First Etsy Necklace

I just completed the first item for my Etsy sales stock! I am equal parts nervous and excited. This is the necklace I posted about previously. I repurposed a Madonna and child pendant I already had as the centerpiece.

I strung red Czech glass beads, gold spacers, and pearls to pick up on the red stones, pearls, and red parts of the Jesus and Mary picture present in the pendant. I used a bit of wire wrapping to attach the pendant to the necklace.

I wanted to use this wonderful vintage clasp since the pearl center works so well with the necklace. The clasp is for a double strand necklace, so it has two connectors on each side. There is a way it can be strung to attach it to a single strand necklace. However, I had the idea of using two, matching Rosary centers because they have a two-to-one style connection.

I now want to work on a few more items to stock my store with before I open it. I would like to have 6-10 items made before I open.

Creativity Strikes

In my recent outpouring of creative energy, I have been working on another necklace. I love the rich look of these metallic red, bohemian glass, Czech beads when paired with pearls. I often find various tones of red seem to go especially well with religious images. I am not finished with this necklace yet, but making good progress.

As you know, Madonna images are among my favorite to use in my jewelry.

 My son brought these bottle caps home from school, so I asked him if they used resin for them and he said yes. I explained how I sometimes use resin in making jewelry. He asked me to set aside some bottle caps so he can make more.

I am thinking that it may be time to take advantage of my newest spurt of inspiration and stock my Etsy store!

Christmas is Coming

We put up our Christmas tree today. We all love trimming the tree, and Liam especially enjoys being the one to put on almost every ornament. He also loves helping with the lights as well. I always play Christmas Carols as we add our many sentimental decorations to the tree.

I was also very excited because an art piece I ordered arrived today. I used some money I received as a Birthday gift to purchase some beautiful art by Karen Downs. She was in my Build Zone  jewelry making workshop, and I fell in love with her unique fused glass art as soon as I laid eyes on it. I suppose the fact that she tends to focus a lot on Madonna and Child subject matter may have something to do with my attraction!

I now have her piece in a window in my studio. It looks like it was made for that very space. Now, if that isn't inspiration, I do not know what is!