Bead and Button Feature

Monday morning I am sending this necklace to Bead and Button to be featured in their June 2011 issue and I am very excited.

When I decided I wanted to learn some of the bead stitches I looked at all the popular bead magazines and after checking into all of them for a couple of issues I decided on Bead and Button. they had the best instructions and great photos. With my subscription I get online extras and a place where I can post photos of my work.

I am honored to have one of my pieces in their fine publication...you better subscribe now because I intend to buy the newsstands out come June!

Fall Infatuation

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. George Eliot
There is no place that compares to Nature’s palette during these months here in New England. A drive up I-95 in autumn is simply amazing. The further north one goes the deeper the colors of the trees and the crisper and cleaner the air becomes. There are places where the hillsides appear to be in a blaze, the oranges and reds so deep and vivid. No doubt about it, living in New England is for the lovers of autumn.
Creating jewelry is always easiest for me this time of year; the inspiration so stunning and the colors are my favorite palette to draw from so it made this design come quite easily.
I began with this stunning copper leaf from Artbeads.com as the focal point of my 21-inch necklace. Behind that leaves created with seed beads peek out. Several inches on each side were then woven using the same Toho seed beads, coppery pearls, Swarovski in Padparadscha, and Goldstone. I always Fireline for my weaving because of the strength and the fact that is does not stretch. The last part of the neck is done with this wonderful lovely copper chain with tiny little leaves swaying gently from the links. Finally a copper toggle clasp to pull it all together making it easy for most anyone to put on and remove. Be sure and see all my new fall designs and my hats too at Divella Delights.

Blog for Beads by Artbeads.com contributed a large part of my materials in exchange for my honest evaluation of their merchandise in my blog. I am not paid to endorse them in any way.

Free Drawing

I am giving away this Pearl Medallion necklace and all you have to do to have the chance to win is s imply go to Divella Delights and sign up on the e-mail list. I only send out 1 e-mail a month so your inbox won't get inundated with useless nonsense. Come by and take a look at what's new!

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates are wonderful things!
I am a mother of 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren and sometimes with my busy life things can get away from me, even important things. Birthdays and yes, even Christmas sneaks up on me. I know what I want to get and go to the store only to find they have run out!
With the older kids and my siblings and friends there are times when I am not sure what to get them, color, style fit, etc…. There are also the last minute parties when I want to pick up a little hostess gift but I am stretched for time. These are some of the times where those gift cards and instant on line gift certificates come in really handy. I can print one off at home, pick up a card on the way and Voila! I have a wonderful gift in hand immediately.
Divella Delights now offers gift certificates! You can print them or e-mail them. The transactions are through Paypal so everything is secure. We carry beautiful one of a kind gemstone and beaded jewelry, crochet and knitted hats and bags, vases, ornaments, bead crochet jewelry, and candleholders all handcrafted and created by my husband and I in our smoke free home studio in Maine.
There are styles for the young and old, conservative pieces and gifts for those with a little wild streak. We make special occasion plaques and clocks that are suitable for military, retirement, graduation or any time you want something personalized for a special occasion or to mark a milestone. We even have items for men, babies and children. I take special orders and am happy to work with anyone to make him or her something uniquely theirs.
Here is a list of occasions gift certificates from Divella Delights can really come in handy:
Birthdays
Anniversaries
Hostess gifts
Graduation
Mother’s Day
Father’s Day
Retirement
Wedding
New home
Baby shower
Military service and the list goes on.

Stop by Divella Delights and see what we have to offer. You can purchase a gift certificate on any page by clicking on the little symbol located on the top right side of any page.
There is no excuse to be caught by Father Time again!
　
　
　

FREE SHIPPING!

There is something new at Divella Delights! I am offering free shipping which includes delivery confirmation so you can track your package! This offer will be good until the end of the year on everything in my shop! Also when you purchase jewelry items they will come in a gift box tied with a pretty satin ribbon appropriate for gift giving. Shop handmade at Divella Delights!

Getting Noticed

The last couple of months have been busy! Divella Delights has been featured on Shopping Connection Galleria and Accessories Suzanne. I have also had 2 articles published in regard to jewelry making and marketing with an e-zine and it has brought a lot of traffic to the website.
It has taken a couple of years but Divella Delights is finally getting noticed. I am very excited!
I hope all this makes for a prosperous Holiday season this year.
My hats are also going into Bonnet Boutique next month and they are already in Rise Gallery and doing very well.
Thanks so much to all of you who have passed the word around!

Sign up on the e-mail list at Divella Delights for a chance to win free jewelry. I have a drawing every month!

Art Beads and I create!

Ooooo-Ahhh
I just received my order from Art Beads http://www.artbeads.com/ and WOW! I cannot wait to show you what I am making. There are actually a few projects with these wonderful goodies. The first one is a simple crochet bracelet but take a lok at the center focal piece pictured above. It is astounding.
Art Beads was featuring Swarovski for the month of August and I received some beautiful items.
Stay tuned for some exciting pieces, I should have the first one completed by tomorrow using this lovely 18 mm Faceted Roundelle Large Hole Swarovski (item # 5041-COP18).

