Orange you glad I didn't say banana?

Do you know the Knock, Knock joke with the banana and the orange?
I have little kids, so Knock, Knock jokes are pretty prevalent around our house. 

My friend had asked for a choice of some orange earrings so I went ahead and got inspired.  With Lots of Orange.  But since I'm really not a big wearer of bright orange, I chose different shades and different metals, like copper to go with the orange inspiration. 

Stunning lampwork leaves from Beadfairy, Carnelian briolettes, a brass cage and niobium earwires that perfectly combine the brass and copper combo.

 Beautiful Swavorski elements make these simple earrings a real stunner.

Orange with a slight hint of yellow swirly lampwork discs hang from sterling silver earwires.  A simple orange combo.  These discs were purchased a few years ago at a bead show, but I'm pretty sure they are from Kimberlys Corner.  (Kimberly Branch).  She has the loveliest discs - and in so many colors!

Burnt orange polka dot ceramic beads by BoHulleyBeads accented with tiny turquoise lampwork rondelles and some large Saki Silver sterling silver earwires.  This color combo is so fun!

Orange Carnelian wire-wrapped with a purple stone dangle. 

Copper beads and silver findings combine to make the perfect rustic earrings.

Lastly, orange red faceted Czech glass rondelles topped with a translucent aqua cap spattered with gold.  Those aqua beads have 2 holes in them - one in the center and one off to the side.  I think they are a type of seed bead but I can't remember the name.  They were purchased at my local bead store. 
And there's a matching bracelet for the earrings:

You can find all these earrings in my shop now!  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer

Pretty Palettes: October Challenge

I'm really going over the top and doing 2 design inspirations this month.  The Halcraft Inspiration Blog's Pretty Palettes Challenge has a beautiful inspirational picture this month.  Fall is definitely not my most favorite season, but even I can admit that the colors outside at this time are truly fantastic!!!

This is the inspiration photo:





The rich colors in this picture are wonderful!  And the beads chosen were defnitely diffrerent enough from my usual choices but still within that pinkish/reddish tone that I do like.

I came up with 4 pieces from this month's inspiration, in both a silver and a gold palette.  First, a silver-toned necklace and earring set.  The necklace was inspired by a white and black one that was on the Halcraft blog a few weeks ago.  That bib type necklace shows up well on an outfit.  And it was a good way to combine the different round beads. 

 The earrings in the middle are made with Humblebeads leaf charms.  Although not as visible in this picture, the leaves have an iridescent and translucent look to them.  They are so pretty when held up to light!

Second, a gold-toned set.  I think the red and purple beads look very regal with this color palette. It is a combination that I would not have chosen myself, but the gold looks great with the red and purple glass beads.  I really liked the hematite spacer but was a little stumped as to how to use it in the design.  So I ended up making lots of dangles with the spacers and the tiny red glass beads.  Together with the large quartzite ruby red beads, those dangles help fill out the bracelet. 

And all these items can be found in my shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer

Art Bead Scene: October Monthly Challenge: Winged Goddess Ma'at

I feel like I needed a bit of a shake-up.  I've been working on some beadwork, but that involves lots of patterns.  It requires color inspiration but the how-to is given.  And I love how my techniques have grown but it's fall again and time for some general design inspiration.

Monthly, I look at the Art Bead Scene Challenges and have ideas but nothing comes to fruition.  And somehow I missed the challenge with an ocean theme, which is really my favorite thing to design around.

This month's inspiration is from the tomb of Queen Nefertari. 

My inspiration came directly from a suggested bead artist (who also lives in Ohio, yah!).  I normally don't buy orange beads unless presented with a challenge like this, so I actually sought out an art bead that fit the challenge.
I made 2 bracelets and a pair of earrings, using wonderful lampwork beads from Spawn of Flame.

The first bracelet and earrings are my favorite.  Only using a limited color palette, the etchings in the silver findings remind me of the hieroglyphics. 

 
The second bracelet has the blue and orange colors, a great combination and a matte version of the same lampwork beads as in the other bracelet and earrings.

