Some sparklies, some pretties, and some not so pretties

After Birdsong, I went on a jewelry making kick, after being inspired by Lori and Andrea and the wonderful pieces they had brought for vendor night.

I had some pieces around that I kept thinking I was going to use for something, and was happy to finally get around to it.

The two that are blue glass with pearls look good worn together.  I hope all that going on around my neck at once deters from my ever growing, saggy, wattle.  I kind of go back and forth on how to deal with that issue. Wear a ton of jewels to distract? Or keep it simple to not draw attention?

See what I mean?  

Oh man, I just showed a close up of my wattle!!!!!!  Oh my gosh, what is wrong with me?  I guess, I know that it is there, and can't be hidden or ignored.  I am what I am and need to accept it. Unless I want to wear turtle neck sweaters year round.  Heck, in a few years, I'll look at this photo and think these were the good ole days, back when my wattle and saggy skin were in the newbie stages of just learning how to sag. I'll probably think this is a great photo. 

This is a necklace I made for the Hippy Chick, it is a happy rainbow of semi precious stones.  My pal, Queen Regina, gave me some beautiful beads to work with a while back and I'm just now using them all up.  

 I always wear any necklace a while before selling or giving it away. They have to be proven comfy, and stay together well before they leave.

It had been a long, long time, since I'd been in a jewelry mood. This has been fun.

I've made a few as gifts too.  This one is for a friend who loves buttons, my BFF, Beth.

This is an old brooch set with amathyst and mother of pearl. I hung ruby and garnets from it, along with a locket that will hold photos of my girls, and a charm that has my name and birthdate on it. I think it was from my grandma's charm bracelet.  Or maybe my mom's?

 

 

Interested in the journal swap?  Info here.

Comments

[Regina Brodbeck]

Love all your pieces...glad you're using the beads!! Plenty more where they came from. I can't wait to finally get organized and make some stuff of my own.

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks again for the beads, Regina! You have a great collection. I cant wait to see what you make.

[tina mcdaid]

love the jewellery,but I didn,t know my saggy neck was called a wattle,mine is totally my worst feature and I have yet to discover a way to disguise it,i guess it what 50 plus ladies have to put up with,but at least we have the joy of grandchildren .

[Gail Sell]

Beautiful!! And lets not talk about wattles!!

[Patty]

They are all beautiful. I can see how you got inspired by Lori and Andrea.

[Yvonne Welty]

Karla-We are our own worst critic. You don't have a wattle. You are wonderful. I'm super excited about the book swap. I'm "shopping my stash" for materials. Yikes! I didn't realize how much I have. Have a great day!

[Karla Nathan]

Aw, thanks, Yvonne.

Im excited about the swap too, I took a break from making covers to do some pages. I had the opposite problem though. While my stash of supplies seems huge, I had a lack of nature inspiration. Except for tons of bird books that I use for Birdsong! I went with some flowers and birds, but need to branch out. Now, Im going for sunsets and oceans too, I found some old postcards to use.

[Karla Nathan]

Yep, who wouldnt be inspired by those two? Wow, they are overflowing with talent.

[Karla Nathan]

Youre right Gail! Normally, the subject can be avoided, and should be. But those dang iPhone cameras always tend to point them out to me.

[Karla Nathan]

True, nothing beats grandkids, Tina!!

[Cathy Kizerian]

The necklaces are beautiful, Karla, and so are you. I have the twin wattle to yours, and so RELATE to your thoughts. You were able to capture in words what I have had a hard time verbalizing. How to deal with the effects of aging? You have shown us that accepting it gracefully and with humor is far better than hiding it or strategizing ways to deal with it cosmetically. Bravo! We all love you and are aging right along with you. And that is so much better than not aging at all, isn't it? Life is good. :-)

[Karla Nathan]

So, true, Cathy, an aging neck is much better than the alternative of not aging at all! Plus, my grand daughter loves to flap my wattle like it is playdough. Im not so fond of that reminder, but it does remind me of my grandmas bread dough arm wings that I used to love to poke. Grandmas are soft and nice to poke at.

[Curtains in my Tree]

your jewels are all pretty and how funny about your wattle,
I have been seeing those commercials about a lazar treatment for such things, we call them turkey necks here LOL

That's why Diane Keaton wears turtle necks year round LOL

[Karla Nathan]

Yes, Ive heard Turkey Neck too. Neither term is very pretty, but both are very descriptive!

[Linda P.]

I think your jewelry is sooo pretty, Karla! I am somewhat jewelry-making challenged. Maybe I would become better if I did a lot of it! When I finished the gorgeous bracelet Andrea had for us at Birdsong, I felt it was QUITE the accomplishment--at least for me. : ) I enjoyed sitting by Mercedes because we both co-miserated about our lack of jewelry-making prowess. Hee hee.

I LOVE your humor, Karla, especially when you poke fun at yourself. Yes, we 50+ ladies all have our "getting older" pet peeves! I just try to remember a quote I once saw online. "Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many." When I remember that, it helps me deal with the wrinkle here (and here and here!) and the sag there!

[Karla Nathan]

Linda did you see the tool that Karen Hillman brought? It made the eye hooks, and was so handy! That got me hooked on making jewelry again.