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 8

The last couple days have been hell.  Mere days after getting new tabs and new tires for my car, it decided to repay me with a horrible horrible engine chatter and loss of power. What a wanker.  Not sure if it is going to be fixable, but I have a bad feeling that it is serious.
  
Fired up February is already starting to be F#@k it February.  What F#@ked up February doesn't know is that I'm done with my two years of hell.  I'm taking back my reality with a vengeance (though it might take me a little longer since I'm walking now).
  
On that note, I decided that perhaps I should get back to basics for today's project.  Before I became addicted to the needle (beading needle that is), I mainly did bead and wire work.  I dug out my secret stash of sterling silver wire, gathered some beads, did a few wrapping warm ups and then proceeded to make this:

Faceted Ruby Red fire-polished rounds and Jet black bicones wrapped with sterling silver wire make links for a Classic Goth Bracelet.   My fingers were almost too sore to list it on Etsy, but I pushed though the pain.

Red and Black Bracelet by Room3designs

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 5

Internet connection has been spotty as of late....looks like a new router in the future.  Loading the posts may be  sporadic - but I will try to keep on schedule.


I do a lot of repair work for people - from antique beadwoven works to modern jewelry.  The project for today is a necklace that I have been asked to repair by Leon Jones, a fellow Suquamish Farmer's Market vendor.


Apparently he picked this up at a flea market (garage sale?) and would like to give it too his wife.  As you can see, it looks as though it went through a cat fight.

After a few tries, I ended up taking off all the fringe and doing a complete reconstruction of them. I think that I did a quite a decent job - and I know that it will definitely last through a cat fight now. 

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

Fired up February - Day 3

For the third day I made a new version of the Abigail necklace.  The Abigail necklace is one of my popular necklaces - black, romantic, goth with a little Victorian edge to it.

The Abigail Necklace

Fired up February - Day 2

Picking two cherries with one hand.....


My box of unfinished projects has been giving me the mean eye for quite a while now.  I even think I heard some of the pieces whispering about me.  The loudest were the cherries.


Last summer I decided to make beaded cherries.After a few frustrating attempts to make perfect little beaded spheres on my own, I broke down and purchased a great tutorial  from The Crimson Moon.

Here I must pause to give an appreciatory nod to The Crimson Moon.  As some of you may already know, I prefer to figure things out myself.  Persons close to me have alluded to it being stubbornness - though I prefer to think of myself as dedicated.  The moment I realize  that am in need of a tutorial is the moment I admit defeat.  The tutorial I received from the Crimson Moon was so clear and concise I almost enjoyed not knowing something.

.

I promptly began working on the first set.......and then stopped.  

Have you ever felt mocked by an inanimate object?   Today was the day these cherries would mock me no more!  Below is my finished design.  The two 10 mm cherries are so sweet, I decided to hang them from a very delicate vintage gold chain necklace.

Retro Rockabilly Pinup Cherry Pendant Necklace

Fired Up in February - Day 1

The color RED symbolizes action, confidence and courage.  It is thought to boost mental and physical energy.  Red is associated with passionate love, sex, great energy, impulse, adventure.

Ambition and drive with a need for personal freedom. 

Seemed perfect sense to create my first piece for my Fired Up in February challenge out of red seed beads.  Valentine's Day be damned.

I wove this netted cuff bracelet using dark ruby glass seed beads.  Normally I would add some kind of embellishments - either along the edges or through the netting, but the more I worked on it, the more I like it basic. 

When I finished the body of the bracelet, I realized I would like to incorporate metal and perhaps some chain.  This led to using tibetan silver end connectors along with a lobster clasp and chain.  Still looked a little stark - so I incorporated faceted Czech glass beads on dangles to the chain.

Desire - Red Beadwoven Net Cuff 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.   

Come over here, I want to introduce you to the Etsy Beadweavers team.

So, unless you're familiar with Etsy, I've seen  your eyes glaze over when I mention my teams.  I was going to take this opportunity to give a brief explanation what the teams are, what they do, etc... but I just changed my mind.  Or maybe it's because I don't know how to describe in words the awesomeness of the teams that I'm on.

