Bead Soup Arrived!

I don't think I mentioned that I was one of the lucky ones. Only 200 of nearly 400 people were selected to participate in this round of the Soup. It's completely understandable, as Lori Anderson can not be expected to perform feats of magic on a regular basis! That she can wrangle 200 people is mind boggling enough. 

My partner is Debbie of Prairie Emporium. I received my soup yesterday, and was excited to see how much I loved what she sent! It's always a little nerve wracking when you're about to open it and you're crossing your fingers that you didn't get that color or type of bead you can't stand. Well Debbie did good! Have a look at all she sent:

Feathers! I know feathers are pretty trendy right now, but I've always loved them and I haven't used them in jewelry (yet). I love the dotted ones best! I definitely plan to to something special with them!

Czech glass!!! An adorable lamp work owl! And a beautiful ceramic donut that she made. Plus, a pretty silver & brass toggle and some copper chain. Looks like I have a good selection to work with. I can't wait to start playing with it. I don't know if she's received my package yet, but I hope she likes it.

Make sure to come back on March 3rd for the reveal and hop!

Raku Key Necklace

So here's the necklace I referred to last blog. It's nice, and I'm going to leave it as is for now. It's not *The Best Thing I've Ever Made!!!* -- which is something I aspire to feel after everything I make! Of course none of us actually do, but I had higher hopes for this for some reason. Nonetheless, it's not too bad.

The pendant was made by my friend Jessi, the crystals are from my mom's chandelier (destroyed by Katrina, salvaged by me and my nieces), and the other bits are labradorite chips, freshwater pearl chips, and hematite nuggets (that look deceivingly like pearls).

Not My Usual Thing

I do love working with wire, but I've never particularly been interested in doing these wire wrapped earrings. I've seen similar, and admired them. They can be quite beautiful when they're done with the right beads, though it never really appealed to me to want to make them. Then last week, a tutorial popped up on my Facebook feed and I looked at it. I knew I had a pair of earrings to make as a gift within the next few days, and I had a feeling the recipient would like that style. I had some new beads in her favorite color (yellow), and I gave it a try. I had no idea how much FUN it is to make these earrings! It's pretty easy too. So I just had to whip up a few more pairs.



The only problem with colored wire is that it scrapes so easily. Even though I'm using rubber-coated pliers, part of the pliers has popped through the rubber at this point and it scratched the purple off in a little spot :(

The other thing I've been working on this week has been slow going. It's a necklace with a very pretty raku key pendant, but I'm just not sure I'm happy with the bead combo. I laid out several variations before I got started, and I'm more than halfway through, but still not sure I like it. I might as well just finish it and see what it looks like in the end, and if I hate it, I can start over. It's just time and wire, right?

Happy 2012

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I've been a very bad blogger, but I know I'm not the only one. I've also been a very bad jewelry maker. I've been off work since Dec 22, but barely made anything! A few things for presents, a quick pair of earrings by request - but I spent more time with the Wii and my current obsession The Legend of Zelda - Skyward Sword. I've watched quite a few movies OnDemand and hung out with some friends I hadn't seen in a while. But I just couldn't get it together to sit down in my jewelry corner and play!

Finally on New Year's Eve, I buckled down and made a few things, and then worked on a bit more yesterday. It is my New Year's Resolution to a) occasionally get a table at this weekly market near my parents' house and b) submit something to a magazine. I'm sure once I get back in my routine, the jewelry will get back in action too. I did get some grey and white sari fabric for Christmas, and then ordered some more the other day. Plus I got a few things for display purposes and I made some more of my business cards - so at least I'm starting to get on track.

Here are the few things I've made recently.


This bracelet started off with the intention of being a gift, but sometimes, you've just got to keep something nice for yourself. Some people might mind that there are rhinestones missing from the vintage buckle half that serves as the focal here. I don't. That, the clasp and the vintage glass pearls are from Heather boxes. The rhinestone rondelles are new.

 

This one features some of my new grey sari fabric and upcycled shell & brass drops (from Heather boxes! - the clasp too), and one of the amethysts I bought at the last bead show.

 

This fox pendant comes from my friend Jessi whose etsy shop seems to be missing. Maybe that's because I bought 7 or 8 of her pendants last week when she was in town and she has nothing left for her shop? It's such a cute lil fox, I wanted him to be the star of the show and just strung him on a piece of knotted sari. 

More elements from Heather boxes! She's such a wonderful source :) Also, little bits from a recent trade with Malin!

More beads from Malin, and pieces of my new grey sari.

Even more Malin beads, and some other goodies from my stash. These look like Judy Jetson earrings to me.

So there you have it. I've started experimenting with some Gilder's Paste, and now that it's dried overnight - I need to go see what I have to do next...

Does everyone else have jewelry-related New Year's Resolutions?