Spring in Mind

I know we are in the run up to Christmas but I've had enough of seasonal jewellery already! I started making for Christmas about 3 months ago and peaked last weekend so I'm now on the other side and looking forward to spring designs. My January copy of 'Vogue' arrived this morning and I've already got some new colour combinations planned.

Recently I've been excited by Helen Backhouse's venture into ceramics. I've made a few pairs of earrings which have all flown out but I saved my favourite pair for today's blog post.




The detail on these is quite incredible - the veining, the colouring. I've turned them in opposing directions for added interest.  Above the connectors are some of my favourite lampwork beads from Emma Ralph - great shapes, colours and textures - with bronze spacers from Anna Chernykh and opaque emeralds. Earwires are (of course)  by Lucy Haslam.

                   Below are chunky matte kyanite beads and tiny pieces of silvery leaf chain.

They'll be in my Etsy shop if you'd like them. And I shall be back with you all on Boxing Day - so from me and my family to you and yours - have a very Merry Christmas!

                                                                            Lindsay  x

                                                                         My Etsy shop

                                                                     My facebook page

Getting Stuck and Looking Back

I know many of us get in a so called, "unproductive-stuck zone",  when it comes to thinking up something different to make. I dispise these times, but they are inevitable, at least for me.  It was just last week I was reading the comments of a fellow beader that said they just wanted to give up, going no where, sales were down and feeling so discouraged.  Well, welcome to the club.  These emotions are not uncommon and I've found they don't last.  Those of us who love this release of energy love it too much to quit.  I suppose the challenge is there for me too, it's all part of the process.

One thing I do when this happens is to scroll back through my sold items.  I can see new ways to re-make an older design utilizing the inventory I currently have or a whole new idea all together.  This past week I created versions of an older design and remembered just how gorgeous they are.

The only thing that remained the same from this original design is the stones and the old metal wraps above them. Everything else was new based off of some previous work I just finished.

Similar design using green Kyanite with Prehnite above, silver saucers and chain fringe on each side.

One must have some earthy goodness with Mystic Quartz in a lovely root beer color mixed with copper, gold and silver though out.

So there you have it, we've all been there and it's OKAY.  You'll find your mojo eventually and perhaps going through some old designs will help you get there, ♥

Thanks for visiting this week and always, appreciate your feedback and comments, ☺

Much Love- Lynn Ferro aka Yucca Bloom

Blue

Handcrafted ceramic beads by Cindy's Art & Soul

Handcrafted sterling bead caps and washer accents. 

Shimmering blue Kyanite gemstones.

Royal blue faceted Sodalite stones. 

Available at Art & Soul Jewelry (Later today)

ღ Cindy

Cindy's Art & Soul Jewelry

At The Beach Earrings

I named these At The Beach because I am (as this is being posted) at the beach! Probably the last of our 90 degree weather here in WA and we decided to go to the ocean where it's in the mid 60's. That's fine with me! I love the beach and I love camping. 

We are headed to a spot that is also near the Hoh Rainforest. I am hoping to re-charge my creative batteries and gain inspiration. I have never come home from a trip to the forest or to the ocean feeling uninspired. So, I am really looking forward to it! 

My inspiration for these? The beach of course! See my Washington State Pinterest board for more of where my inspiration comes from. 

However, I actually collected these beach glass (or sea-glass) pieces while visiting California. I have very fond memories of that vacation and still draw inspiration from it. 

The bright and shimmering Kyanite seem to fit very comfortably with the frosty white glass. Our Pacific Ocean  (like I own it?) *usually does not look *that blue. But it still reminds me of water and of the ocean, non the less. 

I've gathered my components around hand-forged, fine silver hoops and hammered dangle charms. Hand stamped with little star-fishes. Oxidized and hand polished on the high spots to show off their character. 

Available at ArtAndSoulJewelry.com 
☮ Cindy

Flower Drop Earrings with Kyanite Gemstones

These little flower charms were created from fine silver wire. Hammered out and then stamped with the flower images. I love these Kyanite stones for their pale blue, kind of rustic color with that little bit of shimmer. A really pretty stone. I think this shade of blue can match with so many other colors too. Which makes it nice... The hammered head-pins are also fine silver. Originally little balls, I decided to hammer them out for a little added character. Ear wires are sterling silver, handcrafted.

These earrings, along with a matching necklace are available at Art and Soul Jewelry. 

Thanks for stopping by!
Cindy

Junkyard Queen

"One man's junk is another man's treasure"...

It's an aphorism that we've all heard before, right? I've always found it curious how something that some would consider junky, worn out, used up, and ugly could appeal so much to me. There's something about having a soul, having lived through a storm or two, having a story to tell. A little metaphor for us humanfolk, don't you think? The things that make us the most interesting and emotionally rich aren't always the things that make us pretty.

 



I know I'm not the only one out there who loves the junkyard aesthetic. I channel this primitive rustic look in all of my jewelry, but I was particularly tickled with how this recent earring pair came out. Rusty washers handmade by Kiyoi Designs out of steel metal clay, little blue kyanite shard "collars", and perfectly mismatched etched agate and carved wood bead toppers. 

 



These babies sold in a snap to my dear dear friend Susan who is a vintage-loving antiques freak like myself. I loved them so much that I created a second similar pair to share the love - available now in my shop. Embrace life's beautiful imperfections...y'know what I mean?

Happy Wednesday <3
Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

Bohemian Wrapsody

I have a new component I'm calling Earring/Bead Bails, last week's Snakeskin Swivel Earrings Everyday post from me was the first time I showed them off.
 Now I've made them bigger and turned them upside down.


Bohemian Wrapsody on Etsy

My friend Staci of Staci Louise Originals inspired and encouraged me to go bigger and bolder!!

So I did just that!

Earring Bails in Copper with Houndstooth texture outside Paisley texture inside.

Bronze Freshwater Pearl discs, Lampwork by Radiant Minda and

amazing Green Kyatnite daggers.

Kristi
KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy
KristiBowmanDesign.Artfire

Spring Rain

I just purchased both the Lampwork and Kyanite

at the Whole Bead Show this weekend.

I was certainly tickled to find the colors went so well together.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/99361820/spring-rain-handmade-lampwork-and-green

Lampwork Beads by

Nicole Valentine




Spring Rain by Michael Bufis

 

Kristi