Crazy About Buttons!

Ever since I started seeing buttons used in jewelry, I've been obsessed about them. I just love a good mismatched handful of them! Lately, I have been finding them pop up on clothing as embellishment. Certainly, this would be an easy DIY project, to sew some buttons on a plain top. And it's probably something I would do in the future. But for now, if I find it already done for me at the right price, I have to have it! Here's a peek into my closet.....

Distressed v-neck thermal tee with buttons.

Button detail on the waist of a dress I bought in Belize.
The next 2 tees are from one of my fav brands at Macy's - American Rag.

Tons of luscious button trim on this sweater.

Then, I came across this on Etsy from Alittlebirdytoldmoi. How cute! I wonder if she makes big girl sizes, since this is for a child.

Is there anything, other than jewelry, that you adorn with buttons?

Woodsy Wrist

The September issue of Bead Trends features a bracelet project of mine - Woodsy Wrist. That lovely leafy chain pops up again, this time brought together with an owl toggle from Green Girl Studios. Lots of wire wrapped dangles too, interspersed within the foliage. This bracelet is very comfy to wear!

Good Morning...

Just wanted to share a quick pic of a simple new necklace I whipped up. It features a peacock pendant from Clay River Designs that I got at Bead & Button. I had purchased matching teal beads from them to go with it, but did not end up using them. Instead, I created a double stranded piece with leather and aqua terra jasper (one of my new fav stones).

I've had a great weekend so far, enjoying a corn dog at our County Fair while looking at all of the animals. Then going to see Eat, Pray, Love - a movie I have anxiously awaited. I really enjoyed it! I'd better get outside today - there is a crispness in the air that is reminding me that summer is slipping away quickly!

New items in the shop....

I listed a couple of new items on Etsy last night, but didn't have time to blog because it was date night... literally. My hubby and I rented "Date Night" and made homemade pizza. Yum! And the movie was pretty cute. His summer class ended on Wednesday night, so I have to take advantage of the free time he has the next two weeks before the Fall semester starts up. The plans for the weekend include the County Fair and I want to see a couple of movies in the theater - Eat, Pray, Love and The Other Guys.

Anyway, Happy Friday! Pictured below is an Egyptian themed necklace, and I was so pleased with how this little collection of charms came together. Two of the charms are from the lovely Beth at Hint, and one is an etched shell from Lillypilly. I really like the magnetic clasp I got from Jill McKay at Bead & Button - I wish I had gotten more. It's a great way to end a necklace when using leather or cord.
I also listed a ring, using a blank bezel ring from the Industrial Chic line. It's adjustable, and I filled the bezel with one of Green Girl Studio's new pewter caps with a little blue flower attached to it. I love it when you can find something that is the perfect size for a bezel!

Picture This!

I am loving some of these new framing pendants from the Industrial Chic line! There are lots of frames or bezels on the market, but many of them require messing with resin to preserve your image. These feature glass to protect what you put inside, and they open and close - it's so quick and easy! It's so fun to create your own component with what you love. Of course, I'm filling mine with peacocks!
This cutie is offered on Etsy. I love the bright blue and green colors with the dulled silver finish. The clasp is also from the Industrial Chic line.

The shape of this pendant was really well suited for a long feather. I really like the teal and copper combo. The chain is from the same line, and I incorporated some teal beads in between the links to jazz it up.

This one is filled with a picture from the dictionary. Black and grey beads are linked together to play off of the black and white palette.

Beachy Treasury

MadeWithClayAndLove featured my Ocean Treasures necklace in a beautiful treasury. Thank you! What a wonderful collection of calming items.

Fall Stringing Blog Carnival

Good Morning! Welcome to one of the stops on the Fall Stringing Blog Carnival! Special thanks to Michelle Mach for organizing this fun event, and be sure to leave comments as she is giving away prizes!

Fall is certainly a fun time for jewelry designs. I think it might just be my favorite season. I love Halloween, falling leaves, and owls. "The Who", pictured below, is one of the necklaces in this issue. It features a jointed owl with some pretty enamel colors, and I paired him with some bright ceramic beads.

