Heart & Soul

                   I enjoy using symbolism in my work; I love when an idea hits you indirectly.

The eye connectors by Inviciti  were absolutely perfect for this design!  Some say eyes are the gateway to the soul and I think they're right.

To me, the large textured jump rings with the deep grooves symbolize radiance.

I almost lost my mind when I found these rare vintage sacred heart charms on the bottom!  I tried over and over to capture their detail and amazing color but it wasn't easy.   

I've never really been into"wordy" type beads per se. However, I do use them as a sort of contradiction.  For example, a "Lucky" word bead might be used with a black cat or something that normally evokes a darker meaning. 🙃

Thank you for checking out my worktable today!  Hope you found a little inspiration! See you next time! 

                                                 Loralee xo

www.loraleekolton.etsy.com

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

My Little Spitfires

Ever since I got these hot little spike headpins from Claire Lockwood (a while ago now) my mind has been doodling.  You know how it is with art bead headpins - once you start wrapping, the commitment is REAL- no turning back!  So they sat on my work table for quite a while until I was sure of the design.

The small bone skulls are primitive and in perfect proportion to the spikes.

I wire wrapped some itty-bitty Charlotte Beads onto a wire form by Joan Moritz Langmo, turning her pretty sweet flowers into flames of love....Muahahahaha!

Happy Valentine's Day 
to my 
spitfire beady peeps!
♡
Loralee Kolton

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

Gala

What jewelry would you wear if you were invited to the Oscars?

The dream would perhaps be if you could borrow some really exclusive jewelry. Like the movie stars do. Something dramatic, bold and utterly glamorous. With diamonds and saffires.

Or would you wear something of your own make? Or made by a friend? You could of course still choose something bold and glamorous, but also fun, quirky and exciting. Something unexpected and unusual so that it would no doubt catch everyones eyes.

Like these ones for instance. They move wonderfully when you move your head. Super light weight and so very easy to wear. Because you would of course like to party like crazy all night without having to be worried about anything else.

Ingredients:
Orange large acrylic facetted bicones
Bright red silky covered polyester chains
Oxidized copper wire and large jump rings
Oxidized Sterling Silver handmade earring hooks


All my best,
Malin

Let's go to the Fun Fair?

Scene: You have an extremely messy bead table. So many ideas and concepts tried out over a long period, which has left a myriad of beads and components just laying there. You sit and plainlessly fumble around with your beads. It's such an enjoyable process indeed. Then suddenly, you have something you didn't ever consider in the first place. But you like it somehow.

There is something about these earrings that make me think of some kind of fun fair or a merry-go-round from around the turn of the century 1900. Or a spinning top toy. You know the ones where you press a rod at the top and they start spinning. When I look at them I feel like I am happily swirling round and round.

Art beads:
White distressed matte glaze on dark ceramic cones - NadiaTerra
Green and lime glazed on edge raku fired on dark ceramic heishis - Jubilee

Other beads and components (from bottom):
Brass head pins
Brown 8/0 seed beads
Turquoise rubber heishi spacer beads
Gold and white distressed plastic bumpy heishi beads
Turquoise rubber heishi spacer beads
Red rubber heishi spacer beads
Red coral heishis
Opal white gilt lined 6/0 seed beads
Oxidized brass wire, messy wrapped
Brass square profiled rings
Vintaj brass earring hooks

All my best,
Malin

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

How I Learned to 💗 Holiday Jewelry

I have a confession to make:  I have never been a fan of holiday-themed jewelry.  In fact, the thought of making anything even vaguely "holidayish" always filled me with dread...and if that sounds a little hyperbolic, let's just say I was always less than enthusiastic about the idea.   Maybe it's just that I'd never seen much holiday jewelry that I liked over the years, but I have always avoided making anything for Hallowe'en, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's...well, you get the picture.

