My last couple of posts have been on the serious side, so I thought it time to lighten up a bit.
How about I display some new beaded jewelry pieces, created during a recent day of thunderstorms?
Tag Archives: chandelier earrings
More Healing Bracelets
I just realized it’s been awfully long since I posted pictures of the jewelry I’ve been beading, so let’s remedy that, shall we?
If you’re not into beads or jewelry or creativity, that’s okay. We don’t all have the same interests. You can skip reading right now.
Sure, you’ll hurt my feelings, but I’ll get over it. As Henry Rollins said, “Being an artist is dragging your innermost feelings out, giving a piece of yourself, no matter in which art form, in which medium.”
Just don’t leave forever, ‘k? Come back and join us next time, when I’m not writing about beads!
Still here? Great — thanks, and let’s get right to it.
Help Me Choose, Please
I’ve got a bit of a dilemma, so I’m turning to my online friends for help.
Most of you are aware that next month I’m going to my son’s university commencement.
You’re also aware that for months now, I’ve been trying to determine agonizing over just what I’m going to wear for this momentous occasion.
(Not that anybody will be looking at me. Or rather, they shouldn’t!)
Anyway, now that I’ve selected a few outfits — mostly in the black-and-white color scheme — I’m debating over accessories.
We had a LOT of thunderstorms recently, giving me many opportunities for my favorite pastime, beading jewelry.
I made the following two pairs of earrings, with an eye toward wearing them for Commencement.
The question is, Which do you like better?
And remember, I don’t want to embarrass my kid. Or stick out. But frankly, it isn’t me to wear a subdued pair of pearl studs and call it a day!
Earrings #1
1) This pair of dangling earrings measures 3 1/4 inches in length. Each contains four 6 mm round black jasper beads, a round mother-of-pearl, silver rondelle spacer, and an ornate silver connector. A leverback ear wire completes the look. (Black jasper is said to absorb negative energy, if that helps with your decision!)
Earrings #2
2) This pair of chandelier earrings measures 3 1/2 inches in length. Each contains five 6 mm round obsidian beads, three 6 mm faceted round crystal beads, a daisy spacer, and an ornate silver chandelier. A leverback ear wire ties it all together. (Black obsidian is said to cleanse the environment of negativity, disharmony, anger, fear, and resentment.)
Okay, y’all, start voting! If nobody likes either pair, well, I guess we’ll have more bad weather somewhere along the line, and I can go back to the drawing beading board!
And thanks in advance for helping me out.
Inquiring Minds Want to Know
My friend Katybeth brought up this question, and I assured her I’d try to answer it — What’s the Sheltie’s name?
He’s been pictured beside me ever since I started blogging three years ago, but I’ve been consistent in calling him “the Sheltie” or “Darling Doggie.”
Most of the time.
But he tells me he’s not happy with this cloak of anonymity.
Even if it was woven to protect him.
“Are you ready for me to tell the world your name?” I asked.
“Sure, mom, go ahead. But why not have some fun out of it? Make ’em guess!”
So let’s have us a little contest, shall we? Place your guess (or guesses, if you’re feeling really creative) in the comments below. The Sheltie and I promise to read (and in his case, guffaw) over each one and on Sunday (Oct. 28), we’ll announce the winner, based on whoever’s guess is closest (or most amusing!). If there’s no clear winner, we’ll draw one name out of a hat.
To be fair, if you already know my Sheltie’s name because you happen to know us, please don’t participate — give the others a chance, ‘k?
Here are some “hints”:
- The Sheltie is a male
- The Sheltie will be six years old next month
- The Sheltie was born in Illinois
- The Sheltie is a “paper dog,” not a mixed breed
- The Sheltie came from a litter of three — two girls and him
- Don’t even think about calling him Lassie!
To reward the winner, I’m prepared to part with one of my beaded jewelry creations (what can I say? The Sheltie drives a hard bargain!). Here’s the photo and the description:
Chandelier earrings
This is a pair of silver filigree Chandelier Earrings, approximately 4 inches in length. Each earring features:
- Top section — one 4mm fuchsia bicone flanked by two 4mm sterling plated round beads
- Middle section — two 5mm pink pearls flanking a single 6mm emerald green bicone (with two silver daisy spacers)
- Bottom section — one long antique silver tube bead
The earrings also contain silver headpins and eye pins as findings and leverback ear wires. Despite the length, they really are light!
Note: Most people would consider these earrings “costume” jewelry; they’re not made from real silver, nor do they contain precious gemstones. Depending on the winner’s preferences, I could be persuaded to switch out the ear wires for sterling silver ones and I could leave off the bottom tier (shaving off nearly an inch of length, for those uncomfortable with dangling earrings). If you’d just like to play along without being entered in the drawing, let us know that, too. We’ll try not to sulk or pout!
