Bohemian Style Jade and Brass Bracelet - Love

Jade is a lovely stone with a lovely meaning - love.

A lot of times the designs doesn't come to me, until I have picked out the stone.  In this case, I was cleaning and I found the Chinese coin charm, not thinking, I pitched the charm up onto my work bench and kept doing what I was doing. As I moved this there and piled that there, I kept moving the charm around as well. Every time I picked it up, I wanted to stop and make jewelry. I could see it in my head. Finally I succumbed to the pressure, and sat down and started to work. I came together so quick. Simple design, with simple aspects, but such a big message.

Love.

Here is a little bit more about what some say Jade means:

Jade is a stone of the heart.  It can attract and enhance love of all kinds. It is also a stone of fidelity and generosity. It is also considered to be good for the physical heart and for emotional balance and stability. It is used in crystal healing for increasing self-reliance. Jade is also very helpful as a stone of abundance. 

So what ever you are doing today - dont' forget to love yourself!!!

What is This in The Mail From Rings & Things?

Last week I got the most awesome surprise in my mail box. A package from Rings & Things! Rings & Things sent me a sample pack of their new web exclusive raw brass blanks. All sizes and shapes!

*blink* *blink*

What brought this on?  I am THRILLED!!!

Not too long ago, I used to work closely with Rings & Things, and review products for them. It was a fun trade off. They would send me a surprise pack of goodies, and I would in return write about each product. It was a win win!Several of my creations, inspired by the goodie bags from Rings & Things, were published in Bead Trends Magazine (which is sadly no more). I got exposure, and Rings & Things got free advertising, because I listed them as my material source. It was so much fun.

It looks like Rings & Things may be starting up their blogger program again. In the letter, Anne says "We want to work closer with designers, getting products to you that will hopefully get you exposure in beading magazines........"

Stay tuned! More posts coming to show off these cool brass blanks and the glorious creations that come from these Rings & Things inspirations.


It is on kids - on like Donkey Kong. 

Fun Earrings from a Broken Bracelet!

My mom is the best at finding me the best things to create from. She is always at flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales looking for little treasures to send to me. I have had this one for a couple of years, just waiting for the right inspiration. I love this bracelet so much, that it honestly was hard to not just fix it and wear it. But I wanted to give it new life.

Once I sat down, it didn't take too much effort to start putting these earrings together.

They have a bit of weight to them, that gives them the best swing. I feel sassy :)

I was watching one of my favorite movies while making these - Say Anything - Have you seen it? Do you see the 80's influence?

"Chicken Slayer" Viking Pendant Necklace

A couple weeks ago I got the visit of a lifetime. My friend Jenny, of whom I had never met face to face, but we have been dear friends online for nearly 10 years, came to visit me from Sweden!!! We had 10 glorious days together doing everything we could think of and then some. We definitely didn't waste anytime, we were always busy. She brought me the greatest little gifts. One of them was this little brass pendant. She thought I could do something with it. The pendant is a replica of Viking jewelry. I got really excited when I looked at the pendant, because there was a dragon on it. She politely told me - "It is a chicken darling"

I am still not convinced


I couldn't wait to sit down and get to work on this. I paired up the pendant with this large TierraCast bead I have been hoarding for so long from Rings and Things , they no longer have it on their site :(

I knew I had to use iolite. Iolite is known by some as 'The Viking' stone. The vikings cut slabs of iolite very thin and held it up to the sky on very cloudy/foggy days to find the sun and help them navigate their ships. Iolite is also one of my favorite stones. So to incorporate that into the piece has even more meaning. I added rainbow obsidian and tourmaline, with little brass cap accents. I used seed beads to separate the beads, which also allows the design to have a better flow

I also wanted this to be a simple design, to compliment the 'age' of the pendant.

I am so excited about this piece. It has been a while since I have made something for myself. I am thrilled by this gift from my friend, and can't wait to wear it!

What do you think? Chicken or Dragon?

Peace and Love - Messages from a stone necklace

I love being inspired by one component of a design and starting the build from there. The glass heart pendant started this design. The green in the glass was a perfect compliment to the sandy colors of the jasper beads. Jasper is the stone of gentleness and nurturing. It is said to bring joy. Why not pair it up with that heart, and wear your heart out for all to see and bring joy to those around you!

The little brass clasp with the peace symbol - didn't take much to push me in that direction :) Amethyst, fluorite, apatite and tourmalated rose quartz. Coupled with the lampwork heart - all speak peace.

I added the blue shell that I found on the beach as a personal touch, and now I am a bit torn about it... Should I change it up? Does it need a different focal? Should I stop over analyzing it?

