Fresh Water Pearl Cluster

Everywhere I look I see this color combination, I blame it on Vera Bradley :)

I am still so in love with these clusters, and something about pearls, whether fresh water or cultured, just gives class! This one makes me fell all dressed up and special.

Did you know pearls give purity and promote faith, charity, and integrity, truth and loyalty. They especially enhance personal integrity.

Off to the work table to make more! What color combinations would you use?

What Kind of Craft Hoarder Are You??? (From Favecrafts.com)

I got this email from FaveCrafts.com - just had to share it!

 

Hello Crafters!
Take a moment and look through your craft stash.  What supplies make up the majority of your space?  Too much yarn?  Recycleables all over the garage?  Newspaper and magazines taking up precious closet space?  Well we've got some easy and clever solutions to help every type of craft hoarder clean out that closet!
Yarn Collector

1. Victorian Crocheted Ring
2. Cute Crochet Hair Bows
3. Floral Statement Necklace
4. Knit Coffee Cozy
5. Easy Knit Dishcloths


Can't Throw a Thing Away?
1. Toilet Paper Roll Sunflowers
2. Denim Flower Brooch
3. Coffee Filter Frame
4. 28 Trash to Treasure Recycled Crafts
5. Aluminum Foil Earrings


Bead Hoarder

1. Boho Hoop Earrings
2. Sizzling Hot Beaded Necklace
3. Triple Strand Beaded Watch
4. Beaded Floral Coasters
5. 111 Free Beaded Patterns


Magazine Obsessed

1. 31 Newspaper and Magazine Crafts
2. Magazine Sunburst Clock
3. DIY Mini Journal
4. Crepe Paper Rose Bouquet
5. Elastic Paper Bead Bracelet


Fabric Addict

1. No Sew Fabric Bookmarks
2. Patchwork Scarf
3. Fabric Pom Poms
4. Scrap Fabric Rosette
5. Scrap Fabric Birds

Copper Swirl Pendant with Agate

Staring blankly at my work table, there are times, I just can't get my creativity going. I have found a good fix for that is to fiddle. Not play a violin ( :)  )  but to just pick stuff up, mess around, put it down, 99 bottles of beer on the wall...

Wait where was I...

So, I have made this design before, smaller in a pair of earrings.  It really is simple, easy, the wire makes its own self into this design kinda thing. Playing with this, I noticed the tree agate briolette... hrm.....

Dig, dig dig...

Yes, I like these little pieces

And - WAH-LA!!!

I love how it just forms all by itself in your hand

"Karma Clusters" Keeping the Design Simple

While I do like my jewerly to make a statement all on its own, I am finding a new appreciation for the simplicity of a design as well.

I love these small clusters on a simple chain. They don't over do it, and the colors I am using are not bold. This is the versatile choice - perfect for dressing up, to the office, or everyday.

This one is made up of rhodonite, amethyst, fluorite, rose quartz and coral. Peace and Love - who wouldn't want this with them everyday!

Buyers Market - Call for Entries!

Call For Entries:

UncommonGoods Jewelry Design Challenge

UncommonGoods, an online retailer--and Buyers Market of American Craft buyer--that specializes in handmade, eco-friendly and uniquely designed gifts and accessories, has launched their 3rd annual Jewelry Design Challenge.

They are seeking handmade jewelry including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and rings. The winner will receive $500 and an UncommonGoods vendor contract. The deadline for entry is June 30.

**Accepting work from U.S. residents only.


Good Luck!!!!

Weekend Photobombs - My Daughter

She cracks me up - I had to share.


My daughter at an awards ceremony for local theatre (of which her husband was nominated )

She has a big mouth and is a prankster just like her mama - ruining a perfectly good photo with a photobomb.

Enjoy!!!

See more photobombs here

Make Your Own Paper Beads!

Ever wondered how to make paper beads?

Here is a great tutorial!

Have fun!

Free Summer Door Wreath Pattern

I love FaveCrafts.com. I get daily emails from them with great crafting ideas. Like I need anymore distractions.  :)

I try to keep a wreath up all year on my door, and have had a creative block since Easter, and my poor door is bare - until now!!!


I got the instructions for this fun little wreath, which will be in the works by this afternoon!

The directions for this wreath are here

What are some of your favorite crafts? Post links below and share with me!!!

Strut Your Stuff At Artbeads.com!!!!

Be the next jewelry start at ArtBeads.com!!!!


Artbeads.com says:
Show the world your creativity and get the chance to become a Jewelry Design Star! Each month we will feature a new star on our website for thousands of people to see, including a homepage link and mentions in our social media. What exposure for your designs. For your chance to be a Jewelry Design Star, upload a photo of your favorite design with a brief description and what inspired your creation. Then, other Artbeads fans will be able to vote for their favorite design. If yours wins, you'll be crowned our latest Jewelry Design Star. Everybody wants to shine as bright as famous designers, and we want to help!

Contest Details:
Submit a photograph of your original jewelry design along with a brief description and what inspired you to create it. The winner will be determined through public voting (one entry per person). Only persons who are at least 18 years of age can enter. Please visit the link below for complete rules.

This is a design challenge and is meant to celebrate jewelry designers worldwide and showcase the beautiful and inspirational designs they create.

Enter the contest by Wednesday, June 19 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Come back and vote for your favorite design Thursday, June 20 through Tuesday, June 25 at 11:59 PM Pacific. Enter or vote now!

Good luck!!!

Copper Wire Heart Necklace

I don't as a rule duplicate my work, but this is so cute, and so customizable. The heart is 14 ga wire, free formed into a heart, hammered, and wire wrapped at the loops for strength. Then going with the obvious - heart, red - I wrapped it with a few accent beads for a color splash.

Any color combination could be used, and any blessing could be added, say, amethyst for peace, who doesn't want a peaceful heart, or agate for harmony, who doesnt' want a harmonious heart!

Do you duplicate your work or do you like to keep all of your work one of a kinds? Do you find it difficult to keep the creativity going when all of your work is one of a kind?

Earring Giveaway!!!! - CLOSED-WINNER ANNOUNCED ON FACEBOOK

I am kicking off the summer fun with a fun giveaway!

These copper earrings are a great addition to any summertime wardrobe. Free formed, and hammered for texture, wrapped and adorned with lilac stoneware beads!!!

Want in on this fun? There are so many ways to enter!! Each option gives you another entry! Do them all for the best chance to win!

Comment on this blog



Like my fan page on Facebook

Like the post of this giveaway on Facebook

Comment on the post of this giveaway on Facebook

Tweet bout this giveaway (tell me you did)

Share this blog (tell me you did)

Share the post on Facebook (tell me you did)



It's so easy!!!!!  Good luck and I will be drawing a winner on Friday June 14!

Memory Wire - A Recommendation?

Memory Wire - which do you use for bracelets? My mom loves memory wire bracelets, and I wanted to make her a couple.

I have used Bead-a-lon, and I am not a fan of it. It pulls out of shape way too easily, and cannot hold much weight.

I bought a generic brand at Wal-Mart several years ago - just on a whim, it was cheap and I thought why not. I loved it, and I haven't been able to find it since.

What would you recommend?

Tree Agate Bracelet

I love this little bracelet. It is full of spring and summer fun.

It all started out with that copper pendant.  I had an idea for earrings, but there was only one.  What was I going to do with it. Then the idea hit me. Make it a clasp.

It wasn't hard to put the design together. These beads were all leftovers from another project or three. They were laying about the work table, just begging to be put together.  Agate for harmony, and amethyst for peace.
The rest kinda explains itself :)