Introducing my new line of necklaces called 'Earthy Elegance'

The new line of necklaces is called 'earthy elegance.  I just started the line and it is doing well.  Customers like the rustic look.  I love to design my necklaces using turquoise, my favorite.  Using two sizes of beads adds to the unique look.  When I design with black beads, I use different styles of beads.

One unique thing about this line is the various ways the clasp necklaces can be worn.  There are three ways, clasp in the back, front or side.  What makes these necklaces earthy are the rustic clasps from Sunstones found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunstones.  These hand forged clasps are made in copper, sterling silver, brass and german silver.  They are made by Maria, using many metalsmithing techniques.

Her rustic clasps and my beading design make necklaces that are dramatic.

jewelry and more by kat

"Spirit"

Losing someone you love affects people differently.  For me, losing my mom, I expressed myself designing jewelry.  So shortly after my mom passed, I created a necklace in her memory.  I searched for quite a while for the perfect pendant.  I found a hand forged copper heart.  I chose this pendant because it was lovingly made by hand and I love copper and the heart represents my love for my mom.

Now, the beads, I chose turquoise because it is my favorite and it seems to make most people happy.  While I was thinking of the design and making the necklace, I was thinking of my mom.  I call the necklace 'Spirit'.  My mom had alzheimers for 12 years but she had a wonderful spirit during that time.

So when you see some pretty handmade jewelry, you never know what inspired it.

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A vender's journey to a craft fair

Ever go to a craft fair and all the venders greet you with smiles and all their products are nicely displayed- like they have been there forever?  The atmosphere is layed back and welcoming.  Don't let any of that fool you.  Join me now for the real happenings.

The typical craft fair day starts at dawn or before- with the loading of the car.  I get three folding tables and two chairs out of the shed while watching for morning skunks out of the corner of my eye.  After five trips to the car, even though my back hurts and I'm tired, there is the 200 pound suitcase of jewelry trays that need loading into the backseat.  Lift, push, groan and it's finally in.  Now for the backpack with the bracelets and the earrings and three bags of displays and gift boxes.  By now the sun is up and I'm off.

Today I'm lucky; it's only an hour drive.  After getting lost two times, I finally arrive.  Now- to unload everything I just put in the car.  After six trips inside, I set up my tables to look pretty with all my jewelry.

My back says 'never again', I'm tired and need a coffee because 5 am is so early to get up.  Now it's time to smile, look rested, relaxed and greet people.  After 7 hours of greeting, talking and waiting on customers, it is over and time to pack everything back into the car.  Jewelry trays back into the suitcase, bracelets and earrings back into the backpack-Yeah! everything fits!  Lug the table and chairs back to the car- 5 trips. Rearrange the trunk because it DID fit on the way here!  Push and slam the trunk.  NOW, for the 200 pound suitcase.

Back home, unload tables and chairs to the shed- 5 trips.  The 200 pound suitcase up the stairs into the house-only it feels like 400.  Now that everything is put away, I spend the next 2 hours at the computer, deleting sold jewelry from my online stores.  As I head to bed sore and tired, I will get excited about next weekends craft fair- well NOT tonight,maybe tomorrow.........

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A quiet evening making jewelry-Wrong!

It's quiet in the house and late at night, perfect for creating that cha cha bracelet that I've been thinking about.  First order of business-get prepared.  I get my cloth and spread it out, I go through my beautiful, colorful beads and choose the aqua ones.  I choose the chain, headpins, a few charms, pliers, snippers and I'm ready.

I spread out the beads on the cloth so they don't roll onto the floor. As I begin my cha cha bracelet, I envision the finished piece.  As I snip the headpins, the pieces go flying and hit the corner wall of my workroom-PING-PING-PING.  I'll clean that corner later.

As I work, my cat wanting to say hi, stands on his back legs and puts his paws on the table.  That might have been cute, but his claws pulled the cloth to the floor, with all my loose beads.! After chasing beads all over the floor, I get everything back together and get the bracelet half made when -SNIP-I snipped the chain and broke the bracelet!  Oh my.  I had to snip off all the beads I had done and start with a new chain.

Well, about now I need a cup of coffee and as I get up to go make a pot, I snag the cloth and yes, all the beads promptly return to the floor!

Things are going smoothly and the bracelet is half done, again, the dog needs to go out.  She stands on her back legs and pats my arm with her front paw, hits the cloth and there go the beads again.  Are you kidding me?!!

I finally finish the beads and attach the charms and sit back to admire my work.  BEAUTIFUL!
That was easy and didn't take long at all-oh is that the morning sun? (I'm glad that every piece of jewelry I make isn't as much fun as this one)

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Inside my jewelry making

I use wire when creating my necklaces.  It makes the pieces secure.  I use wire in making my bracelets, but in two techniques.  I string the beads on wire for some of my bracelets.

Then there are my cha cha bracelets.  Each bead is hand wired to a chain making a full, noisey and fun bracelet. Like the aqua and dark blue bracelet.

Then there are my mini cha cha bracelets.  I combine two techniques.  I string the main beads for the body and for a small section, I hand wire a different style of bead to a chain.  This technique creates a unique bracelet that I like to say is my signature.

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My journey to beaded jewelry

After my decision to create jewelry, the next step was to figure out what kind of jewelry I was going to make.  I liked the looks of wire wrapping and decided to go with that.  After practicing wrapping and also stringing beads, I was drawn to the colorful beads and the ways they can be used.  I started beading and never looked back!

I love creating different pieces with the beautiful color beads.  I like to combine colors that usually do not go together.  I also like to use two different styles of beads and sizes to create something unique.  The only limits are in my creative mind.

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Why jewelry?

Since retiring, I wanted a small business to keep me busy.  I am always creating things; I crochet, make greeting cards and paint ceramics.  But instead of these for my store theme, I chose jewelry because I LOVE it!   When I was working, I loved wearing jewelry and had many unique pieces.  Customers always commented on my jewelry.  I was always on the look out for that  "something different".  But what I liked was usually too expensive.

So that is the basis for my online jewelry store- create something different and make it affordable.  My goal is to create one of a kind pieces that are unique and affordable but with good quality work.  And to have loyal customers who like my style and work, thus return for more. 

I am Kat and I hope you enjoy my store....

                                 jewelry and more by kat