Mercury in Retrograde.....

According to my friend Peggy, it is. In retrograde - Mercury, the planet. Which means that nothing will come together properly until after the 18th of March. This explains a lot.

I have been trying to design a bracelet for the last two weeks and it's not going well.

I chose the colours and arranged some beads on my tatty old bead board. Must get round to buying a new one of those. 

I chose the chain I wanted to use and rearranged the beads several times, taking some away and then putting them back again. 

I changed my mind about the chain at least twice. I even got as far as making the toggle clasp!

Well, you can forget all that. It's not going to happen. I had envisaged a classic charm bracelet with garnet, amethyst, angelite and pink rubies clustered along its length and hanging down on either side of the silver hand made toggle clasp. But this bracelet will not stay still! It keeps changing shape in my head. The latest, barely formed vision is a bit asymmetrical and doesn't involve a toggle at all. The only thing remaining constant is the colours. It might not even turn out to be a bracelet by the time I've finished. 

I must now wait until after the 18th, when my Muse may have returned from her holidays, refreshed and ready to go. Where has my Muse taken herself off to, do you think? Somewhere warm, I hope. The planet Mercury is not the only thing in retrograde round here. The stuff in my patio thermometer is also flowing in the wrong direction. It's a bit chilly here!

Crochet socks for dogs.....

I've just been checking Google Analytics for my Etsy shop. How on earth did someone find their way to my shop or anything in it using a search term like "crochet socks for dogs"?

"Bali jewellery charm bracelet" I can understand; similarly "blue sapphire bangle" but "cast iron owl hook"? I am stumped.

What on earth is an "ex boyfriend necklace"? And what, exactly, are jaterwunky beads?

It would appear that "cast iron owl hook" lead straight to this necklace:

Oxidized copper and Mother of Pearl Necklace

It would also appear that Google Analytics has it's own wormhole into an entire other universe. What I wouldn't give to see that!

Charity Auction!

This Saturday, 26th January, there is an online auction on Facebook in aid of Galgos Del Sol, an organization  set up to help abandoned dogs in Spain. Here is the link to their Facebook page.

Many people have donated items to be auctioned, myself among them. I have donated this necklace:

I hope it raises a few euros! If you want to see more of my jewellery, have a look at my Bluetina website.

Here are some examples of the sort of thing I make:

Oxidized Copper & MOP necklace

Blue Goldstone & Oxidized Copper Bracelet

Sterling Double Spiral Earrings

It was Christmas Eve in the Workshop.....

and absolutely nothing was stirring, not even a pair of pliers. That's because I'm sitting here, at my computer, doing a blog post to wish anybody who actually reads this a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I've been on Facebook and said Merry Christmas. I've even ventured over to Google Plus and managed to get into an argument before I could utter "Season's Greetings". That happens a lot!

I've been back to the UK and had my Grandchildren fix.

Thomas and Alex - Aren't they cute?

We are going out for our Christmas Dinner tomorrow, so I don't have to do very much. Suits me fine!

I am going to be doing a lot of thinking over the holidays. Bluetina had a crappy year, sales wise. Both the website and the Etsy shop. I am considering a change of direction, maybe....possibly....

In the meantime, remember this?

I was going to list it as is but I thought it needed a bit of tarting up. I started fiddling around with some silver wire and this is as far as I've got:

That little loop is waiting for a drop of some kind but the jury's still out on exactly which one. Watch this space!

Again, Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year! Let's hope it turns out better than the last one!

Last minute listings...

Trying to fill my Etsy shop up for Christmas. I thought a few more pairs of earrings wouldn't go amiss!

Blue Glass Flower Drops

Silver and Black Onyx Tassel Earrings

Silver double spirals with black glass flowers

There is another pair but Blogger keeps putting my pics where I don't want them. I give up.

To blog or not to blog....

.....that is the question.

Looking back over the last few months, it seems I have mainly blogged about other people. This is all fine and dandy because I do like to support my friends on line and it's easy when they have lovely stuff to promote! There is also the psychological shove in the back. I do it because I promised I would. I can't seem to do that for myself, though.

I recently read (in yet another e-book I purchased to help me get off my arse and do something) that, if I'm only going to blog half-heartedly, then I shouldn't do it at all. Oh dear.....

