Liquid Gold Earrings

Who doesn't love the glitter of gold?  I recently found in my stash these little light-colored bugles - just big enough to get a needle into, but that's it.  They're a nice light golden color, not too harsh.  And of course, I went into my favorite stitch, herringbone.  When woven together they reminded me of liquid gold spun into a twirling rope. 

I paired them with these warm pink, top-drilled pearls to add a dangle to the center, creating truly "Classic" earrings that can go from the office to the party that night!

Soon to be in my shop:  http://www.terahclassycreations.etsy.com/!

Peacock Power!

I have really been intrigued by the peacock feathers I've seen in fashion, and jewelry lately.  Recently, while my sister was visiting from out of state, we went to Old Sacramento and had a really fun day.  When passing by a shop, I noticed a pretty top that had peacock feathers on it and little rhinestones.  Not overdone at all, but fun looking!  So after some well needed coaxing from my mom and sister, I ended up buying it.  Little did I realize that it had made a bigger impression than I thought.

Just The Feather So Far. . 

One day I sat at my beading table and thought, "I wonder if I could somehow make a free-form beaded version of a peacock feather?"  So I Googled some images of peacock feathers to see which ones I would like to use as my color inspiration.  They were ALL so beautiful.  Nature is always the best in the way of inspiration!  No wonder - It comes from the hands of the best artist!

So after playing around with color combinations from beads in my stash, and combining a few stitches, such as herringbone, St. Petersburg chain, and brick stitch, I had my feather!  It was so much fun and such a challenge at the same time!  The rest of the necklace was woven in herringbone and then surface embellished with dark colored gold-stone chips (a beautiful man-made stone).

Incidentally, I also made it for the December 2011 Challenge for Etsy Beadweaver's - Arabesque Style.  This style usually includes paisley patterns, interlocking vines, and motifs.  Granted, the style of this necklace is much less busy-looking than most Arabesque-style artwork, but I positioned the peacock feather in such a way as to evoke the image of a paisley pattern as well as attaching the crystal encrusted pendant which is in the shape of a paisley.  Additionally, the clasp reminded me of a curling vine that interlocks with the loop side when attached.  If you'd like see other bead artist's rendition of this style, go to Etsy-Beadweavers.blogspot.com between December 9 - 15, 2011.

So here's the final result - The Peacock Necklace.

 

The clasp is positioned on the side, with my tag - a new addition which I am pretty excited about!

The Whole Set!

Now every time I look at this necklace I will think fondly of the time I spent in Old Sacramento with my family - especially my sister!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale!!!!

The countdown begins!!!  Three days until the big event!  Everything in my shop will be discounted by 30%, and if you purchase over $100.00, there's no charge for shipping!

I don't know about you, but I'm excited!  This sale only lasts a couple of days.  So if you'd like to scope it out before the frenzy begins, visit me at TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com.

See you there!

Terah

Coming Soon. . .

Coming soon . . . to an etsy shop near you!   TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com, that is!

When I first started this blog I talked about my Victorian Panorama Purse.  Of course I was extremely excited about it because it took me so long to create!  Truly a tour de force!  At that time I decided to keep it around a while just so I could admire my handiwork a little longer.  (Actually, you'd think that after spending 4 - 6 months on it I wouldn't ever want to see it again, but it had the opposite effect!)

 

Something with that much heart, soul, and so much hard work invested in it is hard to part with!! 

So after much adieu I have finally decided to put it in my shop!!!  I hope it will go to someone who loves it as much as I!!!

Sincerely,

Terah

Sentimental Journey

Recently some friends of mine lost a close family member in death.  A beloved mother and grandmother.  She was in her late 90's, contributed greatly to the community, and will be sorely missed by many.  My heart goes out to them.

A few weeks ago I was given a necklace that her daughter received from her.  She asked me to use the beads to make her some jewelry with it.  I was excited but a little daunted by the fact that this was from her mother.  I forged ahead.  

I wish I would have taken some pictures of the necklace before I changed it.  It was a short, simple two-strand necklace with all red beads.  Very pretty.  However, the length needed to be changed a bit for her daughter to wear more frequently, and she requested matching clip-on earrings as well.  Here are the end results - a necklace, earrings, and bracelet. . . .

Another Taste of Treasuries!

Recently I introduced you to treasuries wherein I shared some that I created.  Now it's time to share some of the treasuries others have created that have included my items!  They include all kinds of interesting things!  Have fun!!

