the bracelet

Winter is almost over.  THANK GOD!
This is the season when I am most heavily into swapbot.  I have noticed a trend over the years that from about January through March I am swapping like mad.  It truly gets me through the darkest days of winter. 
Since we moved, my welder and kiln are sitting unused.  The new place doesn't have the wiring capabilities that the old place had (there is actually fuses in the garage), so I'm stuck doing inside stuff.  I haven't done a lot with beading and I got a swap partner this time that said in her profile that bracelets are her thing...and purple...and butterflies. So, I thought I would try my hand at some jewelry making.

Sorry about the fuzziness.  I tried outside and inside pictures and they both came out that way, but you get the general idea.  The clasp is sterling silver magnetic, acrylic coated beading wire, crimp beads, spacers, 2 glass butterflies and a variety of purple glass beads in various shapes. The end caps were from something...but they worked well here.

To be honest, I really don't make very much jewelry, but I enjoy it.  Maybe it's because it seems like everyone makes it.  I think there are more jewelry artisans on Etsy than any other artist.  I just don't see the market in it.  Makes for a nice gift though huh?

Winter hiatus

I know I've been AWOL all winter because of some drama in the fall and a major move that kind of threw my imagination into a tizzy.  After a substantial break though, I am ready to show you what i have been working on.

A friend of mine said that she needed a cup cozy.  I thought it a most frivolous thing.  who would need a cup cozy anyway?  But, I went ahead and free formed one and tried it out.

Amazing!  My knuckles were not burned on the side of the cup!  My tea stayed hot longer!  I was able to sip and savor instead of  chugging in fear of cold tea!  HA!

This was my first one. 

and then, because I can't leave anything alone, I made a duck.  :)

I am thinking that these will be on my website before winter's end.