Thinking Out Loud

I posted several new beads before July 4th in the last few days.  I am trying to catch up.  Check them out if they are not automatically notifying you.  More to go tonight.  I figured I have 26 more to post the catch up.  I have about 12 made, but it takes time to post them.  I just have to keep editing out mistakes. 

My skills are improving, but slowly.  My new camera is fool-proof, but I am not a fool.  It is difficult for me.  Lighting is my worst problem.  I have not had the time to go outside in the early morning to take pictures.  That is my best time. 

You will see more in the future.  I love to bead.

Day 81: Come Summer Earrings

What comes after Come Summer Necklace?  Of course, it is a pair of earrings.  I like this one.  It dangles long, but delicately; that seems to be the criteria for me. 

I used two Swarovki Coral Pearls, a bit of chain and more 4mm crystals.  It goes well with my necklace.

Day 80: Come Summer

This fun necklace was created for a contest for the Fusion Bead Blog.  They offered a variety of beads to make into a piece of jewelry (and not at a discount either, spent $30+).  I wrestled with the flowers for a week.  They wouldn't stay on top of the chain unless you displayed it only.  I was never satisfied with that so I didn't enter it in the competition. 

I still love it even if the flowers are always upside-down.  The hook is on the end of the chain and fastens to the end of the flowers.  I wanted it versatile so you could wear it long or short or trail the flowers off the end.  Some ideas never work out.  It is made of Swarovski Pearls in Coral, Swarovski Bicones in a Watermelon Combo pack and gold chain and lucite flowers in two styles.  There is also a pack of mixed seed beads, but I didn't work them in.  This is my creation called Come Summer.

Sunday Gems

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
                      --Matthew 13: 45,46.

Day 67: Out of the Box Earrings

This pair of earrings deserves its own page because of the technique used to wire wrap.  The refer to it as 'the messy wire wrap bail'.  It is simply made (see FusionBeads.com , go to techniques, and messy bail).  It has a messy, bird's nest look to it.  I thought it was appropriate for Out of the Box.

What a circus act we women perform every day of our lives.  --Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Day 66: Out of the Box

This is not your mother's pearls.  (Well, for some of you it is my pearls, but you know what I mean.)  I decided to think out of the box for these pretty turquoise baroque pearls.  They sat by a package of plum fringe and I thought, "Why not?  It would be fun."  I strung them together and I like it.  Not everyone will.  My thoughts are turquoise goes so well with all the colors that I wear.  I like it with purple, too. 

Distraction is, always has been, and probably always will be, inherent in woman's life.--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Day 65: Swirls of Citrine Earring

I just have to feature this earring separately.  It is a different style for me.  I don't wear it much, but it picks up the round, type one, theme of the necklace focal MOP*. 

The beads are attached with a light gauge wire and wound around the round earring with a citrine nugget attached in the center to drop at the bottom. 

 Fun summer set. 

One learns first of all in beach living the art of shedding; how little one can get along with, not how much....  One finds one is shedding not only clothes--but vanity. --Ann Morrow Lindbergh

*Mother of Pearl

Day 64: Swirls of Citrine

This necklace has been around for a year or two, but exemplifies the sea so well.  I just have to include it.  Made from Citrine stones and Mother of Pearl beads and a lovely swirling Golden MOP focal bead.  So beautiful.

 



Necklace and earring set.

I mean to lead a simple life, to choose a simple shell I can carry easily--like a hermit crab.  -Ann Morrow Lindberg



Day 63: Coral Classic

Maybe not totally classic.  Pearls are always classic.  Hexagonal shaped Mother of Pearl (MOP) in coral may not be so classic. This is the beginning of a month at the beach.  Some new and some not so new jewelry jewels from the sea.  I have tons of MOP in all shapes and colors.  This is my first creation of the month.  Love it! 

I have been keeping this large acrylic bead

forever to use as a focal bead. 

It goes so well with the MOP.

One should like empty, open, choiceless as a beach--waiting for a gift from the sea. Ann Morrow Lindberg

Day 62: Gift From the Sea

Gift From the Sea is the name of a sweet little book written by Anne Morrow Lindberg,  the wife of Charles Lindberg some 40 years ago.  I have a tiny version of   Wisdom from Gift...that has little quotes from the main book. 



Day 29: By the Sea



I plan to quote from this book in August as I use the theme in my jewelry.  This month will be precious beads from the oceans of the world.  Enjoy.







Day 61: Sunday Gems

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
                         John 8: 32 and 36

   Keep America a Land of Freedom!!!

Day 60: Ruby Go Round Bracelet

The bracelet for this Ruby Go Round set came much later.  I just had to have a set (sorry, Oprah).  I used up the last bit of chain, the smaller size Ruby Graphic crystals and some small Sterling Silver round beads and small Ruby bicone crystals.  With a tiny toggle clasp to complete the circle look, it fits delicately on my wrist.  I do like this.  I like all my jewelry and beads.  They are so pretty.



They match!



Day 59: Ruby Go Round Earring.

A simple classic earring made of Sterling Silver Bail and Swarovski Ruby Briolette Pendant.  You may be able to guess by now that I love, love, love Swarovski Crystals.  They are perfection and class.

Together they are beautiful (and they don't match,
exactly, can you imagine that?).






















Acknowledgement:  The earring was inspired by one featured by Fusion Bead, but I changed the color.

Day 58: Ruby Go Round Necklace

To round out the month of July I want to add a very favorite necklace of mine.  I made this a few years ago and love it so much that I want to share it.  Rubies are the birthstone for July--my birthstone.

This 30" necklace features Sterling Silver chain and Swarovski Ruby Graphic crystals that are wire wrapped to the chain.  It is one continuous necklace with no clasp or fastener.  It is very light weight and a classic style.



Earrings and bracelet will be featured on the next two days.  After all, I didn't make them all in one day.

 

Day 57: Fruit Sorbet Earring Redo

Here is a shorter version of the previous Fruit Sorbet Earring.  It is better, but not quite there yet.  I will wear this, but may redo it again, or just wear some other earring that won't match, but I won't care.  Is that possible?

Day 56: Fruit Sorbet Earrings

Another pair of huge dangling earrings that I won't ever wear.  They go with the necklace of the same name, but they are much too long for me.  I just don't do large dangles.

I wanted to incorporate the gold finding used as a connector in the necklace, but this may have to be a redo.  Any takers?

Day 55: Fruit Sorbet Necklace

Today's refreshing Fruit Sorbet matches the watchband by the same name that I wear all the time.  These colors go with so many of my summer clothes so I decided to make a necklace, too. 

It look a little like this.

I like the connector.  It reminds me of a puzzle I worked on for years.  It was shaped like this connector with an 'X' through the center.  The object was to draw the shape without lifting the pencil off the page or going over any line twice.  I never figured it out. 

The necklace has a gold chain connecting the three strings of beads fastenen with a gold-plated lobster clasp.  It is not as heavy that way.

Day 54: Sunday Gems

From the song, O, Ye Mountains High:


O, ye mountains high where the clear blue sky arches over the vales of the free, Where the pure breezes blow and the clear streamlets flow, how I long to thy bosom to flee.


(from verse 3)...and thy silver and gold, as the Prophets foretold; shall be brought to adorn thy fair head.


(verse 1: refrain) O, Zion! dear Zion! land of the free. Now my own mountain home unto thee I have flown; all my fond hopes are centered in thee!!!!

Day 53: Ruby Earrings

This spot is reserved for ruby earrings.  There are just a few left from my necklace and I need some real gold to string them with and an idea, too.  I did find my other rubies so I have the five that I bought just for earrings.  When I figure it out I will repost.

Day 52: Real Rubies

"It's my birthday and I'll cry if I want to. . ."  Actually, I am not crying, just because I am 65 and on Medicare now.  No reason to cry. 

Enough of that!  I spent the day making a real ruby necklace.  First, I spent hours trying to find where I hid my rubies, and didn't find the ones I wanted to find.  I did find the ones that I bought a few years ago and never dared make anything.  This is the year for courage. 

