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Tucson Gem Show

From January 19 through February 11th, Tucson will burst open with so many venues and visitors that all heads will be spinning. There is so much gemstone related inventory for sale at this event that you really must attend to get the full sense of its magnitude. The beads that hold my interest are just a small part of the whole event. Speaking of which, I have made a personal decision that I will NOT purchase any beads this time around. My studio is at the bulging point. That said, I may go just to socialize with new friends (a gift!) and just browse (wish me luck!)

DIY ear wires

So, who doesn't like to buy inexpensive, fun and festive earrings just as a pick me up!? You know the ones I mean. They have tiny, bright beach balls hanging about 2 inches long and you just happen to be planning a pool party. What about the more sedate, artistic pair with cultural symbols stamped into shiny metal? You are in that "organic mood" and they draw you in. But I wonder if you ever walked away thinking the ear wires looked "cheap". (Is there a better word for it?) Better yet, is there a solution?

Yes, buy them and replace the ear wires. You can buy them from jewelry supply stores. Even better, you can make them yourself and give that pair of earrings a whole new level of sophistication. (You really don't need fancy tools as professed by social media.) Here is a pair that I purchased from a dollar store and immediately replaced the ear wires with my DIY creation.

The added value to DIY ear wires is that you can renew your current earring collection wherever it is needed. You will start wearing a wider variety of them because they will look so much nicer after you have added your touch. Here is a pair of earrings I made along with its ear wires. Look how I added an odd squiggle of wire between the dangle and the actual ear wire. You too can go wild! Just find something to wrap wire around. If you want to explore working with wire, see my blog post from 2021. Hey, it's a New Year, a New You.

Apologies if not all the photos are still there. I did some house cleaning and I've got some recovery work yet to do. The links do appear to be working.

A Shameless Promotion

As a member of the Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild, I am scheduled in February to present to our local guild membership a brief overview of what I do best. Bead! I am keeping my subject matter under wraps for now but once that date passes I will unveil the final product of my second biggest beaded project ever. Stay tuned for my February blog! Just a hint-ful peek here...
(You really should be following me on Instagram.)

New Avenues

I continue to hone my French beading skills and used the pattern from my very first piece "Wild Roses" designed by Fen Li of beadflora.com and described in my blogpost of August 2023 to create a smaller version as a gift for a friend. It was the first time I have modified sizing and structure of a French beaded pattern and also the first time I had to pot one of my creations. I used non drying modeling clay atop styrofoam to plant the flowers and found small green gravel rocks to complete the composition. She loved it!

This week, a brand new project has arisen for a cool bracelet that requires three layers of beads to complete. The color combos really have impact as the bracelet can be revolved to display a new look.

As I close on a very chilly day in Arizona, my wish for you is that the New Year brings you opportunities to see yourself differently, love yourself more, and be happier with who you are...

Tina

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Interested in Fibers Arts? Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild holds local workshops!



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