Cape Cod Blue

I went to Cape Cod last weekend and they have a beautiful bead store there called The Bead Emporium of Cape Cod. I was with my husband and 2 kids so needless to say I really couldn't spend as much time in there as I wanted to, but I did have enough time to buy these beautiful faceted blue jasper teardrops. They dangle from a stack of sterling silver twisted rings attached to sterling silver ear wires I made (my first ones) with a crystal quartz rondell.

I was very excited that right after I listed these on my Etsy shop somebody bought them!!

Destash Beads

When I first get my bead orders in I am so excited. It's like a kid in a candy store. But after making a few items I soon grow tired of the same beads. So I've decided to list a few beads to make room for a new order, and what better way than to sell them to other crafty people. Now if your like me and only want a few of each bead this might be of interest to you. Visit my shop OBTP where you can find, Red Coral, Keishi Pearls, Red Marble, Amazonite, Labradorite and let your imagination go wild! Don't forget to check my shop often for new listing

LabradoriteAmazonite

Red MarbleKeishi Pearls

Red Bamboo Coral

Did you play with marbles when you were young?

Well look what you can do with them as a big girl. These are 2 of my new earrings made with marble teardrops. These beads have a beautiful high polished shine to them.


The grey on these marble teardrops remind me of a thunder storm. With the shades of grey swirls and the crystal rondelle being a flash of lightening. These are great earrings to go from a day at work to a night out.




These marble teardrops have the same color as a terracotta clay pot with swirls of cream in them. They have a triangle sterling bead cap and are dangling from a freshwater brick colored pearl. I picture these paired up with a crisp white top and kaki pants.

Remember sock puppets when you were a kid?

We all had our favorite comfort toy or stuffed animal when we were young. Something to cuddle up to when we were scared or just needed to take with us everywhere we went. I know my son's favorite was a John Smith figurine from the movie Pocahontas and my daughters was a little pink stuffed musical elephant. Well I found these really adorable sock puppets on ETSY.

The Willow Tree has this oh so cute and softly stripped sock puppet look at the matching bow and gadget cozy wristlet she has. Under The Willow Tree describes this Girlie monkey as a bright and cheerful monkey. It is made out of a brand new pair of socks and is stuffed with 100% polyester fiber and is extremely huggable! She has embroidered eyes and face with a lot of detail! Girlie monkey is made out of gray socks with blue, yellow, green, and pink stripes. This monkey is sewn very well by hand and by machine so it will not come apart. This monkey measures 16" from head to foot and has a 14" long tail.

This one is "Kristina the Sock Bunny" from Cuddlet It is so cute I love the colors. She is made of new cotton socks. Her fancy dress and hat are also made of socks and are fully removable. Kristina is a serious young lady and she likes books and documentaries. She loves her little brother Alex even though he is so naughty sometimes! Go to Cuddlet to see her brother Alex.

Look what I put together with my new marble beads

I have to say when I got these new marble beads in I was really unsure of what to do with them. But I do think grey can really go with just about everything, so I decided to mix a little of everything together and this is what I came up with.

Marble teardrops in swirls of grey that are topped with a cluster of faceted Rhodolite Garnets in a fuchsia shade, Iolite, Apatite in a shade of emerald green, Freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, Faceted Labradorite and Faceted Smokey Quartz rondells. All 925 Sterling silver findings. Apprx length is 1 1/4 inch from the bottom of ear wire.

Cocktails on Saturday

Well I finally got some time to put together these beautiful black and white earrings with my Petal Pearls (keishi pearls). As I was putting them together they just reminded me of a little black dress with white ruffles across the top. You know the kind you would wear to a cocktail party. This dress is from Nordstroms.

All Wrapped Up

I love wire wrapped jewelry. I think it gives just so much more detail to some pieces. But I just can't do it. I have tried and tried. This isn't a boo hoo me but I am just all thumbs. I have at least 5 books with step by step instructions. I have gone through so much wire practicing thank goodness I wasn't using sterling silver. I decided to look for some pieces that really caught my eye and these are just a few in my opinion that are absolutely beautiful. I hope you enjoy them!

