On the 16th and 17th Days of Christmas

On the 16th and 17 days of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

Nature-inspired jewelry!

 

It never rains but it pours at my house!  Last week I almost ended up with bronchitis (and missed singing in our Christmas program at church).  Yesterday, I slipped walking up the stairs and twisted my back.  I guess it's better than falling down the stairs--I always manage to do things backwards it seems!  And everything always happens at the holidays!

 

So since, I missed posting yesterday's featured item, you have two to choose from today!  The first necklace is a copper butterfly I made by coiling copper wire and then wrapping it together with thin copper wire and black Swarovski crystals.

 

  Copper Butterfly Necklace

 

 I love butterflies and this simple design  showcases the beauty of a butterfly perfectly. 

 

 

The second featured necklace was inspired by the glass beads that reminded me of the jungle cats.   

 

Jungle Cats Necklace

 

I used black wire to create free-form links and to join the beads together.  It adds a bit of drama and mystery to the design. 

 

 

So, I have been relegated to the couch to rest my back for the next few days.  Now if I can just find the bell so I can ring it when I want someone to wait on me...

 



On the Tenth Day of Christmas

 On the tenth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

Artisan lampwork and sea glass earrings

(You can view the listing HERE)

 

Ocean View Sea Glass Earrings

 

I love earrings with a little sparkle and swing!  I paired two pieces of white sea glass with these blue and green metallic lampwork beads to create these fun earrings.

 

It takes hours to sort through the sea glass I've collected to find two pieces that are similar in shape and color. And each trip to the beach yields more pieces to match!

 

 Ocean View Earrings

 

When I wrap the sea glass, I have to be sure that the pattern is similar on both pieces and that pattern needs to hold the glass securely as well as look beautiful.  These smaller pieces are more difficult to wrap than the larger ones!

 

We're still working on getting the tree decorated, but this year we're not rushing just to get done...we're enjoying the time together!

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

On the ninth day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

A gorgeous one of a kind necklace

(You can view the link to this necklace HERE)

 

Petit Jardin de Roses

 

I found these gorgeous apple green and pink glass beads strolling through a bead shop and was mesmerized by them!  

 

Petit Jardin de Roses necklace

 

It took several days for me to decide how to use these beads, trying different styles and colors.  I really liked the way the beads looked when I wrapped each as a link instead of beading them together on a string.  

 

As I looked at the necklace and bracelet, I was reminded of a beautiful rose bush my husband had bought me at our first house.  I had to leave it behind when we moved, but it had the most beautiful pink cabbage roses I had ever seen.  And putting the name in French just seemed to be more romantic than saying "Little Flower Garden."

 

The Christmas tree is up, without lights or decorations yet.  But I can look at it and think of the wonderful time I had with my family in finding it!