One-Year Anniversary!

I'm celebrating the one-year anniversary of my shop:  TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com!  Okay, the anniversary was actually in April, but better late than never right?  So I'm having a belated one-year anniversary SALE! 

Now through June 10, 2012, everything in my shop is on sale.  You don't need a coupon code - everything's already marked down.

So have fun with it!

Sincerely,

Terah
Terah's Classic Creations, a.k.a.
TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com

Venturing Out to New Things!

For some reason, the last few weeks I've been in one of my learn everything binges.  I've been engrossed in the viking knit technique.  It's really pretty, and I've been wanting to learn it for a few years.  I finally decided to go for it!    This necklace is the result.

There's actually more of a story to this necklace.  The pendant is something I found on a spur-of-the-moment girls-day-out I had a while ago with my Mom.  It was so memorable for a couple of reasons.  It was really nice because I went to Sonora (a cute little town in the foothills of California with lots of quaint little shops).

We decided to look around a little and went to a park area, and believe it or not I actually ran into some people I hadn't seen in years!  It was a family that my husband and I had stayed with in Panama a few years ago on vacation.  They happened to be in the area only briefly and had decided to go to Sonora that day!  What an AMAZING coincidence!  So there's some really good memories associated with this necklace.

It was a great little vacation day, and I finally put it all together to make this cottage-chic style necklace.  I call it my "Rose Garden" necklace because of the pearls that I added to the pendant.  They look like rose buds to me that are climbing up a pearlescent wall.  (Incidentally this pendant is a shell that has pearls captured in the surface - also called a Blister Pearl.)

So then I added a ribbon to the back of the necklace.  It clasps on the side using an "S-hook" style clasp.  On the other side is a little bow - to add just a touch of sweetness. . . .




So - you thought I was done?  Ha!  Well later this week I also decided to tackle a project that has been a long time in the making. 


I've actually been a crocheter and knitter for a while in addition to my jewelry fetish.  My grandma taught me the basics of crochet when I was young and I wanted to expand my skills.  So I started a project that was quite large - a blanket! 

I've actually been working on this big blanket for a while.  It had been tucked away, and I thought it was a good time to take it out again.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I thought I had a lot farther to go, but it was almost done. (It had been with me on a few vacations over a few years - something to do on long road trips.) 

So this week it was completed!  Ahhh!  As many of you creative types probably know - it seems like there's always a few projects that sit half done for a while.  I love the feeling of going back to it, and finally putting the finishing touches on it - it's SO satisfying.  The result is this cozy number.  

By the way, the ribbing on this blanket came from how my grandma taught me to crochet. It's a variation on the regular technique.  I learned later that most crocheted fabric doesn't have this effect.  (It comes from inserting the hook through one loop instead of two when starting the stitch.)  Since, I love ribbing, AND this is a direct result of my grandma's teaching, it makes me love it even more.

ALSO, this is my first addition to my shop that includes fiber work - something I plan to include more of in the future as I have also gone crazy for lace knitting!

Both the necklace and the blanket are available in my shop:  www.TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com!

So next time. . will it be jewelry?  Will it be fiber-work?  Mmmm....you'll have to wait and see!  ;-)

As always, HAVE FUN!

Sincerely,

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

Nautical

What would you think of if someone told you to make something with a Nautical theme?  That's just what Etsy Beadweaavers did.  I made something a little more abstract, representing the bubbles in the ocean, using grey and blue seed beads, swarovski crystals, and a metal focal piece with inlaid crystals. 

But if you'd like to see what everyone else came up with, feel free to visit: http://www.etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com/. Take a look!  You can vote for your favorite through May 15, 2011. 

So take a look at all the wonderful pieces everyone made - a feast for the eyes!

Sincerely,

Terah
TerahClassyCreations.etsy.com

Sunshine in Darkness

Recently a friend that was an essential part of my life growing up, specifically in my teenage years, is suddenly gone.  I still can't believe that it happened.  He was an innocent civilian that was doing his job, when someone gunned him down out of nowhere.  I still can't believe it.

The day of his memorial was surreal, and I can only imagine what his family must be feeling.

Of course, as it is part of my way of coping, I had to escape.  This little flower offered to brighten my day - a little bit of yellow sunshine on a dark day.  The result is this necklace.  Instead of my usual project that takes a VERY long time to create, I needed something different.

This necklace seems to be a little symbolic somehow - the dark obstacles that life sends our way, but how eventually the sun will come out, and everything will eventually be put to right (Rev. 21:4).  Hope out of darkness.

Here's Lookin' At You!

I just couldn't resist!  With my latest buckle bracelet design being in the shape of an eye, this catchy little phrase just seemed to fit!

I used my Swirly Bracelet Band Pattern (available at www.TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com) in a little different color-way - varying shades and saturations of purple.  It really gives it a different look - almost more like a brocade pattern. 

But the reall clincher is the buckle.  I created it with silver, metallic beads and formed an eye shape (or a marquis shape, all depending on how you want to look at it)!  This was a challenge, and very enjoyable to create. 

And of course, the credit for this idea goes straight to one of my wonderful customers!

So, if you have any ideas you think I should try, feel free to contact me through my shop or by commenting on this blog!!

Sincerely,

Terah
TerahsClassicCreations, a.k.a.,
TerahClassyCreations.Etsy.com

I've Been Featured . . . . !!!!!!

I can't believe it!  I've been featured on "The Jewelry Observer"!   
 It came as such a nice surprise to me, that I can't really express it.  I answered their questions quite a while ago, and have been so busy lately that it wasn't even on my mind.  So this feature is almost like a gift was set on my doorstep!  Well, enough of my small talk, if you'd like to see it, here's the link:  http://www.jewelryobserver.com/2012/03/30/beaded-jewelry-by-terahs-classic-creations/

And as always, have fun!

Terah

http://www.terahclassycreations.etsy.com/

Brought Back by Diamond Buckles!

Sometimes life gets in the way.  I've been very busy learning a new language.  It's exciting, and I'm looking forward to becoming more fluent.  It may just open up many more opportunities - a whole other world of people to talk to.  Anyway, I've been pouring myself into that and haven't had much time to create lately.  Here in California it already feels like spring and I found myself sitting at my keyboard justing playing and enjoying the bright, cheerful sunlight streaming through the window.  Ahhh, so nice.  Well, with all my blabber aside, I haven't been completely bereft of creating lately.  I just haven't had many chances to share them with you.  Here are some examples:

This bracelet is actually thanks to a customer who specifically asked for this diamond shaped design!  I'm so grateful for inspiring people like her!  It really keeps me going!  The earrings (bottom picture) were actually a product of making the diamond buckle just a little too small at first.  So instead of scrapping the work, I decided to create some bold, geometric earrings!  Thanks again for the wonderful ideas!  I am working on another design right now that uses a different shaped buckle. . . . So stay tuned for that one!  :-D

Thanks again for the wonderful inspiration and input from everyone!

Sincerely,

Terah

(If you'd like to see more, visit my shop at http://www.terahclassycreations.etsy.com/.)