Creative Chaos: Marlene Cupo

This week I'm finally featuring a shop that I've had on my list since this idea first popped into my head. She was actually slated for last month but got it pushed back a bit for so we could have even more fun here :)

Marlene Cupo, as some of you know, is very active in several fb groups, including being one of the top people in my Project Bead .. or should I say, one of the top faeries ;). She's also one of the commitee members and contributors for 'Jilly's Bead Posse'. and those two are just the tip of the iceberg :) she's a beautiful lady with a big heart that I doubt many of you have NOT heard of around the beading communitee :)

Facebook Page - Amazing Designs

Artfire shop - Amazing Designs

Want to know why her feature is a bit late?

Because she decided to have a major sale in time for this feature, and let you all get first crack at the goodies :)

AmazingDesigns is having a SALE! 40% off all items in the shop!

Shall we jump right to the eye candy?

Shop Link

Faux Wood & Carved Bone necklace & bracelet set.

Shop Link

Fun & Funky Black & White, Gunmetal Necklace, Bracelet and Earring Set

Shop Link

Ruby, Garnet and Lucite Red Leaf Necklace

Those are just a few of my favorite jewelry pieces of hers... and I didn't share any of her earrings because this post would've become ay too long >.< lol

But Marlene doesn't just make beautiful jewelry... no... she also makes magnets, and book thongs, and eyeglass holders......

...and beads and pendants :D

shop link

10mm Panatone Color Poppy Red Beads - Set of 10

Shop Link

Large Lentil Pendant Bead in Peacock Colors with Antq Gold Spiral Wire

shop link

Frog Lovers! 5mm Frog Beads for Necklace or Bracelet - Set of 6

shop link

Large Flower Covered Leaf Shape Pendant with Silver Bail

And SOOOO many more ! This is an artfire shop, so the menu is on the right hand side of the screen instead of the left ;) Just so you know ;) lol Guess who scrolled through EVERYTHING looking for the beads before she noticed that menu ? Yup >.< lol

Up for grabs this month are TWO $10 gift certificates to Amazing Designs :) Yup, two winners :)

You know the drill :) Use the Rafflecopter widget to enter! ( you can enter all the parts, not just choose one ;) )

If you can't see the rafflecopter widget, it's because you're not on the actual blog post... click on the post title and you should be able to see it :)

This giveaway will run until midnight, June 16th, and the winners will be announced Monday the 17th. They will have until June 23rd to contact me to claim their prizes!

Facebook Page - Amazing Designs

Artfire shop - Amazing Designs

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Okay... AND...

ONE LAST TIME...

I have had rafflecopter chose a winner for the PineRidge Treasure's gift certificate. If it's not claimed within four days...( by Tuesday night), Wednesday I'm returning the gift certificate to the shop for her to do with as she pleases >.< lol

Although, that said, I doubt it'll be a problem this time. While this winner doesn't comment as much as some others do, I KNOW she's a follower and will no doubt see this before the deadline.

.... can you hear Jeopardy music playing right now..? lol ;)

Alright alright... and this winner is

Mischelle Fanucchi

:)

Gimme a shout, Mischelle :)

Please.

Don't leave me hangin' again ;) lol

** EDIT : Mischele left me hanging an entire FIFTEEN MINUTES lol
PRIZE HAS BEEN CLAIMED!!

finally... ;)

What...? You thought the holiday swap & hops were over with? Don't be silly... plenty more holidays to celebrate :) And Marlene Cupo & Shelley Graham Turner have decided to encourage us to celebrate !

Holiday Bling Blog Hop #'s 1 & 2 were Christmas / Yule / Solstice type themed.

#3 has a wider selection of choices... we could chose ANY holiday that occurred withing February or March. They even provided a list of some... want to see some of what they found for us?

· Ground Hog Day - Feb 2

· Chinese New Year - Feb 10

· National Foundation Day (Japan) - Feb 11

· Mardi Gras thru Feb 12

· St Valentine's Day - Feb 14

· National Flag Day (Canada) - Feb 15

· Do a Grouch a Favor Day - Feb 16

· International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day - Feb 23

· Purim - Feb 23-24

· Saint David's Day (Wales, UK) - March 1

· Barbie's Birthday - March 9

· Commonwealth Day (UK) - March 11

· St. Patrick's Day - March 17

· Feast of St. Joseph (Italy) - March 18

· Big Bird's Birthday - March 20

· Greek Independence Day - March 25

· Start of Passover - March 25

· Easter - March 31

...plus we could use any others we discovered, as long as they took place in the Feb./ March time line.

My partner for the hop was Alicia Marinache, a fellow Canuck who actually lives a few hours away from me :) Rather decide on a holiday together, we left that up to inspiration.

Alicia said she had the perfect one but that it wasn't on the list so it would be a total surprise.

I had Mardi Gras stuck in my head, but wanted to do something that Alicia would love, so I haunted her fb page and blog for holiday inspiration. The perfect one appeared - her sons birthday - but without any hints as to his favorite colours or even the actual date for me to discover birthstones... I couldn't grab onto enough inspiration to get it going. I did however discover a bunch of Easter photos of her and her family enjoying the holiday.

Still hemming and hawing over ideas, I decided to let it stew for a bit, hoping she'd post something to help kick start the birthday idea. I had plenty of time after all. Then while picking up some envelopes and glue for another project, I did my usual stroll past the beads and my eye got caught on some new sparklies. They'd got in some Swarovski Elements with coordinating crystals and they were all screaming at me to buy them >.< I managed to make it out with just two... both for homes other than mine... and one of them was in pinks, greens and clear; perfect for an Easter theme. It sat beside me for an entire day as I let ideas flow, then started work.

Unfortunately, after it was finished, I noticed a flaw in the focal... and in trying to 'fix' it... it broke >.< Luckily I was able to find a replacement focal that enhanced the theme even more I think...

Here's the original design with it's flawed focal just prior to breaking...

And here's the completed necklace with the new focal...

The death of the sparklie was sad... however I think the rose quartz lily adds a much more delicate touch, plus lends itself to the holiday a bit better :)

As for what Alicia sent me... wow. The holiday she chose was a special one that her family keeps alive in their own traditions, and I was touched to be a part of it :) The holiday she chose? Martisor. It's a traditional celebration of spring in Romania on March 1st :) I LOVE what she made for me :) Go check out her blog to find out more about Martisor and see what she made for me ;)

Then go check out the rest of the blogs to see what other holidays were represented!

Alicia Marinache

Catherine King

Chris Schlicht

Cynthia Machata
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell

Gina Hockett

Jennifer Reno

Laura Reed

Leanne Loftus

Lennis Carrier

Lori Bowring Michaud

Marti Conrad
Mary Govaars