I am asking all seventy three of you lovely people to give me a hint here. Should I carry on? And what, if anything, should I write about? Do you want to read little amusing snippets of my life? Shall I attempt some in depth philosophy? Would you like me to feature some more lovely things I find out in cyberspace? How about some work in progress shots (that I always forget to take) of my jewellery? Tutorials? Not that I know much.

If you have any input for me, just leave a comment below. If there are no comments, then I shall take that as a "no"!

Here is the obligatory photograph:

I made this - no, I threw this together for a recent craft fair at which I sold next to nothing. It's a bit boring. It's a charm on a chain. I have decided to embellish it a little.

So, there will be at least one more post. I shall try to remember to take pictures of my efforts as I go along! There, I've just said I'll do it so it must be done! Perhaps I should do this more often!

Black Friday, Cyber Monday Weekend Deal

Just popping in to give you the heads up. I have set up free shipping on all items in my Etsy Shop until the end of Monday, 26th November. Well, Tuesday morning on my end of things!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are a very American institution, stemming as they do from the US Thanksgiving Celebrations. However, when in Rome....or when on Etsy, in this case....do as the Etsians do!

Cascade Earrings Pink Pearl

Evidently, an awful lot of on line shopping is done on Cyber Monday, hence the name. Perhaps some of it will get done in Bluetina's shop! Here are some of the over eighty items you can buy and have shipped anywhere in the world for free:

Mixed Metal Bracelet Silver & Copper

Kyanite Necklace with Sterling Silver Spikes

There's lots more where they came from and, if you order now, they should be with you in plenty of time for Christmas!

A complication of rings....

Today's blog post features my Etsy team mate, Lehane.

Lehane does very complicated things with jump rings. Anybody who can do that chainmaille stuff has my utmost respect and admiration. I tried it once. Nearly went blind and threw my pliers down in disgust.

Aquamarine Amethyst Chainmaille Bracelet

Let alone doing it in a straight line, she can do it in circles, too!

Holiday Chainmaille Ornament

Lehane is also into using those amazing dichroic glass pendants in her jewellery:

Pink and Black Necklace

An eye for colour is also evident in Lehane's designs:

Amethyst Rivoli Crystal Pendant

Go have a look at her shop, it's packed full of more lovely pieces like these!

Beautiful Bead Crochet....

And here is another skill I haven't the patience to perfect! Nona, of Lanmom Originals, crochets with beads. That's a bit of an understatement really. Just look:

Southwestern Necklace - Sedona Dreams

Nona explains how it is done in some of her listing descriptions: 

"There are four steps to creating a piece of bead crochet rope jewelry. The first step is design, which includes determining the look of the finished product and breaking that pattern down to a straight sequence of beads. The second step is stringing, where each individual bead is strung on thread in the correct sequence. One mistake here will destroy the pattern, so I take great care! The third step is to crochet each of these tiny beads into a beautiful, strong and light bead rope. The fourth and final step is finishing with joins, findings and/or accent beads to complete a lovely and unique piece of jewelry."

Nope, can't do it!

Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace

That is a most beautiful piece of jewellery!

ReCycladelic Pop Top Bracelet

Nona says these are much simpler but they still look mighty complicated to me!

And, to top it all, Nona takes beautiful photographs and makes her own soap!

Lemon Lavender Castile Soap

I'm beginning to feel inadequate, so, for the sake of my ego, I'm stopping there! LOL

Daringly Different!

If the title mystifies you, it is the phrase that Pam from epicetera uses to describe her jewellery!

Pam has a definite style which I admire immensely. Look at this bold necklace!

Turquoise Calsilica Jasper Necklace

Pam can do chunky with panache but also uses delicate pearls to great effect:

Natural Keshi Pearl Necklace

As well as a penchant for the dramatic, Pam also demonstrates a sense of whimsy!

Colorful Stretch Skull Bracelet

Most of all, colour is manipulated with style in Pam's designs. I love these long random necklaces of hers!

48 inch random necklace, mixed pearls

Have a peek at Pam's "About" page to find out more about how she got started!

Wire Wrapping Heaven!

