tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107643112024-03-07T04:08:40.059-05:00The Cat's MeowMy sometimes inane thoughts about life and living itCathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.comBlogger381125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-23693900381916093692021-05-23T08:49:00.001-04:002021-05-23T08:49:48.457-04:00Covid Report<p> It’s been a while since my last update and things are very different. </p><p>We have three vaccines in use and 38% of the country has been vaccinated so far. Vaccines are available for age 12 and up. I’ve had my first dose of the Moderna vaccine and am scheduled for my second dose. </p><p>Although total deaths are up to 588,000, new cases and deaths are leveling off and even dropping. The U.S. is reporting about 30,000 new cases per day. </p><p>If you have been fully vaccinated, you no longer have to wear a mask, so I am seeing people without masks while I am out and about. I am still wearing my mask since I am waiting for my second shot. </p><p>Businesses are fully open without restrictions. Things are getting back to normal. </p><p><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Cat</i></b></span></p>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-25293915823392418262020-12-15T09:07:00.003-05:002020-12-15T15:22:31.015-05:00Covid December Update<p> We have had a really big surge in coronavirus cases this winter. Deaths are over 300,000 already, up 35K just since my last update. Americans are dying from covid at the rate of one every 40 seconds. I think it’s spreading more because people are getting together for the holidays. </p><p>The FDA approved one of the vaccines for an emergency use authorization. About one million doses have been delivered this week and people have started to be immunized. Another company’s vaccine is expected to be approved this week. There won’t be enough doses for everyone in the USA to be vaccinated until the spring, they say. But it’s a start and hopefully will slow this virus. </p><p>Still hard to find paper goods and cleaning supplies in the stores. </p><p>The Electoral College made Biden’s win binding yesterday. Trump still won’t admit that he lost the election. </p><p>This is the last week of Tyler’s school and then holiday break for two weeks, yay!</p><p><b><i>Cat</i></b></p>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-49983045043125723422020-11-29T07:31:00.003-05:002020-11-29T12:58:01.012-05:00Coronavirus Update - November 2020<p> I’m mainly writing these updates so that I can look back in a few years and remember how this was. A pandemic like this is a once in a century occurrence. The last one was the Spanish flu of 1918-1921. </p><p>As of today, we’ve had 266,000 deaths from the virus and there are another 91,000 people in the hospital. It seems like the deaths are increasing faster than they were in past months. </p><p>The unemployment rate is down to 6.9%, but there are still a lot of people out of work and long lines at the food banks. </p><p>Toilet paper and cleaning supplies are just about unavailable in the stores again, due to people hoarding them.</p><p>Two companies have made Covid vaccines and have applied to the FDA for an emergency authorization to distribute them. I don’t know how long that takes to receive. If it is received, the vaccine will first be given to health care workers, then people who are more susceptible to the virus before being made available to the general public. So it could still be quite a while before everyone can get it. </p><p>Biden won the election! I couldn’t believe it. Trump refuses to accept the fact that he lost, of course. It will be great to have a sane president for awhile. </p><p>Wearing a mask everywhere is starting to feel more normal, but I can’t wait until we don’t have to wear them anymore. They are so uncomfortable and hard to breathe in. Next week I’m going to a 3-day workshop and I’ll have to be wearing a mask all day long. Ugh!</p><p>Tyler is doing virtual school on the computer, so I get to monitor that all day since Stacy is working. Some days are easier than others. He doesn’t really pay attention, and then he wants me to help him with all his assignments. I don’t mind giving some help, but not answering all the questions for him. </p><p>Ava is moving here the end of December. I hope Tara can handle a teenager! </p><p>Until next time,</p><p><b><i><span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;">Cat</span></i></b></p>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-54648802510608688202020-10-09T12:19:00.006-04:002020-10-12T07:16:31.791-04:00Coronavirus Update - October 2020<p> Well, we have surpassed 200,000 deaths from the coronavirus. It doesn’t look<span style="color: #ffa400; font-size: x-large;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 164, 0);"><b><i> </i></b></span></span>like it is slowing down anytime soon. </p><p>In spite of that, Palm Beach County has jumped to phase three of opening, so most businesses are open. We still have to wear masks everywhere. Th good thing about phase three for me is that the farmers markets and art shows can take place, so I can start applying to some markets. </p><p>With the virus, some new words are becoming commonplace. </p><p>-social distancing - staying 6 feet away from other people</p><p>-bubble - a group of people who are sequestered together and don’t come in contact with other people</p><p>-PPE - personal protective equipment, not new, but more common</p><p>-long hauler - someone who’s virus lasts for a very long time, sometimes months</p><p>-super spreader - an event that causes a large virus outbreak</p><p>Can you think of any other new words or phrases we’ve begun using since the virus?