Instead, I'm going to introduce them to you over the next couple of posts, starting right now with the Etsy Beadweavers.  A collective of incredibly talented artists that can whips some beads into submission like you can't even imagine.  I am so honored to be a part of this team because, though I am confident of my skills, I have yet to produce pieces that are on the level as many of my teammates.  Throw genuine kindness, the open sharing of knowledge & techniques and the sincere pursuit and appreciation of beadweaving as an art on top of all the talent and you have the Etsy Beadweavers.

Here's a great compilation video that Good Quill Hunting put together.


Good Quill Hunting is also sponsoring the Haute Couture Beading Contest....which has had my panties all in a bunch for the last couple of weeks.





And I'll wrap this up with a fellow EBW team member, Cielo Design, who is one of my absolute favorite bead artists.

Breaking my Giveaway Cherry - Updated

And the winner was I'm So Pretty, I Fart Fairy Dust!   I want to thank all who entered  for the great comment and the Most Marvelous Mrs. B for hosting this on her site Confesstions of a Pagan Soccer Mom.

I give away a lot of my work (after a couple of cocktails my profit margin plummets).  But this is my first REAL giveaway.  Better yet, the lovely Mrs. B is generously hosting a Giveaway of my Abigail necklace on her blog Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom. 
Here's your chance to win one of my best selling necklaces that is flattering on all necklines - perfect for you or a great gift.   

CLICK HERE TO ENTER








Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom is one of my favorite blogs and full of great stuff...so after you enter make sure to go exploring.

New Video & Great Giveaway by Catherinette Rings

Daniel Proulx, the King of Steampunk Rings, introduces the fantastic story behind his creations in his newly released video below. He is celebrating with a FANTASTIC giveaway...you can enter at Steampunk Rings. Meanwhile, enjoy the video.

Day 13 - The Strength Bracelet - Metallic Navy Iris Beadwoven Cuff

I've been dragging a bit since not feeling well last week and the show last Saturday. It actually took me 2 days to do this bracelet. I made it with size 8 Metallic Navy Iris Toho seed beads. I wove it in the peyote stitch with Fireline. Closes with a silver sliding tube clasp. It is listed in my etsy shop here.

Day 12 - Black Beadwoven Cuff & Opulent Art Show Wrap-Up

After a week of only 3-4 hours of sleep a night, when I got home from the Opulent Art Show last evening I crashed hard. And have barely wandered far from my bed today. Ahhh....the power of naps. I did finally take a couple pics of the bracelet I finished on Saturday, so I thought I better post them, along with a few pics from the show on Saturday.

This bracelet is one that I wanted to make for a couple of weeks. I was getting ready to start it when I was paired up with Bellalili for the Etsy Dark Team swap. She wanted an all matte black bracelet, so I completed that one first. Not wanting to make two almost identical bracelets back to back, I waited a couple of days and then did this one on Friday night & finished it up on Saturday. It is Glossy Jet Black Toho seeds beads with a stripe of Matte Black Toho seed beads down the middle. I used the peyote stitch, wove it with fireline and finished it off with a silver sliding tube clasp (my fav).


On Friday I received my piece from Bellalili and it is gorgeous. It's a black filigree butterfly which frames a lovely silver bat and has a black Swarovski drop wrapped in a silver filigree hanging from it. When I first took it out of the beautiful black box I thought it might be too delicate for me, but then I tried it on and I LOVE IT. I wore it on Saturday and received many compliments on it.


Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day and perfect for an outdoor show. I was in the farmhouse this year, so I only wandered outside to see the other vendors, get wine and sneak smokes. Sales weren't as good as last year...but that's been the story all summer. It was still a wonderful time, as I really enjoy the other artists and it's laid back, customers are very friendly, it's in a great setting, music and, of course, wine. Here's a picure of my booth and one from the porch looking down onto the outdoor tent.


I only really got pictures of the other vendors who were in the farmhouse with me. Here's Renne Emiko Brock-Richmond's booth. Besides being a Super Hero, she makes the most gorgeouse printed silk items. She prints and/or paints all her fabrics and then sews everything herself. She also always looks stunning - as a Super Hero should.

