Working Around Artists Block

Yes. I have been experiencing Artist's Block. All week. Scarlet (my muse) seems to be sleeping. I am awake and in the mood to bead, but I cannot decide what to bead. Besides being in the mood, I need some new pieces...Christmas is coming. Scarlet! Wake up!

Nothing.

I sometimes get these blocks. All artists do, I think. Well, maybe some super artists don't get blocks. But, I do.

What to do about it...

First, I tried some unrelated no-brainer tasks - like housework. The physical movement is good for circulation - gets the blood moving to the brain. After all, housework does need to get done. I can still feel productive.

I am also using psychology on myself. I am a bit of a rebel and I hate housework. Sometimes, I'll get bored and "go play beads" to get out of housework. At times like these, I allow myself to rationalize "playing beads" as "working". Problem solved - I got around my block...BUT...

It does not always work. Sometimes, like this week, I decide instead to "sort my personal jewelry and clothes". I rationalize that I need to sort and purge anyway. I need to keep my clothes organized so I will have something to wear - especially now that I go set up at some venues. I need to look good, don't I? The block wins this round because I cannot argue with that.

Okay, I have been cleaning house all week. I have sorted my jewelry and my clothes. I have even cleaned out my desk drawer and reorganized my beading area. Enough.

Now, I need a more direct approach. So, I actually got some beads out and played with them. Still no inspiration. This is one serious block. I cannot let it win. My pride is now involved. I must beat this block.

The next tactic is to get back to basics. Make a "Spirals Lariat Necklace". It is a simple design and does not require complex decisions beyond choosing colors. It is a long enough project that I can lose myself in it. It is a long enough project that I may get bored and begin visualizing my next pieces...

I better go and get back to it...I'll let you know how it goes.

Jewels in Fiber

I have been buying my C-lon nylon beading cord from Jewels in Fiber for several months now. I have been extremely happy with her prices and her excellent customer service. She carries a variety of other cords as well.

Recently, I opened my mail to find C-lon micro cord samples! She sent me some samples without my asking for them! It was such a wonderful surprise.

Marion Hunziker-Larsen is also an amazing artist. I am in awe of her talent and skill at knotting. Her style is unique. I encourage you to take a look at her Collection.

So, official thanks to Marion for her excellent service and thoughtfulness. Applause for her gorgeous work.

Ripples and Lace

(Remember, you can click on images to get a larger view).

As I said in last week's "Knot! News", I have completed the photography for "Ripple Bracelet Pattern". I have now gotten the photography done for the matching earrings.

Then, of course, I had to play around with the design. I had so much fun with it, I am having trouble getting motivated to work on the text for the patterns! But, I will. I promise. Here are some of the results of my experimentation this weekend.

First, I played with color:

Then, I wondered what I could do with the overall shape. Using fewer focal beads and some with different shapes, here is what I did:

These next two pairs of earrings have already been listed at My Etsy Shop.

These earrings were easy and fun to make. Once getting the hang of the pattern, none took longer than about an hour to make. The final pattern will include instructions for these variations.

And of course, I wanted to play around with a variation of this design in a bracelet:

Given these variations having a variety of shapes, "Ripple" no longer seems a relevant name. They remind me more of lace, Victorian lace. So, I think I will name the bracelet at top "Rippled Lace" and for the others, "Victorian Lace". What do you think? If you can come up with a better name, please leave a comment as I am open to suggestions.

I have played around some more since taking these photos. I have made some more earrings, another bracelet and a necklace. I think I have a nice beginning for my Fall 2007 Collection. Of course, I will show you once I get the photos done. Working with this design has given me even more ideas...But, I need to write the text for the above patterns and get them listed so those of you who are interested can make some, too. Share the fun! Bye for now.

Ripple - A New Design Series is Born

My latest experimentation in beaded micro macrame has resulted in a new series - "Ripple".

At right is the prototype, and I am keeping it for my personal collection.

The first one has a few design flaws which I corrected in this next one, "Ripple Bracelet in Green and Black" . (Click on link to find it listed at my Etsy Shop).


Then I experimented some more with this next one in brown, bronze and green. I am still working out some of the finer points and I misjudged how long to cut the cords. I will need to redo it and hope to have a completed version in a few weeks. I have to let a design "rest" sometimes before I am ready to go back to it. This is one of those times because I must start over. (I hate starting over!)


