Goldstone bracelet with 14k

I ordered these large chips from Esty.  The day they arrived in the mail my (favorite) co-worker was at my desk.  I was opening the package and she claimed these badboys faster than I could say, look what I got ...

She asked that I add 14k to bring out the gold.  And of course I had to get her to strike a pose ...



She adorable!  She loves her bracelet and shows it off well (which makes me very happy).  I've got to find a way to adopt her.

What's up next - black onyx or multi-colored/strand pearls ... stay tuned.

Honey Maple Revisited

My BFF - MB, asked me to create a set (necklace/earrings) for a co-worker who was retiring. 

Ms. Loretta's a regal woman, gracious, tall, full and elegant.  I was told Ms. Loretta wanted something in the Honey Maple that was Afrocentric ... I think I filled that order.  I mixed Honey Maple (she saw my other set and fell in love) with Bali silver (quick lesson, if you don't already know, Bali silver is stunning, heavy and can be very bold), and 8 and 6 mm sterling silver beads.  I had a blast making this set.  The Bali silver makes the necklace heavy, so I used a heavy wire and a sterling silver toggle.  The picture came out a lil fuzzy, but I asked MB to get a pic of Ms. Loretta in her set, but of course MB's techno sluggish - lol!

Easter's almost here ...

A co-worker asked me to create a set (bracelet, earrings, and necklace) for her daughter (who I thought to be about 12).  All I was given was that her favorite color is pink ... I selection Rose Quartz with pale pink crystals.  How'd I do ...

It was a hit!  I was asked to produce another in green ... I selected Jade with pale green crystals. 



Next up purple ... and of course I found Purple Jade.  Stay tuned ...

Can a girl ever get enough Turquoise ...

When I saw these oddly shaped nugget chunks I instantly envisioned chips and sterling silver ...

Look mom, I'm designing ...

scarves for holiday gifts ...

this Roseanne Peachskin Pasiley is my favorite.  I brightened the picture up so you can see the lovely coloring.  This one I keep for myself, along with this Three Strand Kambaba Jasper and Sterling Silver necklace ...

3 Strand Multi-colored Coconut Wood and Sterling Silver

Coconut wood and sterling silver

I love these colors, but ... did I make a mistake in going out and buying 2 pounds of these lovely lite weigh multi-colored (cream, tan, brown and black) oval coconut wood beads???  I'm at a loss for what to do with them.  I mean, I put them out on my three strand bead board and oogled them for two days.  Last night I decided enough oogling - I grabbed four sterling silver oval twist beads and a bag of sterling silver spacers.  Here's what I came up with, somebody tell me what you think?

Honey Maple Wood

About three weeks ago I visited my local bead shop.  I walked in and was greeted by everyone and momma came out from back and said Hi!  She's adorable and reminds me of my mom she's so tiny.  Instantly I spied behind the counter, a big, bold, honey/green/gold/jade 22mm puffed oval Honey Jasper choker.  This was no ordinary puppy, this was the big daddy for sure!!!  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Momma said, Honey Jasper, you like?  I blinked about 10 times, and here's how the next few seconds played out (after I gathered my wits my hands went to my neck and I poised myself):

Lovely, how much?  $165  Choker only?  Yes  Do you have a strand?  No.  Can you order another strand?  Let me see.  Can you wait ...  Sure, find me and let me know.

Folks, I couldn't believe my eyes.  I was in love for real.  But $165???   I could buy a lot for that and make my own, but ....

As I walked around and around I couldn't for the life of me find anything that remotely resembled those Honey Jasper beads.  Onward.  I got to the back of the store and spied 18mm wood beads - looked like they were just carved from the branch and dripping with honey.   First time I passed them - zoomed in.  10 minutes later - picked them up, heavy.  10 minutes after that, third time - twilled them in my hands, too woody.  Kept moving. 

One hour later - Done.   I'd finished shopping for that day - let me inquiry about the Honey Jasper and pay for my goods.  Yes, I left the wood beads on the wall. 

No more Honey Jasper for now, I'll keep checking back.  Oh well (dagnabbit), let me pay for my goods.  Honey Jasper/Wood, leave it be.  I turned to leave, and yall won't believe me but I heard my name!  I turned and, YUP, my eyes went right to the back of the store at the strand of wooden beads hanging on the wall looking like they were dripping in honey.  They called to me ... I ran back and grabbed MY beads!  Hey, I got a lot of stuff that day.  What do you think? 

Honey Maple Wood with gold-filled

And bet your last dollar, when that strand of Honey Jasper comes in, its mine.  Ain't life grand ...