The Finds

So, as I shared earlier in the week or technically last week, I attended the Intergalatic Bead Show yesterday. It's always an interesting experience and there are always really great finds. I went with one of my best friends as she has a great eye and amazing style. We had a great time and I was able to get a few things I needed and a couple of wants. So now I'm going to share my finds with you.

The first items are moonstone cabochons in various sizes that I found toward the end of my visit. There was a great selection and I picked out a few to use in some upcoming jewelry pieces.

Next, I got lots of pearls! I love making pearl pieces so I knew I needed lots of pearls. These are shell pearls that are in tricolor strands. They're nice and light for the upcoming spring season.

From another seller I got some more lovely pearls. These are all freshwater pearls which are my absolute love of all pearls! The white and cream pearls are AAA grade and the colored are A grade. I have great plans for all of these beautiful pearls including some bridal pieces.

From that same seller I found some amazing semi precious beads. Some were pretty pricey so I couldn't get everything that caught my eye, but it could be a new source for supplies. I did get a few strands of small aquamarine beads which as I've stated before I really love and they're springy. I also got a strand of gorgeous moonstone cubes that are corner drilled. The photo doesn't do them justice! They're faceted and sparkly and lovely!

Last, which was actually my first stop at the show, I visted the Kazuri booth. I adore these beads! They are handmade by women in Nairobi, Kenya. The beads are made from African clay from Mount Kenya and each one is painted by hand. Buying these beads help support these women. The organization is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and pays the women fair wages. If you'd like more information on the Kazuri story visit this site.

It's always hard for me to pick a few beads from Kazuri because they are all so beautiful! But here are a few I chose this time. Hopefully I'll be getting some more sooner than later! I'll actually be using some of these beads on my challenge for this week. So look for the new piece at the end of the week!

And the winner is...

The winner of the $25 Mozella Designs shop credit giveaway on Stuff Parents Need is...Laura Wirth! Congrats Laura! Happy Shopping!

Thanks for reading!

What I Did Today

I finally finished my sterling silver love necklace. I finished it off with a small round sterling silver chain with a spring clasp. It's cute and simple.

I know I said I wasn't going to go this route with hair jewelry, but I was intrigued. I think bridal pieces are so beautiful that I wanted to make some myself. I'm still going to venture into some more contemporary pieces but it's fun to start here. So, I decided I would try the beaded headband/tiaras first. Here's the first headband I did.

I used Almond and Ecru color glass pearls and wrapped them with silver wire around a silver headband for an elegant feel. This could be a bridal piece or for another formal occassion. The next piece I made can be a headband or tiara and is definitely more bridal or prom. I used various sizes of Ecru color glass pearls and various sizes of Swarovski AB crystals. I loved the way it came out!

Now I just need a model to fully showcase my new hair jewelry. Can I just take a moment here at the end of my post to show off a custom piece that I just finished this week for a customer? It came out so beautifully that I wanted to show it. It's a natural aquamarine and blue fire agate rosary with a scroll cross. I may be partial to aquamarine because it's my birthstone but I am in love with a natural aquamarine stone! I'm thinking of making myself a really nice natural aquamarine ring for my birthday.

Thanks for reading!

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Week 4- Teal Beauty

Hello all!

Just wanted to check in and show my finished product! Here it is! Let me know what you think and I'll have another post later this weekend! See it here on Etsy.

Thanks for reading!

This is where it gets tough

Is this week 4 or 5 of the challenge? Oh, week 4. Only week 4! Well I have no clue what my project is going to be this week. I got a few pieces completed last week and I have yet to my love necklace complete. I'm definitely going to get that done this week. I've been busy working on custom orders so I'm just now thinking about this week's challenge. I got some pretty teal freshwater pearls in so I may do another hand knotted necklace as the challenge.

Instead of the traditional way which is to find a thread that is close to the bead color I thought maybe a contrast? I'm thinking I'll use a black silk thread for the knots. I think it will make a beautiful necklace! I should make matching earrings too. I'm so bad about not making sets even though people keep telling me to. Okay, I'm on it!

I'm very excited because this weekend the Intergalatic Bead Show will be in Memphis and I'm going bead and jewelry supply shopping! It really is a lot of fun and I will be looking for spring things and anything else that's cool! Anyone can go for a small admission fee. You could find some beads or stones or crystals and contact your favorite jewelry maker to create a special piece for you. Anyway, that's what I'm looking forward to this week.

Thanks for reading!

What's New Today

I finally finished some the projects I had planned for this week! Unfortunately the "love" wire necklace still isn't complete due to the fact that my local supplier is out of sterling silver chain. :(

I was excited to receive some supplies I had been waiting for though today in the mail. Getting supplies is like getting gifts. I get so excited about it! Anyway, here are some of the new pieces in the shop today:

This one has a very elegant look with Swarovski crystal pearls and Swarovski crystal beads that will sparkle and shine! It's hand-knotted and great for a nicer party. You can find it here.

