Mixed Mayhem Studios

Guess What Time It Is?

Bead Soup Blog Party time!

I know, I know, I'm a bit late on joining in on the party due to work and other such responsibilities that inhibit all my fun. ;)

The actual party and reveal day isn't until May 3rd, but today was the deadline for mailing goodies out to your partner. Speaking of, my lovely new partner for 5th BSBP (oohhh mmmmm geeee... five times?! Time where have you gone???), is the lovely Dhea Powers of Java Bead.

My very first partner was a lampwork bead artist, so I'm pretty excited to have come circle with that. It was such a challenge, and I have no doubt Dhea will send me something amazing. I've really enjoyed getting to know her, and I'd like you lovelies to meet her, too.

Dhea's design from her 1st BSBP reveal. Such fun colors!

You can check out her blog here, and you can ogle her hubby's fantastic lampwork glass beads and the jewelry she designs here.

Looking forward to more Soup!

Much love,

The Bead Market @ OKC

So, I'm in Oklahoma visiting family currently, and this past weekend I went to The Bead Market with my auntie. I've been to this show a couple of times before in Fort Worth, TX, but it was fun to visit with my auntie and check it out in a new location. I spotted some familiar vendors (one of which was even from the Richardson area where I spent most of my time as a kiddo in Texas), and some new ones. The show was a little smaller than the one I'm used to, but that didn't hurt my feelings. It's almost kind of overwhelming looking at the rows upon rows of sparkly beads. 

Anyhow, here's all the fun stuff I picked up at the show:

Some very vibrant crystal beads. I was recently sent some yellow beads on two different occasions recently, so I was on the lookout for something yellow since it's an uncommon color in my collection.  :)

Kind of wish it wasn't so darn cold outside to better show off the vibrancy of these beads. That red is actually closer to a garnet color and it is lovely! ♥

Neon rubberized glass! Such a strange, interesting texture. And the colors! Woah. This photo doesn't do them justice.

Ohh. These quartz points. I am in love. They're a natural quartz with a soft, smokey blue coating. So lovely!

And of course, there were fun magnesite shapes all over the place. I couldn't pass up these teensy skulls.

Aren't these beads fantastic? I am so excited! I had been wanting some neon stuff for quite a while, and those quartz points are divine. I got them 70% off the retail price, too. Bonus!

That's it for now!

Much love,

ZNetShows Spring Loot!

Wow.

WOW.

Oh my.

OHH MY.

AHHHHHHHH! (Pretty sure my roomies thought I was dying at this point.)

So. Many. Sparkly. Things.  OuO

Those were the words (or sounds, haha) that I uttered repeatedly as I opened my package I received from ZNetShows for the upcoming Spring glossi. It's almost overwhelming! (In a good way, of course.) I have so many ideas swirling around in my head right now, I'm not sure what to do with myself, lol.

As for what I'll make? Well. You'll just have to wait and see when the Spring glossi is published.  ;)

But in the mean time, here's some more pics of the beautiful things ZNetShows sent my way:

Pretty pink quartz like pinks in crystal and cultured sea glass.

Fiery reds, oranges, and brandy crystal and cultured sea glass.

Green crystal, AB finish crystal, and cultured sea glass in spring green and seafoam.

Crystal with all sorts of finishes. The dark one is kind of bronze-ish. Loving that milky opal-like crystal	.

Lemon crystal in a beautiful cut! Almost looks like lemon quartz. Oh my.

 Can't wait to show you guys what I made out of these beauties!

Much love,

New Year's Resolutions

I'm usually not one to make New Year's Resolutions. I think they're kind of hokey. The aspiration of it is a pleasant idea, but the reality is that making a goal and sticking to it is hard. On top of that, I don't think making goals should really be limited to the beginning of the year. That's a little silly.

Despite my pessimism on the topic, I have, after a little bit of goading from coworkers and friends, decided on a few goals I'd like to pursue.

• I am going to organize my beading and crafting inventory in such a way that it makes it much easier for me to work on jewelry, photograph it, and have it uploaded either here on my blog or in my store.

