Saturday, March 31, 2012

More Ketchup!

So in December, my mothers church had a charity auction, for which I made a piece to donate!  I used one of Sandra Halpennys beadwoven lace patterns, and then I added I large oval jasper to the mix, and came up with this!  It turned out very well, and I even made a matching pair of earrings!  I certainly hope that it helps make some money for the church.
 I also bead embroidered a cuff for my friend Betceys birthday!  I used a swarovski rectangle for the focal, but instead of centering it, I off set it on a diagonal, which I think really helps it look a little different.   I used some rosefire rivolis, and a couple light Colorado topaz on the sides. 
 I had intended for the bracelet to be mostly browns (so that it would go with anything) but somehow the whole thing turned out a little on the purple/pink side of things. 
Betcey seemed to really like it, but she commented she didn't have anything to wear with it, until she remembered that she had just bought a shirt with the exact same colors in it!  Perfect!
Yay! It matched!  I lined the inside with a tan ultra suede, and the whole thing is on a 2 " metal cuff blank.  I used lots of different seed beads, and even added some pearls, and some stone (I dont remember what kind)!
I still have more things to show you, but I'm trying, a little at a time to get them all up here for you to see.  I made my boss Sara a pretty necklace for her birthday too, but I didn't have time to take pictures before I gave it to her.  I will have to wait until she wears it to work some day, and grab it so I can get some photos!  It is pretty and I would like to share it! 

Anyway, my goal this year is to not neglect my blog so much, so stay tuned for more beaded goodies coming your way!   I am working on a great choker right now using the new spike beads, and next I have some glow in the dark twin beads that I plan in working something up with!

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Catching up!

Its been such a long time since Ive taken care of my blog, I guess its time to play catch up!  I have been beading (although my muse did take a LONG vacation last year).  I made two necklaces for Margie Deebs spring color report, which I think turned out pretty good.
First, I made this pretty lilac colored necklace.  It is made with a 27mm swarovski crystal in Light Vitrial.  Then it has five 20x32mm Chinese crystals around it.I bezelled them all with right angle weave, which I have to say is really fun!
The strap is done in chevron stitch, with embellishments. 
The toggle is a Sparkly Wheel (designed by Nikia Angel).  The toggle bar is also done in RAW with embellishments.
I really like the simplicity of this one.  Its not weighed down by lots of fringe or anything(not that I don't love some good lush fringe!).  Its very comfortable to wear, and receives lots of compliments, so if you love it, go look in my etsy shop!

Remember how I said I love some lush fringe?   Well,  I put some on this necklace!
The center flower is a 27mm swarovski crystal in Rosefire.  I gave it petals, and then some smaller petals, and then some rose opal 4mm swarovski crystals.
The flowers that make up the necklace are made with rosefire swarovski rivolis.  The flowers match on each side, but none of the flowers are the same.  I had to add some dark blue into the mix (because I had a color palette to work from).  I made some very small RAW beaded beads, and then added them to the connections of the flowers. The small petals on the center piece are also tipped in this dark blue.
The toggle is just a peyote ring and bar.  I'm also really proud of this one because it made the cover of the color report!  Yay!
And just in case Ive never said this before, you really should check out Margies color report.  It is full of valuable color advice for jewelry artists.  And of course it has Pantones color picks for whats in fashion this spring/summer!