Valentines Day

Well, I've been a little busy with work, doing a couple custom orders. They are actually for kids, the Mom has one of my bracelets and wanted some for her little girls. Doing a Byzantine with hot pink. Debating on the clasps. I want cute because they are little girls but they have to be durable enough to withstand play. So i'm thinking a lobster...

I also did this one for Valentines Day, real easy Euro 4-1 with smaller rings on the outer edges and an oversized clasp.

You can see more pics of this one here
Bridget Nolte of wyndsweptacres received her bracelet and ring in the mail, finally. I was pretty happy that she liked them.

The ring was actually one of the first ones I made. Copper and blue glass pearls. I wanted it to look like robins eggs in a nest.
The bracelet is made from square coppr jump rings, which were quite difficult to make. Staggered Byzantine between.
So thats what i've been up to. I'll try not to wait so long to post next time.

Blog Designs

I guess the trick is, when you find a layout you like, stick with it. I've sat here for the last hour playin with all kinds of different bckgrounds and layouts, and I ended up going back to the one I started with. I looked at the dark for the last couple of weeks and kept sayin I had to go in and fix it. I didn't like that at all.
So, im not changing it again.

Posting a link to FB Fan page so you can see pics of the finished bracelet. I posted the WIP the other day.
Byzantine Variation Finished project. This is for a friend. She lives in Minnesota, cowgirl, dollmaker. I was goin for a country look, it has a bit of vintage, but thats ok, I think it will go well with her cowgirl boots!!

I have tomorrow off and hoping the sun will shine so I can get on the picture taking project. I have to do pics outside because I just don't have enough of a light source inside. Sunshine is better anyway, so thats my project for tomorrow.

Byzantine Varaition

This one I just started putting together. I wanted to use some the copper flat wire rings I made for something. So this is what I came up with.
                       Each section of Byzantine is connected using two flat wire copper rings (6mm)               

Another chain is made and attached next to the previous chain.
This is as far as i've gotten. This is a possible design for my bud Bridget. I wouldn't mind some feedback. She's a cowgirl from MN. So I really wanted to use something earthy like copper but i'm not sure if it's too dark.

I am going to use a hand forged clasp, also copper.









Hope everyone is staying safe out there today!!

Well, it's been a busy week so far, i've only got one project done. It is a pretty simple design using Byzantine weave to make a focal point for a necklace. You can see on each link in the triangle there are three Byzantine links. Then they are linked together so the top half of the ring is visible.
The chain is just two in one. I put a magnetic clasp on this one. The necklace is really light, and only measures just over 14".

The new job is going well, I am training at a store in Spartanburg, I can't wait to get to my usual store. It is in walking distance, so there won't be any drive time.

Another thing i've been thinking about is shutting down my ArtFire store. I don't get hardly any sales there, so i'm thinking of just listing everything on my blog. I've seen other people list things on their blog and buy through email. I will have to do a little research about taking payments through paypal and such.


We gave two puppies away this week. They went to a wonderful home. They took a boy and a girl. Their names are Brutis and Bella now. The lady sent me an email the next day and said they had a good first night. I'm so happy they have a good home and they are not alone. And, they have four kids to play with...

Odds and Ends

Have you praised your child lately?
The link above is a video short done by a college student. I think it was worth watching, hope you do too.


So, i'm working on a few things. Here is a set of earrings I did with the square wire. They need a little bit more work but I love the look of the Jade with the copper.

These will be available on my AF shop tomorrow.
I made jump rings with the wire. It was slow going but well worth it. I've started a couple things with those. Here's one, this is a section of Full Persian. The square wire gives it a nice look and I think it would make a nice mans bracelet.

This is a section of Helm Chain with silver plate and the square copper rings. I think I like this one better. It shows off the copper more.

So thats what i've been doin. Back to it, see you tomorrow..

Miscellaneous and Yarn Yokel

I am still working on the watches. I've got some more bamboo wind chimes in the works and sending those to family up north. It's been so warm here that outside work takes precedent over inside. Our tree out front is finally turning. They always turn late. The oak tree lost most of it's leaves last week.

I wanted to mention a member of The Hive today. She goes by Yarn Yokel and she crochets and also makes crochet patterns. That, to me, is pretty awesome. I have to have a pattern for crochet, I can't even make a granny square unless I have the pattern sitting in front of me. Thats kinda funny.
So, if you crochet you should definitely check out her website, she is a wealth of information.
You can also follow her on Twitter yarnyokel.

It's 3AM!!!

Yup, every now and then I get a little insomnia. We're night owls anyway but I just can't get to sleep. The watch I posted earlier today sold already...
So I went to beadaholique and ordered square copper wire. I cannot wait till it gets here. Also some jewelers brass, but thats not as exciting.
I made another watch band tonight. This one is Byzantine stars. Will post a pic in the light of day. Thats the only time I can get really good pics.

So lets talk about other things. I love chain maille. It's fun, and I found someone who is at the same level as I am. We are both learning new weaves, we have some of them down and just scoopin up all the info we can.   Dawn  has a wonderful shop on ETSY. I really want to show you her Viking weave though. You should check out her chain maille but this is totally awesome. Here's a couple pics

The weave definitely sets off the stone, and copper is my absolute favorite wire. Not because it's less expensive but the color just stands out I think.
 One more..

How cool and shiny, shiny is this. Such a great centerpiece.

So, anyway, check out her shop, you'll see, her love of the craft shows in the pieces she makes.

See you on the flip side...

Copper

I love copper. I like to make windchimes with it, I like to make jewelry with it. It does take a little extra care but I think its worth it. Over the summer we had to do some electrical work so my husband and I saved all the old wire, stripped it and I used it in windchimes. The cool thing about that was when the wire turned, the glass looked like it was hanging from nothing because the copper blended in to the background. Cool.

Well, there is someone that uses copper for her jewelry and I wanted to point you in her direction, The name of her studio is CreativeTreasures and she's not kidding. I love these pins. They would make lovely gifts or you could just spoil yourself.
here are my two favorites: She has the heart pin in turquoise also....

So here's the link so you can have a look at all of her jewelry, it's not just the pins that are pretty..  http://www.artfire.com/users/Ctbydonna

Happy Cyber Monday

Well, I took the Thanksgiving weekend off. I have posted a few new things on http://www.artfire.com/users/SRobinsonDesigns and today is the last day for the 10% off coupon.

I love to do things with seed beads. I think they look awesome. And it takes a lot of time and talent and patience. This shop owner makes some really nice stuff..

Tell me thats not gorgeous....

And look at this, I absolutely love the color in this bracelet...

So check out her studio, it only takes a minute... http://www.artfire.com/users/RoxysRox

SALE

There is a sale going on in my studio!!! 10% off select categories until December 2.

http://www.artfire.com/users/srobinsondesigns

Visit my shop and use coupon code Holiday2009 to get your 10% off. Always free shipping in U.S. on jewelry.