Coins Around the World

I've always thought it's cool when artists do a series all based around one theme. Since I've begun bead weaving I've done one complete series (my Elements Necklaces), I've done a few pieces that I classify as Geekery, and now I'm starting on a new and exciting series! It's called "Coins Around the World."

My fascination with coins started when I was young. Dad taught me to look for wheat head pennies and buffalo nickels. Other than those two specific examples I never really got into the whole "collecting for value" thing with coins, but I have always kept a container with any "odd" coins I've found. Some of those came from random coins that turned up in tills while I worked retail, others were collected as members of my family (or friends) traveled the world.

When my brother came home from Nepal recently I decided it would be fun to use some of the coins he had left over for jewelry...and then it hit me. "I have this collection of coins from around the world, I can do a whole series out of this!" So I went pawing through boxes to find where my collection had gotten stashed in all my moves these last few years and was amazed at how many I found!

I eventually sorted them all out into different bags by country, and it's quite the list!

I have:

Australia

Bahamas

Botswana

Canada

England

Euro

France

Fiji

Hong Kong

India

Liban

Mexico

Nepal

Netherlands

Russia

Singapore

Sri Lanka

USA

And a small bag of one's I haven't identified yet!

Some of the bags only have one coin in them (like Botswana) and some of them have a whole bunch! I have ideas for necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and earrings! There will definitely be some out of this collection I make for myself. In fact, I think the next one I make will be for me :)

I chose to have my first piece in the collection to a Mexican Peso. I was originally planning on doing a necklace with one of the Nepali coins, but I think I'm going to have to buy some beads to do what I want to with that one, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with this Peso!

I used the colors of the Mexican flag (plus black) for this necklace. It's completely reversible, and the pendant comes off! It's in my Artfire shop if your interested :)

I look forward to sharing more of these with you over the next year! I have lots of other projects I want to do as well so I'll probably work one of these in ever couple of projects or so :)

Introducing FFEST

I've joined another team on Etsy! Yes, for those of you who are wondering, I am crazy :P It's called Facebook Fans on Etsy. We're all about supporting each other, promoting, and of course, facebook and etsy!

Glory, our fearless team leader, put together a treasury of some of the new team. I'm in it! You can see my Earth Walker piece in the third row, in the middle. Go check it out!

Want to find out more about the team? Go to our forum thread or our ning site.

Crafty ADD Update #4

Good Monday Morning everyone! I hope your doing well :) I have a lot to do, but I seem to have found my motivation wherever I had stashed it, because I'm not feeling depressed by that! Sorry I didn't get this post up last night. I was tired, and the last thing I wanted to do was take pictures.

I had some fun with various projects this week - can't show you everything I did jewelry-wise, but here's the rest of what I worked on!

Knitting

I finished this scarf a little while ago...but I hadn't fringed it yet. I was thinking about doing beads on the fringe and finally decided against it. Instead I made a shawl pin to put on it! This is the first one I've ever made...but I already have a couple more made up to put up in my Kindred Spirit Treasures Shop :) This one (and the scarf) is a Christmas present.

Ok, and yes, I know it's a scarf not a shawl, but I think the pin looks decorative and cute, so there!

Crochet

I had to take out a few blocks from last week because I realized I had screwed up the pattern in the first row, but I got that done and the entire second row! It's not perfect, there's one spot I'm going to have to fix, but mom says it's looking good for my first blanket :D I'm going to hate tying all those strings in...

Cross-Stitch

This is definitely the project I got the least done on. I didn't even pick it up until this weekend! But I did decide on a new book mark and got the first of the butterflies for it done :) Well, except for the outlining and antenna, but that will come last anyway. The pattern had green, purples, and pinks. I changed it to blues, purples, and pinks, because the green just seemed a little weird for a butterfly. I'm horrible, I rarely do a project with out changing SOMETHING. I do the same thing with cooking...

Jewelry

I'm working on a new series! It's the same style as the Elements series - but it's going to be fairy based and each piece will have a short story to go with it :) of course I have to start with purple - what else? This piece is about half done.

I'm also working on making a bunch of bracelets to restock my consignment store with, and I have a couple hemp pieces in my brain to make, and paperwork to do, and, and, and....

I better stop blogging and get to work :P

Earth Walker - Bead Woven Necklace - Elements Series 4

I started the Elements series about a year ago with Saffron's Firebird Necklace. Since then I've fallen in love with the pattern! I start with a Potawatomi weave base and then use netting techniques for the rest of the pattern.

It takes 4-5 hours to make one of these necklaces and hundreds of seed beads. The actual project takes longer though when you include planning, dreaming, and finding the right beads! Sometimes it's hard to find colors that work well together.

For this last piece in the Elements series, Earth Walker, I used browns and greens. To me the Earth element needs to be represented both by the actual ground itself, and the living things it nourishes. I tried to show that in the progression of colors that I chose.

