dianesdangles' Blog

Jewelry Craft Ideas
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Big and Bold Beaded Crystal Cocktail Rings The Latest Jewelry Trend 2012

Published: 05-04-2012 03:22pm
Posted In: Craft Talk
Rings are everywhere this year. Rings that are half as big as your hand! Wearing four to five rings on the same finger are popular. Cocktail or dinner rings that are big and bold. Mix and match different styles and materials. Everything goes with this trend, just let your creativity flow. Beaded rings are also very popular. You can buy sterling rings with loops already built in. Wire wrap your beads and connect them to the ring loops. You can use really any type of bead material, stones, glass, crystals, or seed beads. My choice for this big and bold ring season is a cocktail or dinner ring made with Swarovski bicone and round faceted crystals. Th... » Read More

Utah Septarian Nodules

Published: 04-06-2012 05:16pm
Posted In: Craft Talk
Septarian nodules were formed millions of years ago when the Gulf of Mexico reached what is now Southern Utah.  This is where I first learned about this stone during a road trip through Southern Utah at one of the many rock shops here in this area. The owner of this rock shop says he mines these stones from the immediate area. Septarian is a fascinating stone.  Way back a million years ago, decomposing sea life, killed by volcanic eruption, became attached to the sediment around them, forming mud balls. As the ocean receded, the balls were left to dry and crack. Within these cracks, calcite from shells formed calcite crystals. Septarian is found... » Read More

Blue and Pink Pastels

Published: 03-24-2012 08:49am
Lovely collection of blues and pink pastels handmade creations by the Artfire Crazy Train Guild. Blue and Pink Pas... Curated By: lovelythingsArtFire.comFine Art Paintings... » Read More

Making a bezel for my Cinco Peso Mexican Coin Pendant in Sterling Silver and Gold Filled Necklace

Published: 03-09-2012 05:58pm
Posted In: Craft Talk
Cinco Peso coin pendant set in sterling silver metal and hung from a gold filled chain. The bezel setting for this coin was hand cut from a 22 gauge sterling metal sheet. This type of bezel was used in order to secure the coin and also to allow the inscription on the edge of the coin to be visible; the inscription reads "INDEPENDENCIA Y LIBERTAD". The bail is also sterling silver and was handmade with two strips of rope style wire that were soldered together and then soldered to the top of the bezel. The back of the bezel is open so the reverse side of the coin is visible. Once the bezel was cut, the edges were filed and rounded then polished to a... » Read More

St. Patrick's Day Copper Cross Pendant

Published: 02-24-2012 05:47pm
Posted In: Craft Talk
Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17, the date of St. Patrick's death. St. Patrick is known for his missionary work throughout Ireland during the 5 century. The color green is associated with Ireland and St. Patrick’s day. This gave me the inspiration to make a cross pendant; using the warm colors of copper and the symbolic green color by using crystals. Copper is being used more by jewelry artists because of its malleability , lower prices, and its warm colors. Wire wrapping the crystals around the center of the cross in a diagonal direction gives this pendant a contemporary look. Adding texture by hammering and adding some s... » Read More

Copper The Alternative Metal in Jewelry Making

Published: 02-16-2012 06:56pm
Posted In: Craft Talk
Copper can be used in jewelry as an alternative to gold and silver. Gold is way too expensive and sterling has increased 5 times its market value in the last 6 years. So, many jewelry artisans are using copper in their jewelry creations. Copper is also the main component in brass and bronze, which also is used in jewelry making. It is believed that copper has healing qualities especially for arthritis and rheumatism. Copper is easily recognized by its reddish color. Commercial copper is practically pure, 99.9%. It does tarnish quickly so it is important to keep it stored properly when not in use. Anti-tarnish paper is commercially availa... » Read More

Utah's Zion National Park

Published: 02-10-2012 05:13pm
Posted In: Travel Journal
Zion Canyon Visitor center is open year round. You can view a 22 minute orientation film at the visitor's centers. Shuttle buses are used to transport visitors along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive where you can access the many trials. No private vehicles are permitted during the Spring or Fall seasons only the park's shuttle buses. You can access the trials by private vehicle during off season. The fee is $25 for seven days for a private vehicle. Or you can buy an Inter-agency Pass for $80 for the year which lets you into all National Parks (note: does not apply to State Parks). For backcountry hiking and camping you must obtain a permit at the visi... » Read More

What Does the South Rim Grand Canyon Look Like When Its 28F

Published: 01-31-2012 03:42pm
Posted In: Travel Journal
It's April in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the sun is not out. Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon through sleet and fog? Just the day before, the sun was out, temperature was about 53°F and I could see for miles of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim Trial. Overnight, temperature dropped to 28°F and there was snow and sleet, fog and mud. Sure was a different scene on this day.  I talked to a couple who had just come up from the bottom of the canyon. They had camped out over three days on the bottom and said it had gotten to 100°F and could not believe the change in temperature when they came back up. The Grand Canyon for... » Read More

