What I've been working on (Dial-up warning)

[Le Taz Hot]

I've been on an earring tangent lately. Here are some of the latest endeavors. (Note: This is my first "showing.")



Diamond shaped, gold & salmon colored earrings w/iridescent accent beads




Red lantern-style earrings with clear accent beads.




Plumb lantern-style earrings with wooden burgundy beads and purple & clear accent beads.



Tri-color with turquoise accent beads.




Black and white lantern-shaped "boho" earrings.





Free-style light pink with lime-colored beads. (Note: The one on the left is backwards.)


And my latest additions:


3-1/2" barret



2-1/2" barret

[Longhorn]

1. Those are lovely!

I love earrings like that. Do you make them for fun or are you planning to sell them?

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Oh, good, I'm glad you like them.

I'd like to eventually sell them once I get an inventory up, though I have no idea what kind of a market there is out there for them, if any.

Thanks for the response. I was beginning to wonder.

[Longhorn]

3. I would buy them!

And the place I've been buying the most jewelry lately is my hairdresser. She has a glass counter where she displays all kinds of earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. I can't help but look when I check out and usually end up buying something. She also sells handmade purses and scarves from various locals. It's a small-town shop in the suburbs of Austin. Maybe there's someplace like that nearby where you could get started?

Good luck!

[lies and propaganda]

5. wow! that must be a trend

because I just got picked up by two salons and so far its going pretty well!

[Le Taz Hot]

8. Funny you should mention that.

My friend (who makes beaded jewelry) and I were just discussing the possibility of doing this. I think it's an excellent idea. Thanks!

[Mrs Robeson]

4. Beautiful LTH

They are all beautiful! I would wear any of them! I love long and dangly. You are so talented--these would sell, for sure!:thumbsup: :yourock:

[Le Taz Hot]

9. Thanks SO MUCH for the feedback.

I look at them and think they're marketable but its really good to know others share the same opinion.

[lies and propaganda]

6. beautiful! and very unique!

I make and shop earrings all day long and Ive never came across a technique like yours!

You should definitely sell them, there is a market! Shop around on etsy.com , you will see people love big and funky and your jewels would fit right in!

[Le Taz Hot]

10. Thank you!

And thanks for the etsy.com reference. I'll definitely look into it. I know it's difficult to catch it from the photograph but most of the earrings are 1/2" to 1-1/2" long. From the photo they look larger than they actually are. This is a technique known as "micro" macrame' -- that is, I use S-lon (some call it C-lon) cording which is very small. I use a drafter's light (large, round, lighted magnifying glass) in order to see what the heck I'm doing.

[eridani]

7. S-Lon?

I like those a lot. Been meaning to get around to trying a barrette one of these days. Do you consider this micro-macrame? Do you use leather backing for the barrettes?

[Le Taz Hot]

11. Most are what I am referring to as

Micro macrame. They're actually pretty small. As for the barretts, I've tried several techniques but finally, I'm actually painting the barrett itself with the color of the cords I'm using. From there I glue (temporary measure), then use stretch cording to more permanently attach the project to the barrett. I repeat the same steps for the strip that goes over the other piece. This keeps the silver color from showing through. Oh, and yes, this is S-lon which I have since found out is another name for C-lon.

[eridani]

12. I've been trying to figure out S-Lon and C-Lon

Thanks for the input. Do these come in different gauges? If so, what size do you use? What have you found to be the best price for it?

[Le Taz Hot]

13. I have one local resource for the S-lon

cord and I've checked the packages for gauge numbers and there doesn't seem to be any. I've checked on ebay for C-lon cording and these do seem to have gauge numbers; however, I haven't actually bought any yet. So sorry I couldn't be of more help on this.

[eridani]

14. One more geeky question

Do you lay out your designs on graph paper first, or just play it by ear?

[Le Taz Hot]

15. I don't lay anything out.

I have in my head a direction in which I want to go or a technique I want to try or a shape or pattern. I may stick to the original "plan" but can change directions in the middle of the project (and often do). It seems every new project spawns 20 new ideas.

Fear not the geeky questions, I do the SAME thing with other crafters. Also, since I haven't been able to provide a gauge number for the S-lon cord, feel free to pm me and I'll be happy to send you a sample.

LTH.