For My Sweet Daughter

BlogLovin'

2012-02-27T20:37:00.001-05:00

Do you BlogLovin'?
I do.
I will admit that when I first read about it I was apprehensive, I like following all my blogs by e-mail and by network blogs. BUT not every blog had the ability to subscribe via e-mail and with my over 1,5060 unread e-mails it is likely I will miss their posts anyway. Yes, I hate reading e-mails so I just don't. Okay, sometimes I do and I always do if it had a good subject line :-)

Anyway, what is Bloglovin' and why do I love it so much.
It is an awesome way to follow your favorite blogs.
They have an iPhone and iPad app that I love because I have both of these awesome gadgets.
They send you an e-mail everyday with a listing of the newest blog posts from that day.
Now I don't have to scroll through a bunch of stuff to find the newest posts.
It also removes posts as you read them.
Oh and you can put all you blogs into categories. So follow all your jewelry blogs in one tab and dog blogs on another, coupon blogs, well you get the idea.
Oh and it's all fo' free! Yep, this awesome app is free. So forget e-mail subscriptions, forget GFG which never works right anyway, forget network blogs which has glitches all the time. Bloglovin' baby!

So visit http://www.bloglovin.com and sign up today. Don't forget to follow my blog while you are there. If you look to the left
<------------over there I have a button, just click it to follow me :-)
Enjoy!
~Shannon

Andrew Thornton's February Challenge

2012-02-25T00:15:00.003-05:00

Don't forget to check out my previous post! Today was also the reveal of the Echo Creative Club....

When I saw that this was the last challenge that Andrew Thornton was hosting I jumped at the chance to participate and much to my surprise I got a kit. He didn't have many available and what he did have sold fast.

The catch? The contents were a mystery.

Here is what was sent:

Yikes! Pink

Awesome Sauce! Loved this little bag of goodies :-)

I let the beads simmer on my beading table for a few days and then popped open that little baggie and dove right in. I decided to stick with the randomness of the baggie and use the contents randomly.

Here is the necklace I made, it is pretty far out of my box but I love it.

Bead dangles all from the baggie of beads and Vintaj natural brass chain and findings.

Pendant from Marsha Neal

I also made this bracelet. This is so "me" in its rustic simplicity. I have a shirt that is stripes of purple and grey with 3/4 length sleeves and this bracelet is so awesome with it.
I used the mystery components which are the 2 enameled round beads. I also grabbed the ceramic bead from Keith O'Connor.

Chalcedony Briolette and Round Rabbit Extra Focal

Mystery component, enameled round beads

Toggle bar made with a stick from Marsha Neal and a Vintaj natural brass ring.

Ceramic beads from Gaea Cannaday, lamp work from HMB Studio

Head over to Andrew's Blog to see what he made with their pink palette of beads and here are the participants:

Shannon Chomanczuk <---you are here

Patti Vanderbloemen
Kari Wilson

~Shannon

Echo Creative Club - February 2012

2012-02-25T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hello!
Welcome to my second Echo Creative Club challenge.
Peeled Paint Chip Beads provided by Jewelry by Jeannie.

I was sent a package of white, gold and copper peeled paint chips for this month's challenge and with so much on my plate this month almost forgot about them! Yikes!!!

I had tucked the package away for safe keeping (my 2yo plays at my bead table) and then almost forgot to make anything. Luckily for me Jeannie sent a reminder e-mail and I went straight to my work table and got out my goodies.

I wanted to pull out the copper color in the beads so I grabbed one of my etched copper pendants, copper bead caps, my handmade copper ball headpins, some goldstone from my friend Katie Deck and some dyed riverstones. I <3 riverstone.

I stamped the pendant with my daughter's name because she is our little princess ;-) As you can see she loves it and it works as a mother's necklace for me too.

I hope you will visit the other participants for this month's challenge. I can't wait to see what they have come up with.

Thank you again Jeannie. These were beads I would have never thought of using but I love them so much, they are lightweight, well made and just a perfect accent bead for your projects.

Sorry this necklace is not for sale, it's mine, if I can get it away from Emily Grace :-)

~Shannon

Here are the stars for February:

Cindy Cima Edwards http://www.cindycima.com

Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com

Dagi http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Lola Surwillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com

Malin de Koning http://beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Michelle Buettner http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com

Molly Alexander http://www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com

Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com <---You are here :-)

Visit our Flickr group:

Flickr group http://www.flickr.com/groups/1908988@N22/

Last Friday in February - The stumped designer

2012-02-24T10:19:00.003-05:00

Today is the last Friday in February. Do you know what that means?

It is Artisan Clay reveal day :-)

I am so excited to show you this necklace because I struggled with it. Yes that's right I was stumped. I had no clue what I was going to make.

It went something like this...
Hmm. I could make earrings.
That might be cool but you said you were going to push yourself creatively this year.
Yes but it's due in 3 days and I have to work at the salon those days and earrings would be easy.
Yes but you didn't want to do easy.
Ugh I know but what. A necklace? Yikes!
Go look at your bead stash.
Ok, ok, I'm going.
Yes that's me talking to myself. I do that from time to time.

This month I received 2 of these circle recycled glass pendants from Kristie's Shop, Artisan Clay.
I have received these before in another Design Challenge, remember these?
For My Sweet Daughter May 2011
I left them on the counter for a few days while I sketched what I wanted to do. Then I got sick and took a week off from everything. I barely even touched Facebook so you know I was really sick ;-)

The design all started when I found these 2 polymer clay beads from Barbara Bechtel of Floridity. The brown and lime green were the perfect compliment and rustic feeling I was going for.
Now what to pair with them? I knew I wanted a circle or circle like object. I pulled out all my circles from Vintaj and different ceramic artists but nothing seemed to work. Then during my drive home from work the other day it hit me. I had this awesome bronze ammonite connector donut from Staci Louise at SLArtisanAccents. Perfect!

Then I went to my collection of smoky quartz beads and found this faceted round bead and this funky nugget which I love but ~~rarely use~~ hoard.
I was struggling with the final part of the necklace because the bead I had in place was so not working. I called over my business advisor, my husband, and I pulled out several different lampwork beads. I was striking out till I remembered this tiny box of beads I had from Pink Beach. Bingo! I grabbed the brown and raku beads and started working.

I wanted to make the connections sturdy so I used a double loop technique with 22 gauge wire and I did a messy wire wrap to add to the rustic feeling.
I connected the segments to each other so that visually they worked as one unit. I find separating them with jump rings gives a different feeling (which I love for my other pieces).
I wire wrapped the donut with 22 gauge wire to make it a connector and attached it right to the pendant, then got to adding the other elements.
On the Pink Beach bead I textured (beat to heck) 2-10mm Vintaj natural brass washers. Then I wrapped wire around the Vintaj hook clasp.
Through the 2 etched jump rings I threaded silk from Marsha Neal of MarshNealStudio in a beautiful pumpkin color, tied 2 knots, trimmed the silk and I was d-o-n-e.

Thank you for visiting and be sure to check out the other participants.

~Shannon

Now if you have read to all the way down here I have a surprise for you. I got 2 of these pendants. I only used one. I am going to give the other one away to a random reader who leaves a comment telling me how much they love what I made, or hated it let's be honest here. I will use random.org to help me pick a winner on Monday 2/27, although I can be bribed with pie and chocolate ;-)

What I am cooking up

2012-02-20T12:11:00.000-05:00

This has been a crazy week.
I know a cold is my bodies way of telling me to slow down but I am pretty slow all the time anyway. If I slow down anymore I am going to be moving backwards. Lol
But seriously, I didn't think I was doing too much till I sat to write this post.
Here are some things I am working on:

Bead Soup due March 3rd.
I got my beads from my partner Rochelle Brisson of Sea Chelles Design, visit her blog here A Creative Chelle. Out of my comfort zone for sure but that's the fun part of these hops!

The Challenge of Music due Feb 29th. I have a song picked but haven't started working on my piece yet. All I am gonna tell you is that I love Adele ;-)

Blog Hop February 29th

Artisan Clay due February 25th:

Got my beads at the end of last week and have been too sick to work with them yet.

Echo Creative Club due Feb 25th:

Got my beads, made an awesome necklace, took pictures, working on the blog post this afternoon :-)

Andrew Thornton's February Challenge also due Feb 25th:

Necklace finished, photographed and I am working on some other pieces because this kit was huge.

The colors of spring blog hop due March 31st. Got my beads, have been sketching what I want to make but haven't had a chance to make anything yet.

And finally I am a member of the Allegory Design Team due Feb 28th.
My pieces are made and photographed, now all I need to do is write up the instructions and get them to Andrew :-)

Whew! I can now see why I got sick. I love all these challenges and they push me creatively but I think I may have over done it for February. I have never been pushed so far creatively though and that is fueling my fire. All of the pieces I have been sent are out of my comfort zone and that is awesome. I hope you will keep following me to see what I have made for each of these challenges.

~Shannon

I am happy for

2012-02-19T13:39:00.000-05:00

My sweet daughter (2-1/2 years old) and I have been sick.

People call it the crud. Never hear it called that before but it is the worst.

When I was having a coughing fit a few minutes ago my daughter brought me a toy spoon and said

"you don't sound very good, have honey."

