Leftovers

So my mom sent me a bag of beads a few weeks ago and asked that I make her a necklace out of it's contents. Usually I wouldn't mind such a challenge, until I saw the beads. Hematite. Now, not to step on any one's toes, but let it be know that I am not a fan of hematite. I actually can't stand the stuff. Something about it just screams rave, or 7th grade magnetic bracelets, or fake and trying too hard, or just plain tacky tacky tacky. I would usually feel inclined to apologize for my coarse opinion, but I won't. I just can't pull myself into liking this stone. And don't think I didn't tell my mother this, either. I was pretty blunt with her as to my opinion of the beads and the centerpiece she provided for a necklace. Her reaction? "If you are really good at your craft, you will make something nice out of this, whether you like it or not. See it as an artistic challenge." Fine, I will. Mom said she liked wire wrapped beads and necklaces that fall at the collarbone. Sunday night I finally locked myself in my craft room (which I rarely use thanks to the card table in the living room) so as not to get distracted and to finally finish this necklace. I came up with this:You can see the matching bracelet in the background. I didn't even like the look of it when I was wire wrapping it, but when I put it on to measure for length and looked in the mirror, the thing looked more sophisticated than I had imagined. Huh. I kind of like it after all. KIND OF. Meanwhile, I made a few other things out of "leftovers" this week. A friend of mine from seminary is pregnant with twins and has been ordered to be on bed rest until December. Worst of all, she already has a 3 year old at home and her husband is in the military and has to spend the summer at base in Colorado Springs. I just had to spread the love with this lovely and very strong gal, so I looked around my supplies and noticed two "leftover" word rings that had never sold.I figured that, together, these two rings represent the two babies in her womb that can't show their appreciation yet! I hope my friend will wear it as a reminder that she is doubly appreciated and that her babies especially appreciate all that she has sacrificed for them! I have renewed several similar items on my Etsy site if you are interested. These rings are available in an assortment of styles and come in the words "Joy," "Faith," "Honesty," "Respect," "Appreciate," and "Harmony."

Joy ring necklace, $15

Honesty ring necklace, $18

Faith ring necklace, $12

Lastly, look who is featured in another treasury?! Check it out today before it expires! Thanks, Ettarose!Note: mine is of the 314 kind!

I made this and this Pi necklace for my sorority sisters and have sold 2 to non-ADPi's, including a customer in Spain! Etsy never ceases to amaze me! And finally, last week's giveaway went really well. So well, in fact, that my friend Karen, who happened to win, wrote a lovely little summary of her giveaway experience on her blog! Check it out here!