Jewelry for Teens and Tweens

I've been a little slow on blogging this week as I have been busy getting ready for a "Harvest Boutique" in the Yucaipa, CA area sponsored by The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a division of the Masonic Lodge.  I thought  that since it was the Girls division sponsoring, that maybe they would appreciate some jewelry for Teens and Tweens.  Here are a few things I've put together for the younger set, and will include some fun "Foodie" items made of polymer clay too.  Look for pumpkin pie earrings, pretzel earrings, pizza pendant and more.  The pendants at the bottom are awaiting their bails and rubber cords to finish.

Our Canadian Guests

I live in a nice warm desert climate, and in the winter we have wonderful people from Canada come to our valley and stay to enjoy our warm weather.  They are affectionately called "Snow Birds".  Well here are some other snow birds that follow them, "Canada Geese".  Beautiful birds to watch, but you don't want to walk in the grass after they have been there for awhile, if you know what I mean.

Help Kick Breast Cancer!

As a ten year breast cancer survivor I support any group that is raising funds to help beat this disease.  Please watch this video, and you will be counted in raising more funds for Breast Cancer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfRSDbV8Adw

New Leaf Bracelet & Earrings

Earlier I posted a picture of some leaf beads I made, and promised to post a finished project.  Here is a charm bracelet and earrings.  The nice thing about the bracelet is that it is reversible.  Both sides are shown below.  What do you think?

The Polymer Clay Cookbook

Jessica and Susan Partain have a Polymer Clay book out called "The Polymer Clay Cookbook".  In this book you can learn to make tiny food jewelry to whip up and wear, and they have a few "edible" recipes too.  Here is my take on their "Cheeseburger Earrings".  Looks good enough to eat, don't you think?  It's even on a sesame seed bun.

Judy Haupin New Leaf Beads

Judy Haupin has a free tutorial featured on the Beading Daily website called New Leaf Beads that she used to design a very showy necklace.  Here are a few of the beads I made using this tutorial, and I will post my necklace and other pieces when I get them all together.

The necklace can be worn two ways.  One showing the colorful cane side and the other showing the gold, copper black side of the leaves.  I can see this project using many different colors and canes.  This is just a start.

I also intend to make some earrings using the leaves, and have made smaller leaves to use in a charm bracelet.  This is a fun project, but labor intensive.  Let me know what you think!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Beads Giveaway

Would you like to win about $200 worth of beads and participate in a fun Traveling Giveaway?  Check out the blog of Artisan Clay for details.

Charm Swap with Jennifer Cameron of Glass Addictions

Yeah!  I just received my collection of bead charms from the participants in the Glass Addictions charm swap.  The requirements were that the charms needed to be handmade, and we were given a selection of three colors to choose from.  A coral, turquoise or brown shade.  My entry was a polymer clay heart made in the coral and turquoise colors.  Here are the creations and a list of the blogs or websites of the participants.  Thanks to Jennifer of Glass Addictions for this fun swap.

Loretta's Boutique

Glass Addictions

Ema K Designs

Spirited Earth

SueBeads

Janel Dudley Beads

Maybeads

Green Bead Designs

Paige Maxim Designs

Artisan Clay

Faux Ivory Bangle Bracelets of Polymer Clay

I just posted these bracelets on my Etsy site.  They are made of Faux Ivory polymer clay and were formed on a Brass Channel Bangle Bracelet form.   Bangles are very in vogue right now, and these would look great paired with my other animal print bracelets.

It's All About Creating

Marlene of It's All About Creating was recently featured in the Polymer Clay Cafe Magazine showing her Easy Leaf Necklace, and on the FRONT COVER no less.  Congratulations Marlene.

She is offering her first give-away, a beautiful bracelet with a darling teapot clasp.  All you have to do is go to her blog and leave a comment.  Try her here.  You have until October 14th to get your post in.

Bottle Cap Necklaces

I will be posting these necklaces on my etsy website shortly, so if you have a teen or tween that you need a gift for you can pick one up there.

The necklaces are made of polymer clay that I have put inside a soda bottle cap and added a little embellishment.  They are strung on a self closing rubber cord.  Sherri Haab features this technique in her book, "Clay So Cute".

Are We Having An Earthquake?

I asked myself, "Are we having an earthquake?", then realized it was just the street contractors tearing up  my road, driveway and just about every entrance to my condo complex.   We can't access our garage or driveway, and are parking on a street outside our community, walking to the car either in dirt or across the grassy area in our circle in the back of our condo.  I think the title of my next piece of jewelry is going to be called "Bam Bam" for all the pounding and noise that is going on outside. :-)

Shirley Rufener Purse Handle Tutorial

Many of you may have seen my Batik Cotton Knitted Shag Purses on this site.  Well I am thrilled to learn that Shirley Rufener has a tutorial on how to make purse handles out of polymer clay.  I can now combine both my love for making polymer clay pieces, and knitting my shag purses.  Watch for these items in my etsy store, Loretta's Boutique

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Earrings

I'm really getting ready for Fall, and looking forward to an exciting fun Thanksgiving with family and friends.  While cooking up some of my Polymer Clay projects I thought it would be fun to try some Pumpkin Pie earrings.     The Polymer Clay Cookbook, by Jessica and Susan Partain had the perfect recipe.  These look good enough to eat, don't you think?

Glass Addiction Swap

At last I finished my charms for the Glass Addiction.  I had something entirely different planned, but I wasn't pleased with the finished project, so hurriedly put these together.  Hearts are a favorite of mine, so hope everyone enjoys them.  They are made of Polymer Clay using the "Coral" color required, and they have a UV Resin finish on the top.  The color in this picture is not the true color of the charms.  The findings are brass.