Forest Lodge Bracelet

AJE Component of the Month Reveal

Once a month Art Jewelry Elements hosts a component giveaway and reveal.  March’s components were made by the talented Jo Tinley of Daisy Chain Extra.  Each member of the Art Jewelry Elements team, plus five other artists were given a copper lentil bead that Jo had made for us.  To read more about how Jo made these copper beads, go to Making Hollow Beads.

The beads had different surface textures, as you can see from the pictures.  The bead I received had a textured surface created by the rounded end of a ball peen hammer.

I love the copper beads, but I ran into a couple of challenges while creating my bracelet.  Although challenges can be a bit frustrating, I kind of like the way the problem solving process makes me think more creatively.  I knew I wanted to pair Jo’s copper lentil bead with other flat or lentil shaped beads, but it took a bit of searching to find beads that would not over-power Jo’s bead in terms of color or size.  I finally found a Kazuri bead that was a perfect fit.

Forest Lodge Bracelet

The greater challenge was that I wanted to have multiple strands of glass seed beads in the back of the bracelet.  My plan was to use 5 strands of beading wire.  I wanted the wires to be separated when they ran through the seed beads, but to be strung all together when running through the larger beads.  Nice idea, but it didn’t work.

Forest Lodge Bracelet

It turned out that the copper lentil would only accept one strand of beading wire.  So I needed to figure out a way to taper the number of threads going through the lentil, without letting the mechanics of the transition be visible.  I worked this out by crimping all 5 strands and then  trimming the strands down to one  and hiding the crimps under the solid turquoise beads.  I finished the bracelet with a spiral brass hook I made. I’m  pleased with how it all turned out.

Forest Lodge Bracelet

I named this piece the “Forest Lodge Bracelet” because last week my husband and I took a day trip to the magnificent Lake Quinault Lodge.  Nestled in the woods on the shores of Lake Quinault, this traditional lodge was built in 1926.  Everything about it exudes tranquility and relaxation.  It seemed like the perfect way to name the bracelet!

Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge

I really enjoyed designing with Jo’s handmade copper bead and I’d encourage you to check out both her component shop, Daisychain Extra, as well as her jewelry shop, Daisychain Jewellery.  Now go have fun discovering what the other jewelry designers have created with these copper lentil beads!  Just click on the picture below to get links to the other participating blogs.

I am always delighted to read your comments!  Hope to hear from you.

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry – ArtFire 

Linda Landig Jewelry – Etsy

 

New Wire Coiling Tool

 News Day Tuesday

Welcome to News Day Tuesday -  the day for jewelry updates and snippets of life.

Wire Coiling Gizmo

Last week I shared a wrapped wire bangle bracelet that I learned how to make in Kerry Bogert’s e-course, Aspire To Wire.  The wires in that bracelet were wrapped around a core wire by hand. The hand work is necessary when creating a long coil.  When 5 inches or less coiled wire is needed, then you can use a nifty tool called the Wire Coiling Gizmo.  Kerry included a little video showing how to use this tool and I got one right away.

wire coiling gizmo

It’s a deceptively simple tool.  Its the kind of thing that makes you think:  ”Why didn’t I think of that?!”  The deluxe model comes with an attached  C-clamp, otherwise you have to use a separate clamp.  You clamp it to a table and choose the size mandrel you want.  Those metal things on the left are the mandrels.  I chose the thinnest mandrel, because I wanted a wire coil that I could use with earrings.  I selected some 20 gauge purple wire and wrapped the tail around the crank handle to stabilize it.  I unrolled a bunch of wire from the spool–you can see the wire hanging down below the table.  And then I started cranking, around and around.  Viola!  A purple coil!

Wire coiling gizmo with purple wire wrapped evenly around the mandrel.

Well it wasn’t quite that easy.  I learned a bit from this first attempt.  You have to apply an even, moderate tension on the wire and angle it “just so” to keep the wire wrapping evenly.  If I held it too tight or at the wrong angle,  then either the wire had gaps between the wraps or, more often, several loops of wire piled up on top of one another.  Then I had to unwind them, smooth them out and try again.  I imagine this gets much easier with practice.  When Kerry demonstrated the Coiling Gizmo, she wound that wire so quickly and it was perfect!  I also think that when using the small mandrel, it would be better to use 22 or even 24 gauge wire.  The 20 gauge wire was so thick that it tended to bend the mandrel.  I’ve got several ideas for using this purple coil.  I’ll show some of them for the next AJE earring reveal in 2 weeks.

