Saturday, February 28, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 24



Okay, I admit it.  I put this pair on last evening.   I was so excited about how they turned out I couldn't wait to get them on Etsy.   There is the evening shoppers I miss when I only upload in the morning, right?   

Not only did they turn out great but I got to play with power tools!  I love power tools.  So what if it was only my little Dremel?   I learned I can alter the filigree by using different tips on it.   The beads in this pair are long and thin.  They were begging for more than just somthing sitting on top of them.  Sure, I could have ordered different filigree, but where's the fun in that?  I cut and filed and had a wonderful time adjusting filigree I already had to create these beauties.


Create a mood with these soft red floral earrings. 

Two styles of floral beads accented with bronze and gold colored filigree.

Hanging from a bronze French ear wire they dangle about 1 1/2 inches or 42 mm.

Friday, February 27, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 23

I put several new rings on Etsy today.  This is my favorite because I was able to use some older crystal beads I rescued from a once beautiful purple necklace.  They shout Swarovski, but since I'm not sure I didn't call them that.  The black side beads are the wonderful Austrian companies however.    I always like it when I can make something new out of something old. 


Two rescued purple crystal beads beads with 4 Swarovski side beads. 

Hand made using tarnish resistant silver colored wire. 

Size 9.5.

Contact us if you need a different size

Thursday, February 26, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 22























The mailman was nice to me yesterday.  Nothing but beading supplies came!  That always gets my creativity going.  Today will be spent in the studio for sure.  I am still waiting for a large order of floral beads.  I can't wait until they get here!  In the mean time, here are some little lovelies in pink.


Dreamy light pink / rose faceted glass focal beads brought to life with gold tone filigree and the added spark of two green Swarovski Crystals on each.

Dangling from 14K Gold French ear wires to a length of 1 1/4" or 35 mm.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

An Item A Day - A Cold Day 22

Man it's cold here!  Is Spring EVER going to come?  I have to remind myself that it is almost March and that is when the Robins start appearing. 

While I impatinetly wait for the weather to change I've been working daily in the studio.  Here is one of the latest creations.  Hope you like it.  I had a heck of a time trying to find a name for this style.  Anyone have anything better than I came up with?


This design reminds me of a pagoda. Flurished, dainty and beautiful.

Black onyx color cut glass focal bead with silver tone filigree and two Peridot colored Swarovski crystals.

Hung on an 18" black leather necklace, it can easily be removed to place on your favorite chain.

Measures 3/4" x 1 1/4" or 20 x 33 mm

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 21


Today is a simple day.  I kept it pure, sweet and dainty.  Just the way I like my jewelry.  

I spent most of the day online yesterday because one of my Treasuries finally made it to the front page of Etsy and another one went up.  Lots of people sending me messages, and a couple of sales were the results.
  
I have been asked to place my jewelry in a shop in Findley Lake, NY!  I am excited about that.  So, I will be making some things that don't make it to Esty in the coming weeks.  

Here are a couple that did:

Top:


Bottom:

Monday, February 23, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 20


I promised you rings, and rings it is!  After another trip to town for things I forgot the day before,  I managed to finish a few.   Oh, how I hate getting old!   Some or the rings that evolved I liked, some, not so much.   I am amazed at how different something can turn out with just a small twist in another direction or a different color bead.  Here are a couple of my favorites.

Top picture:

SOLD

Bottom picture:


Sunday, February 22, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 19

I found more "pearls" in my goodie bag.  The first one turned out so well I had to try several more.   This is one of them.

I spent most of yesterday afternoon experimenting with my wire.  I want to be able to make rings.  I've had so many requests for them at Cross Roads that I have to come up with something!  That is what I will be doing today.  Tomorrow's item might just be a ring if my plan works out.

Here is today's info:


A 5/8" or 16 mm glass faux pearl adorned with silver tone filigree and two Auroa Borealis green Swarovski Crystals.

