More Goodies to Show Off

More goodies for the Bei Mondi shop and the I Made It! Mine show in February.

 Lampwork from Java Bead and Norma Brink with lots of Bali silver.  This one has the color changing Swarovski crystals that go from soft pink to gray to light green which are all colors that compliment the bracelet.

Amber onyx rounds with lots of oxidized copper

More lampwork with Swarovski crystals.  Are you seeing a pattern here?  I guess it's what I love to do.  Mostly blues in this one with just a touch of purple.

Ok, I'm spending the day with the kiddo and working on some artsy stuff.  I hope to have a little tutorial for you by tomorrow.  You girls enjoy your Friday!

Changing Things Up a Bit

As I stated at the end of the year, I want to change things a bit for Bei Mondi.  I am hoping to go with a more simplistic style.  When I first got excited about beading it was because of the gemstones.  I'm not talking about the fancy stuff, just a simple jasper or agate.  These stones hold more interest to me than the AAA grade sapphire or a huge crystal clear diamond.  They show character.  They show nature's real beauty.  I want to do work that highlights that beauty within the stone and doesn't take too much away from it.

I also have a love for charms.  They add that little message or certain features to a piece.  If I want you to feel a certain way when you look at a necklace with a single stone attached I could add the word "Spicy" or maybe go in the opposite direction with a calming lotus charm.  These both capture very different emotions without overdoing anything.  Simplistic! 

So, here is the start of some new pieces that I hope will gain some attention.

Kawarimono's Pond Moonstone Necklace

 

Siren Song Opal Necklace

Oh, I still love my copper and I still love to experiment with wire.  Here's obvious attempts at that.

My Heart is In Knots For You Copper Necklace

 

Hot Mess Wire Cuff

My new camera and I are having a love/hate relationship right now.  The white balance is all off so more experimenting is needed on my part before great pictures are made.  I'm still making my way through the very thick manual.

Oh, and it looks like my partner in crime for the Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Party is Julie Vallejo.  She has a blog by the name of Rocker Jewlz.  Wow!  What a name!  I can't wait to learn more about her and to swap out some goodies.

Happy Monday Beading friends!

Pity Party Train has left town

Hey gals!  No negativity and self pity today.  I'm dusting myself off and getting down to business.  You girls have set me straight and I thank you for it.  Seriously though, I appreciate all of your kind words and advice.  I'm so glad we can all help each other out when it's needed.  You girls ROCK!

Did you know there is only 16 days left until Christmas?  I hope you're on track with your gift buying and merriment.  I've seen lots of beautiful trees on everyone's blogs and such creative decorations.  Does anyone celebrate Chanukkah or Kwanzaa?  Let's see those decorations too.  We've got our tree and decorations up so I'll try to take a picture soon.

And speaking of Christmas, I finally saw the animated "Christmas Carol" in 3D.  I really enjoyed it although it is a very dark movie.  The story was the same as the original but this one was quite spooky.  The little kid sitting behind me in the theater kept saying, "Daddy, this is scary."  A bit different for a Christmas movie but the message was there.  And the 3D effects were great.  I felt like the snow was actually coming down on my head.

I'll wrap this up with what I've been working on.  Here goes!

Oh yes, if you are a Sharilyn Miller fan then you recognize this bracelet.  Which, by the way, she has a new book out that Mary Jane and I are totally stoked about.  Although I could never do wirework like the Queen (she is the best), this bracelet is just for me and serves as more wirework practice.  I wanted something lightweight (used 16 gauge rather than 14) with that beautiful copper glow to it.  This definitely fits my personality and we all need to give ourselves something every now and then, right?

 

Trying to get creative with the use of copper with lampwork beads.  This is Norma Brink's lampwork once again and the details are amazing.  I didn't have any copper headpins so I made my own with a little swirl at the end.  Oh, and look at the light bulb clasp.  I learned how to make that from Miss Cindy at Sweet Bead Studios.  The tutorial was in the recent Easy Wire magazine.  Thanks, Cindy!

More Norma Brink lampwork with sterling silver beads and wire this time.  I didn't oxidize this piece.  I like the bright silver with these colors.  I tried to bring out the purple and greens in the lampwork with all the Swarovski.  I hope I didn't over do it.

