Week #22 - Beach theme continued....

What an AMAZING trip!  Puerto Rico was divine!  We had SUCH an amazing time!  I can't wait to write down all the details and share them with you!

In the mean  time, though, I'll just share week 22's earrings.  They feature BEAUTIFUL hand made, glass rounds on top and adorable little star fish charms on the bottom.  Just looks like a beach on a headpin. =)  *sigh*

I miss you, Mr. Ocean!

Saturday's View from the Beach - *swoon*

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Week #21 - Phone It In

So, while YOU are seeing this lovely posting - *I* am on my way back from PUERTO RICO!!  my bff's husband wanted to do something AMAZING for her upcoming birthday - and he decided that *I* would be that something amazing!  SO - we're all heading to PR - we're meeting up in Chicago, since that's where they live - and going together.  He's got a work conference down there - so our hotel is "free" to us - so an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING chance to see my bff AND an INCREDIBLE part of the US! =)

So, this week's pair of earrings are bright and bold - just like Puerto Rico!  They feature handmade glass rounds with a plethora of fun dots.  The bottom charms are pieces I made, handpainted - with resin - on wood - so they are SUPER lightweight!  They're bright, fun and BEAUTIFUL! 
 

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Week #20 - Curly - Girly

Week 20!!!  Holy Canoli!

This week brought me to a bead store that is closing.  I'm SO SAD!  Since I've lived in MN, at least 3 bead stores have closed, that I *know* of - that doesn't include the ones I don't know.  It's KILLING ME!  Thankfully, this one is closing for retirement, but still - it's crushing to lose ANOTHER place that I could learn and see things in person before purchasing.  SO awful. 

As part of their closing - of course they are selling things at rock bottom prices.  I picked up some new wire gauges (to me), some new hammers and a block for pounding.  I also picked up a new set of Tronex round nose pliers, so here's a little pair I made with the new pliers. 

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Week #19 - Sweetly Swirly

This week's installment is brought to you by Czech glass and some fun new beads! =)

I'm still kinda in love with Czech beads and just can't seem to get enough of them! 

I also, added something new for me - bead caps.  I'm learning that bead caps can add some texture and depth to earrings, so thought I'd give them a whirl this week. 

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Week #18 - Sweet, Simple Copper and Teal Butterflies

 Week 18 is the week of reveals for the Bead Peeps Swap N Hop, so I'm gonna keep it short. 

These sweeties feature copper firepolish beads, copper butterfly filigrees and wood dangles.  Sweet, simple and adorable!  Classic, too!

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To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
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Week #17 - Dreams of Seas

This week, we have a mixed metal selection - I used some beautiful bright silver spacers with the pink/yellow roundelles. The gold starfish help pull the yellow out of the beads.

 I'm so tired this week, and have a big week upcoming as well. So, hopefully next week I'll have a more exciting pair - but for now - pink, gold and silver it is!  Sometimes ya just want sweet and simple.

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Week #16 - Here SeaHorseyHorseyHorseyHorsey.....

It's week 16!! Can you believe I've made it THIS FAR?!  I can't! =)

This week, a dear family member is celebrating a birthday and being that she's one of my best customers, I nearly always make something special for her.  This year, is no exception. =)  Lemme tell ya a bit about her:  When we were little, we never spoke.  Not because we hated each other or anything of the sort - we just didn't speak.  So, when she was in college and she called me to see if she could come spend a few days with me in Indiana, I was floored.  We had SUCH a great time!  I played some pranks (which we STILL talk about) and learned what an incredible woman she had become. 

As the years progressed, good things and tough things happened in each of our lives.  I got sick....really sick....and she has been there with me to support me through nearly all of it.  She came to spend weeks with me in DC and driving me all over creation to different doctors (and adventures), she's cried with me, laughed with me and had some tough talks with me.  We've walked through boys, doctors, friends, jobs, social security, disability and drama - she really means the world to me.  So it's fitting that the first piece I ever had published was a piece I created for HER wedding! =)

Ok, so back to task at hand....she loves sea horses.  Loves them.  She loves all things ocean, but ESPECIALLY sea horses....so you can imagine my surprise when I found these little goodies!  I, also know, that she loves unique things and styles so I really wanted to "go outta the box" with this and the idear for squares came to mind. 

