New - Callista Earrings

I just received my supply package from Artbeads yesterday.  I am still going down the copper trail with my design ideas.  I used blue swarovski crystal rondelles and aqua blue czech glass with copper caps and rondelles.  This picture does not show it well, but these beads glisten in the light.  As usual, I like these so much that I will have a pair on my earring tree later today.  These earrings are named Callista and they are for sale in my 1000 Markets shop.  By the way, I just added an icon called "Fun With Copper and Brass" so that all of my new copper and brass designs are together.  Check it out!

Disclaimer:  I have received free products from Artbeads for review and sampling only. I am not paid for these endorsements.  

Hello Saturday - What happened to Friday?

My entire Friday became a recover from Thursday.  I stayed in pajama-like clothing all day and could not push myself to do anything too intense so I decided to cross check my jewelry inventory against my lists.  I only got through one box of inventory, but I discovered that I have gotten a little off track as I surpass the 310th earring design.  I found a couple of pair of earrings in the first box that might have been accounted for on paper, but are not posted in my 1000 Markets shop.  

In looking through the inventory, I selected a few earlier designs that are now labeled "makeover".  When a design does not sell after a certain period of time it is best to pull it apart and recreate it.  Interestingly enough, I had a few designs I was beginning to doubt would ever sell.  To my surprise, these designs have recently sold on 1000 Markets. 

In an effort to move some inventory, I have created the All Occasion Gift Ideas Under $10.  Please stop by for a stocking stuffer or two.  Free Shipping on all of these purchases!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A day of creativity begins and ends in the kitchen today.  Nothing but family, friends and food today.  Be back tommorrow with some updates on projects ahead.  I did not have any food pictures, so I thought I would show my boys (Charley & Diego) resting up for the full house today.

Yarning Out Today

With all the hype of Black Friday sales this week, I am kicking it up a notch to start and finish holiday gifts.  Last evening, I crocheted these lovely denium blue wrist warmers for my son's girlfriend.  I have noticed that she cuts the sleeves on hoodies for her thumbs, so this might be just what she needs for the cooler weather.  I broke a new creative barrier for myself by writing the pattern exactly how I wanted it to be constructed.  What happened was I found a pattern I thought was going to work. I completed the first one and absolutely disliked the pattern.  I ripped it apart and wrote the pattern myself. I now own this pattern and plan to write it in medium and small sizes. This is something that I have wanted to do for a very long time and this happened completely by coincidence.  

Next to the wrist warmers is the beginnings of a knitted moebius cowl. I found a knitted stitch pattern that closely resembled the wrist warmers. To the untrained eye the knitted cowl and crocheted wrist warmers will be a terrific pattern match.  Now, for you that are wondering about the word "moebius".  This is a knitting technique for creating a never-ending twisted loop .  When I have completed the desired length for this cowl I will twist it once and sew the ends together.  Viola! A beautiful cowl that can be worn over a turtleneck as an accent accessory or under an over coat for extra warmth at the neck.  I will ask my friend Patti to model it before it give it to Kristin so that you can see the pair together.

Fun With Copper

I have a small drawer of copper findings that I have given little attention to in recent months.  I decided to break into the drawer today and create whatever came to mind.  I really like copper because it brings out the colors in beads.  These earrings are named Cleopatra and they are for sale at at both my Etsy and 1000Markets shops.  Because I have so many of these findings, I am prepared to sell more than one pair of these earrings.

These earrings are called Blue Divas.  I used two cubes of crazy blue agate, copper bead caps and two chips of turquoise cylinders.  I will need to consider these one-of-a-kind because they are the last of my blue agate beads.

I intended to work with yarn today, but when I got five sales on 1000 Markets, I was quickly drawn into my bead cave. 

Catching Up

Wow, where has this week gone.  I am a little behind on everything I wanted to accomplish this week.  First, let me report that my crochet cardigan wrap has been completed.  I just need to weave a few loose threads this weekend.  Overall, I am pleased with the pattern and my efforts to carefully follow the directions.  The border design on the sleeves and collar was fun to complete.  The sizing seems to equate to a medium and I might have been better served with a large.  It is not too tight, I just feel the length of the large might have been a little longer on my torso.  

My second mission this week was to finish a crocheted lap blanket I started 1 year ago.  This blanket was the third of a series and I think I got bored and moved onto other projects.  I just need to add another 15 inches to complete this project.  Next on the list is to complete the wrist warmers I started 3 weeks ago.  Then, I intend to whip up a scarf in a wonderful blue denium yarn I found this past weekend.  Now you are probably wondering what I am doing on the jewelry making because I have talked about nothing but yarn the past couple of weeks.  I can honestly say that I have enough inventory to float through the holiday shopping period.  In fact, I am hoping to lighten up the shop so that I can freshen up with some new designs and colors for the upcoming seasons.  I have moved many items to my All Occasion Gift Ideas Under $10.  Please stop by and help me reduce some of my inventory!

Giveaway Opportunity

JudithB.Designs is having an earrings giveaway on Monday, November 16th that you do not want to miss out on.  These copper earrings have the most beautiful cool shades of blue and green.  Check out her blog post for the details on entering your name.

Remember, everyone is welcome to use the Artbeads.com 10% discount I received for blogging the swarovski crystals last month.  The promo code is SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424

Spread the Word - Share the Savings

I gave Artbeads.com a little of my time last month by blogging and creating a few earrings with their swarovski crystals.  To show their appreciation I received a gift card and a 10% off Artbeads.com Share the Savings Card.  For all of my readers and their friends, please feel free to use promo code SCF10P-ARTBEADS-0424  between now and December 31st.  Best of all, there is no minimum purchase amount.  Why do we love Artbeads.com - Free Shipping to the U.S.!

Enjoy!!!!