Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jewelry. Show all posts

Bead Box 18 - Reveal

 Hey y'all! I'm popping in to share the completed jewelry pieces that came out of Bead Box 18. I've actually already stocked and started on 19, so you should expect that post soon too. 


If you're unsure what I'm talking about, let me quickly explain. I try to keep a basic, divided organizer stocked with the elements I need to make 17 jewelry pieces. This organizer goes with me when I travel, am uninspired, or just need to keep my hands busy. I shared a glimpse of this 18th iteration of it about a month ago, and now it's time for you to see what I made!

This necklace came together pretty quickly and is newly available on Etsy. Teal is probably my most favorite color, so I love this one so much. 

These were a tad experimental as I wasn't sure if I could get the balled headpin to stabilize on the tin as well as form a loop for the leaf. It worked! And, I love them. They'll be headed to the Etsy shop soon.

The tin mushrooms came together accidently when two pieces of tin landed on top of each other on my bead mat. As soon as I saw them as mushrooms, there was no stopping me from riveting them together. Of course, that all happened before these wound up in my bead box. Aaaaanyway...I wrapped beads onto a couple of golden rings and these earrings were done. They're available at Hello Gallery in downtown Fairhope. 

The pendant of this necklace was originally made for and in another necklace that I eventually took apart. (It happens!) As has become my latest and favorite way to make the chain for a necklace, I added matching beads to the front and finished it with chain. Oh, and that face part of the pendant - it's from Gaea Handmade from AGES ago!! 

There's a lot going on in these earrings. They started with the soldered crystal drops but called for so much more. The darkened solder had me turning to some hardware store internal snap rings. But, I wanted to up the bling factor. So, gold and crystal bead fringe was added. These fun earrings can be found at Hello Gallery.

Can you tell that I had a few soldered bits that I wanted to use in this box? The pendant in this necklace is a soldered stack of a chandelier crystal, a turquoise chunk, and a glass pebble backed with altered, crackled paper. I simply added turquoise chips and round, clear glass beads aong with antiqued silver chain to finish this necklace. I plan to list it in the CraftyHope Etsy shop. 

This necklace speaks for itself doesn't it? I created the shield pendant with the happy pebble several months back. But was stumped with what to do with it. I created a rosary chain of small beads. And, look closely...do you see it? The pattern is off. I meant for the black beads to be first on both chains. So, I've since swapped it and added a closure. Alas, when I went to take the necklace to Southern Antiques and Accents, I dropped it and the flower bead broke in half. Sigh. I could easily add another one of those beads, but I'm afraid they may be flawed as there was one broken the same way when I received the order of them. So, I'm thinking on it. Let me know if you have any ideas of what could hang from this happy pendant. 

I JUST realized that the tin pieces in these earrings may be the exact same shape as the tin in the necklace before it. How funny. In any case, these earrings came together so very quickly and are available at Southern Antiques and Accents (SAA). 

Yup, more soldered beads. I played with the translucent nature of these cultured sea glass diamond charms and hung some Chain Reaction from Jesse James Beads behind it. First, I had to change the bead on the chain to that it ended with a headpin and not a loop (it's a personal preference thing.) Like the earrings above, these can be found at SAA.

Those lime drops were the ignightor for these earrings. I thought the pinky-purple would be fun with them. I was right! You can find these in my booth at SAA while they last!

I've got a small jar of these bullet casings that I picked dup at a yard sale a year or so ago. I had my husband help me drill holes in the end of several of them so I could use them in jewelry (like in the Soldier's Necklace on Etsy). These tassel earrings are pretty long, but I think they're super neat. I've taken them up to Hello Gallery.

Yeah, that's another Gaea-made pendant. And, it's another that I had worked into something else that just didn't work out. I really like this version with the leather loops, glass beads, and brass chain. I'll be listing it in the etsy shop before too long. 

This might be my favorite thing from the whole box (maybe). It's a simple knotted bracelet with four strands of beads and a cool star button as the closure. Other than the green cord, it's neutral and could easily go with anything. You can find it downtown Fairhope at Hello Gallery. 

I try to include several bracelets in each box, though I do struggle with them. This one...I like it. I like the colors and the copper. But, I think I need to rework it. The section where the charm hangs is too long and clunky. They can't all be winners. 

