New Stuff with My New Stuff

After I procrastinated for a really long time by sorting all my new beads and deciding it was time for some copper to be Liver-of-Sulfured, and of course I had to tidy up my work area -- I finally stopped being a coward and sat down and started on a simple necklace. It's hard when faced with so many possibilities to settle on just one.

 Chalcedony, quartz, vintage gold-plated chain & clasp, brass wire

Pleased with the result, I was ready to tackle something more complicated. A few weeks ago, I got some new pendants from Jessi of EcclecticTrinkets, and I'd been dying to use one. This and this also came from her. Realizing how great her Raku Buddha would look with my new carved jade beads, I set to work and created this.

Carved jade, carved bone, lava, Czech glass, carnelian, antique brass, Raku Buddha pendant

I'm not listing these on etsy just yet (unless anyone has to have one of them, let me know and I'll make a special listing for you). I need to have some new things to take to the hair salon. I haven't had a single thing for sale there since the beginning of June!

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget about my earring give away and etsy coupon code from yesterday's blog. 

Hope you all have a good week :)

A Mermaid & Synchronicity

I finally used my first Green Girl piece that I've been hoarding for a while now. I'd always known the mermaid would be hanging onto a piece of sari silk, but I'd envisioned much brighter aqua colors. However, I went with this lightly shimmery sea foam green piece, and that dictated the rest of the color scheme. Labradorite chips and mauve Czech crystals, plus some gunmetal chain and a vintage rhinestone button finish off the design. I'm quite pleased with it. The colors are understated, which is a nice contrast for everything that's going on with the necklace. It looks great on too!

Last night, I went on an earring making binge! I have an event next weekend, and I need to have lots of jewelry with me. Every year, I donate and volunteer for our local PBS's televised Art Auction. This year, I donated the necklace I made for the last Bead Soup Blog Party. I can't wait to see what happens! I get so nervous watching my creations on TV and hearing the bids come in (or not come in).

Well, the auction starts next weekend and the other volunteers always insist that I bring my jewelry. I went to my hair salon today to pick up everything there as well, so I should have a pretty good selection for people to peruse. I really hope things sell well because there's a particular piece of art being auctioned that I have EVERY intention of owning. And the more I sell, the higher I can bid on that piece. I will post all about it when I win it, because I will!!!

Anyway, here are some of the earrings I made last night.

 Quartz w/ annealed steel wire. I admit I was inspired by Malin de Koning here. (Please forgive me Malin!!! Yours are so much better anyway ♥)

 Jasper, carved bone, and Czech crystal.

 Dyed jade, quartz, Czech glass, & copper.

Dyed jade, Imperial jasper, & gunmetal discs.

Amazonite, labradorite, Czech crystals, vintage rhinestone rondelles & antiqued brass cones.

 

 

I kinda freaked out an hour or so ago when I checked my email and saw one of those 2-Day Designer Closeout Sale Things (Rue La La, Haute Look, Beyond the Rack, etc.), and one of my favorite jewelry designers, Lori Leavitt was featured. I excitedly clicked the link, eager to see what was available. And what did I see but this!

 

  It's just like the earrings I made last night! Great minds, and all that I guess...

 

 

Springy Jade Necklace

I haven't been very inspired lately. I've had too much going on to be stressed out about, and the last thing I want to do when I feel that way is make jewelry. I did, at the very least, detangle and sort through one very messy skein of sari ribbon. I also managed to make one pair of earrings and a necklace.

It's been scary and expensive dealing with my dog's health, but it seems like we've figured out the problem (pancreatitis, which is apparently recurring and also potentially fatal), and are working toward keeping her well for the long run (very restricted diet, keeping her away from the cat's food, & antibiotics). At least she's acting like her normal self again. Thanks for the concern everyone :)

Hopefully, my inspiration will return in full force soon. Spring is never a good season for me anyway. People think I'm weird, but I find it as depressing as a lot of people find winter. I joke that I have reverse-Seasonal Affective Disorder, but it's true. I can't function in all the sun and the heat.  Dark & cool is when I thrive. Anyway, here's the necklace & earrings. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope I'll be more participatory on my own and on everyone else's blogs soon!

Recycled jade pendant & small bead on clasp, rainbow new jade bead,
recycled sari silk ribbon, antique finished copper wire & clasp

 Because some people like to see it on for actual scale.

Gunmetal findings, vintage aqua glass beads, recycled black glass beads, white rose-carved glass beads.