Multi strand necklace - Ink and Pink

I am really liking these multi strand necklaces with the one random strand.




It has an elegant feel, is bold, but light. I like that you can just pile on the seed beads for a bulky look and not have to sacrifice your neck with all the weight. The only thing that was thought out in this whole design was the focal. I wanted it to be in that exact spot - other than that, it just happened.

I gave this to my sister in law. She is one of my biggest fans.

Blue Baubles - Rings and Things blogger challenge

I am so hooked on these free form wire wrap bracelet designs. I want to make them all the time. I have several ideas in my head, and I need practice, so this morning, I wanted to work with the blue set of shell pearls from Rings & Things.

I used:

29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
29-555-16-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 16mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *
Black - Designer Assorted Beads*
47-406-SP 22 ga copper wire
47-408-SP 20 ga copper wire
47-202-SP 14 ga red brass wire
Seed beads

I had some artistic wire from a bucket of goodies from my mother in laws things. I used it as a color accent. The fun thing about this artistic wire, it is coated copper. So as the coating wears off, it will match the rest of the bracelet. Will be a cool look too.





I made these earrings to compliment the bracelet - they are a bit heavier than I normally wear, but for sitting around the office they are ok.



And I couldn't help it!! I had to wear it today!!!!



*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

Queen of Hearts Furnace Glass - Art Beads challenge

While working on the necklace from yesterday's post, (which I wore out last nite and got a lot of compliments!! ) I noticed the Queen of Hearts furnace beads* holes were not consistent. The holes varied, small to large, from bead to bead. I used the TOHO™ Bead Round 6/0 Opaque-Lustered Pearl White * as 'bumpers' to keep the beads from sliding down the seed beads (which gives me an idea for another necklace)

That got me to thinking - I wonder if they will fit on leather....

So I tried it, and yup sure enuff - they fit.

I cut three pieces of leather and knotted before and after each bead. Then folded the ends thru a jump ring and wrapped them in place with some silver plated wire I had. Next I braided the leather to jumble it up some.

Added the Antique Silver Heart Scroll Bead as a dangle by wire wrapping them to the bracelet with silver plated head pins.



Even tho it has hearts, and red - I don't feel it screams Valentines day. To me , it is more of a style that says you got a bit of heart under there, and if people would just give you a chance you could show just how big that heart is.

These beads and more can be found at ArtBeads.com, and while you are browsing, Don't forget -

Artbeads' 10th Anniversary Sweeps

Sweepstakes Starts January 06, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PST)

Sweepstakes Ends March 04, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

Good luck and happy shopping!!


*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.

Valentines day - The Art Beads Way!

I showed you the fun beads I received from ArtBeads in this previous post and this morning I found the time I have been looking for all week to sit down and create. I fell in love with the Queen of Hearts Fire Design Furnace Glass* as soon as I laid eyes on their shiney cylindrical goodness and used them for the bulk of this design.

I combined two strands by double stringing random beads with the beading wire. What this means is, I strung the first strand randomly, then as I strung the second strand, I would run the wire thru a few of the beads of the first strand and then continue to string it randomly as well. The third strand I weaved (wove?) thru the 'loops' made from the double stringing. These three strands were a random mix of the Queen of Hearts furnace glass* , along with beads I had purchased from ArtBeads 4mm Fire Polish Mix Red Tones (50 Pack), TOHO™ Bead Round 6/0 Opaque-Lustered Pearl White 8g Bag, and added some great accent beads from my inventory - red Czech glass, sterling daisies, Czech black glass, and a black designer seed bead mix.

I added two separate red strands of seed beads, one I weaved thru the gaps again, and the second I made a bit shorter to show off the Sterling/Resin 16mm Pendant - Red XOXO Flowers*
The pendant is attached to the necklace with a jump ring making it easy to detach if I want something less 'valentiney' and more basic. I love the versatility of it.

With the tangle and the firey reds and the smokey grays - it reminds me of a firey love affair. So I have named it - Torrid Tangle - which seems to be fitting.




I am working on earrings and a bracelet using the Queen of Hearts collection from the selection of Fire Designs collection of furnace beads at ArtBeads. I'll show you those tomorrow!


These beads and more can be found at ArtBeads.com, and while you are browsing, Don't forget -

Artbeads' 10th Anniversary Sweeps

Sweepstakes Starts January 06, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PST)

Sweepstakes Ends March 04, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

Good luck and happy shopping!!


*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.

