Copper Earth-Tone Bracelet

I've used green jasper, taupe sea glass, and ivory natural pearls here with copper wire to make a bracelet.

Copper is such a pretty color.  I don't know why I don't use it more.

Green Crystal Earrings

I was thinking green because St. Patrick's Day was coming up.  So I used two colors of green crystals for these earrings.  The faceted rounds have a sort of milky opaqueness to them.  The center beads are Swarovksi roundels, which always look good in anything!

Brass Fan Earrings

I've used these cute little brass fan connectors in earrings.   I thought the olive green and turquoise crystals were nice accent colors for the brass.

I'm not so sure about using these connectors in necklaces or bracelets.  They might flop around.  They do show off nicely in earrings, however.

Chalk Turquoise with Bamboo Coral Jewelry Set

These chalk turquoise nuggets have an irregular shape and lean towards the green side of turquoise.  I paired them with bamboo coral, which are shaped like gem chips.  I like turquoise and coral together. 

Also in the mix are labradorite rondelles and swarovski vitrail bicones.  Then I made some earrings to match.

Large Green Pearls with Golden Accents

These crystal pearls are described as "evergreen" and they are indeed the color of pine trees.  I added some gold plated pewter beads and caps to the necklace.

If you look closely, you will see I've used Miyuki Delicas in translucent amethyst with an AB coating.  I think the sheer purple sets off the opaque luster of the green pearls nicely.

Black Filigree Beaded Brooches

A while back, I found these black enameled filigree disks.  I'm not always sure if I'm using a component in the manner it was intended, but then again, I'm not sure if it really matters.  I made several brooches with these little filigrees.  The first photo shows the brooch with fuchsia rhinestones and cream pearls. 

This one was done with all green.

White and red.  When I used seed beads rather than perfectly round beads, you can see the thread a little more.

This last one has a red beaded center and heart shaped rhinestones.  I think I'd like this one for Valentine's Day!

Brown Lampwork Focal

I thought this brown lampwork bead was really nice.  It has a foiled core, and splashes of color, such as yellow, green and red.  I placed it on golden crinkle wire, which is permanently crinkled stainless steel flexible wire, and set it off with green, red, and yellow beads which echo the color splashes.  It is a nice clean look which brings the eye immediately to the focal bead.

Framed Glitter Pins

I made some brooches using resin, various types of glitter, and rhinestones.  I used purchased metal frames.  Resin can be used in a lot of different ways.  With these brooches, I used a monochromatic color scheme and decided the interest would be in the various shapes and textures.  I used fine glitter, microbead glitter, flakey glitter, and flatback rhinestones. I still need to determine the best way to photograph these.  I had them pinned to a jewelry roll, but I think there must be a better way.

Heart of Clay - Polymer

I started working with polymer clay a little bit, right before my accident.  Here is a necklace with a clay heart pendant.  I used green and brown colors, and accented it with glitter and a ribbon. 

I put a little glaze on it to give it a sheen.  Then I strung it with a seed bead pattern that picks up the colors in the heart.

And THEN, added the antiqued bronze chain.

In that fanciful time of my imagination, when I have time for all things, I will get back to making some more clay items. 

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.

Red and Green Agate Beads

These are large puffed coins of polished agate in colors of red, green and brown.  Each bead is over 1-3/4" in diameter, which is a significant size and therefore weight.  These were acquired at one of the regional shows of Rings and Things.  Rings and Things has an Internet store and also travels nationally to do local bead shows.  They have a large selection of jewelry supplies and excellent customer service, so I do recommend this store.

Normally, I prefer glass over gemstone, and lightweight over heavy, but these really piqued my interest.  I first decided to use them in a necklace only, as I believe they were too heavy for earrings and too awkward to put in a bracelet.  Then I had to determine how many beads in a necklace.  I thought about one center focal bead, or possibly two beads each up by the collarbone area, but settled on three beads in the center.  The necklace needed to be short enough for the large beads to lie flat, so I chose 22".  Anything longer and the beads would dangle in such a way that wouldn't display their great color and natural design. 

It didn't take me long to decide the beads would go on wire rather than beading wire.  I didn't want to have any qualms about wondering if the beading wire would break after a customer gets it home.  I used sterling silver wire for the beads, and then strung five strands of seed beads on each side, using medium beading wire.  That gives it enough strength to hold up the three beads.  Then I finished it with a sterling silver hook clasp.

Blue and Green Floating Necklace

I like using the exposed crinkle wire.  These beads are "floating" on double strands.  I've used larger foil lined beads that are puffed coins in cobalt with black stripes.  They are combined with cornflower and aqua blue beads, and green beads that have a yellow or olive tint to them.  This color combination makes me think of the sea.  If you stare at the rolling waves
for a bit, you can see many shades of blue and green.  I've finished the necklace with a pewter hook and eye clasp.  You can find it in my Etsy shop here.

Spring Green and Blue Aqua Crystals on Silver Chain

This is an "endless" necklace, one without a clasp.  It is designed to put on over your head, and is helpful to those who have problems maneuvering a clasp.  Between the chain links are crystal and glass beads of green, blue, and white.  The colors are light and crisp.

Pasqua

This is a super long necklace with no clasp, which can be worn as one long strand or doubled up for a two strand look.  Purple beading wire is adorned with large lime green bicone beads, which are nestled between orange cream rondelles. This is a fun look for Easter or any other time you’d like someone to ask “what are you wearing?”

Mossy Green Pendant Necklace

A pewter bail holds three strands of beads and rose shaped pewter beads.  Beads in shades of green and red float on light green beading wire, closed with a sterling silver spring ring clasp.