• After everything is organized, I have a goal of creating, or at least working on, one piece of jewelry a day. This will also help me maintain my store better which is, well, empty right at this moment.

• In addition to that, I will resume in my creating at least one sketch a day for my sketchbook blog to continue improving my own art. I was told a long time ago by a dear friend and fellow artist that I admire a great deal that I do not draw enough. That's still true, and it's well past time that I changed that.

• I am dusting off all my old projects such as my Shadow Fiends game on Gaia Online. I miss my community of friends that had built up around it. This game really helped me improve my art a great deal.

I've actually started doing a lot of these things even before the New Year of 2014 came along, but that's where my ambitions lie currently. It's always good to have a head start, right?  ;)

Anyhow. I had a pretty fantastic Christmas holiday with my family in Oklahoma, and I'm very much looking forward to creating wondrous new things this year. Speaking of wonderful, check out the goodies I got from the Bead Soup Cafe gift exchange:

Check out the color of that ribbon and silk cord! So beautiful!

Beads for enameling and a beadweaving kit, too!

My gift exchange partner was Jay Paramesh from Nchantme.com! You should definitely check out her store and blog. Her beadweaving is so beautiful.

Happy New Year and much love!

Jewelry Affaire Publication!

So! Remember these lovelies from this past Bead Soup Blog Party?

They were published in the autumn 2013 issue of Jewelry Affaire Magazine! This is my first published jewelry design, so needless to say, I am SUPER excited. I also recently received my complimentary issue of the magazine, and it is divine! I was also very surprised to find that my earrings ended up on a photo all to themselves amid the Bead Soup for the Soul article featuring Lori Anderson. I am so thankful to have been able to participate.

And check out this super cool badge they sent me:


Needless to say, I am over the moon. Here's to looking forward to more publications in the future! ♥

Much love,

ZNetShows Lightening Round Challenge

I'm pretty much in love with ZNetShows beads, so I was super excited when I got an email about this quick challenge round. The goal this time was to pick two strands of crystals from their catalog, and then create some key chains.

Here are the fun violet and purple beads I picked out:

These were product code RS123-27 for the helix/faceted twist cut beads and RS107-107 for the pretty purple metallic coated beads. Both have a beautiful sparkle! If you're interested in these cool keychain findings, you can get them here.

Key chains have become a big deal to me working in a hospital setting. As are badge holders, so this challenge was super exciting to me. Check out the cool new key chain and coordinating badge holder I made for work:

I love the finish on these beads. Such a nifty metallic sheen.

It's a little difficult to capture the color of these beads, so here's a close up.

Woohoo! New badge holder with lots of sparkle. With some soft silk sari ribbon, even.

Badge holder + keychain together = a lot of shine!

Oh yeah. Totally made some ladies at work jealous. I will probably be making a few more keychains for some coworkers. Perhaps even a badge holder or two.

That's it for now. I have some totally awesome news to share about my first published jewelry! So exciting!

Much love,

Post-Show Sale in a New Shop!

Now available in my new shop!

I had an amazing time at the show this past weekend at the Dallas Handmade Arts Market. I'm really interested in participating again at the show's normal venue in the Addison Conference Center. I met so many amazing artists and made some fantastic new friends. I can't wait to see everyone again. I'm wishing I'd done a better job at picking up everyone's business cards.

For those who couldn't make it out to the show, I'm having a post-show sale in my brand new shop! I've changed online venues, so to speak. Basically, I'm breaking up with Etsy. It's been a halfway decent run, but I think it's time for us to see different people. (It's not me, it's you. ;)

Anyhow, I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I have a whole mess of designs I'm working on currently, and I'm still preparing for an upcoming anime convention which will be hosted over Labor Day weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

Much love,

 

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop Reveal

Ever have this suspcious, nagging feeling that you've forgotten something? I've been suffering this weird little flicker of anxiety all week, only to wake up this morning and realize why: AHHHH TODAY IS THE BLOG HOP REVEAL!!!11!1

So, I'm a little late to the party, but I did drag out some beads that I've been holding onto for at least 2+ years. See, I have an addiction to certain flashy gemstones. I have an entire organizer box full of predominantly labradorite and moonstone. If a stone has some sort of fancy chatoyancy (that can distract me for hours with its amazing shine), I fall in love with it. It's a dilemma.

