Showing posts with label vintage inspired jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage inspired jewelry. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

on Looking Out the Other Window: Perspectives



This morning was gloomy. Dark and stormy, and I was feeling sad and lonely. I was reading my e-mail and drinking my morning coffee feeling smaller and smaller as my troubles started feeling overwhelmingly large. The tears began to fall down my cheeks and I was on the verge of a complete meltdown.



Something moved in the wind outside and I caught it out the corner of my eye. I had been sitting sideways in my chair facing the back windows, I turned to see what it was and there to the front of the house were plenty of blue skies and sunshine.



It’s funny how simply seeing the sun was in fact still there can immediately turn your attitude around. And I remembered something I said just the other day. Happiness comes from within, you can’t depend on someone else to create it for you. How you allow the words in your head to speak to you genuinely impacts your feelings. And since you are the voice in your head, you have control over what you say and hear.

I am dealing with some deeply personal things at the moment and I do need to allow myself to cry as it is part of the healing process but today it was largely the words in my head. As the skies got darker so did the negativity of those words. When I turned and saw blue skies, my spirits lifted and the words began to focus on the positives again.

Just a simple shift in perspective. Same sky, different view. A simple reminder the sun is still there. An invitation to send those clouds packing on a gust of wind.

I missed last weeks posting so you get double YoJ postings. I was really busy on the jewelry front last week and I’m hoping this is just the beginning of an upward trend. All indicators say it is and that’s definitely something to be happy about.


Weeks 8 and 9

Wind Dancer Studios; Coral & Obsidian Bracelet; Red & Black
Coral & Obsidian
Wind Dancer Studios; Crystal Point Necklace; Green and Antique Gold
Crystals Brass & Vintage Glass

Thanks for stopping By!
We'll see you next time!

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Inspiration is Everywhere Or I Write a Guest Blog Post

Wind Dancer Studios Inspiration in Every Day Items

I see things a little differently than some people, I see design in everything. I see patterns, and colors, texture and movement. I see the potential to make something pretty, something mine. Like this wonderful photo of a Pariseienne door I found on Etsy. I love the carvings, the floral center, the diamond frame, and the little rosettes. That softly faded green of a natural aged patina. Just gorgeous. 

It immediately brought to mind this wonderful connector over on B'Sues website, with just a little touch of Swelligant or Gilder's Paste that patina could be given life on a really pretty piece of jewelry.  It would make for a truly gorgeous set.

It was the same when I saw the Dolce & Gabanna earrings I write about on B'Sues blog http://bsueboutiques.typepad.com/bsue_boutiques_jewelry_su/2015/04/finding-your-style-in-everyday-inspiration.html. The shapes immediately brought me to several of her brass filigrees. I knew how easily they would make up similar earrings.

As I created my inspiration earrings I could see how wonderfully the style would translate in an asymmetrical design.

Wind Dancer Studios, Asymmetrical Design

I loved Coral's earrings from the Build a Line Challenge, she created a beautiful asymmetrical design. Then I remembered this filigree pair from Mia Montgomery she mixes up both size and shapes but the design still balances beautifully.

If you'd like to see the earrings I made hop on over to Brenda's blog to take a peek and see the $800 earrings that inspired them.

Thanks for stopping by!
We'll see you next time!
Dana



Friday, March 20, 2015

B’Sue’s Build a Line Challenge Hop 3 of 3 The Reveal!

The day has finally come. I’ve worked on this line of mine for the past few months. Designing, sketching, refining and creating. I’ve enjoyed myself immensely and finally let go of others imposing philosophies and allowed myself to just play. Creating from the heart has always been what I do best and it was about time I got back to it.

I believe jewelry is meant to be loved, to be made with love,  given with love, and received with love. 
It is my honor and joy to present to you from my heart and hands Mucha’s Musings.  
  ~ A muse as you all know is the whisper in your ear full of joyful inspiration and Mucha’s Muse definitely had some things to say!

