Dangle Bracelets and Skulls!

I got these awesome dyed magnesite skulls a few years ago from The Rings & Things Road Show that comes thru here every June. I bought them because there were on sale, and they are cute :)

I had no idea what I would do with them, so I tucked them away til the inspiration hit. Good thing there is no expiration date on these little beauties :)

I played with a few earring designs, but they were too heavy. I tried working them into necklaces, but they didn't lay right. Then one day working on a dangle bracelet, I spied one of the skulls.

Hrm

I wrapped one up quick and slid it into the mix.

IT WORKED!!!

What I love about the design is the skulls don't have to be goth, or angry, or militant - they can be cute. And that's where it's at :)

Resisting Autumn - Dangle Bracelet

When it comes to fall I am never ready. I am always holding onto my summer greens. That is what inspired this bracelet. Fall came late this year in the south. Leaves are still green and still changing and still falling to the ground in splendid color.

I love the eclectic sampling of beads on this bracelet. Green glass and lampwork, mixed in with golden brown lampwork and glass. Add a hint of mookite for a pop of color, some lapis for a glimpse of autumn skies and it all starts to come together like a picture from a fall meadow. There is so much more in this bracelet, as you wear it you will come across other beads and stones, like when you are walking in the yard, and kicking up leaves and finding small treasures buried beneath. What is your favorite part of fall?

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?

Bracelet Inspiration - Mom's Charm Bracelet

Growin' up one of my fond memories was of my mom's charm bracelet. I remember laying in her lap at church and busying myself looking at each of the charms, remembering where they came from, and making up stories about them. She wore it every time she stepped out the door.


I remember we would go on vacation or for christmas gifts she would get a new charm to mark the occasion. She would have to take the bracelet to a jeweler to have them attach the charm, sometimes it would be gone for a few weeks. There is one sterling charm in there amongst the gold from when we went to Arizona to visit my aunt. One of Oral Roberts University from when we went to visit my brother in Tulsa. An anchor for my dad - being in the Navy. So many more memories. Mom gave this to me a couple of years ago along with her first wedding ring. I cherish them both so much - and never wear them. I am afraid of loosing them.


This bracelet was inspired by my mom's charm bracelet. There is a hodgepodge of dangles, some with rhyme, some with reason only the wearer will know.

Do you have memories that have inspired you to create something? I would love to hear about them!

Fun with Rings & Things skull bead challenge

I was so excited to get the blogger packet from Rings & Things with all the cute little skull beads and charms in it. I knew skulls were in, especially with the hipster crowd, but that is a different kind of skull. These were 'festive and fun'. Rings & Things have them labeled as "Calaveras (also called calacas) are artistic depictions of skulls traditionally used for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations." BINGO!! I know Day of the Dead!! (not to be confused with George A. Romero, of which I am a HUGE fan)

Now that we have spring on a down hill pull towards summer, (boy howdy am I ready) I wanted to make a fiery red, sizzling summertime bracelet. I am still on a kick with the charm bracelets, and that red skull was the perfect focal to build around.

In this piece:

28-335-16 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead
44-940-59-AS Viva Mexicana charm, 'calavera' skull
44-940-61-AS Viva Mexicana charm, 'Catrina' skeleton
Faceted fire polished Czech glass
Re purposed faux pearls
Furnace glass
Swarovski crystals



One of my vendors is always in need of things to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, and when I saw these I knew they were for her! She has taken every piece I have made with these cute skull beads and charms, and ordered more!!!

Thanks Dave and Rings & Things for opening a door for me with this fun blogger packet!

*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