sandivolpe.com http://sandivolpe.com Handcrafted Jewelry Sun, 13 May 2012 11:35:25 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Button Swap and Happy Mother’s Day http://sandivolpe.com/button-swap-happy-mothers-day/ http://sandivolpe.com/button-swap-happy-mothers-day/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 06:37:26 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=953 Today is the Button Swap Blog Hop Reveal, hosted by Cindy Wimmer of Sweet Bead Studio.

Thanks for hosting Cindy, I had a lot of fun!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all  and I hope you have a fantastic day!

I was partnered with Jenny Davies-Reazor, a very talented ceramic and mixed media artist,  who sent me a fantastic selection of buttons.

The first piece I finished was with one of the antique buttons.

On a whim I picked up a strand of seed beads with interesting colors and they just matched the button perfectly.

I  knotted the beads on thick silk,  added a hand made copper clasp and I came up with a multi-wrap bracelet that drapes beautifully or a necklace, that can be doubled up.

 

 

 The second piece I completed was  the ceramic flower button, I added some waxed linen to add a bit of dimension

and hopefully hide the way I was going to attach the pendant.

I knew I wanted to use it as a pendant and have it be center stage.

I was able to pick up the colors from the pendant with a stack of buttons, rhodochrosite rondelles, a HMB studios lamp work bead and hand dyed silk.

 

 

The third button, I wanted to work with, was this fantastic owl.

I thought I could do a simple leather wrap, but my leather was to thick for the holes,so I took a picture with the button, leather, sari silk and waxed linen.

I plan on getting thinner leather to make it in to a bracelet, but wanted to share.

Finally, I had to show what happens when a 1 year old lab/pointer mix gets chewing on the waxed linen, bite marks above and a tangled mess below.

I will be on the soccer field in the morning and then plan on relaxing the rest of the day. Please see the list below to visit all the participants.

PS If any one has some tips and tricks for getting to all the hop participants  quickly, please share.

Alice Peterson  and Kim Bender

Angie Blasingame and Billi R.S. Rothove

 Billi R.S. Rothove and Angie Blasingame

 Birgitta Lejonklou and Pam Farren

 Bonnie Coursolle and Tania Hagen

 Brenda Salzano and Hope Smitherman

 Cat Kerr and Heather Powers

 Cece Cornier and Jeannie Dukic

 Celeste Thurston and Christine Damm

 Christine Damm and Celeste Thurston

 Christine Stonefield and Dana James

 Cilla Watkins and Lori Bowring Michaud

 Cindy Wimmer and Mimi Gardner

 Cynthia Machata and Julia Johnson

 Cynthia Riggs and Lori Finney

 Dana James and Christine Stonefield

Diana Ptaszynski and Erin Prais-Hintz

 Emma Thomas and Rebecca Anderson

 Erin Prais-Hintz and Diana Ptaszynski

 Erin Siegel and Sharon Borsavage

 Heather Powers and Cat Kerr

 Holly Westfall and Sally Russick

 Hope Smitherman and Brenda Salzano

 Jayne Capps and Kim Dworak

 Jeannie Dukic and Cece Cornier

 Jenna Meyers and Kristi Harrison

 Jenna Tomalka and Karen McKillip

 Jenny Davies Reazor and Sandi Volpe

 Julia Johnson and Cynthia Machata

 Kalaya Steede and Kylie Dickman

 Karen McKillip and Jenna Tomalka

 Karen Mitchell and Renetha Stanziano

 Karla Morgen and Mary Govaars

Kay Thomerson and Shannon Chomanczuk

 Kim Ballor and Laurel Steven

 Kim Bender and Alice Peterson

 Kim Dworak and Jayne Capps

 Kim Roberts and Partner unable to participate at this time.

 Kristi Harrison and Jenna Meyers

 Kylie Dickman and Kalaya Steede

 Kym Hunter and Lynda Moseley

 Laurel Steven and Kim Ballor

 Linda Djokic and Patty Gasparino

 Line Labrecque and Teri Baskett

 Liz DeLuca and Lorelei Eurto

 Lorelei Eurto and Liz DeLuca

 Lori Anderson and Niky Sayers

 Lori Bowring Michaud and Cilla Watkins

 Lori Finney and Cynthia Riggs

 Lynda Moseley and Kym Hunter

 Marianna Boylan and Tracy Statler

 Mary Govaars and Karla Morgen

 Mary Harding and Stacie Florer 

 Maureen Baranov and Tracy Bell

 Melissa Martin and Theresa Fosdick

 Michelle Hardy and Peggy Johnson

 Mimi Gardner and Cindy Wimmer

 Nicole Valentine Rimmer and Niki Meiners

 Niki Meiners and Nicole Valentine Rimmer

 Niky Sayers and Lori Anderson

 Pam Farren and Birgitta Lejonklou

* Pam Ferarri and Stefanie Teufel (will share their reveal on a later date)