Length is 1 1/2" or 38 mm.

Comes with an 18" leather necklace and can easily be removed to place on your favorite chain.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 18


A new personal favorite for me!  I wish I could say I just threw these together but it took me several hours to get it just right.  What color center?  What color crystal?  Which piece of filigree to use?   I thought I was wasting the day away until I hit on just the right combination!  I love them so much I just had to post both colors I made.  I truely hope you love them as much as I do. 

Top photo:


Bottom Photo:


Both Items:

Two dainty flower beads mixed with antique gold toned filigree and set off by a dazzling Swarovski crystal.

Hanging on 14K French ear wires. Dangle length is 1 1/8 " or about 29 mm.

Friday, February 20, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 17

I have had a bag of old, odd pearls around for years.  Every once in a while I'd need one for a project.  I'd dig past this one rejecting it time after time.  I always thought I'd never use it because it was so big.  Never say never.  It worked up into one of the nicest pendants yet!  

Here it is:


The focal piece for this pendant was saved from an old necklace. Silver toned filigree adds charm while two Ruby Red Swarovski crystals add sparkle.

Pendant measures approximately 5/8" x 1 5/8" or 15 x 40 mm.

Comes with an 18" leather cord necklace. Can easily be removed to place on your favorite chain.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 16


Winter has hit Western New York again.  The plows are rattling the foundation and the wind is blowing right through the walls of this old house.  What better day to think of Spring?  Daffidills and Jonquils can't be too far away - right?   So, with that in mind, as I put on another sweatshirt, here is today's item. 


A touch of Spring color graces this lovely pair. A green tinged yellow bead is topped with silver tone filigree "petals" and tipped with a sparkling orange Swarovski crystal.

Hanging from Sterling Silver French ear wires they dangle about 1" or 25 mm
.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 15

I fell in love with these earrings myself.  If I actually went anywhere to wear them I'd keep them!  But, alas, my country life doesn't get me out on the town often enough to warrent tucking them away.  I'd rather they found a home where they'd be taken out and shown off!

Today's item:


Ruby red fire polished Czech beads sit atop gold tone metal filigree orbs. Swarovski crystals sparkle at the bottom.

Hanging from 14K Gold filled French ear wires. Dangle length is about 1 1/4" or 32 mm.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 14


Two pretty pink sets today!  I just had to list them at the same time. Don't ask me why.  They just looked like they wanted to be together.  


Like the ballerina's skirt, this pair of fancy pink earrings will dance on your ears.

The light acrylic focal beads were saved from an older broken necklace. Silver toned filigree and a tiny pink Swarovski crystal brought out the beauty of the vintage beads.

Hanging from Sterling Silver French ear wires this pair dangles about 1 1/4" or 32 mm.



SOLD

Two sparkling Swarovski crystals will dance on each ear with this lovely pair.

Each set of crystals is accented with silver toned filigree.

Hanging from Sterling Silver French ear wires, they dangle about 7/8" or 22 mm
.

Monday, February 16, 2009

I GOT A TREAURY
























Yes I'm shouting!  I finally got an Etsy Treasury!

An Item A Day - Day 13

I have been working on this piece for weeks.  Hubby says it was more like months.  It was an in between other projects project.  True crafters will know exactly what I mean!  Regardless, it is FINALLY finished.   So it is today's item of the day.


Thousands of tiny glass beads and days of work went into this lovely cuff style bracelet. Subtle, soft tones were used to follow the wandering path of the white beads.

Original design bracelet in teal, lavender, white and silver lined clear seed beads.

This bracelet is 2" or 50 mm at it's widest point. It narrows down to 5/8" or 15 mm. Wearing length is 7" or 18.5 cm.

Strong Fireline thread was used in constructing this piece. It not only gives it durability, but it added body and created a gentle, natural curve to the piece.

Closes with a hidden single snap.