So I thought I would take a minute and be thankful for some things:

Staying in PJ's all day (I did shower and put on clean one's though)

The sound of her footsteps in her footed PJ's

Honey

Garlic Bread, hubby will be making me for dinner, yum

Chihuahua kisses

my daughter "learning" how to blow her nose

pigtails

A chandelier where a hole was (hubby is a carpenter and the hole was there for a long, long time)

a hubby who went to church, sat with my parents and then did all the grocery shopping because baby and I were too sick to go

then he made pancakes <3

What are you happy for today?

~Shannon

Valentine's Challenge

2012-02-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I read on my friend Patty G's Facebook page that Michelle Mach of Beads and Books Blog was having a card challenge.
Michelle was going to send 25 people an embossed card and we could do whatever we wanted to do to/with the card. I chose the alphabet card to give myself a challenge and because I figured that everyone else would pick the hearts and flowers being this is a Valentine's challenge.

I was so excited by this challenge because many of the items I use to make jewelry are also scrapbooking/cardmaking supplies.
It didn't take me very long to figure out what I was going to do with the card. Burn it!

Yep! I started out making the card my own by burning the edges. I went outside during my daughters nap and burned the edges with a lighter. Next, I cut a piece of decorative scrapbook paper to layer underneath, then another piece of cream card stock for the inside. I punched the holes for the die cut flowers, button, binding and earrings. Then, I stamped the words on the inside and a key on the back side.
I made the flowers using a flower die cut, then embossed them with a script folder and my Big Shot machine. I ran over the front of the card with light pink and red ink and then filled in some of the letters with nail polish (I am a nail tech, it was all I had). I taped the 3 sheets together with double sided tape, attached the flowers using brads, set the eyelet on the inside, tied on the button and tied the 3 sheets together with hemp. Slip in a pair of earrings as a gift and you are all set!

Thanks Michelle for a great challenge I really enjoyed this challenge and finished it way early,

which is not me at all.

Thanks for checking out my card :-)

~Shannon

Copper Component Blog Hop Reveal

2012-02-03T23:22:00.006-05:00

Copper Component Blog Hop!!

When my friend Kristi Bowman posted that she was making components available for purchase to participate in a blog hop I was excited. As soon as I got home from working at the salon I purchased mine and waited by the mailbox for it to arrive. When it did I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Which I should have written down because when I finally had time to work on my piece I couldn't think of anything.

I found these beautiful lampwork glass beads by Amanda Austin of Sea Shore Glass hiding in my bead tray.

They added a beachy feel to the bracelet. I added a starfish from Humblebeads, porcelain beads from Gaea, beach glass, and a lampwork bead by Pink Beach on etsy.

Check out the other participants:

Kristi Bowman Design http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/

Jean Wells http://jeanawells.blogspot.com/

Melinda Orr http://orrtec.blogspot.com/

Sue Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Shannon Chomanczuk http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/ <---YOU ARE HERE

Melissa Cable http://createrecklessly.blogspot.com/

Cindy Wimmer http://www.sweetbeadstudio.com/

Mary Harding http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com/

Karen Totten http://starryroadstudio.blogspot.com/

Jan Molten Mayhem http://moltenmayhem.typepad.com/molten-mayhem/

Linda Landig http://lindasbeadblog.com/

Kristi Harrison http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com/

Kimberly Sturrup http://bahamadawn.blogspot.com/

Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com/

Lana Kinney (will share on my blog)

Thanks for stopping by!

~Shannon

Last Friday Artisan Clay Blog Hop

2012-01-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Hello!
It has been a while since I have done an Artisan Clay Blog Hop but it feels great to be back.

The break for the holidays was more than welcome.
So let's jump right into it, shall we?

I was sent 2 adorable hearts.

I got right to work making a bracelet with 1 of the 2 I was sent.

The second 1? I haven't gotten to it yet :-( I will I promise. I was hoping to make another bracelet with it but I was waiting for time and materials. Didn't happen.

Anyway, please say hello to this little gal. She is so sweet in black, white and red.
With bead caps from Metal Me This and beads from Bubby and McGurk Beads, Gaea Cannaday, and Brenda Scata of amie3.
Perfect for Valentine's Day.

Please visit the rest of the participants to see what they got and what they did with them.

Thanks so much Miss Kristie!
Visit Artisan Clay Blog: http://artisanclay.blogspot.com/
Visit the Artisan Clay Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/artisanclay

~Shannon

Echo Creative Club - January Challenge Reveal

2012-01-25T00:30:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my first Echo Creative Club Challenge reveal post!

WooHoo!

Are you excited?

I know I am.

Oh you don't know what the Echo Creative Club is.

A group of artists were sent a bead by the very talented Jeannie Dukic of Jewelery By Jeannie and asked to create something with that bead and to show off what we made by a certain date.

That day would be today :-)

I was so excited to find out that I was picked to participate in the club and even more excited to receive one of these bea-u-ti-ful polymer clay focal beads to work with.

I tore open the envelope in the driveway and then got right to work.

This beauty told me exactly what it wanted to be right away.

What was that you ask?

It told me it wanted to be a multi strand bracelet. I was like, huh? You only have 2 holes, that won't lay right AT ALL. Nope it won't.

I was frustrated because I wanted this little guy to be happy.

The next day it yelled at me as I played with a porcelain round with many holes.

I was turning this porcelain focal into a multi strand bracelet, why couldn't this guy have more holes? Argh.

That's the ticket! More holes!!

So I got out a drill bit (not the drill) and I slowly drilled 2 more holes on one side.

Yippie!

I grabbed some Vintaj bead caps, wire, and some glass pearls and got right to work.

About an hour later I had made this beauty:

Thanks so much Jeannie for this fun challenge, I love the focal I was sent.

I hope you like the bracelet I made with it.

Now check out the other participants did with their beads....

Molly Alexander http://www.beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com

Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com

Michelle Buettner http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com

Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com

Cindy Cima Edwards http://www.cindycima.com

Beth Emery http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com

Kristen Stevens http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com

Jeannie K Dukic http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

~Shannon

Giveaway Winner

2012-01-22T12:19:00.004-05:00

Emily Grace helps me pick a winner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CoRru7UBhA

Thanks everyone for playing :-) Have a wonderful day!
~Shannon

Silly Girl

2012-01-16T16:26:00.001-05:00

I want to thank you all for the kindness and sympathy

you all showed after my last post about loosing our dog.

Link to video if clicking on it doesn't work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCJ2XJHwq44

Leave a comment if you want some gemstone bead chips

There are 14 small bags of chips in different colors.

I don't use chips much so I thought rather than hold on to them I would let them go and be free ;-)

I'll pick a winner on Friday.

~Shannon

PS: please don't mind the mess in the background, we are still under construction :-)

And Then There Were Three

2012-01-08T10:47:00.000-05:00

I sit here alone.
I should be getting ready for my work day.
It is quiet here, hubby took my daughter to his parents.
He is going to bury my dog.
We rescued Lexie. She was obviously abused. We were told she traded several times for drugs. She was burned by cigarettes and had been given up by at least 5 homes.
I had 1 dog, a Corgi named Morgan, and a cat, named Ashes who passed in July.
To say she was hyper would be an understatement. Lexie was bonkers, off the wall crazy.
She had a sweet side though and I think that tempered the crazy.
Like I told you in my last post we knew it was coming.
She was getting sicker everyday.
We knew she probably wouldn't make the weekend.
Yesterday afternoon my husband carried her into her room because she could barely walk anymore.
I laid with her and told her it was okay to go.
I petted her and told her it was time we said goodbye and that she was loved and that she would be missed.
I told her she was a good girl and that she could go play with the cat, she loved the cat.
I know she heard and understood me.
When we woke this morning for church she was gone.
Goodbye sweet Lexie.
~Shannon

This isn't easy

2011-12-30T12:26:00.000-05:00

One of my dogs is sick, not a cold or under the weather kind of sick.
She is dying.
Most of my pets were brought into our home long before we ever thought of having children and now that we have a daughter it is very hard to explain to her why we keep loosing them.
She can't understand why my MinPin Lexie, who used to jump and play and bark wants to only stay in her cage and sleep. She can't understand why she is getting so thin.
She asked today what was wrong with her dog.
I didn't lie.
I told her the truth.
That Lexie is old and sick and will be going away soon and won't be coming back.
and then I cried
I cried because it is hard to watch your pets get sick and die
I cried because I saw the heartbreak in my daughter's eyes at the thought of her dog going away and never coming back
and I cried at the thought of loosing her Baba (great-grandma) who is not well and in a nursing home.
I cried when I heard my daughter playing, telling the other toys that one of the other toys was sick. I know that is how she is processing it all but it is hard to hear.
I cried because the other day she asked where her Baba was, when told Baba was in the hospital my daughter asked if she was sick.
I was not ready for my 2 year old to have to know death.
I know she doesn't really understand/comprehend it at the age but she will sense the losses and the emotions of those around her and that's difficult as her mom.
Thanks for listening.
~Shannon

Author Unknown

New Work

2011-12-11T22:02:00.001-05:00

I have been happily beading away in my, sorta warm, dining room.
Here are a few of my newest pieces. I posted pictures on facebook already so if you follow me on facebook you have already seen these :-)

Pendant by Nancy Schindler


Pendant by Kylie Parry

Thank you so much for visiting
~Shannon

Artists Helping Artists Silent Auction

2011-12-08T19:44:00.001-05:00

BIDDING IS CLOSED:

Winners are:

Copper - Mags $35.00

Bracelet - Cathy Obbema $55

Thank you all for your bids and to the winners I thank you both very much!