I love this one! I was so excited to make it and thought it would be a cute gift for Valentine's Day! The fine chain makes it a delicate piece. Check it out here.

This is also a nice little gift to win the guys some points. The same fine brass chain is used as in the previous necklace so it is also delicate. You and your significant other's initials are stamped in the hearts. So cute! Here it is.

I just thought to do this necklace today as I was finishing some other handstamped pieces. I wanted something simple to round out the Valentine's pieces I've done this week and thought this would be cute. Find it here in the shop.

Well that's it for tonight. Thanks for reading!

Week 3 - Hmm what to do?

Hello all!


I've had somewhat of a busy weekend with orders so I haven't had a lot of time to think about what project I want to work on this week. I've got a few more Valentine's Day items that I want to get finished this week so I think I will just post some of them this week and then at the end of the week I'll do a post with all of the completed items.



First I've been on myself to make this sterling silver "love" wire necklace. I haven't made any of these in a while and when I got a custom order for a personalized wire necklace it made me think to do one in sterling silver. That would make a lovely gift for Valentine's Day or even if you wanted to buy yourself something nice for all of us single ladies! Gift yourself!





So here's the main piece of the necklace. I've already twisted it into the word love so now I just have to add the sterling necklace and it will be complete! I will post the other projects soon!

By the way, you need to check out this blog post from Stuff Parents Need because I'm being featured and there will be a giveaway! A $25 credit to my Etsy shop will be given away if you win the giveaway, so head on over there to enter! Everyone likes something for free! So if you're looking for a special gift for someone you need to go check that out.

Also, have a look at the side bar of what's in my shop to see some of my Valentine's Day themed items. They'll be refreshed later in the week to show you more options.

Thanks for reading!

Week 2 Challenge Complete

Week 2 Challenge

I just wanted to jump on and show the complete project of the watch face I showed earlier this week. I wanted to make the watch simple and I did. I used turquoise deerskin suede lace and braided it for the straps and used a silver toggle clasp to close. It's more a like a watch bracelet and will be great for the upcoming spring season to add some color to your ensemble.

Let me know what you think!

Etsy-versary

I'm very excited! Tomorrow is my one year Etsy-versary! I've been selling my jewelry online on Etsy for one whole year! It has been a great year and I've learned a lot about jewelry making and it's techniques. I look forward to the next year to come and learning new things and growing my business. So to celebrate my first year on Etsy of course I'm having a sale! I'm offering 15% off your entire purchase in my shop with the discount code 1YEAR that you enter when checking out. Hope you find something you like! The sale will be today through tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Well that's all for now. I've had a busy week and I'm going to relax!

Mozella Designs

Some thoughts from last night: Hair Jewelry

I need some thoughts here. I've been thinking about making hair jewelry. Not really bridal though I may play with it but more fun everyday hair jewelry. Maybe something you could wear out at night or to a party.

Remember when everyone was getting those "friendship bracelet" style threads woven into their hair? Not that. Though if there's an edgier style to that, like with chains, maybe. Hmm.

I google searched hair jewelry to see what was out there and there wasn't a lot of what I was thinking about. Which means (haha!) there's kind of an open market. There was lots of bridal, of course. You know, the only thing I found that I liked was on the very fashionable Kim Kardashian.

I'm talking about filigree barrettes with draped chains and edgy bobby pins and combs. Maybe some with a vintage feel. Not really sparkly, but more cool, statement pieces. I've intrigued myself. What do you think?

Mozella Designs

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Week 2 Challenge

So last week I finished this week's project which left me wondering what I was going to do for this week. I've been thinking about what I haven't done in a while and I came up with a watch. I've got this watch face and so we'll see what I come up with to do with it. I think I want to do something simple since the face has detail. Hmmm.

I've only got one other watch in my shop right now which is a really fun watch. It's a bright beaded safety pin watch in which each beaded pink in threaded on an elastic thread so that it fits most wrists. It's a cool accessory for teens or if you have a funky style. So check that out.

I've been listed in some cool treasuries on Etsy this week that I wanted to share as well.

Will You? Great Valentine Finds for Men features some great gift ideas for the guys in your life. My handstamped cuff links are featured within this list.

Let's Get Personal is a collection of personalized gifts for any person you know! I really liked the family name plaque, the flameless candle and the coffee cups. My handstamped cuff is featured in this list.

I (Heart) You (Sorry! I still haven't mastered how to make the heart icon!) This collection has some beautiful goodies for Valentine's Day like cookies, cards, jewelry, and accessories! My handstamped inital heart necklace is featured in this treasury.

I'm always so honored to be featured in the treasuries that other Etsians make especially being featured among such talented artisans and crafters! I guess I've rambled on for long enough today so I will be back later this week with my finished watch!

Thanks for reading!

Mozella Designs

Snow...

It's snowing outside! (Don't mind the pictures. I took them from my phone...from inside my apartment lol!) This used to be an exciting development when I was younger, now it just fills me with dread. Southerners are not equipt to deal with snow and ice. We cannot drive in it and people freak out and raid the grocery stores at the words.

