Suggestions?

I have this crazy, long list of jewelry I want to make, BUT, I already have enough (for now) to keep me satisfied. What I want to know is what would you like to see? I'm talking about colors, styles, materials, lengths etc.

 What kind of stuff do you wear? Ogle? Lust after? Would snatch up if you were a bazillionare or from the future? Maybe it's something that you love the look of, but feel like it's too crazy/simple/classy/trashy to for you. 

That's the kind of stuff I want to hear about. Jewelry is such a personal choice, and that choice really does reflect a bit of out personalities. So tell me who you are in the comments below, and don't forget to include the links!

Tassels galore

I know that some artists hate everything they've done. And some who love it all, equally, in different ways. Like children, or something. But hey, jewelry creations aren't kids (definitely not as messy) so I'm allowed to have favorites. This week, it's a new tassel necklace! 

I really adore that wooden statue...

Quartz chips with gunmetal crimp beads. I added gunmetal crimp covers just to see how it would turn out.

Let me tell you, it turned out beautifully! The best part, for me anyway, is that it chimes. Wait, no, it TINKLES. There, I said it. It tinkles. Like tiny little bells. It was so much fun to stage for photos! Every move brought a delicate "tinkling" sound. So much fun. I love the way the "tassels" move on this series of necklaces- it's interactive modern art for your neck.

Did I mention it's a super great price, too? Since I'm still working out kinks in the production process of these beauties, the prices on the first few will be crazy good ($20 TOTAL, and that includes US shipping). Pop on over to the shop, to check 'em out. Don't forget I love custom orders (I even have a dance set up for when one comes in!) and if you want this, but ya know, kinda different, I'll totally do that. I'm great with super detailed or kinda ambiguous descriptions of what you want.

Tassel goodness

The missing SD card has yet to be recovered, sadly. On the bright side, my wonderful fiance had an SD card stashed in an old camera, and I was able to start the process of taking photos again. Woo! So far I've managed to stage, photograph, and edit photos for two necklaces (it's a long process!)

About these two necklaces: they're pretty neat. I don't quite understand the craze with tassel necklaces, to be honest. Probably because the ones I've seen look exactly like the foofy things my great grandma had hanging from her curtain tie-backs. So, I played around with the idea on my own a bit and came up with a couple of different designs that I'm excited about. 

 Tassel for the ta-ta's! Wait, that's something else entirely.....

 Knock-out carnelians!

Forget diamonds, pearls are a gal's best friend. 

The necklaces above (available at my etsy shop) are made the same way. A series of loops strung on a large jump ring and attached to the main necklace chain. Great for having that tassel effect, without a longer chain to worry about getting caught in anything (which I do, all the time). I don't know about you, but I'm clumsy, and having too much dangling from my neck is a recipe for disaster. 

I love how they look a bit like modern art mixed with some classic design. Curved industrial wire speckled with gemstones and pearls. It's a lovely balance of modern style and traditional materials. I pretty much adore this style right now, and I have two more tassel necklaces (with more long tassely-goodness) in the works. More eye candy coming soon! 

Now go support fluffy dogs & a wedding dress, won't you? 

Dog chow

Pretty sure one of the dogs ate my SD Card. Seriously.
I've spent the past five days tearing up my house looking for it, and it has yet to turn up. Granted, it's a little thing so there's always the possibility that it's hanging out somewhere, taking a vacation from being a nifty storage device. I really, really hope that's the case.

But, see, two of the dogs are tall enough to "table surf" for crumbs (of which I leave many), and one gorgeous fluffer is quite adept at popping her front paws on the kitchen counters and helping herself to a snack. This is the same one that also chewed off the metal bars to her kennel. That's right, chewed off metal bars. So, you see, I don't have much hope for the SD card. I will continue my hunt for my lost card, and probably go buy a couple more this weekend (should have done that sooner, anyway!). Meanwhile, I am checking their, uh, deposits, for any electronic evidence.
And making lots of new lovely jewelry, that I can't photograph right now.

That's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it.

Bummin'

I'm pretty bummed this week, so I honestly haven't been working on anything. Several sets of earrings are hanging out waiting to be photographed, there's a whole slew of photos still waiting for my lazy bum to edit them, and a pile o crap I need to sort through before starting any more jewelry. Oy ve. 


The lack of enthusiasm right now has a lot to do with my fiance losing access to communication, and ya know, being deployed in general. I'm also discouraged that I haven't sold anything in my etsy shop, yet, and that a lot of the feedback from folks I know (not exactly friends, but you know, people you happen to run into at the store and say hello to) I'm getting is negative. Stuff like "Oh, well I wouldn't wear anything like that," or, "Don't you think it's a bit....much?" To which I mutter under my breath: Yes, some of the stuff is a little wild. That's the fucking point. 


