Just a Touch of Red

I make a lot of bracelets. And thought I would make the heart clasp (from this post) into a necklace... but... well... I just couldn't help myself. Lol.

Doesn't it make a lovely bracelet?

And I especially love the red flower. I love how it just pops out against the blue-green.

Listed here! And don't forget. Use coupon code "LOVE2012" for 20% off. :)

Happy Saturday!

Two New Treasuries

I had my second interview today at Aaron Brothers. This was for an assistant manager position. Originally, I interviewed for a lead sales associate position. My boyfriend says that if I get hired, then I was promoted even before I was hired... silly man. I can't help but feel hopeful. I so want to work there. I miss working... even though I'm loving creating pretty things every day, I really do miss... having a paycheck :P

ALSO, they have ART SUPPLIES at Aaron Brothers. I LOVE art supplies. Did you know that? I love the smell of pencils... weird, huh?

I'll have a third interview next week. So, please, keep your fingers crossed for me. <3

I was nervous last night so after making my hooks, I created a treasury... and I felt antsy after the interview today... so I made another one. Lol.

Because spring is coming...

Because I love red...

Red And Black

One of the best color combinations, I think. Black onyx with ruby red glass beads.

... Btw, web browser, why do you think "combinations" is spelled wrong? Oh sure, "combos" is ok... but not "combinations." Silly, browser.

Re-Design W/ My Christmas Beads

Here is the original necklace I made using the beads my boyfriend bought me for Christmas. I wore it. Didn't like it. So. I changed it today.


This is the new design which I think works well with the upcoming lovey-dovey holiday. It was made using a two-needle weaving technique I read about in a magazine. They used four beads per section... I used a few more (they're seed beads and four didn't seem like enough).

The sections aren't quite hearts but I think they'll do.

I think it might be a tad too long but I can always change that. One of the joys of making my own jewelry is being able to make things that fit ME. :)

Red and Silver

After work yesterday (Sunday), I decided that instead of a nap, I would try to do something with the beads my boyfriend bought me for Christmas. Such pretty reds. But it really wasn't enough to make a full set but I had some dark red beads I bought a while back when I planned on making my own prayer beads when I was reading up on Buddhism. The dark red looks black in low light but has a deep and rich color in good lighting.

I'm not sure what the beads are exactly. I know I purchased them from the Tall Mouse and they were marked down (see the blue on the tag?). The tag says "Garnet Red Bds." But does that mean they're garnet stones??? Or just red garnet colored glass beads. The beads themselves are pretty heavy for their size. I want to say they're stones but I just don't know! On the inset picture, you can see they're a bit cracked... which also makes me believe they're just glass... regardless, they're very pretty.

Here's the bracelet and earrings I made from the beads. On the earrings are two coral beads that came with the one's Rod bought for me. And the garnet beads that I had lying around. I also have silver filigree spacer beads and I know, I know that red looks fantastic with gold, but I don't think gold is my color... hence the silver. There were also five smaller coral beads and one is the focal on the bracelet I made. More filigree and garnet beads. The bead caps are also mine. The small red glass beads are from the strand from my Christmas present. They have a light gold finish on them that is BARELY noticeable but I see it... I think it adds some interest to the bracelet.

The necklace I made for myself is pretty, I think. But I don't think I'm very good at designing necklaces. I'm not sure what else to say about the piece except... the next time I get paid, I want to look at better clasps because the box clasp I've been using for the bracelets I've made isn't very comfortable on my neck. It might be the filigree design catching on the little hairs on my neck (yes, I'm a mammal and have hairs on my body :P).

SIDE NOTE: I want to make more jewelry for others but I'm still new and am still testing things out. Vanessa's bracelet broke again. I'm going to try and just buy a thicker gauge wire and make the links myself instead of using sterling eye pins. I don't want to change the design too much but I might have to just put the beads on beading wire which I've had more success with. But I think it looks sooo pretty here!

A Bracelet for Vanessa

A few weeks ago, I made a bracelet for my friend, Vanessa. It was kind of a "Hey, cheer up. Here's something shiny," gift. I haven't known her for too long but she is probably one of the nicest people I've met and luckily for me, is turning out to be a really awesome friend. Also, she turned me on to barbacoa burritos from Chipotle (with guacamole, thank you very much). That in itself means we'll be friends forever.

Vanessa's favorite colors are red and black (what a great choice; those were my fave colors in high school) and I chose to make a bracelet with red Swarovski crystals and black glass beads. I used a silver plated wire for the links for her bracelet. Well, that silver plated wire tarnished quicker than you could say "monkey pants."

I also didn't think of how much Vanessa uses her hands and the original dangle I made for the end of the clasp's chain broke. Originally, it was three beads on a single head pin that was looped onto the end of the chain. Well, that head pin broke and the crystals were lost to the carpets at Borders... so I went ahead and replaced them and made three separate links hoping that the "wiggle room" of the links will make it last longer.

I ended up re-doing the bracelet with sterling silver wire. Hopefully the wire wont tarnish like the plated wire. I'm told that all metal tarnishes over time. I can't always afford sterling silver but I made this for my friend and I want it to last. Besides, the silver was on sale that week... it was like a sign. :P

Also, you can see I used clear silver lined seed beads on each link. That was to help add length and a little more shine and texture to the bracelet.

Now, because I'm a curious lass, I took the tarnished wire from the old links and wanted to see if I could just clean them up. I have a polishing cloth that says it gets rid of tarnish... and in the before and after pictures (before being on the left and after being on the right) you definitely can see a difference. I didn't get rid of all the tarnish... it was, after all, 3AM when I decided I needed to work on the bracelet RIGHT NOW. But, there was a difference. However, the silver has turned yellow. I'm assuming the metal under the silver plating is brass. Actually, I'm not even sure that the packaging said "silver plated." Maybe it just said "silver color." I should read the package closer.

I haven't a problem with tarnishing with the earrings I've made for myself (using the same metal as the original bracelet). Maybe its because it hangs off of the ear and doesn't touch skin. Hmm...