The clasp was actual the hardest part of this necklace for me! I couldn't find a hook that was the right color, so I ended up making my first hook :) I bought bronze wire and played with it until it looked right.

This necklace is available in both my Etsy shop and my Artfire :)

Introducing - Earth Walker

I'm so excited and frustrated all at the same time! I knew I was going to the bead store today and I'd be able to pick up the final color I needed to finish Earth Walker - the newest in my Elements series - and I didn't remember to pick up the clasp I need! *sigh* So it'll be a couple days before I can properly finish and photograph this piece, but here it is 99% done!

I used 6 different colors in this piece starting with Smoky Topaz, rootbeer, copper, Dark green, medium green, and light green! I really like how it turned out. This isn't the BEST picture, but since it's not finished I was just snapping something quick so I could post about it anyway :P It's going to be $80. 

If you want to see the other's in the series there are links to all of them in my Wind Dancer listing.

Thanks for looking!

Update on Craftiness

Ok! I've started a blog post, I'm going to keep it in drafts, and update as the day goes along! 

Update #1 ~ Relisted two bracelets on etsy that were about to expire (Bracelet 1, Bracelet 2)

Update #2 ~ I got the next segment in my on-going story "Aria's Quest" written up! Ahead of time for once... 

Update #3 ~ I picked up some new agate/rock chip strands yesterday. I love working with these! I usually make extremely simple bracelets out of them, but they've sold extremely well. So I just whipped together 2 bracelets to take with me when I restock my consignment shop on Monday.

Update #4 ~ So I've decided my "hour on one thing, hour on the next" isn't quite practical because some projects take less than that...but I am alternating between one thing and the next!

Update #5 ~ Listed a pair of fun earrings on Artfire! 

Update #6 ~ Took a break from craftiness to go to the store with the hubby :)

Update #7 ~ Came home to find the earrings had sold! It's my first Artfire Sale baby! Thanks Dede!

Update #8 ~ Bloggy time! Star Wars Geeking and a Book Review :) 

Update #9 ~ WOW I've gotten a lot done...lunch time!

Update#10 Lunch was good - and I did some beading while I ate! I picked up the beads I need yesterday so I can work on the next Necklace in my Elements series. The picture above is the only one currently unsold - Wind Dancer. The one I'm working on now is going to be called Earth Walker. I started it last night and I finished up the foundation a little bit after lunch. I'm really excited! I've had a ton of fun with this series :)

Update#11 ~ DeDe's earrings are in the mail!

Update#12 ~ Blue Loving Necklace listed on Artfire.

Update#13 ~ Did some "work" writing. Write up two book reviews! More fun writing later probably :)

Update#14 ~ Picked up my knitting for the first time in weeks! Feels good :)

Update#15 ~ Decided I'm officially NOT going to be taking any photos today - back is waaaay to sore! *sigh*

*Sunday Morning*

I ended up crashing not long after the last update I wrote. My back decided it wanted to spasm, spasm, and spasm some more! So I used a heating pad and took a nap to try and let my back relax. It never really worked. We went over to my in-laws around 5 for a graduation dinner for my brother-in-law. Food was great! I love my hubby's family :) 

After we got back I couldn't keep my eyes open (might have been from the muscle relaxant) so I went to bed...and never got back up! I think I slept for around 12 hours last night >_> My back is still sore today, but much better. I'm not breathing too well though so we're home for the day instead of heading to church.

I still have a million things I want to work on but I'm pretty out of it so some of them are out of the question. I probably won't get any writing done today unless I perk up, but I spent about an hour knitting this morning and I'm going to start working on my Elements necklace again as soon as I post this :) 

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday! I'll talk to you soon :)

Thinking and Planning, and a Question

My original plan for this blog post was to continue writing about my crafty goals. Three posts ago I finished up telling you about my list of goals for last quarter - and what had been accomplished. So the plan was to go on today by talking about my new set of crafty goals. 

Then I realized theirs a degree of futility to sharing with you guys what my goals are. Why? Well, between planning to write this post, and actually writing it, a lot has happened! The list has grown longer. Two projects have been completed. Two more projects have been worked on. Not to mention there's the complication of realizing that I have crafty projects all over the place! I have crafts in different crafty genre's, projects not started that are on my list, and even a box full of unfinished objects (or UFO's), that I really should get to at some point. 

So here's the short overview :)  My crafty projects list is always growing and morphing, so this is very incomplete!

1. I'm working on knitting a scarf. It's going slooow...but I do want to finish it.

2. Whenever I finish the scarf Mom and I are going to pick out an easy first crochet project for me to tackle.

3. I have a few ideas floating around for cross-stitch projects.

4. BEAD-WEAVING - I have a LOT lined up here! Totally new pieces no one's ever seen, new takes on old favorites, and just plain lots and lots of fun :) 

I will tell you that one of my plans includes wrapping up my popular Elements series. So far Firebird, Swiftly Changing Waters, and my spin-off from the series - Woodland Fairy, have all gone to good homes! The only one currently in my shop is Wind Dancer, and this is the most unique of the whole series because I wove 50 crystals into this necklace! 

