A Little Project..a Little Reward

Between projects here at home, I found a little time to play with some of my beautiful artisan lampwork beads in my stash.  I've been hoarding the last few beads from a set I purchased from Manuela Wutschke several years back and finally decided it was time to put them in a design--turns our I actually had enough to make two bracelets--can't decide which I love best, so I just finished both of them. 

One has beautiful carved black agate or jade or onyx beads (not sure what the stone is, but the carving is lovely).  I combined the lampwork, black beads and sterling silver with a finishing touch--a tassel that I made myself with beads and chain...  I'm not sure why, but these beads remind me of exotic koy fish--I love the dramatic color combination.

 
Now here is the second bracelet---these beads were very interesting to me--the detail on one reminds me of a music staff--like a fragment of some lost symphony.  I know, quite the imagination, eh?  I combined these three beautiful lampwork beads with a lovely carved black bead and a Hill Tribe silver heart and clasp. 

 

I'm off to sort thru some 'artifacts' of my own, or in other words, cleaning out my closet, in an attempt to purge what needs to go an what to hoard a little longer.  :-)  

And the Winner is....

Drumroll please!!!  The winner of the drawing is Elizabeth!!!  PM me your email and address on facebook. 

I've decided that I want to send a small runner-up gift to the other commenters, so let me know your email addresses via a private message on facebook or an email so I can send you a little THANK YOU as well!  :-)

Beautiful Fall Colors

Autumn is such a beautiful time of year.  I love the cooling day, chilly mornings and changing color of the trees and grasses.  It's like Mother Nature washes everything in brilliant sunshine before going on holiday for the winter--going out in a blaze of glory.  Fall color takes a little longer to get here in Southern California--it seems to come in fits and starts, wrestling with summer in a fight that inevitably will arrive, despite the protestations. Last Spring I bought some gorgeous lampwork beads from artist Carey OHalloran--the colors are my perfect ode to fall, so they inspired me to put them into two beautiful necklaces a few weeks ago...which one do you prefer--or would you wear them together--layered for a dramatic song of autumn.

 

THERE ARE ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT TO COMMENT ON MY BLOG TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING FOR A FREE BRACELET...HURRY UP AND ENTER!!!!

Layering

I love to layer jewelry, and my knotted gemstone designs are perfect for layering--the necklaces especially.  Typically the bracelets I knot are multi-strand to begin with but the necklaces are so versatile depending on the length--they can be one, two and sometimes even three strand alone, or layered with multi-length and strand designs to an endless variety of lengths and looks...  

 Single strand labradorite...35"

 Same necklace doubled...

Multiple strands shown together--coin pearls, carnelian and grossular green garnet--complimenting in color, with a variety of shapes and textures for a sophisticated combination of gemstones and color.

Try it---you'll love mixing and matching with your own creative twist!

 

 

It's a DRAWING FOR A FREE BRACELET What's Not to Like About FREE?

So far only four people have entered my drawing for a free bracelet?  I know everyone isn't into lampwork--some of you like my knotted gemstone jewelry, but try it, you'll like it!  All you have to do is say hi! Just 14 days until the drawing to win a lovely lampwork bracelet from my site.  Come on over post a little howdy and see what happens!  No strings attached.

Here's what you're entered to win---

 

 Drawing October 15. 2014

 

Sells Are Slow, So Come Let me Give Something Away!

What to do?  Is my work just hidden in an over-crowded marketplace, or have I lost it?  I've had so little time to design or market lately that my sales (and ego with it) has plummeted. I look at the inventory of gemstones and precious metals I have stashed. feel guilty and think--I really need to 'design'--so I give it a go.  On the other hand, so much is going on, with so many distractions, some days my heart isn't into it.  I don't think I've lost my creative touch.   Sometimes the investment of time is overwhelming, especially when I'm lost in a crowd of jewelry offerings on etsy?  Maybe my aesthetic isn't working for this market? I do have trouble deciding whether to do artisan lampwork designs or work with only gemstones--hard as I try, I can't give one or the other up!  Which probably confuses my customers... Just thinking out loud---I really have to get off the fence and figure what I want to and should be doing with all those precious minutes in my life and maybe this isn't it, right now.  Not that I would want to never make anything again--but maybe just gifts, (and things I want for myself), now and then, with a streamlined stash; and that would satisfy. Or maybe I need to move into galleries, instead of the internet--haven't really explored that direction yet.  I've had lots of creative outlets over my many years, they've come and gone, ebbed and flowed, and been replaced by something better...for me.  Change is good when it's taking you to something better.

 So which is more cumbersome--trying to design jewelry in fits and spurts , or trying to destash the raw treasures staring me in the face.  Hanging onto it all isn't an option if I'm on to something new.  Today, both are overwhelming...so like Scarlett O'Hara, I'll "think about it tomorrow."
   

In the meantime,  I'm going to do a give away.  If you're so inclined,  enter with a short comment on this blog post. Let me assure you, the Yee Murdock artisan beads are lovely , with copper and sterling mixed metal findings.

I'll have a drawing to pick a winner when 15 people have commented or by October 15th, whichever comes first, lol. 

Excuses, Excuses and More Excuses!

I know, I know, anyone who still reads this must think I'm a total flake...and, well, I wouldn't blame you!  I think about my blog, but just rarely get over here.  I could say I'll be around more often, but let's just say--I'll try!  These two guys take a lot of my time and interest these days--

who can blame me for wanting to hang out with my sweetheart and our precious grandson instead of digging in like a hermit with my beads and baubles?  With two precious grandsons to melt my heart and make me smile, and play 'til I'm exhausted--don't blame me for forgetting about beads, and blogs and everything else most of the time.  It won't last long enough, so I'm going to savor it while I can!

 

I have managed to find a little time lately to work on a few simple designs, just to try and get back in the swing of things.  I've gone back to my lampwork roots for now, and put the gemstones on the back burner, but who knows what will strike my fancy next week.      

 

I enjoy so many things that settling down is difficult, especially when I have the luxury of choice these days.  But a recently returned art glass artist tempted me back to my beads and now I'm getting excited about all the new ideas and beautiful art glass that seems to be having a revival--at least for me.

 So, tell me how you've been?  I have my excuses, what are yours?  Maybe I'll try a contest, or tutorial or something to draw you out of your shell, so you'll talk to me again?  Or maybe I'll go back onto hiding....

    Whatever you're doing, I hope you are happy, and healthy and enjoying every day!