Stormy Skies

We're having a bit of a strange Summer so far... 

It's our first time spending any length of time in Northern Alberta, 

so we're not sure if this is the norm, 

but someone told us that they see snow once a month here.

So far, June has been snow-less (but it came close a few times). Pretty much every evening, 

we end the day with a storm. I see so many clouds, and they really fascinate me.

So in keeping with our stormy skies of late, I've designed this pair of earrings, which

features various shades of grey, and lines representing clouds and lightning:

This design features a pair of gorgeous Artisan Lampwork Beads (I've lost the seller's info, I bought these a long time ago), a couple of chunky nuggets of Labradorite, and natural grey freshwater pearls.

Coupled with Sterling Silver, and these earrings have all the shapes of a cool storm, if you ask me :)

You can find these earrings HERE on my website!

Happy stormy days...

With love and inspiration,

Nathalie Lesage, Metalsmith/Jewelry Artist

http://www.NathalieLesageJewelry.com

Illusion

I love the color combination of copper and turquoise. So much so, that I even have a Pinterest board filled with the gorgeous color pairing. You can see it here.

 

This beautiful felt flower brooch is from my board and I loved it so much that I bought it. 

It's from Brigite on Etsy. 

These earrings are available for purchase here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a fun weekend!

Kristy Abner

Kristy's Kreations 

Love for Green

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; 

but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
― Ernest Hemingway

 The reason I use so much green and brown in my work... Earth. I just came to realize it. I always go back to the green. It doesn't sell well, it's not popular, but it's what I love. 

I stopped in a bead shop in Portland the other day. Not intending to SHOP but I did, shop. Found so many beautiful dirty, matte, rustic strands of really old looking new beads. I don't think these will last long for me- I have ideas for all of them already. 

My first set, a pair of earrings with African glass, Tibet agate and some California beach glass I picked up earlier this year while on vacation. 

I don't know if it's PC to like your own work, but I love how these turned out. Really love the GREEN and *Earthy brown agate together. 

 Just listed these today on my new website at www.ArtandSoulJewelry.COM 

What's your favorite color for jewelry? 

Do you pick out the outfit first or the earrings? 

☮ Cindy

Calling all mermaids!

My hubby and I were recently on one of our road trips (yay!) and of course, we were blessed to see some beautiful scenery all along the way. This always inspires me :)

I always enjoy taking the ferry to cross from Vancouver Island to go to the main land. 

I love the sight of the ocean, the water, the sailboats, the whales, etc... 

Sometimes, I wish I could be a mermaid :)

So, of course, I was itching to get back to my bench and make some sea glass jewelry!

I made a few necklaces and I found a couple of chunks of glass that went well together,

enough to make this cute pair of earrings:

I love that they sort of match, but not fully match.

I added some cute sterling silver fish charms that I found in my stash,

purchased many years ago from FMG. 

(they were links originally,  but I removed the bottom rings to turn them into charms instead)

I wrapped them up to a pair of large rings and suspended them from

one of my pairs of handmade ear wires.

You can find these earrings HERE as well as other sea glass jewelry on my website.

Thanks for having a look!

Nathalie Lesage, Metalsmith/Jewelry Artist

http://www.NathalieLesageJewelry.com

We're All Ears :: June Reveal

Beautiful architecture captures my imagination. I find it fascinating that someone can foresee the final product of a structure and then bring it to life. The Guggenheim museum central atrium with its soaring spiral view is a true marvel. The gentle curving walls are actually wider at the top then at the bottom. This was Frank Lloyd Wright's last major work. He died six months before the opening.

Obviously, the spiral shape is what captivated me most about this image. That and the delicate, almost cobweb-like skylight. Spirals are such a common shape in nature.

I couldn't help a little shopping at the recent Bead & Button show (totally breaking my bead diet like a diabetic dropped in the middle of the Hershey factory!), and as I was looking I happened to see these shapes in some of what I purchased. Two sets of art beads, from two different artists, but each with this spiral cobweb motif.

