Since I started teaching and coaching full time, it's been a little hard to get things accomplished, jewelry wise. I finially have a weekend, so I started cranking some pieces out.

I just started making these bookmarks. I got the metal piece from Bead Garden in downtown Appleton. (www.beadgarden.biz)

Beads and Baldness

This has nothing to do with beading at all, but I wanted to AW Jason for a bit. This last weekend he, along with his friends, raised $2,000 for cancer research by shaving their heads for St. Baldricks. This is the second year that he's done it. :)


I've been trying some new things with beads lately. I have this new technique that I've used for earrings:

I've been using filigree beads a lot lately, too. You can get really good deals on them at firemountaingems.com

Jewelry Open House

I had a jewelry open house last weekend. It was a success! I ordered postcards from vistaprint.com (I first browsed the web for coupon codes - I got them for 50% off!) and sent them out to friends and family. My sister and mom threw in some things as well.

I think the real allure may have been the promise of wine and snacks - I know it was for me :)

The threat of a snowstorm threatened the day, but it held off until the next day.

Craft sales are few and far between this time of year and I needed to do something with the jewelry I've been stockpiling lately!

Thanks to everyone who came!!

I got a new shipment of beads in again and I've been playing around with them and having a lot of fun. One of my new favorites is silver plated filigree beads - I've been putting these little guys into everything lately. I think that the white pearl necklace with them would look beautiful as bridal jewelry.

I also got some 3 strand "earring" components. They are supposed to be used for earrings, but I use them on necklaces with 3 strands.

I have a ton more new designs to share, but I'm tired and will put off til tomorrow what I can do today. :D

Marble Magnets

I've got yet another hobby. I started making marble magnets. These little guys are super easy to make. I got paper at a scrapbooking store, flat glass marbles, magnets and clear glue. It's that easy.

Black Agate Necklace

I think I have a new favorite necklace. I used 13mm and 6mm black agate (dyed) beads and a silver plated lobster clasp. This one is fun and has gotten a lot of compliments already.

Turquoise, Yellow Turquoise, New Jade and Rhyolite Chip Necklace and Bracelet Set

I got some new beads in the mail (yes, I ordered more beads) and couldn't wait to make these two pieces. I was inspired by a necklace worn by an America's Next Top Model model, and I think these turned out pretty nicely, if I do say so myself. ;)

I used Yellow Turquoise, Turquoise, New Jade and Rhyolite chips, all bought from firemountaingems.

Crackle Glass Teardrop

Originally, I was trying to make some beaded napkin rings with galvanized wire, but halfway through, I decided that this might look better as a necklace, so I quickly made the napkin ring a pendant and that was that.

Jasper, Glass and Pearl....well....Fake Pearl

I've been keeping busy these past couple days. My table is covered in beads, findings, and stringing materials, but I'm hesitant to put it all away because every time I put my beads away, I just haul them out again and make the same mess. I've determined that we need a bigger house so that I can have a bead room with cable and a wine fridge. :)


Jasper is becoming one of my favorite beads to work with. There are so many different kinds and colors that it's really fun to see what you can come up with. For this necklace, I used Red and Green Spotted Jasper that I bought at www.firemountaingems.com (If you haven't checked out this bead site - YOU SHOULD!) I may still redo it, I'm not sold on the black czech glass beads that I used as spacers. We'll see.

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I also seem to be using quite a bit of glass beads. I saw a necklace very similar to this in a magazine, but it was made by using colorful quartz. I had a ton of extra glass beads and some clear glass chips, so I whipped this up. I think it's a fun piece that can go with many different outfits.

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I love the look of pearls, but can hardly afford to buy a ton of real pearl items. I used a lot of glass based pearls as well as acrylic based pained pearls. This smokey blue color looks amazing in person. I made it longer (28") because I see so many longer necklaces in stores these days - they're really becoming popular.

The Quartz Mystery

I recently made this 16.5" necklace. I used snow quartz beads and this pendant that I received as a gift. I have no idea what kind of stone it is... I asked the question in the etsy.com forum and received SEVERAL different opinions on the matter. I think I'm leaning towards a quartz. What do you think?

I love the blue/green color of this pendant - It's one of my favorites!

Beading on Candles

So, lately, I've been wondering what else I coud do with beads. I decided to try beading a candle. I had some spare wire and got these 6" candles (vanilla, by the way, very nice smelling) at Wal-Mart (hey, I hate it as much as you, but I can't argue with the super low prices). They were $2.88 each.

So, the question is....How do they look? Do I have too much time on my hands, or is it something that I can add to my inventory?

Beading Fool - Shell and Amazonite

I have been beading like a fool these last couple days. I also started a new hobby.....SEWING! (scary prospect) I needed something to carry my jewelry around in when I do shows so I broke out the new machine and made my first thing EVER! I got the material dirt cheap and it's pretty heavy duty, so that was an added bonus. There is a lot of flaws on the bag, but, with time, maybe I'll start getting into sewing as well.

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This is a fun little necklace that I made yesterday. I got the shell disk beads from Michaels and used delica seed beads in the color "rootbeer". Brown is a very popular color these days and I've been using brown in a lot of my pieces.

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Amazonite is another gemstone that I use often. I really like the shade of this stone. This necklace has sold very well for me. I use clear/silver lined sead beeds and silver metal beads to compliment the pretty color of the stone.

Gemstone of the Moment: Kambaba Jasper

Gemstones are said to have certain "powers". Whether I believe in these powers or not remains to be seen, but I do find it interesting to read about the stones I am using.

My new favorite gemstone to use is Kambaba Jasper (Africa). This black and green swirly stone sometimes reminds me of a Van Gogh painting.

It's said that Kambaba Jasper helps dietary stabilization, assimilation of minerals and vitamins, and cleanses the body of toxins. In addition, this type of jasper may help to soothe your nerves and helps to ease your state of mind.

Addicted.

Some people are addicted to alcohol, others to gambling. Me? I'm addicted to beads. I have another order arriving today (hopefully today, I've got the shakes). Perhaps an intervention is in order?

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This bracelet is one of my best sellers. I usually use (as pictured) China's Finest glass beads for the cube, 6mm, (once in a while I use Swarovski cubes) and swarovski squaredelle spacers. I used 38 mm silver plated tube beads, daisy spacers, silver metal beads, 4mm crystal bicone beads and a sterling silver heart toggle to finish the bracelet.

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This is a 3 strand pearl necklace made of glass based pearls. (A great deal on firemountaingems.com, by the way). I think it looks very elegant without having to buy real pearls, which can be very pricey. I used an extender, so it ranges from 18".5 -21.5" (approx.)

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This necklace is one of my favorites. I had every intention of selling it, but I decided to keep it for myself, being the greedy beader that I am. Smokey quartz makes up the body of the necklace and the pendant is rose quartz.

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Made with leopardskin jasper (7mm x 3mm) and black sead beads. I string most of my necklaces on 7 strand acculon stainless steal. I used headpins for the dangles.

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I made this rich colored necklace with a pack of value gemstones (carnelian? sardonyx?) and tear drop tiger eye gemstones. For spacers, I used rootbeer colored and clear/silver lining seed beads. Inside length: 16.5" Outside length: 18.5".

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These bracelets and matching earrings were made with daisy spacer beads, silver metal beads and colored 6mm czech glass beads. When I go to craft shows, these are some of my best sellers.