Several artists in the blog community have decided to band together

to help a fellow artist in need.

I have decided to auction off 2 items.

Item 1 is this bracelet which I made for the Lorelei and Shannon's Lima Bead Challenge. It features handmade beads by Genea and MaryAnn Carroll. It also has Vintaj natural brass, czech glass, wood, and ribbon. Value is $40

The bidding on this is starting at $15.

To place a bid for this write BRACELET and your bid amount.

The second item, or items, up for bid are these handmade -by me- copper components.

(sorry for the sad looking photos I was at work in the salon all day and have no light so I took these on my iphone on the kitchen counter)

The horse pendant is huge, measuring over 2-1/2 inches high. The others are smaller coming in at 1-1/2 inches and less. Value is over $35.

The bidding on these is starting at $15.

To place a bid for these write COPPER and your bid amount.

Please leave a comment along with your bid. If you are the winning bidder, you will receive an invoice after the close of the auction. There must be a way to contact you. If you have email preferences turned off in your profile, please leave your email.

Many people are auctioning items to help out! Please visit these the other artists below and place your bid!

Please consider supporting this auction by visiting the entire list of participants below:

Heidi Post http://expostfactojewelry.blogspot.com/

Marie Cramp and Lori Anderson http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/

Barbara Bechtel and Staci Louise Smith http://secondsurf.com/

Erin Fickert-Rowland http://elysianstudiosart.com/

Keirsten Giles and Susan Fincher http://www.cerebraldilettante.blogspot.com/

Andrew Thornton http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

Karen Totten http://starryroadstudio.blogspot.com/

Kristi Bowman-Gruel http://dreamsomedesigns.blogspot.com/

Nan Emmett http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/

Maire Dodd http://mairedodd.blogspot.com/

Amanda Cargill Austin http://www.seashoreglassgirl.com/

Janice Everett http://jlynnjewels.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Anderson http://songbeads.blogspot.com/

Shannon Iko Chomanczuk http://formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Justman http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/

Erin Prais-Hintz http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/

Kerry Bogert http://kabsconcepts.blogspot.com/
Erin Seigel http://erinsiegeljewelry.blogspot.com/
Courtney Breul http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com/

Feel free to return and bid again!

Happy bidding!
Bidding will end on December 11th!

~Shannon

December 2011 Art Bead Scene

2011-12-03T21:54:00.001-05:00

December 2011 Art Bead Scene

As soon as I saw the inspiration picture for December's Art Bead Scene I ran home and finished this necklace which I had started.

Chrysler Building, 1928-1930

William Van Alen

I love the lines, the grey color, the industrial feeling against the blue sky.

My necklace pairs a button turned pendant with Labradorite, Pyrite and Smoky Quartz.

I love the flash of blue that Labradorite gives off.

I added a wire spiral and a single Swarovski Crystal to the center of the button.

A Labradorite teardrop swinging off the bottom of the button/pendant.

My handmade clasp.

Visit Art Bead Scene Here: http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/

Thank you for stopping by,
~Shannon

Challenge of Color Blog Hop 11/30/11

2011-11-30T00:05:00.000-05:00

I chose the color gray. What was I thinking is what I asked myself when I got the first e-mail with my color palette. The palette's are from Design Seeds.com.

Yellow, Maroon and Gray? How was I going to create anything in those colors?

Then a friend told me "You don't have to use all the colors just as long as you use gray you'll be fine." Thanks Catherine :-)

{autumn leaf}

I pulled out all the gray beads I had, then grabbed yellow and maroon beads and pendants. I surprisingly had a lot of yellow pieces from Round Rabbit and from Marsha Neal Studio.

I started with this necklace. A Marsha Neal Studio pendant, crystals, czech glass, agates and a couple beads from Starry Road Studio, all knotted on waxed linen.

Then I made this bracelet using a Round Rabbit tattoo heart charm, crystals, czech glass and waxed linen.

Once I got into the groove of this yellow and gray thing I was ready to add maroon into the mix.

I grabbed this Round Rabbit piece, czech glass, vintage lucite, jade, leather and Vintaj.

Thanks for the visit! I hope you like my creations. I can't wait to see what everyone else made for this challenge. I hope you'll hop around! I am #48 if you are keeping track.

~Shannon

Here is the official list:

1	Norma Turvey	Teal	Color Crave
2	Jeannie Dukic	Green	Mineral Tones
3	Mary McGraw	Teal	Embellished Hues
4	Jo Tinley	Red	Decadent Tones
5	Rebecca Anderson	Pink	Tulip Tones
6	Kristi Jaro	Red	Temple Entrance
7	Stephani Gorman	Green	Dew Tones
8	Melissa Meman	Green	Fruit Star
9	Kathleen Lange Klik	Teal	Silk Hues
10	Cynthia Riggs	Red	Autumn Comfort
11	Heidi Post	Teal	Flora Bright
12	Cece Cormier	Teal	Merino Teal
13	Amy Freeland	Gray	Cultured Tones
14	Alice Peterson	Blue	Island Play
15	Rose Noble	Gray	Autumn Stacked
16	Kristina Johansson	Yellow	Sunny Flower
17	Kirsi Luostarinen	Teal	Dragon Hues
18	Tari Kahrs	Orange	Citrus Tones
19	Mallory Hoffman	Purple	Petaled Dark
20	Molly Alexander	Brown	Peppered Tones
21	Regina Santerre	Red	Frosted Berry
22	Emanda Johnson	Teal	Color Purl
23	Amy Severino	Orange	Winged Tones
24	Bobbie Rafferty	Teal	Lime Hues
25	Tanya Goodwin	Gray	Pecked Tones
26	Lisa Lodge	Blue	Nocturnal Tones
27	Hope Smitherman	Blue	Bloom Tones
28	Linda Landig	Green	Cacti Dark
29	Ambra Gostoli	Teal	Perched Autumn
30	Lori Bowring-Michaud	Blue	Sharpened Blue
31	Pippa Chandler	Teal	Hungarian Hues
32	Keirsten Giles	Purple	Mineral Brights
33	Jennifer Justman	Blue	Autumn Rays
34	Sandy Richardson	Purple	Moroccan Brights
35	CJ Bauschka	Teal	Teal Air
36	Shaiha Williams	Teal	Sushi Hues
37	Kay Thomerson	Purple	Autumn Spectrum
38	Sally Russick	Purple	Golden Gate Tones
39	Cilla Watkins	Purple	Autumn Infused
40	Shirley Moore	Purple	Frozen Heather
41	Jenni Connolly	Gray	Paw Tones
42	Tamara Soper	Green	Field Tones
43	Sharyl McMillian-Nelson	Blue	Nested Blues
44	Jen Velasquez	Pink	Sweetened Tints
45	Maria Grimes	Red	Bright Bloom
46	Elisabeth Auld	Gray	Petaled Tints
47	Susan Kennedy	Pink	Zinnia Tones
48	Shannon Chomanczuk	Gray	Autumn Leaf
49	Holly Westfall	Yellow	Sprinkled Tones
50	Patty Gasparino	Red	Color Carton
51	Angela Little	Pink	Singapore Brights
52	Lizzie Zawinski	Green	Budding Hues
53	Kristen Stevens	Pink	Scooped Tones
54	Dawn Doucette	Brown	Jarred Tones

Mini Me

2011-11-28T11:03:00.001-05:00

I was so proud when I got out of the shower this morning and walked down the hallway and saw this scene at my beading table:

My daughter had watched me alter some Vintaj charms and pendants the other day so she found the Vintaj cards and the file and was making some of her own

When I walked out I asked "What are you doing?"
She answered "I making things."
I am so proud :-)
~Shannon

I Heart Macro

2011-11-26T21:23:00.001-05:00

Time for I Heart Macro again.

I was working on a Christmas themed craft with my daughter this afternoon and couldn't resist taking a pictures of her beautiful hands, chipped nail polish and all.

When she was born I would sit and stare at her perfectly formed fingers and fingernails. Now that she is 2-1/2 I can't believe the things she can do and how fast the time flies.

Also, I need to share a great giveaway:

The fabulous Lori Andsrson is hosting a week of giveaway's and sales. Go check it out.

Thanks for visiting! Now be sure to stop by the other participants and Lori's fabulous blog.
~Shannon

I Heart Macro- Winner

2011-11-19T21:50:00.001-05:00

I won the huge giveaway sponsored by Melinda Orr and 3 of my prizes have arrived :-)

First up is this gift certificate from Fired Up Ladies. I haven't decided what to buy yet but I am thinking it might be a set of these:

Second to arrive were these fabulous beads from Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp from Skye Jewels. I can't wait to make something from these.

And finally these awesome beads from Karen Totten from Starry Road. How amazing are these? I have already used several of them for my color hop challenge-to be revealed on Nov 30th.

I have taken a macro shot of my favorite beads of the bunch.

I hope you'll check out the rest of the Macro shots this week and please visit the shops of these 3 lovely ladies.

Thank you all so much for such an amazing giveaway!
~Shannon

My 200th Post and a giveaway

2011-11-15T22:05:00.001-05:00

Hello :-)
I know I haven't been around much. I have been getting ready to put my jewelry in a store in Pine Bush NY that is opening Tomorrow! Wowza.

I was accepted to the Hudson Valley Etsy Team and together the team is opening a Pop Up Shop. That means it will only be open for 3 months, perfect for holiday shopping.
I have been busy making new pieces, pricing and labeling.

