Playing

The vessel I picked up from Samma's gorgeous pieces is called Drama Queen - its absolutely fabo, raku looking. I pondered it, and decided nothing should take away from the bead, so I picked out seed beads in various shapes and sizes that complemented the colors in the bead and I strung and strung and strung some more. I used the handles of the vessel to attach the beads. It was too much, the black kind of disappeared, so then I added a strand of black (in various shapes and sizes) and wrapped just above the handles in black. This was my first time using fireline, hopefully my surgeon's knots will hold! Samma's piece is a nice long one. http://www.posh-abilities.com/

In Tucson I bought lots of beads, lots of spring/summer colored stones. The following piece I actually had done the stringing of the stones (lavendar, peach and green with black accents) in Tucson, but it was just too plain. So after playing with Samma's piece I said hmm, maybe I can do something similar. I added several strands of seed beads. Still not enough, so i created a wrapped centerpiece to create a focal; it still needed something, so I went through my stash of lampworks and the rose is perfect; its actually a light lavendar, the color is changing because of whats below it. This one is on the short side.

A piece for Tucson

I didn't join the year of jewelry program this session because I needed to evaluate where I'm going with my business, needed to get my inventory and website straightened out, and frankly needed a break. So what have I been doing the last few nights when I'm supposed to do doing the inventory? Working on a piece to wear in Tucson, lol!! I am mailing my tools and such down on Tuesday, so I needed to get this done. This is a pretty crappy picture unfortunately, I was having 'issues' (user errors) with the camera. I thought I was losing my mind, the pieces above the brown are light blue - until I put it around my neck or took a picture. Take it off the bust or my neck, its light blue. What I think I did was grab some tanzanite that looks different depending on the light! I may pop them out and put in the blue I intended to put in there, or I may not, haven't decided.

Week 52 - End of Year

This is it! I made it. Phew, it was a long year. I was late a few times but made something every week, some weeks more than one, some weeks nothing exciting. I am going to take a break from the program for awhile, take the extra time to get my inventory sorted and update the website, etc., and generally give myself a 'break'.

This last piece is something that's been in my head for a bit. We're dressing for new years so I decided now is the time; its far from perfect, having a design on paper and measuring would be in the plan for the next time I try something like this, lololol!! 20 gauge soft sterling (my first issue, should have been 1/2 hard, I really had to work it to harden), the 1/2 round was ALSO soft (waaayyy to0 soft), and I think a smaller gauge of each would be better. Vintage swarovski crystals in various shapes and sizes and colors. I wasn't unhappy with the final results!

Happy New Years to everybody!!!

Week 51 - Caught up, woohoo!!! Another gift

This is a special gift. My nephew just returned from 15 months in Iraq. His wife is also in the military going to medical school, stationed in Hawaii. While he was in Iraq, we purchased land in the Adirondack mountains. He was jealous, and asked us to find another piece for he and his wife! We did that, we found a piece a mile from ours. 20 minutes away is the Herkimer Diamond Mines. This is the one and only thing the two of them own, as they will be moving around in the military, but they will always have 'a place' in the mountains. The stone in this piece is an exquisite Herkimer Diamond I purchased earlier this year. I thought a most fitting gift for her would be a little piece of the earth, close to where their property is, as she may never actually 'see' the property itself!!

week 50 - Another swarovski

Another gift, this is another one of the large swarovskis I bought in Rhode Island. The colors are amazing, this is one of those that changes depending on the light

week 49 - catching up

I'm still behind but this one I could show (some of the other work I've done the last couple of weeks were gifts!). This is one last order from a show a few weeks ago. When I went to Rhode Island the first week of December for a show I went to Myrows again and bought a kabazilion swarovskis. This time I got mostly unfoiled because I still have quite a collection of foiled ones from this summer, this happens to be one that is foiled. This is a large piece, olivine in color, loved the shape; the purchaser wanted it wrapped very simply, can't get much simpler than this.. I will get pictures of the swars some time in the next couple of weeks if anybody is interested!!

week 48 - Hammered cuffs

Some final pieces before a show this coming weekend. In their former life the wire in these cuffs had been beaded 14 gauge sterling silver neck wires. They weren't selling, so I took them apart (because I was out of 14 gauge wire) and created these fun, simple hammered cuffs, lol! Some I put the hammered side out, some I put the hammered side in. We'll see how they do!

week 47 - Y necklaces

I did a version of these several years ago but got away from them. One of my bead club members makes them and seeing them again reminded me how much I really do like them! With her permission I am doing a similar version to hers; they are a very wearable necklace. All of these are swarovskis, either beads or pearls. Once I finish my shows I'll have my lights back again and get some halfway decent pictures!

week 46 - Playing catchup

I'm behind!! Holy cats, between holidays, guests, shows, etc., its getting tough! I did a couple of these last week, a couple this week, but never got to post. I need to do a few more for a show this coming week, these have been very popular. Wrapped vintage swarovskis; you've seen them before, you'll likely see more, lol!