I’ve been interested in incorporating the necklace clasp into some new necklace designs.  I’ve just used some twisted wire toggles on these two necklaces, but I’m pleased with how they came out.  I think I may need to crimp the wire down that attaches the dangle to the clasp so that the necklace will hang properly (and not be lopsided), but other than that I’m pleased.  The pink one is especially stunning in person, since the creamy color of the pearls reflects all the different hues of pink.    I have some ideas for wire work and metal clay clasps rattling around in my head; hopefully I can get them fabricated quickly.   

I spent last Saturday trying to get some consistency between my banner on my blog and on my etsy and ruby lane sites.  It’s hard to edit a style sheet when you have no idea what you’re doing, but that didn’t stop me ;-)

  Ocean Cruise

I received some beautiful lampwork beads yesterday by Karen Milmine.  Had an epiphany last night, as just a few days before I received some turquoise milk glass drops which were just the right color.  Don’t you love it when things come together easily?

 Boy is it Crappy out.  With a capital C.  It was raining so hard at one point that I could actually capture it on camera.  Actually, the past week has been kind of dismal.  I was heading home last week and had to pull into a parking lot because the rain and wind were so heavy that I couldn’t see.  I was also a little freaked out, since I’ve never seen the sky turn green.  Apparently that’s what happens if a tornado or microburst is coming.  Right after I pulled over there was 1/2-1″ hail pelting the van.  Isaac was unhappy; so was Mama. 

Today I’ve been working on taking better pictures of some of my pieces.   My goal is to get some sort of consistency in my shops.  I read an article last week on jewelry photography (I’ll post the link if I remember it…) advised adjusting the exposure on the camera.  Duh.  Now I’ve had plenty of experience with my manual Pentax film camera, so you think I would have figured that out.   I also try to put a corner of a white index card in all my pix, so I can later adjust the color cast in Photoshop Elements.  I’m getting there…

 I did manage to finish some pretty lucite earrings today.  Here’s a little tip for working with headpins: When you get to the end of the wrap, and your poor fingers just don’t want to push the wire down, use the outer portion of your crimping pliers to create a nice, round finish.       Just trying to push that 1/4″ down seems to send my hands into spasms.  (ah, I hear the umpteenth weather advisory of the day screeching in the next room).

I got a bonus this weekend.  Because I’ve been such a good sport (yeah, right)  about going with my husband to install his concrete steps at various job sites, I decided that this was the weekend he needed to take me to Freeport to the Beadin’ Path.  DEFINITELY worth the trip.  I was quite overwhelmed when I walked in.  A whole wall of Lucite, a whole wall of glass, etc etc.  They have a corner with a couch, tv, and toy box, which is where Pete kept Isaac occupied for awhile so I could shop.  Next time I need to go with a better idea of what I want to pick up. I definitely needed sterling wire to complete a pearl bracelet I started a few days before.  About a zillion wire wraps  (or at least it seemed like it).       Love how it came out, but probably won’t be doing another one again any time soon.  At any rate, I listed it on Ruby Lane today.

I also received some absolutely delicious chalcedony from Uncommon Beads on Etsy, which have already been transformed into delicious earrings.    

   Rosa Rugosa

We took Isaac to Parson’s Beach in Wells (or is it Kennebunk???) a week ago.  It’s a little gem of a beach, with very limited parking, and unless you know it’s there you’ll miss it.  At first he was a little nervous, but by the end he was barging his way through the water.  I tried to stop him to show him shells, crabs, etc., but he was freeeeeee!!!!!  Along the path to the beach were thousands of beach roses in varying shades of white and pink.  As soon as you step out of the car the combined scent of the ocean and roses hits you like a brick. 

Anyway, the color in these beads reminded me of the beach roses.  The pendant was an aborted attempt to complete a tutorial by WireBliss for a wire wrapped donut.  The colors I had just weren’t working, so I removed the donut and wandered off on my own.  It does make for a feminine pendant.  I can envision it in a multitude of colors…..where to begin?

  I’ve had a week of minimal usefulness.  The shop was closed this week for vacation, so I was sans workspace.  Plus, Isaac was sicker than a dog for the first 3 days of vacation, so nothing got done.   I was desperate for some workspace at home; a place where I can work and then just close the doors when the rugrat gets up from his naps (which, by the way, are getting shorter by the day).  I was supposed to get the spare room, but hubby’s stash of stuff is still in there, despite the fact that he’s got his own garage.  I had a brainstorm one day and decided to use my computer armoire.  After about a week of trying to get it moved into the living room, it’s finally there.  When I’m done for the day I can leave my project out, just push in the keyboard tray, fold up my chair, and shut the door.  All at the same time as watching Red Sox, Scrubs, or My Name is Earl.   Now if I can just get the dining room table cleaned off….

      This was a case of glancing at the pearls and suddenly knowing what I was going to do with them.  It doesn’t happen like that often.  Usually I have to rearrange beads and wires, add, subtract, substitute, etc., but this one came together in less that a couple of hours.  The clasp was inspired by a project in Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller.

Have I said before that I don’t like wire wrapping?  I have to work from the spool in order to do them, because my hands just can’t take working with short pieces of wire.  So what did I do on this necklace?  27 wire wrapped loops.

Yesterday I made a rose quartz bracelet; today I restrung it with different beads, as it was too stiff.  Originally I had 5 rectangular beads, plus some rounds and sterling spacers, but it just wasn’t working.  Today everything seems to be coming together.  (So far) I’ve made 2 pairs of earrings, restrung the bracelet, and made another necklace (admittedly I did all the wire wrapping on the beads last night watching the Red Sox).  Pictures coming soon–I tend to do pictures in batches, since I have to edit them and have to be in the mood.

I also had my first sale on Ruby Lane this past weekend.  That took one week, as opposed to Etsy where I was on there for 5 months before I had a sale.

  That strand of pearls has colors ranging from purple to copper (I think they called them peacock pearls). 

Now that I’m on Ruby Lane I’m going to make what I want to make, rather than try to fit into a certain price range.  We have a motto at the shop: Buy in what you like, because you might have to live with it.  So there will be a necklace.  Soon….

After a week of preparation, my jewelry pieces will now be carried  on Ruby Lane as well as Etsy. 

 Well, the past two days have been an experiment in getting myself more productive.  I’ve decided I need to do things in batches (even if they aren’t the same design).  I made earrings last night (while watching the Celtics kickin’ comeback).  I make my own headpins, so I can design right on the spool of wire. I end up stringing them on the wire from top to bottom, so that I make the head of the pin last.  Snip, then a loop on the top (plain or wrapped, depending on preference).  I’ve found I have a much easier time doing a wrapped loop when the wire is still on the spool, since the extra length of wire gives me more leverage.  I make a bunch of dangles in a row this way, then later I can decide what kind of ear wire to attach.  I’ve also found that I cannot make ear wires at night–I can’t get the consistency in the sizes unless I’m fresh. 

So it seems like I don’t get anything done, but then when I attach ear wires, I’ve got three or four pairs of earrings ready.   Fab!   Then I do my pictures in batches when I get down to the shop.  I have photo lights and a light tent down there.  Now if only I could remember to charge the camera.

I just received notification that I’ve been approved for a shop at Ruby Lane!  I’ve been setting it up since last Saturday, and I just received final approval.  I’ll continue to list supplies at Etsy, but I think I’ll be moving the remainder of my jewelry items over to RL.  My first 10 items are already up, and I’ll be adding more tomorrow.  Check it out!     Until tomorrow!