Rethinking Color

When I first staring making beaded jewelry I always used dark colors- black, navy, charcoal. I had lots of friendly advice about my color choices, mostly telling me to use bright colors instead of the dark tones I was drawn to. Not everyone likes dark colors I was told. So, I bought LOTS of bright colored beads and started making bright colored jewelry. And now, most of the compliments and requests I get are for the darker tones I originally used. I am rethinking the colors I will use in the future. I see dark tones with a splash of brightly colored accents in my future (since I still have LOTS of bright colored beads). I just re-listed some Jagged Circle Earrings in my original color combination- charcoal, bronze, and steel.

Present to myself

I really hate to tear apart anything -even if it isn't turning out like I imagined. This necklace started out to be a freeform cuff but I thought it was too stiff and kind of lumpy looking. So, I tossed the unfinished piece aside and moved on to other projects. I found it while I was straightening up my craft table and decided to try to make a necklace out of it. I really like the way it turned out so I treated myself and kept it. It's navy, grey, and purple and looks great with a denim dress I have. In the winter I usually wear a burgandy cardigan with the dress so the necklace still works.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the USA. Our turkey is finished and football is on TV so I get a break to do what I want. I've been extremely busy at work the last 2 weeks and haven't had any time for crafting - working 10 hour days. I work for a ribbon distributor and we formed a partnership with another ribbon company. Fortunately, we have the money and ended up in control so my job is secure, but the hours have been brutal. And next week doesn't look any better.

I managed to start a necklace during a bus trip last weekend to NYC. Last summer I discovered I can do freeform peyote while riding in a car. The problem with the bus was I had limited arm space so I had to use shorter lengths of Fireline- meaning more knots which I don't like. Since it's a gift I won't post any pictures.

I did start a freeform cuff before my work hours went crazy. It's not looking like I wanted but I'll finish it since I hate to tear things out. There's nothing wrong with it- it just has more white than I visualized when I started.

I finished a new piece!

I managed to finish a piece I can to list in my Esty shop. I'm excited, even though it's a replacement for one of the necklaces my MIL bought. Lately I never seem to have time to work on my crafts so I feel finishing something is a big accomplishment. Fortunately it's been fun things that have kept me from beading and not work. But next week doesn't look any better for crafting.

I went to a friend's surprise birthday party on Sat. Kim is a former co-worker and one of my wild and crazy crafting buddies. She moved about an hour from here so unfortunately I don't get to see her as often as I'd like. On Mon and Wed an old friend will be staying with us while he's in the area on family business. Fri night Bob and I are going to a concert. Then we're off on a bus trip to New York on Sat. Bob says no craft shopping- only theater, museums, and a fancy dinner. But he's willing to stop at any shop we happen to pass!


Here's what I added to Etsy-

EBW November Challenge

It's been a quite a few months since I entered an Etsy Beadweavers monthly challenge. The November challenge theme is Ancestral Expressions. I was having a hard time coming up with a design idea since my family does not have strong ties to any one nationality. So I decided on a patchwork design. I've always loved antique patchwork quilts that were made from worn-out clothing and any other scraps of fabrics that were available. Some were plain and functional while others were embroidered and embellished making them works of art. Many of these quilts were passed down from generation to generation along with the stories about the fabric patches and family members. I've always enjoyed taking raw materials and creating something- as shown by my love of beading, embroidery and cooking.

So, I took this-
and created this-






















Please check out the EBW blog and vote for your favorite entry. Voting is from Nov 9 to midnight Nov 15.

Here goes nothing...

This blog is my birthday gift to myself. My hubby and 2 sons are out of town for the weekend visiting my mother-in-law and I'm home alone on my (never mind the year) birthday. I've decided to prove that even aging baby boomers can be part of today's computer technology- even if I'm a little slow getting started.

Today was beautiful and warm in PA so I decided to spend the afternoon outside in a lounge chair doing what I love to do- bead! It's November and I managed to get a sunburn on my face while I made a replacement black Crazy Wavy necklace for my Etsy shop. My MIL bought 2 of my necklaces and my shop looks rather empty.

Here are pics of the necklaces my MIL bought since my guys took the camera and I can't take pics of my latest creation.

Crazy Wavy Necklace

Stormy Cloud necklace