Some recent tidbits

I haven't made too much new jewelry, except for the recent collaboration items, but I did manage to finish a few necklaces. Looking at them you might wonder what took me so long. I can't really explain, other than to say it's been a tough year so far.

This is one of my first enameled beads. The hole on one side was very rough, so, bead cap to the rescue! And the bead cap's design sort of mimics the pattern on the bead. The bead spins! So, if I'm wearing it, and need to keep my hands busy for some reason, I can spin it!

 This is the other side. I kinda like the non-bead cap side best.

 

 I picked up this fabulous old rhinestone component last year at Bead Fest, at the April Melody booth. They carry TONS of Czech glass beads, but also some interesting odds and ends! This component (it's not an old pin or pendant) is so old looking, but still fabulous. I stumbled across the rhinestone chain links in my stash. They match perfectly. I refrained from adding anything else. I chose a bigger chain (Vintaj), to match the size of the piece.

 

 This is an antique mother of pearl button I got from a friend with a ridiculous button collection (thank you Leslie!!). I hesitated to glue the vintage flower cabochon on the button. It looked fine with out it, but I really liked the flower, so I went with it. I can always make another one with out it (different button, of course). It will kill me to sell this one, but I'm gonna do it - I put it in the gallery this weekend!

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Letting go of my babies

My friend Diane Worthington is a talented lampwork bead maker, and jewelry designer. She sells her jewelry at the Orchard Artworks, where I sell mine. She sells her beads with her sister at bead shows under the name 2 Bead Sisters. In fact, before I knew her at the gallery, I was a customer! She and her sister generously offered to sell my beads at their booth at an upcoming Bead Show. This will be my first time selling my beads.

I have been very busy, enameling beads in an assortment of colors. I gave Diane a sandwich baggie full of beads last week. I failed to snap a photo of the beads, but let me tell you, it is a delicious looking multi-colored bag of beads. They look so yummy together, I could eat them!
Diane has been so supportive, and is also encouraging me to sell my enameled flowers. I'm not really comfortable selling the components. And, I'd have to figure prices for the different sizes, which could turn into a nightmare. So, Diane suggested that I sell my layered flower pendants. Hmmmm, I like that idea better. I did take some photos over the weekend. I'll be handing my babies over to Diane this week.

Here's the first group. These are all about 2 inches wide.

 And some closer shots...

 

 Here's the second group. These are all about 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches wide.

 And some closer shots...

If you live near Philly or Bucks County PA, it's the Innovative Bead Show being held at Ag Hall on the Delaware Valley College campus in Doylestown, PA. The show is June 22nd and 23rd.

I will also be at a table giving information about the Bucks County Bead Society, of which I am a member. Stop by if you're in the area!