Necklace for Keely

My granddaughter Keely sent me this pendant and asked for a necklace for it. I had four false starts before I decided on this design. I think it complements the pendant nicely. It measures 36 inches end to end and the closure is (guess what?) a Swarovski crystal 10mm square button. I beaded the bail to match the closure. Just hoping it's not too much 'bling' for her! The 'sparkle' is my favourite part!

Freeform Peyote Bracelet in Black, Grey and Silver

First thing on my agenda today is to wish my daughter Rainey a very happy 41st birthday! Here is a recent photo of her just hanging around!



I'm very happy to say that I've finished the bracelet that I have been working on! I'm pleased with how it looks finished though I have to say that the photos do not do it justice! Of course, it's for sale and I'll be listing it in my Etsy store very soon. It's made of a combination of beads, including seed beads, triangle beads, bugle beads and even a couple of gorgeous Swarovski rondelles.

Ocean Waves Earrings

I needed something quick and mindless to keep my hands busy and my mind relaxed. These earrings are the result. They are named for the recollection I have of the ocean when I was in Hawaii. It's time for a trip back soon!!

Taking a time out...

This is the second day since the craft fair and I'm still in 'relax and recuperate' mode. I was completely exhausted when I got home from the craft fair and had no interest or energy to do anything creative the following day. I'm giving myself a period of time to rest but I'm also looking forward to 'what comes next'.

I've been surfing around the internet looking at the work of bead artists and finding much inspiration. I'm so new to this and I'm finding so many different directions that I feel a pull toward. Cabochons. I found a wonderful book that is an excellent 'how to' for cabochons and it's filled with photos to give ideas and inspiration. Beading with Cabochons: Simple Techniques for Beautiful Jewelry by Jamie Cloud Eakin. The book can be found on Amazon.

Another one that I'm in love with is Beaded Embellishment: Techniques & Designs for Embroidering on Cloth (Beadwork How-To series) by Amy C. Clarke and Robin Atkins. Also found on Amazon. This book has excellent detail and photos to help a real beginner...like me.

I've purchased the package for a bead challenge. If you are interested, you can see it (and buy it) here: Winter Bead Challenge. The beads intrigued me and I can hardly wait for them to arrive.

I also purchased a kit of beads to complete a pattern that is new to me. See and buy the kit and pattern here: Fringe Bracelet Kit

A Little Bit of Beading

These earrings were made a few days ago in preparation for the craft fair. They didn't do as well as I thought they might. My plan is to put them into my online store...wmarlaine.etsy.com and see how they do there. All three are so dainty and feminine looking.



Agate stones with sterling silver findings.


Agate stones and fresh water pearls with sterling silver findings.


Glass beads with sterling silver findings.

Sterling Silver Wire Bracelet

This bracelet has amethyst chips and crystals dangling from it. It also has Bali silver bead caps and elegant little mauve flower beads.

Rainy Wednesday...

I'm away from home all of this week so not up to much as far as beading goes. Though I did do a little shopping for beads on Monday and I plan on doing a little more later this week. I also phoned in an order for more silver wire so I can do more wirework when I get home.

Great New Book

A couple of days ago, I got a new book in the mail and I'm absolutely thrilled with it! It's called Rubber Stamped Jewelry. The book is everything I expected and more. You can see it here: Visit Rubber Stamped Jewelry, where you can even get a peek inside the book.

The section it had on wirework jewelry inspired me and I spent the afternoon making earrings.





The two pairs on the outside in this photo are among my favourites with the bent wire.



This pair with the blue beads was my first attempt at working the wire for earrings.

Mauve Rainbow Beaded Bag

This little knit bag is done with mauve rainbow beads and embellished with mauve and gold flower beads and silver leaves.

Hummingbird Beaded Bag

I finished a knit beaded bag today. The beads dangling from it are Swarovski crystal and I also used some Bali silver spacers and hummingbird.





SOLD November 21/07