Merry Christmas 2021 & Happy New Year 2022

It´s almost Christmas and I´m hustling around with everything. I really hope that I´m getting done everything before Christmas eve. This time year is most busy one and that´s why I´m expecting more and more Christmas when I´m able to take little break from everything.

I was intend to write my last week of Beadtober challenge exceptionally last week but totally forgot it so here it comes.

Top row´s first photo is my crochet anklet that I made last Summer. This day´s challenge was to show "Your favorite color" because of National Color Day. I tried first time to crochet some beads along and thought that it would be hard or difficult but it was actually very easy so maybe I´ll make more. For these anklet I used gorgeous icy blue seed beads that remind me of arctic water.

Second photo from top row shows my bracelet that I made as a gift to my friend. This day´s challenge was to show some seed bead work and I choice this bracelet. I haven´t made any more since it was pretty difficult to make and it took me hours to complete this bracelet. I used pink and golden colors seed beads as they are my friend´s favorite color so who knows maybe I´ll try this some day again. 

Third and last photo from top row shows my "Cozy Vibes" which was theme of the day. I chose this gray color crocheted bracelet because its one of my personal favorite. This warms bit your wrist and it goes well when you go jogging or running and you need to swipe your forehead. It´s made of 100% cotton yarn which absorbs well water and can be washed in machine. I made total 20 bracelets in different colors so you can pick your favorite one. Bracelet is super comfortable to wear which why I thought it would be perfect for cozy vibes.

Second row´s first photo shows "Earthy Fall" I decided to show my latest purchase at the time. I found nice animal print faux leather pieces from local fabric shop. These two have most earthy and natural colors. Later I ended up cutting small pieces from these leather and made earrings that I will show you later.

Second photo from middle row shows my pumpkin creations. This challenge was in October and Halloween time was near and day´s theme was to show something related to "Pumpkin Season". These pumpkins are my very first that I ever made with help of my friend who have been creating awesome jewelry from polymer clay. It was fun and different to create something from polymer clay without using any beading method. I would wanted to make pumpkin from seed beads but didn´t have right colors at the time.

Last photo from middle row show my cat face earrings which I draw and cut from faux leather. Using faux leather feels more natural to me. Many people usually say that real leather is the best but I think faux leather is also very good choice. I got once bracelet which was made from real leather. I couldn´t tolerate the smell so I left it outside of the balcony. 

Final rows have all my polymer clay work, first one shows "National Chocolate Day", second one was "Frankenstein Friday" and last one was "National Candy Corn Day". Each one I made from polymer clay instead of beads. I was too excited to use polymer clay instead of beads. All was fun to make and making the texture to little Halloween brownies was most challenging since when I turned the work in my fingers, the texture I made was nearly gone so had to figured out how to make texture to all four sides. Frankenstein was inspired from Pinterest and I mixed the green color myself. I thought it would be perfect as a keychain but still I haven´t if that is best choice. Candy corns I thought they would be easy to make rather from polymer clay than beads but I was so wrong! I should choose beads since colors were mixing together from my fingers and couldn´t immediately figure out how to mix nicely three colors. I´m pretty pleased how the candy corn earrings look like and maybe try later to make it from beads because the colors can´t mixed so easily like from polymer clay.

Some of these creations I have already added to my Etsy shop, BlueBellJewelry and if you like to have something just for you, I´m open to your ideas and suggestions.

~ Minna

Happy December

Happy December!

This year have been very challenging in many ways and just before Christmas I find myself hustling around and I have long "To Do" - list. Between all this hustling, I try to take some time for myself. Usually I do yoga. I´ve been practicing yoga past 20 years more or less and now more frequently as my job is very physical especially during Winter. Yoga and crocheting are my ways to relax.

I was happy that this year arranged local Christmas craft sale event where I was last Sunday. It also gonna be two consecutive Sundays so have to make something special for there too. People were admired my crochet earrings. Couple people said that in order to make those need nifty fingers and very small hook. It was so fun to be there and show my jewelry.

I was participated Beadtober challenge in October and here´s what I made and post in my social media channel from week 3.

Day 15 - Falling Leaves

Since this day´s challenge was falling leaves I thought to share my wooden leaf necklaces that comes in total 8 different colors. They don´t show so well in photo collage but pink one was the photo that I post on Instagram that day. If you´re interested of my leaf necklace, visit my Etsy shop.

Day 16 - Favorite Technique

Second row begins with my beaded earrings that I made few years ago. These earrings were bit challenging to make. I try to learn how to do brick stitch with beads and have bad tutorial video. I rewind it several times back and forth and trying to figure out how I´m suppose to get the bead straight up by pulling the thread. I remember to learn this technique two days and I even think it in my dreams. I try to look other tutorial videos too but each tutorial maker have slightly different style to do this brick stitch. In the end, when I finally figured this technique out, it wasn´t so hard at all but if you´re just getting started beading your own jewelry, I would not recommend to start with brick stitch.

