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.

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.

Strawberry with Sprinkles

These beads reminded me of strawberry ice cream with sprinkles!  They are a mix of tiny pale pink pearlized seed beads and clear bugle beads lined with bright pink.  The bugle beads catch the light and have a little sparkle to them!  It's one long strand crocheted and then twisted together.  I finished it with a pale pink organza ribbon that ties in the back.  This is the first time I've used ribbon but it just seemed to go with this one since it's so dainty and girly!

Hope you're having a nice Easter weekend!

~Today's Quote~

Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere!

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

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???

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

A "Winning" Combination

"Audrey"

In earlier posts I told about winning a couple of blog giveaways.  This is a combination of beads that I won.   The larger beads are 8mm Fire Polish beads in "Crystal and Rose Porphyr" that I received from Jewelry by Jessica.  (Porphyr beads have "swirled" colors.) The seed beads are some of the seed beads that I received from JustATish.  They're a perfect match!  Thanks again, girls!

The center section is crocheted and I made a matching spool knitted "chain" to connect to each side.  I originally planned on attaching regular chain but nothing I had looked right so I decided to add the spool knitted pieces.

I like to give them names so I'm going to call this one "Audrey".  It's such a soft romantic piece and that name just seems to fit to me.

~Today's Quote~

"You may delay, but time will not."

~Benjamin Franklin

Isn't that the truth!

"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