 Patty Gasparino and Linda Djokic

 Peggy Johnson and Michelle Hardy

 Rebecca Anderson and Emma Thomas

 Rebekah Payne and Sue Kennedy

 Renetha Stanziano and Karen Mitchell

 Rose Binoya and Shanti Johnson

 Sally Russick and Holly Westfall

 Sandi Volpe and Jenny Davies Reazor

 Shannon Chomanczuk and Kay Thomerson

 Shanti Johnson and Rose Binoya

 Sharon Borsavage and Erin Siegel

 Shirley Moore and Veralynne Malone

 Stacie Florer and Mary Harding

* Stefanie Teufel and Pam Ferarri (will share their reveal on a later date)

 Sue Hamel and Terry Carter

 Sue Kennedy and Rebekah Payne

 Tania Hagen and Bonnie Coursolle

 Tania Spivey and Teresa Gagne

 Teresa Gagne and Tania Spivey

 Teri Baskett and Line Labrecque

 Terry Carter and Sue Hamel

 Theresa Fosdick and Melissa Martin

 Tracy Bell and Maureen Baranov

 Tracy Statler and Marianna Boylan

 Veralynne Malone and Shirley Moore

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/button-swap-happy-mothers-day/feed/ 15 One Color Crayon Challenge…Blue http://sandivolpe.com/one-color-crayon-challenge-blue/ http://sandivolpe.com/one-color-crayon-challenge-blue/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 10:57:40 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=937 Sally Russick of  The Studio Sublime is hosting the One Color Crayon Challenge and I decided to pick blue, it is my favorite color.

I thought this would be easy and maybe I over thought the whole thing trying to stay in one color tone, I have a lot of blue beads!

I started many pieces took them apart, re-started and not sure I liked anything. While my camera battery charged this morning I decided to keep working and finished Shades of the Ocean, a lariat style necklace featuring beads from  Starry Road Studios, HMB Studios and a mix of gemstones and crystals.

 

 

 

 

For the second piece,  I went back to a favorite technique, wire crochet.  A  necklace or bracelet wire crocheted with a piece of sari silk to adjust the length as a necklace and wrap and tie as a bracelet.

I love it I just think I may add another strand or 2 to bulk it up.

Thanks Sally and I look forward to seeing what all the other artists created. Off to the garden on this beautiful day  to add some color!!

 

Red

Therese Frank  http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Rochelle Brisson  http://acreativechelle.blogspot.com

Lisa Lodge   http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com

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

Bobbie Rafferty   http://beadsong.blogspot.com

Orange

Linda Landig  http://LindasBeadBlog.com

Cherrie Fick  http://designsinthelight.com

Beth McLarnan http://threetrees-art.blogspot.com

Cece Cormier  http://thebeadingyogini.com

Renetha Stanziano   http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Tanya Goodwin  http://pixiloo.blogspot.com

Jean Welles  http://jeanawells.blogspot.com

Amy Severino   http://amybeads.blogspot.com

Rebekah Payne   http://treewingsstudio.com

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

Judy Turner   http://silver-rains.blogspot.com

 Yellow

Jennifer Justman  http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com

Rose Brisson    http://ahteesblog.blogspot.com

Kim Bender  http://www.kimmykats.com/

Heather Powers   http://humblebeads.blogspot.com

Shelly Joyce  http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com

Blue

Cherie Reed  http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com

Rebecca Anderson  http://songbeads.blogspot.com

Hope Smitherman  http://craftyhope.blogspot.com

Patti Vanderbloemen  http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com

Michelle Buettner  http://MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache  http://allprettythings.ca

Charissa Sloper   http://blog.obsidiansoda.com

Sonya Stille  http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com

Maria Grimes  http://mariagrimes.blogspot.com

Nancy Saccoccio  http://risingdesigns.blogspot.com

Sandi Volpe   http://sandivolpe.com

Joanne Tinley  http://daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.com

Catherine Pruitt  http://boobeads.blogspot.com

 Green

Mary Harding  http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Karin Gilman http://www.qaygee.blogspot.com/

Jayne Capps   http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com

Lorelei Eurto  http://lorelei1141.blogspot.com

Melissa Meman http://melissameman.blogspot.com

Alice Peterson  http://alice-dreaming.blogspot.com

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

Cynthia Machata    http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Melissa Essenburg  http://chinookdesigns.blogspot.com

