to Shelley Graham Turner of Tori Sophia and my HBBH (abv. for the above). We were discussing swapping something Holiday related a while ago, and then decided others might be interested in joining us, and so this blog hop was born.
It is the first blog hop either of us has hosted and we were concerned about the response we would get. Silly us, thanks to our many friends and fellow artists, it has become much more than we could have hoped for. We partnered up everyone, and suggested they discuss with each other what they would swap, jewelery, ornaments, or what ever they chose.
My partner was Mary Howell Govaars, whose work you can see on her blog MLH Jewelry Designs. We chose ornaments, which quickly became a whole new challenge for her. She decided to use alcohol inks to give a glass Christmas ball a unique holiday look, and quickly learned the quirks in handling inks. To say she mastered the technique is an understatement, 'cause look what I got! It will hold a place of honor on my tree.
You could say I cheated a little, when Mary left it up to me to decide. You see I already knew what I wanted to send her. Last year my son had sent me a picture of what my daughter described as "Dr Seuss like" polymer clay ornaments. It was actually a set of three, Joy, Hope and Noel. So I made them for each of my kids for their trees (and sure as shooting, my daughter-in-law asked for one that said Peace), but they were a big hit with the grandchildren. So I set to making another Noel for Mary, for this swap, and she is now an official member of my family!
NOW, here is the best part.
St Nick is joining in the fun and will be giving out gifts on October 20th, to three random participants, and someone who comments below. When you comment, make sure your email is attached, or add it to your comment, then come back on the 20th to see who the winners are.
Thank you to all the fantastic artists who joined us for this event and to you all, for sharing our Holiday Cheer, now please visit the other Merrymakers in this hop.
The snowflake earrings she made are acid etched copper. She used a black patina and lightly sanded to allow the copper snowflakes to shine through.
Michelle does not have a blog, and unfortunately her partner had to pull out of the blog hop.
Cynthia O'Toole also does not have a blog, but she sent us pictures of the two pair of earrings she sent to her swap partner, Anindita Basu . PS: Due to unforeseen problems, some of our participants did not receive their goodies in time for this hop. Please check back later for an update on their blog.
Hello Sweetie,
ReplyDeleteI so love your Seuss inspired creations, and what you received was very clever too. Thanks for this opportunity.
-g
Hi Marlene,
ReplyDeleteFirst thank you to you and Shelley for having this great idea to do a Holiday Bling swap challeng I so enjoyed being a part of this.
I love what you received from your partner I have always wanted to make those kinds of ornaments they are so pretty and I bet it will look beautiful on your tree. The onrnament you made for your partner is so whimsically cute I love it.
Therese
Hi Marlene...just FYI, blogger has not removed your comment form, as you can see...just change the color of your links and presto! You will find it LOL.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun swap!! Love both what you received and what you sent...very cool! I'm going to have to try that alcohol ink thing...
You can only see the comments section if you're lucky enough to hover over it. Thank you for sharing the work of Michelle and Cynthia. I love the ornaments and hope you both had fun making them. I love alcohol inks and patinas by Ranger and what's not to love about polymer clay fun! Thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAs always you are an inspiration to me, Marlene... I am SO going to making playful PC ornaments this year, since I am a child at heart (or childish of mind, if you prefer LOL). I just adore alcohol inks and I'm constantly surprised at all the beauty they can be used to create. I have loved participating in this swap. I must say, if you and Shelley get any more "crazy ideas"... go for it!
ReplyDeleteHoliday Wishes for you and yours!
Marlene what a fun swap you and Shelley put together. Thank you so much for hosting. The ornament you sent your partner was so whimsical and cute. I love the fun colors. I love what you received from your partner as well. What great color.
ReplyDeleteHi, Marlene, thank you for hosting this blog hop, and for allowing me to participate! It was so much fun, and definitely started that Holiday spirit! Love the beautiful ornament that you received, AND the one that you made. One of these, I intend to try my hand at polymer clay--you are a terrific inspiration! Thanks again, Gina
ReplyDeletethanks for hosting! i would love to win SOMETHING!! i never win! lol
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting this blog hop, I had a lot of fun =)
ReplyDeleteYour swap pieces are fantastic ... the ornament you made has me suddenly craving candy canes for some reason lol ;)
I love both ornaments! The alcohol inks really make a nice effect on the glass and Dr. Seuss has always had a special place in my heart:)
ReplyDeleteI love the Noel ornament it is cute as can be. I love the bright colors you used.
ReplyDeleteHi Marlene,
ReplyDeleteThank you soo much for cohosting this hop. I had a great time and loved getting to know my partner. I also love the ornament you made. Reminds me of cat in the hat :)
Yeah, comments are fixed. Blogger is so frustrating. Anyway, as I've said in as many places as I could find you, :) I just adore this ornament!! And would love to have little 'ole me in for the running to win one. Thanks ever so!
ReplyDeleteThat ornament is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI do love the Noel ornament! And using alcohol inks for the glass ornament - ingenious!
ReplyDeleteHoliday Greetings, Marlene!
ReplyDeleteI visited you and your partner Mary's blogs FIRST! :) At midnight even! lol And I love your gift exchange. As I told mary, I decided I'd comment when I awoke, refreshed and coffee in hand, but wasn't able to comment yesterday as I had unexpected childcare 1st shift for my 2 and 3 yr old granddaughters, followed by 2nd shift expected childcare for my 11 yr old grandson! It was a whirlwind.
I thought about your fun Noel design (also my granddaughter's name)as you started off the hop for me.
Marlene, your work is amazing. Your "Dr. Suess" noel ornament is amazing! I'm so impressed with the way you used colors and shape -- how did you do that? It's so inspiring and a mystery to me! Your wonderful ornament makes me happy and amazed. Mary has a very joyful, cool gift!
The beautiful, swirling blue ornament Mary gave you is so celestial, like stardust in the galaxy or earth! Mary's ornament is bling in a classy, elegant design. You are so lucky!
You two had a lovely exchange!
Thank you also for posting participants creations, even without blogs. What a great idea!
Michelle Black's snowman is sweet! I love his rosy cheeks. And the snowflakes in copper and patina -- wow, how gorgeous!! Beautiful earrings.
Cynthia O'Toole's festive earrings are also sweet -- the crystals are beautiful, and I adore the Christmas tree ;) and the angel designs.
Thank you so much to you and Shelly for hosting this fun and festive hop -- it made me sing Christmas carols outloud, lol, and was so much fun. I'm grateful.
Much love to you!! And joyful, happy Holidays,
You rock beautiful artist!! xxxoo
Rita
Marlene,
ReplyDeleteThank you (both you and Shelley) for the opportunity to take part in this wonderful exchange! I found few things as exciting as making gifts for Christmas - and this time it was such a perfect moment with such a talented partner.
Your ornament from Mary is simply gorgeous - I love the swirls of ink and I am sure it'll be well-loved in your tree!
And your whimsical ornament - OMG! Lovely, lovely, lovely :)
Thanks for sharing Michelle's a Cynthia's work too - it's always a pleasure to browse through beauty.
Going to hop through all the other blogs now (just came home from a few days of relaxation with friends).
Thanks again!
Alicia