So what's up with all the flowers?

I mean its Christmas and we're not in Australia. So why the flowers?

When I was at the NC Farmers Market Craft Fair, I ran out! Simple as that. People were so interested in them and my other crochet /fiberart items that it became a turning point for me. But I'm not just doing brooches. I've done 3 necklaces so far.

I'm holding back from placing this on Etsy. I have a small show to go to tomorrow night and they just might find new homes. If not, you'll see them on Etsy this weekend.

I've got many more color schemes with and without flowers to come, too, so keep watch!

What to Wear for Winter 2010/2011

This is the first in a series of wardrobe possibilities. I like the classics. Maybe it's because I've ridden the trend train enough to know I really don't want to spend a lot of time shopping anymore. The thrill is gone.

But I'm not sad about it! No, far from it. And here, I'll show you what I mean. These items I have found to be currently for sale but you may find something in your closet that already fits the bill. It's about using what you have and adding jewelry to make it fresh and different.

So let's get started, shall we?

Classic scoop neck sweater.

This sweater is available at BodyCentral.






 I think everyone has a sweater like this in their closet somewhere, right? But now you work in an office and have this horrendous draft blowing on you all the time. Yes you could wear a scarf but it gets in the way too easily. What's a girl to do?  How about this?

This is a great choice. Because it's made of fabric and yarn, it provides warmth. Like that scarf but a lot prettier wouldn't you say?  It's not a choker but it's still short enough to not effect the details of the sweater. It gives the sweater an updated look. You'll receive many compliments when wearing it.

The muted colors of the necklace looks great with an array of pastels and it's dark enough to bring attention to your face without making you look sallow.

Worried about how to clean it? Hand wash it gently and let it dry flat and you'll have this for years to come.

I'm having a sale!

I'm having a sale! 15% off everything in the Etsy shop. Get ready for the upcoming season with the great selection you'll find here! Sale ends 12 midnight Sunday night.

No one jumped on the free shipping that I hid in my last post so that opportunity has been replace with this one and no longer available. My apologies to all the late-comers.

Seriously, I have a lot of inventory and need to move some of these items.  So, come on by and check it out. Remember, Christmas is not that far away and you can't go wrong with jewelry!

To Kill A Mockingbird's Necklace is FINISHED!

I couldn't find THe bead so I made it. What do you think?

My little "soap" doll. Made her out of polyclay and once hardened, I used an exactly blade to refine details and give a whittling appearance.

I had to dig something out to show how she lays with the other pieces.

So here it is.

This is the story of the necklace and the book:

Scout starts out as an innocent. She's all white and pure. Her life runs parallel with her community (the 2nd strand) a mix of dark and light. After she experiences life-changing events, she changes. still the same person, (same bead design) but little parts of her changed (going from white to black).

The changes I show are the camillia (actually given to Jem), the fire, Boo's gift of the soap doll, and the testaments of faith and God.

Did you catch all of that?

Recent Dallyings

Wooden Necklace with Pearl Accents

And matching earrings.

I love this one. Might just have to keep it!

Jasper, dyed quartz, and pearls with antiqued brass.

This one is really pretty on. Antique brass scarab with real turquoise and dyed quartz.

Rocking heavy metal on this one. It was lots of fun to make.

I've got a silver one just about done, too.

Now should this be named "The Eyes Have It", "I Have My Eye on You", or "Eye'm Scared"?

Dyed quartz, black glass and brown crackle glass with antiqued brass.

A side of cranberries, anyone?

Dyed calcite (?) and dyed quartz.

Real turquoise and copper.

Blue Batik Flowers Crochet Necklace

I had so much fun with the first batik necklace I made another. This one had more jewel-tones.

I really should sit down and write a tutorial on this. I'll put that on my list of things to do once my daughter returns to school and I can have a thought process longer than 3 minutes.

You can find this on Artfire, the link is to the left.  Tell others if you like. I'd appreciate it.