</p><p>School has started. Some people are doing virtual school (distance learning) and some people are doing in-person school. It is a mixture of both in the same class. For the virtual students, there is just a camera in the classroom and they follow along with the rest of the class. </p><p>The unemployment rate is down to 7.9%, mostly from people going back to their jobs. Still not a good rate, but better than what it was. </p><p>Halloween is pretty much cancelled, since kids can’t go door-to-door trick or treating. </p><p>The president of the USA got covid-19 and was in the hospital for a few days. He seems to be better and is back in the White House now. We have an election for a new president in just a few weeks. Whether he gets re-elected or not will probably hinge on how people feel about his handling of the virus.</p><p>Can’t think of any other news for now. </p><p>Cat</p>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-50328432668145994822020-07-25T11:02:00.001-04:002020-12-15T08:53:46.742-05:00Covid UpdateInstead of getting better, the coronavirus pandemic is getting worse. Deaths in the US are over 145,000 and cases are over 4 million.<br />
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It’s starting to feel normal wearing a mask everywhere. I wonder how long this will last. They are working on making vaccines, and are hopeful that we will have one by the end of the year. The question is, how long will the vaccine protect you? Some experts say protection may last only a few months. I don’t know if that would be long enough to stop the spread.<br />
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Unemployment is at 11%.<br />
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At least toilet paper is starting to show back up in the stores. Now it’s Lysol that is out of stock everywhere.<br />
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The other thing in the news a lot right now is the beginning of the school year coming up. Some cities are opting for online classes while others say they will still hold classes in person. Our school district is opting for the online classes, which means it will be up to me to work with Tyler and keep him on-task during the day since I’m the one at home. He doesn’t do well with virtual school, so this will be a challenge. We’ll see how it goes. School is supposed to start August 10th, but they may delay it.<br />
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It doesn’t look like the farmers markets will be opening this fall since we are still in “phase one” of reopening in Palm Beach County. We would have to get to phase three by October in order to have farmers markets, which means cases of the virus would have to be decreasing. I don’t see that happening so soon but I’m still hopeful. I sell so much more jewelry at the markets than I sell online.<br />
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In other, non-virus, news, I am selling all of my beads so that I can make room for my silver supplies. They are on Etsy at my old store, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadstreetstudio" target="_blank">Bead Street Studio</a>. I have everything priced very low for quick sales. I am also still adding new items every day, so if you need beads or findings, hop on over there and pick some up!<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Cat</i></b></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-56561746799441043482020-05-27T13:36:00.000-04:002020-05-28T13:13:39.556-04:00Holding SteadySo, in the month since I’ve last posted, coronavirus deaths in the USA have risen to over 100,000. New cases in 10 states are declining, in 18 states are rising, and in 22 states are holding steady.<br />
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The country is still in Phase One of re-opening. Restaurants and retail stores can operate at 25% capacity, tables must be six feet apart. Hair salons can open, but customers must have their temperature taken upon entry, wear masks, and be kept six feet apart. Employees must sanitize fixtures after each customer, and wear masks and gloves (new for each customer). Bars and gyms are closed. Churches are supposed to be closed, but all of a sudden this week Trump deemed them as essential services, so I don’t know if houses of worship will be holding services or not. Masks are still mandatory in public.<br />
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One of Stacy’s coworkers tested positive for the virus, so our household is on a 14-day quarantine monitoring for symptoms of the virus.<br />
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The news says unemployment is at its worst since the Great Depression.<br />
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Trump is telling us there may be a vaccine ready by the end of the year. That would be great, but I’d be a little worried about taking it. Vaccines normally take years to produce and test for effectiveness and safety. With producing it so fast, how do we know there are no long-term side effects? I’ll let everyone else try it before I get in line for a vaccination.<br />
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Still no toilet paper in the stores.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Cat</i></b></span><br />
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<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-8465653687775205102020-05-01T16:18:00.002-04:002020-05-08T18:39:09.081-04:00Pandemic UpdateWhen was my last post, 4/15? Now it's 5/1, and the deaths from Covid-19 have almost doubled, up to 63,000 in only two weeks.<br />
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In just the last 6 weeks, 1 in 5 Americans have applied for unemployment. The unemployment rate is 14.7%. And what about those who have lost their jobs but don't qualify for unemployment?<br />
