Pretty Shiny Things- Star Girl's Jewelry Box

Pinks and Browns...

2012-01-24T17:22:00.000-05:00

I went on a bit of a pink and brown binge, this isn't even close to being everything I made in pink and brown just what's been photog'd and is ready to go...

Heart focal...

a connector pendant...string through the main and add charms, pendant etc through the "bail" attached...

These are being sold as a set, 2 pillow squares and 2 fluted/ribbed spacers...Wouldn't they make such a pretty pair of earrings?

feels like ages since I've used my pillow press, I almost forgot what a comfortable to wear and pretty, clean lines shape it makes :)

You can find these in my Etsy shop!

Don't forget about my beady giveaway! Find out all the deets HERE.

Beady Giveaway...

2012-01-23T18:29:00.000-05:00

I'm giving this cute set of beads away over on FaceBook

How can you win them, you ask?

Just go to my facebook page and like the picture of them in the album "Giveaway" then click share to share them on your facebook page and leave me a comment letting me know you did.

I heart Macro...

2012-01-21T22:25:00.000-05:00

I'm slacking this week with my picture taking but flipping through some older albums, I found these interesting shots I took at a museum field trip I took with my 6 yr old.

"I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged". Join Lori by blogging your up close/macro picture of the week. Grab the button* to show that you're participating and link up. Then be sure to visit other participantsand spread the macro love.

ain't that a pip...

2012-01-19T16:19:00.000-05:00

It's just one of them days...feeling out of sorts, stuffy nose, yucky cough, shuffling around kinda bored but not really wanting to do anything in particular...who knows! I don't try to figure it out, I'll just drink my coffee, eat my truffles and try not to stare at the clock wishing for bedtime. BUT I did want to post about these earrings that I love so dearly...even thought I couldn't remember if I already did or not but was too lazy to check...Olivine AB czech glass beads wire wrapped on diamond cut (='s sparkly) silver hoops and topped off with a faceted lucite ever so slightly minty green rondelle...You can find them HERE.

Grey and Yellow...

2012-01-16T15:14:00.002-05:00

I tend to wear a lot of greys and black and then spunk it up with pops of color. Yellow and grey is just one of those favorites that for whatever the reason work together and make me happy.

You can find this necklace HERE

UPDATE: This necklace is no longer available. Sold! Yay! love when that happens!

I heart Macro...frozen

2012-01-14T20:14:00.000-05:00

I trekked out into the freezing cold winds for my Macro shots... bored with anything that caught my eyes indoors this week. Outdoors I found everything lightly dusted in snow and the few red berries left on this shrub seemed to not notice that it was Winter and were still as red and vibrant as ever which put a smile on my face...

I played up a couple of the shots with some actions but the others are straight from my camera...

straight from my camera

frozen toes...straight from my camera

Hop over to Studio Waterstone to check out the other entries for this week.

Come on in...

2012-01-13T13:30:00.000-05:00

The Spring Bead Shop is now open! Come on in! Stroll around...you'll find bunnies frolicking, flowers blooming, bumble bees buzzing, bright colors, hearts and yummy chocolates ;)

It's a bright, cheery, colorful place to be!

SPRING BEAD SHOP

Full Swing...

2012-01-12T13:13:00.000-05:00

I'm on a roll...the muse is in full swing and I'm taking full advantage of it while I can.

These new pieces and more can all be found in my Etsy Shop.

Sometimes all it takes is digging through bins of beads and components that I forgot I even had, to spark the design process...also it makes me feel like less of a bead hoarder to finally put them to good (and pretty!) use :)

Today's Specials...

2012-01-09T16:21:00.000-05:00

More mark downs! Glad you all are enjoying the Specials! Both of these are now marked down to $9 plus shipping...snatch 'em up while they last :)

found here- Bracelets

found here- Earrings

Here's another heart focal...

a nice happy red with lime green raised dots...

You can find this focal an many others in my Etsy Shop...

I love my customers...I got an email from one with a really cool suggestion/request that I'm eager to try out at the torch and I just got a big custom bead order that I need to get going on first though , so I can carve out some time to play around with and experiment with the suggestion/request :)

If you have anything you'd like to see me make give me a holler, I love custom requests, suggestions, color combo's, themes etc. always happy to try something new or customize something I'm already making.

