Night Owl

This set is called "New Moon" and may eventually include a bracelet. But right now, it's a pair of earrings, a short necklace and a long necklace that can be layered or worn separately. I'd add more anecdotal things here, but I think we're getting ready to leave for somewhere and everyone is waiting on me!

More Show, Less Tell

These are pieces made from more of those neglected pendants. The first one is from a dream of a snowflake preserved by magic for a beautiful maiden made from snow. I guess it would be kind of like that "Snow Maiden" fairy tale--just without the heartache. Oh, let's go ahead and call it "Snow Maiden." The second necklace is asymmetrical, with the lock resting just below the left collarbone. I call that set "Guarded Secrets."

Snow Maiden


Guarded Secrets

No More Shopping

That's it. I can't allow myself to buy anymore beads! I just payed the bills and wondered, "What in the heck have I been doing?" I only hope that I can recoupe what I've spent when my e-store (yay!!) opens in five months. Really, I have enough of a bead stash that I should still be able to put some great things together without running out to every sale in town or online. But, it's just so tempting! **whine**

Well, now that I'm finished pouting for the time being, I'll move on to the latest pictures. You've probably already seen my ring that I posted in "Loners." Turns out that it coordinates perfectly with my latest necklace. The bracelet I put together goes well too, but it's lovely enough to go alone or with almost anything. I think it's very elegant. The pendant was another one of those components that just needed time before the inspiration came. This is the "Orbit" set.

In the Park

I took the little one to the park today to take advantage of our unseasonably cool weather. While she ran around with other playground kids, I hunkered down over a pendant that I've had for a while. It's been stumping me for a long time, but inspiration had finally come! The pattern on the pendant reminds me of satellite images of beach sands being pulled out to sea. There's probably a technical term for it, but I'm clueless. Anyway, while I am pondering a perfect title for this set, you can take a gander at the pictures.

Loners

These next three projects are on their own. I wanted to add them to yesterday's post, but the program wouldn't let me for some reason.

The necklace uses silver beads and two green, freshwater pearls as an off-center focal point.

The earrings feature small, glass starfish. I haven't yet come across a pendant that coordinates, but I really hope I do. I love these rainbow splashes!

The ring was an experiment. I've made some lousy attempts at trying to make a ring from wire, but this technique worked for me and it looks great!

Change of Scenery

I can't seem to settle on a background for my jewelry pictures. I started compiling pictures to put into my catalog, when I realized that I have too many different backdrops. I've used the woodpile, the rocks in the garden, the fence, a brick wall, grass, stair steps, scrap lumber, etc., etc., etc.. Anyway, it started to look too jumbled and crazy for a semi-polished looking document. I like my latest scenery--for now. You'll see it on the photos below.

I've put together some pieces using the beads from the photos I posted last. The first palette was called "Jungle Love." Here's the double-strand necklace, the earrings, and bracelet:




The second was, and still is, titled "Baby's Breath." This necklace is a little unusual in that each strand is removable. So one, two, or all three strands can be worn at a time. There are three separate bracelets, each with its own pattern of beads. One is all moonstone, one is crystal and pearl, and the other is a mix of everything.





Here's "Time Traveler", the last of the three bead bunches:





The next pieces are my most recent of all. The girls and I were at a new playground and while they played, I beaded. The first is a bracelet called "Bubble Gum" that makes me think of birthday parties:


The next set was inspired by the pendant which seemed so "end-of-summer" to me. Although the fact that school started today probably influenced that mood more than anything. I call the set "Zinnia".

Project Palettes

I was recently asked if I was going to have a hard time parting with all the jewelry I've made once it comes time to start selling. Not too long ago, I would have answered, "YES!" Now, the process of creating something new is more exciting to me than wearing something new. I love all my finished pieces. If I don't absolutely love an outcome, then it's just simply not finished yet and I rework it until I do love it! So, to keep the creative juices flowing, I have just increased my bead supply. Not exactly something I really needed to do. I'm addicted to beads, I guess, and I can't say that it's a miserable addiction to live with. I hope you enjoy my addiction too--at least the side effects of it...jewelry!!

I've sorted out my latest additions into piles that someday will become a necklace, bracelet, and/or earrings. I've even got names picked out already. This first lot is made up of yellow tiger eye, rainforest jasper, jade, and aventurine. I couldn't help but call this "Jungle Love."


This next one was the bead shop's and my daughter's fault. Really. The bead strands were all organized by color and my little one was grabbing handfuls of the strands. When she started playing with the creams and clears, it hit me just how lovely they look together. For several reasons--all of which are just too hard to put into words at this time--I'll go with "Baby's Breath" for this one. There are several different pearl varieties here along with moonstone and crystal.


This one I call "Time Traveller" since it conjured up images of a primordial world with enormous dragonflies and other now-forgotten inhabitants. The beads are glass, pearl, Australian jasper, and something new to me called Phoenix stone. The dragonfly and fossil fish charms are detailed front and back, a detail that I love.


I have another palette photo, but have decided to hold it back for a while. That particular collection of beads did make it into a two-strand necklace, of which I also have a picture. However, I am going to submit this design to Stringing magazine for their Winter edition's design challenge which is "Black and White." If you want to check it out, voting for submissions is held between September 15th and October 15th at http://stringingmagazine.com. All I will tell you is that my necklace has a lot to say. Heh, heh, heh. I'll post a picture here for you when voting closes.

I will wrap things up with a final photo. I made a pair of earrings for my Grandma to go with the bracelet I showed you in the previous post. Grandma never pierced her ears (and was not at all thrilled when I pierced mine), so this is a pair of clip-ons. The beads are all Swarovsky crystal. I was going to hold onto her gifts until her birthday, but we have an out-of-town family reunion (Grandma's side) this coming Sunday. I think she'll really enjoy the chance to sparkle at a special event like that. Happy early birthday, Grandma!