Put a Cap On It

I've been doing a little horse trading and buying of some elements I haven't used much in the past.

I'm seeing ceramic beads and bead caps that seem to be asking to be paired with my crusty line.

I admit prejudice toward ceramic beads from remembering big clunky  not so aesthetically pleasing ones from back in the 60's that usually accompanied jute macrame.

I had done a bead swap last year and when I received some ceramic beads of a different and more delicate persuasion I  became a convert.

Then I started to notice... notice some funky and some elaborate designs made by my fellow Etsians.

I noticed how they looked in other's creations and I vowed to acquire some.

I found Petra of ScorchedEarth through the circles I travel

She's making some crazy amazing bead caps

"Sublime in the Coconut"

and whimsical too.

Here I've paired her coconut bead caps with Natalie's from NKPbeads

subtle grey glazed saturn beads.

Those are my crusty headpins in the center.

Trying ways to use my own crusty limpet bead caps.

These sold immediately at the farmer's market. I had sellers remorse but was glad that I had some pics already.

Those were those yellow beads that nobody wanted. They just needed the right company

These started out totally different with a big hoop.

They hung too long and looked awkward

As I was dismantling them I saw that all my work didn't have to go to waste and I could turn them into more linear earrings

Petra's wonderful bead caps with some Bali bicones I'd been hoarding aside

She didin't expect to see them hanging upside down.

You never know how someone will see fit to use your supplies.

More limpet caps. I found myself high grading most of the recent ones I've made.

Now that I know how fun they are to use I shall endeavor to make more... for you

Natalie NKPbeads with some shiny numinosity elements

Coupla plain Petra beads with my crusties. Sets it off just right I think.

Numinosity limpets with lava and headpins and Bali bicones

Now these bead caps by Petra... I think I'm in love with the crusty crackle with the contrasting shiny glaze. I just love these!

More of Petra's bead caps

I wasn't thinking shrooms at the time. I had reversed the cap several times to see which way I liked best and this is what I settled on. 

There's a little bit o' color under there

Some more of Natalie's saturn beads with my crusties

This is a pair that's in the works. I was totally delighted to see what an NKPbead looked like with one of my criffles. This criffle was an orphan so I need to make another one to finish this pair of earrings.

Same here, just need to make another cobalt criffle.

I'm normally not a blue and orange fan  but I like the looks of this combo.

I'm about at the end of my outdoor shows now. I can't decide whether to set up next Saturday at our farmer's market. It's been getting windy and chilly  but for some inexplicable reason I had my best day there last weekend. I guess I'll keep checking the weather report.

Thanks so much for all of your thoughtful comments last post. I really do love hearing from you all.

New Components

Taking a side trip to explore some new components.

These are crusty lampwork glass bead caps or they could be considered beads in themselves.

They certainly are NOT going to be uniform in any way other than color and being domed.

Cuz you know that's the way I roll...randomnosity

Criffles' little cousins. 

I need to come up with a name for these caps.

randomnosities?

I'm already feeling like high grading them for myself which only means I need to make more.

A studnik sandwich anyone?

I'm taking a bit of a break from the matchsticks as I have been experiencing some vision problems.

Probably has nothing to do with the torch but I thought I'd take a break just the same.

I have an eye doctor appointment on Thursday.

I'll be listing some of these babies soon.

more steampunkture

da undaside

loving each other

Lampwonk shiny feeler gap gauge

So I was doing a little destash and helping out a fellow designer that said she might be running a little low on supplies. We just can't have that. And knowing that she's on a neutrals color spree currently that made it a little easier to pare down the choices.

What I didn't expect is that it would turn into a trade and I got this pile of goodies back!

And she sent me these! 

by Darlicioushouse on Etsy.

She went straight to work with the supplies.

You can already see how she made a moose's tooth into a pin!

or you can check out her blog Darlicious Rejuvenations here