Fun While It Lasted

I have come to the decision that I no longer possess the dexterity in my hands to create the jewelry I started to make almost 2 years ago. I picked up my pliers one day about a month ago and proceeded to try to fix a clasp on a necklace that I have had for years. I was able to get the jump ring open, but when I tried to hold the jump-ring with one pliers and close it with another, my hands just didn't want to cooperate. My fingers tightened up and my grip failed me. It was at this point I decided that it was time to destash my collection of jewelry making supplies.

I took out a few of the little containers that I keep everything sorted and labeled in. The beads were so pretty, sparkly, and cool to the touch. But when I thought about trying to string and twist and crimp, my hands started telling me to change my thoughts.

Over the next few weeks I hope to get all my supplies listed and photographed to sell. Not sure which avenue I will take. I may list some select items on Etsy, but most of the bulk supplies will probably go on Ebay as a lot. But I have so much, it is going to be hard to decide which to put where. I do have a lot of Swarovski crystals, Crystazzi crystals and pearls, and other very nice charms and other beads. Some of what I have were purchased with the intent of making gifts for friends and family, but I just never got to it.

I also have a lot of findings, key chain and phone fob elements, head pins and eye pins, spacers, ear wire, bracelet clasps, eyeglass lanyards, and everything in between.

Most (and this is a big portion) of my supplies were purchased from FireMountain Gems, and a good portion is from Michael's (Crystazzi specifically), and another online jewelry supply site that I can't recall the name for. Everything is excellent quality and in excellent condition.

So keep your eyes peeled, I may have something you need to finish a project or get one started. I will, of course, create a blog to show what is listed and where.

This isn't something I wanted to do but I know I can't create the same quality if I don't have the strength in my hands to ensure a solid piece that won't come apart. I just wish I would have put down on paper all the ideas I had when I bought everything!

Time To Get Back To Business

I've been slacking off. Not only has it been almost a week since my last post, but I haven't done any creating in a week. I'm not sure if I was on the verge of getting sick or if I was just having an uninspirational week.

Anyway, last week was a really exhasperating week at work, one thing after another went bonkers, starting with no power all day on Monday, no phones Thursday morning, no phones all day Friday, plus my wide-format printer decided to crap out on me Friday.

My husband and I decided on Friday afternoon to run away for the weekend. We had a blast! Went about 2 hours north of home, and holed up in a cozy suite for the weekend. Saturday morning we went out for breakfast and found a bead shop nearby that had beautiful beads from Botswana, Africa, and many other exotic locations. I also found the gunmetal findings that I've been hunting for.

If you're in Illinois or Southern Wisconsin, this is a great bead shop to stop at. Their website is http://www.beadsandreeds.com and they are located in Rockford IL, right on State St, near the Cherry Valley area. The sweetest lady runs the shop and they not only have beads and findings, but also hemp craft items, display products, classes, and handmade jewelry for sale. I have a feeling we will be taking more trips there in the future. The beads I found there are unlike any I've seen before. They have the standards and also some really unique items.

I am hoping work will be less tedious this week so that I have energy when I get home to create more jewelry and accessories for my shop. I have so many beautiful beads to work with, I know that once I get started, I'll be on a roll. So keep your eyes open for new items in my shop real soon! I will post the new items here so if you subscribe to my feed or blog updates, you'll be the first to know about them!