Golem Birthday Set & Fun Old Stuff

I didn't really get much made this week -- my massage therapist banned me from jewelry making for a week, but when I told her I just had to make one thing for a birthday present, she relented on that. Thursday was my hair stylist's birthday, and since she's been so good to sell my jewelry at her shop, I wanted to make her something really special. She loves cats and bright colors, so I was pretty sure she'd be happy with the necklace and earrings I made her, but I was just a little bit nervous that she might not be as wild about it as I'd hoped. Well, turns out she absolutely LOVED it, and couldn't stop saying great things about it. Stupid me, I should have whipped out my phone and snapped a picture of her wearing it! But at least I had the foresight to take pics beforehand. Here it is:

I used MissFickleMedia saffron rings, as well as the adorable Golem Design Studio cat pendant and flower beads! Also included: sari ribbon, faceted Amazonite, Czech glass, shell beads, carnelian, copper, and dyed jade and aqua metal discs.

 

I love that I had just the PERFECT piece of Sari Ribbon for the piece! So serendipitous.

So onto the fun old stuff. My friend Heather sent me another Big Box o' Vintage Jewelry Parts. And WOW! This might be the best box yet. There were more than a few incredible items included. I photographed most of the best, but there's plenty more waiting to be harvested for beads or rhinestone rondelles, etc.

As usual, click to enlarge any photos.

So many wonderful things here!

What would you do with those MOP buckles? The narrow one has sharp prongs. I'm not really interested in making belts. But I'm scared that if I try to remove them, I'll break the buckles. Any ideas?

Love this little charm! The Figurettes? Who were they?

Not sure what this was or what to do with it - it's puffy, and there's a bar in the back, plus some sort of hanger looking thing. It's cool looking though.

Also love this green face.

 These might be my favorites!

I wish there wasn't any missing enamel. It's so pretty, but I don't know what to do with it. 

What would you do with these things? I'd love to hear your ideas!

New Beads & Last Chance for Etsy Sale!

Darn you Lima Beads! :shaking fists at sky:

They got in some new designer Czech glass, and honestly, who amongst us can resist it? At least Lima's kind enough to let us order half strands :D And I truly did need one of the ones I got to go with a new Golem Studios pendant I bought last week from Artbeads.com's Christmas in July sale. :shakes fists again:

So here's what I got.

That little purple thing in the bottom right corner was just to fill up space in the collage :)

Also, I wanted to remind everyone that July's ending and with that so is my 15% off etsy sale! (the code is FINALLY), so you have through Sunday if there's anything you've had your eye on. And as always, free shipping to the US!

And a little P.S. my friend Heather is shipping my next big box o' vintage jewelry today! I can't even wait to tear it open and see what she found!

Wish List Monday 7-25

Click the images to go to their etsy pages. Apparently I'm wishing for a lot today! And click the starfish at the bottom to visit Copper Diem's wish list for today.

Oh how I want cartbeforethehorse's "Zoee Bug" doll ♥

tinatarnoff's paper cuts are so cute!

I'm not a cab user, but this one from Beadwyfe might make me start!

BeadsStory's bracelet is so simple, but I love it!

Marysgranddaughter makes the cutest embroidered art.

"Ursul" by Almaspottery kinda creeps me out, but I'm so drawn to it!

Is it weird that I want to eat these Chalcedony briolettes by neatothings?

Sister Hair Day & More

Every couple of months, one of my sisters and I make our hair appointments together and make a big day of it with lunch and shopping or whatever other hanging out. I've mentioned it on here before. Well today was one of those days. I was in such desperate need for a cut, she took about 5 or 6 inches off! It comes just to the top of my shoulders. I didn't take pics, 'cos it was rainy and humid all day, so as soon as I left the salon, I was stuck with way more puff than is desirable. Maybe tomorrow.

So while at the salon for the first time since the end of May or so, I replenished my jewelry stock. I'd taken it all away back then, and I gave her all new stuff today with my new packaging. I think it looks a lot better. 7 necklaces and 21 pairs of earrings. I haven't made any new bracelets because no one ever buys them! Plus I have the majority of them listed on etsy. I thought for sure I took a picture of this beautiful agate, quartz and copper necklace I'd made. But apparently I hadn't. I'm so upset, 'cos I like to have pictures of everything I make -- at least the really nice things. Well, maybe if it doesn't sell in a couple of months, I'll take it back and put it on etsy.

Anyway, here's something I did remember to take pictures of. I'm really in love with it -- it features a Lynn Davis  pewter Fauxtique connector, freshwater pearls, a vintage rhinestone ball, a piece of aquamarine, and antiqued silver craftwire plus a pewter clasp. Part of me hopes no one buys it so I can steal it from myself. I know I'm not the only one who does that, right?

 

 (Click to enlarge!)

Another exciting piece of news is that my friend Charlotte started a blog today! She wants to participate in the upcoming Bead Soup Blog Party, and she's been meaning to do a blog anyway. She hasn't posted any photos of her jewelry yet, but believe me - it's fantastic. I'll let you know when she's got something to look at, but click on over and read what she had to say in her first blog anyway. She cracks me up.

AND! As if that's not good enough news, my friend Heather informed me she's got another Big Box of Jewelry/Stuff almost ready to send! Remember that last big box she sent in March? I can't even wait to dig through it and see what kind of goodies are in there. She's teasing me with, "deco era Czech glass, art glass, &  half a Victorian enamel buckle" !!?!?!?!!

Also, just a reminder -- my etsy coupon code (FINALLY) is still good for 15% off through the end of July, and there's no shipping! So if you've had your eye on anything, now would be a good time...

Wish List Monday

Amy from Copper Diem started something new last week: Wish List Monday. She had some lovely picks today. I'm going to play along this week, and you should too. Click the blue starfish at the bottom to visit Amy's page.

I want pretty much everything in Elukka's shop!

I ♥ Cori's art! I already have two, but I want them all!

I adore Vaivanat's felt work. Maybe I'll treat myself to this for my birthday?

An Italian Greyhound. Hatz4brats uses hers for models, and makes the silliest, sweetest pet accessories.

Give Away Winners!

I went to random.org, and the winners are:

First Place: Amy of Copper Diem!
Second Place: Christine of Sweet Girl Design!

Congratulations ladies! Here's the link back to the blog. Amy gets first choice, and Christine gets the ones left over. Please send me your addresses and I'll get the earrings out in the mail to you this week.

Thanks for playing along everyone! And don't forget my etsy coupon code (FINALLY) is good for 15% off through the end of July.

Have a good week :)

I Can't Be Stopped!

First, a reminder that the drawing for my give away is tomorrow! So if you haven't commented or blogged / tweeted / Facebooked about it - time's almost up! However, my etsy coupon code (find it by viewing the give away blog, linked above) is still good for the rest of July. I've added quite a few items this week too.

Now, on to some of my new stuff. I've been wishing for some of those drilled river rocks for quite some time now, and I finally got some a couple of weeks ago. I can't wait to keep experimenting with them. Here's my first piece.

River rock, fine silver leaf, cultured pearls, labradorite, wood, apatite & antique silver wire & findings. (Click to enlarge)

And here are a couple of pairs of new earrings made mostly with the things I got at the gem & bead show last week.

Brushed silver plated cones, dyed jade beads.

Carved bone flowers, agate, Czech glass, copper wire and dangles I antiqued.