Erin-Go-Bragh!

Well, top o' the mornin' to ya! The Gaelic phase 'Erin-Go-Bragh' translates to "Ireland Forever". I hope and wish on a four leaf clover, to visit the emerald isle homeland that my ancestors hailed from someday. Until that time, I will settle for celebrating St. Patrick's Day here at home with some homemade Irish Soda Bread and a Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner!

Lucky Charm Necklace
Today, I'll be wearing my clover charm necklace. If you'd like to be blessed with the luck o' the Irish, you can make your own lucky clover. Find my tutorial posted here.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wrapped, Stacked & Layered Bracelet Challenge

Make Bracelets! blog

A Jewelry Accord: Wrapped, Stacked & Layered Bracelet Challenge: One of our book contributors, Tracy Statler is hosting a Wrapped, Stacked and Layered Bracelet Challenge over on her blog, Make Bracelet...

Suddenly Spring Challenge Reveal

Michelle Mach challenged more than 20 designers to take this blue sparkly, blingy glass bead stretch bracelet and make it into something hip and wearable for Spring. I was up for the challenge!

Here's the challenge bracelet with the materials I picked out for my project. Here we have an orange silk ribbon from Marsha Neal Studio, 1mm waxed cotton cord and a fancy copper toggle clasp. When I was thinking about my design,  I knew right away that I wanted to add Pantone's 2012 color of the year, tangerine tango to my piece. Perfect for Spring. Look at those colors pop!

Suddenly Spring 2012
Here is my finished piece! I kept it a bracelet. I decided to omit the silver crystal spacers that were on the original version. I used the waxed cotton cord to string the blue faceted glass roundelles. Then, I knotted the silk ribbon around the beads in a square knot.

Dress and sandals from www.shopdejavu.com

My new Suddenly Spring bracelet would look fabulous with this colorful print dress and boho flower sandals. I would love to have this outfit for Spring and Summer! Now, if you will excuse me, think I need to go buy that dress and those sandals right now.

Thank you for stopping by!
Please check in with the other designers to see what they have created.

Suddenly Spring Blog Hop Participants
 Michelle - Beads & Books [Hostess]
Andrew - The Writing & Art of Andrew Thornton
Christa - Adventures of One Beady Woman
Dita - Alankarshilpa
Donetta - Simply Gorgeous
Erin - Erin Siegel Jewelry You are here!
Heather - As I Bead It
Jean - Snap Out of It Jean - There's Beading to Be Done!
Karen - Over the Moon Design
Kate - We Can Make That At Home
Kay - Palm Coast Art
Kim - CianciBlue
Kristina - Wild Roses and Blackberries
Linda - Lindy's Designs
Lisa - Pine Ridge Treasures
Marlene - Amazing Designs by Marlene
Michelle - Reverie & Revival
Pam - The Crazy Creative Corner
Renetha - Lamplight Crafts
Sharyl - Catchenthesun
Terry - Pink Chapeau Vintage Jewelry
Therese  - Therese's Treasures
Pamela - Someday Beads

Design Contest using Elaine Ray beads at Ornamentea!

Elaine Ray Bead Leather Bracelet

Ornamentea is holding a design contest on Facebook. Share your favorite jewelry creation made with Elaine Ray beads and you could win a $25 gift certificate from Ornamentea! I entered this leather beaded bracelet created with Elaine's 6mm ceramic rounds. I never seem to tire of this popular style. I think this one is a nice twist with the art beads! Enter and vote for your favorite designs right here!

Studio Saturday

 Bohemian Knotted Earrings

I'm honored to now be a contributing member over at the Art Bead Scene blog. Check out my first Studio Saturday post!

Suddenly Spring Challenge Teaser

 Blog Hop on March 13th

Michelle Mach challenged more than 20 designers to take this blue sparkly, blingy glass bead stretch bracelet and make it into something hip and wearable for Spring. I was up for the challenge!

Here's a little teaser pic of my challenge bracelet with the materials I picked out for my project. I knew right away that I wanted to add Pantone's 2012 color of the year, tangerine tango to my piece. Perfect for Spring. Look at those colors pop!

What do you think I made with these materials? Be sure to meet me right back here on Tuesday, March 13th 2012 to see what I made.

In the meantime, tell me what you would create with these materials? I'd love to hear!

Free Tutorial: Wire Wrapped Clover Charm

Good ol' St. Patty's Day is just a few weeks away! I'm a proud Irish lass myself, so I wanted to share something fun. I created this sweet wire-wrapped clover charm. Isn't it adorable? I'm showing you how to make one yourself, in case you want to add a little luck o' the Irish to your jewelry creations. Clovers aren't just for St. Patrick's Day or the Irish, you know? They are a universal symbol of good luck any day of the year. Incorporate a clover in your jewelry designs to add a wish of luck to the wearer. This charm could be used as a pendant for a necklace, a charm for a bracelet or make two for the cutest little earrings. For my clover charm, I made a braided cord of Irish waxed linen, of course! What else? :)

Here's what you'll need:

3 green 7x7mm puff teardrop beads
18" of brass 24 gauge wire

Tools:
Chain nose pliers
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler

Instructions:
Start by making a wrapped loop 8" from the end of the wire.
Follow the picture instructions below to create your clover charm.
Have fun!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial.

Happy St. Patty's Day!