Glitzy

Puttin' on the Glitz!

Lots of  Clear AB Swarovski crystals were crocheted onto gold wire for this necklace.  The clear crystals are hardly noticable hidden in the wire...until you move, then it sparkles like crazy!

There's a saying by Sonja Henie that "Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles."  I think this one will definately do that!

Blogging with Artbeads ~ What's Old is New Again!

"Who will hold the key?"

Artbeads' blogging challenge this time was "What's Old is New Again".  For this theme we were asked to "seek inspiration from the past by incorporating old, vintage or antique items into your designs and combine them with modern elements."  I love this theme and you would think with all the junk good stuff I've got around here I would have thought of something right away.  I thought and thought and couldn't come up with anything that I wanted to use.  On a flea market trip with a friend, I found these chandelier prisms.  The design fell into place when Artbeads featured the little heart and key charms on their blog.
I ♥ them!

I was able to make a matching necklace, bracelet and earrings from the supplies I received.  I used Vintaj bronze wire and antique brass findings.

The necklace is long, about 28".  The shorter strand is crocheted with a small hook and the 5mm crystals, then pulled tight to resemble an old chain.  I added the smaller prism from the chandelier crystals and dangled the charms from it.  The longer strand is spool knitted with the 6mm crystals so it would be a little heavier for the large prism which is connected with an "intricate scroll" bail.  The "round glass box clasp" has a sparkly glass center and is a perfectly "antique" finish! 

For the bracelet, I used the 5mm and 6mm crystals and added a crocheted loop closure.  It fastens around another of the small prisms.

For the earrings, I used "curly triangle" chandeliers and added simple crystal drops.

These next two pictures show a little more of the details including the clasp, the bail, and the words on the charm.

You can find all of these components at Artbeads in the following sections:

Swarovski crystal beads:  5mm & 6mm Swarovski crystals

 Charms:  Heart Quote Charm and Key

Findings:  box clasp, bail, chandelier earring findings, earwires, jump rings

I give a big "thumbs up" to all of the things I received! 

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.

"Winter Enchantment" with Artbeads

Artbeads asked their blog partners to create a ‘Winter Enchantment’ design that represents what you find beautiful or inspirational about the winter season.  Well, this one stumped me because, quite honestly, there’s not much that I find enchanting about winter!

The definition of enchantment is “a magical spell, charm or bewitchment, in traditional fairy tales or fantasy” so I decided to use the literal definition and create a winter fantasy!

"Enchanted Garden"

I cast a magical spell and created an “Enchanted Garden” where roses bloom in the wintertime.  Take the key, unlock the gate and step into my garden...

Roses are climbing everything in sight, a vision of pink against a solid backdrop of ice and snow.  The sun is shining brightly, making everything to sparkle as if it's been sprinkled with glitter.  The sun is warm on your shoulders allowing you to linger and enjoy the beautiful sight just a little while longer....

For my design, I chose Crystal and White Porphyr Czech Fire Polished beads (ice and snow), 10mm Round Silver Foil beads with Pink Roses, and Rose Swarovski Crystals from their glass beads.  I used a sweet little sterling silver skeleton key charm and I also chose a large silver-plated pewter twist ring to hang the key from as if it was a key ring. 

And last but not least I added the silver-plated Leaves Toggle clasp.  I thought it fit with the garden theme and looked like it belonged in a fairy tale.

Thank you, Artbeads, for letting me escape the reality of winter for just a little while!

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.

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

"Merry" Inspired by Grandma's Jewelry Box

This necklace was inspired by a found object challenge from Erin of  Treasures Found. The challenge for this week was "Grandma's Jewelry Box" ~  to make something new out of an old treaure in your jewelry box (or someone else's!).

This brooch belonged to my grandma.  I think it's just beautiful.  I keep it in a dish on my dresser and usually wear it during the Christmas season because of it's beautiful red color and shape. 

I used assorted gold beads, Czech Fire Polished beads and some small Swarovki crystals in red, and gold wire.  I attached the brooch with a jumpring without harming the original pin back.  What a fun challenge!

~Today's Quote~

"Memories of a loving family linger in the Heart."

Swarovski Crystal Volcano Teardrop

Is this GORGEOUS or what!

Crystal Volcano is a perfect name because it's an explosion of colors! 

This was taken in indirect light.  It's even more vibrant in direct sun!

 My thanks to Artbeads for allowing me to choose this pendant as a part of their blogging program.  It's a 24 x 12mm Faceted Teardrop Pendant in Crystal Volcano from their beautiful selection of Swarovski Crystal.  Take advantage of 10% off  your purchase through 12/31/09 with the "Share the Savings" discount!

Use Coupon Code SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424.

It may work it's way into a piece of wire crochet one day, but for the time being it's simply strung on a black velvet cord.  This really allows it to shine!

~Today's Quote~

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

~Marcel Proust

"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

"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

"Destinee" Necklace with a Skeleton Key

Like many of you, I have a great fondness for skeleton keys. My keychain itself is a large skeleton key and on that keychain are two skeleton keys that have a lot of sentimental value to me. One belonged to the front door of my childhood home and one belonged to my grandmother. I have carried these for years.

For this necklace I used a mix of antique silver beads on silver wire which combined with the key makes a very monochromatic color scheme. I added a red Swarovski crystal heart which (I think) was just the right touch.

~Today's Quote~

I had closed the door upon my heart

and wouldn't let anyone in

I had trusted and loved only to be hurt

but that would never happen again

I locked the door and tossed the key

as hard and as far as I could

My heart was closed for good

Then you came into my life and

made me change my mind

just when I thought that

tiny key was impossible to find

that is when you held out your hand

and proved me wrong

inside your palm was the

Key to My Heart

You had it all along

~Marsha Hoyt

"Paris" Necklace, Ooh La La!

I called this necklace "Paris" because it reminds me of Paris Apartment decor. It's ooh la la sparkly! I used Jet and Rose Swarovski crystals and 3 cut Jet seed beads. I tend to hoard my Swarovski crystals because they're sort of pricey but, boy, do I love them!

~Today's Quote~

No journey is too great if you find what you seek.