The Beauty of Spring

"Lilacs in Bloom"

When Artbeads announced the theme, "The Beauty of Spring", the first thing that came to my mind was lilacs!  I've always loved them.  They're one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring and they smell soooo good!  I have a lilac bush outside my kitchen window.  I see the first little buds on the bush and within a couple of weeks those tiny buds are lilacs in full bloom!

I made a matching set~ necklace, bracelet and earrings.  To create this set I chose the following from Artbeads selection of Swarovski crystals and used Vintaj bronze wire to represent the bark :

5301 5mm Faceted Bicones in Lilac 

(These must be out of stock.  I don't find them on the website now.  I'm guessing this is due to Swarovski phasing out the 5301 and replacing them with the XILION bicone)

5328 4mm XILION Bicone in Lilac

5328 4mm XILION Bicone in Light Olivine

I wish you could see the sparkle of these crystals.  There's just nothing prettier or sparklier than a Swarovksi crystal!

Thank you, Artbeads!

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~

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

 ~Kahlil Gibran

"Madison" & Anniversary of Wire Crochet

"Madison" is created with Rose Quartz beads on silver wire and has matching earrings.  There are a lot of  beads in this one, assorted shapes and sizes.  Most of them are fairly large so it's a nice chunky one, yet the  soft shades of pale pink and white give it a delicate look. 

This month marks the anniversary of my journey into wire crochet.  On November 21st last year our daughter was in a serious car accident.  She was hit by a drunk driver who didn't stop at a major highway intersection. While sitting with her during the weeks after the accident, I began experimenting with wire crochet.  The journey has continued  for a year now and I still love it!  I'd like to thank the ladies I have "met" online for their kind words and encouragement and the ladies locally who have purchased my designs!

I'd also like to say how thankful I am for the blessing of family.  I love you all and am so thankful for every one of you!  Happy Thanksgiving!

~Today's Quote~

Life isn't a matter of milestones, but of moments.

~Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Simplicity" Wire Crochet Necklace

This necklace is sparkling "Simplicity".  I can just visualize this on a bride, with the bridesmaids wearing the same design in the wedding color! 

These beads are from Artbeads beautiful selection of Swarovski crystal.  It's a single strand crocheted on non-tarnish silver color wire with a 4mm Crystal Silver Shade Swarovski crystal  in each stitch.  A Swarovski Galactic Pendant in Crystal Silver Shade is attached with a silver bail.  The matching earrings are simple long dangles.

~Today's Quote~

There will always be stones in your path...

It's up to you whether you build a bridge or a wall.

"Bella" Red Magma Wire Crochet Necklace

I would like to thank Artbeads for allowing me to join their blogging program!  Artbeads has a huge selection of Swarovski crystal beads and pendants.  This gorgeous sparkling necklace was created using 4 mm bicones, 6 mm Bicones, and a beautiful Galactic Pendant, all in Crystal Red Magma. There are also matching earrings using the 4mm and 6mm Bicones along with 6 mm Rounds.

I wish you could see the beautiful color and sparkle of these beads!

~Today's Quote~

"The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. 

It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us."

~Ashley Montagu

"Arianna" Amazonite & Cherry Quartz

For this necklace & earring set I used Amazonite and Cherry Quartz. This one was kind of a challenge for myself. The challenge was to use more than one color and be somewhat asymmetrical. I always seem to use various shades of one color and even though I don't usually plan a specific pattern in wire crochet, the beads are fairly balanced as far as size and color. I used a lot of Amazonite chips, tossing in just a few Cherry Quartz beads and a Cherry Quartz chip every now & then.

~Today's Quote~

"Life happens when you're busy making other plans."

~John Lennon

"Ann" Necklace in Shades of Blue

This is a custom order for a lady named Ann. I've never met her and she has only seen a small sampling of my work. She requested a necklace and earrings in shades of blue to go with a dress she's wearing to a wedding later this month. She was very specific about the colors and the length of the necklace and earrings which helped a lot. I'm a little nervous as this is my first custom order! I hope she'll be happy with it!


~Today's Quote~
"Blessed are we for every day we are here on this earth
to grasp our family, friends and the beauty of each day."
Elma Evans Smith

Recycled Wood Bead Set

I must confess most of the beads and the pendant in this set came from a necklace that was on a clearance rack. I really liked the beads and pendant and thought I could use them to make something else. They're small wood beads in natural and olive green. I used most of the beads and findings and added some brown seed beads of my own.

~Today's Quote~

"Every time I hear the dirty word "exercise"

I wash my mouth out with chocolate!"