Swarovski Crystals!!

I got these gorgeous Swarovski Crystal from Artbeads.com and created my very first crystal creation. When I saw these I originally was going to make a charm bracelet using all six of the crystals and whatever else I could come up with. I just could not picture it in my head after I got them.

I decided that I would make two different bracelets instead. I picked the Olivine rings because I knew they would match a lot of the green beads I already had. I love green with passion and these were not a disappointment. They sparkle so well in the light. Sorry the picture don't accurately show this, but those of you who have seen Swarovski Crystals before know what they are famous for.

I included some fresh water pearls and jade with these funky green beads. I used one of my new toggle clasps.

For this second bracelet, same idea with the pearls threaded inside the Swarovski clear crystal beads. I used real Amethyst nuggets with a few larger pearls and another one of my new toggle clasps. The pictures are truly terrible, sorry. I tried and re-tried to get better shots but my pathetic little camera is not working with me. lol.
Some of the Amethyst are quite dark but it was the light. At least the top picture really shows off the crystals well.

I hope you enjoyed these creations. Keep coming back, I will hopefully have a wonderful addition coming to my list of websites soon.

Marie

Beading Tool Carrying Case

For those of you who do not know me, I love to be organized. Now if you came to my house you would say "Is she kidding? This place is a mess!" Well, when you have four kids who are constantly trying to destroy your house, I guess it goes without saying, it is bound to be a little messy. If you were to take a closer look, you would notice that I have a method to my madness, even if unseen to the untrained eye. Even though my work room is overcrowded and I usually end up working on the floor, all my beads are organized in containers and my scrapbooking supplies are all in cases and sorted by colour and type of supply etc... Needless to say, when I was offered this case from artbeads.com I was ecstatic! A place for all my tools :D Need I say more?? You can find yours here on the artbeads.com website. I got the large one, I figured I could grow into it a little. ;) always need an excuse to spend money. They have a whole bunch of styles to choose from and they are mostly affordable. The leatherette ones are very affordable and the fancy ones are well priced, but a little out of my budget {but oh so cute}.

I have a couple of bracelets and earring sets to post so come back again soon.

Blue Skyes

Yes I did spell that the way I meant to. lol. I have been trying new things lately with chain and wire. This is one of the necklaces I created. Keeping in mind that this is all new to me, I just used plain metal chain and fancy {but inexpensive} glass beads. I created this necklace with a front toggle clasp that I hung a pendant from. I handmade the pendant using wire and made my own links. I used extra links from the original chain for the tops of the strands in the pendant. I attached them all to a split ring and hung them from the hoop part of the toggle.

I included a close up of the toggle pendant for you. You can enlarge it by clicking on the picture.

Thanks For stopping by

Marie

Hand Painted Russian Artist Pendant

I have been truly honoured by Artbeads.com. They asked me to join their group of Beaders that Blog. Keeping in mind that I only started this hobby in January I feel lucky to even be considered.

For starters, I got this gorgeous pendant from them. It is a Hand Painted Russian Artist Pendant. Click on the link to take a look at the wonderful selection. I was very attracted to this particular pendant because of the warm colours. I thought I could perhaps make a lovely necklace with it as the focus.
I used some large glass seed beads in amber and black, as well as some vintage glass pearls that I had purchased at a flea market in Montreal. They were originally a necklace but it was broken so I took the rest apart and kept the beads for future use. Not all the beads are a great match but the black keeps it all together. The light pearls do pick up the light gold colour in the pendant.

I am thrilled with this acquisition, it is not something I had thought to purchase before, but now that I have tried one I am certain it will not be the last.

Thanks for visiting, if you are interested in checking out Artbeads.com, you can click on the link in the side bar or go directly to the pendants through this link.

Marie

Semi Precious Nuggets

Now what exactly was I thinking when I sorted all these stones and did not write anything down??? I must have figured that I had an infallible memory and would remember every little stone that I was sorting so carefully. NOT!! I therefore can not recall the name of these lovely black stones. I did space them out with a mix of pewter and metal beads however, and added a lovely toggle with a heart and arrow.

Let me know if you recognize the stone...

Marie

Aventurine and Lampwork glass

I have found that I am not the only one that likes green. It seems to be the favorite colour for many these days. I sold a bracelet similar to this one last week and when I am showing them people tend to gravitate towards the green, or natural stones I use. Knowing this I can invest more in this style of bead than in some of the other stuff. I used some metal and some pewter beads and finished off the bracelet with a heart toggle clasp. I have a lot of requests for hearts too.

I hope you enjoy your time here :)

Marie

Squares and Dangles

Awhile ago I posted another bracelet that was made with these square links. I love the originality of the look and wanted to try another one. I chose some rich reds and oranges for this one and added a lot of dangles or leaf pendants. It is very light weight and fun to wear.

The links split apart to attach together and I decided to slip a few beads onto the links for extra texture and colour. I also slipped on the different colours, shapes and sizes of glass leaves on different links. I love the way they dangle all over when you move. lol.

Ttfn

Marie

Fresh Water Pearls and Garnets

I made these two bracelets with my Mother in mind. Her birthstone is the garnet, her Birthday being January 1st, and I love pearls. I have not decided which one I am going to give her for Mother's day yet, I still have a couple of weeks to make up my mind. lol. Both bracelets are light in weight and very delicate. Just like my mom I think.

I guess that is all for now.

Thanks for stopping by

Marie

Lampwork mix Bracelet

Did I mention how much I love this toggle clasp?? My new fave!! I love the way this bracelet turned out. The gorgeous lampwork bead in the centre is from Beadazzled a site I discovered when surfing around the web. I purchased a few beads from her and let me tell you I was not disappointed. I got so many beautiful beads, I am a little scared to use them since like this one they may just not be available the next time I have a peak at the site. I also used some Rhyolite, pewter spacers and some of my favorite glass beads.

My computer has already crashed once so I am going to cut this short. :)

Thanks for stopping by

Marie

Carnelian and Rhyolite

These colours together with this clasp just hit me like a brick wall. Sometimes when I am creating something new, I just go with the flow and you just never know what is going to come out of it. When I was done this one all I could think of was a warm fall evening watching the setting sun with the smell of leaves decaying and a warm breeze in the air. Yes I could see all that. lol. I am not sure if I will be able to part with this one. I am quite attached to it. Maybe I will make a look alike and sell that one instead. lol.

I used Carnelian nuggets that I purchased from Fire Mountain Gems and Rhyolite that I got from a local store called Beads 'n More. The clasp in just a plain metal clasp I found at Wal-Mart of all places. Who would have thought!!

Come back soon, I have a whole bunch of new projects just waiting to be added to my blog.

Marie