Some Simple Wear

I am going to the mountains with family this weekend, in laws, my parents and the hubs and kids.  We are pretty excited.  As we prepare to go, I decided to make myself a couple simple necklaces that I could wear all weekend, whether hiking or just hanging out- because I am always wearing a necklace. 

 

So I made a couple bold pendant styles on simple leather.  They are just perfect for everyday wear.  The first is an ammonite fossil, black opal and Charlevoix stone (which is a fossil stone found in Michigan).  The second is one of Genea's urchin focals with a stripe (LOVE this bead), pearl, and a rustic disc criffle from Kim of Numinosity.

 

 

 

 

 

I also decided to play around with some wire for our Love my Art Jewelry Boot Camp blog hop on Monday.  I ended up making a piece I am very happy with for the blog hop, you will have to check back here Monday for that.........but I ended up making this piece too.  It also became a very wearable simple piece, but VERY big and bold.  I just love it.  Joan Millers large focal and Genea's stone bead are wonderful together (and of course I added one of my bronze scroll beads, can't get enough of them).

 

 



The Jersey Shore- My Heart

The Jersey shore is still working toward recovery, with many many families still misplaced, and the holidays around the corner.  Hurricane Sandy devastated our precious shore.

The Copper Frog (the amazing gallery that is now carrying my jewelry) has many artists making work inspired by the jersey shore, and a portion of the sales will be donated to rebuildrecover.org- a grassroots organization that is making sure funds go just where they are needed. 

I jumped at the chance to be able to make something special that will help to raise some money for the shore.  I figured I should do something in sea glass, since my love of sea glass started on Long Beach Island NJ. I found a bunch of wire wrapped sea glass pendants that were hidden away in my studio, in a double bail style that I adored.  So I started thinking about re-working them into something new. My style has evolved - and it is so far from where I started- and I started thinking about what I could do with them.

I also thought it was appropriate, to re-build these necklaces into something new, since the money would help to rebuild the shore we love.

 

 

I wanted to create a flow, and as always, I like my sea glass jewelry to look a lot like the mix of wonders I find on the shoreline as I beach comb.  These were made with drift wood in mind, often found with the sea weed and sea glass on the beach.  They are abstract, and each one will be different, yet have the same feel.

You can purchase them at the Copper Frog, as well as my etsy shop (they will be listed very soon).

 

If you can't buy a necklace or shop the Copper Frog, and you still want to help, you can donate directly to rebuildrecover.orghttp://www.rebuildrecover.org/.

Bead Table Wednesday~Recycling~and the most comfortable bracelet ever!!!

Breathe in~~~~~Breathe Out..................I am in a creative frenzy, and having trouble focusing.  For example, today I was supposed to make bronze art components, but instead I am doing this...............

Here is my bead table on this wednesday!
Oh, what happend you ask?  You see, I was reading a blog, and found myself linking to another, and saw a cool tutorial for leather cuff bracelets, and so I decided that it was a good idea to recycle my FAVORITE, yet old and outdated, bombers jacket from high school.

I didn't want a full cuff, even though that is what they were making.   They were neat, and, if I could remember where I saw the tutorial, I'd link it for you (sorry).  But I have been trying to make cuff bracelets in copper with a focal bead, and I am finding that I don't think they are comfortable enough to wear. 

Now- that may just be me, I am not a huge bracelet kinda gal.  But I think I have found the perfect combonation of comfort and style.  I haven't taken this off for days. 

Here is my version of the leather cuff bracelet, but instead of a cool button to fasten it, I used a focal on front, and a chain and hook clasp to make it adjustable.

So my bead table today is covered with a batch of them.  My hands are black and cut up from the copper and filing and riveting.....there are little pieces of thread and leather ALL over my studio floor, and I am NOT doing anything on my list.  But I am happy.  So, I guess thats all that matters.

Whats on your bead table?