Field of Fantasy

I had such joy creating this necklace although it took me a month to complete. Each leaf, each petal, each delicate wing of the butterflies were stitched one bead at a time with great care. The pearls you see here are genuine. There are also macramé beaded leaves for some added texture. The entire piece measures about 20 inches but do keep in mind that the center rises quite a bit. On me the top of the center arrangement falls just below my collarbone.
Despite the size of the piece it is very comfortable to wear as it lies flat on your chest.
The flowers were sewn on ultrasuede and the backing is felt and is colorfast; I tested a swatch prior to use.
The clasp is appropriately a copper flower and stem toggle.

Simplicity

Simplicity
After spending the majority of the last several months learning new techniques I decided to get back to basics and make some of my artisan jewelry in a more simple form. Check out the Snow Quartz necklace and earrings. While they have a very elegant appearance they also have a fresh simplicity about them that I find quite appealing. I can easily wear something like this with either jeans or a wedding gown.
Each link of the chain was added one at a time so the entire piece was created entirely be me.
I love working up a piece completely from scratch…I like to bake the same way!

New Beaded Flowers

Beaded Flowers
As usual I am on to something new. This is a photo of what I think will be the center of a necklace. I plan to do a combination beaded and micro-macramé neck for this one with a total length of around 18 inches.
Each petal, rose and each leaf was individually beaded then fastened to a piece of felt. I have since attached the C-Lon cord to the ultra suede and fastened that to the felt to begin the macramé portion.
It will be free form and I am thinking asymmetrical so balancing will be a bit tricky, as I do not want it sliding around once it is on the neck.
Although I enjoy doing these quite a bit, I can’t seem many being made as they are very time consuming.
Let me know your thoughts!

Beaded Flowers, Leaves and Bugs

Remember in my last blog I mentioned that I am learning some new techniques? Well, here is my first flower. Now my brain is really racing. I am doing some bugs next; they look like fun too. So I am thinking I should do a bunch of white ones perhaps in a couple different sizes and incorporate it into a free form peyote necklace along with a couple of beetles or butterflies. I also want to put some of those wonderful micro-macramé leaves in there as well. I am going to try to draw out something rough but I want to keep it free form so I can bead as I go.

Bead Crochet Instructions

The sale is going very well at Divella Delights and the crochet bracelets are selling fast, thanks to all my wonderful customers. Because I still have some beads left and the gemstone style sells quite well I will be working some of those up until my stash is depleted.
If you know how to do bead crochet and you are interested in making them yourself I am going to tell you how! If you don't want to go through making these yourself, I have a number of these available on my site right now at very good prices. I will also be happy to make you one in your color choice while my bead supplies last. http://www.divelladelights.com/
The first thing you need to do is make the rope leaving long ends, about 12 inches. There are a number of good sites explaining this technique; I have provided a link to those below. Once you figure out how long you need the bracelet to be you need to figure out how much you want in the center and collect gemstones, seed beads (#6, #11 and #15), pearls and the like. Remember the bracelet has to roll over the hand so you want to measure the hand at the widest point with the thumb folded in towards the palm.
So you have your crochet rope. String your first end cap, your #6 seed beads and your other end cap. Fasten that securely by taking it through the center of the rope, knot, glue and then weave it through a couple of times and repeat. As you pull the string through the knot will go into the rope and not show. Finally, weave it through again, do not knot, glue, give it a pull and cut. The string will disappear into the rope.
At this point you are ready to do the center and you should have something that looks like this
Take a beading needle and Nymo thread that has been conditioned with beeswax. Enter at one end leaving enough of a tail to tie off later, about 3 inches being careful not to go through your crochet string. You are now between the first and second bead. Add a gem or pearl and a size 15 bead and push it down to the bracelet. Take your needle and go through the gem and the next #6 bead, repeat to end, turn and repeat back to beginning end. Tie the ends together but do not cut! Repeat this until you have the desired fullness then tie off, add a dab of Hypo cement, let dry and wear! Here is a picture of the bracelet above finished.

Good source for end caps: http://accessoriessusan.com/
Beads: http://www.beadinpath.com/
Crochet Rope Tutorial (Free): http://www.sova-enterprises.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_5_134_189;products_id=814

Another Freebie: http://www.beadcrochet.com/lessons/basicbeadcrochet-rt.htm

Creatures from the Sea

Creatures from the Sea
I had a lot of fun with some artisan created lampwork sea creatures. Generations Lampwork made the lobsters especially for me and the Octopus was created by Margo Lampwork. Each creature sits atop a reef of gemstones and pearls they are each the standard 7 inches long. I won’t be getting any more of these cute little guys so once they are gone there won’t be any more. Each one is unique and woven with 4-5 layers of gems, pearls and seed beads. So come to http://www.divelladelights.com/ and take a look at my Lobster jewelry, and the Octopus jewelry while they are still around!

