Lisa's Beading Treasures

Now, I know y'all came here looking for BooMama's necklace that she posted a picture of... and that exact item isn't here. But don't go away just yet!

These are the pieces I made specifically for the BooMama blog giveaway. Many of them can be made again, but a few cannot (either I don't have the beads, or in one case, the focal bead is unique). In some cases, I'll use the "first come first served" rule; in others I'll be able to accommodate more than one person with the same design. Note that before now I have rarely made more than one item of the same design (I've done it probably twice, and in one case it was for identical twins). I will always do a custom order; email me and we'll talk. My email is lisalisalisa (at) gmail [dot] com.

In the case of BooMama's necklace, she asked for something specific, and I was able to make it on my torch (there are pics of the beads I've made in another post, but you'll find they're quite different than that necklace in general). This batch of jewelry is not made out of beads I've made -- they're gemstones and Czech glass, mostly -- but that can be accomplished. Have your people call my people. We'll talk.

General info about this jewelry:
I always identify the gemstones if I know what they are -- in a couple of cases below, they weren't identified when I bought them, so I don't know (I just bought 'em cuz they were pretty). I'll also let you know if anything is NOT sterling silver. That's true in a couple of cases with the larger spacer beads -- with silver prices through the roof, I only have them in sterling plated right now. But for the most part, what you see here is all sterling. All ear wires are French type ear wires in sterling.

I will price out the necklaces and earrings separately, but clearly they are made in sets. I'd prefer they find a happy home together for that reason, but, y'know, whatever. For the giveaway, I will give them away as a set if that's what you choose as your favorite (shipping included, of course).

AB = aurora borealis coating, which is used on lots of beads to give them a colorful shimmer. This is a standard shorthand which I will use a couple of times in the descriptions.

Measurements for earrings are given from the top of the ear wire to the bottom of the earring. Necklace measurements are what they will measure around your neck.

I mention my stringing wire in another blog post, but it's 49 strand stainless steel, the best I've ever found -- very strong, very flexible. It's possible to break it, but you have to work at it. Don't try -- for your happiness and mine. =)

I want you to be happy with your purchase (or winning). If you're not satisfied, email me and we'll work it out. I have confidence we can do that. We're all grownups here.

Disclaimers: neither of my beautiful models has a gray mark anywhere on her face or neck. There is a spot on the optics inside my camera that has not yet been cleaned, and I simply don't have the time or expertise to PhotoShop it out. I also should not have used the portrait setting on my camera since it wouldn't allow me to keep both the model and the jewelry in perfect focus. Bad photographer!

Thanks so much to my gorgeous models -- Amazing Katie (a friend of my son's), and Jennifer (a friend of mine). You may feel free to guess which one is a teenager and which one has just exited her 20s... they just don't look that far apart.

Enough of the chitchat! Where's the good stuff??

Here it is!


#1... This little beauty is in honor of BooMama and her beloved Mississippi State (and my own Fightin' Texas Aggies). Glowing mother of pearl mixes with faceted garnets, with a chunky garnet centerpiece flanked by Czech glass. It is finished with a sterling silver adjustable toggle clasp. Matches BooMama's sassy shoes! Necklace is adjustable between 17.75" and 18.25"; pendant hangs 1.25". Earrings are 1.75" long. Necklace: $35. Earrings: $15. Set: $45.









#2... The pictures don't do justice to the gold-flecked brown stones in this necklace! Paired with olivine Czech glass and brown AB crystals, this is a great earth-tone set to enjoy with all your fall fashions. Necklace is finished with a sterling silver toggle and is 18.25" long. Earrings are 2.25" long. Necklace: $30. Earrings: $15. Set: $40.

#3... I'm a purple girl, so of course there's a purple set. This one has three large purple focal stones plus several sugalite (veined purple and white stones) and lots of great lavender cats eye to complete the effect. The spacer beads in this necklace are sterling plated. Dangles in the earrings are Swarovski crystals (the world's finest). Necklace is finished with a sterling hook and eye clasp and is 19" long with a 1.5" long pendant. Earrings are 2" long. Necklace: $35. Earrings: $20. Set: $50.

