ZnetShows Summer Bling

As a design partner, I am often asked to create designs for ZnetShows.  They will send me a little bundle of beads to play with.  Summer is almost hear and so this new challenge is for creating summer jewelry.  We got to pick out 2 colors, I chose pink and yellow.  So on Thursday I received my bundle and this is what I received.

I am quite excited about this challenge because we were asked to make a piece that is for everyday wear and a formal evening piece.  I have a couple of ideas, but I need to get to the drawing board and start drawing up my ideas.  Im thinking that sterling silver will be for the evening wear and copper for the everyday wear...  check back soon and see the progress of my creations.  You can also just follow me and get the updates..

Thanks for stopping by...  ENjoy your weekend.

Cabochons

Well, I think I got the right mix of things now with my newest creations, Cabs!  Cabochons have been very interesting to me these days and I have seen sooo many beautiful ways to make them.  I decided I would put my own touch into making these little creations.  I have had several rejects which I will share with you here...  But now that I think I have it going good, I went ahead and listed them on my etsy which I will give you the links below

This is my first piece. It looks great, but is too thin...but its still a nice piece.

This is really pretty but when I put the resin on top, I did it wrong and the resin ended up being really thick and has a lip on it that I need to remove.

Basically I still have these 3 pieces.  The orange starfish I made into a pendent and its going to be on a beautiful necklace which you will get to see soon..  I promise, it will be well worth the wait!

In the first batch, I lost 2 pieces due to the resin leaking past the tape.  I learned later from an awesome group of ladies on a facebook group I belong to, how to do the resin the correct way.  Phew!  So glad to have beading buddies!

What I do, is hand draw on the piece with pencil, shade it in with pencil, add the water colors, then spruce it up some with white acrylic paint and a hint of ink pens.  Heat set them and put a layer of resin on top to add that extra shine and it also helps with the durability of the cab.  I tried 3 different brands of clay.  One, which I have to order is the Kato clay...love it!  Second is the Craft Clay which is the Michaels brand...HATE IT! and Sculpy 3 which works really well but is not quite strong, but I do like how easy it is to work with.  I have used Sculpy clay for a long time with just other stuff, but not as a cabochon.  I think since I dont have to order the clay and its easily found at Michaels, I will just continue to use this.  I will do a clay comparison later..

So, now for the final fun creations... Now available on my Etsy shop...

Pink Starfish

Sunrise Whale

Sunset Whale