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In spite of the fact that the pandemic doesn't seem to be getting any better, some states are relaxing their rules on the lockdown this week. They are allowing retail stores and restaurants to open, but they can only admit 25% of their capacity. Restaurants have to keep their tables 6 feet apart. They also have to use disposable plates, utensils, and menus.<br />
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They say that if and when schools open up the desks will have to be 6 feet apart. How is that going to work with school overcrowding? <br />
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Florida is partially relaxing their rules, except for three counties, one of which is mine. So we are still on lockdown, only allowed to go out for essential business. And we have to wear masks when we are out and about.<br />
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This is what happens when you keep a six-year-old on lockdown for two months.<br />
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I mostly am making jewelry in my studio to keep busy, though who knows when we will ever have markets where I can sell it again.<br />
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Signing off for now,<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><i><b>Cat</b></i></span></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-25733984046927159882020-04-15T21:39:00.000-04:002020-04-15T23:03:35.497-04:00Coronavirus - April 2020This is a really strange time in our lives. It started in February with people getting sick with a new virus in Wuhan, China. Then as it started spreading around the world, we were told it was very contagious. The first thing that happened to change our lives was that in the beginning of March, all schools were closed - for two weeks we were told. Then restaurants were closed for eat-in service. They could only do delivery or takeout.<br />
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The next thing we were told was that schools would not be reopening this year and children must do their school learning online. Hmmm...try getting a 6 year-old to go to school online. Also, all "non-essential" businesses were told to close. The beaches are closed. Doctor appointments are done by phone. Even court is being held by phone, if at all.<br />
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Now, we are told that we must remain in our houses, no visiting, and if we do go out for an essential errand, such as grocery shopping, we must wear masks and keep 6 feet of distance between people. They are calling it "social distancing" guidelines. Every day it seems like a new restriction. I miss seeing my other daughter who doesn't live with me and my grandchildren. Luckily I have my jewelry making to keep me busy at home, but I will soon be running out of supplies.<br />
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People are panic buying and the grocery shelves are bare of some items. One of those items being toilet paper, for some weird reason. Luckily, Stacy works at a pharmacy, which is an essential business so she still has a job and also can buy a package of toilet paper before it goes on the shelf.<br />
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Unemployment is at 10% already and will probably go much higher as more businesses shut their doors. There are over 630,000 cases of this coronavirus, or Covid-19, in the USA as of this date and 32,000+ people have died. It is reminding some people of the flu pandemic of 1918.<br />
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Scientists are working on a vaccine, but say it will probably be 18 months before they will have one ready. Who knows how long this pandemic will last? And even if/when it is over, will things ever go back to normal as we knew it?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">Cat</span></i></b></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-59393913454913543732019-11-28T06:58:00.004-05:002019-11-28T07:18:56.861-05:00Silver PricesWith silver prices heading upward, I thought I would take a look at the history of silver pricing. How much has it really fluctuated?<br />
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The price of silver is driven by speculation and supply and demand, like most commodities. It is affected by currency fluctuations, inflation fears, and geopolitical risks. Silver prices can be extremely volatile. For instance, in January 1980 the price of silver was $49.45 per troy ounce (ozt) but by March of that same year, it had dropped to $11 ozt.<br />
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More recently, the average annual price between 2010 and 2015 for one ozt has varied like this:<br />
2010 - 20.19<br />
2011 - 35.12<br />
2012 - 31.15<br />
2013 - 23.79<br />
2014 - 19.64<br />
2015 - 15.68<br />
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So it’s difficult for silver artists to predict the cost of their supplies, especially since most of us are not economists. So what do we do?<br />
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Of course, we try to stock up when prices are low. At the beginning of this year, silver was about $14.50 ozt. As of today, it is $16.95 ozt. That may not seem like a big difference, but when I am producing jewelry I sometimes use an ounce or more per day. It adds up.<br />
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Another thing we do is save all of our scrap silver, such as the little pieces left when cutting out a shape. Some people melt and reuse it, others sell it to a refiner for cash. I sell it back to my supplier and use the money to buy more silver. I just recently sent in some scrap silver and received over $300 for it.<br />
