Hello Again Blog

It has been months since I've written a blog post and I really feel bad that I have neglected this blog. It has been a busy couple months and things have not slowed down yet. After the big last quarter sale i had, quite a lot of new things have come along. In October I went to Hong Kong on a purchasing trip with my sister and we sure had a great time. I've been to HK a few times already and have fallen in love with all the beads and findings they have to offer. There are pretty metal components...

Pretty filigrees...big....


medium...

and small...

I bought earring settings....(and pendant settings which i still haven't photographed)...

Ring Filigrees....

Cute charms of all sorts...

 

Filigree hair pins...

My almost sold out hole punchers...should've bought more of these!!!

And lastly...lovely flower beads....

Oh it sure was bead shopping heaven...and although I want to keep it all for myself...i have already uploaded a lot of the items for sale in my facebook shop here -

http://www.facebook.com/earthlyjewelsbeads?ref=tn_tnmn

Last few travels i did to HK, i stayed at guest houses..but this time I thought i'd "live it up" and stay at a better, more upscale hotel..The Rosedale Hotel...and the extra bucks spent was definitely worth it!!! And here is my little "take home gift to self" .... my newest Kokeshi/ Kimmi doll...meet Kimmi Jr "Lotti" 

I try to buy a Kimmi doll everytime i go...just as a remembrance. 

I also joined a bazaar and it was a blast..but more on that on my next post. 

I'm hoping to be able to post more often now but that may not become a reality because its just gonna get busier with my nephew's wedding which will be in a few weeks, Christmas shopping and another bazaar in the works... well, let's see how it goes...

Hope you are all ok out there and are still around to read my blog...please do leave me your comments :-) 

Birds & Flowers Digital Collage

My newest collage sheet is the Birds & Flowers Sheet #056 and #057. It is a simple digital collage sheet with basic colors and very simple designs of flowers and birds. Very lovely for pendant graphics...

This sheet is available in my etsy shop in either 18mm x 25mm or 30mm x 40mm ovals 

GO SEE IT ON ETSY NOW

January Guild Challenge - APATCHIES

We just completed our 1st guild assignment for the year...the APATCHIES INCHIES CHALLENGE. We were to make 4 pieces of 1 inch square pieces of art that expressed ourselves. I had quite a difficult time getting started...for some reason inspiration to clay was just not there. But yesterday, I made myself sit down and put my hands to work.... and this is what I came up with...

Inchies #1
Pink & Purple Applique Style...

Most people that have seen my work will take a look at this inchie and recognize my typical favorite polymer clay style...I really enjoy making these type of polymer clay appliques popularized by a wonderful artist...Jennifer Morris. And of course...they're done in my favorite shades...pinks, purples and lavender!!!

Inchies #2
The Butterfly in the Garden

This inchie really shows something about me particularly for this year! I've been reading my new "Fortune & Feng Shui" Book and it says that Year of the Water dragon 2012 brings a lot of challenges and it will be a "transformational" year. I look forward to this transformation and am definitely going to face it "head on" because although there may be challenges, I am determined to emerge as a butterfly.

Inchie #3

Kaleidescope of Me

For this one, I thought a great way to express myself  in a single inch is by making a kaleidoscope cane from all of old canes that I have made. Each cane I created previously is already an expression of things and colors I like...so since I have long been wanting to try to make a Kaleidoscope cane...this was my chance!

Inchie#4

Learning Faux Cloisonne

This inchie shows my excitement to learn new techniques and experimenting. I've always loved cloissone...and with polymer clay it's possible to do some experimenting. Let me tell you, I'm definitely loving this technique and you'll be seeing more of this in my sites!

So those are my inchies...and i just wanted to show some steps i took to make them...

Inchie#1....

Inchie #3

Inchie#4

Filigree Frenzy

I have stocked the shop with a bunch of really pretty filigree!!! Most of them are in antique gold and very vintage looking! I loooove them!!!

I think they are perfect for clay creations!!! I tried one of my handmade applique cabochons on it and i think it definitely looks fab!!! What do you think?

Oh and I think I'll start making more of these cabochon..applique cameos so I can stock them in the shop as well...They're very vintage too, I think!  And can you imagine the beautiful pieces you can make with each being one of a kind!!! 

Don't forget to stop in at my online shop on facebook - 

http://www.facebook.com/earthlyjewelsbeads?ref=tn_tnmn

Bangle Settings

I noticed that bangles are all the rave lately so I decided to stock some really cute bangle settings in the shop...here's what I made with one with the round setting...

I made the applique flower cabochon and set it in the bangle setting. Pretty cute and the colors are easy to match with clothes....

and here's another...

Here's what the setting looks like with out a cabochon set in it....

Crazy for Cuffs

My latest creating craze are polymer clay cuffs...why did I just start making them now? I love making them...and I love wearing them. ooh I wish I could keep them....

Tending to the Ponies...

I've been busy with the Baby Blue Bell Ponies...pendants that I am making...

Here the pendants with the plain black settings..have yet to place the beads on top...

I made a few that have simple design settings with a gold sheen...

And these ones have the charm beads on top already...

Special thanks again to Baby Blue Bell of deviant art for the pony images!

I also made a floral glass cabochon pendant and set it in a bezel with bead dangles...

Today I decided to take a break from the ponies because I missed making appliques...so I took out some pretty colors and started to make this...

Into this...

It's ready for baking!!! Now back to tending ponies...

That's all for now, have a great day!