New Bracelets in the Shop!

Been busy bulking up my inventory, have several shows lined up for this summer, and one is a 3 day-er! I am really excited and feeling really creative.

This one looks like a party to me! Glass coins, re purposed acrylic beads, fun textured wood beads, vintage lucite from The Beadin Path, and swarovski crystals on copper. It has some heft and makes a great clacking sound. I may have to keep this one :)

I love asymmetrical designs too. It is like telling a story, it starts; with one thing, then there is a plot twist and then the best finish! This is vintage lucite beads from The Beadin Path, faceted glass and dichoric glass focal bead.

Then there is the great spring time hodge podge of left over beads. They all come together to make the best collection! I love this one, it is so happy to me.


I love when the ideas just flow and I can really get a grasp on the image in my head!!!

Tree Agate Bracelet

I love this little bracelet. It is full of spring and summer fun.

It all started out with that copper pendant.  I had an idea for earrings, but there was only one.  What was I going to do with it. Then the idea hit me. Make it a clasp.

It wasn't hard to put the design together. These beads were all leftovers from another project or three. They were laying about the work table, just begging to be put together.  Agate for harmony, and amethyst for peace.
The rest kinda explains itself :)

Peace and Love - Messages from a stone necklace

I love being inspired by one component of a design and starting the build from there. The glass heart pendant started this design. The green in the glass was a perfect compliment to the sandy colors of the jasper beads. Jasper is the stone of gentleness and nurturing. It is said to bring joy. Why not pair it up with that heart, and wear your heart out for all to see and bring joy to those around you!

The little brass clasp with the peace symbol - didn't take much to push me in that direction :) Amethyst, fluorite, apatite and tourmalated rose quartz. Coupled with the lampwork heart - all speak peace.

I added the blue shell that I found on the beach as a personal touch, and now I am a bit torn about it... Should I change it up? Does it need a different focal? Should I stop over analyzing it?

"Celtic Pearls" AKA, How do you name your pieces

I name most of my pieces, do you?


OK, now I am going to admit, there are times when  I am bulking up my inventory for a show that I just crank out simple designs, and really don't give them much thought. As much as I would LOVE to make all those funky over the top necklaces only, that isn't the taste of everyone. I don't want to be exclusive. I want to appeal to everyone. Sometimes the KISS rule is the best rule. :)

Then there are those special pieces, that take hours to make. The idea concept, the creation, the finished product. I feel like I have nurtured this piece along it's whole life, and now it is time for it to find it's own home with someone who will wear it and love it - wow - I am sounding a bit crazy here - but it is true! When I am creating this piece I take alot into consideration, the colors I use, the time of year it is, the time of day it is, the stones I use, the design, and a name comes from that. Does it work that way for you?

For example -

This started as a bracelet, but I couldn't stop adding the glass pearls. It felt to bulky to me when I wrapped it around my wrist to size it for a bracelet. I didn't want to remove any of the glass pearls, so what do I do with it - I know! Make it the focal of a necklace. Awesome.

How do I connect it to a necklace. Let's play with some copper. Great, now I have links, but what do I use to connect the links - the chain is too small, multi strands of chain take away from the focal - OH!! Hemp! Ok, now we got a real earthy feel, but there is too much symetry for my taste  - Oh, what is this I found? Sweet! Lamp work - add one random one to the mass.


Now lets name it - Well there are pearls. There is a really cool copper swirl, looks Celtic, the green in the lampwork reminds me of Ireland - holy cow - Celtic Pearls!!!!

This is the thought processes that go thru my mind as I work.


Do you find it important to have such a connection with your work, that it has a name?

ArtBeads ‘What’s Old is New Again!’ Blogger Challenge

Hey, remember this?



BS-0038 6x8mm Dark Amber and Opaque Sky Blue with Picasso Roundel Bead Strand *

SW-BD245 Stoneware Brown with Light Blue Daisies Tube Bead *

LMP-0146 Yellow and Orange Roundel Beads (7 pcs) *

CR-RL131 5x4mm Opaline Yellow Roundelle Strand *

I got a great selection of fun items from ArtBeads for their 'What's Old is New Again' challenge. I got the new beads from Artbeads and am using an blue glass necklace of my mom's as the old.

