Sometimes Simple is Best...

I had a pair of pretty crystal heart beads - kept them for a long time, since they always reminded me of a lovely girl who tragically passed away.

After a time, I came across them again, and it just seemed right to make them into a pair of earrings for my friends's Mom....who is also a dear friend. I didn't think they needed any further embellishment, so I just put them on large silver jump rings and let them shine as is.

Here they are:

I love that the picture shows how these pretties have an inner glow - and I know they'll be so pretty when worn!

Some More Goodies

My, it sure is easy to let time get away from me! Been way too long since I posted....partly because of all that's going on....and partly because I'm trying to learn more about Photoshop...which I'm finding has a steep learning curve!

But I digress.....a while back I had seen a necklace using graduated lengths of chain as a foundation.....I really liked the look, and decided to use it to see what I could come up with...I used some really pretty pastel Antique Rose Swarovski bicone crystal beads, and as a focal piece, a little silver dragonfly. I love dragonflies, and this just set the whole design off!
So....here is the result:

Looks so pretty hanging from the silver plated chain.....and is just lovely when worn - really attracts attention!

Of course, such a pretty piece deserves a pair of earring to go with it....so out came more crystal beads, and a couple more dragonflies....suspended on bits of chain....a perfect complement!

I am trying hard to get back into a 'crafting routine' - spending a bit of time out in the studio each (or most) day.....and there's more to show you...so stay tuned!

Getting Back Into It...

Wow - time flies! Can't believe the weeks have flown by...but I have been trying to get back in the crafting groove....

Have some crochet projects ready for photos....scanning them just won't work, and I want to be able to give the pattern instructions for at least one of them....so stay tuned on that...

Meantime, on the jewelry front, I have done a bit more - using only what I have on hand. Amazing what you find when you start looking in all those little drawers in my 'organizers'...lol!

I found some really cool faceted teardrop beads in one of those drawers, in a very deep dark blue....and just had to see what I could do with them....and trying to not be so precise with things....think a little out of the box on them. These beads are what are called "briolettes" in that they are side drilled near the top, and that presents a different challenge when creating the loop to attach to a finding. My solution this time was to take the long tail (left deliberately) from making the loop and continuing to wrap the wire down the top of the bead....and letting it wrap as it wanted, rather than forcing 'neatness'. I rather like how they turned out....

Here are the earrings:

Of course, I decided that these earrings really needed a necklace to go with them....hanging from a delicate long-and-short silvery chain, with a lobster clasp. Lovely!

More later.... can't wait to share with you!!

Crafts and the Chemo-brain...

Odd title that....but in my astonishment that - it has been since November since I posted here, that is the explanation.

About that calendar time last year I was blindsided by the diagnosis of B-cell Lymphoma, a very treatable, tho uncurable, form of blood cancer. 'Nuff said about that....it you'd like to read about that particular journey of mine...you can check it out here:

Raindrops N Sunbeams

This figures into my craft blog here in a rather disconcerting way....but I am working my way through that too. Besides the fatigue and general lack of energy that kept me from pursuing my crafts, there were unexpected side effects from some of the meds that are interfering too. I have discovered it is harder to concentrate, to focus for a long period of time....and that gets so frustrating - it was just easier to not start. Then a new wrinkle...one of the meds can (not always - temporary hopefully - but maybe not) give one that 'tingly' - waking up after being asleep feeling in my feet and fingers. The feet tingling is a mere annoyance, and I have not problem just ignoring it....but the finger thing....which extends to the fingertips....that became a problem.

I love beading....and especially beading with Delica beads....and they are tiny. Ever tried to pick one of those up when your fingers are kinda numb and tingly at the same time. Uh...doesn't work too well. So, for a time, I just left the beading and wirework - meaning most of my jewelry making alone for a time....and concentrated on healing and doing things that didn't involve small beads...lol!

That mostly was knitting and crocheting...there were several baby afghans to be made...and projects for myself (gasp!) that I'd just never finished...this was the time for that! So I have enjoyed doing that and learning to deal with the little glitches as I go along. You may see a couple (or more) original crochet designs on here a little later....I'm exploring making up my own patterns for things...kinda fun!

Lately tho, I have gotten the yen to get back in the studio and try working with some of my larger beads....not ready yet to tackle the Delicas again yet....but it's coming..I can tell! So, I've cleaned up the studio again ( a never-ending story) - and got out some sparkly beads....some pretty gemstone beads, and some cool glass coin beads....and came up with a few new things....and I like them!

First...the sparkly! A dear friend having 'gifted' me with some lovely crystal beads....I decided to see what I could put together...and combining them with some silvery bead caps and cool chain....came up with this:

These crystals are a light sapphire blue, with silver bead caps, and 4mm bi-cone crystals added as an embellishment. Turned out nice, I think!

My friend who 'gifted' me will shortly be 'gifted' back with these!

Another friend had given me some chandelier earring findings - not something I have ever gotten into....but since she was so kind to do this, I decided to see what I could find to add to the findings that would be pretty and 'summery'. Here's what evolved...