Regina Santerre  http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com

Lauren Streets  http://ornthoughts.wordpress.com

Elizabeth Auld  http://beadsforbusygals.com

Purple

Tracy Mok   http://bumblebeadsdesigns.blogspot.com

Jennifer Judd Velasquez http://jenjuddrocks.blogspot.com

Marti Conrad  http://marticsclay.blogspot.com

Lori Anderson  http://prettythingsblog.com

Donna Bradley  http://strandedbeads.blogspot.com

Courtney Breul  http://beadsbybreul.blogspot.com

Linda Younkman   http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com

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

Lisa Liddy   http://Lisaliddy.wordpress.com

Tracy Stillman  http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com

Dawn Doucette  http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com

Brown

Diana Ptaszynski   http://suburbangirlstudio.com

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

Janice Everett   http://JLynnJewels.blogspot.com

Karen Williams  http://Baublicious.blogspot.com

Black

Kashmira Patel  http://sadafulee.blogspot.com

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

Birgitta Lejonklou  http://lejonklou.blogspot.com/

Holly Westfall  http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Karin Slaton  http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com

 

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/one-color-crayon-challenge-blue/feed/ 24 Buttons, buttons, who has the buttons….Bead Table Wednesday http://sandivolpe.com/buttons-buttons-who-has-the-buttons/ http://sandivolpe.com/buttons-buttons-who-has-the-buttons/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:27 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=916 I signed up for Cindy Wimmers, Button Swap Blog Hop, say that ten times fast!!

I am paired with Jenny Davies-Reazor, who is a mixed media artist.

Here is what Jenny sent me, fantastic selection and I love them all. Jenny made the earthenware and ceramic buttons and sent along some vintage buttons as well.

 

 

I am trying to sketch out some ideas so when I sit down to make my piece I will be ready. Come back on May 13, 2012 to see what I make with the buttons!!!

What would you make with the  buttons I received?

Button Swap

 

 

 

 

It was a long weekend of soccer games with a bit of travel inlcuding Charlottesville, Virginia, so  I grabbed the mail before we left and do not have nay pictures of the package.

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/buttons-buttons-who-has-the-buttons/feed/ 3 Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Bracelet Challenge http://sandivolpe.com/wrapped-stacked-and-layered-bracelet-challenge/ http://sandivolpe.com/wrapped-stacked-and-layered-bracelet-challenge/#comments Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:00:45 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=904 Today is the reveal of the Wrapped, Stacked and Layered  Bracelet Challenge, hosted by Tracy Statler of Make Bracelets. I love bracelets and wear several most days.  I have a nice collection, but I am sure after the reveal today, I will want to make more and of course I have several  that did not make the final cut.

I was lucky  to have my niece over to be my wrist model for my layered bracelets, thanks!

Thanks to Tracy  of  Make Bracelets for hosting and please visit the other participants listed below.

Stack 1 includes some of my favorite bracelets that I wear every day, plus 2 new ones and one that was made by a friend. From top to bottom, black onyx with silver, triple wrapped wire crochet, viking knit with black obsidian, sterling hand made chain and double wrapped blue czech glass.

 

Stack 2 sterling cuff with fresh water pearls and turquoise, sterling handmade chain ( my first metalsmithing class project that I wear most days layered with 1 to 2 bracelets) and a double  pearl and turquoise bracelet hand knotted on red silk.

Stack 3 has the cuff turned around to show the swirled ends (a design demonstrated by Kate Richbourg on the show Jewelry Making) and includes the viking knit bracelet with black obsidian.

 
]]> http://sandivolpe.com/wrapped-stacked-and-layered-bracelet-challenge/feed/ 23 Bead Table Wednesday…metal smithing and torches http://sandivolpe.com/bead-table-wednesday-metal-smithing-and-torches/ http://sandivolpe.com/bead-table-wednesday-metal-smithing-and-torches/#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 19:03:10 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=897 When I started beading, I wanted to learn metal smithing and I have taken classes from some amazing teachers. Nick Barnes teaches at Stars Beads in Vienna, Virginia.

I took my first class with Nick and still wear the bracelet I made most days. I took a second class with Nick and the bracelet and earring set below have a new home, thanks to a fellow soccer mom.

I kept taking classes both online and in person with Stephanie Lee, Deryn Mentock, and Richard Salley through ArtBliss and most recently at Bead Fest with Melissa Cable, more on this class  in a later post.

I love working with metal and used my mirco torch successfully for my projects. The torch seemed to not be as hot as I would like, so I ordered a new one a Lenk pro, recommended by Deryn and I  love it.  I wish I had gotten a stronger torch sooner, it is so much quicker to do what you want with the right torch.