  I'm trying not to let that crud drag me down, but it's hard. So I'm taking a little break to remind myself that I just need to give it time. Obsessively checking in on my store every half hour does me no good. Instead I'm looking at wedding porn and cuddling with my dogs. Which they may or may not enjoy....I can't help but nom ears/ & tickle sleepy dog feet. 
Oh, and I'm thinking up more wild jewelry ideas that are just a bit...much. 

Reigning It In

With the launch of my etsy shop, I enlisted the help of some good friends in critiquing the jewelry, descriptions, and prices. It's been incredibly helpful in the tweaking of things, and through this process it came to my attention that some of the jewelry I make is pretty "wild" for some folks.
I have to say, I totally agree. Of course, I'm the type that loves to wear jewelry that will get noticed. Otherwise, what's the point? With that said, I see the problem: wild jewelry isn't for everyone, all the time.

I needed to sit down and make some more low-key pieces that can appeal to a wider audience, bring more folks into my little shop, and then, hopefully, the right people will see my 'wild side' and fall in love. So, that's what I did today.

I came across a string of gorgeous zebra jasper beads awhile ago, from a jewelry maker getting rid of her excess supplies, and totally fell in love. The problem was, I didn't have anything in mind for them, so the beads just kind of sat around in a container. Until today. It took some puzzling (and lots of mess-ups) but I finally came out with a beautiful, simple design that I hope will appeal to someone.

                                                                 

What do you think? The beads accenting the jasper stone are snowflake obsidian, but are near-flawless black (would that make them just plain obsidian?). All strung up on silver-plated head pins, jump-rings, and silver-plated gunmetal french ear wires. 

I ended up making about four pairs before the dogs started whining for dinner, and then of course I got completely distracted with editing the photos,writing up the listing for one pair, and ya know, blogging about it. I'm still pondering whether or not to post all the pairs at once, or pepper them in between other items. 

The jasper has this amazing marbling that I just adore. I'm making a pair just for me tomorrow. Love these earrings? Pop on over to my etsy shop and grab 'em before someone else does!

Wrapped Glass

I've always had this love affair with the ocean. Probably because, for most of my life, I've been within a few miles of the Pacific. I had the fortune of living by rather pristine beaches. The sand was littered with footprints and driftwood more than anything else. Finding "beach glass" was a rarity in my area, especially considering how diligent the locals are about cleaning up the stray litter. So I've had this strange curiosity with the idea-I mean, it's a lovely thing, this tumbled, frosted bit of glass. Smoothed out by waves and sand.

But, it's also pollution. I've heard stories of folks who break bottles on the shore, so they can come back later for the shards once the waves have shaped it out to be this work of art we call sea glass. And that's always seemed...wrong. I've actually met one of these types, once, who gladly admitted to smashing bottles on rocks to later collect the remains, and sell it off. Profiting off of pollution. Just doesn't sit well with me.

Which is why I was THRILLED to find a stash of "beach glass" looking goodies, that were made fairly local. Bottles and broken glass that wouldn't normally be recycled were broken up and tossed into a large tumbler with sand and water, then tossed about inside the tumbler for a few days, to a few weeks, to create the exact same look as beach glass! In the middle of Texas! So exciting! I couldn't help myself, I bought a few different colors (mostly, with the intention of hording it) and brought it home. Finally got around to doing something with the lovelies, other than stare at it....check it out!

Gaw-geous, no? I'm having so much fun wrapping these babies up! The above pendants & necklaces are for sale on my etsy shop! I can't decide which color I love most, the royal blue or emeral green. Le sigh...

More lovely hand-wrapped glass added weekly, so check by the shop often to see what's new : )

Grand Opening!

Of both Blog, and store! Woohoo!
After months of hording cast-off chains, deconstructed pearl necklaces, and yards (and yards and yards) of faux suede, my etsy store is alive and kickin

Okay, not so much "kickin" just quite yet. That's where you come in.

 I know the blog isn't much right now, but it will be a showcase for upcoming projects, ideas, and of course the first place to learn about new products, events, and special discounts. I know, you're excited. I can tell.

Here's just a peek at what's available right now on my etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/people/BlueDartDesigns

So, here's the scoop. I'm giving away discounts to the first five people to make a comment on this blog posr.

-giveaway is now closed-

Exciting, no? You'll need to register with blogspot (I'm so lame, I know) so's I can hand you your personalized coupon code. That's right, folks. You'll get an awesome discount AND you can customize your own coupon name. If you want to be cool like that, anyhow.

So what are you waiting for? Comment away!