Simplicity

This summer I decided to try some very simple designs. Since my natural tendency is to over embellish this was a lesson in keeping the embellishments down and letting the beauty of the beads and weaves shine through. The results were even better than I’d envisioned.

This is the Classic Gold Necklace. Graduated gold filled balls on a curved wire are suspended by a gold filled hand crafted chainmaille chain. Because if its simplicity, it could be worn with jeans or with an evening gown and not look out of place.

This necklace is the Love Knot Maille Necklace. Sterling silver rings are woven into a “love knot” and suspended from a very fine chain. I tried using a hollow Sterling bead to hold the chain together just above the knot so it won’t slide around. Another very basic piece that could be worn almost anywhere.

The matching Love Knot Maille Earrings are suspended from Sterling silver ear wires. 

All of these pieces can be found in my Etsy shop. 

http://beadedbaubles.etsy.com

Ladybug, Ladybug Fly Away Home

When I first saw this little ladybug beads I knew they were meant to be earrings. They are as cute as a . . . . . well, as a bug!

I find inspiration everywhere. In flowers, trees, sky, patterns in carpets, architecture, everywhere. Even in bugs. 

Where do you find inspiration?

What’s your favorite color?

My favorite color is purple and blue and pink are close behind. Whenever I’m purchasing beads those colors seem to jump out at me and I find myself buying more of them than other colors. I don’t look good in oranges, golds and some greens so I tend to avoid those colors both in my wardrobe and in my beads.

Lately I’ve been making a concerted effort to go outside my comfort zone and include styles and colors that aren’t “me”. These gorgeous fire agate beads were a gift from a friend so it seemed like a perfect time to make something orange and chunky.

Of course there are matching earrings.

What’s your favorite color? Do you try to “think outside the box”?

Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is a time to remember everything our moms have done for us. Finding the right gift has always been a challenge for me. The things I wanted to give her were way out of my budget and the things I could afford looked tacky. Then I discovered making something for mom and my worries were over. 

My mom loves bracelets, especially my chainmaille bracelets. Here are two bracelets that any mom would love. One is in silver with blue niobium accents and the other is gold filled.

If a bracelet is too much for your budget, how about a beautiful pair of earrings? Earrings come in all sizes and colors and there is a pair for any budget. This pair is Sterling silver chainmaille with green niobium accents and purple drop beads. The ear wires are Sterling.

What is the best Mother’s Day gift you’ve ever given your mom? (Besides yourself of course!)

Dainty or Bold?

When you buy jewelry are you drawn to dainty or bold pieces. Ideally the size of your jewelry should be in scale with your physical size. If you are big boned, tall, and or heavy look for substantial pieces of jewelry that will balance your size. If you are petite, small boned or thin, look for dainty pieces that won’t overwhelm your size.

The Sterling maille earrings shown above are very dainty.

These wooden earrings (below) are larger and have a bold look that would be perfect if you are a larger woman. BTW I love the color and look of wooden jewelry!

So which style appeals to you most?

Are you a jewelry person?

Some people wouldn’t think of leaving the house without wearing jewelry and others almost never wear any. I guess I’m a jewelry person because I wear it every day. To be specific, I wear earrings all the time. I add a bracelet or necklace depending on my wardrobe and mood.

These are some of my favorite earrings. They are Sterling ear threads with luscious purple pearls. 

What kind of jewelry person are you? 

A girl can never have enough earrings

I love earrings and wear them every day. I have all sizes and colors, beaded and maille. I also love ear threaders and wear them most often. They are so light you can’t even feel them and you can change out the beads to match any outfit.

With wedding season coming up I designed this pair with Swarovski crystals and rhinestone square rondelles.