Today, beads long buried are born to treasure. One hundred sixty-five artists and crafters joined the challenge to finally use those beads we keep tucked away. You see, beaders are a bit like dragons…we like to hoard treasure. But Lori over at Pretty Things knows that the only thing better than hoarding your favorite beads is sharing them! So, welcome to Lori Anderson’s Bead Hoarders Blog Hop.
My Serengeti Necklace started with a few beads purchased several years ago at The Bead Museum in Glendale, Arizona. I’ve played with various designs for them but nothing really clicked until I was given a bag of tree bark. Finally, this elephant has a home!
(No ivory was used in this piece; the pale beads are resin. The little brown, round beads are some type of seed. )
Want to see more treasure? You’re sure to see some beautiful creations by the following artists!
- Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
- Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
- Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
- Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
- Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
- Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
- Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
- Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
- ?
- 10. Erin Guest, Renlish
11. Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13. Jo-Ann Woolverton, It’s a Beadiful Creation
14. Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15. Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16. Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17. Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18. Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19. Linda Landig, Linda’s Bead Blog and Meanderings
20. Lori Schneider, Bead Addict
21. Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23. Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24. Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25. Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26. Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27. Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28. Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29. JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30. Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri
31. Robyn at Museiddity–You Are Here
32. Catherine King, Catherine’s Musings
33. Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34. Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36. Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37. Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38. Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39. Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40. Skylar Bre’z, Brising Beads
41. Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42. Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43. Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44. Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45. Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46. Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47. Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo
48. Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49. Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50. Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts
51. Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52. D’Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53. Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54. Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55. Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56. Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57. Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58. Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59. Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60. Nat, Grubbi Ceramics
61. Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62. Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63. Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64. Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
65. Tracie Dean, Dean Designs
66. JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67. Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68. Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69. Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie’s Blog
70. Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes
71. Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72. Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73. Jayne Capps, Mama’s Got to Doodle
74. Ile Ruzza, Ilenia’s Unique Beaded Jewelry
75. ?
76. Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry
77. Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78. Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79. Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80. Miri Agassi, Beadwork
81. Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82. Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83. Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84. Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85. Menka Gupta, Menka’s Jewelry
86. Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87. Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88. Gerda Jurimae, Gerda’s Crafts Blog
89. Susan, Mistheword
90. MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou’s time2cre8
91. Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92. Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93. Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94. Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95. Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96. Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 – For the Love of Beads
97. Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98. Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99. Dolores Rami, CraftyD’s Creations
100. Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives
101. Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102. Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103. Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104. Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105. Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106. Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107. Lennis Carter, windbent
108. Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109. Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
110. Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa
111. Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112. Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113. Kathy Engstrom, Catherine’s Dreams
114. Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115. Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116. Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117. Kim, Cianci Blue
118. Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119. Karen, Spokalulu
120. Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry
121. Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122. Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123. Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124. Amy Bright, LABweorc
125. Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126. Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127. Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128. Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129. Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl’s Jewelry & Reflections
130. Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy
131. LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132. Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133. Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134. Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135. Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136. Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137. Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138. Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139. Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140. Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn’s Creations
141. B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142. Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143. Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144. Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145. Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146. Christina Miles, Wings ‘n’ Scales
147. Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148. Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149. Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150. Sarah Small, By Salla
151. Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152. Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153. Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154. Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155. Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi’s Work Shoppe
156. Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157. Andra Weber, Andra’s Joyful Journey
158. Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159. Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160. Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted
161. Kris Lanae Binsfield, Cherish Designs
162. Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163. Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164. Inge von Roos, Inge’s Blog
165. Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca’s Place
166. Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167. Elena Adams, Lena’s Beady Blog
(Note: The Bead Museum is no longer in Arizona. They say the collection moved to Mingei International Museum in San Diego.)
Museiddity 
Oh I love what you did with that elephant. Beautiful!
Thank you!
What beautiful beads and soch a cretive and unique necklace you have made! I love that you go some of the beads at the Bead Museum in Glendale – it has since closed, and I think it is pretty cool to continue to see the beads they had there used in your design! 🙂
Thanks Molly! I miss the museum–all the different exhibits and history.
I had to go in for a closer look at the bark! That is such an interesting idea, and they look completely natural and at home together. Well done!
Thanks!! The bark actually has little white spots so I used a bit of blue food coloring to adjust the tone.
Yes, sharing is fun, Robyn! I have loved elephants since I was a child, so I just adore your tribal inspired necklace. Besides getting to drool over new designs, I love these hops as a great way to find blogs that are new to me… adding you my Bloglovin!
Hi Monique, Love your blog. It’s nice to meet new friends 🙂
The bark is so creative and perfect for your elephant!
Thank you! I think my dad meant it as a joke when he dropped off a bag of bark. Jokes on him…crafters use everything 🙂
One of dreams is to go to the Serengeti and ride an elephant. I even wrote a blog post about it awhile back. I LOVE elephants so this piece really speaks to me.
I hope your dream comes true. I love elephants too and collect them in many ways. I’d like to read your post!
What an interesting piece. I love elephants 😉
Thank you! Me too.
Really a lovely necklace!
Thanks Ilenia!
