Etsy Treasuries

I first learned about Treasuries on Etsy when a pair of earrings I had in my store was selected for a Treasury named See the Beauty in Michigan: Purple to Blues.  I posted about it on this blog, it was one of my first posts - I was so excited!
Now I'm learning to create my own Treasuries and highlight some beautiful works by others.  I've made two so far: Celebrate Sodalite and A Mermaid's Dream.  Hope you enjoy!

Sodalite and Silver

The latest pair of Sodalite and Silver, new on Etsy today.  I've been learning more about Etsy and think I will create a Treasury of Sodalite.  Sodalite is said to balance the head and heart, promote peace and harmony as well as release stress, anger and fears.  It's a lovely color too!

Copper Caps

I love using bead caps!  The caps are copper - the bead in the middle is unknown material but I thought it went together well.  Made myself a similar pair but more vintaj in appearance.  These are going up on Etsy tonight.

Ready for the Craft Sale!

My husband made this display rack for me and I've been working hard to fill it up.  Marquette-Alger RESA has an annual craft sale and they allow me to participate since I work in the building.  Sale starts tomorrow and goes through mid December.  Working on 3 more very different designs that should be done in a week or so.  Here are some up close shots.  One click on the photo will enlarge for more detail.

coconut shell beads

teal n gold spiral 

blues n silver spiral

green and bronze

coconut shell beads w/copper caps

dark green and shiny gold

earrings

For my Seester!

My favorite matte metallic luster bronze Delica's with a Chrysocolla in Quartz stone.  Chrysocolla is hydrated copper silicate.

For my Niece

Not quite finished, (the thread cinches up the stone), for my niece in blues and greens.  I've found an ebay seller with side 2 side drilled stones and had been watching for a nice fluorite.  Completed and sent it off last week.

Sodalite with Sterling

 A matte blue grey Delica rope with sterling end caps, swarovski crystals and sodalite stone.

New spiral colors

I really enjoy making these spiral designs. This one has a combination of matte metallic luster bronze delicas sandwiched by two matte iris brown seeds. The large bead is a Miyuki size 8/0 matte metallic gold. The matte iris brown beads are actually greens, purples and blues of the most subtle of shades. Clicking on the photo will enlarge the image and if you look closely, you might be able to pick out these hues. This is my new favorite bead!

Another knotted necklace

This is such a fun design!  An earlier post shows one in a matte metallic gray with sterling silver focal beads and clasp.  This one was designed for my niece who wears gold tones well.  The focal beads are from an Etsy seller, Heritage Haven.  They are Naga Conch Shell beads, named after the tribal people of Northeast India who live in Nagaland.  Post title link will take you to more info.  My niece has probably been there - she's a mega world traveler!

I will gladly design a piece especially for you - just let me know your colors and take a look at some other designs to get ideas.  To my relatives - it's the holidays, time to let me know what you want... Click on "my designs" under Post Categories.

Beads ready for latest project - see next post...

Latest project - multiple colors and sizes

A trial with mixed colors and sizes. Delicas, size 11/0 seeds and size 8/0 seeds. Have enough strung for a very long necklace to go around twice? Or maybe several 16" necklaces with clasps. Not sure yet.

Closet up of Artistic Jasper Stone

I purchased some of these stones from the Silver Rae Bead Shop in Houghton, MI. This one is perfect with these Delicas! Already starting the next necklace with Delicas - Matte Luster Khaki.

Almost Done!

Just need to finish sewing the focal bead (Artistic Jasper) and the clasp. This is my first attempt with Delicas and I'm totally addicted now. These are the beads featured in an earlier post when I was learning tubular peyote. They are Matte Metallic Luster Bronze.

First finished bead crochet piece!

The focal beads and clasp on this are sterling silver. Beads used for the rope are Miyuki 8/0 Matte Metallic Gray. They have hues of copper, gold and green depending on how the light hits them. Learned a lot on this fun project. The design is from Bead and Button magazine.

Relax and be loose!

This is my second attempt at bead crochet using a matte metallic gray 8/0 Miyuki bead. The color will go with just about anything and appears different depending on what it's on. My first attempt at bead crochet ended up way too tight, so I'm learning to relax!

Bead Crochet - I'm doing it!

I love learning new techniques and this is a great combination of crochet and beading. I watched umpteen video tutorials online and found one that resembled the way I hold yarn when I crochet. It was in Russian! I got the jist of it though by watching it countless times. Starting is the hardest part. Had to use 6/0 beads and sock yarn with a 3.5mm hook. Once I figured it out, switched to these purple iris 8/0 beads and can't stop... Next is bead crochet with those beautiful delicas I used for tubular peyote.

My first attempt at Tubular Peyote

A rainy weekend and I'm trying some new beading techniques. I really want to make a bead rope and there's two ways to do it. Tubular peyote and bead crochet. I've got the hang of the tubular peyote and love these beads. They are Delica 11/0, matte metallic luster bronze. Now it's on to bead crochet. Beads are strung, here I go...

New beads - Yay!

These beauties are dyed crazy lace agate and I can't wait to make matching necklace and earring sets. They'll be on Etsy soon...

Silver Rae: worth the time to find.

So, I was on my home from a road trip and didn't need to be home for awhile. I was already about 15 minutes down the road (of a two hour trip), when I tried a trick my son taught me. Text "bead store" and the zip code to 466453 (Google) and hit send. A few seconds later an incoming text provided me with the name "Silver Rae" and the address and phone number. I called - by now I was on a mission and pulled off the side of the road. The store was open and I turned around!
It was a little hard to find, not having a store front, but a well placed sandwich sign on the sidewalk guided me to the second floor rooms where the beads awaited. Ah, a new selection of stones I'd never heard of! Kambaba jasper, Artistic jasper and gorgeous specimens of Rhyolite beads.
I spent a few hours pouring over the treasures and left a happy beader indeed. Found out that the store is officially open just one day a week, the day I happened to turn around. Kismet?

To Bead, or to Knit?...that is the question.

I started making earrings about a year ago, inspired by a friend and our local bead shop. I was in between knitting projects and it didn't take long to get addicted. I don't like using that word, but I had this feeling of euphoria and couldn't stop. I guess I'm a "binge" crafter and have discovered that there's a lot of us out there.

So it's May and I just finished up a few sweaters and ready to get back to my long neglected beads. Since I work best under pressure, I've also put up an Etsy store and have been learning to use our digital camera, but that's another story.