Working on the Shop

I'm anxious to see what went on at ArtBLISS over the weekend. I was super bummed that I couldn't make it this year, but happy that I still get to see all the happenings and the new projects. While home, away from all the happenings I decided to get to work on my Etsy shop. Some of the new listings...

Salsa - Big Colorful Enamel, Citrine, Apatite Earrings

colorful enamel and lots of jingle jangle

Domino Effect - Textured Mixed Metal Earrings

love all the texture in these earrings

By the Light of the Moon - Ceramic Owl, Unakite, and Palm Wood Copper Necklace

one of Nan's fabulous pendants, with lots of earth tones

Ink - Teal Lampwork Baubles, Turquoise, Coral, Sterling Silver Beaded Necklace

really love this necklace...lots of great movement, so I've been giving it a little test drive lately

I'm really slow at adding new pieces, but I'm hoping to list a couple a week. There are only three shows left for this year, and two are pretty small, so instead of letting everything sit all winter...I'm gonna list it. After all, in January I made a commitment to get my shop back in order. I guess better late than never...yes?

Colors for Fall

Typically fall colors for me are rich reds, orange, browns, and neutral colors in general. I'm not a fashionista, and don't choose my wardrobe based on the trendy colors for the season...I just pick what I like, and based on the fit, of course. However, as part of the Artbeads.com blogging community, we were asked to create based on Pantone's fall color report. When seeing the trend setting colors, I was surprise to see such wonderful color...anything but the traditional fall colors.



What fun it was to add a splash of color. Most people automatically think falling leaves when they think of Autumn. So my first choice was to find a leaf pendant. Then, trying to stay with Pantone's Fashion Report, I choose various colors of Swarovski crystals. 

Release



 For the necklace, a cube Swarovski crystal and the leaf pendant are suspended from a larger size copper ring. Smaller crystals are woven into the tangled web of copper wire, alternated with a big round faceted Swarovski crystal. My handcrafted copper leaves hang from a Swarovski crystal to make these matching earrings.

Autumn Bliss



While hunting around Artbeads.com website, I came across this lovely brass toggle clasp that was a must have. For this bracelet I wanted to keep the clasp the focus. Glass beads and pearls are rotated with coiled brass wire and a couple Swarovski Cosmic Rings.

Storm Approaching



This ring was inspired by the most recent issue of Step by Step Wire. A ring similar to this was highlighted in the article about crystals. The color, Meridian Blue, doesn't really follow the color report but it seems to change color depending on how the light hits it.

And that is what autumn is all about...change...the changing from summer to winter...from vibrant colors to more subdued colors.

Be sure to check out Artbeads.com this weekend. They are having a great sale...20% off everything when you spend $60 or more, but hurry it ends Monday, Oct. 11.

Have a great weekend!

These products were received free of charge from Artbeads.com. The products have been honestly reviewed and I have not been paid for endorsement as it pertains to the products received.

Oxidized or Shiny?

That is the question. Everyone has an opinion. What is your preference? Does it depend on your mood...what your wearing, or do you only wear one or the other. I've never really had very many comments about the oxidation or lack there of, of the jewelry I create. However, at the art show this past weekend, there were several comments, and even a lost sale.

When to oxidize? I almost always oxidize copper to get that nice warm tone. But what about silver? There are certain pieces that I oxidized because it adds so much depth.  The oxidation brings out the detail in the wirework and really makes the piece pop. Like this pendant...

And this necklace, the oxidation really shows the wirework well and provides a great contrast in color.

And then sometimes I oxidize...just because

But then again, I like to leave some pieces shiny. Sometimes shiny really makes a piece stand out. Bright, shiny silver provides great contrast against a darker colored bead. Such was the case when determining whether to oxidize this bracelet. I felt like oxidizing this piece would make it dull.

And then there is the case where I'm not sure which would be better. Like here...

The downfall to oxidizing is once it's done...it's done. You can always polish the piece and get off a majority of the oxidation but it will never be bright and shiny again. And I hate the polishing part, all those little piece of steel wool get stuck in the coiling, my hands are stained black and smell like metal for at least a day. However, I've recently learned that the polishing can also be done with a scotch brite pad...I'm definitely gonna try this.

The downfall to shiny...well for me anyway, is the photographing. I can't get a decent picture of a nice, shiny piece, like the above necklace. The shiny silver acts like a mirror, depending on the angle I get a reflection of my lens. And then there are the dark spots...very frustrating.

So what is your preference? Mine...shiny. I really gravitate toward a bright, shiny piece of jewelry, but then again it depends on the piece.

Just in Time for Summer

Can you believe it almost Memorial Day? For us, this is the official start of summer, lots of fun in the sand and sun:) I'm busy as a little bee, planning and attending activities at school, getting ready for an art show, tending to the garden, and wrapping up the softball season.

Summer is what inspired my picks for this months Artbeads.com blogging community. Nothing makes me think summer more than the beach. I love to walk along the surf looking for items out of the ordinary. I'm enamored by sea creatures and typically try to go to the beach as soon as possible after a storm to see what has washed ashore.

This necklace made me think of just that...the fun of scouring the beach after a storm. The glass beads are paired with freshwater pearls with a Swarovski Starfish pendant.

