Crafting withdrawals!

I go through them on a regular basis!  I get ideas at work and try to write them down and then don't have what I need or can't transfer the idea to paper so I think I lose it.  I am in the process of decorating the "studio" - bead room - art cave - take your pick - LOL!  I have decided I need more inspirational items up on the walls.  So I am posting color ideas, words, quotes, pictures and old projects to see what motivation I might get!    Well I had better get back to the 9 to 5 (hehehe that is to laugh)!

Business or Hobby?

I am still trying to figure out if I am a business or a hobby.  Yes I am selling items.  And like many of you my expenses greatly out weigh my incomes.  I don't want to live off of doing my jewelry, I just want to make some extra money off of it.  To turn around and put that money back into my expenses!  That is my thought for the day/week?  Hope you are all happy crafters!  God bless you all!

First Giveaway

Last night on Facebook at Kathy's Kreative Korner, I decided to give away a bracelet.  Charms4U , Angela, ended up winning my bracelet.  I can't wait until next weekend!

Two more bracelets of hope

Another Bracelet of Hope

Here is another bracelet of Hope for the Global Gene Project!

Learning & having fun!

Who knew that there were so many crafty people out there!  I love it!  I met several through a speed comment and auction last night and had a blast! Can't wait until next weekend!  Off to my craft cave to work on my bracelets for the Global Gene Project and for my free gift I offered last night!  AWESOME TIME!

Check out Kristi Bowman's Birthday Giveaway!

What a nifty idea to have a giveaway to celebrate your birthday! Click here to see more! Happy Birthday Giveaway

WOOOHOOO

I feel a bead party coming on! I have 2 followers!  I know I am lame!  Thank you to Happy Mango Beads and Rudi Taylor for the follow!  I hope that you enjoy my blog as much as I enjoy writing it!. 

Win Beads from Happy Mango Beads

http://blog.happymangobeads.com/2011/03/mardi-gras-and-the-beads/
In honor of Mardi Gras - Happy Mango Beads is having a drawing for free Czech beads!  See their blog for details!

Curiousier and curiousier

I am just curious as to what is stopping people from buying my jewelry.  Is it priced to high?  I thought they were reasonable on the price but I don't know.  Maybe they aren't priced high enough.  I am ready for the weekend so that I can make some more and post some pictures!

Bracelet that is half finished

Oh man, this designing jewelry is insane!  I came across a link on Facebook called The Global Gene Project. The Global Genes Project is a rare disease initiative to create greater awareness about the prevalence of rare disease and provide support for the millions of children and adults affected.

Many ways to participate - host jeans parties, wear jeans, help build "$1 Makes a Difference" campaigns locally. Your efforts can benefit the rare disease charity of your choice.
The link I found had to do with the 7000 bracelets of Hope -

Blue Bracelets for '7000 Bracelets for Hope'

Denim blue bracelets created for the '7000 Bracelets for Hope Campaign'. Bracelet donations are collected by the Global Genes Project and each is given to a family living with rare disease. Learn more at http://www.happymangobeads.com/7000-bracelets-for-hope.aspx Are you making a blue bracelet for 7000 Bracelets for Hope? Email an image of your bracelet donation to info@happymangobeads.com and we will include your bracelet in our Blue Bracelets photo album (be sure to tag yourself on your bracelet).

So my brain went into overdrive - How can I create a gene/jean bracelet?  First I thought about the belt loops and was like - nah several people probably already did that.  Then I started thinking - use strips of jean - nah already been done also.  Denim binding - ok now we are getting some where.  What to add to it....what about charms made out of denim?  Brain really smoking now....how to accomplish this?  Ohhhhhh - use denim patches and fuse two different colors together (step 1).  Ok now what - I can't draw a straight line to save my life.  Oh yeah - what about all those stencils I use for other art projects like sharpie tye dye and scrapbooking (Step 2).  Ok - now I have several different designs stenciled onto my denim patches....how to get them to become jewelry?  I know.....bead around the edge. After several tries (Step 3) I finally got the beads right where I wanted them.  Just close enough to the edge to keep the pieces together but also far enough away from the edge to get it just the right amount of fray.  Ok charm complete?  Not quite...do I just put it on a jump ring and attach it to a 8" chain with clasp? or do I bead the bracelet part and what pattern do I use for the bead work?  (Step 4 and 5) I started out making a loop for a jump ring and then changed my mind so I had to stitch the loop down.  (Step 6) About midway of the charm, I decided to put my bracelet straps.  Loops of 6 seed beads for about 3" and then I turn the strap sideways and used 6 more, making a "loop" coming down between my first loops.

Good morning Bead World

I had an awesome day yesterday - I found another flea market that has grab bags of jewelry!  I love getting bags, jars, or boxes of mixed up, broken, tangled pieces.  I love getting to see what kinds of treasures did I really find!



Happy Beading!

Vintage Montage

 The orange trio was an earring.

The strand of wood beads and silver spacers from from another earring.

 The pendant on this one was also a vintage earring.

Both necklaces are posted as a set on my Etsy.com account.