Dry Gulch Weekly Pick ~ Amazonite Stones

Welcome to the Dry Gulch Weekly Pick!  Each week, the gals at Dry Gulch Beads & Jewelry feature a bead or component or color of the week, and this time we're showcasing the very beautiful stone Amazonite.  We'd love to see what YOU have created with Amazonite, let us know in the comments!

Amazonite is a gorgeous and classic stone that has been used in jewelry since ancient times.  A form of feldspar (a common mineral within the Earth's crust), Amazonite is a brilliant blue-green opaque stone that is also relatively soft, which makes it perfect for beadwork and carvings.  In the country of Jordan, archeologists discovered over 2,000 pieces of Amazonite jewelry dating from ancient times!


The word Amazonite is actually relatively knew, a mineralogist in the 1840s renamed the stone from its original title Microline.  It is believed he derived the name from the beautiful colors of the Amazon River and jungles in South America, however, there are no known mines of the stone in the Amazon.  Today, Amazonite is mostly found in Russia, Myanmar, India, Brazil and the USA.

    

There are several varieties of Amazonite, including Russian Amazonite which features a deeper green color with zebra-like white striping, and Flower Amazonite, which features earthy colors like black, rust and cream mixed with the blue-green colors.  Flower Amazonite is a variety of Amazonite mixed with minerals like black Tourmaline, white Albite, metallic Pyrite (rarely!) and other minerals.  It is technically considered a lower grade of traditional Amazonite, but the range of earthy colors paired with the lovely sky blues really make this variety a true show-stopper.  Other trade names for this stone are Rainbow Amazonite, Black Cloudy Amazonite and Black Gold Amazonite; it is usually mined in Africa.

    

Click our banner below to shop these gorgeous stones on our website!

Shabby Chic Necklaces from Dry Gulch

Happy New Year from Dry Gulch!  It's been a while since we've blogged, but we've been hard at work behind the scenes creating and making for a big and fabulous 2020!  We joined the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop again this year, which is a blog/social media hop event where we partner up with other beaders around the world to swap beads and then post the creations we make with them.  Be sure to check out the Facebook group for more info on this fun event!

In December 2019, we started doing our Dry Gulch Weekly Pick videos, which are short snippets and info bites of some of the beads and stones we carry on our website.  Be sure to take a look at our newest video this week here on our website.  Some of the jewelry we've created with past edition's Weekly Picks are displayed below, you'll notice that we have a love for soft colors like cream, clear and pastel as they're perfect for making designs that you can wear with any outfit.  Let us know which of these creations is your favorite in the comments below!

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2019 Swap Showcase

  

We have once again joined the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop event from Linda Anderson - this year being the 5th year running!  For this event, creators are partnered up to swap beads with each other, then they post their creations on the reveal date and hop to each one and see what everyone has created.


Our partner this year is Sarah Auerbach from New York.  She sells beads in a FaceBook group under the name Larynx Jewels, and also has a jewelry subscription service on her website under the same name.  She started making jewelry to help causes she cared about, and her favorite styles to create include simple, striking and vintage accented with assorted handmade components.  Armed with this info, we sent Sarah a selection of crystals, stones and vintage rice beads in earthy greens, blues and bronzes.  Our artisan components included a lampwork focal, one of our Molten Solder teardrops and Molten Solder links.  We also sent a tasty artisan chocolate bar!

 

We also received our partner's Bead Swap, and it's chock full of fun items!  Sarah sent beads and components that she catered to each of our styles, including seed bead triangles, vintage glass and findings, and some fun comic book beads that she made herself!  She also sent a yummy chocolate coffee bean bar (which we all love!) and a recipe for lavender lemonade (using lavender that she has home-grown) which we can't wait to try.

We already have some fun ideas for all these beads, and can't wait to get started creating.  Be sure to come back and see us on April 7th to see the Big Reveal!

