Ladybugs and Fireflies Necklace Inspired by Artbeads

Making jewelry is not as easy as some people try to tell you...some people feel as long as you have some beads and other jewelry supplies then your all set. Well not for me at this stage of my life. I've been struggling to make this necklace using the Stoneware Porcelain Pendants for days now. So, what's the issue?

Some might say a creative block but that's never it...it's usually about time management. I had to stop and start this necklace a few times because other things demanded time but I'm proud to say I kept going when I could sneak time for it and finally...here it is!

I decided to name this necklace Ladybugs and Fireflies...even though there isn't any fireflies in the pendant. But I felt the carnelian chip beads seem very firefly-ish to me in color and form. As for the pendant instead of metal or gemstone I chose one of Stoneware Porcelain Pendants for the symbolism of the ladybug.

Wanna know some cool ladybugs legends?

- Nearly ALL cultures believe that a Ladybug is lucky! Killing one is said to bring sadness and misfortune.
- In some Asian cultures, it is believed that the Ladybug understands human language, and has been blessed by God, Himself.
- In France, if a Ladybug landed on you, whatever ailment you had would fly away with the Ladybug!

And my personal favorite

- People in Switzerland told their young children that they were brought to them, as babies, by Ladybugs!

To me jewelry is more then just precious metal and gemstones to look pretty with. I feel jewelry should also have a symbolic connection with the wearer. One purpose of wearing jewelry is to adorn but people also wear jewelry to protect and bless the wearer. I hope my ladybug blesses the person who's spirit leads them to it.

So that's what I did with my Stoneware Rectangle Pendant - Spring Blooms and Ladybug. What do you think?

The Tease of Inspiration

After the morning drama of getting my son ready for his first day of daycare, then coming all the way into the city for a class that booted me out and told me to sign up for an upcoming one ...you can imagine that I was feeling a bit out of sorts.

I didn't want to hop back on the train again feeling that way so I decided to take a walk to breathe and bring my focus back to a positive level. It's been a long time since I took a walk alone...without a baby or stroller. At first I felt a little weird but the combination of a sunny day with the hustle and bustle of people in union square soon had me smiling and getting into a walking groove.

Beaded Creature Necklace: Butterfly: Glass, Garnet

I decided to stroll uptown and see the sights and window shop. As I was strolling I passed by Anthropologie's store window and fell in love. There resting on the collar of a mannequin was a butterfly necklace made of beads that spoke to me. I don't know why or what about it caught my attention but I was soon walking into the store looking to view the necklace up close and personal.

But at first I couldn't find it. Darn! So in my desperation I flagged down the first sales rep I saw...btw, a very nice girl...and asked in a near whisper where I could find the necklace. She soon directed me to a display box on one of the tables. As I contained my shout of Ah Ha! she got her keys to open the box. She inserted the key and...the lock wouldn't open. She tried another key...again the same thing. Whaaaa is goin on I wanted to shout. Can't you see I need to see that necklace up close and personal?!

Of course I didn't say that I just smiled and said...well if you can't get the box open...But being a trooper she said, hold on I'm going to get the master key....which she did...which did not open the box either. In the end we tried all different types of keys with the help of one of the store mangers. But that necklace never made it out the box into my hand. Why? I have no idea.

In the end I admitted defeat to the gods of inspiration, said goodbye to the necklace and walked out the store as one frustrated jewelry lover. LOL. All in all I think it was best since the necklace cost around $200. I of course don't have an extra $200 laying around but it was nice to forget the price for a while and be inspired by the design.

Moving forward with Blogging for Beads Program

After many emails back and forth with the Artbeads Coordinator of the Blogging for Beads Program where I'd asked...yet again...what was the latest selection of jewelry goodies to choose from...I finally buckled down, picked my item AND sent in the order. I'm happy to say it arrived today. What did I choose?

