Finally Found My Calling With Clusters

Several months ago, while captain of the biggest pity ship you have ever seen, like a pity yacht,  I was over taking pictures of my jewelry. I was struggling with different ideas of how to photograph my pieces. This has been an ongoing battle. It really is not anything new. I have friends who are photographers, do I pay them for a couple weekends a month, do I take classes, do I invest in a better camera, or do I take decorating classes (to learn props and magic for shots)

This took me on a search thru the vastness of the interwebs looking at different jewelry sites, and seeing how they laid out their shots, what props did they use, how bright were their shots and anything else I could learn. As I ambled thru, what I began to notice about these shops was they all seemed, themed. Themed as in the jewelry was all very similar. A similar technique, or similar style. There was continuity about the presentation, and it was very appealing to me. It made me want to shop. It wasn't the photography so much as the content.

I flipped back to my store, and I see the eclectic hodge podge of my work. I have to make everything, every style, play with every technique and put it up for sale. My husbands words came back to haunt me in that instance -"Pick one thing and do it well".

I searched between my Etsy store and my Facebook page, and there it was, like a life preserver thrown to me on that sinking ship of pity. I do clusters. I do them well.

All of that mess up top, was to lead into this. I'm back at the workbench for a new year of designs, a new year of shows and a new year of self discovery. I took what I learned from my photography search and put it to good use as I sit working on new pieces for this year.

I did it and I think with much success. I sat back to work, and ideas started to roll! I think I am on my path :)

Layers of an Acrylic Painting "De-Stressing Distress"

I am in awe of how artists can create a painting in one sitting.

Mine take days and days of layers and layers. Sometimes the suspense is overwhelming, I can't wait to see what it will look like.

I never know where I am going to go with the color or the texture. It changes with each layer.

Here is how I started

It is a lot to take in, it screams at you. It makes me feel like I am driving on the interstate, hell bent on getting to work, so much traffic, my knuckles are white on the wheel. I hate that feeling. There is A lot of color, A LOT of paint. So thick took 5 days to dry. In the thickness of the paint I scrawled in words and shapes. Kept it positive. I NEED that positive. Kinda like my mantra I guess.

Now it is dry, lets add more color!

I mixed three colors to get this one. Slapped it on, and then with a damp towel and a wet paint brush, removed color in patches. Removed that screaming - I was nearly deaf!

Let it dry.

How bout some more color!!

This was a bit much. I really scared myself. Thought I had went to far. The screaming started again. Same process, used a damp towel, wet brush, and A LOT of water to remove this paint in areas of the work area, and to lighten the over all color.

Finally I did a coat of white - (forgot to take a picture) the coat of white was really watered down. I had to stop the screaming. I applied it with a wet washcloth. It had a white wash look to it, made the painting very opaque. Didn't have the look I wanted yet. So I kept rubbing, and wetting, and rubbing. Even rubbed the paint off in one spot, but I liked the look of it and kept going. Finally - with the white wash just right, and still wet, I went over it with a high gloss glaze.

PERFECT!!! 

The glaze reacted with the white washing and gave a great look to the final painting. I am in love.

I have named it "De-Stressing Distress".

It reminds me of an old pair of blue jeans. Soft, and torn. When you pull them on, they button just right and  you sigh with comfort. You can trace your finger around the stains on the thigh and remember the party where you danced and danced, and spilled your drink. How about the rip in the knee. The memory of bending down to pick up your child at the park, and they ripped, and smile. The hole in the pocket where all your change drops thru, and you silently cuss, because you keep meaning to mend it. Deep in the threads of these jeans hold the secrets of your happiness and when you pull them on nothing else matters.

Like the painting, if you look, the words and shapes can be seen, words like love and passion, words that are so important to us, and we tend to forget in our busy lives.

I want you to get lost in this painting, and feel the comfort it gives.

Queen of Hearts Furnace Glass earrings - ArtBeads Blogging Group

Still playing with the Queen of Hearts furnace beads* from Art Beads.

