New Beginnings - a necklace for spring

I LOVE SPRINGTIME!

All around me I’ve been hearing faint chirping sounds
coming from the baby birds nestled high up in the treetops.  

One determined mama even managed to build her nest
in the rafters of the indoor building where I play tennis! 
 When I go to serve, I can hear her babies cheering me on
to victory or at least reminding me that the long damp
winter is over and the promise of a warm summer
is just around the corner.

I encased the letters N-E-S-T in ICE Resin® 

and wired them onto blue satin ribbon.

I created a “nest” using wire “twigs”, blue pearl “eggs” and a cage bezel and used a hook clasp to hang it from the ribbon. 

I finished the piece with another hook clasp and a pearl “egg” dangle.

My "New Beginnings" necklace was recently feature
on the ICE QUEEN blog.

Sharing With: Craft-O-Maniac: Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got, Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tuesday, Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday, Southern Lovely: Show & Share, I Gotta Create: Wildly Original Roundup, French Country Cottage: Feather Your Nest Friday, One Artsy Mama: Shine on Fridays, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hippo: Anything Goes, Funky Junk Interiors: SNS 136, My Turn: Freedom Friday

 

Enhancing and Protecting a Rusted Metal Patina

I love using metals with rusted patinas in my jewelry designs.

If I can't find rusted metal, I'll create my own.

A steel washer that I rusted, stamped and hammered is the focal piece in this necklace that I designed for an ICE Resin® Technique Tuesday Video that recently aired on the ICE Resin blog.

In the video I share with you how to enhance the color of a rusted piece of metal and how to protect the finish

using ICE Resin®.

Rusty washers also make interesting connector pieces. I used them in this same necklace to attach the leather neckband to the copper chain.

I finished the chain with a handmade copper hook and eye clasp. You can learn how to make your own hook and eye clasp from my tutorial.

My necklace made from rusty washers, a rusty piece of metal measuring tape, and a couple of rusty nails may not be for everyone but it suits me perfectly and it certainly is unique!

You can find a great tutorial at Altered Alchemy 

on how to rust iron/steel.

Sharing With:

Not Just A Housewife: Show Me What Ya Got, Southern Lovely: Show & Share, Ginger Snap Crafts: Wow Me Wednesday, French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday