Statement Headpins

Some of my favorite pet projects are working on these asymmetrical headpin designs.  It gets my juices flowing - it's all freeform and sort of like a  game of word association (sort of..lol) well, you know what I mean, right?  

These stunning vibrant lampwork headpins are by Kimberly Rogers of Numinosity Beads.  

This color combination is by far one of my favorites!

I decided to let the beads move freely on this particular design.  I made large loops at the top leaving space on the wire for movement.

I softened some of the bold colors by adding lovely vintage Miriam Haskell pink glass pearls and balanced the look by adding some spacers with bling.

Here is another example but in earth tones.

I think I'll call these "Twist and Shout"  lol

These organic, etched headpins are also by Kimberly Rogers.  I used recycled African glass with beautiful daisies, one big lustrous Miriam Haskell glass pearl, heavily oxidized spacers, and tiny AB crystals. 

Thank you for stopping by my worktable today!  See you back here in a couple of weeks!

Loralee xo

https://www.facebook.com/loraleekolton.jewelry/

“Pink will always show one's love.”

― Anthony T. Hincks

 To keep a bit of organized chaos at my workspace, I've made a habit of keeping the lids of small boxes near me.  As I search through my stash, usually looking for something completely unrelated,  I toss in components, beads and odds & ends of things I feel will complement each other for a possible future project.  Sometimes the combinations never get used and other times, magic happens!

Over the past few months, I noticed this beautiful mixture of pinks come together in one of those lids.

The top fuchsia beads are from the 1960s, extremely unique with texture in a resin that I hadn't seen before.  They almost have a foiled appearance and have a cast of orange in certain light.  Amazing.

Next, I added these outstanding satin, raspberry-colored, vintage glass pearls from the 1950s.  They have THE most beautiful soft, almost metallic sheen to them.  Super lovely next to the rough textured resin!

Then by chance, I ran across some stunning hot pink headpins by Sasha Crow which completed the look!  *dropped the mic* I knew it was the right combination and the earrings were finished!

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what I've been up to!  I'll be back next month with more goodies!

Loralee xo

www.loraleekolton.etsy.com

Bunny-Go-Round

Hello!  It's Loralee, thought I'd show you something fun today!  

Stunning lampwork glass headpins by Kimberly Rogers of Numinosity Beads.

Vintage lucite bunny that looks very much like stone, stunning vintage glass Haskell pearl and vintage German glass accent bead in a circular pattern.

These reminded me so much of a carousel.  I added a tiny pop of red which really enhanced the beautiful variations of grey tones. 

I always love working with these magnificent headpins, it gives me a chance to do something asymmetrical and experiment! 

Thank you for stopping by today and seeing what I've been up to - I'll be back on Wednesday!

Loralee xo

www.loraleekolton.etsy.com 

Don't forget the earwires!

Hello earring lovers!

Today's blog is all about earwires. Well, a particular design of earwires I love working with, by our very own Lucy Haslam of Faerystone. Now, our Lucy has a talent with metal and creates all sorts of wonderful things. These twirly earwires are (I think) among my faves of her creations. You could really just pop them in your lobes on their own, with no adornment! Earwires are usually things we (or certainly I)  hook on, right at the end of creating a pair of earrings , often without much thought. while the beads that hang from them are undoubtedly the stars of the show. But sometimes it's nice to give them equal billing!

This first pair, feature gorgeous ceramic drops by (of course) Petra Carpreau. The most beautiful turquoise glaze on these. I added some little hand forged copper hoops and a little ring of turquoise seed beads and a teeny tiny seed on the base of the earwires to echo the design.

This next pair feature beautiful glass headpins by Kimberly Rogers of Numinosity Beads. They are so feminine and pretty. This time I wrapped some seed beads around the earwires themselves, so they were really an integral part of the design.

And that's that from me this month! These and many more will be available in my showcase over on The Jewellery Show in Facebook Land on the 26th Jan. Do pop in and say hello!

Sue x

Utterly Lovely Stuff

Textures of porcelain

I have a love of wildlife and quite often I like to use birds in my designs. These two pairs of earrings feature porcelain components by Emma Wilson and both have a bird theme. I just love the detail and texture as well as subtle colours in Emma’s organic designs. Her pieces are small and dainty so I feel require a delicate and sympathetic touch when designing with them.

For this first pair of earrings I have used Emma’s components with a bird design and chose to highlight the pink/red colours with lampwork spacers and headpins by Linsey Peck as well as using a hint of gold with the seed beads and bead caps. The bronze ear wires are by Louise Goodchild.

For the next pair I have used Emma’s fan shaped components that have an Art Deco feel about them and thought that these adorable lampwork birds by Juliette Mullett would fit perfectly. Again, I have matched the pink and blue colours with lampwork spacer beads and some shimmery textured Czech glass daggers that reflect both colours. Then I've finished off with brass/gold colour bead caps. The ear wires are gold filled.

Thank you for reading. Both pairs are available in my FB group as from today - Nicola Morse - Jewellery & components

Snakeskin

Incredibly beautiful Lampwork Headpins by Janell Nelson with Copper "Snakeskin" Bails.

Lampwork headpins are one of my favorite things to use and I'm always looking for ways to use Snakeskin in my copper work.

Super cool and unusual!

These earrings are available here in my etsy shop.

*Snakeskin Earrings*

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

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Forest Dew Drops

Forest Dew

by Thenevah

Sparkling nymphs play at dawn

With the fae laddies they find fair

To dance many a dance in airs

Above the ground or on lea's green lawns

Betwixt forests mystery where bluebells pair.

