Challenges and More Goodies

It was SO cool the other day to find the "Big Reveal" of all the folks who were part of the "Dream" challenge on A Creative Dream I was astounded at the variety of expressions of the prompt, and was thrilled to see my own creations there! Go over and take a look at all the wonderful things!

She also sent out the prompt for August - it is "Transition"....and I already have an idea to make for this one!

Meantime - even though I have lost the tumbler and my magnifying lamp - I donned a pair of 'Dollar Trees' glasses, and did a couple more variations on the Fringe earrings....here are a couple of different colors.....sans findings...they will eventually have sterling silver french earwires....but I wanted to share the beadwork now!

Then I had another idea.....born of necessity....I ran out of the little 'dagger beads' that form the 'fringe' part of the earrings - and thought.....hmmmmm...what if I replaced the dagger beads with 4mm Swarovski bicone crystal beads....so I did!

Here they are:

I am totally loving how this looks! Makes them a tad more expensive - adding the 14 crystal beads - but also upgrades the entire look, from casual to more elegant!

So that's the skinny from the studio today.....now, back to work on other things I put off to do this!

Show and Tell...

Not sure what is going on with my crafting equipment....the revenge of the machines? A few days ago, my tumbler quit....the little roller part that makes the tumbling chamber go round and round literally melted off. Guess it just couldn't stand the combination of the hours of tumbling, and the temperature of the studio when I'm not in there....gets right toasty!

So....no tumbling - no pretty copper jump rings shiny as a new penny....so that gets put on hold. I tried going back to the low-tech way of cleaning them up....salt and vinegar...but didn't get them clean and shiny enough for me to use....

Of course, the sites that sell the tumbler do NOT sell any replacement parts, even though the google search says they do...lol! Their idea of replacement parts is extra tumbling medium and rocks. Ummmm....no. Hoping my hubby can fix this and make it all new again!

Today, I went out to the studio....and there across my work station that I am using lay my lamp on its extension arm. Now this is not just a lamp....the lamp also has a large magnifying class in the center - makes it just marvelous to use to work on tiny things....my favorite kind of things...hmmmm....is there a message here? The block that holds the entire lamp, and clamps on to the counter top just split in half...or almost...it is split and bent at a very odd angle.....not gonna go back where it was.

But, I soldiered on....I promised a picture of the tiny dark iridescent blue pearl beads....guess they are what's called a 'potato' shape....kind of irregular....but that appeals to me. They are small - I forgot to put a dime or something in the picture to give it some kind of scale....but each one is about half the size of a pencil eraser....maybe a little smaller.
Here they are:

Open to any suggestions as to what I should make with these. This is only part of what I have....there are probably three times the amount shown in the picture. Can't wait to read what you think these beads should become!

Also....the person whose idea I decide to use will receive a pair of fringe earrings. And...for those who don't know what it is that I call 'fringe earrings' - here is a pair...I make several versions of these, but the basic shape and kind of beads is what is shown here....the pair shown are a pretty iridescent (love that shimmery color!) pinky-lavender...and the design is one of my favorites....

Here's your chance to own a pair of these - which normally sell for $15.00 - gratis! Free shipping too! Who can resist that? Bring on the suggestions!

As Promised.....More Earrings...

Finished up the green earrings - and they still don't appeal. Don't think it's the design though - I think I'm just not that fond of green! Or the combination of greens. Which makes me want to explore more green - find a way - combo -design that does appeal!

So...here they are - sans findings - didn't have a chance to get them attached - but wanted to get them out here...

Any thoughts out there? What could I do here?

Spring Earrings - Simple and Pretty!

I decided to try my hand at beading again - I have not touched my bead stash for a few months now - having detoured off in other directions - which I am still pursuing.

I wanted to make myself some simple and pretty earrings to celebrate spring (even if the weather just won't!). I had a dark blue pair of these, and decided to try them in different color combinations. They have a bit of a Native American flavor - maybe because of the fringe, or maybe the combination of bugle beads and seed beads - but I like it!

So here is the first combo - clear bugle beads, pale blue seed beads, and frosted blue dagger beads to finish the ends of the fringe. They are attached to sterling silver French earwires.

I'm half way done with a light/dark green combination - wanted them to be in one shade - light green, but didn't have any bugle beads in that color. May have to play around with the pattern and see what I come up with after I finish this pair.

OH! And if you're so inclined - and would like to purchase this pair - they can be yours for $10 plus $2 shipping. Just send me an email at tryshz at gmail dot com - replacing the words with appropriate symbols.

More to come...