A Grandmother's Bracelet

This is actually the 3rd one that I've made.  I finished one for my mom, who then wanted me to make one for my aunt and now my cousin would like one for her mother-in-law.  So maybe I've actually made a somewhat 'popular' design.  It's just sparkly and pretty understated, unless you know what the colors mean. 
A stone for each child and/or grandchild.  This bracelet can look all sorts of ways depending on when the birth month of the children and grandchildren.  My mom's looked pretty Christmas-sy since 3 of her children/grandchildren were born in July (Siam/Ruby color) and one in May (Emerald). 
Here's the latest...

Among Other Things...

Once again, I was asked to submit some items to sell as part of the Cincy Craft Cartel at the 1305 Gallery.  They have an annual Yuletide where you can buy locally-made, handmade items from many talented artists.  I was working through November to make more items.  Here's just some of the jewelry for sale there.

I really had fun making earrings this time around - and make 40 pairs for the show - lots of festive things and bright colors.  I think that's what I need when it gets colder and so dark for so much of the day.  I long for the days where I can go for a run at 8:45pm and make it home before the sun goes down (and where its warm enough to be wearing shorts and a t-shirt at that time!).  In the meantime, I'll just have to keep making jewelry. 

Beadweaving... A little something special

Oh!  How I've admired these for awhile and awaited the time when I could take on the challenge of these beautiful bracelets!  I finally got the pattern and decided to put other things on hold, while I took this project on.  And they did take time, a little here, a little there.  A little while helping the kids with coloring and workbooks and homework and a little while watching some tv late at night. 
And then the finished product....

Aren't they stunning?  I could tell from just doing the first steps of the bracelet that they would be gorgeous - the beads for the first right angle weave just feel silky.  The pattern and kits are called 'Othello' from TamaraScottDesigns. 
I would highly recommend the patterns.  Very easy instructions.  And the results are so pretty - I've gotten lots of compliments when wearing them. 

Can't wait to try them in different colors!

Working with Vintaj

I updated some of my Vintaj pendant styles for a more casual look...

 And have been working on some fall earrings with the unique Czech glass elements...

Look for them in Etsy!

When was the last time?

Wow!  It has been awhile.  I actually took a bit of a hiatus from making jewelry - trying to not spend as much on jewelry components and getting a grasp on what kinds of things I would like to make. 
Instead, I've been working on other crafts - knitting, crocheting, cardmaking, and even a little needlepoint bracelet ....

(This is from a kit by Dimensions called Savvy Stitches)
So what better motivation is there to make jewelry than reorganizing all of my stuff and really figuring out what I have and where it is located.  So I spent some time working on that and just this week, got my groove back with some much desired time at my desk.

And sometimes motivation comes from having a family member pick out beads and designing from there...

I also have some new items that will be listed on Etsy soon!  Stay tuned...

Earrings

I've also made some new styles of earrings - have you seen some of the new beads or doodads at Hobby Lobby - very bohemian style, very cute...

 And some more gemstones, this time it is jade...

Some Updates

I've still been working on jewelry, even though I may not have posted about it. 
Even tried some new beadweaving - albeit simpler beadweaving items (one pattern from the latest Beadwork magazine and the other from a Bead & Button source) ...

 

And I'm actually in the process of listing some new items on Etsy!

 And trying some other new backgrounds...  I've figured out that I really like wearing pearl and gemstone jewelry, but yet like to use all different types of material when I'm making jewelry. 

 

Happy Easter

Bead Soup Blog Hop

Yeah!  It's finally here.  The first reveal date for Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop!!!
I've been wanting to do this for over a year, so to say I was excited to participate is a little bit of an understatement. 

Here's the reminder of the beautiful beads I received from Kristen Stevens....

You know, some beads really speak to me and I can quickly visualize how I will use them and other, well, they take some time to sink in and figure out. 

This second set (and most of the first set), I knew how I wanted it to look right away and with a few tweaks, it came out rather quickly from the design to the finished product.   All of the garnet red and grey beads look flattering together.  This is something straightforward to highlight these awesome handmade beaded beads (made by Kristen herself!).  The focal is a little off center, which is balanced nicely with some of the other larger handmade beads.  I think I will enjoy wearing this - the best of both worlds of beadweaving and a little wirework. 

And this one I fiddled with for awhile - letting it percolate and trying to think what colors to use with the (Suburban Girl) pendant and how to hang the pendant so it looks like it fits in with everything and not just added at the last moment.  I think it turned out quite nicely, no?  And actually this focal helped me use up some of my own bead soup that I've had for quite awhile.  I liked the hidden patina in the pendant and drew that color out with the green gemstone beads (no idea what they are).  And mixed it all with brass and copper beads - even added a copper coil around the pendant hook so it all goes together.  If you can see the small bronzey coppery beads that make up most of the chain - they have a flower motif on them - which reminds me of the pendant.  And a handmade copper hook clasp to finish it off. 

This has been so fun!  It is nice knowing someone else out there in the bead community.
Thank you Lori Anderson for hosting this blog hop - it is so much fun!
First, check out my partners site for what she made!  Kristen Stevens - http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Then, check out everybody else.  The list is long...

Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Amber Dawn Goldish	www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Barb Solem	http://www.vivimagoopresents.com
Bev Breisinger	http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou	www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Breana Fry	www.vault31.blogspot.com
Brenda Sue Lansdowne	http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/
Bridget Torres	www.Shears58.com
Carol Dee Myers	http://caroldeezigns.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault	www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Cassi Paslick	http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier	Http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud	www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson	www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com
Crystal Thain	http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Riggs	http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey	http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/
Dana James	http://danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Darlene Fortier	www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
	Deanna Hager  http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/   Deanna Cox www.deannaaki.wordpress.com Deb Brooks http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/ Debra Behrends http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/ Denielle Hagerman http://www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com/ Denise McCabe*YOU ARE HERE* www.cabewoman.blogspot.com Diana Frey www.dianafrey.blogspot.com Diana Welte http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com Dini Bruinsma http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl DiYana Alcalde http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/ Dolores Raml http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/ Donna Millard http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/ Dot Lewallwn http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com/ Duane Clark http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/ Dyanne Cantrell http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/ Eleanor Burian-Mohr http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/ Elisabeth Auld www.beadsforbusygals.com Elizabeth Owens Dwy www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com Emily Greer http://www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2/ Enikö Fabian http://perleni.blogspot.co.at/ Erin Grant http://ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com Eva Kovacs http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/ Eva Sherman http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/ Gina Hockett www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com Grace Rotenberg http://rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com/ Gretchen Nation www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com Hannah Rosner http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com Heather Davis http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/ Heather Marston http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com/ Heather Powers http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com Ingrid McCue www.wrappedinsilver.com Jacqueline Marchant http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/ Jan Petek www.janpetek.com Janeen Sorensen http://wildvanilladesigns.com/ Jane-Michael Stallings http://www.craftvacuum.blogspot.com Jasvanti Patel www.Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com Jayashree Paramesh www.nchantme.com Jayne Capps http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com Jean Yates http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/ Jennifer Cameron http://glassaddictions.com Jennifer LaVite http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com Joan Williams www.lilrubyjewelry.com Jodie Marshall www.Marshalljodie.blogspot.com Judy Riggs www.rigglettes.blogspot.com Julie Anne Leggett www.thepeacefulbead.com Kat Barron Miller http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/ Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/ Kim Hora www.kimmykats.com Kim Houston http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com Kim Sparks http://beadabunch.blogspot.com Krafty Max http://kraftymax.blogspot.com Kris Lanae Binsfeld www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com Krista French http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/ Kristen Stevens*MY PARTNER* http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/ Kristi Harrison http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com Kumi Fisher http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com Laren Dee Barton www.larendeedesigns.blogspot.com Laura Bracken http://laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com/ Laura Demoya www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com Laurie Hanna http://jewelrybylh.blogspot.com/ Laurie Keefe-Cecere http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/ Lea Avroch http://www.LAJewelryDesign.blogspot.com Leanne Loftus Http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com Lee Anne Messerschmidt http://wiredhammerednworn.wordpress.com Leslie Schenkel http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/ Linda Anderson http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/ Linda Djokic www.lutkaandco.com Linda Murphy www.bonitabead.blogspot.com Linda Sadler http://idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com/ Lisa Liddy http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/ Lisa Suver http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/ Liz DeLuca http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/ Liz Engriser http://www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com/ Lola Surwillo http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com Loretta Carstensen www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com Lori Anderson www.PrettyThingsBlog.com Lori Bergmann www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com Lori Bowring Michaud http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com Lori Poppe http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com/ Lori Schneider www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com Lyn Foley www.lynfoleyblog.com Maddison Langford http://maddy-moo.blogspot.com Magdalena Sikora http://porannagazeta.blogspot.com/ Mallory Hoffman http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/ Marcella Austenfeld www.goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com Marcy Lamberson http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com Maria Clark http://sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/ Maria Rosa Sharrow www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com Marianna Boylan www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com Marie Covert http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/ Marti Conrad www.marticsclay.blogspot.com Mary Ellen Merrigan http://www.MaryEllenBeads.com Mary Harding www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com Molly Alexander http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com Nan Emmett http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/ Niky Sayers http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk Pam Chesbro http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/ Pam Farren http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com Pam Sandy http://pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com/ Pam Traub http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com Pamela Gangler http://shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com/ Patricia Buchanan http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo Patricia Johnson http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com Patty Miller http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/ Paula Hisel http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html Peggy Gabrielson http://georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com Perri Jackson http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/ Rachel Baron http://www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com Rachel Stanley http://2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com Rain Hannah http://honeyandollie.com Rana Wilson http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/ Renetha Stanziano www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com Robin Reed www.willowdragon.blogspot.com Rochelle Brisson http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com Rose Rushbrooke www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/ Ruth Szapa www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com Sally Russick http://thestudiosublime.com Sandi Volpe www.sandivolpe.com Sandra Pendragon http://sandrapendragon.blogspot.com/ Sandy Richardson www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com Sarah Small http://bysalla.blogspot.com Shannon Hicks http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/ Shari Replogle www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com Sheila Daniels http://www.cheekymagpie.com Sheila Davis http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/ Shiraz Biggie www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com Shirley Moore www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com Skylar Bre'z http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/ Staci Smith www.stacilouiseoriginals.com Stacie Florer http://www.soultosubstance.com Stacy Pomerleau www.craftenvilleblog.com Stephanie Weiss www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com Sumi Rani www.HundredColors.blogspot.com Susan Sheehan http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/ Suzette Bentley http://elliesbijoux.blogspot.com Tamera Norris www.beadsinspireme.com Tracy Choy www.bumblebeadsdesigns.Blogspot.com Tracy Stillman www.tracystillmandesigns.com Valerie Norton www.hot-fused-glass.com Vicki Holliday http://flopcatdesign.blogspot.com/