Bits & Bobs, Odds & Ends

 

 

Bits & Bobs, Odds & Ends Part 1

Great News!!! The Dangling Journey has just booked its first table at a fair. This is huge for us! It’s the biggest exposure we’ve had and hopefully will generate a lot of attention and sales. It also means I have to get to work creating more things to display.

Luckily I have had a backlog of things I made and never got around to posting either because I wasn’t excited about them or I made something else and forgot they were there. In any case it’s now their turn for the spotlight.

 

First up is this lady if the night. No, I don’t mean she’s provocative but to me this pairs seems more like something you’d wear in the evening. They are made form a funky black bead, followed by a resin spacer and topped with a bronze “disco” ball. They seem like a pair of earrings up for some fun. So I’ll call them Randy, get it?

 

 

Next are two pair I made back in the Spring. I bought packs of glass beads and made several pair including the three from my Something Blue post. These two pair feature a large blue bead with other beads dangling from the end. Both pairs have beads that complement the central bead, one pair has another blue glass bead as well. I’ll call them Big Blue.

 

 

 Finally the last pair is a pair I just made about two weeks ago. I bought all of the beads on different occasions but when I got the last set home I made these beauties. A lot of times I make earrings because something comes to mind when I see the beads. Next week I hope to feature my cocktail pieces. But these beads remind me of maraschino cherries, so I’ll call them Cherry. And when I saw the gold beads I had to put them together. They are really fun and hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do.  

 

These four pair will be making their way to our stall/table at the fair in Wraysbury Village Hall on September 17^th unless one of you would like first dibs. If so just get in touch.

All pairs $8.08 or £6.15 Including shipping
   

To make a purchase please leave a comment with your email address. I'll send you an invoice through paypal. Items will ship once payment is confirm.
       

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Conniving

Claudette

I love watching a certain soap opera here in the UK, I’ve been watching it on and off since I was a teenager. Recently a character joined the story who I despise. She lies, she kills, and she acts like she loves her family but she just wants to control them. She wants them to be something they aren’t and doesn’t accept who they really are. She comes off as a nice caring soul but really she’s a terrible person. However, for the past three weeks she’s been wearing a killer pair of earrings! The first time I saw them I thought ‘I’ve got to make those!’

 So my first attempt came out well, the spiral is lovely but when I put it on the hook they’re ... crooked, just like Claudette.

 

I tried again and this time they did come out straight.

 

 

I tell you this craft wire is a very useful material but very tricky to work with. There is only one pair of each available.

£12.00 including UK shipping, $16.00 including US shipping

Wedding Pictures

As Promised

 Before the wedding I promised I would post pictures of the day. I just received the pictures from the photographer so its perfect timing. I can showcase the earrings I made for myself as well as the ones my mom wore on the day. I've tried to only post pictures that feature the earrings.

 Both pairs have Swarovski crystals, pearls, shamballa beads and crystal rondelle spacers. My mom took her pair back to the States with her but if anyone would like to purchase the style I can make another. The same goes for my pair.

£21.00 UK including shipping, $24.00 US including shipping

I stopped posting earrings a few months before the wedding, that's because we were VERY busy. Neil and I did just about everything ourselves. I've said this and people say "Yes, we all do" but I mean everything! Okay we didn't cater the reception, make our clothes or drive the bus, but we did just about everything else.
 



 
 

Me and my parents on our way to the ceremony
and coming into Windsor Guildhall



We didn’t have a wedding coordinator, planner or even bridesmaids. And since my mom and most of my family is in the States we didn’t have much help. We booked the venues (and as you know had a lot of trouble from the Home Office), booked the transport and had to create a scenic route for the bus to take on the day so we’d have time to celebrate with our guests on the way to the reception (because not everyone could stay).We made our invitations ourselves. We bought really nice paper and several sets of stamps, along with ribbon and embellishments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 










We ran around getting drinks to have on the bus, then we decided to have tickets for our guests to ride. Yup, we made them too along with the favors. We’d gone around for months collecting pretty glass bottles for our centerpieces from charity shops and car boot sales (that’s thrift stores and flea markets in American). We went to a fabric store and bought fabric that I then cut into strips for the chair sashes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few weeks before we bought the plastic glasses to have on the bus. We bought all the candles for the centerpieces, confetti and little bags for throwing the confetti. I had seen people have a picture frame as their guest book so I bought a frame with a large matte and typed up a poem instructing people to sign the matting so we could treasure it. Once we got everyone’s meal choices I made place cards for the tables.