This was all done free form. I made the curl at the bottom then hammered the curl for texture and strength. Then I slid on the furnace bead, a sterling spacer and a crystal, and made my wire wrapped loop at the top. The left over tail, I bent around my finger brought it down the side, pinched it on the bottom and brought it back up the other side, bent around my finger and then used the end to wrap around the top.

I did more shaping with my fingers and tools to make it look like a heart. I wasn't going for perfection here. I wanted it to have a free flow look. Once I had it shaped the way I wanted, I hammered it to give it more strength and then added the ear wires. I was amazed at how light they were.





Then I noticed. I forgot to add the crystal to the second earring!!!! They don't match!

Now wouldn't you know it, that the ONLY time my husband has complimented me on my earrings, it is a pair that don't match!! You heard me - I wore them out anyways! I wore them out to dinner. I laft when he told me he really liked them and explained to him they don't match. He sed, That's ok, I can only see one side of your head at a time anyways!!!



These beads and more can be found at ArtBeads.com, and while you are browsing, Don't forget -

Artbeads' 10th Anniversary Sweeps

Sweepstakes Starts January 06, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PST)

Sweepstakes Ends March 04, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

Good luck and happy shopping!!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes. Posted by JustATish at 6:25 AM

Queen of Hearts Furnace Glass - Art Beads challenge

While working on the necklace from yesterday's post, (which I wore out last nite and got a lot of compliments!! ) I noticed the Queen of Hearts furnace beads* holes were not consistent. The holes varied, small to large, from bead to bead. I used the TOHO™ Bead Round 6/0 Opaque-Lustered Pearl White * as 'bumpers' to keep the beads from sliding down the seed beads (which gives me an idea for another necklace)

That got me to thinking - I wonder if they will fit on leather....

So I tried it, and yup sure enuff - they fit.

I cut three pieces of leather and knotted before and after each bead. Then folded the ends thru a jump ring and wrapped them in place with some silver plated wire I had. Next I braided the leather to jumble it up some.

Added the Antique Silver Heart Scroll Bead as a dangle by wire wrapping them to the bracelet with silver plated head pins.



Even tho it has hearts, and red - I don't feel it screams Valentines day. To me , it is more of a style that says you got a bit of heart under there, and if people would just give you a chance you could show just how big that heart is.

These beads and more can be found at ArtBeads.com, and while you are browsing, Don't forget -

Artbeads' 10th Anniversary Sweeps

Sweepstakes Starts January 06, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PST)

Sweepstakes Ends March 04, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

Good luck and happy shopping!!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Valentines day - The Art Beads Way!

I showed you the fun beads I received from ArtBeads in this previous post and this morning I found the time I have been looking for all week to sit down and create. I fell in love with the Queen of Hearts Fire Design Furnace Glass* as soon as I laid eyes on their shiney cylindrical goodness and used them for the bulk of this design.

I combined two strands by double stringing random beads with the beading wire. What this means is, I strung the first strand randomly, then as I strung the second strand, I would run the wire thru a few of the beads of the first strand and then continue to string it randomly as well. The third strand I weaved (wove?) thru the 'loops' made from the double stringing. These three strands were a random mix of the Queen of Hearts furnace glass* , along with beads I had purchased from ArtBeads 4mm Fire Polish Mix Red Tones (50 Pack), TOHO™ Bead Round 6/0 Opaque-Lustered Pearl White 8g Bag, and added some great accent beads from my inventory - red Czech glass, sterling daisies, Czech black glass, and a black designer seed bead mix.

I added two separate red strands of seed beads, one I weaved thru the gaps again, and the second I made a bit shorter to show off the Sterling/Resin 16mm Pendant - Red XOXO Flowers*
The pendant is attached to the necklace with a jump ring making it easy to detach if I want something less 'valentiney' and more basic. I love the versatility of it.

