Shop Directly from the Blog!!

I just learned about a new tool through Artfire! I have a shop over there and now I can link directly to it and sell directly from anywhere I want to! Soooooooo, please scroll down and view a view items I have in my shop. :)

This Week's Featured Artisan - Rebecca's Whims

This weeks featured artisan is Rebecca - Rebecca's Whims! Whimsically beautiful creations in her shop! Perfect gifts for all ages! You can find Rebecca's Whims on:

Etsy

Facebook

Blog

This Week's Featured Artisan - Phillippa Pinka - Court & Sparks!

This weeks featured artisan is Phillippa Pinka - Court & Sparks.

Darling Creations that make perfect gifts! You can find Court & Sparks on:

Etsy

Folksy

Dewanda

Blog

Grab the code for your blog here:

This Week's Featured Artisan

This weeks featured artisan is Tracy - Braggin' Rights Bath!

Yummy treats to indulge yourself with! You can find

Braggin' Rights Bath on:

Website

Etsy

Facebook

Twitter

I Am Being Featured!!!

Please click on the above picture and vote for my piece!

This Week's Featured Artisan -

This weeks featured artisan is Vivian - Bowquet! Darling bows for your Darlings!

You can find Bowquet on:

Etsy

Facebook

Blog

On Fire for Handmade

You can grab the code for your blogs here:

This Week's Featured Artisan

This weeks featured artisan is Ruth - RSS Designs in Fiber! Beautiful Creations! You can find

RSS Designs in Fiber on:

Artfire

Etsy

Blog

Facebook

MY FIRST SALE!!!

I'm having my first SALE!!! I'm so excited!! In honor of reaching 1500 fans, I'm having a 15% off sale on all items in my ArtFire store. EXCLUDING ITEMS IN THE SOLD GALLERY. The sale starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday. Please be sure to use coupon code 15FOR15 to receive your discount.

My Facebook Page is the Featured Website!!

HEY! Check it out!!! I'm the featured website for an outstanding graphic artist!! If you're in need of a Facebook facelift, contact Jess Palotas at http://www.facebook.com/ARTisticmarketingwithjess ASAP! Don't miss this sale!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76380155/sale-interactive-professional-custom

This Week's Featured Artisan

This weeks featured artisan is Kim - Va Beach Quilter. Kim has a wonderful selection of goodies in her shop. Quilts, table runners, coasters.. the list goes on and on... You can find Va Beach Quilter on:

Etsy

Artfire

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

Exciting Changes for Bent & Twisted Creations!

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It's been a whirlwind week!!!  Whew!  On a very sad note, we lost our beloved kitty Xena. Here she is playing with  my 2 children.

On a much brighter note, I've been working with Jess Palotas from ARTistic Marketing With Jess to update the look of my business. She has created a new logo, a Facebook Fanpage landing page, Profile picture for Facebook, Twitter & Artfire, banners for my ArtFire and Etsy shops, as well as the background and banner for this page! I can't tell you how pleased I am with what she's been able to do for me!  Please check her pages out. She's gifted in this work and will do all she can to make your business shine! You can find her at:

Artistic Marketing Website

ARTistic Marketing Etsy Shop

Jess's Blog

Jessica Palotas Email

She will definitely help to GROW YOUR BUSINESS!!!

Last Chance To Win This Fabulous Ring!

Today is the last day for the giveaway! It ends at 11:59:59 EST tonight. So far 179 people have entered for their chance to win. WOW!!! Think we can reach 200 or more?! I do! Spread the word to all your friends so they can have their chance to win too. :-D

Giveaway Contest

This Weeks' Featured Artisan will be Shelly - Handmade Creations by Shelly

This weeks featured aritsan is Shelly - Handmade Creations by Shelly! Wonderful creations made by a wonderful lady!

You can find Shelly on:

 

Etsy

Artfire

Shelly's Knitting

Twitter

Facdebook

Blog

You can grab the code for your blog here:

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?d=1kAnDZ4JoTymW34AwVspuhoMFif6mzjoSsukJ7aJ8ZEo

Enter to Win a Custom Made Ring!

Enter to win a custom made ring!

Turquoise glass bead ring with silver swirl detailing and clear glass beads along the side make this the perfect ring to wear this summer to show off your tan!

Value $15.00

Size 7

Deeper turquoise and light blue bead color also available. Can be made in any size.

Oh Those Crazy Braids!

This week has been one of endings, new beginnings, lots of creativity and inspiration!  School has ended. Summer has begun. We got some trees taken down and flowers planted where they once stood.  The backyard has taken on a whole new look and creativity has been flowing out of every pore! 

At the beginning of last week, I was playing around with a couple of different braids and got the brilliant idea to mix the two into one totally new and unique braid.  With the help of my friend, Joni, it has been named the Ariel Braid!  All this week I have been playing with this lovely braid. Here is my new design!!

Wire-Wrapped Pendants

I thought I'd share with you what I've been working on this past week or so.  I have been slow to work with wire-wrapping pendants. I must admit, I was nervous about it. I tried a couple pieces a year ago that turned out, shall we say, HORRIBLE!  Well, I thought they were horrible. Anyway, as with the crocheting of wire, the damn has burst and voila...I give you...Pendants (and a necklace)!

 

This one is a blue Lapis wrapped in square brass wire and half-round copper. It was the first one I made last Sunday. It opened the door to the following!

 

This one is a Green Goldstone wrapped in round twisted parawire.  I really like the woven bail look!

 

This is a Fossil Coral wrapped in genuine copper. The piece is reversible and can be worn with either side facing up.

 

This one is a Tree Agate wrapped in genuine copper. This is the front view of this reversible pendant.

 

This is the back view of the pendant.

 

I'm not sure what stone this is but it's an agate of some sort. This piece reminds me of a pebble being thrown in the water creating ripples.  The handmade chain, made of genuine copper and round stones is 18 inches long and follows the same theme with the pebble and waves look.

It's Been a Crazy Busy Month!

Sorry for the long delay since the last post, but I've been fairly busy. That's a good thing!  I've had quite a few commission pieces to make as well as sales in my ArtFire shop.  I"m certainly not complaining!! I've gone from 86 fans to nearly 900 fans on Facebook fan page and am putting together a big sponsored giveaway in honor of that.

I've added a lot more pictures to the stream below. I hope you take a look and visit me at all of the following links:

ArtFire
Etsy
Twitter
Facebook

In the mean time, here are some new (as of today) creations!

Featured In Another Collection!

I am honored to have 3 pieces selected for another collection.  Please go to On Fire for Handmade - The B+ Gang to see all the pieces featured.  Be sure to leave your comments! :)

ArtFire Artisan Jewelers Guild Picked Me Again!!

The ArtFire Artisan Jewelers Guild that I belong to picked another one of my pieces to add to a collection. Please stop by Swirling and Twisting Into Spring to see my Chakra Earrings and Pendant set as well as many other beautiful items from fellow artisans. :)

Wire Wire Pants on Fire!

You know how it is when you find something you like, how you just keep doing it over and over?  Well, that is how my week has been. I've fallen in love with braiding!!

Actually, I've always loved to braid. I taught myself how to braid when I was 4 on a Skipper doll.  I think she was Barbie's cousin! ;)  Anyway, I played with that doll's hair so much that I stripped the blond right off!  So began my love affair with braids.

Last week or so ago, I ran across some braids with wire. They looked beautiful!  Of course I wanted to try them for myself.  I found a tutorial for the Crocodile Ridge Weave Bracelet and I was hooked!  I think I've made about 6 of these so far!!  Here is a picture of my first one.

I showed it off to some guy friends of mine and they like it too, but said it was too narrow for them and asked if I could make a wider version.  Here is my 1st attempt with that.

The weave was a lot looser and didn't come out exactly as I'd wanted, but still looks pretty darn good, if I do say so myself!

Next I decided to get a little creative and mix different colored wires together.

ArtFire Artisan Jewelers Guild Picked ME!! :)

ArtFire Artisan Jewelers Guild

Picked ME!!! to be part of their Mother's Day Gift Collection. :)  Check it out when you get a chance.

Working on a Logo...

Image by Cool Text: Logo and Button Generator - Create Your Own Logo

I'm A Collectable!

Wow, I can't tell you how pleased I was to find out today that this piece was just selected to be a part of the Mothers Day Gift Guide I from Artisan Jeweler Guild 

Come and check it out and pass it on!!

Spring Give Away!!

 Hey Everybody!!  It's almost spring and I'm feeling the need to give away some stuff. Who doesn't love a give away?!  When I reach 100 fans on my Facebook Fan Page Bent & Twisted Creations, I'm going to give away a pair of earrings.  But that's not all!! ;)  If you recommended my site and your friend was that 100th fan and they tell me that you recommended them, YOU get a free pair of earrings too!!  How great is that?!  So spread the news far and wide!  I hope you win!!

Storefront on Facebook & Twitter

I've been a busy bee today between creating pieces and finding ways to get the word out. I've been working on a storefront to sell my items so I'm test driving 'Big Commerce' shopping cart.  You can check out  Bent & Twisted Creations Facebook Fan Page. Once you get to that page, look over to the left sidebar and you should notice a link that says "Shop" with an icon of a shopping cart with a B in it.  When you click on that, it will open ope a shopping page.  When you click on any item, it will take you to a secure website where you can purchase items securely using Paypal.  You can also share pictures of the items with your friends/family/associates on your Facebook page. I would really appreciate it if you'd do that to increase traffic to my page.

I have also started a Twitter account so if you are into Twitter, please find me and follow me there @BentTwistedCrtn. I look forward to seeing you guys there! 

Crazy Celtic Knots

Spring is starting to spring and with that, St. Patty's Day is just around the corner.  Using that as my inspiration, I've been making some crazy Celtic Knot pieces.  Here are just a few. Check below in the slide show to see all of them. :)

Beautiful Simplicity

One of my favorite designers is Kristin Smith of  K S Jewellery Designs.  When I am seeking inspiration by looking at pictures on the web, I instantly recognize her work.  It's elegant, refined, sophisticated, playful and yet simple.  Often times we think of simple as plain, maybe even boring or ho hum. I have never had those thoughts when seeing her pieces.  They inspire me to not clutter my work.  Sometimes I get carried away thinking I need more detail or more complicated designs.  She helps me to reign that in and tone it down some.

