Mushroom mad

It all started with a small mound in the moss that grew so quickly I could hardly believe it....

Amanita Muscaria 

After a few short days the little mound had grown into a mushroom the size of a large dinner plate and every day when we would walk past it on the way to school my daughter would tell me tales of how it was for the fairy ball and how fairy's would play and dance there, then more and more would spring out of the ground and ever since I have been slightly completely obsessed with mushrooms!!!

Lampwork Mushroom by Laura Sparling

I wanted to capture to magic in those beautifully told tales which was the thought behind this caged mushroom pendent (the top and bottom of the cage is made from old three pence coins) and then when my little girl saw it she asked that I make her a mushroom keyring for her school book bag....

Copper and Silver Keyring

It had to be a fairy's mushroom of course and the obsession continued because then I made a pair of mushroom headpins which I sent to my Bead Peeps, Swap and Hop partner Melissa Trudinger who created these stunning earrings with them.

Melissa's Beautiful Earring

I adore the beautiful rustic Kylie Parry birds that Melissa paired them with.

While I was hoping that I may have got the mushrooms out of my system I found myself looking at the following beauties on Etsy....

Photo by Pips Jewellery

These beauties by Pips Jewellery, I love the little ruffle details underneath the cap and would be quiet happy playing with a handful of these little lovelies!

Photo By Jewelry Beads by Katie

If you are not into the colour red how about these beautiful cream mushrooms by Jewelry Beads by Katie, isn't the photo perfect!

Photo by Natalia Korolyuk

Or how about these wonderful yellow Chanterelle mushrooms by Natalia Beads & Jewelry, such lovely shapes.

Photo by North Fire Designs 

And how is this one for a beautiful work of art? I love the shading on the cap and the details underneath are just as beautiful! By North Fire Designs. While I could go on and on showing you beautiful mushrooms, there really are that many, I am half way through making more mushroom head pins and then I think I will try making mushroom beads, the obsession continues!!!!

May Component of the Month Winners

Random.org helped me pick three winners for the May Component of the Month Challenge using beaded beads designed by DatzKatz and beaded by me. They are:

Mischelle of Michelada's Musings

Karen M. of Fairies Market

Elisabeth Auld of Beads for Busy Gals

I have sent everyone an email, but if you would, please get in touch with your address so I can send your beads in time for you to play along.

If you didn't win and want to make something, you can find some beaded beads in my SueBeads etsy store later today!

Thank you!
Susan Kennedy

Saturday Share - Lessons Learned, or Don't Be Like Me!

Yay, Spring is finally here!  Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, grass is growing, and lots of arts & craft festivals loom in the near future for many of us!  I actually don’t participate in very many, but have one coming up tomorrow, so now is the time for last minute panic and total chaos.

Unfortunately, I have been very distracted this past week...changes in corporate structure and procedures at work, other jewelry deadlines that are looming, bronchitis, and other family/personal events.  So, here is a quick little blog post about what NOT to do!

Last night I decided to work on some pendants for quick necklaces...the main pieces were complete, but I wanted to solder on some little bezel cups and include some tiny cabs for ornamentation.

Rose-cut moonstone, chalcedony and purple chalcedony with sterling bezel cups.

I did the soldering and while I was at my station, worked on a couple of my molten solder pieces that use plumber's solder.  In a hurry, I went up to put my soldered bezel pieces into the pickle and without thinking, tossed all the pieces in, then went about getting dinner ready.

These are what I pulled out..

Copper-plated bezels with sterling ones for comparison.

As you can see, the sterling bezels got copper-plated!  In my rush and distraction, I accidentally tossed the pieces with plumber's solder into the pickle as well which caused the copper to plate to the silver.  While it doesn't look bad, and I could have done it on purpose if I had wanted, I like the look of silver bezels on copper backing.

Unfortunately, the molten solder pieces are a total loss...

Not sure if I can salvage these...the back of the cross was etched as well...I had high hopes for it :(

The pickle is ruined at this point..any silver I put in will get the same copper plating...but, as it turns out, I need to add some more solder to one side of the larger cup, as the last bit didn't flow all the way around.  So the tainted pickle will come in handy to cover the silver solder that I use!

The moral of the story and lesson learned...metalsmithing, torch and chemical use during jewelry making is something that you should save when you aren't tired, sick, or distracted!  Luckily, I didn't have any other type of accident during this session!

Thanks for reading :)

All Abloom

"It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want — oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

 My heart yearns for warm sunshine and blossoms at this time of year.  And nature fulfills that longing with abundance.  Tulips, daffodils and hellebores.  Lilacs, cherry blossoms and crocus.  A walk through the garden brings such a feast of color and beauty!

For many of us this outpouring of color translates into the urge to create.  I have gathered some jewelry components here to help you fulfill that urge.  Set one of these beauties out on your work table, find out which beads in your stash are clamoring to join the party and let your designer's heart blossom!  

I'm also offering up some finished jewelry that you might enjoy for yourself or perhaps for a Mother's Day or Graduation gift.

Moon Flowers by Karen Totten of Starry Road

Flower Chicklet Bead Set by Sue Kennedy of Sue Beads

Orange and Yellow Porcelain Flower Pendant by Diana P. of Suburban Girl

This Emerald Amulet Bag with a Stitched Flower would make a great ready-made Mother's Day gift.  It was made by Lindsay Starr of Phantasm Creates.

 

These Dogwood Flower Earrings by Lesley Watt of TheaJewelry features polymer clay flowers by AJE team member  Rebekah Payne.

 

And from Rebekah herself (Tree Wings Studio), we have these new Half Daisy Pendants.

 

Here's a cute stoneware Flower and Bee Set from  Caroline Dewison of Blueberri Beads.

Pretty Minty Fresh Necklace by Kristen Stevens of Beadwork By KAS.

White Copper Flower Pendant from Melissa Meman of Melismatic 

Turquoise and Peach Flower Earrings by yours truly (Linda Landig Jewelry).  These earrings feature bronze flowers by AJE member, Lesley Watt.

I hope you feel inspired now!  If it is warm enough where you live, try sitting in the sun while you are beading.  Wishing you sunshine, blossoms and happiness!  Till next time-

Linda Landig  
Linda Landig Jewelry

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