Little Bit of Rainbow Five Strand Necklace

February 22nd, 2010

I think I’m going to just keep entering beading contests until I win something. So, here’s another one.

I recently found out about ABeadStore.com’s Winter 2010 contest, so I came up with a concept and got creative. I’ve wanted to do a more elaborate design based on my (I’m a) Gay Fan Necklace that features the fabulous enamel rectangles in rainbow colors, so that’s what I tried to do with this piece. To better showcase the bright, rainbow colors of the enamel rectangles, I used only black beads for the rest of the piece. The finished necklace ended up being five strands at varying lengths featuring varying shapes of black glass beads and two strands featuring “fans” of rainbow enamel rectangles.

Little Bit of Rainbow Five Strand Necklace

I put this lovely piece in the Eclectic catagory because of the use of so many different shapes. Abeadstore.com’s contest is one where votes count. Until February 25th, people can vote (once) for their favorite piece in each catagory (#43 in Eclectic). After the 25th, Abeadstore.com’s judges will pick the winners from the five pieces in each catagory that got the highest votes. I’d love your vote if you like my piece. I’ll keep you updated on the results of this contest.

Tags: abeadstore-winter2010-contest, necklace, one-of-a-kind
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Calico Chaos Six Strand Necklace

February 2nd, 2010

I may be becoming slightly addicted to entering beading contests. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing though since it can lead to people buying my jewelry and/or me winning free beads.

Anyway, I just entered this lovely piece in the Rings and Things “Your Designs Rock!” 2010 contest.

Calico Chaos Six Strand Necklace

Like all contests hosted by bead stores, the Rings and Things contest required that the entry was made mostly of supplies from their store. When I heard about this contest, I didn’t have money to buy new beads to create something, so I had to rely on the beads I already had from them – Fiber Optic glass beads in various shapes, sizes and colors. I’d used most of the small rounds from that order to make my Calico Colors Collection, so I was mainly left with 6mm rounds and rondelles. Normally, I would make something single strand with those, but it’s really hard to make a single strand necklace spectacular enough to be a contest entry. Doing something multi-strand would just make it look bulky and heavy and chunky which I didn’t want. I spent a while playing with the beads and trying some different design ides but nothing worked. I was about to give up when I was rummaging through my bead supplies and found some rubber cording I’d bought awhile back for a project that never materialized. I had a sudden inspiration to use the rubber cord, which is hollow, as a long bead in between sections of three 6mm Fiber Optic rondelles. The finished piece ended up being a 6 strand necklace of varying lengths and colors. I love it’s masculine yet delicate, organically funky look.

It’s been submitted to Rings and Things so let’s all cross our fingers that in June, I get a “Congratulations, you’re a winner!” email.

Tags: necklace, one-of-a-kind, Rings-and-Things-Contest
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Beady Thoughts – February 1st, 2010

February 1st, 2010

Valentine’s Day is in only 13 days which means now is the perfect time to shop for gifts for your loved ones. You know what makes really terrific Valentine’s Day gifts? Jewelry. Even better, handmade, beaded jewelry from Adalea’s Designs. My Etsy shop is just full of shiny pretties that anyone would love as a gift. And I’m not just talking about gifts for your wife and/or girlfriend (hey, I don’t judge), I’m talking about gifts for anyone special in your life – girl or boy, woman or man – who loves shiny trinkets.

You could go the humor route with either the Mono-Chromatic or Mono-Classic Necklace:

What better way to tell your Significant Other (S.O.) that you can’t get enough of their kisses then one of these shiny, kitschy, fuzzy necklaces featuring a plush version of the microbe of Mono – otherwise known as the kissing disease? Also, a good anti-Valentine’s Day gift to tell someone that their kisses make you sick. A little cruel, but whatever sells my jewelry, you know?

You could go the “Oh, shiny” route with any one of several necklaces including, but not limited to, the Shades Of…Triple Strand Necklace, the Earth Mother Choker/Necklace Combo or the Montana Fusion Necklace:

These necklaces, along with my other pieces featuring crystals, are a great way to say to your S.O. “You deserve beautiful things.” Also, good to say “Sorry, I screwed up. Here’s something shiny, please forgive me.” Or “I swear, I’m going to leave my wife. For now, here’s something pretty for you to wear.”

If you’re looking for something to give as a trinket to your daughter or son for that matter, I’d suggest a necklace from either my Calico Colors Collection or my Fab Fan Collection:

Both collections have multiple color combos so there’s surely something for everybody there. Unless they really hate color, but then each collection has one in black and white so that should work too. See, something for everybody.