Micro Macrame

Well folks, here I go again in pursuit of another lesson. A friend of mine had a book on micro macramé and it looked really interesting to me. My mind went away with all the design possibilities. It will be my new venture to incorporate some of that old 70’s style stuff with my designs. Understand that this is not done with the Jute we used back in the day. It is done with thread or very fine cord and beads…even gems! Yea! Sounds like it will be right up my alley. I have ordered the instructions and that should be in for me to pick up in a couple of days.
I am still working on the vases; in fact I have a beautiful black, silver and white one in the works now. It is smaller than the first one I did for 2 reasons. First to make it more affordable and second don’t you know those things take a long time?
I am also still doing the crochet bracelets, the woven gemstone work and free-form peyote so if there is something you would like, please ask.
I will be going on vacation soon and am trying to get my ducks in a row, learn new techniques to keep things interesting and figure out what I want to take with me for some possible new accounts.
Look for new designs at www.divelladelights.com

Giving it away!

Free? Really? Absolutely!

Beginning this month I am giving away one free item a month free of charge to one person on my E-Mail list. All I ask in return is that you stop by my guestbook after you receive your item and leave a note. The only thing you have to do to have a chance of getting a wonderful surprise in the mail is join my e-mail list by clicking on the link to the right and scroll down, enter your e-mail address and hit "sign me up". These are not seconds. They are taken from the items I have for sale in my shop. Here are a few examples.
I will contact the person drawn for a mailing address to send the gift to. I will not use your address for any other purpose, give it away or sell it.
My aim is to increase the favorable comments in my guestbook for others to see. It is that simple.
Sign up now…the drawing for free merchandise is soon!

Earlybird Holiday Discount

I have decided not to wait for Black Friday sales to begin offering my Holiday discount. Starting today I am offering a 10% discount. There is nothing to do; the prices have already been adjusted for you! Get a jump on your Holiday shopping in the comfort of your home and fuzzy slippers.
I am happy to ship directly to your recipient and include a small gift card, just make sure you e-mail the information to info@divelladelights.com at the time of your purchase. Please do not use the recipient address for Paypal. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at the above address.
Look for more coaster sets in the coming days, they make great hostess gifts for those Holiday parties!

Bracelet or Necklace?

I need your help!
If you have a minute and can shoot off an answer to the 2 questions below it would help me a great deal!
When I first began making gemstone jewelry I made everything in complete sets and found out quickly that most women or either necklace or bracelet people. Which one are you? For me, it kind of depends on the season. Summers I tend to wear necklaces shorter, around choker length whereas in the fall and winter I want something to go over my beloved turtlenecks so need something a little longer. Funny, now that I think about it I tend to wear bracelets more in the summer too. Well before I get off track and start rambling here are the questions for today:
1) Do you wear more bracelets or necklaces or do you wear both equally?
2) If you wear necklaces what length do you like?
Thank you so much for your input! There will be more questions in the following days and then I have a special surprise gift for one of you!

Gemstone Chunky Jewelry, New Designs

I have been busy! The local jewelry store I wholesale to has suggested that this year is going to be a low cost buying season and asked me to come up with something less costly than my usual design. I came up with these 3 strand gemstone necklaces that can be worn as 3 strands for a more classic look or you can simply give them a twist for a more modern, chunky look. They look really great over a turtleneck but I prefer he way they feel on bare skin. they are available on my website at http://www.divelladelights.com/ for a short time at the wholesale price. The price depends on the gemstones used. I do have photos on the website of all the necklaces on a mannequin worn in both fashions. I have agreed to raise the prices to retail once I fill her orders so get them while you can! I am also running a coupon at 15% off until 10/15/08. Simply go to the website and click on the grand opening link at the top of the main page. Enter the code gopen08 and the prices will drop automatically. There are earrings to match available in the earrings section and you can use the coupon on nearly everything!

HANDMADE JEWELRY SALE

Pictured here are some of my latest designs and there is something new almost daily. I have the gemstone line, a crocheted line, lots of great earrings, bracelets and necklaces. I even have ID lanyards that have the breakaway feature.

I am having a Grand Opening sale at my new website! Come and check out all the new designs. When you go to www.divelladelights.com click on the Grand Opening link at the top of the page and enter gopen08 all lower case, all one word then click on the Gallery link watch the prices drop 15%! This offer is good until 10/15/08 so shop early for Christmas. If you would like to add your e-mail to the guestbook I can send you info on sales and new designs! Please sign the guestbook anyway and let me know you came from Blogger you don't have to put in your e-mail. I would like to know where people are visiting from.

Scrabble Anyone?

Believe it or not these tiles are made on the back of Scrabble pieces! Not only does she have many designs to choose from, she welcomes custom orders. They have a sterling silver bail and a glass like finish. Perfect for putting on a piece of leather or dress it up with a silver chain. If you are the creative type you can make your own beaded necklace to put it on. Jessejane also offers buy 2 get one free! You can start you gift shopping early and get one for yourself...AHHH guilt-free shopping, I love it! They come in an organza gift bag right to your door. If all that is not enough, she even offers gift certificates. Here is what one customer had to say: "Thank you so much for the quick delivery! The pendants are even cuter in person, I can't wait to show them off! The quality is 100% professional as well. Thanks again!" Check out her shop at http://www.jessejanes.etsy.com/