DESIGN PROCESS: Random Jewelry Projects

I've been playing with jewelry projects and concepts for the past few weeks, trying to determine what I like doing the most and what has the best consistent results. This is fun, but can be frustrating at times. Still, without playing, I wouldn't learn anything. Below the collage, I'll explain what my Instagram photos are of. My phone camera has trouble picking up fine detail, but you get the general idea.

1) I bought 2 packs of tiny chain tassels by Tim Holtz from Tuesday Morning a few weeks ago. There were 3 different metals and 9 tassels per pack. I took the 6 antique silver ones and made two earrings. I played around with the design, but decided on clustering them by attaching 3 tassels and a latch back earring hook with a large jump ring, for both earrings. I'm not super happy about the clashing metals, but it won't be too hard to fix IF I can find nice antique silver hooks that don't make my ears have an allergic reaction. Otherwise, they are fun.

2) I went to Lowes and Home Depot a few weeks ago while Alex was at a Girl Scout meeting, and raided the paint samples for great paper colors and faux finishes. My intention is to use them for jewelry crafts. I got an asinine amount of paint samples at both stores. My favorites are the metallics from Martha Stewart, because they have a great luster and texture. The ones from Lowes (I don't recall the brand) are nice too, but are flat and low shimmer metallics. These are 4 of the many metallics I found.

3) While at Tuesday Morning, I bought a pack of tiny faux light bulbs by Tim Holtz. I've been eyeing these at craft stores for a long time, so I was happy to see them at an affordable price elsewhere. I used wire to make loops and wrap the bulbs. I attached small jump rings and latch back earring hooks to the smaller bulbs. Post photo taking, to the larger bulb, I looped black thin hemp cord around the wire loops and did a series of half knots to make a twisted necklace. I haven't finished it, since I'm not totally happy with that treatment. I might cut the hemp cord and just add ribbon.

4) I broke out my scrapbook paper stash last weekend. I played around with stacking black cardstock and adding this flocked paper on it. I used Matte Mod Podge to glue the pieces together. I'll likely use this finished piece for a necklace. However, playing with this inspired me to make the paper painted galaxy jewelry I've been working on this week.

5) Recently, my husband asked me to buy something inexpensive online with the replacement debit card, to make sure it was working. I poked around on Etsy looking at jewelry supplies. I found these thin curved tube beads. The 1st pack has 100 and the 2nd 136. They are 2 different sizes. I want to make some complicated metal jewelry with them to extend my jewelry making skills. Also, they say Space Pirate to me, which has been my recent futuristic obsession...being part of the League of Space Pirates and all...aka costuming madness. Who knows, they could become some kick ass harness. This will take a lot of playing and work, but if I hate it, I can always break the cord and make something else with the beads. No harm done.

6) This morning, I decided to make an black to silver ombre glitter necklace and earrings set. I took a small rectangle of existing stacked papers, added a black cardstock scrap, divide the rectangle into the needed pieces...2 small rectangles for earrings, and a pendant. I used Mod Podge Gloss and a lot of experience with glitters to add this glitter. I'm not totally happy with it, but it's not terrible for my 1st time with an ombre like this. For glitter eye makeup, I would normally blend out the harsh lines with eyeshadow, but that doesn't apply here. I'll figure it out. My phone camera had a lot of trouble photographing these pieces. The silver is lighter in person. After the final sealing coats of Mod Podge have dried, I'll finish making them into jewelry. I'll add silver jump rings and earring hooks to the small rectangles. For the pendant, I'll add silver jump rings, chain, and a lobster clasp.

That is all for now. I'm waiting for black chain and lobster claps to arrive, so I can finish off a lot of galaxy jewelry designs. I plan on listing a few next week. I'll of course post nice photos (take with my regular camera...vs the crappy phone) and links to the listings. I also have other motif designs planned, for those of you with more Earthly than space likes.