Thursday Favorites: Wire Wrapping Tutorial

I had a request for a tutorial on wire wrapping. I've never done a tutorial before, so I hope this is clear! This is a quick demonstration for how to do a double wire wrap.  I used a large stone (African Opal) and 22 gauge wire so hopefully the steps are easy to see. And just for ease, I also used a larger type size.


Step 1: Thread the wire through the top drill hole and leave an equal amount of wire on either side - about an inch to an inch & a half on either side. 


Pinch the wire together at the top of the stone to create a little triangle with the wire. I like to hold the pliers flat so I can make sure I make the loop tightly across the top (shown in Step 2).

Step 2: To create the loop, wrap both wires side-by-side around the round-nose pliers. 

Step 3: I use my flat pliers to pull the wire around. Start with one of the wires so that they are opposite each other. Watch the wire wrap to make sure that they wrap tightly -- one on top of each other. This will create a smooth wrap vs. clumping on top of one another.

Step 4: Pull the opposite wire around and tuck it right up next to the other. Again watching to make sure that it stacks right beneath the other wire and creates a smooth wrap. Continue this process for 3-4 more wraps (to the desired size and shape you want with your wrap).

Note: Some people prefer to continue wrapping all the way down the stone to cover up the threading, so if that is the case then add a little extra length to the wire. 

Step 5: Once you've finished wrapping, again keep the wires opposite each other and cut the ends. This way you can tuck each end up against the bottom of the wrap for a more level base.

Step 6: Tuck the last of the wire up to the base of the wrap and smooth/ adjust the wrap for any places where it might look a little out of line.

BTW: Boho Leather Hoops

I am continuing to find inspiration in Lorelei and Erin's new book Bohemian Inspired Jewelry.  And, as with any recipe, I never follow it exactly. I typically take elements and mix things up a bit. 

One of the projects in the book uses 'leather fringe' on a pair of hoops, and I just had to try that! It really wasn't very hard. The hardest part was keeping the leather gathered together on the hoop, and so I needed to ensure I had a tight wrap on either side. 

I started with a scrap piece of leather I had left over from an upholstery project. I cut it about a quarter inch wide, and roughly 3-4 inches long. I then used a hole punch and spaced holes roughly a half inch apart. 

Once the leather was threaded I twisted it just a little to give the 'fringe' effect shown in the book. Lastly I added a flat silver bead and did a quick wire wrap (about 5 full wraps) which gives it a very secure hold. Also, to hold the wire in place I had wrapped it at the end of the fringe and threaded it through the bead along with the hoop. I originally thought about including pearls to the hoops to match the leather and pearl bracelet I made a few weeks ago. But it was just too much. I think I prefer the simplicity of the leather and silver.

I did also make my own hoops. I used a thick gauge (15 g) solid silver wire. I grabbed a spice jar, created a loop at one end and bent the wire. Then just added the hook to the other end of the hoop. A quick couple of whacks with a chasing hammer did the trick. 

These were really easy and fun to make. I'll bet I could use other thick ribbon or velvet? hmmm ... already thinking of variations.

Inspiration Board: Audrey's Pearls

This week's feature is a classic pair of pearl earrings. And nothing says classic like mid-century style by Audrey. One of my favorite types of pearls ... Tahitian. I love the luster and the unique shape of each pearl. I left this pair with my sister when I was visiting her this year because she liked them so much. But once home I realized just how much I wear these simple pearls. So now that they are now gone from my collection, it is time to make a new pair! 

Audrey's Pearls by antiquity-travelers featuring flat suede shoes

Celebrity Match Up: What Goes With Adele's Big Hair?

I was watching the Adele special several weeks ago and I remember thinking what is up with all the big hair? I flew to London in April and noticed that every stewardess on Virgin Atlantic had the same big hair. And once on the ground I saw quite a few people on the streets of London sporting this 'do.' It is so reminiscent of a '60s bouffant, I did a complete double take on the plane with a stewardess who looked exactly like my Aunt Betty in 1968.