I found these earrings that I had picked up last year when I was in St. Louis visiting my daughter from a thrift store and added them to the mix last minute.


I was really aprehensive about popping that necklace apart, but I finally did it! Here is the 'mess' of inspiration!



Let me tell you how much fun I had with this challenge. All of these colors are so bright and cheery, I didn't want to stop this morning!

Are these adorable or what!!!!! I can't help but smile when I see them.



Fun and bright, simply knotted hemp necklace. This is casual, but with an attitude :) It flirts with a tshirt and says "I dare you" with a plunged neck sundress - can you wear it?


and to complete the perfect summer ensemble, a bold and chunky bracelet.



I am not done!! I have more coming tomorrow!


What would you have made?


Want to see more creations inspired by the What's Old is New Again challenge? Check out ArtBeads Facebook page!!

*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.

ArtBeads ‘What’s Old is New Again!’ Blogger Challenge

Oh kids this is a fun one. Artbeads' new blogger challenge is titled - What's Old is New Again, and I am excited.

I have an awesome necklace from my mom from the 70's and have been putting off popping it apart to re purpose it, until now :)

Artbeads gave me a great opportunity to pair it up with some really fun beads and re vamp this necklace into something new and fun!




Here is what I got -

BS-0038 6x8mm Dark Amber and Opaque Sky Blue with Picasso Roundel Bead Strand *

SW-BD245 Stoneware Brown with Light Blue Daisies Tube Bead *

LMP-0146 Yellow and Orange Roundel Beads (7 pcs) *

CR-RL131 5x4mm Opaline Yellow Roundelle Strand *

I can't wait to dive in!

*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.

Rethinking the booth - luring them in with wire wrapped rings

Couple of weeks ago at the market - I re thought my booth. Instead of putting all of my inventory out and over crowding my tables and displays, I cut my displayed items in half. In my mind - if i have EVERYTHING out on the table, all of my pieces will have exposure and my rate of sales should increase, right?

Wrong.

Sensory overload - too much to look at. The items are no longer individual pieces but part of a huge display. Another way to look at it - if I have everything out on the tables, what is there new to look at to get customers to come back. There is also another selling point. When you see customers looking at specific pieces, it gives you the open door to approach them with an up sale. Notice what they are looking at, and let them know you have other pieces not shown that would go perfect with that item. When you pull your inventory tub out to get the piece, they want to see what else you have. Then close the deal.

But how would I display them. In my mind I thought "What would Barbara do?" Barbara is a dear friend of mine who owns Gifts with a Heart in Raleigh. She has some of the best displays in her store. I love how she ties everything together. Wouldn't you know it, just as I thought it, here she walks into my booth!! I told her my dilemma and being the person she is set to work to show me about displaying product. Now I have them grouped by stone, by sets, by targeted age, by price point and so forth.

One thing she did was to put my ring displays to the front of the table. They are the first thing you see when you walk by, and priced to get your attention. People will stop and look at the rings, and then come in to see if there are earrings or a bracelet to go with them.

As a general rule I don't duplicate my pieces, but when it comes to earrings and rings, you can only do so many different things before you have exhausted your creativity. These are my biggest sellers.








Re thinking my booth is one of the best things I have done this season. What do you do to bring people into your booths?

Multi strand necklace - Ink and Pink

I am really liking these multi strand necklaces with the one random strand.




It has an elegant feel, is bold, but light. I like that you can just pile on the seed beads for a bulky look and not have to sacrifice your neck with all the weight. The only thing that was thought out in this whole design was the focal. I wanted it to be in that exact spot - other than that, it just happened.

I gave this to my sister in law. She is one of my biggest fans.

More Summer fun with Art Beads!

I found a little time to myself this morning and wanted to get this bracelet made. I wanted the focal to be the lampwork beads (I am in love) and I 'wrangled the random' a bit to gave it some order.



LOOK AT THOSE LAMP WORK BEADS!!!!



