Red Carpet Storybook Charm Exchange! JOIN THE FUN!

Hollywood RED carpet STORYBOOK charm swap!

I will be hosting a charm swap this fall-winter for the Life Through Art foundation.

The theme will be story books, however each charm must have RED as the focal color.

Red Shoes?
Red Apples?
Red Riding hood?
Red Wagon?
Red Dog?
Red Hearts?
Red Sky?
Red Dress?
Find a story book you love and incorporate your spin on the imagery, characters, objects within the book etc. Add a tag or print up mentioning your inspiration and be sure to make your charms with the color RED as the focal or main accent color.
The size of each charm MUST be smaller than 1 inch including the jumpring and any extras you might like to add. 1 inch in total size.
The number of charms to swap will be 5-10 pieces per person with a commitment to send an extra charm as a donation. Depending on the number of people who sign up, the number may be slightly higher or perhaps more than one group per skill level will be set up.
There will be 2 groups, advanced charm makers and beginner charm makers.
The quality of both groups will need to be your best work because the charms that are sent as extras will be auctioned at a fundraiser in HOLLYWOOD!
Ooh so glamorous!
:o)
Please pass the word on.
The swaps will be due December 8th so you have time to think about this one.
Please leave me a comment or email me to let me know if you would like to join in.

~*A CHARMING EXCHANGE AUCTIONS!*~

A Charming Exchange, the auctions on Ebay!
Click HERE to bid!

The rest of the Black and Whites!

~*BLACK & WHITES!*~

Here are some of the black and white charms from the last swap.

I will post more later.

~*I claim April 28th as "International Charm Day"*~

Wouldn't it be fun to have a special day for wearing and gifting special charms?
It sounds like fun to me, so I am going to make it happen!

What will this day be about?
Maybe giving some of your own handmade charms or ones you've gotten from a swap, to good friends, family and anyone who makes your day to day lives brighter, better or just more fun!
(Examples- postal workers, nurses, teachers, sales girls, waitresses (when leaving a tip), secretaries, children etc.)

Each charm could have a special meaning or feeling behind it.
Or, you could just make a general set and hand them out randomly!

You could add on a tag that mentions they are being gifted a charm on International Charm Day and add in your name or contact info if you feel comfortable enough to do that (for the ones you give to those who are not so familiar.)

It's not just a gift of art but also one of cheer and also inspiration!
Imagine if each person who gets one feels like making more of them to give others?


If you would like to celebrate this day with me and if you blog about your charms please spread the word.

I claim April 28th as "International Charm Day"

:o)
Amber

Some B&W charm swap reactions-

Happy Swappers!

My favorite part of swap hosting is reading and seeing the posts and emails written by participants!

Here is what I've found so far-

Melinda Cornish

Michelle Bonds

Brenda Wampler

If you've blogged about the B&W or any other charm swap that I've hosted, please feel free to send me a link.

I've been working on the glamour shots of each charm and hope to post as soon as I can.
Lots of stuff has been popping up demanding my time and energy and getting things done around here is a bit slow going... But getting done, in time!

Enjoy these blogs in the mean time!

"WHF" means..

In case it is a mystery, and you are wondering what the "whf" next to my name on Erica's charm tag means-
It is just short for "With help from."

That's a wrap! NEXT!.....

I am taking pictures of the charms to post to the blog today!

Stay tuned!

Most of you have already gotten your returns, there are just a few more packages to be mailed out.

Melinda, if you are reading his, I've asked for your mailing address- not sure if you got my messages? I know you are moving so not sure when/where to ship to.

YES there will be another black and white charm in a few months so if you want to jury in- PLEASE start getting samples together now.
I will be doing groups of 10 charms per swap group so first come first serve as far as sign ups go.
If you would like to sign up please leave me a comment or email to inventivesouls (at) yahoo (.) (com)

~*More Jewelry On Ebay!!!*~ Woops! Wrong blog!!!

(I posted this by mistake- this was supposed to be posted to the THINK PINK charms blog!
Well, extra ad space!
Please indulge me!)
:o)

I just got 3 more pieces up on Ebay!
I hope to see some bids go on.
~*CLICK HERE*~
Thank you for hanging in there with me.
I can no longer list each detail by each artist.
It's just too much for me to handle and that has been the big reason for my listing delays!
SO- to get through this faster, I did not name names or detail each charm.
I am hoping that the work will speak for itself!

:o)

Amber

Swapping time excitement

I finally got the last set that was "in the mail" from Orla last week.

:oD
Thanks!

Now I am almost done SWAPPING!

I made a few extra sets to swap out in case anyone would like to swap more than just one of their charms with me.

Just let me know before Thursday please. I really want to get these in the mail ASAP!

I am SO glad that all of the loose ends have been tied and settled.

Low turnout what a bummer man! Any one want to fill in?

I have gotten some really great sets of charms from caring and loving people who deserve to be sent caring and lovingly made work in return.

I have less than 14 sets...

I've been told from a few people in the last two weeks that they dropped the swap and didn't think they needed to tell me!
One said she took her name off of the sign up...
??????????

Two more have been promising me that they are in the mail for a month.


Personally, I feel that if you sign up for a swap, you tell the host if you need to drop out.

I am giving it until the end of the month.
I will be swapping out the first week of February.

BEFORE you sign up- please read through the ENTIRE list of rules for the swap.

Amber

Charmers?

It is past the due date and I am still waiting on many sets to arrive.
Perhaps the holidays are delaying the mail.
I would LOVE to wrap the swap up and ship out the returns but the number that has been sent in so far is pretty low.
Should I wait or swap?
Leave me a comment if you are in the swap and tell me what you feel.
Thank you!
Amber

One charm makers trials with her Black & White submissions.

