Fired up February - Day 9

As I found out from yesterday's project, my finger tips have become prissy little bitches when it comes to wire wrapping. To toughen them up I whipped out this bracelet and pair earrings.  
  
The Amethyst vintage style triangle Czech fire polish beads look great with the jet black bicones and silver wire.  Tempted as I was to keep them for myself, I ended up listing them. 

Black and Purple Bracelet 

Black and Purple Earrings

Fired Up February - Day 7

Lazy, lazy, lazy day...........
Somehow managed to whip up these earrings to match yesterday's bracelet.  Indicolite colored Toho seed beads and Jet AB fire-polished glass beads woven using the St. Petersburg stitch.  Added some nice Jet Black glass drops at the bottom and hung them from sterling silver ear wires.

Teal Blue and Jet Black St. Petersburg earrings

Fired Up February - Day 6

A couple of years ago I met the incredibly talented and lovely Olga Dillow and she taught me this simple yet delicate chain stitch.  At the time I was unaware that it is called the St. Petersburg stitch, as Olga spoke mainly Russian and I did not.  She does have great communication and teaching skills and taught me quite a bit in a short amount of time.  Actually, her beadwork inspired me so much,  I lay some of the blame of my descent into beadweaving madness onto her. 

Anyway, I knew that I wanted to use these beautiful Indicolite colored seed beads I recently picked up.  Jet AB faceted fire-polished Czech glass beads seemed like the way to go for the larger middle beads.  

Here is the finished bracelet, which I have listed in my Etsy shop, Room3designs.

The technique I used for this bracelet is the double stitch St. Petersburg chain.  There is also the single stitch and other variations.  If you are interested in learning this stitch, I found some great tutorials around the web, or you may contact me.

Teal Blue and Black St. Petersburg Bracelet

Fired up February - Day 4

Today is the birthday of my new beau, Rich.  We had big plans to head over to the city to celebrate......whoo hoo!.....but, alas, this was not to be.  A doctor's appointment on Wednesday brought the news that no alcohol would be in Rich's future (yikes!) and on Thursday my car decided that it was no longer willing to go anywhere until it gets a new engine.

Down and out, yet determined to get out of the house, we ventured out for a walk around our little town of Suquamish and wound up dropping in on some friends.  The fellas ended up making a big dinner, the girls ended up getting tequila'd up.  I know dinner was yums, after dinner smoke was enjoyed, Ice Cream cake was devoured and then it gets a bit faded.   For this reason, I'm glad that I finished today's piece before venturing out for the walk....

I chose amethyst for a couple of reasons - it is February's birthstone and, besides it's many other properties, is thought to guard against drunkenness and to instill a sober mind.  The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "without drunkenness."   

Amethyst Triple Strand Bracelet

Getting all FIRED UP in February

Somehow, in the last year, I let myself wander (or let myself be pushed) off my path.  Yes, I could chalk it up to situations beyond my control, but that would be a cop out.  The tough economic conditions have affected most everyone.  Children grow up and start a life of their own.  Friends move away, start families, become busy.  I, myself, seem like I have been busier, working harder to make less, two steps forward three steps back.

The end of 2010 found me suddenly without a job or a place to live.  Thankfully, the most wonderful family I know put me up through the fall and winter.  Spring found me a home (next to a graveyard no less), but a job is still elusive.  

Consequently, last year I did more festivals and markets than I have in the past.  I also started two other ventures -  I co-opened a new etsy shop, T&M Metalworks, and I started selling corsets. The metal shop really took off towards the end of the year.  When I wasn't creating jewelry, I was busy with that.  Though I created more jewelry than ever, hardly any made it to  my etsy shop.  My online time, blogging, and focus on my real passion took a backseat.  

I'd like to take this time to apologize to the Etsy Dark Side Team, the

Etsy Steam Team,

the Etsy BeadWeavers and Team Etsy Rain for my dismal participation this past year. 

SO....to get back on freakin' track, I've dedicated the month of February to FIRE IT UP.  Inspired by the lovely Miss Victoria, I'm challenging my self to create an item a day and posting about it everyday for the month.  Nothing like jumping in head first to get the blood flowing.   

My First Front Page of Etsy

I know, I know....tis just a wee little thing - but I got excited. The Etsy Dark Side team made the front page and my Black Rain Necklace was included. I am thrilled.

Black Friday - Cyber Monday

Yep, I'm participating in the Black Friday - Cyber Monday extravaganza of sales on Etsy. This is my first sale & I'm excited to be able to offer

20% off on all items in my shop

along with free shipping to the US & Canada

Etsy Buy Handmade Room3designs