My name is Leila Belcher of LeilaBeeDesigns and I am a Widow raising four wonderful boys ages 14, 13 and two 8 year old twins. Everything I do is for these guys and the desire to stay home and be a Mom to them is what set me on the path of Jewelry making. I have been making one of a kind pieces such as this:
But I recently applied for and was accepted into the B’Sue Boutiques Build A Line Challenge which is a Master Class/Contest that challenges Artists to design and create a cohesive line of Jewelry that can be reproduced. I eagerly accepted the challenge as the next step on my Journey. This challenge is sponsored by Brenda Sue Lansdowne, Owner and Artist of B’Sue Boutiques in Ohio.
Or check her out on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bsue-Boutiques/123052674404364
Not only is she a classy Lady but she’s one heckito of an Artist. Please look her up at one of the above links. You won’t be disappointed. And if you’re a fellow Artist, be sure to check out the B’Sue Boutiques Creative Group on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bsueboutiquescreativegroup/
This is a collection of fabulous Artists. You don’t want to miss them.
So, with the full support of my Family behind me, I embark. Below is a picture of the Studio the little sweethearts made for me one afternoon as a surprise. I just had to include this picture because it tells a better story of my wonderful little Family than words could ever do.
Above is a picture of the four of them posing with some of their Mama’s bling. They may not like “girlie” stuff but they don’t mind helping their Mama if she asks.
I got started in Jewelry helping my Mom with her craft booth. I sort of caught the bug and began researching and studying on my own. My Pinterest Jewelry board became quite full of designs I admired. Then, one day I stumbled upon a collage necklace design with brass leaves and flowers that lit up my world. The caption led me to B’Sue Boutiques for supplies and components. Fast forward to today and here I am working with Brenda Sue Lansdowne and some of the most amazing Artists for the Build a Line Challenge.
I have named my Jewelry line “Nature is the Key to Happiness” and have chosen to focus on the beauty of the seasons. Each season has its own colors and atmosphere and inspires different emotions and that is what I want to express and convey in my Jewelry line. There will be a collection for each season, a set, or Parure consisting of a pair of earrings, a charm necklace, a leaf cuff bracelet and a charm bracelet. Each will have a common theme and color scheme.
Below is a picture of a Fall charm bracelet I made several months ago to serve as an example of the type of beaded charms you can expect in the charm bracelets and necklaces along with brass charms and accessories from B’Sue Boutiques.
For “Nature is the key to Happiness”, I wanted each piece to have a key and a heart somewhere in the design. Quite by accident I paired up the perfect key and heart and it has become my logo for this line.
Nature is the key to happiness so meet me at the garden gate where nature holds the key. This heart charm reminds me of my Mom so it holds a special place in my heart. This charm logo will appear on each design with the exception of earrings.
I don’t want to give too much away on my first hop but I will tease and tantalize you with Winter. Hellebore is my inspiration for the Winter collection as they are my favorite Winter bloomer creating a bright spot in an otherwise dreary landscape.
Below you will find the leaf cuff bracelet for the Winter collection. It is nearly finished. I still have a few elements on the way.
The Fall collection will see a focus on Maple leaves and deep, rich, traditional Fall colors.
Below are some photos of the beads and components for the remaining collections. If you would like to see more of my line then you will need to come to the next hop on February 20th. I hope to see you there.
I am hopeful people will love the style and attitude of my Jewelry and keep coming back for the next Season. My brain is already racing to possible expansion opportunities such as multiple styles per collection or even Special Editions. The possibilities are endless and exciting. I am just as curious as you to see where this ends up. Already, the line has taken twists and turns and seen the changing of my mind but it is just too fun for words. We will arrive together.
My Collections will soon be available for purchase on my Etsy Shop for affordable prices with pieces ranging from $18 to $50. So, please check back!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeilaBeeDesigns?ref=search_shop_redirect
One final thing before I sign off. It wouldn’t be fair to not include pics of my little makering buddies. Toby the wonder dog and Queen Rosalee . They are always with me in the Studio.
Please see below for your next blog hop address and have a Blessed and Creative day!