The final pieces turned out great- CLICK ME
or click here-
http://cettacheese.blogspot.com/2008/12/christmas-projects-christmas-blog.html

So far we have charms from-

Rita Jackman
Brenda Wampler
Michelle Bonds
Melanie Becker in Germany
Ellen G.
Melinda Cornish
Connie W.
Cynthia Deis owner of Ornamentea & Panopolie in Raleigh, NC USA
Orla Swift
Sabii Wabii
Mieke Bronckers in Europe
Michelle Walker
Amber Dawn - I made more than one set because of the low turn out!
Erica Faith mls...

~*CHARMS*~

CHARMS!!!

I have gotten more charms and a LOT of you have not yet sent them.
PLEASE remember to get them to me by the end of the month.


I am happy to help you out with any issues you may have!
If you need to talk- inventivesouls *at* yahoo *dot* com

Another set has arrived!

More charms are coming in!
It is NOT TOO LATE to join us!

Are you interested?

Amber

SWAP RULES!!! PLEASE FOLLOW 'EM!

HERE ARE THE SWAP RULES!
Click Above

DUE DATE ~*~ BEFORE THE LAST DAY OF NOVEMBER-

If you need my address, please let me know!

More sign-ups are coming in!

Rashell Rahming has joined us!

It is not too late for you to add your name, or someone you think would enjoy this exchange!

If you make fabric charms, please make sure that if they get wet, they will not run, fall apart or bleed.
You can make fabric charms, so long as they are neat and interesting!
Try to have a focal point.
Fibers wrapped around with beads is not that interesting unless done in a pattern.
So work on making the charms FUN and cool!

A set has arrived from Germany...

Charms have arrived from Melanie Becker in Germany.
Thank you Melanie

She sent in polymer clay filled smashed bottle caps. Presented in a handmade and decorated pouch to match her charms.

We need more individuals to join us. Would you help spread the word?

Please spread the word for us?
We need more artists and designers to join in!

Remember to tell them that it is a lightly juried swap.
THANK YOU!!!!

Amber

To actually participate... It is important to send a sample of your charm...

I had forgotten the *very important* detail of mentioning that the charms for the B&W swaps I host should be posted to your blogs or sites for approval.
Because I have been sent some charms with *COLOR* and mixed color metals, it is VERY important that I see what you intend on sending in, in advance.
It is also important that the charms are not poorly constructed or made with lack of a good design.
This will enable a VERY nice and smooth exchange.
It is disheartening to others to be sent a poorly made piece of work that does not look right, or is poorly made when they have worked so hard themselves in thinking up a design and have constructed their work with care.
I say this with kindness, not with an attitude.

*Thank you*
Amber

~*Rita Jackman's Black & Whites*~

Here is the first set of B&W's that have come in-
RITA JACKMAN



WITH EACH TORUS CHARM (the beaded circle)
RITA ADDS an ADDITIONAL BEAD DANGLE!
ABOVE IS A SAMPLE OF HER ENTRY.
ALL OF IT WRAPPED AND TUCKED AWAY IN
THE BEAUTIFUL TIN then inserted in the
HANDMADE RIBBON TIED SACK!

THIS IS THE TORUS (Her official charm entry)


THIS IS THE EXTRA SHE ADDED IN
(Only mine says panic...gee thanks?)


Beautiful presentation!


All of the assorted bags that Rita has sent in!

~*BLACK & WHITE CHARM SWAP*~ November 2008

Remember that this is an "upscale" swap and no junk or lack of style charms and packaging are welcome. You must use quality components, and finish your work professionally.
No sharp edges, no dangerous or sticky materials. NEAT and WELL made is key.

If you join, be prepared to make your artistic charms with care and flair!

OK- rules-All of the charms must not have ANY color.
That includes AB rainbow effects on any of the materials.
So just white, black, gray, clear, silver, steal.

All of the pieces need to be less than 1 1/2 inches long and no larger than 1 inch thick if possible.

All of the findings must fit the gray/black/white standard.
So no brass and no copper.
Make them safe to wear please!

Try to make them as sturdy as possible so that they can be worn, if on a bracelet, and withstand a few hand washings at a sink.
(If someone is wearing it out to dinner, or uses the restroom)

Please do not use E6000, or other long lingering odor type adhesives.

All of the fumes, MUST be nil when I get them in the mail.

Does this type of a swap excite you?
It does for me!
I LOVE wearing my black and white pieces out often and they certainly get a LOT of attention!

The due date will be the last day of November.

I am STILL asking for people to sign up.
So far I have two sets that have been sent to me and they are very nice!
This is a 20 for 20 swap IF we can get 21 people to join us! It will be less if not enough join.
This swap is a go, regardless of number. It is a lightly juried selection process, which means your work must be approved in order to actually join.
This will enable a smooth exchange.
So far we have charms from-
Rita Jackman
Brenda Wampler
Michelle Walker
Amber Dawn

And
Melinda Cornish
Cynthia Deis owner of Ornamentea & Panopolie in Raleigh, NC USA
Melanie Becker in Germany
Orla Swift
Pat Winter
Connie W.
Michelle Bonds
Susan Sprint
Erica Cawthon
Mieke Bronckers in Europe
and
Kelly owner of Off The Beading Path bead store
signed up
& Sabii Wabii , Lana R. and Cindy Ericsson are showing an interest in joining.
Leave a comment for me if you are interested in joining.
Thanks!

Tiny collage name charm vials.

A Charming Zipper Pull

Cool art charm pieces

Fabric and Asian theme swaps

Welcome to the home of the International Artistic Handmade Charms Exchange!

~*Charms*~