Cuff, Cabs, and Crazyness.

So it has been a long few weeks for me. End of summer obligations, as well as starting my 3 semester of college. I apologize for my absence. I have a few posts in the drafts that I have started but never had time to finish. I have started making macrame cuffs. I took some photos during the process:

 All the photos are from my phone, so I apologize for the quality!  This one in particular was my first one I finished.  ( I had a previous one that didn't get finished because I was unhappy with the way it was looking) I kept this one for a couple reasons, it turned out slightly wider on one side. It's not noticeable when worn but I don't want to sell jewelry that's crooked or doesn't quite meet my standards. I also kept it because it was my first completed which gives it a little sentimental value. It took hours and hours of time and love to make, and I think it turned out pretty well. Oh, The stone is Jasper and there are purple glass beads on it. :)

I ordered tons of cabs to make more, here's some of the haul that I have already received:

Each stone has a unique quality about them and I love it! They are all beautiful, and I would love to keep them for myself! ;) But we all know that's a sure way to never sell anything again. So I will just have to live with making awesome bracelets for people all over the world. :)

Until next time guys and gals,

Cheers!

Jen

Paper Beads ((OLD DRAFT POST))

Hello!

Last night I finally got to sit down and take a stab at making paper beads. I have been wanting to do it for quite a while now, but I never had the time to sit down and do it. They have always intrigued me, to the point where I almost bought paper beads instead of making them myself! Which I felt would be absolutely insane because I have a basket full of magazines waiting to be upcycled!
So I started with an old fashion magazine. I cut a few test strips and wrapped them up around a skewer, using a touch of glue every now and then to keep it held together. Then I coated them with mod podge. This is how they turned out:

They turned out smaller than I thought they would, and one of them got stuck on the skewer. So this was a total test run. After I did a few of those, I dug out some pink/brown/white striped scrapbook paper and created these:

I feel the magazine beads weren't terrible, but I love the second batch I made with the scrapbook paper. They were much easier to cut and some of them have a bit of a tie-dye effect to them. 

I will be making more of these today. Now that I have figured out which way I like them more. I will most likely post more photos in my next post.

Do you make paper beads?

What kind of paper do you like using the most?

Which style is your favorite to make?

Cheers!

Jen

[I found this post in my drafts! I'm not sure why I didn't post it but here it is none the less :) ]

Beads, Pendants, Where do you buy them?

I have been reading a lot of posts on various bead/jewelry groups on Facebook and many discussions I have read are based upon where people get their supplies. I am all about finding the best deals on pendants and beads, but since I do not make jewelry with a whole lot of sparkle and metal I find it harder to find unique beads and pendants.  I take advantage of a lot of stores in my area, but I also buy online. A lot of fellow artisans refuse to buy items from eBay or other auction sites because they feel as though it is a little sketchy.  Now, I don't disagree with those thoughts, but I do buy off eBay due to price. I have had a few duds, including an unfortunate event in which I bought a rose quartz pendant that turned out to be cut in the shape of a swastika. They had taken photos at specific angles to hide 2 of the cuts in the pendant. I saw two of them and I figured, hey, I can maybe do a little wire wrapping to dress it up a little, and hide the two cuts. Little did I know I was going to receive this:

So, eBay may hand you a couple turds every now and then, but I think overall its the best place I have found so far, price wise. I do have a few select shops on Etsy that I purchase from, but for the most part it tends to be in stores in my area and eBay.

Its hard to keep up with my bead addiction, when everything seems to be priced so high. Sites that these people have talked about being "bargain" prices are just untrue. I will not specifically name the sites, but I find it difficult to get what I want at a decent price without having to buy a bunch of the same thing. I try to maintain a one-of-a-kind jewelry setting. Some pendants I will use more than once, but I always make the patterns different and try to give it something a little extra to keep them from looking the same. 

If you are a jewelry artisan where do you get your beads from?
and if you are just a jewelry fan, do you care if someone has the same handmade piece, or would you rather have a one-of-a-kind item?

Cheers!

Jen