Pssst - The Cardinal Necklace Is Here!

I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post this! He turned out so well I had to share it today. Isn't he beautiful? Female's are pretty too, but they don't make for very interesting jewelry. This guy with all his red glory just takes the cake! Oh, oh, I just dated myself with that expression...

You can find all the details on this necklace here: Male Cardinal Necklace

I hope you take a minute to stop by and check it out.

A Peek At the Hummingbird

So many have asked about the Ruby Throated Hummingbird that I decided to give you a tease. This is a photo of the one that is sold. The next one is in line on my "To do" list. His cousin the Lucifer Hummer is pretty, but I am partial to this guy. He's what folks in my neck of the woods think of when you say Hummingbird.

I have one of Dragon's Cardinals on the bead board now. It should be done later today. I say should because I never know what I am going to find to distract myself with. Yesterday it was straightening out the garage so we can park the car inside. Frosty nights are just a blink away.

I found Rose Gold earring findings when I was out shopping this week. The last time I saw that color of Gold was on our trip home from California back in the 80's. I believe they called it "Black Hills Gold". I'm sure it has been around, but I've not seen it in jewelry items. With the craft being so popular at the moment, I'm sure manufacturers are scrambling to come up with new ideas. I will combine it with bright gold and some sparkling Swarovski Crystals. Again... on my "to do" list. Maybe I should get off the computer and start "to doing".

Bead Sculpture Lucifer Hummingbird Necklace

I promised you pictures when the second Hummingbird was finished, so here it is. I based this little bird on the Lucifer Hummingbird. I have never seen one in our neck of the woods. Seems they like the dry heat of Texas better. I just love the colors on this little guy. He was fun to make. I did take some poetic license in creating his feather patterns, but I am quite pleased with how he turned out. Two full days of beading went into making him! I have a hard time when trying to change colors from the basic pattern. The next one I make will probably be the green and ruby one I see around here all the time. Not now of course. They've long ago headed South.

Yesterday I purchased a Cardinal pattern from Dragon. The red beads I have are bigger so it will come out larger than the Hummer, but Cardinals are bigger birds. I can't wait to dig into my stash and get going on this one! I am going to have to wait though. Today is market day at Cross Roads and I have several Halloween earrings I have to get finished. It will be a while before a Cardinal appears.

Well folks, I'm off to the market. Hope you all have a great day. Take a closer look at my little bird here:

Lucifer Hummingbird Necklace

Etsy Treasury - The Big Apples

I decided to have some more fun setting up a Treasury for Etsy. Normally I try to stick to jewelry so I can sneak one of my own creations in. I know they frown upon that, but sometimes it feels like that's the only way I'll ever make it into one.

Today's Treasury should help keep the doctor away if the old saying has any truth. Look at all those yummy apples. Some are edible, some are not, some look like they should be! It was amazing to find such wonderful things by a simple search of the word "apple".

Hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I did making it.

The Big Apples

I had planned on showing you my latest creation today. I made a beautiful bead sculpted Hummingbird over the past few days. I listed it yesterday thinking I could show you today. It wasn't on Etsy for 30 minutes and it was sold! I am working on a different colored bird right now. I should be able to get pictures of it on in a few days.

The Leaves Are Falling

Time for Autumn leaves here in Western New York. Soon the hay wagons will be out pulling laughing children and snuggling lovers though the rolling hills covered with reds, yellows and oranges. The leaves that have changed so far are bright colors. Deep, deep reds and pumpkin bright oranges crown may of our trees here on the farm.

Deep in my bead stash I found these lovely leaf beads that I had tucked away. At the time I got them I though I'd never use them. I didn't even like them. Amazing what a few months and changing seasons can do for one's outlook.

I have only pictured a couple of the colors. There are quite a few more on my Etsy site. Have a look.

Autumn Earrings

Gold Filled vs. Gold Plated

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Gold plated jewelry and Gold filled? I've had several people ask me lately who thought they were the same thing. I figured if they are asking, some of you might have questions about it too.

Gold plated jewelry is the low end of Gold use. It will cost you the least, but it will also last a shorter length of time. It is perfectly fine for things you don't wear often but eventually the Gold will wear off. It is made by dipping the pieces into a special bath that contains a small amount of Gold. A current is run through the bath that makes the Gold adhere to the base metal. The base metal can be just about anything so if you have allergies, it's not a good idea to go with plated items.

Gold filled jewelry is a mid priced use of Gold. It costs more than plated and less than say, 18K or 24K pieces. MUCH less! I use it for my better pieces simply because it keeps them affordable. A single pair of comparable ear wires in 14K Gold will cost over $50, so obviously, I don't have those in my "stash"! Gold filled items are made by rolling a sheet of Gold around a center core of base metal. The weight of the Gold must be at least 1/20 of the total weight. This results in a thicker amount of Gold on a piece. It is worth more and will last much longer than plated. I have never had a filled piece wear through to the core metal yet.

Personally, I use a lot of plated findings, especially where the piece will not be in contact with the skin. It just keeps the cost down for both of us. There is always the option to upgrade to 14K Gold filled ear wires. I do use filled wires on many of my better earrings.

Hope this clears up the mystery for you if you were confused about it.

I'm off to create, or mow the lawn, or ugh - clean house!

I Can Not Believe It!

I am absolutely amazed at the lack of interest in a 50% Off offer I have been posting on Twitter. For several days I posted that I would send a 50% discount coupon code to the first 5 people who asked. All they have to do is contact me and ask for it! Not one single response thus far. It makes me feel like I must be selling junk. I guess they figure it is a scam or too good to be true. Well folks, it IS true and their loss is your gain. I am opening up the offer to my blog followers. It is for my Artfire site because Etsy has yet to get with the program and make it so you can easily offer discounts. I will take it one step further for you. If there is something you have on your wish list that is on Etsy and not on Artfire, I will list it for you and the offer still stands. I will need your e-mail address to send the code to. You go to Artfire, do your shopping and plug in the code at checkout. That's all there is to it.

So - anyone here interested? All 5 coupons are still available.

My Artfire