And last but not least is a sweet little pair of lampwork and sterling silver swirly earrings.  Do you recognize these beads?  These are from the wonderful Miss Sue from Sue Beads.  Love the tiny silver specks trailing around each bead.  Oh, and I do believe Sue is having another sale.  She's had a different sale like every couple of days.  If you need lampwork check her out.

It's Kinda Spooky!

Well, the kiddo has a temp. of 103 and not doing so great.  I caught her still trying to get ready for school, she must really like it.  Poor thing!  It's scary, there have been two cases of H1N1 in the middle school here.  So, I'm keeping a steady flow of cold juice and Motrin going.  Trying to make a doctor's appt. but still just a busy signal.  Ugh!

Ok, while she's sleeping I thought I would jump on here and show you my inside Halloween decorations.  I bought several of Yankee Candle's Bones tealight holders.  The one with the farmer couple holding the candles dripping red is one of my favorites.  And the ornamental grass to the right in the picture is some from my back yard that I've been trying desperately to get rid.  Glad to see it's good for something besides cussing at.  Oh, and no, I don't normally light these candles.  It was just for the picture and I know it's a fire hazard having the candles close to the dry grass.

 

And check out these owls.  I didn't actually buy them to go with my Halloween stuff but I stuck them in to fill up the space.  And they are so cool when the candle light shines through their eyes.  I'd love to see pictures of your Halloween decorations.  This is always such a fun time of the year!

Now onto other things.  That beauty over there -----------------------------------------------------------> at the very top of the page is the spotlight item for this week.  It's name is Bling Bling Bali Bracelet.  This guy is a heavy one all decked out with sterling silver Bali beads and Swarovski crystals to add the bling, bling.  He'll be 10% off for this week only.  Any takers?

And here's another item I added recently to the Bei Mondi Etsy store.

 

Autumn's Abundance Lampwork and Copper Bracelet

The wonderful colors of autumn! This piece combines the yummy warmth of copper with some breath taking lampwork beads. The little cubes of cinnamon and spice are created by Crazy Cat Lampwork and the blue/burgundy ruffles were made by Norma Brink. The lampwork is connected by various copper bead designs with many swirls and whirls to adore.

Have a great Monday and I'll be emailing each of you some time tonight about the Earring Exchange after the hubby gets home.  He'll mix up the names and send one to each of you (me included) so no one knows who gets what name.  This should be fun!

The Many Roles of a Jewelry Artist

As I was taking my pictures this morning I started to think about this jewelry making career and what all it entails. No one told me I'd have to be a photographer when I decided to sell jewelry. But the more I look at photos of others, the more I realize it's not an option - it's a requirement. And what else is required of someone who'd like to make an occasional bracelet or two to sell. Well, accounting experience would be a plus, along with customer service skills (although we hope we'll never have to use those). Shipping and recieving skills and you must keep up with your inventory for all supplies including packaging. Oh, and what about style? That's a biggie! Keeping up with the latest trends and trying to accomidate the newest styles while still being an individual with your own flair. And what about the blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr? I guess being a little tech savy helps as well along with having something to say each time you post something so should we add in journalist as well? hehe Of course, attention to detail and the ability to work with tools, metals, and sometimes even chemicals. This "job" does require a lot from you but the thing is... I'm happy. So, for me it's definitely worth all of it. Agree???

So, here's my pictures from this morning while I was deep in thought.

French Lavender
I didn't add any items to my shop yesterday so I'm adding two today. The first is lampwork from Norma Brink once again. Her work is amazing! Love the depth within each piece. Lots of blues, purples, and a tad bit of yellow and burgundy. All wrapped in oxidized sterling silver wire and hand polished.

Second one has a porcelian button focal from BeadFreaky. She's on Etsy so check out her stuff! It also has ocean jaspers, blue coral, and a few tiny Swarovski crystals thrown in for bling, bling. All held together with sterling wire.

Ok, I guess I'm off to do some inventory because you know that's part of the job. You girls enjoy your Tuesday!

C'est la vie

Hello and good morning! How did everyone's weekends go? Lots of sunshine and fun I hope.

Well, it looks like I lost a follower so hence the title of today's post. I'm trying to not let it get me down. So, "C'est la vie"! You win some, you loose some!

