More Beadwoven Goodies!

Has it been three months since I last posted?  Really?!!!!  Wow, well there's a lot to catch up on!

Here's a few of my new creations:

1.

 

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166865915/asymmetrical-bracelet-beaded-turquoise?

The bracelet above was inspired by the new two-hole twin beads (the ones in turquoise and gold/coppery tones).  I had to see what I could do with them.  So after a little playing around, this bracelet emerged!  The main part is all beadwoven.  The toggle was a portion of a viking knit necklace I had made, and I hammered and wire wrapped the circular part to compliment the beadwoven section of the bracelet.  (I can't help but think that it looks like a fun little ferris wheel!  :-D)  I finished it up with my own hand-stamped tag with my logo.  But if you'd like to personalize it with your own tag, you can - for yourself or as a gift!  This asymmetrical, rustic, bracelet is great for every-day wear or even something a touch more fancy!

2.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167943762/galaxy-earrings-beadwoven-in-blue-brown?

These fun earrings, I like to call my Galaxy Earrings, have been entered into Etsy Beadweaver's Challenge for December.  So if you'd like to look at all the entries, go to this link between December 9 - 15, 2013:  http://etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/.  I'm sure you're going to see lot's of beaded beauties!  These earrings feature a focal bead made of ceramic.  I loved the swirling colors of the beads - and that's where the name from - it's like a swirling galaxy.  I suspended them from a copper chain and and my own hand formed and hammered ear wires.  The fun part was the beaded fringe that radiates from the bottom in shimmering blues!  So much fun!  These would be great with jeans!!!

3. 

 

 

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169882796/celtic-princess-necklace-beadwoven?

 

 

This Celtic Princess necklace was inspired by the tiny, organic looking cube beads, and two holed lentil beads I had just gotten.  Then I also saw a movie where the actress was wearing a very striking necklace that had this basic shape.  So I created the viking knit cord and attached it to the beaded portion with includes a large Swarovski Crystal!   The golden hued, mottled texture of the beads reminds me of a mosaic, and exudes old-world charm!  This one-of-a-kind necklace can be personalized with your monogram too!  Just check out the listing in my shop (link above)!     And that brings me to number four.

 

4.  The necklace just had to have earrings!  So I created a similar shape with the beads, added a small crystal, and 14-karat gold-plated chain and french hooks to create these matching earrings!  

 

 

 

It's been fun creating these pieces!  I hope you find some inspiration here as well!  Also, don't forget to follow me on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/TerahsClassicCreationsStudio) to keep up with SALES and to get up-to-the-moment insider information!  Yes, there may just be a sale going right now!  :-)

 

 

Have fun!!!!

 

Sincerely,

 

Terah

TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com

http://twitter.com/TerahsClassicCr

http://www.pinterest.com/terahsclassics



Make a Statement . . . Bracelet - Coming Soon

I'm pretty excited about this bracelet!  It's a very wide version of the Marquis Buckle Bracelet (Here's the original version:  http://terahsclassiccreations.blogspot.com/2012/04/heres-lookin-at-you.html).  It's actually a whole other pattern for the band that I was trying out.  I designed it and decided to double the width of the band just for fun!

It took quite a while from design stages to actual finished product.  But I just finished it today, and couldn't wait to tell you about it!  The color is a vibrant turquoise/teal color.  The band has matte, shiny, and ceylon finishes in a swirly pattern.  I don't know why, I just love little swirls - they're so free, but classy at the same time.

I paired it with my newly-designed Marquis Buckle that I actually created while writing my tutorial for the Marquis Buckle Bracelet.  (If your interested in that, here it is:



http://www.etsy.com/listing/104092298/pdf-pattern-beadwoven-marquis-buckle)

I will hopefully have the pattern up for this bracelet in a while.  In the meantime, I'm sending it off to a professional photographer.  (Yay!  This is a first.  I'm sending a few other new pieces off along with this one.  I can't wait to see how they turn out!)  For now, you'll have to settle for my pictures of it.  :-)  So. . this will be coming soon to a TerahClassyCreations near you!

Oh yeah!  and I included some pictures of it in-progress on my new "About" page in my shop!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/TerahClassyCreations/about/

Enjoy!  And as always, have fun!

Terah
Terahs Classic Creations, a.k.a
TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com

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. . . .

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!!!

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?

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!!

Name Quest Winner!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered their name suggestions either through this blog, through my facebook page or directly to me via e-mail.  Many of them included elements that I would have never conceived of if left to myself.  That's the beauty of this contest!  It expands all of our horizons.  All of the names were so great that I had a REALLY hard time deciding on the winning name.  But the decision had to be made . . .

So, without further adieu . . .(let the drumroll begin) . . . The new name of this bracelet is . . .  Crimson's Crystal !!!.  Congratulations Amanda!  She will be receiving her choice of 25% off anything in my shop or the free PDF version of the band pattern for her personal use.  Be sure to look for it at my etsy shop soon!

Name Quest - One Week To Go!

Okay. . I've finished the bracelet.  Here it is!!  I love the Satin Silk Delicas -  I used them in the buckle portion exclusively and more sparingly in the band.  They shimmer so beautifully!  This one is like the Swirly Buckle Bracelet but in a little different color scheme.

It is more evocative of evening-wear -  more shimmery and decadent while the band is more subdued.  It finishes with a copper swirl that fits around a red, faceted crystal.

Maybe the above description will help get everyones imaginations going.  Because remember, the "Name Quest" still goes on . . . for one more week!  Your last chance to comment and enter the contest is Sunday, May 29, 2011 (by 11:59 p.m. PST). 

