Amazing Designs by Marlene: 2012

Saturday, December 29, 2012

HBBH 2 Prize Awards

Blow the horns, tap those drums, strike up the band!

No it's not a parade, but it is time to PARTY again!

We, Shelley Graham Turner and Marlene Cupo had a fantastic response to our Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 party. Hope everyone is enjoying the goodies from their swap partners.

Neither of us think it's a real party until the presents are given out, and today is the day to announce them.

We used Random.org to pick the winners of the $25 Gift Certificates from Rio Grande and they are:

Ginger Bishop

and

Dyanne Cantrell

CONGRATULATIONS ladies!

There is nothing better than a "Post-Holiday" spending spree, especially one for yourself - so enjoy!!

Of course, we have one more gift, a $15 Gift Certificate from that very same Rio Grande, for one of the commenters on our blogs. That winner, also picked by the Random.org site, is:

Angi Mullis

Thanks for your sweet comment, and we hope you enjoy too!

BTW, Rio Grande is closed until Jan. 2nd, so watch your email on that day for your Gift Certificate.

We have had so much fun organizing and running these blog hops, sharing with old friends, and meeting so many new great artists and crafters, that we don't want the parties to end, so.....

With the New Year we will be up to some new tricks. Look for further details on January 15th, on our NEW BLOG: SWAPS by Marlene and Shelley; or join us on our Facebook Group - Marshellswaps, so you don't miss out (yes, we have all bases covered.)!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Open the door for Him!

'tis the reason for the season!

Merry Christmas to all who are reading this, friends and family near and far.

May you have a happy, healthy and joy filled

New Year!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

The Reveal for:

OK, it's time for one more blog hop before all those presents you carefully wrapped (or if you are like me, are planning to wrap) are ripped back open. Shelley Graham Turner and I had such a fun time with HBBH 1, and got so many requests for a re-do, we decided to RE-DO!

For Round 2, a great bunch of artisans signed up, and were paired up to swap HOLIDAY BLING. SO, with out further ado, let me tell you about my partner.

Catherine's Ripple Effect Bracelet

Catherine's Rivoli Earrings

Catherine King describes herself as "enjoying all component designs for Beadwork and Embellishment. Beading and Design is my YOGA. I have found a true medium in Bead Embroidery and Bead weaving." Her work speaks for itself:

When we corresponded, and she found out I work with polymer clay, she asked for cabochons in "Christmas colors" that she could use in some of the designs she had in mind. I was tickled to be able to be a small part of one of her creations, and so I created:

A round swirl lentil

Kinda looks like a Christmas mint, doncha think?

A round cab with snowflakes and holly

An oval of ribbons blowing in the wind

The time came for the exchange and I was glad to hear Catherine loved the cabs and intended to include them in some of her creations.

Hoping to see them here today!

I must say I was blown away by what I received. This beautiful crystal Christmas tree cuff bracelet, that you know will be on my wrist (in spite of the wrinkles) on Christmas Day.

Look at the detail she put into it, even to the point of putting a gold star at the top of each tree.

By now you know we don't just end it here!

COME BACK ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 and SEE WHO IS THE RANDOMIZER WINNER OF ONE OF 2 GIFT CERTIFICATES TO
RIO GRANDE.COM.

DIDN'T PARTICIPATE IN THE HOP? JUST COMMENT BELOW AND YOU'LL BE ENTERED IN THE RANDOMIZER FOR A GIFT CERTIFICATE OF YOUR OWN!