A Thank You Card

There are a few other creative pursuits that I enjoy, in addition to designing jewelry.  I like floral arranging and making my own cards.  My daughter’s boyfriend thoughtfully gave me a pretty flower stamp and ink pad for Christmas, (along with an awesome bottle of brandy!).  So naturally I used the new stamp to create a Thank You card for he and my daughter.  I stamped the flower  on ivory colored card stock.  Colored the center with a yellow pencil and cut out the flower.

Thank you card

I pressed a little sticky square of foam on the back of the flower, so it would be raised a bit from the surface of the card.  I added ribbon and some stick on cork letters and it was good to go.

Completed card

Did you know that I am always delighted to read your comments?  I am!  Hope to hear from you.

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry

Its A Wrap

 Tuesday News Day

Welcome to News Day Tuesday -  the day for jewelry updates and snippets of life.

Wired Bangle Bracelet

To follow up on last week’s post, I finished the wrapped and twined bracelet I was making for my friend’s birthday.  I was complaining of sore hands from the wire work, last week, but then I got the idea to use one of those gripper things you have in the kitchen to open jar lids.  It gripped the wire much more firmly than my hand could.  That enabled me to lighten my grip on the wire.  The next day I was able to complete the bangle without any pain!

I started out with over 8 feet of wire!  It looked like this to start.

Wire Bangle in progress

I’m taking an e-course from Kerry Bogert to improve my wire-working skills.  You can see that its my first attempt.  There are patches where the wire wrapping has gaps, but there are also spots where it looks pretty good.  Practice makes better.

Wire Bangle in progress

When I finished the bangle, I decided to add a matching bead dangle.  Here’s the finished project.  My friend loves it and told me she was proud of me for always striving to broaden my skill set.

Twined Wire Bracelet

I’m excited because the next project that I’m going to attempt in Kerry’s class is a variation on this bracelet, that also includes an artisan focal bead that is wired onto the bracelet.  I’m hoping to be able to get started on it, on Wednesday.

Twined Wire Bracelet

Green Spindle Earrings

I gave a sneak peek of these earrings a couple of weeks ago, but I’d never gotten around to listing them in my shop–till now!  The Green Spindle earrings feature lovely artisan-made ceramic dangles by Marti’s Buttons and Beads.  These earring have a fairly simple design, but I love the graceful shape of the ceramic dangles with the pretty glass beads that are accented with tiny pink rosettes.

Green Spindle Earrings

Green Spindle Earrings

View these earrings in my shop here.

Did you know that I am always delighted to read your comments?  I am!  Hope to hear from you.

Linda

Chinook Jewelry Design Partner

I have been very fortunate, this month, to be able to collaborate with Mellisa Essenburg of Chinook Jewelry.  I was given one of her beautifully patterned ceramic buttons to create this necklace, which I titled “Turquoise Tide“.

Turquoise Tide Necklace

I love ceramic where the glaze pools in darker colors in the recessed portions, while the raised portions remain white!  When I saw that the button that Mellisa had sent me was just this way, I thought:  “YES!”, (fist pump!).

I looped a piece of gold sari silk through the holes in the button, for a soft and pretty accent.  Then I added a ring of glass seed beads to suspend the button-pendant from the necklace.

Turquoise Tide Necklace

The round faceted beads are amazonite (a semi-precious stone). The little gold spacer beads with the rounded edges are vintage German glass.  The gold colored stones near the chain are agates that have been accented by lacy looking antiqued bronze bead caps.

Turquoise

The uniquely shaped turquoise, tear drop shaped beads are from Wynnwoods Gallery in Port Townsend, WA.   Port Townsend, a beautiful Victorian seaport town, is my favorite place in the state of Washington.  And a big bonus is that there is a truly awesome bead store there, where I can always find the most unique and wonderful beads!

Turquoise Tide Necklace

The back of the necklace is finished in antiqued bronze chain, which fastens with a hook and eye clasp on the side, near an agate.

“Turquoise Tide” is now available at Linda Landig Jewelry.

