Not Too Motivated...

Happy New Year! 

I really haven't been too motivated since the craft shows in December and Christmas!  The only new jewelry I've made is this wrap bracelet.

I've seen these in all the magazines and several websites.  I really like them so I thought I'd give one a try.  Normally they're made with leather cord and beading thread.  I used what I had on hand, which was rubber cord and 28 gauge copper wire.  I used green aventurine beads and found this button in my button box that matches pretty well.  These are a lot of fun.  I'm anxious to make more using real leather and a variety of beads!

Speaking of leather... this is a necklace I made for the last craft show,

a piece of brown leather captured inside a copper spool knitted chain with a copper and mother of pearl pendant.  I'd like to make another one with black leather and silver wire. 

Well, that's it for now!  Hopefully my motivation will return soon!

~Today's Quote~

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

~ Maria Robinson

Goldstone "Everyday" Necklace & Earrings

"Brown goldstone is a form of glass infused with glittering particles of copper that sparkle and gleam." 

I wanted to make a necklace with copper wire and goldstone.  I wasted most of Sunday afternoon and many yards of wire trying to create something more intricate and didn't like any of it!  This is what I ended up with and, you know, I really like it.  Just a simple necklace to wear for everyday that really lets the goldstone shine!   I couldn't get a picture that really shows the beauty of it.

I'm getting ready for the Edna craft show this Saturday.  If you're in the area stop by and see us!

~Today's Quote~

I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process....

it may not be true, but do I dare take the chance???

"Colors of Fall" with Artbeads!

As an Artbeads design partner, we're celebrating the gorgeous colors of fall!

For the beginning of my design I chose this beautiful Copper Heart Shaped Leaf Pendant.  The selection of pendants is huge, so this wasn't an easy task!  But I fell in love with this one.  I dangled it from the top but it also has a piece on the back for stringing it horizontally.  I used copper wire to compliment the copper on the pendant.

I chose the rest of the beads from their glass beads.  I chose rust picasso roundelles, carnelain opal, chestnut coral and siam from the Czech fire-polished beads for most of the design.  I was not disappointed in the colors!  I love them!  I also added a second strand of 3/0 Dark Copper TOHO beads and finished it off with a 12mm copper-plated curled toggle clasp from their selection of clasps.  I liked that the curled design of the toggle clasp matched the swirls on the pendant. 

I liked the colors together so much that I decided to use the leftover beads and copper wire to crochet this pendant.  I really like the look of it on a leather cord!

Thank you, Artbeads, for allowing me to work with these beautiful beads and to celebrate the glorious colors of fall! 

Disclosure: I am a Blogging for Beaders partner with Artbeads. The above noted items were provided to me free of charge, to be used for design purposes, or for my honest review of them. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

~Today's Quote~

Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

~Howard Thurman

I am SO Lucky!

Look at what I won from Tish at JustaTish Designs! 

Oh my gosh!  This beautiful pendant and all of these seed beads!  I love this wire wrapped pendant.  I've never had anything like it before and I will treasure it!  It came wrapped in that cute little fabric pouch.  I was so excited about the pendant that I completely forgot about the seed beads Tish was generous enough to include!  She had purchased hanks and shared half of them with the winner! 

Besides making the most beautiful jewelry, Tish has been a great source of inspiration for me.  Thanks for always encouraging me, Tish!  Please check out her blog where you will always find something interesting.  It also includes links to her website where you can purchase her jewelry, facebook and twitter. 

Tish also has a great love of animals.  There is a cause near and dear to her heart, "Christmas for Chamberlin".  Tish will be donating 15% of her sales from now through Christmas to help Chamberlin.  Please click the link above to read the story and see a video of Chamberlin.  Tish says, "He needs more surgery's, more PT, more love, and more support. Along with the donation to Chamberlin, I am also offering a free pair of earrings with every order.  Do a little something for yourself, and do a lot for Chamberlin."  What else can I say after that, except...

Thank you, Tish, for everything.  I thank you and I'm sure Chamberlin does.

~Today's Quote~

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

~James Matthew Barrie

Apricot Bling!

Wow, this necklace is sparkly!  I love these beads combined with the bright copper wire.  They're Czech Fire-Polished beads in "Metallic Apricot".  Each bead is half metallic and half clear apricot.  They match the copper wire perfectly.  The color makes me think of Rose Gold.

Have a nice weekend!

~Today's Quote~

Don't wait for people to be friendly, show them how.

~Author Unknown

Blue Turquoise Grotto & Copper Necklace

For this necklace I used a seed bead mix called "Blue Turquoise Grotto", Czech Fire Polished beads in "Blue Turquoise" and "Carnelian", and some "Cinnamon Spice" bicones all crocheted on dark copper wire.  I also crocheted a matching pendant for this one. 

I'm not real sure that this color mix makes me think of a grotto but it sure is a pretty name!

~Today's Quote~

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day."

~Sally Koch

"Penny"

This one is called "Penny" for obvious reasons! 

I used small seed beads, two cut 6/0 seed beads, and Czech Fire Polished beads, all in shades of copper on dark copper wire and added a small copper pendant.  I'm always drawn to copper.  It's just one of my favorites!

~Today's Quote~

If you don't like something, change it.

If you can't change it, change the way you think about it!

"Mother Nature"

I mentioned awhile back that I had bought a box of beads at a garage sale.  These are some more of them.  At the time I thought I'd never use them, just not really my style, but of course I didn't get rid of them!  I was looking through them the other day and saw possibility.  Wood, bone, & turquoise.  Together they all had an organic feel.  I mixed them up and started stringing.  That's the magic of wire crochet!  Just string them up and see what comes out!  Copper seemed to be the accent to use with this scheme.  I used tarnish-resistant copper wire and added a textured copper washer.  The earrings are smaller copper washers that I also added texture to. 

I'm sure most everyone already knew this, but I just recently discovered that you can click on the picture and get an enlarged version.  This shows a lot more detail!

~Today's Quote~

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Laurel"

This one is different than any I've made before.  The "centerpiece" is three strands. It's attached on each side to a single crocheted chain with large copper jumprings.  It's all done on dark copper wire.  I'm really not sure what these beads are but I think they're glass chips.  The picture really doesn't show the beautiful color of these.  They have a little bit of a shine to them and look like a yard full of fall leaves!

~Today's Quote~

Four things you can't recover:

The stone.....after the throw.

The word.....after it's said.

The occasion.....after it's missed.

The time.....after it's gone.

"Inspiration" Necklace

I've been wanting to try metal stamping. Recently I bought a set of metal stamps and some copper washers to play with. My sister and I were talking about it and I asked her to give me a word. Her word was "Inspiration". This is what I came up with. I stamped the word on the washer and gave it some texture. The necklace is crocheted using copper and dark brown wire and frosted purple ab seed beads. The pendant is layered on a filigree square with a purple Czech Fire Polished bead and an aqua Swarovski crystal.

~Today's Quote~

"Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity.”

~Bo Bennett