Friday, June 21, 2013

Dakota Stones Wavy Coin Add

Had to do just a quick share of the lovely add for Dakota Stones new Wavy Coin Launch using my jewelry.

I think it turned out quite nice.  


I am so appreciative of the opportunity to work with their top of the line stones!

To find Dakota Stones high quality and top of the line stones for you jewelry making projects click here.

Monday, June 17, 2013

More Buttons Please!

MORE BUTTONS PLEASE

I have a new LOVE.

BUTTONS


These lovely buttons and beads are made by

Lisa Peters Russ 

at 

Lisa Peters Art 




I was at my very first Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee and the first art bead seller on my list was Lisa Peters Art.  She had been teasing us all week with her fabulous work before the show.



I was even going to her website here to see if she had posted any but sniff she was saving them all for the 
Bead & Button Show.  So I was very lucky I got to go.

Here is my first creation I made.


For now this one is MINE!




What drew me to her was her color palate and textural aspect of her work.  I had no idea what I was going to be making with them.  But I started with this one....thinking of a bracelet BUT
it turned into a necklace instead and quite the wonderful necklace it is.  


This one is for sale and can be purchased here.




Then after my first creative splurge came to fruition I made this one with Lapis, Dumortierite, Wood, Chinese Crystals and all tied up with waxed linen.  I called this one Ancient Protector.  This beautiful Lapis that is from Dakota Stones is said to have protection qualities in ancient time.


This last one I kept a little more simple with Czech Glass and some Dumortierite Stones. Added a little bling with some Swarovski Crystals.



I also recently bought this very cool lampwork button from my Bead Soup partner Julie Bowen at The Bead Bash at the Mall of America. 

This is my stash of buttons & beads from Lisa Peters Art that I am very excited to have and am planning on working with in the near future.



So more jewelry with buttons to come!

Looking for my jewelry made with these lovely buttons you can find me on Etsy here.

YaY! Jewelry on Etsy



YaY! Jewelry on Facebook

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Designing Jewelry for Dakota Stones

YaY! Jewelry Designs For Dakota Stones




Jeff Elvin & Tia

Dakota Stones is one of my favorite places to buy my stones.  They have excellent quality, unique shapes, cuts, drills and finishes, They also have some interesting and hard to find stones. So when Jeff Elvin asked if I would design some jewelry with his new circular beads the answer was a no brainer.

A RESOUNDING YES




He is having a product launch with ART BEADS.  He wanted me to design some jewelry with certain beads that they were adding to their online store to give their customers some ideas of what to do with some of his new wavy circular beads.



When I asked him if I could go around and pick out some stones to go along......well lets just say, I had a tray full.  I was a little nervous showing him my tray and he said.  You obviously have something in mind, go for it.  When I got home and looked at the receipt I was a bit mortified, so I emailed him and told him that I would bring back any strands that I didn't cut into.  He simply said not to worry and to have fun.

PHEW!!!!!

Those that design jewelry know that having choices is a blessing.  My journey of jewelry design did not start that way.  I use to peruse the thrift stores for cast off jewelry and or beads.  
SSSSSSHHHHHH 
I still do that.  

ALL OF THE STONES IN THE DESIGNS BELOW ARE FROM 




Simply Stated Necklace

So here is my first design I made with 14 gauge copper wire and some of his Rose Quartz Wavy Circular Beads. I simply wire wrapped 2 disk beads in and hammered and shaped the copper wire.  I added double chains to each side and a toggle clasp. Simple and sweet.


Desert Sunset Bracelet



Jeff asked me to make a clasp with these Picasso Jasper wavy circles.  I decided to make a bracelet with a copper bar that I textured.  I punched holes in the copper so that part of the disks would hang over the side of the copper bar. This is all tied with waxed linen, Yellow Jade, Citrine and Picasso Jasper wavy circles. I like the asymmetry and the off centered beads on the copper, makes the bracelet a bit unexpected.


Bubbling Brook Necklace

Etched and Patina focal made by me with Vintaj Patina's

Copper clasp made with copper and matte Amazonite beads

For the Bubbling Brook Necklace Jeff gave me some matte finished Amazonite rounds and some Black and Gold Amazonite Cubes and a lovely Rocky Butte pendant.  I made a handmade copper clasp for this design with some of his stones.  I etched and patina'd a piece of copper to set of the color of the beads.


My Minds Eye Necklace 

Clasp made with Rose Quartz & Carnelian Wavy Disks

 Stacked Carnelian and Rose Quartz Circular Disks with a lovely Fossil Coral Pendant

I am in love with organic looking jewelry.  This necklace has a lot of great quality beads.  Including Rose Quartz, Carnelian , White Lace Red Jasper, Pink Moonstone, Fossil Coral - the only thing that isn't from Dakota Stones in this design are the metal elements and the chunky coral.  This design is all tied with waxed linen and I made a handmade clasp with the Carnilian & Rose Quartz circular beads.

Handmade copper clasp 

Wink Ring - Picasso Jasper Wavy Circle Bead

My very first ring!  I made to resemble an eye called "Wink".  I took the Picasso Jasper Wavy Circles and organically wire wrapped this simple ring with 20 gauge and 26 gauge copper wire.  The copper is patina's with liver of sulfur.



Sweet Love Bracelet

Rose Quartz Wavy Circles & Pyrite

This is a triple strand randomly place Rose Quartz and Pyrite Bracelet.  I added a sweet love finding for the clasp.  Tied with waxed linen.


Some simple earrings

And last but not least.


Pick Me Some Flowers Bracelet



With this bracelet I patina'd this mesh element with Verdigris & Rust Guilders Paste. I added the Carnelian wavy circle as a flower element.  I attached these using Microfasteners.  Stones are Amazonite, Blue Green Quartz, Red Creek Jasper, Yellow Jade and a few Swarovski Crystals for some sparkle.

All of the stone used in these designs are from Dakota Stones. 
If you are shopping for some great quality beads please check out 
new selection of