LadyGypsy.net – the blog of Kimberly Dowd of New Jersey

I have a lot of beading supplies these days. Enough to fill a plastic four drawer unit that sits next to my desk. But that’s not always practical when I’m working on one or two projects. I’m too lazy to put everything away and pull it all back out.

So what I’ve been doing is saving Tazo tea tins and using them to hold all of the beads, wire, and findings I need for each project.

The tins are even big enough to hold my wire cutters and pliers if I decide to take my projects with me. To keep them organized as I collect more tins, I just tape the name of the project on the outside.

Here is a sampling of my craftiness. It’s neat to see the evolution through the years. Now all I need to do is bring some to work with me and open the darn Etsy shop already!!!

aka “Stupid beading tricks with no beads.”

I’ve been in a long dry streak, creativity-wise. I have drawers full of jewelry making components and no idea what to do with them. I get caught up looking at other jewelry for hours, then completely choke and not make any of my own. I don’t know if I think I can’t create anything stylish or attractive or what, but it was really getting me down. I’d put beads and findings together and hate what I came up with

So I decided to put the beads away and stick with wire.

This is a 2×2 chain maille bracelet.

Gold and silver tone 18 gauge rings

I really like how it turned out. I worked on it off and on all day yesterday while I was playing World of Warcraft. And since it’s coated copper, it’s pretty light.

Have I mentioned I bought a ring mandrel? Well, I did. And today I figuredd it was high time I made a ring. So with the help of this rosette ring tutorial I did!

22 gauge antique copper finished wire

It’s pretty, and the sharp bits of wire don’t hurt too much. (Kidding)

I have BlogHer ads here, as you may have noticed. The difference between the BlogHer ads and the Google ads is phenomenal. Meaning, I actually get money from BlogHer, as opposed to running the Google ads for nearly 2 years and not making enough money to have them disburse a check, thereby giving them FREE impressions.

Blah. Enough about that.

I don’t make enough money to pay for hosting the blog. I’m not in it for the money else I’d have quit this years ago. But the checks are a nice little gift, and I use them to buy beads.

Behold!

Christmas vomited on my desk.

I ordered a bunch of Swarovski crystals — it’s much cheaper to do this online than in person at Michael’s — and some sterling silver snowflake charms and oval jump rings. The wire swirls were created by me using some Parawire and some red, green and gold colored seed beads. My plan is to combine all of this sparkle into some holiday earrings.