Art Elements February Challenge Reveal - Artisan Jewelry Inspired by the American Kestrel

Welcome to the Art Elements February 2019 Themed Challenge Reveal!  The theme of this month's Challenge was Birds of Prey or Raptors.  Makers were encouraged to submit any kind of artistic endeavor representing these magnificent flying creatures. We created handmade jewelry for this challenge as we have been prepping for our spring shows.  We are headed to Kansas City next week for the 58th Annual Gem, Mineral, Jewelry and Bead Show and we have been working hard to bring our customers lots of new jewelry designs and handmade components.

We are usually inspired by song birds like cardinals, bluebirds and robins, so working with a birds of prey theme with this Challenge was a little out-of-the-box for us.  We have a new song bird pendant focal that we are introducing in our Spring 2019 painted pendant collection, so we incorporated the feather coloring of a bird of prey for one of pendants, an American Kestrel!  We were struck by the lovely colors of the Kestrel, this little falcon features a coat of slate blue, rust, cream and a striking speckled pattern throughout the feathers.  Catherine hand painted all of these elements into our songbird pendant, and then we paired our new focal with a hand knotted crystal bead necklace from Deborah.  Our little Kestrel dangles freely from a hand stamped O-Ring that says "Fearlessly Authentic" - a fitting and inspirational quote!

We also created this boho pair of earrings in the same American Kestrel theme to match with our necklace.  These feathers, inspired by the American Kestrel, have been hand painted in our studio by Catherine and then accented with lots of bling by Gianna.  They're super sparkly and lightweight!


While looking up feather inspiration for our hand painted components, we discovered some interesting tidbits about the American Kestrel.  Read below to learn more about these adorable little falcons!

• The American Kestrel is the smallest and most common falcon in the US.

• Kestrels can be tamed easily and trained quickly - because of this (and their small size), they are popular falconry birds for working in the city.

These American Kestrel jewelry designs and lots more of our new handmade jewelry will be available at our shows in Kansas City, Joplin and Tulsa this spring.  Visit our website for more info on our Dry Gulch shows.

This month's Art Element challenge was hosted by Cathy Spivey Mendola - thank you for an inspiring theme.  Be sure to read through and visit all of the Challenge makers links below for more Birds of Prey inspiration - we'll see you in a few weeks for our next Challenge reveal!



Guests:
Tammy
Beth
Cat
Anita
Kathy
Alysen
Linda
Rozantia
Catherine You Are Here!
Hope
Sarajo
Melissa
Sarah

Art Elements Team Members: 
Caroline
Cathy
Claire
Jen
Jenny
Karen
Laney
Lesley
Lindsay
Marsha
Niky
Sue

Art Elements April Theme Reveal - Cowgirls & Horses

Welcome to the Art Elements Theme Challenge Reveal from Dry Gulch! We joined the April monthly challenge and have enjoyed working on our projects for the reveal the past few weeks. We would like to send a thank you to hostesses Jenny and Cathy for putting this challenge together. Don’t forget to visit all of the participating reveals, listed in the links at the end of this blog.

The Dry Gulch Horses - Shorty, Rusty & Lucky

This month’s theme was all about the beauty of horses. We are inspired every day by the nature around us and our own animals, horses included, so we knew we wanted to create a project featuring cowgirls and their horses. As we have a vintage show that we are preparing for in May, we aimed at making several necklaces that we could bring to the show.

We love to create unique components and then assemble them together into new collage pendants. These necklaces feature patinaed filigrees, hand stamped charms and a hand painted bay horse charm. The pendant focals feature vintage cowgirl bezels that have been poured with resin, then bordered with handmade “barbwire” lariats. We finished off these rustic necklaces with our beaded stone and crystal chains, making them perfect for wearing out.

These vintage cowgirl necklaces will be available at our vintage show in May 2018 at Branson Market Days in Missouri. Visit our website for more info on this and more Dry Gulch shows.