 

I also, jumped on the Painting with Fire train during the book tour last year and I have not looked back. I use Mapp gas with the torch kit I bought from Barbara Lewis. With Barbara’s book, the Painting with Fire Ning site and watching the videos, I have been able to enamel beads and hope to take a class in perosn with Barbara in the near future. A sampling of my enamel beads and a favorite pair of earrings that I made.  What tool have you upgraded and wished you had purchased it sooner?

 

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/bead-table-wednesday-metal-smithing-and-torches/feed/ 1 I Heart Macro…yippee http://sandivolpe.com/i-heart-macro-yippee/ http://sandivolpe.com/i-heart-macro-yippee/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:00:49 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=886 Flowers from a ladies night out bouquet. We each brought a dozen stems of one kind of flower and went home with a gorgeous mixed bouquet.

studio waterstone

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/i-heart-macro-yippee/feed/ 1 New torch, new camera equals more time to create. http://sandivolpe.com/new-torch-new-camera-equals-more-time-to-create/ http://sandivolpe.com/new-torch-new-camera-equals-more-time-to-create/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:45:59 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=877 I decided to give myself the first 3 months of the year to design and ponder the  direction with my jewelry designs and figure out what things were holding me back and what I wanted to concentrate on. I love working with metal so I decided to continue to work on my sawing, torching and enameling.

When my  camera stopped working I tried to make due with my son’s camera  and an iphone camera, but I knew the time had come to invest in a new camera.

At the same time I felt my torch was not as powerful as I needed it to be, so I got a new torch, a lenk pro torch.  What a pleasure it was today to whip up new vine style ear wires and get a good picture and write a blog post.

What new tool or equpiment will help make your life easier and more productive? Happy creating!!!

 

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/new-torch-new-camera-equals-more-time-to-create/feed/ 3 BSBP winners are….and pictures with my new camera http://sandivolpe.com/bsbp-winners-are/ http://sandivolpe.com/bsbp-winners-are/#comments Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:01:52 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=862 Thanks for all the loveley comments and all that participated. Check out my second helping of Bead Soup below.

I decided to use the following as my random numbers for the mystery soup:

  • Jamica-7 letters, this is where I was during the hop
  • Hummingbird-11 letters, the bird and a drink we had in Jamaica
  • and 50, since we were celebrating 50-fabulous birthdays

I knew I had the right numbers sine I was born at the time 7:11.

And the winners of a embossed round bird pendant with an assortment of beads are.

#7 Cassie Donlen

#11 Lori Anderson

#50 Dita

Congratulations and please send me your address so I can get your soup in the mail.

Secondly, my camera broke and I debated about what type to get. Here are a couple of pictures from around my yard taken on March 20, the first day of spring.

 

Spring to me is beautiful blooms and the start of soccer.  Enjoy!!

 

 

 

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/bsbp-winners-are/feed/ 2 Bead Soup…second helping sequins! http://sandivolpe.com/bead-soup-second-helping-sequins/ http://sandivolpe.com/bead-soup-second-helping-sequins/#comments Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:14:04 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=853 I promised to challenge myself and make some pieces with the sequins that Sarah of Saturday Sequins sent me.  So here is my second helping of bead soup, bracelet earrings and necklace.

  Final day to enter to win some mystery soup there will be multiple winners or the sequin set pictured, just live a comment before midnight tonight.  Random drawing tomorrow and winners announced. Be sure to include a way I can contact you. Thanks again to Lori Anderson and all the amazing artists that participated.

 

Bead Soup Blog Party
 

]]> http://sandivolpe.com/bead-soup-second-helping-sequins/feed/ 2 I am back…make time for your girlfriends. http://sandivolpe.com/i-am-back/ http://sandivolpe.com/i-am-back/#comments Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 +0000 Sandi http://sandivolpe.com/?p=799 I have never done a trip like this with a group of  girlfriends. My  friend Tammy and I decided that we wanted to plan a caribbean get away to celebrate our fab 50 birthdays…I turned 50 in September and Tammy will be 50 in August.  We had no idea 12 others would join us:-)  We had 2 more fab 50 ladies with us and friends to help us celebrate. We relaxed, read, did water aerobics, sailed, snorkeled,  kayaked, and most importantly chatted and laughed.   Off course we ate  some fantastic jerk chicken all kinds of fruits and juices and had some yummy tropical drinks.   I am so glad that I got to spend 5 fabulous days in Jamaica  with a wonderful group of  girls…make time for your girlfriends it is good for the soul!!!

We do not remember days, we remember moments.  Cesare Pavese 

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