On AJE Blog ~ picking flowers on Etsy

Summer is nearing its end, but I'm still enjoying the lovely colors and inspirations! Come see my newest favorites from Etsy on Art Jewelry Elements blog today!

Have an inspired weekend!

On AJE Blog ~ two more pressed flower bead how-to designs

Yes, I'm making more pressed flower beads over at Art Jewelry Elements blog. These have been so much fun to make!

Join me here on AJE Blog to see how to make them.

Or go here to get some for your next jewelry creations.

Happy Saturday!

Making New Hearts

Happy Labor Day! First off, I want to say thanks to all of you who left comments and suggestions on my puppy dog post… I've had some internet connectivity issues so wasn't able to respond to them each personally… but, that doesn't mean I didn't read and appreciate them. I did. And the creative juices are flowing. :-) Thank you!

Today I have these new heart focal beads to show you:

I love rainbows, don't you? I few weeks back I saw a beautiful double rainbow—right after a particularly violent thunderstorm when the sky was still very dark with grey clouds and everything around was shimmering with raindrops—it was glorious!

I've redesigned the shape and made them about twice the size as my usual rainbow hearts. And my favorite new touch is the twisted or "twister" point. You can probably guess my inspiration behind that idea.

Sometimes I make a mold for beads so I can make the same one over and over again—I make basic rough molds (no fur, tail, eye detail) for my sleepy critters to keep size and shape consistent—but for these two hearts I simply shaped them freehand. I rolled each cloud individually and then I "drew" on the rainbow, rain, and sun details with a blunt ended needle.

And, then I painted them—my very favorite part—always!

I hope you like them! They're now in my shop here.

Now I'm off to redecorate my studio (i.e. rearrange tables, put away messy stuff, and dust). And then spend time with family and kitty.

Bead making starts again tomorrow!