Yes this is my 200th blog post!
So cool that I made it to 200.
It just so happens that I teamed up with my friend Mindy of Marigold Road to offer a $30 GC to my shop.

So in honor of my 200th post please make sure you visit Mindy's blog and enter to win the GC. I never give anything away so this is a pretty awesome chance.
Good luck and here's to 200 more!
~Shannon

How to make a floral bracelet, during nap time

2011-11-05T21:11:00.000-04:00

So today during my daughters nap (yes she still naps, how lucky am I?) I created this bracelet, start to finish. I used a package of flowers, 3 colors of crystals, fine silver wire, sterling silver head pins and a sterling silver lobster claw clasp.

I started with 20 gauge fine silver wire (all I had) and made the chain. Aren't these cute? they are like figure eight's. What I like about these is that you will never loose a flower. A good thing!
I thought about adding all the flowers before closing my loops but I wanted the loops to be perfect and knew the flowers would be in the way.

After I made the chain I selected all the flowers and crystals I was going to use and put them on sterling silver 1.5" headpins. This step of threading them all at once saves time.

Next step I did was to make a loop in all of the flowers. Again this saves time.

Next step I did was to add 1 row of flowers. I like adding the flowers one color at a time so I am not too overwhelmed by little sticks poking out all over the place.

Finished. All together this bracelet took me about 1.5 hours +/- Not bad for a nap time craft now is it?
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll try making your own.
~Shannon

This post was featured on the front page of The Hive I Love TheHIVE

A Dream

2011-11-03T09:00:00.006-04:00

Today is like a dream for me.
Several months ago I was contacted by Amy Berkowitz who writes the craft section for our local Newspaper. Not the dinky local paper, the big one, you know the one you buy for the coupons on Sunday.
I responded to her questions via e-mail and then did not hear back from her.
Hadn't heard back till last Tuesday.
Last Tuesday night the salon was slow so I went home early and the phone rang. Hello, this is Amy Berkowitz from the Times Herald Record. I almost dropped the phone. She and I had an instant connection and spoke for a while. Then we made an appointment to speak again that Friday. We spoke for over an hour that day. She is an artist and totally "got" me in a way others sometimes don't. We spoke again the other night and she told me the article would be out Thursday.
I only half believed her.
This morning before I even woke up my husband went out and bought 3 papers!
I was like is it really in there? He opened to page 23 and there it was - a picture of me and the necklace that I have as my facebook avatar :-) I love that necklace. He said the lady at the gas station asked if there was something special in the paper. He proudly responded "yeah, my wife." :-) So sweet.

I see they have a galley of other photos of my work at http://www.recordonline.com/

This is surreal.
~Shannon

I Created A Monster

2011-11-02T22:19:00.000-04:00

Yep, I did.

I created a monster.

See that cute little girl in that picture?

The one hanging out with her doggie?

Yes her.

Don't let her fool you.

She's a monster.

With big sharp teeth and she'll bite ya.

Now would someone please tell me what to do about it?

My baby's a biter :-( and I have no clue how to stop it.

~Shannon

Artisan Clay Fashion Show

2011-10-28T00:30:00.000-04:00

Instead of the regular Artisan Clay Design Team Last Friday of the Month post we are having an Artisan Clay Fashion Show! We are showcasing the work of Kristie Roeder in jewelry. The best part? You can join in. Visit the Artisan Clay blog and add the link to your blog post featuring Artisan Clay components used in jewelry to the linky.

Here are some of the pieces I have made using Kristie's components.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll check out the other participating blogs.
EDIT: I forgot to add that if you stop over to Kristie's blog and leave a comment which focal was you favorite from all the participating blogs you will be entered to win a component of Kristie's from my friend Staci's personal collection.

~Shannon

Art Bead Scene Challenge October

2011-10-24T23:02:00.004-04:00

I have been saying I wanted to participate in the Art Bead Scene Challenges but I am always too late. Inspiration takes me a while sometimes and by the time I have been inspired by something, find the beads, find the time to make the piece, photograph the piece, edit the pictures, post them to Flickr and write a blog post about it it's too late and I missed the chance. Not this month!
I am sliding in just under the wire this time. The posts and pics are due the 26th and it's the 24th!
Here is the picture that inspired me:

A Hedgehog in a Landscape, 1643-51

9¼ x 15 in. 23.5 x 38 cm. bodycolor on vellum

by Giovanna Garzoni

Click on the picture to read more about it and the artist.

Here is the necklace I made from this inspiration.

The focal is an etched copper leaf which I made, I also made the clasp.

The other beads are from Gaea Cannaday who's work you are used to seeing in my pieces.

There are also leopardskin jasper in matte and shiny, and crystals in rondelle and round shapes.
These beads are all knotted onto 3 strand of waxed linen to give the overall effect of a branch.

I was very inspired by this challenge and was tempted to buy a Hedgie bead and go all out but I like what I came up with, I think it is a subtle nod to the piece while still being "me". It's a long necklace, reaching almost all the way to my stomach, perfect for my favorite fall wardrobe-knee boots, jeans and a sweater :-)

Thank you for stopping by my blog and be sure check out Art Bead Scene to check out the rest of the entries.
~Shannon

Hang Tags

2011-10-17T21:55:00.000-04:00

I don't know if you remember the post where I showed off my new logo and branding?

Well my mini moo's came in and my wonderful husband (the Birthday Boy10/18) punched holes in the entire pack, I tied ribbons onto the entire pack and now I have my very own, super duper awesome hang tags.

There is plenty of room for a price tag and description and they look professional and cohesive. I am super thrilled.

I am ready for my close up

Look at all that room to write

Here they are on some bracelets

What do you think?
I know they are awesome aren't they ;-)
Thanks for the visit, have a piece of Birthday cake while you're here!
~Shannon

I am the Worst Mama Ever

2011-10-16T20:27:00.000-04:00

I want to say thanks to everyone that visited my button post and left a comment.
I am really busy (will get to that later) so I may not get around to responding to everyone's e-mail till later in the week.

Why are you so busy Shannon?

Well thanks for asking, I am so busy because, get this: A store in my area requested that I come in tomorrow to show them my work! Holy Moly! I almost died when she said she wanted to see me and my work as soon as possible for holiday shopping. Once I beat back the fear monger panic set in. I am working on an open house for the salon, working in the salon (I own the shop and do nails 30+ hrs a week), trying to prepare my house for the holidays (occupancy really we are under construction), move my craft supplies into the spare bedroom, organize said supplies, take 2 e-courses, make more jewelry for Bliss in Sugar Loaf, NY, make more jewelry for the salon, make more etched copper for sale, oh yeah and be a wife and mother.
To say that I am tired is an understatement. I am sure most are rolling their eyes because they do all this while standing on 1 foot, juggling 4 kids as a single mother, working full time and feeding the homeless. I however am not a super hero and get tired. I am tired all the time lately. I am sure it is hormones, being overweight or just being so stressed but it stinks. I always say that I could get so much more done if I didn't need sleep.

Now onto why I am the worst mama.
I thought I was doing everything right. I had a natural birth, breastfed, made my own baby food, I tried cloth diapers (just ewww), we limit tv, and sugar, and read no less than 10 book a day.

The other night while my daughter and I were playing with her piano I wanted a turn to show her how it worked. It has a light that you follow to play a "real" song. Okay well miss Emily didn't want me to have a turn and pushed me out of the way. So I said "you're no fun."

You would have thought I told her I was never going to see her again, ever. She started crying, no scratch that, sobbing. Hysterically. Uncontrollably. Sobbing. My heart broke. I said I am sorry in every way I know how. I said I didn't mean it. I explained why I said it. I told her I'd give her a cupcake if she forgave me. Yes, that worked.
Today, 3 days later, while she was playing with her dolls her Mama doll told her Emily doll that she was no fun.

Ugh, kid you're killing me.

~Shannon

Button Crazy

2011-10-15T22:54:00.002-04:00

After having done a couple button hops I am obsessed with buttons. I love them.
Today hubby, daughter and I went to the Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY.
We had so much fun walking around, looking at yarn, seeing all the sheep, alpacas and lamas, eating great fair food and shopping. For buttons.
I wanted to share with you the buttons and lampwork spacers I bought from 4 lovely artists.

Jennie Lanners
www.jenniethepotter.com

So Cute!

Melissa Jean Design
www.melissajean.net

How awesome is this stash?! I love that copper color and the leaf shape.

Shipyard Point Glassworks
www.spglassworks.com

Liz Cocco & Noel Becker
www.kokonoelle.com
-I grabbed these leaf beads the second I saw her booth. See that tin? It's all taped up. Yep, surprise buttons. I couldn't wait to get home and see them.

12 Buttons in that little tin!

Closer :-)

My Favorite!

EDIT 5:45AM: I totally just realized that that last button shot is a totally cool Macro photo.
Want to see what everyone else took Macro shots of this week? Check out:

Thanks for checking out my goodies!
What did you do today?
I'd love to hear, leave a comment.
Shannon

Lima Bead's Challenge Reveal Day

2011-10-08T00:01:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the reveal day of the Lima Bead's Challenge.

