Because I'm all bout the sets, no orphans.

Yes I did hear the song in my head and I am sort of sorry if I gave you an earworm.

I am like most when it comes to inspiration to start a piece of jewelry.  I have something that inspires me and go with it.  Sometimes it can be a necklace sometimes it is a bracelet.  I love creating.  Just take a peek at my tray.

Here is where the tricky part is.  When I make jewelry for myself I like having matching sets.  It sounds real easy.  I have found that it can be far from easy.

Like this necklace,

or this bracelet.

Both I loved making and both are so pretty but for some reason there is no spark to create a matching piece.  In fact I have to tell you that I have quite a few orphan pieces as I call them.

I have been in the midst of a medical issue, nothing too serious but does require outpatient surgery, when those come up either my muse disappears or she shows up with a vengeance.  Well she has actually shown up and she had a specific mission.   Pair up some orphans!

I actually did not have a plan when I started.  Then I found some beautiful round beads by Diana of Suburban Girl Studios that happened to match another necklace with a pendant of hers and just played around with the beads.

I used to think sets had to be matchy matchy but to date I have been breaking many of my own rules and I love this set.

I was lucky enough to get some amazing Czechmate Crescent beads a while ago.  I am pretty sure I have told you about them before and from the moment they came out I had a design in mind and it just so happened I also had a orphan begging to be mated.

The cab in the necklace is from Lisa Peters Art and is one of my absolute favorites to where but I have had no bracelet to match it.  I am extremely happy with this set as well!

And finally I recently had the opportunity to work with Erin who is a blogger for Halcraft USA as well as her own blog Treasures Found.  Erin has a monthly challenge she hosts choosing a palette and coordinating beads and asks designers to play along.

The bracelet came first in this set.  And honestly I might have to make a couple more of these in different colors because I really like the way is wears.  I had a heck of a time getting a necklace that would work for me.  Finally I decided to just let it flow instead of fighting and I really love the way the necklace finished.

Do you like having sets of jewelry?

Further Explorations in Chain Maille

I can't stop.  I was warned that chain maille was addictive.  It's true.

I'm working on two projects right now, both of which I hope will become samples for my booth at Bead Fest.  The first involves these pretty autumn-hued anodized aluminum jump rings.

This is a box chain weave.  It was supposed to be a bracelet but I've decided to go ahead and turn it into a necklace.  Still needs several more inches before it's finished.

I'd like to add some of my ceramic leaf pendants and/or charms to it when it's done.

The other necklace I"m working on is for showcasing one of my clowny face pendants.

This is a Byzantine weave.  I love how the rainbow rings pop next to the black rings.

I'm still trying to get my technique right when it comes to opening and closing the rings properly.  Once I'm confident I have it down, I may start making jewelry to sell again.  I love the combination of chain maille next to my ceramic beads.  

If you find yourself wanting to explore chain maille I highly recommend C&T Designs and Blue Buddha Boutique for your ring supply.  All the rings I used in the above pieces were from both these sources.

Happy Beading!

Diana P.

Suburban Girl Studio LLC

Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?

If you are of a "certain age", you may remember playing "Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?".  In the jewelry world it appears that many of us have the button or buttons.

Bronze Saucer Buttons by Lesley Watt

About 15 years ago I spent many weekends at my parents' house, lending a hand, when my mom had cancer.  Sometimes I'd take a break and head out to a bead store near their home. This shop had a vast collection of new and vintage buttons.  The owner told me that they had recently bought out the entire stock of a glass button manufacturer in Germany that had gone out of business.  All the buttons were 30 years old or older.  Some of the buttons were on special displays in this shop, but a vast quantity of them filled a large oak barrel. At the time, you could get 4 buttons for a dollar from that barrel!  That's hard to believe now, with even the simplest glass buttons now costing a couple of bucks.

German Vintage Glass Buttons

 I would sit next to that barrel and just run my hand through all the buttons! They felt so silky as they gently spilled over my fingers.  As I'd dig through the barrel, I would set aside my favorites.  This little ritual gave me some peaceful, quiet moments and was quite therapeutic at a time of high stress.  The result was that I grew to love buttons and I acquired a really nice collection of vintage glass buttons.

Bracelet with German Vintage Glass Button Closure

One time as I was on my weekend commute to my parents' house, I stopped at a different bead shop that specialized in beads and small items from Asia and Africa. There I found these exquisite Thai metal and cloisonne-style buttons.  So amazing!  I bought handfuls of them. The next time I visited that shop, the Thai buttons were gone.  I was sooo glad I'd stocked up on them!

Bracelet with Thai Metal Button Closure

Recently, an artist at the co-op art gallery I belonged to, brought in 2 boxes filled to the brim with mother of pearl buttons that she no longer wanted.  I was able to score a big handful of them.

Buttons make unique and easily fastened bracelet closures.

Button Closure Bracelet by Something To Do

They also add a unique touch when used as a closure in a necklace.

Button Closure Necklace by Linda Landig, with lampwork disc by Sue Beads

Buttons can also be used as you would use beads, in the main part of the necklace, bracelet or earrings.

via Pinterest

Bracelet by Antique Button Jewelry

Earrings by Pobble Toes using  handmade buttons by Kristi Bowman

Here are a few of my favorite resources for handmade buttons:

Thea Elements-

Shank Button with added hook and eye

Elements Pottery

Raku Buttons

White Clover Kiln

Kristi Bowman Design

Bo Hulley Beads

And for those of you attending Bead Fest, Susan Kennedy of Sue Beads, will have some brand new buttons at her booth there, so be sure to stop by, if you are attending.

If you'd like some more inspiration for using buttons in jewelry, take a look at my Button Jewelry Board on Pinterest.

Do you use buttons in your jewelry creations or would you like to?  Do you make your own buttons?  Tell us more!

Linda

Linda Landig Jewelry - ArtFire 

Linda Landig Jewelry - Etsy