Beading in the Studio...

Here is my design board for bracelets. It is a smaller version than the large one I use for necklace designs. As you can see I got this from my favorite online source Fire Mountain Gems. I have spent time in the studio today beading some bracelets for Valentine's holiday.

I had fun digging through my bead boxes for colors and combinations that looked good together. This is proof that you do not need to purchase special beads for every design. I managed to make three bracelets with beads I had in my stash. These could have been beads I had previously purchased or in many cases beads left over from other projects.

I think you might agree that these three bracelets have heart and clearly look good for Valentine's day celebrations.

I loved being in the studio and making these bracelets. They came together quite quickly and easily. Now I am ready for Valentine's.

I hope you are able to spend time in your art room this week and make happy art.

Happy creating...

Fun Fabric Cuffs...

Here are some of my finished projects...Fabric Cuffs. I had fun making these. This one is black and light/white and has some adornment pearls sewn on each side.

This is a soft color combination of taupe, browns and off-white. I made these to self fasten with easy snaps. There are more photos of these online in my shop.

This is probably my favorite as it is black and a bit frilly. Romantic comes to mind when I see these fabric cuffs. Great wardrobe enhancer that looks wonderful with casual to dressy.

I have listed these in my etsy shop if you need an affordable gift for yourself or someone else. Please take a look and see if you think of anyone on your Christmas list to give one to.

I am making more of these to give as gifts to some on my Christmas list.

Thank you for indulging me with my self-promotion.

Have you worn any fun fabric cuffs? This is sort of like the prom flowers for your wrist so your dress or bare skin didn't get stuck with a pin.

Happy creating...

Being creative...

Here is a very simple bracelet I made using glass beads I bought in Rome. The colors are black and azure blue. Very soft muted colors and they really shine in the glass beads. This feels super comfortable around my wrist as I try it on for sizing.
I love the magnetic clasp as it makes for extremely easy fastening and unfastening without help from another source or person. "I can do it myself" comes to mind.
Having a lovely Saturday with perfect weather even though it is slightly breezy, however, that keeps the temperatures down to pleasant.
I spent most of the morning outside pulling weeds and doing detail clean up in one small area of our yard. I seem to be doing days of this same routine. I must admit it feels so good to see it when it is done. If only it would last.
After a shower and fresh clothes it was into my studio to focus and create. That is how I came to make this lovely bracelet. I also finished some other items that I shall post another day.
Enjoy your day and this weekend as some of you observe Father's Day.
How do you like to celebrate Father's Day?
Since my father, my father-in-law, my uncle and virtually everyone is gone I like to honor my husband and make certain he knows how much I truly appreciate him.
Happy creating...

Olivine...

I have discovered a new color in Swarovski crystals. Olivine. In gem quality olivine is known as peridot. The birthstone of August. I stitched this tennis bracelet with olivine Swarovski bicone crystals and I think it is stunning. Pictures do not do justice to this beautiful bracelet.

If you like, you might check out my etsy shop for more photos and availability.

As you can see, I am getting back to my focus of making jewelry and filling my online shop. I have not forgotten my goals and realize this year is moving along very quickly. So now I am off to the studio for more inspiration and jewelry making. I am so blessed to have the time to be able to do what makes me happy.

Happy creating...

Busy listing...

In my 2010 desire to stay focused on my goals I am spending time in the studio creating some new fun pieces of jewelry. I have just listed these two sets on my etsy site.
I call the top photo set "Fishing for Compliments". Actually Mr. Createology came up with this name and I love it. I merely had a vision for combining some fun elements with some very traditional elements and seeing how it would come out. I really like the fun and funky look of this colorful set which I see someone wearing with anything from jeans to shorts to a cute summer sundress. The assortment of colors is what makes it so summer fun. I really like the ease of the magnetic clasp on the bracelet as it allows the user to fasten it easily on her own wrist without help from others.

This set is similar to the gold toned set however much simpler and more elegant. You really should see it in person to get the true sparkle power of the Swarovski crystals. Combined with the dark glimmer of charcoal barrel swivels and the sterling silver wire this is quite a stunner. I can easily see it being worn with everything including black evening wear.

This is part of my Adorn Me! jewelry design line and I am very pleased with the way they turned out.

What would you wear these with?

Do you prefer the gold with assorted colors or the silver with clear?

I am busy with some more designs so I better stay focused and on task.

More gifts for friends...

A brand new week and another opportunity for me to use my FOCUS to accomplish my goals.



This sweet little purple yo-yo fabric heart with the beautiful pink butterfly is a pin I made and sent to Colette in efforts to cheer her as she battles breast and bone cancer. Previous posts have the link if you would like to send cards or hope to Colette.