For those that didn't see the original post (click here) for this challenge my friend Lorelei Eurto and I picked some beads from LimaBeads.com. Lima Beads offered these kits for sale on their website (they sold out in like 24 hours!) and anyone who bought the kit was to make something with the beads. You could add your own beads, focal, whatev. we just did this for fun :-)

Beads in kit

So here's what I made with our huge stash of beads, seriously there were a lot of beads in that kit! I am working on a 3rd piece and hoped to have it done but a busy week at the salon, a wedding, teething toddler who refuses to nap and a hurt shoulder got in the way of finishing it :-( Bad hostess. I hope to get it done on Sunday or Monday and I will post picks when I do. It has those Biwa stick pearls in it.

Anyway, on to what I DID make.

A necklace. In it I used basically every bead in the kit. I couldn't help it, they all looked so good together. I also made my own focal by taking the filigree from the kit and layering it with another Vintaj filigree piece and a blank which I altered.

A bracelet. For the bracelet I used the ribbon and the chain from the kit then added teardrop seed beads, wood beads, fire polished glass, a lampwork bead from Genea Beads and a ceramic bead from MaryAnn Carroll.

Now hopefully the linky is working and you can add your blog to the hop so I/we can check out what you made. I hope everyone had fun with this challenge, I hope it stretched you outside of your comfort zone. I know they always make me work outside my box and this one was no different, even though I helped pick the beads.
Thanks for participating and for hopping along :-)
~Shannon

Earring Swap Reveal Day

2011-10-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to earring swap reveal day.

This swap was organized by the lovely Diana P. of Suburban Girl Studio.
I read about the swap on facebook (I am on it way too much) and had to run to Diana's blog to check it out. It sounded like fun, sight unseen earrings? Sign me up :-)

My partner Holly of Silver Rose Designs is someone whose work I admire and she is just a sweetheart. Always ready with a kind word or helping hand.

I loved her little gift box. It was so thoughtfully put together:

Check out these beautiful earrings Holly sent me:

I loved them immediately because I have an addiction to ivory lampwork beads. I buy them all the time. Look at those enameled headpins, so cute!

Thanks Holly, I love them!

Now check out what I sent Holly and what the other participants sent and received.

Diana Ptaszynski http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com

Jenny Davies-Reazor http://www.jdaviesreazor.com

Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp http://www.skyejewels.blogspot.com

Lisa Petrillo http://www.lucidmoonstudio.com

Patty Chaban Gasparino http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com

Susan Kennedy http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Shannon Chomanczuk http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com <---You are here

Cilla Watkins http://www.tellyourgirlfriends.com

Diane Hawkey http://www.dianehawkey.blogspot.com

Pam Ferrari http://www.ferrarioriginalsyahoocom.blogspot.com

Lori Bowring Michaud http://www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com

Stacey M. Curry http://www.starhitchedwagon.blogspot.com

Linda Landig http://www.lindasbeadblog.com

Norma Turvey http://www.moonlitfantaseas.blogspot.com

Melinda Orr http://www.orrtec.blogspot.com

Holly Westfall http://www.silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com <---My Partner

Rosemarie Cowit http://www.gemrosedesigns.blogspot.com

Staci L. Smith http://www.stacilouise.blogspot.com

Sarah Elder http://www.mysocalledjunkylife.blogspot.com

~Shannon

Last Friday in September

2011-09-30T17:05:00.001-04:00

I want to start by apologizing for being so late getting my post up. I am never late with these posts but the time seemed to get away from me and last weekend was spent with a very uncomfortable, teething toddler :-(
Thanks to help from my In-Law's and my husband I bring you my pieces for The Artisan Clay Design Team...
First up is the bracelet I made using this awesome button, leather, and polymer clay beads. My first attempt at polymer clay so go easy on me :-)

Artisan Clay Button

Polymer Clay Beads

Finished Bracelet

I love how light and easy to wear this bracelet is. I can see it with a 3/4 sleeve chunky sweater, jeans and knee boots. Which is basically my wardrobe for fall.

Next is the necklace I had in mind when I first saw that button.

An etched copper bird I made is suspended from the button by 20 gauge wire. The necklace is made up of a whole bunch of glass beads in different shapes and sizes. I love glass beads, they are so versatile. This necklace has faceted rounds, bell flowers, leaves and teardrops. Yum!

Be sure to check out the rest of the teams button designs.

Have a great weekend!
~Shannon

Business Branding

2011-09-25T21:45:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends!

I have been ~~thinking~~ worrying about my business branding for a long, long time. I decided to get serious, spend a little money and a lot of time researching designers, designs and rethinking my logo.
I knew I loved my little birds. They represent my daughter and I. She has very long hair and always wears a bow 8:-)

I knew I wanted more subtle colors to go with my favorite colors, brown, green, rust, yellow.
I visited many shops on etsy until I came upon a shop Loleysco whose banner I liked (she has since changed her's) and I contacted her and asked who made her banner. To my ~~surprise~~ delight she responded and gave me the information I requested.
I bought a package that night from FlyBirdFlyDesigns and began a journey with Renee to create my designs.

Avatar

Banner

My New Button!

I placed my order tonight with Moo.com, I have ordered from them before and love their quality and printfinity which means you can have 50 different photos printed on the back of your cards! I ordered large business cards with rounded corners and a different picture on the back of each one and Mini Moo's with a brown back with my name and etsy address in white. These mini's are my hang tags on my jewelry.

Business Cards

Mini Moo's, these will be hang tags!

Well, what do you think?
I am giddy with all the things I can do with these designs, my shop(s) - etsy, zibbet, my salon and Bliss- will all be cohesive. Which is so cool.
Stop by Moo.com tonight! If you do let me know I would love to see your cards.
I can't wait to show off my new packaging and plaque but you'll have to wait for all that to arrive in the mail.

Leave me a comment letting me know what you think!
~Shannon

Bead Soup Blog Hop Sept 2011

2011-09-17T09:48:00.002-04:00

I had the pleasure of being paired with Sharon Palac of BijouxJardin.etsy.com.
The really cool part of having Sharon as a partner is that we must have been reading each others minds the day we picked beads. She and I both sent a flower and a butterfly.
Here's what I sent:

Here is what Sharon sent me:

I was able to make 3 necklaces, a bracelet and earrings with all that Sharon sent! She was very generous. My first design had all the beads in 1 necklace. I had the flower then the glass, then the butterfly, then the pearls, etc... Way too busy. So I decided to work with 1 component at a time. I started with the butterfly.

The beautiful enameled butterfly was paired with a vintage key, a chalcedony briolette, beads from Gaea Cannaday and silks from Marsha Neal. I used the clasp Sharon sent me in this necklace.

The flower came undrilled so I use my new hole punch I bought from Melinda Orr to punch a hole and then I knotted a bird from Gaea, vintaj beads and matte leopard jasper on waxed linen. I didn't use a clasp and you just slip the necklace right over your head.

I made a necklace and bracelet from the pearls, crazy lace agates, czech glass and filigree. For the bracelet I took a cue from the clasp Sharon sent me and I forged my own clasp from copper wire.

Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope you will also visit my partner Sharon's blog to see what she made. I am on my way there now. Due to technical difficulties (of the 2 year old kind) I got my post don a bit late.

A HUGE thank you to Lori for making the possible!

~Shannon

The entire list is posted here: LoriAnderson's Blog

On Bronze Wings

2011-09-16T11:04:00.002-04:00

My friend Staci of SLArtisanAccents.etsy.com and StaciLouise.etsy.com has been on a roll making THE most beautiful bronze wing sets that I have ever seen. You simply have to check them out! This is my favorite set and I think I may have to treat myself to them....

Staci sent me a few pieces to play with over the summer, a polymer clay heart and a wing.
I also purchased a beautiful coin pendant with a really cool raised design and because I was her 50th sale she sent me a beautiful Wing and Moon Baby pendant!

I made a necklace with the heart but I sent it to a magazine and am waiting to hear back from them. I have an idea for the other pieces as well but haven't had a chance to play with them yet. Stay Tuned!

Staci is also a very talented jewelry designer with such an amazing eye for pairing mixed metals. She makes these amazing collar like necklaced with artist beads, metal and various types of gemstones.

This is NOT my necklace, Staci made it!

If you are looking for jewelry or really cool bronze components please stop by Staci's shops.

~Shannon

Bliss Co-Op and Me

2011-09-14T17:26:00.000-04:00

On Saturday while online I saw a post about a couple artists I know whose work was accepted at Bliss Co-Op in Sugar Loaf, NY. I have been thinking about getting my work out to stores, other than my own salon, of course.

I haven't done this before because I was nervous. I have so many what if's that I just never did it or even did the work involved in getting my work out there.

I had been reading Shannon LeVart's posts about getting you work out there and I was still on my high of the Bead Trend September cover that I sent a quick e-mail over to the owner of the store. Then I had a panic attack. Then I e-mailed my friend Patty and freaked out.

All I could think is oh my gosh what have I done? What if she doesn't like my work? What is she does like my work? What am I getting myself into?
The owner e-mailed me back less than an hour later. She wanted to see more. Oh my gosh! I frEaKeD out, e-mailed Patty again, then I quickly (before I lost my nerve) e-mailed the owner a nice note saying when I would be available and went to bed.
Sunday morning started out normal, 5:45am up, church, Shop Rite, hubby made pancakes and eggs and turkey bacon, yum, while I check my e-mail.
Oh my GOsH, she wants to meet me and they open at 11am!
Much to my surprise my husband helped me pack up some 50+ pieces, I e-mailed Patty, and drove my daughter and I out to the store, 45 minutes away. I was sweating the whole way and e-mailing Patty. I met with the owners and I am thrilled to announce that as of this morning Wednesday, September 14th, my jewelry is now on display at Bliss Co-Op in Sugar Loaf, NY!