 

 

 

 

 

On the Saturday before the wedding we got up at 4:00am and went to New Covent Garden Flower Market and bought the flowers. The night before I made my bouquet, the throwing bouquet (or the tosser as I called it, which is a rude word here), boutineers for Neil, my dad and my brother, my mom’s corsage, a memorial piece to my grandparents (which sat on the first seat at the ceremony where I would have wanted them to sit if they were here. I knew I wanted flowers in my hair, and we still had some flowers left over so I made little arrangements for the table as well.
 

I was so glad the photographer caught this. A special moment
with my grandparents who I missed so much on the day

I’d had the music picked for my wedding for years. The ceremony venue would take a CD. I put all the music on a CD but the CD wouldn’t play on their player. So a week before the wedding we had to run around shops looking for CDs with the music on it (because all of my CDs are in the States). I didn’t end up with all of the music I’d wanted but it would do. I bought an MP3 player to play music on the bus and created playlists for the bus journey, eating at the reception and dancing (no need for a DJ). I even played certain songs so we’d know what to do; AWB’s Cut the Cake – for cutting the cake, and Beyonce’s (Single Ladies)Put a Ring On It to call all the single ladies to the floor for the bouquet toss.

 

 

 

The morning of the wedding Neil, my parents and I went to the reception venue and set it up. Neil did all the centerpieces and I tied the chair sashes. My parents helped a little too and we got the whole room set up in less than an hour.

 

 

My mother said to me on the day “Why are you doing everything?” Because we wanted to, because both Neil and I are control freaks, a bit OCD and very picky. We  knew what we wanted and we knew no one would do it how we wanted it. So at the end of a long day, once the guests left and Neil had given people rides to train stations and hotels. Neil and I went back to the reception venue (after I’d taken off my gown) and cleared up the reception venue. We had all the boxes and bags from the day in our hallway and some in Neil’s trunk till the next day.

 

Keep in mind that apart from all of this, we had my parents staying with us which we had to prepare for, I had a few family members coming from the States that I made welcome packets for. There was cooking and cleaning to be done in preparation for their arrivals. Doctor’s appointments, nail appointments, dress appointments, picking people up from the airport. We were knackered! I still don’t know if we’ve recovered. But is was a blast! I wish we could do it again. And there’s still a lot to do. I haven’t finished the Thank You cards yet. And there are still boxes in the hallway!

 

Neither pair are currently in stock but can be made to order £12.00 or $20.00 including shipping to the US and UK.. Please leave a comment or send an email in your would like to make a purchase. I will send you an invoice through paypal. Items will be made and shipped once payment is confirmed. Please allow up to two weeks to receive once ordered.

 

WiRed

Wired

 

A few months ago I bought some craft wire. I’ve done a few pieces with it but I hadn’t really experimented with it to see where it could go. One thing is for sure with handmade craft wire jewelry, as hard as you try the two earrings will never come out exactly the same. There will be minute differences between them. My Step mother’s birthday is next week and I wanted to make a pair of earrings to send her so I spent an afternoon playing around.

 

This is the pair I sent to her, I’m calling them Karen’s Orbit because the design made me think of something going “around the world” while I was wrapping the bead and my step-mother’s name is Karen.  They consist of a red colored bead with the craft wire swirled around it. On the bottom there is a silver (color not metal) bead with a swirl in it.

