Fun Necklace from an Antique Watch Fob

I can't believe it's been nearly two months since my last post.  I've been crocheting a lot and had a booth at the Pecanfest last month.  I did really well selling my jewelry and scarves.  My sister took what I had left to work with her and sold every one of my scarves!  Thanks, Ladies!

My sister has this really neat antique watch fob from the Hamilton Brown Shoe Co. It belonged to her father-in-law and she wanted to put it on a necklace.  It has a compass on it.  How cool is that?

The back says "Always in the right direction with TWINKIES. Happy shoes for busy feet."  Cute!

We went shopping and picked out the supplies to make it.  I love shopping with my sister and that we like the same things!  We got brass chain, a Vintaj key charm, small Vintaj word charms and a "hook clasp" to hang the "fob".  I had already looked and thought that would be a neat way to hang it.  She walked over and picked out the same thing!

"A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double."

 ~Toni Morrison

Here's to a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Handmade Buttons

When I saw this pattern, I had to have it.  I'm not really sure what to call it.  Necklace?  Neckwarmer?  Scarf?  There is just something about it that I love!

What I think makes it especially cute is turning it with the button on the side rather than in the back.

 

That calls for a really big really cute button, which brings me back to the button problem I was complaining about in my last post!  I was thinking about it and it dawned on me that maybe I could make my own.  Several years ago, I wanted to try making polymer clay pendants.  I bought the supplies, but really didn't get too far.  I made some but wasn't really happy with the finished look.  I got the stuff out yesterday and tried making some buttons. 

This is what I ended up with.  The one I liked the best is on the scarf.  Still not really happy with the end look.  I wanted them to look more like ceramic.  But there is potential.  With a little more practice and a few supplies I could have buttons to match anything I need!

Any advise?   I'd welcome your tips and suggestions!

~Thought for the day~

"Energy and persistence conquer all things."~

 Benjamin Franklin

September makes me sad...

The first day of September always makes me sad because it marks the end of summer and the dreaded winter will be here before we know it. 

I think the thing I hate the most about winter is how ugly it is.  I miss green!

"Dreaming of Green in the Winter"

I made this necklace really long and didn't add a clasp so it can be worn as two or three strands.  The tag style pendant says "Dream" on the back.

Just a little reminder of how pretty it is to look out the window and see the beautiful trees full of leaves and a yard full of green grass!

~Thought for the Day~

Five Simple Rules For Happiness:

Free your heart from hatred,

Free your mind from worry,

 Live simply,

Give more,

Expect less.

"Reminisce"

rem·i·nisce

Verb: Indulge in enjoyable recollection of past events

 

Obviously I haven't been in the mood to make jewelry for awhile since my last post was more than a month ago!  I was thinking about the wire crochet and what got me started in the beginning.  Some of my original inspiration was the wire crochet I saw on the  Galena Beads website.   In their words, "The combination of our designs has vintage charm with a contemporary spirit".   They offer workshops, but they're in Illinois, so there was no way I could attend one.  I was so interested in this technique that I contacted them and asked about the possibility of offering an online class.  They responded that it just wasn't possible at that time, but were kind enough to mail me one of their class handouts! 

 

With that in mind, I went back to the beginning and created this necklace with open chains and random groups of beads.  I used dark rose glass pearls and an antique rose seed bead mix on Vintaj bronze wire.

 

 

The pendant is a re-purposed item.  My Mom picked these up at Ace Hardware.  An inexpensive little item and the original purpose is to replace the knob on a lamp.  You unscrew the one that came on the lamp and screw this one on in it's place.  Much prettier and easier to grasp!  I thought it would also make a neat pendant, considering my attraction to keys!  I'm not much of a wire wrapper, but I did manage to accomplish wrapping a few beads around it to give it some extra interest and match the necklace.

 

I can't believe Summer is almost over.  We've had record heat, but are currently enjoying cooler temperatures and some much needed rain!  I hope all is well in your world!

 

~{Funny}Thought for Today~

 

‎5 DEADLY TERMS USED BY A WOMAN:

 

 (1) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when she knows she is RIGHT & YOU need to SHUT UP.