The beads were graduated in size and color.  When I first got them, I called  up the seller and asked why they sent me dyed rubies.  I found out that they naturally come in different shades of ruby--even white.  (I also know there are many shades of sapphire including different colors than blue, and rubies are related to sapphires.)

The construction went fairly fast and I was able to finish them and wear them that night to dinner.  The rubies are hand faceted and drilled.  Sometimes the hole was a little small, but I used a smaller beading wire.  I used 14K gold beads and a 14K gold clasp--only the best.  This was not an economy project.  It's my birthstone, after all.  It turned out very beautifully.



Happy Birthday to me!!!!!!!!



Day 50: Retro III

Last in my series of "already made jewelry--help I need to fill in a bunch of days" is the matching bracelet.  Oprah would never approve of the 'matchy-matchy' stuff but I am rather OCD and like my jewelry to match.  After all, what's the point of making your own if you can't make a matching set.  

This was my first attempt at a two strand anything.  Whoa!  Again I used up more of my red plastic or resin beads. (The package didn't say, and I thought they were glass at first.  What did I know?)  I had two of my mother's gold beads left so I used them.  This is an okay bracelet, but I never wear it.  Too plastic or something.  I have become a bead snob over the years.  I keep it because it was a first project.  It is pretty.  

Here's the whole shooting match:

Oprah, eat your heart out.

Ruminating

Ruminating would be more appropriate for Julie/Julia's blog--chewing over ideas. I watched the movie again this week. It reminded me why I started this blog. I am having a down sliding week. I cannot catch up with my blog even though I have many things made, but not photographed. Life just keeps getting in the way.

For a couple of weeks I have been entertaining family--a perfectly wonderful thing to do, but not too condusive to beading. All my children, but one were able to come visit from other states and it was so fun to see them and do things together, even though I petered out somewhat by the end. Us old timers don't keep up the pace as well. After all I turn 65 this week. JK. I don't feel that old, my body just quits sooner than I think it should.

Back to the movie: my inspiration. Julie gave up once in a while, but her resolve to not fail propelled her onward. I cannot fail again either. Perhaps this is not a worthy goal in the grand scheme of things, but at least it completes the projects that have accumulated. Many beads have a purpose, just like the fabric that I store in bins throughout the house. Each piece of fabric has a specific completion article in the fabric closet of my mind. Most beads take up preferred space in my mind's bead storage facility. There is something beautiful planned for them--I'm just running out of time to complete them, and I have too much jewelry anyway.

One more month of work before I trash another project. I may not fill in all the blanks for July, but... there is no try, only do.

Day 49: Earrings for the Retro Beads

I made two earring sets to go with the last two necklaces.  The first is a chandelier style.  I found a chandelier finding at Walmart, again.  I didn't know about bead shops.  I strung some of my pretty red beads and a gold oval from my mother's earrings to it and added a gold-plated earwire.  They have tarnished a bit over the years. 
My reaction when I put them on was shock.  These are so long.  I look like a hussy.  I lived in a rather cloistered world then. (and still do, but wear longer earrings sometimes.)  My two inch hoops were the largest thing I ever wore.  That is not entirely true--I had dangling shells and others that I wore occasionally, but the red (my favorite color) was a bit much.  Imagine that!

The next pair were a little less flashy and I wore them more often.  It took a few years to get out of the straight line of beads on a headpin style earring.  They are well balanced anyway. 

And listing to the right a bit.

Day 48: Retro II

After making the last necklace, I had a lot of beads left (still do).  I decided to venture out on my own and make a second necklace to wear alone or with the first one.  I did find a few little oriental style barrels beads to add to the necklace making a definite oriental statement. 



Look Mom, I made it myself.



