Orange Knots Real Flower Necklace

I've always struggled with knot work, but finally a friend suggested the best knot book I've ever read. No more what-did-they-do tutorials! Now, I think I could tie a sliding button knot without much of a struggle, the other one is going to take a little more time to master ^_^ I'm very happy with how this necklace turned out. I've listed it at my etsy shop, stop by to see some more views!

Good Luck is Smiling On Me

I can't really say I'm not superstitious... I do think twice before walking underneath a ladder, but that's just common sense! I don't really mind opening umbrellas indoors, and I cringe when I drop a mirror.

But 4 leaf clovers have always been an elusive charm that I search for when I go outdoors (I also look for butterflies... but we have a lot more clover). I did find one last summer, by accident, and was so ecstatic and excited I could barely speak!

I've been working with a lot of lucky leaf pendants, and lately

• my photos have been slightly easier to take and edit
• I had my first jewelry sale to a far away "stranger" (not a personal acquaintance or family friend)
• there has been a jump in new requests for web design and custom templates

Maybe it's just because spring is starting, or maybe it's tax return time... but I have a feeling I'll keep at least one lucky leaf pendant around, you know, since I just really like nature ^_^

The Long RAW (Right Angle Weave)

I had a total revelation at 5:58 this morning about Right Angle Weave. It's funny how you learn something one way and you stick to that way of thinking until something comes up. I love how necessity becomes the mother of invention.

I've been wanting to make the length of a necklace using RAW, I was thinking of making a tube but thought it would take way too long. Then it hit me this morning in a dream, make a long length and fold it in half and sew up the sides. At 3:30 this makes me too excited to stay in bed. I come to the computer and find way too many emails and become distracted for a few hours... I start making the long length at 5:50.

Four beads joined in a circle, then 2 needles, and subsequent loops of 3 beads. After a few minutes, I am getting nowhere! Then I really start to consider the thread path. Understanding the construction and mechanics of the pattern allows you to figure out an easier alternative. What if one needle picked up a long strand of beads? and the other sort of sewed up the loops to finish! Adding 1 bead at a time, skip one on the prestrung strand and go "down" in the opposite direction with the needle with the single bead to finish off the loop. This cuts my time down immensely! And I can finish the necklace the way I desire and not have to charge enormous amounts for labor time! Hope this helps!

Golden Double Helix

This necklace just sort of happened while playing with bugle beads. The twists are adjustable and the length of the necklace is customizable just by adding or subtracting a few twists. A tutorial my be in the works!

Lucky Leaf with Braided Copper

Braided copper plus a lively green lucky four leafed clover is my new favorite combination!

I had a lot of fun incorporating the four leaf theme into the clasp. The green beads came from a stash of a good friend, so this piece is bursting with good luck and happiness!

Burst of creativity + New Supplies!!!

Too many emotions today... but that often means bursts of creativity. I've been in a winter slump of all around ick but today the sun decided to shine gloriously and I remembered a little purple crocus family peeking out from the snow. I love the contrast of purple and orange against bright winter white and it makes me wonder what makes them decide to come so early with inches of snow to either side... I have a feeling it's to keep the Seasonal Affectives from getting too dismal and remember that more glories are on their way.

Also some supplies I ordered some time ago were scheduled to arrive today. Anticipation and deadlines always seem to spark new ideas, like all the materials I have lying around decide that they don't want to hide in storage when the new pieces come. Where was the inspiration before my latest shopping spree??? No complaints... happiness abounds. This is just a little something I put together after the mail arrived. It's a golden beadwoven bracelet in one of my favorite patterns!

I also have some lucky leaf jewelry but those will have to wait until tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day

Share the love! ^_^

If I didn't know about the 2+ feet of snow outside, I would tell you spring is in the air. I'm not fond of the traditional lovey dovey Valentines with scribbled in cards and flowers that wilt and leave your table covered in pollen.

That's why I like preserved flowers so much, for less than a dozen roses you can have a permanent reminder of a special day or anniversary or simply just because.

Happy Love Day!

The Long and Short of Two Needle Weaving

Two needle weaving is a beading technique, that surprise-- uses two needles!

So, it's sort of like burning a candle from both ends, the ending comes much faster than a candle just burning from one side.

I've tried this beaded star in the past, without the stamina to finish, all because I refused to use that second needle. Two needle projects can be converted into one needle jobs there is just more thread backtracking, and a lot more time needed to finish.

I learned to crochet (one hook) first, and I found two handed, hookless knitting to be a chore. Actually, to make things a little easier I knit with crochet hooks until I got a little more coordinated and a little less left-handed clumsy.

I happened to have a box of beads and started thinking of what I wanted to do next. This box just happened to have an old discarded project and a long needle inside. I had also placed a short needle in the box as an attempt to tidy up. Two needles in a box of seed beads, it was just asking for a two needle project.

I'm so excited that they just happened to be different lengths as it made it a lot easier to know if I was turning in the right direction. Also, since I'm not quite ambidextrous, the long needle made it easier for my left hand to pick up beads. And in the tighter areas it was nice to have the short needle. I did notice that using the long needle in the "wrong" hand made things go a lot slower, and the same was true for the short needle. But the combination of long and short turned out to be quite a serendipitous mistake that I'm glad I've happened upon.