Lucite Petal Dangle Bracelet

It is the middle of August, and in my mind summer is over.

No Sir, I dont' like it.

I am not ready for it to be over - it has gone too quick. No time for vacations, camping, beach, riding or back yard cook outs. How did I let this precious few months slip by me?

My name was drawn a year or so ago on a blog give away, and I won these cute lucite petals and leaves. I have had them sitting in my supplies and couldn't figure out what to do with them. Todays rebel against the end of summer brought on this design.

How do you fight the end of summer, or do you let it go with a gentle wave and cheer on fall?

Inexpensive Glamor

I got a mix bag of acrylic beads from Firemountain Gems a while back, and have had so much playing with them.
There is a great source of inspiration in this fun little mix.

This is my latest creation using those acrylic beads, and adding some chain, and black stone.

Simple, inexpensive and oh so glamorous!

Random fun - wire wrapped cuff

Had some fun working on a new wire cuff design. Instead of 'trying' to have a bit of a theme or color scheme - I just used random beads. Another great idea of what to do with your 'left overs'


















Here is a close up
















It fits nice and snug and literally goes with everything :) Is fun to look at because I can see left over beads from various pieces I have worked on. Is like a fun memory bracelet of projects past.

Wire Wrapped Cuff Fun

Over the weekend when I am at the market - I make jewelry to pass the time. I love making these cuffs because the have a direction of their own, and I don't feel like I may loose my place if I put it down. The design is random and goes where it will.

Black Cuff






Springtime cuff






I used 14 ga red brass wire for the framework of the cuff and then used 20 ga and 22 ga copper wire from Rings & Things to wrap the beads into place.

I am on the lookout now for some fun, big focal beads so I can make more cuffs!!

Spring Fling bracelet - Art Beads Blog Partner

This is one idea that came to my mind and I immediately set down to work.
At first I wanted to group all the pink drops on the center brass link, but the wire wasn't long enuff, and I didn't feel they would be secure. I haven't quite figured out how to work with the pink drops, they remind me of something that would be used in a floral design.

I purposely turned the brass ovals opposite of each other so you can see both sides of the link, and not have to worry if the bracelet is put on upside down or turns on your wrist and shows the underside of the link. I didn't have any brass wire, so I used the brass as part of the focal and used the copper wire to bring it all together. I love mix and match :)

It is fun with a nice drape and the dangles make me happy.


These items I got from Art Beads -
PBA-LX021 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Abstract Oval Link *
CR-RL207 5x4mm Emerald/Wasabi Mix Roundelle Strand *
VIN-0041 Pink Glass Teardrop Vintage Patina Copper Head Pin *

From my inventory -
Copper131 Copper rings - Sedona Stones
47-408-SP 20 ga copper wire - Rings & Things
47-402-SP 14 ga copper wire - Rings & Things

Soon I am going to learn how to work my camera and have the whole picture in focus - but that is another day and another cup of coffee.

*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.

Spring furnace glass fun with Art Beads!

Gumdrops and Easter, jonquils and daffodils, this is a celebration of spring from Art Beads!!
I kept the design simple wanting the cluster of furnace glass to get all of the attention. And you know how I am about that furnace glass!!!


Here are the components from ArtBeads.com that went into this necklace -
PBA-LX003 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Clover Shape Heart Link *
PBA-LX021 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Abstract Oval Link *
BBACH08 Antique Brass-Plated Figaro Chain *
CR-RL207 5x4mm Emerald/Wasabi Mix Roundelle Strand *
FD-SPRING SPRING MIX Fire Designs Hand Blown Furnace Glass Approx 1oz *
VIN-0041 Pink Glass Teardrop Vintage Patina Copper Head Pin *
BBA-HP15 1.5-inch Antique Brass-Plated 23 Gauge Head Pin 24 *


The holes in the furnace glass beads are large, so I used the green glass and seed beads as 'stoppers' and it was also a nice addition to the dangles. Gave it a bit more depth.

Bam! In your face colors of Spring!!


It explodes from your neck with bright springtime colors



Am starting to put away my sweaters and break out my short sleeve shirts. Can't wait to wear this!

*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.

Bracelet idea with earring components!

I had some free time this morning, waiting on my buddy to call me, and got to work on this idea that has been rolling around in my head. A few days ago I wrote a post showing the great mix of fun and random components from Lisa of A Bead A Day. She had sent me this great goodie package in trade for a bracelet I had made.

I immediately fell in love with the wooden earring blanks. The color is so rich I couldn't wait to make some thing with it. I couldn't make earrings tho - I needed to do something else.