Day 47: Sunday Gems

Who can find a virtuous woman?  for her price is far above rubies.  Proverbs 31:10

Day 46: Retro Beads

This necklace is designed around beads that I got from a pair of my mothers earrings.  I received a big box of jewelry from my dad when she passed away.  There was a cute pair of earrings that was a cluster of gold oval beads, but  I had no intention of wearing them at the time because they were clip-on style.  Ouch!  I used them to make a necklace with an oriental flavor patterned after a necklace I found in the book: Stringing Style, by Jamie Hogsett.  The original necklace, "Foxy Cleopatra", pg 47, was a bit fancier and made with little gold bells.  This was one of my first beading projects and I didn't know anything about beads.  I bought some resin beads in big pack from Walmart and put it together the best I could.  At least it is lightweight.  Mine just has a plain lobster claw clasp.  Not bad for an amatuer.

My mom would have loved it!

   

Day 45: Springtime Earrings

Another Fusion Bead beauty.  I don't wear blues much, but I just had to make this earring.  I bought the beads in the Springtime, but just now got them done.  I think they are supreme.  Now I want to make something to wear with them. 

The second picture is not the best, but gives some closer detail.  I like it.

Day 44: Birds of a Flower Bracelet - Gold

This is the gold version of the bracelet yesterday.  I am not sure it is the prettiest combination so I dawdle with it.  I will post a picture if I ever get it done.  Soon.

Day 43: Birds of a Flower Bracelet - Silver

Another Fusion Beads bracelet--copied just as it is.  (Acknowledging the source--I love Fusion Beads' jewelry.)  This is such a cute bracelet with flower dangles and La Paloma squares and La Paloma bird dangle.  The colors are so much a part of my summer wardrobe.  It goes with everything I wear.  Love it, love it, love it.

One little caveat:  the flowers are attached with a simple loop and they keep falling off.  I would wire wrap them in the future.  Also the silver squares are attached with a jumpring and they slip off the wire wrapped beads they are attached to.  I am tired of this happening and now I use two jumprings when I can--especially if they are thin.  That little gap doesn't stay closed very well especially if attached to a 24 ga wire.  Be warned.

Day 42: Carico Lake Earrings

Carico Lake green turquoise nuggets are naturally Spring green color because of the zinc in the stone.  This earring is made of the few nuggets that I had left from the bracelet.  To give them some importance I wire wrapped them to a fun gold-plated circle connector and added a GP earwire.  Easy, peasy. 

Day 41: Carico Lake Turquoise Bracelet

Carico Lake Nevada a pretty natural spring green turquoise.  It is this color because of zinc in the stone.  It is not dyed and is beautiful.  I bought one strand this year from the Nevada Turquoise Company at the Bead Faire.
I wanted something special so I made a three strand bracelet with gold-filled beads and a special clasp that I bought at the Bead Faire with 14K gold plated sterling silver.  The three to one connector and the three holed dividing links are gold plated.  That's all I had and I couldn't wait to order gold-filled and probably couldn't afford it anyway.  One day I will replace them.

I am very pleased with the way it turned out  and love the way it flatters my wrist.

Day 40: Sunday Gems

. . . where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  2 Corinthians 3: 17

Day 39: Caribe Bracelet

Another fine and fun bracelet from Fusion Beads.  I wanted to use some of my different clasps so I chose this one to cut my teeth on.  It took some time to even it up and make it fit.  It used every bead they called for, too, because I didn't make it like they did with a lobster clasp and extension chain. 

I used the size 8 Caribe Mix seed beads like they did, but bought gold plated five hole spacer which saved a lot over Sterling Silver.  I also used a GP slide type clasp with 5 loops instead of a SS 5 to 1 connector which made mine much shorter.  I am pleased with it because it fits snugly on my small wrist.  It is a pretty bracelet.

Day 38: Fuschia Flower Earring

The Fuschia Flower Earring looks just like the real thing, but mine is done in pinks.  It combines two different pink lucite flowers in light and dark shades of pink with gold-plated beadcaps , gold-plated beads and earwires, gold-plated headpins dangling small round rose opal Swarovski crystals for the lovely stamens. 

This earring is a variation of the Fuschia Flower earring on Fusion Beads.  Theirs is done in fuschia and rose color.

