Chicken or Egg?

Chicken or Egg?

 

 Which one comes first?

 

 

Jewelry people have a joke. It is simply called by the name "Beader's handshake" It is hard to put into words because it is a visual joke but here goes:

 

A Beader's handshake is when you walk up to another bedecked beader (often someone you don’t even know), stare at her neck, freely pick up the focal piece on the necklace she’s wearing, get a “wow” look on your face, look into their eyes, and then finally say “Hello!” and shake hands. This is really never acceptable behavior. But it happens all the time. Trust me.

 

 

OK, I didn't say it was a funny joke - but beaders get it and relate to it, immediately.

 

 

 

Oh, yes, the chicken or egg, which one comes first? Well, I really don't know that but it brings me to another similar question.  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

Do you make jewelry to go with your clothing or purchase clothing to match a piece of jewelry you've made? In this case, it is both but most often, for me anyhow, I purchase clothes to go with the jewelry I've made.

 

 

With the change of season, I've been thinking about new kinds of jewelry I need to make.

 

In the winter, I wear a lot of turtle necks. They require longer necklaces to be seen. (Short necklaces sometimes don't even make it over the turtle neck). Thus all those plain turtlenecks I wear in the winter. They seem to "show off" necklaces better than busy print tops.

 

 

 

 

Spring and summer bring out crew necks and V necks and will show off 16 or 18 inch necklaces. For example,

Ring by Ring Designs' Signature necklace

or some Glass Dome pendants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many times bracelets don't even show with long sleeves but some spring, shine with short sleeve blouses.

 

 

 

 

 

So, chicken or egg first, jewelry piece or clothing first?  I can only answer the second question = Both.

 

Do you have a favorite piece of clothing but no jewelry to wear with it? Do you need a new bracelet to perk up your spring wardrobe?

 

 

Let's talk!

 

 

Bev, I have this blouse and need ....  

 

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Until next time,

 

Bev

New Purchases

New Purchases

from the Innovative Bead Show

 

Every May, my friend and I drive up to Marlboro, MA and spend several hours at the Innovative Bead show. I was able to find some new cabochons at this show .

 

I also recently purchased a DVD so I could learn some new types of wire wrapping. Naturally, that is why I purchased the new cabs.

 

 

 

I was able to practice Monday morning. Here is my first try.

 

The colors are dark so I know it is hard to see the wire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I noticed the angles were all wrong. Well, at least not as good as they might be and I tried again. Also, made the coils bigger.

 

I like this one better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I look at the results, even the better one, I'm wondering if I should try it again using silver? I just might give it a go to see what happens. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

Of course, this was not the only cab I purchased. You can see I found some others. These will take me awhile to finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just had to purchase that owl though. Not sure what will happen to him. Suggestions?

 

 

 

 

Then I found some that were almost finished, hearts to boot. Couldn't leave them there.

 

But I did leave some there.  ;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let me know what you think of my new purchases.

 

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Until next time,

 

Bev

Mother's Day Ideas

Mother's Day Ideas

 

Last week I encouraged you to start thinking about things you would like to have for Mother's Day.

 

Gifts for Mothers, Grandmothers, favorite Aunts or just someone who has been the "special" person in your life. (I remember a cousin of my Mother who was that "special" person in my life after my Mother died)

 

As I was looking over my inventory for special ideas I decided I'm make a short "video" to show.

I've included earrings, some of my favorite Kumihimo pieces, wire wrapped pendants and of course a chain maille piece.

 

 

Click on the above picture or here to see the video. Enjoy!

 

Always remember personalized items. Mothers and Grandmothers always like items with Birthstones of their children/grandchildren.

 

 

 

Here is one for Mothers or Grandmothers with child's name and birthstone:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As usual, I like to know what you think about what I show to you. Leave a comment below.

 

 

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Until next time,

 

Bev

Lots of Earrings

The swirl earrings I showed last week inspired me to make more. I've been getting better with the swirls and tried some different looks. Plus I made some twisted earrings that I've made before.

 

 

 

Here is a pair like the one from last week.

The color is more blue than shows in the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I tried some Antique Bronze swirls in two different colors. I need some earrings to go with the wire wrapped pendants I have using Antique Bronze wire.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some red ones. This pattern could be made in many different colors. Your choice. Have a favorite color you would like? The metal could be silver or gold, also as well as the Antique Bronze..

