Pages

Current Contributors

Archives

 

February 2010
S M T W T F S
« Jan    
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28  

Subscribe in a reader
or
Subscribe to Watch Me Create by Email

Sponsors

-Photo Necklace

Categories

Pappashop.com - Affordable Hosting and Shopping Ca

Join my blog network
on Facebook
Blog Networks

Meta

Drawing Upon the Holidays All Year Long

January 27, 2010 - by runakodesigns

Christmas is that time of the year when things tend to come alive in our house.  If there is one holiday I feed upon the most I would have to say it’s Christmas.  Christmas morning has a feeling like no other.  The sound of music, the delightful smell of a big breakfast, pajamas and slippers and the phone ringing is just grand.  There’s just something magical in the air around this time and I look forward to it each year.DSC00008

Not only does Christmas bring with it a feeling of joy, but it also brings with it a season of many colors, lights, memories and more.  As I sat at my work table, I was overwhelmed with all the inspiration that I was able to find on the television, on the streets, in the malls, online, at work, on the radio and even in the mail.  My head was fluttering with ideas for gift giving as well last minute custom orders and believe it or not I didn’t know where to begin.

Christmas angel earrings have always been welcomed gift. I found that they have been a very versatile piece.  Not only have they been perfect for the holidays; but, I’ve been able to use them as gifts all year long.  For the nurturing teacher, who’s watched over my son 6 hours out of the day, I call him/her his guardian school angel.  For the survivor who’s celebrating life, I bring awareness to them that they continue to be watched over by an Angel Fob, and to my every customer, I send a guardian fob to show my appreciation for their support and wishes for a blessing upon their life.

angels III

Pearls are another favorite of mine during the holidays.  The memory of snow, love and the holiday glimmer can be worn all year long, if you create the right piece.  Whether it be earrings, bracelet or necklace design, pearls are a favorite young or old.

Shimmering Red

And let’s not forget crystals…oh la la!  With the festivities and parties in the mix, something sparkling is always a welcomed gift and with the right color choices I can create the perfect piece that can be worn all year long for any special event.

Crystal Mix II

These are just a few of the things that were bouncing around upstairs during the holidays when I sat down to create gifts for my family and friends.  Trying to keep it special, yet practical at the same time.  I’d love to hear about your favorite holiday and your creations, and what inspires you during that specific season.

Find more of Dee’s jewelry creations on her website at www.runakojewelry.com, also follow the day and life of Runako Designs and other great things with a cause on her blog at www.runakodesigns.blogspot.com.

“The Penny Drops” on an Idea

January 6, 2010 - by runakodesigns

When I started writing for Watch Me Create, one of the things I said I wanted to work on was another signature piece.  I have two pieces that were created earlier in my business that was inspired by my support for Kiva,  The Giving Necklace, and another that was inspired by a customers need for a birthstone necklace, The Blessed Life Necklace.  Both pieces I truly adore, but I wanted something else that was special to Runako Designs.

Last month, I had a request to make a special piece of jewelry for a friend.  His request was pretty specific in what he wanted the piece to convey to the receiver.  After much research of stones and symbols, and consulting with him about the recipient, and not to mention getting side tracked, I came up with a beautiful bracelet as the first finished product.

While the completed piece was very special, it wasn’t something that could be worn on a daily basis to remind the recipient of how special she was.  After much heartache over the time I put into the piece, I finally came to realize that this just wasn’t it.  But I had one problem….I had 48 hours to complete another project!  Time was not on my side as, it was already close to bedtime, and I had a weekend show, but I had to get it completed.  It was back to the drawing pad, original notes, research, and a last minute trip to the local beading store.

The finished piece turned out to be a charm necklace that expressed everything that my customer asked for.  It had stones and charms with properties and symbolisms that conveyed just the right message and sentiment.  While looking at the final piece, the “penny finally dropped”…this would be my inspiration for my new signature line.  I can’t post the picture just yet, as I have a few other pieces with different sentiments that I want to complete, but as soon as I’m done, you’ll be the first to know and I’ll also tell you what was going on inside my head when I came up with the designs.

How often do you finish a special project that you’ve been working on for days and hours, only to realize it’s just not what you were looking for?

Find more of Dee’s jewelry creations on her website at www.runakojewelry.com, also follow the day and life of Runako Designs and other great things with a cause on her blog at www.runakodesigns.blogspot.com.

2009 Chain Maille Grand Finally

December 16, 2009 - by runakodesigns

You may or may not know that Chain Maille is not one of my favorite things to do. I love and adore the finished project, but I just don’t care for the time and sore knuckles  it takes to get there. It falls in line right along with beading projects with seed beads, but, being that I’m open to challenging myself every now and again, I have made a commitment to do at least 2-3 Chain Maille projects a year.  Well, I’m happy to announce that I’m officially done for 2009!

jump rings

In my last post I mentioned that I had completed a bracelet for a customer, that really didn’t hit it on the nail as far as every day wear goes and sentiments, but it did turn out to be quite a lovely piece, what I didn’t do was post you a picture or tell you exactly what process was used.  You guessed it…Chain Maille.

Gladys Ruediger of Silver and Spice Jewelry makes the most beautiful chain mail and beaded jewelry designs that I would never want to master. Knowing my lack of tolerance for the jump rings, she recommended this design for me to teach to a class recently.

Scan0004

Believe it or not…I liked it so much; I had to make another one with dangles.  Added a few beads to a new bracelet and I now have what I call “Reminiscent of a Rose”.

drafts 5-24-09 055

The opening and closing of the rings actually wasn’t too bad this time, as the design called for more closed than open and I nipped that in the bud at the beginning.  The nail breaker this time was all the wrapped pearls and crystals. Instead of trying to complete them all in one night I dragged this project out over a week, just to prevent myself from getting bored with the monotony of it all.

What I realized is (you can’t tell a soul), I actually liked doing this chain design, and I just might do a few more…minus the beads of course, or at least no so many; and who knows, maybe next year while doing my 2-3 new projects, I’ll find another pattern that’s just right for me.

Find more of Dee’s jewelry creations on her website at www.runakojewelry.com, also follow the day and life of Runako Designs and other great things with a cause on her blog at www.runakodesigns.blogspot.com.

Next Page »