"Karma Clusters" Keeping the Design Simple

While I do like my jewerly to make a statement all on its own, I am finding a new appreciation for the simplicity of a design as well.

I love these small clusters on a simple chain. They don't over do it, and the colors I am using are not bold. This is the versatile choice - perfect for dressing up, to the office, or everyday.

This one is made up of rhodonite, amethyst, fluorite, rose quartz and coral. Peace and Love - who wouldn't want this with them everyday!

Celebrating 'Get Organized Month' With A Giveaway! - Closed

It's not that I am not motivated - I am - really.
What I am not is organized.

Because I am not organized, I am making more work for myself. I bought storage tubs, and shelving - but I didn't organize my tubs. I just put things in the tubs, to get stuff off my work area, and clear my computer desk. When I want to start project, I have to dig thru tubs trying to find what components I want to use and get everything collected.

Now a lot of my problem is - I don't throw anything away. Everything can be used to create something..... right - scraps of colored paper, rubber bands, memory chips, washers, fishing lures, it all gets collected, and tubbed. (This is a complete contradiction for the rest of my house - I throw everything away)(strange bird I am)

In celebration of 'Get organized month' I am giving away stuff!!! I am doing stuff a little differently this time. I have three different categories I giving away from, supplies, stones, and jewelry. I will draw a name from the comments below and from my Facebook fan page - The winner can take it all or can choose what they want. If the first winner does not take the whole package- I will draw another name, and they same thing - they can take it all or part, which in turn I will draw one final name.

Here is a mess of stuff:
Beaded border
Buttons
Copper bead caps
Copper end cones
Porcelain pendants
Glass pendants
Raspberry 'Quartz' glass beads
Stoneware beads
Coral strands
Mookaite strand




Or a grouping of tumbled stones that all share a creative property ( along with success )
Amazonite, citrine, carnelian, and howlite



OR!! A single wire, copper cuff, your choice of colors!



OMG HOW DO I GET IN ON THIS!!! I hear you say :)

1. Comment on this blog or on the Facebook note entry (or both:)(let me know)
2. Repost - blog or link back to this from your facebook page (let me know)
3. Tweet it (let me know)

That is five ways you can enter!!!
I'll even ad entries if you are creative and get the word out about this give away above and beyond what is listed here (let me know)

I'll be drawing the winner(s) name June 20, 2011

Good luck kids!!!!

*edit* - I have added more to the give away categories, can ya stand it!

More Copper Bangles!

Been trying to beef up my inventory for the trunk show tomorrow. I prolly have enuff pieces, but it is that last minute jitters that is taking over.


Snowflake obsidian and Swarovski

Dyed magnesite, onyx and seed beads




Blue lace agate, coral, freshwater pearl and swarovski -



Amazonite, fresh water pearl, green quartz




Copper and seed beads

Been working on my photography as well - what do you think? Are these pictures better than previous ones?

I have a ton of nervous energy - maybe I need to focus that on my house!!!!

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

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!

Wednesday quickie - R&T June Challenge part 2

Man I am running behind today. Woke up this morning to a destroyed couch, and the carpet and the pad beneath were pulled off of the landing, and my dogs were quietly slumbering outside my bedroom door as if nothing had happened.

*sigh*

James and Kel had cleaned last nite, while I was at work, in anticipation of our daughters arrival, only to have it all destroyed, and I did a do-over this morning.

*sigh*

Leigh is coming home tonite for a long weekend and will be welcomed by a pack of happy dappy dawgs, and a dirty house! Oh the glories of going home.

I am not as prepared as I wanted to be with a piece, so I am just going to show you what I made as my second installment of the Rings & Things June Challenge.

I wanted to use the Mirage bead as a focal. I am really thrilled with these beads. I have one concern, and that is the finish. The gloss is brilliant, and I hope it can withstand being a focal, and not dull or scratch. Time will tell.

I was looking at the pattern on the bead, and in an abstract way, reminded me of a garden fence. Thinking gardens, wisteria was the first thing that popped into my mind. I love wisteria. Love it. So, I went with it.

Wisteria



Wisteria under Summer Sky





And I am taking it for a test drive today. I will be wearing it to pick up my daughter from the airport after work. I am sure by the time we get to the truck she will have taken it off of me and will be wearing it :)

I'll try not to be too MIA over the weekend.

Later Kids!

Rings & Things June Challenge

This month Rings & Things gave us creative reign over our choices.
Hardest challenge to date.

Your mission is, if you choose to accept it, spend $50.00 and make something glorious.

Sounds easy enuff, right? *sigh*

Do you know how many products they have? A Gazillion! I know for a fact, cuz I counted them all.

This task put in front of me, I began to search, and look, and whine, and wish. There was too much too look at, too much to take in. So I had to take a second route in my purchase decision. First in my head, I had to create what I wanted, and then work from there. Which is what I did, and you can see the thought process in my previous post.

Here is a quick referece to what I got

Mirage Daisy Ray Bead

Dyed Coral 4 x 7 Tube Bead (Green and shiney and ooooohhh sooooo purty!!!)

Copper, Double Spiral Bead

Dyed Coral 4mm Round Bead

Magnesite, 15x20mm Nugget Bead

Magnesite, 13x18 Puffed Rectangle Bead

After it was all sed and dun, Here is what I came up with -









I have some left over, we'll see what happens tomorrow -

Same Bat Time! Same Bat Channel!

Look what I got!

I put in my order to Rings & Things on Wed - Bill is awesome!!! - and I got my order yesterday!!! 2 days!!!! That is stoopid fast, I can't believe it!

I am thrilled with the items I received. Just awesome. I am so in love with the Mirage Beads. They are sooo much fun. I have the idea in my head what I am going to do for this piece, lets just hope that my fingers can translate it!

Le me show you what I got! (naturally the tootsie roll is gone, they sent me 2!!!!. I am smacking on one of them rightnow, so if I am hard to understand, I am sorry, I am typing with my mouth full)



Mirage Daisy Ray Bead

Dyed Coral 4 x 7 Tube Bead (Green and shiney and ooooohhh sooooo purty!!!)

Copper, Double Spiral Bead

Dyed Coral 4mm Round Bead

Magnesite, 15x20mm Nugget Bead

Magnesite, 13x18 Puffed Rectangle Bead

Sterling Silver French Hooks

What a haul!!!!


Now the method behind the madness. Why did I choose these beads.

Dyed Magnesite has a turquoise look to it, so for the casual shopper, the turquoise color is what they are looking for, but the underlying purpose to magnesite is the properties it has.

(From "Love is in the earth, a kaleidoscope of crystals" - by Melody)

Magnesite provides for the fruition of unrecognized thoughts and ideas. It can assist in visualization and imagery, and in promoting dynamic, revolutionary ideas.

Coral facilitates intuition, imagination and visualization.

Copper is said to be the bestower of good, bringing benefit to the user.

I am thinking of adding amethyst also.

Amethyst allows flexibility in decision making - so I don't over think the piece.

I am making this piece as part of the blogger challenge therefore, I need it to be a representation of me as a designer. I am using this as a study in bringing my thoughts, my imagination to the surface as a tangible item. We'll see how it goes :)