My Year in Review!

   Wow! Only a few more hours left in 2013.

I need to work on my crafting and photo-taking skills

   I sure am trying to get back into the swing of things…mainly a crafting and blogging schedule.

'Tis the time to shop I guess

   I don’t recall ever needing to return or exchange gifts I’ve received. And I don’t recall ever going out shopping on the day after Christmas.

It's all about the cats today!

   Whew! Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas have all come and gone. Two more celebrations to go – New Year’s Eve and the Orange Bowl.

What do I do with my scraps of fleece?

   I’m trying to find something I can do with the fleece squares I have left over from making the no-sew fleece blankets back before Christmas.

Use wrapping paper scraps to make beads

   I’ve made paper beads in the past and used them in my jewelry making. This time I used wrapping paper.

Merry Christmas from AptToCraft!

'Twas the night before Christmas

   Do you have Christmas Eve traditions?

A necklace and a bracelet from one old belt

   I have accumulated quite a few old belts from visits to thrift shops. I like making jewelry out of each 50-cent find.

Psalm 23 beads for a bracelet and pendant

   Several months ago I made a Psalm 23 bracelet. I was inspired by something I found on Pinterest.

A Christmas poem for Caturday!

‘Twas four days before Christmas, in a house full of cats,

and I heard a sweet purr as they started to stir.

The kitties were restless, there’s so much to see,

By the window are toys all hooked to a tree.

Christmas memories (and toys) that make me smile

   Over the last few days I have found myself reflecting on memories of Christmases past.

Creative gift-giving is easy with handmade creations

   Gift-giving has changed for me as I have gotten older.

The time of year for giving

   Do you like donating to charities this time of year? While we hope our gifts make it to the intended recipients, is there a way to really know?

From a Creative Cave to a Christmas Cave

   My Creative Cave is kind of turning into the Christmas Cave.

I found crafting and holiday spirit in "Faith, Family and Ducks!"

   I’m a newshound. I’ve studied and worked in some form of writing and news since high school.

Wire + Chain + Buttons = Bracelet

   Over the last few months I have managed to accumulate so many buttons that I think it rivals my stash of beads.

A cat blanket for a "Caturday" post

   Back in June, when I first started this blog, I mentioned how I had turned into a garage girl and coined the name Creative Cave for my workspace.

A blue bling blog post

   Get ready for a sparkle overload. Instead of focusing on today being Friday the 13^th I am sharing a sparkly bracelet and rings.

Every time a bell rings...

   Do you have a favorite Christmas movie? Is there one you can’t make it through the season without watching once, or twice?

Hodgepodge of crafted items

   I just haven’t been able to channel any creativity lately when it comes to making jewelry.

Wire jig ornaments

   I pulled out some wire, my wire jig and some buttons and tried to make some Christmas ornaments.

Fun holiday craft ideas

   Today I am sharing some links to some fun holiday projects.

I'm surprised I'm not wrapped in fleece!

   Apparently I take on any new craft with gusto. (Except the wirehanger ornament wreath of course).

Everyday is "Cat"urday at my house!

   I am certainly not the first person to use the word "Caturday." However, as the parent of the hurricane triplets in my house I think I can safely say that every day is Caturday…or maybe a “cat”astrophe.

Lessons learned from a holiday fair

   I ventured out on a foggy morning yesterday, with coffee mug close by, to visit a holiday fair. 

My first no-sew fleece blanket

   I might be a little behind the fad, but I finally made one of those no-sew fleece blankets. 

A "Less is More" approach

   I didn’t spend my day crafting yesterday. I’d like to say it was because I had too many other things to do.

Handmade wire bracelet and rings

   It should come as no surprise that I really like making wire-wrapped cuff bracelets. 

First a belt then a bracelet

   I had to do a little housekeeping in the Creative Cave yesterday. But once that was complete I got to work on handmade jewelry. 

Jewelry, crafts and holiday deals

   I plan to make some new jewelry today and I am looking forward to it. 

The Palmetto State rivalry is here! Wear your team colors!

   The day that divides the state of South Carolina is here. It’s game day! 

Good news and bad news

   The good news: I am close to finishing tomorrow’s game day jewelry post. The bad news: I overlooked a crafting post for today. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May friends and family fill your home and heart!