Day 37: Patriotic Watch Band

Now for the watchband to complete the look--totally Red, White and Blue.  This is one of the first watchbands that I made last year.  It is a keeper.

This was made from all the random red, white or blue beads that I had in several mixed bead collections.  Each was large and showy.  I took my inspiration from a website called The Scarlet Lime.  I loved their watch bands.  They are no longer on the web by that name, at least I cannot find them. 

It looks good with any patriotic color.

Day 36: Bracelet Baubles

The matching bracelet for the RW&B Bauble Necklace is composed of the same three beads:  14mm white Mountain Jade, 10mm red glass, and 13x9mm blue and white bumpy rondelles strung together with heavier elastic cord -- about 1mm.  These are heavy beads and need the support.

Stringing beads on elastic cord is easy.  Fastening it so it won't come undone is tricky.  Arrange the beads so the knot will be next to a bead with the largest hole.  Tie a square knot and tighten as much as possible without pulling your bracelet too tight.  Add a dab of clear fingernail polish (my choice) or jewelry glue.  Hold it out to dry a little (you can blow on it).  Let it dry overnight before wearing.  Then cut the elastic tail off fairly close to the knot and slip the knot into the large holed bead to hide it.  Voila'!  These knots never come undone for me.

Day 35: Red, White and Blue Baubles

Need some bling for the holiday?  Large (14 mm) white mountain jade beads combine with red (10 mm) glass beads and blue and white (13 x 9 mm) bumpy rondelles to make a 20 inch fun necklace for Independence Day.  It is fastened by a large Hook and Eye style SP clasp.  This is a heavier necklace, but fun to wear--bright and patriotic.

Day 34: Independence Day Bracelet

A true winner just for the Fourth of July. This fun bracelet comes from Fusion Beads. I loved it, I had to have it. The chain is a premade bracelet from JoAnn.com. I bought a bunch of them to save time and energy. You can make it yourself, but it is easier to have it premade. A toggle clasp would be easier to put on than the lobster claw clasp.

The beads are various sizes of Swarovski pearls in Bordeaux, Navy and White. They are attached randomly by the wire-wrap technique and dangle and jiggle nicely on the arm. I do love this bracelet.

Day 33: Sunday Gems

...there shall none come into this land save they shall be brought by the hand of the Lord.
Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring.  And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.  2 Nephi 1: 6-7

Day 32: Born in the USA Earrings

Another Fusion Beads fun earring.  They always have great inspiration for holidays and regular days.  I have bought so many of the beads for their jewelry that you will see a lot of them on my post.  If I acknowledge the source I should be all right for copyright, I hope. 

This red, white and blue earring set is made with a fun technique for a right angle weave bead.  The instructions for this piece and technique is on FusionBeads.com.  It is made with 6 mm bicones in red.  Silver-plated earwires and chain are attached to the ball with large jumprings.  I used two so they won't slip out of the ring because these are lightweight jumprings.  Then stars in red, blue and clear are attached to the chain with a wire-wrap technique.  I used what beads I had which were Czech glass instead of Swarovski crystals.  I have now ordered the crystals to make a fancier pair with Sterling Silver findings and chain, but I haven't done it yet.  Maybe next year.

The silver chain looks a little tarnished, but it is just the light.  In this next picture I show a larger wide angle weave bead to the left in blue.  This is made with 8 mm bicones.  I think I will attach this to a chain for a necklace.  I was just goofing around with the size.  It is a great Independence Day piece.

Day 31: Patriotic Watch Bands

A couple of patriotic watchbands for Independence Day. Both are made with red faceted glass ruby round beads, royal blue rondelles, and silver beads. Top band (Red, Blue and Stars)is 6 3/8", and bottom band (Patriotic Watch Band) is 6 1/8" to the silver lobster clasps.

What is a holiday without a matching watch band?

Day 30: Golden Glow Earrings

A fun earring to match the Golden Glow Necklace made with lovely Chessboard style round crystals. These lovely crystals pick up so much light because of all the extra facets. Multicolored crystals on gold findings create a luxurious compliment.

I made this. I love this branch link, and use it often.