Tuesday 28 February 2012

Week One of the craftpimp Blog Ring - featured artist Laney of Izzybeads

Time flies doesn’t it? I’ve been a member over at the craftpimp forum for almost a year. In that time I have been fortunate enough to get to know lots of very talented people. The beauty of craftpimp is that no matter what you craft there is a place for you there and people eager to offer support and appreciate what you make.

One of the talented artists I’ve had the pleasure to get to know is Laney of  "izzybeads". Laney is a lampwork glass artist and Oh Boy does she make gorgeous beads. When I first said "Hello" to Laney on craftpimp I think I called her Izzy lol, an easy mistake to make I guess but "Izzy" is actually the name of one of her dogs :o).
Laney has two dogs which she walks regularly and rarely without incident, much to the amusement of the rest of us over at craftpimp, when she regales us with her stories.

Here they are:-


Meet De-Fi and Izzy fresh from a hopefully incident free walk :o)

Laney is one talented, grounded, funny lady, although I struggle to use the word "lady" she strikes me as still being more of a girl! Her sense of humour often comes across in her work and the results are awe inspiring.



I adore the frog beads, they were the first beads of Laney’s I ever saw, so bright and cheerful and beautifully made with such an attention to detail, look at their eyes.... and the way their arms are hugging the beads, too gorgeous for words :o) and I've just bought one whoop.


Giraffe Lampwork Glass Pendant available on etsy
Laney sells her beads through her Etsy Store and through her ebay shop.

Here are some more gorgeous beads.


Easter bunny focal lampwork glass bead available on Etsy
 What a perfect Easter gift for someone you love.

Under the sea focal lampwork bead available on etsy
White Roses Ocean Blues Glass Focal Bead Set available on ebay

Bones Lampwork Glass Beads available on ebay

Laney also creates fused glass pieces, something that I am sooo jealous of as I would love to work with glass.

Set of 4 fused glass coasters available on etsy

As you can see Laney’s work is stunning, quirky and perfect in every way.

Laney also has her own blog called "Life with Izzybeads" where you can learn a bit more about her.
 One of the posts on her blog is a wonderful tutorial on how to make a super cute elephant bead "Elephant Beginnings" This is the first tutorial Laney has ever posted and is in aid of a wonderful cause. Laney and many of the other beaders on craftpimp actively support the Beads of Courage Programme, a very worthwhile cause so please click the link for more information.

When I was involved in my first craftpimp blog ring almost a year ago I didn't even know how to create links or upload photos properly. What a difference a year makes lol.
Happy Crafting.
Mel :o)





Friday 24 February 2012

Challenge 17 - Jellypark Friends - A night at the Oscars

Hello there and a very happy Friday to you.

It's time to reveal what the latest challenge is over at Jellypark Friends and Jennifer (who I am sending big hugs too, right now) has picked such a fun theme for us.....A night at the Oscars, we would love to see all of your movie inspired cards. This time round my group is covering the challenge cards. I knew straight away what I would do and Claire had the perfect image for it over in the store. My favourite film is "A Knights Tale" with Heath Ledger, I really love the use of modern music within the medieval setting.
Here is what I made.
I had lots of fun colouring him up and trying to get his armour to look like shiny metal.

There are also 2 new releases out today and they are pretty special I can tell you, so pop on over to the Jellypark Challenge site for a looksy at what our fab DT have made with them.
Another brand new image to the store is the amazing digi that Claire drew for the 1st Jellypark Junior Challenge winner P.K.
The image is one of the Little Haven Charity images so every penny from each one sold will go to the charity :o) 
P.K wanted her sibings and herself represented in the image and here it is. P.K is leading the parade.

"Follow me"
How WOW is this?
Have a fantabulous weekend guys and Happy Crafting.

Friday 10 February 2012

Challenge 16 - Jellypark Friends - Shades of Love

Good morning fellow crafters, I hope you all have wonderful plans for the weekend. I'm so pleased that it's half term next week, hopefully get a fair bit if crafting done with the kids and maybe the odd lie in ;o) I can live in hope he he.

Over at jellypark friends we have a new challenge for you and the theme is "Shades of Love", we'd like to see pink, purple or red in your projects or all 3 if you so wish :o) perfectly apt really as Valentine's Day is next week. I don't have a challenge card to share this time as my group are covering the new release images from the jellypark store. I've been lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the gorgeous challenge cards the other team have made and you can see them too when you pop over to the challenge blog.

My card is made with one of the new release images, I shall blog about the other one later in the week.
You can see what my DT teamies have made with both new releases over at the challenge blog.
How gorgeous is this little guy and so perfect for your Easter projects.
I coloured him with my promarkers, I got my cricut earning it's keep for the 2nd week running lol it's been hard at work cutting out tulips, the plant pot is a die cut which I coloured with promarkers. The papers are another freebie from a magazine (don't ya just love freebies) they are so cute with little bunnies and lambs and spotty eggs. I can't wait for Easter, chocolate always seems to taste better :o).

Have a great weekend.
Happy Crafting
Mel :o) x