Yes, I put up a Christmas tree before the turkey is even cooked!

   I really need to get back to making jewelry. And I will, so please be patient with me. The holidays – and weather – have me a bit frazzled. 

My second attempt worked! I have a Christmas centerpiece!

   Well, after a challenging first attempt at a holiday centerpiece I think I managed to make something I can use. 

A challenging craft day

   Have you ever sat down to do a project and have everything go wrong pretty much from the start? 

I can't help myself, I bought more craft supplies

   I really am excited to get started on more handmade jewelry projects and crafts after a recent shopping trip. 

Show your team colors...it's another game day!

   It’s another college football Saturday! This time I threw together a couple pair of earrings to celebrate game day. 

With this ring...I have more than I can wear at one time

   I have made more wire rings than I have fingers and toes. 

Wire jig bracelet

   It had been a while since I used my wire jig to make anything. So I decided to use it to make a bracelet.

Delicate two-strand bracelet

   I am on a bracelet kick. Yesterday I showed you the belt bracelets I finally got around to making. Today I will show you another experiment.

Buttons and belts make bracelets

   Buttons and belts have become my latest craft obsession. 

Thanksgiving and Christmas rolled into one holiday?

   Lots of blog ideas and crafting ideas are going through my head as we get closer to the holidays. 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Creative Cave

   I found a little bit of holiday spirit yesterday in the Creative Cave. 

Hoping an organized workspace will spur motivation

   Just as my home and vehicle require regular cleaning and maintenance (maybe I should get on that), so does the Creative Cave. 

Seeking motivation

   Hmmm…I really have slowed down in my crafting adventures thanks to the weather (the Creative Cave has been cold), errands and activities away from the house. 

It's a game day and I made a goof!

   It’s Thursday and it’s a college football day! 

Just a short handmade jewelry post

   Today I am sharing a few jewelry pieces I made. 

Brown bracelets and a wreath that is giving me fits

   As I was pulling together the photos for today’s blog post I realized I must’ve been in a brown mood…whatever that might mean. 

Veterans Day

   On this Veterans Day I will remember those who have served in military service. I will take some time to reflect on past and current conflicts and the men and women who show dedication and bravery each day. 

Playing the yard sale game

   I am hooked on yard sales! Going out bright and early to find the best deals is like a game for me. A game I want to win. 

I finally did it! I made some memory wire bracelets

   Wow! It’s a college football Saturday and I’m not posting about it! Today I am talking about the memory wire bracelets I made.

A button necklace and ornament hook earrings

   I made a necklace without using any beads, chain, jump rings or string. 

Thrift shop finds and a song that won't leave my head

   I am going to try to make a long story short about how I came across Macklemore’s Thrift Shop song. How does this apply to crafting? Every time I go to a thrift shop, like I did yesterday, the song pops into my head. 

Clearance beads for a wire-wrapped cuff

   On Monday I showcased a bracelet and earrings I made from beads I found on clearance. Today’s post features more of those clearance beads. 

Angel wire cuff bracelet

   One of these days I will venture out of my jewelry making comfort zone and take on other craft projects. 

Holiday projects are looming

   It felt like it had been forever since I had spent any length of time in the Creative Cave. I made up for that yesterday. 

Sunday hodgepodge

   Happy Sunday! The weekend is nearing an end, Halloween has come and gone and the rush of the holiday season is upon us. 

Another day of college football!

   Is it just me, or does it seem like I am posting a college football game day write up more and more often than once a week? 

I turned into Edward Scissorhands for a Halloween project

   Yesterday, for Halloween, I was Edward Scissorhands. 

Happy Halloween!

   Happy Halloween! It is the day for candy, costumes and creepy crawlers. In today’s post I will share my version of all three. 

Handmade jewelry to reflect the colors of fall

   Fall is in the air! I have been inspired to make jewelry in the colors of the fall foliage this time of year. 

Found some fun Halloween decorations

   I finally removed some photos from my phone. I had forgotten about the Halloween decorations I came across while out visiting a couple of yard sales Saturday morning. 

Still feel bad, but managed a craft comment or two

   Ugghhh…once again I’m feeling yucky. And I even got a flu shot! 

Not feeling too well...

   It is with apologies I post today. I haven’t felt like crafting or writing much. 