Puff Pillow Boxes


















My many thanks to Doda'sCreative Wanderings  for posting the template and instructions for this box.  I have been looking for a unique, inexpensive way to package my jewelry.  To purchase jewelry boxes, even the small ones can get quite expensive.  I hate to just toss my beautiful work into a paper sack at Cross Roads Market!  

I took the original template and after experimenting with my Print Shop program, came up with a size that will hold the majority of my jewlery.  The second picture shows it next to one made from the template I downloaded. (I printed the pattern on for fun.)    As you can see, mine is more of a square.   I can get two boxes from a letter size piece of card stock.   I may tweek it a bit more, but I think it is going to work perfectly for what I need!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 12

I have had the pieces to a broken necklace floating around for years.  When these silver cones arrived in the mail I knew just what to do with them.  They bring out the beauty of these old beads and make perfect earrings.

Today's special item:


Hung on Sterling Silver French ear wires. Dangle length is 1 1/2" or 40 mm

Saturday, February 14, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 11 - A Twofer Day!


It's Saturday and I feel like celebrating so I am putting two items on today!  

Yesterday I discovered blog search.  Oh my, what fun I had looking at so many different blogs.  This could be dangerous.  I kept reading and reading and reading, and getting nothing made here.  I did find some wonderful people though.

Here are today's offerings:

Top pictue - 


Pure elegance.

4 Swarovski Crystals adorn lavender colored floral bells. Accented with antique gold colored filigree. 

Dangling from 14K Gold French ear wires.Gold filled items are more durable than plated pieces as there is much more Gold involved. We used them to help keep the price of your Gold items affordable.


Bottom picture - 

Victorian Bride - White Recycled Pierced Earrings

Something old and something new. Perfect for the bride or for any formal wear.

Vintage glass pearls have been rescued in this lovely pair of earrings. Antique gold colored filigree adds elegance while two clear Swarovski Crystals add sparkle.

Hanging from 14K Gold filled French ear wires. Dangle length is about 1" or 27 mm.

Friday, February 13, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 10

The snow is back in Western New York.  Go away snow - shoo, shoo....

This lovely pair of dangles reminds me of ice.  When you stand on the shore of Lake Erie and look across the water in the Winter.  You see all sorts of beautiful, very cold looking colors, blue and white predominating.

So - here's to Winter ice, and today's item:


Creamy blue faceted glass beads are the focal point accompanied by white glass pearls and silver toned filigree. Topped and tipped with sparkling blue Swarovski Crystal.

Hanging from Sterling Silver ear wires, this pair dangles about 1 1/8" or 25 mm.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 9

Every once in a while I hit on a design that really gets me excited.  This is one of them.  It just shouted elegance when I put it together.  Personally, I love it and I hope you do too!


Recycled vintage pink glass pearls are the focal point of these Victorian style earrings.

10 mm pearls mounted with antique gold tone filigree "petals". Green color matched Swarovski crystals sparkle on both the top and the bottom.

Hanging from 14K Gold filled ear wires. Gold filled items are more durable than plated pieces as there is much more Gold involved. We used them to help keep the price of your Gold items affordable.

Dangle length is 1 1/4" or 27 mm.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 8

All my new supplies arrived.  Well, almost all of them did.  I'm still waiting for some Swarovski Crytals.  What fun I've been having creating pretty little drops for your ears ( or your Honey's)

Here is today's best:


Can't you just imagine these on a Fairy? You can own them and add a bit of magic to your accessories.

Magenta swirl cut glass beads accented with gold tone and brass "petals". A touch of blue Swarovski Crystal tips both ends.

These lovelies dangle abut 1 1/8" or 27 mm.

Hanging from 14K Gold filled ear wires. Gold filled items are more durable than plated pieces as there is much more Gold involved. We used them to help keep the price of your Gold items affordable.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 7

I made it through a whole week!   Okay, family memebers, stop laughing....

