Seasons Greetings ♪♫♪♫♪♫

Oh the Holidays... A time for family and friends, reflecting the year's past and planning new goals for the future.  It's one of the few times of the year that I make festive pieces for the occasion.  Generally I'm behind as time gets away from me and before you know it the season is upon us, however I was able to get a few pieces done in time to sell for those who like to show off their holiday spirit.

My first pair is a collaboration of artisan made lamp work with ole St. Nick ceramic discs.  In between them I wire wrapped cream glass seed beads that remind me of a string of lights.

My next pair shows off some enamels of traditional red and white mittens with striped glass discs atop finished off with green twine for the special holiday look.

Saving my favorites for last!  Ceramic rain-deer discs topped off with aged grey leather wrapping.  I wish I had a million of these!!!

♪♫♪♫♪♫ Wishing you a beautiful holiday season filled with love and joy ♪♫♪♫♪♫

Lynn Ferro aka Yucca Bloom

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

Loop~De~Loop Hoops

Hope everyone is enjoying your day and so thrilled you were able to stop by.  Today I want to share with you what I call my Loop de Loop Hoops.  As you may or may not know, I recently discovered a new crackling technique that has taken me to a whole new level.

I applied the process to some hand cut half moons with bursting paper patterns.  The original plan was to make an ear wire run from one side to the other, but because the distance was too far, I ended up rolling over the edges and running wire through them.  

The pairs above show tiny copper rounds and teardrops that swing freely in the center showing off a fun Gypsy-Boho aura.  

The other two pairs below are a tad more simple but getting creative with the wiring. This isn't as easy as it looks, making sure your wire starts out the same length and getting those loops to look the same on both sides....well, we wont talk about how much wire I went through.

Any of these are available in my shop and if they're gone by the time you get around to looking, they can be easily duplicated.

Thanks for looking, comments are always welcome and we will see you again in a couple weeks, ♥

Lynn Ferro- aka Yucca Bloom Fine Artisan Jewelry

Treasures from the Forest Floor

Fall is the best time for hiking in Colorado.  Temps are perfect, colors are outstanding and the skies couldn't be any more bluer.  Working a 40 hour week, I make it a goal to get outside and enjoy my outdoor playground, let's face it- days are getting shorter and change is coming. 

This weeks share is a design I created embracing my hikes.  As I look around the trails, I find twigs, pine cones, pine needles, acorns and leaves to name a few. A bustling time for little critters to hunt and gather.

So here they are!!  Brass pine cones that dangle from wire threaded with a mix of glass and spacers up top.  

I hammered daggers to serve as my twigs with tiny disc's off to the sides. 

I'm very happy with the overall design and love the mix of silver and brass in any creation.

♥~ Embrace Mother Nature and be,"Inspired",~♥

Thanks for visiting and leave a comment if you wish, always good to hear from you ☺

Your friend~ Lynn Ferro, aka Yucca Bloom

Fall Mood

I have to admit, October is a spectacular month.   It's the shift of seasons, the change in the light, crisp air and damp smells all preparing us for change and opportunity of letting go.

It puts me in the mood of creating fall colors, something different, earthy, rustic and organic.  I have two designs this week that I'm really excited to share.  

This first design is a collaboration of bone, wood, chain, glass, gemstones and leaves all capturing what I call Flourishing Fall.  

Are they not screaming EARTHY party of one!

My second design holds a more festive look for Halloween with the help of Kristi Bowman-Gruel, she sells these wonderful little pumpkin ghouls and if you're needing a pair to create with, you can get them from her website ►, Kristi Bowman Design.  She should be well stocked because we all told her to make more ☺, so don't wait, not sure how much longer she's going to offer them. I know I need to order more myself.

  Are they not just the cutest things ever!!!

I made two different designs utilizing different bead caps complimented with wiggly wires on the sides serving as the pumpkin vine.

Thanks for stopping by, share a few words if you can and remember to enjoy the season, embrace the change and don't forget to let things go, ♥

Lynn Ferro aka Yucca Bloom

Discovering an Old World Look

I'm just over the moon with my new paper processing technique.  I've been working on this for a while combining my painting process and a similar paper applique process and ended up capturing both in one.  I call it my, "Old World Look",  these are a mix of batik patterns with a crackled finish that has me yearning to make nothing else at the moment.

I prep my copper by cutting, filing, hammering and then oxidizing followed by the paper cut out application, (this is my favorite part because skies the limit when it comes to patterns).

My last step is to apply crackle paste, let it dry and make the cracks more prominent with a dark rub. This affect is crucial to making the paper and copper look old.

