Vintage Rosary Necklaces

I've recently been blessed to acquire several beautiful vintage rosaries. A few were given to me by close friends who wanted a special remembrance of a family member, others were found at local antique markets. Somehow these beautiful pieces found their way to me; and now I am creating some really wonderfully reverent pieces to share with you. I'm experimenting with assemblage and recreation; all the while being very mindful to honor the antique value of these sacred devotionals. Here are a few samples of recent pieces:

Visit my shop on etsy to see more: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellathebead

A Special Order Story

I got a FB message at about 5:15 on Friday evening from a FB friend asking if I would make a special pair of earrings and matching bracelet for her daughter to wear to an upcoming Cory Smith concert. She was planning to wear a lacey, white dress with “cowgirl” boots and was hoping I could make the perfect accessories for her outfit. NO problem. This is the kind of special request I thrive on! I could already picture the outfit and knew exactly what would look great with it. So we messaged back and forth a few times to get the details just right and I told her I’d have the earrings ready for her by Monday.

…pause…

wait for it…

She needed the pieces by the next day…the concert was the next day! (This is where I start paddling like the baby ducklings…all cute and poised on top and frantically paddling just below the surface!)

OK, sure…I can do this. I told her it wouldn’t be a problem; I’d get the pieces to her by noon…the next day. There was just one little problem…I had no time. I had to take my 15-year-old daughter to pick up her friend and then take them to the movie theatre (they were meeting friends (read: boys) but her friend’s mom would bring them home after the movie (one less concern for me). My 17-year-old was hanging with her gaggle of girl friends – so she was all set, too. All I had to do was go with my hubby to a dinner with clients. Hopefully, that wouldn’t run too late…I’d have time to make the jewelry when we got home. Yeah. Sure. That would work.

So, at 11:30 p.m., I began my project. Measured the chains for the earrings, wire-wrapped the pearls, connected the pearls to the chains and the chains to the ear wires…earrings done. At 11:55 p.m., I measured the chains for the bracelet, chose the perfect bead caps to create the boho-chic look, wire-wrapped the pearls, connected the pearls to the chains, connected the chains to the clasps…bracelet done. At 1:20 a.m. I went to bed.

The next day, I drove to my customer’s house and hand delivered her earrings and bracelet just before noon. Her daughter looked beautiful! The jewelry was the perfect accessory for her darling outfit! Just to see the smile on her face was worth any fanagaling that was needed to make her soooo happy!!

Picnic in the Park

My Tuesday Treasury: A colorful selection of fun etsy finds that you may want to pack in your picnic basket:
Picnic in the Park

Etsy Treasury Tuesday

It's Treasury Tuesday on ETSY! Here are the first two treasuries featuring some cool etsy finds:
Snow in July - a beautiful collection of striking etsy finds in black and white. Selections include jewelry and hair accessories along with a cosmetic bag and drink coasters - a little bit of everything!

 http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQwNzkyODJ8NDk1MDQxNTQ1/snow-in-july
Blue Dream - a cool and refreshing treasury of fabulous etsy finds in shades of aqua blue! Items include jewelry and handmade soaps along with fine art photography and hand sewn items.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ0Mjg0MDR8NDk1Mzc5NDEz/blue-dream

What's New with You?

As a member of the Pay It Forward team on etsy, I am constantly amazed at the creativity of these talented artisans. So, today I made a treasury featuring just a few of the recent listings available at team members' shops. I hope you enjoy it...and find something you just cannot live without:
What's New with You?

The difference between bracelet length and bracelet size

What’s the difference between bracelet length and bracelet size?

An average size bracelet is 7 ½. But, that doesn’t mean the bracelet is 7 ½ inches long. That means that the inside circumference of the bracelet is 7 ½ inches.

Huh???

Stick with me on this…. If I use 12mm beads to make a bracelet that is 7 ½ inches long, the inside circumference will be much smaller than if I use tiny, 6mm beads. Keep in mind that the beads themselves take up space on the inside circumference, making the inside measurement smaller than the length when laid out flat. So, if I make both bracelets 7 ½ inches long, one will fit you nicely and the other one will not.

Now you’re probably asking: so, how do I find my bracelet size? Follow these simple instructions to measure your wrist so you can be sure your bracelets will fit you properly.

Use a flexible measuring tape to measure just above (towards your elbow) your wrist bone, then add 1/4" to 1" (1/2" is average) depending on how tight you like your bracelets to fit. That measurement is your bracelet size.

Tip: If you don't have a flexible tape measure handy, use a strip of paper or ribbon, and mark it where it overlaps on your wrist. Then lay the strip flat to measure up to the mark using any ruler.

Tip: It's important to use a flat, flexible tape measure or strip of paper/ribbon because the actual length is not the most important thing, it's the inner diameter when the bracelet is closed. For a bracelet to fit properly, the inner diameter of the bracelet needs to match the outer circumference of your wrist.  A flexible tape measure, strip of paper or ribbon works best because it's not bulky, so the inner circumference is virtually the same as the length when laid flat. Using bulky things to measure (like other bracelets, beaded things, chains, etc.) can cause the problem of the length when laid flat not to be the same as the inner circumference when worn. 

Cream in my Coffee: ETSY Treasury

A wonderful collection of etsy items in warm and yummy shades of cream and coffee.

Cream in my Coffee

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