Esmeralda

She is gorgeous. Admit it.

Her name, I debated for a while. Originally, I came up with an African name that I loved--and still do--but you'll have to wait for that name to find it's right piece.
As I looked at this piece today, I knew its name, Esmeralda.
You know it's perfect, the emerald gypsy.
It's perfect.

Materials
Glass beads, four strands of seed beads, and "gun metal" plated findings (first time using them, not sure about it but no reactions to it so far and that's a good thing.
Time
Total about an hour and half. It's the seed beads that take time.
Thoughts
It's beautiful. I designed this piece and new immediately who it was meant for. Fortunately when she came to see it she fell in love with it and bought it from me! I'm sorry I'm not a better photographer, because the green black contrast is phenomenal! The color is so great. It is a piece, however, that I think is an either love or hate piece. I don't see it as a ho-hum piece. Either you'll wear it or you wont, because you love it or you don't. I have this picture too, but it didn't turn out that great...
Random Tips or Advice:
Mostly just FYI, seed beads and the ity bitty ones... and 'findings' are the fasteners of jewelry, crimp beads, jump rings (little loops) eye pins (straight pin with a loop at the end), end pins (used in making earrings or any type of dangle) string (in my case I used a nylon cord) and earring hoops, fishhooks, etc.

Faline: the Faux Watch

Materials
Ceramic and glass beads (red, black, blue), square turquoise bead, antiqued silver plated spacer beads, metal plated bead (for the center of the blue rectangle).
Time
About 15 minutes
Thoughts
I'm in love with this piece! So naturally I don't own this piece. My sister-in-law inspired this piece and she was the first to ever own it. I've since made two others and they are owned by friends. I call it a faux watch because, initially, it makes me think of the stretch bracelet watches that are so popular (and cute) these days. The color of this piece is partly what I find most striking. The red is almost dark enough to be a chocolate color and the blue in the red, softens it. I think this piece is a very fun piece. Especially for anyone who doesn't really like a watch!
The set below is the one I made for my sister-in-law with a matching set of earrings. Her wrist is about as big as a sticks so I had to make some adjustments to the design.

Random tips or advice:
Stretch bracelets are rewarding to make because they can be as simple or complex as you like, only in look. Construction is very quick and simple no matter what the end result looks like but you can always come up with something unique and delightful. If you are starting in jewelry-making, stretch bracelets are a great place to start!

I call her, Pearl...

Or Vivian,
I haven't actually decided. My sister-in-law had this great idea about naming the pieces girl names. We came up with some great ones for some of my other pieces I haven't posted yet, but this one is alluding me. I like Pearl because it's straight forward. But I like Vivian because this bracelet is very "edgy-classy" and I think, Vivian, brings in that element quite nicely.

What do you think?

Materials
Silver plated chains (four different sizes) and faux pink pearls (rose pink, two different sizes)-All from Hobby Lobby
Time
about 20 minutes
Thoughts
This piece is best categorized as an "edgy-classy" piece. I LOVE IT! I don't actually own any of this bracelet, it's a piece I love to give away! The piece photographed is the one I made for my mom. I've made it and seen it made with a wide variety of pearl colors (green, white, cream, black, blue). At a family reunion last year I taught a jewelry class and this is the piece we did. My aunt made hers with a turquoise bead rather than a faux pearl and it was lovely! Pearl, dresses up and dresses down. It is a very flirty piece! It makes me smile every time I complete one.
This bracelet is NOT my design. I got the idea from a magazine that I LOVE! BeadStyle magazine! It is fabulous! The magazine has tons of great designs, and step by step how-to tutorials as well as tips, glossaries, and everything a beginner can really benefit from and a more established designer can enjoy or get inspired by!

Random tips or advice:
If you have a Hobby Lobby by you, never by anything there for full price. Get their mailers or emails, everything goes on sale eventually and if it doesn't use the 40% off coupon when it comes around. Same goes for Joann Fabrics and Michaels (and probably any major craft store really) when in doubt, google it and find a coupon!

