New Earrings...

I have been busy in my studio playing with some of my beads and making earrings.
Now my task this week is to get them listed in my etsy shoppe. This always seems to be such a chore for me. First the photography which I really do not enjoy keeps holding me back. Then the actual writing of the description is always tricky...say enough but not too much.
So by posting here I am forcing myself to be accountable to follow through and get them listed.
This first pair is charming with the little bee "tasting" the honey hued Swarovski crystal beneath the Czech flower bead.

I had purchased some new antique copper findings and wanted to put them together with some interesting beads. French pierced earwires with black Obsidian hearts and Czech Vitrail Glass Flower cone beads, Swarovski crystals and antique copper spacers are stunning in person.

These are very simply done using silver-plate earwires, blue-green glass beads, Swarovski crystals and Turquoise nuggets. I kept the drop length on each of these pairs to just about one inch.

This is probably the most interesting pair using the antique copper findings. I paired Fancy Jasper hearts with true Sedona Red Rock barrel beads purchased while in Sedona earlier this year. Of course now I am wondering why I didn't buy lots more of these unique Red Rock beads. It is said that Sedona Red Rock beauty awakens spirit and the energy that is created gives rise to a heightened awareness and enhanced appreciation for life. Wow! If you have ever visited Sedonna and been in the presence of the Red Rocks you would definitely agree that the entire area is aweinspiring.

Wonderful week to all...many of you are busy packing for those fall trips...many preparing the little ones for back to school...and some of you very busy in your studios making fabulous art.

Me? I will be enjoying each day of our perfect summer we have been having here in Northern California. I spent Saturday at the local Farmers Market and then volunteering at our Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. It was a day filled with meeting lots of interesting folks from all over. I always enjoy my day.

Now I must get on task and work my list of to do items...Hugs to all...

Celebrations...Birthdays, Graduations, Anniversaries

May continues to be a very busy month. Lots of celebrations happen in May.
This wicker bottle carrier was perfect for a bottle of celebration champagne. I decorated the carrier with a row of ribbon around the bottom edge. Then I glued on a row of dark silk rose leaves. Next a row of pink silk rose buds. A couple of the leaves on the handle top. Done. Unfortunately I neglected to photo the finished carrier with the champagne and some fun polka dot tissue and a homemade gift tag tied with ribbon to the bottle. Even Mr. C thought this turned out looking great.

I made a neclace and earring set for the birthday lady. She likes bling and that is what this has. It is also adjustable and can be worn at many different lengths. The earrings are about 1 inch in length and compliment the necklace. This photo truly does not show the bling of the crystals.

Here is a closeup view of the many crystal dangles and the heart charm for love. No idea if the birthday lady liked it as the gifts weren't opened at the celebration party.

I make things that I personalize to the recipients taste and this should be just right. Lots of bling and glitz and flexibility in wearing it for daytime or nighttime.

My muse and I are really missing the creative side of making jewelry. Maybe I should get the beads out more often.

A new week...they seem to be passing by very quickly.

Very cold weather however the snow is melting and the rain is not so bad.

Makes for a great day to work indoors with organizing and prepping in the studio. Oh and about seven loads of laundry. Isn't Monday considered "wash day". I don't know who snuck their laundry into mine but I am determined to get it all done! At least for a day or so. :o)

Happy and productive week to all...

Snow Inspiration=Pure Sparkle...

In honor of all our recent snow I thought I would show you one of the necklace and earrings sets I recently made. I titled it Pure Sparkle. As you can see by this close up shown on one of my hats I love working with lace in my jewelry. This combination of stick pearls, Swarovski crystals and lace really do sparkle when in the sun or lovely lighting.

Here is a view showing the clasp which is beautiful all on its own. The perfect compliment to the beads used in this necklace.

Here is the necklace and earrings together. The sparkle does not show in these photos. You really must see this in person to get the full effect of sparkle, shine and glimmer.

Have you worked with stick pearls?

With all of our weather I am spending time indoors going through some drawers and organizing them. It is like a treasure hunt as I find my personal treasures I have. Yesterday I found some fun things I will share in the future.
I am so happy that March is here and I can experience the days staying light later which gives me more energy. I am hoping our rain storm we are having will help to melt the snow and wash it away so I might be able to enjoy my daffodils which were just beginning to bud when they got buried under 4 feet of snow last week. I do so love the bright yellow blooms as they really do give me hope that Spring will be here even if for a very short time as we always get snow in April and May.

I am off to my studio to work on a small project.

May you have a wonderful and super creative day that brings you much joy.

Happy creating...

Staying Productive...

I am feeling quite productive as I am busy making these earrings for my shop. I promised myself for the year 2010 that I will focus and work on my creative skills.
This pair is lovely green glass millefiore heart shaped beads with Swarovski crystals dangling from sterling silver French ear wires. The nature of these glass beads are each unique and therefore the slightly different flower colors on each heart.

A deep saphire blue color using the Italian millefiore glass heart beads. Too bad the photo doesn't really show the beautiful colors as true blue.

Another pair of glass lampwork heart beads in an aqua blue color. A tag I made for easy display of the earrings.

I feel so happy to be making some jewelry for my Adorn Me! design line. These earrings are sweet and simple.

How quickly this year is rushing along and I am amazed that June is almost over. With all the day to day activities and how busy our long summer days are for outdoor enjoying with the longer sunshine it does feel so good to spend some time in the studio and work towards my personal goals.

Doesn't it just feel so good to be in your creative space using your hands and the tools of your craft to make something unique and beautiful and special?

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.

Another Gift Given...

Now I can show you another project I worked on, have given and has been received. My very sweet cousin has been having some difficult life issues and recently had her husband pass away while she is dealing with her ailing mother and father whom live with her. Her father, my uncle, is with hospice care so time is short. I wanted to give her something she could wear and that would bring a smile to her day. So as you can see in the above photo I got out the supplies to make her a pair of earrings. Very simple and sedate as that is what she would like.

Then I thought I would stamp and color a tag to mail them with. The roses are done with a packing tape transfer that is so simple and fun to do. I purposefully made the colors bright and intense as it was still gray and dreary winter when I sent these. She and I both have similar weather even though we live in two different states. She likes the snow and we all know I like the hot sun. LOL

A small coin envelope on the back side of the tag to hold the earrings for safe journey through the mail. Of course I also wrapped these in pattern tissue which is my new favorite and tied them with ribbon and sent the package in a card and padded envelope.

And here we have the finished earrings. Turquoise nuggets and beads. My cousin loves them. What a great feeling it gives me to know that she is wearing them and that she really does love them. She even got a new blouse that matches perfectly.

I am so happy that you like these my sweet cousin.

Studio time beading...

Today I spent time in my studio and it felt great. I have been promising myself to complete an old task before starting a new one. Doesn't that sound familiar? Well today I did just that. I restrung a necklace that was very old and fraying.

About fifteen years ago my daughter hand beaded these lovely earrings for me. So I beaded a very simple necklace to go with them. Long ago when I would bead it was popular to use dental floss to string with as it was affordable and very strong. In fact it did last for at least a dozen years before becoming frayed.

I got out the supplies: needle, nymo beading thread, pliers, spare beads (for the ones I drop and can't find on the floor lol), scissors and bead threader/cutter. I can't imagine why I kept putting this task off as it was very simple and didn't take long to complete at all.

Now I have kept my promise to myself and completed an old task that was just always hanging over me. I feel so much better for having finished this. I am ready to wear these earrings and necklace and due to the beautiful pastel colors they will be very nice during the hot weather we will still have this summer.

Thank you daughter for continuing our family legacy of being creative and making beautiful things with your hands and heart.