But is it a keeper…

I dont know why – when I started out the colors and the pattern seemed like the perfect match, but now I’m “done” and only need a clasp … And all of the sudden I’m not sure anymore.

I never knew about the “Black Friday” shopping, meaning all kinda sweet discounts.
I made a deal with Jani this week that ended earning me 1 tutorial.
And I ended on JewelryLessons.com. Since I didnt really know what I wanted 100% … I found 7 … And I showed all the links to Jani, making him pick. And maybe hoping I would get 2 instead of one.
And since it was “Black Friday” a lot of tutorials was on 50%. All 7 I picked was out of the 50% selection. And I know I told Jani which was my favorites and which wasnt that great… But some times its a good thing that men dont pay attention. So he went ahead and got all 7.
So I got:
1 – The Perfect Little Gift by Perri Jackson/Shaktipaj Designs
2 – The “Spike” Technique by Carmen Barrera Arte y Creaciones
3 – Dainty Sister Pendant by Jami L. Denman/Jamilola
4 – Heart to Heart: The Earrings by Mei Tan/Wire Bliss Mei
5 – Peacock’s Tail Wire Wrapped Ring by Jenny Pong/JPBeads
6 – Twisty Bangle Bracelet by Donna Spadafore/Gailavira Jewelry
7 – The Egyptian Coil by Stacy Perry/Hodgepodgerie

They can all be found on JewelryLessons.com, and I am so happy with all the tutorials. Great Tuts! I can’t wait to try them out. Even tho I will be needing some half-hard wire for some, so I guess those are on the “to do later” list.

How could I actually make loops or anything with my old pliers …
I got an early Christmas present yesterday, some new sweet pliers.
I have apparently been a good girl =)
My new “babies” are Lindstrom Round-nose and Bent-nose.
And even tho I only played with them for about an hour – I can’t understand how I managed to do anything with my old pliers …
Here is some pictures, I just took for the fun of comparing the differences.
The Round-nose:


The Bent-nose:

Round 7 is already “over” – and its time to start showing off what we made for this months earring swap.
This month I had Shawna as my mark, and since she too was ok with Copper, I could try out some more of my wirewrapping.
I did some half circles with shell beads. They looks just like “little white balls” – but I guess that what you get from natural shell …

And I tried a very failed attempt on making S’s for Shawna. But she liked them so I guess its not a total loss …

The big beads are supposed to be fresh water pearls. At least according to the shopping details…

Finally I manage to make the earrings that Lois been waiting for. I dont know whats the best excuse, but I think my Muse abandoned me for some periods this year.
Either way - This is the SSE Round 4 earrings I made for Lois.

4mm pink firepolished and clear 11/o’s.

20g Copper wire with 8/o purples.

By the time I actually manage to make the earrings I also drawn Lois name for the Round 2 of the Bracelet Swap. I tried my best to make a “matching set”. But Plan A to E seem to go bad … due to cursed beads I think …
But Lois said she wanted something to use with black, so this is what I made;

Kay posted on the beading Daily Forum the other day about her new Christmas Angels. And they are so cute.

These little cuties was very inspiring and I so wanted to try make one myself. So I did ask Kay for permission to try copycat her, and she said yes. So with her blessings I did try.
I ended making 2 cause I had a bit mis calculating with the gauge on the wires, and the first one got to be really big.
Here are my little angels.

Please visit Popnicute to learn more about the angels or to buy your own.

I been thinking about making this one for a long time … Only took me 11 months to start … and about an hour to finnish.
This is made from a tutorial by Stephanie Matheson from the Starving Artists forum. And it is actually kinda easy tho I had a bit problems with the start and the finnish.
Made with Copper Wire and 8mm Fancy Jasper, here is my bangle.

Finally today my little surprise package made it to Italy. So I can reveal that the J was for Jeni.
As a little thanks for all she do and all the costs she taken upon herself to help out all her “forum-famile”.
Here is the matching earrings.

And she loved them =)

I have had a few positive remarks on my last days of wirewrapping. So I took this oppertunity to make a little gift for someone special …
I wont reveal what the J stands for yet … But feel free to guess …

Today on Beading Daily Forum Kia asked us to release a balloon to mark the 5 year since she lost her son, Oliver. I so wanted to do this for her, but I live in a small town and helium balloons are only sold when the town-fair is on town. So I had no way to release a balloon. And on the other hand releasing balloons are not that good for the wildlife and the enviroment either.
So I wanted to make something – to show I was thinking about Kia and her family. And having played a lot with my wires the last days I ended up making a copper balloon, 18g with white 4mm firepolished and with a matching 18g “rope” knotted into a heart at the end.