A colorful game day post

   It is once again game day! And as I have done since the college football season started I have made game day jewelry. 

Wire earrings with a twist

   I began this blogging adventure to share my challenges and successes in crafting. I feel like today’s post contains a little of both. 

The art, or confusion, of pricing handmade items

   Do you ever go to craft shows and wonder, “How can that cost so much?” I will give my answer to this at the end of this post. 

Road trip, crafts and fall foliage

   I hope you have enjoyed my jewelry creation through the colors of the rainbow. Having a theme like that to work with helps me have blog topics and helps when I am out of town. 

The last color of the rainbow – violet!

   This is my last ROY G. BIV post. I’ve made it through the colors of the rainbow. Today’s color is violet. 

ROY G. BIV is nearing an end with indigo

   Here’s something I wasn’t prepared for…different shades of indigo as I continue my rainbow-themed blog posts I have been calling “ROY G. BIV.” 

I'm in the home stretch of ROY G. BIV! Today is blue!

   Am I blue? No, just on the last stretch of blogging about my handmade jewelry in the colors of the rainbow. 

It's Game Day!

   I interrupt this week’s rainbow-themed blog posts to bring you a college football game day post. 

ROY G. BIV: It's not easy being green!

   Green is my favorite color in the rainbow of colors known as ROY G. BIV. 

ROY G. BIV continues! Today is yellow!

   I’m going to come clean on something here…I do not like the color yellow. Maybe it's because it just doesn't look good on me. 

Orange: The second color in ROY G. BIV

   Today I am continuing with the rainbow theme “ROY G. BIV.” Yesterday I featured a red wire-wrapped cuff bracelet. Today’s color is orange. 

ROY G. BIV leads me to jewelry creation and blog posts

   I went back to grade school for today’s post. Do any of you remember how you learned the colors of the rainbow? 

It's a Monday and I need to get to work!

   Let’s see…I need some more wire, I need some motivation and I need something to write about. 

Even short on time I find a way to work with wire!

   I didn’t have much time to spend in the Creative Cave yesterday. But I tried to make the most of the time I did have. 

Charm bracelets for college football Saturday

   It’s time for another college football Saturday. I actually pull for several teams, but given where I live and other personal factors my “blood runneth orange.” 

What do I do with all of this paper?

   Back when I first started making paper beads I went a little overboard on buying paper and acquiring paper scraps to use. 

A pink post! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

   Pink really isn’t one of my favorite colors. There isn’t much pink in my wardrobe and I have very little in the way of pink beads and jewelry accessories in the Creative Cave. 

Wire jig cuff bracelets...it's a wonder I'm not wrapped in wire!

   It should come as no surprise to any of my readers that I enjoy working with wire. I’ve used wire to wrap bracelets, rings and pendants. 

A button and a wire-wrapped cuff bracelet

   I haven’t used buttons much in my crafting, but I have plenty of them. My hope has been that one of these days I would make something with them. 

Through heat, sneezes and allergies...I will craft!

   It is with some surprise that I am able to show you some handmade jewelry today. 

Fresh fall wreath made and an angel craft to come

   Happy Sunday! Today I am sharing a couple of items from the Creative Cave. 

Battle of the orange this afternoon

   It sure doesn’t seem like a week since I last posted a football-themed entry on my blog. But it was. Today is another college football Saturday! 

This is my 100th blog post!

   This is my 100^th blog post! It kind of snuck up on me. I guess I should’ve planned better and made this some kind of celebratory post. 

My blog can do more and I want to find out what that is

   I didn’t craft anything yesterday. What I did do was link up with other bloggers, as well as research more about promoting my own blog. 

Hooked on wire rings

   I have some more handmade rings to show you. I finally studied a tutorial and as you will see, I became hooked on making them. 

Going wire wrap crazy with rings

   Wow! Another month has come and gone. Welcome October! Perhaps I should get crafty and work on some Halloween and Thanksgiving items. For right now, however, I want to share my new obsession…handmade rings. 

Making plans for the week - jewelry, crafts...pruning?

   It’s Monday! I’m ready to get moving on a week of jewelry making, crafting and chores. I guess…lol. 

My first try at handmade rings

   Well, I decided it was about time I try to make rings. Oh boy has this been an interesting experiment. 