Beneath canopy even falls violet

Upon branch and nest lay its breast

Awaiting morns sweet suffuse wet

Cooling the heat of noon's bright protest

In honor of Summers sonata in ultraviolet.

Copper Leaf Shield Components, little Green Glass beads separated by tiny coppery seed beads with beautiful Headpins dangles by HavanaBeads.

Forest Dew Drops available HERE in my Etsy Shop

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

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Sparkles

I started with one of my favorite things, headpins!!

These amazing Lampwork headpins are by Janell Nelson. 

Then I stacked some Amazing Blue Keishi Pearls and wrapped some tiny little glass beads that remind me of Druzy in to a loop.

They are topped off with Handmade Embellished Copper Earwires.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

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Snakeskin Drops

Anybody who knows me at all probably knows one of my favorite textures is something I call Snakeskin! I've made these Snakeskin Wrap Beads before but it's been a long time so I decided I need to make more. I do love them so so so much, I'm really happy I decided to make them again.

Those who know me also know my crazed addiction to Headpins. So of course I had to put some Amazing Headpins in to these Amazing Snakeskin Wrap Beads (at least I think they are pretty amazing) added a little Sari Silk which I love to do and they made some absolutely gorgeous earrings. I hope you agree!

The Amazing Lampwork Headpins are by

Pati Walton

I've sold out of the few beads I made but I'm making more as we speak!

These earrings have already sold as well but I'll also make more earrings.

Thanks everybody for reading our blog!

We always appreciate you stopping by!

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

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https://www.etsy.com/shop/KristiBowmanDesign/search?search_query=snakeskin&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search

Twilight

These are a bit different than my usual creations. I've been trying to step out of my comfort zone a bit and try some things I wouldn't normally try.

Funny thing is I purchased this gorgeous Beaded Bead Tornados and the amazing Lampwork Headpins separately and had no thought of putting them together.
Then they arrived in the mail on the same day and I had a light bulb moment.
Could they be any more perfect for each other?! 

My main problem is, my usual rustic backgrounds aren't really the right choice for these fancy earrings but that's all I have!

They are still very pretty even without the proper background!

I hope you agree!

Lampwork Headpins by Lara Lutrick

Tornado Beads by Shirley Moore Designs

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

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Hooping It Up!

Copper Hoops surrounding some of my favorite Recycled Glass Headpins by Genea.

I think these were my last pair so I definitely need to get more.

I took a pair of my copper hoops, roughly wrapped some pale Recycled Sari Silk around then roughly wrapped them with copper.

The photos don't do justice to the beauty of the glass, it's really so soft and beautiful.

I think I need to wait for full on daylight to capture them properly.

I'll be at the Whole Bead Show in Lynnwood WA

The Lynnwood Convention Center

May 2-4

You can see these earrings and lots more finished jewelry and components live and in person!

My friend Linda Landig will be there too!!!

We hope to see you there, please say hello!!!!

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Artfire

Mayan Headdress

I've been playing with scratch foam again lately and these copper components are some of my favorites.
I like the shape and I put a holes where they are so beady goodies could be dangled from the center
 and I love way they look.

I didn't realize until after I created these earrings how much they look like a Mayan Headdress.

I think I'll be playing with this idea much more.

Beautifully Tribal!

Glass Headpins by SueBeads.

Source

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Artfire

Fuschia Disc

Mix Polymer Clay Discs, beautiful Lampwork Headpins and a little bit of Sari Silk, wrap them all up in copper wire and this is what you get. 

I'm finding myself using touches of Sari Silk in many of my new designs lately and I really love it. It just adds such a wonderful texture and dimension to all the other handmade bits and pieces.

I made the Polymer Clay Discs and the amazing headpins are by SueBeads.

These earrings are available HERE in my Etsy Shop.

Thanks for stopping by, I'd love to hear what you think of my new earrings!

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Artfire

A Touch of Fall

Trying something new with some of my Polymer Headpins.

 I wanted to add a splash of fall color to them and these little Peanut beads were perfect for the job!

Touch of Fall

I love this scarf, full of fall color!

If there's one thing I like about fall and winter it's boots, sweaters and scarves!!

Source

These Earrings are available HERE in my Etsy Shop.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

Tide Pools

Bronze and Glass Headpins Earrings
Tide Pools

They start with a pair of Bronze components I made long ago. I haven't used bronze in quite some time but I happened to spot them and because they had that extra off center hold I immediately remembered I had some of Jen Cameron's amazing headpins that were for a Art Jewelry Elements Component of the Month some time ago that I wasn't able to participate in. They are a perfect match!! I created the niobium earwires and embellished them with a beautiful Czech glass bead that matches the lampwork almost exactly and wrapped them in Copper.

These are available for sale HERE in my Etsy Shop.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

Connect the Dots



https://www.etsy.com/listing/110710046/connect-the-dots-lampwork-glass-red




https://www.etsy.com/listing/110710046/connect-the-dots-lampwork-glass-red



I love these wonderful dotty Lampwork beads by TwoSistersDesigns on Etsy. I tried to stack the red coral randomly so they don't exactly match and added a touch of turquoise for an unexpected traditional combination of red and turquoise. And it's all wired together with a pair of my Paisly Leaf Headpins.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

Tapestry

These earrings could be super dressed up party outfit

 or super casual chic, boots, leggings, oversized sweater hanging out!



http://dovetreedesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/whatiwore.html



Beautiful Lampwork Headpins by GeneaBeads!

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy