New work...

I realized it's been awhile since I blogged here- so I thought I'd share some newer work. In addition to my thicker leather wraps, I've been working with some softer leather. This is a great weight to stitch and embellish- so I started with these pieces...

Olive green leather with tiny turquoise beads and brass details....

FLY is one of my favorites. This one wraps twice around your wrist, and has a little brass bird charm....

My favorite color combo- teal and brown. Amazonite and stitched brown leather...

...and another version with carnelian. If you're local in the Cleveland area, you can find these at the Gestures in Rocky River, and at The Log Cabin Gallery in Peninsula.....

...or you can hop on over to my Etsy shop to see more. I have more to share this week. Starting in "production mode" for the upcoming holiday shows. Wasn't it just summer?

Work in Progress.....

Here's what's on my work table this week....just playing around with leather. I started stitching and beading deerskin- it's so nice to work with. Unlike cowhide, it's soft and pliable like a textile.

...just a few stitches here and there, a few tiny stitched beads. I'm trying to focus on the leather as the main design element, rather than the stones. I love working on intricately detailed textiles, so I'm trying to get more of that aspect of my aesthetic in this new work. These are just the first pieces...

I'm taking baby steps, I know. The more intricate stitched leather bands aren't ready yet- still working out some kinks. I need to figure out how to layer the leather- leather glue? Is there such a thing? I also started tooling some retro tattoo images on wider bands. I really need to stay focused on these new leather pieces. So much fun!

Several different leather colors, mixing metals, etc..

Did I say I LOVE what I'm doing!

New in Leather Wrap Bracelets in shop.....

Just a quick shop update....I added few new leather wrap bracelets in my Etsy shop today. I didn't take the time to photograph all of them.....

...so if you want a certain color/stone combo and don't see it email me. If I don't have it in stock I can make it for you!

Well- off to the beach. I hope you all enjoy your long weekend!

A Few Favorites of Mine....

My sewing machine is getting tired- so I decided to get out the "good beads" and have a relaxing evening making a few more of my favorite designs. I have to be in the right mind to make these little bird cages. After drilling holes in the bottom, each cage has to be carefully pried open and the vintage glass bird slipped in so the wire goes through the bottom hole- and trying NOT to break off the little tail!

I can never keep these in stock- and I can't take special orders (because you never know if that tail snaps off after working on one forever- then I have to put it all away & start something else!) I just love working with the "good beads". I think tomorrow I'll snap a few picks of my private little stash of vintage glass- I covet the wire embedded birds- Venetian birds from the 40's and 50's. I just found a few more of my little hour glass charms....

...so I'll be making a variation of this design I made last year. About 1 inch tall, the glass timer is filled with real sand and actually turns. I LOVE these!

So, off to my bottle of red, my audio book (because I'm hosting book club Friday & I haven't started the book), and my apothocary jar filled with the "good beads".

Shop Update- New Leather Wrap Bracelets

Just a quick note to share a few new leather wrap bracelets- new in my Etsy shop. I just acquired more antique lace "flowers" and will be making more of the lace studded style.

All are one-of-a-kind- I use a variety of semi precious stones, vintage glass, vintage religious medals, various trinkets, and antique lace.

New applique pillows will be coming later in the week.

xoxoxo

A few new Leather Wrap Bracelets.....

Here's a sneak peak at a few new Leather Wrap Bracelets just listed in my Etsy shop. The new bracelets- a continuous 30" length of leather, chain, and linked beads- wrap around your wrist 4 times. Oh so trendy...

Whether you like chunky or delicate, vintage glass or semi precious stones- I have a variety to choose from in my Etsy shop.

Tomorrow I'll post my fall/holiday show schedule (just waiting to hear back from one venue)

Stay warm (I had to turn on my heat last night for the 1st time!)

New Bracelets...

My new leather wrap bracelets....I knew it was bound to happen. Instead of wrapping 3 times, these wrap 4 times. What's next- I'm already working on the 5 & 6 wraps!

In this series of chunky leather wrap bracelets I use handmade African glass beads. I call mine my Wilma Flintstone bracelet- is everyone old enough to know what I'm talking about!

You can find them in my Etsy shop- along with so much more!

Well- I'm off to a bonfire- more tomorrow or Monday! Have a great weekend :)

...a few new bracelets...

I've been hanging on to these vintage glass "man in the moon" beads for awhile. They've been hanging over my table for a few years- inspiring me. I used a few in some new leather wrap bracelets- all designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times...

I love the soothing colors in this one- sea blue & pale blue quartz with turquoise accent the glass "man in the moon" bead perfectly. You can find it here in my Etsy shop.

I don't use alot of purple in my work, but I love these vintage glass flowers mixed with amethyst, Korean jade, and tiny seed beads with a vintage train token. You can find it here. The purple and green are very striking together I think....

This last bracelet features a vintage religious medal- with carnelian, quartz, and vintage glass beads. You can find this one here.

More tomorrow!

What I've been working on...

The other day I was so excited to be featured in Etsy's Daily Finds email blast featuring themed products. I sold 7 of my leather wrap bracelets that day- plus some special orders. I didn't even realize I was in the promo until someone emailed me!

So I scrambled into my studio to make a few more- I figured if people want them now- I'll make more. So much fun to make and mostly one-of-a-kind. I get to take out all my beads & trinkets...

You can find them here in my Etsy shop- or contact me if you want your own.

Vintage Fruit Earrings

I just made the last batch of my Vintage Fruit Earrings. They're made from 1940's German composition fruit~ really light weight & fun for summer. I decided to phase these out of my shop- so let me know if anyone's interested & I'll reveal my sources & post a little tutorial.

They're all in my other Etsy shop- Junebugz. Available in Lemon, Orange, Crabapple & Raspberries for only $14 a pair.

More tomorrow!

More Leather Beaded Bracelets

I just finished a new series of leather & vintage bead bracelets...designed to wrap around your wrist 3 times. Mostly one-of-a-kind, I use vintage religious medals, antique lace, and my new "Evil Eyes" (lower left).

I'm starting to make some of these a bit simpler, without the brass studs. Not all will make it to my Etsy shop~ but you can find these here.

I'll be back in a few days. With the school year winding down I have a lot to catch up on at home. AND my garden! I can't wait to dig in the dirt again!

...A Few More Leather Wrap Bracelets...

I just listed a few more leather wrap bracelets in my Etsy shop. This black leather bracelet features a vintage brass locket and vintage glass beads. It's two-of-a-kind~ you can find it here.

The brass locket really opens! I like the contrast between the feminine beads & masculine leather. I sell the heck out of these at shows. It's hard show them online because you really have to try them on to get the full effect. Some are very simple and some are jingly like a charm bracelet.

In this teal glass beaded bracelet I mixed new teal beads with antique African trade beads & a vintage transit token. You can find it here.

This last one is part of a wholesale order- I'm just showing off :) I used vintage Haskell-style beads and a vintage glass shell bead.

That's all. Coming up~ new pillow designs.

Have a great weekend!