Celebrities do seem to be showing up with this style, which I found in abundance at US Weekly online. And I have to admit the style really has a way of showing off jewelry, which of course I LOVE. So I went digging through the many earrings I've made over the last year or so to see... what would I pair up with these celebs and their 'hairdos?' Just to have a little fun.... you ready?

The first pair that came to mind is something with a shimmer ... it is all glam with these girls so you have to have a sparkly option. I grabbed a versatile pair that I made with Swarovski discs (pair #2). My Sister snagged this pair the last time I saw her. She said they are fun to wear to work, and then out for a drink with a girlfriend. So in that case, I suppose they could work with pretty much any one of these outfits. 

Next, I remember a pair I made for a girlfriend who loved the elegance of a simple aquamarine floret drop earring that has rhinestone flower posts (pair #1). She is tall, thin with beautiful long dark hair, and this pair looks stunning on her. Certainly this pair would have gone well with Katy Perry's outfit. Not quite so clunky as what she is wearing --- are those treble clefs?

Someone help me out here with who the first celebrity is? But anyway, this pretty little outfit is just crying out for earrings. Beautiful swoop to her hair (a ponytail bouffant), nice crew collar with a patterned fabric that would make any necklace fight with the outfit. But what about some feminine dangly earrings? I think the ice pink jadite drop earrings (pair # 5) would look fantastic with that shear patterned dress.

I can understand holding back on anything crazy with Emma Stone's dress, but the triple-pearl cluster (pair #3) would look fantastic with her dress and wouldn't fight with the pattern. It would also make more of a statement than the almost unnoticeable pearl posts she is wearing. Come on Emma, kick it up a little!

Okay, moving on to Busy Phillips' outfit. Now I think she's got on a good size earring with some swing to them, and the clear color doesn't fight with her outfit. So she gets an A+ for earring style. I would only offer an alternative. The amethyst drop earrings (pair #6) would look amazing with her outfit. The diamond cut of the stone makes them shine like, well ... two diamonds. They have a top drill, so they hang beautifully from the elongated wire.

Next let's check out Eva Longoria's necklace, which is gorgeous. And yes it draws your attention immediately to her cleavage. I guess if you looked like Eva you would too. But those earrings. Where are they? Her hair is sexy as always, but covers up any trace of earrings. Just a simple drop earring that peaks out from her hair would have done nicely with this outfit. Perhaps pair #1 or #2?

And lastly Adele. Is it just me, or is Adele not wearing any earrings? Why wear your hair up, on TV no less, and not grab at least a simple pair of earrings? She is looking pretty somber in her black shirt, but her hair is really quite pretty like that. Why not wear the whisky quartz drop earrings (pair #4)? They are still simple and just a tad elegant. Certainly better than no earrings at all!

BTW: Bohemian Inspired

Lately everyone is buzzing about Lorelei and Erin's new book Bohemian Inspired Jewelry. I have to admit that I have read it through at least 6 or 7 times now and have started to use it to inspire some of my upcoming pieces. Like this blue cord necklace on my bead table this week.  

A week or so ago I was over at Kashmira's blog and loving a new pendant she had just created with beautiful knotting. She pointed me to Lorelei and Erin's book, and I realized that there are so many techniques they use that I am loving. And that photography is so wonderful --- eye candy to a beader. My husband laughs at me with my nose stuck in one of these books and completely ignoring him. I can get lost for hours in a good beading book.

I've been trying my hand at a few of their techniques, and once I get going they truly inspire all kinds of ideas for me. I have had these glass discs in a bead drawer for years now. And realized that the knotting that Kashimra was doing would work so well with these. I also had some beautiful silver balls, yes also in a drawer for much longer than I'd like to admit. A little polishing from a sliver cloth and look at them shine! There will be more to come with these knotting techniques. I'm just getting warmed up.

Next, I grabbed some spare leather that I had sitting around from a chair I recovered some 15 years ago. I figured eventually I'd find some use for it. Some of the leather that they use in the book is so unique and gorgeous I just have to try it. So I've got my shears and leather all spread out for the next project. Look for more pearls and leather coming soon from me ... they will match my Glam meets Boho pearl and leather bracelet.

So at the moment my bead table is covered in Bohemian inspired work. That will keep me beading for weeks ... I just have to find time to stop and blog a bit to show you all.