*I* created the ear wires and with the Swarovskis wanted to add both the purples (also her favorite color) and some sea colors, so she could wear them with other things beyond just purple....and honestly - sea horses live in the SEA - they need sea colors. =) 

I hope she likes 'em - cuz I LOVE them! =)

Happy Birthday, K!  Love you, girlie!

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To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
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Week #15 - Sweet Simplicity

A few weeks ago, I had this wild idea that I wanted to see if I could make my own components for some of my Year O Earrings.

I reached out to some folks to see if anyone might have some scraps left over and while there was plenty of excitement, it just didn't pan out.  So instead of using the metal scraps, as I'd hoped....I reevaluated my design idea.

I decided to stick with copper and made my own little frames, then wrapped my sweet new 3mm Swarovskis around it.  So cute!

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To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
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Week #14 - Hippos a la Swarovski

 Several years ago, we were getting ready to open Christmas presents and a family member, who was quite young at the time, pipes up and wants to play a song for us.  So, we all kinda went along with it and the song was.... "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peavey.  Somehow, that song became kinda an anthem for me.  Since then, my family has often given me different hippo items for Christmas - so while I was searching for some interesting focals for my Bead Peeps Swap N Hop partners, I found these ADORABLE little hippos. So, you KNOW I had to have them.  =)

When they came, I about spit out my drink with how FREAKIN' CUTE they are!  I wasn't sure what to do with them, so I kinda let them simmer for a while.  Last week, it hit me..... I should put them in a hoop! Brilliant!  I dug out my beading hoops and whaddya know?  They were nearly a PERFECT fit!  Nearly.  The bottoms were a little.....barren.  I quickly realized that I ordered some new Swarovski crystal mixes and fantastically enough - they were PERFECTION! 

I present to you.....Hippos a la Swarovski:

I'm pretty proud of these little guys and I can't WAIT to wear them! 

Wish YOU had a pair?  Contact me (linda at cherryOnTopDesign dot co - not .com) - I might be willing to make another pair, similar to these. =)




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To be sure you don’t miss out on any of my crazy adventures, you can sign up to follow my blog by email or news servers using the links in the right column of my page. You can also follow me on Facebook get updates about blog posts, my latest jewelry designs, show schedule, and other happenings!
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Week #12 - Long Legged Lola

This week's addition is brought to you by amoxicillin, acetaminophen and delirium. It's been an awful week..... I have a VERY severely infected tooth, which has caused pain like I've ever experienced. I was in so much pain, that I was drenched in sweat. Bad week. After the worst night, I went to a dentist who promptly informed me that it would be $3000 to get a root canal and crown. I cried. Alot. I cried until I couldn't cry anymore....then I wept. I don't have that kinda money.  

So, I'm going to see my "regular" dentist tomorrow, who will look and decide what HE thinks is the best plan. It's going to be expensive and I have no idea how I'm gonna pay for it, but the alternative is to pull the tooth, but then I'd need a bridge or an implant, neither of which is much cheaper.

I have a group on Facebook - Linda's Destash, where I am planning to start destashing jewelry parts, auction style. I hope to get the auction up by Thursday or so. So, if you'd be willing to help - please join the group....every bit will help me pay for this.  I have also set up a GoFundMe page here: http://www.gofundme.com/pnvu2c if you'd rather not purchase jewelry parts but want to help. 

In other news..... I did create a pair of earrings a few weeks ago that I made as a "backup" pair and this is the week I'm calling them up from 'the minor league'. I call them "Long Legged Lola".... made with Swarovski crystals in 3 different sizes, colors and lengths. I kinda love them. =) I hope you do, too.

Week #11 - OooOo Sexy Lady!

This week, I decided to go the more.....sassy sexy route.  I've seen other earrings similar to this and couldn't figure out how on EARTH they connected the chain to the earring.  Well, I KNOW how they did it, but not sure which method is the best.  SO - I did it 2 ways.