But this past Christmas season, I saw a few pieces by other designers that truly knocked me out.  Monica Pryor made an exquisite wintry bracelet that was so ethereal and beautiful it could have been worn by the Queen of Winter Herself, and our own Lindsay Philipson made several pairs of Christmas-y earrings that were just plain stunning.  I began to rethink.  Could I have been wrong all these years?

So when I saw these rustic red hammered copper hearts by Shannon German when I was browsing Miss Fickle Media one day a while back...

...a strange, unfamiliar thought came to mind:  "Hmm, I could make some Valentine's Day earrings..."  I know--shocking!

But once I had the hearts in my hot little hands, I wasted no time.  I got out some red linen cording and knotted tiny copper spacers and little Czech glass rondelles (in the most luscious red!) into the cutout spaces in the hearts and then added rustic copper hearts by TierraCast. 

Happy Hearts.

I hung the earrings from my hand-formed copper ear wires and--boom--they were done!  My first holiday earrings--simple but (I hope you'll agree) kinda pretty.  :)

Now I think I might make a Valentine's Day bracelet.  (And I think I'd better hurry!)   

Thanks for reading, everyone!  See you in two weeks.  

xo  Meridy

My Etsy Shop

My Facebook Page 

RinTinTin

I've had a hankering lately to play with materials that I've taken a break from in the past year, including tin--both vintage and new. I shared this story earlier in the week on my Facebook page, but I do believe it bears elaboration here. 

My husband and I host a family Christmas party every year. Last year someone brought cookies on a red and white tin plate which got left behind at the end of the night. For all of the past 12 months, Matt and I have kept the plate stashed on top of the fridge, loathe to throw it away because it was kind of nice, but not wanting to keep it because it's not really our style. Being slick, flat tin, it would occasionally slide off the fridge and clatter to the ground, eliciting expletives and foul moods. 

the devil platter on the workbench

Last week I decided that enough was enough. I took metal shears and cut it up for use in hollow tinned metal baubles. Annoyance eliminated, jewelry gained. 

Using a technique elaborated by guru Tracy DiPiazza of pipnmolly, I cut out circles in the tin, gradually dapped them into half spheres, soldered them together using my soldering iron, filed, sanded, oxidized, and waxed. In the past I have typically hung each bauble with a lightweight wood bead of some sort. However, since I've been headed in a "less is more" direction the past year, I decided to let these little wonders speak for themselves. I simply torched up some fat-bottomed copper headpins, dotted them on top with some additional silver solder, and hung them from my long copper ear wires.


I did a whole series in different prints and colors. And when they were all done I sat on my couch and let them pour through my hands, making the most delightful muted popping noise. 

Quite the transformation--from annoying clatter to music for the ears. 

Happy New Year!
Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

Merry Christmas

This year I have been unusually late with the setting up of christmas decorations. I normally start a lot earlier. I love the christmas athmosphere. But only yesterday I got my tree up. Later today my kids and I will start to decorate it. And to set up all the other decorations in our house.  So the spirit has finally entered our house. :-)

As I write this blog post I am listening to my own Spotify list of all the best christmas music ever. And I am so happy with my christmassy earrings that I made, and I will wear them all the coming days.

Art beads:
Matte blue ceramic bells  - NadiaTerra
Red patinated chain - MissFickleMedia

Other components:
Handmade earring hooks in oxidized brass
Messy wrapped oxidized copper wire
Black seed beads (inside the bells)

BTW, here in Sweden the big day is on the 24th instead of on the 25th. 

Wishing everyone a 

Very Merry Christmas,

Malin

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

www.etsy.com/shop/MalindeKoning

(I am way behind on updating my Etsy shop. Please let me know if you are interested in any of my jewelry that isn't listed there.)

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

Already?

These earrings give me a feeling of Christmas.
Red ceramic charms by a new artist aquintance of mine. Nadya Latirus from Russia. Lovely lovely work! (She sells both on Facebook and in her Etsy shop.)
The patinated chain is made by my all time favourite since many years, MissFickleMedia.

