If I Like it, Expect About 1000 (Give or Take 950)

It's true.  I find that when I learn a "new trick" I want to make a bunch of that same thing ... especially when it comes together without struggle (or investing 100 hours to accomplish it).  

Case in point - Ear Cuffs of the wrap around variety.  

I have a friend that doesn't have pierced ears ... but she love, love, loves bobbles in all their varieties.  Unfortunately, earrings of the non-pierced variety tend to pinch or aren't quite the style she'd want to wear ... tada, this girl has a mission!  (I understand if this makes you a little afraid - you're pretty smart, after all.)

Initially, I started with the kind that slide over and wrap around the helix, antihelical fold and antihelix resting just above the antitragus ... yes, I DID have to search for "parts of an ear" to find the correct terminology ("that flappy part above the earlobe" sounded a little too flaky even for me) ... 

I was able to get the shape of a simple cuff fairly easily ... the hard part was turning the simple into something more sparkly with a dangle or two.  Let the frustration begin!  I haven't completely given up on the idea, but I needed an alternative & I totally found one ... and ear cuff that actually hooks onto the ear and wraps around the back of it ... ok, I know, I'm getting wordy here ... check out the results:

Silver Craft Wire, Chain, Swarovski Crystals & 
Glass Seed Beads

Silver Craft Wire, Chain, Amethyst Chips, Blue 
Glass Nail Heads & Glass Seed Beads

Silver Craft Wire, Chain, Swarovski Crystals,
Pearls & Glass Seed Beads

Silver Craft Wire, Chain, one Swarovski Crystal, 
Garnets, Pearls & Glass Seed Beads

Silver Craft Wire, Chain, Swarovski Crystals, Pearls, 
a Single Swarovski Butterfly & Glass Seed Beads

 On that note, please excuse me while I go make a few more (dozen) ... lol

Cioa' Bella's!

04/22/13 update ... here's how it looks on:

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center

Sadie and took an afternoon walk through the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center - Alligator Creek this afternoon.  It was a bit warm, but not too bad as the humidity hasn't returned in full force, yet.  We only did one trail, but I have a feeling we'll be back.  Here are my favorite photo's from the walk:

If I were a bird, I'd likely visit this bath

I'm always drawn to vines growing on felled stumps

A study in brown

I know they have a real name, but I call these Ladybug Berries

 

Sadie spotted this cool little mushroom

Plus one just for fans of The Dark Tower:

For a reasonable donation, the center will carve your (or a loved one's) name onto the bridge railing ... it looks really cool

Sending peace and love to all that have been touched by today's events.

Something Simple

Sometimes all I need is a super simple project:

next up, turn up the difficulty just a tad ... envisioning five shorter sticks and bits of fabric added (for post earrings - and to make it look more like a house).

to Etsy or not to Etsy ... that is my question

I flounder and flip flop and just can't seem to decide, so I am starting here.  I've been making stuff for a long time.  Some of it is really lame (but that doesn't mean it wasn't fun to work on or didn't serve a purpose other than to take up some of my time), some has been alright with a generally soft to moderate appeal, but then there are those moments when all the stars align and I get it right ... the skies open and the angels sing kind of right.  I love those moments.  LOVE them.  

Lately, I have been playing with wire ... and rocks - beach pebbles, tumbled, semi precious.  I'm really liking it and have been getting really great feedback on the pieces, so that little voice has been whispering - "open and Etsy store ... you know you wanna".  The voice is right.  Sort of.  I do want to ... and then I think of ALL the reasons that I shouldn't and can't ... and it makes my brain hurt.

Here are some of my latest pieces:

Silver craft wire pod w/amethyst, hematite, rose quartz & quartz

  

A cool resin "cabochon" wrapped in silver craft wire

another silver craft wire pod - this one has a little TLC - turquoise, lapiz and crystal

 

A friend had the tourmaline piece, I just wrapped it for her so she could wear it

this amulet is from copper wire w/drawn beads - it's stones are protective in their properties

I don't know if it's the angle of the shot or if this pod actually has a bulbous part, but it's silver craft wire w/drawn beads (the little bulbs at the end of the wires).  This one has abalone, amethyst, garnet, lapiz, quartz and rose quartz

OK, now that I've shared my latest efforts, don't forget that I like to play with yarn, seed beads, and a bunch of other random bits-n-pieces ... so, here are my questions:

What are your personal thoughts on Etsy in general?