"Enchanted Forest" is another necklace design of mine in this issue. A polymer clay stick from Heather Wynn was the start of this design. I layered it with an enamel leaf and made a wood acorn dangle. The leafy chain is so lush, and not at all picky when against your neck. In fact, it's actually soft and fun to run your fingers across. Some Czech glass dangles hide within the foliage too.

A pair of matching earrings are in the issue too.

This issue of Stringing, on news stands today, is so gorgeous! There are so many wonderful designers and inspiration. It also marks the debut of Stringing's new look! I just love what they have done with the layouts.

Here is a list of the other talented gals who are participating in the carnival. Make sure to check them out!

Kristy Abner

Kelly Angeley

Marianne Baxter

Ruby Bayan

Carrie Beckwith

Melanie Brooks

Gaea Cannaday

Lorelei Eurto

Amy Haftkowycz

Beth Hemmila

Tari Kahrs

Stephanie LaRosa

Michelle Mach

Denise Yezbak Moore

Kelly Morgan

Sharon Palac

Anne Perry

Lisa Petrillo

Erin Prais-Hintz

Molly Schaller

Erin Strother

Jennifer Judd Velasquez

Jennifer Zeiger

Inspired by: The Beach, Water, Shells

Naturally, summer is a time when many artist get inspired by the beach, lake, ocean, water, sea life, shells, etc.... Well, maybe us that live in the Midwest anyway. I guess if I lived on an island, I might be inspired by it all the time. Not only does the warm weather help, but events like vacations and weddings come along too.

My brother is getting married in a few weeks, so I recently threw a shower for my future sister-in-law. Traveling back to my hometown in Wisconsin, it was held at a restaurant right on Lake Michigan. The theme was "shells", and I had a great time making the invitations, the matching favor boxes, and decorating the tables.
A Mermaid Affair: Celebration of Water has been running here in Battle Creek all summer long. The fact that about a month ago, an oil spill occurred in a neighboring town (polluting the Kalamazoo River) further enforces the awareness of the importance of water to our lives. Seeing the river lined with volunteers to help the animals and cleanup.... I can only imagine what it is like in the Gulf. Here is a pic of my nieces from this weekend, in the entrance to only of the galleries.

You might remember I posted this old pocket watch, filled with treasures I found while combing the beach in Belize.

This long necklace - composed of shells, pearls, wood, labradorite and aquamarine - was inspired by Belize too. The combination of natural materials with some pretty gems reminds me of the rustic luxury we were in. The colors are very muted and unassuming, but when you take a closer look, you can see the shimmer and sparkle. Again, all things you might find while combing the beach. At first, I thought I would string the pocket watch onto this, but it seemed to be too much. Perhaps I could wear them layered.

A friend of mine already claimed this pretty leather cuff, accented with a Humblebead and strands of aqua terra jasper and pearls. I love how it turned out - love the turquoise and brown together.

This necklace is headed for Etsy. A polymer clay focal by Heather Wynn is accented with pretty charms, completed with lava beads and a mermaid toggle.

This too, is headed for Etsy. Etched Lillypilly shells have been drilled and linked together. I love the combination of colors and textures.

Budding Artists

Nieces Cassie & Rachel, modeling the necklaces they strung

Jon's brother came up from Ohio for the weekend, so they could bond over Camaros (there was a big car cruise in our town here). So, Aunt Heather pulled out all sorts of fun things for us girls to do! We strung beads, played with polymer clay.....

....... swam.....

.......fed the dogs tons of treats......

...... and even hung with the boys a little bit.

A fun time was had by all. Hope your weekend was great too!

Versatility

I just finished two pieces of jewelry - each using a ceramic component from Earthenwood Studio. You will notice that they are quite different! The little mushroom house necklace is very bright and feminine, and the cuff bracelet is very industrial and masculine. I really enjoy seeing different artist's versatility. As a purchaser of these elements for my jewelry designs, I like the variety and it challenges me to be versatile as well. You can sit down and create something depending on your mood, or the type of customer you imagine it going to.

Both available on Etsy.

Pyrography

I recently found out that the art of wood burning is called pyrography. I also recently tried my hand at a project larger than jewelry components. My parents redid their back porch, and my Dad had this paddle he wanted a design on. It my my anniversary gift to them. I choose a lovely "up north" scene and I am very pleased with how it turned out. It was especially interesting to make sure the reflection of the water was just right. They really loved it too!