(2) NOTHING: Means SOMETHING & you need to be WORRIED.

(3) GO AHEAD: This is a dare, not permission, do NOT do it.

(4) WHATEVER: A woman's way of saying SCREW YOU.

(5) THAT'S OK: She is thinking long & hard on HOW & WHEN you will pay for your mistake.

Purple Convertible

Necklace, that is, not a car! 

It converts from a long necklace to a choker and bracelet and the pendant is detachable so it can be worn several different ways.

I've seen this done but this is the first time I've ever done it.  It actually came about by accident.  When the original necklace was finished it was just a little shorter than I intended.  I actually like these necklaces in a shorter length, but I think most people prefer them longer.  I had extra beads so I decided to add the "bracelet", which can be attached to the necklace with toggle clasps, adding length.  The shell pendant is really pretty large.  Since some of us might not be comfortable with such a large pendant I attached a spring ring clasp to it so it can be worn with or without it. 

Hope you're having a great week!

~Thought for the day~

Our days would be happier if we gave people a piece of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.

Jewelry making with my Granddaughter

I've seen a few things about making "fingerprint" jewelry with clay.  My granddaughter and I love to craft together and I thought this would be a fun project for us.  She was here yesterday and we made this necklace for her Mama.

We pressed black clay into a metal frame and she inked her thumb with silver pigment ink and pressed it into the clay.  She used letter stamps on the back to personalize it with her initials and the date and added a bedazzler jewel.  Much to our surprise, everything worked perfectly the first time....no redos!  We baked it and sealed it, then added it to a chain.  She picked out a peace sign charm and a crystal to add.  She's really into peace signs so I think it will be a special reminder of this time in her life.  We had a good time making it together and her Mom loved it!

~Today's Quote~

HAPPINESS is when you've gotten really good at being you.

Hot Pink & Black Blingy Necklace!

This necklace was inspired by all the blingy wallets and purses you see everywhere, like this one...

Photo from the website of ST Country Bling located in Welch, OK

I've had the cross pendant for awhile but needed to get the right beads.  You can't see it too well in the picture, but I used black wire.  It is kind of big and blingy but it's really cute on!

As you can probably tell, I've still been a little uninspired this year.  I think maybe I just needed some new beads!  I took my granddaughter on her first trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday!  (Well, actually I did take her once before, but she doesn't remember, so it doesn't count!)  She had a gift card and I printed a 40% off coupon for her.  She had the ultimate Hobby Lobby experience!  She loved it.  She's partial to paper like the rest of us girls and was amazed that you could buy just one sheet of paper...and thrilled!  She picked out a couple of sheets of paper and some stickers to decorate a notebook and some little glass animal charms and a ball chain so she'll be able to switch out her charms for different necklaces.  It sure was fun!

I've been doing a lot of crocheting with yarn since the fall and have opened a new Etsy shop, but more on that later!

~Today's Quote~

There is in each of us so much goodness that if we could see it glow, it would light the world.

~Sam Friend

Multicolor Madness!

Four and a half feet of glass beads in all shapes and colors were strung on gunmetal wire, crocheted and then twisted together to create this multicolor necklace and bracelet!  I think it has kind of a vintage look, maybe it's the gunmetal wire.

February is drawing to a close and putting us that much closer to spring!  I think we're all ready for that!  I'll leave you with this lovely word art that I ran across the other day...

Free download found at http://www.youpublish.com/files/36179/Sparkle--Shine-Quote-Word-Art

"Mermaid" Wire Crochet Necklace

It was fun to work with these bright colors!  The shell pendant and ocean colors make me think of a mermaid and the green wire seaweed.

There are six strands of peridot wire with tiny seed beads in green and blue with an iridescent finish and some 6/0 gold lined green beads.  Each strand is a little different. 

The weather has been beautiful this week!  I'm sure there is more winter to come but this has been such a nice break!  And look at the gorgeous sunset we had the other night...

"Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer the goal.” 

~Elbert Hubbard

"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.