And because love comes in many forms, I have a lovely Gay Pride Line made up of five designs, including two with gender charms:

Either of these two necklace designs would be a perfect to buy in twos – one for you and one for your S.O. But really any necklace from this collection would make a lovely gift. And you don’t even have to be gay to wear them (I won’t tell) you probably just really love rainbows.

So, now that I’ve done some of the work for you, click your way over to Adalea’s Designs Shop on Etsy and have a look around, I’m sure you’ll find some to give as a token of your affection. And if you don’t, contact me with any requests and I’ll see what I can whip up.

Tags: calico-colors-collection, cootie-beauties-collection, crystal-elements-collection, Etsy, fab-fan-collection, for-sale, gay-pride-line, necklace, one-of-a-kind, thoughts
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Fire Mountain Gems Contest Update, Part 2
January 25th, 2010

Four months ago, I submitted my Montana Fusion Choker to the Fire Mountain Gems Swarovski Crystals Contest. A month later, I received notice that I was a finalist. So, I sent in my creation to them so they could better judge it. I had not been told when to expect an announcement of winners, so I waited patiently for the last three months for some sort of notification. It came today.

Sadly, I did not win. But I was a finalist which I’m pretty damn proud of. And now I have my shiny choker back so I can post it for sale on Etsy. Which I will do as soon as I take some more pictures of it. I’ll update this post with a Etsy link as soon as it’s up.

Update: This necklace is now listed for sale on Etsy - Montana Fusion Necklace

Tags: Etsy, fire-mountain-gems-contest, for-sale, one-of-a-kind, update
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Crystal Chaos Collection – Part 3
December 10th, 2009

After listening to the bead muses and creating five gorgeous crystal necklaces, I had a bunch of crystal leftovers. Of course, this meant another addition to my Crystal Chaos Collection.

Single Crystal Chaos Necklace 2

This is a simple, single strand necklace using tiny silver tubes as an accent. Beautiful, bright and colorful, this necklace would be a perfect piece to give a splash of color to any outfit.

Available for sale on Etsy.

Tags: crystal-chaos-collection, Etsy, for-sale, necklace
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5 New Original Pieces
December 10th, 2009

My bead muses really wanted to work with crystals lately and I always listen to my muses. So, I give you five new, sparkly necklaces all featuring beautiful Swarovski crystals. And all of them are already listed and available for sale on Etsy.

Splash of Green Necklace

Blue and green are a gorgeous combo. In this long necklace, the green is a subtle addition to the blue crystals.

Available for sale on Etsy

Crystals and Pearls Necklace 2

I’ve done this kind of combo before, crystals and pearls, because they go together so beautifully. This time, I used red crystals and bronze pearls. Seems kind of holiday-ish to me.

Available for sale on Etsy

Shades of…Triple Strand Necklace

This triple strand necklace is a stunning combo of 15 different colors of Swarovski crystals that flow together in a beautiful rainbow.

Available for sale on Etsy

Pretty in Pink Necklace

You can’t go wrong with pink, especially pink crystals. This necklace also has some lovely pale blue topaz disks to compliment the pink crystals.

Available for sale on Etsy

Hint of Silver Necklace

I’ve told you before that I love fuchsia, right? That’s why it’s such a prominent color in this necklace. The silver tubes are a gorgeous accent.

Available for sale on Etsy

Tags: Etsy, for-sale, necklace, one-of-a-kind
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11 New Original Pieces
November 26th, 2009

Instead of posting them each as an individual post, I’m going to post the 11 original pieces I just finished in one group post and that’s how original pieces will be posted from now on.

With the holidays coming up, I decided I’d create some new beaded jewelry to list on my Etsy shop because jewelry makes lovely gifts. So, I spent the last several days beading away and ended up with 11 new shiny necklaces. Most of them ended up being simple single strand pieces that are very reminiscent of the pieces I made when I first started beading – I made only single strand pieces mixing different materials and shapes and textures into lovely original designs. Most of what I’ve been making lately is multi-strand and elaborate pieces. It was nice to do simple again.

Beautiful in Black and White Necklace

Nothing is more simple and beautiful then combining black and white. I gave this simple black and white necklace more sparkle with hematite and fire polished crystals.

Available for sale on Etsy

Simply Classic Necklace

Okay, maybe black and silver is just as simple and beautiful as black and white. A bit more striking too.

Available for sale on Etsy

Fire and Ice Triple Necklace

When combined, red, orange and yellow make me think of fire. Combined with various shapes of clear faceted glass beads gave an ice effect to this necklace. Couldn’t name it anything other then Fire and Ice.

Available for sale on Etsy

Fusion Sparkle Necklace

I’m in love with the color fuchsia and I love hematite beads – there one of the first stones I ever worked with. Had to combine them in this lovely, long necklace.