Freedom Fridays: Amy Herzog Designs

What a surprise I had last week when I saw a blogger that I follow wearing one of my necklaces in her photo. And she looks so great wearing it!

I met Amy through our mutual friend Thea, both whom are avid knitters with huge followings on Ravelry (the popular knitting site). While I've never met Amy in person, we've started chatting back and forth through our blogs, email and recently twitter. That was a first for me to chat away through twitter. Usually I use twitter to post (or announce) some new piece of jewelry. Hmm, a new use for twitter. Note to self.

Amy is modeling her new pattern -- a cardigan (in a beautiful plum color) called Caulfield. It is so cute. Apparently Amy's pattern is so popular that it's up at #2 on Ravelry as 'what's hot right now.' Go Amy!  She also has a version in a green sleeveless tank that is awesome. Her design has a 'choose your own adventure' feature to it. What she's done is written a knitting pattern that has several different options. You can pick and choose between making it a pullover with sleeves, or a sleeveless tank, or switching round the waist shaping options. How cool is that?

The necklace she's wearing is one I made last Fall that features a very unique turquoise slice. Frankly I totally forgot I made it! My friend Thea was visiting and I loaded her up with a bunch of samples for her to dole out at her choosing. I knew she was going to give a couple to Amy who might hopefully wear a few in upcoming photo shoots. Yep there are more, so hopefully I get to show you all another knitting pattern from Amy along with another jewelry piece by me.

Thursday Favorites: My Nielloware Ring

This past Spring I was in England and took a trip down to Brighton to visit an old friend. We spent all day Saturday just strolling through the narrow streets and various shops. There was a great flee market where I spotted a table full of silver, and was shocked to see quite a display of Nielloware. I picked up a great little ring with an unusual design. 

You can read more about Nielloware, the etched silver process, in my blog from last week. Many of these pieces depict figures from mythology, and my ring had a hippocampus on it. I didn't realize it at the time. I just liked the ring. But once home, my 9-year-old said "mom you have a hippocampus on your ring" ... "a what?"  She ran off to her room and came back with her large volume of mythology and pointed to a picture. Sure enough; it was definitely a hippocampus. But what IS a hippocampus?

The hippocamp, or hippocampus is from Greek for 'horse monster,' often called sea-horse. It is a mythological creature depicted as a horse in the forepart with a coiling, scaly, fish-like hindquarter. Homer called this character Poseidon Hippios, God of horses. Roman imagery uses a sea-chariot drawn by hippocampi. The statue here is of Triton with a hippocamp at the foot of the Trevi fountain in Rome. Huh, well I guess I learned something new from my daughter.

BTW: Glam Meets Boho

A little over a year ago I began my adventure as what's known as the train jeweler. There are older posts (this one or this one) that takes you through the origin of my commuting crowd calling me this. But what started it all was my Turkish friend asking me to create a pretty bracelet from the Sundance catalog. I almost never follow a recipe exactly, and my beading is the same. But I did like the idea of creating a bracelet that was a little elegant, a little boho. That is how this pattern came into my repertoire. 









The original bracelet is the one with the darker suede, which I found difficult to work with as it kept breaking in my hands as I knotted, or sewed the loops. Sigh. I did manage to finish this first version of the bracelet, but with much swearing. Kids, cover your ears.

Months later I was at a gorgeous Japanese ribbon store (Mokuba) where I spotted a synthetic suede that works like a dream. I normally hate anything synthetic, but I have to tell you that this stuff feels like the real thing. And the best part is that it holds up to the roughest beaders - that would be me. You can see the Mokuba version in the lighter suede ... wouldn't you agree that it looks gorgeous! A bonus was that it was about $2 a yard. what? I mean no brainer for me.

I forgot about this bracelet until a week or so ago when my Turkish friend came to me and said that she really wanted the bracelet to be a tad smaller. I took one look at the bracelet and remembered how much I loved this bracelet. But also how difficult working with real suede (a thin strip of it) can be. I decided not to pull it apart, and I would keep her's as is for myself. And for her I'd make a new one - enter new suede! So she has the new one with the lighter colored suede, and I kept the original one in the darker color. That's whats on my beading table this week.