I don't think I have ever seen anything so beautifully done! These earrings take my breath away. Xinxinemin has used so many different Gem Stone colors and shapes. I love the way she has made the different flowers out of them. There is even a butterfly!
xinxinemin states; These butterflies swing in and out when you move, looks that they are flying above flowers

Features Red Garnet, Pink Tourmaline, Green Amethyst, Violet Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Aquamarine, Blue Apatite, Green Apatite, Iolite, Lemon Quartz, Peridot, Citrine. All findings are sterling silver.

I just can't imagine doing all this work and it coming out as beautiful as these earrings. The detail is unbelievable and so neat, everything matches up so nicely! You can see this and more wire wrapped jewelry at Augusta's, Inspired designs to reflect your distinctive style.
Theses earrings from Augusta are Wrapped and hanging from the graceful wire wrapped scroll work are gorgeous, high quality pink amethyst briolettes. Simple, understated and elegant.These earrings have been oxidized, tumble polished, lightly hammered and buffed to a beautiful shine. The earrings hang 2 inches from hand crafted earwires.

I love the way the tourmaline rondelles are wrapped around to frame the faceted ruby drop (which is one of my favorite Gem Stones). And the way the golden tone of the Citrine and deeper almost bronze pearls cluster on top to show off the color of the Ruby.

This beautiful wire wrapped necklace is from Jewellery Haven, Ruby focal measuring 20mm x 11mm suspended in a 14k gold filled frame wrapped with lovely petro tourmaline roundelles. Cluster of gorgeous golden citrine, petro tourmaline briolettes and pearls sits above the ruby. Chain length approximately 17 inches.

Visit Jewellery Haven for more exquisite wire wrapped jewelry.

And last but not least the extent of my wire wrapping. Each Phrenite bead is wire wrapped at the top and attached to sterling silver chainand ear wires. I added some black swarovski crystals to bring out the black inclusions in the Phrenite.

More New Beads!!

I really just needed to buy some earring hooks and head pins and well......It's kind of like eatting a potato chip once you start you just can't stop. But I really didn't do to much damage, I just bought a few strands.

I love the look of cluster earrings they are so versitile, so I purchased some Botswana Agate, Faceted Smokey Quartz, Rhodolite Garnet, Faceted Clear Quartz, Apatite Heishi Beads

Black Agate Teardrops, Fancy Marble that looks like terracotta and Black Marble that is more of a milky black grey swirl teardrops. Don't forget to visit my shop to see the finished pieces!!

Many Years Ago

I love to go antiquing and years ago I found this brass bracelet at a small antique store in Foster R.I. Like any piece of jewelry you wear it for a while and it either goes out of style or you just forget about it. That is until recently.....

I had been looking on Etsy for unique and different findings and I found these beautiful brass earring findings at The Despina Collection on Etsy. I just added a simple brass ring to complete a long look.

Pearl Petals and Labradorite Teardrop Cluster Earrings

I am so excited I finally purchased a strand of pearl petals also known as keishi pearls! I purchased them from Pandorasbeadbox, a shop on Etsy. I have wanted these pearls for so long and now I just can't wait to make more jewelry with them.

My first item is this cluster of keishi pearls with a beautiful luster to them that sit on top of blue/grey Labrdorite teardrops with flashes of blue with every movemant. All findings are sterling silver and they are 1 1/8 in from the bottom of ear wire. To view more pictures of these and other items please visit my Etsy shop Originals By Terri.

Keishi pearls are formed when an oyster rejects an implanted bead nucleus but continues to create a pearl, or when some of the implanted mantle tissue in a mussel breaks away and forms its own freeform pearl.

When just the right words are needed...

I love handmade cards. I think the creative ability to draw, sketch, or put different materials together and come up with something that needs no words because the artworks tells the story is such a gift.

Below are just a few new shops on Etsy that I think deserve mentioning!

lrsteiner Shop, the atomic rabbit features some really nice fun items such as note cards and gift tags. This shop has the perfect gift for someone that loves to send notes to their friends. I look at these below and all I can think of is "lets all go to the mall!" The atomic rabbit also features note cards with ball gowns, party dresses, handbags and many more styles. The atomic rabbit is a must see shop!

