A little bit of Steampunk in my Life

Steampunk: a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by Victorian era or industialised Western civilization during the 19th Century.

I like to think of Steampunk as, Sci-fi meets Victorian romance, all powered by steam.

As Steampunk expands, I find myself drawn in by the uniqueness of its style and fashion.

So, this project is dedicated to my love for this crazy genre!

The basic Steampunk signature to any jewelry piece: Bronze, Gears, Wire. 

These earrings incorporate all of those signatures!

I found the bronze and copper beads in the Blue Moon Bead section of Joann's Crafts and Fabrics store and was so excited! They are perfect Steampunk beads. 

I grabbed a few gears and some 20 gauge wire as well as 26 gauge wire and set to work.

I had a lot of fun bending the wire to a shape I thought would equally display the gears as well as the beads.

Wiring everything together took some time, but after you get a flow, it's rather easy.

This earring is worthy of any steampunk outfit. I've worn these even with a casual outfit. It's a great way to sneak a little Steampunk into my every day life!

I sell a similar item in my Etsy store and I have also just opened a sister store that sells nothing but steampunk!

Check it out!

Steampunk Store!

Matchless Designs Store!

The Modern Look

      I had a few friends over the other day and we had a craft night. It is so fun to get a few minds together and see what can be made.

Our first project was a black and gold chain necklace with ribbon ties.

One of my friends is new to the jewelry world, so I had her pick out a few matching chains and I did the rest.

This necklace is very easy.

Measure out the same length of chain many times. Gather them together with a large jump ring and tie a ribbon around that jump ring. (I ended this one with a clasp because we were running low on ribbon.) 

Blue Moon Beads offers an excellent source of different colors of chain. 

You could take this simple idea that even a newbie jewelry maker could handle and run with it!

She said it was "H&M worthy".

                 

Making something is exciting and new, but most of all, it's something to be proud of. Needless to say, my newbie jeweler friend wanted to make more. 

Sticking with the black and gold theme, we found some more chain and whipped together a bracelet to match the awesome necklace we made. 

Same general idea. 

Measure out chain, lots of it. Gather it into a large jump ring then braid it. When you are done, gather the lose braided ends with about jump ring and add on a clasp.

I love the chunky look. 

Give this project a try. Let me know how it goes. 

Let your creativity soar!

The Power Of Lotus

Its roots are in muddy water, but the lotus flower rises above the mud to bloom, clean and fragrant. In Buddhist art, a fully blooming lotus flower also signifies enlightenment, while a closed bud represents a time before enlightenment.

In my goody box of Blue Moon Beads, I found a pretty glittering Lotus Pendant from their store line. 

I've always loved the flower, though I never really knew the meaning. Come to find out that the meaning is very cool indeed.

What you'll need: Lotus Pendant, 2 colors of chain, Glittery beads, 2 clasp, Earring hooks, Jump rings.

I took the glittery Lotus and set it in a chain necklace with a few sparkly beads thrown in. 

I didn't want to take away from the pendant, so I kept the surrounding simple.

Since it's setting was just chain, It was so easy to make a complimenting bracelet.

And earrings!

Well, there you go. I hope you are inspired and enlightened by the Lotus!