Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelets

A few months ago, my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is currently going through treatment and fighting the good fight.  She is one tough lady with lots of love and support around her.

As you know from previous posts, I really enjoy making jewelry in my spare time, especially chain maille jewelry.  I was working on some projects when I got the idea to make some breast cancer awareness pieces for all the women in the family to wear in support of our family member who was diagnosed.  I began gathering all the charms and beads I could find to get started.

Here is the result of countless hours of weaving.

The idea is that the family can wear these in support of her and when she is wearing her's, she can know that she has alot of support and love standing with her.  I can not imagine going through anything like that.  Like I said before, she is a strong lady.

I haven't made the decision to continue making these and selling them, but am considering it.  I also plan to make similar bracelets in support of fibromyalgia, the disease that I live with.

Currently, I am a hand brace (I like to call a cast, as it might as well be).  I have to wear it for three weeks.  At that time, I will be finding out whether or not I will be having surgery on my hand.  The only upside to this situation is that it is my left hand (I am right-handed).  The downside, I cannot do any jewelry making or crafts until the hand is fixed and working properly again.

Once again, this disease is trying to beat me.  It will not.  I am way to determined for that.

I hope that these designs inspire you to go out and create your world.

Beaded Chain Mail Necklace and Bracelet

Spring is here and I am off to a running start.  Getting the outside ready for planting, yard clean-up and, of course, spring cleaning.  Who doesn't love that?

In my spare time, which has been lacking, I have been crafting chain maille jewelry designs.  I am not sure what it is about this form of jewelry making that makes me so creative, but I love it.  I have no problem seeing what how I want the piece to turn out and just putting it together.

Chain Maille is not necessarily a difficult form of jewelry making, but it is definitely tedious.  Some of the weaves can be very intricate and hard to keep track of if you are not concentrating.  Others, however, are fairly simple and self explanatory.

I discovered this technique on Pinterest, of course.  You can visit my boards for the links to many free tutorials on this techinique.  Just follow me on Pinterest, or go to http://pinterest.com/kimberzkreation/ and visit my Jewelry Inspiration board.

Here is my latest creation, an anklet/bracelet and necklace set.  I used the single spiral beaded technique on the anklet/bracelet, and combined a couple of different techniques/weaves on the necklace.  It has the single spiral beaded technique and the flower.

This was a difficult weave to get down while introducing beads.  But, for my first beaded chain maille design, I think it looks pretty good.

I hope that this inspires you in your jewelry making.

GO OUT AND CREATE YOUR WORLD!!

Sharing Inspiration

Over the past few years, I have developed a love for crafting my own jewelry.  It seems that every time that I walk into a store, I am drawn to the jewelry section, not to buy, but to get inspiration for my own creations.  

With my disability, I don't get to craft the type of jewelry I would love to learn, like wire wrap jewelry. I love the look and the designs, but my hand just will not operate that well.  I am having another surgery on my hand soon and am hoping that when this one is done that I will be able to teach myself this technique.

I rarely use an entire tutorial or design belonging to someone else.  It seems that when I begin, my creativity takes over.  I use other's jewelry as inspiration and tutorials in order to help me achieve the design in my mind.  

As promised, I am sharing with you some of my original designs.  I hope that you can gather some inspiration from my pieces.  Since I'm not good at step-by-steps when it comes to my jewelry making, I will not even try to explain how I achieved the look.  None of the pieces are complicated...I am not a professional jewelry maker :).  Enjoy!

Go out in the world and create something!  Hope that you now inspired.

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Organization and Jewelry

Where have I been?  Well, if you only knew.  Since before Christmas, I have been on this major organization kick in our house.  I am tired of being crammed into this small space.  Since buying a new house at this point in time is not an option, I must improvise.  

My kitchen has been screaming for some much needed attention.  I wanted to start on those cabinets by getting some new pans.  My old ones were in horrible shape...I haven't bought any new ones in years.  So, the first order of business was pans.  I wanted to switch to stainless steel and take a swing at those.  I loved the new Paula Deen line, so I started there.  Who can beat the price? ($100 at Wal-Mart)

So here is the before and after....so far.  I am not finished yet, but it is a GOOD start.

I just keep telling myself that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  My goal is to have my home organized from top to bottom by the end of the summer.  I hope to achieve more space!

I also wanted to take this opportunity to share with you my newest jewelry project. (I will get some of my old stuff posted soon)  I love to make jewelry and am always looking for new inspiration.  Thank you, Pinterest.  

While I have been searching through the pins on Pinterest, I kept seeing chain maille jewelry.  I loved it and had to learn it.  So, I printed off a basic "stitch".  This was my first piece.  I AM HOOKED!!  I have ordered a load of jump rings.  Let's see what I come with.

As always...remember to stay creative.  Your comments and links are welcome.  I need some more dressing on my blog.

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