HOOP DE HOOPS AND SHELL MOONS!

It's Spring, so how about a trio of colored loops?  These are fun to make... as long as I cut the wire segments long enough to work with... and remember to insert all seven wires through the crimp bead - the seventh being the wire saver used as a connector. Endless color combinations abound... 
  

And these adorbs multi colored shell pieces coupled with some half-moons I painted to give 'em a punch and large Czech drops.  Love the combo of these colors together.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

This gorgeous wire wrapped earring design by Penny Dixon, who has been featured on the cover of beading magazines, and on the inside pages too many times to mention, is a wonderfully intricate and challenging designer and artist.  This particular design was featured back in August 2013 in Bead&Button.  I actually took the class from Penny way back when and I just struggled and couldn't get the hang of all the very delicate wire wrapping (4 rounds of 28 gauge wire) around the 20 gauge wire base, so the pattern has been in my "too challenging for me" box. However, I had always hoped I would try it again, as they are so delicate and intricate and beautiful.  And, I can happily say, I DONE DID IT!!!  I've learned a few things over my years of beading, and yes... practice practice practice, plus age, plus ability, plus patience... and if you look closely at this first completed pair you will see they are far from perfect... but I am truly proud of myself.  Give this a try.  You will love how light and gorgeous they are!  Thank you Penny for always challenging me!