Perilously Perfect Peacocks

Surely They Have Purple In Paradise

The Day The Iris Bloomed

Another Time

Green Leaves

Soothing Colors

Wednesday Favorites

Lemon Tarts

Autumn Gold

Big Game Hunt

These are just a few.  I'll save the rest for another day.  So until another time. . . .

Chameleon Flower Ring Challenge

One of my friends mentioned the idea of making rings.  My first reaction was that they would have to be custom rings because of the range of sizes needed.  (She wanted something that many different people would be able to wear.)  She then mentioned that maybe I should make stretchy rings.  I initially shied away from this idea because I know that stretchy material is naturally not as strong, and may not last a long time.  Of course I want my work to last and reflect a certain quality.  This was in the back of my mind for about a month.  Then I stumbled upon a way to make an adjustable ring!!!!  Voila!!

So, I just sat down to "play" with the idea a little.  I used five cubic zirconiums found years earlier at a local gem faire - an amazing find!  I formed these droplets into a flower with Swarovski crystals clustered at the center.   Before placing it on the ring, I made a beaded network from size 15 seed beads.  And it worked!

But why is it a Chameleon Flower Ring?  Because the most intriguing element of this ring is the color of the cubic zirconiums!!  You see in regular daylight they are a very light violet color.  But to my surprise, when I went into a parking lot "product testing" the design, the petals transformed into a mysterious, almost glowing periwinkle blue!!!  Amazing - Just like a little Chameleon!  So if you get tired of the color, just change the lighting!!!

If you'd like to see it in person, this ring is available at my friends day spa:  Studio 12 Urban Day Spa.

More Girly Girl Things

This adorable girly football hat is also one of the items in the Girly Girl Treasury in my last post. This item comes from For The Love Crochet.  She sells cute crocheted hats like the one above.  If you'd like to see more of her work, visit:  Coffee4Ginny.etsy.com.  If you make hand-crafted items, and would like a chance to be featured on my blog just go to my shop:  TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com, and click on contact to send me a message.

Have fun!!!

Terah :-)

Treasuries!!

In my little etsy shop there's a feature called treasuries.  Every member gets to create a list of items that strike them at the moment - on any theme they'd like.  I have had some members feature my items, which I truly appreciate.  I have also made a few lists, and have neglected to share them with you!!  So here are the lists I have made!

Girly-Girl

(This is one of the items in the "Girly-Girl" treasury.  It can be found in the shop:  Metalmorphis.etsy.com.   She has kindly given me the permission to post this image here.  If you'd like to see more beautiful images, just click on the links.  :-)

Organically Beautiful

Fall Collage

Color Me Happy

I hope you enjoy them!!! 

Six Month Anniversary Sale!!

It's time to celebrate!!!! 

Yes, my little shop, TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com, has now been open for six months!!  To say thank you, I would like to offer a 30% off your entire purchase! 

Just enter the coupon code:  CELEBRATESIXMONTHS when you check out!

And as always, if you  purchase $100.00 or more (before tax & shipping), shipping is free!

Have fun!!!

Terah :-)

Introducing the Beach Bracelet!!!

Finished!!! 

 A couple of weeks ago, I gave you a sneak peek into my creative process in the post, A Bracelet In Design Stages.  Well, things went pretty well.  Along the way I toyed with the idea of using actual shells for the button loop closure, but that didn't quite work out.  But I think the end result is even better.  I went to my local bead shop and found this BEAUTIFUL Swarovski crystal button in a soft golden color.




  It was absolutely perfect!!!  The swish of the wave of bubbly beads around the crystal button acts as the closure, but also mimics the movement of a curling wave in the ocean!!!

(Technical info:  Because of the difference in size from the blue beads to the sand-colored beads, I had to work some blue rows in two-drop herringbone while the "sand" stayed one-drop herringbone.  Happily, It made a nice curve that fits the natural shape of the wrist/arm.)

 Also, I am absolutely enthralled with the satin-silk finish in Delicas.  They truly make any piece extra special, and I am in love.  In this piece they are reminiscent of the shimmering of the sands and the dance of  light on the ocean.

 I almost feel like I can hear the rushing of the surf against my heels, the cry of the seagulls and smell the fresh sea air!!!  Ahhhh!!!

This bracelet will be available in my shop very soon!!!

Second Place Is Great!!!

Who ever said that second place is only second best!  I beg to differ - I'm ecstatic!  Thanks to some VERY great friends who I know were rooting for me, I made second place in the popular vote!  For my first-ever contest entry, this is more than I hoped for!