I chose one of the fun freshwater pearls for the focal and accented it with garnet. I LOVE garnet and bronze/copper together.





I loved the idea of the multi chain on the bracelet and left the chain long for some fun dangles.



The more I worked with this - the more I think I want to make a necklace out of it instead :)



This was so much fun to do, and an opportunity I would not have had if I hadn't of traded with Lisa. Stop by my blog entry about Share your Wares, it could be just the item you have been looking for!

Free form free for all - wire wrap bracelet

I am so excited about this, I nearly wet my pants!

Heather at Beadin Path posted a link on twitter a while back about some fun classes they are going to be doing. One of them was for this awesome wire wrapped cuff. I wanted to go sooooo bad....ROAD TRIP!


I covet this bracelet and the mad skills to be able to create it and the wondrous vision that inspired this piece.

I had previously purchased some wire from Rings & Things, and didn't know exactly what I was going to make with it. Some great 14 ga red brass wire, and several spools of copper wire, varying in gauge. Now I knew :) I wasn't for sure how to begin this project. I don't have a bracelet mandrel, wasn't sure how to shape it, but I dove in anyway. I dug thru my beads and picked a color scheme and laid out a pattern on the table. I wanted to work with the blues but I wanted to add a bit of something, something that would 'pop'. I still had one of the criss cross lampwork hearts* from Rings & Things' blogger challenge and it fit perfectly!

Made a simple curl on the ends of the wire and wrapped the two pieces together with 22 ga copper wire. Ran the wrap up the wire and began to incorporate beads. The brass wire is easy to coax around beads to give it a more free form, oh lets say "organic" look.


Wrapping the copper wire around brass wire gives stability to the cuff, a contrast in color, and allows you to weave several different shapes and sizes of beads into the design. The copper wire almost had a mind of it's own while I was wrapping it. I let the wire go where it wanted to, and added beads accordingly.



I am really happy with this wire. It is stout enuff to hold a design, and malleable enuff where it doesn't hurt my hands to work with it. I eye balled the lengths of wire to make the cuff, based on my own wrist size. Not good in hind sight, there has to be a way to measure it better. Will work on it.



It's not perfect yet, it is a bit short and doesn't sit on my wrist like I want it to, but it was so much fun to make, I can't wait to start another one!


*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 challenge

I was going for a summery design with this piece. It is fun and full of texture with the bamboo coral. This is one of the pieces that just fell together as I worked. All of the pieces were right there in reach and I didn't have to hunt for that perfect component. Don't you love when that happens?

*20-565 -White bamboo coral - short branch
Re purposed beads from a necklace
Brass chain
Hemp

I tied knots in the hemp cord randomly and added the re purposed beads between the knots.
I attached the hemp to the toggle ring by pushing the cord thru the ring and then securing it with a wrap of brass colored wire.

I anchored a piece of beadalong to the toggle and strung on the coral beads with more of the re purposed beads.

Then with jump rings I attached a length of the brass chain.








This one is a 'Take me out I sizzle' necklace. A random design embracing chaos. It is one that says "I take chances" or "You better keep up if you want to hang with me" statement.
*28-399-06-232 - 5) 6mm faceted round - ruby
*28-000-001-252 - 4) 10mm faceted puffed coin - red
*28-000-003-252 - 6) 8mm faceted helix -siam
*28-000-002-252 - 5) 8mm facted roundelle - siam
*28-000-002-021 - 11) 8mm facted roundelle - black
*28-000-003-021 - 3) 8mm facted helix - black
*28-000-001-021 - 3) 10mm faceted puffed coin -black
Waxed linen

I cut 6 lenghts of 25" of waxed linen. Separated out the beads into six groups and tied them onto the linen cord randomly. I added the red seed beads to break it up some and also some of the beads have very large holes and would slide over the knots. Folded the ends over a jump ring and secured them with a wire wrap. This and easy peasy design. Quick to make.




*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

Red is the rage with vintage lucite

I have recently had an awakening about red. In my mind it is only seen around Christmas or Valentines day. It may be because I am not a fan of red and find it a real challenge to work with.
Valentines day is approaching and I am struggling to not 'theme' my jewelry. I feel frustrated and limited and I don't want to pigeonhole myself into a design based on a single holiday. I didn't want to theme it with hearts, for fear of 'holiday overkill'.

Conveniently I have some luscious vintage red beads from Beadin Path Designer blogger program, that I have been wanting to work with. I pulled them out and used them as the focal beads for this design. They really do set of the necklace. The bold red mixed in with the white, pale pinks and purples makes your eyes move thru the design. I am not fond of the wrapping I did for the focal. I wanted to accent the focal and not get too carried away with the wire, but it seems to be lacking something. I will have to re work that.



