Happy Valentine's Day, if it's your thing.

I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. It's nice to get flowers or a box of chocolates once in a while. But I don't need to eat the calories, and the flowers will eventually get knocked over or chewed on by the cat. So, it's just as well if I got nothing. OK, maybe a card would be nice. :-)

Not planning ahead at all, I just happened to photograph this recently completed necklace in the shape of a heart. It doesn't look like my more recent jewelry, because I started this a long time ago. I was demoing Kumihimo for a monthly craft group meeting (A.R.T.) and needed to refresh myself on my finishing techniques. The pendant is a shard of porcelain in a sterling bezel that I got super cheap at an auction. The end cones and clasp are also sterling. The cord is hand woven by moi.

A closer look at the pendant and cones - so pretty!

Remember the poppy necklace from a couple weeks ago? Well, I made this extra necklace from all the beads I had left over (from Emma at A Polymer Penchant). It can be worn on it's own, or with the poppy necklace. I added black crystals, small vintage plastic (or are they acrylic?) melon beads and Vintaj bead caps.

So many poppy beads! I love those flying saucers!

California Poppies!!

I don't think I've ever known a flower more cheerful or exuberant than a California Poppy! My mom loves them (among other flowers), and I have tried to buy the plants for her, but they are either a different variety, or they won't thrive in our area. So what's a girl to do?

Buy poppy BEADS, of course.

I ran across Emma Todd and A Polymer Penchant during the recent challenge of color blog hop. Emma had a photo of one of her poppy pendants on her blog, so, of course, I had to check out her etsy shop. I loved the poppy, but I did not see any coordinating beads, so I convo'ed Emma about it. She was happy to make up some matching beads, to go with the poppies. She really went above and beyond my wildest expectations! She made so many beads, and I liked them all! So I got TWO poppies, so I could make a necklace for my mom, and one for me!

Mom's birthday is this week, and here is what I'll be wrapping up for her!!

Mom's necklace

A close up of the poppy - so fabulous!!

And of course, MY necklace is similar, but uses more of the accent beads, in an asymmetrical design, plus earrings too.

 

A close up of some of the accent beads - there are still so many left over, I'll need to make another necklace!
 

Mom doesn't wear earrings....but I do!!

The beads are teardrop beads, made from the same clay as the other beads.

If you love these poppies, you should check out Emma's store. I really enjoyed working with her on my bead order (actually, she did all the work!!)