Without further ado,  Mucha’s Musings, 

the Mother Nature Collection:

mucha's musings:  mother nature collection, hand crafted jewelry by Wind Dancer Studios on Etsy
Mucha's Musings: Mother Nature Collection
This collection revolves around the bronzed bust of nature. 
It features a resined pendant of Nature herself with a sterling silver crown bezeling. ($45.oo)
Lever back earrings inspired by the pair she wears, available in three colors and two finishes, brass ox and silver ($19.oo ea).
A matching sterling silver crown ring ($19.oo), a brass open filigree ring with vintage faux pearl ($15.oo), and a brass filigreed band with rhinestone ($18.oo). 
Also in this collection a layered gemstone pendant in mixed metals ($55.oo), a gorgeous statement cuff featuring another vintage faux pearl ($55.oo)and stud earrings in a beautiful lacey filigree complimenting the cuff and rings($19.oo).

the Champagne Collection in Pink:

mucha's musings:  Pink Champagne collection, hand crafted jewelry by Wind Dancer Studios on Etsy
Mucha's Musings: Champagne Collection in Pink
This collection centers around the champagne ad for Moet & Chandon, pulling its soft colors and florals throughout. 
Featuring a resined pendant of the ad in mixed metals on a fine patterned ball chain.($45.oo)
Copper stacking rings with pink crystal accents ($35.oo).
Rose ox copper flower earrings with matching crystals. ($15.oo)
A gorgeous layered brooch featuring a large vintage faux pearl and crystal pearl drop with a floral porcelain bead in pinks and browns. ($40.oo)
A pink cameo in brass ox with a sweet faux pearl drop. ($40.oo)
Two bracelets, one in silver plate layers featuring a gorgeous vintage faux pearl($39.oo), the other a layered stacker in a mix of glass, crystal and crystal pearls in shades of pink and cream with silver plated accents.($28.oo)
Finally a pair of long swingy earrings in silver plate featuring more of those beautiful pink crystals and pearls for loads of delicate sparkle ($29.oo).

the Champagne Collection in Brown:

mucha's musings: Champagne collection in Brown, hand crafted jewelry by Wind Dancer Studios on Etsy
Mucha's Musings:  Champagne Collection in Brown

While technically not Mucha I couldn't not be inspired by this champagne ad as well! Again pulling form and color from the ad this collection features the chocolate browns, diamonds and rounds, flourishes and florals.
The mixed metal cameo was given a softly aged artisan patina and features the same vintage faux pearl you've seen repeated in the other collections. ($40.oo)
A second layered pendant features a glass focal and drop. ($48.oo)
The stackable bracelet echoes the color of the glass and softens it with crystal pearls and copper accents. ($25.oo)
Two pair of earrings, one pair of big bold statement earrings in a beautiful rusty black finish that shows of the curves of the flourish beautifully. ($35.oo)
The second pair of earrings are a simple pair of Iris in the same gorgeous finish. ($15.oo)

the Chocolate Collection:

mucha's musings: Chocolate Collection, hand crafted jewelry by Wind Dancer Studios on Etsy
Mucha's Musings: the Chocolate Collection
This wonderful ad for Mexican Chocolates was the inspirational focus of this collection.
It features a mixed metal pendant that is a layered and resined copy of the ad itself. ($48.oo)
A layered bolo tie for him ($42.oo) and a long feather pendant for her ($38.oo) both in silver plate and on rich chocolate brown leather.
A second necklace in gorgeous jaspers dyed in the softest sea greens and turquoise, paired with leather, wood and copper, just gorgeous with that rusty black finish on the leaves. ($55.oo)
A pair of earrings in the perfect blend of sea green and turquoise chalcedony, all dressed up in brass ox. ($30.oo)
Finally a pair of ear vines in silver plate showing off blooms of vintage faux pearl and turquoise colored beads, hand wrapped and secured in place.($28.oo) Vines feature studs with stability discs and may be gently formed to your ear for a perfect fit. 
This collection is still whispering sweet nothings in my ear, don't be surprised if you see it expand in the future!

the Arts Collection; Music:

mucha's musings: the Arts Collection: Music, hand crafted jewelry by Wind Dancer Studios on Etsy
Mucha's Musings: The Arts Collection; Music

Based on the Four Arts series by Mucha, this collection focuses on Music. 
Featuring my favorite pendant of the line, a mixed metal layered beauty hung from a beautiful leather cording. ($55.oo)
A sweet heart  of a bangle in copper, completely stackable (25.oo)!
A pair of gorgeous filigree hoop earrings. ($24.oo)
A set of stacked copper rings ($35.oo).
And finally a hand forged clef note lapel pin in copper. ($24.oo)
Admittedly the smallest of my collections it too is still whispering sweet nothings in my ear. Music it seems would like me to recreate several of my sold pieces to round out the collection - so as with the Chocolate Collection do not be surprised if she gets her way! 