First up are rustic ceramic charms from Marsha Neal Studios. There is a yummy crustiness to this finish that I adore. They are textured on the back as well, with just a touch more blue, but I really liked this side. I decided to bring in some of my favorite jewels from Beads Direct Online (really the only place that I buy gemstones from!) that are rough cut nuggets in Hessionite garnet with an AB finish that gives them a flash of blue and green added to the rich orange color. The holes on these stones are quite tiny, so I had to use 24 gauge wire, but that would be very flimsy. So I solved that by wrapping the wire around the beads to stabilize them and wrapped in between each stone to strengthen the stack. I call these 'Spira Mirabilis,' Latin for 'miraculous spiral,' which is what they call a logarithmic spiral that you find in nature, like the inner workings of a nautilus or an unfurling fern frond.

Going to the Green Girl Studios booth is always a highlight of my time at the Bead & Button show. I always wait until there is a lull so that I can really peruse their goodies at my leisure. Usually that is difficult, as their booth seems to be mobbed at all times. But this year was a bit more relaxed, and I spent a good amount of time there. I told Cynthia Thornton that it was always a pleasure to visit with them. She didn't believe me. She thought that I would mean visiting with her brother, Andrew Thornton, as most people who stop by. But no. I love both of them for the way they each approach life and view the world. Seeing the world through their eyes is really uplifting and intriguing.  And tagging along while they shop is even more fun!

While running my fingers through all the little compartments at their booth and seeking pieces that I don't already own (read: hoard), I came across these little oblong charms. Both sides have a pattern, so they could be reversible, but what struck me was this side. The intricate details reminded me of spiderwebs. When I got home and was making earrings for this challenge, I realized then that the windows of the skylight were represented here. I love the way they are overlapping as if dependent on the other lines to support their pattern. I paired these pretty charms with some onion-shaped briolettes in labrodorite with an AB finish from Beads Direct Online and kept is simple. I call them 'A Delicate Balance.'

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for joining me in the We're All Ears monthly challenges. When I started this a few months ago, I had no idea if it was something that would be interesting, but you have proven to me that it is. Your participation encourages me to keep on planning the monthly We're All Ears inspiration challenge. The next inspiration will be revealed on July 4th.

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Let's see what you created!
Please take the time to hop around to the participants.
Leave kind, encouraging comments.
Visit their shops.
Make new friends!

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An InLinkz Link-up

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Add the InLinkz code to your blog!

get the InLinkz code

Little lamps

In contrast to my last shared pair of earrings, here's a super simple pair.

They're still kinda fun though.  As soon as I saw these paper tube beads (made by Spoon), I couldn't shake the image of a pair of vintage lamps from my head.  I told myself it was a bit of a daft idea, but still I couldn't resist going ahead with it. I think they turned out pretty cute.

I listed them in my Etsy shop the other week. I have a stack of more elaborate earrings waiting to be photographed, but the sun is currently shining away far too brightly for photographs to happen. (I'm not going to grumble about that!)  Hopefully, I'll have got them taken in time for my next post!

While I'm here, tomorrow is the reveal day for our monthly blog hop, We're All Ears. Have you made your earrings yet?

Bye for now, Claire
www.somethingtodo.etsy.com
www.somethingtodowithyourhands.com

Pebble Beach

Ok, yes, I'm getting a little punny with my title here, but I couldn't help myself. These earrings are the perfect marriage of beach and primitive - for the organic earth mother in all of us. When Rey from greybirdstudio gifted me these little salmony and lemony shells from the Isle of Skye, I knew I had to create a study in warm beachy sunset hues. 

It took some fiddling, but I settled on a neat ladder design to feature a handful of smooth tumbled Lake Michigan pebbles. 

Some creative wire wrapping plus little scraps of hemp twine, and you're ready for some sand squishing between your barefoot toes. 

