Sunday, November 18, 2012

Progress

I've added off-white Howlite beads to the Vintaj flower I had altered with patinas, added a Vintaj chain and wire wrapped beads in the colors of the patina.  I like how it looks but think it needs something else to be finished...

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Orange

This necklace was based on a design by Lorelei Eurto published in Stringing magazine.  I made the pendant from polymer clay and imprinted SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY on it before baking.  I bent the piece of silver tubing around a bottle top and used a cut-off blade on my dremel tool to angle the edges.  I read Lorelei's blog several times a week.  She is very original in her mix of beads and designs.

Squares of Copper


This was fun to make, winding the copper wire around a square piece of wood.  I've never worn it, not quite my style.  I would like to give it an antique finish and different beads inside the squares.... maybe then.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Upcycling

I like to make jewelry from other pieces of jewelry, either things I no longer wear, bargains at the department store, or thrift shop finds.  These simple earrings were made with silver links from a necklace I owned.  It was easy to attach a wire wrapped bead and ear wire.  Quick and easy!

Vintaj Patina's by Ranger

Can't sleep so one more post...

I was excited to try the new Patina's Vintaj sells along with their brass jewelry components. 

First I used the patina on a filigree flower from Vintaj.  I combined colors from the Rusted Hardware set along with the Weathered Copper set.  I am in the process of adding some beads to the piece and then will use it in a necklace.


My other project was a vintage flower pin from Avon.  It was a bright shiny gold with the large rhinestone center.  I didn't care for the gold so I went over the surface with all 3 colors of the Weathered Copper set.  The flower now looks rustic and casual.  I will probably use it as a pin on a purse or scarf. 


It was fun experimenting and I'm sure I'll do more with the patina's.




Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Since October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to make pink earrings for my co-workers.  I did complete 3 pair, not enough, but maybe by next year....

The long dangling pair with the pink sequins are upcycled from Goodwill.  I removed a large pink bead that was above the dangles and added new black earwires.

The round silver pair on the right have a lot of bling and seem fit for royalty.  I think they are fun looking.

On the 3rd pair I bent vining bead caps to fit around a diagonal plastic bead.  They are nice and light.


The cut crystal glass was a wedding gift from my husband's sister and spouse who purchased it while stationed in Germany....  29 years ago.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Latest Work

I saw a bracelet similar to this in Bead Trends magazine and knew I had some great beads to use in this type of design. The blue beads I used are a dyed stone.  I also liked that it used Vintaj jump rings, bead caps and clasp as I really like the look of antique brass.
The silly owl bell modeling the bracelet below I got at St. Vinnie's on a treasure hunt.  He actually does ring!  Stamped 1978 Enesco on the inside.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Purple & Green


Another reason to show off my little green vase!

This 3 strand bracelet uses czech glass beads.  My lengths aren't quite the same so I think I will redo it but it will look the same hanging!  The magnetic clasp isn't quite strong enough either.  All components came from Hobby Lobby. 


Icy Glass



Made this necklace and earrings from a vintage necklace.  The vintage version also had round white glass beads that I thought looked cheap.  The clear beads have a swirl of white within them.  They remind me of ice.  I used antique copper small round spacers, bead caps and clasp.  I love the green glass vase below!