You can modify long needles with a nail clipper and file the end to create your own set of long and short needles for two needle weaving. It's also a good idea to blunt the end of your needle if you are using nymo as you would have less chance of splitting your thread. Just remember eye protection and the possibility of pointy hard to find shrapnel as you clip. I did try just filing the end, but found the point seemed to get a little more sharp!

On the horizon: More Copper Goodies

I've stayed away from copper in the past because I am one of the unlucky who turn green upon prolonged contact.

Upon reading all the good effects of copper, I've decided to give it a second chance. Maybe the green effect came from my poor (wait, I mean non-existent) jewelry care techniques.

Copper is a wonder metal. It is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial and has been considered for surfaces that receive a lot of contact such as door handles, etc. It plays a beneficial role in many systems of the body: cardiovascular, skeletal and nervous systems. It is even said to protect against cancer. One of the main uses for copper jewelry is to help relieve pain and soreness caused by arthritis. Of course these are popular belief, but worth a try, considering some of the other alternatives.

Raw copper is has an orangey metallic glow. As it comes in contact with moisture and air it will oxidize and turn to a chocolatey brown, then after a long time or after chemicals are applied it will change to a mint green.

I use raw copper in my creations, as coated copper (sometimes advertised as non-tarnish, or tarnish resistant) will not be able to impart the supposed good effects. It's the prolonged exposure to moist skin and certain body chemistries that are most likely to turn green. It isn't harmful, it should come off the next time you shower. To prevent your skin from changing color, be sure to clean copper jewelry regularly, and store in an air tight container when not in use.

To keep the orangey brand new copper look, try cleaning the piece in a mixture of warm water, lemon juice and salt. To obtain the rich chocolate brown just leave the piece out in the open and allow air to circulate around it. For the patinaed look, exposure to ammonia-based household cleaners should do the trick and the color can range from mint green to a tealy blue. There are some other finishes that can be achieved as well, when copper is heated it changes colors and iridescent effects can be created. Now, If I could only get over my torch fear!

I'm so happy to be able to work with such a versatile metal. It's added a whole new dimension to the pieces I am able to create. Hopefully, you enjoy them as well.

Busy Busy

I can't wait until spring... It's been so icky with 8 inches of new snow this morning. I've been running all over town and it's an obstacle course of slippery roads, plowed street signs and pot holes.

It doesn't help that I seem to have more and more doctor's appointments and I'm hopelessly addicted to the library and there isn't nice parking. At 8 inches there is no real chance of not having snow in your boots. So they turn out to be uncomfortable outings at best.

All this cold and ick has led to lots of creativity time, but not so near a computer. It is actually waiting time, having to leave extra early to get to appointments, waiting in lines etc. After all that, creating in a cozy chair takes up the rest of my evening, computer related activities have been on the backburner. But I have a few goodies to share: Above is from a new line of goodies called Lucky Charm. Below are 2 bracelet techniques I've been playing with:



I've been learning new fabrication techniques, it's been lots of fun. I definitely love working with copper. The pretty resin pendants ended up in a somewhat sticky mess... I have a feeling it has something to do with the cold... Oh well... off to do some more work!

Modern Day Alchemy?

The dream of converting lead into gold has been a constant through the ages. Sometimes it's because of it's perceived value, sometimes just for the color.

Painted, patinaed and plated metals are not optimal as these wear away and can sometimes leave a wearer a little green. But according to a NY Times article there is a Professor at the University of Rochester that has completed a feat of "optical alchemy" that can change the appearance of inexpensive aluminum to have the rich yellow hue of gold. His process uses lasers, that leave the metal smooth to the touch and cause it to reflect almost any color. That leaves a rainbow of possibilities, plus a new darker than dark black, which reportedly absorbs all light that is impinged on it.

Thinking INSIDE the box

Jewelry storage, for finished and unfinished pieces, what a nightmare! No matter how hard I try, I can't organize and keep things in their "proper" place. My current system is clear plastic for everything. Zip Bags are my best friend. For stackability and portability I use, entree size clear disposable food containers. They are great for storing semi-completed projects and great for trying to corral similar beads and components together. Then those containers are stored in larger containers, it's like those little wooden Matroyshka dolls.

So sometimes I have a million containers opened and I have access to everything, but that leaves me with a very large "mess" and makes me seem disorganized. Then, in an attempt to tidy up, I close some of the larger boxes and have a terrible time getting the smaller ones back into their compartments.

I'm currently in the process of making room for shelves for the smaller boxes so it is easier to put them away. It's too bad that when you purchase supplies they don't include the displays as well, like a gift with purchase ^_^ But I may switch out the boxes and containers completely and go for a hanging display... How do you store your supplies?

On the Horizon: Good Luck and New Blooms

The watercolor pendants are coming along nicely... and, without fingerprints!

Some new pretties along with lots more stringing material arrived in the mail yesterday. Good Luck because some of the pretties were 4 leafed clovers, and hopefully just having them around will bring some good fortune because hopefully this weekend I'll finish up those yucky taxes :(

A couple of orchid necklaces are in the works... I can't wait until spring!