Stoneware Rectangle Pendant - Spring Blooms and Ladybug

I chose this Stoneware Rectangle Pendant in Spring Blooms and Ladybug. I originally was going to chose one of the Hill Tribe Silver Pendants since I had a idea to use it with some fresh water pearls I've had stashed away to long. But after seeing the Stoneware pendants I felt my inspiration lead me down another path. Well, I better go and start being creative =)

Favorite Publication or Websites - Merry Go Round

It's Merry-Go-Round topic blogging time! This month's topic is to answer the question..."What is your favorite publication(s)? Is there a book, books, magazine, or web site that has become the bible of your art/craft?

I can't say I have one favorite publications or web sites for jewelry making. In the world of jewelry making there are many, many, many different sources for inspiration and information. Also, many web sites, magazines, etc start of being valuable but are now out of existence or has made company changes that affected my use of them.

As some of you know, there are literally thousands of styles and techniques to be found when it comes to jewelry making and design. Funny thing is, they all have a place since self-adornment is such a subjective thing. One persons diamonds can be compared to another persons trade beads.

But there is joy in variety right? So here is just a small variety of book, magazines and web sites I’ve found helpful and inspiring for many different reasons.

Books:

- The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity [10th Anniversary Edition] - A must have for any artist
- The New Beadwork - Love seeing how something simple like seed beads can be transformed in so many different ways.
- The Artist's Resource Handbook - Information, services, opportunities and advocacy.
- Crafters' Internet Handbook (Miscellaneous) - Even if your not an internet guru you can learn a few things from this book.

Magazines:

- www.lapidaryjournal.com - Combines both jewelry and lapidary info. Even has tutorials
- www.beadandbutton.com - Great all around for inspiration, projects, contests and info of all sorts

Web sites:

- www.jjill.com - Love the clothes and jewelry. Very modern
- www.neimanmarcus.com - Helps me keep up with the hottest jewelry and fashion trends
- www.beadshop.com - Beading tools, supplies, beads, classes, and jewelry repair
- www.artbeads.com - Includes Swarovski crystals, glass beads, gemstones, charms, wire, chain, and findings.
- www.firemountaingems.com - beads and beading supplies since 1973. Largest selection of beads and jewelry making supplies at wholesale prices.
- www.sunshineartist.com - Magazine for crafters. Includes listings, reviews, articles, and resources.
- www.snagmetalsmith.org - Society of North American Goldsmiths is the premier association for jewelry, design and metalsmithing.

Some jewelry designers / makers like to tap a certain section or style of jewelry making and make that their signature mark. While I do think it’s important to find your “niche” and to develop a look that customers can recognized you by….I don’t feel that you should limit your self when it comes to learning and being inspired. I find a lot of people lock themselves into a limited section creative and business wise.

Now there’s nothing wrong with that. If you find something that works for you then great…but if I had to look at magazines that only feature diamond and gold jewelry I’d get crossed eyed. LOL. Same with if I had to look at beads…gemstone and seedbeads… without any metalwork to add some flair. So my advice? Be open to checking out different things even if you don’t think it’s your style…you might just discover something new.

So that's my contribution for the Merry-Go-Round project this month. Wonder what the other members of the Merry-Go-Round crew shared? Go take a visit and see. Each month a group of creative folks get together, pick a topic and then blog about it at the same time...give or take a time zone.

Agathe @ Le Bar du Vent

Andreanna @ Glamasaurus

Charlotte @ Fancy Picnic

Fabienne @ Easterya

Jenny @ Jenny Karlsson Design

Lily @ Lily Pang Art

Marian @ Florcita

Ruth @ Birdland Creations

Sara @ Sara's Texture Crafts

Wendren @ Wren

Momfluence House of Gems iPhone Twitter Contest

iPhone Contest Details:

Anyone on Twitter who tweets with the hashtag #HouseofGems between Noon eastern Monday, June 22nd and noon eastern Saturday, June 27th will be entered to win an iPhone 3GS!