From Art Beads
LMP-0168 - Purple, White and Orange Flowers with Purple Center Mix Bicone Beads (5 Pcs) *
CR-RL066 - 9x6mm Opalescent Pink and Light Emerald Roundelle *
CR-RL099 - Opaque Green w/ Half Picasso Roundelle *
FP-AMYLT6 - Czech Fire Polished Bead - Light Amethyst - 6mm *

From my inventory:
Sterling daisy spacers
Sterling spacers
10 mm jade bead
14 mm ocean jasper bead
1 dyed quartz nugget
1 sterling toggle


It reminds me of a meadow, with tiny purple johnny jump ups peeping up thru the grass around a group of daylillies. I want to kick my shoes off and go for a walk thru there.


*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.

Rings & Things blogger challenge - Skull charm necklace

I have this wonderful blogger packet from Rings & Things chocked full of fun items. I don't know where to begin!

The other nite while drifting off to sleep I thought it would be fun to put those beads on a key ring and add a bunch of charms as well. Instead of using the key ring as it was intended I looped leather through it and made it into a necklace.

The split ring of the key ring allows you to add or remove charms at your whim. It can be changed at any time to go with any mood or anything that you are wearing!



Close up



Featured is the 28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (black, white) * from Rings & Things
along with glass beads, a diary key, a peace sign and some gemstone chips.

So much fun to throw on over your head and go!


*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 home from work and there was a package on the counter. I looked at the return address and literally exclaimed - 'AGAIN?!?!?'

Rings & Things has done it again! Ya'all are putting me thru my paces!!! I can't keep up!!! These are AMAZING! So much fun.



This great bunch of fun stuff includes:

28-335-16 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (red, black) (23 - 27 per 16" strand - $11.00)*
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)*
28-335-15 Lampwork 'calavera' skull bead (black, white) (23 - 27 per 16" strand - $11.00) *
28-335-17 Lampwork 'calavera' sugar-skull bead (multicolor) ( 23 - 27 per 16" strand - $13.00)*
30-822-1 Bobby pin (white metal) (0.5 gross - $11.28)*
30-322-4 Cuff link (gold plated) (dozen - $5.65)*
30-052-1 Shoe clip (white metal) (dozen - $1.50) * ( i haven't worn a shoe clip since the 80's!)
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) *
44-940-59-AS Viva Mexicana charm, 'calavera' skull (antiqued-silver plate)(ten - $9.75) *
44-940-61-AS Viva Mexicana charm, 'Catrina' skeleton (antiqued-silver plate)(ten - $10.50) *

*whew* *beams*

One of my retailers has a shop with a lot of Mexicana flare to it, these little beauties will be so much fun to work with and allow me to market directly to her store!

Thanks Rings & Things!!


*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

Fun earring designs

My daughter came into town for a whirlwind weekend trip. We had the best time while she was here - it was way to short, and I was grateful for every moment.

When she left on Sunday, fighting the urge to cry all day, I sat down and got busy with some projects. I had fun with a couple pairs of earrings and I'll show these to you today!




From Rings & Things -
29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *

From Beadin Path
WRE-111 22 ga sterling wire

From Sedona Stones (not listed on their site)
Silver links
daisy spacers







These were fun to make and surprisingly light. I used the lamp work beads that were in a little 'barter' package from Lisa at A Bead A Day along with some 47-402-SP 14 ga copper wire and 47-406-SP 22 ga wire I have from Rings & Things.

I cut a piece of the 14 ga wire about 3 1/2" long. Hammered one end flat to stop the bead. Slid on the bead and them shaped the tail of the wire. Then using 47-406-SP 22 ga wire, I wrapped the top of the copper wire. I stopped half way thru the wrap, made a wire wrapped loop to hang the ear wires from and then continued on with the wrap.

I have a lot of ideas I want to get to this week - hopefully I can show them all to you!

*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

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

Red is the rage with vintage lucite

I have recently had an awakening about red. In my mind it is only seen around Christmas or Valentines day. It may be because I am not a fan of red and find it a real challenge to work with.
Valentines day is approaching and I am struggling to not 'theme' my jewelry. I feel frustrated and limited and I don't want to pigeonhole myself into a design based on a single holiday. I didn't want to theme it with hearts, for fear of 'holiday overkill'.

Conveniently I have some luscious vintage red beads from Beadin Path Designer blogger program, that I have been wanting to work with. I pulled them out and used them as the focal beads for this design. They really do set of the necklace. The bold red mixed in with the white, pale pinks and purples makes your eyes move thru the design. I am not fond of the wrapping I did for the focal. I wanted to accent the focal and not get too carried away with the wire, but it seems to be lacking something. I will have to re work that.