UPDATE ON NEW SITE: Not a lot more accomplished this week due to a personal crisis in our lives. The crisis is now resolved and hopefully I will return to the challenge of building my new website next Monday...Until then, Happy Weekend and Happy Friday the 13th!

KnotGypsy News

I know, I know...It has been too long since I posted. What? About 10 days? I do have an excuse. I actually have a few excuses.

First, Etsy has been having some technical difficulties for the last several days. Alas, when I checked this morning, the problems were still being worked on. People can still buy and sell, but there are problems with page loading times, newly listed items not showing up in search categories, view count stalled, and a few other glitches. I decided to stay away from Etsy (except to check in to see if there were any orders to fill). I probably should have blogged about it to warn you, but at the time my reasoning was to let things slow down and stay quiet. (I have noticed that after a new blog post, I get more traffic at Etsy.) By avoiding attention, I reasoned that I would not add extra strain to Etsy. My reasoning was affected by:

Bead Fever. Yes, I have been in a Bead Fever. Scarlet (my muse) has had a tight grip on me. Perhaps in anticipation of all the new beads I had ordered. My recent patterns and kits have stirred up some interest, and I have sold several of each. This depleted my bead stock and any excuse will do to buy new beads!

So while waiting for the beads, and for Etsy to stabilize...

I have been playing. Having fun with some design ideas I got while trying to fall asleep. I sketched them out at the time, and put them in my notebook. Now seemed the perfect time to see what they could do...

Photo at top is of a necklace that took hours and hours to make. Over the course of 3 days, I worked on it. Some of the time was spent working out the design, and some time was spent solving technical issues with it. Much time was spent stringing each tiny bead, and tying each tiny knot, I learned a lot, and feel quite satisfied with the finished piece. It is almost finished; awaiting only the clasp...

Same with this bracelet below. It awaits the clasp.



The clasps arrived to day in my bead order. I had ordered some sterling silver, and some vermeil (14kt gold over sterling silver) clasps just for these more intricate pieces. So I know what I will be doing soon, but not until after I play with the new beads!

The things I learned from these two projects and a few samplers I made have given me ideas on how to use the new beads. One thing just leads to another. As I beaded, more ideas would come to me. I have been sketching furiously to capture them.

And here are the new beads. Sorry the lighting is a bit yellow in spite of the daylight bulbs I use. There are too many reds in the bead pile. I could take everything outside, but I really just want to play with them. It is an effort to sit here writing when the beads are in the TV area calling to me. calling...

Beaded Crochet Ponytail Holders

A great way to cool off for summer! Get that hair up off your neck with one of these. You can find some at My Etsy Shop later today, or read on to find out how to make your own.

A good cure for burn-out is something new to play with! I had gone out to lunch with a friend of mine last week. She was wearing a cute ponytail holder. It was crocheted, so I thought "I could do this". Well, when I got home, I started right on it. This yellow one is one of my end results.

The next photo is of the first one I actually made. Except for the color of course, it looks very much like the one my friend wore. I chose a Scunci brand elastic ponytail holder with no metal parts. Then I strung about 60 to 80 size 6 seed beads on a ball of crochet cotton. I then crocheted about 60 to 80 single crochet stitches around the ponytail holder for the first row. The second row is 1 double crochet stitch into each single crochet with 1 chain stitch between each double crochet. On the third row, 1 double crochet on the chain stitches with: 1 chain stitch without a bead and 1 chain stitch with a bead in between each double crochet.

Then I just played around with the number of rows, and the number of single crochet stitches to start with, etc. These next two are what I came up with.

Then, I wondered how it would look with fuzzy yarn. Something to keep your ponytail warm in the winter!

I then decided to try some of my Omega Brand nylon crochet thread, and went for a frillier look. I achieved it by crocheting at least 80 single crochet stitches to the first row. Then for the second (and final) row, I stitched a single crochet stitch into each single crochet (of the first row) with 3 chains in between (the second one having the bead slipped in).

Feel free to try this yourself, I reserve no copyright on this pattern. If you are a crocheter, you should find it fairly easy to figure out. I encourage you to experiment to get the look you want. They were a lot of fun, as it takes just about a half hour to make one (once you get your pattern down). Part of that half hour is stringing all those beads in the beginning!

Just a Little Burned Out

Yesterday and today, I have had no steam. Just a little burned out, I guess. So I have gone on strike in order to play computer games! I've been playing two of my favorites, Civilation IV and The Sims. A few years ago, I got into the Sims because of the creative aspect. I enjoy building the houses and furnishing them! I got a lot of free downloads off the internet. It was shopping without the guilt! So today, I played.

