Christmas Vacation

Here is what I've been up to...

Necklaces:







Dangle Earrings:





Chandelier Earrings:

A couple more sets

Matching Sets

A necklace and earring set with some unique glass green beads mixed with black beads:




Another necklace and earring set with some pretty stones and wooden beads:




Bracelet and Earring Set:

My parents go to bed early...

...so that means when I am visiting them, there is much time to spend making jewelry. I just can't make myself go to bed at 9pm. Last night, I made some more earrings. Here they are:

My Latest

Here are my latest creations. I did these a couple of nights ago to give away at our staff gift exchange tonight.



Also...I've had several of you ask me about prices. Not 100% sure where to start with that, but if they are super simple, I'd probably charge $8. If they are the typical ones, like most on this blog, I'd charge $10. And if they are chandelier earrings (like these above and the first ones I did and the black ones about half way down), I'd charge $15.

So, let me know if you are interested in any of these or even if you like some of them, but would want a different color. I'd love to make some for you!

Weekend Therapy

It's amazing how therapeutic it is to make these things...lots of concentration and lots of closure. It's great!


I'll be wearing these to the next Carolina game!!

First attempt at a necklace...

So, here is my first attempt at a necklace. I struggled quite a bit through the clasps... Added that on my list of things to learn more about.

40% off...luring me back

Guess what, friends?? It has been two whole days since I went to Michaels!! I am so proud of myself. Did you know that each time you buy something, there is a 40% off coupon at the bottom of your receipt. It is good for the following week. Well, when you go to Michaels 5 days in a row, that's a lot of 40% off coupons...and a lot more temptation to go back and spend more and get more 40% off coupons and the cycle continues.

Here's the latest that my 40% off has gotten me...

Green

Again, just some fun things I've created. I'm putting these up here to show them off, but also so that you can look at them and do a little online shopping. :) Let me know if you'd like to give any for Christmas gifts.

Merry Christmas Mom...

So these are a pair I made for my mom this weekend. She showed me a new dress that she had and asked if I could make some to match. The dress was black, gray and cream colored, so here is what I came up with. An early Christmas present. And she tells me that she is wearing them at work today!

Just a couple more

And here are a few others I made this weekend...

And so it begins...

I'm really not sure why I typically skip to the medium or difficult level when starting something new. I mean really - for someone with a slight deficiency in the area of creativity, you'd think I would start out with the most basic of basic earrings to make, right? Nope. You got it...I picked up one of the more difficult earrings to make and went for it. Thankfully, I have a very patient and gracious sister in law who guided me through.

And here is the finished product!!

The Pretty, Shiny (and addictive) Bead Aisle

So...I've been thinking a lot recently about wanting some type of hobby that I enjoy that could be a creative outlet for me. I've thought of all kinds of different things that I could do for fun, but for now, I've landed on Beading.

Over Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law (the artistic, creative one in the family) showed me some of her creations as she has been making jewelry and other fun artsy things. Then, on a whim, we decided to go to Michaels one night. This really sparked my interest...there were multiple aisles of pretty, shiny beads. What's a girl to do but decide to buy some of those pretty, shiny beads and create something.

We stayed in Michaels until 10pm when they closed. That was Friday night. I am embarrassed to admit that I have been back in Michaels every day since. I keep trying to convince myself that it's just to get started and that because I am new to this, I keep figuring out new tools, beads, findings, etc. that I'll need. But, reality is my friend and the truth is - I am becoming a bit addicted. Is it possible to become addicted to something in only 4 short days?

So...for those of you who know me, please feel free next time you see me to ask me how much time I have spent in the pretty, shiny bead aisle in Michaels. I'm beginning to think I'm going to need a little accountability in this.