Love how the piece of tree bark brought the design together! Very organic and pretty!
Thank you!
i love the elephant and what you did with it
Thank you…and thanks for coming by!
Great necklace, and what a sweet new home for your elephant!
Hi Heather, thanks for coming by 🙂
I’m always amazed at how the most random things will sometimes bring a design together – who would have thought tree bark?! But it works – what a great necklace!
Thanks! The bark is from some kind of tree native to Australia (I’m still looking for the name of it). The bark pealed off the tree in rather large sheets. It was fun to work with as it is thin, smooth, and easy to puncture. I used Diamond Glaze to seal and strengthen it prior to wrapping. Now…what to do with the rest of the bark…
So pretty and so clever!!! Hope you get to ride that elephant!
Tree Bark? Really? That is soooooo unique, I love these blog hops … I get to read and see pictures from the most creative people
I agree, visiting so many blogs in one weekend is like an inspiration infusion 🙂
A beautiful piece.Good color choices.
That is one fine-looking elephant! So glad he’s found a home in a beautiful necklace 🙂
Hi Pam, Becky, and Adlinah– So glad you came by! Thank you.
I am so glad you found a home for your elephant.. I think every elephant should have a home. 😉 Beautiful necklace.
Elephants are amazing…we could learn a lot from them.
Very Pretty!
I love the elephant focal using the bark, what a creative idea. A lovely necklace 🙂
Hi Cynthia and Lizzie–thanks you for coming by:)
I love how your necklace turned out. I want to go to the bead museum!
It was so much fun… the exhibits have moved to the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. I’m not sure how much of the collection remains but you should definitely check it out.
I am in love with your necklace ,my style.
Hi Elsie–Thank you!
Oh, this is lovely! I absolutely love your necklace–a beautiful balance of color, and that elephant is just perfect. Wonderful work–thank you for sharing! 😀
Hi Jenny–My elephant kinda goes with your dinos 🙂 LOL
Oh my gosh! Bark! That’s awesome! Totally completely unexpected but absolutely perfect.
Thanks SO MUCH for playing!
Hi Lori,
Thank you so much for organizing the hop–it’s been fun seeing everyone’s treasures. Of course…you know I went right out and bought more beads, right? LOL
That is such a lovely piece !
ooh. those imitation ivory beads remind me of some beads i was given from friends who went on honeymoon to kenya. some more in my stash which I’m saving for something special. Lovely work
Just beautiful! I love how you created your elephant focal, so very creative and it looks amazing.
Lovely design. The elephant focal is wonderful.
Very stately and elegant!!
You make me want to go to back to the Serengeti 🙂 You made a beautiful necklace!
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to hop over and for your wonderful comments. There were so many blogs and so many beautiful pieces–I’m honored you took the time to visit me.
I would have never guessed that you used tree bark-a lovely necklace!
Linda
I love the way you wire wrapped the elephant to the focal. Beautiful necklace.
Robyn, What a lovely necklace! I love the combination of wire wrapping & chain. The beads really accent the elephant focal very well! Where did you find tree bark beads? Those are very interesting! 🙂
Hi Karla,
Thank you! The tree bark came to me in a bag–it had peeled off of someone’s tree so they brought it to me (knowing I collect all kinds of strange stuff for crafting). This particular bark is smooth on the underside and the bark is fairly pliable until sealed…easy to work with.
Very unique and interesting necklace, love the bark, perfect with your elephant!
The elephant pendant is so beautiful. I like how you made this necklace.
Dragon or not, your necklace is very tribal and that pendant is wonderful.
Thank you to everyone who has come by and offered such lovely comments♥
Love your absolutely fabulous necklace!
Hi Janine, Thank you! I remember you have those wonderful, chunky bracelets:) I love the one with the bluebird.
What a cute elephant! Love it.
Fantastic piece!
A M A Z I N G!
Love it!
mtrudinger, lilisgems, and Shalini–thank you so much for your lovely comments 🙂
Nice to meet you Shalini, I like the way you set up your store.
A splendid home for the elephant – very ingenious too! I love the colour palette of the necklace – the blue beads just bring so much life into this piece. Lovely design!
Hi Alicia,
Thank you 🙂
Oooh, your use of the tree bark is absolutely inspired! What a great use of it. Wonderful job.
Hi Crafty
Thanks for coming by!
Fantastic necklace! I love what you did with the elephant and tree bark!
Hi Kari,
Thank you! BTW, I love your Etsy shop.
Such a pretty background for the beautiful elephant! I love the entire piece!
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for coming by♥ I adore all those leaf earrings you made for the hop.
Absolutely gorgeous, I love your necklace!
Thank you! And thanks for coming by 🙂
beautiful necklace. I love the colors you chose.
Hi Louise, thanks 🙂
I like how you pieced everything together, very nice.
Wow, just, wow. I love love love everything about the necklace you created and the elephant is just wonderful. Amazing job!
Hi there! Thank you so much 🙂