Recycled Rings

As promised, today I'm going to take you through one of my processes.

Recycled Rings are part of a somewhat ongoing collection featuring the things that I come across in my bag of donated jewellery. It's fun project. I take interesting looking buttons or more than likely - clip on earrings from the bag. Then I take it apart until I'm left with just the cabochon. Next it's gently cleaned with bicarb paste and an old toothbrush and then enjoys a bath in my ultrasonic cleaner. Once it's been dried and polished it's either carefully glued onto a ring shank or secured in a seed beaded setting. Once the glue has dried or the thread has been snipped - it's finally ready to be worn as a beautiful ring and sold on Etsy, or snuck by my Mom into her jewellery box. You'd be amazed at how many things disappear in there! ;)
The next time I make one, I'll photograph the process and add them to this post. Meanwhile click "read more" to see some of my finished Recycled Rings...

Quick (Long) Note

Just a quick note before I go to bed, to say that the Etsy shop will re-open later today.  I've worked hard all week to make sure that everything looks good and is as it should be.  There's only a few items in there at the moment, things that I think will look good during the holiday season.  I do have a few more things to add, which I'll do as they come.

Updates include:

•  I now have options on packaging.  I have both my usual organza bags in my "brand" colours (black, purple and gold) and I've just bought some beautiful gift boxes available in either black or purple.  So depending on its fragility, your item will come in whichever packaging is stated on the item page.  Believe me though, both are a lovely option for gifting!
• I've updated the pages about me and about the shop and what I do to reflect my current interests.
• All photos are as consistent as I can make them.  Necklaces will be modelled on my mannequin, while rings and bracelets will be modelled by either me or my mom, depending who's handy at the time - usually me because I'm impatient - LOL!  Close ups will be taken on granite.
• Perhaps most important of all - I've decided to give back to the organisation that helped me find this hobby.  So from now on 10% of every sale I make, will be donated to the mental health charity MIND.

This week when I'm not beading I'll be updating the blog pages to reflect the shop, as most items are no longer available and I'm not sure when they will be.  Please note that I'm only removing the links to the shop, so if there is an item that you're interested in that isn't available on Etsy - don't hesitate to contact me either by email (kymberligee@gmail.com) or through the shop as I'd be happy to discuss selling them.

Now I've got a setup that I'm happy with, I'm going to try keeping the blog updated with insights into my design processes and also show you work-in-progress that you won't be able to see anywhere else.  Probably including my many mistakes! ;)
I also have some plans for the future which I'd like to share with you.  I would like the do the occasional giveaway, like I did back when I launched the Sweet Tooth Collection.  Would this be something you guys would be interested in?  Everyone likes freebies, right?  I'm also considering giving a discount on their next purchase to buyers who send me a photo of themselves wearing what they've bought - as I think it would be great to show how my jewellery looks in a real life setting.

I can honestly say that this is the first time that I've been thoroughly focused on getting the shop up and running, my first go at the holiday season (so be kind!) and probably the first time I've actually been happy with the shop as a whole - in terms of what I'm selling, the way they look and how the shop itself looks.  I just hope I'm not spreading myself too thin again by trying to do too much.

Anyhow, I'll see you later today for the Grand Re-opening as it were.
x Kym x

=:x

Pumpkin Mandala Necklace (Halloween)

This is the other version of the Mandala tutorial I made from i-Beads by purplefiona at FionaFiona.  This is the orange and black colourway using my free gift from i-Beads - which were the transparent orange superduos.

 I used those along with some opaque black superduos for contrast as well as the black seed beads.

Instead of using crystal bicones that decorate the outside, this time I used half black, half silver crystal rondelles, which add a little extra sparkle.  I haven't made earrings to go with these.  I may do eventually, I just haven't had time lately.  Side note: I was originally going to call this Orange is the New Black, but I didn't think I'd get away with it!

BTW - I hope you're liking the new setup.  I got my mannequin reupholstered in a lovely aubergine velvet from Corset Laced Mannequins over on Etsy.  It's so much easier to show off my necklaces and see how they hang than the display models I was using.  So if you're looking for a mannequin or you'd like to spruce up one you already have, I highly recommend you check out her shop!
For the close ups I've been using one of our granite placemats.  So if you see any weird reflections, it's just the various posters I have hanging in my room - lol!  I would use a less reflective surface, but I like the effect it gives.  I do try to minimise the reflections on the post edits.

Well, that's the end of my Halloween jewellery.  This weekend I'll be getting the shop ready by photographing, uploading and editing all the jewellery I'll be selling up to Christmas.  I hope you'll stop by, as I'm hoping to donate a portion of my profits to the mental health charity that got me started on this craze in the first place.

Here's wishing you a safe and happy Halloween!
x Kym x
=;x

Witches Brew Mandala Set (Halloween)

So I've already caught my mom trying to sneak this into her own jewellery box, even though I made it for myself from this awesome tutorial from i-Beads.

 I changed the colours to my own personal taste - pastel bordeaux and black matte superduos, mixed with purple iris seed beads and chinese crystals.

Obviously as this is someone elses design (purplefiona at FionaFiona) I can't sell it - this was made for me personally - and my mom when she decides to steal it!  I also made another one, which I'll post about shortly.  In the meantime here are some extra photos.

=:x

Pumpkin Netted Pearls Bracelet (Halloween)

My mom says this bracelet reminds her of the clementines you get at Christmas in the netted bags, and I'm inclined to agree with her.  Maybe I ought to change the holiday theme for this one?

 I used 12mm neon orange Swarovski pearls and placed them inside a length of black knitted wire.

I then twisted the knitted wire between each pearl to secure it before tying the ends to a silver toggle clasp.

=:x