Busy as a Bee Necklace

While shopping at Artbeads, I found this really cute brass bee charm.  Charms are not usually my favorite thing, but I was taken by this little guy and added a few to my order. The flower shaped filigree is a new piece for me too.  I like the way they work together.

Of course, all of the glass beads I selected had to be yellow and black.  What else could I possibly use to accompany a bee?

I recently listed this cute necklace in my etsy shop.  Click on the photo to go directly to the listing.

More Rutilated Quartz ...

... this time with a deliciously smooth Ruby briolette! Black and red is a classic color combination. This necklace captures that, but adds a modern flair.

I found it very difficult to get a good photo of these stones, so I'll share two photos with you here. The photo on the right shows the beauty of the rutilated quartz. It's full of needle like inclusions of black tourmaline.


This second photo better highlights the depth of color found in the ruby. It's the nicest quality ruby I've ever seen in bead form. It was a real splurge for me to purchase that strand of rubies while in Tucson, so I'm using them very judiciously. Click on either of the photos to go directly to the listing for this necklace in my etsy shop.


I just sent out my May newsletter with a special offer. If you want to be eligible for that offer, use the sign up form on the right and I will send you a copy of newsletter.

Rutilated Quartz . with Sapphires

Several weeks ago, I added a beautiful necklace to my etsy shop that featured a long briolette of rutilated quartz flanked by 2 colorless sapphires. It didn't last long. When I started to make another one, I discovered that none of my remaining colorless sapphires would fit on 26 ga wire. I don't stock 28 ga wire -- but that's a topic for another day.

What to do, what to do. Turning back to the sapphires, I spotted these raspberry colored beauties. Then I saw some peach, some watermelon and lemony sapphires. Problem solved! They all looked great with the crystal clear and black rutilated quartz. This raspberry adorned one is in my etsy shop.

Retro Tulip Earrings

I listed these new retro earrings in my etsy shop this week. I found these brushed aluminum beadcaps online and just had to have a bunch. They are quite large and require a big bead under them, otherwise, the bead just gets swallowed by the cap! These matte black elongated oval glass beads are the perfect size.




I also listed a few other new things just yesterday, but they were snatched up by savvy shoppers right away. Which brings me to another subject ...

I released my April newsletter earlier this week. I have a great sale going on, but you must be a newsletter subscriber to qualify for it. Take a minute to fill out the form on the right and I'll send a copy to you very quickly.

Black and White . Earrings

One of my new purchases from Tucson was a strand of rutilated quartz briolettes. Searching the strand for perfect pairs with which to make earrings is both fun and frustrating. The two brios that went into creating these earrings are perfectly matched (yay!).

I've topped them with tiny beads of black spinel and slightly larger beads of quartz crystal. The black and clear (and white?) color combination is stark and striking.

They hang from sterling silver leverback earwires.

Color Gradation

Colors fascinates me. I love experimenting with new color combinations and my extensive bead collection give me ample opportunity to play with color. Here are 2 pairs of earrings from my etsy shop where I experiment with the gradual change of color.

In the first pair of earrings, I worked in the Blue-Violet hue family and I'm quite happy with the results. The second pair focuses on the neutral colors of black, brown and beige. This is a classic combination that always works. Both pairs of earrings, featuring Swarovski crystals are for sale in my etsy shop.

Some of my favorite color resources:
The Beader's Guide To Color by Margie Deeb
ColorWorks by Deb Menz
The Colourlovers Website

Custom Earring Order

While doing the Bad Girls of the North craft show in Fairbanks, one of my regular customers approached me requesting a custom pair of earrings. She gave me a few particulars and this is what I came up with. I love the fact they are double-articulated and will move around much more than if the entire length was on one piece of wire.


I emailed her the photo and she loves them. They went in the mail today. This customer just happens to be the mayor of Fairbanks!