Another Shell

This is another of the beautiful shells I found. This week I received an order that included a mix of Swarovski crystals. There just happened to be several in the mix that set off the colors in this shell perfectly. I couldn't resist putting them together to make another pendant. The Sterling silver wire didn't go where I wanted it to. It hardly every does. I just have to go with the flow and create what I can with it. In the end, it almost always turns out, just as this one did.

Oh Boy Did I Have Fun!

Months ago I purchased some liquid "glass" and made some faux dichroic glass. I was semi pleased with the results and stuck it all away not really knowing what to do with it. While at the craft store I found some nice new polymer clay colors and face molds. I just had to have them even though polymer clay and I haven't gotten along in the past. Over the week end I molded some faces and played with them a bit before baking. I added some pigment powders and gold or silver leafing then put them in to harden.

So, there I was with faces and again, I didn't quite know what to do with them. Then I had one of those "Ah-ha" moments (no, not the Oprah kind, the crafting kind). I put the two things together with a little glue and some yarn and Ta-Dah!!! Pins! Two of them are shown here. There may be more in the future depending on the response I get from these. They are kind of silly, and definitely one of a kind!

Deep Sea Treasure

We went on a short vacation this week and while we were gone, I found a beautiful bag of sea shells that were begging me to take them home. Today I sat down with my shells, Swarovski crystals and Gold wire to see what I could make. This was my first attempt at wrapping a shell. I was stumped at first and "burned" a good 2 feet of gold before I hit on the idea of using the same type of wrap I use for most of my beach glass. It all comes from the sea - right? I like the way it turned out. Let me know if you do too.

Beauty in Simplicity

I have spent the majority of my jewelry making days deeply involved in piles and piles of little tiny seed beads. Granted, they make for some wonderful jewelry providing you have the eyesight for them but some days I just don't feel like fighting with those darn little beads.

The 3 pieces above are the resuly of just one of those days. I couldn't face another seed bead and went in search of my bigger stash. Three easy yet beautiful bracelets evolved proving jewelry making doesn't have to be hard. I hope you like them as well as I do!

Simple Netted Seed Bead Necklaces

I found this wonderfully simple yet elegant pattern on Sandra Halpenny's web page ( see link to right) It makes up relatively quickly into a very pretty little necklace. I spent a happy week-end weaving away with my needle, thread and beads! Sandra has graciously permitted me to sell the jewelry made from her patterns for which I am very grateful. Give her web site a look when you have a chance, it is well worth the visit if you are a beader who loves seed beads!

More colors are availble in my Etsy shop.

Busy Week

No new jewelry this week. I've been busy networking and getting ready for Cross Roads new season. I realized the Winter is half over and it is time to make sure everything is priced and polished! What is Cross Roads, you may ask. It is where we have our brick and mortar store from May - December. Last year was our first year and we are excited about going back again this year. You can find out more about us, and the other 30 + vendors here: http://www.thecrossroadsmarket.com/ . If you live anywhere near Westfield, New York it is well worth the drive. Even if you don't live near us, it is a nice Saturday day trip.

Well, I'm off to polish Sterling pieces.

More Fun with Red Crow Arts Pieces!

This is another of Red Crow Arts beautiful ceramic pieces that I just had to have. To quote their description it is: "Raku Shell pendant made with raku clay and fired to bisque then glazed and raku fired. Very colorful - unique." Unique indeed. It is a dark teal and bronze mixture.
Red Crow Arts can be found at: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5087003

It took me two days and a lot of time staring at the shell before I could decide on a design. It was begging to be wrapped in copper. Silver or gold just did not work with this piece in my mind anyway. The beautiful deep bronze just yielded itself to copper alone.

The ceramic piece was wrapped in copper and has 3 fresh water pearls and small Swarovski crystals dangling from it. The dangles were another challenge. I had no copper T pins, so I made them putting swirls at the bottom. The pearls, in a mixture of cranberry and teal, continue on to make the remainder of the necklace along with a few metallic colored Czech fire polished glass beads. A hand hammered copper clasp finished this wonderful piece.

Finished necklace length is 21 inches. The pendant length is 4".

Wonderful Find Is Now A Pendant

I find all sorts of treasures when I walk through our woods. One wonderful find is this piece of old pottery. I can imagine it once was part of a kitchen crock used in the 1800's inn, Cutter’s Stand, that is now our home. Washed through our sandy soil with lots of rain, it has become smooth and beautiful with time.

As the Winter weather wears on, I decided it was time to do something with my finds. The shard has been wrapped with bright Copper wire. Two Turquoise beads were added for a bit of accent color. The front is dark brown. The back and sides are a creamy white. The piece measures 1 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches. It has been properly hardened to assure years of use. The copper is untreated and will take on an natural patina over time. It can be cleaned to maintain the shine if you prefer. It is now ready for your favorite chain.

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