Look at these cards below from Pearlstationery's shop. My friends and I are always have a girls night out and I think these would make a great invitation for a girls night out pool party! Pearlstationery also carries birthday and thank you notes. Check out the P.S. Signature Correspondence set it would make a great stocking stuffer!

Stop by homespunheaven shop as they feature some beautiful inspirational cards. Homespunheaven also carries some beautiful bookmarks and other items. I am very partial to butterflies so this is just one of my favorites in their shop.

Come on knock on my door!

I love doorways, pictures, prints or drawings of them and even the real ones. I especially love the ones with rounded doors. I always envision eclectic or vintage, terracotta pots all around filled with a different flower or plant in each.

Some are just so inviting that is just makes me wonder what it looks like inside. Is it as warm and inviting as the potted flowers that sit on the doorstep? Does it have overstuffed chairs and a couch that you just want to curl up and read a good book?

These are a few that have peeked my curiosity when looking through Etsy. Click the link under each picture to see more from their stores.

This is my favorite. It's a beach hut. Don't you just wonder if it has steps out the back leading to the water? You can see this and more at Unravelling



This looks like it would be so elegant. A big foyer when you enter, it's very own greenhouse. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5517485



Ok my second favorite. A little pink beach house. Something you would maybe find in a small New England town, a short walk to the beach. You can see this and more at Italian Girl in Georgia



For the single person that is doing very well for themself. Come's home from work pours a glass of wine and sits down and relaxes. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5060930



This reminds me of the home my daughter and I visited in Guatamala 2 years ago. Her friend made her Quinceanera and we made the trip there as my daughter was part of the party. The back yards are breathtaking. Exotic flowers everywhere (or to me they were exotic). It was one of the best trips I have ever taken. To be in a different country and see other customs and how they live is fasinating. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5917412

I hope you enjoy!

How did you hear about Etsy?

Back in November of 2007 I had gone to my first class reunion. I won't say of how many years. But none the less it was a great time and I got to see people I haven't seen in years.

A few of the people that had put the reunion together had also put a website together so that we could go back and look at the pictures that were taken that night to remind us of how old we got. http://class77phs.homestead.com/

Well on the website it had a feature that you could add your website if you were self employed. I figured what a way for me to advertise my jewelry and for free, so I signed up my blog (this blog actually). But I never really used it the right way. I would just take pictures and post them with titles and details of my jewelry and every once in a while send out an email to my friends letting them know I made new pieces.

Then Cindy one of my former classmates sent me an email and told me about Etsy. I had seen Etsy shops come up every once in a while when I would Google for beads or finding for my jewelry but never really thought much of it. She said it would be a perfect place for me to sell my jewelry, so I figured what did I have to lose. I had a separate account for my jewelry $$ and they say you have to spend money to make money. So I sign up with Etsy in December of 2007. And that was it. Haha..

In mid February of 2008 I finally posted my first items and sold my first item February 25th. I was so excited!! It was a turquoise and sterling silver anklet.



I have sold many items since that first day and hopefully will continue to. I enjoy all the people I have met through Etsy and all that I have learned, especially how to promote myself.

And because of Etsy I am now using my blog the right way!!

Cindy has been on Etsy for a while http://www.karmicbook.esty.com/ she is a Portraiture, Fine Art, Artist and you can see some of her work at, http://www.cindylambert.com/ and it is beautiful!

Clean Slate

These are one of my favorite earrings. Simple slate blue czech glass bead with a bronze freshwater pearl. I made a pair for myself in more of a green tone about 3 years ago and wear them at least 3 times a week. It is also one of my best sellers at craft fairs.

FEATURED ARTIST "KREATED BY KARINA"

Kreated by Karina offers this beautifully packaged rose petal soap!

She uses only the best possible ingredients. Karina prefers to use moisturing cocoabutter, or sheabutter, as well as vitamin E, olive or macadamia nut oil to leave your skin soft, smooth and conditioned. From time to time, she might include oatmeal, ground walnuts, seeds and other exfoliating qualities..but only the best for her customers--she even uses filtered water.