As I noted in hop number two all my collections were designed with mix and match in mind. The ability to mix and match with each other and with my existing inventory at Wind Dancer Studios. I'm thrilled to be able to introduce this line to my shop in the coming days. Please look for it soon!

Until then I've uploaded all the pics to my Flick'r if you'd like to see them individually.

Brenda has assembled 55 of us for this Challenge. She’s worked hard keeping us on track and on task. Reminding us of what is important and what is not so much. I could go on and on but this is a Hop and hop we must. I do thank you for stopping by and celebrating my new line with me! And I thank Brenda for pushing me back out of my comfort zone and reminding me what art is all about. Now, lets go see what the others have created. The past two hops have hinted at some wonderful lines and I can’t wait to see them myself!

Our Tireless Hostess 
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs

Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann

Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio

Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales

Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru

Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate

Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench

Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies

Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose

Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem

Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy

Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry

Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry

Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works

Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs

Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry    

Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs

Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads

Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs

Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard

Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative

Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns

~*~*~*~*YOU ARE HERE!!~*~*~*~*
Dana Hickey  waves HI!!
Wind Dancer Studios

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs

Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs

Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized

Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm

Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner

Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs

Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems

Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels

Susan Killam
Killam Creative

Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry

Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico

Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks

Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs

Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage

Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog

Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements

Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board

Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art

Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things

Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs

Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up

Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art

Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry

Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl

Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes

Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise

Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design 

Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns

Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane

Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry

Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo

Coral Law
ab:coraldesign

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Prepping For Fridays Post!

Quickie post today. I've been snapping pics of most the new pieces I've gotten made for this weekends reveal and impending launch of my new line! Most because my batteries died ..... thankfully I keep some rechargeables on hand just in case! They're charging as I type this and I thought I'd round up some pics for todays post in the mean time. Yes I know I'm late....

Gorgeous Copper Gifts, Wind Dancer Studios
Count Your Lucky Stars
Corky pulled together this gorgeous treasury for team LACWE today

Brass & Aquamarine Earrings by Wind Dancer Studios on Etsy
Week 10 - Year of Jewelry  Aquamarine

Silver and Crystal Pearl Earrings by Wind Dancer Studios
Week 11 - Year of Jewelry  Hinged

I've had my nose to the grindstone all day and it's time for some family time, NetFlix and Hawaii 5 0. Last week I found the original show on NetFlix and watched an episode with my son. I'm pretty sure he thinks the new Kono is much cuter lol   Don't forget! Next weeks post will be early === Friday!!

Thanks for stopping by!
We'll see you on Friday!


Friday, February 20, 2015

B'Sue's Build a Line Hop 2 of 3



Gung hay fat choi! How auspicious our hop lands during Chinese New Year! This is the year of the Wood Sheep or Goat. The Sheep is kind, tender and sympathetic.  Sheeps are creative and elegant. Because of their softer side, they are symbolic of peace and harmony and beauty. We have been considering our lines, creating them and soon we will be revealing them. Sure then, to be beautiful every one of them.

I have loved making my original works, generally making the entire piece with very little purchased components at all. I have quite prided my self on that, the ability to take just wire, metal and fire to create some wearable piece of art. Wearable art, a small piece of beauty but only a single piece, and most often priced out of impulse range. Wearable art for many of us has to be budgeted. If you love my work I want you to be able to own my work. See it, Love it, Buy it!  This at times necessitates a lower price line.

I have tried to create lower price points for my shop, but the harder I tried to create that price point the less my shop looked like my shop. While it did bring sales, It lacked the cohesion I had hoped it would bring. Focusing on photos and trying to create a unified photography style helped, but my shop still lacked that little something that just pulled the whole thing together.

The prideful part of me stands here tall and proud and thinks but being a hand crafted artisan is what we were striving to be. OOAK works, pride said, would make us stand out. That pride has gotten in the way of creating cohesion in my shop along many price points. At times, pride told me it seems too easy, it feels as if I am cheating, playing with these beautiful pre-made components of B’Sues and not making them myself.

The artist in me slaps pride and leans close to my muse whispering there is artistry in all of what we make and isn’t it going to be so nice that any one who would like to own a piece of my art, my heart, may be able to do so?

wind dancer studios, sneak peek, new line, new collection
Necklace from Muchas Champagne collection paired with stacking rings
and stacked copper bracelets already available in my shop.
It is important to me my new line creates cohesion with existing pieces.