Fabricated Necklaces

Fabricated is the name of the line pictured above. I have a few snaps of individual necklaces but once you've seen one the only difference is the fabric used to create it and you can see the fabrics I use in the collage at the head of the blog.
Below is my attempt to show you how I wear it and what it looks like on:

All right, all right. Enough snickering at the pictures. I thought I made it clear that I don't take professional photos. This blog isn't to 'oo' and 'aw' you about my amazing (ish) photograph-taking-skills!

And below, here, I have the necklace laying out on its own (in a different color)
The green is my absolute favorite and I wear it, probably weekly.
About this necklace:

Materials
wood beads-4.5cm in diameter (1 3/4 in), fabric cut into a two inch strip (about
20inches long) and sewed into a tube, silver loop, and satin or sheer ribbon (availability
varied), embroidery floss
Time
One takes me about 35 minutes to make.
Thoughts
I love the look of this necklace. Its a very casual necklace and I wear it a lot with solid color high neck tees or v-neck shirts. The satin ribbon necklaces are very soft, the sheer ribbons starts to itch after a while. It is light weight. And actually, its machine washable. My daughter was using one as a toy when she was a couple months old and she spit up all over so I stuck it in with my gentle cycle stuff and it came out just fine! I also like that everyone can wear this necklace. If you can wear clothing you can wear the necklace. I have a good friend who has metal allergies (all she wears is white gold or yellow gold) earrings, necklaces, bracelets, she doesn't really wear them. So I gave her a couple different prints of the Fabricated necklace and it's fun to see her wearing them! I hope she enjoys them.

Random tips or advice:
If you react to everything when it comes to jewelry, start looking for jewelry that is rhodium plated. White gold is plated in rhodium (it's what gives it white/silverish luster) and that same friend who could wear anything before wears a variety of pieces she found that are rhodium plated. You can learn more about that here, or here . Try it out, I hope it works for you.

Just Getting Started!

I thought it would be appropriate, and perhaps beneficial, to tell you a little about myself. I am based in Indianapolis, Indiana. I have been making jewelry for about three years now. I took up jewelry as a hobby after my second son was born, just to try something new, and I fell in love!
I've always been a wearer of jewelry. Near where I lived growing up was a jewelry store called "C&W Jewelry," which became "Harry Hines," which is now "Accessory City" (and actually, a bit of a let down from what it had been...) it was wholesale jewelry and dirt cheap! My mom and I frequented the store! Anytime I had spare money, I spent it there on jewelry! And so began my love for jewelry.
But making it followed a few years later.
This blog is a log of the jewelry that I have made: some awhile back and some more recent. For a little while I'll be updating past pieces and eventually I will be posting pieces I have only just completed.
As far as jewelry styling is concerned, I think it is important for us to remember that jewelry (and fashion in general) are completely subjective! If you don't like it that's okay with me, and actually I would love for you to inform me what changes you would make and why! I'm always looking for new ideas and new angles.
A few things you will notice about this blog:
1) I am a Hobby Lobby Loyalist.
On occasion I also purchase jewelry materials from local bead stores and craft fairs but for the most part, it comes from Hobby Lobby. Hobby Lobby is one of my true loves in life!
2) I think plain gold/silver jewelry is a cop-out.
It's similar, in my mind, to wearing black to a formal/evening event. COLOR is a BEAUTIFUL THING! and perfectly appropriate and suitable in most every situation. Try color, you'll love it! Color in your jewelry, color in your clothing! (and for the little black dress...everyone else is wearing it too, it is so boring. Pick something, anything (even a dark color: navy, pine/forest green, burgundy, plum, brown) with a little pit of color. I promise you'll feel prettier the whole evening long!
3) I wear jewelry daily.
Now, a lot of my friends laugh at me for this because I'm a stay home mom (my husband and I have three kids: 2 boys and a girl!) and some days we don't go anywhere! And I still wear a necklace and earrings. "Why," they ask me incredulously? Answer: I feel better about myself. I believe every woman has her own routine and tricks that make her feel more confident in herself, that she does everyday. For me, I wake up, I run, I shower, I pick out my jewelry, I pick out the coordinating outfit, I adorn myself, and the world is a better looking place. I feel better about myself and I'm a better wife, better mother, better person, better me. And I like that.
4) I'll only update when I have something new created. Probably on a weekly basis-ish.
So, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy what you see and I'd love to hear your critiques.
Thanks,
whit