Monday, December 20, 2010

Un-Seasonal




I wanted to make a necklace that didn't scream "Christmas", but still could be worn during the holidays and look festive! So I chose traditional seasonal colors: red, green and gold but I used more saturated tones, such as garnet, a mottled sage pallet and paired them with pearlescent and metallic gold. The technique is a variation on Chevron chain and I'm planning to make a coordinating set of earrings when I replenish my stock of gold Swarovski pearls. I always seem to run out of components at the critical earring phase! This design is a little more delicate than I usually go for, but I love the colors and it looks great dressed-up or -down :D

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Wow! I'm more of a 'Slogger' than a 'Blogger'



I can't believe it's been over a year since I posted anything, bead-related or otherwise! I've changed my Etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop/innermusejewelry, to custom-order only for the forseeable future. I'm taking orders for Swarovski Bead Crochet bracelets in the customer's choice of color(s). I made the decision to limit my store inventory, based on economics. When/if I receive an order, I place an order with the crystal vendor avoiding up-front costs on my part. Hopefully, when the economy turns for the better, I will return to listing my "muse-based" jewelry. In the meantime, I'm still learning new techniques such as more intricate bead stitches, wire-wrapping and chain maille. The 'Persian Paisley' earrings are an example of the Half Persian weave. I got the AR slightly wrong (off by 0.1 on the low end of the AR range) and wound up with a very tight weave for a bracelet. So I decided to make a sculptural pair of earrings :D When life gives you lemons...make lemonade (in this case cherry lemonade!).