Saturday, December 15, 2012

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2 - the reveal

Welcome to the 2nd Holiday Bling edition - the 'baby' of Marlene of Amazing Designs and Shelley of Tori Sophia Designs. Everybody had so much fan back in October with their first edition, they decided to repeat it this year :)

I had the amazing pleasure to be partnered with Rita from Jewel School Friends - over the past few months I became e-friends with Rita, an amazing soul and a great supporter of rookies like me :) After the initial exchange of information I started agonizing on what to do. Rita is an amazing chain maille designer and she proposed chainmaille. Uh-oh... It was a bit like sending bead weaving to Therese :) I decided to approach this like everything else in my life: make it fun or make it go!

I love Rita's Christmas tree chainmaille piece


and it's Christmas, after all - I really wanted a Christmas tree. But... how?

In playing on the wig jig one evening I suddenly knew - it's not completely chainmaille, but it looks smartly enough like one, I hoped Rita will love it. Since I was completely out of silver and recently just bought tons of copper (that's how Rio Grande sells copper, in pounds :)) - I thought copper would work, trees have brown bark, don't they?

It was now time to agonize over what to use on tree itself - but luckily I went to 2 Rock and Gem shows this year, and I came across these lovely dyed jade, in a minuscule size (3mm I believe). Don't ask me why I bought them - most likely because they looked like miniature candy, they reminded me of a candy of my youth :)

When I was done - I was in love! The tree looks just like the one in the living room: bright, cheerful and very colourful!

All I had to do was pack it and send it to Rita - and that's exactly what I did. We sent each other's package around the same time.... right around the same time Sandy hit... more reason to agonize over whether the package(s) will reach each other! They did - and just a few days ago I was able to pick mine up. I opened right there, in the post office... and I almost fainted! I had to pull off the necklace I was wearing and put Rita's instead. I haven't took it off yet - I decorated the tree last night with it... I cleaned the living room (as in: windows cleaning, sheers washing, sparkling the wood of the room) 2 nights ago with it around my neck.

Did I make you curious? Good :)

I'll show you pictures next. First - this is what came out of the USPS envelope:

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

Bling in the box and on it too!

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

Merry Christmas to you too, Rita!

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

Aaah - do you see it? If you're a member of the MarShel group on facebook you should recognize that beauty! It's the one Rita entered in the FB challenge we have going on... the one that's tied for 1st place (with an equally awesome piece from Sandra of Skye Creative Chaos)

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

A gorgeous Persian chain with a capture of crystals. Seriously - have you seen something more beautiful than this?

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

With a very glitzy bling-full magnetic clasp!

Add to that 2 more packages - I had to wait to get home to see what's inside; I wanted to take pictures of the beautiful wrap too!

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

Surprise #1

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

A oceany-windy bead. Lovely colours, beautiful swirls: it's waiting for me to finish the Christmas preparations and focus on it properly!

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

Surprise #2

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

A beautiful enameled cross - look how intricate the design is! I haven't had a chance to ask Rita more details about my surprise items, but I will. I am quite curious where the cross is coming from. William looked at it and commented 'Wow, mommy! You've been spoiled!' - yes, smart child, that's exactly how I feel: rotten spoiled!

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

A 'family' picture :)

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #2: December 2012 :: All Pretty Things with Jewel School Friends

Thank **YOU**, my friend! Your gifts are beautiful and I will cherish them forever. I am glad I met you and got to know you a little bit. God willing maybe we will meet one day soon :)

And thank you, my visitor - for staying for the story :) Please make sure you visit everyone on the list below - you're in for a treat, these ladies are amazing!

Oh, I haven't showed you pictures of my tree, you say? Well - if you check Rita's blog you'll see it for sure =)


Marlene Cupohttp://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turnerwww.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com
Shirley Moorehttp://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaudhttp://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine Kinghttp://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stillehttp://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Rayhttp://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hocketthttp://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolvertonhttp://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussenhttp://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanzianohttp://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishophttp://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerleyhttp://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriffhttp://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everlyhttp://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinachehttp://www.allprettythings.ca <= you're here
Melinda Abrahamsonhttp://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewelshttp://www.jewelschoolfriends.com <= my partner!
Chandra Merodhttp://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaarshttp://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogelhttp://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smithhttp://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Ottohttp://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyerswww.leelucreations.blogspot.com 

11 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas!! I'm so pleased you like your necklace - it is a celebration of your chainmaille capture art jewelry publication in Step By Step Wire Jewelry -- your outstanding "Caught You!" pendant!!! Congratulations!!

    Alicia, I don't know how to express my awe and appreciation for your beautiful Christmas tree necklace and scarf ring -- they are true gifts of love and forever my heirloom jewelry! I don't know how you possibly created two pieces so close to my heart, so perfect to honor my daughter -- it is a miracle to me, a gift of love and God's goodness -- art with soul and beauty and the magic of the Holidays! I haven't told anyone about our live Christmas tree memorial or my silk scarf ... and there you are creating such exquisite gifts! Thank you my friend. Thank you.

    May you and your family have the happiest Holidays ever and may every day be filled with laughter and love!

    Merry Christmas,
    Rita

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  2. Holy Moly!!! I love that necklace! And the lampwork is just gorgeous, can't wait to see what you make with that. That cross will be a beautiful pendant. Have a wonderful Christmas!!

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  3. Oh, what a beautiful treasure of a necklace, don't blame you for wearing it right there in the PO. I can't wait to see what you sent to Rita!

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  4. Alicia, you and Rita are such wonderful and creative artisans. So glad you were paired in our hop, and sure you both will treasure your gifts. Happy Holidays!

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  5. I'm drooling over the enameled cross! The rest of your item are incredible as well!

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  6. After reading Rita's post I don't think anyone could have done better for their partner. You are both amazing! I loved your tree, and the chain you received is splendid. My best to you, and your family for the holidays and the upcoming new year.

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  7. Looks like you both spoiled one another, beautiful goodies for everyone :-D

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  8. Yup have to agree, you are spoiled! That necklace is pretty but oh the work! and the bead and the cross are a great bonus!

    Your chainmaille tree with the bulbs (beads) is such a nice design, havent seen that one. CREATIVE and loads of work too. You both were spoiled!
    Thanks for participating - HAPPY HOLIDAYS, ~ Shelley

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  9. Wow, lucky you. Gorgeous pieces.

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