It is a fun double layer necklace, using bronze and antiqued copper chain. (the bronze chain is what my daughter sent me for Christmas) The vintage beads are the LUC4759RD - Vintage Italian Lucie Marbled Red w/ White - 12mm rounds * and LUC4869OR Transparent Hyacinth Barrel Bead 12 x 14 mm *. I have also added glass pearls, lampwork, purple turquoise and faceted opalite. I like the bronzy tones with the red. It appears warmer, giving it a more year round feel, where when I laid it out with silver, it had a very Christmas feel to it.



Red for Valentines day
Red for firecracker summer celebrations
Red for the change of the leaves in the fall
Red for Christmas

Red is all year!

*FTC compliance disclosure: the '*' items mentioned in this post credited to Beadin Path were provided as a promotional gift as part of the Beadin Path Design Partners. These items are for review or design purposes.

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 Challenge - Christmas baubles!

Am at home sick today with a bad head cold and sore throat. I am coming out of my self induced medicated coma and watching it rain outside. There is only so many hours a person can sleep a day. I am at that restless state. I sat at my work table trying to find something to do to keep me busy and to take my mind off of being sick.

I began to clean and organize, yet again. During my cleaning I saw the Christmassy lampwork beads from Rings & Things Blog Partner package. I have two more shows before Christmas so why not make something with these.

These little guys put me way out of my comfort zone. I am not a 'themed' creator. It is really difficult for me to use an item in a piece that is so limited in its use - season wise. I almost feel like a sell out creating what I have. Sometimes I guess you just have to go with what is obvious.















Here is what I used.

40-099-24-7 - Chain, Footage, Oval Curb, 10.5mm (Antiqued Copper Plated) *
28-333-59 - Christmas Tree Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Green/Red/White)*
28-333-72 - Christmas Teddy Bear Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Brown)*
28-333-73 - Christmas Penguin Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Black/White)*
28-333-69 - Christmas Stocking Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Green/Red)*
Random plastic beads from my inventory

I used head pins and created charms out of each of the beads. I added copper spacers to some and seed beads to others to keep the head of the pin from going thru the large hole. It adds a bit to the bead as well. I attached each with a jump ring to the chain. Using the jump ring as opposed to wrapping them directly to the chain links gives the charms more motion, and isn't that what you want with a charm bracelet?













Here's what I used.

28-333-67-211 - Gingerbread Man Glass Bead (Limited Stock)(Red)*
Leather
Lampwork bead from a repurposed bracelet
metal clip

The holes in these beads are big, making them very versatile with what you can string them on. This would be a cute zipper pull or back pack decoration for the holiday season.

These little lampwork cuties come on a strand of approx 15 - 17 beads and cost approx .50 each. How can you not use these for all of your holiday needs. Not only can you use them in jewelry/accessory designs as I have, but with the large hole, you can use them to decorate nearly everything. Try running ribbon through the hole and tying them to the packages!














This I made for myself. I love this little bottle. It is the cutest. I wanted to do something with it that would keep it with me all the time. Keychain! I filled the bottle with orange seed beads. Orange being the color of creativity. Then paired it up with magnesite, carnelian and citrine to round out the purpose I need this keychain for.

56-999-05-042 - Octagon Glass Bottle (Clear)*
Magnesite, 15x20mm Nugget Bead *

Magnesite brings a deep peace to meditation and relaxation. Magnesite can be very helpful in the practice of unconditional love in situations where relationships with other people are difficult because of their behavior or addictions. It helps you to feel centered, standing by, allowing the other person to be who they are without requiring them to change or be affected in anyway by their difficulties.

Carnelian is a stone of creativity, individuality and courage. It also brings a relief from anger, jealousy and fear. In addition it can help with manifestation of one’s desires, and brings good luck.

Citrine is known as a “success” stone because it is said in folklore to promote success and abundance, especially in business and commerce. Its lore also says that it enhances mental clarity, confidence, happiness and will power. Citrine is purported to bring good fortune, sometimes in very unexpected ways.

There is still time to order these little gems for your holiday needs. What would you do with them?