Sharing that little piece of myself has always been the point. The way these designs complement my existing works, creating a full range of price points is a thing of beauty in itself, and instills such a sense of accomplishment. I think the artist and I will be hanging out more often, she makes sense :)

wind dancer studios, sneak peek, new line, new collection
Sneak peek: Red Heart filigree ring with pieces from Mucha's Nature and Music Collections
It was just as important to me that the collections be able to mix & match with each other as well.
Heart ring is another existing piece in my shop.


It is that desire to share my art that makes it so exciting to see the pieces in my shop fall into place as I create this line and these collections. It is incredibly freeing to think I can finally get back to the art of creating beauty in as complex or simple as I like. To be entirely hand made by me or artfully crafted by my hands. I look forward to completing this line and taking my work to the next level. This is where I’ve been headed all along, what I have been striving for and I can finally see it coming together. I love that! All I really needed it seems was that little nudge Brenda and her Build a Line challenge/Master Class has given me.

wind dancer studios, sneak peek, new line, new collection


Oh I’ll still visit with Pride every so often. I mean who doesn’t like making little pieces of art? But now we’ll have a design path to where we’d like to take this art. How incredibly freeing this new found path has been!

Til Next time!
Dana

Please join me in hopping with the rest of our designers on this our second hop...
I hear there are lots more sneak peeks to be had!

Our Hostess
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs

Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann

Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio

Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales

Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru

Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate

Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench

Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies

Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose

Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem

Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy

Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry

Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry

Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works

Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs

Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry   

Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs

Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads

Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs

Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard

Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative

Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns

~*~*~*~*YOU ARE HERE!!~*~*~*~*
Dana Hickey  waves HI!!
Wind Dancer Studios

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs

Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs

Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized

Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm

Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner

Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs

Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems

Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels

Susan Killam
Killam Creative

Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry

Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico

Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks

Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs

Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage

Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog

Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements

Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board

Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art

Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things

Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs

Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up

Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art

Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry

Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl

Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes

Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise

Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design

Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns

Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane

Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry

Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo

Coral Law
ab:coraldesign

Friday, January 23, 2015

B’Sues Build A Line Hop 1 of 3


Miss Brenda would like us all to introduce ourselves, the lines we have chosen to build and let you our readers get to know us, take a peek into our studios and our processes. The idea of allowing you to peek into my studio…... caused a huge clean up effort on my part!

Wind Dancer's Studio
An Itty Bitty Peek at my Studio

Messy normally means I work well with beads scattered around me, the ideas flow really well when I’m surrounded by them. However, as you may have read I just got my shelves off the cinder blocks and on to the walls and got the first of two cabinets brought in. And well, it’s in a temporary location, with a temporary plywood countertop. If you think a few things have been displaced and are without a proper home, you would be right! Right now messy means I have a few boxes and a couple stacks of stuff needing a proper home. Show the world my mess? Yikes! But if you want to see the new/old cabinet and shelves I might could swing that….grins

brass stamping, build a line,
What's on the Counter Top


If you read my profile you know I’ve been making my whole life. What you may not know is I have always been drawn to the Victorian and Art Nouveau eras of design. While I can be easily inspired by just about anything they remain my biggest influence. I even scoured eBay looking for 1895 Corbin Roanoke back plates for my glass doorknobs when building my house. You've even seen them in my product shots over the years :) Since I absolutely love the flourishes and scroll work of the Art Nouveau era, my thoughts of course,  immediately turned to an Art Nouveau line.

I have several “favorite” artists but for my line I’m drawing inspiration from Alphonse Mucha. His designs are easily seen in many of the brass stampings in use today. In fact several of B'Sues available pieces are of Mucha’s prints or statuary, I absolutely love that and will be using them as I work. These brass pieces are from Mucha's series The Arts, There are four in the series, these two represent Poetry and Music. I haven’t quite decided how I’m going to showcase them or if they’ll be the focus of my Blog Hop line but at some point they will be incorporated.

Mucha Stampings and other stuffs
Mucha The Arts: Poetry
Mucha The Arts: Music




Other Mucha pieces that I am focusing on at the moment include the bust of Nature: I already have the start of a parure designed around her. I have to double check some copy right issues first, I may end up with a demi but I’m ok with that.



I so love these ads for Moet & Chandon and Theophile Roederer Champagnes. Aren’t the colors wonderful!? I think the pinks would be absolutely beautiful with this years Marsala, as would the earthy tones.



and this calendar page, an ad for Mexican Chocolate. Is he not beautiful? Look at his jewelry, so in style right now, stacks of bracelets, coiled arm band and gorgeous necklace.