Before I went on strike however, I found Squidoo. I love Squidoo! I warn you it is addicting. You can set up a lens (what they call a page) with your own title, etc. I made one to ShowCase my work (of course). You can find it here. I had so much fun, I am considering some non-jewelry related lenses, when I can find the time. I have also had a lot of fun surfing other people's lenses. There are all kinds of things to be found there. So if you are in need of a new addiction...

I have had some interest in my new tutorials, and have sold several already. I am encouraged. I am beginning to plan my next one...What shall it be? I wanted to go in order of difficulty, sort of like a course in micro macrame.

That would be "Waves" next,

followed by "Criss Cross"

So that is what I think I will stick to.

I still have those new ideas to play with. I have yet to find time to really do them justice, but here is a sneak peak at my first experimentation with one of them.

Believe it or not, this is micro macrame! I think I will have some fun with this one! What do you think?

I know what's wrong with me...I NEED NEW BEADS! New beads would fix everything...maybe I'll just go browse some catalogs...Ummm, bye for now.

Photos As Promised

First, I show you the "Fans Bracelet" I mentioned last Saturday, and the earrings I made to go with it. This set really reminds me of the 1930's. So I am calling it "Deco Fans". I had a great difficulty listing this set in My Etsy Shop, I want to keep it for myself!



Then, as you all know, I got those gemstone chips! I have been having fun. Here are some of the results:

First, the amethyst chips; I put them into my Criss Cross design motif. I just love amethyst, don't you?


Then, I used the red sandstone chips in a variation of my Nouveau design motif. I really like the sparkles in the red sandstone.

Of course the bracelet needed earrings to match.

Then, I dug out some of the stone beads I had bought some years ago at an estate sale. I am not sure what kind these are, but they look like lapis lazuli. They may be some other stone dyed to look like lapis lazuli. I still think they are still pretty, though.
And the earrings...

Remember when I told you about my insomnia courtesy of Scarlet? (previous post) Well, the ideas she gave me that night were really variations on two designs I already have, and one other that I had rolling in my head but could not clarify. They are very nice design ideas, really. I would have been happy to explore them for some time, and I have. I will some more. When I get the time...

Scarlet was not done with me. She kept me up again the next night. I was so tired. I had been playing with the aforementioned ideas, my eyes were crossing. I drank some "Sleepytime" tea, I went to bed at a reasonable hour. Then Scarlet nudged me. I told her to go away, I was tired. Scarlet flashed some images in my head, and stood there. I looked, no, I want to sleeep. I looked. I had to get up and sketch the idea out. Of course, while sketching, I received flashes of ideas for variations on this design. Finally, I got some sleep.

Well, this idea is a gold mine. I am so excited. This idea will lead to another design series, not just variations on what I already have.

The original idea was for a necklace. The version I see in my head needs beads I do not currently have. I also see a wedding version. I have been wanting to do a wedding set for some time now. So, I decided to explore aspects of this idea on a smaller scale. That way I could learn how the techniques play out in real life. I could get a feel for what the idea can do. So I started a bracelet. As I was doing it, another technique idea came to me, so I went with it. This new idea will also lead to a design series. It is more sculptural. I can already see several ways to take this idea. I am still working on this bracelet. You know I'll photograph it and show it to you when it is done.

So many ideas, I cannot bead fast enough. When Scarlet does this to me, I end up obsessed with beading. I must get these ideas concretized. I must create. I forget all about my mundane chores. (I did manage to get the grocery shopping done yesterday.) I must pry myself away from beading in order to blog, list items in My Etsy Shop, cook, write pattersn, etc. I am continually trying to schedule myself, but I don't fall so easily into schedules.

Guess I'll just have to wait for a lull in order to get some rest.

One thing leads to another

As I said the other day, I have been going through my bead stash. I found a use for those pretty plastic beads - key ring fobs. That led to trying the fob motif in a "Y" Necklace.

I was using the heavier gauge macrame beading cord (You remember, from Fire Mountain Gems) that I had on hand. I don't usually use it much as it won't pass through size 11 seed beads. Well, as I was working on the aforementioned items, it occurred to me that it would work nicely with these ceramic focal beads I bought in my last bead order. I have been wanting to use them and have not known quite how I wanted to use them.

Here is what I came up with. Chokers and earrings with a casual look. What do you think?

As you can see, I have listed one necklace in My Etsy Shop. (See mini gallery in sidebar).