Thanks for stopping by!!

I heart Macro...literally

2012-01-07T20:55:00.000-05:00

I skipped out with posting my Macro shots for a couple of weeks through the holiday madness but it feels good to be back :) Catching up on custom orders and bead orders finally left me a little time to play, so I made hearts! This is one of my favorites...even though I was a little bummed about some bubble spots but the colors, shape and feel still make me love it! I think I'm going to use this one in a necklace soon...I'll post some of the other heart focals I finished through out the week.

encased silvered glass

Link up or have a look, either way I know you won't be disappointed. I'm always inspired and amazed at the beautiful shots submitted each week...have a look!

Twists and Turns...

2012-01-05T20:59:00.000-05:00

Melting glass puts me in a Zen state...Hammering Metal is a stress reliever. After a stressful week this Twists and Turns necklace was born. I added 3 of my lampwork glass beads and some chunky chain for a comfortable, unique and one of kind necklace that's super fun to wear.

Faceted quartz clusters in light pink and hematite on some wavy hoops for a pair of feminine and sparkly earrings that are great for dressing up or everyday wear.

These two new pieces will be going up in the Etsy Shop tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll be sending out a Today's Special to all my mailing list subscribers tomorrow! Sign up and stay tuned for that, the past 2 specials I've offered have been snatched up at record speed :) I'm glad you're enjoying the specials and helping me clear out some inventory!

Fashion Goodness...

2012-01-03T13:22:00.000-05:00

My first two designs for 2012 and I'm lovin' them...

I've been hoarding this Etched copper disc for quite some time. Wasn't sure if I wanted to make a cuff or pendant of some sort and finally sat down, tossed it on my work table where I happen to have set out several wire wrapped faceted briolettes and saw this necklace in my head. Hammered it up a bit, domed it a bit, drilled my holes and paired it up with some warm orange aventurine polished rounds and some chunky chain.

With this beauty again I was hoarding (again with the hoarding, I can't help it!!) this triple strand of chunky chains vintage signed Monet necklace for quite some time and when I found this gorgeous and HUGE vintage style brooch/pendant it was like they were made for each other. The clasp is even gorgeous! Taking something old (and beautiful) and upcycling it into something fabulous always makes my day :)

Both of these piece will be going up in my Etsy Shop shortly.

PS. BSBP (Bead Soup Blog Party) Sign ups are this weekend!!! Woohoo!!! It's being done lottery style with a 200 participant limit this time around to try and make things easier for Lori and all the hard work she puts into it. Keep your fingers crossed for me that I get picked ;) You can find the link/button in my side bar go have a look at what it's all about and if you have a blog and bead, sign ups start Saturday!

The New Year...

2012-01-02T11:38:00.000-05:00

My first post of 2012...the holidays wiped me out. NYE was spent with friends and family at my parents house pigging out on good eats and playing with the kiddos. With both boys having the ickies (running nose, cough and overall crabbiness) we didn't stick around for midnight. I tucked up with Roswell season 1 and my snuggie (don't judge me) and nodded off somewhere around 3:30am but not before sitting down in the studio and creating a few new piece of jewelry which I'll show you tomorrow...

having more fun with the wrapping paper than the toys

my mom with the grand babies on Christmas day

the 6 yr old asked for an Ipad but settled for this :)

Lot's of good things are planned and in the works for 2012 and Star Girl Jewelry & Lampwork...I thought a good way to clear out some of the old to make room for the new would be to offer up some Today Specials here and there. So to kick off the 2012 Today Special I've marked down the Amber Glow earrings from $14 to $9 and once they're gone they're gone.

was $14 now $9

and you can find them HERE

It's back to school for the boy tomorrow. I don't think I bored him too much this time around as I did over Thanksgiving break plus I scored the 25th Anniversary edition of Zelda for his DSi for FREE through the Nintendo shop and already have 3 levels beat...errr..I mean he's really enjoying it. Laundry's going, baby's napping, coffee's in hand and I'm about to go tackle the tree and stuff everything back into storage although, I'm sure I'll be finding faux pine needles, sparkles and tiny bits of wrapping paper for weeks to come.

How was your Holidays? Did you make any NY's resolutions?

