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

We got married in a fever! - Rings & Things Blogger challenge

Hotter than a pepper sprout! I was thinking of the song 'Jackson' while I was pushing the chili pepper beads from Rings & Things around my work table. Then I made this free form heart pendant and added the fun charms at the bottom.


Here is what I used:
44-940-56-AG Viva Mexicana charm, dancing senor (antiqued-gold plate)(ten - $10.50) *
44-940-57-AG Viva Mexicana charm, dancing senorita (antiqued-gold plate)(ten - $10.50) *
28-333-89 Lampwork chili pepper bead (red) (36 - 44 per 16" strand - $9.00) *
28-335-18 Lampwork 'calavera' flower skull bead (black,white)( 23 - 27 per 16" strand - $13.00)*
47-202-SP Red Brass 14g Wire, Round, 20' (Red Brass)
Gold plated copper wire - 24 ga
Coral beads
Gold tone chain
Gold tone head pins

I made a free form heart shape with the brass wire. Wrapped it at the top to hold it together with the gold tone wire, and then added the coral beads to the wire wrap down the side for decoration. Used the gold tone wire to wire wrap the chili pepper and add coral and crystals to the wrap at the top. Then using the head pins added the skull bead to the chain, and separated the gold chain links just enuff to add the skeleton charms.





Now sing it with me!!!




*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

Share'n the love - Rings & Things style with Rainspyn on Etsy

*whew* Long title, but needed.

My friend MaRanda over at Rainspyn on Etsy.com saw my post about the fun blogger package I got from Rings & Things. She commented on how much fun they would be to work with. I made sure she got a sampling.

I am a huge fan of her designs and her amazing talent with hemp. Her designs are not a typical hemp braid. She makes exquisite pieces and raises the bar on funky hemp jewelry and crosses over into delightful fashion jewelry.

Here let me show you.

I love this shot. I can tell from the background, this was taken at a local coffee shop I use to hang at and where I really got to know MaRanda. This seemed very fitting because more times than not, I would walk in, and she would be sitting at a table working on her next piece.



Or this!



She has a little bit to say about each piece she makes. It is a great way to learn about an artist and see the quality of work she is doing.

Stop by her shop and see her beautiful jewelry and leave her a comment!


Don't forget tomorrow I will be drawing for the winner of a custom made pendant! See the details here!