Featured: Christine Kemp my 100th Follower

I have been blogging now since Christmas, so just 7 months. At 14,000 page views, 84 posts and 100+ follows ... I'm really starting to get the hang of this blogging thing. I have enjoyed meeting so many new people in the blogosphere, reading about their lives, seeing how they create, and well just getting a wonderful daily dose of encouragement.


Last week I hit my 100th follower, which is a milestone for me. And to celebrate, I thought I'd highlight the follower who clicked the button. Thank you Christine Kemp of Golden Lilly Crafts! Now let me tell you a little about Christine. 


She writes a blog about her art journey from her home in Australia. She has been doing a course with Tamara Laporte from Willowing Arts Arts called Fabulous Faces. And the picture to the left is her recent piece. Isn't it amazing. I'd say those classes are paying off. Christine has many forms of art on her blog that she's been learning through online courses. I love that you can learn through the internet like this! She is learning to draw, paint, collage, art journal and letter. But Christine also likes to experiment with fabric, buttons and beads. Perhaps we can get her to join one of our beady blog hops!? What do you say Christine!

Blog Hop: Bead Soup

This is the first reveal date of several that Lori is hosting for the next Bead Soup Blog Hop. There are over 350 participants, so Lori has been one busy lady setting this up and coordinating the hosting of 3 separate reveals.


My partner is Cindy over at Mommy's Dream who sent me a beautiful stash of beads to work with back in the beginning of July. I didn't quite get through all of the beads she sent, but I did make it through most! I made four separate pieces starting with the pretty shell focal she sent me. I created a simple helix chain for the base of a choker and added a peyote stitch loop to hang the shell from. I used peyote again in the back to create the triple button closure where I used some antique mother-of-pearl buttons. The necklace is very light weight as I used wood beads and small seed beads, so it is very comfortable to wear. 


Next I got to work using the silver toggle. I recently found some pretty black & brown agates, which I had never used before. Their color is somewhere between carnelian and amber. Very pretty. I decided to use a simple macrame knot bracelet so the focus remains on the stones and the toggle. I used black waxed linen which brought out the veining in the stone. 


Cindy also sent me some really pretty Venetian foil beads that I love. I wanted to use these as a focal and decided that I'd use them in a hoop drop earring design. I used several of the seed beads she included in my package to create a fun pair to wear with you hair pulled up.


The last piece I made used some pretty amber and blue beads that were included. I love this color of blue and wanted to pull the color out by using come cord to braid a bracelet and weave in the beads. I also stitched on another row of beads and finished it with a robin's egg blue wood button. Very comfortable and light weight to wear, and quite Boho.


I pushed myself with this blog hop to try all different types of beading. I used beadweaving, wire wrapping, stringing, sewing and macrame. Perhaps I can come up with a few more ways to challenge myself since I still have beads left. Thanks Cindy for a lovely bead soup! 


Check out all the other beaders (here) participating in this first reveal.

Freedom Fridays: Peyote with Spirit Bead

Recently I received a large hat-full of beach glass from my sister-in-law who had been visiting the Maine Coast. She pulled out a small aqua piece of glass and asked if I could make something with it? Hmm, it is pretty small. So this might take some creativity to figure out how to include this.


At the time I had been working on a beaded bracelet and she commented on how much she liked the blue colors of the beads. So I thought I'd try to combine the two. Originally I tried a beaded bezel around the piece of glass, but it is simply too small and left very little of the glass to see once complete. Ok, so scratch that. I also considered gluing a silver piece with a loop on the glass that I had used recently on beach glass pendants. The only problem was that the leaf design on the piece would have covered the entire surface of the glass. So I created my own hammered silver to wrap around the glass and glue into place. I decided to use it as a charm hanging off a custom hammered silver toggle. I wanted to create a special piece for her to remember her trip back East this summer that she could wear and remind her of her time both at the Maine shore and her time with us up in the Adirondacks.

