Cherry Quartz and Shell

Mahogany Obsidian, Sardonyx, Copper, Jet Swarvoski Crystal (and some other black)

This is a very bold set. Very striking!

A pretty mix of beads

This set has four different kinds of turquiose gems, round turquoise shell type beads, milk glass flowers and vintage crystal. Also a silver/marcasite/turquoise cross pendant. I love it. It just makes me happy to look at it!

Scrabble & Vintage

I made these Scrabble necklaces this weekend. I used some vintage beads on some. I think R, J and L are my favorite. Oh, that's funny. Those are my daughter's initials!

Hazel

Something about this one reminds me of one of my very best friends - my Grandma Hazel. I think it is the combination of the vintage beads and the freshness of the copper and the Botswana Agate gemstones. Grandma Hazel was a sweet Christian lady who was full of grace and unconditional love. She also had a lot of creativity and a quiet sense of humor. That little bit of spunk would just come out when least expected. She began to get forgetful her last several years in her home and one year at Christmas when we all got there she wasn't wearing her wig. I didn't think much of it because she often peeled that thing off when it was just us two anyway. But, as we gathered around the Christmas tree, one of the great grandkids spied her wig tucked inside the Christmas tree like a decoration. I don't think anyone pointed it out because no one wanted to embarrass her (but there was lots of stifled giggles). I can't even remember how she found it and what took place - knowing her she just brushed if off with an "oh, there's that thing" and put it back on her head (maybe even a little lopsided) and went on like it was nothing out of the ordinary. I never did know if she had lost the wig or if she was playing a joke on us. Grandma Hazel has been gone now for more than three years but her legacy lives on. What a wonderful gift from God she was to me!

Brazilian Rose Quartz & Sun Quartz

This necklace, bracelet and earrings set is just plain fun. It combines the rougher sun quartz stones, mauvish purple glass beads and the vintage glass white cubes with mauve accents.

Tonight is high school football which means I will have the house to myself. I think it is a good night to do some organizing/labeling in the studio so I can spend a good part of tomorrow designing while Karl is in Manhattan at the K-State football game.

I had orders for 5 of the Scrabble necklaces at my last show and discovered how unprepared I was to make those on-site! We improvised though and got them done. Karl drilled the tiles for me - using the broken bit in the Dremel. I had a spare but didn't think about taking the little tool that opens the Dremel to change the bit! I am so power tool challenged! Sad, huh? So, this weekend I am going to spend some time getting ready -- pre-drilling several tiles of each letter, cutting the cord to length and finishing one end with the clasp, making up coordinating sets of beaded dangles so I don't have to do the wire wrapping on-site except for the actual tile and beads that go with it. All some of that prep work that takes a lot less time when you do it in batches than one at a time!

I also did not think about taking the pony beads that work great as spacers because I do not use them in anything (left overs from Girl Scouts!). I didn't have any beads with me with holes large enough for the cord - so I had to get creative (good thing we do that well isn't it??) and make some wire wrapped spiral spacers. They turned out pretty cute!

Have a great Friday - the weekend is coming!

Egyptian Lapis Lazuli & Copper

So, what do you think about the copper?

Red & Brown Amazonite with Copper

Another pretty set that reflects the beautiful colors of fall.