Monday Muses: Beeeees

Two years ago, the first vacation my boyfriend and I took together was to Monterey, California. So beautiful. So lovely.

One of those mornings, we were walking down a street and I was smiling and laughing at something he said when a bee flew INTO MY TEETH, bounced off, landed on my shirt, and I freaked out.

I was thinking of this earlier. Even though they freak me out, bees are really quite lovely creatures.

 Victorian Bee Wax Seal Necklace by englady

 Honey Bee Earrings by JarosDesigns

Steampunk Bee Cuff by billyblue22

Soupy Soupy Soup

AAHH... a day off. *happy sigh* Sent off my bead soup today! So excited to be a part of Bead Soup Blog Party. My lovely partner is Regina Santerre! Check out her lovely blog here. Can't wait to see what beautiful creation will come from her hands.

SIDE NOTE: My nephew turned 2 months old yesterday! Haven't been to see him in a few weeks. Stole this picture from my sister-in-law's Facebook page.

I just died from cuteness. Cute baby. Cute cake. Gahh!

Happy Monday, all!

Such Yummy Colors

Pantone's Fall 2011 Color Report= YUM. I'm absolutely in love with Deep Teal. I have a scarf in that color already. Knitted by my friend, Cid.

I love that color so much that I'm eating it... apparently...

Which color is your favorite?

Inspired by Mucha

I love illustrations by Mucha. So much so that years ago, when I was toying with the idea of writing and illustrating a version of Beauty and the Beast, I used his work as my inspiration.

Designing Beauty's world. 

Last night, my wire and pliers formed earrings that remind me of my sketches and Mucha's illustrations.

I think I may do a whole series of pieces using these flowy curls and flowers. It was super fun.

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Sidenote: Work is driving me nuts. One of my best friends (who is on the leadership team) put in his two weeks today. So stressed but I know it's for the best. I want him to be happy. Truth be told, if I could, I would quit too. It's been such a demoralizing situation. BUT... my staff keeps me smiling.

Look what they did to the office door:

Mwahaha. Oh yes. I was walking into the back office and a customer said "Oh my God! She got into the Chamber of Secrets!" It made me giggle.

Monday Muses: Vintage Feel

 Purse necklace by kikosattic

 Vintage measuring tape bracelet by DuctTapeAndDenim

Vintage lace and key earrings by mytatteredwhimsies

Lace and muted colors. Brass and silver. Loving the vintage feel today.

Iced Coffee and Lemon Pound Cake

My treat- yummy creamy and sweet iced coffee and lemon pound cake from Corner Bakery... my second home.

I worked Saturday to Friday. I FINALLY get a day off this week and what a week it has been.

I cannot wait until it is all over.

There is a little bonus waiting for me when my store closes. I should save it but I'm going to buy myself something. I don't want to be responsible. I want to spend it on things I can use to create. I'm spending so much time getting this store through the liquidation process... so many hours there, so little sleep... I think that I deserve it.

I'm going to buy a sewing machine... and... this.

OH. And this.

And a ton of supplies like metal stamps and cutters.

Why?

I want to make my own components. I want to get into a studio setting and pound metal, paint metal, create beautiful colors... I am going to push myself. I want to spend my time creating beautiful things. And this is my chance.

Like I said, I can't wait for it to be over.

Feathers

Made a new treasury featuring feathers. They're all the rage now. I even saw some feather accessories on Etsy for pets!

How do you like to use feathers?

A Wonderful and Simple Bracelet

Remember my Monday Muses post? The first bracelet featured from Summers Studio was inspired by a tutorial Erin Siegel posted on her blog a little while ago. The bracelet she made was a simple and beautiful bracelet and I wanted to try it.

I started with a copper link and a ceramic bead from Yolanda's Clay that I bought from a craft show last year. I didn't have the 1mm waxed cord so I decided to use this paper (yes, PAPER) cord I had in my stash.

I doubled up the cord thinking it would look better with the bigger link. And I love how it looks... but then I couldn't fit all four strands through the ceramic bead! O_O

Luckily for me though, the bead I bought from Yolanda's Clay was from a whole baggie of beads! And there was a round that fit all four strands. YAY!

I made the bracelet a little bigger than in the tutorial because I have meatier arms and I like my bracelets a little loose. I love it. I'm wearing it today!

Do check out Erin's tutorial. You'll be glad you did!

Monday Muses: Beautiful Bracelets

Summers Studio

 Lana0Crystal

JMW Silver Jewelry Design and Artisan Works

I'm loving this style right now. Especially the last one. It's a decadent wrap bracelet. Simple and beautiful. Every one of them.

I think I'm going to try this with waxed linen cord.