*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

Celebrating sping - Beadin Path Design Partner

*blink* *blink* Celebrating spring? whaa???

I can't help myself.

Here in NC it isn't so bad in the fall. It is pretty temperate all year actually. The problem lies in my mind - there I said it.

In my mind November is cold, frost on the pumpkin, crops comin in out of the fields, sweaters, blazing fire places, dark mornings, and gaining 15 lbs.

I am already projecting myself into April's cool moist mornings, fragrant with freshly tilled earth and early blooming flowers. That is the inspiration or mebbe even the desperation that channeled this bracelet.

Close your eyes and think of spring and the grass that is trying to grow. Clumps, spotty through the yard, with tiny violas, jonquils and crocus' pushing their way up. I am there, barefoot, wiggling my toes in the cool morning grass.




I used the LUC4525OR Vintage Lucite Tangerine Moonglow - 7mm rounds from Beadin Path as one of the strands.

Pink fresh water pearls or the second strand.
Lampwork, crackle quartz and opalite for the third strand

Give them a good mingle.




Three strands for a bulky sunshiney spring time celebration bracelet.
I'm ready.

Thursday Quickie - Filler

I have a show on Saturday and am really excited about it. I have been working putting together new displays and a new look for the booth. I think it will be nice. As I was arranging and pricing new items I looked at my earring board. It was sad and lonely. I didn't like a lot of the earrings that were there, I have had them for a while, and in my mind they are 'dated'. I removed the earrings I was not happy with, and now there are holes in the display.

*ponder*

So I sat down this morning and whipped up what I call filler. Filler are the items that are easy and inexpensive to make but still have a great quality about them. They make the booth appear fuller, they have a nice shine to them, so they are eye catching (magpies love them too), they are priced just right as to not detract from the higher end pieces, and this allows a broader customer base to shop. Although the money is nice, I can't have a 'target' customer base of rich people. I want everyone to walk in and find something they like, that is beautiful and in a comfortable price range. Putting the filler in the mix will also allow the customer to buy something without having to justify the purchase and more than likely they will come back for that higher priced item when an occasion rolls around for gift giving or they just want to splurge on themselves a bit.

That said, here is a handful of the filler earrings, priced at $8. Now to get them on cards and hung :)

Trying something new

I don't know which retail chain I was in when I saw the necklace, all I know is it made me stop in my tracks. It wasn't the most beautiful but it was very interesting. It was earthy and chunky, very casual, but at the same time, I know me, I would wear it to black tie event just cuz I could :) It was beautiful gemstones of greens and browns with tiny copper charms worked in. Glorious!

The cord was knotted between each bead, I am guessing mebbe a silk cord, that looked like tiny rope, that is the best way I can describe it. it looked like it has a nice flow to it, not stiff at all.

So I decided to play around with this look. I really like it. It does justice to summer I think. I didn't have any soft cord, but I did have some hemp.

The hemp although was great to learn with - is scratchy!! OMG! I took it for a test drive, no no no no no, not on bare skin, just saying kids. Am looking for something softer. Also - I have to find new beads. Beads with bigger holes. But that is not a bad thing - new beads :)

Here is the first try - my daughter has laid claim to this one, naturally. It is a heat treated agate focal, with tiger eye, faceted carnelian, copper, and big rutilated quartz puffed ovals. I put tiny heishi cut turquoise in there for a splash of color and a bit of flirt.





I stopped by the LampworkDiva's blog and she has been playing with the bronze metal clay - the PERFECT material for this necklace. Her little charms are awesome!

This next one, I wanted something crazy busy and over the top. I had a box of mixed lampwork beads from Michaels, so I picked out all the beads that had the biggest holes and went to town. I took 6 different lengths of the hemp and knotted the beads randomly on each strand. I can honestly say, I wish I had used 12 strands. I need more. I wore this to work and got several compliments on it, which surpised me. It just goes to show, just cuz I am not happy with it, don't mean that it will not please someone else.



Now off to poke around for some interesting beads and see if I can find that silky cord stuff.

Do you already have some of these items in your inventory? Did you buy them from Rings & Things? From now till the end of July, they are having a contest for Product Review! It's easy, just go to www.rings-things.com and post a review of your favorite product.


Oh, and if I squint I can see the weekend! I am ready!