So brainstorm and let me know your name - amazing, funny, descriptive, catchy, etcetera, etcetera. . . . I'm open to suggestions! Thank you so much to those who have already commented and entered this contest! So far the suggestions I have are: Jungle Buckle or Safari Swirl.

The winner gets their choice of a 25% DISCOUNT off my etsy shop OR a FREE peyote pattern (designed by me) for the band portion of this bracelet (in PDF format). 

I will announce the winner on Monday, May 30th.  So keep up the great work!  You can comment directly on this blog, e-mail me through the blog, or comment on my Facebook page!

Second Swirly Buckle Bracelet - Name Quest!!

So if anyone has looked at my Works In Progress page, you've probably already seen my newest version of the Swirly Buckle Bracelet.  But just in case you haven't, here is a picture:


The picture was when I first started it, but now I'm almost done, and will be posting the finished bracelet here in about a week (or less)!!  I'm pretty excited about it (as I always am when finishing a new project).  I'm going to make the buckle for it in white and khaki green I think - still toying with the idea of adding another color as well. :-)  Maybe the dark metallic that's already in the bracelet . . hmmmm.

But enough about me - What do you think?  I'm thinking of calling it the Swirly Safari Buckle Bracelet, or maybe just Safari Buckle Bracelet.  I'm open to witty, funny, descriptive - actually any and all name suggestions!!! 

The quest is on!  Just click on comments or send me an e-mail via the blog by clicking on the envelope.  I'll send the winner a prize - your choice of 25% off any item in my etsy shop or the free charted peyote pattern (my own original pattern) sent to you by PDF!!!

Swirly Buckle Bracelet

 Here's the latest - the Swirly Buckle Bracelet!!!  This is kind of a fun and funky version of the original Buckle Bracelet!  The pattern on it reminds me of the illustrations of swirling windstorms in ancient drawings.  I designed this "swirly" pattern especially for this bracelet.

The swirly design is mimicked in it's clasp (shown above - made with non-tarnish square wire).

This design works pretty much like a belt (but for your wrist)  The smaller end is threaded through the opposite side, through the buckle, and the metal clasp hooks onto the 

Swarovki crystal at this end of the bracelet.

Which ends up looking like this!!!

To get a better perspective, here is the entire bracelet laying out flat.  I used various textures and finishes of Delicas in this creation - silver-lined, matte metallic, to opaque.  So even though there are two variations of greyish-silver in the background, it's still loaded with visual interest and impact.  So what does everyone think?  I'm already working on another slight color-variation to this pattern.  But what do you want to see next?  Blues?  Earth tones?  Just metallics?  Yellow/black?  Let me know - I'm all ears!

SOLD

Embroidered Buckle Bracelet

Here is my latest variation of the buckle bracelet!  It uses a ceramic donut pendant as the buckle, and features embroidery that integrates the pearl clasp which is poked through a hole in the band!  My husband says this looks a little hippyish, but I like it!  Tell me what you think! (This image has been altered - but only by changing the background.)

Buckle Bracelet

Enter the amazing Buckle Bracelet!!!  I just tried this project from the newest Beadwork magazine!!  This is just such a bold design.  It's so versatile - casual or dressy!!!  (I changed it a little - used larger beads for the cuff.)

This fired the imagination.  I think I'm going to try different variations using the buckle idea & see where it takes me.  Maybe different sizes and shapes for the buckle - a different type of cuff.  Still in the idea process - we'll see where it takes me!!  I'm open for ideas & suggestion. I will keep you posted!

Don't forget to let me know what you think!!  You can comment here directly on my blog, e-mail me through the blog, etc.

Diamonds are Forever

This bracelet is absolutely my newest creation!  The inspiration this time was directly out of Beadwork Magazine.  The three-dimensional design really caught my eye.  I changed it, but only a little.  The beads I used are all slightly larger than those called for in the magazine, which made it more bold!  (I used size 8 seed beads, size 10 delicas, and size 11 charlottes.)  Also, I "strung" it using two strands for more stability, and went with a flashy hot pink and black for the high contrast.  This was a lot of fun to make, and even more fun to wear!  ***AVAILABLE***

Tigress

Can't you just hear it roar!!! I love the fun, bold statement this bracelet makes! The ceramic beads just beckon to be touched - especially when paired with the tiger-striped pillow beads. You may not be able to tell in the picture, but the off-white beads used are a satin-finish delica - they really do look like a shimmery, satin sheet. The pairing of decadence & wild earthiness make this piece special.

Tigress is the result of trying out a new concept. I worked the top of the pillow beads in patterned herringbone and worked up the back and sides with a modified peyote, using the idea of short rows (used in knitting) to make the half-dome shape. It worked out beautifully! The beading on the toggle and bar finishes the overall look as well as physically balancing it. I know you'll have as much fun wearing this as I did creating it!!!! **AVAILABLE**

Celtic Reflections

Talk about adventures in beading! This design was the real epiphany! I wondered if some traditional knitting cable-patterns could also be translated to beadwork with the new herringbone-cable technique. Excitedly, I tried it out, and voila!!.. This bracelet emerged! The waving edges are just a product of the technique. The same amount of beads are used throughout the width of the piece. I used cubes (1.5mm) for the background, matte triangle beads for the edges and size 8 two-cuts (I believe) for the rope pattern, and size 8 delicas for the end sections. I later added the berry-colored button pearls for a finishing touch. **AVAILABLE**