My Table!

This is truly a dream come true for me and a step in the direction I know I was meant to take. I thank all of you, especially poor Patty, who have supported me and encouraged me and most important believed in me, mom, I couldn't have done it without my family and friends- both in person and online.

Watch out world- here I come!

More pictures of Bliss:

Oh I almost forgot what do you think of my display? Be honest I can take it and it will help me tweak whatever needs work.
~Shannon

Lima Beads Challenge

2011-09-08T00:30:00.000-04:00

Kits have now sold out! Wowza you guys rock! Thanks so much and I can't wait to see what y'all make on October 8th.

One night I was online and I had the idea to contact my friend Lorelei Eurto of Lorelei's Blog and ask her if she would like to do another challenge. I had so much fun participating in her previous challenges that I was itching to do another one. Lorelei said sure and so off to Limabeads.com we went. Lorelei contacted Lima Beads (Kevin, Aly and Cathy, THANK YOU!) and they agreed to our idea of putting together our choices into kits for our readers to easily participate in this online design challenge.

Nothing challenging about it really, you just buy the kit and make something pretty with the beads.

We'll all blog about our finished pieces on a set date!The idea of this challenge is to each have the same components and beads, and then we each make something of our own imaginations, which shows the versatility of the beads chosen.

Together Lorelei and I picked some beauties - in the kit you will find all of the beads and components shown in this photo collage, but here's the rundown:
Abalone Mosaic Cylinder 20x10mm
Antique Copper (plated) Flat Oval Cable w/ Barbell Chain
Czech Fire Polished Glass Luster Prairie Green Round 10mm
Czech Glass Gladiola Flower Button 12x7mm
Czech Glass Luster Transparent Amethyst Teardrop 12x16mm
Czech Glass Wisteria Fire Polished Rondelle 6x9mm
Flamingo Glace Hand Dyed 100% Silk Ribbon 7/16"
Lemon Chrysoprase Faceted Oval 18x13mm
Lemon Ice Potato 5-5.5mm
Missficklemedia Patinated Violet Oval Toggle Clasp 20x12mm,
24mm barSilver Green Biwa Top-Drilled 6-10x18-28mm
TOHO Matte Aquarius Cube 4mm Seed Beads
Turquoise Zebra Jasper Tumbled Nugget 7-14x10-12mm
Vintaj Natural Brass Framed Scrollwork Pendant 35x40mm

To keep the cost down, Limabeads included half-strands, or small increments of beads.

Kit details will be on the website.

FAQS:
The kits will be available on a first-come first-served basis.
There are quite a few kits available, but if you want to participate, I suggest you head over to purchase your kit as soon as you can.
You MUST use at least some of the beads in the kit. Feel free to substitute your own beads into your project.
You may make multiple pieces for this challenge, the more the merrier.
You may use an additional pendant with the Vintaj Scrollwork pendant or you can substitute something else in place of it if you want.
You can substitute a different clasp if you'd rather use something else but we really liked this one from MissFickleMedia.
You must have a blog to participate.

US and INTERNATIONAL bloggers are welcomed to participate. Just be aware of the time line. Reveal day is October 8 so be sure that you order your kits in time to be ready for the reveal date.

Have Fun!!!

We will reveal our designs on: OCTOBER 8
To participate in the blog hop, Lorelei will be subscribing to Linky Tools for you to easily link up your posts on reveal day.
If you have any questions please feel free to email me or Lorelei.

Last Friday in August

2011-08-26T09:11:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the Artisan Clay Design Team Reveal Day!

I received the most awesome pendant. I love the colors in the glaze Kristie used and the u shape made it the perfect pendant for a choker style necklace. I rarely do chokers but I love how this turned out.

I went to JoAnne's Fabrics with a friend a few weeks ago and bought a big bag of plastic flowers. I promptly organized them into baggies by color. One flower escaped my attempts to corral my bead hoard and remained on my table top. It's this little convict that is now front and center in the necklace.

When I received the pendant I placed it on my table top waiting for inspiration. The little flower worked perfectly with the pendant. I also round up some beads from MaryAnn Carroll and my favorite silk from Marsh Neal Studio.

I am so glad that we are having some sunshine this morning so I could take photos because it is looking like the weekend will be a washout with Hurricane Irene taking aim at NY :-/
Be safe everyone.
I am off to the grocery store to stock up on essentials - chips and ice cream.
~Shannon

Monday, Monday

2011-08-22T19:07:00.000-04:00

A little lunch

A little dinner

A little girl

A little goofing off

A little giveaway (click picture to go to blog)

A little excitement!

I was chosen to be one of the 12 members of the Allegory Gallery Design Team!

This is such a great honor and opportunity.

The other members include:

Genea Crivello-Knable

Brenda Salzano

Shannon Chomanczuk<--that's me!

Charlene Sevier

Jess Prill

Rebecca Anderson

A little stressed because the reveal date for the Artisan Clay Design team is this Friday and although I love the piece I got to work with, I haven't made anything yet! Having a 2 year old is tough. I have a design session planned for tonight, if she sleeps *fingers crossed*

Hope you'll stop by on Friday :-)
~Shannon

I Heart Macro

2011-08-20T21:21:00.000-04:00

These are pictures of the beautiful blossom my husband brought in from the garden for me. It is from our pumpkins. These are only open in the morning and are so beautiful. I love to look out the window in the morning and see them all with their faces upturned to the sun, it is such a awesome sight.

Have a wonderful day and be sure to check out the rest of the I Heart Macro participants!

~Shannon

Chinook Jewelry Design Partner Reveal Day

2011-08-15T10:22:00.001-04:00

I did a little dance when I found out that I was chosen to participate in the monthly design team at Chinook Jewelry Designs.

I have been a fan of Mellisa's work for as long as I have been making jewelry so I was thrilled to get my beads in the mail. Yep, two beads!!! How did I get so lucky?

These amazing beads stretched me creatively sending me into a direction my work hasn't gone before. I normally pick pendants with only 1 or 2 colors and as you'll see my pendant had many colors.

Do I pick up one of the colors or all of them?

I hope you like what I came up with, when I saw the strand of agates I used in the necklace I knew the necklace was going to be great!

Check out Mellisa's blog and the other designers!
Kym Hunter
Lisa Petrillo
~Shannon

This blog post was featured on Creating The Hive!
I Love TheHIVE

I Heart Macro

2011-08-13T18:58:00.000-04:00

What is it?

It is a hip bone, probably from the deer that was shot in our back yard last year. You can see the marks from some animal that chewed on it. I love bones. I have a huge collection of them. Is it creepy to display jewelry on old deer bones? Antlers? I have been thinking of doing just that but wanted to get some opinions first.
Check out everyone else who's participating in this weeks I Heart Macro.

Bead Trends September

2011-08-09T22:09:00.000-04:00

That's my bracelet on the cover! There is no way to put into words just how excited I am.
Thank You Bead Trends for making my 35th birthday (Thursday) the best ever!!!

I Heart Macro

2011-07-30T22:15:00.000-04:00

My wonderful husband started a garden this year. I hate dirt, and bugs, and snakes, and worms, and being hot, and hard work. So the garden is his project. He brought these in for my daughter tonight.

Yum!

As you can see they were well received.
Wish I had gotten to try some :-)

Why don't you visit the rest of the I Heart Macro Participants!

Have a great day!
~Shannon

Last Friday in July

2011-07-29T10:08:00.001-04:00

In the salon I work 3 days a week. On the last day I work for a particular month I will pause at the end of the work day to reflect on the events of that month and to plan things for the following month.
Yesterday was that day. As most of you know 2 weeks ago I lost my cat of 9 years. That was a very difficult part of the month of July but July wasn't all that bad. Despite the sadness in my heart at his passing I would say July was a pretty great month.
I was able to participate in 3 design challenges! J-Lynn Jewels, Chinook (which will be revealed soon) and today's reveal Artisan Clay.
I am still high from receiving my first piece of jewelry being in a print publication (Bead Trends) and I had a piece of jewelry in an e-magazine (Everyday Bracelets) So awesome!!!
I was able to attend a bead show, buy some truly awesome beads, and spend a wonderful day with my husband. Speaking of my husband, we celebrated our 10 year Anniversary in July! He took me for lobster and crab legs right on the Hudson River. It was a wonderful evening, the food was delicious and the view was amazing. We live minutes from the river and seldom get to go down there because the restaurants are very pricy, so it was such a nice treat.
We had a wonderful time with new and old friends at a barbeque to support a friend who is running for a political position.
On Monday night I was listening to Nail Talk Radio and won a $1500.00 Gellish gel color kit from Harmony Nails! It contains 72 colors, all the supplies needed and the LED lamp! This kit will be life changing for me and so wonderful for my salon and the future growth of my salon. I am still in shock that I actually won. You see there were 2 of us named Shannon on the call so I thought for sure they meant her.
I hope that the month of August will hold many more special moments for my family and I. I will be celebrating my 35th birthday in about 2 weeks. I hope to achieve my goal of submitting designs to magazines every month for the rest of the year and I hope to spend more time on both my salon and my jewelry.
What did you do in July?
What are your plan for August?