Be sure to visit the links below to see all of the participants in this month’s reveal!








Participants:

Alysen

Anita

Beth

Catherine







Jill

Paulette

Raven

Sarajo

Tammy


Art Element Team Member Participants:


Caroline

Claire

Jen

Laney

Lesley

Marsha

Niky

Sue

Welcome to the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2018 Reveal!

Welcome to the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2018 Reveal!  Thank you Linda Anderson for being our hostess.  This was such a fun challenge, we were paired up with Joanne Louvaine Bell of Twinkiedinky, so how could it not be fun??  Below is a picture of what our partner Joanne sent to us.

And now, the story begins...

Our first creation

"Trinkets" - a ribbon tassel necklace made with vintage Sari silk ribbons and tied onto a vintage horse tack ring.  The tassel has been adorned with Joanne's wonderful "Doof" component, a copper bezel that she created - isn't she lovely?   Our tassel is attached to a hand knotted crystal necklace with a filigree bail. 

Our next creation

 

The loveliest pair of whimsical wings you ever did see! ☺  They didn't need much because they're so beautiful on their own.  These resin wings by Joanne were soldered by us with a touch of filigree.  We crown thee "Princess Lilybell".

Ah, but wait...

 

Here lies the crowning glory.  This seed bead flower of loveliness was made by Gianna.  This flower has a raspberry rivoli crystal center and is dripping with chain, Czech glass, Swarovski crystals and more fantastic resin wings from Joanne.  What beautiful, magical sprite wouldn't love this??!!?? ♥

It was so fun to be whimsical!  Joanne, you are the "Twinkiedinky" that put a sparkle in our creations.

Here is what we sent Joanne for the Swap, hop on over and see what she has created!

Also, don't forget to hop around and check all of the other fantastic bead peeps that joined this blog event.  View their creations by clicking the links below. 

Beaders

Linda Anderson http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com (Hostess)

Inge von Roos https://ingetraud.wordpress.com 

Kari Asbury https://kariasbury.com/blogs/design-challenges

Nadine Edris http://instagram.com/moondancemaine

 

Kathy Lindemer https://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Hope Smitherman http://CraftyHope.com 

Marde Lowe http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com

Christina Hickman https://www.instagram.com/laughingsalmon/

 

Terry Jeanette Carter https://tappingflamingo.blogspot.com

Lisa Johnson https://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/

Catherine La Vite http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/

Joanne Bell https://joannetinks.wordpress.com

 

Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.bg/

Bonnie Robbins https://www.instagram.com/brobbins_wireandwonder/

 

Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com/

Robin Reed http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com

 

Karin King http://www.maverickbeads.blogspot.ca

Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com

 

Erika Price https://www.instagram.com/erikapricejewellery/

Sarah Reid http://www.instagram.com/sarahreiddesigns

 

Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com

Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com

 

Robin Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/

Nicole Rennell https://www.instagram.com/nicolerennelldesigns/

 

Fay Wolfenden http://torchfairy.blogspot.com

Shai Williams http://www.shaihasramblings.com/

 

Andrea Frank https://instagram.com/andreazeef

Cheri Reed http://creativedesignsbycheri.wordpress.com

Seed Beaders

Deborah Apodaca https://deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/

Palak Udeshi http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/

 

Penny Houghton http://www.forgottentrack.com.au/blog

Paulina Russell Http://www.instagram.com/thewildbead

 

Heather Canepa http://www.instagram.com/canepaheather

Tina Hemr http://instagram.com/mariecaroldesigns

 

Naomi Knafla https://www.instagram.com/naomiknafla/

Michelle Marson https://www.instagram.com/ellecountry/

 

Rebecca White https://morganafeycreations.com/blog/

Laura Bosch https://www.instagram.com/lauraboschmultibeadia

 

Kathleen Breeding https://www.instagram.com/99bobotw.kb/

Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/

Dry Gulch at 2 Friends & JUNK Joplin 2018

We just finished with our first show of the year in Joplin, Missouri this past weekend.  We love seeing our customers in person at our shows!  Our first show was 2 Friends & JUNK, which is a vintage style show.  We set up just like a boutique with lots of nooks and crannies stuffed full of vintage beads, components and so much more.