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge -

I finally got some time to myself and sat down to play :)

I had this fun elastic bracelet of onyx and quartz with a honkin' jasper focal. The bracelet is too tight and I thought I would re string it so I would wear it more. After I had popped it, the thought process began. I began to build a new bracelet using the filigree I had received from Rings & Things. The bracelet turned into a necklace. I couldn't stop adding things!

From the items I received from Rings & Things, here is what I used.

*44-165-9 - Fancy space - gunmetal - filigree

*44-150-9 - Filigree harvest - gunmetal

I was concerned about the gunmetal coating on the filigree that it may flake off. I was very impressed in the production of these items. They held up very well and I didn't nick the finish at all.

*28-000-002-021 - 8mm faceted roundelle - black

*28-000-001-021 - 10mm faceted puffed coin -black

I like these little beads. They have some heft to them, it gives them a bit of a crystal feel. I don't feel like I will break or chip them when working with them.

I used symmetry for a change in this piece. I wanted the design to balance out the pattern of the focal. The pattern on the focal, looks like someone playing the piano, can you see it? They are bent over concentrating on the piece, playing away. In my head it is a loud crashing song, music that would portray a summer thunder storm.


Here is a close up of the filigree




I love the three strands of sterling that close out the design. You can see the music flowing thru the piece. The filigree is the swell of the music, the thunder and the lightening, softening back down to the faceted chinese glass, the rain. It swells one last time on the second filigree, the last clap of thunder and then lightly travels out the shiney strands of sterling chain. The clouds break, the sun shines thru and the rain slowly stops.


My designs are so much more to me than beads on a string, what do yours mean to you?



*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

Rings & Things Blogger Packet

I got my December blogger packet from Rings & Things. Was some fun stuff!!




*20-565 -White bamboo coral - short branch, valued at: $2.00, 16" strand
*44-940-52-AG - Antiqued gold plated TierraCast swallow, valued at: $9.75/10
*49-940-05-4 - Gold plated TierraCast connector frame, valued at: $16.30/10

*44-165-9 - Fancy space - gunmetal - filigree, valued at: $5.25/12
*44-150-9 - Filigree harvest - gunmetal, valued at: $3.65/12

A mix of -
*28-399-06-232 - 5) 6mm faceted round - ruby, valued at: $2.00, 16" strand
*28-000-001-252 - 4) 10mm faceted puffed coin - red, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-003-252 - 6) 8mm faceted helix -siam, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-002-252 - 5) 8mm facted roundelle - siam, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-002-021 - 11) 8mm facted roundelle - black, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand

*28-000-003-021 - 3) 8mm facted helix - black, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-001-021 - 3) 10mm faceted puffed coin -black, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand

Fun hearts - pre order exclusive!!!
*28-335-13 - 16x20mm 'love' heart, red/white, valued at: $13.50, 16" strand
*28-335-12-02 - 2) 16x20mm 'dotted' heart, pink/white/blue, valued at: $13.50, 16" strand
*28-335-11-02 - 2) 16x20mm 'crisscross' heart, pink/white/blue, valued at $13.50, 16" strand

Not listed on the site but similar to the pre order exclusives: (you saw them here first!!!)
* 1 white/red 'hot' heart, similar to this one

The items in this packet were not labeled. I had a blast searching Rings & Things site and looking for all the information to pass along to you. Rings & Things is defiantly on track for the upcoming celebration holiday of valentines day with these beauties. So cute and so many ideas going thru my head.

I will combine some for sure, but I may use some individually with my existing inventory. The heart beads would be great on leather for that tween look, classic earrings with the filigree and glass, coral and heart beads for a multi strand bracelet and that is just a start!

What would you make with all these great goodies?!!?!


*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

Finding treasures

I found these on the road while i was out walking the dogs this morning -



Wonder if i can do anything with these - *think* * think*

*snap*

I dug thru my glorious basket of randomness and found some fun things that didn't ness-seh-celery go together but they were fun none the less.

Here is what I came up with -



I used waxen linen cord and some ribbon for the necklace cord. I braided them together and added random beads into the braid. About half way thru, i slipped on the pendant and continued with the braid. The pendant is made of the washer some colored wire and beads.



closer look at the braids and beads :) (sometimes i get tickled, dont ask)





I put the ends thru a jump ring, and then folded them over and did a tight wrap to secure the end of the necklace.




Just a closer look at the focal.

we are going out tonite to celebrate our roommates b'day - i think i need to bust out the kilt and combat boots and wear this.

Just for fun

I love making rings. They all come out so different even if i try to duplicate them.

This is some recent fun.