Soutache, jewelry...

... or just some lazy summer works.

This summer has been already the hottest summer so far, at least in my history, and even if we live all day long indoors, with airco's on on full blow, ther still is a funny pressure in the air, some sort of laziness syrup getting all arround.

One gets to accomplish very little things, just because nothing goes quick.

In this harsh times, I've managed to finish yet another baby quilt, one with boys this time, but about this and another girlie version in another post. When I'll get to take all the necessary pictures and edit and write the story.

Back on our today post, I'd like to present you some more soutache pendants. Not as many as I used to make, but very nice. At least, I liked them very much. Sigh. They both flew out the door the moment I introduced them to the world. And I even have orders for more! Enough small talk, let me show you the two beauties:

Well, do you agree with me?

New arrival on techniques pinboard: soutache

Now, my dear fellows, I show you something that I have not done before: behold, Soutache jewelry!

Oh, what does that mean? It means that some soutache cord (hence, the name of the thing) is taken and sewed all together, inserting here and there fragments of your imagination :).

No, not your imagination, but beads, stones, feathers, whatever your imagination (yes, this is it's place) brings up front.

What I like most about these things is that they grow on their own. They have this fascinating tendency to be alive from the begining ( I almost wrote their birth :))) ), as if they are whispering in your ear what they want to be when they will grow up.

I know some other poeple out there are capable of first designing their jewelry, for me every piece is a continous surprise, up to the moment when I look at it and it tells me: I'm ready!

I let you enjoy some pieces that were born this way.

painted agats

sun stone and glass beads

glass beads and pearls

glass beads and pearls

glass beads and crystals, kumihimo cord

Summer fair! Come one, come all!

This Saturday and Sunday, the very first summer fair to which I'm proudly participating!
Please join us for a nice cup of coffee on the museum's terrace, some intersting shopping and why not, some relaxing weekend moments!
You can even bring your best friend with you :)
See you there!

Turkish delights

Because I am such a nice person (mwahahahaaaa!) my dear husbands thinks I should be spoiled. Therefore, he's the master-of-all-kidnapping-and-going-to-all-exotic-long-lost-for-wonderful-places-I've-never-been-before (are you still with me?) :)))

So this year, for my birthday, I received a nice surprize trip to Istanbul, a short one, but so much cherished because of this. We spent hours and hours strolling along the shops in the Grand Bazar, we went to Agia Sofia, to the Blue Mosque, we had wonderfull turkish lunches and dinners and donner kebap's along the way, we had some sun and some rain, we had a nice small hotel with the spa juxt next to our room :D (I wonder how did he arrange that?!?) and so much more. Thank you, my sweet, sweet man!

Did I mention Grand Bazar? Yes, the old one, with nice narrow commercial streets, covered, where you could go in and be welcomed, and yelled at, and pushed, and pulled, and agressed by so many colors, by so much beauty, where every sales guy just sips a tea in front of his small shop and wait for nothing else that for you, the buyer. They take out everything they have, they literally strip the shelves for you, so you can decide upon the best option of color, quality whatever suits you best. And then, when you finally decide upon a product, the bargaining begeins. Oh the joy, oh, the play, oh the whole process is so jucy and suculent. They enjoy doing it, if you don't go into the little scheme they are so dissapointed. I've even seen them refuse the transaction, if you would refuse the bargaining.

In this 1001 nights Grand bazar I found a small shop which was selling handmade beads. But what gorgeous beads! metal, witn a touch of tuquise and red stones, in beautifull shapes and warm tones, they were impossible to leave. I bought some, and brought them back home, where I made some jewelry with them.

Shall I say they flew out the moment I made them public? Shall I say that I have none left for me? Shall I say that since then, hubby must bear the every day plea: "we shoud go back, I have, I must, I die to have more of those beads!" ?

Now, take a look for yourself and tell me if I'm wrong: aren't they the most beautifull beads ever?

In the end, a slide show with some sites we've seen in beautifull Istanbul. Enjoy!



feng shui bracelets

Or multi-purpose. Or multi thing bracelets. Name it what you want, I love them!
It's a great way to use up all unpaired, left over, single beads, and it makes such a great effect every time.
Here, the new collection:

Lazy saturday afternoon

I know I've promised something else, but, as I said, I'm in "lazy mood".
Therefore, I will just let you enjoy some laziness products (or should I say: this is what I do when I don't feel like doing anything?!)

Maybe I should do more lazy work, what do you think? :))))))

Deep space nine ...

... or me just continuing exploring far away lands of jewelry making.

I have to admit: I like to play, and this time, I have a lot of new toys suddenly at my disposal.

Hence, I keep on playing and making these things, that just keep flowing.

Here, take a look!

These two were made to complete the previous post necklaces...
Then, I got a new idea! hanging stones on some wire... So, tried that out.

The shape was promising, so I had to try it again, with a little variation.

Then, I felt the urge of making something green... And I don't even like green!

Enough green! Time for some purple now!

 Worse part is that I just end one and the next one is already a work-in-progress... I already dream of red and black, of more purple, of gray silver and red..... and I can keep on going :))))

It cannot be two without three (old romanian saying)

...which means that if it happened twice, it will happen the third time as well.
Therefore, admire the third series :))))

Now, my only concern is: will I stop? But then, again, why should I?  :))))

It's growing and I can't help it :)

Help! I'm being taken over by a bead manic!!!!!

Look, there is proof:

I can't stop making these things, and I'm enjoying it tremendously!
I think I need professional help :))))

Spring is coming. Finally!

Wondering where I've been? Not far, just here, around the corner, busy doing this doing that, you know, small life things.

But there is one thing I would like to share from my recent activities.

I've been following a course. A jewelry making course, to be more precise.

So, here I give you the results of my first three lessons:

Lesson number one: learning how to make rounded ends and attach them to each other.

Lesson number two: using silicone-wrapped wire and stops.

Lesson number three: more silicone wire and more beads.

Now, there are three more lessons to go, and I do expect them eagerly :))).

But wait, that is not quite all ;). Wonder why I've got this sudden passion? well... I've discovered (duh!) that I can make my own jewelry. And that there is a name for a style that I love since I first loved a piece of jewelry.

The name is "steampunk". It's a combination between pearls, lace, leather, mechanical parts, brass elements and all a strange, SF, old and new mixture at the same time. A lot to talk about, but not now.

Therefore, armed with my first three lessons, I've proceeded creating my very first steampunk piece for personal use.

Behold, admire! Be dazzled by my glorious creation :)))))

Very proud of myself, can you tell that? :)))))

Oh, this is the lady teaching the jewelry course: Ruxandra.Thank you, Ruxandra!

Later edit: couldn't help it. All this talking about jewelry made me go back to my working table. These are the results :D