Folksy Friday: Blues and whites

Working with some lovely handpainted blue and white ceramic beads gave me the idea for this weeks Folksy Friday.  Aren't they beautiful?  Click on any of the pictures to go directly to the shops.






1. Blue and white oval buttons by Amanda Mercer/Designer & Maker
2. Tea cosy by Ruby Ruby
3. Pill box feather hat by Rachel Wykes Milliner
4. Glass bowl by Abundant Glass
5. Felt flower brooch by Charlys Gems
6. Shopper by Ann Lampitt

Folksy Friday: Blues and whites

Working with some lovely handpainted blue and white ceramic beads gave me the idea for this weeks Folksy Friday.  Aren't they beautiful?  Click on any of the pictures to go directly to the shops.






1. Blue and white oval buttons by Amanda Mercer/Designer & Maker
2. Tea cosy by Ruby Ruby
3. Pill box feather hat by Rachel Wykes Milliner
4. Glass bowl by Abundant Glass
5. Felt flower brooch by Charlys Gems
6. Shopper by Ann Lampitt

What is it about blue?

 Couldn't resist doing a quick blog about this bracelet.  It combines two things I'm really wild about at the moment, the 'Picasso' lampwork beads that look like someone in the millefiori-making room has gone mad, and cobalt blue.






I haven't always liked blue so much - green used to be it for me, but I did read somewhere that it's the nation's favourite colour.  Who knows how they work that out?

Anyway, it's available in the Folksy or Dreamaid shops.  Do I want to keep it for myself?  Absolutely!

Solution: I'm off to break the habits of a lifetime and make a second one for me - belated birthday present!!

What is it about blue?

 Couldn't resist doing a quick blog about this bracelet.  It combines two things I'm really wild about at the moment, the 'Picasso' lampwork beads that look like someone in the millefiori-making room has gone mad, and cobalt blue.






I haven't always liked blue so much - green used to be it for me, but I did read somewhere that it's the nation's favourite colour.  Who knows how they work that out?

Anyway, it's available in the Folksy or Dreamaid shops.  Do I want to keep it for myself?  Absolutely!

Solution: I'm off to break the habits of a lifetime and make a second one for me - belated birthday present!!

See Through Spirals

Some of you may remember seeing my Silver Spirals post about a new range I am developing, well this is another part of the collection. Made from clear plastic with hints of colour these are really cute little earrings.

The latest addition to this collection will be revealed soon.

Chloe

xx

June loons A bit of blue

This week I joined the June loons on Folksy with their challenge to list a new item each day for the whole of June.  Never mind listing items (and getting sales!) being in the group is fantastic fun - every day there are great things to see and a brilliant bunch of new friends to chat with.
I've picked just a few delightful blues from the listings that are new this week.  Click on any of the pictures or links below to go directly to the shops.






1. Simply elegant and stunning colour earrings by Amie Rose Designs
2. Imogen's imagination is responsible for this amazing turquoise bird fascinator.  Wear it to the supermarket, I say, too nice to keep for a special occasion!
3. Strictly, this one is purple, but it's too beautiful to leave out - by beadesk
4. Blue fleecy owl by Lonely Hearts
5. The perfect summer handbag by Northfield Primitives
6. This one is a choice of sea blues or roses - that's a tough one as they are both stunning - by Drop Scone

Lovely, aren't they?  And here's one from me...

Just turquoise earrings £9 on Folksy

which would go beautifully with....

Turquoise and diamond bracelet £17 on Folksy

Watch out for more loon-acy next week!

June loons A bit of blue

This week I joined the June loons on Folksy with their challenge to list a new item each day for the whole of June.  Never mind listing items (and getting sales!) being in the group is fantastic fun - every day there are great things to see and a brilliant bunch of new friends to chat with.
I've picked just a few delightful blues from the listings that are new this week.  Click on any of the pictures or links below to go directly to the shops.






1. Simply elegant and stunning colour earrings by Amie Rose Designs
2. Imogen's imagination is responsible for this amazing turquoise bird fascinator.  Wear it to the supermarket, I say, too nice to keep for a special occasion!
3. Strictly, this one is purple, but it's too beautiful to leave out - by beadesk
4. Blue fleecy owl by Lonely Hearts
5. The perfect summer handbag by Northfield Primitives
6. This one is a choice of sea blues or roses - that's a tough one as they are both stunning - by Drop Scone

Lovely, aren't they?  And here's one from me...

Just turquoise earrings £9 on Folksy

which would go beautifully with....

Turquoise and diamond bracelet £17 on Folksy

Watch out for more loon-acy next week!

Charm of the Week: Blue Beaded Bangle Bracelet - VOTE FOR ME!

My beautiful and popular blue bangle bracelet has been chosen in Made for Me By Oaklie's Great Finds!

Please visit  the Great Finds site and vote for my bracelet. The voter is on the left hand side and is a grey box.  The theme is "Beautiful Blue Great Finds". You will find an assortment of handmade blue items from other crafters.

About this lovely bracelet...
Fun and interesting bracelet made with shade of blue beads. All beads are glass. Bead strands dangle about 1 inch at the longest. The inside of the circle is about 2 1/2 inches.

Will ship international, please contact me so I can get you an accurate quote.

See more jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingCharm

Charm of the Week: Rainbow Multistrand Handmade Necklace, Bracelet and Earrings

Bright, colorful and unique this rainbow necklace is made up of a variety of glass beads. Four strands are strung through rainbow tube glass beads and adorned with larger beads and silver spacers. The necklace measures 22 1/2 inches.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/37156653/rainbow-multi-strand-handmade-necklace
Delicate hoop earrings float from your ears. They dangle shy of 2 inches.

The bracelet is also multistranded and coordinated with the necklace and earrings. A rainbow tube bead and orange round glass beads are used. Bracelet measures 7 inches.

