Give It Up For Orange! Tie Dye!

I love orange. I don't think it gets the credit it deserves. I rarely hear anyone say orange when they are asked what their favorite color is. 

To be honest, my favorite color is blue, it always has been, but lately (in the last few years) I am really starting to gravitate to orange. 

Orange and blue go so well together, it does seem like a perfect progression. 

Did you know orange is the color of courage and creativity? Encouragement and fascination?

So many spirals

But it is not a bad thing.

Doing it over and over is called perfecting your craft.

i have to start somewhere so I can get to where I want to be.

This was the day for orange!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Pantone's Colors for Spring 2017

These are the top 10 colors for Spring 2017 according to Pantone, and I love them!

When I work on my designs, I use the metaphysical properties of the stones to relay an energy to the wearer, to offer healing to the soul. There is more to it as well, like the colors and patterns that are dictated each year to be the 'it' thing. I try to keep aware of what is going on in the fashion industry, as I work on my designs, because lets face it, I have to make sales as well. I try to find a happy medium of creating my healing jewelry and fitting in on the edges of fashion to be appealing to a broader audience. 

That being said, I peeked in on Pantone to see what was going on for spring this year. These colors are beautiful, and soothing. 

Then I set off for Firemountain Gems to see what they had ( no they don't pay me to name drop, it is just where I shop)

 I found these beautiful dyed agate beads

These colors are all over in the natural world, and some do have a little bit of help with some dye. This color pallet is also one that I love to work with. (it's orange )

Can't wait to see what I find at the trade show in March!!!!

Which is your favorite color? Which of these colors would you like to work with?

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind. 

Remember to explore, create, dream, imagine and discover!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

In Love With Orange

I am so in love with orange. Blue has always been my favorite color, but I feel I may be cheating on that dear old friend as of late, and finding myself more and more attracted to orange.

Why could this be?

Well did you know orange is the color of creativity and self expression? Makes sense.
It is also the color of ambition and fun. It is becoming clearer now why I think I am so drawn to this color.

These are cute little earrings made from vintage lucite beads, topped with turquoise and swarovski crystals.

 My work is defiantly reflecting this infatuation with this color. I have to stop myself when I am reaching for beads as I am making a new design, because it is almost always orange. I love these little orange glass and vintage tin earrings! So cute!

Should I put my orange bead away, and make myself work with other colors, or should I just go with the flow right now, because that is what I am really feeling??

And as always, Be peaceful, Be kind. 

Remember to explore, create, dream, imagine and discover!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

"Conversations with Zeus" Acrylic Painting

9x12 Acrylic on Canvas board.


Zeus - yes the same Zeus in the Because of Zeus Fund. He haunts me still, and most likely will for a long time. It isn't a bad haunt - although I will admit, sometimes when I fell asleep in my recliner, I did jump awake, I could feel him staring at me, with his big eyes wide open, and ready to pounce.

It is a good haunt, and we have invited him to do so in the house. I see a shadow run across my peripheral vision, and when I turn to look nothing is there. I respond with "Hi Zeus". Something will be moved from my work bench, and I KNOW right where I left it (especially if it was in a plastic baggie) and I will find the baggie on the floor, or in another room. I respond with "Damnit Zeus" so yeah, I invite his playfulness still.

It is a way of me working thru my grief even after a year of having him put to sleep due to his sickness.

I painted for him. A painting I will frame and keep for myself. An odd sized canvas, that I had no ideas I even had,  that no frame fits, and I have to have it custom framed. A bit of Zeus - you bet :)

It is in his colors, oranges, yellows, dark browns, creams and of course the crimsons.


I went round and round with myself while he was living in my house. Round and round with how do I deal with a feral cat? How do I deal with a cat who suffers from so much brain damage? How do I keep this cat in the house and trust him? Do I put him out and let him become feral again? Will that be what is best for him? All of that torture I wrestled with daily is represented by the circles.

I used water on the painting, causing it to run - representing my tears

Oh and the crimson, yes that is the blood that was shed so many times due to that cat, and his freak outs he would have. He would snap, like cats do, and go from zero to sixty in an instant .I was always in the way when that happened, and I always suffered from it.

I had made a promise to keep him safe, and I did, until the end.

I miss you buddy

"Follow Me" Acrylic Painting

This painting is titled "Follow Me".

Ever have those dreams where you are flying, chasing nothing as fast as you can thru the clouds?
Giggling and lost in the thrill of the flight, follow me and leave your troubles in the sky!

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.

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!!

Going crazy with vintage lucite from Beadin Path

Yesterday, home from work, bored with sleeping and disgusted with t.v. I tried reading. My mind kept wandering to my work table and what I could be doing. I put the book down and sat at my work table.

Nothing.

I pushed some beads around on the table with my finger and hummed a ditty to myself.

Nothing.

I have some compartmentalized storage boxes I have been putting my beads and supplies in, so I picked up on that project to see if I ran across anything that would get me going. I sat in the floor with baggies all around me, sorting and piling and pushing things around. My cat, who loves plastic baggies and to play fetch, trotted in with a baggie in his mouth. He dropped it in front of me, mewed to get my attention and pushed up against me, his way of saying, 'Mom, throw it!' I picked up the baggie and noticed it was my lucite beads from Beadin Path. That pesky cat!

