Snow Ashes

Snow Ashes 

I received an order to create a mostly gray and black pair of earrings, so I put to use this beautifully mottled pair of snowflake jasper beads. Added rainbow black opals, septarium and lapis lazuli beads, plus a pair of sterling silver round beads to make them sparkle a bit.  Voila!  I hope they meet expectations!

***UPDATE (7/11/13)  They were a hit, and have solicited a follow-up pair, this time with main stones of royal blue!*** 

Lime Margarita and Anemone Dream

Keauhou residents

Lime Margarita

Anemone Dream

Kona Sunset, June 2013

Combining Beads & Some Inspiration

Designing earrings can be difficult, since when you see beads laying in their boxes or on the table, they can look totally different once they're put on a wire.  It depends on their size, where their holes are located for the wire and how they balance.  

Here is an example: 

Loose beads on the table

Once they're stacked on a headpin, they look a bit different!

And the finished product: Waikiki Bungalows, available on my Etsy page

 Below are a few different beads I have. Sometimes just looking at them and combining them in different patterns is a great source of inspiration. 

Shells and assorted wooden beads

Freshwater pearls

At other times, I need some inspiration from the natural beauty around me. 

Kailua beach, Oahu Jan. 2013

Kapiolani Park and Waikiki, from Diamond Head, Feb. 2013

 Appreciating the beauty around you helps when you're trying to be creative and design something beautiful yourself.  ^__^