Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

May 28, 2007

In the Bead Zone

Paper crafts have pretty much consumed my crafting life over the past 8 months or so. Lots of scrapbooks, cards and photo albums have been created and updated. I haven't had a lot of time to tackle all the bead projects I have planned, or work with all the fantastic beads I've scored over the past year or so. I made the time this weekend to get into The Bead Zone.

I forgot how focused and driven I get when I do beadwork till I start doing it again, then I can't seem to stop. I call it The Bead Zone. Since Saturday, I have made 10 necklaces, fixed and/or restrung 6 necklaces, put new hooks on 3 pairs of earrings, made 2 bracelets and a watchband. Boxes and beads stacked on my craft table, I will start working in the morning, taking a really quick lunch break and working into the evening. I can't stop thinking about new designs/projects and I can't wait till morning so that I can delve back in. The TV is on, just a din in the background.....poor Brian is saying stuff and I'm like, "mmmhmm" although I really do try to look up and pay attention.

I am a jewelry addict. I love jewelry. Always have. The sparkly and more colourful, the better. Being able to make my own jewelry has worked out really, really well.....although I seem to spend more money on jewelry supplies and beads than I would if I were buying one necklace in a department store. What can I say, it's an expensive but fun habit.

If you click on the pictures, they will get bigger so that you can see the detail.

I tried to take pictures outside but the sun just wasn't hitting the front of the house very well. This necklace is made with beautiful lavender/rose coloured beads, with garnet & pearls.

Found these fun beads up in Poulsbo.
I used dark amethyst beads (real amethyst, not glass) with lavender & clear swarovski crystal. The pendant is a really pretty shade of purple crystals.
This one came out way too washed out, which is too bad because the large beads are pale yellow and very light purple/pink, so I added yellow and pink swarovski crystals along with delica seed beads, and multicolour crystal bead caps.
Here's a pair of earrings. The large beads are black, blue and white swirly waves which I accented with pearls and Montana blue swarovski crystals.


This one's got a lot of fun texture as the red beads have raised white "dot" flowers. I added dark red and pale sapphire swarovski crystals along with silver beadcaps.

Michael's Crafts has a great selection of beads now, and that's where these aqua & copper beads were bought.


Assortment of lampwork beads paired with cobalt & sapphire swarovski crystals.


Lampwork beads by Austin Hamilton of British Columbia.

16 comments:

  1. can you make another one like the first one?I use as much semi-precious as I can.I also like glass and clay beads,the heavier the better.

    I am NOT very good at it BUT I like working with beads.

    They all look amazing Jojo!

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  2. Anonymous10:36 AM

    julie...

    Beautiful, JoJo. I love how you laid them outside on the trees. Very creative presentation!!!

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  3. Bryde - I ran out of beads for the first one...I will usually only buy one strand and then make earrings, necklace & bracelet from it. But I only had enough of these to make the necklace & bracelet. I can't even remember where I got the beads.

    Julie - wish I could take credit for the idea but my cousin Cookie suggested it after one of her jewelry making friends did it.

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  4. Well,in that case,I hope you don't mind if my bff and I maybe use these as templates for ourselves!I never was comfortable using pearls,but maybe I should try!I am going to send her these pics,if that is okay....makes me want to run to the bead store!

    I still have to string my scarab bead and its coordinating colors together....BUT I haven't learned to do the ends myself yet (damned vision) but maybe Carrie will take pity on me and do it for me!

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  5. I'm sensing a pictorial title:

    "Beads and Boobs".

    Whaddya think?

    :oD>

    Nice work. Out on a Whim is one of my wife's favorite local haunts as well.

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  6. Mark - if I ever manage to lose weight, I would like to recreate my fave picture of Janis.

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  7. Anonymous2:22 PM

    Those that do this have a darn sight more patience than I have, but should be very proud of the results!

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  8. I know how long this stuff takes. When my friend visits she always sits there makes jewelry - usually necklaces and fancy chokers for ballroom dancers - and it takes anage. (I find lots of lost beads down the sides of the sofa, too!)

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  9. I know the one. It would be perfect in light of this post's subject matter and my challenge over that pic I posted.

    Why not take the bull by the horns and just do it?

    ;o)>

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  10. wow... they are absolutely fantastic... you should go into business. A lot of girls I've met on blogging sell through Etsy... I've even bought from them.

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  11. wonderful work! i like the last two ones the most, the colours are great. although i mostly don't wear jewelry at all, i can see the beauty in them. :)
    i can understand you when you're in "the bead zone". i think it's great to get so focused and excited about something that you can do it for hours and won't let anything distract you. i like that. :)

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  12. Wow! I love your work Jo, beautiful colours and combinations.

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  13. Jojo, guess what I'm wearing as we speak? Yes, still haven't taken off my skulls-necklace!!
    I love it sooo much! Thanks again!

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  14. Just spent ages looking at these with my daughter,she's a much bigger jewellery fan than me.She was speechless in her admiration of your talent,I am too!

    You do some beautiful work,thank you for letting us see :-)

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  15. absolutely amazing jojo! me thinks you have a gift;)

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  16. Good stuff jojo! I love jewelry too! I don't wear much except earrings but I love to buy it anyway and especially beadwork. I just love the way it looks. I just bought some new earrings at the bead store in McMinnville. Geez I could spend hours looking through all those different beads.

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