These are light green agate beads, with tiny light green crystal beads atop them, attached to the chandelier findings.

Lastly, I had earlier made myself some pretty earrings out of some blue glass discs - and had always wished I had made a necklace to match....so here was my chance! Alternating the blue discs with the chain worked out really well - and I am loving the result! Can't wait to wear them together! No picture yet of the earrings - but I will get one and post it here....meantime, here is the necklace:

I may re-do this whole thing later......but here tis for now...

Stayin' Out Of The Wind and Rain!

The weather is absolutely terrible - so it was a perfect time to race for the studio (getting wet in the process!) and play while the wind howled!

I got out all my bugle beads, seed beads, and dagger beads, just to see what I had - and was astonished at how many different places I had stashed them! And here I thought I was fairly organized....hoo boy - embarrassing!

Moving right along - have far fewer bugle beads than the others - have daggers with no matching seed beads...but....there were enough to spark my imagination for a couple of new (well, more than that, but that's all I had time for!).

I cranked up the radio and the heater....and sat down with the beads....first my favorite color, blue...with a combination of clear transparent color, and opaque pearly color - and the fringe earring pattern that I know by heart...oh, so pretty!!

Then I looked at the green....and there sat the ones I disliked a LOT last time I tried this - but looking at them again - I know why - the color 'tones' don't match, so the whole pattern just doesn't hold together visually. With that in mind, I picked some really pale green pearly seed beads (Ceylon finish, I think), and frosted white bugle beads. The dagger beads I had were the same tone as the seed beads, so they looked good! This combination really appealed to me - the pale shade of green, and the matte white bugles...nice!

I have one more new combination I'm going to try - brought them in to work on tonight - and the mind is percolating about my 'verse purse' - next project to re-visit!

Here's today's goodies:

are they not very pretty?? Course you have to like pastel colors...lol!

and here's the green version:

Next version, I'm going to try a wider, longer version...in more favorite colors... stay tuned!

Amazing What You Find....

Even though I have not been terribly active doing jewelry and crafts - I have been VERY busy! Happy to say that all Christmas presents that needed making are all done - just need boxes and wrapping - good feeling that!

I also have joined a couple of groups here on the net. I have always wanted to do a bit of 'giving back' with my crafts - but never could find a good way to do that. Now I have found not one, but two! I first found a site through reading another crafting blog - called Heartmade Blessings - they have a group of people (like me) who make afghan squares in colors and sizes that are requested. They make afghans for anyone going through a crisis - from families of soldiers who gave their lives, to chemo patients, to anything that an afghan would let the recipient know they are cared for. It is a good feeling to contribute to this effort.

I then found another site, called "Hero-ghans" - and this one is for families of those in our armed services who have died in service to our country. Done in patriotic colors, and according to their rules - on this one you let them know what you have ready - and then fill a request. The notes received back from the families are touching - and such rich payment for very little effort.

On both of these sites, you identify your square with a tag, giving your name and location - how neat to receive one of these afghans and see how many different people and places contributed to it!

Changing gears....today I did get some time out in my studio, and started looking through the beads I have on hand. I found the prettiest crystal star beads from Rings N Things that I had totally forgotten I had! Resisting the impulse to complicate it....I decided to just make a simple dangle....and oh, how I like it!

Took a long head pin, slid on the pretty little star, and then some sparkly crystal Delica beads - and that was it! Simple, and very pretty!

Here they are (did I tell you I finally got my trusty scanner working again on my studio laptop? Yay and Yay!!):

and a close up of the star....so sparkly!

I'm calling these my "Star of Bethlehem" earrings - seemed the best name for them!

More to come.....stay tuned!

Wow - since August??

Well, I know it's been a while - but that truly surprised me. But then, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then....

I, in a word, got disenchanted - I had spread out my crafts among WAY too many venues - and for whatever reasons, none of them were doing anything much. A few people looked, some even commented - and it wasn't that I didn't like what I put out there - I love every single design. But...enough is enough!

I dumped them - all of them. Well - except for this blog and the website (with very little on it) that shares the name with the blog. Quit Etsy, Artfire, ByMe, Handmade....and those that I cannot even remember (you know you are stretched too thin when you can't remember them all). Took a bit of time to do that.

Then I did more thinking....why is it that I seem to be 'forever learning' - that I am a 'jack of all trades, but master of none?' I am just so fascinated by all the techniques and materials out there....I just want to try them all! I still do! So...what to do, what to do??

Should I just continue with trying out all the things I can (and I have a LOT of 'stuff' to experiment with) - or try and pick one and become very proficient at that. Do any of you have that problem? Am I the only one doing this? Lol! Maybe I am (please leave me a comment if you are....would be nice to know I'm not alone in this!)

So...for now...I'm picking an area - and then I'm revisiting what I've already done with it....and then try new things - to become more proficient...and explore other ways to use it!

So...I'm back....with camera in hand (need to build a light box) - so stay tuned for whatever it is that I decide to try first!