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What are some ways that you try to save money in your hobby? Tell me in the comments.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Cat</i></b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.ckmetaldesigns.com/"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: medium;">www.ckmetaldesigns.com</span></a>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-8464160942478638922019-09-13T12:06:00.000-04:002019-09-13T12:06:22.298-04:00School ReviewI didn't keep up with posting from school like I meant to. As it turns out, I was disappointed with my school experience.<br />
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The jewelry fabrication semester didn't teach me anything that I didn't already know. I was looking forward to learning new skills, and that didn't happen.<br />
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Then came stone setting. All of the stone setting was done in cast rings. There was no instruction in how to hand-fabricate my own settings. So that was disappointing too.<br />
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All in all, I felt it was a waste of a lot of money. I think I may give the William Holland school a try when I have saved up some more money.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Cat</b></span></span></i><br />
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<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-40606918735097940252018-09-20T15:18:00.002-04:002018-09-20T15:18:58.159-04:00End of First SemesterFor the rest of the Jewelry Fabrication "semester", we mostly did things that I've done before. Soldering, cleaning up your jewelry, making rings, forming metal into shapes.<br />
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I made a cool keychain with my initials on it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS527HU8rVpj308EBKEVQ9DWeVj_qwnsiG-BWmApYhm-IOy3zRFHqVW1rgggLprUQQ4JP05TnwMZUlJCdIWV0PUXQDC1hIu_4v0pSM8gPVSGST1bTOR7dStOTz5zwCPSFMuREINg/s1600/IMG_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS527HU8rVpj308EBKEVQ9DWeVj_qwnsiG-BWmApYhm-IOy3zRFHqVW1rgggLprUQQ4JP05TnwMZUlJCdIWV0PUXQDC1hIu_4v0pSM8gPVSGST1bTOR7dStOTz5zwCPSFMuREINg/s200/IMG_0335.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I am using those initials to have a stamp made for myself so I can stamp my jewelry with my initials, a makers mark.<br />
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This week was my "final exam". They gave me this pile of silver:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKXKhXfdbeaYK1A68YctXPYqyKkp25R4f8btTj3_tWEXoiMC8tJ6NtVIeQyaz4s3Wi4zJ_2BXBz1yzYxZRxyNaOOIiY0rKsz5nqCKP7yOgCJwl5BsFPF_lzRNeXmRPiXhI0cBQA/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKXKhXfdbeaYK1A68YctXPYqyKkp25R4f8btTj3_tWEXoiMC8tJ6NtVIeQyaz4s3Wi4zJ_2BXBz1yzYxZRxyNaOOIiY0rKsz5nqCKP7yOgCJwl5BsFPF_lzRNeXmRPiXhI0cBQA/s200/IMG_0339.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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And told me to make this out of it, with no help from the instructors:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAmfFn943LktEgYwE02tmuVmv3yuWwBkCvKTjuNA0X6RVXc7MYZaMqqW2L_L3lTcYdp1F304GYEJEyHddLXp_961-sLWC9i-TYklbwVd4zbevZmUntaa_DcpIcTmk_NLFOQxr3Q/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAmfFn943LktEgYwE02tmuVmv3yuWwBkCvKTjuNA0X6RVXc7MYZaMqqW2L_L3lTcYdp1F304GYEJEyHddLXp_961-sLWC9i-TYklbwVd4zbevZmUntaa_DcpIcTmk_NLFOQxr3Q/s200/IMG_0338.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
So this is how mine came out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UHSMpJ3P46yJKp5_c_1YO1EVQ3h_TAlSaQGrziZm3OTDL26HNZ5hAJiI0XvKB-YIgkF_YERFxCjxDzhenTLwN4NAya42t8nAEf62Qiq5gXqDCXkVCCsoZpnoHR_B_hc2zAQMCg/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3UHSMpJ3P46yJKp5_c_1YO1EVQ3h_TAlSaQGrziZm3OTDL26HNZ5hAJiI0XvKB-YIgkF_YERFxCjxDzhenTLwN4NAya42t8nAEf62Qiq5gXqDCXkVCCsoZpnoHR_B_hc2zAQMCg/s200/IMG_0343.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I was pretty pleased with it, and I got an A on my final project.<br />
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Now I have a week off, then we start a semester of Metal Properties and Classification. That won't be as much fun as hands-on work, but I'm sure I will learn a lot.<br />
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If you want to see some of the jewelry that I've been making, visit me at <a href="http://ckmetaldesigns.com/">CKMetalDesigns.com</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><i><b>Cat</b></i></span></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-46516190257066588602018-09-07T13:32:00.000-04:002018-09-07T13:32:32.928-04:00Melting MetalI melted metal all by myself today...no supervision. It was scary, but I did it and poured it into the mold, no problems. Yeah!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-85931539420972592702018-09-04T11:41:00.001-04:002018-09-04T11:41:02.217-04:00Making RingsToday I am going to learn how to make and resize rings. First I have to melt some silver to use for it, then shape the silver into a square sheet.<br />
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I made two beautiful rings, and then horror! I was told to resize them so I had to cut into my beauties. I made one bigger and one smaller. They both came out looking good, so it worked out well after all.<br />
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We’ll see what my next project is.Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-71351868064672421942018-08-30T09:58:00.003-04:002018-08-30T09:58:41.455-04:00Catching UpLast week, after I finished my coin, we used rectangular brass plates to practice sawing, filing, and sanding. Even after all that, I still can’t saw a straight line, but I’m getting better at it.<br />
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Finally, this week I started on a real project.<br />
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I melted silver into a blob, and turned the blob into a wire and a sheet. Then I used the wire to make oval jump rings and solder them into a chain. I used the sheet to make a toggle clasp and made my chain into a bracelet.<br />