Turquoise Tide Necklace

Four talented designers were chosen to work with ceramics from Chinook Jewelry this month.  Please check out their blogs, too, to see more jewelry that features ceramics from Chinook Jewelry:

Cilla Watkins of Tell Your Girlfriends.  Blog:  Tell Your Girlfriends

Patty Gasparino  of  The Junquerie  Blog: My Life Under The Bus

Hope Smitherman of Crafty Hope  Blog: Crafty Hope

Bead Table Wednesday: Disorderly Conduct (in the studio)

BTW: Disorderly Conduct

…in the studio

If you read the interview with me on the Pacific Northwest ArtFire Guild Blog, it will come as no surprise to you that my work surface is a constant disaster.  I usually have numerous projects going at once.  And I’d rather design jewelry than clean up after myself.  I did include a studio picture with the interview and it looks half-way decent, but I neatened things up before taking that picture.

So I’m coming clean about not being clean.  Here’s how the studio really looks!

How do I even find what I am working on????  Here’s a close up of the mess on the left.

Messy table top with handmade jewelry in progress.

Here’s the little blue bowl that is on the upper right in the picture above.

Work in progress

These bracelets were commissioned by a friend’s mother.  Her mother had bought a similar bracelet from me and received compliments from her friends.  So she decided she wanted to gift her friends with matching bracelets.  The only problem was that I couldn’t find the exact same black and pink floral beads – I only had 1 left in my stash.  These are similar and I hope they will be OK, (I do like the originals better, though).

I’ve finished one bracelet and just have to add the clasp to the second one.

Black and pink custom bracelet

Here are a pair of heart earrings I am working on.  I don’t like that extra silver ring above the heart.  It looks too gangly to me.  I may remove it.  What do you think?

Heart and lampwork earring (Lampwork by Radiant Mind)

And last of all, I’m already laying out ideas for a heart necklace.  The photo makes the ceramic heart look blue, but it is really lavender and it pairs well with this lampwork bead, which I’ve had for a long time, (unfortunately I no longer remember who made it).

Ceramic heart (by Bohulleybeads) and lampwork glass bead

Well now you have the truth of the matter.  I make pretties while I act disorderly!

(source: Pinterest)

✿✿✿

Visit the BTW Flickr group and see what others have on their  bead tables.

Bead Soup Blog Party – Welcome!

Bead Soup Blog Party

Welcome to the Bead Soup Blog Party!  Lori Anderson, of Pretty Things is the amazing organizer of an event that now spans five continents and 21 countries!  This is the fourth Bead Soup Blog Party that Lori has organized and the second one in which I have participated.

Here’s how it works:  Lori paired up all the participants.  We all sent our partners a special focal bead or pendant, a pretty clasp and some accompanying beads.  We could add anything to this “bead soup” that we wanted.  We all made one or more pieces of jewelry and today we are sharing what we have created!

My Bead Soup Blog Party Partner

My Bead Soup Blog Party Partner was Lori Dorrington.  Lori is a lampwork artist (handmade glass) and a jewelry designer.  She has a blog called, “Lori’s Adventures in Etsyland” and she has an online shop called, Lori’s Glassworks.  Here is a picture of the wonderful beady goodies that Lori sent me.

Bead Soup from Lori Dorington

Clockwise from the left, we have Lori’s pretty lampwork glass beads, tiger-eye beads and a clasp, some small green pearls and garnets.

My Bead Soup Necklace

I knew right away that I would make one of the lampwork beads into a pendant and that I’d like to have two strands in the front, with the other two lampwork beads serving as a transition from two strands to one strand.

Focal Bead

I purchased some little bead caps to add importance to the lampwork and I bought this cool leaf chain that I dangled from the end of the lampwork focal. The lower necklace strand is mostly garnet, with some pearl highlights and the upper strand is mostly pearls, with one cream-colored lampwork bead in the middle.

Bead Soup Blog Party Necklace

I’ve been designing this necklace in my head for several weeks now, but last week I suddenly remembered that I had some hand dyed silk in a deep red.  I found it in my stash and it was a perfect match!
I’d never finished a necklace with textiles before, so I had to push myself into new territory–which is the exact purpose of this exercise.  I added some fine copper chain to give added strength to the ribbon in the back.  I don’t particularly like necklaces where the ribbon just ties in the back, so I finished it with copper cones and the clasp that Lori sent me.

Bead Soup Blog Party Necklace

The transition (see above) was a little tricky for me.  At first I had larger beads where the two strands come together, beneath the lampwork, but it was too bulky and the strands jutted out awkwardly.  So I re-strung that portion of the necklace using smaller beads.

Spiced Cranberries Necklace

I named it the “Spiced Cranberries Necklace“, because the deep reds remind me of the cranberries that grow so well here in the Pacific Northwest, along the coast. And here’s a little bonus:  click on the link, if you’d like a yummy recipe for a Hot Spiced Cranberry Cider Drink.