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B’sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box
Marcia Tuzzolino
Jann Tague
Judy King
Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales
Cynthia Wainscott
Carole Carlson
Lynn Stinten
Marica Zammit
Catherine Shattuck
Michaele Collie
Mary Craig
Lee Koopman
Erin Whitacre
Monica Casady
Leila West
Cindy Peterson
Leila Belcher
Gloria Allen
Pamela Anger
Tammy Adams
Lynda O’Mara
Elizabeth Hildreth
Dana Hickey
Janet Calardo
Maria Clark
Lori Beekman
Jennifer Kroeger
Amy Jorgensen
Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs
Ingrid Anderson
Louise O’Shields
Susan Killam
Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry
Nike Bottalico
Susan Bowerman
Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs
Jan Peters
Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog
Gina Hockett
Linda Anderson
Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art
Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things
Teresa Shurter
Melissa Latimer
Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art
Nadine Edris
Lori Meyer
Jennifer Merrill Williams
Denise Lussier Poirier
Renee Allen
Autumn Adams
Elizabeth Owens
Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry
Sandra Ballard
Coral Law
leilabeedesigns's Blog 
Great read and what a wonderful theme. You are already rocking this challenge. Looking forward to the next installment, Leila!
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Great idea to follow the seasons! That will give customers a reason to seek you out all year round.
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That’s sure what I’m hoping!! Thanks for your comment.
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Aww! Thanks so much. I love to hear that! Great confidence booster. Thanks!
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Leila I love your little family. I’m sure your kids are a great help in your work. I have my grandsons every day and they love hammering and making things. Little Jay made his first hammered bracelet when he was 5. Love your “logo” idea with the heart and key in each piece and the nature theme. In my mind, nature is the most healing force in the universe……well, music is right up there too, LOL. But one can find peace and comfort in the natural world and I like the idea of “wearing” it.
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Thank you so much! I find huge amounts of Peace in Nature. I’m lucky to have a patch of woods behind my house. It’s such a small patch. Maybe 5-7 acres. But we have foxes, raccoons, wild cats (house cat size not Mt. Lion) and even Possums. Nature is so diverse. Even in the middle of a sub division!
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Love your theme! So many possibilities. I’m already in love with your first cuff bracelet. Really like how you colored the leaf.
What a beautiful family you have Leila! 🙂
Looking forward to see more pieces of your jewelry line in the next blog hop.
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Thank you ! I am loving the way it’s turning out. Still has some work to go but so far I think it can easily be stream lined to make several at one time. And that’s what we ‘re shooting for. Finding that balance between affordable to produce without giving up quality and style ! Tough challenge but I’m loving what I’m seeing so far from the whole Group!
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Great start! We have that nature theme in common in our designs. Can’t wait to see more.
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Love love love Nature Jewelry. Nature is a Passion so it usually comes forward in my Jewelry anyway. Figured I would make it official!
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Great Blog! I cannot wait to see all your designs and so happy to be in this Master Class with you!
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Same here ! I’m really enjoying seeing everyone’s designs. It’s a great confidence booster to be a part of such a Talented Group!
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Very pretty concept. I love the key and heart charms.
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I love what you have so far. Great theme, can’t wait to see more finished pieces. 🙂 ~Elizabeth
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Oh, I love those leaf components for making bracelets! I love your whole theme, and am looking forward to seeing more.
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Loved your blog .. your new jewelry design sounds GREAT, looking forward to our journey together .. Jann
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I LOVE the story behind your line and am really looking forward to seeing it in full!
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Love your idea of the seasons and I so agree that nature is the key to happiness! Looking forward to seeing the rest of your creations.
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What a cute family you have ! And I admire your strength, your nature line theme is wonderful and I can’t wait to see it completed
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You and me both ! Lol. I’m looking forward to seeing what we all complete!!
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I love your concept *and* the garden gate & key charms. Perfect!
Cheers,
Susan
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I’m just in love with that little heart. My Moms craft business is called “Beyond the Garden Gate”. She makes Garden Art. So, I guess you can see why it’s special to me. She got me started on this path after all.
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Thank you for the lovely glimpse into your creative world! So many fabulous possibilities with your chosen theme. I just know they will be brilliant! Cheers ♥
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Thanks so much!
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Nature has so many faces all year round and all around the world. Looking forward to seeing your “nature” faces.
