a-Pair-a-Day: Swim, Swim

Inspiration: Swim, Swim.

Several years ago, while futzing around with some art, I jotted down the phrase, "Swim, swim little fish." It's stuck with me, and I think of it whenever I feel frustrated or challenged by life stress. The paper used as part of today's design features a close-up of decorative goldfish scales, and reminds me to keep going (despite the stress I'm feeling in regard to my shop opening in two days).

These earrings feature decorative paper with a goldfish design that has been cut and adhered to copper plates via glossy Mod Podge. The plates hang in front of repurposed white shell earrings that have a metallic rim. Silver-plated stainless steel jump rings hold the two pieces together. The ear wires are silver-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 2.5 inches in length.

 

a-Pair-a-Day: Ponder

Inspiration: Ponder

Erik and I are in the market for a new car, and we may have found one today. The numbers look a bit weird, though, so we're taking a couple days to research and ponder the situation.

These earrings feature sage green plastic beads that hang from non-tarnishing, gold-plated craft wire loops. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

 

a-Pair-a-Day: Light

Inspiration: Light.

The design for today's pair of earrings came to me in a flash--I just looked at my bead tray and said to myself, "Yep, little bells with the pink leopard beads." I like how lightweight this pair is, and how the bells tinkle.

These earrings feature tinted pink and tan round bone beads that appear to have a leopard print on them. Tiny brass bells hang below each bead via non-tarnishing gold-plated craft wire. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1.5 inches in length.

 

a-Pair-a-Day: Learn

Inspiration: Learn.

I spent a decent chunk of today learning about taxes in preparation for my Etsy shop opening next Monday. Reading about employer identification numbers was not nearly as fun as learning how to design today's pair of earrings.

These earrings feature vintage textured gold-plated hoops that appear mildly tarnished with age. Plastic turquoise seed beads have been strung via non-tarnishing gold-plated craft wire inside each of the hoops. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 2 inches in length.

The Week in Glue

Monday, Monday, so good to meeeee....Here's what's keeping my soul glued so far this week:

Beverage: Polar raspberry lime soda with ice.

Neat!

Favorite a-Pair-a-Day Earrings from Last Week: Progress. Not only because of the effort involved, but also because they look pretty neat.

Watching: Gabe and I went to the library today, where I borrowed Catch and Release, a Jennifer Garner rom-com. What? It's about how love is "messy" and, um...I was drawn to it, ok? Fine. Timothy Olyphant is in it. Sue me.

Reading: I'm about a third of the way through The Republic of Thieves. I'm tempted for my next book to be a piece of Jane Eyre fan fic. Apparently, I am drawn to that as well...

Nickname for Gabe: ChiChi Bubba.

Way to Waste Time on the Internet: This is related to today's pair of earrings.

These exist now!

Etsy Shop Progress: Slowly but surely, I have been posting drafts of listings for the go-live on September 1. Also, business cards!

Around the House: I cleaned our bedroom!

Craft Idea: Fall is almost here, and I have been thinking a lot about snuggly crochet. I did a bit of daydreaming about how I will ship my crochet items (so that they will look fancy and cute). I thought of the idea of using braided paper to tie around each item. I found this tutorial, but I want to keep looking (or just come up with my own way of braiding paper).

Things that I'm Liking as I Type: The sounds of Erik cleaning the kitchen.

What's keeping your soul glued this week?

a-Pair-a-Day: It's Electric!

Inspiration: It's Electric!

I have decided to embrace the bright with today's pair, which electric green beads. The color of the beads naturally (naturally) made me thinking of the Electric Slide. I mentioned this to Erik, who informed me that he "must have never heard that song." In response I said, "WHATTTTTT???" This prompted me to find the Electric Slide on YouTube and then perform the dance for Erik. He tried to resist its awesomeness, but I could sense that I was wearing him down. We'll have him sliding in no time!

These earrings feature electric (yes!) green crackled glass beads, which have been strung on non-tarnishing gold-plated craft wire. The gold-plated findings from which the beads hang were created from a vintage belt. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Seeds of Love

Inspiration: Seeds of Love.

The beads used in today's pair remind me of seeds. Also, I've been watching Psych and one of the characters made a Sowing the Seeds of Love reference. So now that's stuck in my head.

These earrings feature crackled tan and black bone beads that hang beneath white and brown bone saucers. The findings were taken from a vintage bracelet. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Progress

Inspiration: Progress.

The idea of creating fish skeletons from wire popped into my head a few weeks ago, but I haven't had the time to practice the design until this evening. After two hours of troubleshooting little skeletons, I finally created two that look a like. I need to continue to hone this design, but I'm happy with the progress I've made so far.

These earrings feature gold-plated craft wire that has been bent into the shape of a fish skeleton. The ear wires are gold-plated stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1.5 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Hugs

Inspiration: Hugs.

Sometimes when you're feeling down, all you need is a hug.

These earrings feature green sea glass wrapped in gold-plated craft wire. The pieces of sea glass were found on a beach in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, during an anniversary trip with my husband. They hang from surgical steel kidney-shaped hoops. This pair measures approximately 2.5 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Share

Inspiration: Share.

I'm playing hostess to a good friend from college and his lovely girlfriend for the next couple of days. I love to reconnect with old friends. There is always so much news to share and so many stories to remember.

These earrings feature gray marble flat round beads that hang from silver-plated craft wire. Dark green serpentine balls rest in contrast against the marble rounds. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 1.5 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Peaches and Cream

Inspiration: Peaches and Cream.

