My 5 Favorite Websites About Jewelry

Are you looking for what's trending in fashion RIGHT NOW?  Do you need a little inspiration for your next jewelry design?  I have a long list of blogs & websites that I visit about once a month.  These sites are each very different, some are about vintage jewelry & timeless pieces, while others are about modern fashion accessories.  

The list is not in any specific order.  This list includes what inspires me NOW~ videos, pictures, articles and links to other amazing sites. I hope you find something that dazzles you & kicks your creativity into action.
  

1.     Ageless Heirloom written by Lauren Rose @ageslessheirlooms.  This blog has great photos and lots of links to other sites that feature vintage jewelry.  Lauren posts her favorite Etsy finds, which are always fun to see.

2.     Jewels du Jour features created by Natalie Box Betteridge @jewelsdujour provides an interesting collection of information about timeless jewelry pieces, jewelry auctions & dealers as well as published information on jewelry designers and some of the most amazing jewelry collections. 

3.     If you want to see the latest BLING, then Gem Obsessed is a must on your blogging journey @kremkow.  This sight is full of high fine jewelry and celebrity news.  If you missed a recent event like The Oscars, then check this sight out.

4.     My all-time favorite is Crystal blog bySwarovski.  I find myself on this site a lot because there’s fashion, jewelry, art and other interesting & sparkly things showcased on this here.  This is where I lose myself in videos & news about high fashion events, designers and mind blowing products @swarovski.

5.     Last but certainly not least is the Tiffany & Co. website.  As Tiffany says they design rare high jewelry masterpieces.  Look here to see how the creative minds at Tiffany's work @tiffanyandco.  

Keep Creating, 

Karen

A Prize from Artisticaos~ABS Challenge

Last April I was one of the lucky winners of the Art Bead Scene challenge.  My prize (drum roll) was a bead bundle ($50 value) from Terri Del Signore!!! 

Well I'm sure you can relate when I say that beads go into my stash but very few make it out!!!  

My love of ART BEADS comes from my sincere appreciation for the time, attention and creativeness that artisans take when they create beautiful things for others to enjoy.  You can really see that in Terri's work.  Her ceramic beads are well made and come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and sizes.  She incorporates her love of nature into her designs, which I like.   

Well these pretties just jumped out at me the other day so, I couldn't keep them a hidden treasure any longer.  I got ahold of my my Wubbers looping pliers and sat down to work on my design.  I knew that I wanted to add these colorful beads to a bright shiny piece of silver chain because I like necklaces that I can drape over my head-no clasp needed.  

I was fired up so I thought that a nice enameled component would add to the positive space within the design.  After checking my work/design I decided that a large pendant would work well for the length of chain that I was using.  I found a large copper dragonfly component in my stash (surprise, surprise).  I layered several coats of Vintage Patinas by Ranger Ink on the dragonfly, sanded it between coats and then polished it with a jewelers cloth.  

The necklace is lightweight and perfect for any season.  

Thanks to Terri Del Signore for the lovely beads & the Art Bead Scene team for putting these monthly blog hops together.  They're so much fun and it's always interesting to see the diverse combination of colors and patterns in everyone's jewelry designs.  

Keep Creating,

Karen

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Twists n Turns

This year during the Tucson Gem Show I took a class with Ronda Stevens.  I made a crystal wrapped pendant.  This was a good opportunity to get reacquainted with wire.  I've made a couple of other pendants since.  What do you think?  I'm still not sure that this is something I'm going to work at perfecting but it's a nice way to add dress up a drilled cabochon or bead.    

Twists N Turns Class in Tucson

Project Made in Class

Quartz Crystal Woven Pendant

Keep Creating My Friends,

Karen

Pillow Top & A Book Review

Hi friends!  I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  I had an absolutely wonderful week & weekend with family & friends.  

I took some time to gather a book, a sewing machine and some colorful fabric.  Pillow Pop by Heather Bostic is a nice collection of pillow patterns from various contributors.  Let me just say that I am a novice sewer hoping to improve my skills so I  think this book is a great start.   

Pillow Pop & Pillow Top

The book is full of nice photos and easy to follow instructions.  There is a handy section with construction techniques and there are several templates too!

I chose fabric from the Block Party Squares by Sandy Gervais for Moda.  I fell in love with this colorful bundle and have had it in my stash for some time.  

I've had the book Pillow Pop for a little while now too so it was time to put the two together and work some magic.  I cut out a small heart to add to the pillow top, an appliqué of sorts.  

 
The final product is a 14x14 pillow cover.  I'm happy with my rendition of the Life Aquatic pattern in Heather's book.  If you want some inspiration check out Heather's blog, you'll find an explosion of colorful pillows, patterns and tutorials.

Keep Creating, 

Karen

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