Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Birth of a Necklace

When I got a coupon in the mail to use on more beads, I had absolutely no idea what I was going to use it for. I had nothing at all in my head, no ideas, no colors, nothing! It was simply an uncreative day.
Or so I thought.

It wasn't long before the idea first began to grow. I have a small bucket full of seashells, and while I keep them put away, today I happened to notice them more than usual, when I opened up the cabinet to get out my sewing things.

Shells, pearls. That was the beginning.
I took to the internet, sifting through the many suppliers I have bookmarked, viewing what they had on sale. I didn't see anything that caught my eye, so instead, my eye turned back to the coupon I'd gotten in the mail.

I packed myself up, gave my husband a kiss, and treated myself to a short shopping trip. I finished my Christmas shopping for him first, and then I took to the craft store to take a look.
That's when I found the first piece, and right then, I knew exactly what I wanted to make. I purchased the shell beads, and then came back home, sat down at my computer, and sketched out a drawing of what was in my head.

It was simple, but in that moment I worked out everything I needed. I sifted through my suppliers again, finding the best price I could on freshwater pearls in the most beautiful peacock blue-gray. Then I found the silver beads, and ordered.
I had to wait a very long week, but when they finally arrived, I was ecstatic! I wasted no time in sitting down to create what is now, what I think, one of the prettiest necklaces I have ever made.


I absolutely love it! I would love to make more of these in the future to add to my shop, but for now, it's only this one... Which has already been claimed.

I since have made earrings to match, which are not spoken for, will be being photographed and added to the shop over the course of this week.

That's all, nothing new or really special. Just thought I'd share a quick insight and peek into the creative process. Sometimes the best ideas really come out of nowhere!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

New at Etsy

It's been a busy few days of uploading lots of new creations. I've had a little downtime, being sick, but I'm starting to get back into the swing of things now.
Let's take a quick peek at the latest pieces to join the shop, shall we?


I know, I know - You've seen this one before. But in red. My Midnight Garden necklace is now offered with blue beads, instead, but you can still get it in red if you really want!
It's gotten fresh new pictures, so if it's an old favorite of yours, check out the listing for some more eye candy.


These were a fun one. My husband isn't the best with video game controllers, I'm afraid, and between the two of us playing, we wear out quite a few. The last time we broke a controller, though, I was more than happy to get my hands on it, and see just exactly what was inside! I snipped out all kinds of wires and transistors and doodads, but the moment I saw these matching circuit boards inside the controller, I had to make them into a pair of earrings. They're one-of-a-kind, so enjoy looking!


Normally, one of my dear friends is in charge of naming my jewelry. She's good at the naming, but not so much the creating. I'm good at the creating, but not so much the naming! It works out well, and she always gets a sneak peek at my newest work.
But when it was time to name these, she was nowhere to be found. I asked her roommate if she wanted to give the name game a try, and do you know what she wanted to name these earrings?
Packerland!
After a good laugh, I finally got her to take it seriously, and we ultimately settled on the name Jade Waterfall.


My mother finds the most interesting components for jewelry. Some of the best stuff I've ever had to work with is from boxes of goodies that she sends me, and this is one of those things that was from a box.
I had no idea what to do with them! They were trendy and eye-catching, but not necessarily my style. After almost a year of seeing them in my component box every day, I finally decided to turn them into a pair of earrings.
Thank you, Mom! I don't know what I would do without your skill at picking supplies.

And finally,

These are another gem that I have my mother to thank for. Aren't they absolutely beautiful? She had found the wire-caged focal bead and the gunmetal filigree, and sent them to me on the basis that they "just looked so me," which I definitely agree with there. I made a pair for myself, but didn't know just exactly to finish them off with, until I found those beautiful purple czech glass beads in the bottom of my bead box. I knew it was perfect, and I made up a pair for myself and a pair for sale right away!
Perhaps I'll have to design a necklace to match.

Stay tuned, there's more coming soon...