I'm a bit tired. Gabe seems to be going through some kind of intense-baby-nine-month-sleep-is-dumb stage. I've been keeping today's pair as a back-up for such a day as this--when all I really want to do is have a glass of wine and then sleep. For about 80 hours. Today is not only a day for wine, but also for levity. When I look at this pair, all I can think of is the fabulous Peaches n' Cream Barbie I had as a little girl. Ohmygod her dress was amazing.

These earrings feature peach-colored quartz drops, which hang via gold-plated craft wire from orange ceramic beads. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 2 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Collage

Inspiration: Collage.

My wonder twin, Sarah, and I went out to lunch today at a lovely cafe/farm/gift shop. While eating a very tasty sandwich, I had a perfect view of a jewelry display. Because I wasn't wearing my glasses, I thought the jewelry used antique coins or buttons. Upon closer examination, the jewelry did not feature coins or buttons, but it did inspire me. I thought, "Why not try punching a hole through a penny?" For today's pair, I did just that. I also whipped out the paint and Mod Podge again, imbuing the pair with a collage-y kind of feel.

These earrings feature copper pennies that have had a hole punched through them. The pennies were painted with white acrylic paint that was then partially scrapped off. A glossy glaze seals the paint. The findings and ear wires are stainless steel. This pair measures approximately 1.5 inches in length.

The Week in Glue

It's Monday again. Here's what's keeping my soul glued so far this week:

Beverage: I had a beer in bed a few nights ago. As awesome as it was, I would very much like to be able to drink a beer on my back porch (so that I can feel like a more normal human).

Favorite a-Pair-a-Day Earrings from Last Week: I have to go with New Toy. I had the opportunity to use my new hole punch and Mod Podge in the creation of this pair--it was a banner evening.

Watching: Still watching Psych. Erik went to see Guardians of the Galaxy while I was at work on Saturday. Don't get me wrong--I'm happy he went. But I would really like to see that flick. I also hear that the soundtrack is AMAZING.

Reading: Finished Red Seas Under Red Skies. Now I'm reading the third book in the Gentleman Bastards trilogy, The Republic of Thieves.

Nickname for Gabe: Sweet Love.

Way to Waste Time on the Internet: Well, this is amazing.

Troubleshooting: I still have those damn cabbage leaves from last week. I've tried pawning them off on friends, but no one will take them. So there's that. I'm also trying to figure out how I can incorporate image transfers into my earring designs. Troubleshooting that issue is way, way, WAY more fun than the cabbage issue.

Words of Inspiration: From a fortune cookie: "Today is probably a huge improvement over yesterday." (Unless it's not, and then I'm sad for you.)

(NEW category!) Etsy Shop Progress: Last week, I worked primarily on the About sections of my shop and on putting the finishing touches on my packaging idea. This week, I plan to work on shop policies.

Each pair will be wrapped in an origami envelope and then put
 into a pillow box for extra protection during the shipping process.

What your earrings will look like when you open the envelope!

Around the House: I really need to clean our bedroom. It's being taken over by wayward pieces of clothing and laundry baskets.

Craft Idea: The image transfer idea for one. For two, I've been hatching a plan for a way to organize papers in my craft room. A while ago, I pried apart two old suitcases with the intention of turning the top portion of the cases into some sort of file system. When September hits and a-Pair-a-Day is finished, I'm planning on starting a new blog feature called "Unfinished Business" in which I work on projects that I started but never finished. Maybe my suitcase plan will be the first featured project!

(NEW category!) Things that I'm Liking as I Type: My new nylon tipped pliers and how my hair is long enough to braid. Also, Gabe is finally asleep. That is good, too.

What's keeping your soul glued this week?

a-Pair-a-Day: Wait

Inspiration: Wait.

In a few months, I will need to purchase a new car. I'm trying to be very mindful about the car-buying process--do my research, etc. Today, I test drove a few different models to get a feel for what I might want. I have a tendency to get ahead of myself when I'm in the market for a car. With that in mind, I've been telling myself that I can wait the few months. It's okay to put the brakes on (pun intended!) the car buying process.

These earrings feature amethyst drops, which hang from silver-plated chain. The ear wires are surgical steel. This pair measures approximately 1 3/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Forty

Inspiration: Forty.

Today marks the fortieth day in the a-Pair-a-Day project. It feels good.

These earrings feature gray striped metal discs that have a slight crease. The discs were formerly costume jewelry earrings that were attached to stud posts. I removed the posts and punched a hole through each piece. The discs hang from white enamel links that were taken from a vintage necklace. Both the links and the discs appear weathered. The ear wires are stainless steal. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: Arrive

Inspiration: Arrive.

I spent a bit of time working on my About page in my Etsy store this afternoon. I wrote about the story of the store--basically how I put it off and put it off (and put it off) even though I knew that making crafts and sharing them was an essential part of my identity. In some sense, I feel as if I have finally arrived since I decided to embark on a-Pair-a-Day and open my store.

These earrings feature narrow brass beads, strung on gold-plated non-tarnishing craft wire. Teal plastic beads emerge from the brass, ending at gold-plated stainless steel ear wires. This pair measures approximately 2 1/4 inches in length.

a-Pair-a-Day: New Toy

Inspiration: New Toy.

I went to the craft store today and picked up a snazzy new jewelry toy: A hole punch. With this nifty item, I am now able to punch tiny holes through metal. This tool opens up a slew of possibilities for some of the costume jewelry I have collected, including today's pair of earrings.

These earrings feature metal ovals with circular indentations that have been covered with paper on front and back from an old grammar textbook. Originally costume jewelry, the ovals were formerly attached to stud posts that have since been removed. A hole was punched through the ovals in order to make them into dangle earrings. The paper on the ovals has been glazed with glossy Mod Podge, and a circular accent piece of vellum has been added to highlight the circular indentations. The ear wires are stainless steel. These earrings measure approximately 2.5 inches in length.