Below a close up of the lovely drops.



All my best,
Malin
www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com
www.etsy.com/shop/MalindeKoning

Jazz

I recently saw the film Whiplash for the first time. I saw it with my son Conrad, 13, who had seen it himself only a couple of days before. And he really wanted to share it with me. I must admit I was completely blown away. What a film! One of the best ones I've ever seen in my life. The story, the two main characters and their relationship, the acting, the filming, the cutting, the music and everything how it all comes together. It is so musical and artistic and so visually excellent. I know that the jazz nerds are critical towards a lot of details about for instance how the music versus the visual don't fit many times. And other things too, like if you actually were a jazz drummer like the main character you would't go about training like that. But I don't care about that. The film is a masterpiece. As a film! It is not meant to be a documentary. The question we are left with is of course, how far can you go to in your search for creating brilliance. Where does the line go? 

The next day we saw it again. Obsessively needing the kick from it one more time. And the soundtrack is really amazing. Moorish! Guess what - we saw it again last night. Did I mention my son is taking drum classes since a little more than a year back? 

Anyway, these earrings are not really made with the intent of being a tribute to the film, but somehow they relate to it anyway. To myself - on a personal level. And I've listened a lot to the soundtrack over the latest period.

There are the musical notes in the head pins by MissFickleMedia. The rest of the beads are a mix of high and low with swarovskis and pearls (large rustic ones) on one hand, and African kakamba and vinyl beads on the other. More you will find czech glass, seed beads, rubber discs and ethnic glass beads.

I am very pleased with these ones. Love to wear them too. I'll probably keep them to myself.

All my best,

Malin de Koning

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se

Of The Earth

Hiking at Cape Disappointment, WA 2012

It's winter here in WA state. The landscape is a lot of gray, and muddy browns. I'm not one that dislikes one season or another, one day over another.

Yes some are easier than others. Some more enjoyable. But I like to keep an open mind and take in all that my surroundings have to offer.

My jewelry work is largely inspired by nature and the beauty I can find there. No matter what the season, no matter what the weather.

Winter brings cold and rain and mud. It also brings green trees, red holy berries, water puddles for children to stomp! Just remember, it's all good.

Of The Earth. 

Silver, Gemstone, Ceramic Earrings, Art & Soul Jewelry

I found these gemstones at a bead show in Portland, OR. Purchased from Dava Bead & Trade. I clearly remember picking up the strand... mulling it over in my head. Why I should I buy these? They were on the $$$ side and they were mostly flawed stones.

The woman in the booth saw me and she must have read my mind because her words to me where that these stones are Of The Earth. Each one special and precious and the cracks and flaws are actually what make them beautiful. And I must have believed her because I bought them, and have loved them ever since!

None are matching. Yet I have still managed to make several great looking pairs of earrings with them. I love the facets, the deep brown color and how each one is unique. And yes, they are Of The Earth. How can that ever be bad?

Silver, Gemstone, Ceramic Earrings, Art & Soul Jewelry

I have wrapped them in .999 fine silver wire. And paired with some handmade ceramic beads finished with a two part brown and red glaze. Ear wires are hand forged, .925 sterling silver. Available at Art and Soul Jewelry.

I see this set with a soft, red, long sleeved sweater. Maybe a V neck or deep plunging neckline. A pair of soft brown corderory jeans and some tall boots. I'll leave that to your imagination.

Looking for handmade ceramic beads? Check in  with me the last week of this month! I will be offering sets of handmade beads! http://www.artandsouljewelry.com/

Peace & Love,

Lively Up Yourself

vintage industrial hoops, red river jasper

Isn't it funny (for those of us here in the Midwest, at least), how we were concerned and complaining about how warm it was on Christmas (+60F degrees!)? And now that the holidays are all over, a cold snap has set in and it's 20F degrees and we all feel like we're dying? I guess you could call that funny. Or perhaps nature's form of karma. 