We also bring our newly created jewelry designs.  We love working with pinks and turquoises, always popular colors!  We also upcycled our mannequins with fabulous lace and our handmade corsages to show off our jewelry.

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We want to send EVERYONE a great big THANK YOU for coming to see us in Joplin this past weekend. We loved seeing all of our friends, we had a wonderful show and we appreciate all of you.

Our next show is in two weeks this March 9-11 at the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  We're excited to come see y'all in KC for the 57th Annual Gem & Mineral Show!  Visit our website here to see more info on this show and the rest of our shows this year.  See you there!

Come See Dry Gulch at the Tulsa Bead Market

Come see Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry at the Tulsa Bead Market!  Visit us for findings in every style and color, sea glass, Dry Gulch lampwork, one-of-a-kind components, chain, tools, patinas, Dry Gulch exclusive painted pendants, vintage supplies, seed beads and so much more. 

Plus, we host classes, repair jewelry, demonstrate techniques and design custom creations.  It's a weekend of fabulous bead shopping!

Read below for more info on our classes and how to sign up, and a preview of all the new things we're bringing!

Date: March 24 & March 25  Time: Friday, 10am to 5pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm Admission: FREE!   Location: Expo Square, Tulsa Fairgrounds  Fair Meadows Exhibit Hall/Simulcast Building/Fair Meadows Sports Grill Restaurant 4145 East 21st Street Tulsa, OK 74114

NEW!  We're having our Domed Collage class on Saturday ONLY. Be sure to sign up early for this 2 hour class as space is limited. Give us a call at 417-628-2828 to sign up. Join Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry at the Bead Market on March 25th in Tulsa, OK for our Domed Collage class! This lovely Domed Collage class will teach techniques like doming and decorative metal stamping.  We'll learn how to use snap rivets, doming blocks, decorative stamps and more.  When we're finished we'll have a one of a kind piece that can be used as pendant, decorative element for a bracelet, or even as a centerpiece for an art journal!  Bring your imagination for this class, it's time to play!  When? March 25th - Saturday - 1pm to 3pm    Where?   Expo Square, Tulsa Fairgrounds  Fair Meadows Exhibit Hall/Simulcast Building/Fair Meadows Sports Grill Restaurant 4145 East 21st Street Tulsa, OK 74114    What do I bring?   Students should bring what is listed in the Tools and Materials lists (find this information below and on our website here).  It's okay if students don't have everything listed, Dry Gulch will have all of the tools and materials available for purchase.  Students are welcome to bring their own embellishments and extra tools to use in their class projects. How much? $20, plus materials   How do I sign up?  To reserve your class spot, give Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry a call at 417-628-2828.  If you have any questions, do call Dry Gulch and we'll be happy to answer them.  Hurry, space is limited and filling up fast! Materials List:  * 5-7 metal discs, any metal and gauge * Assorted filigrees, any metal * Snap rivets * Dimes and/or pennies (optional) Tools List: * Bench Block  * Hammer  * Metal file and/or sanding block  * Power Hole Punch   * Doming Block  * Decorative embossing hammers  * Decorative metal stamps  * Stamp enamel  * Patinas & paints (optional)

NEW BEADS, TOOLS AND MORE!

We're excited to show y'all our new finds!  We're bringing stunning new stones, new seed beads like 15s and Mini Duos, fantastic new findings in silver and antique brass, more fabulous tools, painted pendants and so much more.

If you're looking for something in particular, or would like us to bring your online order to the show, please call us at 417-628-2828 or email us at custserv@drygulch.com and we'll be happy to bring your items to the show.  We will also have jewelry repair and custom jewelry design on-site.