 Aren't they HOT?!  Also - AWESOME for brides and bridesmaids.....don'tchya think?

The first..... featuring Powder Rose Swarovski Pearls:

The 2nd...featuring Jade Swarovski Pearls:

These earrings are also a lesson in recycling - the pink ones, I used an old necklace that had broken (thus the fear of breakage), but already had the connections attached.  I didn't have anymore appropriate size or color of those connectors, so I used the crimp cups.  =)  

The consensus was that the 1st pair were preferred over the 2nd...... I'm not sure which I like more - to be honest.  I like them both.... the 2nd set, in my mind, is more secure, but who knows.  I wore both of them to see if one might break - and thankfully - no such luck. 

Another week....another "What do YOU think?"

Week #10 - I made it!!

This week, I stumbled upon something to new to me..... some really cool paints.  I can't paint, draw, paste, trace, sculpt or really do anything that involves hand/eye coordination (which is odd since I played violin for eons, but whatever)...so these paints have been all kinds of fun because they do all the work.  *perfection in a bottle*  SO - I present to you - my first pair of earrings - that I made....at least the danglely parts of....

I used light turquoise Swarovski crystals and orange czech shaped beads (like the fruit orange).  I'm in LOVE with the results of my new little obsession.  Can't wait to play with them and perfect my technique!

Week #9 - Tutti Fruitti!

Seed bead example - itty bitties!

This week, my Swap N Hop partner, Marica, inspired my earrings.  When we first began getting to know each other, I was sure to ask about allergies or if there are things that she'd prefer not to work with.  She let me know that, indeed, she has a SEVERE allergy...to seed beads (itty-bitty little beads).
She breaks out in hives, gets out her epi....she's terribly allergic.  When she was little, she had to sit at the "no seed bead" lunch table.  It was an awful thing to have to deal with at such a young age.  Thankfully, that allergy has only made her stronger.  She avoids seed beads...and life is great. =)

SO, in her honor, I made these earrings...with SEED BEADS!  =)

I was inspired by an inspiration piece at Artbeads.com - instead of using round SEED BEADS, I used rectangles.  I, also, changed up the way that I attach them to my ear wires...but the shape idea came from Artbeads.   I really like these little guys.  They're adorable, fun and sweet as can be - much like myself. =)

AND - they're for sale!  You can find them here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/224755350/multi-color-earrings-tutti-fruitti-pink?ref=shop_home_active_1

Week #8 - Spring - where ARE you?!

Click to enlarge

This week - the sun has been shining, very cold (because in Minnesota, USA - when it's sunny in the winter, it's cold.  the clouds "insulate" the heat here), and reminding me of spring.  So, I went with some BEAUTIFUL pink and green furnace glass.  They appear to be a little different lengths...remember the beads are handmade, so they're going to be a little imperfect, which makes them perfect!

I originally had another pair ready to go, but when I went to connect them to the ear wire - I realized I didn't have the right connection part.  NOOOOO!  So, I'll have to save those for another week. 

I've been having a hard few weeks physically and emotionally.  I'm hoping these little friends will help cheer me up and inspire me to keep going. 

If you're a praying person, would you send a few up for me?  It's been a long time since I've felt this way. 

Until next week!

Week #7 - Life's a Beach!

LOOKING FOR THE PARTNER LIST? Click HERE

 This has been an interesting week in Linda Land.  It started with the announcement that a friend is closing the jewelry portion of her store, one of my favorite bead stores having a 90% off sale and announcing partners for the First EVER Bead Peeps Swap n Hop.  WOW!

During the 90% off sale, I picked up about *coughcoughcough* Swarovskis and decided that I should start figuring out WHERE these *coughcoughcough* Swarovskis are going to go, once they arrive.  

