winter Art Beads piece

For the winter Art Beads piece for the design partner program, we were allowed to choose any components that we wanted from the Art Beads site for a winter piece.  An idea came to mind for a winter piece about 24 hours after I got my e-mail.  I ordered my beads right away.  You can see the components that I used here.

As I mentioned in my post with the components, this piece is part of my new line.  I have to be honest: I am keeping this one.  But I am starting to list other pieces from the line in my shop.  I'll have a post about that and the pattern for the line later this week (or you can go to my shop now if you can't wait to see what's already available).  And as always, if anyone wants one with this particular color scheme, please let me know.  I'm always happy to do custom orders.

All of the beads that I selected for this piece are from the glass beads section of Art Beads.  I used Toho cube beads and Czech dagger beads.  The majority of the beads in the piece are from Art Beads with a few others from my personal collection thrown into the mix.  If you want to know any of the specific colors that I used, please let me know.  I'll be honest again: I DO order a lot of my Toho cubes from Art Beads.  I normally DON'T order my dagger beads from Art Beads.  I order them elsewhere in bulk.  But I watch for sales on Art Beads.  Throwing a few of their patterned daggers into a mix with solid color opaques and AB finishes can add a wonderful hint of detail.

I selected two "special" components for this piece.  Most of my dagger fringed bracelets won't have these, but I thought it would be a neat touch with this mix.  The first component is a button from their Swarovski collection.  As you know, I love all buttons.  The Swarovski buttons are pretty cool.  The second component is a sterling silver charm from their charm collection.  You can find that charm right here.  I normally order silver plated charms because they're considerably cheaper.  However, sometimes I like to splurge on some higher end pieces through the design program.  I'm a sucker for heart jewelry (such a cliche I know).  I don't go overboard with floral themes in my life because that would be pretty corny for obvious reasons, but I thought the rose here would be a subtle touch for this piece.

I love how the color theme came together for this piece.  I didn't make this at the same time as my winter leafy bracelet, but it has a very similar feel.  I still have a lot of the cubes left so I will most likely make something else with a similar color scheme at some point.

Here's a posed shot with the clasp showing so you can see how that comes together.

And here's a shot with it turned the way that you would normally wear it so you can see how the daggers will hang.

I am currently in the middle of writing the pattern for my dagger design with the cube base.  I'm hoping to release it around the same time that I start rolling out the new line on Etsy.

Disclosure - I received my ArtBead's products free of charge through their blogging program. I am honestly reviewing their products and have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to the products I received. 

purple or brown?

A woman from Chicago bought one of my older pieces, blue with a hint of green right angle bracelet, on Etsy today! That was such a boost. :)

I made my most recent pair of earrings with opaque pearl espresso bean delicas. The opaque and opaque matte shades of the espresso bean delicas are definitely brown. I think that the pearl finish makes them look almost purple, though. You can really see that come through in the first picture.



I used these same espresso bean delicas in my most recent creation for myself this weekend, which is a necklace with the smoke fired ceramic donut that I won from Kristie (artisanclay). I bought some very thin (1/8" wide) black grosgrain ribbon for the cord. I need to mention that I owe a lot of credit to Carol Dean for my original inspiration for this design because she's made some beautiful necklaces like this one that are very similar. I'm very pleased with the result. Kristie still has some ceramic donuts like this one available in shop if anyone is interested.



I made one more pair of earrings this weekend with the same delicas that I used in my necklace. I still need to photograph them.

While I was taking pictures today, someone decided to help me. So I took some pictures of her, too.

new business cards, finished bargello cuff

I got my business cards from Vicki's giveaway early this week, but I didn't get around to taking a picture of them until this weekend. I'm very pleased with the way that they turned out, though. Again, these are from OvernightPrints if anyone is interested in getting any for themselves.


I finished my first bargello cuff yesterday and photographed it today. This pattern was so much fun! I highly recommend that any fellow bead weavers who are reading this considering purchasing it. You can get it from Carol's (SandFibers) shop here. I'm debating whether or not I'd like to upgrade to a commercial edition of the pattern. I already have several more ideas for color combinations with it, and there are only so many versions of it that I need for myself. Any thoughts? While you're considering that, check out my cuff.




Yes, this bracelet is very short. I have small wrists. And yes, the button is another one of Lisa Peters's creations. I decided that I didn't want to part with this one. :)

I also made my first pair of earrings this weekend in the same greens that I used in my bargello cuff. Pictures coming soon!

more new listings, personal collection jewelry

I've been on a roll with new listings lately. I want to get everything that I've made so far this summer listed before I head out of town in a couple weeks. Once I get back into town, I'll be starting the new school year (less than 4 weeks away *sigh*). The more I can do now, the better!


As you can see, I gave into my weakness for stripes.

Twice!

The last bracelet is one of two pieces that I made for myself recently. I decided to list it as a made to order item. Here is a picture of both personal pieces.

Making jewelry has really expanded the color palette that I enjoy wearing on a regular basis. I never would have picked the pinks in the striped bracelet a couple years ago, but now I love it. :)