I'm going to start with a big picture here, so you can see what it is that I am in awe of!

Aqua Blue Wire Wrapped Necklace

This wonderful piece was created by my friend Joy. She has a shop on Etsy called Catinalife Creations where you will find all sorts of beautiful and intricate jewellery!

Look at the precision work in this bracelet:

Gold colour wire woven cuff

I don't think I'd have the patience although I would love to attempt it some day!

Joy also makes chainmaille jewellery:

Niobium Rainbow Rings Bracelet

Talk about complicated! I wouldn't know where to start!

If you want to see more (and who wouldn't?) go visit her shop on Etsy. 

Oh, and Joy also loves cats, as if you hadn't guessed! That makes her a top person in my book!

Etsy Finds #1

I was wandering through my Team forums on Etsy, as you do, and I came across this:

Heat Activated Mood Pendant

Isn't it lovely? I haven't seen those "mood" beads for ages. Evidently, it changes colour with your body heat. Lehane has some more in her shop, as well as lots of lovely chainmaille jewellery. Have a look!

Want some beads?

Silly question! Of course you do. My friend Cindy has a lovely shop on Etsy where she sells all sorts of delicious beads and findings. It's called Beacon Beads. Here are just a few samples to whet your appetite!

Red Coral Petal Shape Beads

Tibetan Metal Beads

These are pretty!

Tubular Lampwork Beads

Silver Plated Fluted Bead Cap

Cindy also makes lovely jewellery and sells it in her other Etsy shop, CCTexan 3.

I think she used some of those coral petals for this bracelet:

Coral Petals Bracelet

This is beautiful and bold!

Turquoise Magnesite Necklace

And this - wow!

Gold Vintage Chains Necklace

Go over for a visit! There's plenty more where they came from.

                 

An accidental discovery.....

As you are all aware, I talk about photography a lot. It's a very important subject and some would say I am obsessed by it. (But we don't take any notice of them....)

One's photography must be of the highest quality to attract on line buyers, don't you agree? I've been working on mine for years. Every time I change the way I do things I am satisfied, nay, smug even - for a short while. Then I see my pictures juxtaposed with others of such perfection it makes you want to cry and I am downcast and demoralised, yet again.

I have previously mentioned "the big lamp", haven't I? That 500W halogen monstrosity that lurks in the corner of my work room. After my last exhaustive round of research on the subject, I came to the conclusion that more light was the answer. More light than you can shake a big stick at. Well, the 500W bulb blew the other day, right in the middle of a very productive session with the ancient digital. Master of procrastination that I am, no replacement bulb had yet been procured. It was also a national holiday so popping down to Huercal-Overa to buy one was out of the question. "Don't panic!" says Bryn. "I have a 150W bulb in the garage. It's better than nothing."

Better than nothing? Bloody hell, it was better than anything! I had been having trouble with my white balance (as you do) and there were still too many shadows evident after editing. The new bulb evened everything out and produced my best photographs, to date. Well, until the next time!

This is an example of an image of which I had been quite proud, until now:

Sapphire & Silver Bangle

But look at this!

Silver spiral earrings

and this!

gold chain fringe necklace

and these!

carnelian lampshade earrings

I think I really am getting there! Mind you, I said that last time!

Got a dog?

I have no dog. I'm not even owned by a cat. That doesn't stop me appreciating a good idea for pet lovers when I see one!

My friend Linda has a shop on Etsy, BarLee Creations, where she sells her clever, needlepoint crate tags and matching pet and owner jewellery. I didn't know boxer dogs were made in so many different styles!

These are all boxer dogs!

Don't have a boxer? Perhaps you have an Irish Setter, then? 

Irish Setter Crate Tag

Or even an Alaskan Malamute! (No, I've never seen one, either!)

Alaskan Malamute Crate Tag

Not satisfied with over a hundred different breeds of crate tag, Linda goes further and creates her own brand of coordinating jewellery for pets and their owners. Look at these!

This set is called Moon Goddess!

I love this design - I wish I'd thought of it!

Gemstone Ladder Set

This is one of my favourites - Yin and Yang!

Yin and Yang Set

If you have a special relationship with your canine chum, visit Linda's shop and choose something you'll both love!