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. 

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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. =)




 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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!
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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 #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!

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!

BIG NEWS!!

SO....a few weeks ago I posted about some *big news*.....

I'm going to be published again!!!  HOORAY!  This time, just a pair of earrings in Jewelry Stringing Magazine!  Fall 2014 issue.  VERY excited! 

Gettin' my MOJO back...

well...kinda. =)  A few weeks ago, I found this awesome website (http://humblebeads.blogspot.com/2014/03/mojo-challenge-week-3-back-to-school.html)  which offered some ways to challenge yourself in your jewelry making abilities.  They suggested joining a "challenge" and while I'm doing "BeadSoup", I wanted something with a little more instant gratification?  Anyway, so this week's theme was to "Learn Something New"

A few weeks before this, Swarovski (my most favoritest company on the planet) announced their new colors and products for the season.  One of the new colors is called "Crystal Iridescent Green".  Doesn't sound terribly fantastic but my oh my!  The pearls with this color are AMAZE-BALLS!!

In my haste to get my hands on some of these babies, I ordered some pearls which I didn't realize were "half drilled".  As the name suggests.... they're only drilled half way through.  Seems like not a big deal, but it is kinda.  I didn't have *any* idea of what to use to make these little babies work for me.  I searched high and low using "eye screw" "screw cap" "eye bead cap" "screw eye bead cap" - nothing worked.  WELL - come to find out - it didn't work because it's not a "screw" or "eye" it's a "peg".  Grrrrr - how would *I* know that?!  Yeah, I wouldn't.  thanks.

SOOOOOO I finally found some GORGEOUS "peg bead caps" and I was off and running.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182075251/classic-crystal-green-gold-dangle

Aren't they INCREDIBLE?!



These pearls are drilled all the way through (which is typically how I purchase my beads)

Swarovski Crystal Iridescent Green Pearls AND Bicones

So whaddya think?

Putting the FUN Back In My Life

Holy Crickets has it been a loooooooong winter here!  Just this week - we had another FOOT of SNOW!!  THIS is why I moved to DC!

As you can imagine, gray skies and a bunch of personal drama (You can help by clicking here) has REALLY damped my spirits.  I've been struggling with depression for most of my life and after being here just 1 winter, I know why.  It's just SO dark, gray and dreary for SO long!  I miss the sun, I miss playing in the Cherry Blossoms and I miss the freedom of SPRING!  This has also been evident in my jewelry...pretty boring or not even happening at ALL.  SO sad and making me feel even worse about things. 

A few days ago, I'd had enough.  It's time to start putting some FUN back in to my life.  SO....here is the fruit of that labor. 

You WOODn't Know It's Spring....

I Went To A Craft Show and Came Home Hammered

I SAW her standing there..

 No Need To Be Crabby, Linda!

Day 6 - Use a different metal

Today's challenge is to try a different metal - here I come copper....

Typically, I'm a silver girl.  I don't know why - I just like it.  Today's challenge was to use a different metal, so I went with copper.  I found these GORGEOUS earring pieces and purchased these stunning vintage, czech glass beads and found out how beautiful they look together!  Proud of this one. =)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/125688978/vintage-copper-and-green-earrings