A Giveaway

I also made some earrings with the tiger-eye beads that Lori sent me.  I placed a copper wafer and a green Czech glass bead above the tiger-eye and then I topped the earrings off with a small mookite bead.

These earrings will be given away as a “thank you” for visiting my blog during this blog hop.  All you have to do to be entered to win the earrings is to leave a comment on today’s blog post.  You must include your email address, or your link must lead to a blog or other website where is it easy for me to locate your email address.  If I cannot find your email address, I will choose someone else.  This giveaway will be open until the end of the month.  The winner will be chosen using an online random number generator.

Bead Soup Giveaway Earrings

The Blog Hop

Here is a list of all the Bead Soup Blog Party participants.  Have fun visiting as many people as you can.  I know this list is overwhelming, so I want to thank you for visiting my own little corner of the bead blog world.  I sincerely appreciate it.

These are the partner pairs.

The Hostess with the Mostess (!), Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York

2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson

3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino

4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner

5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier

6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins

7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor

8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen

9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller

10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare

*

11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman

12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps

13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka

14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson

15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy

16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price

17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland

18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John

19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel

19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel

20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou

*

21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase

22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb

23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign

24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall

25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll

26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley

27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala

28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman

29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz

30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle

 *

31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen

32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards

33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson

34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier

 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander

 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye

37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock

38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone

39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf

40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi

*
41. Cherrie Fick and Cathie Carroll

41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick

42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg

43. Chris White and Norma Turvey

44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer

45. Christie Murrow and Dana James

46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins

47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford

48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis

49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering

50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith

*

51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes

52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher

53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya

54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk

55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young

56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent

57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj

58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman

59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald

60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick

*

 61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner

62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert

63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez

64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris

65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith

66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday

67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman

68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore

69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones

70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz

*

71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim

72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable

73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag

74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post

75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton

76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter

77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride

78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller

79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley

80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson

*

81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor

82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen

83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman

84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy

85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora

86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg

87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann

88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay

89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh

90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski

*

91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan

92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean

93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis

94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt

95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski

96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio

97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts

98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker

99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford

100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck

*

101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto

102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark

103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika

104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen

105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec

106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson

107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long

108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson

109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney

110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson

*

111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger

112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy

113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw

114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher

115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca

116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser

117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse

You are here!     118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington

119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton

119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter

120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson

*

121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir

122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank

123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks

124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron

125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe

126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon

127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore

128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller

129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke

130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson

*
131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum

132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr

133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara

135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James

136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz

137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi

138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman

139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper

140. Mary McGraw and Laurel Steven

*

141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner

142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners

143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy

144. Missy Rappaport and Mags Sarri

145. Molly Alexander and Poranna

146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell

147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry

148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson

149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna

150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers

 *
151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari

152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan

153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag

154. Pat Haight and Mary Shannon Hicks

155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka

156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe

157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain

158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins

159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub

160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya

*

161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs

162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett

163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell

164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams

165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin

166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small

167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner

168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk

169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley

170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley

*

171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman

172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin

173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor

174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa

175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton

176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin

177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones

178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser

179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk

180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager

181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad

For a total of 362 people making jewelry!

Bead Table Wednesday: Custom Lanyard

BTW: Practice and Patience

Custom Lanyard

My next door neighbor saw my Blue Iris Necklace when she was at my Artisan Home Party a couple of weeks ago.  She asked if I could design a lanyard for her, using a similar design.  “Sure, no problem.”, I said.

Blue Iris Necklace.

The  Blue Iris Necklace had been part of Lori Anderson’s Bead Soup Blog Party, where participants had exchanged clasps and a pendant with another beader.   Stringing the lanyard in a similar design was easy.  The challenge came, unexpectedly, when it was time to create the clasp.  My Bead Soup Blog Party partner had been Elisabeth Auld of Beads For Busy Gals.  Elisabeth had made the clasp and pendant herself.  But, really, I thought, how hard could the clasp be???  Meanwhile 5 clasps later…

This is the loop end of Elisabeth’s clasp.  I wired on the iolite briolettes and the Swarovski crystals.

