Raku For Me

I wouldn't have guessed that I would favor Raku pottery over rhinestones for my jewelry making. Yet here I am using 2 of Harry Wood's cabochons;  Harry's etsy store is oscarcrow. When these arrived in the mail, along with 2 others, I went into obsessive mode and had to design something around them. 

I rummaged in my stash and my new BSue Boutique supplies for proper elements to enhance the Raku. I used BSue chain, metal beads and the brass stamping that the comedy mask is set on. From my stash is carnelian, labradorite and old amber beads. I really like this guy and have been wearing it, even to the barn. 

Here is my latest supplies from BSue. Oh, there is some dazzling stuff here to play with. And, there is another shipment from Harry on the way. Yahoo. 

Key to Happiness Necklace

At the b'sue creative group on FB, there is Work Desk Wednesday and Finish Up Friday; milestones in the week to encourage creative time. Last Wednesday I took this pic of a necklace I wanted to work on. My notion was to make a lariat style toggle closure in front, with that Arita button as the focal. As I was pulling this and that out of my stash, I decided to use the precious Asian look metal beads to support the Buddha button. They are precious because they come from my mom or gramma. So, this was my rough idea of the design 

As I began to put things together I quickly found that the lariat toggle idea was not a go for this piece. I tell you, I worked and reworked everything and each jumpring.  That sweet man never lost his smile!  😍 I used only made in USA jewelry findings and chain here. OK, OK, there are a couple bead caps from across the sea.