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Pictures to come when I am at my computer.<br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Cat</i></b></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-31348412558513066762018-08-21T18:43:00.003-04:002018-08-21T18:43:41.342-04:00More Filing!First thing I did today was finish off my coin by sanding it smooth. My fingers are really sore from all the filing and sanding. My shiny coin:<br />
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Then, Marc handed me four squares of brass and I got all excited because I thought it was time to drill! Alas, no. More filing. I had to file all the edges straight and make sure the corners were 90 degree angles. So here they are:<br />
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I'm pretty sure tomorrow is the day I get to practice drilling. It should go fast because I know how to drill, but I've never drilled brass before. It's a pretty hard metal so I hope it isn't more difficult to drill than silver. I'll let you know tomorrow!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">Cat</span></i></b></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-37890822671391085222018-08-20T19:56:00.002-04:002018-08-21T18:37:42.664-04:00First Day of Schooltoday was the first day of jewelry school. We had orientation in the morning, then we got started on our first lesson.<br />
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We were given a brass coin with writing and a picture on it and told to file one side down flat. I think I have cramps in both hands after a full day of filing!<br />
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After one hour:<br />
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After three hours:<br />
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After four hours:<br />
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After five hours:<br />
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Yes, I filed that silly coin for five hours! But it looks nice, doesn't it?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><i><b>Cat</b></i></span></span><br />
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After four hours:<br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-20107648046687277962018-08-09T17:36:00.000-04:002018-08-09T17:36:56.494-04:00Working With MetalsFor a while I've been wanting to expand my jewelry work from beading into working with metals. I got a kick in the rear when El Novio bought me a butane soldering torch for Christmas last year. The only problem was, I didn't know the first thing to do with it!<br />
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I played around, soldering little scraps of copper to each other, but nothing resembling jewelry. Then a kind friend of mine spent three days with me teaching me the basics of soldering and working with metal. Now I could really make jewelry!<br />
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Soon the butane torch wasn't enough and I bought myself a "big-girl" torch, the Orca EZ Torch, which uses a propane tank and draws in oxygen from the air. Then I took a few workshops at Jewelry Creations Workshop in Miami. I could tell I was getting hooked on this hobby and wanted to learn more than I could through project oriented workshops.<br />
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I found out that there is a jewelry school in Miami, Miami Jewelry School, that offers real classes and can teach me everything I want to know about creating metal jewelry. I signed up for classes and I start school on August 20th.<br />
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I'm so excited to be embarking on this new endeavor! I'll be updating my blog frequently as I gain knowledge and new skills. Follow my progress while I'm in school and see all the new jewelry that I'll be making.<br />
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See you on the 20th to let you know how my first day goes!<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: orange; font-size: x-large;">Cat</span></i></b><br />
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<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-66284762636606027022017-10-16T12:37:00.000-04:002017-10-16T12:37:02.200-04:00A Totally Beady ChristmasI know it's a bit early for thinking about Christmas, but those of us who handcraft our gifts have to think about it early. Lots of gifts to make and not much time if I wait until too late.<br />
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Someone I know is having a totally beady Christmas this year. I make her an Advent calendar every year, and this year I'm filling lots of the slots with jewelry. Here is what I've made so far for her.<br />
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I just love the little wreath earrings! They are from a bracelet pattern by <a href="http://www.beadsgonewild.com/" target="_blank">Beads Gone Wild</a>, I used just one of the motifs.<br />
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Are you handcrafting gifts for the holidays? Have you started on them yet?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><i><b>Cat</b></i></span></span><br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-65092001792146922852017-10-12T12:30:00.000-04:002017-10-12T12:30:34.033-04:00Beaded Badge ReelsI recently learned how to make beaded badge reels, and I've been having so much fun with them! They are quick and fun to make. I love playing around with all the different colors. And they are full of bling!<br />
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I gave one to my daughter hoping people would see it and want one. The first day she wore it to work, her boss ordered six of them to give all the employees in her department for Christmas. Yay!<br />
