Back on track

Today I made some oval beaded rings to substitute the ceramic ones, left the "survivors" - giving the necklace a slightly asymmetrical look, packed it with a double wrap of pluriball and instructions on how to unwrap it and, most of all, how to NOT toss it on the ground...
I didn't even take a picture of it 'cause I was so scared to make another disaster!
Now let's just hope it will arrive safe!!!

I threw it on the ground

Ever seen this video?
I feel a bit this way about my necklace! LOL
Ok...from the beginning.

Having had insomnia since ever and being a very light sleeper, I consider sleep in general as something sacred.
I'm lucky 'cause my BF is, instead, a heavy sleeper, so when there's nothing I can do to fall in the arms of Morpheus, I can do whatever I want (watch a movie, have all the lights turned on, play a game) and he won't awake.
I feel terrible when I have to wake someone up, even if that person has told me to do it. I hate it.

So imagine how I felt tonight at 1 AM when, fixing a jump ring on my FINISHED necklace, almost going to pack it for the post office, it slipped from my hands and fell on the floor.
I was leaning on the table for extra security, had been taking care of the ceramic components for a week trying to avoid THIS kind of catastrophy. But somehow the necklace fell between my body and the table. On the floor.

(the necklace almost finished)

Half the ceramic components got broken. My heart too.

I was petrified and couldn't think of anything but to wake my BF up.
He was so cute, wanted to see the damage and calmed me down; we realized only some of the rings got broken and tried to understand wether to buy them again or do something different.
After 1 whole week of beading this...I feel exhausted. Buying the components again means to make the whole thing back from scrap, as they were connected by beaded rings, plus I'm not sure I want something so fragile to be gifted to my BF's mother.

So I have decided to just make beaded rings instead of the ceramic ones and send the necklace with one more day of delay.
I'd like to specify tha these components are sturdy and beautiful, but of course rings are a bit more fragile and, again, you're not supposed to throw them on the ground!

Just one more word about my BF, and boyfriends/husbands in general.
If you wake your man up in the middle of the night and he has to wake up early for work; if he is genuinly worried for your beadwork and is simpathetic to your tragic situation; if he even offers to find solutions with you, instead of just saying "let's go to bed and sleep over it";
then, ladies, THIS is real love.

P.S.
The funny thing is, since I ran out of beads and out of time, now I have to intentionally break the remaining rings...throwing them on the ground!

My earrings on Vogue Accessory...twice!

Just a quick note to share my happiness...and relief since I can finally say it: I've been featured on Vogue Accessory december 2012!!!
My fuchsia can tab earrings

and my Confetti red ones

are in the gift guide and I couldn't be any happier and proud!

Unfinished projects

Today I sold my tiny white stars to my friend, who is the most perfect person ever to wear them!
They really suit her and her dark hair make them pop out.
It's nice when you find the right customer for your beaded jewels, or vice-versa!

Meanwhile I have tons of things to finish...

(Not that I can complain: my boyfriend is really understanding about all my "craftiness"....)
So let me tell you which project I'm on simultaneously:
-Just finished 2 more pairs of Paika earrings, one in a beautiful AB lilac

-Made one of a pair of this custom order earrings:

-Last but not least, I'm making a beaded/stringed necklace for my mother in law, whose birthday is the 29...so I'm in a rush! I'll use these beautiful ceramic components I bought on Etsy from Petra Carpreau:

They're gorgeous and a bit rustic-looking, she also sent 2 more as a gift so I can make something for myself in the near future!

Off to the beadwork table now!

Paika fever

I don't know why I waited so long to make these earrings

but it's ok because, once you make one, you're doomed.
You won't make anything else, not until you try all the possible color combos

(and could the grellow version be missing??! Of course not).
I bought this tutorial from the talented Mu during sales and I'm so happy I did.

EBW November Challenge "Circles and Squares"

This month challenge has a geometrical theme: Circles and Squares!

"Let´s play geometrically!
Compose circles and squares into new shapes, emphasize the contrast between round and angular, soft and hard.
There are no color restrictions but try to underline the contrast via your color choices.
Shapes are not intended to be achieved by the shape of a particular bead only, but by the shapes and patterns in your weaving/embroidery."

Voting starts today until November 15th on the Etsy Beadweavers blog and, as usual, it won't be easy...