Vampire Jewelry Blog Hop

The Musings of Mystic Pesto is hosting a fun blog hop with 'Vampire Jewelry' as the theme!  Awesome, yes!??  I think so.

When I first read about it, I was immediately drawn in because the header for my new blog features a bracelet that is RED and BLACK!  I think it was a sample that I made for someone who wanted to see a few things in those colors.  I still have it since it's a bit longer (8 1/4") than the average size bracelet so I might have to restring it... maybe even for myself .... shhh!

As far as vampires go, I think Anne Rice has written many awesome books on them.  Her characters are dark and sensual.  She brings horror to you in a very erotic way.  I haven't read everything in Rice's collection but I do have quite a few books of hers tucked away in my bookcases for when I'm ready to delve back into that sinful decadence again......

The following bracelet is new to my collection!!  I recently started doing birthstone color jewelry and this matches a pair of earrings I just highlighted in a post for January's theme of Garnet.  I wasn't thinking about vampires when I made those earrings but they would definitely work for the bloodsucker theme.  

The larger glass beads are red but in some lighting they almost look black.  I think a vampire would wear this piece, don't you?!  

Here's another bracelet with black onyx beads, Swarovski crystals, a few seed beads and Sterling silver spacers.     

These necklaces were in my craft case and will be going with me to a few upcoming fairs.  Since they seemed to fit in with the red/black vampire colors,  I took new themey photos ..... 

It was alot of fun to participate with this theme.  If you want to see what wonderful pieces others have posted go right over to The Musings of Mystic Pesto and click on those links!! 

February

The birthstone jewelry project continues.....

New pieces are for February.  The first is a bracelet made with a 10 mm round clear Swarovski crystal (Ohhhh...how I love those big clear beauties!!), and other assorted Swarovski's in turquoise and amethyst colors, glass beads, metal bead caps and spacers and a heart toggle.   I included the color turquoise in this bracelet because that is the planetary stone for those born under the zodiac sign of Aquarius.  But since Amethyst is the planetary stone for Pisces, it works for that sign too. 

The earrings are made with Swarovski crystals in the Amethyst color, 8 mm round and 4 mm bicone, and have 14k gold-plated ear wires and goldtone beads. 

I read somewhere that Amethyst were once more valuable than diamonds!   Of course, these days it's available everywhere and I'm sure the prices are much more reasonable. 

Amethyst is associated with spirituality, sobriety, wisdom, and can help to stabilize those who struggle with addictions.   It is a member of the quartz family. 

Blog award!

Patricia Lynne's Treasures honored me with a blog award! 

Here's where I have to break the rules....

I haven't had this page up for long enough to get very friendly with too many artsycraftsy bloggers.  So I'll just accept the award, thank Patricia (thank you!!!), and list SEVEN random facts about moi:

1.  I like sushi.  My hubby surprised me with a take-out dinner order tonight!  Yum!

2.  I received another order from Artbeads today.  Used some $$ my daughter gave me for Mother's Day.  :)

3.  My favorite color is purple.  The ceiling in our living room is painted dark purple, the walls, lavender.    

4.  I have two grandchildren!  Of course, they are adorable and sweet!

5.  I love to read.  There are three big bookcases in our living room full of good books. 

6.  There are usually dishes in my sink.  I'd rather be making jewelry... ya know!

7.  I'm left-handed.  My sister is too.     

New project

As if I really need another project.... but I have always wanted to make jewelry in 'birthstone' colors.  I think I have enough beads do up a couple items for each month.  I really need another bead container though because with assorted themes going on I don't want to run out of a particular color mid-project.  I guess a quick trip to the local craft store is now on the errand list.

If you are born in the month of JANUARY, garnet is your birthstone.  I believe there are atleast 6 species of garnet.  It's also the 2nd wedding anniversary stone.

I'm not at all sure where I got the center beads for these earrings (bead show possibly?) but I do like them.  Different lighting gives off different effects.  A deeper color under the light of a small lamp.... 

With daylight coming thru a nearby window....

Against a piece of art paper.....

This pair is made with Sterling silver ear wires and bead caps, hammered metal pins, garnet glass beads, and some always delightful Swarovski clear and garnet crystals.  They dangle down *almost* 2 inches from the top of the ear wire.  Not sure if they'll go on Etsy or be held for a spring/summer craft fair but I do like them and am happy with the start of this new project!  Ooh, come to think of it, I have a bracelet these might go perfectly with for someone who might be interested in a set. 


Have a GREAT day!  

Happiness is.....

 Getting this package in the mail!!!

I was so excited that I had to show my husband.  Why he did not jump up and down in sheer delight is beyond me.   That's a little slice of heaven right there... some Caribbean blues, a bit of lovely turquoise, other assorted colors for a lush, hot summer!  Okay, hopefully it won't get toooo hot around here.   Eh, what do I care, I'll be inside playing with beads!!!

And these beauties.... ooohhh... ahhhh..... I think I might keep them for ME!

Happy Monday!  Hope you all have a great week. 

Sold?!? Not quite yet....

A friend of mine came to a jewelry party I had a few weeks ago.  She purchased some items but also pointed out a pair of crystal dangles and told me to let her husband know if he was looking for a gift to give her sometime she would like them.  I passed the word when I saw him last week and he said he'd be by today.  We didn't set a time though, and it's not like I can just call their house and ask.  He may have even decided to go with something else for Mother's Day.   We'll see....

Just having a little fun with the photo programs.....

OH how I wish I could wear earrings!!

I let my holes close up years ago due to an allergy.  I tried assorted metals but none worked.  Since then, I've even tried just wearing clips and either putting a little moleskin on them to keep the metal off my skin or painting them with clear nail polish as a protective barrier.  But they still get red, itchy and swolen. 