I actually prefer a cold winter, myself. It just feels more natural that way. If we didn't have the biting cold in the dark months, we would not as deeply appreciate the pleasure of a sunny 80F degree day. 

I tell myself that, at least.

lampwork glass by Kimberly Rogers, brass hoops

So as I sit here typing, I'm bundled in an insanely poofy knit sweater with a bunchy turtleneck that is a mile high. I'm surrounded by at least two of our three cats. I have on my embarrassing hot pink fleecy socks that I loathe but, dammit, they get the job done. I'm doing my best to keep warm. 

I suppose that desire also crept into my jewelry last week as I created several sets of earrings using red, a color that I have grown to appreciate more in recent years. Hot-blooded, tempestuous, uncontrollable red...

ceramic red lilies by Claire Armstrong, wood beads

Hope your holidays ended up on a high note and hope your new year is a deliciously creative one!

Happy Wednesday,
Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

One Day I Will Be A Mountain...

...but today I am a fault. 

Oh, how I can relate. I mean, life is all about duality and growth, right? We all have sides to ourselves that make us proud, and of course the sides that make us want to do better. Sometimes it's extremely gratifying to walk in darkness, while other times we seek the light and peaceful way. Positive and negative, light and dark, life and death. I love exploring these dichotomies, both in my jewelry design and the titles behind each piece.

 


I especially love how these warm organic earrings evolved from cold hard metal. I used a simple fold-form technique on copper sheet to obtain the weathered "fault" lines. I then added in myriad punches for that decayed pock-marked look, and applied lots of pounding, heat, and magic to help to create that natural vivid red patina. The overall shapes are evocative of wings---or perhaps leaves---both of which bring to mind the idea of growth. See how many opposing adjectives I chocked into this paragraph? It's all about the dichotomies, baby.

The most wearable earrings for me are those that contain multitudes without overdoing the components, color palette, or the weight. I strive to achieve this balance in my designs, but it's also not bad advice for life, in general. 

It ain't always easy, but it's most always worth it!

Happy Wednesday!

Nikki
LoveRoot on Etsy

Turquoise Thistles

Even though fall is here, I seem to be longing for color. Or maybe it's because of that. Fall in Sweden is not a dull season at all when it comes to colors. On the contraire. We get the beautiful bright blue skies, and lots of fall colors.  

And I really like to use waxed linen in my jewelry. It adds a lovely soft fabric texture, and also a possibility for color coordination and playfulness. 

Turquoise thistle motif (or is it pine?) polymer clay coin shaped beads - BeadsByEarthTones

 Handmade oxidized silver ear hooks - JNicLoft 

Turquoise picasso three-cut czech glass beads

Turquoise waxed linen cord

All my best,

Malin

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.se

Southwestern Bold

These Big Bold Sea Urchin Buttons have been hanging around my studio for some time,

I decided to finally use them myself!

I received these amazing Southwestern Headpins not long ago from Karin Hruza of Beadfairy and I've been dying to use them!

So I decided to go for it and make these long and luscious Southwestern Bold Earrings!

I added Faceted Turquoise beads on top!!

They are 3.25" long, I think possibly the longest I've ever made!

You can find them available for sale

HERE!

Thank you!

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Facebook

Rainforest

The itch to wrap beads latched on to me today, I can't remember the last time I did that!

It took me awhile to pick out the beads I wanted to use and then once I decided it took me quite a bit more time to use them in a way I was happy with.

I really love how these Rainforest earrings turned out.

Gorgeous Rainforest Agate all bunch up underneath and also topping off Ceramic Beads by MaryAnn Carroll of Artisan Beads Plus.

Funny how these beautiful Ceramic Beads sat in my stash for probably a couple of years and now suddenly I've used them in 2 Earring Designs.

I guess that's why some of us never want to get rid of anything in our stash!!

These earrings are available HERE.

Kristi

KristiBowmanDesign.com

KristiBowmanDesign.Etsy

KristiBowmanDesign on Facebook