Some of my favorites on Etsy

These awesome shops have inspired my Etsy shop in so many ways:
 
MountainGirlClothing - very creative upcycled clothing

VonlenskaVintage - Fun and casual vintage clothing

TribalStyle - Just look at my earrings a couple of posts ago :)

Carouselink - Super chic comfort-wear (and an awesome studio set)

HellHoundVintage - Unbelievable vintage clothing in pristine condition and regal design.

I often get ideas for my shop by window shopping through all the other beautiful shops on Etsy.  People are so creative!   It never ceases to amaze me!  My Etsy shop has taught me to strive for artisrty in each required step. I begin with making jewelry but simply listing an item in my shop (which isn't always so simple) is becoming all part of the art! 

Learn, Grow, Create, Teach, Love

The newest necklace to my own closet

I love art in any form but I mostly collect paintings, jewelry, vintage, and antiques.   I just purchased this long necklace to add to my jewelry collection.  I love to support artists!  It was made by Marie Perry from Arizona.  She makes some lovely necklaces!

The shorter two strand choker is made by me.  You can find a similar one in burgundy in my shop. http://www.etsy.com/listing/81336671/pomegranate-freshwater-pearls-and-glass

I wear earrings everyday

I got my first ear piercings when I was 4 years old.  I have worn earrings faithfully ever since.  I really love earrings of all kinds....studs, long dangle-ies, clip-ons, fake gauges, thin chains that I can weave through all of my ear piercings.  But for some reason I don't make a lot of earrings...

I decided to sit down recently and dedicate time to making more!  Here is a picture of what I created :)

I absolutely love the way they turned out!

Awesome new earrings

Look at these amazing earrings!!  I just got them in the mail from one of my favorite shops on Etsy:  Tribal Style
Check them out!

My bead obsession

One day, maybe last year, I purchased some pretty glass beads.  I bought them because I thought they were pretty, that was it.

I made a necklace.

The necklace was extremely comfortable and actually caught a lot of attention when I'd wear it.  I liked it so much that I took it apart and re-created it to make it more refined.  (Most of my items tend to be experimental pieces.   That's how I learn and grow!  This necklace was one of the first using my newest bit of understanding at the time so it was kind of raw and rough.)

Anyway, then I made a bracelet out of the same beads.

Usually on the nights that I am working on a piece I will wear it late into the night.  I happened to be wearing my new bracelet when I turned off the lights and I discovered that my bracelet was glowing!...not bright just barely, subtly!!  It was bright enough to see but subtle enough to make me think I was seeing things.

I instantly fell head over heels for my newly made pieces because I LOVE glowing things.   :)     I went back and bought a couple more colors.  Then I picked up another strand here and there.  I didn't realize how many of these beads I had collected over time!  I recently pulled them all out, organized them, and began making more pieces.    These are some pictures of the pieces I have made with them so far:

In my previous post I showed a picture of some orange, cross earrings that also used these beads.

And here is a picture of a necklace that I sold to a dear from of mine during the Christmas season.

Oh!  I have another sitting right here that I almost forgot about!  I just made this one tonight and I haven't even listed it yet.   I will add it to my shop mostly likely this weekend.

I wish I could capture the glow but it's just to subtle for most cameras to pick up.  Maybe one day I'll find the perfect way to capture a time lapse of one of these items glowing.

Peace!

Some of My Favorite Pieces

I thought it'd be appropriate to post some pictures that show what my shop holds, so I went through the available items for sale in my shop and chose some of my favorites. Here are some images and a link to their location.

This first one is a charm bracelet from random left over beads that I had.  I love charms! http://www.etsy.com/listing/88711910/stoney-love-sea-charm-bracelet-by

This necklace was an experimental piece with a crochet clasp(not seen here) and a sinew string. I was inspired for this one by a necklace I once saw at a thrift store.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/89441150/multi-strand-necklace-of-turquoise

These long earrings are some of my favorite!  They are made of glass beads which definitely makes them a little heavier than average earrings.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/88711910/stoney-love-sea-charm-bracelet-by

The wooden set you see here has a little story as to why it is as it is.  These pieces actually began their life as a wood burned bracelet that I made 2 years ago.  The bangle size was just a little to big for me and I accidentally dropped it one day.  I was so sad because it cracked!  I decided to cut the remaining pieces apart, smooth out the edges, and drill holes in each piece to create this beautiful set!  I did the wood burning myself from free hand drawings.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/89313528/wood-burned-flowers-and-copper-bead

One of the most favorited items in my shop is a barrette made with bright synthetic flowers and dangling beads.  This barrette was one of my first creations and was inspired by belly dancing garb.   http://www.etsy.com/listing/81484696/sunflower-dangle-barrette-by-afterwork

I rarely make rings.  This is the only one I have for sale online.  http://www.etsy.com/listing/82632612/white-cats-eye-beads-and-sterling-silver

And finally, a vintage item.  I absolutely love these earrings.   They are just divine!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88866063/vintage-northern-new-mexico-native

Phew!  That was hard!  I'm not used to blogging, LOL!  I chose one of my favorite items from each section in my shop.  These happen to be my favorites that are available today. 

Etsy http://afterwork.etsy.com
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Twitter @afterworkonetsy

PEACE!

AfterWork Beginnings

I've always loved beads and making things out of beautiful material but I never really beaded seriously until 2008 right after I had my beautiful twin boys.  One day my husband was organizing his storage bins and came across some beading equipment that he had collected in his past.  He offered it, I willingly took it and began having fun!
 
At the time, I was belly dancing with a group of ladies and I used to create belly dancing garb for myself.  Some of the first accessories I ever made were flowery barrettes for my hair.  I was also working on my masters degree and I was taking some really cool media arts classes.  I was mostly a stay-at-home mom and I made a decision to try out all the most popular online/social media at the time....I joined MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, StumbleUpon...I became a member of Etsy in 2008 but I didn't open shop until 2011.  I guess I just wasn't ready in 2008.

I think all the pressure, stress, inspirations, and changes of life that were going on at the time inspired my beading as a creative outlet and stress reliever.....amongst other hobbies.

My jewelry box became so filled with jewelry and accessories that I absolutely couldn't wear everything.  Honestly, I never wore much jewelry before I started making it.  Now, I wear it just because I like to 'test drive' each piece and analyze my craftsmanship. Also, I think it's a way for me to acquire something fun and new without going shopping (which isn't one of my favorite things to do).  I can also guarantee that it's unique and I'm not spending money on something that possibly thousands of other people have!

A whole new world has been opened to me.  I was never much into social media and this virtual world.  My use of it started with a bang but it never went much further than using it for information and some entertainment.  After my jewelry box started to overflow, I started 're-focusing' on Etsy.  I'm getting in to the groove and I've become willing to put myself out there through my crafts, pictures, blogging, etc.  I love a challenge and I love to learn!  I can't wait to see what's next!  :)

Never stop...Learn, Grow, Create, Teach, Love

A New Adventure

I have seen so many awesome blogs here at the BlogSpot that I decided I should try it out for myself.  So far, so fun!  As with anything, I'm sure it will take some time for me to get a groove going here.  Look for more AfterWork trails on

Etsy http://afterwork.etsy.com
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Twitter @afterworkonetsy