“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

Crows and Clovers

I have some special components to share with you today!  These lovely crow charms were made by Sasha Crow - Artisan Jewelry Components.  They are hand drawn with many layers of colored pencil on hand cut copper pieces. Each layer is baked and sealed.  

I was very lucky to have won a pair of little beaded "U" connectors by SagaHaus Components for a 'giveaway' prize during a show.  Aren't those colors just perfect?!! I wanted to bring a Celtic knot vibe to the design so I added wire components by Joan Moritz Langmo.  I'm pretty thrilled with the way this design came together.

~

Revisiting a design I made last year with crows and clovers ~ couldn't resist showing you.  I guess I'm just in love with that spring green with that pop of black!  

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While at Bead & Button this past summer, I found these wonderful little vintage clover connectors from a vintage dealer.  I added teeny-tiny vintage enameled four leaf clovers for the dangles.  The top AB faceted beads are not vintage but do have a vintage feel so it all works nicely.

So happy to be here, and a million thank yous for stopping by today!

All my best,

Loralee xo

Loralee Kolton ~ artful in beads


Sasha wanted me to add this comment and a coupon to her shop today!

"Cool stuff! Thank you, Loralee! You did the crows well! Although I don't have any more crows or other pencil components, I am having a SALE today in honor of the Earrings Everyday mention --- 15% OFF everything in my shop -- only today -- coupon code EARRINGSEVERYDAY"

Please share!
www.etsy.com/shop/CrowsCacheSupplies xxx

To Crystal or not to Crystal

Hello everyone, and thank you so much for joining us.

I rarely use crystals in my work. Not that I don't love them because I do. As an object they are fascinating. The sparkle and colors, twists and turns, are mesmerizing. And sometimes I wonder why I don't use them? I think there is still a part of my process that isn't fully open. Why can't I use a Swarovski crystal rather than a Lampwork bead? I don't know the answer to that, and I think the answer is buried underneath what I think I SHOULD do rather than doing what pleases me. This writing, what I am writing right now, has brought this to my attention and it is something I need to explore. I always say, with all honesty, that I make what I like, not what I think I should. Yet if I like crystals and don't use them, that seems to belie the fact. It's amazing to me what sitting down with a "pen and paper" can do. So you have now just witnessed a revelation! lol True. The title of this post was not "To Crystal or not to Crystal" before I wrote this paragraph! 

Okay, back to the task at hand. I love both of the handcrafted pieces in these earrings. The beautiful, celestial, pewter pieces were made by Vincent 'n Nooma of Inviciti. I think this is my favorite to date of their work. And the headpins at the bottom! When I received these, I honestly felt I could never do them justice; still don't think I can. They are one of the most unusual pair of headpins I've ever seen. They were made by Sasha Crow of CrowsCacheSupplies. 

You can view the full listing here:

I had already added the Swarovski crystal to the pewter pieces, knowing I wanted to use them, but there was nothing else going on as far as a complete design. I simply put them aside and went on to other things. I have pulled out the glass/solder headpins frequently over the last couple of months, not necessarily with the intent to use them; I just love them! Many times I thought I would simply put a bead on them that I love and keep them for myself, but that never happens. :) 

Pondering what to add to the bottom connection of the celestial pewter, the idea of clear crystals, or Crystal Quartz nuggets kept coming up as a possible, and eventually the vision of the clear glass struck and I leaped from my chair -- literally lol -- and knew that is where they would go. Adding a simple silver metal spacer and a second Swarovski bicone was perfect. 

You can view the full listing here: 

 I began to have thoughts of adding Crystal Quartz dangles here and there and more silver. . . and then I stopped myself. I thought about it, talked to myself about it. I have a tendency to want to keep going. . . I'm not sure why that is. Both of these handcrafted pieces could stand on their own, with nothing added. Yet I often persist in adding more embellishment than they need. I am really working on that!

The psychology of creativity confuses me. I've worked hard to encourage myself and allow myself to be me, to create what I want to create and be okay with it. Things changed a bit when I decided to sell my "art" in an attempt to contribute to the family income. Long story there completely unrelated, but all of a sudden I went from the joyful time spent creating to attempting to think business. I've done that most of my life, not a big deal, but THIS is very different and it became a big deal. It is still something I struggle with, but it no longer causes serious anxiety or sleepless nights. I've learned to not allow life in general to do that to me, and that includes designing and the sale of same. 

What I think is required for me, and for anyone who has that tiny (or large) feeling of insecurity about their work is to STOP (in the name of love. . .  :) comparing my work to that of other designers; no bouncing around Etsy and Pinterest viewing the work of those who are more successful than I am, more talented than I am, better at marketing than I am. Those people will always exist. There will always be those that are better than I am in all of those areas.  Loving my work and being proud of my work is a must if I am to create honest work. 

So join me in being free with your designing. Don't allow visions of the designers and shops that are more successful than you are enter into your design process. Designing that way inevitably looks contrived.

For me it continues to be a process. For the most part, I am free of it. Then a dry period, or a dry-er period comes around and the little gremlins start trying to spin the wheels. I take those little angry creatures and pop them right off their tiny stationary bikes and stop the wheels in their tracks! It is NO fun that way! 

So my bottom line is, and it's always my recommendation to en"joy" creative time; create what makes "me" happy, not what I think others might like, not what I think might sell. I think that keeps my designs honest and fresh.

Well, that was not at all the post I had planned. :) lol 

Thanks so much for stopping in. 

Yours in joy,
Norbel
She Flies Again Etsy Shop

Sea and Earth

I'm delighted to have gotten my hands on some of Darlene Fortier House's and Sasha Crow's components recently. I actually won the stamped soldered abalone shapes from Sasha in a giveaway and made a custom order with Darlene from ArtisticRejuvenations for these lovely enameled shapes.

Just a little iridized metallic pyrite and we've got ourselves a dandy pair that brings me right back to Maine with the pearly sheen and mussel shell speckled purples.

You can find Sasha Crow here and on facebook here

 You can find Darlene's torch enameled components here

Enjoy your week and thanks for looking at my latest creations!

Kimberly Rogers

www.numinositybeads.etsy.com

www.facebook.com/numinositybeads

www.facebook.com/groups/967164829979604

https://www.instagram.com/numinosity/