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!!!

Re Purposed Earring Fun!

Re purposing is fun! Heheh sounds like a Saturday morning psa from the 70's :)

I have a tub of pieces parts that are left over from a previous project, or are one offs, or are from other jewelry or items that will be re purposed into new jewelry. Pretty much what all these components are!

The rings are from a bracelet I found at the Good Will, they are sterling. The wood disks came in a little box I picked up at a yard sale, the faceted glass and flat disks are from the same bracelet I got at the Good Will, and the sliver tone balls are from a bracelet that was given to me by a friend that broke, and I lost most of the pieces :( Now if I could just get a handle on how to use that pesky camera

Giving new life to old jewelry is fun :)

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.

Spring Fling bracelet - Art Beads Blog Partner

This is one idea that came to my mind and I immediately set down to work.
At first I wanted to group all the pink drops on the center brass link, but the wire wasn't long enuff, and I didn't feel they would be secure. I haven't quite figured out how to work with the pink drops, they remind me of something that would be used in a floral design.

I purposely turned the brass ovals opposite of each other so you can see both sides of the link, and not have to worry if the bracelet is put on upside down or turns on your wrist and shows the underside of the link. I didn't have any brass wire, so I used the brass as part of the focal and used the copper wire to bring it all together. I love mix and match :)

It is fun with a nice drape and the dangles make me happy.


These items I got from Art Beads -
PBA-LX021 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Abstract Oval Link *
CR-RL207 5x4mm Emerald/Wasabi Mix Roundelle Strand *
VIN-0041 Pink Glass Teardrop Vintage Patina Copper Head Pin *

From my inventory -
Copper131 Copper rings - Sedona Stones
47-408-SP 20 ga copper wire - Rings & Things
47-402-SP 14 ga copper wire - Rings & Things

Soon I am going to learn how to work my camera and have the whole picture in focus - but that is another day and another cup of coffee.

*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.

Spring furnace glass fun with Art Beads!

Gumdrops and Easter, jonquils and daffodils, this is a celebration of spring from Art Beads!!
I kept the design simple wanting the cluster of furnace glass to get all of the attention. And you know how I am about that furnace glass!!!


Here are the components from ArtBeads.com that went into this necklace -
PBA-LX003 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Clover Shape Heart Link *
PBA-LX021 Antique Vintage Brass-Plated Pewter Abstract Oval Link *
BBACH08 Antique Brass-Plated Figaro Chain *
CR-RL207 5x4mm Emerald/Wasabi Mix Roundelle Strand *
FD-SPRING SPRING MIX Fire Designs Hand Blown Furnace Glass Approx 1oz *
VIN-0041 Pink Glass Teardrop Vintage Patina Copper Head Pin *
BBA-HP15 1.5-inch Antique Brass-Plated 23 Gauge Head Pin 24 *


The holes in the furnace glass beads are large, so I used the green glass and seed beads as 'stoppers' and it was also a nice addition to the dangles. Gave it a bit more depth.

Bam! In your face colors of Spring!!


It explodes from your neck with bright springtime colors



Am starting to put away my sweaters and break out my short sleeve shirts. Can't wait to wear this!

*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.

Shoulda Coulda - Peridot necklace

I wanted to submit this piece to Bead Trends for August 2010 issue. Being peridot is the birthstone, I thought it would be an appropriate submission. But too many things got in the way and I didn't get it finished til this morning.

2 strands of peridot chips
1 strand of white and green seed beads
1 strand of copper hand wound links, lamp work, swarovski crystals and seed beads
1 strand peridot, green quartz, rose quartz, and seed beads


Here is a close up -



The color choices of the necklace are brought out by the lampwork beads, the stone combination is a no brainer.

Peridot is the stone of compassion. It has a friendly energy and is excellent for healing. It assists in rebirth and renewal of all kinds. Peridot also bring abundance and prosperity. It enhances the healing and harmony of relationships of all kinds, but particularly marriage. Peridot can lessen stress in relationships, anger and jealousy.

Rose quartz is the stone of unconditional love. The elevated energy of quartz gives rose quartz a property of enhancing love in virtually any situation. It also brings gentleness, forgiveness, and tolerance.

Even tho I had intended it for August to celebrate the birthstone, the stone combination's brings love and forgiveness all year long, that is way better than just one month :)

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.

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

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.

Just for fun

I love making rings. They all come out so different even if i try to duplicate them.

This is some recent fun.