I'm afraid I may be stuck in my apartment tomorrow. I have one order to go out which may have to wait until Tuesday, but I hope not. On the other hand this gives me time to work on this week's project (stay tuned) and work on a couple of custom orders. I just don't like being stuck inside. :(

It should be fun to see my dog's reaction to the snow in the morning though. She is fairly confused by snow.

Have a good night!

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Not a Typical Friday Night

I'm used to spending my Friday nights out with friends or even with my boyfriend, but being newly single and with the spring semester of school not quite started back yet, things are a little slow on the social scene. I had planned on having a lazy night with my dog to lay around and watch a movie or two, but on Fridays the Redbox is somewhat of a hit or miss. Yesterday it was a miss.

I thought well there still should be something on TV and if not I can always pop in my Kevin Hart Seriously Funny DVD because though I've seen it a few times now, it's still pretty funny. None of this happened. I laid on my couch for about a half an hour flipping channels and watching my dog toss her toy around before I decided my time would be better spent being productive.

I thought maybe I'd practice some bead knotting since I had to complete this project for next week's challenge with my aquamarine beads. I think for most jewelry makers bead knotting is a pretty basic skill but nevertheless I am backwards and am just now learning it.

Side note: The nice thing about a knotted necklace as opposed to a necklace with beads/pearls strung onto wire is that if the necklace breaks you lose one bead/pearl and the others stay in place, whereas on a wire strung necklace all of your beads will slide off.

Well before I knew it I had finished my necklace that was meant for next week's challenge.

Not only did I finish next week's necklace but I got a little knotting happy (with the help of Pandora to keep me going) and made a another whole necklace with freshwater pearls. By the time I was finished it was late and I felt very accomplished to have finished two whole necklaces especially with it being a new skill. One day I'll be able to do five in that time! So now the dilemma is what will be my challenge for next week? Guess I'll be rooting around in my boxes for unfinished projects to work on!

By the way I am feeling much better. I took Thursday off (from Etsy work), took DayQuil, lots of orange juice, and laid around watching the Jersey Shore marathon. I know, I know, sad, but it's a guilty pleasure!

Hope you like the new pieces! Now I'm off to list them!

Mozella Designs

Week 1 - Challenge Complete

I finished my necklace just as I felt myself begin to come down with a cold. I strung the agate sticks onto silver wire and used faceted glass rounds as spacers between the sticks. It looked pretty and I was just going to add silver chain to make the connection around the back but then I decided that it wasn't enough. I thought I wanted to add a layer to the necklace and I found some some gunmetal curb chain that I had forgotten about. I thought it would be fitting for the challenge to use this since it was waiting to be used was needing to be a part of a completed project.

So I added the chain as a layer beneath the agate sticks and used it to connect around the back. I also used a nice textured toggle clasp to close the necklace. Now the necklace has a completely different feel. At first it was this pretty springy necklace with the sky blue color and the sparkly glass rounds, now it's got a little edge to it with chain. Somehow though they work together. Or at least I think so. What do you think? I'll be listing it in my Etsy shop on Friday so be on the lookout.

I also just listed these cute little vintage crystal heart earrings. They're nice for any occassion but with Valentine's Day now around the corner they'll make a lovely gift.

Making a return to my shop is the Paris by Day Necklace. I went away briefly and now it's back! It was a fairly popular little necklace and it surprised me. I had a couple of people who purchased who had taken recent trips to Paris and bought it as a little momento of their trip. Maybe one day I will visit my necklace's inspiration!

Thanks for reading!

www.mozelladesigns.etsy.com

My Jewelry Box: Week 1 - The Blues

My Jewelry Box: Week 1 - The Blues: "Today I'm starting my 52 week challenge. In case you didn't peek at my initial post I joined a challenge on Etsy to create at least one new..."

Week 1 - The Blues

Today I'm starting my 52 week challenge. In case you didn't peek at my initial post I joined a challenge on Etsy to create at least one new piece every week. That's not necessarily a difficult feat for a jewelry maker since some pieces are very quickly made and others take a little longer. Some seasons are also easier to produce in like around holidays (especially gifting holidays). It becomes harder during the down times like the summer to keep producing every week but I am up for the challenge!

I've been in a blue mood lately with the winter weather. So I went out to the craft stores today to try to find something blue to inspire my creativity. I spent way longer than I anticipated but I found a beautiful strand of blue lace agate sticks (above) to work with. Now I usually don't use "stick" beads because I never know what to do with them and I still don't but thus the challenge! I've got the next six days to make something lovely so check back for the finished creation!

I've also been thinking about making a necklace with these gorgeous natural non-dyed aquamarine graduated beads I bought early last year when I was first getting started making jewelry. They were quite an investment but they were beautiful and they're my birthstone. I have some earrings in my shop that I used a few of the stones in but most still sit unused. I know when I complete the necklace I probably won't want to sell it but you will definitely see it in the shop when it's done.

Thanks for reading!

http://www.mozelladesigns.etsy.com/