by Cindy on November 20, 2007
Hello sweet bead studio friends!
Remember the colorful bracelet that I featured just the other day? It was inspired by this necklace. And what inspired this necklace? About a month ago I saw a friend/neighbor that I had not seen in a long time. She was wearing a long, simple necklace. And very colorful. I thought…..hmmm, I wonder how I could put a real spin on the concept of using mixed, colorful beads. I knew I wanted to add as much wirework as I could throw in. I found carved stone beads, wood, Thai silver and of course a bit of lampwork. I had the most eclectic mix laid out and went to town figuring out ways to lay out this crazy mix of beads that I had selected.
Once I finished the necklace (and I tell you it was really a labor of love because it took me so long), I put it in the tumbler and it was polished to a high shine. When I looked at the finished piece I knew something just wasn’t right. I couldn’t figure out if it was just the variety of bead styles and color that was too much or what. I decided to rely on a trusty trick. I oxidized the piece and brought it to a super dark gray state. I then polished it link by link with fine gauge steel wool. Then back in the tumbler it went….and when it came out I was very happy. That my friends, is how this necklace came to be. And I have a confession: I made two so that I could keep one for myself! I have worn it already with so many things….it’s my favorite accessory of the moment. 🙂
by Cindy on November 19, 2007
My weekend was great! It was a busy one. On Saturday I was at the Holiday Craft Fair at TJ High School all day. I really liked sharing a table this time around with a friend. Chrissie and I had fun arranging our display, and then looking through one another’s jewelry. We discussed whose lampwork beads or gauge of wire was used in a piece, or what color crystals we chose. What a way a way to pass the day…talking jewelry! There are very few people in my life that I share this passion with, so you can imagine how fun it was to be enmeshed in the topic for the day! It was great to meet the “vendors” at the show. We compared notes with other jewelry designers, and enjoyed the company of the ladies on either side of our table. One created stained glass pieces and dichroic glass pendants. On the other side was this great mother-daughter team. One crocheted and the other knit. I’ll have to show you a picture of my purchase from them. These are the kinds of people you would hope to meet again at another craft show. Too bad I am not doing anymore this year….I’m considering what shows I’d like to do in the Spring. Hopefully Chrissie will join me again then!Here are a few pieces that were finished recently. The first is a purse charm/clip. I’ve been wanting to make something fun like this for a while but never got around to it…something whimsical to add to a tote bag or purse. This one was bought at the show as a gift for a sister.
I just love how this next bracelet turned out! It’s nice combination of color, not the colors I would normally work with. I especially like the stone with the woven wire as well as the large Tibetan silver-capped bead (I’ve been saving that bead for just the right thing). The bracelet was oxidized, polished and then tumbled. Wait ’til you see the complementary necklace!
by Cindy on November 14, 2007
This weekend I’m going to participate in the Seventh Annual Holiday Extravaganza Craft Festival. This will be my first time showing at this craft fair, and I’m looking forward to it! I will be sharing a table with my fellow jewelry-making friend Chrissie. If you are in the area, please come by. Here is the info: Thomas Jefferson High School for Information and Technology (6560 Braddock Rd., Alexandria), November 17th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
I have been busy creating new jewelry pieces for the show. I’ve had fun working with rich, autumn colors and trying a few new techniques. I was especially happy to incorporate a bead style that I had been wanting to try for some time. Some of you may recognize the “Twisted Tornado” style beads popularized by the artist Lisa Niven Kelly. There’s a bit of everything here from wood and pearls to crystal and glass. Here are a few pieces that I hope to put in the sweet bead studio shop before the show.
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