"Victoria Lynn", a Victorian style necklace

"Victoria Lynn"

Quite a long time ago I was the winner of this beautiful focal from the blog of  LLYYNN.  Lynn Davis creates amazing hand cast pewter components.  She describes her pieces as "invented vintage and fauxtiques" and they are awesome!  Please check her blog and her Etsy shop to see more of her work.

This piece has been on my desk since I received it, just waiting for the right thing to come along.  In my last order of wire I ordered "Gunmetal" and it was just the right color for it.  The beads are Czech Fire Polished in a "Luster" mix.  All in all, I think it has a very Victorian look.

  Thanks, Lynn! 

~Today's Quote~

"Every day tell at least one person something you like, admire or appreciate about them."

~Richard Carlson

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

Thanksgiving Wishes

"Autumn Bounty"

~a necklace on gold wire in rich warm colors that remind me of the bounty of autumn.

Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day full of family, fun &  food!

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

~Author Unknown

"Nomad" Black & Silver Spool Knitted Necklace

When I saw this pendant from Blue Moon Beads' Global Nomad collection I immediately thought how perfect it would look on a spool knitted necklace.  I used silver wire, adding an opaque black 6/0 seed bead into each stitch, slid the pendant on and finished it with silver end cones and a lobster clasp.   

I do two craft shows each year.  The first one this year is next Saturday, the 20th, at the "Pecanfest" in Chetopa, KS.   If you're from our area, come check it out!  There will lots of fun things going on.  I'm looking forward to some homemade fudge from the "fudge lady"!  She has so many kinds to choose from but I always get Cherry Mash cause it's my favorite!

~Today's Quote~

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

~Charles M. Schulz

"Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining"

Beads in whites and greys like a cloudy sky and an occasional silver sparkly bead prompted the name for this necklace.  

I was thinking about this as I was making it so I thought I'd type the phrase in an internet search.  This is a portion of what I found:

Idiom Definitions for 'Every cloud has a silver lining '~ People sometimes say that every cloud has a silver lining to comfort somebody who's having problems. They mean that it is always possible to get something positive out of a situation, no matter how unpleasant, difficult or even painful it might seem. 

I also learned something new today!  I had to look up the definition of "Idiom".  In case you don't know either, here is what it is: 

Definition of Idiom ~ A phrase which has a meaning that is commonly understood by speakers of the language, but whose meaning is often different from the normal meaning of the words is called an idiom. 

So the thought for today is to remember to be positive and alway's look for the silver lining!

"Back to Nature" Wood Beads & Leather Necklace

For some reason lately I'm attracted to leather in jewelry.  Maybe it's the changing seasons.  I've never done much with it until lately.  I guess I'm going through  a leather phase!  I have a few other ideas I'd like to try, too.

  I crocheted this necklace with wood beads on bronze wire and attached a piece of brown leather on each side.   Matching earrings were made by adding a round wood bead and wood donuts to large bronze jumprings. 

~Today's Quote~

Stop every now and then.  Just stop and enjoy.  Take a deep breath.  Relax and take in the abundance of life.

~Unknown

"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

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

"Versatility" Necklace

This super long necklace is about as versatile as it gets!  Besides being made with multi-colored glass beads that will go with just about anything, there are several options for wearing it.

 

It can be worn as three long strands...

 

Doubled with a long and a short strand...

Doubled with even strands...

Or even tripled!

 

I added a big spring ring as a fastener which might come in handy.  You never know, it might even make a cute belt!

~Today's Quote~

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." 

~ Dr. Seuss

"Lime Twist" Wire Crochet Necklace

  Again, one of my favorite colors!  For this five strand necklace, I crocheted a mixture of  lime, gold and antique gold seed and bugle beads on Peridot wire.  (Actually, chartreuse may be a better description of the color, but I couldn't think of a name to go with chartreuse!)  I left long ends on each side of the center section.  They are fastened to a big gold toggle clasp in the back.  The gold end cones make a nice finish on each side of the crocheted section.  There's quite a bit of sparkle to this one, too.  The bugle beads really catch the light.  This has to be one of my all time favorites! 

~Today's Quote~

The little things? The little moments ? They are not little!