Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Fibers and Findings
I created a couple new pieces this week that I wanted to share. Awhile back I had purchased some beautiful fibers that I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with them...but they were really too beautiful to pass up. So I pulled them out a couple nights ago and searched through my stuff to get some ideas. I found this sweet medallion that I thought might compliment the fibers and for the first time used them in a piece.
I have to say my first attempt was pretty frustrating. As you can see in the picture below I threaded tiny pearl and gree glass beads through the fiber which was worse than threading a needle! Next time I might wax the ends or something that will make the threading a smoother process. I was also stuck on what to do with the ends, but the brass closers and hooks worked well. I absolutely love the colors of the fiber and found some beautiful beads to really bring out the soothing colors and also the wonderful etching on the brass medallion.
Also this week I ran across a bag on old chandelier crystals that some guy was selling for penny's a piece. Again this was something I had sitting around but had yet to find a good use for. So this week I took one of the teardrop shaped faceted crystals and made it a pendant for another brass necklace. This piece really made the whole necklace come together as a really dressy piece of jewelry. I added a couple of Swarovski pearls and the brass leaf to give it a more earthy look - which is my preference in the jewelry I make. I was pretty pleased with the end result and believe I can use these chandelier pieces for many other projects in the future.
All and all for a first attempt they both look pretty good. Already the wheels are turning on what I can make next!
Continue reading...
I have to say my first attempt was pretty frustrating. As you can see in the picture below I threaded tiny pearl and gree glass beads through the fiber which was worse than threading a needle! Next time I might wax the ends or something that will make the threading a smoother process. I was also stuck on what to do with the ends, but the brass closers and hooks worked well. I absolutely love the colors of the fiber and found some beautiful beads to really bring out the soothing colors and also the wonderful etching on the brass medallion.
Also this week I ran across a bag on old chandelier crystals that some guy was selling for penny's a piece. Again this was something I had sitting around but had yet to find a good use for. So this week I took one of the teardrop shaped faceted crystals and made it a pendant for another brass necklace. This piece really made the whole necklace come together as a really dressy piece of jewelry. I added a couple of Swarovski pearls and the brass leaf to give it a more earthy look - which is my preference in the jewelry I make. I was pretty pleased with the end result and believe I can use these chandelier pieces for many other projects in the future.
All and all for a first attempt they both look pretty good. Already the wheels are turning on what I can make next!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Moving Ahead
So I finally got some new supplies which is always a motivating factor. I'm trying to get in my workroom at least 4-5 nights a week to produce new items. I keep dreading the coming winter as my sweet little work space is actually a three-season room. Cleveland on the otherhand is definitely a four-season city! Still not sure how I am going to tackle this problem but I'm going to hang in there as long as I can. Space heaters help a bit!
Lots to get ready for and slowly I am checking off all that needs to be done. I'm looking forward to Oddmall in November which was very successful in terms of volume and sales back in May. I can only hope that this pre-holiday show will produce the same. I was selling my 'crafty' goods of tile jewerly and silver pieces at the last Oddmall as ThatCraftyJBird so this time around it's completely different.
JBird's Garden is my vintage-inspired line of jewelry which I love to design and create. Because of the change however, everything needed to be new and/or revised. So I got the new business cards (thank you Brooke), the big beautiful banner (B again) just arrived and quite a few pieces have been added to the collection. I still have display issues that need to be corrected and I'm waiting on a display platform to be created. Aside from Oddmall in a few weeks, I'm also hoping for a Jewelry Home Party at the beginning of December. And I'm trying to maintain four online markets at the same time. Yikes!
So anyway - back at it...and here are a few new JBird Creations.
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