Blog Word Cloud

I haven't been at home for the past few weeks, since I visited my family in Sweden, Switzerland and Germany and then was at a conference in West Virginia.  So I haven't had a chance to make any earrings. But here's a fun Tagxedo word cloud I made from this blog-- you can see which words I use most often!

I'm eager to get back to the creative process this weekend, so stay tuned for new exciting earrings! ^_^ 

Peacock Pair!

  

My good friend, study buddy and former roommate Martha received a pair of earrings from me last year. Unfortunately, one of the beads was defective and splintered (I think they were amethyst) so I told her to send them back so I could fix them.

Originally, she had requested that I make a pair that followed the color scheme in a peacock's feather. The pair I made last year was very simple, with only a drop-shaped mother of pearl bead and the amethyst beads above the drops.  I decided to bling out the drops and add some more length to the pair, since I know Martha is a flashy, fancy dresser.  :)  I just got some new chain and spacers, so I wanted to use some of those as well. 

The building blocks and color reference

Finished!! 

Hope she likes them! ^_^ 

Jumbo Jasper Jubilee & Violet Leopards

Jumbo Jasper Jubilee: wonderfully weighty 

 I've been getting positive feedback on my simpler designs lately, so these two pairs are a throwback to my earlier, simple days.

The colors in the jumbo jasper pair are mostly green and tan, with some highlights of pink or gray. A tiny tourmaline bead tops off the jasper stack and a tiny sterling silver bead adds a little sparkle.

The violet colored tiger jasper discs are a dark wine color with lighter violet swirls that resemble a leopard print. Rawr.

*** UPDATE *** Both pairs have been snapped up by a coworker! Contact me if you're hugely disappointed-- I have similar materials and could make new pairs.

Violet Leopards, made with tiger jasper discs

Good Homes Wanted

Many of my little twins are in need of new homes! :)

I've been making earrings for a few seasons now, and I still have pairs from when I was just learning.  I think it's time to find some nice adoptive homes for them. I've been keeping an eye out for local markets where I can sell them. Fingers crossed I can find one where lots of new parents adopt my little ones!

Building Blocks!

To design a pair of earrings, you have to take into account a number of things. Size of the beads, colors, shapes and weight. How does a bead interact with the others you put near it? Is the goal a contrast? Matching? Does it make sense?

Beads are building blocks for a pair of earrings, and they need to work together to make a statement. Like words building a sentence, dishes combining to create a meal, or friends meeting to have a great party!

Do any of these beads catch your attention?

Shell rings

Tiny blue porcelain propellers

Autumnal leaves

Fossilized coral from Indonesia

Shells, chryscolla and orange agates 

Custom-Made Pairs for Co-workers

Lanikai Plums (made with shells, garnets and lapis lazuli)

Lilikoi (passion fruit) 

View for daydreaming

Top: Cerulean Treasure
Bottom: Orbs 

Mariner's Wish: Sea Glass!

My first foray into the world of wiring sea glass.  I found these pieces of sea glass on the shores of the island of Kauai here in Hawaii. Along with the brown glass, this pair of earrings features cowry shells and turquoise coins.

Front of Earrings, with wire curl

Back of earrings, with wiring crossed

I have other pieces of brown, white and green sea glass that I'm looking forward to using in more earrings soon!  :)