Amethyst - Peace and Calm

Amethyst is the stone of peace and calm, creativity, all healing, an artists stone, it keeps your head in the game, balance and temperance and more. 

It is the birthstone of February, and the sobriety stone

I have quite the collection of amethyst beads in tear drops, faceted brioletes, faceted roundels, chips, coin, natural points and various sizes of rounds. 

While putting together some amethyst pieces to post for February, I came across this little heart shaped amethyst focal bead. 

I didn't want to take away from the heart by wrapping it too ornately, so I kept it simple. A bale, and a tiny spiral. Done.

The heart shape and smoothness of the stone, really resonated the peace and calm that is associated with this stone. 

This little one is spoken for, and will be going on a cruise this week. :)

Is amethyst your birthstone or just one of your favorite stones?

Inquiring minds want to know :)

and remember, be peaceful, and be kind, it's important!!

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!

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!!!

Inexpensive Glamor

I got a mix bag of acrylic beads from Firemountain Gems a while back, and have had so much playing with them.
There is a great source of inspiration in this fun little mix.

This is my latest creation using those acrylic beads, and adding some chain, and black stone.

Simple, inexpensive and oh so glamorous!

Summer Fun

I am not ready to let go of summer :)

I had that little focal for a while. Just a little plastic textured star with a tiny purple flaw. Embrace the flaw I say, and use it to bring the design together.





4 separate strands -
One of random beads from the Designer collection (this was a close out deal, but you should see their bead assortments!! ) at Rings & Things
One of seed bead - peridot - from Michaels
One of seed beads - lilac (Michales), with added dyed crazy lace agate coins from Sedona Stones
And the last of light blue seed beads and the strand woven thru the design to give it a floating feel.

This piece thrills me - It is so fun to wear, and a real mood lifter!

Once more to the garden - Re purpose project

Still running with yesterdays theme of the re purpose of the Octopus's garden, I made these bracelets.

They are VERY similar, but that is ok. These freshwater pearls are so much fun and so active, I couldn't stop at one. I used a random slant on the original focal idea with the flower of the Octopus's garden necklace and just added faceted Czech crystal and sterling daisy spacers..







This one I used groups of seven and separated them with the daisy spacers and the Czech crystals.



I love looking at it on my wrist - it makes me giggle!!

Have you re purposed any jewlery? I would love to see it! Post a link in my comments and share it with all of us!

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.

More shell pearl earrings - Rings & Things blogger challenge

Made these earrings to go with the pendant from a previous post
47-408-SP 20 ga copper wire
29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *

This is one continuous piece of wire for each earring. Cut about 6 in of wire. Hammer one end of the wire to create a head pin. Slide on the faceted glass bead. Bend curves into the wire with your round nosed pliers. Hammer to strengthen and flatten the wire. Add the shell pearl. At the top of the pearl, make a 45 degree angle bend in the wire. Create a coil around the end of your round nosed pliers at the bend. Carefully push the bent wire back up straight. Using a form (ink pen will work) bend the remainder of the wire around the form and snip off the excess. Hammer the ear wire to strengthen.

Wa-la!!! You made and earring out of one piece of wire!




Made these to compliment the necklace from this previous post
28-000-007-273 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Purple)*
gold tone chain
re purposed links


Quick and easy peasy - two pair of earrings in under 15 minutes!


*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

Octopus's Garden - A Study in Creativity

It was a busy weekend. I felt rushed and in a bit of a panic to get things done so I could sit down and work. There has been a recent upheaval in my life due to a shift change and I am now working 9 - 6. I am not used to it, having a problem settling into it and it has destroyed my schedule. This schedule change has left me not being able to create in the mornings before work and has forced me to cram it into a weekend. *embrace the challenge, find the good* My mantra for the last week.

You know those times when it just doesn't happen? You try to come up with an idea, you try to put the pieces together and - nothing. Nada. That is when I go looking for the inspiration. As I have said in the past, I find inspiration in music, in nature, or in dreams. Most times my inspiration is there, I just have to learn how to take from it to create with it.

Google is celebrating Sesame Street's 40th year. In light of it, Heather of Beadin Path and I were talking about it last week. I was watching clips on You Tube and reminiscing about the great times I had growing up with Sesame Street and then being able to share those fun times with my daughter and watch them all over again with her.

In my searching I found this, one of my favorite:



From this video came the inspiration for this piece. A fun, whimsical, nonsense necklace created in a study of working outside the box, abstract interpretation, and letting go. You wouldn't believe the ideas I have rolling now.

I hand wound the links with sterling, and packed the pearls onto a length of beading wire. It is heavier than I thought.



