The Beach???? Me????

So, I bought this absolutely gorgeous set of beads by Jenelle and Daniel of Beads and Botanicals - in colors I simply NEVER use.  Way out of my comfort zone, but DROP. DEAD. GORGEOUS.  I never buy beads with a final project in mind - I simply buy them because they hit a chord within. Which is why I have SO MANY BEADS!  No complaints here, just a statement of fact.

So, I made this bracelet - why, yes it is adjustable.  But zoom in and looks at these beads:

The focal alone is screaming "get to a beach...NOW"...but the tiny spacers have a nugget shape and texture.  My downfall is ALWAYS the texture!

With the bracelet complete, I started to play with my silver wire and I soldered bunches of the same type of links I used in the bracelet.  And I went one step further.  I made some jump rings, and was simply going to connect the links, but this time, I actually soldered the jump rings, as well.

Almost indestructible, I'd say!  Well, the set of beads, above, came with a large STRIKING focal.  I did not want to "over muss" (my word) the design - the focal is just that beautiful.  So, I made an extra long pendant design and wrapped it to the center loop of the necklace.

I added some sterling paddles to serve as fringe on the bottom of the focal bead.  A simple clasp for fastening.

Love this necklace!  I don't however, love the beach - except in the dead of winter when it is freezing cold and there is no one there!  I know...I am odd.

With the necklace and bracelet done, I went ahead and tried another silver bezel set cab - this time Denim Lapis.

It is not 100% symmetrical, - the silver wires on the side are off  just enough to bug me - so I won't be selling this one, but I am still very pleased with how it turned out!  

I even soldered closed the jump ring on the top - my luck, this pendant would fly right off my neck if I did not!

I am going to keep practicing this skill set - maybe abstract design is better for me than trying to attain symmetry! 

Thanks so much for stopping by - enjoy the upcoming weekend!

xo

Patti

Many thanks!

I have come to the conclusion that artists have BIG hearts.  I have known this for a while, but things keep happening that only reinforce this fact.  

Recently, Julie Burgard  - the artist behind Outwest Beads (OMG - awesome beads) contacted me on Facebook.  She had a set of beads that she purchased from a lampwork artist years ago, before she started making beads herself.  She offered them to me, as I am constantly bombarding Facebook with images of my jewelry, and I note that the proceeds are donated to Miracle Horse Rescue.  Anyway, of course I said "yes"!  Though I do not have  a picture of the whole strand here, it is a large strand of 12 pillow-shaped beads (my favorite shape) and each bead is different.  Julie cannot remember the name of the artist, who no longer makes these beauties, so I am afraid no credit can be given to the artist - just a heartfelt YUM!

These beads were screaming at me to be matched with copper, so I made this bracelet:

This adjustable style bracelet is fast becoming my "signature style" - if I actually had to put a name to it.  Let's face it - it hard work to fill one's shop with jewelry that appeals to "the masses", yet represents one-of-a-kind.  I find that making adjustable bracelets helps.

I also prefer to use as many handmade components as possible, so the chain is comprised of my textured, soldered links.

I love the colors in these little story-telling beads!  I see the horizon, a moon, a tree...love them!  Heartfelt thank you to Julie for these little beauties - and I have 8 left...yeah me!!!

Please be sure to visit Julie's shop here - her work is no less than A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

In other jewelry making news......my mother has been asking me for a black pendant that she can wear on a stunning sterling chain maille necklace that she made years ago.  She asked for a specific style, too.  So black to me means onyx...

Isn't her chain gorgeous!  Mom prefers "shiny" silver over the antiqued silver look - but, I wanted the details that I painstakingly soldered onto this piece to pop - so, just a quick bath in liver of sulfur and a good buffing helped to make the texture stand out just a bit.

The bail is more like a hook - slips right over this very thick chain.  She learned this technique years ago when she was making jewelry while living in Florida.  Makes it easy to slip it on and off the chain, too.

So glad that this turned exactly how I pictured it in my mind!  That is a rare event for me!

Thanks so much for visiting me today - I hope you all have a wonderful week!

xo

Patti