Monday, August 10, 2009

Vintage Glass Bead Earrings

handmade jewelry earrings sterling silver cobalt blue vintage glass beads
It's no secret that I love vintage glass beads. I have quite a collection of necklaces. And I've purchased plenty that I've deconstructed in order to use the delicious beads. The necklace that originally contained these super glossy cobalt blue beads was nothing special, so I had no problem cutting it up to give the beads new life.

They are hanging from my hand formed almond shaped sterling silver earwires, which I have a tutorial for.

These earrings are for sale in my etsy shop.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Public Art in Anchorage

In Alaska, all public projects such as schools, convention centers, police and fire stations, courthouses, and many more, are required to have 1% of the budget dedicated to art. I don't really know much about the program, but a few friends of mine have bid on and won such projects. This art can be seen all over the state, but I'm most familiar with the projects local to the Anchorage area.

This photo is one of my favorite outdoor pieces of art in Anchorage. It looks like gigantic fishing poles with gigantic reels. At the end of each one is a beautiful hanging basket full of flowers. I'm proud that my state holds the arts in such high regard.



And yes, I felt a little like a tourist when I stopped to take of picture of this!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Details, Details

When working with beads or making any type of jewelry, details are so important. Here's one of the little details of creating beaded drops that I find critical.


After stacking beads on a headpin for creating a pair of earrings, we most often make a wrapped loop in order to attach the drops to earwires. I make 2 types of wrapped loops: neat and messy. But that's a topic for another post. This post is about the neat type of wrapped loop. Chances are, you have a favorite method of creating said wrapped loop. Take a close look at the last pair of earrings you made. You will notice that they do not look the same when viewed from the front as they do when viewed from the back.

This first photo shows one drop facing one way and the other drop facing the other way. Can you see the difference in the wrap? This may seem like a minor point, but in a simple pair of earrings, if each one is not suspended from the earwire in the same direction, it can really stick out like a sore thumb.



I won't try to tell you which way is right and which way is wrong, I only suggest that you assemble both earrings the same way. I always hang my drops as seen below, because I see this side of the wrap as "the front". You may see it the other way. Just be consistent!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Prasiolite ... or Green Amethyst

handmade jewelry earrings sterling silver green amethyst prasiolite briolettes
I listed these earrings in my etsy shop yesterday. The shape of these stones is amazing. They remind me of those hanging crystals from a fancy chandelier. But they really are prasiolite, or green amethyst.

They need little adornment, so I wrapped them with oxidized sterling silver wire and suspended them from my hand formed sterling earwires.

I must remember to save 2 of these stones for myself!


Once again, I'm featured in the Etsy Weekend Deals. My deal is 20% off your entire order August 7-9. You must enter the words "weekend deal" in the message to seller. I will refund the appropriate amount via Paypal.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Our Trip to Homer

We are now home from our mini-vacation to Homer. We all had a grand time taking long walks on the beach, eating at some fun restaurants and enjoying a beer at the Salty Dawg Saloon. We spent a day taking a boat ride across the bay to the little village of Seldovia. It was a quiet day and of course, Xena was the most popular passenger on the boat!

Here are some pictures of our little getaway.

Xena tries to eat a crab at low tide. The crab won that fight.


Xena contemplates the darkening sky.


The Salty Dawg Saloon, outside, then inside. The entire interior is covered with dollar bills that patrons have placed there with push-pins over many years.


Now, I must get back to work making jewelry. The State Fair is fast approaching.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Going away ...

... for just a few days.

We haven't been to Homer in a few years. We love it there and plan to walk on the beach and eat great pizza. I promise to take some photos of Xena at the water's edge (she was scared of the little waves last time).

We may also make a stop at The Salty Dog. Can you believe I've never been there??

Til Thursday...
Vicki