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.

So over it

I'm really quite over being depressed. Really. Over. It.

This week, I'm going to be happy. Employees can bitch me out at work. Customers can complain about discounts (I'm sorry, we're already going out of business... what more do you want, people!?). And those insane demands some people are asking of me? Well, let me tell you, I can't do it. And you'll just have to deal. I'm only one person. DEAL.

*BIG SIGH*

It's been quite a while since I posted new works. Here's two of my latest.

Copper, lucite flowers, crystals, pearls, and seed beads. LOOOVE IT. Lol.

Now, I just need to find the time to post to Etsy...

WIP Wedneaday: Depressed

Technically still Wednesday.
No real works.
Having quite a hard time right now.
If I talk about it right now, I'll just start crying again.

I just need to be patient and ride it out.
Sigh.

Thinking of doing something orange.
Blah.

Monday Muses: Happiness in Inspriation

Woo. The last three days have been intense with my store closing. Been a roller coaster of emotions. And absolutely no time for jewelry making. I feel drained and am searching for inspiration. So, I've decided that every Monday, I'll post pieces from artists who inspire me. My muses.

 

Turquoise spinner ring from Balanced. These days, I find myself spinning my bracelets on my wrists. I've never had a spinner ring before, but I imagine it would calm my nerves as much as spinning my bracelets would. I love the color. And I have a ton of these filigree pieces. I'm itching to try weaving on them.

Mohala Woven Flower Ring from smittenforyou. I've seen roses made from fabric but not leaves before! Love this idea. And it's such a beautiful story behind the plant.

Enter the Serpent from gailavira. I can see myself wearing this as a thumb ring. I love that it's adjustable! And this design would probably work as a bracelet as well! Love it.

I think I'm going to start making rings soon. I want to try my hand at woven rings. I've amassed a lovely collection of seed beads because of my wrap bracelets. I should use them to make beautiful rings! 

Now... just to find the time... :P

Back a Day Early!

No WIP Wednesday this week! Sorry! We just got back from our camping trip yesterday. We were supposed to stay til today but everyone decided to leave a day early for various reasons so we also left early too.

It was a ton of fun. And such a beautiful place.

But let me warn you. If you decide to camp at Gaviota State Park, camp in a trailer or an RV or a SUPER sturdy tent. It was UNBELIEVABLY windy. The days were nice but after 4 or 5 pm, the wind picked up and blew everything down.

The group lost a tent, a netted shade, and one of the canopy things fell down. Our water supply tipped over and we had to buy more. And at night, I swear, I thought the tent was going to lift up with Rod and I in it!

But, we were only a 2 minute walk away from the beach which was nice.

And I loved being with my family. I missed my cousins so much.

There were yummy nomnoms and we had so much fun.

And at the end, Rod and I went to Solvang and I bought a tea set. A tiny tea set. Because I like them and am going to start collecting them.

It was a good vacation. I got some terrible news in the middle of it: Borders Books, where I work, is going out of business. The stores all start liquidating Friday (if not totally just closing). I cried. But the one good thing about getting the news during the trip was my family and my love were with me and I could cry and scream and they were there to support me.

I will be out of a job soon. It will be tough. But, with their love and support, I believe I can make it. And I'm hoping that I can do something with Ahtee's Designs that will last. These next few weeks will be interesting. And you're all going to join me on this ride.

YAY!... right? :P

Gone Camping!

Today is the first day of my family's 4 day camping trip. This will be my home for the next 4 days:

We haven't left yet. That photo is from Yelp. The BF's boss had a birthday party last night and we got home kinda late. Of course, everything is last minute with us: packing, buying food and supplies, and getting directions.

Should take us 3 hours to get there. Yikes. But, I'm excited.

I'm taking The Boss of You with me and hopefully, in 4 days, I'll have a clear view of what I want to do... or at least, a better idea.

Hope everyone has a fantastic week! See you in a few days!