Day 17 - Czech Glass

This day´s challenge was all about Czech glass so I thought to share my dragonfly earrings that all have matching Czech glass bead above the dragonfly. These earrings have gold plated smooth backs and very detailed front side. These earrings are my favorite from all BlueBell´s jewelry and so perfect for Spring and Summer time. 

Day 18 - Orange & Black

Final photo from second row, I made bracelet set in orange and black color. For these bracelets I used memory wire, seed beads and got few beautifully glistening orange glass beads that I used in the middle. 

Day 19 - Necklaces

Last row, in middle photo is my necklace that I made. I love to make choker necklaces from seed beads and this black seed bead choker necklace have unique cat pendant what I made without any mold from polymer clay. There´s photo of my cat who act as an inspiration for this pendant. 

Day 20 - Spooky Spooky Skeletons

First photo from last row show my skeleton earrings that I made from polymer clay and cotton yarn. I learned to make own tassels few years ago and they are pretty simple to do. Skeleton heads I molded from orange color polymer clay. I took from web inspiration photo in order to mold these skeletons. I forgot to add eye pins before I put these polymer clay work in oven so had to add small screw for both side so I can attached the earring hooks and tassels what I made. These earrings are unique pair and it´s available on Facebook shop and Etsy too.

 

Day 21 - Boo! Beads!

Last photo of all is showing my favorite beads. I chose Swarovski crystal beads since I love everything sparkle and these beads shines so gorgeously that makes me happy and they gives me creative boost. Local bead supplier said to me once that it´s completely own hobby to just watch how different beads shines 😂 I bet this is very common among jewelry makers.

~ Minna

Joulukuun Kivi: Turkoosi

Turkoosi on yksi vanhemmista ja tunnetuimpia kiviä, joita on käyttänyt mm. shamaanit, kuninkaat, soturit ja intiaanit. Turkoosi tulee rankan kielen sanasta "La Pierre Turquoise" tarkoittaen "turkkilaista". Kaunis kivi on ihastuttanut mm. egyptiläisiä ja turkoosi kiveä on käytetty Tutankhamonin hautanaamion rinta-alueella. Turkoosin kiven toi markkinoille ranskalainen kauppias, joka löysi tämän ihastuttavan kiven matkatessaan itään Turkkiin etsimään kauniita esineitä, joita Euroopassa ei ollut. Hänen huomionsa kiinnittyi turkoosi korukiveen ja myyjä kertoi hankkineensa niitä Persiasta. Palatessaan Ranskaan kauppias esitteli asiakkailleen löytämiään upeita kiviä, joita hän oli Turkista tuonut.

Aito turkoosi on melko harvinainen ja se saa kauniin värinsä ympäröivistä kivilajista. Sitä esiintyy alumiinipitoisten kivilajien halkeamissa ja raoissa. Sen vuoksi myös aidossa turkoosissa on tummia juovia. Turkoosin väri voi vaihdella vaaleasta vihreästä voimakkaaseen siniseen. Sinistä turkoosia syntyy, kun kivilajissa on alumiinin lisäksi kuparia ja vihreän värin saa aikaan rauta.

Turkoosi tunnetaan viisauden, voiman ja suojeluksen symbolina ja on suosittu korukivenä. Turkoosia käytetään usein kaulakorun riipuksissa, mutta sitä käytetään myös muissa koruissa kuten korvakoruissa, rannekoruissa ja sormuksissa. Faaraot pitivät usein turkooseista kiveistä koristeltuja kaulakoruja yllään. Niillä on katsottu olevan parantavia voimia niin ruumiiseen kuin mieleenkin. Kivien on katsottu myös luovan yhteyden esi-isiin. 

Turkoosi resonoi totuuden energian kanssa ja hoitaa tehokkaasti kurkkuchakraa auttaen kommunikoimaan rehellisesti ja viisaasti. Ujoja ihmisiä turkoosi kannustaa osallistumaan enemmän keskusteluihin ja luottamaan siihen, että heidän mielipiteillään ja puheenvuorollaan on arvo ja merkitys. Julkisille puhujille turkoosi antaa rohkeutta, tyyneyttä ja varmuutta.

Turkoosi tunnetaan myös otsachakran stimuloijana. Se herättelee selvänäkökykyjä ja intuitiota. Meditaatiossa voit kokeilla asettaa turkoosi kiven otsachakran kohdalle. Turkoosi tasapainottaa chakroja, rauhoittaa mieltä ja tasaa tunnekuohuja. Kivi sopii hyvin avuksi masennukseen, uupumukseen ja voi olla avuksi myös paniikkihäiriössä.

Turkoosia pidetään yhtenä runsauden ja onnen kivistä. Turkoosin kanssa työskentely kutsuu elämääsi tasaisempaa ja runsaampaa rahavirtaa ja antaa inspiraatiota keksiä uusia tulonlähteitä. Turkoosi tuo onnea ja hyvää terveyttä.

Työpaikalla turkoosi sopii johtajille ja niille, joiden työ edellyttää selkeää kommunikointia ja tiedonkulkua esim. laki- ja virkamiehille. 

