Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - BooYa!!!!

I will remember last night for quite a while. It all came together. The image I had in my head actually came out of my fingers and I have an exact copy in front of me from what I saw in my minds eye.

Amazing.

I am so pleased - I can't stop smiling.

My blogger package came from Rings & Things, such an amazing selection this month. That wood chain had me at hello - and I had to get my hands on it.

Here is what I used -

From Rings & Things

Wood Chain, Disk and Loop (Ebony)*

Chain, Footage, Oval Curb, 10.5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated)*

Bead, Gemstone, 18x25mm Puffed Oval (Blue-Green Turquoise Magnesite)*

Bead, Filigree, 10mm Round (Antiqued Copper Plated)

Bead, Gemstone, Round, 6mm, AB-B Grade (Amethyst)

Artistic Wire™, 22g, 15yd (Natural Copper)

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

From Sedona Stones
One strand solid copper soldered jump rings, 10 mm

I threaded the copper chain through the links of the wooden chain, leaving about 2 1/2 inches or so of the copper chain at either end. I opened one of the links of the copper chain and attached it to the last wooden link so the wooden chain would not 'gather' in the middle of the necklace. That is the beauty of those copper links. They have a seam, and you can adjust the chain without having to cut away a link and waste it.

I secured the ends of the chain with a jump ring and attached a toggle to it. I added embellishments of copper links, amethyst, copper filigree beads, magnesite and carnelian to the copper chain to add some color and to keep your eyes moving. This piece is busy!

And here she is boys and girls -






This has been the BEST blogger challenge selection ever! Stop by Rings & Things blog and check out the links to other blog partners to see what they are doing with their packages. The inspiration is endless!!

Thanks Rings & Things and thank you Dave for your support and fabulous blogging community outreach!



*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

Developing your own style

I have been reading about "developing your own style" on Home Jewelry Business Success Tips site.

It is something I have been struggling with for some time. There are pluses to both. Developing a style and being recognized is quite the compliment but then you deal with a feeling of being limited or how to you ensure longivity?

If you expierement with several techniques is it possible to master them all? Do you specialize in one as a primary but still have a smattering of your other trials?

Part of me is vain enuff that I, think how cool would it be if someone were to see a necklace and say - oh wow that has to be a Just A Tish!

I don't want to be trapped with one style, I want to do it all!! I want to be self sufficient. I want to make professional looking clasps, ear wires, and set cabs. I think I lean more toward silver smithing than anything. But at the same time, I love stringing. Combining the two would be the perfect world for me I think - for now :)

In doing it all - the cost is outrageous, for what I want to do any ways. I need a workspace separate from my house. I need a torch, and a bench, and a grinding wheel, and a professional tumbler.

My husband says pick one thing and do it well

I think about this and there is a lot of weight to what he sez. I was looking thru my inventory and I think I have taken his words to heart. My inventory leans way toward necklaces than anything else. I make necklaces more than anything, most likely because I like to wear necklaces more than anything. Earrings are a bit boring to me - they are fun and cute, but i feel limited. Braceltes, are small necklaces for your wrist, if you think about it. They need to be smaller and more functional, due to the amount of people now that have desk jobs and typing and bracelets do not seem to mix from what I have been told.

Necklaces on the other hand, well other than the weight factor, can be so much. They can be snug at your neck or dance around your navel. Over the years, I have noticed I tend to make multistrand, bulky necklaces. I have the best time expressing an image or thought in my head thru necklaces.

So I will say, I have found my style, and I at the moment have not limited my self.

My style is necklaces. What is yours?


Some of my latest work