 
A flowy long dress, hair tressed up and wild, sun kissing your bare shoulders...I can feel it now :)

Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

Boho Southwestern

Boho Southwestern Earrings

I enjoy overlapping design styles, boho, southwestern, tribal, rustic, primitive and ethnic. This crossover in styles seems natural and makes the designs more interesting to me. After all, these styles all have many common qualities.

In this pair of earrings, I have a mix of styles that always works well together for me. Smallish orange lampwork beads from Yvonne Johnson are capped with crusty looking pieces of eucalyptus in a dark blue green color. The rectangular copper drops have stamping and hammered edges in keeping with the rustic southwestern theme. Verdigris patina adds to the aged look and contrasts well with the lampwork glass.

What I wouldn't give to be able to wear a dress like this again! and look good in it. The dress is sort of tribal and minimalist, but still fits into the Bohemian realm.

This wonderful bag is definitely not minimal, but has elements of both tribal and primitive styles.






Gloria Ewing

Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire

Bloomin

These gorgeous Red Crusty Flowers made by HavanaBeads have inspired me more than once. I've used them numerous times in my earrings designs and I always love the end result!

This time I've attached them to really wonderful Bone Beads with Tribal Patterns running around them.

http://www.kristibowmandesign.com/product/bloomin-earrings-handmade-lampwork-glass-and-bone

They are kind of mismatched but look so fine when put together, and I resisted the urge to put a little bit of Sari Silk on them, I like them just as they are!

I'm opening a new shop on Indimade!

Not much listed there yet but please check back, I'll be trying to add new items every day.

KristiBowmanDesign.com

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

Sari Hoops

Love adding Sari silk to my work when I can and I immediately fell in love with these Bubby & McGurk lampwork beads so I combined the two and am pleased with the result.

These earrings sold at my show this past Saturday, but there are more great earrings on my website.

Thanks for looking and have a fabulous weekend!

Kristy Abner

Kristy's Kreations

Kristy's Kreations Facebook Page

Kristy's Kreations Blog

Kristy's Kreations Website 

 

 

 

Young Mermaids in Love

Young Mermaids in Love

These earrings make me think of naiads and mermaids! I gathered up some water colors--a little viridian, a little glacier green, a little teal--and bound them together in silver and brass (plus a little sparkle of AB rhinestones.)

If these two star-crossed lovers ever overcame their worldly forms and tied the knot--and I was the lady's stylist and she was thinking casual backyard wedding, maybe potluck--I might suggest these for an understated, but romantic look. This picture makes me sad (such yearning, but so impossible!):

The Mermaid, by Howard Pyle (1910)

I like to think they got together, somehow, in the end.

Pale green recycled glass beads and teal seed beads via Afrobeadia

AB rhinestone rondelles with black finish, Stinky Dog Beads

Czech glass dotted ovals from ArteBellaSurplus

Stamped brass rings and sterling beadcaps by me!

Keirsten

Etsy

Blog

Flickr

A little topsy... A little turvy :)

Yes, it is one of those days... where I felt a little topsy, and a little turvy! (not "tipsy"!! LOL)

I really need to clean up my bench. What a mess!

Amongst all the parts, baubles, beads, wires, metal, tools that all seem to pile up on there,

I always find some kind of treasure to put together.

Today, I fancied a little upside-down time. This is what I ended up with:

Inspired by my quest to celebrate how every single woman is totally unique (and I feel her jewelry should reflect this too), the Rosa Pink Tourmaline Earrings were born :)

These silver drop earrings feature:

nuggets of luscious Pink Tourmaline gemstones,

a set of my handmade Fine Silver mini hoops,

a pair of pretty sterling silver starfish (gotta nurture the mermaid in me!)

all with a soft satin antique finish

You can find the Rosa Pink Tourmaline Earrings on my website HERE.

Thank you for stopping by!
Have a super day!