Look at that! Another bracelet! This one gave me fits and was reworked several times after this picture was taken. I was feeling unsure about the beading cord and decided to wear this one for a while. And, I did. I wore it until some of the color started to come off the reconstituted stone beads. Drat. So, I do love this bright, fun bracelet. But, it has some issues. So, it's mine. 

These are much bigger than they look! The golden bases are from Michaels, and it was pretty simple to add the beads and tin. I think they're perfect for summer. I've got them up at Hello Gallery in case you want to snap them up. 

This last necklace is a type that I've been making for years. It's a bit of a bead (and button) soup necklace with copper wire. It took me a while to get it finished, and I'm not yet sure where it will end up. 

Like I said above, Box 19 is already packed and started. If you're interested in seeing any of my previous boxes, here is the full list. (I really should just make a page with a link to these. That's a task for another day.)

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions about the bead box, these jewelry pieces, or anything else. I'd be delighted to help!

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Bead Box 17 - Reveal

It's well past time that I share the jewelry designs that came from the 17th version of my Bead Box. Let me explain my box first. It's a simple 17-compartment, plastic organizer that I use to hold the pieces for seventeen jewelry designs. I turn to the box when I travel or need something already designed to do with my hands. It has honestly come in handy MANY times. 
Above you can get a glimpse of what the box looked like before I started pulling the pieces together. Let me tell you that for this box, I included sketches and instructions for what I had planned for the elements in each compartment. And, to stock this box, I turned to many artisan-made components - things I have been hoarding for some time. Now, it's time to show you how it all worked out. 

This first necklace came together just as planned. You can find it already in the Etsy shop, listed as Soldier's Necklace. 

Here's where I began pulling in artisan elements that weren't made by me. These super fun earrings flew out of the Etsy shop pretty quickly!

I expected this one to come together without a hitch, and I was right. It's now available at Hello Gallery Art & Things in downtown Fairhope. 

Oh, I really love how well the colors in this long necklace blend together. And, working with the copper wire was so lovely too. Anyway...this one is also at Hello Gallery. 

Simplicity was the key to allowing this Golem Studio focal to be the star of this necklace. I've got it up at the antique store. 

So very many artist-made elements went into this beauty of a necklace. Since it is a work of art, it's available at Hello Gallery. 

I can't get over how beautifully these turned out. These Patina and Pearls Earrings are currently listed in the Etsy shop.

It was important to me to keep the other colors in this necklace as neutral as possible so that the many colors of the lampwork bead would show through. I think it worked. You can find this Lampwork Tassel Necklace in the CraftyHope Etsy Shop. 

Also in the Etsy shop is this Grow Necklace. It was a wonderful reminder of how I started in jewelry-making - stringing necklaces on beading wire. 

This Filigree Sparkle Necklace was so wonderfully methodical to make with just one bead type (for the most part). Click the link to see some other pictures of it in the Etsy shop. 

In every bead box, there are a few designs that I'm just not sure about. As well, bracelets are a bit of a stumbling block for me. I was so excited about seeing how this one worked out. Alas, I just don't think it works. 

Containing some of my favorite things, this Crackle and Rust Necklace is available on Etsy. Don't you just love that shade of green, and the crackle, and the rust!?!? Yum!

I really hate that this pendant ended up breaking while I was trying to wrap beads around it. It was totally my fault as I simply put too much pressure on the wood with the wire. 

These beautifully bright earrings are destined for the Etsy shop. But, I had to fix them first. Somehow I cut through one of the wires and didn't even notice until I started editing these photos. Do you see the break in the wire? Whew. I'm so glad I did!!

Okay, so I really do love this bracelet. But, I haven't decided what to do with it yet. I feel like it needs a little something else - maybe some fun dangles before I try to sell it. I will admit that it came together so quickly and easily on the beading wire. It made me question why I don't use the stuff nearly as much as I used to. 

This is one of those necklaces that will go with everything!! And, it is available for sale - at Hello Gallery in Fairhope! 

I love it when the last item in the box comes together super quickly. That was the case with these earrings. They are also at Hello Gallery with so many of these other pieces. 

If you're interested in seeing other versions of my bead box, here's the full list of posts. 