It is a fun double layer necklace, using bronze and antiqued copper chain. (the bronze chain is what my daughter sent me for Christmas) The vintage beads are the LUC4759RD - Vintage Italian Lucie Marbled Red w/ White - 12mm rounds * and LUC4869OR Transparent Hyacinth Barrel Bead 12 x 14 mm *. I have also added glass pearls, lampwork, purple turquoise and faceted opalite. I like the bronzy tones with the red. It appears warmer, giving it a more year round feel, where when I laid it out with silver, it had a very Christmas feel to it.



Red for Valentines day
Red for firecracker summer celebrations
Red for the change of the leaves in the fall
Red for Christmas

Red is all year!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Beadin Path were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Beadin Path Design Partners. These items are for review or design purposes.

Hello Tiffany - Beadin Path Design Partner

I received a great selection of vintage lucite beads from Beadin Path as part of the design partner program. What to do? What to do!

I wanted to do a look that was inspired by a vintage look, but that would also be hot with todays jewelry trends.

I used the LUC4809YL - Vintage Lucite Topaz Quad Cut Cube - 12mm for this necklace and added pearls, lampwork, and faux pearls from my supplies. I tied this all together with hand wound links of brass and copper and hung it all on a brass chain.

I love breaking the rules and pushing the envelope with my styles. Mixing the metals and the pearls to some is a huge no-no, but for me, it sets the necklace in a category all it's own.

Stunning.

Filigree Earring How To

This is a quick and easy fun little earring how to. These have an almost victorian look to them.

What you will need.

2 - Filigree, Angel Wings (Antiqued Copper Plated) - Rings & Things
24 - Head Pin, 1.5", Thin (Antiqued Brass Plated) - Rings & Things
2 - Eye Pin, 1.5", Thin (Antiqued Brass) - Rings & Things
6 - Jump Ring, Round, 5mm (Antiqued Brass Plated) - Rings & Things
24 - 3x5 faceted citrine roundells - Sedona Stones
2- Antique Brass-Plated Plain Earwire - ArtBeads



Put 22 of the citrine roundells on the head pins and make a basic loop at the top of each bead. Trim the tails.



Slightly open the loop and add the 'charms' to the filigree - I have made a chart to show you where they go.



Now turn the filigree over and attach a jump ring to each of the points.



Connect the two jump rings with one more jump ring



Slide one of the remaining roundells onto the eye pin and create a wire wrapped loop at the top of the bead.



Trim the tail. Pry the eye pin loop apart slightly and attach it to the topmost jump ring on the filligree.



Add your earring wire and there you have it kids!!

Simple Treasures

Glue-able Challenge 4 & 5 - FINALLY

Like a lot of my designs, they come to me when I sleep. I guess it is because I go to bed mulling over the events of the day, and starting my mental calendar for the next.

I woke up this morning and began to tear up the house looking for odds and ends to start this creation. There is nothing more frustrating than when I have an idea, and I can't find the parts. I hate waiting because I have to run out to the store. I want it now!

I have collected odds and ends to try and make this happen. All these things where to be displayed on the Brass Square Frame from Rings & Things - Stock #49-441-0
Old watch, confetti, filigree, tissue paper, and printed old photos found cruising Creative Commons. (if ya don't know what it is, check it out - too much fun)



I took the watch apart and used the gears - That was so much fun!!



Grabbed my trustie Mod Podge and started in. Put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the the Brass Square Frame. Cut a piece of tissue paper to fit inside the frame and applied it to the glue.




Cut out the picture, to look like a cameo of sorts, and glue it onto the tissue paper.



Decide what you want to go around the picture. I cut a piece of confetti in half to represent a broken heart. Then I placed the insides of the watch around the picture to represent time. I added some filigree for a fun touch. Did a thin layer of the glue on top

There you have it - Time Heals A Broken Heart.




And now for something completely different!!



OMG! I LOVE THIS! - I was bad, and I didn't glue, I konw it was a 'glue-able' theme, but I have had this idea bumping around for over a week, and I had to get it out. I took a bunch of bright fun fabric and cut it into strips - bout 2 1/2".






Now ball up the strips and roll them around in your palms like you are making a ball. This will stress the fabric and make it crumbled and frayed.



Tie the pieces onto the links of the bracelet. Two per side of the link.



And when it is finished you have a fuzzy, wild colored, soft, fun bracelet! I am thinking about sewing on some crystals to give it some shine.



I am wearing it today - dont' look at my hairy arms you will give me a complex.....