I'm ready for spring!

Right now, as I look out the window, the sky is gloomy, and overcast, and it's been raining off and on all day. I long for green grass, brightly colored flowers, and my vegetable garden! So with that in mind, I made these two pieces the other day, and both are listed in my Etsy shop.

These earrings were inspired by the photograph for March in our Arizona Highways 2011 calendar. It was a macro-photograph with large fuchsia flowers, smaller orange flowers, with green foliage and small cream colored flowers. They aren't colors I would traditionally mix together, but I thought it came out beautifully! (and they aren't heavy either!)

I really love the color combination of brown and light blue, and continuing in my floral mood, I created this bracelet! I've had the light blue glass round beads for months, and hadn't used them yet, so I mixed the clay color to match. It's like getting flowers, jewelry, and chocolate all in one package! It's strung on stretch cord so it's really easy to wear.

I've been down with The Plague for the last 2 weeks, but I have more ideas in my head for flower beads, because I love them, and they are FUN! They are surprisingly easy to make, so I'll try to post my process when I make the next ones.

The first day of Spring is in one week, and you'd better believe I have my countdown set!!

Something new

Sometimes, I really get the itch to try out a new clay technique. I had been wanting to try out making these little embroidery-style flowers for a while, and recently, I had my chance! I made the pendant below on a light silver base, with rhinestone centers. It was actually easier than I had anticipated. (It also sold very quickly out of my store!)


I wanted to make MORE in that style, so with the Pink Variscite stone from my grab bag in mind, I created the beads below today.
I'll line the whole necklace out tomorrow, but I think I might need some smaller turquoise beads to go with it. I'll have to go through my stash in the morning. I like the gold with it, because it looks really great with the green, especially... I've had all of these Vermeil spacers sitting around for almost a year, but I think they will work well in this project.

Time for another Giveaway!

In honor of my second anniversary selling on Etsy, I thought it was time to do a giveaway! I made this necklace mostly from components from my grab bag (it's a pretty simple piece), and I really like it! A crystal heart and pink rose hang from a silver-plated link with flowers on it, and that all hangs on leather and ribbon. The leather/ribbon is approximately 18" long, and closes with a barrel clasp. The dangle/pendant is about 2.5" long.

Here's how you can win: leave me a comment telling me your favorite thing about spring. You can earn additional entries by blogging about the giveaway (just leave me a link in another comment), or tweeting it (again, leave a link!). I'll be choosing a winner on March 7. Good luck!

Grab Bag Challenge!

I was actually able to use MOST of the items that came in my grab bag from Auntie's Beads in just one piece:

This is a 2 strand stretch bracelet, with silver plated acrylic roses, 2 framed paisley prints, and multiple chinese crystal charms. There is also a little swarovski butterfly hidden in there! EVERYTHING in this bracelet, with the exception of the stretch cord, came from the grab bag.

I used a few other things for a necklace, which will be posted later today for a giveaway in honor of my 2nd Etsy-versary (TODAY!!). I have a design planned for the beautiful pink Variscite stone, but I have to make the beads to go with it. I've gotten a little behind due to a cold that is making the rounds in our house this week.

If you want to purchase that bracelet, or anything else, enter the code SECOND at checkout for 20% off your purchase!