Usually, when I get one of these posts up, I've already stocked the next box. However, that just hasn't happened this time. Hopefully, I can remedy that soon and share Box 18 with before too long. In the meantime, let me know if these turned out the way you expected.


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Reveal for the June Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge

 As it's the 15th of the month, it's time to show off what I made for the Double Color Jewelry Collaboration that is the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge. This month, we were to use the color combination of Blue and Tan to make a pair of earrings. In addition, bronze/brass or silver metal was to be used. And, for an optional challenge, we could include the fun element of shell. (Spoiler: I didn't use the fun element this month.) Here's what I did make.


These earrings came together quickly once I had my beads selected. You can watch the reveal video on YouTube and learn how they were made. The video also includes a little trick I figured out in the process. (How's that for a tease?)


Remember to check out Angela's video and to click on the #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge to see more designs for this and previous months. You can also head over to the Pirate Pretties Facebook Group to see more designs for this challenge.

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Pretty Filigree and Bead Bracelet

I really enjoy participating in the Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge each month as it encourages me to use materials and combinations I wouldn't have previously considered. This challenge comes from Angela, and this is the second year I've participated. While the monthly theme last year was birthstones, this year we're using color combos that Angela has set. In addition, she has a choice of metals, a project type, and an optional fun element that should be included each month. This month, the color combo is Peach and Pearl White, the metal choice is copper or silver, the project is a bracelet, and the fun element is filigree. These are the materials I gathered for the challenge. 


Now, I haven't done much work with filigree as a setting for anything, but really wanted to try - especially once I found the glass cabochon. I let the camera roll as I experimented with the design of my bracelet, and am thrilled with the results.


You can watch all my experimentation in my DIY Copper Filigree Bracelet video on YouTube. 


I cannot believe how beautifully this bracelet came together, and that's evident in my reaction when you watch the video. 


You can find more participants and makes from this challenge by searching #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge on YouTube. That's also one of the options in how to participate. Also, Angela has a Facebook Group where she sells beads but also encourages you to share your monthly makes in a comment on her reveal.

If you have any questions about the making of this bracelet or Angela's challenge, please ask away!

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Pirate Pretties Jewelry Challenge April 2023

 For about the past year, I've been sharing the monthly information on the #PiratePrettiesJewelryChallenge from Angela of Pirate Pretties on Facebook in my roundup of challenges and inspirations. This month, I was boggled for a bit by the double colors of Grey and Black, though they sound so simple. The other elements of the challenge were to use either silver or gunmetal to make a necklace and to (optionally) include chain as a fun element. It was kinda ironic that figuring out a way to use chain in a unique way was what really hung me up. But, inspiration prevailed. 


The design is not one I've ever tried before, and I headed into it with my fingers crossed that it would work out as I hoped. And, it did! I'm not sure that I could explain the process to you here. But, no worries, I have a whole video that shows my process.


Of course, I would be happy to also answer any questions you may have.


It was easier than it looks, I promise!


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Bead Box 17 - Stocked

I love having a box full of beads ready to be made into jewelry. Quite a few years ago, I stocked up the first version of this box. It's just a plastic organizer with seventeen compartments. Into each compartment, I place the elements for one design. And, when I travel or lack inspiration, I can turn to this bead box to keep my hands busy. It's been a few months since I shared the pieces made from the last box, and the box has been sitting empty and forlorn ever since. I remedied that recently, and now it's time to share what I've packed into this seventeenth version. 


Before I begin, I have to go ahead and tell you that in boxes past, I've sometimes forgotten what the original design was supposed to be. I lost my vision for the elements partly because I waited too long to work on the pieces and partly because I didn't document my ideas. I made sure that this wouldn't be the case (not entirely anyway) with this box. As I designed each piece, I sketched it out with plenty of notes. Hopefully, this will keep me on track. I guess we'll see!! Okay, let's get to it.

When I created that soldered bubble, I had no idea what I would do with a pendant of two old-timey soldiers. But, when I pulled out some of the bullet casings I picked up not long ago, I realized that they would pair perfectly with this pendant. Some brown-toned beads will fill out some of this necklace. And, I will add additional chain later to finish it. 


