Leafy Lariat

I LOVE how this necklace turned out. Happy accident when I ran out of green seed beads and had to switch over to purple. I think it adds a nice spice to the entire piece by being the 2 colors, plus it brings out the purple in the lampwork and agate beads.
I strung everything on sage green waxed linen cording, and it helps the fluidity of the necklace. Could have probably been longer but this took me forever as it is, so I gave up at this particular 34″ length.
I wish I could splurge on silver charms more often, it’s designs like these that make me really wish I had more like these on hand. I will have to do some serious charm shopping to get some stock built up. They are also great for earring designs.
I guess I’m on an owl kick the past few days! I think I used all of my Green Girl pewter owls up, and will have to order a few more.
Hope you are all having a nice and creative week!

Penny For Your Thoughts, Mr. Owl

A Video and Links

when i say “tomorrow” in the video, i mean, today.

i made the video yesterday.

yes, I like to wear that doohicky on my head to keep the bangs at bay.

the necklace actually turned out really cute, I’ll be listing it this morning!

enjoy the weekly links!

A Bead A Day
Do you like to mix crafting with jewelry making? Lisa is looking for crafty ideas for using a filigree pendant to create a unique piece of jewelry.


About.com Jewelry Making
Tammy announces her first About.com jewelry making video.


Art Bead Scene
While Art Bead Scene Editor, Cindy Gimbrone is on vacation, she’s left us a gem from Studio Saturday – her box of inspiration!


Beading Arts
After receiving a wonderful package of crystals from Auntie’s Beads, Cyndi set out to make a bracelet that would show them off!


Carmi’s Art/Life World
The new Katiedids components are responsible for Carmi’s new pearl necklace design.


Cindy Gimbrone, The Lampwork Diva
While Cindy’s off enjoying the bead-ch, let’s get ready for the upcoming HalloweenMas newsletters by checking in on a re-wind. It’s Barbe Saint John’s magic with Cindy’s Calaveraz.


Earthenwood Studio Chronicles
Melanie shows off the treasures of her shopping spree at Bead Fest Philly.


Katie’s Beading Blog

Katie shares a couple of ideas for jewelry using crystals and pearls, plus, announces a giveaway winner.


Lorelei’s Blog: Inside the Studio

Lorelei shows off her loot from her Bead Fest Philadelphia trip!


Snap out of it, Jean! There’s beading to be done!

Jean is totally WOWed by the fabulous Margot Potter’s latest book: scroll down to read the truly intriguing review of this unique book–it is SO worth it!


The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton

SueBeads has generously supplied an assortment of goodies for this week’s Thursday Giveaway.

Have I told you…

how much i LOVE making jewelry?

yeah.

i

really

dig

it.

LillaJizo

How have I not found these before today?

Aren’t they the most precious things you’ve ever seen?

I can’t wait til they arrive.

I have big plans for them.

Each and every one.

Happy Saturday!

Hmmm, What to wear? What to wear?

All jewelry is listed in my shop.

All clothing/shoes from Anthropologie.

i’m ready for the weekend

The title of this post has nothing to do with the contents of this post. That’s okay though. I promise to dazzle you with pictures of new stuff. Last night I colored my hair. It’s dark dark brown, from Garnier Fructis or whatever the heck you call it. I had to do SOMETHING, the grey hair was taking over. Seriously. Where are they coming from? I don’t even have kids!  I do really like how it turned out, the greys are all covered, and I think this worked better than when I had it colored in the salon!

It looks more auburn in the sun, but overall- it’s a cool color.  Will have to keep it mind next time I need it.

Last night I created a bouquet from my garden. One thing that I seem to do well, like- really really am successful is growing roses! They do so well in my yard. Right now I have these pretty pale yellow roses, and I paired them with some of the hydrangeas from my hydrangea trees.  I thought it was gorgeous color and some good inspiration to share with you on the blog. 

Pretty, huh?? Couldn’t you just eat that color!?

I have to finish up this blog post so I can list several new items…. Such as this cool egg bracelet featuring Kelley’s egg beads.  I needed to use several together in one piece, I have been dreaming about them! I added a little extender chain with a small bird charm. Eggstra special!

…And I also used some of my copper patterned sheet metal that I got at Bead Fest. I oxidized the discs, and as I was doing it, I was wondering how to get that multi-colored effect that I sometimes see on patinated metal. I left the discs in too long I think, because they were a deep dark grey when I took them out of the Liver of Sulphur concoction. Once I buffed them, they weren’t really looking very copper like at all. But I still dig the effect that the darkening caused. And you can’t beat that lovely wood grain pattern! I used some small blue faceted glass beads, and a handcrafted Shibu clasp from Saki Silver,  that I also got at Bead Fest.

Okay gotta go, or I’ll be listing forever tonight! about 11 new items coming to Etsy momentarily.

Everything in its place

Joe’s father worked for Pratt and Whitney for 25+ years. This tool box belonged to him. When Joe acquired it, it was full of all his Dad’s old machinist tools. I mean, CHOCK FULL.  One day last week, Joe decided to take it out of the back of the garage and refinish it. He stripped all of the old lacquer and stain. Sanded it down to bare wood…. removed all the hardware. 
The new stain doesn’t look much different than the original but the scuffed up drawers are now smooth and clean. As you can see, it’s in pretty good shape. I think the little pull out platform has been removed, due to damage.

We felt that this piece deserves to be shown off, and treated more like a piece of furniture, while maintaining its functionality as a tool box. So up to the studio…. I am honored that Joe would want me to have this. I have already started filling it with my own tools and supplies. Plus, it is so dang beautiful to look at and is even more special now that Joe has refinished it. It’s almost as if Joe was able to reconnect with his Father during this project.
I know that his Dad is watching over Joe and I, and I am sure he is so proud of his son and his accomplishments!
We lost Lloyd to a car accident back in 1996. A sad sad day that will not be forgotten.

 The bottom drawer is large, and perfect for my hammers, dapping blog, and disc cutters!

 The hinged top lifts up to reveal another large storage space. I am not sure what I will store in here. But I’m sure over time it will become quite useful!

 It has allowed me to tap into my color coordinating OCD side! Don’t these large seed beads look so pretty? I found these really cool clear topped aluminum containers at Ornamentea.

Bead Fest LOOT

In this post you will find a selection of some of the goodies I picked up during my trip to Bead Fest in Philadelphia this past weekend. I couldn’t show you EVERYTHING, because as you know, there has to be some element of surprise. But you get the idea with these pics!

 Left to Right:  Glass, Crazy lace,   Aquamarine,  Crazy lace,  Turquoise,  faceted blue rounds,  quartz,   pyrite,   red creek jasper and various metal beads

From Left to Right: Crazy lace agate, Feldspar jasper, Labradorite, Crazy Lace agate, Purple agate brios, Flat jasper nuggets

                   

                                                                    Copper and Gunmetal chains

                                                           Brass and Copper patterned sheets

                

Video blogging at its BEST!

warning: may contain some offensive language or gestures.