Then, I wondered how the (heavier) beading cord would work with my "Fans" design motif. This is how: (Remember, you can click on image to get a larger view.)


I almost forgot...remember when Scarlet said she had been thinking of what to do with those teardrop beads I got in trade? I made a "Fans" Choker with them, also recently listed in My Etsy Shop.


Scarlet is calling me, so I gotta go for now.

What to do with those pretty plastic beads?

A couple of months ago, I bought some beads at Walmart. They had nice colors and came in a variety of shapes. I got them home and discovered they were plastic. Well, I do not use plastic in my jewelry. But they were pretty, so I tucked them away in one of my bead drawers.

Recently, I have been sorting through my beads. I came across the aforementioned beads, and some rings for keychains. Hmmm...I got to thinking. Plastic would be good for keychain fobs. You know, you come into the house and throw your keys onto the table. Plastic would be less likely to chip, etc.

So, I made keychain fobs this weekend. I used a heavier gauge cord (Macrame Beading Cord from Fire Mountain Gems) that I had on hand. The first couple were not quite what I had in mind, but you never know until you try. So I used those as a stepping stone to the next ones, and am now happy with the results.



I have also dabbled in making beads from fabric. You have probably seen those beads made from paper. Well, I used the same technique with fabric. Instead of glue, I used polyacrylic. You can find it in the aisles with other furniture refinishing products. polyacrylic as opposed to polyurethane is water soluable. It dries to a nice protective finish. I just keep layering it on until I am satisfied. I find these beads also do well in keychain fobs.


I liked the fobs so much, I thought the idea would work in a necklace with ceramic and glass focal beads.


Today, I realized these fobs would make nice pulls to attach to the hanging chains on ceiling fans, lamps, etc....

I will be listing these items in my Etsy Shop throughout this week.

Once I started beading, the ideas started flowing, so I need to return to them and see what happens next...

Has Anyone Seen Scarlet?

My muse is in hiding. Have you seen her? She's a large red dragon. She is supposed to be here to inspire me.

Oh well, dragons do what they want, regardless of our wishes. I have been trying the usual tricks of playing with my beads in an effort to tempt her out. No answer.

I have also been busy with catching up on housework and paperwork. What else can you do when you have no muse to inspire you?

Also this past week, (or was it a little more than a week ago?) Anyway, I took one set of "Star Attraction" Necklace and Earrings and some other new jewelry to my favorite coffee shop here in Seguin, TX - Chiro Java. They allow me to put jewelry on consignment there. So I took this new stuff, and rotated stock. I pulled some jewelry not previously seen here on the internet. I've already listed some of those pieces in My Etsy Shop. (See link in "Related Links"). I will soon be listing some more. Bracelet (first photo - top right) is "Criss Cross Bracelet in Red and White". I also listed one in gray and red with earrings. Sorry, the Choker and Earrings to match red and white bracelet , sold at Chiro Java.

I also listed this "Lattice Bracelet in Blue" (second photo - right), and the matching Earrings. In addition, I listed a "Lattice Bracelet in Red".

And I worked some on the instructions for a "Spirals Anklet". I even got a version finished. Learned some more about digital photography of jewelry, too. Learned some about creating a document in pdf format with images inserted. Tried several different things, you know, experimenting. I think I know how I want to do it now.

What I want to accomplish is a project in wordpad format with accompanying photos for Step by Step Beads Magazine (link in "Related Links"). And I want a chapter with this project in pdf format for my e-book.

My initial efforts resulted in a synthesized version. But I learned a lot. (I mentioned that didn't I?)

So I went out and bought a copy of Step by Step Beads. It has some really nice projects...Wait, I bought it to study how others put projects together. Stay focused KnotGypsy.

Or is Scarlet hiding in the magazine. Maybe I better go check...Ummm...bye for now...gotta find Scarlet...

Muses, Dragons, and Cats

I wanted to talk about Bead Fever. But I am having writer's block. Probably because I am currently in a lull between Fevers. So I decided to chit chat and see what happens. Sometimes dabbling in a creative process invites the muse to visit. So here goes: (If the muse does not show up, please forgive me for boring you.)

Bead Fever could just as easily be called Creative Fever, Hearing the Muse, etc. It is a term I use because I bead so much, but it is really that state of mind of being inspired both mentally and energetically. In fact, for me, I often suffer from depression (runs in my family) and as a result, have little energy. But when my muse visits, energy is not a problem. I tend to think of my muse as a dragon, burning hot. She rides me hard. I'll call her Scarlet after the red dragon in the "Wizard's First Rule" first of the Sword of Truth books by Terry Goodkind.