Beaded Jewelry, Part Two
I figured it was time for another beaded jewelry blog so here goes (for those who don’t appreciate beads and jewelry, come back another day, okay?):
Aventurine and silver bracelet
1) This bracelet is silver with a toggle clasp and pale green beads of Aventurine. Also known as Adventurine, this gemstone is said to bring good luck, particularly in financial matters. Who doesn’t need good luck there?? Aventurine stimulates creativity and intelligence, too, so perhaps I should glue it to my wrist!
“Y” necklace
2) Next is a silver chain Y-necklace, approximately 12 inches in length. Named for the way it forms a letter Y around the face, this style of necklace gained popularity two decades(!) ago with TV shows like Melrose Place and Friends. I’ve been seeing quite a few of them in jewelry stores lately, so it must be making a comeback (if it ever left!) Anyway, mine features 6mm peach and forest green beads, interspersed with faux pearl and peach beads. Its matching earrings dangle about two inches in length and have a fishhook ear wire.
Lapis chandelier earrings
3) Chandeliers, again! This pair, frankly, was a horror to make, thanks to the teeny-tiny space for inserting the beads. Nine dark blue (well, in reality, they’re darker than the picture!) lapis lazuli beads decorate this delicate silver-shaped piece, bringing the total earring length to about three inches. A leverback ear wire provides safety from accidental loss. Surprisingly, this pair is lighter than it looks and, because of all the lapis beads, it makes a delightful tinkling sound when your head moves. By the way, lapis lazuli is a perfect gemstone for emotional healing and stability. Also, it’s said to cleanse the spirit, bringing out inner truth and peace.
Anklet
4) This is an anklet in natural shell stones and various colorful beads. The clasp is interesting in that you unscrew one silver piece from the other to open it, then screw them back together to close. I imagine that would make for a very secure piece of jewelry. I photographed it on a beach towel because to me, these khaki-colored shells scream for a suntan (yes, even a “bottle tan” will suffice!); besides, anklet bracelets are made for sandals, not snow boots!
That’s all for now. I’ll post some more pieces at a later date, if anyone shows interest in seeing them!
Six Easy Pieces
Recently, my friend Monica posted about the importance of art in her life.
When I commented that I do good to draw stick people, she reminded me that I bead jewelry and that, too, is art. She suggested I write a post about my jewelry creations, along with some photos and thoughts about them.
So, thanks, Monica, for the idea, and here goes:
Blue Shell Earrings by Debbie
1) I made these earrings on a whim. I wanted something flashy — more flashy than I’d normally wear! — so I fashioned them to dangle fairly long, almost to my shoulders. They feature a turquoise shell-like material and produce the most pleasant clinking sound when you move your head.
Shell Necklace by Debbie
2) This necklace is made from tiny shells. I like the way it says “beach vacation” and the fact that it goes with anything!
Black Earrings by Debbie
3) The two black crystal beads at the bottom of these earrings were leftovers. Three and a half years ago, I made my Dad a Rosary from these ebony beads for Christmas. He was in the hospital over the holiday, so we carried his presents to him and tried to make his day special. He died less than a week later, the last day of 2008. I keep the earrings in honor of him, but I find I can’t wear them. It still hurts too much.
Chakra Bracelet by Debbie
4) This bracelet is one I made several years ago, when I learned about Chakras. According to Eastern philosophy, we need to balance our mind and body based on seven energy centers that work together and independently. The seven Chakra colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. I don’t know if this philosophy is against my Christian beliefs, but I can’t see how balancing one’s emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual energies is counter intuitive to good living. Besides, it’s pretty!
Domer’s Rosary, now mine by Debbie
5) I made this Rosary for Domer’s birthday last year. Notice it’s in Notre Dame’s traditional colors of navy blue, emerald green, and gold. Apparently he thought it looked too feminine or delicate or something, for he suggested I keep it. (He wasn’t quite that blunt, but he’s never been known not to speak his mind!). I was glad to take him up on it, since I wouldn’t have made something that time-consuming for me, and the sapphire color is my birthstone. An added plus? The emeralds remind me of “the motherland”!
Chandelier Earrings by Debbie
6) This is a pair of chandelier earrings with a leverback ear wire. They’re in hematite (the greyish color, said to be a good grounding stone) and faux white pearls. I love the look of chandeliers. They’re girly, without being over-the-top. But they take a long time to make, since they have so many tiny parts, and if you don’t get them just right, they can be heavy on your ears.
There you have it. Six easy pieces, all different, all significant. And to think I have BOXES full of this kind of stuff, just waiting to find the right people to love them!
Maybe I should post one special piece every week until the whole lot is out there??
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 