New necklaces

Couple weeks ago I posted about the fun finds I got while I was visiting my friends at the flea market.

I finally got around to posted the pieces I made for Vanessa from all this fun stuff.

The focal in this piece is one of three that she gave me. I used glass beads and wire wrapped the links using sterling 22 ga wire. It looks amazing on her. It is so fun and flirty.





Here is the big boy. I had to wear this one around the house a bit before I gave it to her. I love this necklace. It is just the right weight to compliment the pendant. I used black/white onyx, faceted crystals, and sterling.







I took a lot of close up of this wire wrap and have been practicing - I think I may have it figgured out :)

Have a great weekend kids!!!

Brooch making video

Browsing You Tube today I ran across this great video.

He calls it "Easy Jewelry" making - I call it amazing. I am in love with his hands. What fun it would be to sit with him for a day and 'shadow' him.

It is blurry in spots, but you get the jest of it. Some of the camera views look like they are being shot thru a microscope. Makes me think of something like Pans Labyrinth or something.

Enjoy!

After These Messages......

We'll be right back!

Azalea Crazy with Art Beads!

My yard is loaded with Azalea's right now. I love being outside in the morning with my coffee looking at them. Three colors, white, light pink and dark pink, paint my yard. No more winters blahs here!

I wanted to make something fun, something different with the Glass Bead selection I got in my summertime package from Art Beads. Using the azalea's as my inspiration this morning I made this.

Azalea Crazy



























I made three rings using 47-402-SP - Copper 14g Round Wire, 20' (Solid Copper) from Rings & Things. Hammered the rings to give them some character, and wire wrapped them closed with 47-406-SP - Copper 22g Round Wire, 125' (Solid Copper).

Once I had made my links, I used the 22 ga copper wire and made wire wrap links with the FP-AMYLT6 - Czech Fire Polished Bead - Light Amethyst - 6mm *. I used these to hold the links together. Then I did a sloppy ( I like to call it artistic ) wrap of copper on the CR-SP064 - Czech Glass Yellow Tiger's Eye Large Spade * and secured them to the links. Next I made dangles with CR-FL197 - Czech Glass Lily Flower White Luster * and CR-RL099 - Opaque Green w/ Half Picasso Roundelle * and added them. This is a fun and colorful pendant ready to be worn for all of your summer time fun!!

This was an idea of building a puzzle pendant. Several pieces wire wrapped together to make a pendant. I used 16 ga sterling for the frame of the pendant and 22 ga sterling wire to wrap the pieces together and to wrap the amethyst glass onto the frame. I know the direction I want to go in now, so I can't wait to make another one ;)


















See more fun with ArtBeads tomorrow!!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Vendor wish list

Can't always make the bead shows, can't always buy what I want, but I can always wish!!

What is on my wish list for this week??

From Rings & Things
Ring/Connector, 14mm (Antiqued Copper Plated) Chain,







From ArtBeads

TierraCast Antique Copper Mirage Bead Cap















From Beadin Path

Sea Glass Style, Matte Transparent Emerald Tumbled Nuggets 15-23mm 4'' strand




















Sea Glass Style, Matte Mint Green Tumbled Nugget Beads 15-23mm 4'' strand



















Sea Glass Style, Matte White Opal Tumbled Nugget Beads 15-23mm 4'' strand

















What is on your wish list!?

April issue Bead Trends

I was fortunate to have had two of my pieces published in this months Bead Trend magazine. Now that the issue has been out on the stands for a while, I thought I would share my 'spread' with you :)


Sand Dancer - made from large resin beads * I got as a blog partner with Art Beads and beautiful scalloped copper bead caps I purchased from Rings & Things




They used two pages for this piece. The left page for the directions, and a close











And the facing page for the full piece.

Here I have used the purple and orange beads capped with copper as the focal of the necklace. Copper jump rings attached to copper links make the chain, and are accented with green spider cubes, topaz glass druk beads, rainbow carnelian squares, Czech glass and Swarovski crystals.




Random Elegance




Marbled ovals, faceted moonstone heishi beads, lampwork beads, and pearls are all from Sedona Stones. The vintage glass beads, seed beads and sterling are from my inventory.










On the facing page were two detail shots and the directions for making the necklace.











There is still time to submit for October 2010's issue of Bead Trends!! The are accepting submissions til April 30th.

Here is what they are looking for this month -

• Quick & Easy
  
• Fashion Favorites - Features designs from a variety of styles and mediums that can be a personal favorite or necessary staple in any wardrobe.
• Birthstones (Opal/Pink Tourmaline)
• Anything Goes - The beaded possibilities are endless and not just limited to jewelry. What about pillows, table runners, picture frames, lamps, clothing, candle collars, wine glass charms, and home decor. This category can contain jewelry and a whole lot more!
• Handmade Beads - Whether polymer clay, PMC, or lampwork, artists make the most beautiful designs with handmade beads
• Wire Artistry - Designs that include wire wrapping
• Sentimental Favorites - Designs that contain sentimental elements from recycled pieces of family treasures, gift beads, or symbolic new found treasures. We want to see your designs and hear your stories.
  
