Some Rings & Things Fun!

Last Tuesday I got the greatest package from Rings & Things. My name had been drawn for the blogger challenge and I had received a big OH mess o' pendants.

Saturday I got a great idea for a focal for a bracelet and set to work. I wanted it to be big and clunky and funky. I started with the leather first. The leather and wood beads were not enuff to counter balance the focal.

Hrm - what can I add..... Using seed beads to make a connector or 'bale' for the beaded wrist band added some fun color and texture to the focal.





I made a wire wrapped loop connecting the toggle, and added the faceted Picasso glass bead for some flare, and attached the beaded strands to the other side of the wire wrapped loop.

21-340-29-011 - Donut, Gemstone, Square, 50mm (Green Aventurine) * - Rings & Things
(FPS-PI-OTU8) Fire-Polished Bead 8mm Opaque Turqoise Picasso beads * - Art Beads
29-555-10-901 - Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Brown Mix) - Rings & Things
43-148-03 - Bead Cap, Copper, Filigree, 11mm (Antiqued Copper) - Rings & Things
Czech fire polished glass beads - pink mix - Art Beads (They are out of this but you may find something you like better)
49-954-05-AC - Bead, Cast, Flower, 5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated) - Rings & Things
26-823 - Bead, Copper Plated, Triangle Heishi (Copper Plated) - Rings & Things
26-814-13 - Bead, Copper, Bicone, 3mm (Copper) - Rings & Things
39-190-14-8 - Clasp, Toggle, Cast, 15mm (Copper Plated) - Rings & Things
47-400-SP - Wire, Copper, 18g, Round, 50' (Solid Copper) - Rings & Things
Repurposed - Mookite chips, carnelian barrels and rhodonite heishi beads.





This was sooo much fun, I see more in my near future :)



*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

I Just Lost My Mind!!!!! - Rings & Things Blogger Challenge

Went to the mail box last nite and found a package from Rings & Things!!!! I couldn't wait to get into it and see what goodies came. Boy was I surprised! I ripped into it, curious about the weight of the package. This one was really heavy, what could it be!!???

Oh My (Censored) God!!!!

Do you see this?? Do you see all of these glorious pendants?!!? I lost it! This is better than Christmas!



21-341-34-034 - Pendant, Gemstone, Faceted Trillion, 45x50mm (Picture Jasper) *
21-340-29-034 - Donut, Gemstone, Square, 50mm (Picture Jasper) *
21-341-35-034 - Donut, Gemstone, Faceted Octagon, 50mm (Picture Jasper) *
21-341-33-034 - Pendant, Gemstone, Faceted Trapezoid, 50x43mm (Picture Jasper) *
21-340-32-189 - Donut, Gemstone, Square, 40mm (Silver Mist Jasper) *
21-341-33-092 - Pendant, Gemstone, Faceted Trapezoid, 50x43mm (Dumortierite) *
21-340-32-032 - Donut, Gemstone, Square, 40mm (Snowflake Obsidian) *
21-340-29-011 - Donut, Gemstone, Square, 50mm (Green Aventurine) *

I am a pendant fah-reek!! I love them. These are exceptional. The size and shapes are so fun. They are going to work great into any design.

Ok, and picture jasper - PICTURE JASPER!! How did you know it was one of my favorites? Did you know picture jasper helps create harmony, proportion, creative visualization, positive things in business pursuits. It brings and shows hidden messages from the past as well as hidden thoughts, fears, and hopes. These qualities make it useful as an emotional/psychological healing stone.

Do you see the silver mist jasper? I have been eyeballing it for sometime on Rings & Things site. I know I go on and on about different stones and that one is my favorite - I do love them all - but jasper has a special place in my heart.

Look at that Dumortierite! Dumortierite is used in the manufacture of high grade porcelain. It is sometimes mistaken for sodalite and has been used as imitation lapis lazuli. I can see where it would get confusing! Dumortierite enhances organizational abilities, self-discipline and orderliness. This enhancement is believed to be due to the effect it can have of balancing the throat chakra and enhancing communication between lower chakras/physical energy and the higher chakras/mental/spiritual energy. It highly reduces difficulties of scattered mind and disorganization. It has been used to help recovery from addiction and alcoholism. In addition, it encourages one to see and accept reality, and react to it in an intelligent manner in one's own behalf.

Snowflake obsidian, it absolutely stunning. The 'snowflakes' on this pendant are perfect, and so many! Snowflake obsidian has the property of bringing things to the surface. The things brought to the surface could be positive or negative, love, anger, secrets; but with snowflake obsidian, these things are brought to the surface more gently that they might be otherwise. Snowflake obsidian can provide balance during times of change. It aids in seeing patterns in life and recreating them in a more beneficial way. It is a stone of serenity and purity, and can shield against negativity.