#4... The stunning turquoise focal stone in this piece is actually a Mexican opal (ask me about special care instructions for this if you win or buy it). It is set off by picture jasper and crystals (the large ones are Swarovski). With its hook and eye clasp and chain, it is adjustable from 16" to 18" with a lovely crystal dangle in the back. Pendant is a 2" drop. Earrings are 1.5" long. Necklace: $35. Earrings: $15. Set: $45.

#5... This versatile piece can take you from serious daytime wear to a fun evening out with your friends or your favorite guy. The twisted hematite ovals and coin-shaped shells (half mother of pearl and half black lip shell) will match any color. Necklace is finished with a sterling silver toggle and is 18". Earrings are 1.75" long. Necklace: $35. Earrings: $15. Set: $45.

#6... Graphic feldspar was a new stone for me, and I couldn't wait to work with it. The peachy pinks combine beautifully with cherry quartz to create a lovely feminine set that's not too dainty. Swarovski crystals enhance the pendant and add a little sparkle. The spacer beads in this necklace are sterling plated. Necklace is finished with a sterling silver adjustable toggle clasp. Necklace is adjustable between 17.5" and 18.5"; pendant is 1.75" long including the crystals. Earrings are 1.75" long. Necklace: $35. Earrings: $15. Set: $45.

#7... Plenty of faceted Czech glass in olivine and clear combine with blue AB glass beads for a necklace with a lot of sparkle and pizzazz. It is finished with a sterling silver toggle and is 17.5" long. $25.

#8... Millefiori is Italian for "thousand flowers" and is the style of glass that includes flowers in its design. It's always been a favorite of mine, and I have a large collection of it. This necklace also has several pillow-shaped cats eye beads for contrast and interest. It is finished with a hook and eye clasp and chain with a purple flower dangle to match the earrings. Necklace is adjustable between 17.5" and 19.5"; pendant is a 5/8" drop. Earrings are 2" long. Necklace: $25. Earrings: $15. Set: $35.

Jake knows more about jewelry than most dogs. And he loves anyone that will pet him.

#9... Serpentine was another recent discovery for me, and like feldspar, I couldn't wait to design with it. It's set off beautifully by rose quartz, with crystal spacers. The earrings are a double drop dangle using both stones. Necklace is finished with a sterling silver adjustable toggle clasp and is adjustable between 17.25" and 18". Pendant is a 1.5" drop. Earrings are 2.5" long. Necklace: $25. Earrings: $15. Set: $35

Jake REALLY loves the serpentine. Or the attention.

#10... This necklace is like a good stew: it has a little bit of everything. Start with a good piece of jasper, throw in several pieces of magnesite, some aragonite, sprinkle in amber, mahogony obsidian, tiger iron and amber to taste, and finish off with wooden beads and an adjustable sterling silver clasp. Deeeeelicious! Necklace is adjustable between 17.5" and 18.5"; pendant is a 1.75" drop. $30.

#11... This little guy is truly one of a kind. A lampworking artist in Austin (not me) created this fish bead, and I bought it from her months ago, along with several other treasures. I hope the pictures capture the fun this guy wants to have as he dangles around your neck! His blue Marty Feldman eyes and puckered orange lips are just too cute for words. Necklace is 16.5" and is finished with a rope style sterling silver toggle clasp. Fish is a 1" drop. $25.

#12... Even if you don't remember the '20s you'll feel like a flapper with this necklace! It's 39.5" of sparkly fun, chock full of faceted Czech glass beads. You can wear it long or squeeeeeeeeeze it over your head and wear it doubled over (I should have made it just a little longer). I've had several people try it, and it's fit over everyone's head, but it does make some people nervous. If you know your head is larger than average, you might not count on wearing it doubled... and alas, I do not have the beads to re-make this (although I might be motivated to repurchase). A great necklace, and truth be told, one I originally intended to put in my own collection. $30.

You've made it allllllll the way to the end... that's all I have for you today! If you guys want, I can post a pic or 8 of my bead collection so you can see what your choices would be if you wanted to make a custom order. I actually took a picture of the whole thing tonight, but you can't see diddly in a single picture; I'd have to break it up into at least 6-8 pictures in order to see any detail at all.

Anyway, if you got here from BooMama's site, you know the rules. Do your thang.

Y'all come back now, y'hear?