• Earrings

Get your creative caps on kids and get your submissions in!!!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Custom pendant from Aprils giveaway

Destiny got her pendant yesterday and was so excited. I wanted her to see it first and now I will share it with you!



I emailed her several focal stones for her to choose from. She really liked the faceted fancy jasper. I had her tell me her favorite colors, and favorite stones and worked those into the design as well. Destiny isn't a fan of the big, bold and loud like I am, so taking that into consideration, I kept the fancy japser the focal and let the wire wrap accent it.



Here is what she said - "OH MY GAWD I LOVE MY PENDANT SO MUCH!!!!! Can you tell I am yelling in excitement? (and jumping up and down and cheezin' and squeee-ing) And the earrings....guuurrrrlllll. I can't even begin to thank you. YOU ROCK!!!!!!!"

I giggled when I read it. I was so nervous she would not like it. It is harder to do a custom piece than it is to just let the pendant happen.

Stayin' with the give away theme, I stopped by Sara's blog and Softflex is having an Earth Day give away!! Swing on by Sara's blog - for the details!!!

I won earrings from Pearl and Pebble!!!

Pearl and Pebble had a giveaway on her blog the beginning of the month.

I won!!!!

I got my package in the mail and squealed. Look at this sweet little ribbon tied in a bow. A perfect touch. I felt like I was opening a birthday gift!





Inside on a beautiful little rose card was a note, and come to find out we were at one time from the same state! (all these artists have BEAUTIFUL hand writing........)


Then I opened the box an look at these - LOOK AT THESE!!! They are dainty, and shiney and flirty. They have the simple elegance that I adore. They can be worn with a t-shirt and jeans, or be the only piece of jewelry you have on for an evening out, and striking!


She has a fun Etsy shop Pearl and Pebble - with one of my favorite pieces -

Monet's Winter Bracelet


Not only does she make beautiful jewelry she dies wool and felts - paints - is a photographer.
She does it all - and does it all well! She is my hero.

Here is what shes says "I am a "late bloomer" in as much that I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. I went back to school and earned my BA in Studio Art-Painting at what I will call a "mature age". I love to create. Always have. My grandmother was my strongest influence. To her I attribute my love of making/remaking things. We share a passion for garage sales, resale shops and the hunt for fodder. She is bit more tidy than I am. However, I have since read via the web somewhere, that mine is not the sin of clutter but a seriously honest addiction to potential."


Stop by her blog and see what she has been up to - you will be amazed!

Calavera skull fun - Rings & Things blogger challenge

I have been knocking around an idea for a couple of days and finally sat down this morning to make it.

I wanted something fun and flirty to make with the dancing senor and senorita charms. Girly but with an edge. I used three sections of gold tone chain and made a length of wrapped beads with gold tone wire. Added the Calavera skulls as charms and there she is. Quick.

Now that I have it made, I am going to change out the toggle for a lobster clasp. The toggle is a bit difficult to work with.

44-940-56-AG Viva Mexicana charm, dancing senor (antiqued-gold plate)*
44-940-57-AG Viva Mexicana charm, dancing senorita (antiqued-gold plate)*
28-335-18 Lampwork 'calavera' flower skull bead (black,white)*
28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (black, white)*
Random black beads





The bobby pin has been worrying me. I have no 'glue' skills. I don't think it is in my genes. I try and fail repeatedly to get something to stick to a glueable blank. I have tried many types of glue but still no luck. I wanted to do something funny and cute and creepy all at the same time. That is when I thought about adding the skull to the flower bead.

So funny.

I used floral wire and ran it thru the bead. Then added seed beads to the wire. Ran the ends of the wire back thru the bead to make the 'frame' around the bead. Then I bent the wire to the back of the bead and twisted it twice to keep it tight. Then I brought the ends of the wire together and strung the vintage lucite flower bead onto the wire. I folded the wires apart at the base of the flower bead and I put a dot of glue on the bottom of the flower bead and on the glueable platform of the bobby pin. It set up but not well. I enforced the glue by wrapping the tail of the wire around the top of the bobby pin.

floral wire
seed beads
30-822-1 Bobby pin (white metal)*
LUC3900RD German Lucite Matte Deep Red 3-Petal Flowers 39mm*
28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (black, white)*





I need to re do it, make it more stable, appealing and functionable -but for now, it makes me smile :)

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Beadin Path were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Beadin Path Design Partners. These items are for review or design purposes.

Come make a ring with me!!! - Tutorial

I wanted a ring to go with the earrings I was wearing this morning, and when I started to make it, I thought I would share the process with you!

I used 22 ga copper wire from Rings & Things and 5 tumbled sleeping beauty turquoise chips.

Cut a piece of wire 11 inches long. (as you can see I am back to my old messy habits......)



I chose these chips for my focal



Find the middle of the wire and slide on several of the chips depending on the size you want.



Use a ring mandrel to get the correct size for your ring. I wear 8 1/2 - so I want to start my ring 1 full size up from that. Place the middle of the wire with your beads on the 9 1/2 mark on the ring mandrel.