U.S. residents 18 years and older are eligible. The winner will be announced during the #houseofgems SiteWarming party Saturday, June 27th at 9 p.m. eastern

House of Gems "Bejeweled Giveaway" sweepstakes

House of Gems and Momfluence has teamed up to have a "Bejeweled Giveaway" sweepstake to introduce House of Gems and give ten lucky blog readers a chance to jumpstart their own jewelry making business or new hobby.


Contest Details:
Have you ever wanted to start your own handmade jewelry store on Etsy or Silkfair, but didn't know where to start? Maybe you already enjoy scrapbooking and knitting and thought beading might be worth a try, but weren't sure about the investment.

Now you can win a bracelet making kit plus $75 in product - a $100 value - by entering the "Bejeweled Giveaway" contest. Ten readers across the Momfluence network blogs will be chosen to win!

But there's more! Those ten winners will be able to submit a picture of their completed bracelet to the House of Gems, and one will be chosen to receive a $250 gift certificate, enough product to really jump start your business.

To Enter: Must choose one or more ways to enter

Option 1 - Subscribe to one or more of the House of Gems feeds found at http://www.houseofgems.com/feeds.aspx - each feed subscription counts as a new entry! Once you've subscribed fill out this entry form: http://cli.gs/ND4NMe

Option 2 - Blog about the "Bejeweled Giveaway" contest on your own site then fill out this entry from: http://cli.gs/ND4NMe

Join us on Twitter Saturday, June 27th at 9:00 p.m. eastern for a #houseofgems SiteWarming party where the 10 winners will be announced!

About the House of Gems:

House of Gems, Inc. (http://www.houseofgems.com) was established to provide quality beads, pearls, findings, pendants, chains and other jewelry making accessories at wholesale prices, directly to the consumer. The people behind Houseofgems.com have been in this business since 1992 and have an extensive network of designers, manufacturers and other direct suppliers to draw upon.

Since they have their own factories,craft shops and import directly, they have the best prices on quality products. Now, with the power of e-commerce they have eliminated the 'middle men', bringing their quality products at low wholesale jewelry prices, directly to your doorstep.

My Five Year Plan - Merry Go Round

It's Merry-Go-Round topic blogging time! This month's topic is to answer the question..."Five years ago did you think you'd be doing what you are doing now (craft/selling)? What has surprised you the most?"

Heck, I had a good chuckle at this question.  I'm doing nothing like I thought I would be.  Five years ago I was preparing to enter my 30's with excitement and plans of traveling.  I had worked all throughout my 20's, saved up a nice nest egg and had my heart set on getting lots of international stamps in my passport.

I had tried being a jewelry designer and decided it wasn't for me.  All that packing and unpacking, selling in the rain and bad weather, explaining to people why my earring cost this amount more then the person is the booth three rows down... and on and on and on...I had enough and had exchanged having a creative life for a life of travel.

As for kids, I had all so decided being a parent wasn't for me.  After all I tried settling down, being married and planning a family...twice...both times ended in divorce so I felt I gave that option a good chance.  Now I'll live for me and if need be adopt somewhere down the line.

Yup, I was all set to enjoy my coming years. But the universe has a way of tripping you off the path you think you should be on...so you can start following another path...maybe your true life's path? I dunno...While I don't believe in destiny I can see areas in our lives where after making changes we're do something only we could have done...does that make sense?

So somewhere in those 5 years my original plan was changed drastically.  I never did travel, I became a single mom and thru motherhood renewed my need to be creative.  Who would have thought? Certainly not me...I'm curious to know what changes the next 5 years will bring.

So that's my contribution for the Merry-Go-Round project this month. Each month a group of creative folks get together, pick a topic and then blog about it at the same time...give or take a time zone =). Wonder what the other members of the Merry-Go-Round crew shared? Go take a visit and see.

Agathe @ Le Bar du Vent

Andreanna @ Glamasaurus

Charlotte @ Fancy Picnic

Fabienne @ Easterya

Jenny @ Jenny Karlsson Design

Lily @ Lily Pang Art

Marian @ Florcita

Ruth @ Birdland Creations

Sara @ Sara's Texture Crafts

Wendren @ Wren