And not to be over looked but that HUGE color enhanced aventurine. It is a monster!!! Aventurine is said to benefit one in all areas of creativity, and imagination, as well as intellect and mental clarity. Lore says that it enhances prosperity and brings career success. It is a gentle stone energetically that gives a sense of calm and balance and enhances happiness. It also helps one to see alternatives and potentials in all situations, giving a positive outlook, courage and inner strength. It is also said to bring luck, especially in games of chance. Green aventurine is also a mystical stone of prosperity. Aventurine bring friendship to one's life. It is also a stone of protection energies.

If you don't have an idea of how big 50mm is ......





Perfect ending to a not so perfect day!!
Thanks Rings & Things!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Rings & Things were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blog Partner Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Find out more about the Rings & Things Blog Partner Program

Building a Design - When is Enuff - Enuff?

My friend Jessie gave me several glass pendants she picked up at a street fair awhile back, and last nite I sat down to make something with them.

It all started simple enuff - a single strand of seed beads and aventurine beads. A group of seed beads separated by the aventurine. I didn't measure between or count beads - I call it my sorta symmetry :)


I can't leave well enuff alone - I always have to build and build. I have a problem with symmetry, (even sorta symmetry) it makes me yawn at times. I have to have things be busy - I'll chalk that up to my ADD - it has been a life long curse.

I added a second strand - keeping the idea similar, a group of seed beads and the quartz and crystal pattern.




But it didn't stop there. Oh no! I added a third strand. This strand is completely random. Aventurine chips and disks, copper, lapis, jade, quartz, seed beads and mookite. I wove (is that a word?) the third strand thru the design and sat back and smiled.


I love all of the color. I know we are going into fall but I can dream about spring already, can't I?

How do you build your designs? Can you stop? Do you have to keep adding? I would love to know!

It even looks better on - now I have to do something with my hair - the pink stripes are just not getting it :)

Just A Tish Designs presents - Just A Charm!!!

Just A Charm is my new line of a fun, whimsical, bit of everyday magic to accessorize you life.

The charms are natural gemstones hand wound onto silver plated or copper head pens.



Agate - Protection
Pearl - Faith
Lapis - Truth
Carnelian - Courage
Jade - Peace





Jasper - Tranquility
Aventurine - Luck
Amazonite - Health
Rose Quartz - Love

Each 'charm' is tied to a 26" black or brown hemp cord, and the rest is up to you!



Wear it on your wrist!

Use it as a book mark

Wear it around your neck!















Tie it to your belt
loop!

Tie it to your purse!!!
Wear it on your hat!!!


Change em up with your mood, your day, your activity, your agenda - it is up to you to make your own magic!!!!!

It's getting better all the time - necklace re dux

Last week I posted a picture of a necklace I had started, that just wasn't working out for me. I was very indifferent to the design and wanted something more.



I put out a call for help from all of my readers and got some great responses. While reading thru them ,the creativity cog started to squeal and grind and ideas start to roll. I tried adding a chunkier chain, but the chain was brass and just didn't fit. I tried adding a smaller focal of the green kyanite wrapped in copper to the top chain but it took away from the MOP. I added several more layers of the Figaro chain, but that chain is too light I think, and had a bit of a tangled look to it.

Working with the multi layers and the chains can be difficult sometimes to have a vision of how it will look when it is laying flat or pinned to a board. It doesn't always "flow" from flat to your neck. With that said, I broke down and bought a bust to use when working on draping necklaces and also to use as a display for photos and shows. What a difference it makes. It was well worth the investment. I went with black for photo reasons, and white just gets to dirty.

*think* *think*

When I removed the figaro chains, I also removed the top chain, and left just the one chain and the chunky outer layer - wow, what a difference. It was so simple and so perfect. I added a few little dangles to bring your eye down to the MOP focal as opposed to it just blaring at you and WAHLA!!!!



And yes, I am wearing it today!



Next time you are stumped on a design, ask a friend, you would be amazed at how just a few suggestions can get the creativity going again!

With a little help from my friends - Green kyanite necklace

I am at a crossroads and I need your help.

I am working on this necklace -



I want it to have the feel or look that you are wearing more than one necklace. A layering look. I love to pair up necklaces and wear several at a time. With this one, there is no effort, the one necklace does it for you.

I love this green kyanite. Kyanite is a personal favorite of mine. It is used for so many things. From fire bricks for kilns to brake pads to spark plugs to your very own porcelain bathroom sink! Did you know that??

I have an appreciation for kyanite and its everyday worth in our world, but I love it because of its properties. Kyanite brings loyalty, honesty and tranquility, and diminishes anger and confusion. Kyanite does not retain negative energy and never needs energetic cleansing. (1)





I paired the kyanite with peach aventurine and quartz. They compliment each other so well.

