What Did I Create Today?

Today, I sat down at my worktable with a ton of beads strewn across it trying to find something that sparked my interest.  I started staring at all those very same beads yesterday to no avail.  Something sparked this morning.

I separated the beads that were "speaking" to me.  No, they don't actually talk; and I don't actually hear them either.  I am referring to the beads that just caused my creative wheels to start turning.  Silly.

I set up my bead palette, which needs replacing by the way, with my beads.  I played with different designs trying to find that perfect fit.  I played with an asymmetrical design.  But, that didn't quite work the way I had envisioned.  I finally settled on a very unique design featuring the red square beads in the lower right corner photo (Red Jasper) as the focal area.  These stones are part of the Jewelry Basics line of beads that are available at Jo-Anns as well at PrimaBead.com.

I began the necklace with some of Cousin Corporation's Cord Basics Gold Nylon Coated Flexible Beading Wire.  I strung on a Jewelry Basics gold plated crimp tube on the wire then ran the wire through a jump ring that was attached to a gold plated lobster claw clasp, both of which were from the Jewelry Basics line.   I ran the wire back through the crimp bead and crimped it shut.  I strung one gold plated scroll bead and a gold plated link chain both from the Jewelry Basics line onto the wire along with seven Crystazzi Crystal Pearls in Light Rose Matte. I covered the extra wire from where I crimped with these beads. I then looped the chain back and threaded it onto the jewelry wire on one link.  I added another scroll bead, looped the chain again, and added 7 more pearls.  I repeated this pattern four times (see above photo).

When I reached the desired focal area, I strung one scroll bead, looped the chain and then added another scroll bead. I added one Red Jasper stone and then another scroll bead followed by another stone and scroll bead.  I then threaded the chain back on and added another scroll bead followed by a gemstone and scroll bead.  I, again, threaded the chain back onto the wire to be and followed the pattern of scroll bead, stone bead, scroll bead, stone bead, scroll bead.  The chain was then threaded onto the wire and followed by a scroll bead.  I repeated the pattern of chain, scroll bead, chain, and seven pearls from the other side of the necklace.  The necklace was complete after I strung a crimp tube and jump ring that was attached to a 2.5" extender chain and crimped.  I threaded the extra wire back through the first grouping of beads and trimmed off the extra.  I added a little pearl dangle to the end of the extender chain for added elegance.

Rose Noir

I began this piece by grouping together Jewelry Basics elements.  First, I gathered a strand of 6mm plum colored glass pearls that were mixed with a 4mm deep rose crystal.  I had a gunmetal colored strand of connectors that consisted of a filigree rose and a plum enameled diamond shape with a purple-rose colored crystal in the center.  I strung the beads on some black nylon coated steel flexible beading wire.  I formed a drop pendant from two of the diamonds and one of the roses.  I then made dangle from the bottom diamond shape with one of the pearls and one of the crystals.  The flexible beading wire is strung through the top loop of the top diamond and crimped with a gunmetal crimp tube.  The beads follow the pattern that was on the strand: crystal, pearl, crystal, pearl.  I added a black enameled copper extender chain and a lobster claw clasp.  The earrings have a matching filigree rose and diamond shape along with the pearl and crystal dangle.  The ear wires are silver plated nickel and lead free French hook style ear wires.

I Can't Seem to Stop Creating

It's a good problem to have I guess....not being able to stop creating new pieces.  That's what happens when you have been sent a wonderful box of beads and findings.

So far I have made three necklaces and two pairs of earrings.  One necklace and one pair of earrings were part of my first project and can be seen by clicking here.

FREEDOM

The first necklace is made of 6mm Crystazzi Matte Rose Crystal Pearls mixed with 4mm Crystazzi pearls in Calm Desert.  The addition of three Jewelry Basics dyed turquoise Howlite stones, antiqued silver toned bead caps and spacer beads, and metallic bronze textured glass pearls breaks up the sandy coloring of this necklace giving it a little spark.  Necklace is strung on 7-strand silver nylon coated steel flexible beading wire and crimped with Elegance Metals Platinum Plated Copper crimp beads  The focal point of this piece is attached to an Elegance Metal Platinum Plated Copper toggle clasp and is from the Jewelry Basics line as well.  It is a filigree metal dove with slight antiquing that has a chain dangle and several crystals in matching tones to the crystals in the necklace.  The chain has has a little metal tag with the word "Freedom" stamped on it.  This necklace is available in my Etsy shop.  Click HERE to see the pricing and purchasing information.

 CANCUN SUNSET

These earrings feature Jewelry Basics findings in an antique gold or bronze color.  The beads are also Jewelry Basics.  The teal colored drops are acrylic beads and the orange and tangerine colored beads are glass.  The bead caps in these are Blue Moon Beads brand from their now retired Global Nomad Collection.  These earrings are part of a set that matches and is available only with the necklace below.

This lovely necklace matches the earrings above.  It features the same lovely tangerine and orange glass beads that have been strung on 7 strand gold nylon steel coated beading wire.  The teal briolettes have been strung monofilament beading cord .  The briolettes are crimped on sets of three.  The monofilament cord makes for an illusion effect of the drops floating around the necklace.  All strands run through Blue Moon Beads antiqued gold/bronze bead caps from their now retired Global Nomad Collection. The strands are attached to an 18 gauge bronze coated copper wire that is wrapped at the top of the cones and then attached to a lovely Jewelry Basics antiqued gold link chain and finished off with a lobster claw clasp. This listing is also available in my shop.  Please click HERE to view pricing and purchasing info.

So, We've Been Thinking.......

One of my fellow ambassadors, Patty Squillante came up with a brilliant idea today.  It seems that she and I both were on the same wavelength.  Her idea was to have an open dialog with the public about the designs and projects we work on for Cousin.  It would be a place where other jewelry designers and novice jewelry makers could ask us questions about our design process and inspiration, how we incorporated the Cousin line of products into our creations, etc.

We have presented our idea to Cousin and can't wait to see this come to pass so you guys can participate with us on our journey. 

First Project

For our first project as Cousin Creative Circle Ambassadors, we were asked to create something that was Florida in theme.  We were also asked to use only the Cousin Corporation of America's brand products in our creation. We could use charms, beads, wire, etc. in creating our piece.

As I thought about this project, the only thing coming to mind were the beautiful colors I have seen while visiting the Fort Walton Beach/Destin area: emerald waters with silver crests lapping against beautiful sugar sand beaches that reflect the warm yellow glow of the sun and the most beautiful soft turquoise blue skies you will ever see.  At sunset, the waters reflects a burnished gold and the sky lights up a brilliant bronze color.

I went bead shopping on my birthday and found the perfect beads at Walmart. The colors of the beads I purchased spoke of the colors I mentioned.

I mixed some very pretty green swirl acrylic beads that were strung with antiqued silver beads and a deep green crackle bead with strands of yellow glass linked beads with antiqued gold accents.  I found some very petite strands of turquoise colored glass beads that were wire wrapped together on thin silver wire.  I already had the antiqued gold chain left over from a Crystazzi kit.  All the findings were pulled out of my box of goodies Cousin sent me as part of my ambassadorship. 

Here are the pictures of my finished piece.  Leave a comment on how you think I did.

Here is the full view of the necklace

What the necklace looks like on a neck form.

Close up of the right side of the necklace

Close up of the left side of necklace

Back of necklace

I had enough left over beads to make these pretty earrings too

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