Honestly I could build lines from here to eternity based on Mucha’s works. There is so much inspiration to draw from, from the floral motifs to the colors, even the overall themes of his series. What’s even better is how well it fits with my current OOAK work. Perfect production pieces to add an overall cohesiveness to my shop. Exactly what I needed.

The biggest challenge I face is keeping the lines simple and easily reproducible. I see the components and want so much to layer and embellish and just play. I’ve always said it’s an art to keep designs clean, and I’m sure as I go along I’ll be practicing the fine art of taking away quite often.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay with me during our hop and I really look forward to seeing you again as I bring my Mucha Lines from concept into reality.

I'd like to invite you now to join me in hopping around to the other designers in our Build a Line Blog Hop to see what they've been up to.

The Rest of the Hop

Our Hostess
Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
Jewelry Making Outside the Box

Marcia Tuzzolino
Aurora Designs

Jann Tague
Clever Designs by Jann

Judy King
Apt to Wander Studio

Linzi Alford
Magpie in the Sky, Spoil Heap Tales

Cynthia Wainscott
Exotic Peru

Carole Carlson
Beadsophisticate

Lynn Stinten
Dragonzwench

Marica Zammit
Bead Lovelies

Catherine Shattuck
VRBrose

Michaele Collie
The Vintage Gem

Mary Craig
Jewelry Alchemy

Lee Koopman
Strega Jewelry

Erin Whitacre
Shattered Time Jewelry

Monica Casady
MJCasady Copper Works

Leila West
Leila Nicole Designs

Cindy Peterson
Howling Dog Jewelry    < old bloghttps://howlingdogjewelry.wordpress.com/ 

Leila Belcher
Leila Bee Designs

Gloria Allen
Wings and Beads

Pamela Anger
Novegatti Designs

Tammy Adams
Paisley Lizard

Lynda O'Mara
LOmara Creative

Elizabeth Hildreth
MadScientistsDesigns

~*~*~*~*YOU ARE HERE!!~*~*~*~*
Dana Hickey
Wind Dancer Studios

Janet Calardo
Jan Lea Designs

Maria Clark
Sweet Willow Designs

Lori Beekman
B. Accessorized

Jennifer Kroeger
Relic Charm

Amy Jorgensen
Hoarder's Corner

Robin Reed
Artistry: Handcrafted Bead Designs

Ingrid Anderson
Lilis Gems

Louise O'Shields
Desire Divine Jewels

Susan Killam
Killam Creative

Mary Katherine Deis
The Rose Sword: Artisan and Vintage Collectible Jewelry

Nike Bottalico
Nike Bottalico

Susan Bowerman
Woodside Wireworks

Kristy Le
Kristy Le Trendy Jewelry Designs

Jan Peters
Stylized Vintage

Mitzie Crider
Needful Luxuries Occasional Blog

Gina Hockett
Freestyle Elements

Linda Anderson
From the Bead Board

Alexandra Sefton
Imaginary Jewelry and Altered Art

Melida Boman
The Journey of Pens and Things

Teresa Shurter
TreeZ's Treasurs

Melissa Latimer
Smithed Up

Renee Hong
Fine and Dandy Jewelry and Art

Nadine Edris
Moondance Jewelry

Lori Meyer
Parisienne Girl

Jennifer Merrill Williams
Artists of All Stripes

Denise Lussier Poirier
Jewelry by Denise

Renee Allen
Small Stuff Design

Autumn Adams
Autumn Dawns

Elizabeth Owens
1996 Shabby Lane

Kat BarronMiller
Midnight Kat Productions Art Jewelry

Sandra Ballard
Mama San's Mojo

Coral Law
ab:coraldesign

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Trees and Branches

It seems I've been on something of a tree and branch kick lately. Must be wishing for the cooler temps of Autumn and the colors it brings as I seem to have also been in something of an orange mood too. More of a pinky/coral orange than a pumpkin orange but still an orange.

pearl & coral necklace with copper cherry blossoms
FW Pearls, Peach Coral & Copper Necklace
Instead of a full on Tree of Life this time I opted for a branch of twisted copper cherry blossoms.
This one is something of a convertible, being wearable at different lengths. The vintage style hook closure allows for an 18 inch length when hooked at the first cap, a 22 inch length when hooked at the flower and a 25 inch length when hooked at the end of the extender. I love the soft colors of the coral I got from House of Gems and how sweet it looks combined with the FW pearls I picked up from Fire Mountain Gems recently during their Dutch auction sale. Perfect as we head into fall and will still be awfully sweet when he head into spring.

copper end cone cut lines

                                      

I took pics as I made this one thinking I might do something of a tutorial. Then I found this paper plate cookie basket tutorial by One Good Thing by Jillee and darn if it wasn't exactly what I did to make my end "cones" well minus the tape!