With the tangle and the firey reds and the smokey grays - it reminds me of a firey love affair. So I have named it - Torrid Tangle - which seems to be fitting.




I am working on earrings and a bracelet using the Queen of Hearts collection from the selection of Fire Designs collection of furnace beads at ArtBeads. I'll show you those tomorrow!


These beads and more can be found at ArtBeads.com, and while you are browsing, Don't forget -

Artbeads' 10th Anniversary Sweeps

Sweepstakes Starts January 06, 2010 @ 09:00 am (PST)

Sweepstakes Ends March 04, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (PST)

Good luck and happy shopping!!


*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Art Beads were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Blogging for Beaders Program. These items are for review or design purposes.

Free form free for all - wire wrap bracelet

I am so excited about this, I nearly wet my pants!

Heather at Beadin Path posted a link on twitter a while back about some fun classes they are going to be doing. One of them was for this awesome wire wrapped cuff. I wanted to go sooooo bad....ROAD TRIP!


I covet this bracelet and the mad skills to be able to create it and the wondrous vision that inspired this piece.

I had previously purchased some wire from Rings & Things, and didn't know exactly what I was going to make with it. Some great 14 ga red brass wire, and several spools of copper wire, varying in gauge. Now I knew :) I wasn't for sure how to begin this project. I don't have a bracelet mandrel, wasn't sure how to shape it, but I dove in anyway. I dug thru my beads and picked a color scheme and laid out a pattern on the table. I wanted to work with the blues but I wanted to add a bit of something, something that would 'pop'. I still had one of the criss cross lampwork hearts* from Rings & Things' blogger challenge and it fit perfectly!

Made a simple curl on the ends of the wire and wrapped the two pieces together with 22 ga copper wire. Ran the wrap up the wire and began to incorporate beads. The brass wire is easy to coax around beads to give it a more free form, oh lets say "organic" look.


Wrapping the copper wire around brass wire gives stability to the cuff, a contrast in color, and allows you to weave several different shapes and sizes of beads into the design. The copper wire almost had a mind of it's own while I was wrapping it. I let the wire go where it wanted to, and added beads accordingly.



I am really happy with this wire. It is stout enuff to hold a design, and malleable enuff where it doesn't hurt my hands to work with it. I eye balled the lengths of wire to make the cuff, based on my own wrist size. Not good in hind sight, there has to be a way to measure it better. Will work on it.



It's not perfect yet, it is a bit short and doesn't sit on my wrist like I want it to, but it was so much fun to make, I can't wait to start another one!


*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

Rings & Things Blogger Challenge - A little bit of love!!

Finally got the time to sit down and do some work this weekend, and no, my work room is still a disaster. I have decided that I cannot work in a clean and organized environment.

That being said, I wanted to work with the heart lampwork beads I got from Rings & Things for the blogger challenge. These big beads are heavy and because of their size I think they look great on leather. They also have a 'tween' feeling to me. I wanted it fun, leather, bright and youthful. I decided to go with a lariat style necklace. I cut the leather 38", so when doubled it would hang about the same as a 20" necklace. I wound coils of 18 ga. sterling to use as anchors on the ends of the leather and attached 5 links of sterling cable chain to the coils. I packed the links with beads, using a white and red theme. Shells, pearls, sterling, seed beads, jade, like I sed - packed :)

Using the lampwork beads as the focal of each chain link, I had to add a sterling daisy spacer to the bottom of the head pin to keep it from slipping thru the hole of the bead. It made a nice look.

















The hearts listed here are:

*28-335-13 - 16x20mm 'love' heart, red/white

The red faceted red chinese glass:

*28-000-002-252 - 8mm facted roundelle - siam

*28-000-003-252 - 8mm faceted helix -siam





















This one I had a blast with. I started out making a pendant ,but it quickly turned into what I think would look awesome on the top of a stick pin. I used 18 ga. sterling to create the free form pendant. Then hammered the silver to harden it and give it texture. Using 24 ga sterling wire, I wrapped seed beads, coral, labradorite and rhodonite to add a little bit of love and peace to the design. Topped it off with a length of sterling chain attached with jump rings.




