Inspiration Workshop

I think it's safe to say we all thrive from inspiration...or maybe it's just me...

Either way, there's something amazing about being inspired by someone or something to be a better person, to create something beautiful, or to dream up the perfect home.

Gussy of Gussy Sews has started a new link up called the Inspiration Workshop. Each Friday, those on the email list for the workshop will receive an email with the topic for the following Thursday's link up party. The first topic she choose was handmade...which is perfect for her...since she creates some very beautiful handmade things!

Since the only thing I really hand make (is that even how you'd say it?) is jewelry, I decided that would be what I focus on this week. But...since I haven't made anything in quite some time, I used good ol' Pinterest to get some inspiration...and found this little beauty:

(found on Pinterest from Tamar Bostock via Bellissima Jewelry)

Isn't it gorgeous? I love the color combo...and how unique it is. It has definitely inspired me to try some new ideas with my jewelry making...

What inspires you?

Some Pretties

So...I haven't made any new jewelry yet...

But, I'm definitely itchin' to...especially since I bought some really pretty beads in CO!

The reason for this post is to showcase my friend Angey's new Etsy shop! She used to design jewelry in L.A. and took a break from it for awhile. She is now back into the swing of it...and she's creating beautiful pieces! I'm very excited that she's regained her passion for it and I wanted all of you to see what she's been creating! You can check out her shop here.



Isn't her stuff so cute? Be sure to check out her shop to see more!

Some New Pieces

I have a bunch of new necklaces to show all of you!

Like I said in an earlier blog, I had lots of opportunities to make jewelry.

The first at the retreat I went on.

And the second at the Ladies Jewelry Night I hosted this past weekend.

I also got the opportunity to make some new things with my sister yesterday afternoon.

I'm also excited to show you the two necklaces I made as gifts...that I can post now...as the recipients have received them now!

Enjoy!

This is the first necklace I made at the retreat. It's one of my new favs :)

Isn't that pendant great?

A little highlight of the details

And the top section

The other necklace I made at retreat

I LOVE these red beads!!

I don't wear a lot of red, but I couldn't pass these up

Me modeling it

I made this one at the Ladies Night

I LOVE this bow!

Isn't it so cute? (I got this pattern from looking at a catalog in the store. It was meant for a bracelet, but I turned it into a necklace)

I made this one for my Secret Sister!

I love these beads!

I like these hearts a lot

So pretty!

And of course, the heart clasps I love oh so much.

I made this one for my friend, J.B. She loves purple!

When I first saw these beads, I immediately thought of J.B.

Aren't they pretty together?

I made this one when my sister was over yesterday. I also started another necklace that I'm hoping my lovely friend E.H. will help me finish tomorrow!

Aren't these beads pretty? It's a simple, but very Spring-y necklace.

And I made this one at the Ladies Night, too. I didn't get any pics of the details, but it was my first attempt at a double chained necklace like this...besides the triple chains on the bow one.

What are your thoughts on me creating an Etsy store to sell my stuff?

Latest Pieces of Happiness

I haven't posted pics of my jewelry in awhile, so I decided to post some.
Sorry the pics aren't the best. I didn't realize how much not having the flash on affected them.

This is one of my favorites. I love how it turned out. I actually don't wear it so the beads are right next to each other like that. I wear it off-center and I love it :)

A little close-up of the beads. My hubby thinks the big black ones look like licorice.

I also really like this one. It's a little dressier than the last one...and it's the longest necklace I've made.

Look at how pretty those beads are!

I LOVE this clasp! I bought a pack of these a couple of weeks ago and they are, by far, my absolute favorite. I love hearts...and these clasps are just amazing.

This was the first necklace I made with chain. I love the beads. They are a little funky, so I feel a little funky when I wear this necklace.

I wear this one off-center, too. It's more fun that way.

I love the chain, too. It's so fun!

I have other beads I'm waiting to do something with...and I have a couple of necklaces I made for friends that I'm not posting pics of, because they haven't gotten them yet! I just love making them!

Beads, Blessings, and Busyness

I made a couple more necklaces today.
I went to Joann and used my coupon. They were having a MAJOR sale. I was able to get a ton of stuff, without spending a ton of money. I found some beads to go with the black ones I bought last week...and I made a necklace with them that I am quite happy with. I also made one as a gift for someone very close to me...who I don't think reads my blog...but I still don't want to say who it's for in case she finds out somehow.
I took some pics of them...but my camera batteries are almost dead, so they're not the best...but I think you'll get the idea.

I am really proud of this one. I didn't know how I wanted it to look, so I started experimenting, and this was the result.

The big black bead in the middle is one of the ones I bought last week that I had nothing to go with.

I really liked how this one turned out, too. It's very simple, but I think that's why I like it so much.

This at least shows a little bit more of the length of it.

I just kind of held this one up to myself. You can't see the whole thing, but at least you get an idea. The colored ones look orange in this pic, but they are definitely more of a pink color.

I think I may be addicted...and that makes me very happy. It's exciting to know that something you've been wanting to try is something you actually enjoy.



On another note, my life is about to get a lot busier...in a good way. I have a lot on my plate in the next couple of months...but I am excited for all of it. I am looking forward to the growth that is going to take place in many lives.
God knows what my heart needs...and He's been doing a wonderful job giving me opportunities to fill those needs. Or, maybe the opportunities have always been in front of my face...and I'm just now seeing them. Hmm...

My Creations

Here are the pics of the jewelry I made yesterday.

This one was actually the second one I made and it came together so easily.

A close up of the beads near the top

The next set

And the last set and bottom section

I LOVE this clasp!

Doesn't it look so cute?

This is the first necklace I made. I really liked these red beads as soon as I saw them at the store.

What the sets look like

And the bottom section

Another toggle clasp

So easy to put together

I took these to show the length

I am hoping to experiment with chains next time I make a necklace. There are so many endless possibilities and I can't wait to try some of them out!



My next project to tackle this week/weekend is putting up more pictures. I bought a Family frame a few months back, and we got a multi-opening collage frame for Christmas. I printed all the pictures for both and picked them up from Costco today. Now the pictures just need to go in them so I can hang them up! Can't wait!