Pink and Red Hearts Charm Bracelet

I recently got these red and pink heart charms, and was really pleased with their look.  They are about 5/8" long and was concerned that they might be too big for a charm bracelet, but you can see it turned out nicely.  Of course, it is not subtle, but then I don't do a lot of "subtle". 

Pearly Stars with Lampwork Stripes

These grey stars are made from shell, and the oval beads are lampwork glass with stripes in white and grey-ish black.  I made a necklace, bracelet, and earrings in this style.  The accent beads are seed beads from Red Panda Beads.  I really like the color-lined clear beads from Miyuki.  I like the way they can echo a main color from the piece without having a too strong appearance. 

Brown Shell Earrings

I used large flat discs of brown shell for these earrings, and added a dangle of red glass and brown metallic crystal on the bottom.   I think this is a nice color combination, especially for the fall and winter.

Aqua Sea Glass with Shell Sticks

Sea glass is so pretty.  It is translucent and matte.  In these pieces I've used large round aqua sea glass with iridescent aqua shell sticks.   I've used patterns of various shades, sizes, and shapes of smaller glass beads to accompany the larger beads. 

Earrings to match, also!

Antiqued Brass Chain with Crackle Glass

I really like crackle glass beads, although I can't always find it.  It is round smooth glass beads in which you can see crackles, like ice.  I believe it is made using temperature changes which make the crackles appear.  In these pieces, I've used icy white, teal, and sunny yellow crackle beads.

I also like the "antiqued" colors of metal, such as antiqued silver, antiqued copper, and in this case antiqued brass, er, antiqued gold, er, oh what is it?   Depending on where you buy it, sometimes antiqued brass looks like antiqued gold, and of course there is a vintage brass which is known by a similar brand name.  Some stores sell something called gunmetal, which may or may not look like gunmetal grey, but sometimes looks like antiqued brass.  Ah!  I lost the tag to this bulk chain, so I do not know what the vendor was calling this.   It was more golden than vintage brass, but browner than antiqued gold. 

Anyway, it was pretty, whatever it is called.

Black Friday Sale

Happy Thanksgiving!  The time of year for eating and shopping (but then, when isn't it?).  I have put everything in my Etsy shop on sale, at 10% off.  The items will read "Black Friday Sale" in their description with the reduced price.  Some items may not read that way, which means they fell off the "Etsy on Sale" application boat, a story with which I shall not bore you.  Nevertheless, if the items are not showing the 10% discount, I shall merely credit back the discount to the purchaser.  There is undoubtedly a less confusing way to communicate this, but I am feeling fatigued.  And, I am still adding items to my shop.  The sale will continue on to Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sloppy Sunday, and Cyber Monday.  I made up the Sloppy Sunday name, as I'm not sure if it has a handle yet.  Keep checking the shop!  I must have added at least 20 more earrings in the past 48 hours, I have about another dozen bracelets to add, and haven't even checked out the necklace inventory updates.

You Can Never Have Too Much Blue

You might remember my post on this necklace back in the Spring.  I bought more of the same beads and made coordinating earrings and bracelets.  The clasp and connectors are pewter, which I think looks really nice with these blue beads.  These pieces always make me think of running water.

Coral Nuggets on Gunmetal Chain



These are coral nuggets that I have put on a gunmetal chain.  The color of gunmetal is somewhere between silver and black.  I made the round connectors from stainless steel wire.  It was my first endeavor with stainless steel wire, which is quite stiffer than other wires I have used.  The color of the wire is greyer, or darker, than silver wire, so I thought it would match the gunmetal chain.

Things Thursday

The latest catalog supplement for Rings and Things shows many nice items.  The first one to catch my eye was this Red Creek Jasper.  Above you see them in large puffed ovals.  I love the warm colors of brick, green, and grey, and the way they have those stripes or hash marks.  I think these would look great paired with silver or gunmetal colored wire.  Small transparent olive crystals would make great spacer beads.  These beads also come in other interesting shapes, too.

Yellow Turquoise Not

This necklace features various types of jasper, shell, and glass.  The focal stones are labeled as "yellow turquoise", so that is what I am calling them.  However, yellow turquoise is not turquoise that is yellow.  Apparently, it is a type of jasper.  Who comes up with these names?

I've used an antiqued silver S-clasp on this necklace.  I don't usually use these, since it makes me wonder why there need to be two hooks on either end, when only one would do.  Between that and wondering why they call it yellow turquoise, oh my!  On the other hand, I basically design upon the "ooh pretty!" rationale, so this fits the bill.

Turquoise, Brass, Shells, the Works!

This is a three strand necklace with a spiral focal.   I would say what I used, but then what didn't I use!  This took some time to make, and my better half kept walking by my studio door hearing me doing a lot of mumbling and grumbling.  Trying to get the strands to fall exactly right was the most difficult part.  I used chain and findings in an antique brass color.  Natural shells in nugget and teardrop form are there, plus puffed ovals of turquoise magnesite and round glass in capri blue.

These round capri beads are from Rings and Things.  They have a nice weight, and are a color deeper than cobalt and lighter than navy.  I am a big fan of glass beads -- you can never have too many! 

The puffed ovals are turquoise magnesite, another item from Rings and Things.  This color looks so nice with the dark color of antiqued brass.

This necklace is somewhat OTT for my taste, although I have no one to blame but myself.  Do you prefer the more simpler looks, or the larger pieces with many components?

Mango Got Mail

A while ago I won a contest at Happy Mango Beads and received a gift certificate to their shop!  They had so many lovely beads, it took me a while to choose.  Above you see my mango exulting in the receipt of my mail package from them finally.

I purchased three items, all which were new to me.

These are called Melon Orange Bamboo Coral Nugget Beads 12-18mm.  I believe they are showing their color accurately in the picture, and I would describe this color as persimmon, rather than orange.  These are cylindrical irregular nuggets with striations and marks in colors of bone and charcoal.   These will look nice with many colors, including silver, navy and pastel yellow.

Next is the Brecciated Jasper Oval Tabular Beads 16mm.  I've tried to get the color just right, but unsuccessfully.  This color is somewhere between brick red and warm brown.   They are nicely polished and have charcoal grey marks on them.  I might pair this up with paler colors of blue or lilac.

Then finally we have the purple howlite round tabular 18mm.  What a great purple!  These are in the shape of giant M&M's.  Leave it to me to fantasize about chocolate while sorting beads.  Perhaps I will combine these with silver and transparent olive?  Who knows.  I usually collect what I think is pretty, and then there is quite a design gestation period.  I'll get there eventually.

The last picture shows the Mango draped in beads, relishing the thought of creating new jewelry designs.  Cheers to all!

October Iris

No one told these iris that it is October!  It is fine by me.  Much of the garden is beginning to slumber off into its winter sleep, but it was nice to find these lovely irises blooming.

I have a bit of lettuce still growing.  This should be a tasty treat.  The planters on either side were also planted with lettuce seeds, but nothing sprouted.  I believe my seeds became too old.  I need to spring for some new seeds next year.