Bohemian Inspired Jewelry Celebration!

I'm delighted to be part of the blog-party kickoff for Lorelei and Erin's book, Bohemian-Inspired Jewelry! I pre-purchased this little gem on Amazon ages ago, the moment I heard it was coming out, and couldn't wait to get it! I wasn't disappointed--it's gorgeous (really stunning photography), inspiring, and helpful! I've been an admirer of both Erin and Lorelei's work for a long time--I love knotted pieces, and unusual construction techniques, which both these ladies are virtuosos with! Perusing their designs has continually helped me think outside the box with my own work.

When I got the book, I was also thrilled to discover additional contributions by other crazy-talented artists too--Mary Jane Dodd, Denise Yezbak Moore, and Tracy Statler. I wasn't familiar with Denise's and Tracy's work before, so I am tickled to find new artists to add to my favorites list!

The book includes some really helpful features: a supplies list especially helpful for knotting and working with fibers; a section on knotting, stringing and wirework skills that are used throughout the rest of the projects, with some great illustrations (the drawings are super easy to understand); and references in each project to the skills you will need to refer to as you work, with the page number they're on. This makes it streamlined and easy to use. Many of the knotting techniques I wanted to learn are included, which I was so excited about! (And they're not nearly as complicated as I had thought...) The instructions for each project are comprehensive, very detailed, and thoughtfully written.

As I suspected, I am already brimming with new ideas for my own work....I've wanted to make a lariat style necklace for a long time, and this makes me desperately want to do it RIGHT NOW:

And now I MUST have velvet ribbon too. I really wanted to do up a lariat for this post but I just haven't had time...

Of course I would wear this with a plunging neckline, perhaps with something like this:

Via Polyvore

To one of the many, many ultra-posh parties I attend on at least a weekly basis.
In my mind.

So if you're in the market for out-of-the-box jewelry inspiration, ideas for using fiber in your pieces, and some absolutely essential knotting skills for your skill toolbox, this book will be a great investment!

Easy Tutorial to Organize Your Workspace

Are you overwhelmed by a messy bead board? Just don't have the time to clean up those odds and ends? This was my problem. I even contemplated buying another bead board! But then I discovered the solution, and my workspace went from this:

So messy! Argh!

 To this:

Pristine!

How did I do it? I'm going to tell you, 'cause I'm like that. It was so simple and easy!

Here's what you will need:
1. Large plastic bag.
2. Plastic container with a lid. Or two, depending.
3. Storage cupboard or shelf, preferably with a door on it.

The first thing you need to do is so easy! You can do it in a jiff. Go over your bead board and pick out the really good stuff--pendants, focals, finished items, pharmaceuticals, cash, anything precious metal, art beads. Put them in a safe place where you'll remember where they are. Maybe write down where you put them. And put that note in a safe place where you'll remember where it is.

Once you've picked out the expensive or important stuff, it's time for your plastic bag. A big one is best, one that is big enough that you can fit the board all the way in it. There should be no holes. (Stiffer plastic bags work better, like really big plastic shopping bags like if you bought a duvet or something at Bed Bath & Beyond. But check for holes).

The bag.

Carefully slip the board all the way into the bag.

The board going in the bag.

Once you have the bag safely enveloping the board, gently tip the board up and keep tipping until everything from the board is in the bag.

Tipping the board.

  Everything should then look like this:

The board.

The bag.

Now take your plastic bag and your plastic container (or whatever kind of container you like, it should just be fairly deep to keep things from bouncing out when you make the transfer), and carefully make a little pouring spout with the bag into the container. Carefully tip the bag up (see below)

Pouring the bag.

so that the contents of the bag pour into the container. When all the contents of the bag are in the container, put the lid on the container. It should look like this:

Container with the lid on.

Put the container in a storage area:

Storage cupboard.

Close the door.

Voila!

 

And the beauty of this technique is that you can do it as many times as you need to! You could even do it with your whole work bench if you had a big enough bag. And container.