I've decided to lower some of my prices in my shop and also add free shipping. This might bring in more traffic, who knows. Pricing is kinda tough and I feel like I'm all over the place. I'm hoping if I narrow down the range of prices I can zero in on a more specific group of buyers. What works best for you when it comes to pricing? Do you price a piece by adding every bead and piece of wire along with exactly the length of time it took to make? Or do you price your items based on what you would pay or what you think others would pay? I love advice!

Ok, I'll throw today's piece out here real quick and then get on with today's post.

Happy Buddha

Happy Buddha charm looks content hanging out on this piece made with sterling jumprings, silver wire, beach glass in muted mint green and a darker forest green. Also includes a soft suede strap and sterling swirl clasp. I like the silver with the brown strap, it really stands out.

Ok, I need your help. I've desperately been looking for a bead with no success. Here's the picture. I am trying a find the swarovski filigree brass ball bead like on this bracelet. I love this vintage look. The stones are of a dark hue and not super shiny. Any idea where I can find one? Maybe this is an older bead that they no longer make. Also, for those of you who buy chain, where do you purchase it from? I am looking for all types of metals with a larger size link and a more intricate design.

Hope your Monday isn't going too bad. I know how Mondays can be. Ugh!

To Oxidize or Not to Oxidize. That is the Question!

Ok, slacking a little today. I guess staying up till 3am last night might have something to do with it. It's 3pm and I'm looking for another cup of coffee. Terrible habit! But I love the smell of coffee brewing and when it brews I just have to have a cup. Anyway, I wanted you gals to take a look at this piece I was working on. This is my first attempt at a wire wrapped pendant (I guess that's what you call it). Not too shabby, not perfect but I don't think perfect is in my vocabulary any way. So, the question now is whether to oxidize this little guy or not. Any suggestions? It's made with sterling wire which almost looks cheap in a way because I think there is too much shine to it. The clasp on this is a first attempt as well. I love Sharilyn Miller's "Bead on a Wire". I think I should be her spokesperson with as much as I've been mentioning her lately.

Petit Four Dangles
Well, I have one pair of earrings so far for the shop. Moving slowly today! Smoky quartz marquises with pink opal chips. Pink opal seems to be a challenge for me to match other stones with but I did notice the brown and black flecks throughout the stone so hopefully the smokey quartz will compliment it well.

Oh, and here's Lauren's art project for today. She knows I love octopi so look what she made me. And the angel is too cute so I had to include that as well. Get out in that sunshine and make the best of the day! One more day left till the weekend!

Color and Inspiration

Yawn! Mondays are so slow. Where's the coffee? I need more coffee.

I've been looking through my gems to find the perfect fit for the Art Bead Scene challenge for August. The inspiration piece is a well known painting by the name of Great Wave off of Kanagawa. It's very simplistic but holds such beauty and meaning. The colors are my favorite. A bit neutral with some deep blues thrown in. I'm thinking of sea glass with a nice charm. Simple but elegant.

So, what are your favorite color combinations? Do you actually follow the color fashion trends by Pantone or go for what you like? Where do you usually find your inspiration for color combinations? Shopping for clothes? Looking at paint samples? Staring at a color wheel? Checking out the neighbor's flowers? I tend to throw different beads together in a container and see which ones compliment each other. I don't really follow any color rules. I guess I go for what I like and what I know I would wear. As you can tell by looking at my jewelry, I tend to be more simplistic using only a few colors at a time. I hope with time I can learn to be more adventurous.

Ok, I'm moving slow today. I have one item ready to go to the shop. I'll probably have another this afternoon. This one comes from reading "Bead on a Wire" by Sharilyn Miller. Sharon from Livewire Jewelry suggested this one to me and I'm so glad she did. Thanks, Sharon!

Molten Lava
Beautiful Botswana agate chunks cagged in heavy sterling wire. Check out this color! When I saw the orange and silver together with a touch of the gray I immediately thought of lava and how it's first a bright orange and then cools to gray and then black.

This was loads of fun to make so I'll probably be playing with wire much more often if my pocket book will allow it. Make the best of your Monday!

Caribbean Chic Earrings

New earrings for the collection. These are made with "glowing" blue chalcedony briolettes paired with white button freshwater pearls and petite peridot chips. All are wrapped in sterling silver wire connected to a sterling chain and French hooks.