Now I want to reveal my design for the Artisan Clay Design team:

I chose the beautiful purple donut bead because I knew the color would present a challenge and the shape. I rarely use purple and I have never worked with this shape before. This necklace is inspired by the designs of one of my friends Staci Klinger Smith of StaciLouise she uses this shape in many of the pieces I admire in her shop. How'd I do Staci? Thanks for being an inspiration!!!

I hope you'll take a second today to reflect on July, plan for August and visit the other members of the Artisan Clay Design Team.

~Shannon

The Worst Day

2011-07-15T10:43:00.000-04:00

In December of 2000 my ferrett George died. My husband and I had just bought our house and I was working as Head Teller at the bank. One of my co-workers had heard of a bunch of cats that were found in a dumpster behind Ames (now Target). I went to visit the kittens and came home with the cutest grey and white striped kitten we named Ashley. We took her to the vet to get checked out and found out the she was a he :-) So Ashley became Ashes.
He was a great cat. I had cats growing up that were crazy, pulling down the ceiling tiles, biting and scratching. Ashes never did any of those things. He was a big cat weighing almost 28 pounds. He loved to be brushed and let me give him baths and clip his nails with no complaining. He loved to be carried around like a baby and he would put his head on my shoulder. I started calling him Cat because he would run if you asked where the cat was :-)
After we had The Girl we bought a new couch. Ashes had it out for that couch. If he got around the couch he would mark it. She we made him his own room. The dogs slept in that room and his food, water, litter box and bed were in there. My beads are also in that room. The girl and I would visit and play with him every day. My wonderful husband took over changing the litterbox while I was pregnant.
On Wednesday I noticed he was looking funny. He looked a little thinner than he did the day before and he was breathing hard. I thought it was the heat so we put a fan in his room to circulate the air conditioning. (We only have window units)
On Thursday I was off from the salon in the morning to work on some Etsy shop stuff and make more etched copper pendants. I checked on him when I woke up and he was still breathing heavy but ran to greet me when I came in the room. I brushed him and asked him what was wrong. He wouldn't leave my side so I let him out into the kitchen with me while I worked. I took a shower with him in the bathroom. When I sat down to do my makeup he ran over to me. I knelt down and cradled him in my arms. He took 3 breaths and went limp. I knew he was gone but I kept running in and out of the room yelling what's wrong, what's wrong. what can I do?
My husband was gone for the day and out of cell phone range. I didn't know what to do so I just sat with him for a long time and wrapped him in a new green blanket, he loved fleece blankets.
He was buried this morning and I still can't believe he's gone. It seems so surreal. I haven't been able to go in his room yet and I am not sure when I will feel okay to go in there. I know he was just a cat but he was my cat, he was a part of our family. When The Girl first started talking we would laugh because she would say "Cat, doggie, doggie, doggie, doggie" we figured out it was because we have 4 dogs but only the one cat.

Dear Ashes,
Thank you for picking us as your forever home. I was happy to be your mom and although it was very hard on me to be with you when you passed I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. I hope you know that you were loved and will be missed. I know the pain in my heart will fade but the memories of you never will.

Ashes December 2009

A Treasury!

2011-07-10T21:23:00.000-04:00

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTY1MjM5OHw0MzM4NjA0MjI/a-posy-for-your-pocket

My necklace is featured in this beautiful treasury!
I love coming home to an e-mail saying a piece of my jewelry was chosen to be in a treasury. They aren't all that easy to make so it always makes me feel special to be featured. I hope you'll stop by, check it out and leave some love for the curator.
~Shannon

Gross...

2011-07-09T21:06:00.000-04:00

...and yet so intriguing.
This afternoon while The Girl was sleeping hubby came running toward the house with a cicada. Let me tell you I was not overjoyed by his presence, the cicada not my husband ;-)

I think they are so freaky looking although I have never gotten this close to one before. I remember finding their "shells" all over the neighbors house when I was little. I remember thinking what a huge bug it must be.

In my book this thing was big and had these huge dark eyes. It never moved. It let me take picture after picture and it didn't even blink. Not that bugs blink but you know what I mean.

Have a wonderful day and check out what the rest of my friends are up to at I Heart Macro :-)

~Shannon

Christmas In July

2011-07-09T09:43:00.001-04:00

I am participating in The Christmas In July Sale with The Etsy Mom Street Team.

Click on banner to go to my etsy shop

I am thrilled by this idea because my 10th wedding Anniversary was July 6th.
The Christmas In July sale will run from July 14th-July 24th and all the items in my shop are 10% off and I will be adding new items daily.
I hope you'll stop by and visit my shop and all the other members of The Etsy Mom Street Team during the sale.
~Shannon

Inspired by!

2011-07-04T19:34:00.000-04:00

I was inspired by a necklace to make a necklace I made for the Muffin Tin challenge. At the time I could not remember where I found the one I was inspired by. You see when I am online, which is a lot, I see pictures of pieces and sometimes my brain says "oh that's how you can use that bead" which I will sometimes do. Then by the time I get to make the piece I have forgotten where I saw the piece of jewelry that inspired me in the first place.

I was clicking around tonight after dinner and found this:

Pink Grapefruit Chunky Choker Necklace by Cherrie Fick

EnLaLumiere

The inspiration for the necklace I made. I am so glad I found it to share this wonderful artist with you and thank her properly for the beautiful inspiration for my necklace. I hope I didn't offend by not posting sooner that you were my inspiration :-)

For My Sweet Daughter

Margie and Me Challenge

2011-07-03T17:27:00.000-04:00

Marcie from La Bella Joya invited me to participate in her color challenge.

Margie and Me: SoBe Style

Although you saw this bracelet already I thought it only fair that you saw the inspiration behind it.

You should stop by her blog and check out what she and the other participants made with this and the other color palette. La Bella Joya Blog

I Heart Macro

2011-07-03T12:48:00.001-04:00

Time for I Heart Macro.
This week I had to give you a macro shot of The Girl. She's just so cute I can't help myself.
I hope you are enjoying your weekend :-)

Oh and I had to add this little guy. He's quick so it's hard to catch a picture but I snuck up on him the other day :-)

Check out what everyone else is up to:

The Muffin Tin Challenge

2011-06-27T18:24:00.002-04:00

Heather Powers put out the Muffin Tin Challenge to the readers of Art Bead Scene. I love a challenge and the creative energy it stirs up.
I have been in a creative slump so I decided to check it out.
On Thursday.
Night.
After a very long and trying day at the salon.
Day before I had to do a Bride and her sister's nails for a wedding.

12 muffin cups, 12 projects. No problem.
In a week. No problem.
Week 1/2 gone. Um, problem.

I figured that I wouldn't participate till a fb friend pointed out that the challenge was reduced to 6 projects. Phew, game on.

I filled my muffin tin on Friday night after I rocked those wedding nails.
By the time I was ready for bed I had 18 projects in those muffin cups!
I even grabbed our 6 tin muffin pan out of the cabinet.
I was able to make 12 pieces, 1 more is on the bead mat right now. Here they are:

Lampwork beads from HMB Studios, vintage Swarovski crystals, Sea glass, Quartz and TierraCast

Vinatge Swarovski Crystals and TierraCast

Pendant by Nancy Schindler, shell and Vinatj Chain

Handmade beads by Gaea Cannaday and leather, Vintaj clasp

Handmade pendant by MadMaggie Designs

Lampwork Glass beads by HMB Studios and heart charm by Green Girls Studio

Handmade toggle by MadMaggie Designs, Handmade Egg by Kelley Wenzel, Handmade Lampwork beads by Julsbeads

Garnets, TierraCast and I am sure dyed magnesite

Stretch bracelet 2 hole jasper and Vinatj beads

Lampwork bead by Julsbeads, abalone, Vinatj chain and charm

Handmade pendant Missficklemedia, glass and Vinatj chain

Humblebeads polymer clay beads, carnelian, magnesite, jade, Enameled bead by Sally Russick

I had a blast doing this challenge and even have 5 or 6 projects waiting to be made. I think I will keep up this challenge. I rarely cook anyway ;-) I loved that the short time frame made me have to use what was in my stash! A great way to use up those Art Beads I have been hoarding.
Thanks for stopping by, leave me a link to your post I would love to see what my frieands and readers have made for this challenge.
~Shannon

I Heart Macro

2011-06-25T22:19:00.000-04:00

Roses from my house. I planted these rose bushes about 10 years ago when we first bought our house. I was out of work for 3 months in the Spring of 2001 and before the chaos of planning a wedding and nail school began I gardened, a lot. I have since abandoned all my plants but these tiny rose bushes keep going! The flowers are about the size of my thumb but boy are they beautiful.

Have a great day! It is finally summer here in NY so I am going to be playing outside with my 2 year old :-)
~Shannon

Last Friday In June

2011-06-24T08:24:00.000-04:00

Where did the time go?
I feel like the last month (and the last 2 years) have flown by.
My daughter celebrated her 2nd Birthday on Wednesday with a trip to Build A Bear and Bugaboo Creek.
It was not the zoo trip we had planned, the weather in NY has been horrible, but we made the best day we could.
Onto the reveal!
This month we were able to pick the pendant we wanted to work with. I kept looking at this one thinking it looked like whiskers. I have never worked with a bead like this so I figured what the heck?! and chose the chunky square! Whew so out of my comfort zone but it was love at first site. But I had no idea what I was going to do.
Here is the necklace I made:

Necklace with Vintaj Chain and Silk Ribbon

Swarovski Crystals dangle off the bottom of the pendant

A handmade head pin captures the 2 Bead Sisters lampwork bead withing the square

Be sure to check out what everyone else made!!!
~Shannon

get the InLinkz code

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-18T20:10:00.001-04:00

Wishing my husband, my dad, my father-in-law and all the fathers out there a very

Happy Father's Day!

