Square And Opal

Lately I've been going through my beads and components stash searching particularly for things that I have had for some time, and really like. But haven't found a way to use them in a way that I am satisfied with. When I first got them I had an idea on what to do with them, but when I tried it out it didn't work how I had had in mind. So now I am challenging myself to think in new ways. How shall I make that bead or component talk in an interesting way? 

Like the square chain in these earrings for instance. It is unusual and I love its look. About 5-7 mm side. I never thought of it as something to use in earrings before. But why not, I now thought. It is made of aluminium, so it is light weight despite it's robust look.

I cut a couple of shorter segments. The pale pink peruvian opal stone faceted nuggets creates an interesting contrast to the somewhat industrial look of the chain. When I design jewelry I am always fascinated by unexpected combinations of different design elements. To make seemingly unrelated things look like they were meant for each other all the time.

Hung from handmade Sterling silver earrings hooks.

I have recently re-opened my Etsy shop. Its been on vacation mode for quite some time now, 

due to reasons :-). So far I have only listed a few things, but I intend to keep adding more pieces gradually over the coming period. 

Please contact me if you are interested in any of my pieces that I haven't listed there yet.

www.etsy.com/se-en/shop/MalindeKoning

All my best,

Malin de Koning

www.beadingbymalindekoning.blogspot.com

Come on Summer!

I am so exited for summer to get here! I live in WA state and we've had such a wet cold winter. The weather forecast says we are in for a treat with high temps all week! I'm treating myself to a few days off at Long Beach.

Instead of sharing a pretty outfit to match my earrings I am sharing some beach pictures. Not the sunny white sand beach with the blue ocean. But OUR beach. Our beach is windy and cold (mostly) and sunny warms days are a rarity. This week promises to be amazing. I cannot wait. 

These pictures were taking a few years ago. I went to this spot with my daughter looking for something special to convert to a bead or bauble. Unfortunately we just found a lot of driftwood. However it was a beautiful site- the ocean rolling in, the waves were huge. Kind of scary but a rush at the same time.

My beach inspired earrings~

Peruvian Opal with Frosty White Beach Glass 

Wrapped in Fine Silver wire

Finished with Hand Crafted Ear Wires.

Available on Etsy from Cindy's Art & Soul 

Peace & Blessings

Cindy

Sea Salt

This. bead. Love this bead. As soon as it came out of the kiln and was cleaned out I was making a bracelet with it. After that was completed I asked my husband if he could please make tiny shell beads to match because this bracelet just HAD to have a pair of earrings! I was pleased with the result.

And here's a full shot of the bracelet...

The earrings are available HERE and the bracelet HERE. If you are interested in having a shell bead or two for yourself please check out Bubby & McGurk Beads or their Facebook page where a flash sale is held every two weeks. Next one is tomorrow (Saturday May 10th) at 2pm (EDT.) and there will be shell beads and shell beads for earrings offered. The sales are lots of fun and beads are offered at a lower price to save on website and Etsy fees, etc.

Oh and speaking of shells....before I close, don't forget about the "We're all Ears:: May Inspiration" by our very own Erin Prais-Hintz.

Thanks for checking out our blog and have a fabulous weekend!

Kristy Abner

Kristy's Kreations 

Kristy's Kreations Jewelry Blog Spot 

Kristy's Kreations Facebook page

Kristy's Kreations Website 

 

Repurposing

 

A few months ago, I was shopping and saw a pair of inexpensive earrings that I knew I had to buy because I was going to repurpose them.  I have a pic of what's left of them at this point (see pic below) since I have used the copper dangles and the other antique gold and silver dangles. I hammered them to flatten and give texture and then punched holes in them. I love how each pair has turned out so far. I've used Peruvian opals on the copper and antique gold pair and turquoise on the silver pair.

 

This is what I did with the antique gold pair....

 

And this is what I did with the silver pair ( my tribal wrap earrings that I featured on this blog a few weeks ago).

 

 

 You can see the copper pair here, and the antique gold pair here as well as many of my other designs on my website.

Thank you,

Kristy Abner

Kristy's Kreations 

Peruvian Opal

Peruvian Opals are one of my favorite gemstones and so I wanted to make a pair of earrings that would definitely show off these beauties. I used 16g sterling silver wire and wrapped it around a dowel and then hammered it. I used liver of sulphur to patina them along with some sterling wire that I needed to use for wrapping and ear wires.  I'm pleased with how they came out...they will be hard to part with!


Did you know that the Peruvian Opal has soft relaxing energies. Legend says that it takes the tension out of communication and helps ideas flow freely. It softens the impact of stress from the outside world and can help one to release the trauma of old wounds. It facilitates facing the future with a tranquil healing nature.  **info found on www.bernardine.com
 

Check out my website to see more of my work. These earrings just sold but I have some copper ones listed on my website here. 

Thank you,

Kristy Abner

Kristy's Kreations