As you can see in this bottom pic, I started going nuts when I saw all the different ways I can use the paper. 

I plan on expanding my efforts with different shapes and styles, perhaps necklace and bracelet focal's.

Thanks for your visit, take time and leave a comment if you can and we will see you again in a couple weeks.

Lynn Ferro
My ETSY Shop- Yucca Bloom

Earthy Ceramics

I'm a big fan of ceramics and porcelains in my pieces and I'm always on the look out for new works.  I just happen to stumble across ETSY shop Butterfly Emporium who started offering these little ceramic charm sticks/slabs.  I was drawn to them for their rich color, organic textures and overall pricing.   I ended up purchasing three sets to start and all sold in just a short period of time.  They are super light in weight and all come with a wire loop.  

I love this bursting blue flow,  I just happen to have some lovely lamp-work glass caps that were some what mismatched in color, because the drops had such a variety of tones, there was no problem combining the two, ☺

Another great earthy look with more mismatched lamp work square glass beads.  Bottom pair is combined with Etched Agate rounds and porcelain spacers.

So head on over and see if there is something you cant live without,  I guarantee your gonna love em!!!

See you in a couple weeks friends, ♥

Lynn Ferro

My shop-Yucca Bloom on ETSY

Unpredictable Verdigris

I love working with patinas and painting, my favorite colors of course being the blue-greens. However.... the end result can be very unpredictable, but I think I'm getting the hang of the process to actually duplicate the colors pretty close each time. I make sure that the brass and copper bases are raw by removing any protected sealers, it seems to take the color faster with overall better coverage.

There are a number of suppliers out there, my favorite being Swellegant, they also offer a number of dyes & how to videos to help you out.

Below are a few pieces I've made using this product, as you can see the end results have been pretty close.

I used copper for the chain/leather fringe earrings and tribal triangles, the large flower pods with raw brass.

◄ this finish, I added a tad of deep blue and then dipped it again in the regular solution, I couldn't be happier with this flow over embossed copper, its just gorgeous!

These flower pods turned out a little more green, but I've made others with veins of deeper blue here and there.

Hope this sends you some inspiration for the day.  Thanks for stopping by, share a few comments if you can and we will see you again later this month.

Lynn♥

My Etsy Shop- Yucca Bloom

Two is Better Than One

Just a quick little post today folks ☺ but I think its a good one. Once again, I wanted to share with you a design that I happen to stumble upon this past week that I'm pretty excited about.

Double drilled beads can be quite a challenge to work with, they are great for bracelets, but singly....hummmm?  I just happen to thread some thin leather cord through the holes and realized I had a ready made hoop to hang what ever my little heart desired.  From there I discovered I could also utilize tiny silver bails that hug the stone when pulled tight with the leather.  It adds nice character and loop for hanging glass or charms too.  If your eco-friendly and leather is not your thing, hemp, wax cord or even wire could be substituted as well.

Hope this brings some new ideas into your creative time if you have any double drilled beads laying around.  I was almost ready to ditch them, so glad I didn't, now I'm on the search for more, ☺

Enjoy your day, thanks for stopping by and we will see you again in two weeks!!

Lynn
My Etsy Shop- Yucca Bloom

That Little Extra Touch

I wanted to share with you a little added touch I stumbled upon with some simple metal flower drops that can make a creation blossom. 

Below is a before and after- I wire wrapped seed beads up the stem in a flower pattern and added enamel charms at the bottom.  You can add more decor up top or leave them as is.

I went a little crazy once I figured out the technique, the other photos show examples of more designs.  The last pic is my absolute favorite because they are just down right funky♥

Thanks for heading over here, please share a few comments if you can, and we will see you again in two weeks, ♥

Lynn

My Etsy Shop- Yucca Bloom

The Little Flapper Girls

Now the Flapper was my kind of woman;  Light-hearted, nonconformists who eagerly tried new clothing styles not to mention challenging traditional ideas of behavior by wearing make-up, publicly drinking, smoking & acting unladylike.  

They sported a short bobbed do, wore lipstick, rouge and short fringed skirts, giving the title, "It Girl".

That is exactly what this fun, free spirited design reminds me of. These have become a huge hit.  I wasn't sure how they were going to be perceived, but I sold 4 pair, 2 to the same customer; one for her and the other a gift.  Who would not love to fashion these little gals!!

The hand painted wood heads are so darn cute, each one slightly different.  I bought the brass flower beads off ETSY and hand painted them in girly pink, of course, folded over some soft copper flower caps and finished them with copper findings.  Ball end headpins strung with rounds of cream Howlite serve as tiny swinging feet.