One Good Thing by Jillee
*I punched mine out of copper and ran them through the Big Kick to match the cherry blossom focal first.
*I used my flat nosed pliers for spacing and marked the back side with a sharpie so I knew where to cut to. 
*Punched a hole dead center then followed the fold and cut pattern to make the box. 
*Instead of cookies we have crimped bead ends on an eye pin inside a nice neat little open ended copper box that matches the focal, giving it a special one of a kind touch. 

Isn't it fun to think outside of the "box"?! These can be made to any size you need. I love taking techniques I learned from other crafts growing up and applying them to jewelry.  This will even work for a flower petal bead cap if you use a smaller circle or a larger bead. Just be sure to file those edges and corners, they can be a little sharp if you don't.


Thanks for stoppin by!
Feel free to post any "Out of the Box" techniques you use in the comments.
See ya next time!

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

25 Sketches: Number 8

On the desk I have beads pulled for several sketches, beads pulled for commissioned pieces and then the spin off designs that develop as I work on these things. Now, my brain needs clean for numbers, but it thrives on having beads everywhere for creating. The ideas come fast and easy when the beads are out, but there is a fine line between inspirational and overwhelm.

I received a couple packages from The Hole Bead Shoppe and House of Gems in the mail this last week... YAY Me!! Most of the beady goodness was placed with projects just waiting for this or that and then a couple new ideas sparked and beads came out for that and I crossed that line into overwhelm. I can work with a lot of beads out, but I couldn't even see my desk anymore! This is what it looked like AFTER I cleaned and put some things away. What you don't see are three stacks of trays to the left and two to the right or any of the tools that live on my desk! No the file doesn't live there, it lives in a drawer to the right.

messy messy desk
There IS a desk under there somewhere!

Completely overwhelmed I had too many ideas, too many projects I wanted to play with right now and all my trays were in use. So I decided, I would work on one small sketch for earrings (they had been waiting on the Coral and Sterling Silver beads I got from House of Gems), then I'd play with the awesome kit I got from The Hole Bead Shoppe and then I could get to work on my idea for Stringing Magazine (that's one of those spin off/sparked ideas lol)

The small coral beads I got from House of Gems were perfect for the earrings I had drawn in sketch number 8. I had some Bali style silver drum beads I thought would look just gorgeous paired with some turquoise and coral and I think I was right, but I'll let you be the judge of that. I think these will be the matching earrings to an embroidered piece I'm getting ready to work on with lots more coral and turquoise! If it lives up to the design in my head it will be a stunner!! At the very least gorgeous :)


One of the things I ordered from House of Gems was a divided bead tray/organizer. I have several triangle trays and they are perfection for pouring beads back into their tubes or baggies but I have the really bad habit of setting tools down right next to them while they're full of beads. You guessed it, I flip a tray pretty much every time I use one, sigh. I've seen the little egg trays and water color paint trays used but I just knew I'd have the same problem of flipping them only multiplied! So when I saw this little gem I had to give him a go!

A Lidded Bead Tray from House of Gems
It's Lidded!! 

Yes, I am beading on top of the MacBook. You saw, I have NO room on the desk!  However, I did move the beads over on top of the sketch book right after I took this pic. I dropped a 2mm czech fp bead and it headed straight for the keyboard and gave me 2mm palpitations.

This little tray is cool! Not only is it a solid bottom with very little chance of flipping but it's lidded! That's right, I can close the lid and walk away without putting my beads away or worrying about the fur babies flipping trays while I'm not there to protect the little beadies.   It has 8 compartments so I can have beads for more than one project in it, say like now while I'm waiting for an order of more of those sweet beads, and I get to work on that necklace idea for a submittal to Stringing Magazine. AND because the compartments are triangular they pour back into baggies pretty nicely themselves. I haven't tried a tube yet but I've got several pulled for projects on the desk....

Design by Rae Burns of The Hole Bead Shoppe

Well, I'd better get going! I'm pretty sure there was one more thing on the to do list today if I can just remember what it was!! .....

Thanks for stoppin by!
We'll see ya next time!