The other design element I used was the Native American tradition of peyote and a spirit bead. I've been enjoying reading a book I recently picked up by David Dean called Beading in the Native American Tradition. It is a fabulous book that takes you through all of the various bead stitches used by the American Indian tribes like: gourd stitch (peyote), the Comanche stitch (brick), lane stitch (from the Cheyenne, Crow and Sioux) and loop stitch (Cheyenne), running stitch (Crow). Just to name a few.


Specifically he talks about Peyote and the origin of the stitch. The stitch is also called the Church design. Native American's used beaded feathers (gourd stitch that wrapped around the handles) as part of the peyote ceremony that involved prayer and the peyote cactus as sacrament. The bead stitch associated with their 'church' rituals was said to be done in the 'peyote' style. 


The other tradition used by Native American beaders was to include a 'spirit bead.'  This tradition dates as far back as 800 A.D. and served as talismans against threat.  The spirit bead is one that stands apart from the rest of the pattern; sometimes a bead of a different color. Native Americans believed that each piece should contain an intentional mistake (or spirit bead) somewhere within the pattern because humans cannot achieve perfection. If we attempt perfection it could be bad luck. And the spirit world would not enter into anything that was flawless. So a spirit bead was sewn in among the others to provide a flaw where the spirit could enter and flow through the beadwork. A spirit bead is a reminder anything created by human hands cannot be perfect. These Native American beaders would intentionally include a wrong colored bead as a way to honor the Great Spirit and express humility. 

Thursday Favorites: Nielloware From Mom

When I was a girl my mother had a necklace that I always loved. It was of a dancing lady that I found so pretty and exotic. Years later my mother gave me the piece and I noticed that it said "Siam Sterling" on the back. I new that it came from Thailand, and that it must have come from the Mid Century time frame given the silver stamping. But that was all that I really knew about it. 

A quick search online identified it as Nielloware. Specifically it is vintage sterling silver (c. 1940s, Siam). The process involves first engraving the silver design, then carving out background areas which are then filled in with a sulfur power mixture. The piece is baked at very high temperatures and then polished. The final step is to re-engrave the silver. In Thailand it is call khruang thom. This process dates back hundreds of years, and was especially popular in the 13th and 15th centuries in places like Russia, India, Japan as well as Thailand. 

Nielloware became popular in the US from the 1950s to 1970s when it was introduced by US servicemen during the Vietnam war who sent jewelry home to their sweethearts. My father was in the Airforce during this time, and no doubt how it ended up in my mom's jewelry box.

The woman on the piece from my mother is known as Mekkala, the Goddess of Lightning (an atmospheric diva whose power comes from the gem in her hand which creates lightning) ... one of the many mythological characters that show up on Nielloware. Mekkala plays an important role In Thai's version of The Ramakien (Hindu legend of Ramayama). The story is told through dancers with elaborate costumes and masks. It is about a prince, his wife, his parents (the King and Queen of Siam) and the evil King of Ceylon. The prince struggles with mortal flaws to endeavor to find the right path. Mekkala steps in and helps the young prince at one point in the story when he is struggling in the waves after the wreck of his ship. She carries him in her arms back to his home. Your usual epic. 

For me this piece of jewelry reminds me of being a young girl and sneaking into my mother's jewelry to marvel at the things inside the box.

BTW: Herringbone

I have been on a bead weaving kick lately. After joining the 'Time to Stitch' blog hop, I've been pushing myself to do more bead weaving, and one stitch that I've been avoiding is herringbone. I had tried it a few times, but couldn't quite get the hang of it. But this time around I pushed myself to just keep going, and found that this is actually a fun stitch once you get going. 


I got hung up on how to finish the bracelet. I wanted to use a ribbon clamp, but that is tricky with glass beads. While of course I tried it, I broke several beads in the process. Sigh. Right, rip out, restring a couple of rows, and start again. Yes, a clamp with glass beads is a bad idea.


I decided that perhaps if I stitched some suede at the end of each side of the bracelet it just might work with the crimps. Okay, now we're talking. But I didn't like how the thread stitching looked on the suede, and so I added florets of beads just at the edge.


The other hurdle I found was trying to keep the toggle short. Given the size of the crimps; I thought it would look too awkward with a large, or long toggle. I decided to create my own eye and hook closure. It was easy to make, and turned out to work quite well. So, that is what is on my bead table this week.

