Sea Shell Necklace

Princess length, 17.5 inches long not including the toggle clasps. Toggle clasps, on average, add on another inch. This length works well with crew and high neck lines. It can also be a contrast when wearing a low, plunging neckline.

The shell is made out of Amazonite. Amazonite got its name from the Amazon river. It is most commonly found in Brazil, india, as well as the United States and other places.

The brass spacer beads are vintage Ethiopian 8 mm brass.

As usual with my creations, the clasp is toggle.

If interested in purchasing this beautiful necklace, please go to my etsy.com online store Mary Janes Just Jewelry!

Simplicity at it's best bracelet

I made this bracelet from a pattern in one of my bead books. I have made a total of four of them. The first one took me about 3 hours (I had to learn a new stitch) and then I had to take it apart because the clasp was not right.  By the time I got to the fourth one, I could make it without looking at the directions and it took me less than an hour!

The bracelet is made out of bugle beads and cubes.  The clasp is made out of a button and peyote stitching.  When I think about how simple this was, I realize that this bracelet could be made using all types and sizes of seed beads!  I think I am going to have some fun experimenting with this one!

Soddering 101

Several weeks back, I took a soddering jewelry class.  I made three pendants, charms, or whatever you want to title them.  I had so much fun doing this!  I want to do it more. 

For my first pendant, I used a picture of myself and Lou from our wedding pictures.  I cut out our faces and glued them together, back to back.  Using two pieces of pre-cut glass, I cut the pictures to size.  Using cooper tape and soddering, I framed the pictures, one side is my picture and the other side is Lou's picture. 

For the second piece I used some little pictures that Tammy had in the store. Both pictures represent friendship and friends for life.  I have made it for a special friend of mine, only she doesn't know it yet.

Amber Remake

I made a necklace using these amber stones (fakes) with a pendant.  I never wore it after I made it because I really did not like the stones with the pendant so I took it all apart and remade the necklace using the stones and gold spacers of different shapes and sizes.  The stones are various shades of yellow, gold, white and bronze.  I like it much better now.  I tend to have a liking for things that are bigger and simple these days. And yes, that is a picture of my wonderful husband sitting on the desk behind the necklace! 

No Rhyme or Reason - Necklace

I was inspired by Tammy, owner of Tada Artisan and Bead Shop, for this necklace.  It is made of quite a few different and interesting beads and findings.  As my name of the piece depicts, there is no rhyme or reason for the various mediums used and the placement of them.  I love it and can't wait to wear it!

Blue Picasso beads, pendant, brass findings, spacers, and clasp.

This necklace is a remake of any earlier one I made that I did not like because it did not sit well. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of the first necklace. I like this one so much better!  And, it sits well too!  The pendant is fun. It can actually be worn with the other side of the pendant facing up and it would have a different look. Forgot to take a picture of that part!  The blue beads are called blue picasso beads. In between the blue picasso beads are blue glass cathedral beads. There are three different spacer beads, 15 each. Flat, round and smaller rounds. The clasp is brass as well.  I DO like my brass colored findings!