For a change ....

My girlfriend asked me to create her a few special cards.  One of them is for her hubby's 50th birthday.  She wanted something that had to do with woodworking/carpentry/painting as he is skilled in those areas. 

For the card, I used mixed media paper with good weight to it, and then on top a dark wood grained paper.  It's embellished with stickers of rulers, t-square, hammer, pencil, and 5 0 stickers on little tags with those foam dots I like alot that make things pop out! 

What I did differently this time was to use a piece of scrapbook paper for the envelope.  I generally like to use thicker paper, but since she doesn't have to mail it I thought the crackle paint paper was quite appropriate for this card. 

March

These earrings are made with Swarovski crystals, both in clear and the beautiful color of Aquamarine.  I've been working on birthstone color jewelry and these are for the month of March. 

"If you can picture the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean, you will understand why the birthstone for March is named Aquamarine.  Derived from the Roman word "Aqua," meaning water, and "mare," meaning sea, this pale blue gem does indeed resemble the color of seawater.  The ancient Romans believed that the Aquamarine was sacred to Neptune, the god of the sea, having fallen from the jewel boxes of sirens and washed onto shore.  Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans, engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea. 

The association with water led to the belief that the Aquamarine was particularly powerful when immersed.  Water in which this gemstone had been submerged was used in ancient times to heal a variety of illnesses of the heart, liver, stomach, mouth and throat.  Aquamarines were also used to reverse poisoning and to aid in fortune telling."

~ The above was quoted from the website About Birthstones where you can learn different facts, myths, and trivia!

Yikes, I'm neglecting THIS blog too!!!

Really, it's just been busy lately.  My son is now finished high school so there were things to do, celebrating to be done.  We had some family over the night of graduation and then last night we had another small party in honor of our graduate.  Good times!  

So let's see... what's new in the jewelry world??  I booked space at what I thought was going to be a BIG craft fair a couple weeks ago.  Vendors from a few states were to attend.  A home show was going on.  Even some equestrian events were planned during the day.  So it seemed there would be a large diverse crowd to show my crystal creations to.   NOT!!!   I did have some sales but a few of them were from girlfriends who came by to see me.  Other visitors to my tables who made purchases were smaller... a few memory bracelets here, a few bookmarks there, and some stretchy kids bracelets.  I was surprised that none of my red, white, and blue crystal earrings sold this time with the 4th of July fast approaching.  Well, you just never know about craft fairs or what people who go to them will spend their money on.  The Tarot card reader near my tables was doing pretty well.  Many times I looked over and she was sitting with someone under her tent.  Even my girlfriend, who had never had a palm/card reading before, spent $35 to get some information.   That woman left with alot more money in her pocket than I did and she had very little to pack up.  I had to deal with tables, displays, unbagging and rebagging maybe upwards of 100 pieces of assorted jewelry, tablecloths to fold, my case to organize, etc.  And I still have many new pieces that need to be priced and some older pieces that need to be cleaned.  I do use plastic to keep the tarnish down, but also since potential customers touch and hold some things it's good to just freshen it all up now and then.  

I have no other fairs booked right now.  There were a couple that I considered but for one reason or another chose to pass on them.  I may grab free table space at a bar/restaurant one of these summer nights.  The place does a weekly event, I think to support breast cancer awareness.  For a donated item that goes to their raffle you can go for a couple hours and display some of your merchandise.  I've heard it's hit-or-miss for crafters/companies as sometimes patrons just want to eat/drink and not bother with purchasing anything else, but a girlfriend told me last night she would hang out with me if I wanted to do it so I may take her up on that. 

I have 2 small card orders to do, a few possible earring sales, and a pair of earrings to be delivered and money collected for.   Oh, and also when my sister gives me the okay, I'll put a bag of assorted jewels together for her to take to her office.

A girlfriend loves dolphins and said she'd be interested in a pair of earrings when I found charms to put on them.  Thanks, Artbeads!  Found these nice silvery ones offered there.   I hope she likes them.  I used mother-of-pearl shell beads and Swarovski crystals in the design as well.  MOP beads are mostly black/grayish but there are hints of pink and other colors.  Very shimmery in different lighting. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you are all enjoying a nice weekend!

Befriending brass

I noticed a small line of natural brass components for jewelry (Vintaj) that my local AC Moore store carries and have wanted to try out a few of the pieces.  Then I read about the company online and saw more of their products and really liked what they have to offer.    

I don't think I've ever used brass in my designs.  I definitely still have a deep passion for crystals and silver!  But I'm being drawn to vintage items more and more these days so I thought I'd try adding a bit of brass and see what I came up with.....

 

The detail on these foliage bead caps is just delightful!!!

The decorative window connectors I used in these earrings are really cool too!

Great detail on both sides! 

Even though I have a very small business and cannot usually buy in bulk, I will look for sales and specials on components like these if they go over well with my friends and family.  And I have a craft fair coming up soon too so I'll be hoping for some feedback there. 

What is your favorite type of jewelry to make?  Any specific material you use all the time?

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by!  

Cards, cards, and more cards!!

Oooh, I wanted to use that combo of papers for awhile now... ahhhh....

I still love tulle... and my paper crimper!

I have lots of assorted butterflies.

Quite a nice saying... 

I think we might give this one to our BIL.  His birthday was last month and we haven't had time to visit yet.    He does seem to appreciate my handmade cards though... so ... 'just because' we didn't get to see him on his birthday, we're still thinking of him anyway... 'just because' he's a pretty cool guy. 

                    

Always good to be grateful!

I heart this card in a big way!!  The reds, the ripped paper, the crimped shiny tag, the stamped gratitude, the white ribbon.    All of it.  I just adore it. 

And I'm very grateful to those of you who stop and leave me a comment.  Makes my day!!  Thank you.  xo 

Do you send/give many greeting cards?  Do you make them or buy them?  If bought, do you buy handmade or from a store?  Do you like funny cards or more serious ones?

I used to buy those little 'Shoebox' greetings from Hallmark.  They were cute and the prices were good.  Now, I make my own of course, but our family have always given cards for assorted occasions. 



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.