Crystal, Pearl & Brass Necklace & Earrings Set

I almost forgot to post this!  This is my entry for the Bead Soup design contest at the Adornments Retreat earlier this month. Everyone was asked to bring a 16" strand of beads, matching some aspect of a provided color palette.  I assumed we were mixing all the beads that everyone brought, so I provided a 16" strand of the same beads.  But in actuality, we were in smaller groups, where we mixed beads with the few other people at our individual tables.  Some tables were full with 8 people, and others, like mine, were smaller.  We had just 4 people.  To get us started, Swarovski Crystal who was one of the sponsors, placed a few strands of their beads in each bowl.  The crystal rings, and the deep blue pearls both came from that.  The other beads were from my various table-mates. 

Since the other sponsor was Vintaj, and they provided clasps for the designs, I went with a very Vintaj-heavy feel for my design, incorporating some of their brass filigree components and bead caps, along with some antiqued gold chain, and some chain tassels.  The result is a simple piece, that I could wear comfortably.  (You should have seen some of the more awesome designs!  There was some crazy beautiful stuff in the mix.)

Silk Tassel Pendant

I got to attend the Adorments Retreat last week, where I was lucky enough to take two classes with Candie Cooper.  The first focused on using silk in jewelry making.  We made large scrappy fabric tassels out of silk, bits of chain, and lace; all topped with beautiful large Swarovski crystal beads and Vintaj findings.  We were given beautiful knotted crystal strands to hang them from.

 I'm not really a girl or pink person, and yet I can't help but love the results, and I've been wearing it nearly every day since.  :D

Layered Coordinating Pendants

Last week I had the great good fortune to attend the Adornments Retreat sponsored by Vintaj and Art Bead Scene.  It was 4 days of classes, make-and-take projects, and crafting fun.  One of the events on the first day, as a way to get to know one another, was a pendant exchange.  We were invited to bring a pendant we had made, strung on a simple cord or ribbon, all wrapped up. 

The base is Vintaj arte metal.  The middle layer is a piece of Vintaj brass that I hit with a little of their patina paint in a few shades of pink.  The top piece is an antiqued gold charm star charm with an opal pink stone in the center.  I popped some holes in the base art metal piece, and added drops made from rosewater opal Swarovski crystals.

Since I wasn't sure if we would be truly exchanging between two people, or if we would all place our pendants on a table, and randomly take another, or if we'd be able to meet up with one another in some way later, I decided to make myself a coordinating pendant, so my partner could find me later if need be, and so we would always have something to link us together after the event.

The base is the same arte metal, and the middle layer is the same Vintaj brass that I hit with patina paint in shades of green instead of pink.  The top piece is an antiqued gold charm compass rose.  I added drops made from chrysolite opal Swarovski crystals to go with the brass patina. 

I'm glad to say the recipient loved her pendant and was wearing it throughout the event.  :D

Bee Kind Tote

My wonderful Mother in Law hosted the annual family reunion while I was going to be at a jewelry making retreat.  Each year they hold a raffle, the proceeds of which go to funding the next reunion.  Since I knew I would be busy right before the event, but still wanted to contribute, I made up a few gift baskets for her of various local treats. 

One of the baskets was a farmer's market theme, which contained some granola, honey, olive oil, lavender lotion, a soy candle, soap, wool dryer balls, and a set of my crocheted dishcloths.  I lined the basket with tea towels from Target's dollar section, one of which had little bees on it, and another that said 'the Farmers Market is my happy place!'.  But no matter how I arranged all the bits and bobs in the basket, there was an annoying little gap in the back.  I decided I could fill it with a tote bag, for the recipient to use at their own market, or to take to the grocery store.  The bag was a pre-made canvas one already in my stash.  The cut files came from the Silhouette store online. And I was going to use some leftover gold glitter htv, until I found a sheet of flocked yellow vinyl that came with my Silhouette Cameo.  I was so excited to get to use it up!

Mini JoyfulClover Doll

I can finally share the doll I made of new Craftster friend [member]JoyfulClover[/member]! Mini-JoyClov (as I've decided a mini-her needs a mini-name) is about the size of an American Girl doll, and can wear 18” doll shoes. Made from the [url=https://www.paisleyroots.com/2016/12/pepper-doll-pattern.html]Paisley Roots Pepper Doll[/url] pattern.

She features vivid blue yarn hair, embroidered & drawn features, including little stars around her eyes inspired by the work of Humble Toys.

She has tattoos up both arms in Vulcan script, reading Live Long and Prosper, and Peace and Long Life.

The nipple tassels are entirely the fault of sheepBlue.  As I was making her, I was sharing pics with sheep, and showed her the embroidered nipples.  She commented that the doll could use nipple tassels.  Since I had some tiny jewelry tassels just sitting on my jewelry work area, I decided the idea was too funny not to go for it.  The nipples were sewn around jump rings, stitched along the top only, then the thread was wrapped along the bottom so the tassels can clip on with jewelry clasps. She has black to match her purple and black panties and blue to match her hair in case she decides to go commando.

Both her ‘skirt’ and ‘top’ are actually dresses that can be worn alone or together. The green one was made per the pattern instructions, but I found it a bit short for my liking, so I made the grey a bit longer. 

To give her some extra options, I made little tee shirts out of some of my own old shirts that were destined to become tee shirt yarn.  I cut so I could use the existing neckklines.

She has a crocheted Elise Shawl made from Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball in Feng Shui Grey.

JoyfulClover mentioned that she usually wears large statement necklaces, so I made one for Mini-JoyClov.  And then I decided they needed matching necklaces to really be twins, so I made a matching full size one for the real Joyful to wear.

The sunglasses came from the toddler section of Target.  I almost picked up a set of turquoise doll headphones from Walmart, but in the end I was afraid they'd either squash Mini-JC's face, or ruin her hair. 

Morning Glory Pendant

Last week I had the great good fortune to attend the Adornments Retreat sponsored by Vintaj and Art Bead Scene.  It was 4 days of classes, make-and-take projects, and crafting fun.  One of the events was a Make & Take with Ron, a representative from Swarovski Crystal, & Jess Italia Lincoln, the Signature Designer at Vintaj. 

The crystal is a huge Swarovski crystal in their Orchid shape, and the brass piece is a vine of morning glories from Vintaj.  I later strung it onto a piece of green upcycled sari silk ribbon with sliding knots, so I can wear it tight tighter as a choker, or longer as a pendant.