While looking through my "pendant" box, I came across these LOVELY polygon pendants, in one of my FAVORITE colors Light Azore.  (yum!)  So, these were really the starting point for this week's earrings.  Since the color is so...beachy...I went with copper to mimic the sand. I added some other favs...indicolite, light turquoise, light colorado topaz...just to name a few....keeping with the beachy theme.  I also decided that instead of using the ball headpins, I'd make each pin by hand....and I love how they turned out.  Versatile, sparkly, beachy and lovely.  *bliss*

  

 For sale here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/222892911/beach-crystal-bling-earrings-swarovski 

Week #6 - Something boring but beautiful

So, I decided that this week, I wanted to do something simple and not over the top. The weather here has been gray and yucky so I went with some BEAUTIFUL green glass beads. I love love love the bling balls and how they add a little pop to the green.  It just gives me hope for spring and the goodness that comes with sunshine and joy. =)

Week #5 - Battered and Bruised

So this week has been a toughie for me.  It started 2 weeks ago, mentioning to a doc that I had a lump.  Within minutes, words like 'Cat Scan', 'Surgeon' and 'We'll get you in to see a doc sooner rather than later' were being thrown around.  I had an ultrasound which showed a mass in a lymph node under my jaw bone.   I had a biopsy done ....6 needles went into my face.  6! After a scary week of waiting for word - I AM cancer free! 

After getting through all that, I was preparing for a show this last weekend - my first of the year and while loading the car, took a MAJOR fall. Thankfully, I don't think I'm broken, but almost a week later and I still can't walk without a marked limp.  Add on to that the Build a Line challenge, matching partners for the Swap N Hop AND doing the weekly earring project.....I'm STRESSED OUT!  

This week's earrings are a reflection of my week - a little chaotic with plenty of bruises in a plethora of shapes all over my body.  LOL!  I think they reflect it well. 

It's been a cray-cray week, but I'm kinda loving these little gems which feature, of course, Swarovski crystals. =)

I'm also excited because I ordered some fun new tools that will help me move my earring designs forward, and I'm quite excited to put them in to action!

Until next week!

Week #4 - Something New, Something Borrowed (ok given), Something Blue - No old

Week 4 - TA-DA!

Last week, I was so excited to open a package from a FANTASTIC artist, Kari Asbury of Asbury Avenue Designs.  Her talent, just makes my heart sing.  She was so SWEET to have also included this GORGEOUS silk, taffeta fabric with my order.  (Holy surprise, Batman!)

So, this week, I wanted to try incorporating her fabric into my earrings. 

Fabric in Earrings - Something new
Giving by a friend (not really to give back, but work with me here) - Borrowed
And LOOK at that COLOR! - Something blue
 
I wrapped the taffeta with silver wire and added some  crystals to give a little shimmer.  In addition, I wanted something in the middle.....it really needed SOMETHING.  So, I went to my box of Swarovski pendants and found 2 options...starfish or the triangle.  Which do YOU prefer? 

Starfish or triangle?

Earrings Wk #3 - Something.....different

So, Week 3 is upon me and I HAVE created week 3's earrings WOOHOO!

This week,  I made the copper connectors - which I've seen similar things around here and there.  It was FUN!  I loved just winding up, down, tight, loose, and the REAL challenge was making them the same length. =)  I've had these AMAZING etched dragon scales for a few months now, just waiting for the right project.   I like the cragginess of the copper pieces and the contrast with the silver scales.  I think they're just awesome! =)

I, also, made the ear wires.  I couldn't decide if I liked the silver (on right) or the copper (on left) better.  I think I like the silver wire with the blue flower.  What do you think? 

Week 3 complete!  Raise the roof!

Year of Earrings - Wk 1 and 2 - #fail

OK - so I kinda committed to doing a Year of Earrings and I've already failed. Oy. But at least I KNOW I failed and am ready to share my first jewelery of 2015!

Czech beads with Seagulls by Asbury Avenue Designs - can you smell the sea air?

 

Druzy Agate with Amethyst rounds - Delicious! 

These friends aren't on sale yet, but I'm just proud that I've made SOMETHING in 2015!  It's been a struggle, between running a group on FB and having 2 MAJOR events since Thanksgiving, I've been overwhelmed.  I've also been sick - that Christmas Crud had taken me over - 3 rounds of antibiotics, a whole box of day-quil/ny-quil and so many other things.... just felt miserable!

If the seagull earrings are any indication of the jewelry I'll be making this year - I can't WAIT!! WOOHOO!