Day 29: Gold Cuff Bracelet and Two Framed Paintings

Today is day 29 of the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge. One day left, then I will try to get everything I made listed. That in itself will take a while. Some of them are already listed in my Etsy store. Both of the paintings below are listed, but listed as unframed and unmatted. As you can see they are now framed and matted. Another challenge, to get all my paintings framed and matted. These will be relisted in my Etsy store as framed and matted pieces. They do look much better now, and I can't wait to get them all done. You can always choose to buy them unframed, and frame them how you see fit, if you choose. Then I made this cuff bracelet. I have a silver tone one, already listed. But, I really love this gold tone one. I am not a gold kind of girl, I much prefer silver, but this is strikingly attractive. Shown on my son's arm, who has a much better tan and skin tone than me. There are six gold tone bangles. The watch face is wire wrapped to only two of them, and then the rest are flexible to be worn tight together, or separated apart. They are all held together at the back of the bangle, by the same color wire. This is a big and bold piece, and not for the shy personality. This is my last watch face, but I do hope to get some more in. I really enjoy making the watches. Very fun indeed!

Day 28: Sterling Silver Prehnite Ring

This is a remake piece today, for day 28. I actually had this Prehnite in another setting, that I didn't really think looked well for this stone, so I switched it. This sterling silver setting, is a size 6 featuring an oval cabochon Prehnite gemstone. When you look into this gem it is like looking into a crystal ball it is so clear and lovely. It is almost mesmerizing, with the soft green color and hints of yellow at times. It does have one inclusion that you can see with the naked eye, but I think it only adds mystery to the ring. It has hearts on both shoulders of the ring, as shown in the picture. This will be available for purchase, in my Etsy store.

Day 27: Painting Class

Today for day 27, was our bi weekly painting class. Today, my mom and I painted little people on clothes pins. Then in a couple of weeks she is going to teach Caitlin how to make little outfits for them. My mom and I also painted on these spoons. Two are plastic and one is wooden. I much prefer the plastic over the wooden spoon. I finished off by practicing more grapes. Still not the right color, but it isn't the color I am working on but the shape, and bunching of the grapes. This is the best set I have done so far. DJ painted the Painted Bunting bird. What a beautiful bird, and he did a great job. Caitlin painted a mother bunny and two baby bunnies, in their burrow. She too did a great job. A wonderful day of family painting. I wish my husband would join in, he is actually very good at drawing.  I only have three days left to the challenge, and then I think I am ready for a break, and to get all the new items listed in my store.  Phew what a blast I have had.

Day 26: Blue Jade, Antique White Pearls and Red Coral Necklace

Welcome to day 26 of the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge. Today I made this lovely Blue Jade, Antique White Pearls, and Red Coral necklace. I don't care for the clasp, it just is not easy to use, so I will be changing that. This will eventually be listed in my Etsy store. It is 15 1/2 inches in length, and would fit as a lovely choker. The blue Jade is in a teardrop or briolette shape, the pearls are Swarovski antique white pearls, and the coral is such a lovely deep red color. It might be carnelian not coral. I have had these beads for a while, lol! Trying to use up my inventory with this challenge.

Day 25: A Pair Of Penguins

I always paint on Monday. Well maybe not always, but most Mondays. Last week I painted on some glass cabochons, you can see them in the archives. Today, I did the glass cabochons again, and painted this pair of adorable penguins. Are they not the cutest? These are extremely difficult to do, mainly because I am not exactly a spring chicken with awesome vision. It strains your eyes, and is delicate work. I will be listing these in my Etsy store, eventually. I really enjoy the penguins. Then my 8 yr old daughter painted the wolf that is pouncing on something. Isn't it sweet?

Day 24: Lilac Amethyst or Kunzite With Ruby Accents Ring

It is day 24 of the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge. Today, I am again going back to my first love of setting gemstones, in traditional settings. This is a lovely light Amethyst or Kunzite ring. It has the most interesting color of purple I have seen in a gemstone. It also has Quantum cut faceting adding to the beauty of the stone. There are small rubies on the shoulders of the ring. It is a size 6, and is sterling silver. Watch for this to be listed in my Etsy store. My Tanzanite and White Topaz ring sold this morning. So congrats to the new lucky owner of that little beauty.

Day 23: Painted Sand Dollars

It is day 23 of the challenge, and today I painted on sand dollars. I had two left from a craft we did a few years ago. Each one is a different color scheme and they both have a painted heart at the center. I am not sure what I will do with these, maybe make Christmas ornaments. I love them!

Green Color Shift Labradorite Ring: Day 22 of 30 Days of Creativity

Today for day 22 I made a green labradorite ring. I bought three of these stunning gemstones, about three years ago when they were flying off the JTV shelves. They were supposed to be natural, but in fact they have been treated. The fun thing about the green labrodorite stones, is that some are color shifting and some are color change. Color shift is the stone only partially turns another color and color change, I believe it has to be at least 40% of the stone changes to another color. This one is a color shift and you will see it shift in spots from the green to red, depending on lighting. This is a beauty of a stone, and collector stone as well. I set it in a size 7, filigree style sterling silver ring. This is a nice light ring, won't feel heavy on the finger. I can wear it on my pointer finger, and it looks pretty awesome that way. This will be in my Etsy store soon, so watch for it. I have already sold one of these babies, and I am keeping one for myself. Phenomenon gemstones is one of my most favorite type of stones to collect.