My first published piece!

2011-06-15T20:44:00.002-04:00

Copper%20Wire%20Jewelers%20-%20Issue%205

On page 9 is my necklace Beginnings. This is the first piece of jewelry I have had published and I am so excited for you all to finally see it!

~Shannon

Hair Bow Review

2011-06-14T21:31:00.000-04:00

I received 2 crochet hair bows from Sugar Mama's Sweet Bowtique ages ago and I have been trying to capture a picture of my daughter wearing one of her coveted bows. She loves these bows so very much. She asks to wear them almost everyday. They are large so I like to put her hair in a ponytail and put the bow back by the elastic. She looks so cute don't you think?

These bows are very well made and the owner of the shop is such a sweetheart to work with for custom orders or any questions you might have. She also does reviews of other peoples items so contact her if you would like her to do a video, yeah a video! review of something you make or sell.
She has many other items she makes like:

Isn't he adorable?!


SO Cute!

So if you need a unique gift or just a beautiful crochet hair bow visit her websit: http://www.sugarmamassweetbowtique.com/ or stop by and "like" her fb page http://www.facebook.com/SugarMamasSweetBowtique and tell her Shannon sent you!

Eeek!

2011-06-11T20:58:00.000-04:00

Say hello to my little friend.

I Heart Macro

2011-06-04T21:18:00.001-04:00

Do you see it? I think it looks like a bunch of nasty old faeries or goblins. (or owls as Kristi pointed out)

Do you know what it is?

Do you know what it is now?

This was her first pineapple ever :-)

Cleaning House

2011-06-04T20:44:00.004-04:00

As many of you know I live in small house and I am a pack rat.
I love beading books and collect them, hoard them, love them, hug them, call them George. Okay you get the idea. Well it has come time to part with some of these books. It is not that I don't love them anymore it is just that the shelves are going to start crashing down soon and I really do need to let things go.

I am going through a box right now and listing them on Amazon (did you know you can do that?) and I thought I should offer them to you guys too.
Shipping is $3.99 for in the US, I am not sure what it would be outside the US but if you are interested in buying something and you are outside the US contact me and we'll talk. I am also happy to trade books for beads so contact me if you are up for that :-)
Here we go:

$5.00

SOLD

$5.00

SOLD

$4.00

$3.00

SOLD

$2.00

$18.00

Okay that's it for this post, let me know if you would like any of these books. I will be posting more in a little while :-)
~Shannon

I Heart Macro

2011-05-28T22:39:00.000-04:00

This is my first time participating in the I Heart Macro link up.
I don't often show my photography because I am basically starting over because I have a digital camera I know nothing about. Here are my pictures for this weeks I Heart Macro. Please be gentle :-)

A nest in our yard


Look Mama a coin

I don't think there's anything sweeter than dirty little exploring fingers.

~Shannon

Barbara Lewis Book Giveaway

2011-05-27T20:58:00.000-04:00

Barbara Lewis of Painting With Fire Artwear has a new book coming out soon. She is having a giveaway to encourage you to take a look inside her book.

Visit Amazon, take a look inside, click like, become a follower of Barbara's Blog and then share the giveaway on your blog. You could win these beads!

The winner will be announced next Tuesday. I hope it's me :-)

Last Friday In May

2011-05-27T08:50:00.004-04:00

It is the very last Friday in May :-(
Next month at this time I will have a 2 year old. The time is flying by.
The good thing about the last Friday of the month is the Artisan Clay Design Team Reveal!!!

We were given these beads:

Aren't they amazing?!

I immediately thought "oh earrings" but then didn't want to be too simple. So I made a complicated earring out of them, epic fail. They almost ripped my ear off, waaaayyy too heavy. So I cute them apart and thought "I can make 2 of the same, like BFF necklaces" So I made the first necklace.

I think it is pretty cool. I made a coil and wire wrapped the pendant, added jump rings, silk from Marsha Neal Studio, a lampwork bead from Amanda of Sea Shore Glass and Vintaj chain and bead caps. I did that one last week and figured I had a whole week to make the other one.

Then I had a dream about a tree entwined by beautiful, leafy vines dripping with dew. I got right to work and came up with this piece. I love the twisting Vinatj wire and the sprinkling of tiny Swarovski crystals.

Love!

Doesn't it remind you of a vine?

I was also so excited to have been given the necklace from Jeannie in my last post because the peridot chips were the perfect addition to this necklace. I also used up the rest of my silk from Marsha :-)

I hope you like the 2 necklaces I made and I hope you will check out the other artists pieces and see what they did with their pendants from Kristie.
Thanks for stopping by!

~Shannon

Marcie Abney

Shannon Chomanczuk <---you're there! :-)

Carol Dean Sharpe

Staci Louise Smith

Jen Velasquez

Susan Kennedy

Penny Neville

and the woman who made all these beauties: Kristie Roeder

Here is the Inlinz.com gadget link-

Do Over Challenge Blog Hop Reveal

2011-05-25T08:15:00.001-04:00

Jeannie sent each of the participants a piece of jewelry that she had made. The point of this challenge? To cut up the piece she sent us and remake it into something else. Yup, cut it apart. I know right?!

The piece I was sent wasn't all bad, it looks like something I would have made a few years ago before I knew much about gemstones and art beads.

Original Necklace and Earrings

The necklace sat on my bead table/kitchen counter for several days before I cut it apart. I almost felt bad taking my cutters to the wire (almost) once I poured the beads onto the counter I started to have fun.

My Necklace

I added a Vintaj blank, beads, leaf, and toggle clasp, some bronze seed beads and pendant from Mellisa of Chinook Designs.

I bet you are wondering what I did with the rest of the necklace right? Well stay tuned to the blog on Friday because those Peridot chips were exactly what I needed to finish a necklace I was working on for the Artisan Clay Design Team.

Now please go check out the other participant's blogs and what they made. I know I can't wait. We all got different things to work with so I am looking forward to seeing what everyone did. Make sure you visit Jeannie's blog too (she's listed first) :-)

~Shannon

Jeannie of Jeannie's Blog ---> http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Sally http://www.wireworked.com

Dagmar http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com

Donna No Blog

Lisa http://lucidmoonstudio.blogspot.com

Christine http://www.onekisscreations.blogspot.com

Erin http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

Leslie http://www.madmaggiedesigns.blogspot.com

Shannon http://www.formysweetdaughter.blogspot.com <----YOU ARE HERE

Niky http://silverniknats.blogspot.com

Diane http://www.dianehawkey.com

Barbe http://www.barbesaintjohn.blogspot.com

Elisabeth http://www.beadsforbusygals.com

Lori http://www.PrettyThingsBlog.com

Linda http://lindalandig.wordpress.com

Jamie No Blog

Pam http://www.ferrarioriginals.blogspot.com

Patty http://www.mylifeunderthebus.typepad.com

Nancy http://nedbeads.com

Kim http://www.kimmykats.blogspot.com

Marci http://www.moosepetals.com

Charlene http://clay-space.com

ArtBeads.com Coupon

2011-05-18T21:38:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys,
Artbeads.com gave me this 15% off gift coupon code to share with my friends to thank me for being a loyal customer. Artbeads has a huge selection of beads and jewelry making supplies at great prices.

Just click this link for the coupon code:
http://bit.ly/mfeqVG

Thanks!
~Shannon

New Bracelet

2011-05-17T21:59:00.000-04:00

Well Bead Star voting ended this evening and I am pretty sure that none of my pieces got enough votes to get in the magazine. I am disappointed but I am still touched that I did get 3 pieces picked and that I did it. I entered 5 pieces, which means I made the pieces, photographed them, edited the pictures and uploaded them by the deadline! All while working 30+ hrs a week at the salon and taking care of my almost 2 yr old daughter 4 days a week. I am pretty proud of myself and it has given me the confidence to go for more contests and magazines.
I never thought my stuff was good enough to be in the pages of a magazine or even get 1 vote in a contest. I wonder if all artists are this hard on themselves.

I am loving the blog world, I have met some wonderful people who's thoughts and friendships I value. There's Patty who keeps me laughing every day, Holly, the "other" Shannon ;-), my K's- Kristie, Kristi, Kristy, Kelley, Kylie, Kerry, Marie, Hope, Heather, Cristi, Judith, Barbara, Nancy, Lori, Lorelei and the list could go on and on and on. Thanks you all for your encouragement, support and help when I send you a pm or chat about a technique or idea. Thank you for your beautiful work and beautiful pieces which keep me pushing forward even when I want to toss all the beads in the trash. Thanks for always pushing forward and getting on websites and into stores and tweeting or Face-cracking about it because even though I am a twinge jealous and want to bop you in the nose it pushes me forward because instead of being nasty about it I say why not me, what is she doing that I need to be doing, what can I learn from her!

Lastly I leave you with this bracelet I made the other night that I think is pretty. I was going to send it to a magazine but realized I have no idea how to write directions for how I knotted the leather and I also can't remember where I got a couple of the beads. So it is available for sale instead :-)

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!!!
~Shannon