InsaneJournal

Well, I've pulled out the beading kit several times this past week. Not only have I made some new earrings, but I also took apart some of my old earrings and remade them using the new techniques and some of the things that I have learned about attractive design since I first made them. I have spent close to a hundred dollars on beads and findings recently, but at least part of that was at a rummage sale, where I picked up some lovely focus beads on the cheap. Despite that, I am once again out of gold earring hooks. Either I have to go back to silver, or buy some more gold ones. Frankly, except in a few cases, I really prefer using the gold-tone findings, as it appears to lend a much more finished look. Besides, my watch and rings are all gold-tone, and this way my earrings match properly.

Now, on to the pictures:

This is a remade pair of earrings. The original pair didn't have the silver balls or the silver bridge at the top. Instead, the dangles were attached directly to the earring loop. When I remade them, I removed some of the round beads to shorten the dangles and simplify the design, and then added the silver balls to pull it all together. The bridges at the top let the dangles swing freely and also look more finished. These were my second favorite pair before, and now they are even better.
Estimated Cost without labor: $7.00.

This pair is also remade. They broke about two months ago, and since they were originally my favorite pair, I decided to remake them.
I used gold findings instead of silver this time, and added the flat gold spacers between each larger bead. In the original, there was a black  bead on both sides of the brown bead, not just on the top. I removed the second black bead because it broke up the design and looked rather clunky. I had intended to finish the wires with a wrap loop, but I ran out of wire and ended up using a clipped loop instead, which is why the beads are a little loose here.
Estimated Cost without labor: $4.00.

This is a new pair. I found the tear-drop and round beads at a rummage sale, and since blue is my favorite color, I decided to copy the design from the previous pair of earrings. These may very well become my new favorite.
Estimated Cost without labor:  $2.75

Another new pair, these are a whimsical experiment using some old beads.
Estimated Cost without labor:  $3.50

Also new, I wanted something classy to showcase the gold flower caps I got. A pair of pearl beads did the trick. I have another set of the caps, and some pink pearl beads (these are white), so I'm thinking of making another set with those, and then making a matching pink and white pearl necklace to go with both pairs of earrings. I reused the posts from a cheap pair of dollar store earrings here.
Estimated Cost without labor:  $3.00.

I found these focus beads at a rummage sale, and they just begged to be earrings. They are purple with red and gold accents, if you can't tell from the picture.
Estimated Cost without labor: $5.30.

And that's it for now. This upcoming week, I'm planning to get started on my summer sewing projects. First, I will read the manual for my new sewing machine. Next, I will do the mending, etc. that has piled up. Then, I have two pillow covers to make. Then, I'm making mom two flaxseed pillows. Then, a muslin pressing cloth. Then, an apron for my brother. Then, it will finally be time to make the muslin for my new skirt. I wouldn't bother, except that I'm a little concerned about the fit around the hips and waist. Finally, if all goes well, I will start on the actual skirt early next week. So expect more pictures soon.