Practice, Practice

Ok...I've been practicing on my wiring.  Both of the earring styles are from Perfect Match:  Earring Designsfor Every Occasion by Sara Schwittek & Anita Lin.  Below is a simple pair of earrings using sterling and 8mm Amazonite rounds. 

This is another pair of earrings using sterling silver, lilac crystals, smokey quartz rounds and fluourite colored glass donuts. These were not as challenging as they look!

We had our It's Riveting Class on 11/14 and the students created pendants using Vintaj rivets and blanks.  Not only did they rivet their pendants, but they also played with some texture. 

These are Catherine's pendants (thanks to Catherine for taking and emailing me the photos).

Linda's Pendants.

Lindsey's Pendants...Lindsey did make one more pendant...but we didn't get a picture of that one.

Pam's Pendants.

Patty's Pendants.

We didn't get a picture of Theresa's Pendants.  She made 3 really nice ones as well.  All of the ladies did a great job and had fun making just a "little" noise pounding on the metal.

Hope you enjoyed the pics....let me know what you think!

New Projects, New Technique

I've been happily working on some wirework....this is something new for me.  The picture below was my very 1st project with the coiling/wrapping technique.  I used 16 gauge copper wire as my base and 26 gauge silver plated wire to coil and add on the 3mm Firepolish.  The outside dangles are dyed quartz rondelles and the large central dangles are vintage German gladd beads purchased in Portsmouth, NH.

These delicate little beauties were my 3rd attemp and were just me fooling around.  I was inspired by a trip to the local box store and their costume jewelry selection.  I used 22 gauge wire as my base and 26 gauge copper wire to wrap/coil.  The accents are ivory ceylon 8/0 seed beads and small rice-shaped freshwater pearls.  These were a bit trickier because the wire is soft and thin but so worth the delicate, airy look!

Hope you've enjoyed my practice runs at some wiring beyond the basic earring.

Bead Happy!

Michelle

What's been shakin'

Ok...it's been awhile since I've posted anything new.  I've been working on several things--Christmas Ornaments for our Ornament October classes (we had 3 new ornaments this year) and then I totally got hooked on the new rivets from Vintaj. 

Above are my samples that I played around with to try out the rivets. Of course I had to add a bit of sparkle to some.  Our class is full for this project on November 14, but don't worry, we will be having this class again after the 1st of the year!

We've gotten in a bunch of cool new books including Seed Bead Fusion by Rachel Nelson Smith.  Isn't this a cool bracelet.  I used Met. Gold Iris 8/0 & 11/0 and Matte Met. Green Iris 11/0 and fushia Swarovski crystals.  This is really an easy technique! 

One of her projects--the Shiloh necklace--was offered as a class at the Bead and Button Show this past summer.  I almost took this class it was sooo pretty!  Can't wait to try this project.  We've sold out of some of the books that we've gotten in over the last couple of weeks...but we will be getting more in time for the holidays.  So put some books on your holiday wish list!

There are some new holiday earring ideas that we will have out...Aren't these candle sticks adorable!?! 

Thread on a 10mm Swarovski 3700 (Margarita bead), 3 4mm bicones, 1 4mm Swarovksi Rondelle and a Swarovski 5500 (9x6 drop bead).  Create your wrapped loop or simple loop and attach to an earwire.  These cuties are about 1 inch long (not including the earwire).

And these little cuties...Christmas Lights!  Thread on (narrow side down) a Swarovski 5500 (9x6 drop), a 4mm rondelle and a 4mm round (Swarovski 5000).  Create your wrapped loop or simple loop and attach to the earwire. 

There have been other things that I've been toying around with...I've been trying to practice my wire skills so that I can teach more wire classes next year.  I've also been playing with some new weaving patterns and wire knitting on a spool. 

What new things have you been working on or reading?

Oh!  And if you didn't know...I had my hair all cut off!  Talk about change...I donated 10 inches to Pink Heart Funds which will accept hair donations of 6 inches or more.  The hair is used to make wigs for children AND adults who are in need!  So if you or someone you know would like to donate hair but do not have 10 inches to spare this is the organization to use.  I found this organization through AARP magazine. 

All for now and promise to post more often! 

Bead Happy!

Michelle