I want to thank everyone for going to the Etsy Beadweaver's Blog & letting them know you like my Lions & Tigers Beadwoven Tile Bracelet!!!!!

P.S. I'm sure I'll be entering more of these contests in the future, so stay tuned!!!

Sincerely,

Terah ;-)
TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com

A Bracelet In Design Stages

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how my creative process goes sometimes.  This bracelet started from the colors I found at the bead shop - specifically the little 3 millimeter magatamas.  Their color and shape reminded me of the bubbles and froth that come up on the seashore (a refreshing transparent blue that hint of sandy undertones)  - so from there the ideas flowed.

I got home and went through my beads and found another color for the deep-blue portion of my ocean, the lighter portion for the shallows, and the beautiful shimmery satin sandy color for the beach.






Yet another day I was sitting in the car waiting for a friend and found a friendly napkin on which to doodle my design - very official really.  :-)

So here's just a little sneak peek . . . I'll post the bracelet when it's finished.  (We'll see if it resembles the sketch at all  -  sometimes I just let the beads lead me and go with the flow, depending on what ends up being best at the time.)

Something Simple

Every once in a while it's nice to make something that doesn't take me days to create.  It kind of changes things up a bit.  So I broke out some of my shells and pearls and did some stringing with them.




This is what I came up with.  The name of it is the Coral Shell & Pearl Bracelet.  I also made some matching earrings.  The whole set will be off to Studio 12 Urban Day Spa in Modesto!





This is also to show everyone how I'm packaging my jewelry right now.  Since each piece I make is different, I make a custom card for each piece.  Bigger things like necklaces will come in boxes.  What do you think?  Any more packaging ideas out there?

Just A Reminder

Hi!

It's me again. . . . Just wanted to remind everyone to visit the Etsy Beadweaver's Blog  (September 9 - 15, 2011) to let them know which piece you like best for the September Challenge.

Don't worry, you don't have to pick my bracelet (psst . . ., it's the Lions & Tigers Beadwoven Tile Bracelet).
I promise I won't hunt you down . . . at least not this time!  :-)

I'm In Beadwork Magazine!!!!

EEEeeeek!!!  That's about what I did today when I went to my mailbox!!  You see, I received my issue of the October/November 2011 issue of Beadwork today!

I usually like getting it, but this time I was especially excited because my version of the Brilliant Buckle Bracelet was featured in their W.O.R.D. (What Our Readers Did) section.  I was so excited, I just had to share!!  If you're wondering what I'm talking about, here's the link to the original post about this bracelet when I first made it!  (And this is the VERY picture that appears in their magazine!! :->)

http://terahsclassiccreations.blogspot.com/2011/02/buckle-bracelet.html

So go out and look in the October/November issue of Beadwork, on page 10 & you'll see what I mean!!  You can say you saw it here first!!  :-)

Now it's time for me to do the dance of joy!!!

'Lions and Tigers' Beadwoven Tile Bracelet

A while ago I posted 10 Ways To Break A Creative Slump.  Since then I realized there's another great way to get inspired. . . . 

Join some sort of a group that is into creative challenges!  For example, I'm part of a group called Etsy Beadweavers.  To be part of this group we have to enter one of their 12 creative challenges per year.  I hadn't been able to enter it yet, because of my own time constraints.  But the challenge for September is "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!  - a throw-back to The Wizard of Oz!  This really got the ideas flowing!  Just the name is very indicative of the piece I chose to make.

I'm calling it "'Lions and Tigers' Beadwoven Tile Bracelet."  

 Can you see why I called it that?

Any guesses?

.

I decided to make a "fabric" square (or tile) of beaded tiger stripes, and then chose a swirly gold pattern to represent the lion.  Ironically the tile containing the swirls also could represent the "twister" that picked Dorothy up and took her to the land of Oz!  I love that it has a double-meaning!  The gold frames on each of the beaded tiles and the gold-tone metal connectors represent the yellow-brick road.  (Incidentally, the bracelet itself could represent the road, since it looks like a path of stepping stones leading you somewhere!)

If you look closely you will notice the faceted red crystals that connect the "tiles" of beaded fabric mimic the  color of Dorothy's ruby slippers.  Finally, I chose to use two tiny, box clasps in the shape of bows to finish it, just like the bows on her iconic, sparkly ruby slippers.

So this will be my first submission to an Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge!!!  This will be fun!!  So don't forget to take a look at the Etsy Beadweavers blog!  It shows all the entries, and from September 9 -15, you can put your two cents in, and let them know which piece is your favorite!!