Kristin also has some wonderful tutorials for any of you that are interested in learning to make your own jewelry or expand your skills.  K S Jewellry Design Tutorials

Copper, Brass and Turquoise Jasper

These are commissioned pieces for a friend of a friend. A classic look in earthy tones with the copper wrapping the brass.

Gemstone Meaning:

Jasper is used by gemstone therapists to heal mental stress. It is said to aid in grounding, to give protection, and to help align all the chakras and balance yin-yang energies.

February's Birthstone is the Amethyst

Sterling Silver and Amethyst ring

Amethyst and Silver ring

Amethyst and silver bracelet

Amethyst and Amber earrings

Because of its regal purple hue, amethyst has long been a favorite of kings, queens, and other nobles. While it signifies wealth and strength, this radiant stone is also a symbol of soberness, tranquility, and wisdom.For those who were born in the month of February the Amethyst is the traditional birth stone. 

The gift of Amethyst is symbolic of protection and the power to overcome difficulty.  It is said to strengthen the bond in a love relationship, so it is an ideal anniversary or engagement gem.  Whether or not Amethyst holds such power, it's stunning beauty will certainly make anyone who wears it feel like royalty!

Facebook Fan Page!

Today is my birthday. As a gift to myself, I created a Facebook Fan page.  I hope you'll stop by and 'Like' it.


Bent & Twisted Creations

More Twists & Turns

 

I've been playing around again!  I saw a really neat tutorial on Jewelrylessons.com. It reminded me of making macrame pieces at camp as a kid.

Jumping thru hoops!

Tonight's project was really very fun as well as educational for me. I've been wanting to make these for a while but have been busy making other pieces until now.

I picked up a tutorial by Bobbi Maw of Bobbi's Imagination's Jewelry about a month ago and decided to give them a try.  One of the great things about doing this piece is getting practice twisting and wrapping square wire. Two concepts you really need to master in order to make your pieces stand out.

I worked on these for about 30 minutes or so at the dining room table. When I was done, I showed them to my husband.  He usually looks over my finished projects, says Hmmm, and passes them back.  Tonight I got a different response and I must say, I was very pleased.  Instead of the usual, "Hmmm", I got a "Wow! These look REALLY good!!" Of course I had to tease him and say, "What?  You didn't think I do good work?"

He's used to seeing me tackle new things head on, but there is often a bit more of a learning curve where he hears my frustration and then sees the fire of enthusiasm for the new interest die out. This time I think he realizes that the pieces I'm making are quality pieces or maybe he's just seeing dollar signs!  Who knows. :)  Either way, it was nice to hear his enthusiasm. Not like he's actually gonna wear it himself, but he can see that it's something someone would like to buy for themselves or as a gift. Yeah me!

Holy Crochet Batman!

 An interesting thing happened last night.  I jumped the shark apparently and finally created a crochet piece that I think is worthy of a picture!  To digress a bit, I saw some pictures of a crocheted ring about a month or so ago and thought, "Wow! That looks really cool." So being my typical self, I said, I can make that!  Never having tried to crochet before I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I did try to knit a few years ago and almost ended up bald! I made one project and quit. NOT my cup of tea...at least not with yarn. I may try again with wire after seeing some neat stuff on the net.

Anyway, I didn't know didly about crochet. The thinnest gauge wire I had was a 24 and I had no hooks. As with most things, I threw myself into the idea and went on the search for some supplies.  I went to JoAnn's fabrics thinking they would have some hooks. They did, but mostly plastic and one very tiny crochet hook. I think the smallest they make!  Did I tell you I liked to challenge myself?!  I tried to use one of the plastic hooks with the 24 gauge wire and broke the tip off of it.  I then tried the smaller metal hook I'd gotten and it was just too tiny to hold the wire. The learning curve is steep sometimes.

I finally found some 32 gauge wire thinking the smallest wire would be the easiest to practice on. While it was much easier than the 24, it is very frail. I was able to make some very delicate rings, though nothing like the ring I'd originally seen that set me off on this quest.

I decided to put the hook away over the holidays as I was a bit frustrated with my efforts. In the meantime, I ordered some 28 gauge wire. It arrived about a week ago and has been staring at me ever since.  So last night I finally pulled it out and started playing with it and as if by magic, it became almost effortless!  The wire was so easy to work with and it didn't get kinked up because I figured out how to keep it on the spool and voila!  I made 4 pieces, the last of which was the bracelet featured above.  I'm sure I'd have made some more, as I was on a roll, but it was 3 am and being a homeschooling mom, school won't go on without me.

So this is my first big piece with crochet and it turned out great! I also made some birds nest earrings that someone has already got their eye on.  I think I've gotten over the first hurdle now. Onwards and upwards!!  Wheeeeeeeeee!!!