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

Spring Equinox

The spring vernal equinox is on the 20th of march here in Sweden where I live, just outside Stockholm. This is quite far north on the northern hemisphere. Which means that in December and January the days are very short.

Now we are leaving the winter behind and the spring is on it's way. It is a wonderful and magical transformation that takes place in nature. The days are getting noticeably longer every day, and the sky is bright blue most days. Spending time outdoors is like taking showers in sunlight. Very much needed and longed for after the dark winter period. And the first buds and greens are starting to show. It is a beautiful wonder every year.

Not that I had it in mind when I started making these earrings, but now as they are finished I realize they are a tribute to this very season. I often find that nature and my immediate surroundings have inspired me subconsciously when I make my jewelry.

• Verdigris green patinated copper links - MissFickleMedia
• Clear quartz semiprecious stone, irregular squarish
• Aventurine semiprecious stone, square plates
• Pink patinated fan shaped copper charms - MissFickleMedia
• Oxidized copper wire
• Handmade oxidized copper Earwire hooks

Fun fact about Swedes:
Visitors of Sweden around this time of the year are known to notice an odd phenomenon in the streets in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest point. People who are outdoors are stopping just anywhere where the sun shines, but preferably against a wall, and they will raise their faces against the sun, standing still for 5-10 minutes as if they were worshipping the sun itself. It looks odd to foreigners, but to us it is completely natural. :-)

All my best,

Malin

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Miners daughter wants to party

This post is a big thank you to the rest of the Earrings Everyday team members. All you wonderful, amazingly talented ladies are a great inspiration. With your designs you are pushing me to dare to step outside my very comfy creative box.

These earrings are my first attempt to a bit more of a grungy look. To be a bit more messy and to try to mix more different elements.They started out with the vintage brass links I had for some time now. They were just sitting there and I had just a vague idea what to do with them, but never did. Then my parcel from one of my favorite online bead shops Smitten Beads arrived. With the druzy beads and stick quartz. The perfect addition to the links. 

In my first pair I combined the druzy beads with handmade lampwork beads from 4wanderinggypsies in a lovely wasabi and Swarovski Crystal. With handmade ear wires from my friend and bead artist Lucy Haslam (Faerystones).

In my second pair I combined the stick quartz with handmade lampwork glass beads in white, turquoise and teal (Bulibeads), Swarovski crystal and handmade ear wires from Lucy.

I am very pleased how these turned out and I still have more brass links and stick quartz to play with.
What do you think, successful attempt or not?
Thank you for looking. And thank you so much lovely team members for your inspiration and your support! I am so happy to be part of this team.

Janine

Esfera Jewelry

My etsy shop

My website/blog

My facebook page

Give your breath some space

Give your breath some space

When you feel stressed and rushed,

remember to give your breath some space.

When you feel like the thoughts in your head

are like a tangled web of thoughts,

remember to give your breath some space.

When you feel anxious and under pressure,

remember to give your breath some space.

--- Nathalie Lesage

Fall Sky Copper and Blue Quartz Earrings by Nathalie Lesage

It's great to finally be able to dive back into some creative time!

I wanted to capture the warm copper hues that we're starting to see up here,

mixed in with the changing Fall sky.

Bare tree branches that seem all intertwined and the air floating through the openings.

I've been extremely busy during the past few months.

I was super-focused on my husband's health (and mine too)
as we've lost 90 pounds combined... no joke!

I was also working really hard at getting my Health & Fitness Business off the ground,

as well as working on revamping my Art website (aiming to re-open Oct. 1st).

There wasn't enough balance in my daily life.

I became even more aware how IMPORTANT it is to find the right balance,
and doing what my soul needed to do.

Now that this overwhelmingly busy time has passed, 

I think back on what has helped me through

and aside from the love and incredible support of my hubby,
often, it was this simple thought:

"Give your breath some space"

This was part of my inspiration for today's earrings.

Taking a deep breath and giving it the space it needs

to flow, be light, be airy, be at peace :)

My Art website is not ready yet, but if you're interested in purchasing these earrings,

you can always message me via my FaceBook business page HERE,
or contact me via my BLOG which I've just revamped too.
It's been busy!!

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day :)

Nathalie Lesage

http://www.NathalieLesageJewelry.com

Periwinkle Drops

Periwinkle is my new favorite color. I didn't give it much thought until my friends and I discovered an old book that my mom had called, "Color Me Beautiful" by Carole Jackson. Apparently in the late seventies and early eighties women had "Color Me Beautiful" parties where they had their skin, eye and hair coloring analyzed and they would then be a season. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. I knew my mom was an autumn and I just assumed that I was too. My friend (who happened to be a natural at this after reading this book and finding even more info on it via the internet) told me that I was wrong, that I am a summer. Summer? My least favorite season (I know, oddball here-but I hate the heat)! But after reading up on what colors to wear, jewelry, make up, etc. well...I gave in. She was right. I was doing most everything wrong (of course!)...well, except turquoise I had that on my side. I bought a periwinkle blouse and got so many compliments on it. Who knew? Periwinkle is my color.

If you are curious now as to what season you are, well here's a link to help you get starte

The original book and hey look, it's on Amazon!

                                        You will find these earrings here on my website.

Thanks for stopping by, would love to have a comment from you!

Have a great weekend,

Kristy Abner

Kristy's Kreations