Whats Old is New Again Artbeads Challenge

When Duchess of Artbeads contacted me about the latest blogging challenge, I was perplexed! I looked through my stash and just didn't find anything that inspired me. Then I remembered a tin of goodies I inherited from my Grandmother. I searched through it and found a little pin. The pin back was broken, and the bezel was dented, but in my eyes, it was perfect! I remember this pin from when I was a little girl. I have no history for it. I don't really know anything about it, except its really sweet and I like it! So here it is, I have entitled my piece "Something Blue".

In this piece, I used Swarovski White Pearls in both 3mm and 4mm sizes, 2mm and 4mm Swarovski Round crystals in the color Indigo, Antique Brass chain, bronze size 15 seed beads, an Antique brass trigger clasp, Antique brass Headppin, and an Antique Brass Pearl Swarovski Pear shaped bead. I love Swarovski pearls and find myself using them quite frequently in my designs. I loved the Antique brass chain, but I thought it needed something extra, so I stitched the pearls and swarovski rounds to it. I love the combination of crystal and pearls. The Indigo color is a deep rich blue. It is almost black it is so dark. I love it. I used a large antique brass trigger clasp to finish the necklace off. I am so happy with the end result. As always, Artbeads is my favorite place to shop!

*I received the above mentioned items free of charge from Artbeads for my honest opinion of them. I have not been compensated in any other way for my review.

ArtBeads Winter Enchantment

When Duchess from ArtBeads contacted me about the next Beads for Bloggers challenge, I was intending to make a Winter themed bracelet. To me, Winter is all about snow, ice and sparkle. Keeping this in mind, I ordered some gorgeous 8mm Crystal AB Swarovski Graphic Cube beads, 6mm crackled druk beads, 8mm S cut Sterling Silver Stardust beads, 3mm Sterling Silver Stardust rondell beads, Sterling Silver Earwires, and a beautiful Sterling Silver Snowflake Toggle clasp. When my order arrived, I took a close look at the Snowflake Clasp and knew it was far too pretty to be used as a closure at the back of the neck where no one would see it! I decided the clasp wouldn't be a clasp at all, but would become the focal piece of a necklace instead! I added in some aqua fire polish beads in 2 different sizes and finishes from my bead stash, some white AB seed beads, as well as some Sterling Silver wire to create a wire wrapped necklace and earring set. I am completely in love with the Swarovski Graphic Cube beads with all their sparkling facets. This is the first time I have used them in a design, and will not be my last! They are perfection. The S-Cut Stardust beads are some of the prettiest beads I have ever seen. They are so sparkly and the S cut adds a lovely touch to the bead. They remind me of a pattern Jack Frost would leave on your window! The little Stardust rondell beads add a nice look to the graphic cubes. They are really uniform and pretty. The snowflake clasp is my favorite part of the necklace. If used as an actual clasp, the toggle bar is a little ski pole! So adorable, it is stamped .925 on the back. All in all, I am extremely happy with everything I ordered from ArtBeads.

*Please note, I have received the Swarovski Graphic cube beads, the 3mm and 6mm Stardust beads, Sterling Snowflake clasp, sterling Earwires free of charge for my honest opinion of these products. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to these products.

Artbeads Colors of Fall

When I was contacted by Artbeads about their blogging program using the colors of Fall, I knew exactly what I wanted to make! This was unusual for me, as each time I have participated in this program, I have had a challenge to figure out not only what to make, but in choosing my supplies. For awhile now, I have been tossing around an idea in my head about using a gemstone donut as a focal piece in a necklace. That was my jumping off point in choosing this beautiful 35mm Leopard Skin Jasper Donut. I wasn't sure what the colors would be so I wanted 2 so I would be able to pick the one with the best fall coloring. I was not disappointed in either of the donuts I received. One was the one pictured here in deep hues of chocolate, rust tones and cream colors. I love it! I then made a selection of several different colors and sizes of Swarovski crystals. I chose 8mm crystals in Xillion Bicone Crystal Golden Shadow and Indian Red. If you haven't seen these colors up close, let me tell you they are gorgeous. I wasn't sure what to expect with the Indian Red, but it is one of the prettiest colors I have ever seen. I also chose several 4mm bicones in colors Indian red, Crystal Golden Shadow, Fire Opal, Sun, Crystal Copper. I was in love with each and every one of them! I want to accent with antique copper to compliment the donut, so I picked out 3mm Antiqued Copper Rounds, Antique Copper crimps and the most beautiful Antique Copper- Plated Pewter leaf clasp. I love the detail of this toggle clasp and thought it was perfect for an Autumn design. I also chose a lovely 3.5-4mm Potato Pearl mix called "Nostalgia" There were lots of cream, gold, copper, steel gray and light gray toned pearls in this mix. They are potato pearls, but each pearl was very nicely shaped and they are very uniform in size. I was very impressed by this mix. Next I bezeled the donut since it wasn't an actual bead. I glued it to some Lacy's stiff stuff and bezeled it using Delica #0015, bronze size 15 seed beads, size 11 seed beads in cream. After I cut out the pendant, I sewed on some Antique Copper split rings and attached the floating necklace I made using Beadalon stringing wire in a color called Satin Copper, as well as the swarovski crystals, potato pearls, antique copper rounds and some seed beads. I made the necklace a 22" length so I can wear it over a sweater or turtleneck this fall/winter. I found I liked the Beadalon wire, it was easy to work with and has a nice drape to it. All in all, I am thrilled with each and every component I chose in this necklace. I think it represents the theme "Colors of Fall" what do you think?

*Please note: I have received the Swarovski Crystals, Antique Copper clasp, beads, split rings, Beadalon Wire, Potato pearls and gemstone donut free of charge from Artbeads for my honest opinion of these products. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to these products.

Who says.....

That jewelry has to be worn on your body? Why cant you wear it on your purse, a beach bag, your beltloop on your pants, or on a keychain? I don't know about you, but I hate wearing a watch in the summer. Your arm is sweaty under the watchband, they leave ugly tan lines and with all the water activities in summer, you can ruin a watch easily. That's why I came up with this handy little piece of jewelry. I don't have a fancy name for it, I just call it a time clip! In my last post, I described the items I chose for my Summertime themed glass beads, charms and glass pearls from Artbeads design partner program. I decided to make a summer time clip. I used sterling headpins and a chain maille base to attach the glass pearls, crystals and charms to the clip and to the geneva watchface. I also like to use my clip as a zipper pull. Its always within reach and easy to read. Thanks for looking! Your comments always make me smile!

*Please note: I have received the Charms, Pendant Beads, Swarovski Crystals and glass pearls free of charge from Artbeads for my honest opinion of these products. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it pertains to these products.

Something Different!

I was so excited to become a member of Artbeads Blogging Partners program! For this month Artbeads declred February as 'The Beauty of Spring"I was to choose products that represented Spring to me. I chose the most beautiful hand painted Porcelain oval Pendant called "Green Tree" I knew I loved it on the site, but I truly wasn't expecting the quality of this pendant. I had a hard time photographing it because of the shine on this pendant! To me this pendant represents spring in every way. Spring is about budding trees, everything is green and lush and fresh. I also chose the 6mm roundelle Swarovski beads in jet (I love swarovski pearls and crystals) and a "Grow" charm all of which I will be using to make a necklace that I will show you at a later date! I then decided to make a Spring charm bracelet! I used several of Artbeads Antique Silver charms and a darling TierraCast Antique Silver Paloma bead. I was happily surprised at the detail and quality of these charms. Spring brings back many of the birds that migrated, the butterflies, bees and flowers, so I thought these were perfect choices. I also used 6mm Swarovski Pearls in white, some lovely 5x4mm Olivine/Pink Opal mix beads from Artbeads and some sterling wire and a sterling toggle clasp I had on hand. I think it turned out darling and because of the springlike colors of pink and green and the pearls and charms, it will go with many of my outfits.

Fine Print: I have received the following items free of charge from Artbeads. I am giving my honest opinion of these products. I have not been paid for my opinion of the following products: Swarovski pearls and crystals, porcelain pendant, charms, glass beads.