Do you think a shop needs to maintain a single medium? 

Or is it ok for a seller to offer a variety of items?

Honest answers most appreciated ... please & thank you.

Another Dragon?!?

Who's bored of seeing dragons?  If it's you, skip this one ... one more to add to the growing clan of crocheted dragons:

this one is in between the size of the one my daughter has (Freud) and Big, the gifted to a five year old dragon ... I should have written down what kind of yarn this was - super soft, almost t-shirt feeling.

Craft Swap's Rock

This past weekend I participated in a local craft swap with some pretty amazing (and amazingly talented women).  The hostess of the swap, Robin, gave me permission to share photo's that she took of the items being offered for swap (item list below photo):

1) half apron

2) crocheted bracelets w/antique buttons

3) boo boo bags

4) paper bird ornaments

5) castille laundry soap & fabric softener

1) shrinky dink "antique" camera charm bracelet

2) crocheted chocker w/antique buttons

3) cold brew coffee concentrate - option 1

4) magazine envelopes

5) cold brew coffee - option 2

1) needle felted needle book

2) earrings

3) felted soap

4) crocheted headbands

5) mason jar travel mugx/mason jar wall sconces

1) hand carved stamped tags

2) herb salts

3) photo greeting cards

4) hand carved stamped greeting cards

5) heating pad

1) zentangle greeting cards

2) owl plushie

3) string bowls

4) embroidered owl wall hanging (in hoop)

5) lash enhancer

6) un-paper towels

7) embroidered bunny wall hanging (in hoop)

8) handfelted wool dryer balls

... care to guess what I offered to the mix?

there were a small handful of items not shown (like the ginger plant I totally scored, etc.)

This event was so much fun, a holiday craft exchange has already been planned.  If you haven't participated in one, yet, I highly recommend doing so.  Many of us experienced a bit of "performance anxiety", but the group as a whole was sooo generous & welcoming - I don't think a single person felt that way after all was said and done.

*** the photo's are rather small ... if I have a chance to edit them later, I will re-upload larger versions ***

Bobble

I just completed a new bobble:

It had been a while since I worked on something like this, but I made a pendant necklace & pair of earrings for a dear friend (birthday gift, dont'cha know) ... not pictured (but I'm sure I can talk her into a photo shoot ... eventually).  The pendant and earrings only have the top post, so they move (as well as dangle).  

 Anyway, I enjoyed working on it, so shared it with some girls at work.  A lovely coworker thought the design would make a good bracelet ... I think I agree.  This prototype had some challenges, but I think if I were to do it again, it would be easier the next time around.

Originally, I used THIS tutorial

2nd Dragon Complete

The second dragon is complete (and in time for the birthday, too).

I used the same pattern as the previous post ... just a chunky yarn

Next images are for size comparison:

I would totally use this pattern again ... 

... but better get a couple more birthday gifts done, first.

Been Away Far Too Long ...

I just logged in & was totally lost ... might take a little bit for me to get used to the changes, but I am hopeful.  :)

two updates ...

1) I got a tattoo in the not so distant past:

It's on my right forearm

Does the image look familiar to anyone?  I'm sure it does.  It's artwork & photo by Lynne Hoppe (the link will take you to her blogger page & not the post that has this image ... if you haven't visited it before, it's definitely worth your time to search for it if you are interested).  In case anyone is wondering, I did contact Lynne prior to getting the tattoo to make sure she'd be ok with me using her photo/image & was given her blessing.

I had it done at a local shop - Otherside Ink by Bisquette Bewley (if you have time, check out all of his galleries on his facebook page - his work is pretty flippen impressive) ... it took nearly 4 hours and was completely worth it ... one problem ... now I'm thinking I'd like to turn my whole arm into a tree branch ...