 

With this pair I was just fooling around, seeing where it would take me. It’s funny I’ve often heard artists say things like that but I never really knew what they meant by it. I ended up with these (heavy) beauties that I call Angel because to me they look a bit like angels. So the lucky lady who wears these will have an angel on each shoulder. They consist of two blue glass beads (the oblong bead gives the earring its heft), one faceted bead and one pearl bead.

As always both pair have silver plated findings and come with the backs to ensure you don’t lose them. The craft wire is also silver plated and is tarnish-free.

I’ve also had a development in the past few weeks. I had my first US purchase a few weeks ago so I can accurately gauge the prices now. I’ll go back to shipping inclusive pricing but the prices will be slightly higher to cover shipping costs.

There is one of each pair available. Karen’s Orbit Sold for UK delivery, Angel $9.30 for US delivery £7.00 for UK delivery.

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 For purchase leave a comment or send an email; payments are accepted through PayPal. Items will be shipped once payment is confirmed.
 

Wedding Blues

Wedding Blues for me, great designs for you!

So we have had a major setback in our wedding planning. We gave notice two weeks ago and last week we were informed that the Home Office would conduct an investigation into whether our relationship is genuine. So we may have to postpone our wedding until the investigation is finished. This is especially frustrating for Neil and I because we just went through a Tribunal with the Home Office in December. They would not grant me a Visa because they didn’t believe our relationship was genuine. At the tribunal once the Home Office representative saw our evidence he conceded that our relationship was genuine. Also the judge stated in his decision that our relationship was genuine thus awarded me the visa. Now the Home Office wants to investigate us again.

We were in the process of booking the reception when we got the news, we’d actually just gone to see the venue and were talking out whether it was feasible (there are some complications).  Before we got the letter last week I was making earrings for myself to wear to the wedding. I took a look online to see what was out there and find some inspiration.

I’ve made two of the pairs based on what I saw online; using them as guidance to create my own. I’ve also started working with some new materials and it’s so exciting! These are the first two pairs I made. I made them two weeks ago but after making them felt that I needed larger beads.

Design 1

 

Both of these pairs contain shell pearls and crystal rondelles. However this pair also contains Swarovski crystal peardrops and small Czech crystal Shamballa beads. I really love these two!

Design 2

After I made them I ordered more materials and larger beads but received them after we got the bad news. So I really didn’t feel like making anything for a few days and I was trying to get in touch with someone who could help me. But yesterday I needed to blow off some steam so I made several more designs.

The rest of them I’ve only made one earring so far. I only bought enough supplies to make something for myself so I didn’t intend to post and offer them for sale. I saw this design online a few weeks ago and made it yesterday. This may be my favorite! These are made using crafting wire. I’m so happy I found this material, I’m trying a lot of new designs using it. This pair has a larger Czech crystal shamballa bead, two shell pearls and a crystal rondelle.

Design 3

This design has a Swarovski peardrop crystal, a Czech crystal shamballa bead and a shell pearl bead.

Design 4

 

This design is very simple. It contains two glass beads, one smooth and one cut, and two pearl beads. The beads are in ascending order. It is the only design featuring repurposed beads.

Design 5

 This design I tried something different. There is a cut glass bead on top, with a crystal rondelle separating it from a sideways square glass pearl bead. But if you prefer I can switch the order and put the glass bead on the bottom.

Design 6

Finally this design I also made using craft wire. There is a Swarovski peardrop crystal dangling from the end, with a wire spiral separating the peardrop from a long twisted glass pearl bead, then a rondelle and topped by a shell pearl bead.

Design 7

As I said I had no intention of offering these for sale, but why not? What’s good enough for me is good enough for you. There may be some other brides out there looking for the perfect earrings to wear for their special day. Or you may need earrings for your flower girl, bridesmaids or mother-of-the-bride. Or maybe you just like the idea of crystals and pearls.

Now, because I had to purchase the materials from a retailer instead of using the repurposed or recycled materials I usually use, these designs will be pricier. Also because of customs I will not ship any of these outside of the UK. Since supplies are limited act fast, I only have enough Swarovski peardrops for two pairs of earring so if you'd like one of the designs that feature them you should let me know ASAP. Once supplies run out I will be able to make more as long as I can get the materials from the retailer, but that will add about a week. So if you like any of these bridal beauties act fast.