Polyvore: Spanish Flare

I keep hearing about Polyvore, and I decided that I needed to figure out what this was all about. So I played around with the site, loaded up some images of my jewelry, sifting through various outfits and 'clipped' a Hobo clutch for my first collage. The earrings are ones that I made in reverse colors. The first is with white amethyst and pearls, and the second is onyx. Both use a marcasite connector.

Clearly I'm going to need some practice before they start looking like some of the amazing ones I've seen on people's blogs. And obviously I'll have to change my jewelry photography to a white background. But this could be kinda fun. Any tips for a newbie to Polyvore? Let me know ....

Spanish Flare by antiquity-travelers featuring christian louboutin sandals

Blog Hop: Wizard of Oz

One of my favorite movies when I was a kid was the Wizard of Oz. I would beg my parents to let me stay up and watch the whole thing. Oh, the days before we had VCRs, DVRs or VOD. I loved Munchkinland and those lollypop guys, Glenda the good witch and the guy that popped his head out the door when they arrived at the Emerald City. And I would scream every time those flying monkeys showed up, or when the wicked witch would shake those bony fingers at Dorothy. I had nightmares for weeks about witches outside my window. But there was a large tree beside the house whose branches would scratch at the window during a storm. Great sound effects for nightmares.


A few weeks ago Linda at Old Baggs 'n Stuffed Shirts asked people to join in a blog hop and tell people what we love about the Wizard of Oz. I had to think about that for awhile since it would be hard to narrow it down to just one thing to use as inspiration. But I realized that my absolute favorite part of the movie was when Glenda told Dorothy "you've always had the power to go home, just tap your heels together three times..." Those ruby slippers were amazing and I wanted a pair. The whole movie is dripping with morals, but the one that hit me between the eyes is that life is all about what lens you choose to look through. Kinda deep for me... when I was eight.


So for my project I decided to make something that was ruby red and sparkly. I found some faceted garnets that I paired with small hematite rounds. I finished the piece with a gorgeous marcasite clasp. I love working with marcasite... it just says deco-vintage style to me (the movie was made c. 1939). What girl wouldn't want to wear this bracelet with a pair of those ruby slippers?


My youngest agreed to model my sparkly bracelet for you all. She even put on her special party dress that flares up when she twirls. And who doesn't love a good twirl in a dress?! She also decided to show off our rose of sharon which is going bananas in this heat. She noticed that the inside color matched the bracelet perfectly. I'm guessing that this bracelet makes its way onto her dresser in the near future.


Check out all the other bloggers talking about the Wizard of Oz today. You can find them here on Linda's blog:

BTW: Playing with String

I have seen lots of tutorials lately for fun wrap, or slide bracelets. And as I looked through the patterns, it seemed like it should be pretty easy to make any one of of these styles. At least that is what I thought before I got started. As easy as it looks, I think it is going to take more practice before I really get the hang of it! 


I decided to give a couple of the patterns a try. I started with medium sized wooden beads. I like this pattern with the darker twine becoming part of the pattern itself. My tension needed practice, and so I decided that maybe I should try a slightly larger bead. I moved on to porcelain flat rounds. While I like the look of this, when it is lying flat, it is tricky to keep the beads flat when beading. This also can make the pattern uneven.


I did try various types of twine or thread ranging from stiff twine, to pliable cord to waxed beading thread. I think I prefer the later to work with, which is what I used on the final slide knot style. While I had more luck with this pattern, I will say I ripped out the slide knot at least 3-4 times before I felt like I understood how to make this closure. I used to do a lot of macrame when I was a kid, and this pattern reminds me of some of the classic knots and wraps. So that's what's on my beading table at the moment. Just some practice pieces. I'd love any tips or tricks from the 'stacked and wrapped' crowd out there!

Shop Talk: Working with Beach Glass

My brother and his family recently spent a few days on the coast of Maine relaxing, swimming in the ocean and beach combing. When they arrived at our place I was handed a hat-full of beach glass they found along the Atlantic Ocean. Literally in a hat. 

