Favorites For Friday

Well, Monday is Valentine's Day and my personal preference for a gift is candy. I make my own jewelry so that is no good and flowers are pretty but they die after a short time. At least with candy you can savor it! So this weeks favorites are some candy items, both the real thing and a few that are inspired by candy.

Sterling Silver Pink Candy Ring - Micah Jones Studio

Dark Chocolate Fluer de Sel Heart - Calabasas Candy Co.
(MMMM Dark Chocolate is my fave!)

Red Hots Lip Candy - For Goodness Grape

Cupcake Magnet or Charm - Shimrit'a

A True Sweetheart Necklace - Stoopidgerl's Shop

At very least, looking at these yummy items won't add any pounds or kilos. Though if I got my hands on those dark chocolate truffles there would be no stopping me.

Here's One I Made Earlier

Obviously I have had a severe lack of funds to buy more jump rings for a little while so I have been playing around with what I have. I really don't know how I ended up with SOOO many purple jump rings but as I was sick of looking at them sitting there and didn't want to make more purple items for my shop I decided to make something for myself. It's just a simple double spiral chainmaille weave necklace (choker).


I also noticed that despite the fact that I love copper, I really didn't have that many pairs of copper earrings in my own collection. With the new job we are only allowed to wear small earrings though I have noticed quite a few people don't follow that rule (lol). I had been wanting to make another pair of these earrings for myself and I finally sat down the other day and did it. They are woven in a variation of byzantine weave called romanov. Basically it is just two sections of the byzantine weave, connect at each end with a slightly bigger jump ring and add a lovely Swarovski crystal in between. I used 6mm crystals and they were some freebies I got but I think the color is Siam though it is hard to tell in the photo as well as in person. It's such a dark red but really pretty with the copper.


Needless to say, I have plenty of ideas running around my head for projects it's just getting the rings to play around. One thing I really want to do is play with some really thick gauge rings, like 14, to make some chunky jewelry. Hopefully I will be able to get those and of course, I'll post any and all new projects here.

Favorites For Friday - New Year's Eve Edition

Can you believe that 2010 is just about over?! I believe that you need to get out your bling and really celebrate this year after all that has happened over the past few years with the economy all over and the many other sad/bad things. Here is a fun collection of blingtastic handmade items direct from Etsy which are perfect for any New Year's Eve party.

Beaded Stem Champagne Glass Set - Dizzy Diva

Black on Black Rhinestone Bustier (Custom Size) - Dark Pony Designs

New Years Eve Earrings - Creations by Jessica

Sparkle Rhinestone Ice Clutch - Jemma Morris

Camelot Swarovski Pearl and Crystal Necklace - Ruby Mines

Hope everyone enjoys their New Year's Eve celebrations. Be safe, and please don't drink and drive.

Favorites For Friday

Well, the sale was a bust but at least I got to try out the Etsy On Sale site and it couldn't be easier. Now on to more important things - Favorites For Friday, San Francisco Giants style. You know, the National League Champions!!! WOOO HOOOO!!!!!! After the first two games the Giants are now up by two and are on their way to Texas to start there on Saturday. If they win, then I'm going on a SF shopping spree!!

SF Giants Original Coaster - Reformado Photography

Fear the Beard - I Made You A Beard

SF Cornhole Bean Bags - Hand Sewn By Nana

Giants Scrabble Tile Pendant - Amber's Glitzy Glamour Shop

SF Giants Purse/Tote - Bags Plus by Miss Bea

I have to say, I am LOVING that purse!!! That will definitely be mine if someone else hasn't snatched it up. As you can imagine, we (the husband and I) are pretty darn happy about all of this. After the year we have had then this would be the cherry on top. Saying that, the husband is English and the England cricket team are playing Australia in cricket and so that would top the year off just nicely if we got a double - the San Francisco Giants as World Champions and the English cricket team win the Ashes series down under.

Ahhhh the torture!

Favorites For Friday

Guess what woke me up this morning? RAIN! It's been close to 100 degrees without any let-up and them BAM! now it's Autumn and we have rain in the desert. I haven't had a chance to look outside yet but I'm sure there is a rainbow somewhere so that is what I used to get my favorites for this week.

Tie Dye Rainbow Swirl Maxi Dress - Inspiring Color

Bright Rainbow Tote - Interference Channel

Rainbow Crochet & Crystal Clippie Set - The Girlie Girl Bowtique

OOAK 3X Goblins - Tanglewood Thicket

Mariah Rainbow Geode Stone Necklace - Briana Rose

Nothing like a bit of color to make the day a bit brighter.

Enjoy!

Favorites For Friday

I almost forgot it was Friday and then when I stopped by my blog to do this post I happened to notice that Victoria over at Three Fates Design had stopped by to tell me I had won on her blog. As it has been SO long since I've won anything and it is such a stunning prize which you can see here, it is her Butterfly Cuff, I decided that this weeks favorites will all be butterflies. Man there were so many beauties to choose from too.

Hand Painted Teal Wings Butterfly Necklace - Lucinda's Charms

Ava Handbag with Wooden Handles - Tangerine Kitty

Rubber Butterfly Stamp - Dragonflybuzz

Mod Butterfly All Sterling Silver - The Karma Tree

Emerald Swallowtail Real Framed Butterfly - Bug Under Glass

So a big THANK YOU to Victoria and please make sure you stop by not only her blog but her Etsy shop as she really has some lovely pieces of art to wear - jewelry to most but to me they are works of art. Hope everyone in the US has a great Labor Day Weekend!

More New Photos

First of all, thanks for all your comments on my last post. Good to see I'm not the only one who LOVES pink. Since I signed up on Facebook, a friend got me hooked on playing that game Farmville and I'm dying to buy a little pink house for my farm...so sad!

