A Beader is Born

 
     A few months ago I became interested in making jewelry when I decided to make a steampunk necklace.   I started with a metal necklace that has matching earrings.   I added the gears, jewel, and watch parts.   A simplistic and easy project, but it got me hooked.

 

      My next project started with a unique bead from Cosmopolitan Beads in Cave Creek, Arizona.  They make some of their own beads, and this one caught my eye.  It has dark gold accents to highlight the green and white.   Unfortunately my photo doesn't show off how beautiful it is.   



 

 

At first I didn't know how to use it.  Then I found Fire Mountain Gems and Beads.  They have great tutorials as well as beads.  

 

 

 

 

        I used brown Goldstone beads and Swarovski Pearl dark green beads and filled in with some antique copper bead caps and rondelles.  The fancy clasp was a fun touch.

 

     Now firmly hooked on beading and Fire Mountain, I began to look at the weekly e-mail specials they sent me.   What a great way to daydream away your cares.   When the ads started to appear about a Dutch Auction, I was intriqued.  I had never heard of that.   I watched for a few days, then I started looking at what was on sale.   Every few days the prices dropped.   Finally I started adding items to my cart.   

       The different types of jasper had previously caught my eye, and suddenly they were cheap enough for this novice to try.    I bought a trio of jasper focals for $2.00 and nuggets for 22 cents!   Wood jasper was on sale, too, so I bought some of those round beads.

 

 

  I added a couple of wood ovals that I've had for a really long time.   For fill and to add some color I used shell amber beads that I found at Michaels.   By adding those in, I had enough to make a matching bracelet and earrings.   Here's the complete set:

       

 

 

     I just received my third order from Fire Mountain.  This time I bought a crimper and crimp beads so I can do a more pro job.   On a recent trip to Ikea, I picked up a 9 drawer stand to hold my bead supplies, too.    

So it's official--I'm a beader.  

 

 

 

   

 

 



 

Steampunk Boxes

     Steampunk caught my attention a while ago, and I've been trying my hand at making Steampunk jewelry boxes and jewelry.   If you're not familiar with Steampunk, it's a mix of   Jules Verne, Victorian sci-fi, dirigibles, and lady airship captains.    All fun things, right?
      I'm gradually working my way into Steampunk.   These first two pieces are part travel, part Steampunk.   The necklace that I recently made, which I'll show another day, is totally Steampunk.  
      I found my first box at Marco's, my favorite paper arts store in Dayton.     Originally it was a plain "suitcase", and I added the compass, Bon Voyage tag, side stitches, and fiber.   It is a very tame Steampunk, and could be considered a straight a travel piece.   But I like it a lot and use it to carry my jewelry when I travel. 

       It was the last tan one that the store had, and they have since told me they can't get any more.   I've looked on the internet without success (so far), but I intend to keep looking. 

       My second attempt was much more Steampunk.  I started with a box I bought at Hobby Lobby.   I added the fiber, metal findings, and the paper stamps.   One tag says "Thoughts" while another says "Dream".    Good things to remember to do.

      I haven't decided what I'll place inside this box.   It's about the size of a deck of cards, but I'm not a card player.   But I'm sure something will look good there.  In the meantime, it was fun to make.