 

 

 

 

Now when you cut the wire to make the earrings, it is a good idea to cut more than you think you will need.

 

 

But, not wanting to waste the extra, I started swirling the left over pieces. And here is the results.

 

 

 

 

 

Nice variation for those who like smaller earrings.

 

 

 

 

Here are the twisted wire earrings that I made. (Busy this week, no?)

 

The beads are blue tear drop shaped with a flower design you really can't see in the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And last but not least, twisted wire with pretty faceted black crystals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've added these to my web site and you can see them there with more information about them (size, price etc.)

 

 

Let me know how you like the new earrings

Bev, I think...  

 

.

 

Until next time,

I changed my mind

 

 because I can!

 

 

Remember last week when I said I would finish the Grapevine necklace using the plan I had to make it from two bracelet kits?

 

Well, I decided that it wasn't going to work as I wanted. So, I will now have two Grapevine bracelets.

 

 

Now what? I do have other unfinished projects.

:-)

 

One is using the Fiber Kumihimo necklace I made to go with the Picture Jasper pendant I made.

 

 

 

 

 

(Another change of plans project) I ended up using Antique Bronze chain instead. It really looks much better. But now what to do with the Fiber Kumihimo?

 

 

 

I, also, have a pendant that is waiting to be used. It needed a bail. I purchased some Vintage Bronze wire for that and added to the Fiber Kumihimo. Voila a new necklace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The picture does not do the pendant justice. You can't see the lovely "sunset" for example. I like this combination.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That wasn't the only thing I've been doing. I saw a nice video with an idea for earrings. I'm always looking for new earring ideas as I get a lot of earring requests.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, the picture shows that I'm not consistent with my wire work but if they are on different ears, I don't think it will show as much as in the picture. Or, I could "treak" them a bit.

 

 

Let me know how you like the new pieces

Bev, I think...  

 

.

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

 

 

Kumihimo Necklace: How to?

Kumihimo Necklace: How to ?

 

It seems that I run into times that I just don't get much done in the "creating" line. This is one of those times. So, what happens to the subject for my weekly posts?

 

 

I'll share a little secret with you. Around 4 - 6 AM on Monday mornings, I lay in bed and think... about what I might say. (I often lay in bed thinking on other mornings, too) Most often I come up with something easily. Today (Monday) not so easily. Finally, I decided to share one of my unfinished projects that I have.

 

 

 

I love this bracelet. Those of you who see me often will recognize that because I wear it often. So, the next project for me was to make a matching necklace.

 

 

 

 

 

The bracelet is made from a kit from Sally Battis and I figured I could order two bracelet kits and make a necklace. What I didn't figure, ahead of time, was that Sally includes the length cord for a bracelet. - Not a necklace, even if you order two kits. Well, duh!

 

 

 

 

 

So, I now have a bracelet size piece. Plus another bracelet size piece. But can I still make them into a necklace?

 

 

 

 

 

I could just order more from Sally (I'm sure she would send me the proper length cords) but could I do something else?

 

 

My plan is to take the two "bracelet" pieces and put a pretty clasp on two ends, (hooking the two bracelets together) then add a chain to the other ends and voila, I'll have a necklace.

 

 

 

The pretty clasp will be in the middle as a focal and the chain around the neck.

 

 

 

 

The thickness of the braid, really, is too much to go comfortably around the neck anyhow. Other similar necklaces I've made all have a chain around the neck. This also, allows you to vary the length of the necklace. This is a feature I love. Not only for selling to different people, but for me to be able to adjust the length for different clothing styles.

 

I should be able to finish the necklace by next week so I'll show the finished product then. Saying that in print gives me the motivation to get it done!   ;-)

 

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

Weekend Activities

 

 FUN!

 

 

This weekend was a busy one. It started with the Science with a Mission Quilt show and Craft Fair on Saturday. It was a great day! Saw many friends and made some new ones. The other vendors near by were friendly and I made some new "connections"

 

 

I now need to make a trip to Two Guys Fossils to purchase some more gemstones. ;-)

 

 

On Sunday, I went to Auntie Zaza's Fiber Works here in North Easton. Leslie Wind, expert silversmith, was there and demonstrated how to make her shawl pins and other items such as tea stirrers, hair pins and cable necklaces (A necklace that has a decorative cable needle you can't loose while knitting).

 

 

 

 

Leslie took one person at a time and made or helped them make a piece chosen from the many examples she had there. Here is the one she made for me as I watched and asked questions.