Swarovski crystals are probably my favorite beads. They are so exquisite and sparkly and easy to work with. They come in a myriad of colors, however I really like the traditional clear. This bracelet is a simple one strand using 4mm bicones. I love to use the magnetic clasps as they are so easy to fasten by oneself. This bracelet is so beautiful and the photo really does not do it justice.

Then of course I had to get out the fabric, lace, ribbon and button to make this sweet little jewelry pouch to hold the bracelet for giving. It just adds the extra feminine touch don't you think. You could always re-purpose the pouch for holding anything you like...love letters, lingerie, chocolate...you can see the potential.

My wonderful friend Nancy commissioned two Swarovski tennis bracelets and so I made her this gift as a thank you. Good friends are treasures.

May you have a week of wonderful accomplishments and enjoy every minute.

I am off to complete my tennis bracelets which I will share photos of later. If you need to see one now please visit www.createology.etsy.com and I have a couple listed there.

Thank you.

Beading basics...

This is a very basic beaded necklace I made for one of my granddaughters who just happens to like dolphins. I am showing this not for my photographic skills but for the beading basics.

This is a simple single strand necklace. It is a longer length around 20 inches.

There are Standard Jewelry Lengths which are as follows:

Bracelet = 6-7 inches

Anklet = 8-9 inches

Choker = 15-16 inches

Princess = 18-20 inches

Matinee = 23-27 inches

Lariat = 42 inches or more

These are merely suggested lengths and the beauty of making your own jewelry is that you can lengthen or shorten as you wish. For instance bracelets are mostly comfortable at 7 1/2 inches for most people however some prefer a much shorter or longer fitting.

If you use a beading board to lay out your beads it will be helpful as it also has inches marked so you can easily determine the length you are working with.

I am currently making some bracelets for 2010 Christmas gifts for family members. I will be carefully measuring them without the recipient knowing. Hmmm...that will be a trick. LOL

I like to be prepared for gifting long before the time comes. I used to keep a cupboard just for gifts however I ran out of space. Now I dedicate an antique dresser to the task of storing gifts through the year. I buy or make when something strikes my fancy for a specific person. Then I have birthdays and holidays covered when the occasion is here.

I hope you try your beading techniques and share them with us.

I have a new item on the design board that I would love to share soon.

Black Diamond Satin Swarovski Bracelet...

In keeping with my 2010 idea to work on my focus and build my etsy online store I am listing another Swarovski bracelet. This one is black diamond satin in color.
If you have any gifts to buy for birthdays or possibly yourself I would say this is the time to purchase. My pricing is way below what it should be as I am merely trying to rebuild my purchasing funds. This is not allowing anything for my time spent making this item however I really need to build my sales.
In all honesty I have yet to find the formula for making sales on etsy. I believe it is possible to have an etsy store and make sales as I see so many other shops that are successful. This is my year to join the successful group.
Thank you for checking out http://createology.etsy.com
Let me know what you like or dislike. I am open to constructive criticism.

Albert Schweitzer said, "Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."

I do love what I am doing...therefore I will be successful.

Today...Tomorrow...

Hello readers:

Here is a picture of a bracelet that I made for someone getting married and she had a starfish theme and loved pearls. Unfortunately this picture is very poor quality. This is something I am learning and studying so that I might be able to take much better photos for http://createology.etsy.com as I believe the photos are what catch a persons eye and get them interested enough to look further and ultimately purchase. In order to take better photos I just knew I needed a new digital camera. I have been telling Santa for a couple of years that I want and need a new camera. This year I was certain I was getting my new camera from Santa since I have been such a good girl all year long. Well, Santa was the bad boy and did not honor me with a camera. Luckily my husband felt badly for me and decided to buy me one. We went shopping and my greatest wish was for small in order to carry it in my purse or pocket. Since my husband is an engineer and very detail oriented he couldn't care less about size and cuteness or color of the camera...only the functions and how well it works. What a concept. Of course I was also worried about the cost and was trying to keep it down in case I don't succeed at taking the most fabulous photos. Again, I am very fortunate because my husband is oblivious to the price if the functions are right. This results in a far superior camera for me...but still small and cute...and for him enough technical capabilities to keep him happy since he is a true photographer and knows what he is doing. So today I wait and study my 163 page manual I printed off the manufacturers website. Tomorrow I hope Mr. Brown of UPS will deliver my little jewel so that I might begin my new hobby of taking better photos with better composition, lighting etcetera. I am beyond excited as you can tell by this lengthy post. I won't be able to retake this bracelet photo since I gave it away but I will do something comparable so we can see a "before and after" photo.

I also recognize the historic events of this country in today and tomorrow as we celebrate Martin Luther King and our new president Barack Obama and the challenges we all face together.