Wonder and Whimsy Monthly Challenge - December Reveal

Well, here it is: the last day of 2020.

So, why not end the year with a blog reveal! :)

At the beginning of the month, I shared that December's Wonder and Whimsy challenge was going to be playing around with two different palettes I dreamt about in November. (Literally, they were from a dream I had.)

Now, I didn't really make much--finished one necklace and started one other--but I still had a lot of fun designing with such bright cheerful colors.

So, without further ado... Here is what I made!

Palette 1

This necklace is one that I actually started thinking about in November, right after I had the dream. Still, it wasn't until this month that I started actually assembling it. Complete with dyed agate, amethyst, both Czech glass and regular glass, and goldtone metal, I am really pleased with how it turned out!

Palette 2

You will notice that this tassel necklace is incomplete... I just ran out of time, and wasn't able to finish. (Well, and I also got distracted by the gorgeous Swarovski crystals I got for Christmas. Hah!) The materials for this tassel--and the rest of the necklace, when I get around to it--include glass, Czech glass, dyed quartz, and pearl.

So, there you go! Those are what I created from the palettes I dreamt about. I am certainly not done poking at them, either... I look forward to playing around with them some more in the future!

Thank you so much for stopping by today to see what I made!

Have a lovely end of your year, everyone! See you in 2021!

Wonder and Whimsy Monthly Challege - December Edition

The beginning of December has been a bit of a whirlwind here. I find that tends to be the case for me, especially when my Novembers are dedicated to writing words for NaNo and making earrings everyday. 

...That's a long-winded way for me to say, "Oops, I'm late in posting my challenge for this month!" Heh.

Now, for my December Monthly Challenge, I usually tend towards more winter-centric designs. Comes from living in the Northern Hemisphere, I suppose. This month, however, I have decided to do something a little different. You see, last month, I actually had a dream with two different color palettes... and I'm super excited to play around with them.

So, that's my challenge, short and simple: to make something using these palettes from my dream!

Palette 1

Palette 2

They're both so bright and cheerful! 

Now, I actually started making things with the first palette last month, but I haven't touched the second one yet. It makes me think of a sunset. And summer. And things that don't involve snow or evergreens, hah.

So! Come on by on Thursday, December 31st to see what I end up making! (I usually do the last Friday, but that day this month is actually Christmas. I figure I'll take that day off!) 

And thank you so much for stopping by today... Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Day 30: Snowflakes

Well, here it is. 

It is the last day of November, which means that it's also the last day of my November Monthly Challenge. 

To finish it off, here are the earrings that I made today:

With that, I can say that I have successfully managed to make a new pair of earrings everyday this month. Woo-hoo!

Some final thoughts on this challenge...

In the past, this challenge has helped me push my creative skills and learn how to do new things (chainmaille and seedbeadery, to be specific). 

This year, though, I found that was not the case. I had a lot of ideas, but when I sat down at my beading table, I found myself drawn to doing more of what I know. And, you know what--that's okay! The whole point of this challenge was to keep me creating, and I would say that it definitely did that! Every pair of earrings is more skills honed, more beads used, and another opportunity to grow. I am very pleased. :) 

Thank you so much for joining me for this journey... I appreciate you all stopping by to see what I've been up to!! 

Here's wishing you all a lovely, lovely end to your November!

Day 29: Sunset Dangles

Second-to-last day of this challenge! Can you believe it's been 29 days already?

Today's earrings are a pair that I've been planning for awhile now... finally got around to putting them together. 

I present: sunset dangles!

They were made using vintage acrylic teardrops and glass rounds.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Day 28: Green Go-Tos

So, I have a few go-to earring designs when I'm completely and totally uninspired.

Yes, this is one of them.

This particular pair was made with vintage acrylic and bright silver metal... because I couldn't think of what else to make. Some days are just like that!

Thanks for stopping by today... Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Day 27: Large Purple Teardrops

Today is a day for large purple teardrop earrings.

Apparently.

Thanks for stopping by today... Have a great day, everyone!

Day 26: Thanksgiving Flowers

Just some simple fall-colored earrings for today, made with Czech flowers and copper. 

Thank you for stopping by today... Wishing you all a safe, warm, cozy, lovely Thanksgiving!

Day 25: Pretty Palettes Chandeliers

You know, the problem with doing this challenge is that not everyday is a good day for pictures. My craft table is directly in front of a window, so most of what I bead to is natural light... except on days like today, which is overcast and drippy and downright depressing. Bah!

Still, I did make a lovely pair of earrings using some beads from this month's Pretty Palettes challenge. I love how they turned out, even if the light isn't the best:

If I have time later tonight, I'll take pictures in my actual photobox setup. Or tomorrow, if the sun is out. Either way, I do really like these earrings... it's hard to go wrong with Czech glass and copper!