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I have three of them listed in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadStreetStudio" target="_blank">Etsy store</a>. They've gotten some views, but no sales there yet. I seem to sell much better in person. If only there were an easy way (not a craft show) to get my jewelry viewed in person. Oh, well, I just enjoy making it. If it doesn't sell, I end up giving a lot of it away. It's fun to make people happy with my beading.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><i><b>Cat</b></i></span></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-39177383813346204032017-06-07T07:24:00.001-04:002017-06-07T07:24:36.544-04:00Still RainingI just woke up, and it's STILL raining out! It has been raining since last Tuesday, and yesterday alone we got 6 inches of rain. I just want it to stop already. I have things to do, and driving in this is a bear!Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-22007425925346002642017-03-20T15:24:00.000-04:002017-03-20T15:24:06.050-04:00Journey To DesignI love beading, and I also love making someone else's design my own by putting different finishing touches on a pattern. One thing I have always wanted to do, though, is to design my own beadwork. I am so in awe of those who can just sit down with a pile of beads and emerge with a beautiful structure.<br />
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I think that's why I enjoy beading Nancy Dale's <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/167109124/summertime-wrap-bracelet-tutorial?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">Summertime Wrap Bracelet</a> so much. Even though I'm following a pattern, I feel free to go my own way with it and change things up so that each one I make looks very different from the others. <br />
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The question is, how do I start learning something like designing? Can it even be learned, or is it something you have to have inside you from the start? I don't know, but I intend to find out. I have a craving inside to design beading projects. This leads to a lot more questions.<br />
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Do I just sit down with a pile of beads and start beading? How will I know what to do? Should I buy Karen Williams <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SkunkHillStudio?ref=ss_profile&search_query=volume" target="_blank">books on freeform peyote</a> to get myself started? Will freeform eventually lead to design? If nothing else, it will make me more conscious of what the beads can do.<br />
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Do I start by designing something on paper first, then trying to bead it? Even though I know I want to design, I don't have jewelry ideas floating around in my head. Maybe I should look at pictures of vintage or antique jewelry, then try to design some of the same styles.<br />
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The one thing I have designed is my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/503825041/tutorial-beaded-ring-with-mini-duo-beads?ref=shop_home_active_20" target="_blank">Superduo ring</a>. The way I came up with that idea is I wanted a beaded ring, but Delica peyote rings were too flimsy, so I decided to try peyote with Superduos. It made a nice sturdy ring, and I made a tutorial out of it. I've even sold a couple of them.<br />
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So, I need to choose a first step. As stated above, I'll look for pictures of old jewelry to get a taste of which styles I like. We'll see where it goes from there.<br />
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If you have any ideas that will help me get started, please let me know in the comments. I could use all the help I can get with this project.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">Cat</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-90621684811639180682017-03-11T00:30:00.000-05:002017-03-11T00:30:01.467-05:00The Big UFO RevealSo, today is the day. We have to show the world how many UFO's (UnFinished Objects) we have, projects waiting to be finished. I think I have way too many. So many that I had to buy a drawer system for them. A small drawer system, but still...<br />
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I have no idea why I haven't finished this one. It's going to be very pretty, and it's from one of my favorite books. The Beaded Sphere, by <a href="http://www.walkerpublications.com/">Judy Walker</a>. I even have an autographed copy of it. But I put this project down about a year ago, and haven't picked it up since. It will only take a day or two, then I'll have a beautiful pendant.<br />
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This one is a great bracelet. I tried to pick it up the other day, but it's been so long that I can't remember where I am or what comes next. It's a shame, because it's a beautiful design by <a href="http://www.beadsgonewild.com/">Beads Gone Wild</a>. I really need to take the time to go over the pattern and figure out where I am so that I can finish it.<br />
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Now, this one, I know why I haven't finished. Because it's a PITA. Even though I know I will love it when it's done. It's a little "pod purse" by <a href="http://idelegilbert.com/">Idele Gilbert</a>. First when I ordered it, for some reason I thought it was peyote stitch. Then I got it and it is square stitch, ugh. With 30 colors. In size 15 beads. I've been trying to make myself do a row a day, but I'm actually doing about a row a week. I may have it finished sometime in 2025.<br />