Will ship international, please contact me so I can get you an accurate quote.

See more jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingCharm

Spring Fling

One question I hear over and over again in artists interviews is, "Where do you find your inspiration?" It's a question that I personally have struggled to answer because it changes so much depending on what piece I'm working on! For me many of my creations are simply born from the beads in my stash or that I find in the store, but others have a much more complex story.

For my newest necklace, "Spring Fling," it started in two separate places. When I bought the leaf beads I was planning on using them in a necklace, but I had no idea how or where. They got put in a bead box for when I had time to use them to create something. That's the hoarder in me, I'll often buy beads just against future use, without a real plan in mind!

Next came this month's challenge "Light as a Breeze" with the Etsy Bead Weavers. I immediately knew that this was the perfect time to pull out these fun leaf beads!

I already had the blue beads that matched perfectly, so I went to the store to pick up some yellow beads. Some how I managed to pick up size 15 beads instead of the 12's that I usually use. Which means my original beading pattern got thrown out the window.

This was a good thing!

I was really frustrated at first, but I decided to find a way to use the beads I had bought, and I'm much happier with the necklace I came up with than with what I first envisioned!

Mention this blog and I'll give you $15 off your purchase of this necklace (and any accompanying items) in my etsy shop.

Charm of the Week: Eyeglass Leash/Holder

Simple, fun, rainbow eyeglass holder is lightweight. Sparkles in the light. Versatile enough to go with any outfit. The eyeglass holder measures 24 inches.

I wear eyeglasses and I know the importance of the holders staying on the glasses. The loops that hold the eyeglasses are very stiff and stays on glasses well. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34646102


Will ship international, please contact me so I can get you an accurate quote.

See more jewelry at http://www.etsy.com/shop/FindingCharm

Spring Fling Lampwork Charm Bracelet and Earrings

Sweet white lampwork beads with a pink and blue floral design are used on this dangle bracelet and earring set. Blue and pink trumpet beads, blue glass beads and textured pink beads dance among the lampwork beads on silver plated rings. The bracelet measures 8 inches and a lobster clasp is used.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42800339

Matching earrings dangle shy of 2 inches. The same white lampwork and glass beads are used.

Will ship international, please contact me.

See more jewelry at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/findingcharm

Crystal Pearls & Beads w/ Fresh Water Pearl Eyeglass Leash

Sage green crystallized pearls, navy blue crystals and fresh water pearls are used with black metal hexagons. The leash measures about 23 inches. Silver holders are used on the ends. This is a sophisticated look sure to catch the looks of envy.  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39610140

Will ship international, please contact me.

See more jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/findingcharm

My Favorite Colors

This weeks Etsy Bloggers Carnival asks "What is your favorite color combination and what do you amke with it?" Well, I LOVE color in general, so I love making bright things, but my top four favorite colors are PURPLE, BLACK, SILVER, and BLUE. You'll see all of these colors show up in my work, but you also see a wide variety of other colors. I've worked hard to expand my color pallette so that I will appeal to more customers hopefully :)

Falling Stars Dangle Earrings

Despite purple being my all time favorite color - I think my love of silver is actually what influences my work the most. I've never been much of a girl for gold, and while I do use gold tones and gold colored findings on occasion, I'd estimate that 90% of my work is done in silver colored findings and accents. I try to diversefy like I mentioned earlier, which is while you'll occasionally see other metals used, but working with silver colors is much more natural for me.

Color Explodes Bead Woven Bracelet

I think my color explodes bracelet best shows off my love of the colors purple, blue, and black. I had a lot of fun working with this piece! It's a free form peyote stitch bracelet that was inspired by the center cabochon. This is one I've been very tempted to keep for myself - and one of the pieces I get the most comments on at the craft fairs!

So what about you? What are your favorite colors to use when creating?

Weekly Special!

I had a lot of fun when I made these earrings! I remember sitting down to do some bead weaving, going all "crafty ADHD," and making these instead! They have all sorts of fun beads in them. Swarovski crystals and hearts, ladybugs, and all dangling from chain! The earrings hang about 3 1/4 inches. This week, on this blog, they are on sale for only $8 plus $2 shipping and handling to anywhere in the world! So what are you waiting for?

"Set me Free"

Do you remember this project I talked about? 

Well it's finally done!

This has been one of, if not the, hardest projects I've ever done. Letting myself go and just create randomness was much harder than I ever imagined it would be! I usually couldn't work on it for more than 1/2 hour at a time because my brain would just start tweaking out on me :P

Ironically enough - even the center piece was really challenging for me. I would have thought that would be the easiest part since it was the only part with a pattern to it (my own btw). However I couldn't come up with a color combination I liked! 

The finaly result was actually take 3.

I chose to name this piece "Set me Free" because butterfly's, to me, are very light hearted and free creatures. Combine that with the free form of the rest of the pattern, and it just seemed appropriate!

This bracelet is approximately 7 1/2 inches long. It contains 7 different colors of size 11 seed beads, 4 colors of size 6 or 8 seed beads, pearls, hex beads, square beads, and even a few pieces of amethyst! It is fastened using a bead with another butterfly, and a loop closure of seed beads.

This piece is OOAK - One of a Kind. No reproduction will ever be made. I couldn't even if I wanted too :)

Like what you see? You can buy it here for $70 plus $3 tax :)

I worked on several other small projects while creating "Set Me Free" because there were times I wanted to keep creating, but I just needed to take a break from it! One thing I made was just for me. Hey - Sharla - it's purple! :P Sorry the picture is fuzzy. I had a bad asthma attack last night and my hands are really shaky today, I'm amazed I was able to get semi-decent shots of "Set me Free" - I didn't try to hard for this one since I'm not listing it :P