2)  I have been staying crafty ... funny thing is it's been a lot more than just crochet, but here I am posting another amigurumi critter ... this time, A Fierce Dragon (of the sweetest nature).

Meet Freud

he's from a pattern I found on Crafster by Angry Angel ... the pattern is straight forward and though I learned a couple new stitches, was easy to follow ... 

I used a couple of garnet beads for his eyes

 and black yarn for his scales

Sadie (my daughter) get's credit for the photo's of Freud.

I'm working on another one for a little friend that is about to turn five ... hers is being done in a deep red CHUNKY yarn.  It's HUGE (in comparison to Freud) and I am already loving it ... I'll post picture when I have all the pieces done.

OK, I just finished this post and am already digging many of the changes ... I have a feeling I'll get use to them in no time.

Ciao!

A Lot Happens In a Year

Blame it on me or facebook ... same difference, I suppose ... but it has been over a year since my last post. I do hope y'all didn't miss me too much. Here are some of the creative highlights of the last year (starting with oldest to newest).

This time last year, I was sending out my completed Peace Felt item:

I was really happy with the outcome, but it was such a struggle getting to this point. I don't think that I am wired for felting.

I went on a big crocheting kick (that I haven't really gotten out of). I can finally (with a lot of help from my friends) read patterns, so I made a small bunch of amigurumi critters ... here are a few of those highlights:

and made a dozen or so belts of the same pattern in a slew of colors & textures ... here's one example:

I actually used the pattern above to create a curtain for our living room window ... I wish I could actually use it, but it has zero privacy, so I only completed one panel. I haven't completely given up the thought (I'm considering weaving fabric through the spaces ... I'm just not certain how much more time and/or effort I really want to invest in the whole project). Time will tell.

I made a bag (this one is actually for personal use, even):

It's crocheted in the round and the strap is way too long, but since I stitched it right into the bag, I'm limited on my options to shorten it ... any thoughts?

Most recently, I did return to my roots ... just a little. One of Sadie's best girlfriends had a 14th birthday not too long ago. I wanted to do something with the last few lines of that famous Robert Frost poem ... this is what I ended up with:

the birthday girl seemed to like it just fine (and if I am wrong, I know her mama will be more than happy to adopt it). Speaking of her mama, she happens to be high on my "favorite people in the whole wide world" list ... she had a birthday just about a week before her daughter. For her, I broke out some new skills ... I used a torch for the first time! I made her a wire woven pendent with some stones inside ... wish I could show you, but unfortunately, I never actually took a photo of it ... one of these days, I might just have to invite myself over for a photo shoot.

and there you have it ... a year of crafty play in one teeny tiny nutshell.

WIP's

OK, I give ... I really do like it when I have more than one thing on my plate at a time ... here's some "Works in Progress" First, I'm working on a new yarnish project & have been testing some squares like:

and:

I think I like the stitch better in the first square, but I LOVE the yarn of the second one ... it's super soft & the earthy colors feel good.

My mom-in-law threw down a challenge ... she wants me to try my hand at making a doll for an ADO (Art Dolls Only) challenge ... the theme is "Grimm's Fairytales" ... do you have any idea how many there are to choose from?!? Tons! I still haven't figured out which character I wan't to do, but figured I better get cracking on making an attempt, so I started by playing around with some aluminum wire I had on hand. I formeded some legs, arms & trunk:

and then started wraping (think hemp necklace knots) the legs in black and red embroidery floss:

here's a detail:

I haven't got a clue where this is going or what I'm doing next, but hey, at least there's something sitting on the table. :)

This one:

is the beginning of a sort of thank you project for a girlfriend. I know where this one (the gessoed cigar box) is going, but shhhh! it's a secret!

Finally, I have been trying to figure out what to make for my Peace Felt project. I think I might be onto something ... started with an aluminum "frame":

I thought I would wet felt an already too small black cashmere sweater, cut it to shape & sort of loosely whip stitch it to the frame ... then I was thinking I could cut a peace symbol out of the felted piece and "stitch" little Swarovki crystals into the open space ... I haven't got a clue if it'll actually work, but hey, I figure it's worth a try.

wish me luck ... lots and lots of luck!