2 Day Sale!!

2011-12-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

BIG 2 DAY SALE!!! 15% off EVERYTHING!!! The coupon code can be used in my etsy shop at check out just type in NEWYEARS15 and any orders placed through my website I will refund you the 15% off back to you off your total after you complete the checkout and payment process. This offer can be used on anything and everything including my lampwork glass beads so Happy almost New Year!! Enjoy!!

Hope you all had great Holidays! I'm still recouping. I think my mojo has been totally zapped. The weeks leading up to Christmas are always the busiest with last minute orders, shipping, delivering local and keeping up with the daily domestic mom stuff around here. I think I need a cape ;)

My brain is still decompressing and I haven't gotten out of my jammies in 2 days...it's quite nice, I'm not ganna lie :)

Now I've got about 30 empty boxes that used to house some sort of toy secured by 5,832,3981 zip ties and if I could just build up enough motivation to flatten them up and stuff them in the rubbish bin before pick up tomorrow morning I should be good to go! ha!

I'm hoping some sort of creative spark will strike soon so I can get to work on my Spring line...oh yes I said Spring! I'm well aware that there are big fat snowflakes currently falling from the sky here in Michigan but pulling out some fun, bright beads and imagining up some warmer weather outfits and occasions to create jewelry, beads & accessories for is what gets me through the next 3-4 Michigan months which seem to draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag on and on and on every year.

I heart Macro...

2011-12-17T22:00:00.000-05:00

Wanna see more? Head on over to Lori's blog to see the full link up and great pics!

A few more...

2011-12-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

Button sliders...they're so much fun and addicting to make. I don't ever plan them ahead of time. Once I get the base complete I sit for a minute trying to decide what I want to add to the button face. It's like a blank little canvas :) These also fit the Pandora style bracelets but they make great buttons and beads for jewelry projects. You can find them HERE.

and a peek at some of my favorite ornaments off my HP pink tree...I couldn't resist! OMG I love my HP tree so much I wanna leave it up all year round! The big tree I'm always a little happy to see gone after the New Year but this little pink 3 ft-er makes me sad to pack up and put away.

Harry and Snape with a bubbling cauldron that lights up...this one's my most favorite

the "mirror" is a hologram and changes depending on how you're looking at it

Bertie Botts every flavored Beans!

The Nimbus 2000

The sorting hat...which house would you hope it would choose for you??

Dumbledor

Hagrid

What's your favorite Holiday decoration that you look forward to putting out every year?

Holiday Pinspiration...

2011-12-13T12:36:00.002-05:00

Source: a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net via Carol on Pinterest

Source: paper.tipjunkie.com via Cristi on Pinterest

Source: howtonestforless.com via Cristi on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Kitschy on Pinterest

oh alright, gnomes aren't exactly Holiday decor but they make me happy :)

Source: etsy.com via Lara on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Marianna on Pinterest

a winter wonderland I would LOVE to walk through

Today's the Day...

2011-12-06T12:51:00.000-05:00

My lampwork glass headpins are featured in a super cool bracelet and earrings project along side with JC Herrell's (who's work I LOVE!!) beads. His and His show your pride bracelets and a super cool pair of earrings! So excited!!!

I have about 4 gajillion beads that need to be pulled off the mandrels, cleaned, sorted, strung, packaged up and shipped out. I think that is my least favorite part of what I do.

Have a great day!!!

I heart Macro...holiday dazzle

2011-12-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

When I seen these cool, sparkly components I immediately thought "Holiday Dazzle Earrings!"

They're a bit of a kick back to Madonna retro days, no? :)

I'm pretty sure I'll be ringing in the New Year with a pair of these dangling from my ears...

Join in on the "I Heart Macro" slash "I Heart Close Ups: Up Close Photography for Macro Makers and the Camerologically Challenged".

You can Link up here:

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Button it up...

2011-12-02T11:57:00.000-05:00

but first, a necklace...

I'm not sure where I got the artisan made ceramic pendant from. I think from a bead swap at some point. The colors are very earthy and organic, the pattern continues on the back...

added a turquoise and aventurine copper flower charm...

on long antiqued brass chunky chain and viola!

Now onto the buttons...

They are so cute and fun to make...I have a kiln full of more at the moment.

It wasn't until I pulled these out of the kiln that I realized they also fit the Pandora style bracelets! Super cute!