YOUR HOSTS:

Shelley Graham Turner www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com and

Marlene Cupo www.amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com You are here

Now please visit all the wonder artisans below:

Anitra Gordy www.leelucreations.blogspot.com

Mary Govaars www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com

Shirley Moore www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com

Dyanne Cantrell www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com

Gina Hockett www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com

Jo-Ann Woolverton www.itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca

Renetha Stanziano www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com

Miranda Ackerley www.mirandack.com

Sonya Stille www.dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com

Sandra McGriff www.skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca

Catherine King www.catherines-musings.blogspot.com

Ginger Bishop www.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com

Debbie Rasmussen www.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com

Lori Bowring Michaud www.artfullyornamental.blogspot.com

Chandra Merod www.junipergoods.blogspot.com

Tammie Everly www.ttedesigns.blogspot.com

Heather Rats Otto www.thecrafthopper.com

Melinda Abrahamson www.firstreetcrafts.com

Elaine Ray www.elaineray.blogspot.com

Kelley Fogel www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache www.allprettythings.ca

Rita/Toltec www.jewelschoolfriends.com

Tiffany Golf Smith www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Jewelry School's Blog Hop

The wonderful Rita from Jewelry School Friends and Toltec Jewels is at it again. This time she is hosting a virtual window shopping event.

RELAX, SIT BACK and ENJOY!

Here is a picture of the Holiday Happenings at Island Cove Beads and Gallery who were kind enough to supply the beads for my Kalmbach Bead Soup entry.

It is not currently available in my shop but many others are, and where I am having a Hurricane Sandy recovery promotion all month.

Details in the window below!

SHOP HERE ALL MONTH AND HELP THE RED CROSS RECOVERY EFFORT

Window Shop Holiday Hop Participants

Jewel School Friends (host)
www.JewelSchoolFriends.com

A Grateful Artist
http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com/

Libellula Jewelry
http://libellulajewelry.blogspot.com/

Knot Just Macrame
http://www.knotjustmacrame.com

Amazing Designs by Marlene - YOU ARE HERE
http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

Antiquity Travelers
http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/

Spice Box Designs
http://spiceboxdesigns.blogspot.com/

Freestyle Elements
http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/

Alankarshilpa
http://www.alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Pretty Things
http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Lindy's Designs
http://lindysdesigns.blogspot.com/

The Adventures of Belle Wes
http://bellewest925.blogspot.com/

Fabric of my Life
http://shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Nobody's Friend Sandy

I have been in NJ for the past 2 weeks, a captive of SANDY, and have been a witness to the utter destruction. To do my small part to help the victims, I am donating all profits from sales for the month of November to the American Red Cross. Please help me to help those who so desperately need it. Use the Promo Code: REDCROSS at check out, to earmark your purchase, and receive 10% off your entire purchase price and free shipping. www.amazingdesigns.artfire.com

After Sandy

Sunday, October 28, 2012

October Fest 10-28-2012 - Reveal

To me October means only one thing: Getting ready for the "funnest holiday" of the year!

And, of course,

TRICK OR TREATERS!

Oh, how I love seeing how excited the grand kids get.

There is so much preparation: "We have to get just the right pumpkin!" Then there's the decorating, and the inevitable "I wanna be!" The ritual of carving the pumpkin!

As much as it takes to prepare, so soon it's over. Let's pretend it is November 1^st and you are looking at that Jack-o-Lantern the kids had so much fun watching you carve (never mind those “eeeew that’s ichy” comments) and wondering when you can chuck it without them getting all upset.
DON’T! Remember Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Yes, I know, canned pumpkin is readily available on the store shelves, but a pie made with fresh pumpkin can’t be beat.

Extra benefits: Teach the kids to waste not, want not, and with a medium to large pumpkin you can get enough to make anywhere between 6-8 pies to share with whom you are thankful.

To begin: Fill a large pot with chunks of the pumpkin, any size and don’t peel first. Cover with water and put on stove to cook until flesh is soft (Add additional water as needed). Once it is soft drain off the water and allow to cool completely. You will find the skin peels off very easily then. Now just put pieces in a colander or bowl with a cheese cloth liner and allow the water to drain out of the flesh. If you are in a hurry, you can put the pieces, a few at a time, in a food processor, and then drain the water from the top. This also saves having to mash the pieces after they have drained. One final drain of the chopped, mushed, smooshed pumpkin (preferably over night) and you are ready for the baking. Extra pumpkin can be frozen for use later on.