After that first design was packed into the box, I wasn't sure what else to use to fill it up. I ended up turning to my selection of artist-made elements. It was a lot of fun to be reminded of the beautiful things I've gathered over the years and pick out some to work with. I will try to link the makers for these items if I remember where I got them. (And, if I don't mention where they came from and you do recognize the maker, please let me know so I can try to link them.)


I bought these earring charms from Petra of Scorched Earth on Etsy many moons ago and have hoarded them since. I plan to just add a fringe of bead dangles from the bottom wires, and I selected small, complementary beads that will allow the charms to really be the star of the earrings I plan to make. 

This pendant came from Gaea. (I've linked to her Etsy shop, but she sells in several other places too.)  This is going to be a simple chain on cold wire with alternating blue and white pearls. That pendant is such a stunner, it doesn't need anything too fussy. 

That copper and enamel piece is also from Gaea and the heart is from Petra. I'm going to combine them with the Czech glass heart in a pendant. The chain of it will be made up of that mix of beads and buttons with some copper wire. It should super cute.

That's a Golem Studio pendant that I received in a bead swap ages and ages ago. It was actually used in a design that never really worked. So, that was taken apart, and I'll try again with the salvaged glass pearls, red beads, and tiny black beads.

Oh, y'all...There are several different designers in this mix. The enameled beads came from Cheryl Foiles as part of one of the Bead Soup Blog Parties. The green stoneware connector is from Karen of Starry Road Studio and the copper loop is from Miss Fickle Media. These treasures will be combined into a pendant. The chain will be made from the coppery wood beads on the waxed cord. I'm excited to work on this one. It's a little different for me. 

Here are a couple of other components that were previously worked into one design that ultimately wasn't quite right. The patinaed copper charms are from Melinda Orr of Orrtec on Etsy. I'll include those tiny freshwater pearls on the chain to hang in front of the copper pieces. I actually remembered to pull out the small gauge headpins for the pearls. Yay!

Oh goodness...I've had that lampwork bead in my stash for a long time. I can't remember where it came from - maybe a giveaway, maybe I bought it. But, it needs to linger no longer. I will accent it with a simple tassel made from recycled sari silk. The frosted and crystal-clear beads will make up the chain.

Here's another Gaea pendant (I do love her stuff!). Wood, bone, and Amazonite beads will be combined with antiqued brass wire to make a simple necklace.

For the life of me, I cannot remember where this beautiful pendant came from. I've searched blog posts and Etsy purchases to no avail. I believe it might have been part of some kind of challenge as I know I made a necklace with it and garnets, but that was disassembled some time ago. This time around, I'll make a chain of those sparkly glass beads and dangle the little faux opal headpins. I learned to make those in the Grungy Resin Opals tutorial from Marina of Fanciful Devices. 

I believe I won this lampwork bead (and a few others) in a giveaway. It was made by Kimberly Rogers of Numinosity Beads. I'm going to use it as a focal for a double-strand bracelet. One will be a rosary chain and the other will use the leather cord and some of the beads. My sketch has a couple of suggestions on how to finish it depending on how it looks. I guess we'll see it in my reveal!

We're switching to more of some of the items I've made, like this resin pendant. I'll use it in a necklace with a basic chain of alternating beads. Easy peasy.

Michelle Mach of Beads and Books gifted me several of the laser-cut wood squares. I added some resin and typed words in this one. I have plans to wrap some wire and seed bead loops through the holes around the outside frame. The chain for this necklace will be really simple.

I got these beauties and many others as part of a swap from Juli Cannon of JulsBeads (alas she's no longer making beads). I'm going to make them the star of a pair of earrings with just some wire. I think they're perfectly juicy and bright for summer.

This soldered bubble is another of my creations. I thought it was perfect for a bracelet focal. I'll use the polymer clay beads (from a destash from Shipwreck Dandy), an enamel bead, and a few others I tossed in on some beading wire. We'll see how that works out.

Here's another solder pendant I made. This was some kind of bottle stopper, I think. I picked out a mix of other clear beads to make a long chain for a necklace.

I'll use these little tin domes that I cut out along with the beads and chain to make a pair of earrings. They're not the most spectacular way to finish out this box, but I was tired by this point!

Which of the stocked designs are you excited to see made?

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NEW website (and blog to go with it)

 Hey y'all!! I've got some news. It's great, but also bittersweet. After almost NINETEEN years here on Blogger/Blogspot, I'v...