Delicate Pink Wire Necklace

I thought I would share another necklace my daughter made.

She looks at materials so differently than I do.

I love to watch her create and then learn from her.

There is such a simple beauty in her designs.

Delicate and lovely...

Unique combinations of beads and components.

It all comes together into a sweet design.

Here is another one.

With a little silk...

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these great blogs.

Pink Set

I showed some pink pieces before here.

They were outside my comfort zone/normal style.

Today I will show you some pink pieces that are more like me.

A bit more bohemian and rustic.

The components such as waxed linen cord, steel findings and recycled silk strips give very feminine pink beads a bohemian edge.

These are pieces for the girly gypsy.

I made them for the same magazine challenge.

They were not chosen.

That is ok.

That means I get to either wear them or sell them.

Here is the fun triple strand bracelet.

I like the braided silk strand.

It adds a softness to the piece.

One of my polymer beads in the focal.

I love the bracelet most of all.

I wear a lot of scarves, but not a lot of necklaces.  

I do wear bracelets though.

I think this one is headed right for my wrist.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.

Steel Wire Findings

One of my favorite parts of a piece of jewelry can be the clasp.  

I am not sure why this is, but it has always been true for me. 

 It is especially true if the clasp is handmade or unusual.

So I love to make my own.

My very favorites to make and use lately with my handmade polymer clay beads are heavy black steel wire findings.

My wire of choice: black rebar wire from the hardware store.

Sometimes you can find it in the fencing section.

That is where I originally found mine about 15 years ago or so.

I buy several rolls at a time and use it for all sorts of things.

I like the body and heft of the wire and the way it holds the shape I create with my pliers, mandrel or a dowel.

Once the pieces are formed, I have seat on the floor and give them each a few whacks with a hammer.

I like to play with shapes and even what I use for connectors.

I little hardware piece offers a different look than a wire loop.

How much fun is that for a little touch of Steampunk or Industrial?

I make a whole pile of them and then hammer them in batches. 

 Sitting on concrete is not as much fun for my back as it used to be.

I keep them in a little compartment of my bead tray for when inspiration hits.

 Maybe today will be the day they become something special.

Thanks for stopping by....

Delicate Pink Jewelry

I am not really a delicate kind of jewelry gal.

I don't buy it.

I don't wear it.

And I usually don't make it.

But sometimes a girl just has to try something different.

  Armed with lace, silk, beds and buttons, off I go.

Into the delicate pink yonder.

Join me, won't you?

First up: a  choker made from recycled silk strips and lace.

A little white linen cord to tie off the ends.

A few handmade jump rings make it adjustable.

I have a big neck but I try to remember the rest of the world may be much smaller than me.

This sweet little buckle was the inspiration for the whole piece.

Next up: a triple strand seed bead necklace.

Also not my style, but fun to try.

Simple beading with a little lace choker layer added at the end.

And last, but not least: a button choker.

This one I WOULD wear.

Simple white buttons from the many, many button jars I collect.

Knotted together with white waxed linen cord.

I love working with that stuff.

I finished it off with a strip of pink silk and a little white flower button.

Do you see  anything that is your style?

Which one?

Thanks for stopping by...

Etched Bullet Casings

One of my favorite processes to do is etching metal.

It is part science and part magic.

While I collect many pieces and kinds of metal to etch, to date I have primarily used bullet casings.

Today  wanted to share some of my patriotic designs.

These all have flags of some sort.

These were created with men in mind.

They have less bling and more utilitarian beads.

Changing the orientation of the flag gives the piece a completely different look.

I make them into key chains and necklaces.

I don't mind the imperfections in the etching.

Up close, you can see so much of the detail in the etching.

Turquoise sets off the brass as well.

The USA Eagle stamp worked perfectly for this size casing.

Here is one with a bit of bling.

Which is your favorite?

I like them all.

Sort of like your children...

Each one is charming and appealing in its own way.

Thanks for stopping by...

Linking up with these amazing blogs.

Etsy Markdowns...

I have been making polymer clay beads like crazy for about a month now... 

 I am having a blast and trying out new finishes and styles.

My little bins in my bead boxes are overflowing so I am marking down the polymer beads in my Etsy shop and getting ready to add a bunch more listings soon.

Please stop over to see what is there.

Here is a preview....

There are lots of pendants and focals.

As well as some beads sets.

Click here to stop over to take a look.

Thanks for stopping by...

Steampunk Polymer Beads

One of my great loves this past year has been playing with Sculpey polymer clay.

I love rolling it in my hands, pressing things in to texture it and then coloring and creating finishes that give it a new look.

I have always loved beautiful beads but when I actually get some, I save them.

I am not sure what I am saving them for...

So in April, when I started ,making my own beads, it opened a whole new world to me.

It was a world where I could create anything I could imagine.

This has led to many fun experiments.

Today I am sharing my steampunk beads.

I used these to make some fun stretchy bracelets.

They are easy to get on and off.

You can see I did a variety of finishes as well.

I love these.

I hope they appeal to you perhaps, too.

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these blogs.