I tend to get impatient when I can’t master something as easily as I think I should be able to.  The tricky part in this clasp, is that the hook portion has two parallel wires–or rather they are supposed to be perfectly parallel.  Mine weren’t!

Over the years, my impatience has been tempered somewhat by the realization that what was once infuriating, becomes easy or at least easier, with repeated practice.  Some of the things I do now, without a thought, such as making wrapped loops, were once formidable learning tasks.  So, I made about 5 clasps, several of which got cut up and tossed in the waste basket.    Here’s the final clasp.

Here’s the lanyard this morning, just before I attached the clasp.

All Done!

Custom lanyard. Lampwork glass by Beads and Botanicals, rock quartz, iolite, Swarovski crystal, glass

I encourage you to visit the BTW Flickr group and  see what is happening on other bead tables.

 

Bead Table Wednesday: Meadow Necklace

If At First You Don’t Succeed…

I made a necklace with a gorgeous ceramic clay pendant from Shaterra Clay Studio and I was so pleased with how it turned out.  I was holding it up to admire it last night when…awk…I found a mistake!  See, look, I messed up the pattern of the little tan jasper beads!  So now this necklace is back on my bead table, to be re-strung.  I hate re-stringing!!!  By the time this blog is published though, I’ll have it fixed and listed in my ArtFire studio.

I named this necklace Meadow.  Don’t you just love this pendant?  It was the inspiration for the color scheme for the rest of the necklace.

Going with the flower theme, I finished the necklace with this great brass filigree leaf  clasp from Israel.

Meadow is now available (without bead-pattern errors!) in my ArtFire Studio.

I encourage you to hop over to  the BTW Flickr group and  see what is happening on other bead tables.

Bracelet Giveaway!

Celebration

I feel like celebrating spring, my grandson’s first birthday (Happy Birthday, Riley!)  and I promised my Facebook fans that I’d do a giveaway when my jewelry page hit 700 fans.  I’m so grateful to everyone who has “liked” my page.  700!  I can hardly believe it!  I posted a query regarding which color people would like for the giveaway bracelet and people are wanting purple.  So I got to work…

I knew I wanted to do a two strand bracelet with a button clasp.  This style of bracelet is just plain fun to make (and wear!).  So I dumped out all my vintage glass buttons and started sorting through them.

I chose this gorgeous vintage purple glass button.

Next I got out all my purple beads that might possibly work for this bracelet.  I sorted through them and selected the ones I liked best.  I placed those on my work table.

I made a beaded loop to fit around the button.

I strung the beads…

…and finished the bracelet.

So all that’s left to do now is for you to enter the giveaway.  Here’s how.

Bracelet Giveaway

Head over to my shop and find one piece of jewelry that you like.  Copy the title and then hop back here (it’s easy if you open two pages in your browser).  Leave a comment here stating the name of the piece of jewelry that you like, (not required, but nice: say why you like it).  That’s it – you are entered to win.

Want two chances to win?  Go to my Facebook page.  Scroll down a little bit and find the thread about this giveaway.  Choose a different piece of jewelry that you like and enter the name on my Facebook giveaway thread.  Viola, you are entered twice!

I will number each entry and use an online random number generator to determine the winner.  Giveaway closes at 5:00 pm PST on Friday April 15, 2011.  I will post the winner on Saturday morning, April 16th.  Be sure I have contact info for you.  Good luck!

Bead Table Wednesday – Playing With Wire & Chain

{BTW – Bead Table Wednesday.  A weekly look at work in progress on my bead table.}

Having Fun

I’m having fun switching things up and just playing with my beads right now.  I’ve  made several “serious” necklaces and bracelets recently, for the Artisan Wedding Fair in which I participated.  You know, serious stuff like: white pearls, faceted gemstones, rhinestones and sterling silver.

So today I’m playing with a completely opposite style of jewelry.  I’m using black-coated copper-core wire and gunmetal colored chain to make a whimsical, casual, long necklace.  You can see the beginnings of it below.

The ceramic rounds are the sale beads I bought at Michaels and wrote about last week, on Bead Table Wednesday.  I’ve combined them with some handmade felt beads, some speckled African beads, some carnelian and various other interesting beads from my stash.  I’d hoped to include the calcite you see in the upper right, but the holes were too small for the wire.  I’m going to make this long enough to just slip over your head – no clasp needed.

I’m having fun making this necklace, and I hope its eventual owner will feel that playful spirit every time she puts it on.

If you’d like to take a peek into more studios, of both the people who create beads, as well as those who use them, visit the BTW Flickr group.