I'm still looking for the right beads to complete the 4th in the series, "Earth Walker." I had some that were perfect and the bead store hasn't restocked them yet. *sigh* After the 4th is done the Elements series will be complete, but I love this style so much that I know I won't stop there! I'll do many, many more spin-offs :) I have a few ideas of color schemes I'd like to do, but I'd love to know what your guy's ideas are! 

If your not familiar with this series I've been doing just click on any of the names to go see more pictures :)

A Productive 1st Quarter

I started out this year by setting myself a list of goals. I decided to only extend those goals through March, and then my plan was to reevaluate them. Why did I do things this way? Well, I firmly believe that one of the important things about goals is to be flexible. You never really know what's going to happen in life, and in 3 months things can change a lot! You can also learn a lot in that span of time. I'm currently in the process of revamping and rethinking my goals, and over the next week or so I'll be talking a lot about what I have or have not accomplished in the last quarter, and what my new goals are for the next quarter.

I've been keeping track of my goals (sometimes more faithfully, sometimes less so) using the site GoalForIt. One of my sets of goals has been "Crafty Goals." So today's post is about what I've accomplished in that area!

Crafty Goals: Accomplished

~ Elements Series - Wind Dancer - Number 2 in my Elements Series. Available in my Shop! $50.00


~ Create Purple and White woven earrings and bracelet for consignment - Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) Earrings are $10, Bracelet is $25.


~ Create another woven bracelet for consignment - Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) $25.00


~ Create orange and White woven earrings and bracelet for consignment. Currently Available in my consignment shop, custom requests are welcome though:) Earrings are $10, Bracelet is $25.


~ Elements series - Swiftly changing Waters - Number 3 in my Elements Series. Update: Sold! 4/5/09 Custom requests gladly taken - $40.00


~ Learn a new macrame knotting pattern. I must admit I'm not entirely sure how well I learned this one... This looks great, but I've been having troubles making a second one! Available in the shop I share with my Mom. $5.00


~ Heroes bracelet for Theresa - This was a custom order. I'm more than willing to make another one in any color scheme you might prefer! $25.00


~ New Geekery bracelet - Bracelet says "Etsyholic." Currently Available in my shop. Requests for custom sayings gladly taken. $25


It's been such a productive quarter I decided that I'll have to continue this post tomorrow! Until then my friends :)

Getting Ready

I'm so excited about putting my jewelry out to be sold on commission! It's a lot of work to get ready though. I already had a bunch of stock created (whew) so this morning I pulled out my lamps, camera, and took a whole bunch of photos! I'm not sure when (if ever) I'll get a chance to edit them, but at least I have visuals for myself now if I want to look back and see what I created for the shop. I have a nice mix of earrings, woven earrings, some necklaces, charm bracelets, link bracelets, and woven pieces. I love it because I get to showcase most of my styles of work! Woohoo! Really the only one missing is hemp ...and that's because she said hemp doesn't really sell in her store. That's fine with me! I'm a rather eclectic artist anyway :P

So what's next? Well I need to finish preparing one of my display stands (probably do that tomorrow), create an inventory list for myself and to give to the store owner, and tag all the items.

Whew.

I'll get it done though!

Oh - and of course I haven't completely stopped creating while I work on this. I need breaks after all! Last night I finished the next piece in my Elements Series - Swiftly Changing Waters :) I love how it turned out!

A Little Bit of Fun :)

After all the serious, business-orientated post that I've put up lately, it's time for a little bit of fun! To start with - I'm excited to report that I've been given a blog award!

Isn't that cool? Now - I'm lame and I don't pass these on to people - mostly because I can't decide who among all my lovely friends to pick! It's not fair to leave some of you out. I do want to say a HUGE thanks to the Simply Sticky blog for nominating me though! Make sure you check out the blog :)

Guess what? I got jewelry stuff for Christmas! My awesome mother-in-law bought me a jig so I can continue to grow in my wire work. I've started playing around with it, but I have a feeling it'll be a week or two before you see anything. I want it to look good!


In other news - remember my Firebird Necklace? Well, I originally created it for a challenge for Team Big Damn Crafters. Fire was first and foremost n my mind as I created this - and I played around a lot to find a pattern I liked. In the end I took a simple pattern for the base, and added on to it!

Well, I knew as soon as I finished this piece that I wanted to do more. I didn't know what colors - but I knew I wanted to do more! It just turned out so beautiful and I'm so proud of it! Well, after lots of thinking, and long conversations with my crafty Mom, I've decided to make this necklace the first in a series based on the four elements. I have the plans written up for the next three pieces, and hopefully I'll start working on the one for Air soon :) It all depends on when I'm able to buy the seed beads I need for it. That and I have a custom order to work on first... 

Can you tell that lately I have a million and half ideas lately? Well...you have no idea! :P