So many uses for these. Use them as actual buttons, slide them onto a chain or Pandora style jewelry, string them into any of your jewelry designs and even use them as a button clasp with the beaded loop to finish off a bracelet or a necklace.

I'll post more soon but in the mean time you can find these and more in my Etsy Shop HERE

Thanks for stopping by!

Holiday Overload...

2011-11-27T13:36:00.000-05:00

Did you survive the holiday? I think I'm still on Thanksgiving overload mode. Noah's been off for 10 days...TEN, yeah that's right 10 days. I'm not sure who thought up that brilliant idea. Love having him home but I'm pretty sure he was officially bored with me after day 2. He kept saying he couldn't wait to see what I did all day while he was at school and he bet I went to Target and the park everyday. Ummmmmm, not quite. Needless to say it didn't take long to read the disappointment on his face once he realized that entertaining his little brother, laundry and general cleaning of the house and getting orders made and shipped out suck up every last second of school hours and then some.

On the plus side he did say he felt bad for me that I work so hard and it looks like a lot of work taking care of him and Lucas and he's pretty sure he doesn't want any kids when he gets older because he'd rather have all the toys to himself and play video games all day lol!

So anyhow here's a few new things I've been working on. This week has been nothing but melting glass and getting orders out but I did manage to sit and finish up some jewelry...

I don't know about you but I drool over copper and turquoise...

The very last of my Moon Stump lampwork that I've been hoarding

mixed with some of my own lampwork, crystals, mixed metals and more...

light as a feather...or leaf ;)

endless hours of wire wrapping...

...for dramatic effect!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a fabulous weekend!

I heart Macro...

2011-11-19T23:13:00.001-05:00

and cold connections...

no glues or epoxy...

just cutting, hammering, planning and piecing and "fusing" it all together to form something simple and different...

fustrating and gratifying...

Enjoying the little things...

2011-11-18T11:38:00.000-05:00

right now...

tell me these little owls aren't begging to be made into glass beads...I know, right?!

and later tonight...

Girls night!!!! FINALLY!...also I really love Bella's necklace :)

Have a great day!

Etsy lovin'...

2011-11-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

I realized that I haven't done an Etsy Lovin' post in a while, so let's get started shall we?...

vart

Ruffles!!! need I say more?

lolide

I LOVE LOVE LOVE big rings, isn't this stunning?

wingtips

hand painted shoes...so cool!

ORRTEC

EVERYTHING in her shop is insanely gorgeous, this is just my latest favorite

Artybecca

Amazing poly clay beads...stop by her shop and check out the rest of her goodies, the colors and designs are incredible.

VintageScraps

Vintage milk bottle tops...I don't know what I would use them for but I feel the need to have them. Actually they would make super cute earring cards, don't you think?

ClayLickCreekPottery

Beautiful bowls, great colors and design

adventuresinclay

Yes I'm aware I post a lot of yarn bowls in my Etsy Lovin' posts. I don't think I'll stop until I finally just buy one for myself :)

Kinies

I WANT, NEED and have to have one of these! So adorable! Ruffle scarf and ruffle hip pouch...the more ruffles the better!!

Hope you enjoyed this Etsy Lovin'

Have a great day!

New for Tuesday...

2011-11-15T10:06:00.000-05:00

A while ago I made up several of these large glass ruffle flower style focals. I wasn't sure if I was going to list them to sell as a set or as a focal maybe with a couple of spacers or if I was going to use them. I finally decided to use a few of them...

I love this brown. It's a transparent brown glass so even though it looks dark, when the light hits it it sparkles and seems to get this amber glow along the edges...

For the necklace below I had these plastic rings in my sewing stash. They almost look like shower curtain rings but a little smaller and with no opening. I remember buying them in the quilting section of the craft store but I don't remember why or what they would be used for. After making the fabric wrapped bangles I decided to wrap these hoops in some vintage fabric and add links and work them into some of my pieces...

I have more of the ruffle flower focals piling up...they're so much fun to make. I'm still not sure how I want to sell them so I think I'll do a few in sets, a few singles and make up some extras for me to keep using in my jewelry. I'll let you know when I have some available up in the shop. Now I'm off to get these goodies listed in my Etsy Shop!

Have a great day!