Let the fun begin!

Hello and Welcome!

My name is Christina, and I am a bead hoarder and jewelry maker. In that order. Seriously, I have a problem, lol!

My design style has changed and evolved since I started my Blog a few years ago. I still love vintage beads and findings and I still incorporate them into my designs, however, I started hiking and got back into bird watching about 2011 and my jewelry started to take on more of what I was seeing and enjoying in nature. I am primarily a stringer, I also do bead embroidery and some basic wire work. I have not really got knotting down yet but I keep trying :)

I am inspired by things like a walk in the woods, a hike along the beach, a pretty bird.  I like earthy palettes with some splashes of bright colors here and there.

My favorite colors are fuchsia, dark teal, evergreen, and lavender. I tend to run screaming in terror of super bright colors (neon) and warmer colors (red, orange, yellow) are a bit of a challenge for me.

I like working with natural stones, wood, pearls, swarovski beads and pearls, ceramics, polymer clay, czech glass (especially leaves and flowers) and Vintaj Patinas for metal. 

I would love to explore enamel beads and lampwork glass beads more. 

I typically use Vintaj brass for metals and findings. I also like Vintaj Art Metal, Pewter, and Artisan Copper. The more rustic, the better. I am not a fan of shiny metal.

I don't like plastic beads, crackle glass, chunky or large beads ( 10mm is about as big as I go for accent beads) glass bumpy beads, rectangles, squares, cubes or chips. 

Here are some of my favorite pieces!

My lovely studio Assistant, Cleopatra, supervising some destashing

And here is where most of the creating takes place, I have a nice corner of the dining room