 

 

 

 

 

It can be used as a book mark or as a scarf "pin" as shown here. It is made from copper wire, shaped, hammered then polished if you like the shiny look.

 

 

 

 

This is polished but doesn't show in the picture. I'm sure I will find other uses too. You can see more on Leslie's website.

 

 

 

A busy but fun weekend. Now to get back to the regular routine.

 

 

Until next time,

 

Bev

Wire wrapping and Kumihimo

Wire wrapping and Kumihimo

 

 Combining Techniques 

 

 

 

 

Last week I showed you some new gemstone pendants, including this one. A picture Jasper stone that I wire wrapped. However, the usual silver necklace I add to those pieces wouldn't work. I suggested leather as a possibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                Several of you agreed. But, the colors/size of leather available just didn't work. I did find some chain that would work. But then, I got to thinking about fiber Kumihimo.

 

 

Then a nice thing happened, I found I already had some on hand to use in a new piece. I've made several Fiber Kumihimo necklaces in the past and had some fiber left over. So, I pulled out the left overs - eliminated the blues and greens and had a nice pile to choose from. You need eight different cords and I found eight different strands that were nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I loaded up my Kumihimo disk and started weaving away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is what I have finished so far.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I slid the pendant on and here is what it will look like. What do you think?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chain will not go to waste because I have another stone to wrap. That way customers can have a choice. I really haven't made up my mind which one I like best yet. Opinions?

 

Bev, I think...

 

 

 

 

 

 

For those of you who live here in MA I'll be showing my wares on Saturday, March 23 from 9 AM - 3 PM at the annual Quilt Show for the benefit of Science with a Mission.   Come see over 100 quilts (all different from those you may have seen before) have a nice lunch, and browse over 18 different vendors that will be there.

 

The event will be held at

Covenant Congregational Church

204 Center Street

North Easton, Massachusetts

from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM

 

 

You can see most of the new pendants on my website as well as read more about the individual stones. Pendant, Various

 

 

As usual, I like to know what you think about what I show to you. Click on the link below rather than using the reply button. That way it comes directly to my email address which works better for me than the one associated with this email. Thanks.

 

Bev, I think...  

 

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Until next time,

 

Bev

New Earrings

Earrings

 

I really used to enjoy the "A Team" and especially when John "Hannibal" Smith would say "I love it when a plan comes together."

 

Last week I gave you a hint what I was up to. (Making new earrings). One of you even purchased the ones I showed on Facebook.

 

 

These are really nice, aren't they?

 

Now I know many of you do not like long dangly earrings. These are 2 inches long BUT they are very light.

 

 

 

You will not know they are on.

 

So, what's this about a plan coming together? OK, I'll tell you.

 

I took a class at pflora beads awhile ago and learned how to make an earring design called "Twist and Curve" I made several pairs in that style.

 

 

 

Including this one:

 

Do you see the difference/similarity?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One more piece to the pie is another pair of earrings I made using a pattern from pflora beads. They are called "Balloon" earrings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While we were away on vacation 2 weeks ago, I took my drill and wire with me. I love twisting wire with my drill. mrooommmm....mroommmmm....  While away I twisted lots of wire and turned some into the above "balloon" shapes. Probably more accurately a "tear drop" shape.

 

After we got back home I was showing my friend what I had made so far. We played with the twisted pieces and some beads I had on hand. (This is the way new designs are made) The "what ifs" flew. And we came up with the top picture. It combines one of my Twist and Curve earrings and one of my twisted balloons aka tear drop shape. The plan came together!

 

 

While on a roll. I decided to make a different pair.

Even now, as I look at it, I'm thinking I would like the bead to be on the little longer curve. I'll have to try it.

 

 

 

How would you change it?   The choices are endless. There are blue stones, green ones, black ones, round ones, bigger ones and so on and so forth.

 

Do you have a favorite color or shape???

 

Would you like them a bit shorter, longer? What would your choice be?

 

I'm thinking I could make some square wire shapes too.

 

 

I've made some round wires and even a single tear drop that is only an inch and has no beads, just the tear drop shape. I like it.

 

 

 

OK, I've shown you some new designs. What do you think of them? Do you have a favorite? Would you like something different?

 

 

Check out the earrings on the Ring by Ring Designs website.Then:

 

 

Let me know what you would like and I'll do my best to make what you want.