working with rainbows

I have a handful of rainbow designs that do quite well, especially around the holidays. It's hard to believe that we're already getting to that time of year again, but it'll be here before we know it. As I restock some best selling items, I'm trying to get enough stocked to keep me set through at least my first few holidays shows and online orders.

After I'd pulled several rainbow palettes for varying pieces, I had a little fun photographing them.

This first set is part of a full spectrum from red to pink, but I really love the lime green, turquoise blue, purple, and pink palette.

What have you been working on lately?

my helpers

Today I'm sharing a little peak at my jewelry making helpers and a couple of the pieces that they've been helping me with lately.

I often end up moving everything out of the way so that this can happen.

 

Among other things, I've had this rainbow meets neutral idea in my head for a while, and it's been a lot of fun finally putting it together.

These pieces are part of the same line as this bracelet.

While I've been working with the rainbow mix, I've restocked my best selling rainbow button charm bracelet and earrings. Get them while you can because they don't stick around in the shop for long.

I know that I'm not the only jewelry maker who has some little helpers. Feel free to share your stories and/or links to your helper photos in the comments!

Friday Feature: I Can't Make Up My Mind

Back in December, I put together an I Can't Make Up My Mind treasury and then a feature post along this same theme. I still love it so much that I'm bringing it back again. I know that we can all use more color this time of year. Enjoy!

Peach Ombre Paper Flower Bridal Bouquet; Large Coral Bouquet; Light Peach, Salon, and Coral by FlowerThyme

Vase / violet Vase / dark Purple Home Decor / purple housewares / home and garden by CarriageOakCottage

Funny Coffee Kitchen Poster - Instant Human Just Add Coffee - Red Dots Art Print - Morning by hairbrainedschemes

Fern Drop Earrings Peridot Green Olive Sterling Silver Dangle Drops by PoleStar

Blue Floppy Disk Mini Notebook and Post it note holder - for men or women by PipingHotPapers

 Yellow Opal Curved Glass Leaves, 15mm - 25 pieces by TheDutchTulip

 Beauty Tote Bag in Purple Pink / Diaper Bag / Shoulder Bag / Messenger Bag / Outside Pocket / Inside Pockets / Chic / Summer by bayanhippo

Friday Feature: color indecision

Last week I put together a new treasury.

I Can't Make Up My Mind

I love this concept so much (surprise, right?) that I'm continuing it today for my feature post. Enjoy!

Peppermint Sticks (Painted branches in Vase) / Holiday Home Decor / Whimsical home decor / red and white Christmas by CarriageOakCottage

Nursery Decor, Children's Wall Art, Aqua Religious Posters, Set of 2, Jeremiah 1:5, 11x17 Letterpress Prints by PrintandBeMerry

Purple Baby Booties Fake Fur Pelt Infant Newborn Nursery Children Button Lilac Pink by Hopphopp

Mustache Mug Moustache Mug Lime Green Double Sided Kiln Fired by LennyMud

Mother bird card, bright yellow by moonmum

Love, Wood Block Decor. by bubblewrappd

Tote Bag Large Purse Orange Gunilla by GraceandFirefly

What is your favorite color?

Rainbow Button Earrings

I'm having fun starting some of my new collaboration pieces, but I've also been working on restocking a few best sellers this month.

Editing RAW light box images in Lightroom has been a whole new challenge the past couple weeks. Some of my previously learned skills translate pretty well, others not so much. I'm pushing ahead regardless. Lightroom is still changing my entire photography world for the better, and no, I'm not being paid anything to say that.

Putting together photos of the beads and buttons that I used for the latest set of rainbow button earrings was kind of a little reward for this project. I love having best selling items, but sometimes I burn out making whole sets of very similar items.

I never get tired of these gray backgrounds.

Look at that whole group of pretty earrings ready to go. I'm hoping that if I keep plugging away at little sets like this, I won't get too overwhelmed during the holiday season. It just might happen, right?

I messed up experimented and made one set loaded with beads. They have close to three times the number of beads as the original design. In case you need a bigger explosion of color.

Next up on the best sellers: purple celestial earrings. And on that note...

I've been thinking about new color possibilities for future celestial bracelets and earrings. Black and gray/silver is the first one that's come to mind. Other thoughts? Other ideas? I always appreciate your input!

What have you been working on lately?

Friday Feature: rainbow picks

Inspired by one of my newly listed Etsy items (and my never ending passion for brightly colored things), I put together a rainbow feature today. Enjoy.

Beaded Bracelet - Silver Chain Links - Bright Colorful Multicolored Rainbow by randomcreative

Rainbow Chevron SLR Camera Strap - Free Shipping by seelorisew

Rainbow Polka-Dot Wavy Rimmed Dish - Colorful Pottery Serving Piece - Made to order by chARiTyelise

Rainbow art print, inspirational quote, colorful print, rainbow poster, multicolor art by PrintsByStellaChili

Rainbow Recycled Art Note Card - Mosaic Quilt Collage OOAK Blank Inside by Fuffalumps

6/0 Opaque Rainbow Luster Mix Czech Glass Seed Bead Strand from beadsandbabble

Rainbow Mini Clothespins - Set of 12 by 1PixiePlace

Have you been loving any bright multicolored items lately? Share your favorite links!

the making of a rainbow

During the last few weeks I've shown a couple pictures of the process behind my latest button embellished bracelet.  I'm pulling it all together for you now.

When I've made this design in the past, I have not sorted my beads like this.  It made a huge difference.

I took some special in progress shots of this piece for a 2012 craft show application.  I won't find out if I get into this show until sometime in late spring or early summer, but I'll keep you updated.

Here it is completed.

It's available right here.  I have a longer version available as well.

Since I got the listing up and running again, it's gotten tons of views and hearts.  I also recently sold a custom version of my all green version of this piece, which has inspired me to pull out buttons to remake a couple older button embellished designs.  Look for purple and orange/yellow later this spring.

What have you been working on lately?

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Kid Easter Baskets: Unique, Homemade, and Creative Ideas

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I included this post in Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday 3/16/12 and Erika's It's a Wrap Link Party 3/19/2012.