Moags and Smeet - Jewellery and Jewellery Supplies: SUNDAY SHARE - Lemon Tree Lane

Moags and Smeet - Jewellery and Jewellery Supplies: SUNDAY SHARE - Lemon Tree Lane

Tattoos Vs Pretty Things of Adornment

Has anyone ever considered getting a Tattoo to feel pretty?  Is it a viable choice?


Of course it is, but my choice would be jewelry, simply because I can take it off and put it in a little box when I am tired of looking at it.  I would not be happy about being deprived of picking out something to wear based on my mood that day.


I suppose you could conceal your tattoo in some way if you were sick of looking at it.  Even though the ones on feet would be difficult to hide!  I must say every once in a while you have to say WOW at some Tattoos! 

Fanciful Feet

Feet on Feet?

Anklet

Chesty Tat

Some Handmade Necklaces and Chains

Having been so busy making Pendants all summer to add to my "Hearts, Paws and Mandalas Series", I started to develop a nagging notion that perhaps people would like some different then standard chains for their Pendants.

I like to make my Pendants with bails that will accomodate different chains, sometimes I will string beads to go specifically with a Pendant or charm, if you will.  That is part of my creative process in making jewelry, asking that question, now how would this look with some beautiful opals, or citrine, or carnelian which is a favorite of mine.

Sometimes I have to stop myself and think that perhaps those that like my work would like to choose for themselves, or even add a handmade chain that is adjustable to their collections.

So here is a sampling, some things already listed and some things to be listed in the near future.

Have a look at:  http://baublezptoa.etsy.com  or
                          http://www.zibbet.com/baublezptoa

If you send me an email or convo and mention my blog I will give you a 20 percent refund on any purchases of chains or necklaces!

Bracelets are Fun to wear, who loves Bracelets? I love Bracelets

One of the things I love to make is a beaded bracelet.  I love to wear beaded bracelets as well.
My very first one which started my interest in them, was made of Italian millefiori glass beads.  I wore it every day, never and never took it off.  It was my "signature" to me, and I felt naked without it.

After about 4 years, a link broke.  I hadn't yet started making jewelry myself, so the pieces were sadly placed in a little box in my big jewelry box. It was like a funeral of sorts. And so my "signature" was  forgotten for many years.

One of the first things that I taught myself when I decided to start making jewelry was to learn how to make sterling wire loops and voila, I could make my own bracelets!

My tastes in bracelets has run the gamut of millefiori, vintage beads, lampwork beads and gemstone beads and once again, I have gone back to my "signature" of wearing a beaded bracelet.  Now I have many choices.  I also wear every braclelet that I make to sell for at least one day, to be sure that it works, is comfortable, and does all the things I love about a bracelet on the wearer.

You wouldn't think there would be much to making a bracelet but to make a good bracelet certain considerations are needed.  It must be soundly linked, and have a very good clasp.  And it is really good to consider adjustability in sizing to sell them.

Some people like to wear a bracelet high on the wrist, or low on the wrist, or hanging on the hand, which is my choice!  This is something I have incorporated into all my newer ones.  Let alone choosing good colors for skin tone, interesting composition, extra dangles, charms handmade, and so on.  Those last few things are probably particular to me because I like to make one of a kind jewelry.

After all that discussion I think it only fair to share a sampling of my favorites!

iKnitQuiltSew Featured Artist in Handmade Artists Forum for May 22 through May 29

iKnitQuiltSew 

Teddy Bears

Art all Sewn

Oh Teddy Bear

A Dolly

And many more things by this talented Artist.  The best way to learn is at Grandmama's knee, surely all of these lovelies have a tough of her in them!


I truly hope that fine needlework, knitting and yarn work will not be a lost art, and I don't think it will.  There so many of us out there that can't do it to admire those that do.  There are some wonderful and diverse knit, quilt and sew available at 
http://www.etsy.com/shop/iKnitQuiltSew and this is a shop well worth visiting.  

I love a Teddy Bear

twiddletoes: tabi socks and luxury footwear featured Handmade Artists Forum May 15th through 22nd

twiddletoes was created about six years ago after cringing over people shoving their flipflops on over their regular socks. I started off knitting them for the biggest offenders in my life -- my dad and my husband -- but quickly expanded when I realized that there was quite a bit of interest in my tabi. From there, I took my wares to craft shows and festivals.  


This is the starting point of twiddletoes according to Twiddletoes' website at:  
http://www.twiddletoes.com/about.html

How many times have you wished you had socks on when you were wearing flip flops?  I am sure you have had cold feet in the wrong shoes a few times, I know I have!  Trying to force a socked foot into a thong shoe is no great fun, I know.

This is a great idea and the workmanship in twiddletoes socks looks great, and she does use the best materials.  Another great thing is that if you are a traditionalist and want to wear regular socks with your sandals, you can find beautiful handmade socks at this shop as well like perhaps:

 but Ladies and Gents, these are the ones to seriously consider!

I am so tempted, maybe the mosquitoes here in Florida wont bite my toes if I wear these socks!

