etsyBEAD Theme of the Week, Sunday's Best

This week's theme is wide open to interpretation. I've selected 3 of my most elegant pieces to put on sale this week.

The first is a necklace from my collection of pearl mix pieces. These are so versatile and each necklace is different from the next. I've also selected a classy pair of earrings featuring faceted smoky quartz teardrops and freshwater pearls. Lastly, a necklace and earring set of amethysts, keshi pearls and some big sterling silver saucer-like beads.

These items are on sale in my etsy shop through March 1!

MOOSE!

We woke up today to a moose bedded down right behind the house. When I say RIGHT behind the house, I really mean it. These pictures were all taken through the kitchen windows. I cropped some of them, but I left the window frame on one photo, just so you can see how close the moose was to the house.

She started out laying down, but soon arose to forage for breakfast - ok, I'm just guessing here, but she did start eating a willow branch right away!

Once she started moving, she just kept going and I feel fortunate to have gotten any pictures at all. It's amazing how stealthy these huge animals can be. Within minutes, she was continuing her breakfast in the neighbor's yard!

Green With Envy - etsyBEAD Theme of the Week

Each week, my Etsy street team, etsyBEAD, chooses a theme. Members select items from their shops or create new pieces to feature. I usually offer 15% - 20% off my themed items. The theme this week is "Green Withe Envy". Here are a couple of my theme items.

To see more of my "Green With Envy"
jewelry and my whole collection,
visit my etsy shop.

Tucson Part III - Silver

Most of the photos I took of my silver beads didn't do justice to them. These photos however, I really like. Large link and multi-colored chain was ubiquitous in Tucson this year. I can only assume that chain will be a continuing fashion trend. I just love the look of the brushed silver beads. In the picture on the right, you can see teardrop shaped beads with this finish. I purchased several others that have already been stowed away!

I was remiss in my previous posts -- I forgot to mention my near-meeting with another etsyBEAD friend, Sue. Forgive me Sue and next year we will make a plan to meet.

I really have no idea what new designs will be inspired by these chains, so stay tuned and check out my etsy shop often!

Tucson -- Part II

As promised, here's another batch of pictures from my bead buying trip to Tucson. The first photo contains my most extravagant purchase: faceted cubes of London Blue Topaz. There are also some beautiful gray quartz, garnet and pink amethyst briolettes.

The next two photos show a portion of my freshwater pearl purchases. I love coin shaped pearls and faceted pearls. Look at those lovely deep burgundy faceted pearls. They look like ripe berries. I can envision them with some garnets and lots of silver beads. Tomorrow I'll post a few more pictures -- chains and some silver. Stay tuned!

Back From Tucson!

We just returned from a 5 day whirlwind visit to the annual gem shows in Tucson. I spent most of the day yesterday sorting and cataloging my purchases. I managed to get through the gemstones and some of the silver. Today I will tackle the pearls -- my most serious weakness.

These photos are just the tip of the iceberg! Check out the gorgeous plump labradorite briolettes and the faceted cubes of pink amethyst, champagne quartz, garnets, green amethyst (prasiolite) and deep purple amethyst.

The last photo is a collection of different shapes of smoky quartz that I found on our last day in Tucson. I can't wait to play with those!

While in Tucson I ran into (almost literally!) to one of my etsyBEAD friends, Donna. What a thrill to meet an online buddy in person. I also got together with another etsyBEAD friend, Jenni. It was great to meet these talented jewelry designers in person.

Coppery Bronze Pearl Earrings and Necklace

I just love the colors in these pearls. They are at once copper, bronze and brown with a little touch of olive green. I've used different shapes of pearls and this adds a nice texture to the necklace. I've been making this style necklace for a while, but only recently started doing them in a mono-chromatic color scheme.

Freshwater pearls are my favorite materials to work with. They come in so many colors, shapes and sizes. The design possibilities are endless -- at least I hope they are!


I created these earrings to complement the necklace. I find that
many customers like the ease of a "ready made" ensemble.

Beautiful View

I stepped outside the other day and looked up. This is what I saw. I immediately ran inside for the camera. The birch trees sway beautifully in a light breeze, yet mange to hang onto the snow. It was about 0 degrees -- I like to say "there were no degrees" that day.

Just wanted to share the beauty of the day. And yes, the sky really was that blue.

Art Doll or Goddess -- You Decide!

Inspired by a Goddess created by a buddy in my Stampsmith Yahoo Group, Andrea Robert, I created my own version. Her body is a bamboo tile that I stamped on with Stazon. Lots of wire and beads create the arms and legs. Her head is a decorated porcelain bead and it's topped with some wild hair. She's wearing a "Peace" necklace -- I guess she's a throwback from the 60's. I added the aluminum disc as a collar to help stabilize her heavy head. The final addition was some pre-cut pieces of wood, which I colored with Marvy metallic markers and embellished with craft wire for the wings.

My dear friend, Diane Mello just left last night after a 10 day visit. She loved the goddess and she made one too. I love her color choices! The bright blues and greens are so vibrant.