Black Tie & Pearls

Classic, elegant necklace. Absolutely stunning. People may just remember your necklace more than your dress! 

Swarovski white pearls, Swarovski mystic black pearls, swarovski silver crystal roundelle, Swarovski roundelles Sterling hammered/stamped 3d heart hook & eye clasp. 18" in length.

Check out my Etsy page

Chinese Heishi

Versatility PLUS ~ Use as a bracelet or a necklace.

Created as a bracelet however you most certainly could wear it as a necklace as well.  21 1/2" long in length you can wrap this fabulous little piece around your wrist up to 4 times. 

These irregular, stabilized Chinese turquoise heishi strands are fabulous! Keeping up with the trends is so hard these days, but it's easy with turquoise because it's always hot.  Mixed with  a unique shape of the faceted roundelle, jet black round beads from CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements and sterling silver.  Swarovski Elements beads are unmatched in terms of quality and elegance. If you want to look your best, this piece is a must have.   Look for it on my  Etsy page.

Refreshing Turquoise

Treat yourself to a bit of casual fun  with these jasper gemstones mixed with beautiful limited edition opalite diamond-shaped beads and silver bali spacers.

A mix of blue and green, turquoise has a sweet feminine feel while the darker teal shades add lively sophistication.  These stunning  dark turquoise bead bracelet mixed with the milky-white  bead creates a soft glow as the light hits them.   A perfect piece for any outfit.  

8" in length with a silver plated toggle bracelet.   Look for this on my Etsy page.

Finding the right material is a challenge

My order came in on Friday and as excited as I was to finally have the order arrived, I was disappointed once I opened the package.  Funny how that happens.

I had ordered 2 styles of silver plated chain so I could work on a new technique.  5' feet of silver plated large squares and oval chain .  I only received 2' feet.   The chain is beautiful  however I have only 2' feet to play with instead of 5' feet.   I suppose it is better than none.    Still, 2' feet does not leave me much room for error when I begin to create.  I will have to be extremely careful with every inch I have.  I must  check my visa statement to verify if I was charged for the full 5' feet.  The printed invoice states 5' feet was shipped however  there is a pen mark through the 5' with a handwritten 2' in its place.   The same with my silver plated oval links rollo chain. I received only 3' feet instead of 5' feet.

Another negative is the Toggles I was waiting for.  I had not ordered this particular style before and I took the chance and ordered online to see what they look like.  The pictures on line were good and the description seemed ok, however once they arrived the Hill Tribe Silver Triangle toggle clasps (HTS138) were too small.   The size was in the description which I should have paid attention too.  Measurements: Approx. Loop 8.5x9.5mm, Bar 15mm    So note to all of you beaders....these babies are small!!!  I would recommend them only for children's bracelets.  One would need fine motor skills just to work with them to get them opened and closed.   They are beautiful, but they will have to go back because the toggle is too small to use. 

My girlfriend and I chat about what we order, all the time.  I live on the Westcoast and she is in Ontario.  Both of us are highly addicted to beading. Should I use the word addicted?  Or shall I describe us both as passionate about beading?  However, when we get our orders we discuss what we have bought.  Today we emailed each other about my new order and her response back to me is: 

You and I seriously need to start some conversations about specific items we like and don't like. I have a few favourite toggles and some I wouldn't order again.

To help us both, I will blog this return so we both have a point of reference for the future. No, we are not old that we can't remember what we have used, liked or disliked.  We are incredibly busy women with much responsibilty that we do not have time to remember such details.  (Yep, that is my answer and that is what I am sticking too) The good news is, my dear friend purchases from the same company I use and their return policy is fabulous.  She sent some of her beads/toggles back and Arbeads was great in crediting her credit card/paypal account and informing her via email what they had done.  Now that is service!

On another positive note, I have 2 other styles of toggles to work with and I am thrilled to start creating again.  I am excited about the chain I received too.  In my bead box I have some fabulous components just waiting to be touched and made into something fabulous.  I can't wait to show you all what I end up creating.  Will the chain be used for bracelets or for necklaces.\?  Let see what happens.

Below is a list of her likes and dislikes and her reasons why.  I am so happy she has given me a list that I can reference too.  Once she get's her work up on Etsy, I will post a link for you all to see what she creates.  The lady has an eye for style too!  Love her work!

Well, got to run, shower, change and get ready for church.  Then back home quickly to watch the hockey game between Canada and the USA.  Who will win the Olympic Gold? 

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Here are some of her favourite items:


STG-RNDL3 - at first I didn't like them, but then discovered they are about the size of the silver coloured seed beads I use, but these are brighter looking than the seed beeds
SS-RND2 - very tiny silver beads. At first I thought they were ridiculously small, and would maybe be good for earrings... but I have tried them as tiny spacers between natural stone when I don't want to detract from the beauty of the stone and they look great
SS-TOG77 - I just love this toggle. So simple but not bland
SS-TOG75 - this toggle is very small but cute
SA-0676 - antique silver plated Jubilee toggle - heart shape. One of my favourites so far when I want to go less expensive than a sterling toggle

DONT LIKE:

PSA-TOG001 - silver plate. it seems thin. Underside is flat and unattractive.
SS-TOG07 - not thrilled with this sterling twisted toggle.
STG-RNDL5 - 5mm sterling roundel spacer. Way too plain, thick - would probably work in a contemporary design that I haven't figured out yet

About me

http://www.etsy.com/shop/YrDiva

Come see some of my work that is for sale while I set up my blog.

I am a little behind schedule this morning as I just got back from a run with my puppy Dilbert. I still have to have a shower and get ready for work. But I will come back and talk about my bead work and the new pieces I have created.

TTFN....