As I said, Scarlet rides me hard. When she is in residence, she does not want me to sleep (she runs design ideas nonstop through my head). I use herbal teas, yoga, and relaxation tapes to calm her down. I do need to sleep after all. But not necessarily at regular intervals. Oh well, we do the best we can.

Scarlet does not want to let me eat, too busy. Pretty good way to lose weight if one could count on it. So I make smoothies with good nutritious fruit, yogurt, etc; or other Quick Foods. (I do try to make healthy choices to keep up my strength - my unhealthy choices of chips, candy, etc come in my lulls because I get bored.)

Scarlet does not want to share attention with the other people I live with - my partner and our 8 cats. I am fortunate to have an understanding partner. The cats on the other hand are not so much. My partner tries to get by without me, gives me kisses, and scritches my back. (Hey, you don't have to be a cat to enjoy scritches!) The cats insist on being fed. Okay, I have to do this. I do love them after all. BUT they insist on Their scritches, and they want on my lap. Sometimes they want to help me bead. We have in common our love of string. This is challenging.

SIDETRACK: This is GiGi Beans, (born in 1998). My little tyrant. She yells at me when she thinks it is bedtime. In fact, she yells at me a lot. I don't understand what she keeps yelling about. Sometimes, I yell back. Mostly I try to ignore it, hoping it will go away.

BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING: I get very excited when Scarlet is here. I want to show off when something goes well and I have a new design. It's a good thing I now have this blog. My Partner is probably tired of me showing and telling him every little step I make. The cats never care unless they get to eat it. I don't bother with showing them.

SIDETRACK: On the left is Little Miss Princess Charming Bella de Trouble. AKA Ma Belle. She doesn't care, she doesn't have to, SHE'S MA BELLE. I know. It's a lot of name. She is a lot of cat. She was born in 1997 and is GiGi's mother. Bella has several gears of purr. There is nothing like lying down to sleep and having her purr in your ear. I wish I could market this. When we first moved here, she disappeared for 3 months. We looked every where. We even called our old neighbors in Austin, but they had not seen her. One day she showed back up as if nothing had ever happened. She did not look any worse for wear. Her fur was clean, she had not lost any weight. She won't tell us where she had been.

On the right is Momarella previously the cat know as Cinderella (she won't tell us her age). She was a stray in my neighborhood when we moved in. We noticed she was crippled. Then we noticed she was pregnant. We took pity and put food out for her. She would not let us touch her for a long time. When she gave birth in a box of junk on our porch, I made her up a nice clean box complete with blanket. She accepted it. (Yes, I have gotten rid of that box of junk, it was just detritus of our moving-in process.) We called her Cinderella because she was a stepcat, she lived on the steps. Finally my partner was able to pet her, we invited her in, she's been here ever since. She has become a lap leech. Her name changed to Momarella when she continued to groom her grown son, and everyone else. She keeps everyone clean. Our vet says, whatever made her crippled is too far in the past to fix. It would be more painful than beneficial. She gets around fine and holds her own with the other cats. Please don't worry.

BACK TO WHAT I WAS SAYING: Generally, right after one of Scarlet's visits, I have to just veg out. I have been vegging these past few days. Oh I have managed to cook dinner, feed and play with the cats, kiss my partner and give him the hugs he so richly deserves. I check into my Etsy shop every day. You know, the basics, not much else.


SIDETRACK: Here is Brutus McFluffy AKA Bubba (born August 2003). Mostly my partner's cat, Bubba is very sweet. He's not too bright, though. When he was a year old, he came home with a badly broken back leg. The vet had to put a pin in it. So of course we spoiled him. He got better, and when he was finally allowed back outside, he got attacked by a coyote. Luckily, no broken bones, just some shallow puncture wounds from the coyote's teeth. I had heard the commotion and looked outside to see the coyote with Bubba. I ran outside (with no thought of the pistol I keep on hand, or the bat by the front door), growling and yelling. The coyote dropped Bubba and ran. I don't know what I would have done if the coyote had challenged me. With the rage I was in, I would probably tried to rip the coyote apart.

Now, I love all animals, even the coyote. But Bubba is one of my babies. Mama Bear kicked in. He has recuperated from all this and loves my partner's feet and boots.

