[Jewelry] Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise Necklace

Polymer Clay Faux Turquoise

I.  Am.  Back!  How are you?

One of our dear friends celebrated her 50th birthday and we gave her a surprise celebration!  Whew!  The 3 weeks of preparation, secret meetings and close encounters was fun and we're glad it turned out to be a wonderful celebration.  The theme of the party was "High Heels" since she loved wearing them and we used the colors:  black, gold and white.  

This was the necklace that I made for her.  The pendant is faux turquoise made from polymer clay.  To complete the necklace, I added mother of pearl square spacers, red and black crystals and ceramic beads all wired and attached to a chain.  It drapes the neck nicely and is very elegant.

So, how are you?  Have you been doing a lot of projects lately?

Have a blessed day!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Blog Hop] Bead Hoarders Blog Hop 2013 is coming soon!

Welcome back!

We are 5 days away from the annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop hosted by Ms. Lori Anderson.

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop 2013

I have accumulated a lot of beads from previous bead soup parties and personal purchases.  Oh yes, I am a hoarder, a pack rat or whatever but it's in times like this that my being "that" comes in handy. LOL.

The variety of beads and stones on the platter looks so pretty but instead of putting them in a safe place like I usually do, they will serve its purpose this time.. hopefully.

I have finished the base for the pendant and will be working on the accents and trimmings in the next couple of days.

Do come back and visit on Saturday and party with us!  

See you soon!

♥  michelle  ♥

[Challenge] ABS Feb 2013

Oh... I have always dreamed of seeing cherry blossoms... lots of them!  

Don't you just love this photo?  This is the inspiration for this months' Art Bead Scene challenge.

Heijinja, 1941

Tōshi Yoshida
Woodblock Print

This was printed from a woodblock carved by Toshi Yoshida.  Look at all the detail!  It must have taken the artist a long time carving the minute details.  Check out the carving on the entry way.. awesome!

Pendant made using Vintaj antique copper wire

I wanted to make a piece that would have many "organic components" such as wood and pearls.  The red orange color of the building stands out in the art hence i used it as my main color palette - these ceramic beads were just shouting to be used.  

 I made a wired pendant with pearls and crystals to depict cherry blossom flowers hanging on the branches.  I used Vintaj copper wire in 18g and 24g.

Vintaj antique copper wire, pearls and rondelle crystals hanging like cherry blossoms

In designing the piece, I was debating whether to use copper chain or something else.  In the end, I decided to use suede which I secured by wrapping copper wire around the ends.  It turned out pretty good I think - it completed the organic feel of the necklace.

Cherry blossom garden Decoemboss die

I added a 1 inch Vintaj antique brass blank that I embossed using their cherry blossom garden die.  Then, I used Vintaj patina in moss and ruby and sanded it to emphasize the design.

Just when I thought spring is almost here, it's been so cold and windy this past few days.  No matter the weather, I will keep on dreaming of cherry blossoms.

Be blessed!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Jewelry] Carousel Necklace

Do you have fond memories of carousels?  

I remember the first time I saw how brightly lit and colorful it was... and then, i recall how tightly I held on the handle bar - scared to my guts of falling.  Oh, how they looked so huge  back then.  It was just dreamy or rather hypnotic with the music going on and on while the carousel goes round and round.

Carousel pendant

Flash forward a couple of decades later... My most recent memory is when my husband and I went to The House on the Rock - have you been there?  Oh my... the carousel was amazing, jaw dropping and spooky with all the dolls and mannequins staring at you.

Mother or pearl discs, semi precious stones and rondelle crystals

This necklace is definitely a conversation piece!  It combines the playful carousel and the elegance of mother-of-pearl discs, semi-precious stones and crystals.

Carousel Necklace

Do you have fond memories of your childhood?  Do share...

Blessings!

♥  Michelle  ♥

[Jewelry] Twisted Pearl and Crystal Bracelet

Welcome back!

Two years ago, I wrote a tutorial using these curved metal spacers, pearls, and crystal bicones. 

 Here is a new "twist" to that tutorial.

Materials to make one 7.5 inch bracelet:

1.  Flexible beading wire - you may need 12 to 15 inches depending on how much extra wire you can spare for the project ☺.

2.  Fifteen (15) curved metal spacers.  You can find it HERE.

3.   Fifteen (15) 8mm Swarowski pearls

4.  Thirty (30) 4x3 mm Red rondelle crystals

5.  Two (2) crimp beads

6.  Clasp

Procedure:

1.  Insert the flexible beading wire to one end of a crimp tube, clasp and back to the crimp tube.  Crimp.

2.  With the curved spacer bead in the "C" position, insert wire to the top part from the back.  Add a rondelle, pearl and rondelle and insert to the bottom.  Please refer to the photo below.  Make sure it is snug but not too tight.

3.  Repeat the same order 15 times.  If the flexible wire twists on itself, you can hold the piece lengthwise in order for it to untwist (such as in the large photo below).  I figured that it eases any tension on the wire brought about by excessive pulling and makes the bracelet flow smooth.

4.To finish the bracelet, insert wire to a crimp tube, clasp and back to the crimp tube. 

5.  Trim the excess flexible beading wire.

Try combining pearls with other beads or use a different clasp.

 Now, it's time to iron my white or maybe red dress.

See you again soon!

Blessings!

Michelle