It's still college football season...so here ya go!

   It’s a college football Saturday and the Clemson Tigers are playing today. So by now it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the subject of today’s post is football. 

A necklace from yard sale goodies

   I have accumulated an assortment of beads and jewelry findings from yard sales. I decided it was time to make use of some of those items. 

Wire jewelry and a hand "claw"

   I wanted to create something fun with the wire jig. Somewhere amid the hours of Internet and Pinterest searching I’ve done for wire jig ideas I came across a Christmas tree. I gave it a try.

Another experiment with the wire jig: Earrings

   I wanted to play some more with my wire jig, but I wasn’t sure what I would make. I put all of the parts out in front of me, grabbed some wire and decided to see what I could do. 

From Pinterest: Psalm 23 bracelet

   I always find projects I would like to try when I look at things on Pinterest. Whether it is a fancy dessert, a home renovation project or unique pieces of jewelry, I will save these pins thinking maybe someday I will give them a try. 

Grab bag makes beautiful necklaces

   In the blog post "Grab Bag of Goodies" I talked about using the very pretty beads that came in a grab bag from Auntie’s Beads. I still had more beads and findings in the bag so I decided to put them to use and make some necklaces. 

Random topics and photos from the Creative Cave

   I take lots of pictures when I 'm making jewelry in the Creative Cave. Only a few make it to each day's blog post. 

Colorful and fun holiday bracelet and earrings

   In yesterday’s blog post I gave a little tease that I wanted to make more holiday jewelry. Well, it took a few tries but I did get a couple of things made. 

Delicate angel earrings

   These are the cutest earrings. And it didn’t take much at all to put them together. 

Handmade fan jewelry for a Thursday night game

   I’m sharing a college football-related post today. Tonight’s game snuck up on me since I’m used to Saturday games. 

Matching bracelet and earrings...with help from the wire jig

   I used yet another design that came with the wire jig to make a bracelet and matching earrings. 

Zig zags, twists and loops for wire jig earrings

   I am going to search the Internet for wire jig patterns. I am starting to think the possibilities are endless. 

Fun yard sale finds!

   Although I consider myself an early bird I got up earlier than usual this morning. I’m anxious to get to the Creative Cave and make more wire jewelry. 

Wire jig and wire cuff make for an intricate bracelet

   I’m always looking for ways to change up the wire-wrapped cuff bracelets I like to make. 

Egyptian coil bracelet

   I wonder if I will ever go back to Pinterest and make use of all the things I've pinned? 

Happy Friday the 13th!

   I’m giving my wrist, hand and fingers a rest from making jewelry. That said I only have a few more things to write about before I need to make more. 

A new bracelet - straight from the wire jig

   Oh boy! I am so excited to share this post with you. I pulled out the wire jig I have and was determined to make something with it. 

Never Forget!

A success and a challenge in the Creative Cave

   When I first started on this blog adventure I did so to share my successes and challenges in making jewelry. This post will share both – a success and a challenge. 

Must-haves in the Creative Cave

   In addition to the standard beads and wire I use when I make jewelry, there are quite a few other things I always have on hand in the Creative Cave. 

Trick-or-Treat in September

   I finally made myself sit down and make some kind of holiday-themed jewelry. In this case I made a couple of Halloween bracelets. 

Fan jewelry for a football Saturday

   I got a little busy planning and organizing for today’s college football game. Notice I didn’t say cooking. The hubby is the expert at that. 

Maybe I should stick with jewelry!

   I completed yet another wire-wrapped cuff bracelet. I should probably get moving on selling some or giving some of them away. I also decided to break away from jewelry for a while and try something else. 

Combining paper and glass for handmade jewelry

   I’ve had a collection of paper beads just sitting to the side of my workspace. I decided it was time to do something with them before I made more. 

Motivation from friend requests

   I really like it when folks express interest in the jewelry pieces I create. A couple of recent requests got me motivated to make several bracelets.

A different frame for the wire-wrapped cuff bracelet

   I decided to try a different style with the wire-wrapped cuff bracelets I like to make. 

These are a few of my favorite things…

   In addition to crafting and blogging I enjoy visiting Pinterest to get ideas and inspiration. I have Pinterest boards for my handmade jewelry, my blog and jewelry and craft ideas. But I also have boards where I pin random things I find funny or interesting. 