Magi Pi. AKA Magi the Tongue because she loves to lick. Bubba's mom. Magi is about 4 years old. I had enough cats. I told my friend I had enough cats. Her cat had had kittens. She was looking for homes for them. I TOLD her I did not need any more cats. She sent her husband to my house with this kitten. When I opened the door, I said "I don't want..." "Oh, how cute.......Do you want some food?" The kitten said yes. The next thing I knew, I was feeding her some of my homemade catfood. (based on the books: "Natural Cat Care" by Celeste Yarnall, PH.D and "Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats" by Richard H. Pitcairn, D.V.M., PH.D. & Susan Hubble Pitcairn) She has been with us ever since.

As to the other cats, Taffemia (name from a Rudyard Kipling story meaning "Small person with bad manners who needs to get spanked, but probably won't because she's so cute") She is shy and it may take awhile to convince her to let me take her picture. I'll get pics of Puffy and Rorshack another time.

So here's hoping to lure Scarlet back into my life. I think I'm rested up.

36 Hours to a New Design

I'm very excited about my new designs in beaded crochet. These are my first original designs with this technique. All of my micro macrame designs are originals by me. And I have crocheted many items. This is my first time to combine beads, crochet, and jewelry. As I previously mentioned, I have crocheted for years. Lately I have been idly thinking of trying this. Finally, I got some inspiration and went into a Bead Fever. (I'll cover Bead Fever in a future post.)

About the process:

First, I got out my handy dandy Harmony Guide to Crochet stitches. Using crochet cotton, and size 11 (tiny) seed beads in my first effort, I made one of the motifs. It was too big, but now I had something to hold in my hands, and look at. (It was too ugly to photograph, so you won't see it here. I need these failures to learn from, but they are my little secrets.)

So I adapted the stitches to a smaller one (see photo, far left).

Then, as I held the piece and examined it, I wondered how I could use a (larger) size 8 seed bead. An idea occurred to me and I came up with the one in the middle of photo. I also reduced the usage of the tiny seed beads.

On the third one (far right in photo), I kept the minimal usage of tiny beads, the larger (size 8) seed beads, but tried a different motif.


Next, I wondered what they would look like using Omega Brand No. 2 Nylon Crochet thread. (I use it in most of my micro macrame designs, so I have plenty on hand.) So, I made the next one in gold nylon crochet thread, with green seed beads, (both size 11 and 8). It measures 1 3/4 inches across.

I liked it so much, I made a pair in cobalt blue nylon crochet thread with light blue beads. Also measures 1 3/4 inches across.












And then a pair in red nylon crochet thread, and transparent red beads. Giving it a subtle shine and sparkle in the light. (one and 3/4 inches across)









I handled and played with these earrings for awhile. I am very visual and tactile. One of the reasons I like micro macrame and now this beaded crochet, is that not only do they appeal to me visually, but also on a tactile level. They feel friendly. I cannot otherwise describe. Most of my friends and local customers agree once they hold a piece. They feel good to wear, too.

So as I fondled my new creations, I wondered,...

What if I take off some of the points (around the edges)? And put in a centerpoint focal bead?

Well, guess what?

I used bright green nylon crochet thread, green iridescent size 11 seed beads, gold size 8 seed beads, and amber czechoslovakian fire-polished crystal 6mm faceted round beads.


And then the earrings asked for dangles.

So, let there be dangles!

They now hang 2 1/2 inches (not including ear wire).









I was feeling inspired.

Now, I wondered how can I alter the overall shape?



This one took 4 failures before I arrived at this one. In pink nylon crochet thread, pale cream iridescent size 11 seed beads and 10mm glass oval focal bead, I could be happy with this one.

They hang 2 inches from ear wire.














Or, does it need a dangle? Tell me what you think.


They hang 2 3/4 inches with dangle.











I'm not much for manufacturing, making the same thing over and over. I need to at least be able to play with color. But I love designing. This is why I never make the exact same piece twice. Something has to be different. Or I get bored. When I get bored, I lose motivation. Then I would not be Living the Dream. For me Living the Dream is to follow my muse.

I have plans for the future. I want to draw/write my designs into patterns to sell alone or in kits. Perhaps, one day a book...

Now, I need to list all but the first ones in cotton (they are just prototypes), and the pink (this pair of earrings is awaiting a necklace I have in my mind) on Etsy. See link list to go to my Etsy Shop (knotgypsy.etsy.com).

Let me know what you think and leave a comment if you wish. I look forward to hearing what you think of my blog, my jewelry, or whatever else you want to say.