Sedona Arizona Red Rock Canyon Country

Published: 01-24-2012 04:44pm
Posted In: Travel Journal
Sedona, Arizona is in the heart of Red Rock country. As the name implies, the rocks are colored red. There a lots of place to lodge, we chose Sky Ranch Lodge since it is a little bit out of the way. It is located up above the city across from Sedona’s municipal airport. You would never know there was an airport, never heard any planes. The view of the canyon from Sky Ranch Lodge is spectacular. The view is breathtaking during a sunset and sunrise. The rooms are clean and comfortable, staff is friendly. We stayed in the Garden View Room which is more economical than the canyon view. The garden is very pretty, is shaded, and had plenty of places... » Read More

Western Michigan Upper Peninsula Keweenaw Peninsula and the Porcupine Mountains

Published: 01-17-2012 10:08am
Posted In: Travel Journal
There are many scenic towns on the western shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. If you’re heading that way, then be sure to stop at the Visitor’s Center in Calumet City; lots of good information.Copper mining started in this area around the 1850’s with a copper mining treaty between the U.S. government and the Chippewa Indians.  About 4 million tons of copper were mined. Currently, most of the copper mines here are closed; some are open to the public for touring. Delaware Copper Mine Delaware Copper Mines is a closed mine but is open to the public as a self-guided tour. If I recall correctly, they ... » Read More

Things You Can Find In A Small Gift Shop for Jewelry Making

Published: 01-13-2012 03:01pm
Posted In: Craft Talk
What would we do without small businesses? If these businesses were to disappear, then this country would certainly be dull and without character. Go into a small town where there a many small little shops and you can find all sorts of interesting and unusual items. You certainly won't run into any great finds at the larger department stores. So one weekend I was in St. Ignace, Michigan and found this neat little gift shop. There was a section where they sold rocks and such, but also they had many of these Millefiori glass nuggets. These nuggets are undrilled so some wire wrapping would be needed to make a pendant. I ended up buying several pieces... » Read More

Yellow The Color of Sunshine

Published: 01-11-2012 04:55pm
Posted In: Color Symbolism
Yellow is a warm color. When we see yellow we think of sunshine and summer. Yellow is hope, happiness, and cheerfulness. The color yellow is used as ribbons as a sign of hope to welcome home loved ones. Bright yellow suggests excitement, perkiness, freshness, and citrus fruitiness. Golden yellows can stand for gold. The negative side of yellow in some cultures is regarded as cowardice and deceit. But, the many positive qualities of yellow far outweigh the negative. How to wear yellow? Stay away for the dark yellows because it can give you an unhealthy look. Stick with the bright or pale yellows for cheerfulness. Wearing yellow can gi... » Read More

How to Wear the Color Beige

Published: 01-09-2012 04:50pm
Posted In: Color Symbolism
Beige is a lighter shade of brown and represents calmness, dependability and flexibility. It is a neutral color with warm undertones and a bit of coolness from white. It can be seen as plain but coupled with other colors give it flair. How to wear beige? Often beige is use to separate two dark colors to help each stand out. A beige outfit can take on some of the elements of pink or yellow when these colors are used in jewelry. This is why beige if often referred to as a chameleon. Try using purple and pink accessories with a beige outfit to convey a conservative but feminine look. Beige and black conveys sophistication and strength; pai... » Read More

How to wear the Color Brown

Published: 12-28-2011 07:26pm
The color of brown is a neutral, down-to-earth color. A deep brown color is often used to replace the color black for work attire. Brown is a warm color, stimulates the appetite, and represents wholesomeness and earthiness. It is a common color in nature. Brown also represents trustworthiness, reliability, and friendliness. For instance, the company UPS (United Postal Service) has built their business around the positive image that the color brown conveys. How to wear to work? Brown colored clothing is considered more casual than black and is mostly worn both fall and winter. Although dark brown outfits may be considered dull, it... » Read More

Orange and It's Meaning

Published: 12-18-2011 01:04pm
Posted In: Color Symbolism
Orange a warm color is vibrant, stimulating, energetic, and striking. It symbolizes warmth and the sun. Orange is often used in rooms like a kitchen to stimulate the appetite. Orange is reminiscent of fall, pumpkins, and Halloween when combined with black. Orange reminds us of citrus and brings up thoughts of good health. Orange gets noticed. Peachy orange is softer and is a little more soothing and calm. Orange represents a transition of seasons from summer to fall. Brighter oranges represent summer and the darker oranges represent autumn. How to wear orange: Go easy with the bright orange accessories. Some is okay but too much can ma... » Read More

Purple and It's Meaning

Published: 12-14-2011 04:18pm
Posted In: Color Symbolism
The Color Purple In nature, varying shades of purple colors are found among the delicate and precious flowers such as lavenders, orchids, lilacs, and violets flowers. The lighter shades of purples are considered more romantic and delicate. Deep or intense purples suggest riches, creativity, mystery, authority, and royalty. The color of mourning for widows in some countries is purple. The color purple has been customarily worn by people of royalty, authority, and high rank in many cultures. The color purple is used in the U.S. Military decoration, The Purple Heart, given to soldiers wounded in battle. Purple can be used as a warm or c... » Read More
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