Bead and Shell Necklaces

It's been a really long while since I had the time (as well as energy) to make some beaded accessories for myself. Sometimes, the only way to deal with this kind of creative laziness is to just get down to it even if I don't feel inspired or energetic enough to spend an hour or two creating something pretty for me. So, like what the famous Nike adage "Just do it!" says, I just went ahead and did it anyway. I lay down some of my beads and shells on my workshop table and just started stringing beads together until a little bit of inspiration and motivation started kicking in. Then voila... after some time, I came up with four bead and shell necklaces!

Here are the bead and shell necklaces I made last Sunday afternoon:

Making Beaded Earrings, Necklaces & Bracelets

Making beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets requires inspiration, at least for me. This is why I can never consider making these things as work because when I'm not in the mood for it, then I won't be able to make any. I think I could but I won't be happy about it and the results won't be as nice.

So today, when I felt like doing a few more bracelets, earrings and necklaces to add to my growing collection, I took the chance. I just had my first meal of the day and I was feeling energetic. I immediately took out all my beading materials, looked at the previous designs I saved in my PC and allowed myself to be engulfed by awe and inspiration.

When making beaded jewelry, I don't try to copy other creations. I just look at as many beautiful designs as I can, prepare all my materials on my work station and I just let whatever inspiration flow through my hands as I pick my string, my colorful beads, my pliers, clamps, crimps, and other beading supplies.

Remember yesterday when I made a necklace out of recycled earrings? That necklace didn't have any pair of earrings to go with it so I made one:

Charm Bracelet and Necklace from Recycled Earrings

Wow! It's been almost four months since I last got busy with my crafts. I've been meaning to make my glycerine soaps but I still haven't found the time to buy my ingredients. Sorry about that. I've been traveling most of the time from Cebu, to Baguio, to my 33-day Boracay stay, to Caliraya, to Magalawa island in Zambales and just recently to Canyon Cove in Nasugbu. Whew! I still got plenty of travels to do but this particular day, I felt particularly creative. I knew I wanted to make a nice bracelet but I needed some inspiration. I checked out some jewelry making stuff online but nothing enticed me.

Then I saw my old unused earrings which are all missing their respective pairs. Why don't I recycle them and make a gorgeous charm bracelet? I still got a lot of raw materials and bead supplies so I just went with my idea. I stationed myself in our cozy lanai where I do all my crafts (as well as play with my musical instruments).

Handmade Beaded Bag from Recycled Jeans and Belt

Guess what I found in my closet looking new and beckoning me to take it out of its box? My mini sewing machine!

After 7 years, I finally opened its box, and what the heck, I decided to use it!