Cardmaking

Many years ago, I received a handmade thank you card in the mail.  It was both thoughtful and creative.   Sometime after that I found myself in one of the scrapbooking supply isles of a local craft store just standing there, in awe, looking at all the neat things available.  I didn't know what to do with any of it.  But I bought a few items, then a few more.... and here I am now with an entire room filled with everything from paper punches and decorative scissors to ink pads and rubber stamps.  Oh such wonderful toys!!  I've tried assorted techniques and still have a few more I might get to eventually but for awhile now I've been somewhat addicted to tags and pop dots.  Crimping papers is great fun too.  Ribbon, yarn, or tulle seem to end up on many of my cards.  Since I can't knit, crochet, or sew... it's the next best thing I guess.

Occasionally, I'm asked to make something special.  Recently, a friend requested a birthday card for her sister who has a connection with butterflies. 
So out come the supplies.... I gather up assorted things that might work and then play around with them.  Sometimes an item isn't quite right.  I have wanted to use that blue-green paper for awhile and have a textured teal paper to go with it.  But I realized it looked like peacock feathers and thought it would clash with the butterfly theme.  So back to the paper pile.  

The final card came out like this.  It's colorful, but also has a gentle feel to it.  Warm and summery too.  The tulle almost reminds me of butterfly wings.  The envelope I did in a box design with a couple flower cutouts glued on.  It's a deep color but picks up one of the colors of the floral paper. 

Next is a photo of a card I did a few years ago.  It was for a girl who loved 'Casablanca' so I found a photo online, printed it out for background paper, used another photo of 'Rick' and 'Ilsa', made a little film wheel out of heavier paper and glittered it up and added ribbons to the side. 

This card I sent to the artist who did my first (only have 2) tattoo.     

My daughter's wedding card was a bit bold.  One very large glittery flower and pearl sticker that I bought just like that.  Easy breezy.  So there was time to work on other things, like her jewelry, you know, the other obsession!   

My husband volunteered me to make this next card.  He's in the construction field and someone he knew was retiring.  He was an estimator for a painting company.  A few of the guys and their wives went in on the gift and I made the card for everyone to sign.   

So there are a few assorted samples of my handmade cards.  I hope you like them.  They were a joy to make! 

Red, white, and blue!

Another holiday is *almost* here.  Come the end of the month we'll be celebrating Memorial Day and looking forward to a nice (not too hot, hopefully) summer! 

I sold a few pairs of red, white, and blue crystals earrings at a fair I participated in last weekend.  I think that may be because I am using a new display stand for earrings and dedicated the whole left side of it to my patriotic danglies. 

I absolutely adore Swarovski crystals and use them in about 99% of my work.  I can't wait for my Artbeads order to arrive!  I'll be working on more like these and also birthday colors as well. 

If you are an artist or crafter, what are some materials you love to work with?

Pay it forward

Sometimes the organizers of certain events will ask the crafters to donate something for a Chinese auction.  I've offered a couple items when asked. Other times we just volunteer a few items for a benefit.   Twice, I've done benefit giveaways.  The first time was a photo box filled with assorted cards and a pair of earrings.  The second was this assortment.   Two bracelets with matching earrings, a pair of patriotic earrings, and 3 greeting cards.   There is a Ladies Night Out event that runs in NJ fairly often, which I haven't done yet, but hope to.  There is no fee for the table space... only a door prize donation!   That's a good deal.  

Even though I'm a very small business I still think it's important to give whenever possible.   Maybe it's a thank you for being blessed with some creativity.  Whatever it is, it just feels good!  

I did a giveaway on one of my other blogs a good while ago.  I think I'll do that here too one of these days.... so check back now and then for free goodies!   And in the meantime, wherever you can..... GIVE!  Nice things will come back to you too!

Welcome!

I started this new blog because I want a place where I can showcase the work that I do part-time as well as meet other artisans who enjoy making assorted handmade items.   The two main crafts I've been working with for the last few years are jewelry and greeting cards.  They are part hobby, part business, and each a TOTAL obsession in their own right.  Boxes and boxes of beads, compartments filled with golden and silvery findings and toggles, sparkly crystals, piles and stacks of papers, stamps, stickers, and ribbons..... ooh, I feel tickly all over! 

I know there are many of you out there who understand how some of us beaders/papercrafters are.   A bit tenacious when we're in our own little zone.   Maybe it's while we're out shopping for supplies, or getting ready for a show, or just making something for a gift.   But don't be afraid, we won't hurt you.  We have lightening fast reflexes though, and can grab that last pack of silver fishhooks right out from under your nose in the craft store!  But then of course we'll share that extra coupon we brought and all will be well.  Don't the 50% off ones just make you squeal with delight??!  

The top picture up above is of a red stone bracelet with crystal and silver accents and spacers.  I adore red and love making jewelry in that color.  I can't wait for the holidays to come around again (235 days 'til Christmas!)  so I can highlight the assorted designs I have available.

The second picture is of a seashell greeting card.  I mailed it out to a lovely lady residing in the UK and I hope it arrives SOON!  It's one of my favorite cards to make.  All those tiny shells are so sweet, aren't they?!

The last picture is of one of my table set-ups.  I have to change them around depending on the venue.  If I'm outside, and it's windy, the little earring cards have to be taped down in some way.  At a craft fair I attended last weekend, I had many of the loose cards taped to plates on a 3 tiered stand and I didn't use the necklace displays.  I just had the necklaces lying on the table.  Wind can be a real challenge at outdoor fairs, especially since my tent does not have sides.   Note to self:  price those sidewalls!!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Please feel free to leave comments!!