Easy necklaces from yard sale finds

   I’m always looking for new ways to make necklaces. But sitting recently in the hot Creative Cave something occurred to me. 

Crafting a football tailgate centerpiece

   By now you know I am a fan of the Clemson University Tigers. I am excited for their first game of the season this evening against the Georgia Bulldogs. 

More cuffs to show your team spirit

   Because I am an equal opportunity crafter I created wire-wrapped cuff bracelets in colors for college football fans other than those of Clemson or WVU. 

Colors inspired by college football season

   After about a week away I was ready to make more jewelry. I sat down at my workspace and began cutting lengths of wire. 

Ramblings before going to the Creative Cave

   I will get back in the Creative Cave today. In fact, I am going there after this gets posted. 

A thanks from AptToCraft

   Many thanks are going out to Jules today. I featured several of her do-it-yourself projects last week on this blog because I was out of town and didn’t get to spend time in the Creative Cave. 

Headpins, ear wires and beads for a collection of earrings

A couple of weeks ago I got a little carried away making earrings.

Options for infinity bracelets

   Too infinity and beyond! The Toy Story movies are so much fun, and how can you not like Buzz Lightyear?

I cooked...a side dish!

   I have two confessions to make. One, I don’t cook. Hubby is the cook in my house. Two, I only recently tried Brussels sprouts for the first time.

A change in walls and paint can change a room

   Jules says she gets bored fairly easily and she likes changing things up every once in a while.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall...

   Do you recall the yard sale adventures and misadventures I wrote about recently?

From Pinterest to reality

   My pal Jules and I frequently share ideas on Pinterest, then we end up talking about what we pinned when we get together.

An AptToCraft Surprise: Guest Projects

   I’ve mentioned Jules several times in this blog. She is such a handy do-it-yourselfer. She agreed to let me share some of her projects on my blog.

Wire cuffs are piling up

   By now you probably know that my favorite piece of jewelry to make is the wire-wrapped cuff bracelet.

I finished a past project!

   Back in the spring when I decided to branch out from making just earrings I started making micro-suede braided bracelets.

A charming chain from the Creative Cave

   I love charm bracelets. I have one I love but hardly ever wear. It is gold and has many, many charms on it from cities I’ve visited.

Pendant + Wire Jig + Wire = Too Many Options

   A little while back I experimented with a wire jig. I used one such experiment to wrap a pendant.

A necklace made from buttons and odds and ends; and a bracelet thrown in for good measure

   The buttons I got from Jules have been calling my name. So I set out to make something with them.

Getting back in the groove

   I’ve had a slight bout of laziness recently. I didn’t immediately get out to the Creative Cave yesterday morning.

I took a trip to Boston, so I'll write about that

   I have a confession to make. I got up this morning without a blog post.

I'm in a black hole of unfinished jewelry

   I thought it might be fun to make some holiday jewelry. Turns out, I’m not in the holiday spirit.

Swarovski and paper bead bracelets

   As much as I like experimenting with different jewelry pieces, sometimes I like going back to the piece I enjoy making the most – the wire-wrapped cuff bracelet.

Turning paper beads into jewelry

   I am having fun making paper beads. In fact, I have started to accumulate quite a few of them.

Hopefully improving my necklace-making skills

   I had a lot of fun making a couple of necklaces and wanted to share them with you.

My first attempt with the wire jig

   I finally pulled the wire jig out of its package to get familiar with it and see what I could create.

Odds and Ends from the Creative Cave

   During a recent shopping trip I stumbled across pendants, ON SALE! I wasn’t looking for pendants. I didn’t have pendants on my shopping list.

Committed to organizing the Creative Cave, and keeping it that way!

   Last month I did a bit of organizing in the Creative Cave. I guess all of my experiments can pile up quicker than I expected.

Part Two - "Epic" yard sale adventure

   With a newspaper and other addresses written down, Jules and I forged on in our yard sale adventure after our first two stops didn't turn out so well.

"Epic" yard sale adventure

   Mother Nature finally cooperated on a Saturday for Jules and I to visit yard sales.

Paper, glue, skewers...Voilà! Paper beads!