Day 21: Wire Wrapped Giraffe Pendant

Today is day 21 of the 20 Days of Creativity Challenge. The other day I painted some glass cabochons. This one has a lovely giraffe print on it. I forgot to take the picture after I sealed it, so it actually has a nice glossy finish on it. I used just a very simple wire wrap for this, to not take away from the interesting point of the cabochon. I also have a giraffe cuff bracelet, that I made out of wood. They don't match exactly, but I don't think giraffe spot patterns are ever the same. Both the pendant and the cuff will be in my Etsy store, within 48 hours.

Day 20: Sunflower Wood Cuff Handpainted

This is cuff bracelet number two, and it is for day 20 of the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge. I can't believe there are only nine more days already. I made these wooden cuffs using 3/4 inch wide popsicle sticks, and the art of wood bending. These actually take quite a long time to complete. I then painted two layers of acrylic paint, then hand painted the design. This one has a sunflower and two pansy type flyers. The words Inspire Me are also written on the cuff. These are awesome for a tween or teenager, that you don't want to spend a fortune on for jewelry.  This one is for a large wrist, but I can also make small ones. Check out my Etsy store to see the other design available. If you like them I can make more, and they can give them to their friends as gifts. I have like 250 sticks.

Day 19 Sunset With Palm Tree Silhouette

Every time I paint something, no matter what it is, I learn something new. One thing I learned, is that I have no concept of proportions. I kind of already knew that, but I wonder how to learn such a thing. My sun is way too big, for what I actually wanted to paint on this picture. Two, I love my fan brush for clouds and painting on the glass cabochons. It does not leave streaks and makes nice clouds. However, this is the second time I have tried using it for palm tree leaves, and forget it, it just does not come out right. A thin, but not too thin, script liner works much better. The third thing I have learned, is that there is probably no way I can replicate any of my pieces exactly again. I guess that is why artists make prints of their paintings. So far, all my painted pieces are one of a kind. I do love how I got the orange to look like it is shining through the leaves of the palm tree.  Oh, and for some reason I thought it was a good idea to leave one whole branch off.  I wanted to get the whole sun, or most of it.  Now I am not sure that was a good idea.My dolphin is a bit fat, and could actually be a whale, lol! Caitlin joined in today, and painted a rendition of her beanie bear at Dolphin Springs. In a couple of weeks, this one will be listed in my Etsy store, with all my other unique paintings.   The blue grapes, yes I know grapes are not blue, is on a practice plate, that I keep for reference.  If you follow this blog, then you know the last time I made grapes they looked like a cluster of grapes in the shape of a pear.  Since I was waiting for Caitlin to finish, I decided to practice grapes.  These are much better, just the wrong color.

Day 18: Painted Glass Cabochons

This is my first attempt to paint on these round glass cabochons. This is very painstaking work, and took me several hours to complete the five you see. There are several shots from different sides. I must give some advice. I find for painting on any glass, if you want a sold background, use a fan brush. It goes on smooth and leaves no streaks. Let the paint dry completely before trying to paint another layer, or other images. Here are the ones I did. One more tip, they look a lot different after they dry, all paintings, so wait and take pictures once they have dried. I am not sure if I want to attempt to make pendants of these, or sell them like this, and let more experienced wire wrappers use them to make some lovely pendants or bracelets even. 1- The heart and rosebud. I love this one. Only thing is my green was not dark enough, so the leaves look funky. I tried to darken it up with a touch of black, but I definitely need a darker green. I will definitely paint more of these. 2- Hearts on Fire, or that is what I wanted. It is hard to paint flames in such a small space. I do like it. 3- Man in the Moon, with butterfly friend. I do think this is adorable, and really want to try a larger version. 4- Today for our homeschool coop class, we began learning about Native Americans of Florida, their history and culture. We started with the Seminoles. Seminole women loved bright and colorful, geometric type beads, clothes, baskets and other paintings. I made the geometric one in honor of that lesson. I really like that one too. 5- Last but not least, my first attempt at giraffe spots. Needs some work, but I bet it would look awesome as a pendant. What do you think?

Day 17 Pear Shape Jade Wire Weaved and Wrapped Pendant

Today is day 17of the 30 Days of Creativity Challenge. This is my first real wire wrapped piece, that was not a real simple, basic wrap. This incorporates weaving and wrapping together. I really like the wire weave, it is interesting to do, and I just thoroughly enjoyed learning this. Now, don't misunderstand. I have been learning wire wrapping for several years now. I just never liked any of them enough to attempt to sell them. This one I love. The stone is a pear shaped lovely soft green Jade. I used two different colors of craft wire to weave and wrap. There is silver and mauve colors. I don't know if it shows in the images or not. The bail is large, with a 1/2 inch opening, to accommodate any kind of neck chain, wire, omega, whatever you wanted to put this pendant on. The whole piece measures just about 2 1/2 inches in length. This will be available to purchase in my Etsy store.

Day 16 of 30 Days of Creativity: Green Chrome Diopside Cocktail Ring

Today, for day 16, I returned to my original love, creating fabulous jewelry with faceted gemstones and traditional type settings. I placed this beautiful Kelly green Chrome Diopside into a cocktail style setting. This is a petite ring, size 6, and the stone is 6mmx4mm or appx half a carat. Chrome Diopside is a completely natural gemstone, and is found only in Siberia. Some people refer to it as a Siberian Emerald. It is not an emerald, but sure looks like a fine quality one indeed. Some Chrome is so intensely dark, it can look black. As you can see this one is a beauty. I have one other Chrome Diopside piece listed in my Etsy store. The mines are supposedly beginning to dry up, so get yours why you can. If you are a May baby, this would make a lovely alternative birthstone choice.