All other designs made to order.
Design 1 in stock  £8.00 including shipping or $12.75 including US shipping
Design 2 made to order £12 including shipping or $16.29 including US shipping
Design 3 made to order £9.00 including UK shipping or $13.85 including US shipping
Design 4 made to order £12 including UK shipping or $16.29 including US shipping
Design 5 in stock £6.00 including UK shipping or $10.10 including US shipping
Design 6 in stock £6.00 including UK shipping or $10.10 including US shipping
Design 7 no longer available
Design 8 (my wedding earrings) made to order (see Wedding pictures) £16.00 including UK shipping or $22.50 including US shipping

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Prices include shipping. Shipping available to UK and US.
For purchase leave a comment or send an email; payments are accepted through PayPal. Items will be shipped once payment is confirmed.

Something old, Something new, Something borrowed…

Something Blue!

 

I’m getting married in June! I don’t think I’ve mentioned it on here before. I’ve been trying to get the things mentioned above for the wedding. I’ve got something new – the dress. Something borrowed - I’m getting married on my grandparents’ wedding anniversary and I’m going to borrow a ring my grandfather wore on their wedding day. I've even been given a six pence for my shoe by my lovely fiancée.

My cousin gave me a set of champagne colored pearls for Christmas when I was 18, and I always thought that would be my something old. I told her when she gave them to me that I would wear them when I got married. But last month I bought my wedding dress and guess what? It doesn’t match the jewelry. So now I have no something old.  I also have no jewelry! Fortunately the neckline of my dress is jeweled so I really don’t need a necklace. I do however need earrings!

I thought since I’ve been making earrings for the past 8 months I should make my own. We saw a broken chandelier available on a giveaway site but by time we saw it someone had already claimed it, too bad it would have been perfect for making the earrings. So I’ve been on the lookout for beautiful crystals and beads. The other day we came across packets of blue beads for sale. I thought I’d try to find some to match the wedding. After all our wedding color is blue, Celeste or Sky Blue.

So yesterday I sat down and made these three pairs. At first I thought maybe I’d make earrings as part of the favors for our guests, but not all of our guests are women and what would I make for the men (Yes, I know men wear earrings too but not dangly ones like I make, this is after all the Dangling Journey).

All of the beads in these earrings are glass. Some are frosted, some have a marbled effect and one of the pairs has a faux pearl.

SOLD

 

I also tried something I’ve never done before. I made three “strands“ of beads to go on each earring. Each strand is different in color combinations, the types of beads in that color and length.

I may make a pair for my mother to wear once she gets her dress if it matches any of the beads I found.

SOLD

Since these designs have taken more materials, more time and more effort they will be a little more expensive than my usual offers. But they are after all worth it! These are handmade earring made of glass beads and they are beautiful!

With all the preparations for the wedding coming I may not get around to posting earrings every week. But stay tuned! I still have some designs in the backlog waiting for their time to shine. So if I get a moment I’ll post them. And of course after the wedding I’ll post pics as well.

Dark Blue left only.
Light and Medium Blue Sold

£4.95 or $8.00

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Prices include shipping. Shipping available to US and UK.
For purchase leave a comment  or send an email payments are made through PayPal. Items will be shipped once payment is confirmed.

Black & White Teardrops

 

I made these months ago, but they’ve been sitting in my little caddy waiting for the spotlight. I’m really into the black and white combo; it is classic after all.

This pair is a combination of recycled materials and repurposed beads. The upcycled plastic has been shaped into a teardrop or pear-shaped hoop.

 

They’re light to wear. They’re also unique. I’ve only made one pair so get them while you can.

£3.95 or $8.18

 Follow us on Twitter @DanglingJourney 

Prices include shipping. Shipping available to US and UK.
For purchase leave a comment  or send an email payments are made through PayPal. Items will be shipped once payment is confirmed.