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!

January's Birthstone - Garnet

No wonder the saying 'slower than molasses in January' is so true. You ever try and pour cold molasses? When I think January, I think cold, then I think garnets!

Garnet is January's birthstone as we all know, but did you know that garnets come in a range of colors? Here are examples of some. I found examples of all of these different garnets online. Click on the picture and it will take you to the site for more gemstone information.

Almandine - Deep, dark, rich red to purplish red to orange red (probably the most common)



Demantoid - Medium green to slightly yellowish green



Hessonite - Brilliant yellow to yellowish brown (one of my favorites)



Pyrope - Deep, dark, rich red to slightly purple red



Rhodolite - Shades of pink through reddish lavender (absolutely stunning)



Spessartite - Medium orange to reddish orange (sometimes called mandarin garnet and makes me stupid happy)



Tsavorite - Medium, intense green to slightly yellowish green (now ya know why emeralds are the alternate birthstone for January)



Uvarovite - Bright green (most of the examples I found for this garnet were all druzy's)




Now I know you are all wondering "Where can I get garnets?"

Rings & Things
Faceted Fan, Tip Drilled (Rhodolite Garnet)




ArtBeads
Green Grossular Garnet Roundelles




Beadin Path
Garnet Graduated Faceted Marquis Briolettes



I know you have ideas running thru your head right now. Not only is garnet the birthstone for January, but garnets also represent romantic love and passion, making them perfect for your valentine!!