn is here for sure. Thanksgiving will be upon us before long, & today especially, I am reminded of all we have to be thankful & grateful for. Through all the health issues over our 15 years of marriage (November 25th), Keith has stood by my unfailingly, faithfully, & with more than enough strength for all 5 of us. My 3 girls give me reason to smile & laugh daily, & without them, some days I believe I would have just given up. So, I live by a few words; Everything happens for a reason, Keep the happy, It is what it is, &, if it's right, it's great, if it's wrong, it's a lesson. And one that my friend, Bill, recently shared with me; Remember what's important, the rest is just sticks & bricks. Christmas is soon to follow & whatever your beliefs, mine are as follows: Harm none, Many paths, one light. We are all here for one simple purpose, or lesson, if you will. Love one another. It's the greatest & most important gift you'll ever give or receive.
Peace, Love, & Sunshine! Kel : )

Birthday Bracelet

Just a quick bracelet I made for Em's friends Birthday. I used the paper beads from Beads for life, a silver plated floral heart, & a lucite flower with a Swarovski crystal inside. She loved it : )
I haven't been able to do much complicated beading since the surgery to have the feeding tube put in on Halloween and before that I just lacked energy. Hopefully this long process will have me back to beading like crazy before I became ill. However, I know I've said this many times, beading, especially this wonderful community of talented beaders & artists has saved my life & given me something I Can do! For the love of beads, Kelley
PS - I can't believe I forgot to thank you all... so, Thank You!

Craftsmen's Arts & Crafts Festival

Keith & I went to the Craftsmen's Festival this past weekend @ Dulles Expo Center.  I wanted to share the gorgeous Bottle Cap & Lampwork bracelet & beautiful earrings I got there.  Made by one of my favorite jewelry artists & also a genuinely kind lady, Lori Anderson.  She has been such an inspiration to me and to have been able to talk with her, meet her, and participate in the Bead Soup Blog Party has been an incredible experience!  She has taught me so much about jewelry and more.  Thanks for sharing your talents... you never know whose life you will touch.
Kel : )

BSBP

First, let me apologize for not checking thoroughly to see that this posted correctly.  I actually posted it early, but did it from my (not so smart) Smartphone app and I trusted that it posted successfully.  Alas, it did not, so...

Let's try again...

BSBP!

First I would like to thank Lori for all the hard work, many hours, and patience she provided so we could all enjoy this wonderful opportunity.  Second, I would like to thank Laurel for taking the time to use her talents to make such unique and fun polymer clay beads.  Third, I would like to thank all those whom participated in this BSBP.  It's a wonderful way to fellowship and support each other in our creative endeavors.  This is especially a great thing for those that are not able to physically participate in classes or other social beading activities.

I was truly challenged creatively.  It was a long while before inspiration came to me.  One of my favorite movies ever is "A Nightmare Before Christmas".  Jack Skellington is a fascinating character and these beads brought him to mind.  I added some sparkly (but not too blingy) beads, some Swarovski bronze crystals, some carved bone beads (he's a skeleton, right?), and a sugar skull added to the pendant.

I honestly had a blast creating this necklace.  I look forward to hopping around to see what everyone has created!

Peace, Love, & Light,

Kel