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Thanks! Mine will be an Alabama take on it, I suppose. Living in the South, I’m fortunate to get marked differences in all four Seasons. Some parts of the U.S don’t. I’m really looking forward to completing it all!
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You have a great team by your side (your handsome boys and pets)! Love your story and work! Brava ~ Sandie B.
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Thanks so much. I love my little guys.
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The photos of your work you post on the Facebook Creative Group always catch my eye; you do beautiful work!
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Thank you so much. That’s really great to hear. I’ve only been making Jewelry for a bit over a year and Assemblage for 2 months. To think I can compete with this level of Talent and experience is so exciting. I’m really looking forward to the guidance and creative ideas I’ll get from all of you. I’m just in awe of all the creative genius!
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Doing the seasons is a wonderful idea, gives you so many opportunities to expand the line.
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Incredible color choices. The idea is wonderful -truly beautiful, and your little motivators are obviously a blessing to you as well.
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Thank you! I wanted something different for Winter. It’s always depicted as Snow and Ice. So, I wanted to go a different direction and choose my favorite Nature object for each Season. I have Flowers for all but Fall. I just had to go with those beautiful Maple leaves. But, someday I’m thinking I could expand and offer Multiple Seasonal choices. Who knows?
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Love your theme and story! Love seeing pics of family & pets along with all the jewelry making goodies & finished pieces.
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Hi, Leila- Your theme is really innovative, and your pictures leave me wanting to see more, more! I love the idea of celebrating nature and the seasons in your wearable art 🙂
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Just love your idea of the seasons! And the great thing is, people can wear their fave pieces of yours year round to go with the colors they love. Really nice idea to use the long leaf thing for a cuff! 🙂
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What a great idea. I love four seasons themes and I’m sure yours will be awesome based on what you’ve shown us so far. Having the lock and key on everything is a great idea to pull everything together. I love the way your boys support you, too.
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What a great idea for a line, a such a wonderful blog post!
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Hi Leila! Your leaf is so pretty, and your line so well planned out. I can feel your excitement! It’s wonderful that your boys are so helpful. One of my boys even helped me design some pieces, so that when they sold he could use his “cut” to buy legos! I really like your analogy of the hellebore, and how you are directing your energies into a great creative outlet to help you through this difficult time. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of your beautiful jewelry line!
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I love your story. The 4 seasons was something my friend said I should do, Great minds think a like. I can’t wait to see what you do.
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That’s a great concept with lots of possibilities!
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Wonderful post Leila! I love your theme and the nearly finished bracelet is beautiful!!! I think you did an amazing job! Have a Blessed Day!
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So many possibilities with your theme! I look forward to seeing your finished line!
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Leila, thanks so much for sharing your story and photos of your family. I loved reading about your journey. Your line is going to be wonderful, and you already have such a great start! Way to go, Leila!!
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Wonderful blog, Leila. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Your line looks wonderful and I love your use of color. Can’t wait to see what happens next. 🙂
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Great post, Leila … and you have a beautiful family. 😉 Your jewelry and ideas are wonderful; can’t wait to see your line!
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Oh, your line is going to be gorgeous with all those yummy color palettes. Can’t wait to see more.
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Leila, the seasons theme gives you so many options for colors that the line is sure to be a hit. Looking forward to seeing what you creaete.
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Absolutely love your story and your concept you create gorgeous jewelry. Leila your blog is amazing happy creating to all of us.
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Love this design! Beautiful work!
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What an awesome concept, I am impressed with how far you are in your planning of your entire line, my in still in the earliest of early stages! Your work is lovely, I can’t wait to see the entire line!
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Love your story, raised a set of Twin boys also (lol) pretty jewelry. Excited for next post.
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Your theme is diversified but at the same time cohesive. I really like using the seasons to represent the beauty of nature. And each season is going to be a line. This is going to be a big project. Can’t wait to see the final reveal.
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Hi Leila 🙂 What a great thing your boys did for you by surprising you with your workroom! I Love the idea of revolving your line around the seasons of nature. I too am revolving my line around nature, I am revolving my line around the ocean, but in a storybook, bohemian way. Everything is looking great so far… I look forward to seeing all of your line-
Looking forward to seeing you at class!
xo
Liz
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What great kids ! and love your theme- looking forward to seeing your line 🙂 Linzi
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