Rockabilly Red,...........with Polka Dots!

I saw these beads and I just had to get them. You know the deal. The addiction of the beading. It just grabs you and even though you have 10 million beads already you NEED these beads.

So, here they are:

Necklace is made from beads reminiscent of bakelite. The white beads are Czech in the front and size down to plastic and glass beads. Adjustable length but basically a choker.

Dangle earrings to match the above necklace on silver chain. Surgical steel ear posts.

These were alot of fun working with the wire to create a dangle and wrap in one.

I thought this kind of outfit and neckline would really work well with these pieces.

This great pictures is  deannadeadly* and found on deviantart.com.

*Mature pictures on profile, please check your filters if you are easily offended.

All of these will be available today on Etsy.  As I'm writing this it's 12:16am Tuesday. It's late and I have to get ready for my daughter's swim lesson tomorrow morning. Watch for my twitter announcing their availability. And tell a friend.

Jasper Bib Necklace

Remember these stones? They have a new and happier home with ocean jasper in this choker bib necklace.

It's so nice to be able to repurpose stones into something like this. Will be available soon on Etsy with better pictures. (I've got beach on the brain.)

Last night was a good night -for beading!

Wow! I had so much fun. After spending so much time working on the marketing end (thank you, followers) I finally got to have some fun!

Now you see it

Now you don't!

Here's the piece that pulls the trick off. Cool?

Stay tuned for more soon!

What gemstone is this?

I love going to thrift stores. There's no other way I'd get a Lilly dress for my daughter for $2.59. Well, today I came across this necklace. I know it's something nice or will be once the worn metal beads are replaced but, what is it? I have a hard time discerning between agate and jasper.

I'm already thinking about what to do. I'm silly with excitement!

My spiral rope necklaces are done! Yeah!

Pictures speak a thousand words.

  

Batik Crochet Necklace

With crafting, I've got to try everything at least once. This is my first attempt to made a crocheted necklace using strips of batik fabric. It was fun. I think I'll do it again.

Delving into my goth side

When I was a teenager everyone thought I was weird. I dressed in black and had my hair as spiked as I could get by with my mother around. I wore black eye liner and dark blood red lipstick. Used talcum on my face and the shadow as blush as well as on my eyes.

I thought Robert Smith was hawt

and Adam Ant was hawter

 and Souixsie gave me fashion pointers.

No one knew who these people were. They were (mostly) into Duran Duran and KISS unmasked. When was this? A long time ago. (1984) I didn't know what goth was. I was the only one in my school. I thought of myself as extreme new wave with a bit of punk thrown in.

I had to put all of that away when I went to work full time 3 days after my high school graduation. The black garb slowly morphed into casual business attire and I started buying clothes at TJ Maxx.

(ugh!)

I've ciphered alot lately what is gothic because of the Mockingbird necklace. And now I am trying to grasp ahold of that freedom -and angst and create jewelry.  I used chains bought from the hardware store with safety pins as clasps. My favorite piece was a sterling silver dragon that I still have along with a battle ax. I wore them as earrings alot.

Tomorrow, I am visiting a local shop. I'm going to buy some skulls she has to expand my goth selection. I hope to have them posted soon. So, until then, I have this piece to share. It's made of black rainbow seed beads and rainbow flourite. I love that it looks black until you get close up to it.

Mockingbird work in progress

I don't want to give too much away. But I like it so far. I haven't tied off the ends yet in case I want to change.

To Kill A Mockingbird

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this book the local library is showing art pieces representing the book.  I know, I know, it's not a gallery but I am getting my talent seen, right? So, I've been ciphering on symbols of the book and what makes it gothic. Trying to show the loss of innocence and the darkness that the human animal embodies. It's a lot to take in. But, I'm starting today working on a design. Don't know how far I'll get before I break it all apart and start over. lol

Current Unique Selections 2010

Full product line as of first half of 2010