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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Birch Bark Hoops

Metal hand-forged to look like birch bark is paired up with handcrafted beads in a papery birch design.  The sterling silver hoops offer a fun design element to these earrings.

I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches 
up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, 
till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top 
and set me down again.

That would be good 
both going and coming back.

One could do worse than 
be a swinger of birches.

- Robert Frost, Birch Trees

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Floating on a {Warm} Breeze



It is something like eleventy bajillion below zero with the windchill factor here in central Wisconsin this week. I know that winter is supposed to be cold, but come on! This is so cold that my ice cubes have icicles! I am ready for warmer days to come and in thinking about that I am trying to put all my positive vibes toward an early spring. There is such a thing as willing a thing to happen, isn't there?

I created these earrings because I see such hope in the image of butterflies, and I have to hope that they will return again, although it is so cold that I can't believe anything can survive. These jaunty little butterflies in the most regal shades of purple swing tantalizingly from some brass chain as if floating on a breeze. I long for the brighter days of spring, gardens filled with flowers and winged creatures flitting from bloom to bloom. The next best thing to being depressed by the weather is, of course, retail therapy. Even just virtual window shopping puts me in a better, brighter mood. I went searching for the perfect garden tea party attire and I think I found it! I would pair these sweet baubles with this dainty Yellow Floral Swing dress and these Modern Elegance Peep Toe Pumps both from Ruche.com.





Think warm thoughts. :-)

P.S. There were SOOOO many wonderful comments from my last post about the Sweet Serendipity earrings in the Pantone Spring colors. Pretty much it sounds like you are all ready for a change of palettes as I think every color was mentioned at least once! I promised that I would giveaway one pair of the Sweet Serendipity earrings in the color of the winner's choice. But I am feeling extra generous. I have selected two winners at random:

&

Congratulations!

Please email enjoytheday@tesoritrovati.com to set up mailing of your Sweet Serendipity earrings of your choice!


Erin Prais-Hintz invites you to go on a journey of inspiration at her blog Treasures Found :: Inspiration is Everywhere. You can view a gallery of her work at http://www.tesoritrovati.com/ or purchase her popular line of 'Simple Truths' in her Etsy shop.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Sienna Vineyards

Lately I've become addicted to wire wrapping seed beads. I really like the messy look of it and it's fun. I paired these burnt sienna colored seed beads with these lampwork beads by Bubby & McGurk Beads.  I flattened a couple of Vintaj bead caps and added a seed bead to those as well.



They'd go fab with this gorgeous chunky knit cowl scarf by Glorious Morn
  


You can find these earrings HERE or visit my website .

Thanks so much,

Kristy Abner
Kristy's Kreations



Thursday, January 17, 2013

Playin' Around...

with my BigShot some more...had these all ready to go except for earwires last night.  Too bad I didn't remember it was my post day today until I saw them laying on the table as I ran out the door for work!  I grabbed the earrings and the camera, but didn't get the earwires and pliers!

Oh well...here we have 2 simple pairs...one for upcoming Valentine's Day, and the other to greet Spring in all it's green glory!  Copper  blanks have been embossed and embellished with Czech glass from my stash.  I tried my hand for the 1st time ever using Vintaj Ranger ink on the green ones...what do you think?



These will be up in my shop later tonight...as soon as I can get the earwires on!

Melissa Meman
Melismatic Art Jewelry
Art. Life. Love.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Hoot


I wanted to showcase these adorably sweet Owl charms from Humblebeads, and decided to pair them with some hand-forged copper wire links and handmade earwires.  The teal waxed linen cording ties give a nice little splash of color on the metalwork.

Owls are huge right now, everywhere! Even at the mall and in clothing stores! I'm sure the influx of them in the crafting and hobby world had something to do with that! It's one of America's favorite birds! Any owl or bird lover would be thrilled to own these! They are listed here, at Lorelei's Etsy store!


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Not So Basic Black

I reversed my usual process for this post and assembled my Polyvore outfit first and then made earrings that would coordinate with the ensemble. In the outfit below, I chose purple as an accent color and used pattern and texture to add interest. The earrings are Sterling silver with black ceramic beads that have some shades of mauve and gray, and a little dash of sea green African vinyl beads for additional color.

Back when I was still wearing stylish shoes and my clothes were sort of an "investment", I had some basic black pieces that served as my wardrobe foundation. Black is such a versatile color and has the added benefit of making us look thinner. I would still include pieces in colors that are within my palette. But Instead of having to start over each year in order to have the trendy colors of the current season, all I had to do was add a few new accents, maybe a couple of new tops and a pair of shoes.


The idea is to have basic pieces that can be worn with multiple components, to add contrasting colors and patterns, and to select styles that will be wearable for more than one season. The concept applies to jewelry as well. Start with the basics and then inject your own personality.

Business Lunch


Helmut Lang / Ports 1961 draped top / Stella McCartney long pants / High heels, $22 / Purple bag, $51 / rag & bone

To see more of Gloria Ewing's jewelry, click here or here.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Funky Square Spirals

It's rare when I make earrings that don't include at least 1 piece of my Copper Components
 but here is one of the exceptions.
These were inspired by a recent Component of the Month Challenge on the Art Jewelry Elements. I have yet to finish that piece especially since I stole a couple of the Square Spiral components to make these earrings. They were calling to me I had to do it!! 
 
 
These earrings are light as a feather. Fun and funky and have lots of movement.
 
I didn't use this tutorial but thought you might be interested in making Square Spirals yourself.
 
 
 
 


And I'm totally in love with these Square Spiral Spacer Beads and had to buy some.
 
 



These earrings and lot of other finished jewelry and components are available in my Etsy Shop.

Kristi