Thank you for stopping by today... Have a wonderful day, everyone!

NaNoWriMo Update!

...I am now officially at 50,290 words! Woo-hoo!

I'll probably keep poking at my story--because it is nowhere near done and I'm trying to get into the habit of writing everyday anyway--but I wanted to share my victory.

Hurray!

...And now to go make some earrings.

Day 24 - Teal and Brown

Today, I have had the attention span of a goldfish. I keep getting distracted by shiny things, and new project ideas, and keep forgetting what I was originally working on. Sheesh!

At least I was able to focus long enough to make today's earrings!

These were made with Czech glass and wood, paired with both copper and brass.

Thanks so much for stopping by today... Have a lovely day, everyone!

Day 23 - Icy Acorns

Quick entry today, as I'm rushing around the house trying to be productive. Wheeee!

Today's earrings are clear icy acorns, in honor of winter that's just around the corner.

And, for fun, here you can see their shifting color sparkle:

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a lovely day, everyone!

Day 22: Color!

It continues to be dreary and overcast here in Cincinnati. 

So, I decided to combat the gloom with some color!

Dyed magnesite to the rescue! These particular beads are from my local bead store, A World of Beads... I bought a bunch during their moving sale last year, and I greatly look forward to going to visit their new location once it's a bit less covid-y out there. Maybe in January, when I have a bit of Christmas money to spend. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today... I hope you all are doing well, and staying safe in these crazy times.

Have a lovely day, everyone--and I hope you're able to find a little color, even if its grey outside!

 

Day 21: Time for Some Geekiness

In my house, every other Saturday night is a game night. 

What do we play? 

Dungeons and Dragons! My husband is the dungeon master (DM), while I play one of the characters. We have a bunch of friends who join us remotely, and fun and hilarity ensures.

So, today's earrings were made in honor of our Saturday games. D&D involves a lot of dice-rolling (and math!), so I decided to make dice earrings.

...And, because I like purple, I decided to make a purple pair as well:

...And now it's time for me to get back to the game. Thanks for stopping by today, everyone! Have a great night!

Day 20: Just Playing Around

Guess who just now realized they hadn't blogged about today's earrings? Yep... me! Oops!

It was an overcast day, and I wasn't feeling particularly inspired. I sat at the craft table for quite some time today, poking at beads and simply experimenting.

This pair is the results of my tinkering.

They are long and lightweight, and actually pretty fun. Not bad for just playing around!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a wonderful night, everyone!

Day 19: The Other Side of Pink

Earlier this month, I explained that my sister really likes delicate powder pink.

I, on the other hand, prefer the bolder, more vibrant hues. 

So, to match my shirt today, I made these:

And, since I made these for me, I decided to add a picture of me wearing them:

...I very rarely post pictures of me, so don't get used to it. (Partly because I'm really bad at taking serious pictures of myself... I usually end up making funny faces, and looking like a muppet. Hah!)

Thanks so much for stopping by today... Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Day 18: Burgundy and Gold

For today's earrings, I decided to play around with elements from this month's Bargain Bead Box. 

The theme for this month was "Burgundy Boho"... and I think what I made definitely fits that theme!

Quick note: I did not make the silk flower drops--they were part of this month's shipment. I am rather curious how they were made, though, and I'm definitely starting to think about how to replicate them if I want to. You know me--find inspiration everywhere!

Thanks so much for stopping by today... Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Day 17: The World's Most Frustrating Earrings

...okay, that's not entirely true, but golly these earrings gave me heaps of trouble today. 

Ah well. At least they turned out all right!

I actually really like this design... I think I'll give it another try--that is, in a couple days, when I forget how frustrating these were! Some days are just not good jewelry-making days.

Thanks for stopping by today... Have a wonderful day, everyone!

Day 16: And Now for Something Completely Different...

I am super proud of today's earrings.

...Unfortunately, however, I have waited too long to write this entry, and I'm now exhausted and don't have any clever to say about them. 

So, I suppose I will just let the pictures do the talking!

They were made with faceted glass and teardrop-shaped freshwater pearls. And yes, I made the earwires. :)

Thanks for stopping by today, and for putting up with my lack of commentary... have a lovely day, everyone!

Day 15: Orange and Copper, Set of 3

I was at a bit of a loss when I sat down to make today's earrings. So, I decided to poll the audience--or, in other words, I texted my best friend and asked them to give me a color combo.

The answer was orange and copper.

...And I was so inspired, that I made three pairs. Hah! 

Pair #1

Pair #2

Pair #3

I am so grateful for such supportive friends, who put up with my jewelry-making shenanigans. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today... Have a lovely Sunday, everyone!