These items are no available in my shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gemsofsummer

create jewelry

Have you seen the ad below?  My earrings are in it!  I'm so excited.  This is only the 2nd publication that my designs are in and I'm very thrilled to see this.  I can't wait to actually get the magazine!

Create Jewelry 2015 Dive into over 50 all-new trend-setting jewelry designs sure to get your creativity flowing! This super-sized special issue is packed with a wide range of projects, from warm to cool hues and vivid brights to earthy delights. Explore the differences between epoxy resin clay and polymer clay, and then learn how to brighten up your jewelry components with 7 techniques for adding color to metal. With so many gorgeous jewelry designs, there's something for everyone! ORDER NOW Can't wait? Get the digital magazine instantly!

Shop more projects and inspiration in the Beading Daily Shop!

Pretty Palettes May Challenge

I love the image from this month's Halcraft Pretty Palettes Challenge and Reveal. It is so crisp and clean-cut, yet a little adventurous.  Plus, the retro vibe is very cool.  
A little late for finishing, but nevertheless, another month of inspiration turned into 2 necklaces and a pair of earrings.  I started seeing other blogs with the reveal pop on my feedreader but I didn't look at any until mine was finished and posted - that takes a bit of restraint...  and lots of motivation!


Here they are:
First, a necklace with all the colors.  I used the beads that Erin picked out from Michaels and added some matte gold seed beads that matched the bicones perfectly and a bead with poppy flower on it - reminiscent of a retro flower.  This was the only necklace that I incorporated all the colors.  It turns out I had a hard time designing with all of these colors.

Second, a necklace in a very retro looking black and gold theme.  Fairly simply.  I added chain that was from Michaels and too.  I like their heavier, thick chain that they have been stocking.  It creates a substantial piece of jewelry.

Third, a pair of black and red earrings.  A little wire-wrapping holds the red beads secured to the front of the black bead and they look perfect for this University of Cincinnati Bearcat fan.  The bracelet is something I made awhile ago, but don't the two look great together?

Erin, Thanks for picking out another great inspiration to work with. 

Beaded Links

I have a "studio" in my basement.  Considering the size of our house and that 5 human being live in it, it's actually quite a nice space. (And more space than my husband gets to himself).  

 But I also have two wooden trays that roam around the house with beadweaving projects.  (Wooden trays from Melissa and Doug toys with a felt pad work great!)  These projects are easily transportable and don't quite take as many tools as some of the other wirework I like to do. 

 Last fall, I started using the tutorial for the 'Nesting Bracelet' from October/November 2011 Beadwork to make some beaded links.  Every once in a while getting back to it with different combinations of different beads. 

Now, I have a few beaded links but haven't decided if I would make them all into bracelets or use them for focal beads in other items.  Either way, I think I'm finally ready to move on to a different beadweaving project. 

Art Bead Scene February Month Challenge

Somehow I actually finished on time this month.  I usually have the intention in joining in on this challenge but seem to rarely finish.  I even finished all the components I wanted to make for last month's challenge but have yet to finish the bracelet I was planning. 
Check here for the lovely inspiration:  http://artbeadscene.blogspot.com/2015/02/february-monthly-challenge.html 
The picture has Flowers and Butterflies - I can't wait for Spring!  Color!   I'm already tired of the snow and the winter blah-ness and we've only had real accumulation for a week and 2 days.  Nothing to complain about this winter but still very much disliked!

Here is my entry:

I used the Carmine bead in Marsala with Daisy Pattern by Cindy Kovar from Captured Moments.  Isn't is wonderful?  The color and pattern are just so cheery.  It looks like something that can be worn with a lot of outfits. 

 I had a lot of debate with how to do the chain.  At first, I was making a beaded chain by wire-wrapping the beads but the beads were a little thick and, frankly, I like the look of big chunky bracelets but they seem to get in the way unless I have a day of total leisure (with 3 kids, Ha!, wouldn't that be extraordinary?!).  So, I was looking for a low profile chain but something to balance the size of the focal and then I remembered the links I had made awhile back from Cindy Wimmer's 'Missing Link' book.  They attach together terrifically.  Some Vintaj jump rings and Czech beads to add in some of the other colors from the inspiration piece and a flower lobster clasp and...  completed on time.