Advance Goodie Sneak Peek!

I know I promised a tutorial - which I will be doing - got put off today because we had to do some hospital visiting - and that takes precedence. Just part of being a pastor's wife - along with being a crafter, Mom, Grandma, and all the other jobs I juggle every day!

So...to make up for that - I have a pair of earrings that I managed to put together while waiting for 17 tapes to load onto my laptop (for another of my Master's degree courses) - and I love them!

I knew when I saw these black filigree beads - I had to have them...and couldn't wait to use them! They are tube beads, but all made of open work metal. They twirl around the silver head pin, giving the earrings movement and added interest. I teamed them up with some hematite beads from my stash.. and created what I am calling Black Filigree Earrings! Even though black is not normally a color I would wear - sometimes they just seem to fit! These do!

So here's your sneak peek....you're seeing it here even before it goes to my iCraft site!!

Any and all comments are welcome!!

Time Sure Flies!!

I really haven't been lying back, watching TV and eating bon-bons...honest! I have been busy as a bee putting things on my newest venture - iCraft.ca

So today I thought I'd back up a bit and put up pictures of some of the goodies that I have for sale there - and am preparing a tutorial on how I make my "...just because" cards.

So, without further ado, here's what I've been up to (what a terrible pun!)

I'm not as far behind as I thought! Here's a photo of my pretty lavender Flower Earrings - I just love these - they weigh nothing, and are one of my favorite colors!!

I tried something totally new to me....the idea in my head just wouldn't go away...to try actually 'drawing' something myself! I have a pot of chives on my back deck - and they started to go to seed - and I thought it would be neat to see what kind of flower they produced. I was so pleasantly surprised at the lavender-blue buds that turned into fuzzy flowers...so...that is what I drew!
I used colored pencils to draw them (and instantly wished I had 5o more colors!) and I'm very pleased with how the drawing turned out! I drew it on a piece of translucent sparkly vellum and embossed the edge with a pretty pattern. It is a cover page for a normal blank card - comments are welcome! I think I might be trying more of this!!

My last experiment was to make cards with some petit-point on the fronts of them. I just love the petit-point technique - which is really miniature needlepoint - and I've done them on perforated paper rather than fabric. I use Caron's Watercoulors fibers - and they are shaded, and produce a different effect each time I use them. I have been trying to think of a way to share these little works of art, and cards seem to be the perfect answer. These are the cards I am going to make a free tutorial on - in case you would like to try the technique. Even if you think miniature needlepoint would be tedious - these are so small, you'll be done before you're tired of doing it! Stay tuned on that!
Meantime - here's an example of one of the cards - and a close up:

You can read more about all these items on my icraft store - which is, of course, named "Studio 2:14" Check it out and tell me what you think!!

Trish's iCraft store: Studio 2:14

New Venue!!

Having tried a bunch of venues for selling my jewelry - I am, yet again, trying another. It is a Canadian site - but I don't think that matters all that much - I can choose the currency (good ole US dollars), and shipping to Canada is not any more than shipping within the U.S.

So....I'd love it if you would take a look - check out my things - help me spread the word! I am truly hoping this will work better for me than the other ones I've tried - time will tell!

Here's the link: Studio 2:14 on iCraft

Soon as I can find some widgets - I'll put them everywhere I can think of!! A happy start to Spring, I think!

Blue Teardrop!

Another beautiful bead I recently found is this blue teardrop - it is just big enough (for me!), and though they don't show up well in the photo, the entire surface of the teardrop is faceted - which makes it catch the light every time it moves!

I added a bit of wire-wrapping to the finding for a bit of silver interest, and suspended it on a sterling silver 24 inch Figaro chain. The necklace closes with a small lobster clasp.

You can capture this bit of 'rain' for yourself for a special price of $25.00, then watch the compliments roll in!

New Things!!

Finally had enough time to go and spend some in my studio....am playing around with a variety of different things.

First - a combo - I have these wonderful fine silver medallions - made from molds of antique buttons - that I have drilled (with difficulty) holes to hang them with - and tried combining it with a small square of peyote stitch Delica beads. I used a lovely shade of purple for the beading, then added more beads, alternating with sterling silver chain, also in purple - Delicas and larger beads - transparent version of the same shade - and I really like the whole effect! I added a sterling twisted silver circle toggle clasp to finish the necklace, which measures 21 inches - perfect length! Now I can't wait to try different colors!

Here is what I came up with! If you are so inclined - this lovely piece could be gracing your neck for a very attractive price of $30.00! Just send me an email at "tryshz at gmail dot com" without the quotes, and with the symbols instead of the words for them - and I'll reply quickly!

Next I tried some simple stringing - I had purchased a lovely bead (actually a couple of them), intending for them to be a focal bead - they are rectangular, and this one is a combination of cream and green, and is faceted - with a pretty matte finish. I added a green bead on the bottom to bring out the color, and then strung it on silver chain with a lobster clasp, measuring 19 inches. I quite like this look too. I am trying to come up with something special in earrings to go with this....will post them when I have them 'made'!

Here is my GreenNCream Necklace - which also is up for grabs - the perfect spring-like look, for a mere $25.00! Same drill - just shoot me an email at "tryshz at gmail dot com" - again taking out the quotes and putting in the symbols.

Much more to come......am using my afghan prize money to try new things - things I've wanted to do, but couldn't justify the cost......but now I can! Stay tuned!

De Prize, De Prize....It's Here!!

Color me excited! Today's mail brought a big fat ol' envelope from Caron International....I let it sit on the desk, just relishing the thought of what was inside....

When I couldn't stand it any longer, I ripped it open....and now there are a STACK of A.C. Moore Gift cards on my desk.....a stack!! I feel SO rich! It is going to be so much fun just deciding what it is I want to get....and then the even more fun to go and use those gift cards!!

What a genuine thrill this is for me - and I am so grateful to Caron and A.C. Moore for sponsoring the contest, and to all the wonderful people who voted over and over for my afghan - you made it all possible!!! THANK YOU!!

Now....off to start my lists....