But here I am, joining in on this blog hop to let go of some of those beautiful stones. Sort of. I may or may not be able to completely let go of them in a sale, but I will be attending the Dallas Handmade Arts Market next weekend which out to be a true test of my will in parting with the necklace I made.

Speaking of said necklace, here it is:

Ahhhhh soooo pretty. I am totally wearing this around the house right now even though I've not changed out of my pajamas. The pendant this time around was more challenging than usual. Not only did I use a focal that I had been hoarding, but I used some half round 21 gauge wire that for some reason I have never used. I've had it for ages, too. Definitely not my usual cup of tea, but that could be because of the slightly smaller gauge. I prefer 22 gauge round wire for my projects.

Anyhow.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM I CAN STOP ANY TIME. Uhm. Okay. Maybe not, but at least I'm not the only one with a problem! Check out these other bead hoarders, too. ;)

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
  10.  Erin Guest, Renlish

11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict

21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads

41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts

51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics

61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes

71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork

81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8

91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives

101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa

111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry

121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy

131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem You are here! ♥
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla

151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted

161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog

ZnetShows Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway

Hello everyone!

The official reveal date for the fantastic beads my partner Klaudete picked out for me is finally here. Just as a quick refresher, here's what she picked out from the ZnetShows catalog for me:

I received several strands of tangerine bicone crystals (RS102-83AB), khaki teardrop glass pearls (BDS1867-18), amber large hole crystals (RS139-17), gunmetal animal charms (M0514-MX-GM1), howlite nuggets that have been dyed black (BDS1817-17), green skulls (S64-B80), and seafoam cultured sea glass pebbles (BDS1926-01). All beautiful beads that were a joy to work with. The product codes will link you directly to the ZnetShows website if you're interested in purchasing your own beads. I certainly recommend their products!

So here's the inspiration photo my partner Klaudete used to choose my fantastic beads:

A stormy beach at sunset.

 And here are all of my creations!

First is this very lengthy necklace at about 30 inches long.

Glass pearls, tangerine crystals, and dyed howlite for my dark clouds at sunset.

There's actually a tiny bit of color blocking in this piece.

Next were some very fancy earrings. If you know me, you know how I love earrings!

Quite in love with the earwires I made, too.

Close up to see all the pretty detail!

I couldn't resist this adorable little turtle.

So cute!!!

Added crystal eyes to one of my skulls to make a sort of pirate-y necklace.

Finished off the design with a little bit of leather cord.

A better view of the skull facing forward.

And here we have the fanciest piece of them all with some wire wrapped recycled glass.

Lots of seafoam color, earth tones, and swirls!

Detail of the smaller focals.

And there we have it! Those are all of my designs I came up with. If you haven't already, please be sure to visit my lovely partner Klaudete. If you loved the beads, I'd also highly recommend hitting up the ZnetShows blog. They're having a give away featuring packages of the beads we chose for our partners. Head on over there today and join in on the fun!

Much love,

ZnetShows June Challenge - The beads are here! Woohoo!

The beads from the ZnetShows June Challenge arrived today! I was so excited to get them. They were definitely the pick-me-up I needed after waging a small battle with my vehicle. Long story short, I had to have the darn thing towed, but thankfully a friend fixed what needed fixing. After that stressful ordeal, and I am very much looking forward to designing with these beads.

The challenge them is "The Beach." I was paired with Klaudete Koon, and these are the beads she picked out for me based upon one of the pictures from the ZnetShows Design Inspiration board on Pinterest. I am so super excited about them!

So. Many. Things. OuO <3

Those black nuggets are dyed howlite. Those will be very fun. ♥

Lots of beautiful crystal and glass pearls.

IT'S A SKULL. You have no idea how much this excites me.

Can't wait to get started! I have some great ideas so far. Some of them will have to wait at least for a little bit. Thanks to being outside for way too long I'm feeling a little under the weather due to my allergies flaring up. Anyhow. Expect more updates of shiny things soon. ♥

Much love,