Change of seasons is always a great time to think about designing your own jewelry.

As a blogger for Artbeads, I get the extra added boost of a reminder that it’s time to create  – and they pay me in beads!

As someone who usually works BIG, with LOTS of stuff going on, I decided to change things up a bit for fall.  Winter really.  I fell in love with the 8mm Swarovski Crystal AB beads and decided to showcase them.  And to try making my own small silver chain necklace. 

This Sterling Silver cable chain is perfect to work with.  I had no problem cutting the chain with my regular wire snips and adding a clasp and jump ring for closure.  This necklace was an exercise in separating each of the dangles.  No problem working the wire through the individual links either! 

This chain looks fragile but it is actually quite sturdy and so simple to work with that from here on out I plan on using it for my simpler, lighter necklaces.  It really is lovely with the 8mm Swarovski crystal ABs which are amazing in person – they are spectacular light catchers!

My next experiment was using the same chain, but just adding the dangles so that they group together when worn.  More along the line of my very busy larger pieces!

Again, no problem cutting or adding the jump ring and lobster clasp.  I made the dangles and put them on the chain before I added the clasp.

 This piece makes me think of how Fall is such a transition period – here in Southern Maryland, we are still having warm days and cool nights.  I’ll admit it’s been too hot this summer for me – part of the attraction of the Swarovski Crystal AB roundelles was their icy fire – come on Winter!

For this necklace and earrings I used

18″ of the Sterling Silver Cable Chain

a jump ring and lobster clasp

2 Sterling Silver earwires

5 Swarovski 5040 8mm Faceted Roundelle Crystal AB

5 Swarovski 5040 6mm Faceted Roundelle Erinite AB (these are a lovely pale pine green…forest in winter!)

a strand of 5x4mm Light Olivine/Pink Opal mix Roundelle (you’ll have plenty of leftovers)

a strand of 5x4mm Peridot/Amethyst Swirl Roundelle (again – plenty of leftovers)

and 24 guage craft wire (see Artbeads.com helpful wire wrapping video here.)

Have I mentioned that I’m in LOVE with this cable chain?!!  And, oh – don’t lets forget this:  for a limited time take 20% (that’s Twenty Percent!) off your order of $60 or more (what more could you ask?!)

Visit Artbeads.com and sign up for their on-line newsletter to get access to their specials and sales – a great way to Fall into this season with your own one-of-a-kind accessories!

And, since beading is addictive and there is no such thing as too many beads, you may also want to think about sharing some of your jewelry with the world.  Learn how to sell your art and keep your soul – based in my expeirence as a full-time artist (not in theory about how to do it!).  Want something more focused and your own specific needs?  I have room for 2 jump start coaching clients (now is the perfect time to get ready to meet 2011 with a hearty Hell Yes!)

 Wylde Women’s Wisdom

Time and money spent on giving yourself space to hear what you’re thinking and make adjustments as necessary are hardly wasted.  These may be the most important gifts you ever give yourself because without doing anything else as all you are also giving others permission to do the same thing.  And, you are worth it!  Tammy Vitale