CORK, METAL, WIRE, GLASS!

Some of my latest earring creations.  Each one wonderful based on the materials used.  Thank you Heather Powers for your Bead Table Wednesdays and the unlimited ideas, including using cork.  I ordered some to try it (Beans and Peanuts), and really like how many fun patterns there are - it's easy to use and cut to any shape, and even though my free-style cutting isn't perfect - good enough.  I added czech flower dangles, some fish and wood butterflies as additional dangles, and they are still light. :)

Can't have enough flowers for spring, so here's another, more traditional teardrop shape, with another of my cork patterns.  LOVE this for any shape or size.

Next, some incredible metal charms from Gaea.  These moon faces... what can I say?  Just so perfect.  I added some twisted brass wire, along with some czech flowers and glass rounds.  As these came together, the colors melded so nicely, and I think they are yummy!!

Below, some wire wrapping and stitching combined.  I wire wrapped the triangles, hammered them slightly to strengthen the wire and then brick stitched on the bottom.  I saw something similar on Instagram (#seedbeadjewelry) and decided to try my own version, with small drops on the bottom.  These colors are so summery.  

Vintaj has some wonderful projects on their FB page right now, and I knew I had some of their brass charms in my own stash, so I went searching.  I came up with these wonderful filigree squares and links so I folded in some crystal rivolis, added some swarovski 4mm bicones and rondelles and there you go.  These are real eye catchers in the light!  All these fun new ideas... I'm loving all the shared creativity going on right now due to the pandemic.  

And, last but certainly not least.  Oh my... again, it's springtime, and flowers and leaves are perfect with wire.  I used a prepared brass wire base, and started wrapping.  I redid these a couple of times to get them just so.  My wire wrapping skills vary, depending on how long it's been since I last did some, and the Czech glass gets a little heavy, so I have to be careful not to add too much.  This is about as heavy as my earlobes can take -- but, a small splash of garden color. 

CHALLENGE PROJECT FOR FALL!

I needed a challenge, and I found one!  My latest project was on the cover of Beadwork magazine (Feb/March, 2018) designed by Shanna Steele -- I couldn't resist it, and kept moving the magazine to the top of my pile for over a year and 1/2.  There are so many beautiful designs out there - so many really talented designers - it's hard to know which one to try next.  But, I finally had the feel for this one, for a special friend of mine, and decided to give it a go.  It's all about the timing and the feel for me!  :)  

The focal pendant design makes a substantial piece of jewelry.  It started with a 40 mm Labradorite gemstone donut, which then is encased in lots of beads and has a swarovski crystal in the center on both sides.  Black is always her fav... but it's sooooo hard for me to just do something black, so I added some shades of green.  AND, I swapped the beads on the back, so there is a different look and option.  We always need to have options in my book of fashion -- different ways to wear what we have.  Well... it turned out beautiful, if I don't say so myself!  I added some beautiful brick stitch earrings to the mix - the greens compliment each other and it's ... well...    OOOOOOhhhhh la la.  It's a combo you can't miss!  See what you think!