• Kovuus: 5 - 6 Mohsin asteikolla
• Hiotun turkoosin pinta on vahakiiltoinen tai matta
• Halkaisemalla turkoosin voi selvittää onko turkoosi kivi aito vai ei
• Turkoosi tunnetaan Yhdysvalloissa intiaanikorujen raaka-aineena
• Turkoosia on louhittu Siinain niemaan esiintymistä jo 4000 vuotta ennen Kristuksen syntymää
• Persiassa turkoosia pidettiin pikkusormessa, sillä uudenkuun heijastuksen näkeminen turkoosin pinnasta toi tullessaan hyvää onnen ja suojan paholaisen houkutuksia vastaan
• Turkoosia on käytetty amulettina kaikenlaisia putoamisia vastaan, erityisesti ratsastajien keskuudessa estämässä ratsastajaa putoamasta hevosen selästä
• Venetsilaiset kauppiaat toivat turkoosin Eurooppaan Turkin basaareista
• Amerikan intiaanit käyttivät turkoosia tuomaan hyvää metsästysonnea ja tuomaan voiton taisteluissa
• Turkoosia ei saa ultraäänipuhdistaa, liottaa kuumassa vedessä eikä kivi saa joutua kosketuksiin kodinkemikaalien kanssa

~ Minna

Recycled & Sustainable Jewelry

Photo by Jing Wang from Upcyclewithjing - Together

Sustainability, eco-friendly and recycled jewelry has become more and more popular but what exactly is sustainable and eco-friendly jewelry?

For me sustainable jewelry comes from responsible sources where workers had fair wages and safe working environments. Sustainable jewelry have minimal impact on the environment.

SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

Photo by Dominik Scythe on Unsplash

• Recycled silver 
• If you´re looking to create eco-friendly jewelry, choose recycled silver such as sheet, solder and grain so you can continue to make jewelry like you have done with regular silver
• Recycled gold
• If gold is what your business offers, choose recycled gold such as sheets, panels and wire or try use fairtrade gold
• Stainless steel
• Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and it´s most durable, hardwearing and easily accessible material. You can use stainless steel wire for soldering
• Aluminum
• Aluminum is one of the most environmentally friendly materials for your jewelry business. Use aluminum for stamping or aluminum sheet as a base metal for your jewelry
• Scrap
• Scrap is one of the easiest materials to make your jewelry. With scrap metal and pieces you can create unique and quirky eco-friendly jewelry 
• Wood
• Wood is renewable and abundantly available in Finland. Many think wood isn´t sustainable material but when the wood comes from sustainably managed forests, the wood is sustainable material

SUPPORT LOCAL & SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

Jing Wang
Designer/owner of Upcycle with Jing

I recently found amazing jewelry maker from Instagram who I like to introduce to my blog readers.

Jing Wang from Upcyclewithjing who turns ordinary PET bottles into amazingly beautiful jewelry. 

Jing Wang design journey begun in China where she studied industrial design but she soon realize that she wanted to create something sustainably. 

While living in China and India, Jing was also appalled by the prevalent use of single-use plastic bags and bottles that littered streets, landfills and even the oceans. Upcycling a pollutant material like plastic became her lifelong quest, which is what today has transformed into Upcycle with Jing, a thriving upcycled jewelry store online.

Nothing gives Jing more joy than to transform an ordinary PET plastic bottle by hand, changing it into a sustainable, unique and beautiful art piece that someone will truly enjoy wearing.

I fell loved with these gorgeous designs that Jing Wang has made. Each piece have such a gorgeous details and unique design.

Photo 1: Jasmine Flower Necklace - Stunning jasmine flower necklace with minimalistic but sophisticated style.

Photo 2: Lily Flower Drop Earrings - Dangling off gold-finished French hooks are beautiful clear flowers that cradle a lustrous white bead with a rounded gold-finish tip.

Photo 3: Jasmine Flower Hairband - A hairband inspired by a jasmine flower fairy! Sitting atop an elegant gold finish hairband is an arrangement of double flowers on either side, crested with clear petals and a white inner flower.

Photo 4: Jellyfish Earrings - Inspired by the mysterious but beautiful jellyfish, these free-flowing earrings add an unmissable fashion statement for you.

Follow Jing Wang on Instagram and Facebook

Find our more her beautiful design by visiting on her Etsy shop and website

HOW SUSTAINABILITY SHOW IN BLUEBELLJEWELRY

I consider recycling important thing. Luckily here in Finland we have great recycling systems and in daily basis I sort my household waste in different recycle bins. In our housing association we have different recycle bins for plastic, metals, papers, cardboards, glasses etc. What comes my little handmade business, I buy envelopes that are manufactured from recycled papers, I walk to mail every Etsy order, I have reduced plastic wrapping from the jewelry packaging and I preferably use to wrap orders in papers that I get weekly from my work. I think every small act counts but there´s long way to go until I can say that BlueBellJewelry makes sustainable jewelry.

~ Minna