Take a look at Karina's store, www.kreatedbykarina.etsy.com to see her flavorful lipbalms, scented soaps and she even offers mens soap and a few childrens items.

Karina is having a Christmas in July sale going on right now I suggest taking advantage of it!!

*Want to read more soapy goodness? Check out Karina's blog, http://www.kbyk.blogspot.com

Are you addicted to Etsy, if so there should be a 12 step program out there.

Really if you think you are, read these post, just to confirm like the rest of us!

http://thescrabblegal.blogspot.com/2008/07/addicted-to-etsy-cartoon.html

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5696730

New Beads Just In!!

I just got some new beads in , Labrdorite teardrops, Clear crystal quartz rondells, Bright red coral, Raspberry quartz, Smokey quartz faceted teardrops, a large blister pearl focal and sterling silver findings.

Sometimes when I get an order in there is so much in it that I get overwhelmed. It can take me up to a week or more before I can put any ideas together. But this time I went easy and bought just a few beads and already had ideas for them. Can't wait to get started!

Don't forget to check out my Etsy store for the new pieces!!

When I'm not making Jewelry...

I love working in my yard. We only have a back yard because our house is so old it literally sits on the street.

We have an old fireplace that is centered in the garden that we still use. It's great for roasting marshmellows.

This is an Adirondack chair my son Alex made for me in woodshop for Christmas this year. Isn't it beautiful!!

My Favorite Materials

I love working with Semi Precious Stones, there is such an array of colors, shapes and sizes.

Some of my favorites are Agates, Amazonite, Amethyst, Aventurine, Black Onyx, Botswana, Carnelain, Citrine, Chrysocolla, Chrysophrase, Dumorite, Feldspar, Garnet, Iolite, Jasper, Kyanite, Labrdorite, Moonstone, Moukaite, Peridot, Phrenite, Turquoise. You can find most of these beads in the pieces in my Etsy store. http://www.obtp.etsy.com/

I use all Sterling Silver findings in my jewelry unless noted and Hill Tribe Sterling Silver is one of my favorites. They have such unique pieces. Here is a pair of their ear wires.

A little something about myself

Hi and welcome to my blog! I've had this blog for about 2 years now, but really only posted pictures of my jewelry on it. I have now decided to use it to promote my ETSY store and other Fellow Etsians.

I have been making jewelry for just about 25 years. I have always had a love for art and color and making jewelry gives me unlimited possibilities. When you start with just a few beads in various shapes, sizes and colors and come up with a piece that someone's buys is so amazing to me. Especially now seeing there are so many people out there that make jewelry.

My husband Jimmy has always been very supportive of me but of course not without all the jokes and comments most men would give. He recently he had a portion of our very old basement finished into a bead room for me. Ok, ok so it's a bead room/laundry room but we all know I'll be the only one ever to go in it. So consider it just mine.

This is where I do most of my work. I bought a very inexpensive folding craft table about $45. It has a couple of compartments that hold my jewelry tools such as pliers, wire cutters, ruler, bags and of course my remote for the T.V. I also have a 4 foot folding table for extra work space and it is high enough for storage underneath. The peg board was my husbands idea and boy what a great idea! I bought some metal pieces that fit in the holes and have very thin wooden dowels with (S) hooks to hold my strands of beads. They also hold bags if you use a hole punch.

The 2 ceramic mask on the wall are from the artistic side of my daughter Briana!

This is a 5 shelf bookcase that I bought at BigLots for $20. I keep all my shipping supplies, jewelry boxes, labels, books and odds and ends. This fits perfect in a space that otherwise would be wasted due to the hot water tank being right next to it on the left.

I have my niece to thank for this photo box. She is a photographer that works for the Providence Journal and is always snapping away. She said it would be perfect for me to take pictures of my jewelry. She told my husband about it and this is what he got me for Christmas. I read on an Etsy thread recently that these can be made out of a cardboard box and tissue paper. Not really sure what would be used for a light though.





This bookshelf is used to hold props for my pictures. A few necklace holders that I found at an antique shop some shells and starfish.