Here is today's item:

Dichroic Blueberry Earrings

Little drops of fruit like beauty.

Center beads of multiple colors focusing on blue. Accented with gold tone findings and tipped with sparkling Swarovski Crystal.

Hanging from 14K Gold filled French ear wires. Dangle length is just under an inch or about 20 mm.

Monday, February 9, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 6






Here we are at day 6.  Almost a full week of creating.  I must admit, I have made more items than I've posted which is a good thing - right?  Eventually they will all get on.

Here is today's item:  


Shaded pink acrylic flower beads with burgundy glass pearls and silver colored accents. A pink Swarovski crystal adds just a bit of sparkle.

Hanging from Sterling Silver French ear wires, the dangle length is just about an inch or 22 mm.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 5 - A Change of Pace


Well, here we are at day 5 of my 30 day self challenge.    Just for some variety, today I have posted one of my sculpted Swarovski Crystal trees. This was a collaboration between my hubby and me.  I scuplt the trees, mount them to their bases and felt the bottoms.  Don adds the crystals when I am finished.    I'm afraid I haven't mastered the technique of photographing sparkling things yet.  I wish I could grab the twinkle of these trees with my camera!


Over 80 Sparkling Amethyst Swarovski crystals were used to create this one of a kind wire tree. 

Tarnish resistant silver colored wire is hand twisted into a rustic, natural looking tree. Then each crystal is individually put in place. 

The piece is mounted on a small great rock I picked up from a prehistoric lake bed. 

The entire piece stands about 4 1/2 tall. The base of the rock measures 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches. 

The bottom is covered in felt where it will sit to protect your furniture or glass shelf. These trees look absolutely dazzling in a lit show case!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 4


I've been to the big city (Erie, PA) and back this morning.  I had to stock up on beads if I am to meet my goal!  Oh how I love to sort through the beads.  Driving on the pot holed roads - not so much.  

Here is today's offerning:



Clear drops infused with creamy caramel color. Accented with gold tone discs and topped off with Topaz Swarovski Crystals.

Suspended from 14K Gold filled French ear wires. Dangle length is 1 1/8 inches or about 30 mm.

Friday, February 6, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 3


Made it to day 3!   Dave asked how many more to go.  To meet my initial goal the answer is 30.  If I make that far, we will see...

The beads for these earrings arrived just last evening.  I was so delighted with how pretty they are I had to make something with them right away.  I bought 24 of them, so you will be seeing more Lily items.

Here is today's accomplishment.


Lavender acrylic flowers centered with a purple glass pearl and a sparkling Swarovski crystal. Gold tone accents complete these delicate flowers.

Hanging from 14K Gold filled French ear wires. Dangle length is 1 inch or about 25 mm.



Thursday, February 5, 2009

An Item A Day - Day 2

Can you believe it? I've accomplished my goal for 2 days in a row! Okay - stop laughing....

Here is today's creation:






Two creamy lime vintage beads topped off with purple Swarovski crystals and gold tone accents. 

Hang from 14K Gold filled French ear wires. Dangle length is 1 1/4 inches or 30 mm.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A New Item A Day

     It is February and I admit, I get down right lazy mid-Winter.  It is when I should be doing most of my creating for the upcoming season at Cross Roads but I get complacent.  I get into that "who cares" or "whatever" mood that accomplishes nothing.  So, knowing how lazy I can get I have set a challenge for myself for the rest of the month at least.  I hope to come up with at least one new item every day until we leave for vacation in March.    

Here is today's accomplishment.  They are available in our Etsy store - www.forbesfarm.etsy.com

     Amethyst Nights Earrings
 
A tiny Swarovski crystal crowns an Amethyst colored faceted glass beads with brass and gold colored filigree accents.  Hanging from over sized 14K Gold filled loops they will dangle about 2 1/4 inches. 

Check back often and see if I can keep up with my own challenge!  My family will probably be taking bets.