Available for sale on Etsy

Crystals and Pearls Necklace

Another classic combo – crystals and pearls.

Available for sale on Etsy

Tiger Tail Necklace

Topaz and black combine to create tiger strips and a black stone dagger hangs from the center of this necklace to give it a tail.

Available for sale on Etsy

Not a Rolling Stone Necklace

Green aventurine and a lovely blue stone combine in this necklace to give it a very chunky, earthy, organic look.

Available for sale on Etsy

Earthly Sparkle Double Necklace

Another earthy necklace with it’s lovely blues and greens.

Available for sale on Etsy

Winter Night Necklace

The crisp white fiber optics in this necklace bring to mind fresh snow.

Available for sale on Etsy

Teal Sparkle Necklace

Another striking color combo – this time with teal and black.

Available for sale on Etsy

Stone Duo Necklace

Rainbow Fluorite with it’s lovely purple marbling goes beautifully with pale blue topaz in this lovely necklace. This is one of those pieces that I like so much I almost want to keep it for myself.

Available for sale on Etsy

Tags: Etsy, for-sale, necklace, one-of-a-kind
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Better Then Black Friday Sales
November 26th, 2009

In honor of the holidays, I’ll be discounting every single one of my 70 plus items for sale on my Etsy shop a whopping 25% off! That includes the 11 new pieces I’ll be posting today and any new pieces I list between now and the end of the sale – December 26th. So, click your way on over to Adalea’s Designs on Etsy and take a look around. Remember, handmade beaded jewelry makes a great gift for any holiday: Christmas, Solstice, Yule, Hanukkah, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Just Because I Love You Day, Tuesdays…

Tags: Etsy, sale
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Urban Hippie Love Beads Line (Work in Progress)
November 2nd, 2009

I pay a lot of attention to jewelry people are wearing when watching TV or movies. This often gives me jewelry design ideas but I have never attempted any of them, until now.

A little while ago, I was watching an old Charmed episode that involved them going back in time to the 60’s. This of course involved costumes and jewelry including love beads. You know the ones: extra long, thick multi-strand necklaces made of rainbow of tiny seed beads in random patterns. On seeing these necklaces, I immediately wanted to make my own version. I thought on it awhile and eventually came up with a design that would become my Urban Hippie Love Beads Line. My version of the iconic piece of jewelry involves 1/2″ bugle beads and delica seed beads in medium length three-strand necklaces. My love beads are much less chaotic then the original in both color and pattern but still give that lovely casual, colorful look that anyone could wear with anything.

Black bugles with delicas in three shades of purple

Black bugles with delicas in orange, yellow and red

White bugles with delicas in red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple

White and black bugles with delicas in black and white

I’ve only made these four color combos so far but have plenty of supplies and colors to make at least a couple dozen more combos. I’m sticking with only one design right now, but that might change latter. I plan to make many of these necklaces before putting them for sell on Etsy but I wanted to share the first four color combos here in hopes of getting some input. These photos are not on Flickr yet. I could go two ways with this line: either offer a large number of color combos with only one of each piece available, or a limited number of color combos but with several necklaces of each color combo available. Which would you prefer? Also wondering if I should put this line on Etsy as I finish each color combo instead of waiting until I’ve finished the entire line? Any input you can give would be appreciated.

Tags: necklace, urban-hippie-love-beads-line, work-in-progress
Posted in Jewelry Line | 2 Comments »

Fire Mountain Gems Contest Update
October 23rd, 2009

Last month, I submitted my Montana Fusion necklace to the Fire Mountain Gems Swarovski crystal contest. I’d been wanting to enter one of their contests for awhile but I’ve never had the money or time to enter when they come around. I couldn’t resist entering this contest because I love, love, love working with Swarovski crystals and I had a new design I wanted to try. So, I figured, what the heck. I wasn’t expecting to win or even be a runner up because all the past winners have been these gorgeous, elaborate, bead weaving masterpieces which I don’t even come close to creating. But I thought that at the very least, pictures of my necklace could end up in one of their catalogs or on their website and that would be some good exposure.

Yesterday, a letter from Fire Mountain Gems was waiting in my mailbox. Before I even unfolded it, I saw the words: “Congratulations, Sarah.” and did an inner happy dance. Turns out, they want me to send in the actual necklace (the entry only contained photos) for the second round of judging. I still might not win, but it looks like they like the design enough to give it a closer look. So, I’ll be heading down to the UPS store tomorrow to mail in my Montana Fusion necklace. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed until the contest judging is finished.

Tags: fire-mountain-gems-contest, update
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