The heart listed here:
*28-335-12-02 - 2) 16x20mm 'dotted' heart, pink/white/blue,

















I don't have any stick pins, but that didn't stop me! If anyone would have them, Rings & Things would. I was not disappointed!

Here is what I found:

Safety Pin, Bend-it-yourself (White) - Stock#: 30-650-1

And to hold it secure -

Clutch, Stick Pin (White) - Stock#: 38-858-1




All you would have to do is shape the hook into a loop and attach it to the bail on the pendant.

I contacted Dave at Rings & Things to see if that clutch would work on the safety pin. Dave took the time out of his day to find this answer for me. He confirmed with one of their designers that yes in fact, it should fit perfectly!

That my friends is customer service!!!


*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

I <3 U R&T!!!

Sometimes keeping it simple can make some of the most interesting pieces. I love these little lamp work hearts I received from Rings & Things. For being so cute, they are so versatile. I am hoping to show this to you this week.

The holes in the beads are large, so adding a small sterling daisy spacer was a must to keep the head pins from sliding thru. I attached them directly to the toggle. And added a single swarovski crystal to the connector loop.


Pictured here are the:
*28-335-12-02 -16x20mm 'dotted' heart, pink/white/blue
*28-335-11-02 - 16x20mm 'crisscross' heart, pink/white/blue


It's on 20" of tightly braided leather. Keep in mind when you are braiding leather, add an extra 5" to the length when cutting the strips. You will loose that much if maybe not more depending on the tightness of the braid.



It looks so great on a sweater!

What will tomorrow bring??


*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

Rings & Things Blogger Packet

I got my December blogger packet from Rings & Things. Was some fun stuff!!




*20-565 -White bamboo coral - short branch, valued at: $2.00, 16" strand
*44-940-52-AG - Antiqued gold plated TierraCast swallow, valued at: $9.75/10
*49-940-05-4 - Gold plated TierraCast connector frame, valued at: $16.30/10

*44-165-9 - Fancy space - gunmetal - filigree, valued at: $5.25/12
*44-150-9 - Filigree harvest - gunmetal, valued at: $3.65/12

A mix of -
*28-399-06-232 - 5) 6mm faceted round - ruby, valued at: $2.00, 16" strand
*28-000-001-252 - 4) 10mm faceted puffed coin - red, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-003-252 - 6) 8mm faceted helix -siam, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-002-252 - 5) 8mm facted roundelle - siam, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-002-021 - 11) 8mm facted roundelle - black, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand

*28-000-003-021 - 3) 8mm facted helix - black, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand
*28-000-001-021 - 3) 10mm faceted puffed coin -black, valued at: $8.00, 16" strand

Fun hearts - pre order exclusive!!!
*28-335-13 - 16x20mm 'love' heart, red/white, valued at: $13.50, 16" strand
*28-335-12-02 - 2) 16x20mm 'dotted' heart, pink/white/blue, valued at: $13.50, 16" strand
*28-335-11-02 - 2) 16x20mm 'crisscross' heart, pink/white/blue, valued at $13.50, 16" strand

Not listed on the site but similar to the pre order exclusives: (you saw them here first!!!)
* 1 white/red 'hot' heart, similar to this one

The items in this packet were not labeled. I had a blast searching Rings & Things site and looking for all the information to pass along to you. Rings & Things is defiantly on track for the upcoming celebration holiday of valentines day with these beauties. So cute and so many ideas going thru my head.

I will combine some for sure, but I may use some individually with my existing inventory. The heart beads would be great on leather for that tween look, classic earrings with the filigree and glass, coral and heart beads for a multi strand bracelet and that is just a start!

What would you make with all these great goodies?!!?!


*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