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).

Making Jewelry

I have been having so much fun making jewelry the last few days! The time has come however, to get busy on all my crochet orders.
Most of the orders are for the crochet Flapper hats that did so well last year but I also have some orders from the jewelry store for crochet necklaces and more crochet bracelets. I am doing the ones with the gemstones and pearls in the center for her. Funny, I had intended to give those up all together but now I am getting orders. I guess you can never guess what is going to happen next in the world of retail.

As always you can see my work at Divella Delights.
So, off I go now to get my crochet hooks, knitting needles and get to work!

Fun with Ndebele

I am having a lot of fun with the Herringbone stitch, or Ndebele as it is sometimes referred to. Here are a couple of necklaces I have done so far. The "chain" part feels so good on the skin…very silky and the drape is fabulous! I do the embellishments the same way I do on my gemstone weaves so it is pretty quick once I get to that part. I don’t know how many of these I will make, mainly because they take so much time. I will just have to wait and see how well they sell. You can see these and more of my creations at Divella Delights
I am very excited about my order from Art Beads arriving soon; I just received an e-mail telling me it has shipped. They are sending me some Swarovski crystals to try out so you will be reading about them here as well as seeing some photos and design ideas. I have a few rambling around in my head now so I am anxious to get them!

I am also looking forward to working more with the Ndebele stitch. I figure I will get faster with more practice.

Peyote Earrings

I realized today that I am running out of earrings and wanted to do something different, something that can be dressed up or down. I am making a Herringbone and Lampwork necklace and thought I would try to come up with earrings that would go with it. What I came up with is actually something I can put together with my crocheted necklaces and bracelets as well. It is a simple peyote stitched tube with Pearls and sterling wires and my handmade sterling ear wires.

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.

LL Bean, Beaded Gardens and Meteor Showers

Ok so now it is official; I am going back to do the seasonal gig at LL Bean on October 19th. I had my interview today, which really just meant doing all the tax paperwork come to find out. In the meantime I am doing some home shows for the jewelry and I have tons of hats I have to make so I had better get busy!
There is only 1 more day to the sale so get it while you can as Janis used to say! I know. I am dating myself aren’t I?
I am heading down to the Boston area again on Sunday for an overnight with my granddaughters before they start school. They are 6 now, my they have grown so fast! I was right there holding their mommy’s hand when they were born and it does not seem like all that long ago.
After that I guess things will return to normal, whatever that is!
I have a few design knocking around in my head…not safe in there, so watch for some new designs coming right up.
I will also be unveiling the flower garden necklace with over 20 hours of work in it, look for that in the next couple of days.
Now, it is late and I am off to watch the meteor show! Rest well!

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!