Wrap the wire from front to back, and then bring the ends back around to the front again.



Take the wire on the left and go under the focal and up to the right, and the right wire over the top of the focal and down to the left.


Repeat this step again - left, under, up right - right, over, down left. Depending on the length of the tail, you can do this step several times.



Remove the ring from the mandrel and wrap the tail of the wire down the shank of the ring. Clip the excess after 6 or 7 wraps, or just take it on down til you have finished with the wire. Repeat with the other side.



This is where the magic happens. Now when you slide the ring back on the mandrel - it is a full size smaller!!! I use a dead blow hammer and beat the band of the ring to strengthen it without mashing it.


And there is my new little sleeping beauty!!!



Once you learn the basics you can go crazy and make all different kinds!!!
One of my favorites is the one I made on with the 28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead from Rings & Things! I would love to see what you've made!!!



*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom's birthday is today!

While Vanessa and I were at the lapidary show we came across these candy jade faceted beads.


I remember a while back, Mom had called me and told me about 'These bracelets made with candy jade on 'the QVC'. Have you seen candy jade before?'

Well I had, but not very often. When I saw these at the show, I pointed them out to Vanessa and told her of me and my mothers conversation. She fell in love with them too. Vanessa bought 'em -gave me two strands and sed - "Make a necklace for your mom and tell her thank you for all the apple butter!"

I made it and sent it along with a note. She got it yesterday morning!






"I love it!" she says. "Me and your dad are going to the new casino and I am wearing it right now!"

It made my day to hear the excitement in her voice.

Happy Birthday Mom!

More flea market fun - picture heavy

Went to the flea market and hung out with Harry and Vanessa over the weekend. What a blast as always. Vanessa had these strands of agate to give to me. She said they made her think of me :) Black banded agate is one of my favorites!!



There was a vendor at the flea market selling these awesome glass pendants. We picked up a couple. Vanessa's is the one on the left. I am making her a necklace for it to go on. The big pendant in the middle makes my heart happy. Look at those great colors, and coming into summer this is gonna be awesome!




Off we went to the lapidary show. Vanessa has a strand of picasso japser chips and wants a necklace made out of it for her friend. We found this cab at the show. I am going to wrap it and use the beads for the necklace.


Picasso japser chips


Do you see these!!! These are dyed stalagmite slices!! Aren't the awesome! I can't wait to work with them!


Here is a close up




Tiffany stone chips. These are beautiful and heavy and beautiful...oh wait, did I say that already?
Vanessa has a tiffany stone pendant she had wrapped by one of the vendors at the lapidary show. She wants a necklace made from it and the chips.


Here is the pendant. Last year, Vanessa went to Franklin for the G&LW show and got a slab of tiffany stone. She took it over to Tommy and had him cab it for her. He got 5 different sized cabs from that slab. Enuff for this penant



This ring


And these pendnats


Tommy's work is amazing!!

Vanessa, doesn't like the ring...*gasps* doesn't like how it fits. She wants me to take it apart and make her a bracelet instead. I tried to talk her out of it, I can't salvage that silver. I can keep it for scrap and smelt it later for beads, but what a waste! I am going to see her again this weekend, mebbe I can get her to change her mind.

What am I going to bring home this time!!!!

More Art Beads Summertime Fun!!!!

I received an email from Duchess at ArtBeads.com saying for the next couple months ArtBeads would like to "focus on summer themes, whether it’s fun outdoor activities, summer vacations, nature scenes or just the lovely season itself."

So for this months blogger challenge I have chosen items from their Charms, Pendants, and Glass Beads categories for my summertime fun!

Look at this haul!!!




Clockwise starting with the amethyst glass -
FP-AMYLT6 - Czech Fire Polished Bead - Light Amethyst - 6mm * $2.56/50 pk
CR-OV018 - 11x9mm Orange w/ Picasso Oval * .34/each
CR-SP064 - Czech Glass Yellow Tiger's Eye Large Spade * .84/each
CR-FL197 - Czech Glass Lily Flower White Luster * .40/each

Now in the middle
CR-RL066 - 9x6mm Opalescent Pink and Light Emerald Roundelle * .32/each
CR-RL099 - Opaque Green w/ Half Picasso Roundelle * .35/each

And the best for last
LMP-0168 - Purple, White and Orange Flowers with Purple Center Mix Bicone Beads (5 Pcs) * $23.47 (these are now out of stock, they are VERY popular!)


Lets get a closeup on these, shall we!


Look at the detail on those lamp work beads. They are beautiful. When I pulled them out of the package, I will admit, I slobbered on myself a bit. I LOVE them! The amethyst glass is amazing also. They have some heft to them, like crystal. Ya know how crystals have some weight to them, but glass and be very light? Mebbe it is the quality of the glass as well. These are lovely!

ArtBeads will be posting their blog partners designs on their “Summertime” Facebook Gallery post starting June 21st. Stop by their Facebook page to see them all!!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.