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And then there are a few more: a pair of earrings for a friend, another bracelet, and a few "beginnings" of 'I don't know' what. And I keep starting new projects, instead of finishing these. I need help. And that's why I'm glad that Karen Williams, of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/skunkhillstudio">Skunk Hill Studio</a>, has started a support group for us on Facebook. Maybe I'll finish one or more of these projects with support from the group. Maybe.<br />
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To see all the blogs and unfinished projects of other members of our group, or to ask for an invite to join us, hop over to Karen's blog at <a href="http://blog.baublicious.me/">http://blog.baublicious.me</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i><span style="color: orange;">Cat</span></i></b></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-39720960958860797552017-03-06T20:08:00.002-05:002017-03-06T20:09:02.462-05:00Cute Little Bunny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHlzinC2RQwVzsd4illh7ZhvoJOGMvmFxB94GshxiaT2jMDLwZU1f3r1ByJloSYMKUenxZ4UQ1PipDptJpAX8P93XkQ_FbQV1paRU-VfiCd9z5rkRe4jw9TYoo_hy1xxtrwtISw/s1600/Bunny3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHlzinC2RQwVzsd4illh7ZhvoJOGMvmFxB94GshxiaT2jMDLwZU1f3r1ByJloSYMKUenxZ4UQ1PipDptJpAX8P93XkQ_FbQV1paRU-VfiCd9z5rkRe4jw9TYoo_hy1xxtrwtISw/s320/Bunny3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.threadabead.com/">Thread-a-Bead</a> is a website from the UK that has really cute beading patterns for peyote and brick stitch.<br />
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I bought this little Easter Bunny pattern last week and beaded it up the other day. The instructions said it would take 3-4 hours to bead. It took more like 6-7 hours, but it was fun. It turned out so darling! <br />
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I'm going to send it to my grand-daughter for Easter. She always appreciates any beaded items that I make for her, and I know she'll just love this little bunny!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: orange;"><i><b>Cat</b></i></span></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-53768695059392584402017-02-24T21:15:00.000-05:002017-03-06T19:58:54.826-05:00Making Wrap Bracelets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitklcYHwDdmUfZmwxUB_xFoDt72ugqgisbEE_nOzRa2lNN3xnP4VAcnR_PnAOClC9XJ9Jx-TesR5rPUtyf9J8K2NZMjvGlzBzzEifXqNKEVXa6vaseyCKIOL5mnzx9t4YW4ndpfw/s1600/pink+wrap+bracelet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitklcYHwDdmUfZmwxUB_xFoDt72ugqgisbEE_nOzRa2lNN3xnP4VAcnR_PnAOClC9XJ9Jx-TesR5rPUtyf9J8K2NZMjvGlzBzzEifXqNKEVXa6vaseyCKIOL5mnzx9t4YW4ndpfw/s320/pink+wrap+bracelet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I have been having fun making these wrap bracelets from a tutorial by one of my favorite bead artists, <a href="http://www.nedbeads.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Dale</a>. They are so much fun that I've been making at least one of them every week. I love seeing how they look in different colors.<br />
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Even though I use the same basic stitch on every bracelet, each one is a one-of-a-kind project. That is because using different beads for the accents makes each bracelet unique.<br />
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This pink bracelet, for instance. I knew that I wanted to use the rectangle pink beads with the gold design for my main focal beads. Then I rummaged around through my bead storage and pulled out all the beads I have that are 3 to 6 millimeters in size and that are in the pink color range. I have pearls, Austrian crystals, rondelles, druks, Superduos, fire-polished crystals, wooden beads, and more. As I was making the bracelet, I decided which of these beads I wanted to use for each section. Making these is a great way to use up small amounts of beads left over from other projects!<br />
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The seed beads in this bracelet are Miyuki Permanent Gold, #P0471, size 11/0. I am using Fireline thread, 6 lb. The stitches are a combination of RAW, herringbone, a modified daisy stitch, and picots. There are six sections, broken up by the five main focal beads, and each section has its accent beads added with a different stitch.<br />
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I've been using magnetic clasps on them, which has been working out beautifully. They are just as much fun to wear as they are to make! I've been wearing the bracelet that I made for myself for about a month now, almost 24 hours a day, and it is holding up well. I always get compliments on it. I feel confident with the quality of these bracelets and am going to go ahead and list them in the <a href="http://www.beadstreetstudio.com/" target="_blank">Bead Street Studio</a> Etsy shop for sale. Give me a few days to write up the listing and take more photos and then they will be in the shop for you to get a closer look at them.<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cat</span></b></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuktLLxpGyirj4U0yxoHgfBO-QCFMC_BgXVR3A672ifwtwPb5icGPdU-83mciJ4uhKNan4U6OSUE4t77t-_tMFYxyMax7lFkLbE93j3gDIR30JUrzWbKZaFPNpj7_ao0cAa7PRuA/s1600/wrap+bracelets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuktLLxpGyirj4U0yxoHgfBO-QCFMC_BgXVR3A672ifwtwPb5icGPdU-83mciJ4uhKNan4U6OSUE4t77t-_tMFYxyMax7lFkLbE93j3gDIR30JUrzWbKZaFPNpj7_ao0cAa7PRuA/s400/wrap+bracelets.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blue dragonfly is the one I've been wearing. It's not for sale.</td></tr>
