Update

I really do feel badly for not updating since....whenever.  I've had things to blog about, sure, I just....haven't gotten around to it....lame excuse, I know.  Well, here's my update.  I ordered some ball chain, waxed linen and leather cord....yes, to make a wrap bracelet!  Still in the experimentation phase....I seem to struggle with getting the length right, mostly.  And I have discovered that I don't have very many beads that will work as the clasp.  I also ordered some nice wire to try with the wire wrapping book I got a while back.  I forgot that I ordered the gold-filled wire two gauges smaller than the recommended gauge.  It was thinner and definitely made a difference.  But I managed to make a bracelet that turned out decently.  It's a smidge too tight for me, so I might see if my grandmother would like it when she comes down this weekend....and I'll have to remember to give it another half an inch in length for next time.  It was fun, if not a little frustrating though.  Well, I've got class starting at 8 am tomorrow, all three of my least favorite classes in one day.  Time to crash.

Back in the Game

Yes, I know I've been a bit MIA....oh wait, I only missed one day....nevermind!  It really feels like it, though.  I decided to make some more treasury lists on Etsy, mostly because I was bored.... and I thought it'd be cool to see how many people on Etsy went to ECU!  So my first Treasury list features ECU-themed goodies!

And a possibly more season-appropriate collection (although the college football season just started!):



Enjoy!

Study Time!

Today is going to be the day of homework and procrastinating, followed by more homework and procrastination with a dash of cleaning in there somewhere.  I have two papers due on Tuesday for my two Linguistics classes taught by the same teacher....I think I'll do ONE of those first.  Then I have my French listening portion of the homework to do online, and pages to copy and fill out from the workbook, which is due Monday.  I'll do that next.  Then I'll do the other paper.  Then I might clean the bathroom.  It definitely needs a good cleaning sometime this weekend.  Not that it's disgusting or anything, but we really (my mom and I) only gave it a basic cleaning when I moved in.  I'll save the English reading for tonight or maybe tomorrow....the first part of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.  Then I might do some more beading.  I took apart a necklace I made some time ago last night and I'm not quite sure what I was thinking when I made it.  So I decided that since the holes in the beads are too large for me to put with other beads, this will be a good one to knot!  I started last night but wasn't quite sure how long to make it, and didn't feel like moving to find my tape measure.  I'm kind of rambling right now and I think it's because I'm starving....and that might be because it is lunchtime....

More Listings!

So, I decided to dig up some old pieces that seem to be very seasonal in appearance and I've relisted them in my Etsy shop.  I also added a couple new pieces as well.  Enjoy!

Jade Beauty

Bright Green & Blue

I was really trying to post the pictures for the other two, but Blogger is trying my nerves, so here's the links for the Jingly Leaf Bracelet and Autumn Leaves Tree Necklace.

Busy Bee

Well, I've been working on trying to up my stash and put some new items in my Etsy shop.  Last night I made I think six pairs of earrings.  Yeah, I was just crankin' em out.  I decided to be all super creative and use some of my fern green Swarovski bicones in earrings and they actually turned out very nice-looking, I think.  I don't have pictures of those yet.  Yes, you are shaking your head and saying, "WHEN?!"  Okay, maybe not.  But I realized I had all these pictures taken of jewelry I had never listed and decided to work on that today.  So, here are some pics of my recent listings:



Snow & Ice





Little Sparrow



Aqua Daisies

I also have a bunch of purple & gold earrings I made for an ECU-themed section in the shop, but I can't find where I packed them!  They'll turn up eventually, I suppose....

Celtic Knot Wire Bracelet

I thought I'd post some pictures of my attempts so far at the Celtic Knot Bracelet in the book Wire Wrapping.  You can find the link again here.  I was also experimenting with some different settings on my camera, and the different lighting conditions here, so bear with me!

Attempt #1

As you can see, the way I was trying to form the knots made them all irregular, which was especially noticeable with two different gauges and colors of wire.  I did this one during the hurricane when it didn't seem like there was anything else to do.  And I knew it would take me forever and a day to get it done.

Here's attempt #2:

I only posted one picture because I photographed in a hurry and not all of them turned out....but you can definitely see the difference.  It still took awhile to make (I was watching about a two hour movie if that's considered an accurate measure of time), but it looks much better.  I didn't have jump rings that were a thick enough gauge to support the knots, so I whipped some up using the same wire.  Definitely going to buy some already made, because these rings just look....well, like I did the myself and in this case that's not a good thing! 

I'm planning on getting some "nice" wire now so I can keep practicing and possibly put some in my shop.  I'm comparing prices right now, but if anyone knows a good supplier....?

The Aftermath and a Book

Well, everyone here is in one piece after Hurricane Irene blew through.... two trees down back home, but none on the house.  I whipped out some wire here finally and tried to make a bracelet like I'd seen in a book at Barnes and Noble but didn't buy.  It turned out okay, but I was way overthinking it.  Lost power twice, and cable was out until yesterday afternoon.  It went out again last night until this morning, hopefully for the last time.  Class was cancelled for yesterday and today, I guess so they can clean up the trees and the general mess without us underfoot. 

I finally opened up my shop again.  Made the announcement that I would last night and then the cable went out so I couldn't until today, but it's back up.  I bought that book at Barnes & Noble and the process was much simpler than I'd expected.  The book is called Wire Wrapping by Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey.

I really like the step by step photos it has and it explains things very clearly.  I tried the Celtic Knot bracelet for starters because I'd seen that knot before and thought I could do it again on a smaller scale.  It's much easier to do how the book says to do it.  I'm planning on trying some more of the designs as soon as I can get my hands on some decent wire. 

I also discovered that the local A.C. Moore has a totally awesome bead section.  All sorts of pendants and charms....a little lacking in the gemstones for me, but there's a Michael's for that.  Dragonfly Beads is kind of the same way, but AWESOME charms there.  Haven't checked out the Jo-Ann Fabrics yet, it's been kind of hit and miss for me with those.  One in Piqua, Ohio had me practically drooling, and one in Virginia had me going, "meh."  So, plenty of locations to shop for beads!  Now I just need a job. :( Or to sell more jewelry. :)  Off to read some more Beowulf for my Lit. class!