   I recently went shopping for craft supplies and ended up getting two booklets of craft paper as well as craft paper scraps.

From junk mail to jewelry pieces...maybe

   I feel like I am in grade school again. I'm playing with glue, paper and scissors, all in an attempt to make paper beads.

Jewelry box treasure trove

   For several years I have kept a jewelry box in my closet. It used to be on the dresser in the bedroom, until the triplet hurricanes came to live with me.

Writer's block and some crafty inspiration

   I used to write for a living. In fact, I’ve worked in some sort of writing job for more years that I care to count. So why is it I have so much trouble writing for my blog?

A new twist (or wrap) to the wire cuff bracelets

   Perhaps I should put most of my jewelry making supplies aside and just keep my beads and wires, since those are what I use the most.

Another necklace, more earrings and renewed inspiration

   In the blog post “Grab a bead and wrap it in wire” I shared photos of wire-wrapped pendants I made. Well, since I have a handful of those pendants I decided to make a necklace.

Reflections: A month of blogging

   This weekend marks a milestone of sorts for me. I have been blogging about my jewelry crafting for one month!

Back to the beginning...with earrings

   I decided to make more earrings. After all, that’s what started me down this road of jewelry creation.

This-n-That from the Creative Cave

   For every piece of handmade jewelry I talk about in this blog there are at least six other pieces I've worked on and put aside.

Creating bracelets and earrings for matching sets

   I’m continuing my adventure in wire bracelets and now I am throwing matching earrings into the mix.

Navigating Networking...When will I craft again?

   When I started making jewelry back in the spring I would often find myself spending hours in the Creative Cave. Little did I know that once I started a blog about my crafty adventures that I would actually have to schedule my days.

It's a wired world!

   I know I should try to hone my skills in necklace making, but I decided to go back to wire bracelets.

Socially awkward in a social network world

   Setting up my blog through Blogger.com introduced me to Google’s many options, including Google+. I’m still working my way through all of the opportunities with Google+. You can find my Google+info here.

Part Two - From a Creative Cave to a Critter Cave!

   It’s good to have a camera around. I always have my cell phone with me as I tend to text photos of jewelry creations to Jules for feedback. But I've also been able to get photos on the not-so-creative days.

From a Creative Cave to a Critter Cave!

   Some days in the Creative Cave turn into time spent with critters instead of creating. I’ve compiled some of those encounters, mostly with cats, in today’s post.

I finally have necklace success!

   I finally made some necklaces! My experience in creating necklaces up until now has been more "misses" than "hits" so I am excited to share today’s post with you.

"Fan"fare! Accessories to show team and school spirit

   On Tuesday I wrote about the fun in making holiday jewelry. Today I will share options in making fan jewelry.

AptToCraft is a guest project contributor!

   The world of blogging has introduced me to a number of ways to share my experiences and learn from others. I would like to share one of those experiences with you today.

Handmade jewelry for holiday flare

   In addition to accessorizing your everyday wardrobe, jewelry can be used to show holiday spirit.

Part 2: For what reason am I building an inventory?

   Like many a crafter before me, I have contemplated the idea of taking my hobby to the next level – selling.

For what reason am I building an inventory?

   I recently had an opportunity to share my handmade jewelry with family. I am not one to make myself the center of attention or brag about anything, so showing my work in person to someone outside the hubby and Jules, and my wonderful online audience, made me a little nervous.

The week that was...

   It took me a little while to get back in the creative groove after the Independence Day holiday. But this last week I did manage to get a few things accomplished in my Creative Cave.

Grab bag of goodies

   There are lots of great places to purchase beads and other jewelry supplies - from craft stores to flea markets to online outlets. One of several online sites I use is Auntie’s Beads.

If I had a hammer...

   Okay, I decided I want to make my own clasps for my handmade bracelets and necklaces, while at the same time figuring out the “hammered” technique. Here is the website where I got the idea: http://crafting.squidoo.com/Jewelry-Clasps.

Yes I know where everything is, except the chipmunk!

   Is there such a thing as organization amid chaos? My workspace in the Creative Cave has been getting pretty piled up. As soon as I try to pick up a spool of wire I knock a string of beads off of my worktable because I haven’t properly placed the beads in a container. But I am somehow always able to find what I am looking for, just not always quickly.

