Etsy page

Hey all....have you checked out Etsy lately?  This is a pretty cool site where artists are provided a forum to sell their handmade goods.  There are so many awesome things to see on the site....clothing, jewelry, bags, art....you name it and you can find it.  I have signed up myself.  I love browsing through the pages and looking at all of the beautiful designs.  Some people are so creative.  I love to look through all of the shops that Etsy suggests and tag the things that I love.  It is like a gift wish list for me.  When my birthday rolls around, I will be sure the send my husbadn to look at my list of must haves. 

I have already purchased 3 things from Etsy.  I beautiful pair of earrings from WireandGemstones, a lovely summer necklace from Seadrops, and a bracelet for my sister for Mother's Day from Menuet Designs. 

From WireandGemstones

From Seadrops

From Menuet Designs

You have to check out these shops.  They have the most beautiful things.  While you are there....be sure to check out my too.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/acalabro18?ref=si_shop

I would love to hear from you....let me know what you think.

My latest design

There is a woman at work that is getting married in June and she asked me to design a few bracelets with matching earrings for her bridesmaids and other special people in her wedding.  Working off a design of one of my bracelets she saw on my facebook page, Duch-ess Designs, she asked if I could make a few color/bead changes to work with the ideas she had in mind for her special day.  Here is the original design and the variations I made for her.  Let me know what you think....I would love to hear from you.

The original bracelet design

The update design for the bridesmaids.  I replaced the purple bead with a light grey Swarovski pearl.

The original matching earrings



The updated matching earrings for the bridesmaids



Another take on the original.  I swapped the purple bead for rose quartz.

The jewelry process update

I know that you have all been sitting at home eagerly awaiting news on the outcome of the necklace I was making right?  Hehe.  Well, I did not want to leave you hanging.  Over the weekend, I went home and added some 4mm Swarovski crystal rondelles to the necklace, and boy, what a difference it has made.  It was just the added bling that the necklace and earrings needed.  Check out the finished product and let me know what you think!!

The jewelry process....

I have a friend whose son is getting married and she asked me to design her a necklace that will highlight her beautiful strapless gown in Canary yellow.  I am really excited to do this for her.  She wanted something simple yet elegant....two of my favorite words!!  She did not want pearls because she felt they were too matronly so I had to figure out what I could use in their place.  I decided upon an all crystal illusion necklace that would sit close to the neckline.  With a strapless gown, that would be breathtaking, at least in my opinion.  And....it would definitely meet the criteria of simple and elegant.  So, I set about ordering supplies to make something unique for her.  I ordered rounds and bicones of Swarovski crystal in Jonquil, a pale yellow color. I ordered clear crystal with AB coating.  I ordered the sterling silver findings I needed....crimps, wire protectors, and a clasp (I was running low on everything).  And then....I waited.

I hate waiting especially when I am really excited about doing something.  The creative juices were flowing and yet I had to wait.  You know what I hate even more....realizing after you have placed the order, that you forgot something.  Ugh!!

On Wednesday, the wait was finally over.  The crystals arrived and last night I was finally able to put something.  What do you think? 

Maybe too simple?  It is a work in progress of course.  I am going to try and add some 4mm Swarovski crystal rondelles to make it pop.  But surprise surprise, that is what I forgot to order.  Good thing I realized that about a week ago.  That order is set to arrive tonight.  I can't wait!  I think that is just what this set needs to really make it pop.  Do you agree?  Let me know what do you think....

Bead Show

Have any of you ever been to a bead show?  I went to one this weekend in Edison, NJ and let me tell you....it was crazy.  You would have thought they were giving the beads away the way I got tossed around by people.  People jumping in front of you, invading your personal space.  It was unreal.  Despite all of that, I did buy some really pretty stuff while I was there.  My favorite exhibitor was Ana Capri ( http://www.anacapribeads.com/).  She sells the most beautiful Venetian glass beads.  You need to check out her website.  Everything is so beautiful.  I truly wanted to buy everything she had.  Here were some of my choices:

         
I really can't wait to create with these!

I also picked up some white jade, dog-toothed ameythst, and blue chalcedony from Park Ave Beads. Another purchase was starfish and sand dollar sterling silver charms, and can I just say, sterling silver is getting outrageous!  Anyone have a good alternative metal to use instead of silver that still shines like silver?  Please let me know.

Let me know what your experience has been at the bead show....I would love to hear from you.