"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?

With A Little Help From My Friends

I have been blogging here a little over a year now. Over that year I have met some wonderful people. It all started with a comment here or there, leading to an email and in some cases - texting!!!

I have met people from all over the world, with different skill sets, ideals, and points of view. Regardless of these things, we all have one thing in common, a love of what we do and we love to share it with others! These people go well beyond the term 'blogger' with me. I feel I have made some new friends, friends I will keep up with for a long time.

Each one offers a great source of inspiration to me, and their support is unmatched. They jump right in and give a hand or a suggestion - Trust me, that is a blessing in itself!

If you haven't read any of these - stop on by and give 'em a shout - you'll be glad you did!

Dawno's Beaded Badge Lanyards and Jewelry - Dawn was one of the first people to visit my blog and we soon became fast friends. I run into her everywhere online. It is like being invited to a party and wondering if you will know anyone there, and when you walk in the door, Dawn is there and you are comfortable! She is a great source of inspiration to me. I love her work and the way she presents it. We are total opposites in our styles which is prolly why I adore hers so much.

A Bead A Day - Lisa is who I want to be when I grow up. She thinks outside the box and takes me there with her. She is willing to share her knowledge and expertice and is fast with support and advice. A true mentor and friend.

Ahtee's Blog - Rose puts a smile on my face. She is whimsical, beautiful, smart, talented - the sky is the limit with this one. Her creativity is inspiring and her up beat attitude is catchy. I love how she takes you everywhere with her. Her blog is not just about being creative - it is also about being Rose. Rose is on a button kick right now, and I am loving it!!

ammjewelry - Millie is a scream. I love how excited she is about everything!!! She can work magic with re purposed jewelry that puts paid designers to shame. She isn't afraid to try anything new and takes you on that 'adventure' with her.

Be~Jeweled by jana - Jana is a kindred spirit with me. She is rip roaring and ready to go. She does beautiful wire crocheted jewelry. Each a piece of art work.

Deez News - I got some serious hero worship going on here with Davinia. I LOVE her creativity and her funky style. She is another blogger that welcomes you into her life as well as her workspace. She is easy to get to know, and you are a better person for it!

Pearl and Pebble - There isn't anything she cant' do - I am sure of it. Beading, sewing, painting, photography - i can't say she is a crafty diva - because when you see her work you will see she is an artist. She opens up her creativity to you and shares her life with you as well. She will have your mind working and your sides splitting. Good times!

If I could have one wish - it would be to have a huge round table with all of these women around it for an afternoon. Hell, it would probably drift well on into the wee hours of the morning :)

Thank you ladies!!!

Andi's Inspiration

I was cleaning my work area and ran across these mica 'tags'. They were given to my by my friend Andi. Andi came up to me a few months back and said "I want to learn to make jewelry" I answered "Fantastic!" She said "I want you to teach me"

I was speechless. Andi is this beautiful human, full of life and wonder and humor and love. Her asking me to 'teach' her to make jewelry was such a compliment. Of course I said Yes!. Andi brought over her supplies and we sat down and she began to show me her creations. There was no teaching this girl. She had it all. Her jewelry was fantastical and whimsy. She needed no guidance from me, only encouragement. She had made a pair of earrings out of these mica tags. They were so much fun. I ooh and ahhed over them. She tried to give them to me, and i declined. They were her masterpiece. She gave me two of the tags to make my own. So tonite I did, in honor and inspired by her.