Closet Flashback: Christmas Necklace

Meg made me this necklace for Christmas a couple of years ago and I used to wear it to work a lot to remind me that there was life (and creativity) outside of my stuffy corporate job. When I moved, it was knocked into the depths of my jewelry box and I only recently found it again. I paired it with a long lost cowl neck top and some red lipstick! Yay to finding old treasures :)  

Earring Holder of Awesomeness

My friend Erin sent me this cool earring holder which she made by simply spray-painting a cheese grater. I love it! 

Florida Necklace

A few months ago I was able to go visit my Grandma in Florida. We spent the day in St. Augustine and I picked up this gold-dipped shell in a really cool jewelry shop there. It has been sitting on my craft table since then, waiting for inspiration to strike. I just used beads from my stash: fake freshwater pearls, amethyst nuggets and gold pearls. I also bought a green shell pendant there which is waiting for a similar treatment.

Necklaces

There are certain isles in the craft store that I try to avoid. Really, I should avoid the place altogether but that wouldn't be any fun. The bead isle is one isle I just can't get near. I used to do a lot of bead work, but have since moved on to activities which require less intense concentration. (I have three small kids after all) However, I decided to do a few simple projects for Christmas presents. These two necklaces I made for Mom. These are made with wire (eye pins?), as opposed to strung beads. I have never worked with wire, thus the lack of technical terminology.

This necklace is made from beads salvaged from a broken necklace and the chain pieces came from another necklace. The flower was from SnapCrafty.

Child's Artwork Pendant: Round Two

Here is the second attempt at making pendants. This time, I tried adding small beads for something extra. Also, I had my son draw on a colored scrapbook paper. I realized that one benefit to using the 'real' stuff (Diamond Glaze) is that it probably stays clear despite being thick. The pendant on the left has an extra layer of glaze and its started to get a yellow cast to it.

Child's Artwork Pendant

This pendant is made for a Christmas present. I used a pendant blank, a small drawing from my son, and some glaze stuff from the scrap-booking section at the craft store. (Technically speaking, you really should use a resin glaze, like Diamond glaze, but I couldn't find it locally and wanted to try this stuff out. It works almost as well as I think the real stuff should.) I am going to try making a few more, so I am sure I will learn a few tricks as I go along.

Back Into Beads

I used to do a lot of bead work when I was in college and before I had kids. I really enjoy it, but some of it is a little tedious to do while being distracted by three kids. However, I made the mistake of walking through the bead aisle at the craft store. Oh, my! They really have some pretty things! I got a handful of strands for making Christmas presents, which I will post at a later date. This necklace I made for myself. I used wire, which was new to me, but I am happy with how it came out. I took apart a necklace I never wore for the chain and clasp.