A simple vintage (from a 1950’s cookbook) Pumpkin Pie Recipe

1/8 teaspoon of salt

2/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 2/3 cups evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin

1 pastry shell

Sift dry ingredients together, and stir into eggs. Add milk and pumpkin, and stir well. Line pie pan with pastry and pour in filling. Bake in very hot oven (450 degrees F) 10 minutes; reduce temperature to slow (325 degrees F) and bake 45 minutes longer, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.

Oh Wait! This is suppose to be a blog about my polymer clay creations. Well then, how about some earrings to wear while you are in the kitchen?

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Holiday Bling Blog Hop

*If you are looking for the 4th Do-Over Challenge Reveal, scroll down to next post*

On October 6th Shelley Graham Turner and I hosted the Holiday Bling Blog Hop. We had such a fantastic response, not only from the creative artists participating, but from others, who after seeing all the goodies and fun we had, wished they had joined in as well. Well this is your chance, ‘cause there is another party in the works.

Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 is now starting!

Same rules as before, except the dates have changed. Here they are:

The best way to do this would be for us to match up partners, so you can decide, between yourselves, what you would like to exchange: handmade ornaments, holiday jewelry, etc. and then mail to each other by November 17th.

Sign-ups will run through Sunday, October 28th, with partners being matched up afterwards. Of course, there will be a Blog Hop involved to show off what you sent and/or received on Saturday, December 15th.

So, want to join the party? Please RSVP via email to: marshellswaps@gmail.com. Please include your blog url, and if you are willing to ship internationally.

NOW: Drum Roll Please!

What is a Holiday Party without gifts? We listed all the participants, and then randomized, and we are happy to announce three lucky ladies will be receiving

a $25 Gift Certificate from B’sue Boutiques.

* Leanne Loftus *

* Alicia Marinache *

* Sonya Stille *

Then we put all the commenter’s on our blogs in another drawing and we are happy to announce

* Sandra McGriff *

Is the winner of a $15 Gift Certificate compliments of the very same B’sue.

So winners, keep a close eye on your mailbox! There will be something exciting in it real soon!

Come on everyone lets have (another) Party! Sign up now!

Respond to this invite by sending an email to: marshellswaps@gmail.com. Please include your blog url in the message, and if you are willing to ship internationally.

4th Do-Over Challenge - Reveal

Jeannie K Dukic of JKD Jewelry runs recurring Do-Over challenges, in which she will send a piece of jewelry from her early days of creating, for a nominal fee, in order for the artist receiving it, to DO OVER. This is the second time I have joined in this adventure and it was as much fun as the first time around. Now are you sitting down? Ready for this? You are not going to believe it!

I didn't use ANY polymer clay in this challenge!

Here is a picture of what I was sent.

Beads, black beads, small black beads, even smaller black beads, LOTS of black beads!

I had received a large spool of link chain in a destash sale on Creative Bead Chat from Melinda Orr, and decided this would be the perfect time to pull it out. (Good thing I had heavy duty clippers). After cutting the appropriate size lengths of chain I pulled Jeannie's necklace apart and started wiring 2 beads at a time to each link of the chain.

In another destash sale, this time Bead Swap USA, I had received a beautiful batch of Sari Silks from Kelli Nelson and decided to use two of them in red and gold as highlights along the length of the necklace, and to which I wired some of the smaller black beads, for interest.

Finally I added some antique gold and copper double links as spacers, and a 30mm brass lobster claw clasp, also from Melinda to finish it off.

OK, that is for the casual wear, now on to something a little dressier. I had this length of copper looped wire chainmaille in my stash and decided it would work well with my idea.

I wired increasing numbers of Jeannie's beads and added copper tipped black crystal dangle to the ends of each. These went on the connecting links of the chain. In between each graduated strand I added another of the black beads and a black bicone crystal to the middle of the wired loops.

One more destash item, from Gail Hughes, came the free form copper wires which I modified slightly and used to link the central portion to an oval link copper chain.