It photographs like a dream. Great textures, a good flow.


It may not stay a necklace, it may not stay anything, but it did take me out of my comfort zone and allow me to play, and have a fun creative time going in a new direction.

Dream a little dream with me

I got this bead a while back from Art Beads and wanted to incorporate it into a different design. I had the idea in my head, but it just wouldn't come out my fingers.

I have unconsciously rolled this bead around between my fingers looking for that special something to do with it. Put it down, and pick it up again. I wanted it to be tucked into a design so when seen, it would be like a hidden treasure.

It didn't work that way. I played around with a previous design and a pendant and liked the idea so much, I used it again for this bead.

It is a fun 'tween' design, simple, casual, but to the point - "Dream"

We all need a little dream don't we?

More ArtBeads Fun!!

Got home from work last nite, and there was my order from ArtBeads!



What was in this order?
BBA-EAR03 - Antique Brass-Plated Plain Earwire
SS-OJR30-F - STG Open Jump Ring - 0.030 x .210 inc
TOOL-101 - Nipper Tool - not pictured
SSWR12HHF - Sterling Wire Round 12 Gauge HALF HARD - not pictured
48722 - Copper Wire Wrapped Center Toggle Clasp
48712 - Copper Thick Rope Wrapped S Clasp
BCACH12 - Antique Copper-Plated Textured Oval Link
BCCH19 - Copper-Plated Oval Link Chain

I have to tell you, I am thrilled - THRILLED with that copper chain. It makes my heart happy!! it is beautiful.

That copper plated oval chain inspired me as soon as I opened the package. I gathered up the left over beads I had from the 'sand dancer' necklace and got to work. The large purple resin bead was set to be the focal of this necklace. I didn't want to take away from the beauty of the chain but use it to be the showcase for the pendant. I made a wire wrapped loop and attached a copper link to it. I packed the link with beads to add motion to the piece. Next I added a few beads up one side of the chain to help to lead your eyes to the focal.

Here, the purple resin bead as the focal, accented with green spider cubes, topaz glass druk beads, rainbow carnelian squares, Czech glass, amethyst rounds and Swarovski crystals.









While on the phone with my daughter I started this bracelet. I never make bracelets. I love the multi strand bracelets and the bulk of them. I thought the mass of the bracelet would be a nice offset to the simplicity of the necklace. I have made several of this style of bracelet but why I don't continue to do them is a mystery.








Finished off the set with a simple pair of earrings.



And of course, I am wearing them today!

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

Wednesday quickie - R&T June Challenge part 2

Man I am running behind today. Woke up this morning to a destroyed couch, and the carpet and the pad beneath were pulled off of the landing, and my dogs were quietly slumbering outside my bedroom door as if nothing had happened.

*sigh*

James and Kel had cleaned last nite, while I was at work, in anticipation of our daughters arrival, only to have it all destroyed, and I did a do-over this morning.

*sigh*

Leigh is coming home tonite for a long weekend and will be welcomed by a pack of happy dappy dawgs, and a dirty house! Oh the glories of going home.

I am not as prepared as I wanted to be with a piece, so I am just going to show you what I made as my second installment of the Rings & Things June Challenge.

I wanted to use the Mirage bead as a focal. I am really thrilled with these beads. I have one concern, and that is the finish. The gloss is brilliant, and I hope it can withstand being a focal, and not dull or scratch. Time will tell.

I was looking at the pattern on the bead, and in an abstract way, reminded me of a garden fence. Thinking gardens, wisteria was the first thing that popped into my mind. I love wisteria. Love it. So, I went with it.

Wisteria



Wisteria under Summer Sky





And I am taking it for a test drive today. I will be wearing it to pick up my daughter from the airport after work. I am sure by the time we get to the truck she will have taken it off of me and will be wearing it :)

I'll try not to be too MIA over the weekend.

Later Kids!

Re Purpose project

While I was at my moms we went thru box after box of 'stuffs' she has collected over the years. I need a month to show you everything I brought home with me.

Back in the 70's my mom use to make costume jewelry christmas tree wall hangings. She would push the twinkle lights thru holes in the cardboard and it would light up. The twinkle lights would reflect off of all the rhinestones and quite honestly could put somones eye out :)

Any one remember these? I found this pic on line - Glorious I tell you! I am so digg'n her hair too. Man, I miss the 70's



While we were diggn, we found a box of odds and ends. Costume jewelry left over from those christmas tree days. I squealed when I saw it.




This morning over coffee the idea hit me, I came up with this.

Paisley crazy

The purple coins are dyed crazy lace agate from Sedona Stones.






And yes, I am wearing it :)