Gail Nettles

I'm going to take a break from jewelry at the moment to share something with you.

We all know that Christmas all started with celebrating the birth of Jesus.  The cast of characters includes Gabriel, the bearer of good news; Mary, an about-to-be unwed mother; Joseph, the bewildered fiance.  Not to mention the shepherds, the Magi and all the animals in the stable.

But do you ever wonder what it might be like if instead of all this happening 2000+ years ago, it was happening today?  What might that be like in today's world?

Here's a video my hubby showed me, that I got a huge kick out of, and I think you will like it, too.  It's how technology changes the world.

Enjoy, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

I adore the look of beaded cabochon jewelry.  I had done quite a bit of it some time ago, but things got in the way and I kept putting off and putting off getting back into it.  I mean, all you have to do is stare at Sherri Serafini's work and get intimidated (but she does absolutely gorgeous work).

I've been cleaning out my workspace, and I stumbled upon some cabs I bought, oh, I'll say 5 years ago and already glued to the backing...and that's where I stopped.

Then I found some lovely cabs I bought at a gem show maybe 4 years ago, and they have likewise been sitting around.  (I swear, sometimes I thought I could hear a faint "make me into jewelry" cry coming from that corner of my office...)

And let's not discuss all the dichroic cabs I bought maybe 3 years ago....

Are you sensing a pattern here? 

Back to Beaded Cabochons

Beaded Cabochon (Seashell)

I figured it was time that I actually do something.  So I've been beading up a storm!

Remember the seashells I gathered a couple months ago?  Well I've been going wild with them -- they are so much fun!  To the right is a necklace I made with one of the seashells.

(I've got a few more glued to backing, waiting their turn as well.)

Got a hot pink agate cab that I am working on, but am waiting for some more supplies to come in so I can finish it (I'll post a photo when I am done).

Naturally, one of the dichroic cabs is being worked on, while I am waiting on the supplies for the pink one.

Can-Can Cabochon

And here's another, done up in turquoise color.  I'm thinking the cab is howlite (dyed), but who knows what the bead nuggets are; all I know is that for the price I paid, they are definitely not geniune turquoise!

(If you're interested, I've got an ebook tutorial for making these necklaces.)

Cabs, Cabs and More Cabs

One of my favorite cabs I have ever bought, an ocean jasper, broke in my hands.  I got that one at a gem show, and I should have known to not get one that thin.  I still have some ideas for it, though, since it's so pretty!

And I have ordered more cabs from ebay, as I have an idea for a beaded cab bracelet (among other things).  When all of those cabs get in, I'll take some photos for you to see.

Well, guess I should quit writing and go get beading!  Catch you later with more photos.

I've got some new peyote bracelet tutorials for you!  One is free, and the other one has such a teensy price that it's almost free.

So without any further ado, how about some ebook tutorials, for your peyote-beading pleasure!

Peyote Bracelet Tutorials

"Exploring All Angles" Bracelet, in the Even Count Peyote Bracelets Tutorial

It doesn't matter if you have never seen the peyote bead stitch before, or if you are a dyed-in-the-wool peyote veteran.  Check out these two pages, each with an ebook tutorial:

Basics of Even Count Peyote:  Especially for anyone who either doesn't know how to bead the peyote stitch, or is a little rusty.  Not only do you learn how to do flat even-count peyote, but there is even a project called "Windows and Doors", which is a unique bracelet.  And the ebook is free!

Even Count Peyote Bracelets:  Now that you know how to peyote bead, here are six gorgeous bracelets for you to make.  You'll learn how to use some of the more unusually-shaped seed beads, as well as learn bead embroidery on peyote!  OK, it's not free, but it's ultra-reasonably priced, especially since it has 6 projects and tons of close-up photos!  (And available for immediate download, to boot.)

"Windows and Doors" Bracelet, from the Basics of Even Count Peyote Tutorial

They are over on my new site, Beaded Jewelry Diva, which I am dedicating to beading tutorials (both free and almost-free).

So come on over and see me there; I have lots more tutorials for you there, and I'm always adding new ones for your jewelry-making pleasure!

Just what is it that inspires you, when it comes to making jewelry?  Is it color?  A pattern on a piece of fabric?  Something from nature?  Perhaps found objects?

I did something yesterday that I rarely do -- went to the beach.  Even though I live fairly close to the Florida coast, I prefer quiet beaches; and around here, they are crowded on weekends.

But yesterday, hubby and I drove about 50 miles north and found a beautiful little beach that had few people (even on a hot sunny Saturday in May).  And wonder of wonders, there were seashells -- more than I had ever imagined.  This little stretch of beach had Sanibel Island (a world-famous shelling location) beat, hands down!

But I'm getting away from myself.  What I'm getting at is that looking at the shells, in their varied color combinations and shapes, I picked up a few (ok, quite a bit more than a few) to take home.  Some were solely based on wonderful color combos.  Others because their beautiful shapes would look wonderful in jewelry.

But these shells are inspiring me to color combinations I might not have otherwise selected.  Ideas for designs that are off my beaten path (i.e. more than just peyote).

In my case, it was a combination of color and form that has inspired me.  What is it that inspires you?

If you find your jewelry is lacking a spark these days, why not get outdoors and look around?  Maybe there are flowers or trees or even lowly mushrooms that give you ideas that are a little outside your normal work, be it color, format or some combination.