Loving Labradorite

This highly mystical stone is said to bolster one's strength and intuition, plus aid in transformation.  I am loving the labradorite against the lighter driftwood backdrop.  I just realized that I was writing about tassels last Christmas and I believe it is becoming a classic trend that will be in style for years to come.  The silver chain tassel adds just the finishing touch this piece demands.   

Driftwood ~ Meet Tourmaline

A whole new crop of driftwood specimens arrived at my doorstep last night compliments of my friend and partner-in-beaded-crime, Jennifer.  She recently and quite spontaneously decided that we needed more driftwood inspiration and hopped-a-plane for the Oregon coast...my hero!  Tourmaline is said to enhance understanding, increase self-confidence and amplify psychic energies...bring it on.  Who knew multi-colored tourmaline on driftwood would look so smashing?! The dragonfly was added as a custom touch for a client. 

Driftwood Gallery: Apatite ~ Stone of Acceptance

This faceted aqua colored gem perfectly brightens a sea-washed piece of driftwood.  They call apatite the "stone of acceptance".  Ok, no problem, I accept!  It's Friday and I chose to highlight my latest driftwood necklace creation with a pretty pink background.  Happy colors, happy day.  Cheers!

The Friendship Bracelet: All Grown Up

A couple of days ago I stumbled into a little store on my lunch break called The Knitty Cat.  What a can of worms (or should I say "yarn") that turned out to be!  I had no idea what amazing, beautiful string there was out there these days.  I went in thinking that I may find a particular color of thread for another project I am working on but that is not what I found, of course.  I could have easily spent a sizable portion of my life savings in that store but I restrained myself in the end and just bought the gorgeous string you see in the bracelet below.  I love how earthy and organic feeling this is but still modern and clean.  I wore this out to eat last night with my friend, Kristin, and she already requested that I make her three!

This bracelet wraps around twice, the string is a cotton/silk blend, wrapped around leather cord and finished off with a muted-gold button clasp.  There is something about working with string that makes me feel giddy, like how I felt when I first learned to make friendship bracelets as a kid.  But this, this is what I am calling "Friendship Bracelets for Grown Ups"!  I think there may be many more versions of this one in my future!  This looked so nice stacked with one of my "Merry Wrist-mas" bracelets (see post from last December) today that I had to include a second picture.