As I am writing this post the husband and his mother are on their way here to Las Vegas. Hopefully he is not too stressed out. He has been calling me all the time while he has been away. Mostly because of his mother, though also because he misses me and of course, I miss him. Last Friday I went and stayed with friends which was great because we spent most of the time in the pool or making jewelry. Works for me. My friend Jenny had ordered me these pieces and I managed to get some shots before I had to move my "photo studio" to the closet since it is in the bedroom the MIL will be using. I just love the little pillow.


I definitely think that on the whole my photos are improving all the time. There are some that when I've taken them I though they looked okay until I put them on the computer. No problem though as I'll just keep taking more.


This last one is one of my favorites. I think it really shows off the square wire rings of this piece and that (to me) is the high-light of it. Though I do love the chainmaille weave which is called Full Persian.


Hope everyone has a great week.

A Bit Of Beadweaving

As of late, I haven't been working with wire or jump rings much. Mainly I've been doing a bit of beadweaving. Here is one of my latest projects. Once it is finished it will be a necklace. I still have a bit of tidying up to do and add a clasp which has been an issue as I'm not quite sure which type would suit it best. Needless to say it is a double spiral stitch using pink and gray seed beads.


It was made with a purpose as I have a dress which has similar colors as well as black and white in it so it is meant to be worn with this particular dress. I have to say that I love spiral ropes whether in beads or jump rings. Both have such a lovely look to them. One day I shall really play around with different sizes and shapes of beads to make this rope. Spiral stitches always look gorgeous with a few Swarovski's thrown in too. I'm hoping to get a nice big shop in for some new jump rings soon. I know I can't be the only on out there that loves to make the odd item to keep all for myself. Share one of your items you made just for you.

REALLY Bad New Photo

Actually it just looks a bit grainy now that I'm looking at it again. Needless to say, it is definitely not one I would use to sell this necklace on Etsy...lol. I just had to share since it is one of the first things I've finished in ages. Well, didn't even really finish it yet since I still have to put on a clasp, but close enough. I found the hematite fan ages ago at a bead shop I rarely go to over by the airport here in Vegas. That main part is actually strung and then I added the chainmaille bits on the sides. I used bright aluminum rings and so the maille part is very lightweight. I was quite happy with how it came out although I did end up having to get some help on the stringing part from my friend Jennifer as it had been so long since I'd done any I was having a heck of a time getting it to sit just right. I took a few other photos of things I was playing around with but they were even worse. If I had Photoshop it wouldn't have made any difference with the other photos, THAT is how bad they were!! Really need to find a decent new set-up for a light-box.

I wanted to say thanks to all who commented on my last post about tutorials. I have to say that for the most part I agree about the fact that if you search hard enough you will find a free tutorial for just about anything. I do agree that people who do put together tutorials put a lot of time an effort in so yes they deserve payment for that but I can't see why anyone would take the time to do a tutorial for say, peyote weave, and then charge for it when there are a zillion and one free tutorials out there. At the end of the day, I'd rather keep more money for beads and jump-rings and wire!

Who Wants Spring??

Since it seems this winter is lasting a little longer and is a little more rough than usual for most, I thought I'd do some lovely items to cheer us all up. My search on Etsy used the word "Spring" and these are some beauties I came up with.


Summer Garden Beaded Necklace - Kim Smith
Ok so I got ahead of myself with this necklace from Kim Smith with it being a Summer necklace but it is so beautiful I couldn't resist including it.


Little Spring Tulip Cookies - Lori's Place

Rainbow Flower Headbands - And Jane

Mango Papaya 3oz Votives - Classy Chic Boutique

Raspberry Sorbet Flower with Beanie - Ooh La La Baby

Enjoy!

New Stuff...Sort Of

I just finished a really cool hematite and chainmaille necklace which I need to take a few pics of then will post them as soon as I do. Also, I plan on doing a bead-woven necklace next but need to grab some beads for it since I have a particular color scheme in mind. Just wanted to do a quick post to say hi to anyone who happens to still stop by. Wondering if I typed in "valentine" or "heart" on Etsy how many pages there will be! Will try to get those photos taken soon so at least you will have a reason to stop by.

New Things and an Update

Yes, I'm still here, just on a SUPER sllloooooww dial-up connection. Ever noticed that not only is dial-up slow but you ALWAYS get kicked off. . . and it is usually right when you are doing something important! So, we are all moved out and in between I managed to snap a few shots of a few new things I have done lately. I have a few more pairs of these beautiful lucite flowers in other colors but this is the next pair that I made. Same as the red ones I posted previously but the ear wire I made a bit different. I really like just making these very simple since I want the flower to be the focal point. Much as I love the earrings that have a flower with beads, crystals and maybe a leaf or two, these just cry out to be on their own (IMHO).


This next piece is something I have actually been working on for a few months a little at a time. I believe the beads are Fancy Jasper but if you know they are not then please let me know. I was just going by pictures on Fire Mountain Gems site and so I could be totally off base. I did the copper wire spiral caps and then separated the beads with Byzantine chainmaille sections. Then added more Byzantine to the "back" part of the necklace. I'll have to get a shot of me modeling it so you can see how it lays. It's meant to sit at the base of the neck. The beads are actually really big, probably 10 or 12mm or for reference, the size of marbles. Chunky but not over the top.

I haven't been able to do many Entrecard drops or stop by any blogs but I noticed that there is a library that my husband passes during the day. I'm hoping to go there one day and use the wi-fi. Might actually be able to achieve a few things. I did get to the LV Gem & Mineral Society shop on Tuesday to finish up some cabochons I needed to shine up. I have some copper and brass wire and plan on wrapping them soon. Of course, I'll share photos when I'm done. Hope all is well for everyone out there in Blogland and I'll attempt to stop by soon.