in the works

Here are just a few of the projects that I've been working on the past couple weeks.

March EBW Challenge Piece

Yep, as always, the last EBW Challenge just ended and I'm already working on my next piece.  That's how it goes!

The theme for this challenge is Destinations.  You can read more about it here.  You can pick any destination that you like.  My mind immediately went to Hawaii although this piece can represent any tropical location that you like.  The color palette here combines sand, sun, and water.

My challenge piece will be a wrap bracelet/necklace.  I'm using one these sand and sea glass filled bottles from Kristina of BorealisSeaGlass for the charm.  I'll also be releasing a beach themed charm set when I list this item.  Did you know that you can buy these little glass bottles almost anywhere online?  There are so many possibilities for them?  I haven't ordered any...yet, but I may design some of my own charms with them in the future.

First Mother's Day Card

You got a sneak peek at the pieces for this in my drying rack post.  I don't really know how some of these ideas come to me, but I just go with it.  I don't have this listed on Etsy yet, but I'm planning to get it up this spring.  If you're interested in one before then, let me know.

Contemplating a Rainbow Bead Mix

I've been contemplating another rainbow mix wrap bracelet/necklace like the one that I shared in this post.  I was originally thinking about another plain rope, but I picked up some new multicolored Czech glass beads during my last bead shopping trip that would be perfect for another embellished piece.  I'd probably make a double wrap to keep the price a little lower than my triples.  I could save those new beads for a bangle, too.  We'll see.

One of my new washer pendants has a new home.

Do you remember my new washer pendants?  This one has a new home on this wrap piece.  The original rainbow wrap was so well received that I made another one to sell.  It'll be in my shop shortly.

another Natural Sparkle is in the works

Over the last few years, I have created three versions of this design that I have dubbed Natural Sparkle because of the mix of natural sea glass, shiny Czech glass, and Swarovski crystal.  I have sold the third one back in the fall.  It's way past time to bring this design back.

I have bought double drilled sea glass from the above mentioned sea glass seller in the past, but she hasn't had any in quite a while.  So I had to look elsewhere and eventually settled on this shop.  The prices are very reasonable, and the shipping was quick.

Personal Project

I'm not sure that this really counts as crafty, but it did involve sewing.

My mother-in-law "surprised" me with a beautiful hounds tooth coat that I'd been admiring when we were Christmas shopping.  The coat is very well constructed...except for the buttons.  It had 7 originally and 3 came off during the first month I had it.  I managed to save one, but I had to find a new set, cut off the remaining buttons, and start over.  It's a shame because aren't these buttons cool?  I'll have to find a new project for them.

I did find a new set that I like (and that fit the button holes) and sewed them all on successfully.  I would like to get pictures of it and do a mini hounds tooth feature sometime.

What have you been working on this week?

I used this post for Michelle's Delicately Constructed Friday - 2/17/2012.

third version of Natural Sparkle

I actually finished this piece several ago.  But I've been burning out on taking jewelry photographs lately, so I didn't get the listing revised until this weekend.  Here are the first two versions.

I sold this one at the Iowa Arts Festival.

As you may remember, I just made the second version this fall for Art Beads.  I sold it to a friend right after I'd updated the Etsy listing.

And now the third version is up and running.  As you can see, the first two are pretty similar.  I took a little different take with the third one with my remaining drilled sea glass.

The base is very similar to the base that I used in the other two, and the seed bead mix is exactly the same as the second one.

I'm using beads from Shannon (beadsandbabble), sea glass from Kristina (akkricket), and another Lisa Peters ceramic button (LisaPetersArt).

If you haven't already clicked on the pictures, you can check out the listing here.

A quick reminder: This blog is now at http://www.randomcreativeart.com.  Please update your bookmarks/reading lists/etc. accordingly.  Thanks!

Rochester, sea glass pendants

As some of you know, I went to Rochester, MN this past weekend.

The weather was gorgeous.  Here's a shot of us with what may be our future home's skyline in the background.

I finished my sea glass pendant order when I got back.

The buyer is very pleased with everything so I'll send the pendants on their way later this week.  I'll have more details about Grace's blog giveaway earrings soon.  I'll also have my 2010 holiday special for Etsy up and running this week so stay tuned.

Art Beads fall piece

For the fall Art Beads design partner program, we were asked to create a piece of jewelry that utilized colors from the Fall 2010 Pantone Fashion Color Report.  I'd been wanting to make a new version of my Natural Sparkle design for a while.  Some of the more neutral shades from the report fit into this design perfectly.

I used two different kinds of Swarovski beads and gorgeous tiger's eye beads from the Art Beads Gemstone section.  I normally don't spring for larger/more expensive items when it comes to beads, even when it's through the blog program because I still like to make my money go as far as possible, but I decided that it would be worth it with the tiger's eye.  It definitely was.  I have a handful left, which I'm sure will go to good use at some point.

I also used some of my free sample beads from Shannon (beadsandbabble) including a few from this lovely Czech mix and this other neat Czech mix that she offers as well as some of her seed bead strands (if you want specific information for those, let me know).  Thanks Shannon!

The drilled sea glass pieces are from Kristina (akkricket).  I'm a little embarrassed that it's taken me this long to use them, but I'm so glad that I finally did.  I have some single drilled pieces, too, that I'm planning to use for another Natural Sparkle bracelet.

I'm sure that some of you know this by now, but the ceramic button is from Lisa (LisaPetersArt).  This is the fifth bracelet that I've made with one of Lisa's buttons.  I've sold three with her buttons.  The only one that's left besides this is my Fall Autumn Explosion piece.  I'm planning to use another Lisa button for my next Natural Sparkle bracelet.  I have a few other buttons in my stash, too (not that that will stop me from buying more in the future, too, of course).

This piece is available in my Etsy shop.  You can view it by clicking here.  As always, if you're interested in something similar but in a different size or with slightly different colors, etc. please let me know.

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.

Top Dropper feature, roses continued

Tara (scarboroughseashells) who was one of my Top Droppers last month also took me up on my offer to feature one of her Etsy items here. She choose this beautiful necklace.

I Feel Teal Beachcombed Pottery and Sea Glass Necklace

I'm also featuring roses today. Enjoy!

Peach Rosebud Cold Porcelain Earrings by doughroses

Roses on Crimson Polymer Clay Pillow Bead Set 283 by tooaquarius

Winter Rose Garden Pearls and Flowers on Knotted by WillOaksStudio

ROSE GARDEN by debger

Greeting Card, Handpainted Roses by SallysOriginalArt

BIRD EGG BLUE ROSEBUD stud earrings by pinkflowercube

Large Pink Rose Flower Button...New Style...Uniquebuttons by uniquebuttons