Nathalie Lesage

Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist

http://www.NathalieLesageJewelry.com

We're All Ears :: June Inspiration

 

Guggenheim Museum: Source

  

One of these days I hope to take a trip to New York City. At the top of my list of must-sees is the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by my favorite architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, this modern marvel is truly a living piece of art that houses some of the world's greatest art.

 

 Completed in 1959, this building immediately became an icon. It testifies to the genius of Wright's vision. Despite the languid curvilinear shape, there are angles as well. Triangles, arcs, circles, squares, ovals. The natural nautilus-shaped spiral gently slopes from the top to the bottom leading the patron through each layer of the collection. This view is looking up from the bottom of the rotunda to the impressive sky lights above.

 What inspires you about this stunning architecture?

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To participate in the We're All Ears creative challenge:

Make earrings inspired by this picture.

Write a post on your blog.

Add your exact blog post URL link to the InLinkz code right here
on Friday, June 20th.

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Ladies in Waiting

Things have been a bit hectic here this last week or so.  I did a market at the weekend.  It's one I do regularly - every month - but I decided to make some alterations to both my display and the selection of jewellery I have available, which ate into my time.  So, I've had to turn to my back catalogue for today's pair.




They're kinda crazy daft, I know. I made them around Christmas - I can't believe that's nearly six months ago!  They were a heap of fun to make. The ceramic connectors are from Scorched Earth.  I'd been holding on to them for ages - I got them in my first SE order, long, looooong ago!

Bye for now, Claire

something to do with your hands
something to do with your hands on Etsy

Cosmos

There are some beads that require no introduction, no explanation, no overwrought designing. Basha Beads typify this. Barbara has perfected this lampwork glass technique and her beads are singular---immediately recognizable and always breathtaking. How does she capture all that glowy magic and all those cosmic nebula in each little bead?


I'll admit to being a Basha Bead hoarder - no shame there. I only like to use them when I truly feel like my design can do them justice.

 

I had a stroke of inspiration lately on how to make some wicked primitive earrings that highlight these beads without being too complicated. Plus it let me really wail on some copper with a hammer - that's always fun (read: stress relief). 


I made several variations: soft glowy ancient glass, red garnet, and scuzzy green Roman glass. For those days where you're feeling  mysterious, fiery, or calm and reflective.
 


Surprisingly simple, but these babies pack a lot of punch. I've even had guys notice them - when men start noticing your jewelry, that means you're on to something. 


Happy mid-week,

Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

Cavorting in the Casbah

Casbah Earrings on Etsy

The image in my mind was one of belly dancers, richly colored woven tapestries and mysterious looking men smoking hookah pipes. Welcome to my dream world! Every night is a new adventure in epic form. If only I could transcribe these and publish them as a series of novels with slightly twisted story lines, I might be rich and famous instead of just tired. So play along with me and picture in your mind a politically incorrect version of fun (equal amounts of fun for both men and women) in North Africa.

These exotic looking earrings began with brass crescents that I hammered, stamped and darkened with patina. The beads are arranged in three tiers of hanging strands, each with a complementing ethnic accent bead in its center.

Gloria Ewing
Chrysalis Too on Etsy
Chrysalis Jewelry on Artfire

Cubular Blues

I love these Lampwork Cubes, hence the name Cubular. Trying to be clever not sure I hit it or not lol.

But anyway, I really love them and I've had them for awhile waiting for just the right combination and I think they are a wonderful match for these tiny Copper Crescent with such a pretty texture!

In search of some sun I took a picture on my back stoop, first time for that I think and I'm really happy I did!

I also caught a sliver of sun and it made for a very interesting shot that shows off the earrings well!
I know you're all surprised I just had to add that little touch of Sari Silk. I wasn't planning on it but when I finished them I just wasn't quite satisfied until I added it. I think I'm addicted!

These amazing Lampwork Cubes are made by BeadsofPassion.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Artfire