It's the Way of the World

Someday you start out thinking you're going to make one thing and what you end up with is not quite what you imagine.
I thought I'd try the Rings of Saturn pattern but I didn't like how the rings were laying after I followed the instructions. So I started tinkering with it and ended up with looks like a combination of Rings of Saturn and Helm Weave, at least to my eyes.
I'm calling them Way of the World earrings as I was singing my favourite Cheap Trick song as I was creating them :)

New Items!

Been busy with learning some weaves. Finally had the right size rings to try the Double Spiral Weave, I love the feel of it. Can't wait to make a full bracelet as it's so supple and slinky. Earrings are done so bracelet will be next.

The other weave I've mastered is Barrels which I've done in both bracelet and necklace.

Etsy and Tags

Well it seems like there is a huge kerfuffle going on at the Etsy site right now as the admins at Etsy have decided to highjack the titles that we use to list our items and put their tags in front for Google searches. Which means people aren't finding our own stores on Etsy because Etsy tags Handmade by Etsy instead of my tags, ie. Sterling Silver Japanese Flower are coming up instead. People are outraged and rightly so. Artfire puts their tags at the end of our titles and Etsy should do the same.
Why should I bother to continue to list on Etsy if nobody is going to be able to find my items in Google searches? This issue is being talked about all over the web so hopefully Etsy will listen and fix the issue pronto!

Japanese Flower

Have finally taught myself the Japanese Flower chainmaille weave. It's such a pretty weave and perfect for earrings. Will be making a pair of these for myself. Can see them paired with a lovely summer dress and the sun will make them sparkle :-)

Google Analytics

Have just found a great tutorial for adding Google Analytics to your Etsy shop. Was slightly confused about the process until I watched the video on Timothy Adam's page. Very easy to follow along to set up Google Analytics for your shop so you can track the views on your items :-)

New Inspirations!

On Friday I found out that the Toronto Jewellery Gem and Mineral Show was going to be held just 10 minutes walk from where I live. Heaven! Went in Saturday and fell for some gorgeous glass, lampwork beads that one designer was selling. One set was cranberry glass and the other was a purple/green lampwork, slightly floral looking. Immediately thought the purple/green beads would look fabulous with some dark amethyst beads. Went home and starting creating!
Two bracelets were created from the cranberry glass beads, both with sterling silver. One is a byzantine weave and the other I matched the beads with tiny stamped barrel beads, and I mean tiny!
The other bracelet was the purple/green lampwork beads which did indeed look amazing with amethyst beads, added a bit of sterling silver for some accent and voila, bling!

New Items

I've added two new items to my store, well, one to Etsy and one to Artfire, have to spread the wealth ;-)

They are both sterling silver earrings done in chainmaille weaves. The one at Etsy was created in the Full Persian weave and I've added a Swarovski pearl to dangle from the end.

The earrings at Artfire were created using the Boxchain or Queens maille pattern. Boxchain does describe the look of the earrings but Queens maille just sound so much nicer.