Aventurine benefits one in all areas of creativity, and imagination as well as intellect and mental clarity. It enhances prosperity and brings career success. It is a gentle stone energetically that gives a sense of calm and balance and enhances happiness. It also helps one to see potentials in all situations, giving a positive outlook, courage and inner strength. Aventurine brings friendship to one’s life.(2)

Honesty and friendship - I can't think of anything better :)

I did a simple wire wrap with copper on this mother of pearl pendant to create the focal.



Now I need to know what is missing. I keep looking at it scratching my head. It is two great looks, simple and clunky. It should work, right? Do I need to add dangles on the chain? Coins? Copper beads? Crystals? Would that flesh it out more? Do I need to separate the two and leave it at that?

What do I do?

Help me Bead-Oh-Wan-Kanobi, you're my only hope.



(1) from http://crystalsandjewelry.com/goodies/metaphysical/crystals
(2) from http://crystalsandjewelry.com/goodies/metaphysical/crystals

Rings & Things September Blogger Challenge - Faceted Fans

I wanted to make something with the package of faceted fans I had received from Rings & Things. The package was a mixed gemstone strand. Jasper, agate, aventurine, sodalite, quartz were all in that beautiful bounty on a string. This morning I set to work, and work I did!

I separated out the gemstones, one group was of blacks, whites, neturals, the other was more of a fall mixture. That is what I will show you first. I used the fans and what supplies I had on hand. I have listed similar items that can be found at Rings & Things.

Bead, Gemstone, 10x10mm Faceted Fan (Mixed Stone)

Chain, Footage, Flattened Long & Short, 3.4mm (Antiqued Copper Plated)

Clasp, Toggle, Cast, Fancy (Antiqued Bronze)

Head Pin, 2", Standard (Antiqued Brass)

Jump Ring, Round, 5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated)



I used three 7" links of chain



Played around with the layout



One way to remember where you want your beads to be, is attach a jump ring to the link of the chain as a marker.


Now that I know where my beads will go, I will put the fans on a head pin. A head pin? I hear you say, well of course. Most of the faceted fans I see are wrapped at the top, I wanted to mix it up a bit, and put the fans, sideways on a head pin. Thinking on a slant today.



Slide the bead onto a head pin. Use your chain nosed pliers and hold the head pin, keeping the pliers flush with the bead. Bend the wire to a 45 degree angle.



Bend the wire around the end of the pliers to start the loop.



There are two ways you can attach the wire wrapped fan to the chain. Thread the end of the wire thru the chain link you want to attach the fan too, and then finish the wrap



Or - make a wire wrapped looped with each of the fans, and then open the link of the chain and slide on the wire wrapped bead. This is my preference.



I love this chain just for that reason. Being able to separate the links minimizes any mistakes.



I used a jump ring to bring all the ends together and to attach it to the toggle.






As an after thought, I also added jump rings to the chain. It gives it a fun mechanical feel and adds more movement to the piece. I added them randomly, every 4 to 6 link of chain or so. With a cost of just under .02 cents each, why not play with them!







Don't condemn your findings to a utilitarian existence! Let them be part of the design as well. There are no rules to designing, only that you have fun doing it.

Speaking of findings, I put the toggle in the front of this necklace and attached the fans to it. I let the toggle be the focal and accented it with the beads.



I used eye pins for the wrap. The eye pins are a ready made loop. Attached jump rings to the toggle and the eye pin to the jump ring allowing the charms to move freely.







Then I did a more traditional style necklace using the faceted fans and triple chain.






There ya have it, a busy mornings work showcasing faceted fan gemstones from Rings & Things!

Friday quickie

Most of this week I have been working on a necklace using that fabulous Glass Chevron, 30mm Round Bead from Rings & Things for a focal.

I have been eluded - this necklace taunts me so. Three times I have tried to make what is in my head and still it lays in pieces parts. This morning, once again I took it apart and tried to make something come of it. I got three beads strung, *sigh* pushed up from my table and got another cup of coffee.

It just isn't happening.

I think I know why. I have had my "Purpose Pendants" on my mind all week as well. So many different designs are rolling thru my head, it is all I want to do. I made two new ones to try and quell this new obsession so I could start on my necklace, but to no avail.

Here are the two new pendants.

Creativity
Coral, aventurine, apatite and citrine all for creativity



Balance -
Iolite and agate for balance.
The double swirl is also the celtic symbol for balance.



My shutter stuck on the last shot, and this is what it took. I think it is a fun shot

Smoookin!!!


Don't forget to check back on Monday for more updates on the Artist Exchange!