Bead Fest Philly Spark Inspiration for Earrings

This past weekend was the Philadelphia Bead Fest, which is literally five minutes from my house. The set up was different than years past and it confused me a bit.  Any who, I went with a specific list of items that I needed which included: Pyrite (I am in LOVE with pyrite, it always catches my eye), Swarovski Rivolis, Seed Beads, Seed Pearls, and Larger Pearls.  I got everything on my list except for the larger sized pearls and instead of that I got some findings, base metal clasps in silver and antique bronze, charms, and ear wires.       The problem is that even though I didn't buy a lot of things that were not on my list and the ones that I did buy were good wholesale deals, I spent ALL of my money.  Every single last bit of it.  I need to get serious about selling my creations or else I won't have enough money to continue creating.  So I'm putting the necklace that I was going to make for myself on hold for a couple of days so that I can crank out some pieces. Starting with:

8mm Swarovski Rivoli Earrings
with Pyrite

I am in love with these little beauties,  there is just the right amount of sparkle for me.  So what did I do with them?  I gifted them to my friend.  She's been asking for some jewelry (rings) but I've never gotten around to doing any of that.  So after I made these I thought to myself that these are totally her style, and what better day to give a gift than Eid. For those of you that don't know Ramadhan, the month of fasting, ended yesterday and the celebration is called Eid.  She loved them and that's all that matters.  Now I need to make some more for gifts (for weddings and things) and for the boutique and I'm thinking of expanding where I'm selling so I need an inventory for that, so much to do, so little time.

Goal: Selling some items before the International Gem and Jewelry Show September 21-23 2012

A Peacock in Paradise: A Statement Necklace

I know, I was supposed to post pieces inspired by Project Runway. But I had inspiration coming from a different place: Pinterest.

Source: sal-vaje.tumblr.com via Nissa on Pinterest

Peacocks are the symbol of luxury, royalty, and everything expensive.  So I took that concept and designed

a necklace that embodied the rich hues of green and blue with bronze and gold. I have also entered this piece

in the FireMountainGem Summer Inspiration Contest.  It would be great to win it, the prize is a library full of 

inspiration and techniques. 

Each component took between an hour to two hours to complete so approximately 10 hours give or take.  

There was so much trial and error with this piece in regards to the size and techniques used to create the 

center piece as well as the beaded beads.  I am in absolute LOVE with the beaded beads!  I told my mom 

that before I sold this piece I wanted to wear it at least once. But she told me that was unprofessional and to

make myself a new one. Oh the agony I don't think I have the patience to make ANOTHER one of these,

This is going into my One of a Kind Piece collection.  Although, I still need to make a bracelet and a pair of

 earrings to go with this but that will come a bit later.  I have decided that I will make myself a unique one of 

a kind necklace, maybe not as glamorous as this one but slightly sophisticated and bold and neutral.