Some fun

I finally got to sit down the other day and play with my new supplies. I know I know, it is spring - but i have always been drawn to the warmer earth tones. AND - what else to go better with the new filigree findings I got.

I have never been a fan of pearls and haven't worked much with them. (they scare me) These jumped out at me - right off the table they did - while i was standing in the check out line at the bead show. the vendors are sneaky, they do this on purpose. They keep you right there, in front of all the beads - taunting you, tempting you to buy more. They know your weaknesses!!! THEY PEY UPON YOUR LACK OF SELF CONTROL!!! ONE MORE STRAND, JUST ONE MORE STRAND YOU KNOW YOU NEED IT!!! YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT!!!

*blink* *blink*
*pushes up glasses nonchalantly*
*clears throat*

where was i.........

i wanted something fun and drapey with lots of random, so this is what happened.

The Fancy Spade Filigree, (love these!) and the 4mm Round Filigree bead, I picked up from Rings & Things
The Chain came from Firemountain Gems
The pearls came from O mega gems
The random stones faceted carnelian, faceted tiger eye, and red agate came from Sedona Stones.

Choker cable challenge

Chapter two. Bola Faux

I thought it would be fun to create an illustion of a bola (also known as a bolo) tie. I brought the ends of the leather together, made a pinch loop at the bend in the middle, and pushed the tails through the loop, attaching it to the cable. I then made a basic wire loop and attached it to the leather. This gives the look of the bola. Finally, I added embelishments to the ends and a turqoise teardrop. No self respecting bola can be without turquoise!

One thing I would recommend, if you are using heavy stones for the focal, use the choker cable that has the barrel screw connector instead of the magnetic. The magnectic connectors are very conveinent, but cannot support a lot of weight.

Rings and Things inventory number for the cable used in this piece is:
#52-52-090-20-1 Choker, Magnet, Cable, 1mm, 20"


This is a fun piece to wear with a scoop neck tee.



Or under the collar of your button-down shirt for that true bola look.

To be continued......

The Challenge is Set!

I love a good challenge, and thanks to Rings and Things , I have one.

This is an ongoing project, so make sure to use the RSS feed at the left of the page so you don't miss out on any of the newest design updates!

Challenge 1: Choker cables.

The choker cables in these images have magnetic clasps. The clasp feels to be secure, but I think with a heavy pendant I would worry about it coming free. I like the idea of the barrel screw clasp better.

First thought with a choker cable is pendant. I love the cable, it holds its shape - unlike a chain or leather thong that drapes to the weight of the pendant. With a crew neck or scoop neck t-shirt, these cables keep the focus of the pendant up at your neck line. Truly fabulous. I have tons of pendants because I am a pendant wearer. I normally have them on a leather thong and in different links, depending on the type of shirt i am wearing. I also have a tendency to wear a shorter style necklace - and the choker cable is a great fit for that. (I feel a change coming on.) The clasp is small enough the bale slides over it easily giving me so much versatility. All I have to do is decide which pendant for which mood! I am impressed at the cable for keeping it shape with four pendants hanging from it!



Pictured in this image - #52-000-15-9 Choker, Steel, Cable, 1mm, 15" (Black/White Clasp)

"That is too easy, TIsh!" I hear you say and, yes, I agree. What fun is a challenge if the outcome is predictable?

What can I do to create something different, w/o just sliding beads onto the cable?

*think* *think* *think*

I poked through my box of "glorious randomness" and found these fun vintage Czech glass beads. I chose these as the focal using an eye pin to secure them to the choker cable. The cable does slide around some, and it works the clasp toward the front. I wanted the design more stable, so I wrapped a copper wire around the cable and threaded on amethyst chips for an acent.

Here is the first, of five.

Restless Wend



Pictured in this image - #52-001-18-9 Choker, Steel, Cable, 1mm, 18" (Black/Gold Clasp)

Am wearing this one today, and have already been complimented!


To be continued......