Art Charm Exchange

Tags

art bead, Art Charm Swap, handmade

I’m really excited that Jen Cameron is doing another Art Charm Exchange this year. This year’s theme is “Fairytale”. I’ve already signed up :). Here’s what I made last time.

Phoenix Art Charms by Cate van Alphen

Sign ups are open till the 9th May if you’d like to join in too. In exchange for making 11 charms (and paying for postage) you receive 10 charms back from the other participants. The 11th charm goes to auction to raise money for Beads of Courage. So it’s all for a good cause really – not at all because you get a stash of goodies back ;).

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Art Charms I received

Tags

art bead, art charm, Art Charm Swap, bird, Charity Auction, dragonfly, fairy, kite, soar

As promised here is a look at the Art Charms I received. This year’s theme is “Soar”. I’m feeling uplifted how about you? 🙂

Art charm by Alicia Marinache

This blue dragonfly charm was from Alicia Marinache along with a haiku:
“Dance, o dragonflies,
In your world
of the setting sun.”
– Unknown

For more haiku and different coloured dragonflies see her blog: http://www.allprettythings.ca

Art Charm by Caroline Dewison

Caroline Dewison made her charms in a variety of colours. I like the one I received best since at this time of year it matches the real sky ;). Have a look at the other fantastic colours on her blog: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk

Art Charm by Chris Eisenberg

I used the bird charm I received from Chris Eisenberg to make a bracelet before I even took a picture of it. Have a look at the variety of charms on her blog, http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com – each one she made is different!

Art bead by Elisabeth Auld

Elisabeth Auld’s bead looks like a magic garden. The charm on her blog features a sky blue lampwork bead. Have a look at her blog: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com and see the necklace she made featuring all the charms she received.

Art Charm by Lee Koopman

I kept the kite charm from Lee Koopman, http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com, on the card to show the lovely message included: “Kites were used to send prayers to God’s ears.”

“Soaring Bubble Baubles” by Renetha Stanziano

Renetha Stanziano’s Soaring Bubble Baubles are like a party in the shape of a bead. See them on her blog, http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com, each one is different!

Art Charm by Sheila Prosterman

Sheila Prosterman’s seed bead squares represent kites or bits of sky and the colours around the edge each tell a story. Find out more on her blog: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com

Art Charm by Susan Kennedy

Susan Kennedy made adorable birdy charms. Have a look at her blog, http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com, to see them in other colours.

“Shooting Star on the Wings of Love” by Toltec Jewels

“Fly Well” by Toltec Jewels

I received TWO charms from Toltec Jewels, each one with a wonderful story and featuring artist made beads. Have a look at her blog, http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com, to read all about her inspiration.

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Remember Art Charms by these artists, and more, are still available to buy at the auction, and there are even more charming blogs to look at in the hop. Also check out my giveaway to win one of my phoenix charms.

My Phoenix Art Charms

Tags

art charm, Art Charm Swap, blue, feather cane, fire feather, gold, phoenix, polymer clay

When I was 18 I left South Africa to travel the world. I was independent, optimistic and ready to fly! At the time I thought I should get a tatoo of a peacock feather so I would always remember that feeling of freedom and power. I never got the tatoo, and now with two small children and a mortgage I feel a little… otherwise.

As soon as I saw the theme for this year’s Art Charm Swap was Soar, I knew I wanted to capture that lost feeling of lightness and optimism.

“But a peacock is not really good at flying.” I told my muse: “It sort of flaps and hops. Eagles and vultures SOAR.”

“Good point, but a vulture feather is not really as aesthetically pleasing as a peacock feather. How about a phoenix feather?”

“Ye-es, I like the symbolism of the phoenix – that there’s always an opportunity for a new beginning. So what does a phoenix feather look like?”

“Um… sort of like a peacock feather but in fire colours – red, yellow and gold.”

“I see. But does a phoenix soar?”

“Of course, it stands to reason, with all that fire there’s bound to be thermal updrafts. Maybe that’s the reason for all the fire?”

…

And so that is why my polymer clay charms feature a phoenix feather :).

Phoenix Feather charms by Cate van Alphen

I used a polymer clay cane but I have individually shaped each one, so they are all slightly different. Just in case you missed the internal monologue and were wondering why I’d done a golden peacock feather…

Phoenix charm by Cate van Alphen

The other side features the actual phoenix. If you dare, you can seize the feather and soar with the phoenix into the open blue sky.