I was provided a little gift with my next head order, Its a BOY!! 

OMG, how cute is he? Now you have it, a Flapper Couple ♥

These are totally out of my design style, but I had such a great time working with them, I hope the trend continues.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, share a comment or two if you can and we will see you again July 6th.  

My ETSY Shop- Y.u.c.c.a. B.l.o.o.m.

Having fun with Enamels

I have been hitting it hard with all the enamels out there!

What incredible talent we have in our little beading community, every time I turn around, someone is coming up with something new that I just can't say no to.  They are so much fun to work with and I never have a problem coming up with a way to use them....well, most of the time that is.

One of my favorite artists is Cathleen Zaring, she has this process down.... every pair just stunning with vibrant colors.  When they arrive I just stare at them for a while in amazement.

The two pairs below, spiky flowers and rugged hoops are charms by Cathleen.

A new artist I just discovered is Carolyn Conley, I love the soft pastel, almost folklore look of her enamels in the two pair below.  The very bottom pair with the hoops in the back ground are currently available in my ETSY shop.

You can find both Cathleen and Carolyn on ETSY, links provided below.

Thank you again for stopping by and taking a peek,  Enjoy you Memorial Weekend!!  

See you again in two weeks friends, Lynn

My Etsy Shop►Yucca Bloom on ETSY

Cathleen's Etsy Shop►Blue Hare Art Wear

Carolyn's Etsy Shop►Beads By CC Design

Asian Romance

I had to share my latest and greatest design that I call ♥ Asian Romance ♥.  They just have that aura about them with the fan shaped peacocks, don't you agree?  

Searching around on ETSY, I stumbled onto these little copper cups.  OMG!! I have found a million and one uses for them.  Do they ever add to a design.  I bought every last one I could get my hands on, I think I have about 60, but hey when you see a good thing, ya gotta jump on it.

I chose to add some dainty copper curb chain that I darkened a bit with some seed pearls in burgundy,  I think they flow with the fans perfectly as they swing freely from the cups.  

They are currently available in my ETSY shop

Thanks again for stopping and taking a peek.  Bye for now and see you again in two weeks friends!!  Lynn

My ETSY Shop- Yucca Bloom

Nothing Ventured- Nothing Gained

Do you ever get the urge to go out on a limb and try something new? Oh if only I had a torch!!! I can only imagine the possibilities at my finger tips.  Unfortunately my living space does not accommodate this venture, but someday I hope.  Nevertheless, I fall back on what I can do, and that's paint.  I was trying to come up with a cool finish on the surface of metal.  Really loving the crackled look, I Googled how to achieve this.  Turns out you can do it with Elmer's glue, dang...that sounds easy!!  Doesn't it???

I applied enamel paint over the surface of copper, adding two different colors, one over the other.  After drying, I applied crackling gel, ( I did not use Elmer's this first go around).  The results were not as I expected so I tried to sand it off thinking I could start from scratch- NOT!!
As you can see, this removed the shiny crackle and brought out both colors of the paint as I sanded through the finish deeper. I kept going until I reached an affect I was okay with.  

They were looking a little plain, so I jazzed them up with a strip of stamped copper and some tiny copper rounds.

Not quite sure how these were going to be perceived in my shop, but I thought what the heck. Nothing ventured, nothing Gained, right?.  To my surprise they both sold right away ☺

Thanks for taking a peek and would love to hear which finish resonates with you most. 
Bye for now!  Lynn

My ETSY Shop

Yucca Bloom on ETSY

Edgy Slices

I cannot tell you what a thrill it is to get your hands on the works of Kimberly Rogers at Numinosity Beads.  The only disappointment was the fact that I didn't order more, what the heck was I thinking!!!!  I could have sold these over and over again.  However, the slices did go like hotcakes, so I was lucky girl to get my hands on a few.

One of my favorite color combinations is blues and greens, so I felt that tiny tubes of turquoise were most appropriate followed with Ethiopian copper spacers.  These have a 2 hole connection at the top. A little bit more challenging in my opinion, so I went with some rusty rings to bring it all together.  Perfectly balanced, bursting and unique ♥

This second pair is also a HUGE favorite.  I adore the colors of rusts, oranges and burgundies. 

I call this my romantic~rustic look.

The glass discs are from Terry Turner of Silverish Designs.  Another impeccable artists who;s work is hard to get your hands on these days. They accent Kim's charms like a match made in heaven. I must say, these were hard to let go.  

Thanks for taking a peek friends, see you again in two weeks, Lynn Ferro

My ETSY Shop- Yucca Bloom