Some of the more interesting pieces are full bottoms to bottles, which help identify where the glass came from. However it is far to heavy for me to use for jewelry even as a pendant for a necklace. So I was focused to the smaller shards in the bottom of the hat. 

I had a chat with several shops to try to figure out how to use the beach glass. I explored the option of drilling the glass, but decided that it sounded like quite an operation to set up a drill station. I was told I'd need to do the drilling with flowing water. There just isn't any place in my house where I could set that up; not without taking over a bathroom.

A bead store suggested I try a specialized glue (E-6000; industrial strength craft adhesive). I also picked up a silver leaf pendant loop, which are designed specifically for gluing as they have a grid pattern on the back to hold the glue in place. After one day the glue is set. 

Lastly, I polished the glass. Some people prefer the rough look of the tumbled beach glass, but I had a tip that if I used just a dab of mineral oil it would give the glass a bit of luster. You can see above 2 pieces of the same glass: one with mineral oil (the finished pendant) and one without. Also in the 3 necklaces; the center aqua blue glass is not polished. I think I'm going to do this one as well ... once the glue sets. I took the picture while it was still drying, but you can see it is very sturdy glue. So how do you prefer to work with beach glass? Wire wrapping or gluing? Polished or rough and tumbled?

Thursday Favorites Blog Hop: African Opal

I know I've written about African Opal before, but I can't help mention it again as one of my favorites. The color patterns and ability to match this stone seem endless. The bracelet highlighted is paired with black freshwater pearls and hematite. But I have also paired this stone with sandstone and coral. Each pattern has a completely different feel ... the sandstone version was warm, and this one has almost a cool marble look to it.

I made this bracelet a while back for a friend and I had barely finished tying up the last knot when she had claimed it and stuck it in her bag. Close friends do that sometimes. I always try to get a nice picture of each project, but in this case ... well. However, she asked me the other day if I would swap out the clasp. She isn't liking the magnetic closure for some reason. So I'll play around with another closure. But in the meantime this piece is back on my bead table, and getting it's chance to be photographed.


THE MEANING OF THE STONE:

Energy: ease the process of change (or perhaps 'the' change)  
Mystical Property: opal is a stone of inspiration that enhances imagination and creativity (note to self: must get more of this stone)
Divinatory Meaning: said to help one be 'invisible' in situations where you'd prefer not to be noticed (feeling a tad Harry Potter with his invisibility cloak)
Zodiac: (water signs) Opal is a silicate, containing water, which correlates to emotions: it clarifies by mirroring feelings, frees visualization, clears imagination and provides vivid dreams. I'm a Pisces, which I guess explains my love of this stone.

Inspiration Board: Adirondacks

We've just returned from our time in the Adirondacks, or as we call it 'camp.' It is a wonderful place to unplug and forget about all the things that stress you out at home. One of the favorite places is sitting on the dock watching the water and the kids swim. It is just stunning.

I did get the chance to work on quite a few projects, so I'll be posting them over the next week or two. This is the first one, Antique Pearl Cuff, which is finally completed. The pearls in the cuff were my Mom's. Nothing too fancy, just nice glass pearls. I finished up the pearl cuff with antique mother-of-pearl buttons. I found these in a forgotten sewing machine drawer at my mother-in-law's. I'll bet they were there for 50+ years! So they were a nice finish to the bracelet. I added a simple beaded loop to hold it in place and it seemed to come together nicely. 








I thought I'd leave a little Adirondack inspiration board for anyone stuck at work in this heat! It's Monday, I'm back and work, and will be thinking of sitting at the dock.


What patterns do you dream when you've got the luxury of a lazy day?

Kreativ Blogger

Thank you to Marcela at FASHIONADICTAS for giving me this award! I was so surprised to get this from Marcela as I regularly visit her blog and think - "WOW! how does she come up with such inspiration?" Her blog is one of my 'must stop' to visit each week. It is an amazing mash up of gorgeous art and inspiring fashion that blends into one amazing exhibit. If you haven't seen her blog; you are missing a truly unique art form.


When you receive this award, there are a few rules:
1. Post a link to the person who awarded you 
2. Share 7 well-thought out random things about yourself
3. Award to 10 other deserving bloggers and let them know


So first, the 7 random things about me:
1. I prefer to go to the beach when the wind blows sideways. I grew up on the Oregon Coast and always had to throw on a sweater to go down to the beach.
2. I love the rain. Yes, Oregon is a part of that, but I find it so relaxing and a perfect excuse to bead.
3. My favorite tea is Russian Caravan. It has a smoky flavor to it and it reminds me of being at camp.
4. I went to the CCA (California Culinary Academy) so I could learn how to cook international cuisines. I do love to cook. 
5. I prefer the winter, even tho I don't ski. But I love to walk in the fresh snow and hear only the crunch of the snow and clean smell of the cold air.
6. I love to make jewelry, but I rarely wear any of it. Strange I know.
7. Some day I want to sell my house and just travel with my husband. 


It was hard for me to narrow it down to just 10 other bloggers, but this is my list and a brief reason why I am passing the award to you (alphabetical because I could not possibly put these in order!):


1. ALL THE PRETTY THINGS I am a huge collector of patterns, and I've enjoyed Alicia's tutorials
2. BEADED TAIL I get such a giggle out of this blog. We get to see life through the eyes of pets, which us readers have come to love. The outpouring for Sadie was amazing. While I never met Sadie; I sure wish I had because I'm convinced we would have got on famously.
3. BIKBIK & RORO Janice's treasuries are simply gorgeous. They are beautifully done, and always give me great ideas. And she makes the cutest kid toys!
4. DUNI'S STUDIO Just a lovely blog to visit each week and see what she's been sewing, or teaching, or setting up for a tea party! It makes me smile each time.
5. FASHION THRILL This is one of my favorite fashion blogs. Palmi has a great perspective on life, fashion, travel and living. It all seems to come through in her sunny attitude!
6. MISS VAL'S CREATIONS Val's posts are a great wrap up to the week. We see her garden, her travels, new recipes and always a lovely beading project ... and the occasional commentary on celeb garb!
7. NEW END STUDIO Gloria writes about pretty much anything and everything. She's got a great journalistic style that I love to read. A must stop for me.
8. PRETTY THINGS Not only is Lori an amazing beader, but she is one of those people out there setting up events, encouraging you to just try and making us newbies a little more comfortable around all that talent. I also was truly amazed by Lori's ability to talk about some difficult stuff that we all go through. Thanks for letting us in Lori.

9. THERESE'S TREASURES Theresa is the equivalent of a huge hug in the blogoshere. She is always encouraging people to just get out there and bead. And bead she does - beautifully!

10. THE STUDIO SUBLIME I have been blown away by the shear talent of Sally's beadwork. It is unique and stunning.

Bead Soup: The Beads are Here

Lori Anderson is hosting her 6th Bead Soup Party, and everyone is sending out beads to their partners. Mine came over the weekend while I was up in Montreal for Canada Day.  When I got back I saw the package on the table. I was so excited to open it up. I mean who doesn't love getting a package; and one full of beads! 


Lori had paired me up with Cindy Wilson over at Mommy's Dream. When I got Lori's notice, I promptly went over to Cindy's Etsy site and discovered, much to my delight, that she works with shells and seaglass. I recently brought home a number of shells from New Zealand and wanted to send a few of those to her. I also got a stash of seaglass from a cousin stationed down in Cuba. So I knew that I wanted to send a few pieces of these to her as well.


I got the note from Lori hours before heading out the door for our annual family trip up to 'North Country' where we go every summer to spend time in the Adirondacks. No TV. Just swimming, kayaking and hiking. So I grabbed my stash for Cindy and headed out the door. I mailed it from the Adirondacks, and happily she mailed mine to me in the Adirondacks! This way I didn't have to wait until getting back home. So very thoughtful of her!   


What a gorgeous bead soup to work with! She included this pretty inlay shell pendant with rich browns, which I LOVE. 


And seaglass! I particularly like the larger ones as they are thin and will be great to work with. 


I've already started thinking through patterns. And I wanted to give just a super quick, sneak peak ... here is just the start of the piece I'm working on. More to come when we reveal our projects, so check back in a week or two.