By the truck loads......

I have to tell you, I just finished up my second "Cougar" piece yesterday, a wire wrapped bracelet. Now I did improvise and changed it some and even then wasn't happen with my first attempt, so it got reworked. I did not make the piece as massive as what her instructions called for. The "big" jewelry pieces just isn't me, as I prefer the daintier pieces, but then I have small wrists and the larger pieces just look too gawdy on me. I know there are ladies out there that just LOVE the large pieces and I realize it is all about personal preferences, so I will do a few of the larger pieces in the near future. For now I am just having fun with all of these new techiques that I am learning, but I will admit, I am definitely burning some wire, rofl. I now have it coming in by the truck loads!

Here is my completed piece. I am pleased at it turned out.

My first "Cougar" piece

Well I know all of my wire wrap friends know who Dale (Cougar) Armstrong is, and my g/f Jo and I were like two little kids in a candy store when we found out she put out a new book. Of course we both had to have it and as soon as Jo gets her copy we will have much to share.... can't wait! Mine came yesterday. Now for those that know me, you would have guessed that I would have sat down and tried to make one of her pieces yesterday, but I had a full day and was NOT about to try to tackle it when tired. This afternoon was another story, lol. I grabbed my book and Aleutia (one of my huskies) and then headed out to the deck and read through it while I took in some welcomed sun.

The book had instructions for one piece in particular that caught my eye, a ring! I seem to have this ring thing, rofl. I don't see myself selling (or making) a lot of this style of jewelry as it is more for custom orders. It is heavier, and as a result pricier than the things that I normally make, but it was fun making something new.... different. I changed it around a bit as I wanted the ring to make a "statement." Instead of the suggested pearl, I added a Rose Quartz nugget. I will wear it on my index finger and see what kind of attention it gets.... and maybe I will even get a sale or two. ;-)

Here is my first "Cougar" piece.

All in a day........ or two!

What a day! Well actually the past 24 hours have been FUN! It started when I took my weekly trip to town to stop by Harvest Health foods, Harmony Healing, and Turtle beads. I make my rounds and stop in to see the girls and see if I have had any "sales." I gifted Robin (Harvest Health foods) a pair of sea glass earrings, which she loved. I gifted Gloria (Harmony Healing) a gold filigree heart with a piece of "blue lace agate" in it, since that is her mystical birthstone. She broke the clasp on her gold chain and asked me if I could fix it for her so I gathered it up, telling her I would bring it back to her the next day (today.) From Gloria's I headed to Turtle Beads to see Liza. I dropped off the sea glass jewelry that was going on display in the front window. Liza was ooh'ing and ah'ing over my wire wrapped pendants when one of her customers (Ron) came in and saw my Lapis pendants. He BOUGHT one of them on the spot... wooohooo!

Then he asked me if I could wire wrap one of his AA coins for him. I was honored and told him "Of course," adding I would bring it back in a day or so. Then Liza and I headed across the street and did the girlie lunch (my treat) because after all, I did get a sale, you know.

Yesterday afternoon I wire wrapped Ron's coin and I just was NOT happy with the silver wire wrapping that he wanted but put it aside and went to bed.... I was beat. It was a busy day. This morning there that coin lay, staring up at me, rofl. As I drank my coffee I picked it up and rubbed it between my fingers. I cut off the wire and decided I was going to tackle it again, this time using a combination of brass and sterling silver, which is what I wanted to do in the first place since the coin was brass.

Here is the finished project. I was pleased with how it turned out. I put it on a brass chain and delivered it to him today. He liked it, saying "that really turned out nice." And as we all sat there in the restaurant (yes, Liza and I did lunch again today... her treat) Ron put it on immediately, showing off his AA coin with pride. Congrats on 7 years of continued sobriety Ron!!!!! Way to go!

And.... it was another good day!

More Treasures from the Sea

This was a FUN piece to create. I dug through all of my bins and boxes to find just the right sea treasures to add to it. The opalite in the necklace catches so many hues of the sun. It really makes this piece stand out. It comes with matching earrings. The set is currently listed at ArtFire.com.

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=276345

Cast Aways.... Rare Treasures in Time!

Sea glass! I have always loved sea glass! Perhaps it is the Aquarius in me..... or reminiscing to the days that I spent with my Mom at her Florida beach house. Maybe it is memories of my youth when we'd ditch school and head for the beach (yes, we did that Mom.) While others were wake boarding and body surfing, I was searching the beach for baubles and treasures..... sea glass, shells, sand dollars, and driftwood. I always loved creating with things I found on my search. Although I have been making jewelry and trinkets with sea glass for years, it never occurred to me to paint on these pieces and turn them into one of a kind pendants until I stumbled upon another jewelry artisan's blog and I was in awe what she had done. I knew that I had to try my hand at it because this satisfies two of my loves.... painting and wire wrapping. How cool is this?

