Saturday, January 25, 2014

Beads, Stones and Crystals

My interest in rocks, fossils, crystals, gemstones and all things shiny started at a very young age.  I remember washing rocks in the kitchen sink and emptying my pockets to show off my treasures for friends and family.



Well a few years ago I took my interest one step further and started stringing and creating pretty wearable items.  I have gone a little overboard and now I have a large stash of gemstones, Swarovski crystals, Art beads, seed beads, spacers, clasps, tools, wire, string and a few other essentials.




Recently a friend asked me to take apart a necklace she just bought and restring it into a set to include earrings and a necklace.  For some reason this has been quite a challenge for me but I am excited that she asked me to design something "bit more her style."




I often ask myself what it is about beading that interests me and why do I have all this stuff?  I realize that it's the contrast of stones that really intrigues me.  Some days I love the bright sparkle of a crystal and other days it's that strand of amethyst that calls out to me....String me!


Today I'm sharing some pictures of a couple of bracelets that I made last year.  Right now I'm in the process of putting a few things together and I will reveal them once they're complete...stay tuned.


The important thing is to ...........


Keep Creating,


Karen

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Thank you Vicki for hosting the 

Stop by her website to see check out other posts from those participating in today's event.


2 Bags Full

40 comments:

  1. Hi Karen! I’m a GYB party volunteer stopping by to say WELCOME and leave well wishes in the event! Thanks for participating. Your post looks great, your bracelets...beautiful.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for volunteering!

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  2. Beautiful jewelry! I love the idea of your 30 words Thursday! So simple an straightforward as well as poetic & artistic.

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  3. Karen, you have a natural talent for making jewelry. I'm visiting from the GYB party and must say I love the bracelet you created here.

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    1. Judith thanks for the kind words! I'm heading to your blog now!!

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  4. Hi Karen....lovely work, very creative!

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  5. Karen, so nice to meet you. Of course you must be a kindred to me, with the rocks, gems and Fairies!! Your jewelry is stunning. Keep smiling and creating.

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  6. Beautiful jewellery! I know what you mean, somedays I'm drawn to wire, other days to seed beads

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  7. I am loving your creations. Looking forward to following your blog. I am a work in process in jewelry designing because I am trying to figure out my "style". I love so many techniques and so far haven't chosen just one. I look forward to following your blog and seeing what you create. I will def keep creating!

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  8. Hi Karen. I share your love of rocks and sparkles, beads and creating, and it's a real delight to be introduced to your blog through the GYB party. Lovely creations!

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  9. My birthstone is amethyst; that's a huge crystal, and gorgeous! I have containers of rocks, shells, and remains of lake animals. I cannot pass any whenever I'm able to be on a beach (which is not often).

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  10. Karen, I found you through Vicki's GYB blog party. I love faeries, gems and rocks, too. I'm following you now, and I'll visit often.

    Blessings,

    Victoria

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  11. Hi Karen, we're here from GYB party and love your jewelry! You certainly have a talent; we both make jewelry and are major bead hoarders, so don't let your stash freak you out. It will come in very handy when you're working on something at 10p and all the stores are closed!!

    Good luck with the GYB party!

    Kathy and Deb

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  12. Your bracelet is gorgeous...the fastener/clasp is a great design element and pulls it all together beautifully. Can't wait to see more of your creations!

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  13. your jewelry is beautiful and I think I'm going to enjoy following your work. Joining you from GYB

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  14. lovely work. I definitely want to see more. Happy hopping!

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  15. Hello!
    Nice to meet you!
    You have some really great work here. I would love to see even more!
    I used to make jewellry but now I'm in a cross stitch mood.
    Happy Grow Your Blog Party!
    xoxoxoxoxoxo

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  16. Hi Karen - you dropped by my blog for a visit so I thought I would reciprocate and visit you at your blog! I too love beads and like to embellish my quilts but I've collected more beads than I'll ever be able to use. I just love looking at them and touching them! And fossils are also a love of mine! Your jewelry is gorgeous. I especially like the first piece! I hope you get lots of lovely new followers! Just a final note, you are showing as a no-reply blogger so I couldn't enter you in my draw. If you want to send me your email I would be more than happy to enter you!
    Karen H
    http://faeriesandfibres.blogspot.ca/

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  17. Replies
    1. Thanks my friend. I always enjoy reading your posts!

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  18. Hi, I'm stopping by via Grow your Blog Party, very nice blog. I too am a rock hound from way back.

    Dawn

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  19. Lovely jewelry. Thanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts. I am an embroiderer participating in Grow Your Blog too.

    aprilsongstress

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    1. Tisha--I am still in AWE of your designs...those are so cool. Thanks for stopping by Fairies Market.

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  20. Pleased to meet you Karen! I'm a fiber artist participating in GYB & I look forward to following your creative posts! best to you, deborah http://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/

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  21. Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Lovely bracelets! Great blog hop.

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  22. Hello.. I'm Lynet, your blog is beautiful, I following now, nice to meet you ,I love to share with you from now on and we are good friends!Happy grow your blog

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  23. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your jewelry is gorgeous and you are very creative. Thanks again.

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  24. Very nice work! Hope you are enjoying the blog party as much as I am! Party on! Aloha

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  25. You make very beautiful wearable art. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  26. Yes, keep creating! After creating 5 kids, I might have to get craftsy again soon after seeing all the fun stuff you all have made.

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  27. Your jewellery is beautiful.
    Thanks for visiting my blog.
    Liz (www.rambling--prose.blogspot.co.uk)

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  28. Lovely jewelry -- I'm found you from the GYB and I'll be following you -- nice blog!

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  29. Thanks for sharing you sparkly creations through GYB! :) Keli x

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  30. Karen, thank you for stopping by at my blog. I've been following your path in creativity for some time. I hope you are having a fun blog hop. Ana

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    1. Yay! I'm glad you visited my blog...I've have been reading your blog for several months now. Thanks for stopping by.

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  31. Hello Karen, thank you for visiting me. I have enjoyed browsing your blog and learning a bit about you, I also love fossils etc and I shall be looking forward to visiting you on Bead Soup and seeing what you make with your goodies!
    Jackie

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  32. Nice jewelry! I'm visiting through the Grow Your Blog hop.

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  33. Beautiful jewelry! It was nice to meet you thru the GYB hop.

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