Pastor Julios Installation

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Blue Necklaces

These necklaces are results of a purchase of the blue Batik fabric beads (cylinder beads in photo on the left). On one of my Beading Daily emails, there were instructions for a three-stranded necklace using these Kristal Wick Batik fabric beads. I fell in love with the beads and I had to buy some. First, I looked at Batik fabric at Joann's Fabric store and I thought I'd just make my own Batik fabric beads. But, after looking at lots of Batik fabric, I didn't see any as pretty as the blue Batik fabric beads I saw on Amazon.com. So, I used my gift card that my brother gave me for Christmas and I purchased these Kristal Wick blue Batik fabric beads. I wanted to make the three-stranded necklace similar to the one on Beading Daily. I went to several of my favorite bead shops and purchased the rest of the beads I needed for the project. After I made three strands, using the two strands in the necklace on the left and the outer strand on the necklace on the right, I decided that the three-strand necklace was way too elaborate and I had spent way too much money on ONE necklace! I would have had to price the necklace at over $50 to recoup the money I had spent on beads -- not counting getting anything for the time I'd spent making the necklace. I split up the strands, made another strand with gold chain and a few beads to match the outer strand for the necklace on the right and -- VOILA! -- two necklaces!! These will be for sale on NeeNee & CheeChee's Beaded Things website -- www.neeneeandcheechee.etsy.com

Some Unique Beads

These are NOT gumballs or jaw breakers! These are some unique beads from the Philippines. They are (from left to right, top row first), onion skin, cracked eggshell, sea-snake skin, garlic skin, tobacco leaf, red sea-snake skin and banana bark. These beads have a poly resin coating. I would love to see how they are made. I saw these advertised in one of my bead magazines and I liked them enough to order them. Now, I need to think up ways to incorporate them into some unique pieces of jewelry. I might just put them on a simple black cord, colored silk cords, fairy ribbons or chains. If you have any good ideas, let me know. And if you would like one of these made into a necklace, they will be sold for $20 each, unless you want a lot of beads added with it.

Not a Football Fan

I am not a football fan. Please forgive me. I've tried watching football and other sports on TV, but I lose interest very fast. I've even asked my husband to explain to me what was going on, as I thought I might enjoy it more if I understood the game. But no. No interest at all. So, while Bob and probably you too, were watching the Superbowl last night, I was making new jewelry. Here are the items I made. They will be for sale on NeeNee & CheeChee's Beaded Things website -- www.neeneeandcheechee.etsy.com

Another Dizzy Discard Necklace

This is a necklace in our Dizzy Discards line. Why am I putting it in the Dizzy Discards line? Because the pearls and the material were bought at thrift stores. When I was in Gainesville, FL, a couple of weeks ago, I had a morning to myself while Michael was teaching his law class. I decided to take a walk. I asked the clerk at the desk at the hotel if there were any stores near by and he told me that there was a Dollar General about a half mile away. As I was walking to the Dollar General store, I saw a thrift shop on the opposite side of the street. I love looking in thrift shops! I always find some good bargains and I find old jewelry that I can take apart to use for my jewelry that I make. At this thrift shop, I found some filmy material for $.05! I already had an idea in mind how I was going to incorporate that piece of material in a piece of jewelry. Then, when I was visiting my sister-in-law, Chris, in Vero Beach, she and I went to several nice thrift shops. I found the clip-on pearl earrings for $.50 that I knew would go wonderful with that piece of filmy material I bought in Gainesville. On the left is a photo of my new necklace! It probably cost me under a dollar to make. I hope someone who isn't reading my blog will pay $20 for the beautiful necklace!

Jewelry at the Walleska Store in Dallas

On Monday, I took more of the NeeNee & CheeChee's Beaded Things jewelry to the Walleska store in West Village. Walleska, the owner, was there and I got to finally meet her. I had been dealing with her assistant until then. Walleska looked through several pieces of jewelry I took for consignment in the store. These are the pieces that are in the store for sale.

From Old Jewelry to New Jewelry

My friend Nance Guth who lives in Sarasota, has kept me busy making new jewelry for her from pieces that belonged to her grandmother. When I was in Sarasota last week, Nance gave me several pieces that she wanted made into new pieces. This very long necklace on the right was one that her grandmother used to wear. Nance didn't want to wear it the way it was, so she asked me if I could make it into a more wearable necklace, a pair of earrings and a bracelet. The photo on the left are her new pieces. I hope she likes them!