Phoenix Art Charms by Cate van Alphen

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Finally it’s time for YOU to be involved in the Art Charm Exchange…

Firstly you can enjoy the blog hop, and have a look at all the talented artists who have taken part in the Exchange. The * indicates the artists whose charms I received. I will do a separate post soon to feature my hoard ;).

Jennifer Cameron: http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog
Alenka Obid: http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
* Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca
Andrea Glick: http://zenithjade.blogspot.com
* Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk
Cassi Paslick: http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/
–> Cate van Alphen: https://fulgorine.wordpress.com <– You are here!
Cheri Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
* Chris Eisenberg: http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Cory Tompkins: http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com
* Elisabeth Auld: http://www.beadsforbusygals.com
Genevieve Gabbert: https://www.facebook.com/MasuDesigns
Jami Shipp: http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com
Jenny Davies-Reazor: http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog
Jill Bradley: http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworak: http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com
* Lee Koopman: http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Lennis Carrier: http://www.windbent.net
Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com
Mallory Hoffman: http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger: http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com
Michelle McCarthy: http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhart: http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/
Moriah Betterly: http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com
Nancy Dale: http://nedbeads.blogspot.com
Nancy Smith: http://wirednan.blogspot.ca
Niky Sayers: http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Perri Jackson: http://ShaktipajDesigns.com/blog/
* Renetha Stanziano: http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com
* Sheila Prosterman: http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Susan Delaney: http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com
* Susan Kennedy: http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com
Terri DelSignore: http://artisticaos.blogspot.com
* Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/

Most importantly, if you can, take part in the AUCTION which is to raise money for Beads of Courage.

Art Charm Auction delay

Tags

Art Charm Auction, Art Charm Exchange, Art Charm Swap, Charity Auction

The Art Charm Auction has been slightly delayed so it will now start on the 24th November 2014. The blog reveals will be in the early morning of the 25th.

So you’ll need to be just a little bit more patient, but it will be that much closer to Christmas so if you DO win a charm you won’t have to wait as long to open your present 😉

Pearls of polymer clay

Tags

art bead, Art Charm Swap, Cate van Alphen, handmade beads, kanji, mica powder, pearl, perfect pearls, polymer clay

I recently discovered that some mica powders (e.g. Perfect Pearls) have an added resin which means they do not need to be varnished to seal. WOOT! I love the shimmer, but I have been avoiding using them because I find varnishing such a hassle – all that washing brushes and waiting for it to dry…

Since then I haven’t been able to stop myself adding pearlescent powder just about everything.

Kanji pendant by Cate van Alphen. The symbol means “friend”. It is available in my Etsy store.

Blueberry frit beads by Cate van Alphen

These are Stroppel round Natasha beads. See my free tutorial for how I made them.

Yes, I only have one colour of mica powder at the moment, but I have ordered a few more… so watch this space for more pearls of polymer clay.

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In other news, I have received my Art Charms 🙂 but you will need to wait till after the reveal on 14th November 2014 to see my treasures as I want to include some of the artists’ inspiration.

Art Charms are on their way

Tags

art charm, Art Charm Exchange, Art Charm Swap, beads of courage

This year I’m taking part in Jen Cameron’s Art Charm Swap. I’m so excited – I have been tracking my parcel of Art Charms as they SOAR across the Atlantic.

One of those yellow envelopes is for me 🙂 Here’s a hit of what I sent.

It’s less than 2 weeks till the big reveal, and of course the auction to benefit Beads of Courage. So be sure to check back on 14 November 2014!

Big box, little box

Tags

art charm, Art Charm Swap, moving house, wire

Where have I been this summer?

At the start of July we began buying a house, with an expected completion date sometime in August. So we enthusiastically began packing up our stuff, including all my beads. By September (when the solicitors were NEARLY finished doing their checks) my husband was made redundant. It looks like he will be getting a new job imminently, so things will be staying in their boxes while we plan our next move.

I did at least unpack my wire so that I could complete my charms for Jen Cameron’s Art Charm swap. Here they are all ready to cross the Atlantic:

But what’s inside?

Aha! For that you will need to come back on the 14th November 2014. See you then.

2014 Art Charm Swap

Tags

art bead, art charm, Art Charm Swap, beads of courage, charm swap

I’ve signed up for Jen Cameron’s Art Charm Swap. Sign ups close today, so be quick if you’d like to join in and help support Beads of Courage.

In exchange for sending in 11 charms, you’ll receive 10 art charms back (one of them your own), and the last one goes to auction to raise money for Beads of Courage.