Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge Fall 2010

Summer is winding down and the holidays will be here in the blink of an eye. The Fire Divas are hosting our quarterly jewelry challenge. Our theme this time is 'The Holiday Season', and we welcome submissions reflecting any or all of the holidays that are upcoming between now and the end of the year. If you'd like to see some holiday-inspired Fire Diva creations, check our our Flickr page.

As challenges go there are rules to be followed. You will find the rules at the end of my post, but first you must check out the fabulous prizes offered by our Divas....

 http://www.emakaye.etsy.com/

http://www.twoglassyladies.ca/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JanelDudleyBeads

http://arensea.etsy.com/ or http://arensea.artfire.com

http://www.teasebeads.artfire.com/

http://www.artfire.com/users/BabsBeadsandDesign

http://www.lajewelrydesigns.etsy.com/ or http://www.lajewelrydesigns.artfire.com

http://www.hollysfolly.com/

http://www.lutrick.artfire.com/

Owl bead from http://www.maybeads.etsy.com/

http://www.beadygirlbeads.etsy.com/

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than October 15, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:

• Information about the beads
• Description of the piece
• Inspiration for the piece

Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.
Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Something New...Facebook Stores

Have you seen the new stores popping up on Facebook? I just opened my shop, Ema K Designs on Facebook.

I will keep adding beads and jewelry here so keep an eye out. You won't even have to leave Facebook to make your purchase. I think that is so fantastic.

Today I have an etched dragonfly bead for sale.

Murrini Grab Bag

I finally had a chance to try my new murrini. I was unsure what to do with my beautiful murrini so I decided to first work with the free grab bag I received from Lori and Kim. I was little afraid to use the murrini. It feels like a precious gem and I don't want to waste it until I have a brilliant idea.

I was satisfied with my attempt resulting in this bead, Field of Murrini Poppies, listed in my Etsy shop.

I received a conversation from ZionShore. She created this extremely beautiful treasury.

You may notice one row is duplicated. This is due to my lack of computer skills and my ability to capture the entire treasury in one shot. I do try. :D

Murrini Summer

Summer is underway and last Saturday I received my very first order of purchased murrini. For some time now Lauren of Maybeads has been blogging about murrini, you can see her Murrini Mondays blog. All her blogs and beautiful creations have convinced me that the time has come for me to give murrini a try for myself. However, with it being summer my kids have been keeping me busy and I have not been able to get myself behind the torch this week.

I am looking forward to a weekend full of fun 4th of July activities. However, in the back of my mind I am also looking forward to the week after the fourth. This is when I will finally get a day or two to use my new murrini. The following are some of the beautiful murrini pieces I purchased from Lori and Kim.

Aren't they beautiful? I feel like a little kid with a new toy. I can hardly wait to get these beauties on a bead.

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge Summer 2010

Fire Divas Quarterly Jewelry Challenge
Summer is here! So how appropriate that the Fire Divas put a call out to Jewelry Designers for the challenge theme of SUMMER. What does summer mean to you? Show us with your beautiful jewelry creation featuring Fire Divas' lampwork. Head over to the Flickr site to see many beautiful jewelry pieces made with Fire Divas' lampwork to inspire you! You have the chance to win some incredible prizes from the Fire Divas!

Now for the details:

All submissions must feature Fire Divas' lampwork. We require the name of the Fire Diva who made the beads used in the submitted piece, so if you submit something, please be ready to provide that information.

We will allow one submission per person per contest, and a maximum of two photos per submission. Entries may be submitted here (http://www.flickr.com/groups/firedivachallenge/) for approval, no later than July 15, 2010. Please include, in the comments section, the following:
Information about the beads:
Description of the piece:
Inspiration for the piece:
Submissions will not be approved without all of this information.

Fire Divas reserve the right to approve or reject any submissions.

Fire Divas reserve the right to modify or cancel the challenge at any time.

The winners will be determined by an open poll which does not allow multiple votes.

Ok, go have fun creating, and good luck to all who enter!

On Tuesday I will post a picture the prizes offered...there are lots of goodies.

Viking Knit Sterling Silver Meets Lampwork Beads

I have some new pieces I have been working on and thoroughly enjoying the process.

For a very long time I have wanted to try to knit sterling silver. I tried some years ago but at that time it seemed very difficult. I think the sterling wire I was using was too heavy a gauge. Recently the flame was rekindled. I was at a bead show and another lampworker was selling a kit for viking knit. My Mom purchased the kit and we were both off and running.

I feel the process of viking knit combines my quilting background with my passion for lampworking and jewelry making. The viking knit allows me to hang around with my family, sit on the couch and watch (or listen to) a show while I happily knit away.

When the knitting is complete I have a tube of knitted sterling silver which I can then work into a bracelet or necklace. So far I have only made bracelets but an idea for a necklace is rolling around in my head.

Here is a pic of the final knitted product, after I have pulled it down (the process of pulling the knitted sterling through a piece of wood with descending sized holes).

I then take some measurments for the size bracelet I want to make and combine the viking knit with some purchased sterling components....

...add my own lampwork bead...

and whooola .... a bracelt is made.

You can find this and other bracelets in my Etsy shop