Oh wait, that glorious cat! I got an idea as soon as I touched that bag. My daughter had been on me about making too many necklaces, and challenged me to step out and try making bracelets and earrings. I did just that!

I have talked about the memory wire bracelets before. How they are a great alternative to elastic, especially if you are knot challenged like I am. They are also great bracelets for people who have a difficult time with clasps due to arthritis, or who may have larger wrists and have trouble finding something to fit. The other thing too about memory wire, it is a great unisex option, open up that customer base!

Vintage lucite beads are light, so you can bulk up a design and not have to worry about the weight. The colors are so vivid, whereas you are limited by natural stone. The lucite is so sturdy, it can take the wear on your wrist for a worry free fashion accessory.

So, memory wire bracelets -



LUC3737OR Twist Tube Beads 10 x 12mm Orange Moonglow *

Glass pearls

Sterling disks






LUC646GR - Vintage Lucite Matte Marbled Moss Green - 10 mm rounds *
Glass pearls




But don't stop there - how about memory wire earrings? These are great fun wire loop earrings packed with lucite. Lucite beads are so light weight you can wear some really daring designs and combinations and not have to worry about them being uncomfortable.





LUC4869OR Transparent Hyacinth Barrel Bead 12 x 14 mm *
Glass pearls







LUC461YL Opaque Jonquil Round 8 mm *
LUC4458YL Pale Jonquil Round beads 16mm *
LUC4759RD - Vintage Italian Lucie Marbled Red w/ White - 12mm rounds *
Seed beads
(My favorite)







LUC646GR - Vintage Lucite Matte Marbled Moss Green - 10 mm rounds *
Glass pearls





There are so many things to do with memory wire and vintage lucite, what about wine glass charms? What else do you make with memory wire?

*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.

Carnelian and vintage lucite, with a dash of pearls, Recipie for a fun holiday necklace

It's Thanksgiving, you just bought a new sweater to wear to Aunt Sarahs for dinner and you want a new necklace to go with it.

That is what was running through my head as I was making this piece. I got caught up in the memories of watching my mom when I was little, getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner with family and wearing her new outfit and fussing about her appearance. It was important to her, and to her family to be their best on the holidays. Family would come in from all over the country for a long weekend of catching up, eating, sleeping, eating again and facing the Black Friday crowds at the local department stores to kick off the holiday shopping.

Loaded with fall colors, warm and inviting, the carnelian rectangles definitely make me hungry. They look sweet, like butterscotch candies, or pumpkin pie.

Your shopping list:
Carnelian rectangles - Sedona Stones
Vintage lucite Dark Rust Moonglow Heishi Rondells 4 x 8mm - Beadin Path
Citrine coins - Sedona Stones
Vintage lucite Cube Beads 10mm Smoky Quartz - Beadin Path
22-gauge Copper wire - Rings & Things
Fresh water pearls - Sedona Stones
Faceted red agate - Sedona Stones



Wrap seven carnelian rectangles with the copper wire.
Add copper links with vintage lucite beads - set aside.



String a pattern of pearls, vintage lucite, citrine and red agate and work into the design.
Add a clasp



Polish off the fingerprints (this step I forgot)
Wear with a smile.



Perfect recipe for a great holiday necklace

Beadin Path Design Partner - Cremesicles and Sundaes

I had a busy weekend. One of those weekends that I blinked on Friday and it was Monday. I had so much to do that by the time I sat down to get some work done, it was 8 p.m. But work I did!!

I have been wanting to work with these Vintage Lucite Light Orange Marbled Rice 12x22mm Beads from Beadin Path . They remind me of creamsicles. But before I show you what I did, I have to show you this bead. I love this bead. If you look at it close it has the face of the prince from the video game Beautiful Katamari. This is one of my favorite games that is not an FPS. If you look, you will see the eyes nose and mouth. To cute!



Here is a little bit of the madness that is Katamari



I used copper wire and made handwound links with the vintage lucite bead, and capped them with faceted red agate and moonstone.



Then I made links with three magnesite beads and copper links as spacers and capped them with copper and faceted red agate (they look like ice cream sundaes to me)



To accent these, I made links with copper filigree beads and swarovski and put them all together and added in a fire crab agate pendant bead, accented with the Side Drilled Button Round Beads 11mm Transparent Orange.




End result









Made these simple little earrings made with the side drilled beads to go along with them.



I had fun and was thrilled the inspiration came so quickly.

ArtBeads Blog Partner Challenge - Large Resin Roundels

Music is a big part of my life, and a huge source of my inspiration. One of my favorites is Andreas Vollenweider. Each of his songs tells a story without using words. This morning while listening to Morgana Palace and I see the necklace in my head. I see her dancing on the sand with a bonfire burning in the back ground. It is a celebration.

The focus of this necklace is the Large Resin Roundels from ArtBeads. I love these beads. They are so bold and eye catching. The beauty of the resin beads is their weight. They are so light!! You can really bulk up a necklace or use them as focals for a piece and never have to worry about the jewelry being to heavy or uncomfortable.

Here I have used the purple and orange beads capped with copper as the focal of the necklace. Copper jump rings attached to copper links make the chain, and are accented with green spider cubes, topaz glass druk beads, rainbow carnelian squares, Czech glass and Swarovski crystals.

I love the copper bead caps on these beads. They accent them perfectly and make them look like little lanterns.






I want to dance in the sand when I wear this!




Here is the song that brought on the inspiration