More Jewelry Making

A little while ago i had a play date with some of my co-workers.  We spent the day making jewelry. Well we enjoyed ourselves so much we had a repeat event this past Saturday.  We met at my house around noon and had a lovely pot luck luncheon by the pool.

Then we got started. I worked on this piece.  I picked up the vintage rose pin at the Rose Bowl Flea market last year.  I wanted to make an asymmetrical necklace using the pin as the center piece. I had some rosary beads i wanted to incorporate - but the chain was too gold for the gunmetal of the pin.  So i made the rosary MYSELF - yeah!!

I used assorted glass, silver and vintage rhinestones - using the wire wrapping technique.

This is a crystal from a chandelier!

Next i worked on this pretty pink necklace.  I used the sterling silver wire i was "saving" until i was good enough at wire wrapping - since it is pricey.  Not sure i like it = with the right outfit it will be nice.

I used a bone carved rose as a the focal point and some vintage bits from my button box.

I had picked up some fresh water pearls in soft hues - but they didn't work with the other pink necklace - so i made this one.  More delicate - with sterling silver chain.

I love the organic softness.

I continued making necklaces on Sunday and made this one using glass beads, gunmetal chain from Michael's and more wire wrapping.

I had actually started this one about 5 years ago!  I had the glass leaves and started to make a bracelet.  I turned it into this necklace.

Here's everything i made - including the copper flower on the left i somehow forgot to photograph.

Oh - but then before i put everything away i made this with assorted green and orangey red glass beads and antique gold circle chain from Michaels.

I get into a rhythm making wire wrapped clusters and just connect them as i go.

Oh yeah - i also made a bracelet.  This was assembled with elastic thread, pretty little beads and some shell buttons.

Very soft and comfy on the wrist.

Here are pictures of the things that my friends made:

What a great way to spend the weekend.  To top it off, Saturday night we went to see a contemporary gospel choir performance. One of my co-workers is in the group.  They were fantastic!

Look What I Found...!

The theme this week for the Mixed Media Monday Challenge is "look what i found" - with instructions to translate as your whims take you. I think my new owl necklace is a perfect entry!  I had a play date on Saturday with some co-workers.  Read about our prior adventures HERE and HERE.  This time we all wanted to try jewelry making.  I grabbed a bunch of beading supplies and we met at a local bead store, The San Gabriel Bead Company.  This cute little owl was hiding in my stash.  I am pretty sure i picked it up at an estate sale a few years ago.  I thought  - why not create a cool vintage looking necklace to honour this fine bird?

This is the first necklace i made at the play date.  (or rather started it, because i had to leave too early.  Too much fun at the store, plus a yummy lunch ate into our play date time)

I knew i wanted to make something asymmetrical and all mixed up.

I wanted to learn how to do wire wrapping.  Well Youtube to the rescue - once i saw two or three videos i was absolutely hooked!

I want to wire wrap every chunky bead i can get my hands on!!

So simple  - and so beautifully hand made. 

Here is the lovely mess we made at Jeanette's.  Wow!!

Here are some of the things the group was working on when i had to leave:

And look how much we had!!

I bought more supplies to make more necklaces.  Once i have mastered wire wrapping i'd like to use sterling silver wire and chain to make something pretty with this selection of pink glass pearls and beads.

I also bought a "blank" to make one of these vintage typewriter key bracelets.  I have been hoarding the letters just waiting for the perfect project.  I purchased this bracelet - and as cool as it is - those are letter stickers, not real keys. So i can make one myself!

I also want to create something out of this necklace i started using beads and buttons and waxed linen twine.

And here is another work in progress. So much fun.  Just the perfect new hobby to work on while my husband watches baseball games this summer! So yes, Mixed Media Monday - Looks like i found a new obsession...!!