Now finding sea glass in northern Idaho is non-existent, so I did my usual Etsy search for supplies. I found a couple of wonderful sellers from California, very near the same places I used to hunt for my treasures. The pictures are two creations that I made with sea glass that I got from BeachGemming.Etsy.com, (a favorite.) I had so much fun working on these pieces. Thank you for the gift beach glass Bea. As you can see I made good use out of it. These two pendants are currently on display (and for sale) at Turtle Beads in Newport, WA. If you would like a hand painted sea glass pendant please contact me at lvsbeadsnthings@aol.com.

AAAAACK! I got Hacked!

I am sorry that I haven't posted any new blog entries lately. I wasn't able to get online. I was one of the recent victims that had their computers hacked in to and had both my online and personal identities stolen (and possibly shared across a global network) while I was sharing photos, cyber hugs, conversations, with my friends on Facebook.com

If you want to read more about my hack attack go to my "recent news" blog. The link is on the right.

I sure hope that it never happens to any of you. It is one of the scariest things I have ever gone through.

LVS.

Gosh, it's only Tuesday and what a busy week it's been for me, but it's all good! I got an awesome email Monday from Steve at Artbeads.com, one of the suppliers I purchase beads and jewelry supplies from. He said that he ran across my blog and he was impressed with my jewelry designs. He went on to say that he was putting together a group of a few select jewelry designers who blog and was offering us an opportunity to "blog for beads." He asked if I would be interested. Now I ask you, how awesome is this? Who doesn't love free stuff and especially beads! Of course I emailed him right back and said I was definitely interested.

Now I have to tell you that it came at the perfect time. I wanted to make some Birthstone rings. Artbeads is currently having a 15% off sale on Swarovski crystals and I needed some to complete the rings. Steve came to my rescue (thank you Steve!) He is sending me all of the birthstone crystals in return for my very first "Blog for Beads" entry. I am sure you have heard it before, but just in case no one's told you lately, Steve, you ROCK! I have now completed most of the rings, with the exception of February (Amethyst) and September (Sapphire.) I should have those crystals in a couple of days so, I will have all of the rings available. What a perfect gift for a Birthday, Mother's Day, graduation. I can also combine crystals to make a Mother's or Grandmother's ring. What a treasured keepsake it would make.

The rings are currently available at both my Etsy and ArtFire stores.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22437617

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=139349

If you have any questions or would like more information please email me at lvsbeadsnthings@aol.com.

Kreativ Blogger Award!

This 'Kreativ Blogger' award was given to me by Mingo http://flamingojunctiontoo.blogspot.com/. Thank you

Here are the rules: List 7 things that you love and then pass the award on to 7 people...tagging them and letting them know they won! You can copy the picture of the award and put it on your sideboard letting the whole wide world know you are KReATIV!

1. My Mom! She's the best!
2. My Brothers and Sister
3. My kids!
4. My Huskies!
5. My awesome friends!
6. Sunshine!
7. Creating and making my jewelry and crafts!

I pass this award on to:

Jo http://gallagj.blogspot.com/
Julie http://creativespiritoriginals.blogspot.com/
Rhonda http://thecozyloft.wordpress.com/
Chicky http://chickypez.blogspot.com/
MK http://missknitsetsy.blogspot.com/
Rae http://simplyraevyn.com/blog/
Sharon K http://sharonkaydesigns.blogspot.com/

Peruvian Blue Opal - WOW!

Those of you who have come to know (and love) me, know that I love Opals in all sizes, shapes and colors.  The Peruvian Blue Opal is one of my most favorites and yesterday I decided to wire wrap one of the stones I had picked up in my travels.  Here is the finished product.

It is currently for sale at my Etsy store:  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21575096

The Best Blog Daily Thinker

Rhonda (TheCozyLoft.Etsy.com) just gave me my first blog award, The Best Blog Daily Thinker.  Thank you so much my sweet friend. This is such an honor and I will in turn pass it on to others who's Blogs I enjoy.... yet there are so many wonderful bloggers out there.

If I have missed you and you would like this award... just grab it for yourself.

The rules are simple!  Copy this award and paste it on your Blog and pass it on to (10) of your favorites who you feel are deserving of this awesome award.  

Here are 10 of my favorites in no specific order:

http://aimeedars.blogspot.com/

http://uname-it.blogspot.com/

http://missknitsetsy.blogspot.com/

http://2kute.blogspot.com/

http://gallagj.blogspot.com/

http://overtherainbowmom.blogspot.com/

http://simplyraevyn.com/blog/

http://flamingojunctiontoo.blogspot.com/

http://sharonkaydesigns.blogspot.com/

http://chickypez.blogspot.com/

Pin Keep Penguin

Hmmmm..... I got this new prim pattern for a penguin pin keep. Now my understanding of a pin keep is that it is a pin cushion??? This completed folk art/primitive seems to be much too large for that, (over 13" wide and 10" tall,) but it would make a great shelf sitter or dresser display. I am pleased at how the first attempt turned out..... even though it took me 8 hours to complete.

I am going to try to make a smaller version that I think would make a really cute pin cushion.

I also have an owl that I will be making next. I really do enjoy making these primative critters.

They really are works of art!