Our Bee's Charm Exchange

Last year we came across the blog entitled "A Charming Exchange." I would invite you to log on and read about this special exchange. A book by the same name has been published and is available through many outlets. I'm posting the Amazon listing here.

Note: While you are logged on "A Charming Exchange," please check the items being auctioned for breast cancer awareness. Hurry, there's only one day left.

Inspired by this blog, our group decided to do something similar.We gave ourselves ample time to research and decide what we wanted to do. After one year we're almost finished. I wanted to share my charm necklace. I will receive another six charms before the project is completed but I just had to share the progress so far.

This charm is made by our Bee founder, Jan. You can see the reverse side and the spider web if you enlarge the above necklace photo. Isn't this charm wonderful? It's even signed and dated.

Dolores has done a beautiful grouping of charms. It includes an angel, a heart and an oval hanging from this pretty stone.

This one has the beaded cabochon on one side and dainty Brazilian Embroidery on the reverse side. It has been made by Claudette.

This one has a mini crazy quilt block pieced in my favorite peach colors. It was created by Karen



The next three charms were made by Lynnis. The circular ones are beaded with beautiful peach Swarovski crystals. The other charm is a pretty bronze dichroic glass heart. I must admit to asking for that mini Swarovski piece. It's beautiful!

This charm is done by Stephanie in New Jersey. She creates the most beautiful dolls and teaches both online and in classes. She has done this beautiful face with a half moon on the back.

The final two charms are ones that I made. The basket has a small velvet emery insert with a tiny pair of scissors attached. The second one is a tiny cluster of grapes with a sterling silver leaf attached.

Busy Month

October has flown by at an unbelievable speed. October 1 -4 Julie and I were in Pennsylvania for the 2010 ArtBra Exhibit and gala event at Byer's Choice. It was fabulous and we sold out of our 2010 ArtBra Calendars during the weekend events. The second printing has arrived and you can order your copy by logging on to the WTWW website.

Victoria Adams Brown, founder of WTWW and the ArtBras was a wonderful hostess and we enjoyed our short time in Pennsylvania.

October 8 - 11 Julie and I represented CQMagOnline at the Houston Quilt Market. We would invite you to check out each quarterly issue of the magazine for articles on our favorite techniques and tools.

Last Friday I visited the Quilt Festival for one day only. It's impossible to see everything in one day but it's fun trying. They have a wonderful embellishment area catering to the wants & needs of the crazy quilter.

I had the opportunity to meet "The Shibori Girl" at her booth and see her beautiful work up close. If you haven't been introduced to shibori silk you will want to read Julie's article in the upcoming issue of CQMag available around the first of November.

I ordered some of the shibori silk last month and played with it a short time. Pictured here is my first flower. The silk is bias cut and approximately 4" in width. It is pleated in very tiny 1/8" pleats resulting in a width of about 1".

After spending time at The Shibori Girl booth I was inspired to get the ribbon out and do some more playing. Here is my experiment from this weekend.

I felt compelled to pull out a hand-dyed motif along with some beads. Note the beautiful green shibori silk leaves.

I have lots of other projects and photos to share. I'll try to get my photos downloaded and organized. Check back often.