Friday, September 24, 2010

"Granery" Golden themed jewelry for October


I had a bout of insomnia last week.  Actually it was bead-somnia.  As I lay awake trying to calm my mind, all I could see when I closed my eyes were the 15/0 seed beads threading one at a time on to needle and thread to some non-existent musical rhythm.  So, I would get out of bed and bead until I was too tired to keep my eyes open.

This necklace has been a tough project because I wanted it to be so much more and have lots more things attached to it.  I threaded on many temporary pearls, baubles, stones and nothing seemed to work.  I wanted it to be adjustable, but the hook didn't look finished enough and the multiple button/pearl style was looking weird when it was on.  Finally, I decided to KISS it (Keep It Simple Stupid) and I am much happier with the outcome!  I have to thank Barbara at the Bead Boutique for suggesting the bead-and-loop clasp on this necklace.  I immediately shot the idea down because I wasn't sure how secure it would be, but it was the best solution.



This guy is 21.5 inches long and $190.00.  It will be living at the Grove Gallery Co-op in the month of October for the themed group show.  I am trying to make a goal of filling the jewelry case in there with golds, bronze and coppery pieces for part of the poem that is the theme of the October show:

"To Autumn" by John Keats

"Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;"

Here are a few earring ideas to match this necklace (I sold the original original stripe beaded blob already but am finishing another pair right now):



Thursday, September 16, 2010

Made to Match


I am pretty flexible when it comes to commissions and when you ask me to make something, I try to take care of it pretty quickly.  Shortly after Deb bought my Green "Leaves Between" bangle she asked for earrings and a pendant to match. 

I have struggled making necklaces because I don't like to string beads as much as I enjoy weaving with them.  I very recently have made 2 simple pendants and put them on light chains.  I have sold both of them, and I'm making their loops large enough to place on any chain (I know I have quite the collection of chains at home so I'm only carrying a few).

Up until then I thought of only making simple single drops into pendants.  Not for Deb!  She asked for something with 3 leaves layered together, so I went with it and I love the outcome!  I think they need to be on heavier chains than I have been showing my pendants on, so here's a few pictures before they go to their new home:




I don't have a great image of the bracelet but here you go (thanks Scroggins for pointing out the incompleteness of this blog post!):


Checker Circlet Earrings and Bangle Inspired by Ally's Hair

I've been escaping into color lately, anything that draws me in and sticks with me. Ally's mohawk is half bright dark pink and half ...