Washed Ashore

I love the Swarovski starfish bead! I just can't seem to get enough of them. They are available in so many colors, but the indicolite is by far my favorite color. The lampwork beads were also one of my picks. I got a WHOLE strand of them...way more than I expected. I'll have these in my stash for a while. The sterling bead caps are available in my Etsy shop.

Gulf Stream

One of the other things I love about summer is the wildlife. And we have quite a bit, fox, owls, deer, squirrel. There are many a night when I'm awakened by hooting. I enjoy hearing the owls call, even in the middle of the night. The sterling owl charm was a must have for this earth tone bracelet.

Late Night Calls

Summer also brings more laid back, not so rush, rush days, and we could probably all deal with a little more of that:)

These products were received free from Artbeads.com and I have not been paid to endorse these products.

Who Knew It Could Be Such Fun

Have you ever come across something new that you are absolutely obsessed with...well I'm like that with lots of new ventures. If I even kind of like what I'm interested in then I jump in with both feet and sometimes (many times...) go overboard. You know what I mean???

This is what has happened since stumbling onto the book that I previously blogged about Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet. I always love a good challenge and last year I began piddling in metalwork, not that I don't love creating with wire but just to expand my horizons and try a little something new. So I got a couple books and LOTS of supplies and did just that...piddled. However, since getting this new book I have been doing more metalwork and combining it with wire. A perfect marriage! And these last couple of days I have just gone hog wild! My dear hubby took the oldest kiddie and went away for one last hurrah before school starts and that left me with my little princess who is more than happy to play by herself for hours on end. (of course she doesn't do that when her older brother is around) So for a couple of hours for two days I got busy out in my studio/garage. I really enjoyed forging and pounding the metal and creating while it lasted. Take a gander at what I did...I had so much fun. I'm sure there will be more to come especially since my kids start back to school on Wednesday.

Twisted Cliffs - Mixed Metals Pendant/Necklace

This pendant is much like the example that is in the book. Forged from copper sheet, the edges have been hammered, then holes punched to add the dangles/charms. I'm super pleased with the way that it turned out! This is definitely a Bold statement piece, not for the faint at heart. Can't wait to see peoples reaction as I will be taking this piece to an art's festival in the weekend to come.

Unlocked - Mixed Metal Earrings

These earrings are forged form brass, sterling, and copper. Notice that every component has been hammered...pounding....that's one of my favorite parts...getting out all the pent up stress.There is lots of that to go around with 2 kids.

Glittering Caves - Mixed Metal Earrings

Again, just like the book...copper sheet forged into a triangle shape with a sterling silver wire wrapped bead on the inside. Super unique-my mom and sister's reaction-"Ooooo, I really like them..." my husband's-"uh, not so much." Go figure!

All Around - Mixed Metal Earrings

For these earrings, I wanted to do a little something different than was in the book. The components are cut from copper, brass, and sterling as before and textured (of course) but instead of stacking, I decided to sew the components together with fine gauge sterling wire. Again, pleased, might have to gift these to my little sis...she liked them so much!

Back to Your Regularly Scheduled Program

Personalized Charm/Birthstone Necklace

I feel like I have been on hiatus this past week. My children were on winter break, so my days were pretty busy keeping them occupied. Other than that I did not do much , no new designs, no posts to my blog, and little promoting my Etsy shops:( Probably not the best decision since Valentine's is looming. But, I just needed a break.

With all that said, this morning I woke up refreshed, and inspired to kick it into high gear, and get back to my daily routines.

I have recently become interesting in stamping. I have visited Beaducation on several occasions, to watch the online classes, which are very through, I must say. Anyway for Christmas I asked for some stamping supplies, to get started. However, because of my late request only received my new supplies last weekend. So last Saturday and Sunday, I practiced, and practiced, and practiced. It's a bit harder to line those stamps up in a straight line than it looks, but I think that I finally have a good handle on it. So this morning, I wanted to make a little, simple personalized "Mom" charm necklace for myself.

I'm pretty happy with the turnout, for my first try. I do need to hone in a bit more on my skills. Mostly need to hit the stamps a harder and center a little better. But, all in all I'm pleased.
Next, I want to make a little something for my mom, who gave me the stamps and supplies. Hopefully she won't read my blog before I get this done:o

Eventually, I'd like to incorporate the stamping into my jewelry designs. I really excited about this new avenue and I'm looking forward to adding some more pizazz to my wirework.

Finally....I'm coming out of the dark ages

Ok...I'm finally going to attempt to start blogging. I feel like I need to come out of the dark ages. I'm constantly reading other blogs, getting lots of useful tips and reading the ramblings of others. So here goes, I'm going to make a conscious effort to post on a regular basis. Although, this is probably not the best time of year to start something new....with Christmas looming.

Recently I have been so busy that I barely have time to concentrate on my jewelry designs. I recently had a holiday open house at my home that was very successful. However, that was the weekend after Thanksgiving and I have created only a few pieces since then. As much as I am looking forward to Christmas, I'll be glad to get back to my regular routine. I'm like that...I have a daily groove and not happy if my groove gets disrupted.

Anyway, be sure to check out my online shop for some great jewelry pieces that are available. And, sign up to receive my blogs via email, please enter "subscribe to blog" in the comments section.