A Year in Review! Not Nanny's Necklace - Rings & Things Shell Pearls

The rest of the week, I am going to re post some of my favorite posts, and also link back to some of yours!!

A little stroll down memory lane to finish out the year!


Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Yesterdays post was about the great blogger package I received from Rings & Things.

When I saw these beads it made me go back in time 40 years. Sitting at my Grandmothers (Nanny's) vanity, brushing my hair and putting on her jewelry.

Remember these?



I had so much fun playing with her jewelry. She would dab lipstick on my lips and tell me to 'pinch my cheeks for color'. I thought I was a movie star.

I wanted to play with these beads and do something that reminded me of Nanny and was trendy at the same time. I re purposed a vintage necklace and gold tone rings from a pair of old earrings to go with the 'theme'.


It is a fun and random representation of old and new, classic and abstract.


Not your Nanny's Necklace




More to come!

*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

Shell pearls and elegance - Rings & Things Blogger Challenge

Like from yesterdays post, I am stepping outside myself, in a new direction to broaden my customer base and to appeal to a different retail vendor. I am going for a more elegant look, still some bulk to the design as to follow the trend, but not as earthy.

Four strands of different textures and lengths with a fun asymmetrical drape allowing the eye to wander and a color combination that is fun and busy.



From Rings & Things
29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
29-555-16-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 16mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *

From Michaels
Silver plated chain
Darice seed beads

From Sedona Stones
Dyed crazy lace agate

Repurposed beads


Have I mentioned how much I love blue? I have a shirt this would go with...hrm......I may have to take it out for a test drive :)


*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

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

Blue Baubles - Rings and Things blogger challenge

I am so hooked on these free form wire wrap bracelet designs. I want to make them all the time. I have several ideas in my head, and I need practice, so this morning, I wanted to work with the blue set of shell pearls from Rings & Things.

I used:

29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
29-555-16-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 16mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *
Black - Designer Assorted Beads*
47-406-SP 22 ga copper wire
47-408-SP 20 ga copper wire
47-202-SP 14 ga red brass wire
Seed beads

I had some artistic wire from a bucket of goodies from my mother in laws things. I used it as a color accent. The fun thing about this artistic wire, it is coated copper. So as the coating wears off, it will match the rest of the bracelet. Will be a cool look too.





I made these earrings to compliment the bracelet - they are a bit heavier than I normally wear, but for sitting around the office they are ok.



And I couldn't help it!! I had to wear it today!!!!



*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

Blue Note - Shell pearl pendant - Rings & Things Blogger Challenge

More blogger fun with my shell pearl mix from Rings & Things.

I need to just embrace the fact that I like to create necklaces and pendants and stop trying to carry a full line. It would be fun to partner up with a couple of others who love to make just earrings or bracelets. Could start a fun little co op of sorts :)

I really didn't know where I was going with this design. I just let it happen. It reminds me of a treble cleff on sheet music. Maybe I was directed this way because I was listening to Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows while I was working....




Here are some of the components I used:
29-555-10-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Blue Mix) *
29-555-16-905 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 16mm (Blue Mix) *
28-000-007-443 Bead, Glass, Faceted Round, 10mm (Electric Blue) *
47-402-SP 14 ga copper wire
47-406-SP 22 ga copper wire
swarovski crystals
garnet
opalite
coral

What do you listen to when you work?

*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

Shell pearl pendant design - Rings & Things blogger challenge

It came about more or less like a flash in my brain. I was curled up in my recliner watching a terrible movie, rolled over and thought I would take a nap before work (having a hard time getting going this morning) As SOON as I closed my eyes this image flashed. My eyes shot open, I leapt from my chair and dashed to my work table.

I bent the 14 ga wire around the shell pearl just to get a rough 'fit' and then hammered the copper wire to strengthen it and to texture it so the 22 ga wire when wrapped would 'bite'.

I started at the top and made a few wraps and added a pearl. These little fresh water pearls are not perfect. I embraced that in the design and didn't make the wraps perfect either.

Now, there is the dilemma of the long pearl. It is not drilled. What am I going to do with it? There was a slight divot in the middle of the pearl, perfect to hold the wire for a wrap and not allow the pearl to slide thru. I went with it :)





Here is what I used:
29-555-10-901 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 10mm (Brown Mix) *
29-555-16-901 Bead, Shell Pearl, Round, 16mm (Brown Mix)*
Random freshwater pearls *
47-402-SP 14 ga copper wire
47-406-SP 22 ga copper wire
swarovski crystals


Slid it on a long piece of leather, threw it on with a black sweater and out the door I went. I had some fun this morning (so much fun I was late for work) making this pendant. Thanks Dave and Thanks Rings & Things!!!

What did you create today?!?!

*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

Not Nanny's Necklace - Rings & Things Shell pearls

Yesterdays post was about the great blogger package I received from Rings & Things.

When I saw these beads it made me go back in time 40 years. Sitting at my Grandmothers (Nanny's) vanity, brushing my hair and putting on her jewelry.

Remember these?



I had so much fun playing with her jewelry. She would dab lipstick on my lips and tell me to 'pinch my cheeks for color'. I thought I was a movie star.

I wanted to play with these beads and do something that reminded me of Nanny and was trendy at the same time. I re purposed a vintage necklace and gold tone rings from a pair of old earrings to go with the 'theme'.


It is a fun and random representation of old and new, classic and abstract.


Not your Nanny's Necklace




More to come!

*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