Searching for Inspiration

I went cruising online this weekend looking for inspiration....



Hammered Wire Cuff With Glass Beads



Wire And Bead Pendants



Pearl And Wire Pendant



Wire And Bead Bracelet

Wait a second, am I seeing a theme here?  Wire work really seems to appeal to me, doesn't it?

Coral, Gemstones And Glass Beads



Shells, Glass And Wire

 Asymmetrical designs really catch my attention also.  I think that I need to explore these two techniques further in the coming weeks and months.


Creating Outside the Box

Last year, I was introduced to the concept of mixed-media jewelry in a book I purchased.  It contained basic tutorials to a selection of interesting and experimental techniques & materials for creating unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry. 

There is something about pushing the boundaries of traditional methods of jewelry making that really appeals to me.  The work of one of the artists featured in the book especially captures my attention & imagination. 

I discovered her Etsy shop this week.  Her pieces are fun, whimsical, free-form works of art.  I aspire to create such pieces one day.  Maybe it's time to flex my creative muscles and explore the possibilities of crafting using non-traditional methods & materials.

To check out all of her work on Etsy, click here.  Her shop name is lluviadesigns.

Jewelry Challenge: Leftover Odds & Ends



The Turtle & The Hare



Jewelry Business Success News is running another jewelry challenge.  Will you participate this time?

Your assignment:

Create a piece of jewelry that uses up leftover odds & ends of jewelry supplies or other leftover junque you have around the house.


Along with your photos, please tell a bit about your piece:

-  What's the story behind this design?

-  What leftover odds & ends did you use, and what inspired you to use them?

-  What was your process of creating this piece?


Guidelines for the Jewelry Challenges:

-  These are fun, theme-based design challenges to spark our creativity and inspire us to try new things in jewelry making.

-  There are no judges and no prizes.

-  Each Challenge lasts approximately 4 weeks, from the time the it's announced (today) until the time it closes.

-  The opening and closing of each challenge will be announced in Rena's Jewelry Business Success News newsletter, as well as, on the page that's dedicated to that challenge.

-  All entries must be "family friendly" and non-offensive.

-  Please enter as many pieces as you wish for each Jewelry Challenge, as long as your entries relate to the theme of that challenge.

-  Each entry can include up to 4 photos - so I encourage you shoot enough photos to share 4 unique shots of your entry.

-  Have fun, and be sure to leave comments for each other!

To participate, click here.  To see what the creator wrote about The Turtle & The Hare, click here.

New Listings On Etsy

For centuries, beads have been used as an aid for meditation and contemplative prayer.  The practice continues today in a variety of diverse spiritual traditions.  The sets of beads I posted on Etsy today can be used to count breaths while you meditate or keep track of the number of prayers you recite. 

Green Aventurine Prayer / Meditation Beads

Please take a moment to check them all out and tell me what you think.  Here's the link.  Keep an eye on my shop this week, I'll be listing more things too.

Bead Soup Blog Party

What is a bead soup blog party, you ask?  Well, participants send a special focal bead, some co-ordinating spacers or beads and a special clasp (not just a lobster claw) to their partner.  You do NOT have to send an entire necklace or bracelet kit.

When you get your package of beads, show them on your blog, then make something with them, take a picture, and post it on your blog on the party day.  You must use the focal & the clasp, and if you wish, some of the co-ordinating beads, along with beads from your own stash to create a special piece of jewelry.  Using some of the co-ordinating beads IS encouraged (even if you only make earrings) but not required.

The idea is to help you think outside the box and work outside your normal comfort zone, pushing you into creative directions you may never have gone. You can make one piece, two, three -- you can use the clasp in one piece and focal in another. LOTS to be creative with!

Then on party day, which is March 3rd this time, everyone posts their finished piece to their blog.  You hop around to as many party blogs as possible to see what people have created, leaving comments as time permits.  And you keep the jewelry you made!

Sample Package of Beads



Registration begins today!  Although this is the 5th Bead Soup Blog Party, it's the first time I'm, hopefully, going to participate.  I say it that way because no more than 200 people will be able to take part in it.  When registration closes, a random number generator will pick the group of people.



The organizer, Lori Anderson, had to start limiting the number of participants due to the fact that interest had reached the unmanageable level.  A total of 362 people signed up in September 2011!

To find out more about the Bead Soup Blog Party, click here.  To check out Lori Anderson's blog, Pretty Things, click here.