Mid-Week Mutterings - Chrysocolla and Copper Necklace Part 2

Not that long ago I wrote about this lovely chrysocolla I'd received from The Beadin' Path - the large oval from the May bead club and the smaller coins from a promotional package that included vintage Lucite that I blogged about a the end of July and first of August. I'd started stringing it with some copper beads and one half of a flowery copper toggle.

I was thinking about, perhaps, working some kind of lanyard idea with it, or maybe I'd wrap something to the loop end...then I got another idea entirely.

The clasp needs some work - it's not yet fully bent correctly because it's a bit DIY - I took another floral toggle part and cut it so it had an open "hook" (now I have the two orphaned toggle bars to figure out what to do with). I'll also need to crimp off the beading wire (Beadalon Satin Copper, 19 strands) when I've finished the hook, but I think I really love this design. Adding the little glass disk spacers and copper wreath beads started me going, but the copper 'shells' beads were the final just right touch for me.

Do come back tomorrow for my review of the ConsumerCrafts.com site and promotional coupon purchases I made from them. I don't know if I'll have time to finish a piece with the purchases, if not, I'll save that for another day. On Friday I'll reveal my latest The Beadin' Path "sea glass" necklace (and the bracelet & earrings).

And the Shiny Stuff Keeps Coming or, How I Exhausted the Mail Carrier

I want to plug a few things I've read lately that I can't wait 'til Sunday's Wanderings Around the Beadosphere post to share.

First, Wendy Gibson of Winged Heart Studio has a column up at the ArtFire sponsored Handmade News. Wendy is one of their regular columnists for the Craft Trends section! Congratulations on the great gig, Wendy!

I understand there may still some spots open at Handmade for anyone who'd like to also become a paid editor, columnist or volunteer contributor, but I bet time is running short.

Tish is still collecting donations to help Chance run, she's only asking for 50 cents - and needs just over 900 more donations to reach her goal - which was 2000, so she's beyond the half-way mark in just a few days. Tell a friend, add your 50 cents, tell another friend.

Where do you go for inspiration that's not another beading crafter? I like Autonomous Artisans, Nikon Sniper, The Smitten Image and sometimes just doing a search on Google Images.

Now some notes about my day - Yay for my May's Bead Club beads from The Beadin' Path. Yummy summer-y sherbet colored heishis, bright silver-plated shell charms, large chrysocolla pendant bead were in this month's pack. Ideas for these are bouncing all over my brain.

Then there was more yay for Vintaj brass bits and caps and disks, and beautiful Lunch Specials beads from Lima Beads (sign up for their emails - you'll be glad you did). I don't know what is in today's special (today meaning the day you see this and click) but I got some beautiful rhodochrosite heishis and lemon ice and violet elongated faceted cubic zirconia teardrops at super prices. These CZs, with their own pre-attached bails, are definitely on my wish list.

Last but not least, this gorgeous borosilicate lampwork glass nautilus shell pendant from LaffingGull Lampwork

I'm going to be a designing dervish this weekend - only 2 weekends to go before Bay Con and I want to have a nice stock of Victorian and Steampunk style pieces.