This is Pam Sanders and her booth. She makes great art out of polymer clay. My favorite piece was a braclet that looks just like a fossil. She teaches classes at Joann's Fabrics in Silverdale.

More great art by Nicole & Azriel of Out On A Whim.

And here are the other two booths that were inside with me - xsbaggage and West Coast Sea Glass.


Now I must go make some spiders for a custom order that needs to go in the mail tomorrow. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Day Ten - Earrings

While getting things ready for The Opulent Art Show this weekend, I realized I was low on earrings. I decided to make a few pairs before doing some beadweaving. My earrings tend to be on the simpler side, in the hopes that people will be able to wear them with different looks/jewelry combinations.

This pair is made with some gorgeous 1 inch deep purple faceted drops and purple Swarovski bicones hung on sterling silver fleur de lis earwires.

This pair is made with Lt Amethyst/Silver Czech beads and silver.

These ones are Dark Red faceted Czech beads and Copper beads on copper earwires.

And this pair features 10mm Light Purple Cathedral beads and 10mm Jet Black facted Czech glass beads on silver earwires.

Now I'm off to work on tonight's piece - with I hope is finishing the necklace. If it gets too late, you'll see something else tomorrow.

Day Nine - The Lucretia Necklace

"I hear the sons of the city and dispossessed
Get down, get undressed
Get pretty but you and me,
We got the kingdom, we got the key
We got the empire, now as then,
We don't doubt, we don't take direction,
Lucretia, my reflection, dance the ghost with me"
- Sisters Of Mercy

So, tonight I finished this necklace that I had been looking at on my table for way too long. I kept wanting to add more and more to it, then finally decided to only put a few more small embellishments, side bands and the clasp. I find if I mess with things too much, I usually end up going overboard & then ripping it apart.


I purposely made this a bit too small for me, so I would make sure to list in my Etsy shop, which I have done.

Now I must retire for the evening...Good Night all.

Day Eight - Two Necklaces

Okay, I had to drag myself out of my sick bed today and do something. I already missed a day from being ill, and I couldn't miss another. Since I still am feeling under the weather, I decided to make a couple simple necklaces for my upcoming show this weekend. It's the 2nd Annual Opulent Art Show up in Sequim, WA. It was a total blast last year and is held at the most beautiful place - The Cutting Garden.

As I sold more of my simple semi-precious pieces last year, I made this Jade and Quartz necklace:


and this Kyanite and Bali Silver necklace:


I also managed to do a bit of work on a couple of more complicated beadweaving pieces that I'll have done later in the week. Now I'm back off to bed. Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend!

Day Six - EBW Team September Challenge Piece

As some of you know, I have been ill since Thursday and it's been playing havoc with my energy level. When I got home last night, I realized it was not only day 6 of this challenge, but also the eve of the Etsy Beadweavers Team September Challenge. I am most honored to be a part of this team, as it is a group of the most incredibly talented beaders you could imagine. I haven't contributed to any of the monthly challenges to date due to not being on top of it (I know, I know), so I had promised myself I would enter this month. Aaacckkk - what's a girl to do?

The theme for this challenge is "Indian Summer Dream." This is what I came up with before I passed out cold (only to arise at 6pm this eve).


You can learn more about the details from the listing in my Etsy shop. Also, don't forget that YOU can vote for the winner of the September EBW Team Challenge on the team page.
Now I must really rustle up something to eat and start on today's piece.

Day Five - Le Secretaire

The day started off right, then quickly digressed as I became ill at work. When I got home I went to bed & stayed there until around 9 pm. Feeling a bit better, I arose and decided to make this set

Did someone say corporate Goth?

I used my favorite color of Pearls, which is Dark Peacock, because I love the subdued mix of blue, purple, maroon and green. Between the sets of 6mm Pearls I threw in a 4mm Montana Fire-polished Czech glass bead for a little sparkle. All the beads are seperated with sterling silver Bali spacer beads. This necklace is strung on 49 strand beading wire and I finished it off with a sterling silver Fishhook clasp.

I then decided to whip up a matching pair of earrings to complete the look. This set is for sell in my Etsy shop.