Grab a bead and wrap it in wire

   Back to the wire work – this time pendants and earrings. I have quite a few large glass beads and wire, so why not give it a try?

When bad things happen to good jewelry

   Some days in my “Creative Cave” (AKA the garage) are better and more productive than others. Sometimes I pick up a bead or length of wire and begin threading or wrapping to see what happens.

The necklace saga continues...

   Necklace ideas aren’t coming to me as quickly as those for earrings and bracelets. I still haven’t completed the beaded mess I have, but I have made a couple of necklaces that give me hope that I may be on to something.

I think it's a Beaded Mess!

   Browsing websites gives me all kinds of inspiration and I see all kinds of jewelry pieces I would like to make. I tend to "pin" the creations that inspire me on Pinterest. However, before I invest in more supplies I want to see if I can work with what I have.

From a necklace to a...crown?!?!

   Earrings, check! Bracelets, check! Hmmmm, perhaps I should move on to necklaces. What kind of necklaces should I make? I keep thinking I need to make something different and eye catching, but without any classes or training I am somewhat limited.

Happy 4th of July!

   I hope everyone has a fun and safe day of appreciation and celebration.

Happy Birthday Jules!

   I think it’s about time to tell you more about my one-person sounding board Jules. Today is the best day to do it because it’s her BIRTHDAY!

Accessorize in red, white and blue!

   Holidays are great times to wear colorful accessories. In preparation for the Fourth of July I decided to throw together various pieces of patriotic-themed jewelry.

Wear it and find the kinks and pokes

   I recently had an informal dinner event to attend with the hubby and I thought “What better time to wear and possibly introduce my jewelry creations?”

   Now, I am not one to be the center of attention, in fact it can make me a bit uncomfortable having all eyes on me, so I didn’t immediately start saying “Hey, look what I made.” This particular evening I wore one of my first handmade wire-wrapped cuff bracelets and a pair of my handmade earrings.

 

From the craft department to the hardware department

   Oh dear wire, you can do so much yet be such a struggle, and a pain in my fingers, but I will not be defeated.

   Through my successes and flops making wire-wrapped cuff bracelets I have used a lot of wire. And since I’m not completely sure what I am going to do with my accumulating inventory I question how many times I can make trips to wonderful craft stores for supplies. (Here is where the sound of a cash register ringing up should be playing in your head.)

   On a recent shopping trip for household supplies I decided to check the craft section of the store. I needed more jewelry wire of a lower gauge, so why not just make a pass through the craft section? But what I found in this particular store was a limited amount of jewelry wire and not so cost-efficient, at least to me.

From wicked wire to cuff bracelets

   The more I work with wire the more I enjoy it, although to this point it’s just been to wrap and hold braided bracelets. As much as I like working with wire, I do not enjoy the periodic “blood tests” that seem to occur on the tips of my fingers. My weeks of creating jewelry are taking their toll on my fingers. I have poked my fingertips numerous times and seem to be handling wire with my hands more than any of the tools I have. I’ve never been one to keep a perfect manicure, but now add to that dry and punctured fingertips and I’m sure I won’t be called anytime soon to be a hand model.

   As for working with wire, I decided to try wire-wrapped cuff bracelets. I found great inspiration from Happy Hour Projects and The Crafty Housewife.

Braids and Bracelets and Beads, Oh My!

   I decided to try my hand, or in this case wrist, at making something other than earrings so I ventured into bracelets. I decided I wanted to make braided bracelets with micro-suede string. I tried various styles and had lots of flops. I found that I enjoy working with wire and enjoy braiding. Some of the couple dozen bracelets I have made I like more than others. The process has not been without its ups and downs. I mostly check websites like Pinterest and craft blogs for inspiration, but I seldom follow tutorials step-by-step. So I basically “wing it” when it comes to my creations. Once I have the braid I secure the ends and use artistic wire to string and attach the beads.

A newbie to handmade jewelry and blogging

   I have turned into a garage girl. Not because I have any particular skill or talent with lawn mowers or leaf blowers or any other piece of equipment, but because I have cats.

   I cannot, and have not dared not try, bead work inside the house with the triplet hurricanes known as Beau, Wolfie and Zuzu. They are four years old and anyone who has indoor cats knows that they own everything.