Recently

Nigel is getting to be ever more difficult when I'm trying to make jewelry.

And if he's not there, he's climbing up my lap onto my work table, or chewing on wire?!?!! I've managed to work around him a bit though. Here are some pictures of my latest efforts. Most of them are still available if you see anything you're interested in.

With a little help from my friends...

Ever have one of those pieces about which you just CANNOT make up your mind? I'm a huge fan of Lynn Davis's gorgeous connectors (btw, she's currently having a 10% off sale). They always beg me for pearls, wire wrapping, and sparkly beads. Two of my favorite pieces I've ever made are with her connectors. This and this. So in this latest piece, I was going for more of the same, but I wanted to mix it up a bit. I was relatively happy with the main part, but I was fairly certain that the dangle was all wrong.

It's hard to tell, but that's a teeny faceted ruby above the rhinestone. I often wish those rubies were redder than pink. And I didn't have any garnet cut the right way. I was hearing various fellow bloggers' voices in my head, "don't be a perfectionist! don't be too precious! don't stress over every little detail!" and it was late and I was tired, so I just let it go. But every time I looked at it, it disappointed me more than it thrilled me. But then I didn't know if it was just me or I was being too picky.

So I snapped this photo with my iPhone and emailed it to Rebecca and Malin, who have become good friends whose styles I love and opinions I trust. They both agreed that they liked the idea of a group email confab to help when someone's stuck. I'm so glad, as I didn't want to seem a pest ;)

They both offered completely differing ideas, but they also both agreed it could be improved. Obviously, my inner voice was correct - and I was so glad to have their input. Rebecca suggested dangles (which she liked from another recent necklace I'd made) in either moonstone or ruby or both, as well as adding more to the dangle at the bottom. Malin suggested getting rid of the ruby altogether, and stacking some pearls and moonstones as a new dangle.

I thought about it and combined both of their ideas - but not necessarily exactly how they were describing them. Of course I can't picture what was in their minds and they don't know my stash, but I had a plan and I got busy. I stayed up a little later than I wanted to to finish it (who here hasn't done that a million times?), et Voila! I think it looks a lot better!

Thank you so much, ladies, for your input!

(Click to enlarge!)

Lemon Lime

I had a discussion with Malin the other day about how we approach our necklace designs. I didn't used to be so focal-centric, but lately I've become that way. It can be a bit stifling sometimes - you get in a rut of doing things the same old way. Malin said she'll often just start putting together certain beads and then the focal will come later - or maybe not at all.

That inspired me to do something with these faceted quartz coins I've had for a year or more. I pick them up constantly, but can't ever figure out what focal to put with them, or how to deal with them at all. Now that I've started playing with waxed Irish linen cording, that allowed me to bring some color to those clear quartz beads and that's when I started really wanting to use them. I was set on the green cord, so I began digging and for some reason I knew I had to use the little bright yellow faceted matte glass beads. I still couldn't figure out a focal, but decided to plod forth anyway.

After about 6 inches, I knew SOMETHING had to break up the design but I just couldn't find a good focal. I dug and dug and pretty much gave up. I finally picked up the yellow & green resin beads and gave those a try. Huh. Not bad. Tried two million spacer ideas, and finally found this forgotten bag of rhodium thingies and ta da! The more I look at it, the more I like it. I think it would be perfect with a sundress. The green & yellow with the bright clear quartz reminded me of Sprite, the soft drink. hahaha.

And now, some recent earrings. The top left pair is my fave. The bottom 3 are mostly composed of vintage goodies from the Heather Boxes. Several of these will be going to the PBS Art Auction that I do every year. I've already sent over a necklace, and will send over a few more things I'm sure.

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?

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...

 

 

New Hair, New Glasses, and a Request from Malin!

So I went to the salon today, primarily to get my hair done, but also to drop off some of my recent jewelry. I'd sold quite a few things since my last visit, and another customer bought something I'd just brought in! Remember these? I really do enjoy picking up a big stack of cash, but I much prefer seeing the people come in, look at my jewelry, fall in love with it and buy it while I'm there! It's such an AWESOME feeling to see people appreciating my hard work!!!

Got the hair done, and Jeanne insisted I try on the fancy headpiece she made for her Mardi Gras costume. Since I had my camera and another client in there just happened to be a professional photographer, he insisted he take the shot:

 

How much do I need one of these things? Right?

While the photographer was getting his hair washed, I snapped some photos at the request of the fabulous Ms. Malin de Koning. She wanted to see some of my more recent necklaces on my neck instead of just on my dress form. I intended to photograph the one that the woman bought while I was there, but I thought it would be in poor taste to do it in front of her. So I picked up another one. 

I'm surprised this one hadn't sold yet. It's been there over a month!

While I was waiting for my color to set in, I got the word that my new glasses were ready! This day was turning out to be Very Exciting™ indeed. So my sister and I went to pick them up after our hair appointments. Here I am showing off both pairs:

The sensible pair.

 The fun pair.  

 Guess what colors they are? Aqua & brown ;)