Not My Pic But It Is Now! And The Caption Is True For Most Bead Enthusiasts. 🤣 Our Non Beading Friends

So on my down days I still get busy. There will always be weeds in my garden to tackle. And as new beads & chains from a few newer vendors arrive i’m busy restocking my supply station. Mixing it up with older stock i get excited and start creating more goodies.

Vendors I trust and have had good service and safe delivery are as follows.

Chains & Metal beads from Jesse James Beads, SilverSilk & More,

Turquoise from Stones n Silver, The Turquoise Chick,

Crystals and more from Beadholique,

Shells, beads, metals, focals from Beads n More, Happy Mango Beads, Beads and Pieces,

Fire Mountian beads for great sales and cool mail catalogue.

Plenty of stock from Magpie Gemstones, Sharka Carter has recently retired and company has switched hands, but man did sharka have plenty of awesome how to videos on YouTube which really helped me learn to get creative.

A few more online favorites I win bids on who have US addresses.

Also Including my cousin bud who welds precious metals for me.

Hint when starting out and purchasing beads, look for bulk, or sold in lengths. That will start you off with plenty of beads to make a necklace, bracelet and earrings.

I’d tell anyone if you are interested in making jewelry check out groups, friends, online videos, some cool stores like Michaels hold classes, and of course do an internship with a jeweler. I did with a cool artist and precious metal jeweler in my hometown. Best experience of my life. Still feel blessed.

Remember to shop good deals even hock shops, thrift stores, yard sales, etc. Any place you can find deals on jewelry for the beads and clasps. Take the stuff apart and get busy. Try trading beads & supplies, including tools with fellow enthusiasts or friends. I trade work for beads too.

Use good strong beading wire. Pay attention to the weight of piece and remember to crimp well. Use proper size, don’t cross your wires in the crimp tube or bead, and press that bead well, not too hard or it will crack the crimp bead or weaken your design. Remember to have fun! Oh and if you’re like me, the sale is not as important as the gift. ✌🏼

Never use vinegar to clean your pearls. Will break down & dull outer natural shine.

actually dissolve the pearls.

For the ladies

Standard Necklace Lengths for Women Necklace chains for women typically range from 10 to 48 inches and anywhere in between. Although some necklaces are sold in odd-inch lengths, most women’s necklaces are sold in even-inch lengths. The following are the most commonly sold necklace lengths and where they fall on the average female body: Necklace Length Position on the Body 10 to 14 inches Wraps closely around the neck 16 inches Wraps loosely around the neck 18 inches Sits on the collarbone 20 inches Sits just below the collarbone 22 inches Lays at or above the top of the bust 24 inches Lays at or just below the center of the bust 28 to 38 inches Hangs below the bust 40 inches and above Hangs below the navel Factors to Consider Before Buying Short Necklaces Depending on your neck size, 10- to 14-inch necklaces wrap very closely around the neck. These necklaces may also be referred to as collar necklaces. If you want your necklace to sit at the neck, but with a looser fit, consider purchasing a 16-inch necklace, which typically sits just above the collarbone. Sixteen-inch necklaces are sometimes referred to as chokers, chains, lockets, or strands.

Getting ready for ears to wear😬these are made from marble. Silver wire with Steel or sterling silver hooks.

Spending News Eve in my workroom. Put this piece together with spare beads, mostly seconds from other projects. Mix of gemstones, n glass beads, mixed metals. I don’t waste materials. The earrings are my version of trail cairns.

More from GLM Designs.

Interstitial Lung disease (ILD) diagnosed 2018. Dr said 3-5 yrs. Everybody is different so our journeys will vary. Most don’t live too long as our lungs give out. Tho I’ve heard of folk who’ve survived up to 20 yrs. Anyway I’ve decided to live as is and see what gives. I make sure to laugh plenty and enjoy the company of my fur buds.

My meds have messed with my vision so I haven’t made any new Jewelry pieces. Who knows I might get inspired since fall will be here before we know it. 🧡

Mexican chunky turquoise with silver accents, handmade clasp. And an inlaid oyster shell from New Mexico. Spiny oyster disks of orange, red, and purple, with Mexican turquoise disks and a handmade clasp n accents in silver.