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<br />Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10764311.post-58243040913294564212017-01-27T18:03:00.001-05:002017-01-27T18:03:51.224-05:00Review: Spiral Earrings Tutorial by Sasha SiIf you do not already own Sasha Si's <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/163915155/beading-tutorial-download-spiral?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">Spiral Earrings Tutorial</a>, run over to her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SashaSi" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a> and buy it now. The basic earring is a quick and easy make, not to mention that it produces a beautiful pair of earrings, but this tutorial lends itself to tons of ways to vary the earrings and put your own spin on them. You don't need any prior beadweaving experience for this tutorial. Sasha explains every step thoroughly. If you can thread a needle, you can make these, yet because of the endless variations, they are great fun for advanced bead lovers as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGI-MiL4-mvD1nWf53-qUqnFgBvgtUXwbO1jlNSQQG7WMDFqx3eotFhE2rD9as6IZ4fUtziy4FH7axgOtdhLvxIUGFUOneSU5vZhJD_Vcs2zmnBTzcaZ8VAYwayHyDnjf8xJ2qg/s1600/all.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGI-MiL4-mvD1nWf53-qUqnFgBvgtUXwbO1jlNSQQG7WMDFqx3eotFhE2rD9as6IZ4fUtziy4FH7axgOtdhLvxIUGFUOneSU5vZhJD_Vcs2zmnBTzcaZ8VAYwayHyDnjf8xJ2qg/s320/all.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am having so much fun playing with this tutorial and trying different things! I'm going to show you a few of the variations that I played around with, and I'm sure there are tons more that I haven't tried yet. But I will!<br /><br />
(all bead-weaving in photos is complete, though in some I haven't put the ear wire on the earring yet)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGq0BAdtM7QenijlCnYSm-lNX_WUbmMHyzM9dAgavt99MS0QZIcHT5owN1REONHKrncIaO7S-q14cdJEFA21G_RRXrRerh6dIW7NS4kn4mVisY1PJULui4tlMpemIa_gL0cUgRA/s1600/bead+sizes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGq0BAdtM7QenijlCnYSm-lNX_WUbmMHyzM9dAgavt99MS0QZIcHT5owN1REONHKrncIaO7S-q14cdJEFA21G_RRXrRerh6dIW7NS4kn4mVisY1PJULui4tlMpemIa_gL0cUgRA/s200/bead+sizes.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using different sized beads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ab6UxyP6v7uml9z9Fyyvs3vOd17bB2ZTSEa8ya04yuRAfzIvwcktEYah8PmuDvkFYhyeXwTm0JstdgWOlLQW9TdqIQq2c4Xyh-SuW2q9c5qYjK9GqvTgArsbpg_axUyh_3fVCg/s1600/long+start.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ab6UxyP6v7uml9z9Fyyvs3vOd17bB2ZTSEa8ya04yuRAfzIvwcktEYah8PmuDvkFYhyeXwTm0JstdgWOlLQW9TdqIQq2c4Xyh-SuW2q9c5qYjK9GqvTgArsbpg_axUyh_3fVCg/s200/long+start.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Increasing starting bead count</td></tr>
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The basic tutorial uses only two sizes of beads, 8's and 11's, (middle earring). I made a larger version using 6's and 8's (right) and a smaller version using 15's and 11's (left). I also made an extra long version of the earring by increasing the bead count at the beginning of the tutorial.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRFgEPAYLB5YOkoZmSPFcn7ypzYyGLwR4e2naD0-s8elupg6E_0JSEJuNWOpKJONoQSxEdgB2OeS9Kh5fQobdKMjlYTxjSlbufi3hGiZa4J-B12EksWMo2Yl4dVa0A0-nKN3Mwg/s1600/striped2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRFgEPAYLB5YOkoZmSPFcn7ypzYyGLwR4e2naD0-s8elupg6E_0JSEJuNWOpKJONoQSxEdgB2OeS9Kh5fQobdKMjlYTxjSlbufi3hGiZa4J-B12EksWMo2Yl4dVa0A0-nKN3Mwg/s200/striped2.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Then I wanted to see what I could do with color. Here is the red, white, and blue striped result of that experiment. I think it looks pretty cool. I'd like to see what else I can do with just color to make them look different.<br />
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I've also been substituting other beads for the 8's, and getting great-looking results! Here are the photos, captioned with the type of bead I substituted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQDn5oH1SLZMujaOlnfS1PD5tjZmth6c8aHcYBWhLLsiFW1viHbqTbtwIzfaXeke55cN8SEW8yOwtOL2T626FkCEOyfgDEuU03JHrge7Lh-bpEWFWDBqs__9fv032sEBKJQNEJA/s1600/crystals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHQDn5oH1SLZMujaOlnfS1PD5tjZmth6c8aHcYBWhLLsiFW1viHbqTbtwIzfaXeke55cN8SEW8yOwtOL2T626FkCEOyfgDEuU03JHrge7Lh-bpEWFWDBqs__9fv032sEBKJQNEJA/s200/crystals.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3mm crystals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOYyEpUoN5Z-SanFbHRWytbZZTPxd3EJnMCz6vSn4PJblpqZP_2yC1LVMCf1_q0Ynos5vtvk1PpzYaMQZmnqCWJ9d2nqEvrQMF0Gl3HBbUH5eMTM6yZa2rGPwej6RysdxnViJEw/s1600/pearls2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTOYyEpUoN5Z-SanFbHRWytbZZTPxd3EJnMCz6vSn4PJblpqZP_2yC1LVMCf1_q0Ynos5vtvk1PpzYaMQZmnqCWJ9d2nqEvrQMF0Gl3HBbUH5eMTM6yZa2rGPwej6RysdxnViJEw/s200/pearls2.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3mm pearls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAZ12GdBGg-O_D-pX56VPvJHrJq224G-KFxnP_J0iGs_Jvw-dzoJsU-JstXtBv-Q7T_vyYbjGM2fdA_q1iQVOa3p4avfdRxI_ZTUy3ovvySCRcbC-TN9UOwZfqkbmEN15GgdoLA/s1600/super+uno.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAZ12GdBGg-O_D-pX56VPvJHrJq224G-KFxnP_J0iGs_Jvw-dzoJsU-JstXtBv-Q7T_vyYbjGM2fdA_q1iQVOa3p4avfdRxI_ZTUy3ovvySCRcbC-TN9UOwZfqkbmEN15GgdoLA/s200/super+uno.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super-Uno Beads</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nrxJXNRrdIguWZrnFK3pEqzbRLmrKkX14Y86IKNVnVdFp7iXI6Y6DOZGOwoHDDaUXFUirMJOcaWLQJKfHavWLLNqB5VWvA8f2h0aLGE7vp4Q24tvcHr3zWiENLLzVTQYFkOx-g/s1600/tiny+drops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nrxJXNRrdIguWZrnFK3pEqzbRLmrKkX14Y86IKNVnVdFp7iXI6Y6DOZGOwoHDDaUXFUirMJOcaWLQJKfHavWLLNqB5VWvA8f2h0aLGE7vp4Q24tvcHr3zWiENLLzVTQYFkOx-g/s200/tiny+drops.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miyuki Tiny Drop Beads</td></tr>
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I'd love to hear what variations you tried with this tutorial and how they worked out. Now, I think I see some daggers on my shelf that I want to try out with these earrings...<br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cat</span></b></i></span>Cathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12353381745277679315noreply@blogger.com0