HANDMADE ARTIST FORUM Blogging for Haffina for May 8th through 15th LisianBlue Featured Artist for March 28th through April 3rd

Beads By Haffina
Is the topic of my blog on Haffina today, although Jennifer is talented in many arenas, I am a handmade bead lover and collector so I am enjoying looking at all the lovely beads that Jennifer has to offer in her Artfire store.
To quote Jennifer in from one of her profiles:


"Hi, my name is Jennifer.. but mostly I’m know as Haffina. Im a single mum of 5 kids – 4 boys and 1 girl. I make jewellery and beaded items. I do some beaded merchandise for a forum I admin on, which also includes a store which displays and sells my work. I love to create unique pieces and will pretty much try an medium at least once. This blog is about my creative pursuits, achievements, experiments and opportunities."


Now thats what I call having full hands!  I picked some of my favorite beads, I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as me.  Of course Jennifer has her own creations including her handmade beads, but I you are like me and want to part of the creative process, here is a good starting point.
Beads By Haffina on Artfire is the home of her handmade polymer clay beads, pendants and other components.  Have a look:

Featured Artist Handmade Artists Forum May 1 8 Jewelry by NaLa

Jewelry by NaLa

"The creative side of my brain is definitely dominant"

Pastels and Pearly White  at their very best 

My favorite things that NaLa makes are her earrings, of course there is other fine jewelry that you can find in her Etsy store:  http://jewelrybynala.etsy.com

But I would like to highlight her earrings on this blog.  


Each pair are lovely and appealing to anyone who loves adornment of the prettiest kind.


It is well worth a visit to her shop.
Also be on the lookout for NaLa in Etsy's Treasuries, you will no doubt find her beautiful things there!  You can see 
                                                        samples of those gorgeous Treasuries at:http://jewelrybynala.blogspot.com/

Handmade Artists Forum Feature Artist for April 18th through the 24th ParadisePurls

 Elizabeth Humphries of Paradise Purls said on her Etsy profile "a few years ago it seemed several of my new friends were knitters. At first I wasn't interested, but then my curiosity got the best of me. I taught myself to knit using a "how to" booklet, and a little help from some girlfriends and my MIL. I fell in love with all the yarn...the colors and textures. One of my favorite things to do is spend time in a yarn shop touching all the different yarns."


and if that is not talented enough she decided to explore jewelrymaking and is great at making beautiful earrings and adorable beaded bookmarks.  I personally find these bracelets outstanding because Elizabeth has managed to knit jewelry, how cool is that!  I love her knitted hats and scarves as well.  You can see for yourself at
http://paradisepurls.estsy.com

Here are a some of my picks from her shop!

and this

to this

Lovely work!

Peruvian Opals and Hearts

Peruvian Opals and Hearts, originally uploaded by mooaany.

Oh I am pleased with myself on this one, a simple heart and peruvian opals work!

HAF Featured Artist for April 11 through April 17 Linda Talbot Original Jewelry

Linda said in her profile on Etsy:


I love to combine seemingly disparate elements. For example, I love to pair semi-precious stones and glass; large chunky nuggets with tiny Swarovski crystals; coral and bone with sterling silver accents. It enchants me to combine these different elements, and I am always surprised at where my jewelry leads me. I never met a bead I didn’t like."

I think she has succeeded in that endeavor based on these lovely examples.

Dancing Squares Necklace

Aventurine and Sterling Silver Sweet Spring Necklace

A beautiful southwest flavor with a twist  that I just love!

http://raedawn.etsy.com

DreamRiverDesigns, Featured HAF Artisan for April 4 through 11

Debbie Downs the creator and owner of Dream River Designs even though living on a small farm in Minnesota with husband and two children,  still finds time to do something she loves, designing jewelry.  Like many who work with metal, she realizes the beauty it has to offer and she revels in the fascination of working with it.  Doing Chain Maille is her specialty. But she makes earrings and pendants and also heirloom Rosaries.

Being brought up Catholic myself, I am very familiar with Rosaries, and I have to tell you they can be absolutely beautiful,  modes of prayer, and works of art.  I have one that is an heirloom from my great great grandmother which I cherish, and so have a special appreciation for those pieces.

Quality, Individual Design, Love of the Art, Debbie shows them all in her jewelry.  Here are just a few of her works that I found through her blog photos:

You can find more of her jewelry at http://handmadeartistsshop.com/DreamRiverDesigns

Three Brand New Additions

Blue Topaz Fine Silver and a touch of 24 kt. Gold

Fine Silver Mandala The Moon

PawPrint 

Visit http://handmadeartistsshop.com/baublezptoa

New Postings coming soon!!

Chainmaille By MBOI HAFTEAM Featured Artist for March 28 through April 3rd

Now this is perfection probably simple for Kim and Andrew to create but not to be fathomed by me, I can just sit back and enjoy it!

and it can alway get complicated I see.

And then there is Oh My!

Well there is more but you will have to go to http://chainmaillebymboi.com to see them.

As a member of HAF I must take the time to say that my experiences as part of the HAF team have been wonderful.  Every time I got in a jam and needed help sorting out a problem, Kim and Andrew were there to promptly offer help.  I think they both have their heart in this venture, and really care about Handmade, keeping it interesting, alive and available, and I think they are succeeding!

  I personally am proud to be in this group.

Thanks Kim and Andrew